It's the night sky, brilliant with shimmering stars, the rare cloud pale against the darkness, and the full moon that glows so big it feels like anyone can reach up and brush their fingers against it.

In the garden everyone was dancing to the tunes that played through the loudspeakers. But even in this chaos someone had managed to steal moments of tranquility.

It was Koel. Standing on the edge of terrace wall, letting cool November breeze play with his hair. As she saw everyone downstairs dancing their hearts out. Then her eyes fell on Nikhil who was dancing along Faizi. She took a deep breathe. She had so many thoughts running past her mind ever since she landed in India. After all the journey back, home wasn't easy for her. And how could it be she was returning to the very place she ran away from. One can run away from people and places but not from memories. And India was place of so many memories for her. This few moments by herself gave her some peace.

Away from everyone she had made her own sweet small world that revolved around her, her son and her work. She was happy there. She felt safe in that small, knitted world of hers.

Koel's train of thoughts were broken when she heard footsteps. She turned around to find Siddharth walking towards her direction.

It's so good to see you after..., said Koel as she hugged Siddharth.

What good to see you, said Siddharth in a bit harsh tone cutting Koel in between.

Just stop this formality, he continued as he pushed Koel away.

No Sid I am genuinely happy seeing you after so long, said Koel.

Happy? Really, is it? When 4 years back suddenly you decided to just go away leaving everything behind that too without even informing everyone. And to top that you cut contact from everyone. You even deactivated your social media account. All these years we kept looking for you. Calling our common friends, your parents we did it all and you didn't even bother getting in touch with anyone of us. You threw us all out of your life. Where was your friendship back then, screamed Siddharth.

Sid I can explain, said Koel.

What is left to be explained Koel.? If you had problem, then you could have come to us. We could have solved it together. That's what friend are for. All these years I kept waiting for that one text, that one mail or call from you, that one knock on my door but you just never came back nor did ever try to connect to us. Was this your friendship? If you and Faizi had issues, why you ghosted all of us. Why did you punish us all? Why did you left without even informing for us to keep longing for you, screamed Siddharth.

Koel silently just kept looking at him. A tear fell of her eyes.

Seeing Koel take it all silently broke Siddharth's heart even more. He just engulfed Koel in a hug.

I am sorry, is all that Sid could hear before Koel broke down in his arms.

No, I am sorry. I am sorry for screaming at you. I was just mad at you for shutting me out. I mad at myself for not being around when you needed me the most. I never wanted to leave you alone. I was just worried about you. I missed you Ko..I missed you being around, said Siddharth.

I am really sorry Sid for shutting you all away. But I had to. I never wanted to return back to the same place, to the same issues. And going away seemed the only way, said Koel in a low tone as she let her tears that had controlled for years flow.

I hate to see you cry, said Sid as he wiped Koel's tears.

I too hate this vulnerable Koel, whispered Koel.

But it's okay to let your tears out. Just let it all out. They just lighten up the burden, said Siddharth.

What why are you staring me like? asked Siddharth.

In life first time I am hearing you say sensible things, replied Koel.

They both giggled in between tears.

Yeah, life makes you sensible, replied Siddharth.

Koel hugged Siddharth.

I know what you are referring to, said Koel.

But now no more crying cause we have one another now, said Siddharth.

Koel smiled at him.

*****

The clock ticked at 2am. The party was finally over. Everyone had a gala time in the engagement party.

Though everyone was dead tired still Karan, Monami, Sanjana, Siddharth and Faizi had gathered in Monami's room. They had questions that needed to be answered. Koel had gone to put Nikhil into bed. And this was a perfect time for others to discuss.

So are you both going to speak up yourself or will we have to force it out of you both, said Karan.

Speak what out, asked Sanjana.

Stop acting as if you both aren't getting what we are talking about, said Karan.

Sanjana and Monami exchanged glances.

Few months back I had gone to Chandigarh for a business trip. At Chandigarh airport while waiting for my boarding to start, I bumped into Koel's parents at the food court. On inquiring about Koel, they first denied knowing anything but latter hesitantly confessed that they were going to New York- to meet Koel, said Sanjana.

But they said that Koel had never contacted them after she left that night, said Siddharth.

She had asked them not to disclose where she was, said Monami.

Then I pleaded them for her number and that's how we got into contact with her, continued Sanjana.

Karan was about to say something when someone came inside. It was Koel.

Everyone became quite and started exchanging glances.

What happened why did you all became quiet, asked Koel.

Ahm-m it's nothing like that w-we were just discussing tomorrow's ritual timings, that's it, said Monami covering up the situation.

O-oh, said Koel.

So, you have put Nikhil to sleep, asked Siddharth.

Yeah, and that's reminds me Monami I gave you my phone where's it, asked Koel.

It's kept in my room come I will give it you, said Sanjana as she took Koel along her.

Though Karan and Siddharth still had questions to ask but they thought that this wasn't correct to discuss it all and hence decided to let the conversation sink for the moment and left.

In the room only Faizi and Monami were. Faizi had barely spoken ever since Koel had come. He had a lot going inside his mind. Out of sudden his wife had arrived infront of him with their son. He had so many questions. A lot had happened to him just in span of few hours. Monami turned to him.

All this while you knew where Koel was and you didn't even though the need to talk about it to me, said Faizi in a hurt tone.

Faizi, I... was all Monami could speak before Faizi spoke again.

Out of everyone you knew how much I had searched for Koel day in day out, begged God for her just one information of her whereabouts, you had seen in tears and in pieces after she left and even after that Monami you didn't feel that I should be the one who was to be informed about Koel. I never thought even in my wildest dreams that out of everyone you could do this to me, saying so Faizi barged out of the room wiping his tears as he left.

Monami tried to stop him but all in vain. Faizi was long on. On the happiest day of her life Monami was in tears.

But unknown to her someone had heard Monami's and Faizi's conversation.

that's all for this update. Hope you liked this update. Do comment down your views would love to hear them out and do vote if you liked the chapter.

Who was it who had heard Monami's and Faizi's conversation? Where had Koel been since past 4 years? What made Koel cut all ties with her friends? What was reason behind Koel leaving home and Faizi? And what was it that the girls were hiding from the boys?

Next update soon.