At Deepak's House....

Deepak was getting ready for work when he heard the doorbell ringing. "Neria, could you please answer it?" Deepak shouted from his bedroom. "No, I'm busy in the kitchen. You go and answer it" Neria shouted back at him. Letting out a deep sigh, Deepak adjusted his shirt and went to open the main door.

Deepak widened his eyes seeing his friend Nikhil Dev at the entrance along with his wife Sakshi (Vihan's sister).

"Hello my friend" Deepak said and hugged Nikhil and Sakshi. "When did you come from Delhi?" Deepak asked them in surprise. "Two weeks ago Deepak," Sakshi replied with a smile. "How come you didn't tell me? After you two got married, you forgot the person who helped you to run away? This is so bad Nikhil. I should have made Sakshi as my sister-in-law!!" Deepak said and chuckled.

"Well sorry to burst your bubble. Sakshi is mine and mine only and even your brother didn't want to marry her as she is Like a little sister to him and remember that the master brain behind getting Arjun and Arpana married was mine" Nikhil replied knitting his eyebrows together.

"Oh come on. I'm just kidding. Come in you both" Deepak said and invited both Sakshi and Nikhil into the house. "Heyy!!" Neria shouted when she saw who the guests were. "I'm Still in angry that you both didn't come to our wedding!!" Neria complained as soon as she saw and while hugging them. "Well you knew the situation better than us. Didn't you Neria ? Never could I face Arpana in my life. Arpana was more like a sister to me than a sister in law. The pain and agony I must've caused to her when I eloped must have been unbearable for her. I wasn't or is still not ready to face her" Sakshi said as she sobbed.

"Hey, I was joking about Sakshi and don't worry about Arpana. She will thank you for bringing Arjun in her life. Not now but very soon. She got to know about your brother also". Neria comforted Sakshi. Sakshi stiffened when she heard about her brother. Even she got to know about Vihan's scheme after she got married to Nikhil only. This caused a little discomfort to everyone as it was a sensitive subject to Sakshi. He treated her like a princess but he was ready to ruin her life for his dirty games.

Neria changed the subject to lighten up the mood while talking about their life in Delhi. Soon after checking on each other's wellbeing and after various different discussions, Nikhil said "so let me come to the matter. Me and Sakshi came to Bangalore because I have been transferred here for a special investigation".

"What investigation?" Neria asked Nikhil curiously.

"The case was originally Anjali's murder but Deepak has concluded that part. I am here for the next stage. So basically my superior officer Mr Joshi assigned me the duty to find out who Arpana actually is and who was behind that accident that day and where Vihan is. As for Mr Joshi, he believes it links very well with Anjali's case. So Deepak I believe we are lucky. It's all going in the direction we wanted it to and also I kind of requested to be a part in this case" Nikhil replied.

"Great! An investigation regarding that will eventually bring out the truth and the clarity in everything. Once that is out, Arjun and vadina can start fresh. Nikhil, I have a gut feeling it was either Vihan or Indrajit behind Arpana's accident". Deepak said his opinion.

"Yeah, I think that. Manoj could be added into our list as well right?" Sakshi asked.

"Manoj could have done it but I don't think he was behind it. He accepted every crime he has committed so he would have accepted this too so let's see" Deepak said his opinion.

"Hmm. Hopefully at the end of the investigation, we will get the answer" Nikhil replied.

"By the way, until this news gets sorted out, don't mention it to anyone that Sakshi and I'm married. I don't want her to be in any danger" Nikhil said and everyone accepted his wish.

Soon after some more discussion around the case, Nikhil and Sakshi left for their new flat.

Two weeks later ...

Arjun was slowly recovering from the trauma he went through or infact was forcing himself to recover from the past. Arpana too was trying to recover but it all seemed a bit overwhelming to her.

Arjun took leave from his work because he was not mentally prepared to return for work.

It was a rainy morning. The rain wept down the window. The wind screamed through the branches and the breeze murmured through the branches waking Arjun from his deep slumber. Arjun and Arpana were still sleeping in different rooms. Even though Arjun asked Arpana that day and she accepted too, she stayed in her room after that mental trauma and Arjun respected her decision and decided to give her space as Borge needed it very much.

Arjun wanted to slowly welcome Arpana into his life but she was keeping a good distance only increasing his pain more. Arjun felt as if their relationship was going back to square one but somewhere in his heart he had hoped that Arpana would come to him one day searching for his warmth and love.

At the moment Arjun was giving Arpana space and time to overcome the trauma and he very well knew that it would take her time to heal. After being betrayed from what she thought was hers, it will definitely take time for her to accept a new person fully into her life and love that person completely.

After Arjun's morning routine he went downstairs and sat on the couch. Surprisingly Arpana got out of her room today. After that incident, Arpana prefers to sit alone in her room. She then sat next to Arjun on the couch followed by an awkward silence. Slowly Arpana cleared her mouth to get Arjun's attention. "Arjun, can I tell you something?" Arpana said "Yes of course you can!!" Arjun replied pleased with Arpana's initiative to make a conversation with him.

"Arjun, I've finally decided to move on ... I've had enough dwelling on the past. I am getting no happiness or peace living like this. I was dwelling about the past before but I didn't have any guilt because I loved Vihan a lot and I thought he did the same but dwelling about him now as he's still alive and wanted to kill me, I got to know it's of no use. By moving on Arjun, I mean, I want you in my future and only you and no one else".

Arjuns lips curled into a smile hearing what Arpana just said. She has finally accepted this situation and wants to start a new life with him now...

"But Arjun, I want to move on by making peace with my past. By this I mean I am not keeping anger or hate towards anyone... not even Vihan. I remember you saying that inner peace is important more than anything. Like I am making peace with my past Arjun and I want you to as well" Arpana said but Arjun was not exactly pleased with what Arpana suggested. "Arpana, I can not forget what Anjali did," Arjun said.

"Arjun, I am not telling you to forget what she did. In Fact never ever forget it! But make peace with what she did and accept it as your past. Anyway Arjun I came here not to talk about Anjali but your mother" Arpana said, creating a wave of shock in Arjun.

"Arpana, are you being serious?"

"Yes Arjun. I am being serious. You hated your mother for nothing. She only wanted her son to escape from Anjali's trap and fake love. The poor soul has gone through a lot with Arjun. I believe it's time to apologise now, let her age with peace" Arpana said, making Arjun knit his eyebrows together.

"When we break a glass it can never be mended again right? In the same way, my relationship with my mother broke into a million pieces years ago. I don't believe it will be normal ever again" Arjun expressed what he felt.

"No Arjun you're wrong. Stop making comparisons. Instead of making excuses, let's go to your mother and apologize to her. She loves you a lot Arjun, don't hurt her anymore especially after knowing the truth and why she did what she did to Anjali" Arpana said.

"But I can't face Arpana. After all the cruel things I did to her, will she forgive me?" Arpana asked, feeling doubtful.

"Arjun, a mother can never hate her children. Your mother will forgive you and accept you back wholeheartedly. If you're still in doubt, let's go and see. We all need closure and she does too".

Arjun did not reply. Arjun wasn't saying anything so Arpana decided to leave but as she stood up Arjun opened his mouth and said "I am ready Arpana. I am ready to seek my mothers forgiveness ..." A big smile appeared on Arpana's face hearing what Arjun said. Arpana knew this was the first step towards healing and pain and trauma, especially after Arjun went through. Arpana very well knew that Arjun was guilty of what he did to his mother all these years but he did not have the courage to face his mother that's why he was refraining himself from meeting her.

Soon they got ready and reached Arjun's House. Surprisingly Deepak and Neria were there too as their car was parked in front of the house. Arjun's hands became so clammy indicating that he was very nervous and anxious.

Arjun was not getting out of the car so Arpana gently shook his shoulder and reminded him that they had reached.

"I'm not ready, Arpana," Arjun muttered, clutching tightly onto the steering.

"Arjun it is upto you to make peace with your mother or not but if you apologise to your mother now, you can let go of that baggage of guilt" just as Arpana said that Arjun slowly got out of the car and slowly walked towards the house followed by Arpana.

Before Arjun could ring the doorbell, Deepak opened the door displaying a wide grin. "Arjun I'm so happy you're here!! Come in!! Vadina came in" Deepak said and welcomed them in. However, Arjun did not express much emotion.

Understanding her first born and daughter in law are here, Arjun's mother ran from the kitchen and stood in the hallway frozen. Normally Arjun would avoid her or say something that would hurt her but after knowing the truth Arjun's mother knew very well that the meeting between them will be different. Revathy had a million tears in her eyes seeing her son but no words to express how she felt.

The son and mother stood there silently. Arpana gestured to Deepak, Neria and Ravinath to leave so the mother and son can sort out their problems peacefully.

Once everyone else had left Arjun slowly opened his mouth and said "sorry" and broke down onto the floor. Seeing her son cry like this, broke Revathy's heart into pieces. Immediately she ran upto Arjun and knelt down and hugged him tightly.

Arjun hugged her back and cried in his mother's arms just like a baby. Revathy caressed her son's hair and allowed him to cry and release all the pent up emotions. "I've hurt you so much over the last few years ma. Please forgive me" Arjun begged for forgiveness from his mother.

"Arjun, a mother can never hate her son no matter what he does. I agree over the last few years what you did hurt me a lot but my love for you always remained unconditional dear. Now stop crying, I don't like to see my son like this. I always want my Arjun to keep his head high up in power and kindness that you always had" Revathy said because her heart was breaking to see her son cry like this. Even at the age of 32, Arjun felt so much relieved and better when he was with his mother. This made him understand that he always needs his mother. A single tear rolled down Arjun's eyes after understanding his mother never hated him.

Finally the family had reunited. Anger and hate was no longer present in the family. Only love was...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Arjun went to the balcony and looked out from it intently. Soon Deepak followed him to the balcony but Arjun turned around to leave when Deepak approached him.

"Arjun , please don't avoid me" Deepak requested his brother.

"I am not avoiding you Deepak" Arjun replied.

"Then why were you not picking my calls or speaking to me when I came around to yours? Even now you are trying to avoid me!" Deepak explained.

"I'm still in a bit of shock knowing my brother knew more about my life than myself. I thought there weren't any secrets in between us but I was proved wrong. Why did you hide it all from me Deepak ? Why?" Arjun asked his brother, clutching tightly onto Deepak's collars.

"Arjun, please let me explain. You loved Anjali blindly and trusted her a lot. I was scared to approach you with the evidence as I understood you will be shattered into a million pieces. I only got the confidence and courage after you married Arpana, because I knew she would be able to control your emotions. And secondly I did not know who Manoj was. I wanted to present the evidence properly. You already hated mom and I didn't want you to go away from us completely. Please forgive me Arjun please!!" Deepak explained his side.

"Deepak, I am ever so grateful for what you did and I am ever so happy knowing my brother is not so little now. You are much more mature and intelligent than me and I am proud of you" Arjun said and hugged his brother. Ever since a small age, both the brothers shared a beautiful bond. Deepak then slowly released himself from Arjun's hug "Arjun I have one more thing to reveal regarding yours and Arpana's marriage but I will reveal more in the next few days. I promise till then please be patient. I promise you will only be happy when you finally know about it..."

Arjun did not ask his brother anything further. He was ready to wait patiently for what Deepak had to reveal next even though Arjun was curious.

Soon Revathy called everyone for lunch. Finally the whole family had reunited and finally the atmosphere was free of tension. Most of the time it's your family that will be there for you at the end regardless of what crisis you're going through in life. From this moment onwards Arjun decided to love, be there for his family and most importantly protect his family no matter what.

Arjun still wasn't sure if he loved Arpana but he knew that she was an inseparable part of him now. Arjun was very grateful to Arpana for convincing Arjun to apologise to his mother and reconcile with her.

Deep inside Arjun fears the day Vihan possibly returns. If Arpana leaves Arjun for Vihan, then definitely Arjun will be shattered.

Arjun kind of zoned out when Arpana realised this, she gently nudged Arjun and gestured to him to focus on the meal.

"One advice I want to give both Arjun and Arpana, is to move on. I know it's hard but you both have each other to lick each other's wounds" Arjun's father said during the meal as advice he then said "sometimes you have to accept certain things will never be how it used to be. If you keep re-reading the previous chapter of your life then you will never be able to start a new chapter. Move on from Vihan and Anjali and together build a beautiful life together."

"Arjun and I are in the process of healing Pa. I agree that the trauma had impacted on my mental health very badly. I was on the verge of depression but Arjun's motivational words and my desire to start a new life with Arjun is helping me to come out from my past" Arpana said to which Arjun just smiled.

"That's what we like to hear, Arpana!" Neria said. "Stay with us for a few days and maybe go elsewhere for a few days just to change your mind. Hopefully it will help you start fresh" Revathy suggested.

"I was thinking about that Ma" Arjun told his mother, glancing at Arpana.

. . . . . . . . . 

After the meal Arjun went upstairs to his room. It's been many years since he has properly slept in that room. It was the room where he shared many special moments with Anjali. But the previous memories were not bothering him anymore because Arjun finally accepted the past and he was ready to move on.

Arjun felt relieved today and felt as if his mind and heart was finally let out free from a cage. Today he was going to share the bed with Arpana because it was his parents house and they could not ask for two bedrooms. Arpana was looking out of the window when Arjun entered the room. As he approached her, Arjun hugged Arpana tightly from the back and buried his head on the crook of her neck. It was unexpected for Arpana but she did not mind it.

"Thank you Arpana! Thank you for everything!!" Arjun said as he slowly and turned her around...

.............................

"Things end. People change.
And you know what ?
Life goes on..."

.............................

Hope you all liked this chapter 💗

So Arjun and Arpana have finally decided to move on. Your thoughts on this ?

Will Vihaan ever return ? If he will what could motive be ?

What might Deepak have to tell Arjun about Arjun's and Arpana's marriage ?

So Nikhil is Sakshi's husband .... could they play a crucial part in the story ?

Finally the mother and son reunited !!! What did you all think about it?

Thank you kiki8775 for editing this chapter for me 😀❤

Once again thank you everyone for reading my book !! I will try and update as soon as possible.