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"Tara?" for a moment it felt like he stopped breathing. His whole body went numb and all he could think about was getting separated from Rhea.

"Glad to know you still remember my name." she smiled at him before placing herself on the chair in front of him as she took off her sunglasses.

She hadn't changed at all. Wearing branded clothes and carrying expensive bags. No, she's not rich but the guys she dates are. She still had that confidence in her that makes her walk like she owns the place.

"Why are you here? More specifically, what are you here for?" Varun asked through his gritted teeth.

"Still that typical, bossy dhawan. You haven't changed at all." Tara chuckled.

"I've no time for your nonsense." he almost yelled.

"What's the hurry dear? You know how many nights I've spent in that prison? Atleast let me enjoy my freedom fully." she said as she placed both her elbows on the table.

"Listen to me very carefully, if you're here for Rhea...." he couldn't complete.

"Rhea.....How's my baby??? God.... I miss her so damn much." she said with a pout.

"Don't.... Don't even think about it! If you think that I'm gonna let you near my daughter.... You're wrong!" he told her.

"Let me remind you Mr. Dhawan.... Rhea is our daughter. See the key word here? Our!" she quoted with her fingers.

"She's not your daughter. Not anymore! You really think I will let her come near a drug addict like you?" he looked at her with disgust.

"Have you ever seen yourself?" she asked and he frowned at her.

"An alcohol addict. A smoker. Womanizer." she was now counting all those good things about him on her finger tips.

"And you think I'm not good enough for Rhea?" she laughed and he looked down.

"People change." he responded after some time

"Right! I can change too. Ya know!" she replied while playing with her hair.

"Get out of here!" he yelled at her and stood up from his position.

"Don't you dare shout at me!" she yelled back pointing a finger at him as she too stood up.

"Just name your price and leave...." he again shouted.

"I won't tell you that easily. You know how much I love to play. Will see you soon." she smirked at him before wearing her shades and left the cabin as Varun angrily punched the table.

"Kartik.... do you even know what you're saying?" Sara asked as she separated herself from his embrace.

"I'm not a kid Sara. I know what I'm saying and it's not just in the heat of the moment." he told her.

"But what you're talking about is..... a life long commitment." she said as she looked down at her hands.

"And I'm willing to fulfill this life long commitment." he held her hand and placed it between both his hands.

"How? How are you sure about that?" she asked him.

"About what?" he looked at her.

"About future? That everything is gonna be alright." she asked him as she met his gaze to look at him.

"Because it will. We get what we believe in. And I'm not giving up on us this easily." he told her.

"I-I don't deserve you." she said as a lone tear rolled down her cheek.

"That's what you think! Ask me once. You deserve this whole damn world." he said wiping away her tears.

"But... how? We've known each other for what? Over a year? Marriage is a big step." she said to him.

"And I'm willing to take this big step for you." he said and cupped her cheeks with both his hands.

"Sara.... I love you!" he confessed as the words came out of his mouth in a mere whisper.

For a moment she couldn't take in what he just said. She couldn't believe that she too can be loved by someone. For the first time in her life she felt content.

"Kartik....." she looked up at him with moist eyes.

"It's okay. You don't have to say it back. Whenever you're ready." he told her with a smile.

"Yes." was all she said.

"Yes?" he looked at her confused.

"Yes. I'll marry you!" she replied and a huge wide smile appeared on kartik's face and he hugged her tightly.

"Thank you!" he said as he broke the hug.

"No. Thank you!" she replied with a smile.

"I can't wait to marry you." he said as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Varun left the office early in the evening. On the way, all he could think about was Rhea. Tara's words were revolving around his mind.

For the first time in his life he was scared. Scared of losing someone. Someone who's so dear to him. Someone who has changed his life for once and for all.

He was scared that if Tara took Rhea away from him he'll again drown into those bad habits from which he got out of after many struggles. And he didn't want to be that person again. He got this new him after many hardships and he's in no way willing to lose him.

With the thought of losing Rhea, thought of losing shraddha also crossed his mind. For some reason he didn't want to lose her too.

He may deny it but he had become used to her. Used to coming home and seeing her with his daughter. He was never the person who had planned to have a family but if it looks anything like this then he's blessed to have it.

His chain of deep thoughts broke when the driver parked the car in the parking lot of the house. He quickly got out of the car and rushed inside the house. Tara's face again flashed across his mind when he saw Rhea playing with play doh.

"Oh hey! You're home early today." Shraddha said as Varun moved to sit on the couch beside her.

"Well good for me beacause I made a shopping list for Rhea's birthday preparations and these are things we need to buy." she said and forwarded the list to him but he just sat there numb.

"Buy whatever you want!" he said as he losen up his tie and took off his coat.

"What do you mean? You said we'll go shopping together. It's her birthday varun and...." she couldn't complete her sentence.

"Just shut up, will you?!?" he yelled at shraddha making Rhea startled.

"I was just...." she trailed off as she felt tears forming in her eyes.

"You what? I told you buy whatever the hell you want. I don't fucking care!" by saying this he got up and went to his room.

"Shraddha." Rhea approached her and wrapped her arms around her.

"It's okay baby! Your daddy is just a little stressed." she replied rubbing her arms lightly.

"He's being a bad boy." Rhea said as shraddha wiped away the tear before it fell from her eyes.

"Come on, let's clean up all your mess." she said and Rhea started placing her things back in place.

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