❥ long-ass chapter. I got so tired writing it all. please vote, comment and share and read the a/n at the end ❥

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"Tadpaye mujhe teri sabhi yaadein, ek baar ae deewaane jhootha hi sahi pyaar toh kar"

Chapter 02: In Dehradun

- A U T H O R -

"Nahi"

Amaira's eyes widened.

"Kya!?" she whispered taken aback. "Preeta-"

"Woh aisa kar hi nahi sakta." Preeta whispers shaking her head.

She looks up at Amaira "Mera Karan kabhi aisa kar hi nahi sakta, Amy"

"Me-Mein usse ja-jaanti hun, Amy. Woh kabhi aisa k-kar hi nahi sakta. Woh bhale hi shuruwat mein ek acha aadmi nahi tha par woh dil ka kabhi bura nahi tha. Haan usne shuruwat mein mujhe bahut pareshan kiya, mera faida uthane ke koshish ki par woh badal gaya tha Amy. Usmein woh badlaw dekha hai meine."

"Dekha hai meine woh kis tarah meri care karta tha, meri har cheez ka khyaal rakhta tha, maa ka khyaal rakhta tha.. sab cheez dekha hai meine, Amy. Usne yahan tak ki mere liye sirf-aur-sirf mere liye apna drug buisness tak chod diya." she hastily wiped her tears facing her taking a hold of her hands.

"Woh kabhi di ke saath kya kisi bhi ladki ke saath aisa kar hi nahi sakta. Usmein khaamiyan zarur thi. Mein jaanti hun aur maanti bhi hun par yeh kabhi nahi maan sakti ki woh ka-kabhi aisa kuch kar sakta hai.. Kabhi nahi-" she whispers shaking her head involuntarily.

Amy rubbed her back taking a hold of her who constantly blabbered something shaking her head.

"M-Mein uske aankhon mein kabhi aanson nahi dekh sakti Amy. Mein us-uske aankhon mein k-kabhi aanson nahi d-dekhna ch-chahti."

"Usko rota hua kabhi nahi d-dekh sakti mein" she whimpered tears wetting her cheeks.

"Kabhi nahi dekh sakti" she looks up at Amy shaking her head continuously as if telling her how much she meant it. How much the tears that fell down his eyes broke her heart into pieces - broke her into pieces. Pieces she could still not recollect.

Amaira nodded pulling her into her chest and ran a hand through her hair. She whispered several 'yes I know, I know' to her in try to calm her trembling body.

She slowly swung her in her arms relaxing her hunched shoulders and stiffed body. Her breath shortly evened out and eyes slowly began to drop as she felt darkness engulfing her.

Amaira looked down at her to find her softly drowsing on her chest. She gently lowered her placing her down on the bed. She got up to cover her with the duvet that felt a tug on her arms bringing her back to her place.

"Don't go.. please.." Preeta murmured in sleep hugging her arms. Amaira's heart broke seeing it and she weakly smiled using her free hand to cover her with the duvet.

Poor her had no one to share the pain with. She had to bury it all within her where she could neither forget it nor keep it.

She had no choice but to live with the memories, pain and denial. Denial from accepting what her heart says rather than what the actual proofs do.

She could not even choose the easiest yet the heartwrenching path of death with all the responsibilities on her. Nor could she tell her mother who would simply die with losing the tiniest hope she had of getting her daughter back someday.

She was stuck. Stuck in forever. But not anymore. Because now one thing Amaira knew that the matter wasn't as simple as it seemed to be. It had a coin side which needed to be dug up.

3 YEARS AGO
That Night

Policemen surrounded the van from all sides as the media began pouncing upon him blocking his vision.

As soon as she got off sight she turned around and pressed herself against the adjacent wall.

She couldn't see him like that anymore.

A tear drop dropped down her eyes and she pressed herself more against the wall.

The police siren blared out amidst the crowd and slowly faded as they began to move out of the area.

'No! Don't go!' her heart ached as she heard the faintest of faintest voice fading out into void.

And as it did, a faint cry left her lips and she shut her eyes pressing her head back against the wall.

He was gone.

Gone forever.

Tears slided down her face dropping onto the floor. One after another. Then another. Then another. Until she was crying.

Her legs felt wobbly with all the weight on her chest, gradually giving up as her back slid down the wall and she fell down on her knees. A broken cry left her lips.

It was all over.

She made it all over.

She let out another loud cry collecting her face in her palms. Her chest thrummed as she broke down in pieces. Pieces of cries, tears, whimpers that she was holding upon.

Her heart ached badly. Too badly as it pained in loss - Loss of her sister, Loss of her father, Loss of everything she could have.

Loss of him.

She knew from the very day they could never be the destiny. They were never meant to be together - that their meet was just a dreadful coincidence that was meant to break them apart - him in love, her in ambiguity.

She made him over.

She made her over.

She made them over-

She let out a blood-curdling scream taking ahold of the vase beside and crushing it into pieces.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaa" she screamed pulling her hair in frustration "CHUP HO JAOOO"

She cried-yelled banging against the wall and crying her heart out. Her chest throbbed with the intensity of her crying and she brought her knees closer to her chest.

She could not do that anymore.

Suddenly the front door barged open revealing a worried Amaira. Her eyes roamed around before falling on Preeta and as it did she ran towards her "Preeta"

Preeta looked over at her from her crying state and as she did she burst out in more tears. Amaira knelt down immediately pulling her in her embrace.

The moment she had gotten the news she immediately rushed to her house - all the time hoping she hadn't heard the news.

But it seems like.. she did.

"Sab khatam kar diya meine Amy" she hiccuped "Sab-sab khatam kar diya meine" she shrieked crying on her shoulders.

"Preeta sab thik ho jayega, Rohan gaya hai policestation, sab thik ho jayega-" Amaira tried to console her but she shook her head in her neck.

"Kuch thik nahi hoga. Kabhi thik nahi hoga" she whispered knowing this was how they were supposed to end.

PRESENT

The warmth of the bright Sun seeps in as Preeta parts the curtains of the window. A bright sunny morning.

She turns to Sia and Golu who slept like dead logs hugging eachother. She sits beside them and leans in giving them a peck - a longer one on Sia's temple.

Glancing at the clock, it was 9 in the morning. She let them sleep late today and herself proceeded towards the living room. Minutes later, Amaira comes out of her room yawning and plops down on the couch.

"Good morning" Preeta says making her smile a little.

"Good morning" she hoarsely replies mentally raching at how cracky her morning voice was.

"Fresh ho gayi?"

"Hmm" she nods.

"Coffee?"

"Please" she grins earning a lil' smile from Preeta who knew coffee was the only thing that could really wake her up.

Amaira trails her eyes on Preeta as she leaves to the kitchen. She is normal. She thinks to herself.

This was something they had in between. They could have the most emotional conversation one moment and be normal the other.

Her phone beeps and she picks it up biting her lips as she looks at the date.

Preeta comes out of the kitchen holding two coffee mugs and plops them down on the Expensive Italian glass table - her mother had loved it when she visited the home-decor store once. Though after seeing the price she denied to buy but she anyhow bought it.

Anything for her..

"Preeta.." Amaira calls out breaking the silence.

"Hmm" she hums folding Sia's clothes from the couch. This girl always leaves them on like that.

"Hmm?" she hums again as Amaira stays silent.

"Umm.." Amaira looks at her contemplating whether to say it or not "Mein kya keh rahi thi na.."

"Thik hun mein abhi" Preeta cuts her off answering her unasked question. She knew what she wanted to say.

"Thanks" she whispers looking in her eyes which then touched in with a lil' smile.

"Coffee kaisi hai?" She asks sipping from her mug.

"As always.. the best" Amaira smiles making her smile back and look away. He loved that too.

A silence spreads between them as they sat in nothing but the unsaid words.

"Preeta-"

"-Maalum hai mujhe" she cuts her off keeping the coffee mug on the table. Amaira's eyes slightly widen. She knew it.

"Isiliye tu aayi hai" she says slowly looking at her. "Right?"

Amaira looks at her as if getting caught. She lowers down her gaze looking at her lap. Preeta gets up from the couch picking up Sia's clothes and heads to put them in the laundry.

Amaira watches her do that as she bites her lip. She knew he would be releasing from jail today.

A low sniff escapes her mouth as she stands still holding the counter. Why was it so hard to just do that? Why can't she just do that? Why did it need so courage to..

"It's okay" Amaira whispers shifting her eyes to her. She knew she was overthinking.

"It's alright. You don't have to of you don't want to-" She lurches off the counter.

She wanted to..

She so wanted to..

She just wanted to see..

"Switch on the TV" she says making Amaira's eyes shot in surprise "Huh?"

"Switch on the TV" she says firmly "Please.."

Amaira immediately gets up pressing the TV switch on. She picks up the remote from the table and Preeta slowly settles on the couch opposite to the TV, her back facing it.

She couldn't see him if he was gonna come out. Not in that clothes..

Amaira glances at her for the last time before finally switching it on.

'Desh mein badhti tel ke daamon ne kiya hai janta ko krodhit, sadkon par-'

'The world has finally come to a decision of-'

'India wants to know-'

Amaira began changing the channels as she searched for his. Preeta's heartbeat dropped everytime a new news flashed. She held the couch tightly knowing his name would pop any momen-

'Drugs ke karobaar mein pakde jaane waale Karan Luthra-' Her eyes shot open.

'-aaj jail se chutne waale hai, hum abhi Mumbai Central Jail ke saamne khade hain, aur jaisa ki dekh sakte hai yahan par bheed bahut zyada hai'

Her heart accelerated at his name and she muffled her whimper with her hands.

"Rohan" Amaira whispers as she watches him shuffle out through the crowd.

"Sir, sir-" the media pounce upon him bombarding him the questions.

"Excuse me. Please aap saamne se hatiye.. please" he pushes past the crowd sitting in his car. The Commisioner comes out of the jail gate making the media to escalate.

"Please. Please shaant ho jayiye aap log" the media slow down a bit hearing him.

"Isse pehle aap sawaal puchne lag jayen, mein jawab de dena chahta hun. Pehli baat, Security reasons ke wajah se Buisness Tycoon, Mr. Karan Luthra ko Police ki assistance ke under safely depart Kiya jaayega. Aur dusri baat yeh ki Karan Luthra par lag jaane waale aarop saraasar jhoot hain-"

Her head shots back in surprise and she gets up from the couch staring at the TV. Gasps and gossips leave the crowd as they react surprised at the information.

"Par aap yeh kaise keh sakte hai?" the news reporter questioned making him bow his hand down in silence again.

"In 3 saal ke reports, evidences aur investigation strongly iss fact ko support karti hai ki Karan Luthra ka iss case mein koi involvement nahi thi ki unhe 'Justice to Innocent' ke under Law se amende honourable aur 'Framed Under False Case' ki charges pay ki jayengi. Saath hi saath unn par aarop lagaye jaane ko custody mein liya jayega aur National Police Commission ke website par public ko with the 'Act Of Transparency' proofs baramaat kiye jayenge. Thank You"

'Sir, sir-' the crowd hustled.

"Mujhe toh pehle se hi malum tha" Amaira's head turns towards Sarla who stood near the door with vegetables in her hands.

"Meine toh pehle din se hi keh diya tha ki Karan aisa kuch kar hi nahi sakta hai. Arre mein mili hun usse bahut acha ladka hai. Woh aisa kuch kare ho hi nahi sakta" Sarla says putting the vegetable bag on the counter.

"Preeta.." she calls out who stood frozen to the ground.

"Isse kya ho gaya" she looks over at Amaira who forces a smile. "Kuch nahi aunty, woh bass shock laga hai, woh uska boss tha na.."

"Han.." Sarla nods pulling the drawer of the fridge.

Amaira holds Preeta through her shoulders and drags her to her room. She locks the door turning to her sitting on the bed shocked.

"How's this possible?" she whispers puzzled.

"Allegations ek dam sahi the. Meine khud woh sab check kiye the. Woh kaise-" she sighs pressing her temple.

"Preeta.." Amaira comes forward.

"There's definitely something fishy, Amaira" she shakes her head.

"Tu NCP ka website khol" Amaira nods getting off to pull out her laptop. They go into the site and pull out the evidences released. Both check and read the the evidences carefully which clearly stated the estimations, dealers, companies involved in the drug racket. Several audio and video clips were released exposing the business martials. None had his name.

"Amaira! Amaira!" Preeta calls out hastily as she found what she was looking for. An Evidence.

"Kya hua?"

"Yeh dekh" she points to it looking at Amaira determinedly.

"File no?"

"Nahi, date dekh. Yeh file kis date ko file hua tha dekh"

"12th February 2020" she reads out.

"aur release kab ho raha hai?"

"2nd May 2023"

"Exactly!" she slams it down on the bed. Amaira eyebrows raise in realisation. OhMyGosh!

"Iska matlab.." Amaira trails off.

"Iska matalab yeh ki mera shak ekdam sahi tha. Woh kabhi jail gaya hi nahi tha" Preeta says making Amaira whisper in shock "What?"

3 YEARS AGO
The Same Night
11:38pm, Police Station

Rohan rushed through the media crowd jerking them as he entered the police station.

"Karan! Karan!" he called out pacing around restlessly in search of him.

He had gotten the news the moment he stepped out of the deal. But there was nothing to worry about. He had the bail papers with him. They were prepared for it.

"Ayee kyun chilla raha hai" the police officer who he assumed was the Sub Inspector rebrated him in a Marathi accent.

"Karan kahan hai?" he asked straight forward.

"Tu kou-"

"Karan kaha hai!" he raised his voice.

"Sehgal" he turned around to see Atharva Patel, the Commisioner of the branch approaching him.

Atharva was a really good friend of them. They have had connections through different events and meetings which ultimately led them in a close bond.

"Patel" Rohan rushed towards him "Karan-"

"I know" Patel whispered "Beitha hai woh.."

"Cabin mein-"

"Lock up mein" he cut him off making his face go in shock.

"What! Par tune usse lock up mein kyu- meine kaha that I will-"

"Relax Sehgal. I know. I heard you" Patel cut him off.

"I remember what you had told me on the phone. But Karan just doesn't listen. I told him not to worry and be seated in my cabin, even asked him if he wants anything but HE."

He shakes his head "He didn't utter a single word since he has come to the police station. Not a single expression has crossed his face since then. I'm honestly worried for him. Are you sure you have this up?"

"Yah obviously. I told you right I've the bail papers ready. Just keep him till then in the police station. I don't know why he is.." he sighed rubbing his temples.

"Mujhe milna hai usse, Patel. Right now."

Patel nodded guiding him to the lock up he was in or actually had locked himself in.

They reached him and looked at him sitting still with his head down. His eyes open and glued on the floor. Patel unlocked the door and Rohan immediately rushed in.

"Karan!" he called out making his head to slowly look up at him. That was the first time in an hour of sitting in there, he showed some response.

Rohan knelt down "Tu yahan kyun baitha hai? Chal mein tere bail papers le aya hun"

He held his arm pulling him up but he didn't move a bit. "Chal" he said once more pulling him but he remained glued to his place.

"Karan kya ho gaya hai? Chal na" he again pulled his hand but he simply shook his head.

"Usne mana kiya" he whispers quietly.

"Huh?" Rohan kneels down confused.

"Usne kaha ki m-mein y-yeh de-deserve karta hun" he hiccups.

"Tu kiski baat kar raha hai?"

"U-Usne m-mujhe nikal diya.. M-Meri baat t-tak nahi suni" he shakes his head.

"M-Mujhe d-dur jaane ko kaha. Kaha ki usse gh-gheen aati hai mujhse. Mera p-paas aane se, mere ch-chune se, mere b-baat karne se.. Mere s-sab cheez se gheen aati hai usse"

"Karan" Rohan quietly whispers gripping his hands. "Preeta ne kuch kaha kya?"

He had never seen his friend -scratch that- his brother that way. Never. Never after he went away - the only thing in his life went away. The Karan he was seeing right now was someone he had seen 12 years ago when his dad died since then he had never for once seen him that way until..

"Par mera toh koi k-kasur hi nahi tha.. Meine woh nahi kiya"

"Ro" he whispers looking up at him, his tone wavers.

"Meine woh nahi kiya" a tear slips down his eyes "Meine woh nahi kiya Ro" he turns to him with teary eyes.

"Meine uski behen ke saath woh nahi kiya.." he shakes his head never-endingly. "Nahi kiya m-meine- Usse kyun lagta hai ki m-m-mein uski b-behen ke saath.." he staggers, a shock running down his spine by even imagining it.

"Meine nahi kiya" he trembles "Meine woh nahi kiyaa-" Rohan pulls him in his shoulder to calm him down but he trembles even more.

"M-Meine us-ski b-beh-h-en k-ke-" he felt his throat closing up. 'N-Nahi-i-i k-kiya" he shakes his head in Rohan's chest.

"Karan.." Rohan whispers running a hand on his impossibly stiff back "Baat kya hai? Tera Preeta se jhagda hua hai ky-" he immediately gets up from his embrace.

"Mei-Mein aisa nahi hone de sakta. Ussne m-mujhe ch-chale j-jaane ke liye kaha.. Pa-Par mein n-nahi jaa sakta.. mein k-kahan jaunga.. uske bina k-kahan jaunga mein.." he trembles shaking his head.

"Mei-Mein us-uske bina nahi jaa sakta. Kahin nahi j-jaa s-sakta.. Kabhi nahi j-jaa s-sakta" tears flow down his cheeks. Rohan gets up to hold him but he jerks away his hand.

"K-Kyun kiya usne mere saath aisa? K-Kyun alag kar diya uss-ssne ek j-jhatke apne aap ko mujhse?" he looks over at Rohan innocently "Kaise jeeunga mein uske bina? Kyun usne alag kar diya mujhe? Kyunnnn" he holds Rohan's collar.

"Kyun usne mujhe chod diya.. kya kami thi mujhmein ki usne uss ko mujhpe chuna.. usne uske liye mujhse jhoot bola.. mujhse saare rishte tod diye.. mujhse baat tak nahi ki.. meri baat tak nahi suni.. mujhe ghasitkar yeh kaha ki humare beech sab ek natak tha, sab ek mazak tha, sab ek jhooth tha.. KYUUUUNNNNN" he breaks down crying.

"Kya galti thi meri?? Yahi ki meine shuru mein usse force kiya, usse blackmail kiya, uska fayda uthaya??? yahi thi? Toh thik hai mujhe saza milni chahiye. Mein saza ka haqdaar hun. Woh jo saza de mujhe manzoor hai, jo karne ko bole woh manzoor hai, jitna din mujhse door rehna chahti hai reh le.. Mein chup chap sab sehen karta rahunga, usse bilkul tang nahi karunga, bass ek kone mein khada hokar usse dekhta rahunga.. Bass bass utna chahiye mujhe.." He presses his head on his shoulder.

"Bass itna saza chahiye mujhe.." He cries on his shoulders "Jo chahe woh saza de woh mujhe" Rohan rubs his shoulder absolutely shocked at what happened.

"Par.." he looks up at him with tear-stricken eyes. "Usne toh mujhe saza hi nahi di, Usne toh mujhe sidha maut hi dedi, Rohan."

"Cheen liya usne apne aap ko mujhse. Cheen liya mujhse mera pyaar, mera jaan, mera sabkuch cheen liya usne. Chali gayi woh mujhe chod kar. Humesha humesha ke liye chali gayi woh-"

He gasps feeling his breath stuck. Rohan tapped his chest for him to breathe. But he felt breathless, he felt his oxygen being taken away. He was having a panic attack.

"W-woh mujhse pyaar nahi k-karti Rohan" a lone tear fell down his eyes "Woh m-mujhse pyaar nahi karti hai. Usne kaha woh nafrat karti hai mujhe. Woh mujhse nafrat karti hai Rohan. Nafrat karti hai woh mujhse. Uske liye sab ek mazaak tha, sab ek jhooth tha" he whispers, his eyes drooping.

"Par mere liye nahi tha. Me-Mera pyaar mazaak nahi tha Rohan" he turns towards him "Mera pyaar mazak nahi tha" he shook his head at him.

"Me-mein usse sachmein pyaar karta hun, ba-bahut pyaar karta hun..bahuttt..."

"M-Meine toh u-uske liye r-ring bhi kharid li thi, usse pr-propose bhi karne wala tha. Par wahi chali gayi.." he whimpers slowly shedding to the ground.

"Karan hum milke baat karenge tu please-"

"Nahi" he shakes his head "Ab kuch nahi ho sakta" with that he fell onto the ground.

PRESENT

"I knew it. I knew it from the start." Preeta shakes her head.

"Woh itna bewakoof toh tha hi nahi ki sirf mere bolne par deal cancel karde. Woh pehle se hi planning kar raha tha. Ussne bahut safayi se yeh saare videos, audios, data proofs sab collect kiye taaki time aane par woh unhe expose karde kyunki usse maalum tha ki jiss din usne deal ko toda uss din woh woh expose kar diya jayega. And Woh uske liye prepared tha. Woh uss raat confidently mere paas aaya tha sab khatam kar aur usse iss baat ki chinta nahi thi ki usse expose kiya gaya hai balki iss baat ki ki meine usse expose hote hue dekh liya"

"He had it all planned" her voice wavered "Greatly planned"

Amaira sits down on the bed shocked. "That means woh saare incidents sach the? Tera uss raat usse apne kamre mein feel karna, har waqt har jagah uska mehsoos hona, har date pe koi tujhe dekh raha hai yeh lagna, yeh sab sach tha.." she whispers shocked.

Preeta nods. "Woh mujh par nazar rakh raha tha.. aur ek second" she turns to Amaira "Tujhe woh case yaad hai, uss Daksh Chopra ka, jo mujhe blackmail kar raha tha.."

"Haan haan.." Amaira nods "Usne toh suicide kar liya tha na"

Preeta shakes her head "Uska murder hua tha"

"What!? Par tu yeh kaise keh sakti hai?"

"Tu khud soch ek hatta katta aadmi jise koi bimaari nahi thi, koi pareshani nahi thi, woh bhala suicide kyun karega?"

"Iska matalab Karan ne.."

".. usse maar diya" Preeta whispers sitting down with a hand pressed against her mouth.

"Maar diya ussne usse. I should have known this. I should have known this. Uss raat ussne jiss tarah react kiya tha inn marks ko dekhkar, woh definitely chup nahi beithne wala tha. Bilkul bhi chup nahi beithne wala tha woh." She shakes her head realizing how much she underestimated him.

How much wrong she was to think that he would stop after she told him that petty excuse. How much wrong she was to think that he wouldn't do anything. How much wrong she was to think that he wouldn't torture the man who even thought to lay a finger on her. She was wrong.

"Usse maalum hai mein kahan hun.." she whispers in dilemma "Agar ussne mere saath bhi aisa kuch kiya toh?"

"Preetaa-"

"Meine bhi toh usse dhokha hi diya hai. Woh agar.." she shivered at the mere thought.

She had left her house, childhood, memories, everything in Mumbai and come to Delhi to be away from him. But he found her here too.

"Nahi! Nahi! Nahi!" she shook her head getting up. "Usse nahi malum hona chahiye mein kahan hun, Amy Bilkul bhi nahi. Agar usse maalum pad gaya mein yahan hun toh woh mujhe chodega nahi.. Nahi" she panted.

"Preeta pagalon jaise baat mat kar. Woh aisa kuvh kyun karega."

"Mein usse yeh janne nahi de sakti. Mein-" she pauses realising "Amy!" she exclaims turning around.

"Sia.." she whispers, her eyes widening. "Usse Sia ke baare mei- Nahi! Nahi! Nahi!"

"Preeta calm down-"

"Nahi!" she shrieks. "Usse Sia ke baare mein bilkul pata nahi chalna chahiye. Bilkul bhi nahi. Woh usse mujhse cheen lega. Nahiii-"

"Preeta woh aisa kuch nahi karega. Tu khaali khaali mein panic kar rahi ha-" she tried holding her hand but- "Nahi!!!!" she jerked them off.

"Mein usse jaanti hun, Amy. Wo-Woh" she shook her head "Hum yahan nahi reh sakte" she declared.

"What!"

"Hum yahan nahi reh sak-" she rushed out of the room as Amaira ran behind yelling her to stop. She entered in Sia's room to see her awake fighting with Golu. She rushed in to her closet and began pulling out her handcarry.

"Preeta irrationally decision mat le, mat kar aisa" but she pays no heed to her. She begins to pull out Sia's clothes from the shelves and stuffs it into the luggage.

She cannot stay here anymore. Not when he knows where she is. Not when Sia was in danger.

"Kya ho raha hai?" Sarla comes into the frame hearing the commotion. Amaira turns towards her.

"Dekhiya na aunty Preeta kya kar Rahi hai" she complans pointing at her who hastily stuffed the clothes in the luggage.

"Preeta beta.." Preeta turns listening to her voice "Maa"

"Acha hua aap aa gayi. Aap please jaldi se apna samaan pack kar lijiye mein tab tak Sia aur mera karti hun.. please.."

"Par hum jaa karahe hai"

"Woh mein aapko baad mein bataati hun aap pehle samaan pack kariye pleasee" she pleads going to her room and taking out her clothes.

She could not stay here. Not when knowing he had his eyes on her. Not when he knew where he lived. Not when she knew she would go back to him once she sees him. Not when..

She feels a tug on her pants and she peeks down to see Sia standing there looking at her with big eyes.

She bents in kneeling to her level. "Hum kahan jaa rahe hain, Mimi?" her sweet voice reaches her ears and her eyes wobble with tears.

She could never risk her.

"Kahan jaana hai aapko?" she says making her eyes widen "Mujhe?"

"Hmm" Preeta hums softly making a big smile take over her face.

"Mujhe toh Summer Camp jaana hai.. mere saare friends jaa rahe hain.. mujhe bhi jaana hai.. Please Mimiii" she excitedly blurts making Preeta smile.

Anything to see her smile.

~~

"Thank you" Preeta mutters collecting the boarding passes and heading towards the waiting area.

Her eyes fall on Sia who sat there with her head down and face covered with gloom. She was sad. Preeta raised her brows at Amaira who sat beside her. Amaira just gave a shrug looking back at her.

"Ahnn" Preeta coughs as she settles beside looking at her as she still doesn't give a response. Oh so she was really sad.

"Chocolates?" she asks trying their old trick on each other when sad.

She doesn't respond.

"Teddy?"

No response.

"Binnie?"

No response.

"Golu?"

She slightly peeks at her. Ha! Golu it is.

"Hmm.. toh Golu hai woh jo meri Sia ko sad kiya hai"

"Woh nahi aaya mere saath" she mutters sadly.

Golu sadly couldn't make it with them since his mother came back. He had to stay back even though Preeta offered them to come along. But they couldn't since his grandma was sick.

Preeta kissed her cheeks wrapping her arms around her. She softly explains her the reason he couldn't make it and feeds her some brownies for the compensation.

Their flight takes off in some hours and after some more they land in their destination. Dehradun.

They ride in a cab to their hotel and by the time they reach their resort, Sia had already dozed off. Preeta carried her in their room and gently placed her on the bed. Removing her shoes and caps, she redressed her in some more comfortable clothes, softly tucking her in the duvet.

Amaira bids them a bye yawning and departing to her room. Preeta shuts in the door after she leaves and makes sure to see if all the windows and doors are locked.

She needs to be safe. Though they are far away from his reach, but still.

She then herself changes into something comfortable and joins Sia in the bed. She sweeps her impossibly closer and nuzzles her face in her hair. Sia softly groans turning over with the tickle in her neck and lurches her leg on Preeta's waist. She loves to sleep in a monkey hug. Preeta smiles kissing her cheeks and herself dozes off hugging her, unknown that she had entered the lion's den.

~~

"Wowww!!!!" Sia squeals as she enters the huge ground of the camp.

"Mimi look at that!!!" she screams running towards the ice rink her lil' boots ticking on the wooden floor.

Preeta follows her going in to see many parents and guardians with their kids.

The camp in-charge came out in few minutes and talked off the basic guidelines and games in the chart. He then went onto training some after which they were themselves allowed to played.

Sia sleekly passed between the players as they played football. She would quickly snatch the ball and kick it before anyone could make it. She was a fast learner. Preeta hooted standing on the chair to which she passed him a wink. Just like him.

They soon tried different sports among which ice skating was the craziest. Sia squealed every other minute as she held on to the trainer for her dear life. Soon she learned how to glide swiftly and held Preeta's hand guiding her through it.

Amaira smiled from a distance as she watched them laugh together when Preeta slipped on her butt and was picked up by two little hands. Wish she could stop the time.

It was evening by the time they finished off skating and had also made many friends. They then went to a Pizza restaurant by the street on the little miss's demand who oh so badly wanted a Pizza. As they headed towards the restaurant, Preeta felt a familiar breeze pass her and she turned over looking around.

She felt it.

She felt as if..

"Preeta" Amaira calls out seeing her stop in her tracks "Kya hua?" she comes around, wrapping her arms around her shoulder.

"Kuch nahi" Preeta shrugs passing her a smile and going in the restaurant. As she enters, her phone starts ringing flashing an employee's number.

"Hello" she speaks holding the phone underneath her ear. "Hello?" she calls out again glancing at the phone screen to see poor network. This was something she had gotten to know was common here since she came here.

"Mein 2 minute mein aati hun" she tells Amaira, going out to talk that she collides with a body, recoiling back. Her phone jerks off her hands and the person's grocery bag sprawls out.

"Oh I am so sorry!" she mutters picking up her phone and his grocery bags. It was a man she collided with.

The man freezes in his position as he sees her picking up the frozen roti packets. The phone in his hand pressed more to his ear and he immediately turned around covering his face as she got up.

"Aapka samaan" she forwards him his bag and he nods covering his face. She scrunched her face seeing his strange behaviour. So Strange.

As if he was in an extreme hurry, he quickly rushed in the direction he was going before, making her shrug off in nevertheless.

She goes back in the restaurant and sees Sia cheerfully taking in the phone.

"I'm missing you Golu" she mutters with an upside down smile.

"I miss you too" came his low voice.

AWWWWW

~~~

"AH HA AH" Preeta groaned coughing her guts out. Here she was raching at 7 in the morning as she had gotten a flu due to climate change. Nothing new. She gets that all time.

They were all awake as they had to go early to the camp to participate in some pair activities. But she seemed to be really unwell as she panted badly.

"Mimi!" Sia moaned seeing her in pain. Her little rubbed her back and she turned tear-eyed when Preeta vomitted a bout of food.

Sarla and Amaira helped her in and after 10 minutes she sat on the bed with her head down and breath steady. "Better?" Amaira asks and she nods her head drinking the glass of water.

"Tera tabiyat toh bahut kharab ho gaya hai Preeta. Aise mein tu camp mein kaise jayegi?" Sarla asks putting a shawl on her bare shoulders.

"Nahi.." she whines "Mein ek dam thik hun.."

"Kuch thik wik nahi hai tu" Sarla reprimands "Aur khabardaar jo mujhe kaatne ki koshish ki" she declares as Preeta opens her mouth to say something quickly shutting it.

"Aur tere jaankari ke liye hum mein se koi bhi kahi nahi jaa raha"

"Arre par maa mere wajah se Sia ko kyun rok Rahi ho.. usse toh jaane do.."

"Tu nahi jayegi toh Sia ko bhi man nahi lagega, kyun Sia?" Sia nods looking at Preeta sadly.

"Dekho woh kitni sad hai uska bhi mann hai jaane ka.. mein keh rahi hun na-"

"Par Preeta tera tabiyat thik nahi hai"

"Toh thik hai na Sia aur aap dono chale jao"

"Par tujhe chod kar kaise-"

"Chodkar matalab mein koi bacchi nahi hun. Aur waise bhi kuch ghante ki hi baat hai.. Aap log jaakar wapas aa jaiye phir him saath mein lunch karenge, kyun Sia?"

She says knowing they were away from him and she was safe with Amaira and Sarla.

"Par you are ill" she says her big eyes wobbling in tears.

"Rote nahi" Preeta wipes her tears "Strong girl aise choti choti baaton par rote nahi. Aap jaake enjoy karke aao, Mimi tab tak ek dam thik ho jayengi hmm?"

She contemplates for a minute before hesitantly nodding. Preeta kisses her temple whispering a 'that's my girl' in her ears.

After what felt like hours of futile refusals and finally acceptance they all got ready to leave. Preeta locks the room door behind as they leave and herself gets into the covers. After a good 10 minutes the bell rang making her groan in sleep.

Did they come back so soon?

Was it 6 hours already?

She told them to-

She opened the door to see no-one there. Her brows furrowed and she comes out looking around to see no-one. Huh? Who rang the bell then?

She turned to leave that two strong hands covered her mouth from behind making her yelp. She struggled to scream as he pulled her behind. And before she knew she was engulfed in darkness.

------------------------------------------------------

Precap:

She wriggles in the chair that hears a loud voice making her freeze.

His voice.

Word Count: 6344

-----------

So finally, they are gonna meet. are you excited?

I couldn't fit the next part coz this chapter got tooo long like 6000 freaking words, I'm already dead. But you all are the one who pulled me into writing it.

Over the time I've realised it's not the number but the amount of love I'm being showered with really matters 💕I wasn't feeling to write but you all's love made me to. The amount of love I have received on the previous chapter just like pulled me into writing this chapter.

now the a/n i was taking about in the start of the chapter is that guys i ghot really bad marks in the test, no it was just a mock test so its marks won't be added nut still. I can't afford to do that myself when it's just 6 months left for exam. I can write, watch, laugh and do everything after the exam. I've prepared to release another book as well after exams (only after completing the ongoing one) and that book could make it to the book store where people will actually buy it.

You just have right time for everything. I'm discovering mine rn for studies so that i crack it and get into the top most college. I aim for the highesr because I know i can do that. So here's to coming back stronger with a white apron on my shoulders.

So WITH THIS SEE YOU IN NEXT CHAPTER, follow me on wattpad for story upates and on instagram (@/flourishingflamingoofficial) for reels, spoilers, etc.

Bushra 🦋