" Mumma, I am going home." I said as she entered di's house with papa. I had stayed the night with Sahil who eventually cried himself to sleep.

" Take these keys and take rest. I'll take care of everything here. Your brother and bhabhi are at your badi maa's house." She informed. I nodded and stepped out of the house to see Abhimanyu coming back from somewhere. He was all dressed.

" Is Sahil okay?" He asked as I walked towards my car.

" How do you expect him to be okay? He cried himself to sleep. He just lost his mother." I said, dryly.

After that, he did not say anything and I went away.

Throughout the way, I was getting flashes of Aditi di and me while we were young and used to play and gang up against Vivaan bhai.

" Why di, why did you have to leave like that?" I muttered sadly, wiping my tears.

I had no idea that I had banged the car into a tree. Soon, my world turned black.

.

.

.

" Shivanya, open your eyes doll. Please. We have already lost Aditi. It is not into us to lose you too. Please doll." I heard a voice distinctly.

Slowly, I tried to open my eyes and so I did.

" Where am I and why are all of you here?" I asked, meekly.

" You got into an accident Shivanya. You were rushed into the hospital. You almost gave us a heart attack." Mumma said.

I was surrounded by my parents, bhai-bhabhi and bade papa and badi maa.

" I can't remember." I muttered, my brain fighting my heart to just sleep.

" It's okay beta, you are fine and that's all what matters." I heard badi maa say as she placed her hand on my head.

Soon, I was sleeping again.

When I finally woke up, I saw Avantika bhabhi sitting next to me.

" You feeling better Shivanya?" She asked.

I nodded.

" You will have to stay the night here. I am staying with you." She said.

" No bhabhi, you go and look after everyone. I can take care of myself for a night. They all need you more than I do." I said.

" I know Shivanya, badi maa and maa have not eaten anything since yesterday. This will eventually take a toll on them. But you need me too." She replied.

" Trust me bhabhi. I'll be fine. You need to look after everyone. I'll be discharged tomorrow anyway." I tried to convince her.

" Are you sure Shivanya?" She asked me.

" Yes bhabhi. Now go." I said. She nodded reluctantly and walked away before instructing me to take care.

I managed the night and the next morning, Vivaan bhai got me discharged and took me home after the nurse was done dressing my forehead.

" Shivanya, never do that ever again." Papa said, pulling me for a hug.

" Guys, listen to me. I have an idea." I said.

" What idea?" Bhabhi asked.

" I am going to move out of this house to live somewhere near to the court because it will be much more convenient for me. You talk to badi maa and papa to move in with you guys. That way they will feel less depressed. That house will remind them of Aditi di and eventually those thoughts will turn toxic for them. Here atleast they will be with you guys." I suggested.

" That is actually a very good idea papa. We can talk to them." Bhai agreed.

" Of course, but you don't have to move away Shivanya, we have two guest rooms Shivanya." Mumma said.

" Mumma the court is like twenty kilometers away from home. The traffic will take a lot of time. It will be better if I move out." I replied.

" That will not be necessary Mrs. Sharma because anyways Shivanya will live us after the wedding." I turned back to see Mr. Singhania, Abhimanyu's dad say. Everyone was here including Sahil.

" Welcome. Please come in." Mumma welcomed them.

They got in and we all sat to talk.

" What happened to you beta?" Aunty asked me.

" It's nothing aunty." I replied politely.

" She got into an accident yesterday. Banged into a tree." Mumma said.

" Beta, we don't think that either of the families are ready to take another thing like that." Uncle said calmly.

" I don't think that we should rush into the wedding this soon." I said, totally unprepared as I rushed to my room. On the fourth stair, I lost balance but Vihaan bhai had already caught me.

" Shivanya! Are you trying to get yourself killed? You had concussion yesterday." Bhai shouted.

" I don't care." I said, throwing a tantrum and ran to my room anyways and locked the room.

I know that I'd have to trap myself into this loveless marriage but not so soon!

I lied on the bed and couldn't stop myself from crying. I was sobbing and had no idea how to stop.

There was a knock on my door.

" Go away. I don't wanna talk to anyone." I shouted.

" Please open the door Shivanya. I want to talk." It was badi maa. When did she get here?

I opened the door reluctantly after I wiped my tears.

" Hii badi maa." I said.

" How are you doll? Is your head okay?" She asked.

" I am all okay." I said, giving her a smile.

" Shivanya, there was a reason Aditi liked Abhimanyu. He is a true gentleman and you will eventually grow comfortable around him and who knows, with time you both may fall in love." She said seriously.

" That's not the point badi maa. All I am saying is that I am not fit to take care of Sahil and take up such a huge responsibility. Besides how can you all expect me to take Aditi di's place? He belongs to her." I said, referring to Abhimanyu.

" Shivanya, there is a reason why Aditi wanted you to do this. Because she knew that out of all the people you will be the only one who could pick up the broken pieces of Sahil and Abhimanyu's heart. Only you are capable. Please doll, do this for her and for all of us." She said, with tears in her eyes.

" Badi maa, please don't cry." I said, wiping her tears.

" Please Shivanya." She said.

" Okay badi maa. Just give me one week. I'm ready but before that In need to go back to New York to take care of certain things." I said, sighing.

" Thank you beta." She replied.

" No badi maa. I'm doing this for my peace of mind." I said and we walked down.

" You can decide on a date next week. I'll get the papers ready. We can sign in the court. It will all be done." I said.

" But Shivanya you need to get married according to the hindu rituals." Mumma said.

" No mumma. I am doing no such thing and this is not up for debate. Anyway, I'm going back to New York tomorrow. I'll be back in a week." I said.

" Sahil and I will go with you." Abhimanyu said.

I gave him a confused look.

" Can I have a minute with you?" He asked.

I nodded and we walked to the garden.

" What is it?" I asked.

" This whole marriage thing is a sham. I am getting married only because it was Aditi's last wish and Sahil needs a mother. It will be better if you understand this soon. It will hurt less." He said.

" I know that Mr. Singhania. I know that you love my di too much and I don't have any intention of taking her place in any manner." I replied.

" Also, I expect you to be loyal to this marriage." He said, looking sharply at me.

Ouch! This is what he thinks of me. Fuck him.

" Don't worry Mr. Singhania, I don't go sleeping around." I said, unable to cover my hurt expression and walked away from him.

" I am sorry. I did not mean it to come out like that." He said.

I rolled my eyes.

" I don't care." I lied.

" I am sorry." He said.

" Whatever. Why do you want to come to New York?" I asked.

" It will be a change for Sahil." He replied.

" We leave tomorrow." I said.

" We take my plane." He replied.

" Why am I not surprised?" I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes again.