Author's POV:

"Surya and Anna went to talk with him and warned him by showing the arrest warrant. And after that, he didn't bother me until a few months back".

"I was so happy when I got placed in the campus placements in the third year. And my happiness doubled when we four got placed in the same company. 40 LPPA and a 2-year bond. Who would want to reject such an offer? When I called my nanna and amma to share my happiness with them, they just said okay. When I called and informed the rest of the family members, they jumped in joy and threw a party. Can't they just appreciate my hard work, Avi? I always did whatever they told me to. I never disobeyed their words. I even gave up on my dream just for them, Avi. I have always wanted to ask them where they hid my parents, who understood me and fulfilled all my wishes even before I told them. I tried Avi, and I did my best not to cry every night when I saw their behavior.But I couldn't help. Every night was like a battle for me. On one hand, there are those haunting memories of my past, and on the other hand, there is the ignorance of my parents."

"I miss my Amma, who used to make me sleep in her lap and sing a lullaby to make me sleep. I miss my nanna, who used to carry me on his shoulders and cook my favourite food. You know, Avi, Anju maa told me that my nanna (Dad) had learnt to cook for me. One day I felt sick as I ate outside food when I was 4-years-old. And the other day, I nagged about having the same food. So he learnt that recipe and cooked it for me for the first time. The man who never entered the kitchen in his 25 years of life had learnt to cook for me. My mom never eats non-veg. Damn, she even hates its smell. She never cooked it, even for my father. It's always ammamma or nanamma who used to cook non-veg. But she has learnt all the recipes of non-veg and cooks for me as I love non-veg. When Anju Maa told me these, I was really overwhelmed. If they loved me this much, then what changed, Avi? I have always wanted to ask them this question, but I have stopped myself every time.

I know they are working hard for me and Nandan. But, what's the use when they fail to understand us and spend time with us? I know they love us a lot, Avi. Sometimes I feel pity on myself when I look at you guys. I've seen Janaki Maa taking time from her busy schedule to spend time with Akka and Anna. I've seen Babai (uncle/chachu) taking care of Anna when he is ill, as Janu Maa has to attend an important surgery. I've seen you four go out for movies, shopping, and dinner. Jhansi atta and Sravya always go out together, ditching mamayya. Mamayya and Sravya go for ice-cream dates every weekend night. Adi Dadda left an important deal to take care of me when that incident happened. Anju maa almost left her career for Vicky. Surya and Taara akka never miss a chance to be pampered by Niranjana aunty and Srinivas uncle. Anitha Aunty and Pranav go on a date every Sunday. But my parents didn't even have time to spare a glance at us. If they had a talk, it's always related to my studies and personality."

"Maya, you are becoming fat now-a-days. You have to start dieting. You are becoming lazy and becoming irresponsible day-by-day. I don't know when you start taking things seriously. How are your studies going on? Do you even have a goal in your life? These are the words they speak to me. They didn't even have time to give assurance to their daughter, who is getting married. They were never there to remove my insecurities and fears. I know I'm wrong in my place, but how can I share things with them freely when they have never created a comfort zone between us? It's always Anju Maa or Janu Maa or Jhansi atta. They understood me better than my mother did and were there with me in my tough times. I was happy with my job and life when, all of a sudden, they told me to resign the job and prepare for UPSC. I was surprised. I told them about the bond. But they were firm with their decision. When I told Surya that I wanted to resign my job, he stopped talking with me. He was angry with me as I again chose my parents' words over my dreams. I never thought about becoming an IAS officer. Of course, I would be happy as I would get the opportunity to serve people. But I was really not happy with their decision. However, I started my preparation. And when I failed in the mains in my first attempt, they scolded me for that. They said that I couldn't even fulfil their dream. I tried Avi. I gave my best. But what could I do? At the time of the exam, I had typhoid, and my BP levels drastically went down at that time. Even in that condition, I'd written the exam.

And suddenly, they started searching for alliances for me. I was in a dilemma and didn't understand what to do. I didn't understand with whom I should share my worries. Aashu was in a coma, and Surya wasn't talking to me. Yes, that idiot stopped talking to me as I again chose my parents' dream over mine. And that's the reason he didn't attend our marriage. Pranav Anna was also angry with me as I agreed to the marriage, but his anger cooled down when he came to know that the groom was you.

You know, Avi, I was not ready for marriage. Yes, I wasn't ready, but I accepted it for them. I was really not ready for the responsibilities. I have my own dreams and goals. And I had this fear that Rajesh would come and ask for my hand. I knew I would reject him, and no one in the family would accept his proposal. I really wanted to go and tell Nanna and Amma that I love you. But what if they misunderstood me and scolded me? I didn't understand what to do. I thought about coming and telling you about my feelings, but again a question is raised in my mind: do I deserve you? So, I stopped myself. And then Ankit's proposal came, and I rejected him. When his mother made me sit beside him at that moment, I realised that I could never imagine anyone beside me except you. So, I rejected his proposal. And my parents were a little angry with me as I rejected such a good proposal, but I didn't take their reaction to heart as I got used to it.

After that, one day, my mobile got missed when I was coming from the hospital by visiting Aashu. So, I started using Dad's old mobile. Then one day, a message came from an unknown number saying that "Your daughter is cheating on you guys and maintaining an affair behind your back. She is planning to run away with her boyfriend. That's why she rejected the proposal you had brought. So, be careful." It didn't take me a minute to realise who it was. Of course it's the devil of my life, Mr. Rajesh. I was numb for a moment when I read that message. I thought he would change, but then I understood that people like him would never change. And then, Ammamma came with your proposal. I literally jumped in joy. I knew you'd never take the chance to lose me as you love me and are very possessive about me. I still remember that day when you punched a boy because he gave me chocolate and kissed my cheeks when I was in fourth standard.

Flashback:

Avi came to his grandpa's home after nagging and pleading his amma for a whole week to send him there as he was missing his bunny. He thought to give a surprise for his bunny and went to pick her up to school in the evening. He was going towards her class jumping like a monkey when he saw a boy giving chocolate to his bunny and kissing her cheeks. By looking at that scene, the little possessive monster in him woke up. He went near them and pushed that boy harshly and gave him a strong punch making him fall on the ground and pulled Maya close to him. He glared at that boy and kissed Maya's whole face and mumbled "" to him and dragged Maya from there.

Our little Maya was sitting grumpily in the window of her room while glaring at Avi who stood in front of her holding his ears and with a cute pout on his face.

I'm sorry, bunny. Talk to me, na. He said making a puppy face.

Maya: No. Why did you throw that chocolate? Go, I won't talk with you. Saying that she turned her face away from him, folding her hands near to chest and with a cute pout on her face.

"Aww, my cute bunny", Avi thought in his mind. Here he thought that she was angry with him as he punched that boy but madam was angry because he threw chocolate which that boy gave to her.

Avi started doing sit-ups while Maya was looking at him from the corner of her eyes.

He stopped doing sit-ups and pulled out a big chocolate from his pant pocket. Maya squealed looking at it and immediately grabbed it. She hugged him tightly, making him land on the floor with her above him. She sat on his stomach and started gobbling chocolate happily. While he got lost in her who was making cute faces while eating chocolate. After sometime they both sat on the terrace on their favourite spot. She shared some chocolate with him and kissed his both cheeks making them covered with chocolate and started running.

He started chasing her. While she ran all over the terrace giggling and jumping like a bunny showing her tongue to him. He caught her, making her squeal and wriggle in his arms. He started tickling her small waist, making her break into fits of laughter. Our little hero got lost in the laughter of his little bunny. After a while, he hugged her tightly while she wrapped her tiny arms around him and snuggled more into him seeking his warmth.

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Both of them had a sweet smile playing on their lips while reminiscing that incident.