"Why don't you confess everything to Abhay sir?" Madhu asked thoughtfully, as she held the hot coffee in her hands.

Priya nodded agreeingly, running a finger over the mouth of the hot coffee mug. "Whenever I tried to confess, this bastard was creating a hindrance that was making it difficult for me to get the words. He was making me an emotional fool."

"You are more than that, Priya. You are a strong person," Madhu said seriously.

Priya gave a sad yet thankful smile. They were in a coffee shop and over coffee, Priya opened up everything with Madhu. About Ramya, Rahul, her father and Vineet. She couldn't hide from her, knowing that she was being targeted because of her. Thankfully, the optimistic Madhu was still there, even after the mentally traumatic event. The only regret was she failed in recognizing the place she was residing. Who would have thought the outer exterior was just a makeup as working woman's hostel for doing prostitution. To her luck, Madhu spent most of her time outside instead of in her room.

"I'd just tell Abhay sir."

"It's not that easy," Priya said.

"Nothing is easy in life. You know the man deserves to know," Madhu said as a matter-of-fact.

Priya set her cup down and stared at Madhu. "He deserves more than to spend a lifetime in jail. When he comes to know that the man who was a part of his lifetime, killed his brother, he will lose it. I don't want that for Abhay. I love too much to want that for him," she said and added wrathfully, "I will chase the bastard and kill him. "

Madhu looked at her friend both happy and sad. "I have never seen you long after a man this much."

Priya lips tipped up. "He's one in a millennium. Hard not to fall for him."

"Woah! Is this really my friend Priya?"

"Shut up!" She blushed.

Madhu laughed then became serious. "So, what are you going to do next?"

Priya shrugged. "Don't know. But I will not let him breathe freely. I will make Vineet rot for the rest of his life in jail."

Madhu looked at her thoughtfully. After a few minutes she asked, "Let's start from here. You said Ramya rejected Vineet. What possibly happened between them that Vineet took the rash decision to kill them?"

"He is mad. He should be in a psychic ward. Didn't I tell you how he talked with me?" Priya asked, visibly shivering. "All the Sinha family members seem very fond of Vineet. There is nothing we could get from them."

"How about first we know about him? His job, hobbies, pastime, etc."

Priya nodded. "Good idea."

"But here comes another problem," Madhu said with a sigh, "How are we gonna do it? We cannot go to the police. Ramesh will be there."

Priya knitted her eyebrows in thought and smiled. "I know someone who does."

"Who?" Madhu asked curiously. Before Priya could respond, Madhu widened her eyes and muttered, "Speak of the devil."

Priya followed her gaze and turned around. Her eyes widened when she saw Ramesh followed by Abhay.

Her heart started hammering against her chest at the sight of him. He looked even more gorgeous than the last time she'd seen him. She recalled how she hugged him last night and blushed.

"Hey," Abhay said softly once he reached her.

"Hi," her voice a breathless whisper. She gave a small smile as he gave his own smile.

"Well Ms. Malhotra. I am here too. Grace me with a hi," Ramesh's voice broke through her dreamland.

She looked away from Abhay and gave an apologetic smile to him saying hi. He grinned while taking Madhu's cup of coffee and took a sip. That seemed to rile Madhu.

"What are you doing?" Madhu seethed.

"Enjoying a delicious coffee," Ramesh said as he gently pushed her inside to take a seat beside her.

"Well," Madhu pulled her coffee from him and said haughtily, "This is mine. Get your own." They started to bicker.

Priya shook her head smiling and looked up at Abhay. He was staring at her, not at all amused by their bickering friends. But her. She too moved inside giving some space for him to sit down. He did.

"What are you doing here, Sir?"

"Just passed by and thought I would see you. Ramesh tagged along."

"How did you know I will be here?" She asked surprised.

"Well..."

"We went to your house first. It's locked. So my second guess is this place. Your both favorite one to hang out," Ramesh said, the last words looking at Madhu, who rolled her eyes.

"Thank you," Priya whispered, not looking at Abhay. This place was another way to her house and he has taken his time to come see her. Her heart burst with happiness.

"Don't say. How is your brother?"

"Good."

He nodded. They were silent for a while watching with amusement as Ramesh tried to annoy Madhu.

"How did your day go?" Priya asked.

"Just like everyday. Except for lunch with Ananya."

Priya's heart dropped at the mention. She'd completely forgotten about the woman. "Right. Lunch date," she said.

She saw Ramesh and Madhu stop what they were doing and look at them. Madhu bugged her eyes and shook her head. She knew what she was saying. Don't come to any conclusions yet.

"Can I have a minute? I need to make a call," Priya stood up waiting for Abhay to move. Abhay looked at her in question but moved.

Priya gripped her phone and immediately walked out of the coffee shop breathing heavily.

What did she expect? She thought sarcastically. He could never be hers. As much as she wished, it's not possible. He's at a height she couldn't reach. But no problem. She'd continue to love him wherever she was. He doesn't need to reciprocate her feelings. Her love was enough for both of them.

She picked her phone to call the person who'd help. She was sure he'd. She was pacing along the sidewalk absent-mindedly waiting for the person to pick up the call, and took a step on the road. Suddenly she was jerked back and crowded by a pair of strong arms.

"Bastard," Abhay's familiar voice rumbled angrily, shaking her. His hand came to her cheek and cupped her, slightly pulling back. "Are you fine?"

She nodded her head confused, but still enjoyed his hands around her.

"What happened?" She peered around him as she heard Ramesh and saw both Ramesh and Madhu behind them with concerned looks.

"Someone fucking ran over her," Abhay growled.

"It's my fault," Priya said moving away from him, "I was absently-"

"NO..." Abhay cut her off and shared a look with Ramesh. A secret conversation ran between them confusing her.

"Time to get you to home," Abhay announced and without waiting for her reply he placed a hand around her waist and walked her to his car.

∞∞∞

A few days passed, Priya had fallen into a routine after that day, going to the office in the morning and then going to see Aisha in the evening. She has to see the little girl at least once. The poor little girl has been cooped up in the house all day. She wasn't acquainted much with kids of her age.

Now, Priya understood what Abhay meant about her safety. With Vineet out free, Priya worried about the little girl's safety. She hoped that the Vineet problem would be solved before she started her schooling. She prayed the murderer doesn't have his eye on that little one. But who knows?

Her week also had been stressful and eventful. Madhu was living with her after a lot of convincing from her side. Indira called her many times to know about their whereabouts and she sounded quite disappointed with Priya's decision to confess.. But Priya was firm with her decision and she made it clear to her mother. Even then, deep inside her, she was dying every second whenever she faced Abhay. She has to tell him soon. But not now. If she did so, she would move away from them forever.

Another goodness reached her ears. Anjali and Varun's marriage was fixed and soon wedding arrangements were started. The Sinha's looked excited about the wedding as it was the first festivity in their home after a long time.

Presently, she was standing in the bus station along with her brother. Priya was sending Aditya to Lucknow to her mother. In the present situation, she thought it was better for him to stay away from her,

She still remembered the day of his accident.

Priya hugged Aditya tightly, saying, "Take care buddy." Then she bid her bye to him as the bus drove away.

∞∞∞

Priya settled herself on the couch and pulled her legs up to her chest, staring at her mobile. She was waiting for the phone call from a particular person. He said he'd be calling her this evening with the information regarding Vineet.

She chuckled when Bobby jumped up and cuddled to her side. She smiled as he put its head in her lap and licked her arm.

"Aww! I neglected you, my baby. I am sorry," Priya bent down and kissed its mane. "What do we do, baby? Maa and Adi are very far away."

She casually opened her gallery and scrolled through the photos she'd taken with Aisha. And also Abhay. Well, thanks to the sweet little angel.

She stopped at one particular picture, where Abhay and Priya were nestled together, shoulder to shoulder with Aisha sitting in between them smiling hugely.

"See this," Priya showed the picture to Bobby. Bobby lifted its head up and gazed at the picture, then extended one of its feet towards the phone. But Priya moved out of its reach. "Uh-Uh. Scratches boy. Do you remember her?" She asked, showing Aisha.

Bobby barked with its tongue protruding out. Priya laughed. "Yes! Yes! Aisha baby. She's beautiful, right." She pulled Bobby closer and stared at the picture.

One day after office hours Anjali called her to come home to have some 'girl's' time. That's what she said, Priya smiled. When she went to Sinha house, she was met with Anjali, Sharadha and also Madhu and two other relatives from the groom's side, Varun side surrounded by a huge shopping collection. She got to know that Madhu and Anjali became good friends as they were working in the AS Textiles.

Priya was thrilled as Anjali included her in something like this. They were busy changing, rejecting and finalizing wedding things. Priya didn't realize Aisha was playing with her mobile. Then, out of nowhere, Abhay, Varun, Shekhar, Prakash (Varun's father) also formed a group on the other side of the house.

When everything was completed and dinner was arranged for everyone, Aisha pulled Priya and Abhay together and cutely asked her father to take a selfie of the three of them as he was so tall. Aisha's words. Priya sighed as she remembered the look on Abhay's face. She thought Abhay would refuse. But he surprised her by pulling her closer, by keeping an arm around her shoulder and Aisha cuddled in between them. All the while, her heart raced with the close proximity of him. It just felt like a dream for her.

"And so is her Daddy," she whispered.

Priya was going to cherish this picture her whole life.

She looked around her space and sighed. With her mother and brother not there, she felt lonely.

"At least you are there with me," she caressed its mane and leaned down to kiss him. Then, she was startled when she heard the doorbell. Bobby too jerked its head up in alert mode.

Who can it be at this time?

For a second, she was worried if it was Vineet. He didn't bother her for the past few days. She didn't even see him in the Sinha compound. Did he find that she was trying to investigate him secretly? Possible. She has to be careful.

The doorbell rang again. She looked around and picked up a nearby flower vase. "Come on Bobby," she whispered, as she slowly approached the door.

"Who is it?" She called. But no response. She frowned, just as a knock sounded. "Who is it?" She asked loudly. Again, they knocked.

Biting her lip, with her left hand holding the vase behind her and her right hand on the doorknob, she pulled it open.

Just as she opened the door, a voice said, "Boo."

She gasped and as a reflex, her hand with the vase came up to defend herself. But stopped midway, when she saw who it was. She stared into the stunned and shocked faces of Abhay and Aisha. Abhay, who was cradling Aisha in his arms, looked at her face and then at the vase she held up in the air. While Aisha was frozen with eyes wide, her cheeks puffed out and her tiny hands clawed on either side of her face in order to scare her.

"Oh my god!" Priya whispered and threw the vase inside the home. She didn't care whether it was broken or not. The only thing mattered was Aisha and Abhay.

"I am so sorry, baby," Priya said, taking the stunned Aisha in her arms and clutched her to her chest. She was glad Aisha didn't pull away. "Sorry." Her eyes slid to Abhay and she sucked in a deep breath. His eyes were narrowed and his eyebrows were pulled together.

Aisha laughed. "Aunty," she pulled slightly away, "I thought to scare you. But you only scared me." She giggled.

Priya should have settled down seeing her smiling as usual with her. But she couldn't get past the shaken feeling. What if she'd hurt her with the vase? Her eyes turned moist at the thought.

"Oh no," Aisha whispered and put her tiny hands to Priya's cheeks, "No crying."

Priya smiled. She hoped it was assuring that everything was fine. Then she kissed Aisha on her cheeks. Bobby barked.

"Aunty! Down. Down. Bobby!" Aisha wiggled and Priya let her down. Instantly, Bobby huddled Aisha with its big form and Aisha giggled, running inside.

Hesitantly, Priya looked up at Abhay and wished she didn't. His face was blank as he stared at her. She couldn't say what he was thinking. She opened the door wide open. "Come inside," she said.

Abhay just moved inside and stood feet away as she closed the door. They just stood in awkward silence. Well, she felt uncomfortable as he continued to stare at her blatantly.

"Umm... What are you doing here?" She asked finally.

"Just passing by. Aisha asked for ice cream. So, we thought we can see you on the way." Abhay shrugged. "Wanna join us?"

Her eyebrows shot up. "You came for ice cream this far?" She asked. His house was at the other end of the city and he came this far for single ice cream.

"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?" He asked hotly.

"Daddy? You said you wanted to eat ice cream?" Aisha asked as she came to them with Bobby close behind her. His eyes closed and then he looked down at his daughter.

Priya tried to suppress her smile. "Okay," she said, biting her lip.

His head shot up. "Okay?"

She nodded. "Let me change my dress," she blushed as she looked down at herself. She was wearing her flowery pajama bottoms and a tank top. "Five minutes," saying she rushed inside.

××××

Abhay observed Priya sideways even though he was driving. She was dressed in a red plain saree and left her hair loose around her shoulders. She was beautiful and sweet. He wondered how he had missed her before.

He smiled seeing Aisha in the rearview mirror, singing out loud 'Let me go' from Frozen. He shook his head and turned his attention to the road. They were driving to a nearby ice cream parlor.

He felt silly like his daughter always says. Well, he didn't know what all silly things he'd be doing for the sweet woman sitting next to him.

But why was she scared? It didn't go unnoticed to him the fear in her eyes before. Holding a vase for protection? For a few days, she was behaving weirdly. Always cautious. Looking around her. What caused her to fear most? Who scared her?

"Did your brother reach already?" He asked. She mentioned to him earlier today that she was sending her brother to Lucknow.

"No. He will in a few hours," she said. He saw her sitting facing him and smiling at Aisha.

"Why did you send him? Doesn't he have college?" he said.

"He got holidays. He'll be helpful to Maa for Sharmila's marriage," she said. There was a sad tone in her voice.

He couldn't help but ask, "Are you alright?"

There was a moment of silence before she said. "Yes."

Before he could question further, Priya said, "You know you should join her in music classes."

His eyes shot to her. "Yes?" What a change of topic?

"I am not just saying. She seems interested. What is her age?"

"Six."

"Finding talent is rare these days. If we start her at this age, she'll be great. When she grows up, it will be her interest to continue or not. But knowing her talent and not encouraging her... It doesn't sit right," she said, "Not everyone is lucky enough to learn."

He frowned at the longing in her voice. "Do you like music?"

"Who doesn't?" Priya laughed.

"I mean, did you want to learn music?"

"Yes," She smiled fondly. "When I was young, my Maa used to call me 'sound box'. I always sang out loud despite my surroundings. I felt a sense of freedom. My father wanted me to learn music. I did. He encouraged me a lot. Always did. Went for a few classes. I wanted to know about traditional music. But couldn't due to our financial circumstances," her voice fell, then she smiled big looking at him and then Aisha saying, "Even then I am not sad. Whatever I didn't have, I'll give it to my kids. Every small wish."

His heart squeezed at her words. She was a strong woman. "I'd love to hear from you sometime."

Priya blushed and gave one of her sweet smiles.

"Aunty, you want to learn music?" Aisha asked, bending forward almost to the front seat.

"Your interest, sweetheart," Priya said, cupping her cheek.

Aisha twisted her lips. "You wanted to learn. But cannot?"

"Aisha," Abhay said in an admonishing way and shook his head looking at her. He stopped the car in front of the shop.

"It's fine," Priya said and turned to Aisha, not at all offended. "Well. I was busy studying. But I am happy. In fact, it gave me an idea of what I can give to my kids. When I have a little princess like you or a little prince, I will give them my dreams."

Abhay felt his blood heat whenever she mentioned kids. It was the first time she was talking about kids. It's good hearing her. These days many people were hesitant to even start a family. But... Why was it hard for him to imagine her with another man and having his kids? What was he thinking? It's her life. Her decision.

He looked at his daughter to see her face contorted with sadness and worry. Before he could ask her, Aisha asked Priya hesitantly, "Will you give me your dream?"

He didn't know how to react. He heard Priya's faint gasp and her eyes were fixed on her. In seconds, her eyes turned teary.

"Did I upset you, Aunty?" Aisha asked. He could hear the edge of her voice.

"No, baby," Priya said instantly and pulled her into her lap. He watched as Priya peppered Aisha with kisses. "You didn't. You will never upset me, sweetheart. In fact, you made me so happy."

Aisha beamed. "Will you?"

For a second, Priya hesitated, looking at him. He nodded his head. Priya smiled brightly and placed a kiss on Aisha's cheek. "Yes."

Aisha squealed, hugging Priya tightly and hiding her face in her bosom. Priya did the same. He could see the joy on her face. The previous sadness was gone.

"Who wants ice cream?" He announced.

"Chocolate scoop!" Aisha squealed while they both laughed.

Walking inside the parlor, Aisha instantly ran over to the varieties. Due to her height, she couldn't reach the counter. Abhay hoisted her up and tickled her.

"What do you want?" He asked Priya.

She shrugged. "Strawberry."