Pass nahi to kya Raasta ek hi hai, chale chahe jaise bhi, manjil to ek hi hai.

~~~~~~~~~~

Arya's POV

Everyone was holding their breath so was I eagerly waiting for his answer while my heart rhythmically skipped its beats from time to time almost losing the sync.

My eyes diverted hearing the tapping sounds of fingers and I noticed that it was Sarkar who was tapping his index finger on the glass.

His curved lips came into a straight line and he left everything before leaning on the chair and staring at his great-grandmother with the same intensity as hers.

I knew Sarkar would never lower his eyes, it didn't matter how much he loved her or respected her.

"Badi Dadi Saheb, please we could–

He showed his palm to Amisha Di who immediately closed her mouth and lowered her eyes.

Not his Badepapa, mother nor grandparents tried to meddle in the matter as always..but after a brief silence, his grandfather said.

"Krunal, Ma Saheb sahi toh keh rahi hai, Purnit Aapki Badi Behan ke pati hai Aur Aapke–

(Krunal, Mother is saying right, Purnit is your elder sister's husband and your–)

"Ghar Jamai."

(Domestic Son in law)

He uttered and his grandfather sealed his mouth, I breathed seeing the tears in Amisha Di's eyes, and thanked god that her kids weren't here as they both were out on a school trip.

Everyone went silent and just breathing sounds mingled in the air increasing the tension.

I knew everyone was scared about the last day's matter and how desperately I wanted it to get revealed, maybe his brothers and sisters were having the same thought as mine except few personas such as Neil, and Amisha Di.

I felt my palms getting sweaty with the tension in the air and I prayed to Maa Durga to break that haunting silence.

The atmosphere was looking so humid, filled with shades of anger, frustration, dislike and a slight hatred that killed me knowing it was towards me.

"Sarkar...Chaliye Der Ho rahi hai...Patrakar bhi Aapki rah dekh rahe hai."

(Sarkar, Let's Go it's getting late...Reporters are also waiting for you.)

I heard Sher Baba's voice, and my lips curled up in a huge smile, Maa heard my prayer.

He came and lovingly caressed my hair before blessing me and gesturing my stomach as if taking blessing from my baby.

He always does it, it's weird? But Not for me, he says Krunal's father is there.

I giggled inside my mind at his thoughts and found everyone taking a breath of relief when Krunal got up without eating anything and I felt my hunger dying at that moment.

He didn't even touch his plate it's all my fault, I shouldn't have wasted his time in the bedroom, but the thought that troubled me more was him going with an empty stomach.

"I need to head back for the oath-taking ceremony," He indirectly informed his great-grandmother and grabbed his phone before walking towards the entrance.

My heart dropped with those words but I immediately got up following him so did all our family members.

The reporters were already inside the villa premises and immediately bombarded him with questions, the security teams and Police officers did their best but there were so many Media channels and reporters.

I carefully moved into the corner being enough careful and stared at him not knowing how many days he would take this time to come home, to us.

'Don't get sad Kukoo, Papa will be back soon' I consoled our baby moving my hand softly on my swollen stomach but who would console me now, I felt my soul slightly churning in pain.

"Sir you said you would give a full interview?" A reporter somehow asked through the crowd and Aadarsh, his assistant replied.

"Sir need to get to Capital please give a way, he will answer your questions later."

Police Officers and security Guards forcefully made a way for him and tried to take out the Reporters but Sarkar stopped and politely gestured for them to keep silent before speaking in a calm tone, "I have something to declare that I should have done earlier, but nothing is late so is this."

He signed Neil to come near him who immediately obeyed and stood beside his elder brother.

Sarkar smiled and even after knowing my husband for three years, I still struggled to comprehend if it was his genuine or sarcastic smile.

"Hame behad dukh ho raha hai par khushi bhi hai, Yeh kehne mein ki hamare Badi behan ke pati Purnit Das Apne pad se istifa de rahe hai, vo apna pura vaqt Apni patni ko dena chahte hai Aur ek Bhai ke nate hum unka sath de rahe hai, Aur unke badle hamare Chhote Bhai Neil Ab Satta mein aa rahe hai, Dhanyawad."

(I am deeply saddened yet find happiness in announcing that my elder sister's husband, Purnit Das, is resigning from his position. He wishes to dedicate more time to his wife, and as a supportive brother, I stand by his decision. In his stead, my younger brother Neil is stepping into a position of responsibility, Thank you.)

I heard the gasping sound and gulped hard looking at his great-grandmother who was sulking in anger and didn't even make any effort to hide the displeasure, so was that bastard brother-in-law of his.

I felt immense satisfaction seeing his condition, Maa Durga served him right, but all family members looked like they didn't expect this from Krunal.

Neil too was shocked as hell, maybe it was all sudden, Badi Dadi Sasuma turned around and went inside the villa so did everyone.

They didn't even care to send him off, but then I saw his two younger brothers standing at the doorstep and a small smile came on my lips at the thought that they didn't go.

I saw Neil standing just beside me with tensed muscles, his face was adorned with a frown and a little bit of displeasure.

My mind tried to grapple with this sudden decision of Sarkar, Did he know? No no, I don't think so, he would have talked about it last night only.

Officers gave a space by taking out the reporters from the premises of the villa who had thousands of questions regarding Krunal's decision but were disappointed after not getting answers.

He didn't turn to look or mind answering his brother who was still stunned by his decision, not he turned to look at me making my soul clutch painfully.

"Bhaisahab jaldi Wapas nahi Aaenge jaiye mil lijiye" I heard Neil's dazed-up voice and a drop of tear rolled down my eye.

(Brother, won't come soon, Go and meet him)

I carefully kept my hand on my swollen stomach and took slow steps towards him.

I noticed a butler opened the car door for him and he was going to get inside but Sher Baba Signed him something and he stopped.

I sucked on my lower lip when he turned around making me feel knots in my stomach.

I gulped and moved my tongue on my parched lips truly avoiding looking into his intoxicating eyes.

"Kuch kehna tha Aapko? He asked in a low tone and I felt a lack of words to reply to him.

(Do you want to say something?)

"Aap...Aap Ja rahe hai?" I asked holding my heart in my hand, it was always hard for me to see him going away from me.

(Are....Are you going?)

We never got those beautiful moments as husband and wife to spend as a couple, to do those cheezy things all couple does.

I wasn't complaining but In these three years, I didn't even apprehend how my husband was. Wasn't it unfortunate for me as a wife?

"Aap nahi chahti hum Jaaye," I heard his raspy voice his breaths were falling over my hair.

(You don't want me to go.)

I calmed down my beating heart and sucked on the air clutching the hem of my dress in my sweaty palm.

I lifted my eyes to see him standing so close to me that our breaths mingled with each other creating a harmony of unsaid words.

I shook my head and got on my toes before correcting his name badge which was slightly displaced.

My fingers slightly trembled yet I did my work and kept my eyelashes down, before bending down and placing a soft kiss on his neck just under his ear.

My baby bump got pressed against his hard abdomen but I couldn't care more, I inhaled the smell of cedarwood mixed with leather, trying to seek comfort from it so I wouldn't miss him after he was gone.

I felt his rough palm on my waist through the thin fabric of my Kurti and I encircled my hand around his neck.

"Naraz kyu ho rahi hai kali Aap Kahengi to nahi jayenge bas Palluse bandhane ki jid mat kariyega," He softly chuckled with the hint of mockery in his manly voice but I wasn't in the mood to get lured by his charmy words.

(Why are you getting upset, Kali? If you say not to go, I won't but don't insist later on tying me to the hem of your Saree)

I took a breath trying to suck all the air in my lungs so I shouldn't feel the pain in my chest.

I felt his rough palm caressing my waist and I controlled my tears.

"Khayal rakhiyega apna, Vaqt se khana khana mat bhuliyega, Aur.....Jaldi Vapas Aa Jana, please."

(Take care of yourself, don't forget to eat on time, and...come back soon, please.)

I whispered and a few tear drops stubbornly rolled down my eyes landing on his shoulder, maybe pregnancy hormones were making me do these weird things.

I waited for his answer...that didn't come so I moved away to see him smiling at me.

His eyes stared deeply at me there was something so weird in them, "Hum Aapko ek Salah de to manengi Aap?"

(Will you accept a piece of advice from me?)

He asked and I immediately nodded my head, biting my lower lip under my teeth in utter nervousness at the thought of what would come from him.

His eyes travelled from my eyes to my lips and again back at my eyes and I felt a wind of emotion blowing in my soul trembling my inner feelings that were already shaking.

I sharply inhaled making my chest swell and rest taking his attention there and immediately felt embarrassed knowing I wasn't wearing a bra.

He came forward and adjusted my dupatta hiding my chest properly his hand slowly travelling to my waist and pulling me closer to him.

"Ahh... I gasped a little when my stomach touched his abdomen a little harshly.

"Hume Bardasht nahi koi ek nazar Bhar hamari cheezon ko dekhe."

(I cannot tolerate anyone casting a glance at my belongings.)

A crimson colour took over my cheeks hearing his words but when he slid his hand and caressed my swollen stomach Butterfiles danced in my belly, "Hum Aapko Salah dene wale the, hai na Kali?" 

(I was going to give you some advice, right Kali?)

I sucked on my lips when he breathed those words on them, and shakily nodded my head.

He chuckled but it was different than he usually does and continued, "Reality may not be what it seems to you, Kali."

I lifted my confused eyes to question him, but seeing his beautiful smile, I lost the word.

He bent a little and placed a kiss on my forehead before whispering in a soft voice, "Khayal Rakhiyega, Hamari Jaan hai Aapke pass."

(Take care, my life is with you.)

I nodded my head and he tried to detach himself, but his chain got entangled with my dupatta, but rather than solving it out, he removed it from his neck before hooking it around my neck.

I gasped at his action and said, "It is your father's last sign–

He kept his thumb on my lips slightly rubbing it and answered, "Just Marking the woman who is solely mine."

I only stared at him with wide eyes and he got away from me before ordering to his brother, "Neil drop Bhabhi at her college or tell Tanishq, Ravi won't be there, I fired him."

My eyelashes flapped, the twentieth bodyguard he fired just because I sneaked out of the house, the poor man would be cursing me now.

'God knows how many people's lost something because of me, and How brutally I would pay for those sins.'

He turned around before getting inside the car and in seconds all the cars vanished from my sight making a tear drop roll down from my eye.

"Let's go, Arya," I heard Tanishq's voice and turned around to see No one except both of us.

"Neil...

He cut me off and told me with a chuckle, "Bhai was looking a little depressed."

I sighed and moved inside to grab my bag, just to meet with my enraged great-grandmother-in-law.

I noticed Ved uncle and Charlotte Aunt were all ready to head back to the UN, Alex and Victor left in the morning taking Raiva Di with them.

I bid them bye and came back before getting inside the car and Tanishq started the engine pulling the car into the driveway.

"Did the bed break?"

My eyes widened and I coughed hard making him chuckle.

"Whole House knows, what happened, I just asked out of concern."

I shook my head at him and said, "Don't make me embarrass my dear brother-in-law or I will tell it your Bhaisahab–

He chuckled and immediately replied in his defence, "Aren't we friends Bhabhi? By the way, How is my little buddy–

I caressed my stomach and answered, "Your niece/ nephew is fine and more than happy now."

He smiled and asked curiously, "How does it feel to get kicked?"

"Get pregnant you will know," I said with a chuckle and he whined, "Shut up Arya BHABHI."

I laughed and answered him honestly only to see him enjoying hearing about his little soon-to-be niece/ nephew.

He dropped me at college only to see the new security guards already waiting at the college gate making me frown.

I first gave the paper and at the last period of the college met Maahi but didn't tell her about last night.

I remembered about Siddhant too and I saw him on the college campus before offering him coffee but he neglected and was looking in a hurry making me sigh.

I bid my bye to Maahi and sat in the car while leaning on the door remembering the few moments I spent with him.

They were lovely, his smell coming out of my body is still making me feel his embrace.

My Phone rang and I saw the caller ID a small smile came to my lips seeing my Maa's number who called me after a whole month and I picked it up, just to hear her crying voice.

"Ki hoyeche Maa?" I asked in a slightly scared voice and she blurted out making me tremble in fear.

(What happened Maa?)

"I will be there Maa," I told and requested the driver to turn the car, who completely neglected it like he didn't hear me.