Anay sat there just processing the information he received.

The girl beside him was so strong and he held immense respect for her.

Pranshi didn't say anything after that and waited for him to say something.

He sighed harshly and finally said.

"I-i honestly don't know what to say. Bas itna keh skta hu that you are very strong Pranshi. Standing up for yourself is a difficult thing. Lekin usse bhi mushkil hota hai standing up against your family."

She looked at him and was surprised to see the adoration and respect in his eyes.

They looked at each other and smiled.

They just sat like that for some time when Anay again said.

"Tumne kabhi apne tauji ko kyu nhi bataya?"

(Why didn't you tell your tauji?)

He was curious about why she never uttered a word against it.

She smiled mockingly and said.

"Kuch rishte hai isliye chup hai.
Aur kuch chup hai isliye rishte hai."

She said and Anay was speechless.

"Tauji buaji ki bhut izzat krte hai. Agar humne unhe ye baat bata di toh shayad wo seh nhi paayenge Anay."

(Tauji respects buaji a lot. If i told him he would not be able to bear it.)

"Tumhe nhi lagta jo aadmi tumhare peeche itne dangerous gunde bhej skta hai wo tumhare tauji wo harm nhi karega."

(Don't you think that the man who could send goons behind you could not harm your tauji.)

She looked at him. She went in deep thoughts as if realising that he was correct.

She hid her face in her hands.

"Kya kare hum Anay? Samajh mai nhi aata hume. Khud ko bacha kr yaha toh aa gaye. Lekin humne apne parivar ko khatre mai daal diya."

(What do i do Anay? I don't understand. I came here saving myself. But i endangered my family.)

Before he could say anything she spoke.

"Agar dobara wapas jaate hai toh hum khud khatre mai pad jaayenge. Hum kre kya?"

(If i go back then i will be in danger again. What do i do?)

She asked while choking back a sob. She was tired now. Tired of running. Tired of hiding. Tired of facing everything alone.

Anay kept a hand on her shoulder and pulled her in a side hug.

She turned to him and hid her face in his chest and cried.

For the first time during the whole month, she cried. He let her cry. He let her take her emotions out.

"Thak gye hum Anay. Thak gye koshish krte krte. Hume samajh mai nhi aata ki unhe humse kya problem hai. Bhut koshish ki humne ki hum unki nazro mai achha ban ske."

(I am tired Anay. Tired of trying. I don't understand what is her problem. I tried hard to be good in her eyes.)

She sobbed like a baby and he felt his heart constrict.

She pulled back slightly and looked at him teary eyed.

"Jab mumma papa the na tab sab kuch thik tha. Sab kuch. Buaji bhi humse bhut pyaar krti thi. Lekin phir-"

(When mumma papa was there everything was fine. Everything. Buaji too loved me. But then-)

She sobbed and hugged him.

"Aap jaante hai mumma papa ki death ke baad jab wo pehli baar ghar aayi. Hum seedha unhe hug krne ke liye bhaage. Wo hamare liye hamari dusri maa thi."

(You know when she came home after my parents death. I ran straight into her arms. She was my second mother.)

She again looked at him and spoke.

"Lekin unhone ek baar bhi hamari taraf dekha tak nhi. Ek baar pyaar se hamara naam tak nhi liya."

(But she did not even look at me. Did not even call my name once.)

At that moment she looked so vulnerable. Anay hated the feeling. Seeing her so broken, broke his heart.

He pulled her closer and cupped her face. He wiped her tears with his thumbs and whispered.

"Shh! Bas itna nhi rote!"

(Don't cry!)

He tried to calm her.

"Ab meri baat suno! Mai tumhari bua ka toh kuch nhi kr skta lekin itna promise krta hu ki chahe jo ho jaaye tum kabhi akeli nhi rahogi. Whatever happens we face it together. Infact mai tumhare aage khada rahunga."

(Now listen to me! I can't do anything about your bua but i promise you that whatever happens you are not alone. I will be in front of you.)

She looked at him like a crying baby looks at someone when he stops.

"Waada?"

(Promise?)

"Waada!"

(Promise!)

He whispered and she clutched his shirt in her small fists. He wiped her face properly. He couldn't contain himself and kissed her small nose which was all red from crying.

She looked at him wide eyed and he chuckled at her cute expressions.

She looked away blushing slightly and he laughed loudly making her smile.

**************************************

It had been a few weeks since Pranshi had told Anay the reason of her running from her wedding.

She had started noticing how he found ways of being near her and spend time with her.

Though she concluded it as her imagination.

'Obviously! Why would he want to spend time with me?'

Her thoughts were broken when she felt two arms slide around her waist.

She jumped at her place and gasped loudly.

"Shh! Relax! Its me!"

She heard his soft whisper near her ear and gulped.

She felt goosebumps all over her skin as he nuzzled his nose in her neck.

"K-kya kar rhe hai?"

(Wh-what are you doing?)

He dropped his head on her shoulder and she caressed his hand that was on her stomach.

"Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

"Thak gaya."

(I am tired.)

He mumbled placing a kiss on her shoulder. His hold on her tightened slightly.

She turned in his arms and he pulled her closer.

"Pura din room se bahar nhi nikle. Itna kaam karenge toh thakawat toh hogi na."

(You did not come out of the room the whole day. You will be tired if you work so much.)

She said softly keeping her hands on his chest. He smiled and kept his forehead on hers.

Her breath hitched feeling his breath near her face.

"Anay!"

She whispered and he looked at her.

"Pranshi!"

He whispered and they looked into each other's eyes with so many emotions.

He cupped her face and her heart started beating with anticipation.

"Pranshi I-"

"Anay!"

Before he could say anything further, they heard Ditya's loud voice.

She came towards them panting heavily.

"Tujhe kya hua?"

(What happened to you?)

"Tum dono neeche chalo."

(Both of you come down.)

She mumbled trying to regain her breath. Anay and Pranshi looked at each other.

"Hua kya hai?"

(What happened?0

"Tum bas neeche aao."

(You just come down.)

She said and again ran down leaving them confused.

They looked at each other again and then went down.

Everyone was present there. They were looking at Pranshi weirdly.

"Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

Anay asked when they saw his family looking at Pranshi with questioning and worried looks.

Utkarsh took the tv remote and increased the volume.

Anay was shocked to hear the news that was going on while Pranshi's face lost color as she stood like a statue.

 The news went:

"Jodhpur ke maharaj Suraj Singhal ki bhajiti, princess Pranshi Singhal apne ghar se lapata hai. Unhe gayab huye pure 2 mahine ho chuke hai. Sutron ke anusar-"

Pranshi stared at the television screen like she had seen a ghost. Her picture was being circulated all over the media.

"Pranshi?"

She heard Anay's voice and turned to look at him. He was looking at her with so many questions in his mind.

"Kya hai ye sab?"

(What is all this?)

He wanted to ask more but could utter only this much after listening to what was going on.

She looked at him as if asking him to just trust her.
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