Hey my lovely readers.

How are you all?

Are you all enjoying the book so far?

So I have decided that my next Insta live will be on 23rd December, 5PM IST.

I had initially thought of keeping it on 24th but then, I'll be traveling that day so decided against it.

Also there's a huge surprise for my readers which I'll reveal on my insta live. Be ready!!!

Let's begin with the chapter now.

Siya's POV

The dinner went well.

Most important thing was, I didn't feel uncomfortable around new people, like I used to feel back in India.

Probably because back in India, people knew about my marriage getting called off at the altar but here, nobody knew about it.

Jannet and her fiancé were a lovely couple and so much in love.

She told me about her suffering to convince her parents for marriage with her now fiancé.

It somehow reminded me how even me and Akash had tried convincing my parents but to no avail.

I never got to know what conversation happened in the closed door between Akash and my parents because to be honest I was very much indulged in the fact that Akash left me for my family.

I never got to know about it because Akash and me never contacted after our meet up and I was so angry at my parents that I never talked to them properly after him leaving me.

The only thing I got to know about was the fact that my parents had threatened Akash to abandon me if I get married to him, though he tried a lot to convince them.

Jannet's fiancé was kind enough to give me editing job and the least I could do for him was treat him with some homemade food.

As for Jannet, she was just like Kriti. Bubbly, easygoing and friendly.

After the dinner, I made my way to the library.

I really wanted to explore the books in here.

The smell of new books was so intoxicating but I decided to start with the book that Akash gifted me.

Kriti and Sid had retired to their room and I was about to open the book to read when I heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in" I said and when I looked up, I saw Akash peeking from the door.

"You busy?" he asked, still peeking from the door.

"No, not at all" I said, keeping the book on the bed and stood up.

"You liked it?" he asked looking around the room.

"Yes, I really did. Thank you" I said.

"No problem" he said with a smile.

There was silence for a few minutes when something struck me.

"Did you...did you do it because of feeling guilty?" I asked.

I wanted this, all of this but not when he feels guilty.

I wanted all of this only when he loves me.

He shook his head and said "I did it because your wishes are something I want to fulfil. I've never had the opportunity to fulfil your wishes and now when I am capable enough to do it, I want to do everything I can, for you."

I stared at him for a few seconds and then said "is it because you feel pity for me?"

"What? No! Of course not. I can never feel pity for you, baby and why would I feel pity on you and for what? I've always loved you and the only reason I am doing all this is because I want you to know that no matter what you think about me, I'll always be there for you" he said and caressed my cheeks, making me close my eyes.

This question was something that I dreaded to ask him because I was afraid of his answer.

I was afraid that what if he doesn't love me anymore? What if whatever he was doing was all because of pity and not because he still loves me?

I was still lost in the thoughts when I herd him say "I love you."

Look at our chemistry and timing, as soon as I started doubting his love for me, as soon as I started thinking his love as pity or guilt, he gave me his answer.

I opened my eyes and looked at him to see him already staring at me with so much emotions.

"I loved you then and I love you now. If you don't want to marry me, that's fine Siya but please, I beg you, don't doubt my love for you" he said and I could see tears welled up in his eyes.

Blinking his tears away, he said "I know it'll take me some time to build the trust that once you had on me or probably I'll never be able to build the trust on you again but it's just a request I've for you, it's the only thing I want form you, please never doubt my intentions for you."

I was left stunned at his vulnerable state.

The way he was begging me, with his eyes, asking me not to doubt him felt like my view about him really mattered to him, a lot.

If my views matter to him, then I am sure even I do matter to him, a lot.

"I think it's late now, you should sleep" he said and took his hands away from my cheek.

"Yeah, I should sleep" I said.

"Good night" he said and kissed my forehead.

"Good night" I whispered and he walked away, closing the door behind him.

Taking a deep breath, I walked to the bed and lighting the lamp beside me, took the book in my hand and started reading it but I wasn't able to concentrate on the words written on it.

My thoughts were every now and then going to the conversation that I had with Akash a few minutes back.

His restless face, his eyes welled up with tears were constantly making it's way to my mind whenever I was closing my eyes.

'Please don't doubt my intentions for you'

'Please don't doubt my love for you'

The way he was speaking to me, held so much emotions, like he was scared if these thoughts come to my mind.

Was I really that important to him?

Does my view about him really matter to him?

If I come to think about it, if he really didn't care about me, why would he have called his parents to meet my parents for our marriage?

Why would he have come back to check on me even when, according to him, I was married to another guy?

Why would he have called his parents again to meet my father after our meet up at our hometown?

Why would he have brought me here, with him, fighting with my mother and threatening her to destroy her career and take my custody from her? He didn't know but I was listening to the conversation that he had with my mother at our house when he came to my house a few days ago.

The regret in his voice, for not listening to me when I had told him that my mother would try to manipulate him, the way he was ready to use all his power and go to any lengths to get my custody, if required.

Why would he have built this library, just like the way I had described him and that too, only once?

If I wasn't important to him, why would he have taken the pain to not only invest money but time and effort for this library?

Money is something that anyone can invest but time and efforts are something that never come back and he was putting it, for me.

The way he was trying his best to make me understand and motivate without making me realize that I needed...medical help. I know, I do need medical help and I know it very well.

Akash has always been gentle with me, he has never ever for once raised his voice on me but I feel that he treats me now like a doll, his doll. With so much tenderness and patience.

With so much love in his eyes that...I've never seen before.

He loved me then, he loves me now. Even when I was breaking his heart into million pieces when I said that I am getting married to Mohit, he said that he would always help me, if needed.

Nobody says it, not in this world that they would help their lover after their marriage if needed.

He always believed that I was never a gold digger. He trusted me even when I broke him. He could've easily moved on but he didn't, he couldn't.

He did a mistake of leaving me, due to my parents but didn't I make a mistake as well by leaving him in college?

Though his leaving me had a greater impact on my life but didn't my leaving him had an impact on his life as well?

He had become cold and distant when I met him in office. The carefree and lovely Akash was no longer there. Wasn't I the reason behind his changed behavior?

Though we had different situations and maturity when we left each other but we made the same mistake.

When my love for him didn't fade away when I left him, how could his love fade away from me when he left me?

I cherished his each and every gift because I wanted to stick with his memories just like he has all my gifts with him.

When he came to know about the reason why I broke up with him, not once did he blame me, neither lashed out at me, he just...worshipped me, my body.

(Readers who don't remember, please refer chapter 65-Flashback and chapter 66-I love you where Akash never lashed out at Siya for hiding the truth from him.)

It's true that I am still not able to trust him like I used to but I could clearly see, how much effort he was trying to make.

He is trying to fulfil all my wishes that I had once shown him and I had no right to question his intentions.

Though I told him that I didn't want to marry him, he isn't even bringing the topic in front of me.

I know he's hurt because of this topic but he still didn't bring it up, even once.

He's just accepting everything that I am saying to him or the way I am treating him, without any complaints.

Though he did mistake but isn't he trying everything in his power to treat me right?

Isn't he trying to make me comfortable with soothing words?

Isn't he trying to bring good things to me which I had only dreamt of?

Isn't he trying to do everything that he is capable of to make me feel loved, wanted?

That's what I wanted right?

To be feel loved, welcomed by everyone?

To not be judged by anyone?

To get an environment where I am constantly not reminded about my past?

I am getting everything that I had once dreamt of here, with people who once were very close to me.

They not even for once showed sympathy or pity on me.

They were treating me like, I never went through all those tortures.

They're supporting me, treating me like they used to, before they left me alone.

They never for once asked for forgiveness but their actions was speaking volumes.

Their actions was enough to show me, that I matter, a lot or why would they cry for me?

Kriti cried for me.

Akash cried for me.

And I knew for a fact that you cry for someone only when that person matters to you.

Akash's POV

I was happy that she was at least smiling.

That's what I've always wanted, for her to smile.

Though I was the one because of whom she cried a lot, I'll make sure that she doesn't cry anymore because she deserves the world.

I slept with this thought and next morning, I woke up early as I had a lot of office work to do.

Freshening up, I made my way to the library and saw Siya sleeping comfortably on the bed with a half opened book on her chest.

I went to her, kissed her forehead and she snuggled more to her blanket.

She was looking so adorable.

Shaking my head at her antics with a small smile, I made my way to the kitchen to see a sight that I didn't want to witness at all.

Sid and Kriti were all over each other, sucking their faces making me scrunch my nose at them.

Though I've seen them making out many a times in front of me, I am still not comfortable with it.

I think I can never be.

Sighing and covering my eyes with my hands, I said "get a room guys, please."

Listening to me, they both looked at me but the shameless creatures that they were, they were still clinging to each other like glue.

Shaking my head at both of them, I entered the kitchen to make some coffee for myself.

"Bhaiya, can you please make one for me too?" Kriti said sweetly.

"No" I said.

"Why?" she asked and when I looked at her, she was pouting like a kid.

"What why? Prepare it yourself and for this duffer as well" I said, pointing at Sid.

"Why?" he whined.

"Your punishment for making out in front of me" I said, shrugging.

"As if I haven't seen you making out with Siya before" Kriti said, rolling her eyes.

"Listen" I was about to scold her when I heard the doorbell ring.

Taking the coffee mug in my hand and the besan ka halwa that Siya had prepared for sweet dish yesterday from the fridge, I made my way to the main door.

Opening the door, I saw Maya who had a wide grin plastered on her face.

I stood aside and made some space for her to enter the living room.

Sitting on the couch comfortably, she said "so how was your trip?"

"What're you doing here, Maya?" I asked and sat beside her.

She gasped dramatically and said "can't I come to see my best friend?"

"How did you know I was back?" I asked.

"Who else? Jannet of course" she said, rolling her eyes.

As soon as I was about to take a sip from my mug of coffee, she snatched it from me and started drinking from it.

"Thanks" she said with a mischievous smile and I glared at her.

"You know, it's really good" she said, taking a sip from the coffee again.

Then her eyes went to the plate that was still in my hand.

As soon as I was about take a bite from the halwa, she snatched it from me and sniffed it.

"You made this?" she asked with wide eyes.

"Actually" I was about to tell her that Siya made this when she took a bite from it and moaned, closing her eyes.

"You never told me you could cook this good. You've always fed me burnt food" she said and gobbled the whole plate of halwa in one go.

"Relax. The food isn't going anywhere. Eat a little slowly or you'll choke" Sid said and sat on the couch.

"I can't. It's so good" she said with her mouth full, making her sound gibberish.

"Yup, I know, it was made by the best chef I've ever known, of course apart from my mother" Kriti said.

"Oh. Who?" Maya asked with her mouth full.

"Siya" she said and Maya choked.

"Maya" I said and hurriedly got a glass of water from the kitchen.

While she was gulping the water, I patted her back.

When she was a little sober, she said "you guys, please don't joke with me."

"No, Kriti is right. I brought Siya from India" I said and her eyes widened.

"What're you saying?" she asked.

"Yes" I said.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.

"I didn't want anyone to know about her. I think you already know that she isn't married" I said and she nodded.

Of course she had some idea about it because she was one who took out all that information about Siya and Amit.

"Yeah, I was almost sure that she isn't married but I never thought you would bring her, here" she said.

"I had to. After what happened with her, I couldn't let her be with people who couldn't take care of her" I said.

"Is she, fine?" she asked.

"No, she's not, but I am sure she'll be fine soon" I said.

"She, she's here?" she asked.

"Yes, she's here. In the library. Still sleeping" I said.

"Library?" she asked confused.

"Yeah, we made one for her yesterday. She was so happy. You should've seen her face. It was glittering like she struck some goldmine" Kriti said with a genuine and fond smile.

"Oh yeah? Then I should also see it, don't you think Kriti?" she asked.

"Of course" she said chirping.

"Yes you can but not now. She's sleeping. Once she's up you all can go to her room" I said.

"Oh by the way Akash, you won't die virgin now" she teased me.

"Shut up Maya" I said, glaring at her.

"What are you talking about?" Kriti asked confused.

"Oh, you don't know this incident, right? I spiked his drink and he was about to lose his virginity to a drunk teenage girl" Maya said like it was a huge gossip.

"Hawww" Kriti gasped dramatically and gave me an accusing glare, narrowing her eyes at me, keeping her hands on her waist.

"Kriti...it's not" I wasn't able to complete what I was saying when I heard a glass shattering sound from behind me.

When I looked back, I saw Siya with a shocked expression on her face and tears welled up in her eyes.

I closed my eyes in frustration.

Oh God! What do I do now?

How did the chapter come out?

What do you think will happen next? A big shock for Siya, I think.

If you all liked the chapter, please vote comment and share my book.

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My insta ID-magnificent_shobhana.

So see you guys tomorrow on insta live and most probably I'll not be able to update on Saturday as I'll be travelling.

So if you don't see my update, don't get disheartened. If not Saturday, on Wednesday for sure I'll update.

Till next chapter, tk cr bbyee

Tadas.