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~Author's POV~

Time passed and after spending a great day with her family, it was time for them to leave.

For Tiasha, she still couldn't believe that it was already night and so many hours passed by.

Maybe that only happens in every case. The moment we want to live for longer, cherish more, in that case, time ends within a blink of an eye and the ones which we don't want to stay longer, seems not to pass.

"Tiasha" Neil said as he entered the room.

"Yeah just a second. I'm coming" she replied as she took her bag and left her room.

"I'll just wait outside. You wanna meet your brother right?"

"Yeah I will. By the way, you won't come?"

"Idk. Well he is taking rest and don't wanna disturb him so---" he hesitated a bit.

"Neil, I don't think he will feel disturbed with your presence and moreover I will be going to meet him so you can come.....Only if you want" the last words she said as low as she could speak.

"Ok then I will. But please be quick. It's already late"

"Yeah" she said and left the room as he followed her.

Passing through the corridor, she was descending down the stairs when Riddhima came and hugged her tightly.

"You are leaving mimi" she said with a sad face as Tiasha picked her up and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Ridhhi, dear don't be sad. Your mimi is not going for forever. I will again come to meet you all soon"

"Really mimi you will come?"

"Yes dear I will come again in the next week only. Your mamu has an appointment with the doctor so I will be there"

"But Tiasha---" Mohini said hesitantly.

"Maami, what happened?" Tiasha asked her as she pulled her aside.

"Tia is it necessary for you---you to come? I mean---" Mohini stammered.

"---Maami, what are you even saying. Bhaiyya knows I will be there with him and apart from me, no one knows him better"

"But Tia you know what I---I actually mean. You just think what will your in-laws think if you stay here and give this house more priority. I mean will it look good. Also what will Neil think? You both just got married. I am sure he will definitely oppose it. "

Hearing that, she was not at all shocked or surprised rather was just wondering that since her visit why this point didn't come up yet.

Tiasha knew her aunt very well. Though she never was too much strict regarding anything but yeah always 'what-would-people-say-or-think' mattered a lot to her.

"Maami I am sorry to say but---"

She was just about to say something further when they saw Neil approaching towards them.

Seeing him, Mohini gave him a smile while he also tried to curve his lips into a smile and spoke.

"Aunty" he said.

"Oh Neil see you were waiting there and here I kept your wife busy with my talks" she laughed, trying her level best to turn the matter into a different direction.

"No it's ok" he said and looked at her and continued, "I know that maybe it's not right to interfere between your family matter but I assure you that neither me nor any member of my family would feel bad or angry or judge Tiasha if she gives this house, the utmost priority. Sorry maybe I am rude and shouldn't have said this but I heard you all and so just I know that for her his brother is everything and just because she is married it's not that she will not remain the daughter of her parents or sister of her brother. No matter what, she will always remain the same. Anyways. I hope I didn't bother anyone and my intentions were not to hurt you in any ways."

Though Tiasha wasn't surprised hearing what her aunt said but was definitely got lost into a different world when she heard his words.

"Well if you just come back from your imagination world then it would be good for us only" Neil spoke, looking at her, breaking her trance.

"Huhh?? Oh yeah--- I mean---I---" she fumbled as her mind processed words to speak.

"Stop giving this shocking reaction.... Why do she even get so shocked everytime when I speak? I don't think I speak something strange" last few lines were muttered to himself as he left the place and headed towards the living area as Tiasha followed him.

Passing a smile to Ruhanika and Aarav, who somewhere guessed something was fishy just smiled back in return, Tiasha went to Tarun's room as Neil already left for his room.

As Tiasha walked up the stairs, he found Neil walking towards Tarun's room, busy surfing through his phone.

On knocking at the door, both entered the room, as they found Tarun sitting on the bed with his head rested on the headboard of the bed.

"Tia, Neil. Come, come, come in dear" his lips plastered with a bright smile

"Bhaiyya" she went and sat beside him as Neil stood at some distance.

"I don't think you got any punishment Neil. Do you?" Tarun asked, laughing as Neil gave him a blank expression and nodded in a no.

"Then why are you standing there? Come here and have a seat" he said pointing beside her as both looked at each other.

"What happen come?" he repeated when Neil gave him a tight lipped smile and went and sat beside Tiasha.

As soon as he sat, Tarun's smile widened a bit and he kept adoring the newly-wedded couple and felt extremely happy for her sister.

He knew that his decision on getting them married was not at all a wrong one as he believed that Tiasha would never be able to find a much as gentle and caring as Neil. Though, he knew that very well that Neil was someone who is short-tempered, rude and what not but his heart was made of gold.

He had that believe that no matter what, Neil would never let his sister feel alone and Tiasha would also be there for him and both will always stay there for each other.

"You both know that today I am very happy. It's one of the best days of my life and my most happy and best day being the one when this cute little sister of mine was born" Tarun's eyes gradually turned moist as he spoke when Tia hugged him while Neil kept looking at the brother-sister duo.

"Bhaiyya, I am also very happy today as you are happy" A lone tear escaped her eyes.

"Hey hey hey!! Tia, you are crying?" Tarun said cupping her face and wiped her wiped.

"Stop shedding tears. See how Neil is looking at us....Hello man! You also come here" Tarun said pulling Neil and Tia in his embrace as both rested their head on either side of his chest as the former took their hands and placed on top of each other.

On feeling his touch, Tiasha shuddered a bit, closing her eyes and immediately opened it and looked at Neil who was already looking at her, not knowing how to react.

A strange and unknown emotion was felt by both

"I just hope and pray that you both always stay like this forever and be there for each other in every situation. I know that this marriage is something that you both never thought of. But I believe that today whatever happened it was bound to be like this. I just wish you both immense love and happiness" Tarun wished and released his grip from their hand.

Soon after Tarun left his grip, Tiasha took her hand off immediately and taking a deep breath, held her hand with the other one while Neil turned his face away and was staring at the floor, gently running his finger through his hair. A silence prevailed.

An awkward silence to be specific

Suddenly Tiasha's phone rang, breaking the silence. She looked at the screen and found a call from, Rudra.

"Bhaiyya Rudra's calling"

"Oh then just take the call"

"Yeah Please excuse me" she said and left the room while Tarun shook his head and laughed, while a pair of eyes followed her as she left the room.

"Oh, I should have guessed. This boy also no. Now see what serious matter it is" Tarun said to himself while Neil turned his face towards Tarun, looking at his laughing face, confused

"Hey what happened Neil? Seemed to be lost somewhere. Don't worry the person whom you are thinking about will be back soon" he teased him.

"No, it's nothing like that"

"Oh come on Neil. I am not stupid" he said and sat upright while Neil helped him by giving a support of a soft pillow.

"Careful" Neil said

"Yeah thank you"

"That's absolutely fine"

"You know Neil, apart from our parents and me, her friends are the one whom she loves the most"

Tarun said while Neil kept on listening to him as maybe somewhere one part of him wanted to know about Tiasha, the girl he got married to while on the other side he had a fear too.

"Sneha, Priya and Rudra are her best friends. You must have met them on the day of your wedding. Right?" Tarun asked as Neil nodded in a yes.

"But unfortunately Rudra couldn't attend. I know he must have made Tia go crazy with his talks and all. You know apart from all, she easily gets well with Rudra. He is a gentleman I must say. When they were young, I mean during Tia's high school days since then Sneha, Tia and Rudra know each other"

While Tarun kept on speaking and talked about their childhood as well as about Karan and his friendship too but it was evident that, Neil was lost in his own thoughts.

Some kind of feeling he felt whose answers he tried to find

"Neil, I am so sorry. I am talking since then. Actually, you know what after our parents death, my entire world revolved around Tia. She was just four then while I was eleven. Though, I was also small but according to Tia, I became her mother and father both. So whenever I start talking about her I just get carried away" He said with moist eyes.

"It's ok bhaiyya. I don't mind having a talk with you as I don't speak so much"

"Yeah. By the way you know I am very happy that I got my sister married to such a gentleman like you. Neil, I know Karan since childhood and heard a lot about you. In my life, I never care what other has any opinion for another person and thus I know my decision was not wrong. You know my sister is very emotional person and get s attached to everyone very soon. Though she is also the strongest women I have ever seen. Or I know that behind that smile of hers, she also knows that her bhaiyya won't stay with her for long time"

"No bhaiyya please don't say like this. Afterall, your treatment is going on"

"But Neil you can't change the truth. Anyways, you leave my discussion. If Tia comes and hear this I won't like to see tears in her eyes"

Hearing that Neil looked at him with a blank expression and kept hearing at what he said.

"Or you know I have to go and get roses and chocolates for her"

"Roses and chocolates?"

"Yeah roses and chocolates. Though even a chocolate toffee will also do. You know since childhood she has a love for flowers, especially red rose. So whenever her mood used to stay upset I used to take her to our terrace where mumma used to plant plants, especially, as I mentioned earlier, red rose. Our terrace is filled with roses and other flowers. Also if talking about chocolates, she is a chocolate freak. My sister never wants something grand in life. Even a single, simple gift, anything you give her makes her happy. She tells one thing that love is what matters not what materialistic things you give her. So, now if she hears that I am talking about how many days I will stay alive, she will be angry as well as sad and then I have to make her smile" Tarun said in a go

"So she really loves roses so much?"

"Yeah. You know she finds happiness even in the little things and moments of life" he said with a smile plastering his lips while Neil was lost in his thoughts.

A silence prevailed in the room when again Tiasha re-entered the room and seemed to be extremely happy.

"Bhaiyya bhaiyya bhaiyya" her happiness was immeasurable as she continued, "You know what Rudra said?"

"If you won't tell me then how will I know" Tarun replied while someone eyes where fixed on her as something unknown was felt by the latter.

Obviously it was none other than Neil

"Ok listen. Diya is returning back and guess what" Tiasha exclaimed,waiting for a reply.

"Umm---they agreed??"

"Yes yes yes. You know Rudra is so happy now and I must say that indeed he went through a lot during these days"

"Well I am really very happy for him. You see I told you at first only and now if you wouldn't have picked his call, that idiot would have come here only"

"Yes bhaiyya yes. Afterall, since I became his friend he shares it with me. I am indeed very happy today. I met you and now this news"

As they kept on speaking, Neil who was also present there kept looking at them confused, not being able to understand anything.

"Ok ok Tia let's talk about this later. See how your loving husband is looking at you" Tarun winked as Tiasha diverted her eyes towards him and he immediately turned his face to the other side.

"That's not a problem bhaiyya. Neil already knows Rudra. Anyways, I might will tell him everything later on.....now you tell, without me what was cooking between you two" Tiasha spoke the later half looking at Tarun.

"Well nothing much. We were just talking" Neil said before Tarun could reply.

"Yeah" Tarun replied with a smile.

Then Tiasha sat on the bed beside her brother while Neil had a glance at her watch and hesitating a bit broke the silence.

"Tiasha" he whispered though audible enough for both to hear.

"Yeah Neil. I know that's it quite late now" Tarun said as he looked at Tiasha, "You all may leave for home. It will take time to reach also" he continued as Tiasha exchanged glances between him and Neil.

"No bhaiyya if she wants she can spend some more time here. Till then I will just go and get all the stuffs packed and all. I mean after all you and Mohini aunty have also arranged so many sweet boxes for us"

"They are not much Neil" he said as Neil just gave him a tight-lipped smile.

"Anyways you both carry on with your talks bhaiyya. I'll just take a leave"

"Sure but do come to visit us again if possible. You know Riddhima will also miss you a lot from now"

"Yeah I will do so whenever I will get time. You please do take care and don't worry everything will be fine" Neil said somewhat smiling while Tarun nodded his head.

Though he knew this happiness isn't a long lasting one for him

Bidding a goodbye, Neil left the place while Tiasha was still there, looking at the doorway as Neil left the room.

"Tiasha" Tarun called her as she looked at him.

"Bhaiyya" she said and sat in front of him.

"Thank you so much Tia for coming here"

"Oh come on bhaiyya. I already had this plan to meet you today. Moreover you will thank your sister"

"Haha no no. I did not thank you for that. I meant that thank you for coming here with Neil" he said, holding her hands as she looked at him with somewhat smiling face.

"You know today I am really very happy seeing you and him together. Tia, I know that this life which you are leading now is not you ever dreamt of. I am sorry for---" he was cut off in between by Tiasha.

"No bhaiyya. Please don't say like this. I am really happy that you are happy and it's not that all happened because of you. I married Neil on my own wish only right?"

"Considering it as my own wish" he said, looking at her and continued, "Anyways, Tiasha you know I don't know what will happen in future but today, I can assure you one thing. No matter what, Neil will never leave you alone" his words made Tiasha laugh in her thoughts as she remembered that night.

A deal for a year

"Tiasha, I met him before also and his entire family. Neil might seem to be rude, arrogant and has anger management issues also but his heart, his heart is made of gold. He is not that bad what people think him to be. I know that he will be the one who is made for you and I know that my decision of getting you married will not be something I will regret about. I know that. You see, one day, you both will realise that"

"I don't know bhaiyya. Maybe I will" she replied and was lost in her thoughts, "He is really a mystery which is yet to be solved. Or the one who was angry with me also helped me a lot and today, whatever the reasons might be, came to visit here" a sweet smile plastered her lips as she got indulged in her thoughts while her mind was also puzzled with various things.

Her thoughts were broken when she heard Tarun's laughter and looked at him with much curiosity.

"Why are you laughing all of a sudden?" she asked, confused.

"Why? I can't laugh?" he questioned back, still laughing.

"Uff bhaiyya did I say that? I was just asking"

"Yeah right. By the way, now it seems that your mind is nowadays present somewhere else only. Ruhi was also telling the same only" he said with a teasing smile where Tiasha rolled her eyes.

"Not what you all think it is"

"But this smile of yours tells something else Tiasha" he chuckled as Tiasha sighed while he continued, "Ok ok leave it. I won't tell anything now"

"By the way Tiasha, truly tell one thing. You are happy there right? I mean since you came here we were teasing you and him, all had a great time and everything is fine. But you are indeed happy right?"

Hearing that Tiasha looked at Tarun as she searched for an answer and was lost in her own world when all the past incidents occupied her mind.

All the arguments, fights all thoughts crept inside her mind but her mind also processed the words which Neil had spoken.

See Tiasha, I know you are a college student who has a dream in her life. A dream that you want to fulfil and want to establish yourself as an independent person. I also know that how this marriage has impacted both of our lives. But don't worry, I won't let your life get ruined. So, by staying in this so-called-forced marriage, I don't want you to ruin your life.....Moreover, when I am there

.

I don't want you to have any kind of problem or difficulty in this house. Atleast, I am not that bad.
.

I can say one thing that I won't make you feel uncomfortable ever

"Don't worry bhaiyya. I am really very happy. Moreover, his family is also so nice and loving. Aunty, uncle, his siblings, Naina and Naman, Karan bhaiyya you know since childhood, his aunt, Anamika di. All are very loving. Also if you wanna know about Neil, then bhaiyya I didn't able to figure him out yet. But yeah he told me that even after this marriage, I can do whatever I want to. He won't let me have any problem" she said as her eyes glistened with tears.

Before a lone tear could escape her eyes she composed herself and took a deep breath and looked at Tarun with a smile plastering her lips.

She knew that whatever she told was right and she didn't lie but only hide the truth about the'one-year-marriage' thing as she knew or understood that somewhere, something was their about which she was still unaware, a mystery.

She wanted to solve that mystery only

"See I told you that he is a good human being. Also I must say that he is lucky to as he found a life