"Shree, umm, can I have your debit card?" Madhav asks as he looks away from his laptop. "I can't use mine since I transferred all my money to- anyways can I have yours?"

"You found a train?" Shree asks as she finishes brushing Madhu's hair.

"Yes, it leaves at 7 PM. AC 2 Tier." He says as he looks at the train on the IRCTC website.

"That means we have to start packing immediately." Shree says giving Madhav her debit card.

"Better hurry." He says entering the debit card details to the site. "We only have two hours before the train leaves. We need to pack and say our goodbyes before that. I'll ask Raju to get the car ready. Pack your things, I'll pack mine and Madhu's."

Shree went into the walk-in closet and opened a cupboard, letting out a long sigh. Madhav joins in a few minutes to pack Madhu's clothes.

Madhav paused after a few minutes and turns to Shree, who was seated cross legged on the floor of the walk-in-closet. She seemed to lose all her strength.

"Baby, you okay? Shree?" He asks and sits in front of her, holding her face with his hands. Shree refuses to look at his face. He sighs and turns her face to his and gives a weak smile. "Chellam?"

She gave a strangled cry and he instantly pulled her towards his chest, hugging her close as she burst into bewildered tears. Madhav caressed her head as she sobbed inconsolably in his arms.

"I'm so sorry, Madhav!" She said holding onto his arms. Her tears falling fast and thick. "Oh, what have I done to you? I never meant to do this; I swear! I never knew he would trick me and Yashoda Ma like this! I'm so sorry, you lost everything because of me. The position you worked so hard for, the cars you brought with all your hard-earned money, everything is gone and it's all because of me!"

He holds her in his arms and lets her weep. When Shree could no longer cry, he dried her tears—and then his own. Her mouth felt dry and she was unable to form any words at all.

The tears pooled in the sunken pits un­der his eyes.

"Shree, chellam, let's continue packing. We have to catch that train in an hour." He says calmly and presses a quick kiss to her lips.

* * * * *

"WHAT HOW COULD HE DO THAT-?" Shyaam exclaims as he gets to know what happened. "I go to work and I miss so much? Wait, is that why Amma has her bags packed?"

"And probably why we have our bags packed too." Madhav adds.

"So, all of you are vacating this house?" Shyaam asks.

"Yes, all except you." Shree says as she holds Madhushree in her arms.

"Screw that, I am leaving too before dad tricks me into signing a lifelong non-redeemable contract as a male stripper."

"Don't joke about that, Shyaam." Yashoda says. "After what he did to Madhav I won't be surprised if he does what you just said."

"Here, take these keys." Madhav says and gives a set of keys to Shyaam. "It's the key to my mother's old apartment in Juhu. It's not very luxurious, but it's peaceful and less chaotic."

"Well, looks like we are going our own separate ways." Yashoda says. "Let's stay connected through Whatsapp or Skype or whatever. I just don't want to lose touch with my family."

"That won't happen." Madhav says. "Also, I'd like it if both of you along with Lakshmi Ma and Devi visit us in Elysium on weekends."

"Sure, I'd love to! Also, I'm really going to miss my little Madhouse!" Shyaam says.

"MADHUSHREE!" Shouts Madhu.

"Madhouse! Madhouse!" Shyaam repeats with a sinister smile.

"Monkey Maama!" Madhu murmurs and throws her teddy bear to him. Shyaam catches it and presses a kiss to her head.

"I'll miss this adorable Madhouse!" Shyaam says ruffling Madhu's hair, making her frown.

* * * * *

"Are we there yet?" Madhu asks for the hundredth time since they got into the train. She played 'Say What You See' until it became too dark to see what was outside. She played for an hour with her toys and spent another hour lying on the pillow on Madhav's lap humming to herself as Madhav slowly massaged her head.

Madhav was finally reading the books he had brought at last year's Book Fair. He was finally free from the deadly and vicious circle of never-ending calls and emails. He realized he had more time to breathe and be free from the otherwise busy and hectic life as a CEO. Shree was wearing a grey kurta and a pair of black leggings. She was listening to her MP3 player that had 300 songs, while she looked out the window of the train. She was thankful that no one else was in their compartment.

Madhu pulls Madhav's flannel shirt. "Nanna, are we there yet?"

"Not yet kannamma, it'll take one whole day to reach the final station." Madhav says as he adjusts his glasses as he reads a Dan Brown book.

"One whole day?" Madhu asks.

"And then another six hours road journey."

"So, we aren't going to Kerala?" Shree asks as she removes her earphones.

"We are, but this place is a little far." Madhav says. "Actually, a lot far from the railway station."

"So, what kind of place is Elysium?" Shree asks. "Is it a hotel, or an apartment or-"

"You'll love it, trust me. You'll love it so much; you will never want to leave that place ever again." Madhav says keeping his book aside. "Now, it's almost midnight and we need to make sure little Miss Smarty-Pants is put to sleep. You should get some rest too, Chellam."

"I'm not sleepy." Shree says softly.

"Are you thinking of what happened, Shree?" He asks.

"I can't get it off my mind, Madhav!" Shree says. "I'm the reason you lost everything! You lost your position as CEO, your wealth and-"

"All of that was never meant to last long." Madhav says and presses a kiss to her hand. "One day I would have to step down from my position as CEO. My money and my property wouldn't go a long way with how I spend them. But this little family consisting of you, me and Madhu – this will last long. I don't care if I lost nearly 3 billion euros, I'm still one of the richest men in India, because I have a beautiful intelligent devoted wife and an angelic little daughter who happen to love me so much."

"I love you, Nanna! And- and Teddy and-and Bunny love you!" Madhu says nudging Madhav's chest with her bunny. "And-and- Marshall loves you too!"

Madhu looks at Shree, from Madhav's lap. "Amma, tell Nanna you love him!"

"I don't need to." Shree says smiling. "Your Nanna knows already."

Madhav smiles and slowly caresses his ankle against Shree's ankle.

"Shree, I don't know but from tomorrow onwards we will be living a very basic mediocre life."

"I don't want to sound very clique and Bollywood-ish, but I will live happily with you even if we are sent to the flaming pits of Hell." Shree says blushing.

"That's so cute, chellam." Madhav says. "Now seriously, why are my beautiful girls still awake? It's almost midnight!"

* * * * *

Shree wakes up an hour before sunrise and sees Madhav reading another different book under the soft shade of the reading light in their compartment. He was still in the first few pages. Madhu was sleeping on Madhav's lap, he had a secured arm wrapped around her.

"Let me take her, Madhav." Shree says reaching for their sleeping baby. "Get some rest."

"Thank you." He says as Shree makes Madhu lie down on her lap. Madhav sets her soft toys beside her and caresses her head.

"Good morning, by the way!" Shree says as Madhav takes off his glasses and rubs his face.

"Good morning!" He says and leans forward to kiss her. Shree blushes as she runs her hand on his stubbled jaw. He pulls away from her soft lips and rests his forehead on her's. Holding her face with his. "Today's the start of a normal and simple family life. I can't promise you much luxury, but I'll do my best to keep you and our kannamma happy."

"There was a time when we were apart. At that time, all I ever wanted was to be with you. I finally have it. I'm with you, now." Shree says as she feels his soft hair. "I'm already happy, Madhav!"

He smiles and kisses her again. "I love you."

"Me too." She says. "Now get me some of the biscuits Yashoda Ma packed! I'm starving!"

To be continued....

Stay in touch! I'll see you soon with Chapter 50 on Sunday!

Keep the votes and the comments flowing!

Also let me know,

-What did you like about this chapter? (ps: this IS a short update and Ididn't get time to proof read. spare me if you find typos or things that don't add up.)

-How do you like the story so far?

-What will happen next? And what is this 'Elysium' Madhav keeps referring to?

-For more details, update countdowns and sneakpeaks about upcoming chapters make sure to follow our instagram account. Link in the inline comments!

-Show us your love and support there too (and yes you can get a follow back if you wish)