Note - Hey guys, I'm overwhelmed with the response you gave to the previous chapter, so as promised, here it is, the next chapter... Hope you'll like it... Do let me know if you liked the chapter... I'm more than eager to post the next chapter, but again, that's all in your hands... haha...

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A few days passed, and Krishna met a couple of men who rejected the idea of having a child in the home if that's not theirs, though Krishna told them she would be taking care of the expenses... She didn't ask them to marry her, just told them the whole situation, some though agreed to try accepting Adiyansh, they didn't want to rush into anything, they wanted to take it slow but Krishna didn't have much time... 

She felt dejected and hurt by everything, after what happened in the past, she never thought she would search for a groom for herself, she is so completely off men, but here she is... all for Adiyansh...

In these few days, Yamini became so close to Krishna, both have so many things in common which brought them together... Krishna came to deliver the vegetables, and seeing her upset, Yamini asked her about how things are going, and seeing Yamini, Krishna wanted to share her pain, she never felt the need to before, but now she did... 

She told Yamini about her entire past, which no one knows except for Ashwin and Swapnika and of course her family... And from that time, Yamini is looking for opportunities to convey her wish of getting Viraj and Krishna married but she doesn't know how she would react... and also, Viraj is a tough nut to crack, but seeing Krishna so miserable, she decided to do it...

She called Viraj and Krishna to her home, she asked her husband to come home earlier than usual, he agreed, he didn't ask anything though he suspected his wife of planning something very big...

Krishna arrived an hour earlier to talk to Yamini and Yamini couldn't be happier... Both the women cooked together had fun and sat in the hall talking to each other...

"So, tell me, how is everything going ?? Any luck ??", Yamini asked settling beside Krishna and handing her the coffee cup... It still surprises Krishna, how Yamini Prakash IAS became her closest confidant now, she couldn't call her a friend as they won't be joking with each other like friends because of the age gap and also the difference in status and power, but they are on their way to becoming friends... Both the women enjoyed each other's company a lot... 

"What to say, Ma'am, it's horrible, I'm hating myself for putting myself out there, you know, I am disgusted to even think about it now, I agreed to meet a man 15 years older than me, he had 4 kids, married thrice already and divorced them, he is looking again for a wife, and I got ready to meet such a man, Swapnika had to slap sense into me, Ashwin is so furious but honestly I didn't find it wrong, all I need is Adiyansh... You might be thinking I'm crazy right ??", Krishna sadly chuckled wiping her tears...

"No....", Yamini Prakash choked on her own words seeing her pain... How much she might have gone through mentally to have taken such a decision... Yamini thought not to delay anymore...

Viraj just arrived, and the ladies stopped their conversation... they thought he didn't hear but fortunately or unfortunately he heard their conversation... It did irk him hearing Krishna's words about meeting an old man for marriage...

"Is she crazy, how can she marry a man 15 years older than her ?? and as his fourth wife ?? What's wrong with this stupid girl, Is society so bad that men are rejecting a girl like her just because she decided to take responsibility for her little brother ?? She is beautiful, smart, independent, and caring, what else a man wants ?? God, people are getting so selfish...", he thought to himself, and immediately cursed himself with some colorful words for calling her beautiful, did he just call the ever irritating Ojaswi with all those good adjectives ?? wondered he...

"Why did you call us here mo..ma'am ??", Viraj said, he forgot, that Krishna didn't know he is Yamini Prakash's son still... 

"Well, I have a solution for her problem, and since you gave her your word, it's your problem too... Viraj, I know you for so long, and I know Krishna enough to say this and also considering her situation, this is the best thing to do", Yamini Prakash started, Krishna looked puzzled whereas Viraj got where his mother is going...

"No... No... No... That's not gonna happen", He stated outrightly... That's hard for him even to imagine...

"Viraj... this is for the best, you guys don't have any other option", Yamini said...

"That's absurd....", Viraj shouted startling Krishna, She is perplexed, what's happening here, and why is the ever-so-obedient DCP shouting at his superior officer ?? thought she

"What's wrong ma'am ??", Krishna asked

"Nothing is wrong Ojaswi, everything will be alright if you both agree to what I say, I want you both to marry each other", Said Yamini Prakash as if it's the most normal thing to say...

"What ?? No... Marrying him ?? Viraj Subramanyam ?? No way... I would accept death with open arms than that", she said

"Wow, feelings are mutual, for the first time, we agree with each other... MOM, she is crazy, she gets on my nerves, marrying her is a nightmare I never want to come true", he shouted, Krishna ignored him calling Yamini, mom, as he might have done it in by mistake... 

"Stop it both of you, sit down and finger on your lips", Yamini Prakash said sternly yet loudly, Ojaswi immediately followed her orders whereas Viraj still is walking to and fro raking his hair, how the hell did the idea get into his mother's brain ?? He literally hates even the existence of Krishna Ojaswi... "Didn't you hear what I said ?? Come and sit here Viraj", Yamini said louder than before and Viraj followed her orders this time...

"This is the only option left for the both of you...", she started but is interrupted by both...

"But...", Krishna started

"No...", Viraj started at the same time

"Shut up, let me talk, you'll listen to me and open your mouth only when asked to, am I clear ??", Yamini asked sternly and they nodded...

"Ojaswi, time is running but nothing is working out for you, you got ready to marry a man who is in the forties, that too as his fourth wife ?? Is marrying Viraj that bad ?? more than what you were about to do ?? And think about that little boy, what will happen to him ?? All your sacrifices will go in vain if you refuse this, I am not letting you spoil your life no matter what... and also if you marry Viraj, it will be unsaid confidence to the court about the case against you. Remember, he was the one who testified against you, and also his reputation of being a sincere and honest officer would help you a lot in getting the custody...", Yamini Prakash said and Krishna is left speechless, she is 100% right but how can she marry a person whom she hates to the core ??

"And you Viraj ?? You never wanted marriage in the first place right ?? So why are you reacting as if I'm asking you to ditch your girlfriend and marry this girl... You gave her your word, I know you are accountable, time to prove it, You gave your word and Viraj Subramanyam never backed out from fulfilling his word, look, finding a man who would love Adiyansh, or at least secure his future is out of the question now, this is the only way for you both", Yamini said and just then her husband made his way...

"Think about it, I'll just come", she said and walked inside asking her husband to follow her, inside the room, she told the whole issue to Ravikant Prakash, who started scolding her...

"Are you crazy Yamini ?? It's your son you are talking about, you can't just do that, our son has his own choices, I never thought you would do this to our son but you are the same as other mothers, controlling and manipulative when it comes to their children's marriage ", Prakash shouted

"I'm not Prakash, and lower your tone, I know what's best for my son, and what choices are you talking about ?? Viraj never wanted to marry, you knew it better than anyone, and Ojaswi is the best for him... Prakash, if Viraj is your replica, she is mine, they will make a great pair... and also, there's nothing to lose in this, they'll only gain, Viraj will be free from his guilt, that little boy will come back to his home, and that girl won't have to face stupid problems because of this custody issue, and if they both are lucky, they will find love in this beautiful thing called marriage", Yamini said rubbing her husband's shoulder calming him... "Think about it Prakash, you'll understand I am not wrong...", she said and after some more time, he finally agreed... 

Ravikanth Prakash mentally lauded Ojaswi's father, as it's all that man's brain behind the whole fiasco but he wouldn't say a thing, he decided to sit and watch instead of opening his mouth as that would only lead to destruction...

During this whole time, neither Krishna nor Viraj spoke a word, Krishna fell into deep thinking while Viraj is cursing his mother... Never ever in his dreams would he agree to marry Krishna Ojaswi... No way...

"So... What have you guys decided ??", Yamini Prakash asked, Viraj just glared at his mother while Krishna looked at her with tears...

"Okay, I'm okay with this, but what about him ?? and his parents ?? Will they accept me and Adiyansh ?? I don't think....", she is interrupted by a shocked Viraj and a happy Yamini...

"I'm so happy", Yamini said

"What, you are okay ?? crazy woman...", Viraj started but his father's one cold stare is enough to stop him, there was this unknown warning in his look that stopped Viraj...

"Ma'am, you didn't hear me completely, He is not okay with this, let alone his parents, this is not gonna happen, I can do anything for my brother, but what's in it for them ?? Why would they agree ??", Krishna said

"Because they are getting a wonderful daughter-in-law like you, Ojaswi, you didn't know how amazing of a person you are... ", Yamini Prakash said

"Hello... daughter-in-law ?? seriously ?? I didn't say 'yes' and I don't think I would ever", Viraj said looking at Krishna venomously, and she returned his look...

"you shut up Viraj, I think it's time to tell you the truth Ojaswi...", Yamini started...

"Ma'am, no", Viraj warned...

"Oh shut up Viraj", Yamini shut her son up and turned to Krishna, "Ojaswi, you have his parents' approval since his mother that is me, is the one who proposed this in the first place", Yamini Prakash said...

It took a few minutes to register in Krishna's mind, did she hear it right ?? Yamini Prakash IAS just said she is the mother of the ever-irritating-irking-idiotic DCP Viraj Subramanyam ?? Wait! how could she ignore this, Ravikanth Prakash Subramanyam and Viraj Subramanyam, but Subramanyam is a common surname, anyone can have it... She shook her head in confusion and Yamini Prakash chuckled, a small smile formed on Viraj's face too seeing her so confused... She looked cute, seeing his son's smile, Ravikanth Prakash too understood that his wife took the right decision...

"Wait... what ?? You are his mother... No... I mean how ??", Krishna said

"Ojaswi, he, DCP Viraj Subramanyam is our one and only son, it's not like we want to hide it, but not many people knew this too", Yamini Prakash said...

Then it all stroke her, that's the reason he is so free with Yamini sometimes...  This is the reason Yamini Prakash is being so nice to her because her son destroyed her(Krishna) she thought but again shook her head, Yamini Prakash is a very dignified woman, she would never think that way...

"Ojaswi, I know there are many thoughts running in your head but don't let them raise any doubts, whatever we are is real, I liked you right from our first meeting, in fact, even before that", Yamini said softly touching Krishna's cheek, which overwhelmed her... Krishna gave a smile and an understanding nod...

"You are a wonderful lady, ma'am, I would never think low of you, yes, for a second, thoughts passed my brain, but I didn't let them spoil my head... I respect you a lot and will continue doing it...", Krishna said making Yamini Prakash smile widely...

"So... Viraj, what do you say ??", Yamini asked...

"Mom...", Viraj is about to say when his father interrupted him...

"Don't say a word now, think tonight and tell us tomorrow... think thoroughly", he said, Prakash knew his son would only refuse if he is asked now, so he postponed things so that it can give him ample time to think... 

"Okay, I'll leave now, it's late already...", Krishna said...

"Okay, take care", Yamini said while Viraj's father nodded, he never spoke much but he sure can make a person the most comfortable or the most uncomfortable just with his presence, Krishna can see the young Viraj in him and the older Viraj in Ravikanth Prakash... She mentally formed the images of Viraj's old age which made her chuckle...

Yamini smiled seeing her chuckle suddenly while Prakash gave an amusing smile, but Viraj looked at her weirdly...

"Mom, seriously, you want me to marry this weirdo ?? You sure, I'm not adopted or something ??", He asked, Krishna who turned to walk away gave a furious look to Viraj, before walking away...

"That girl is everything you want, it's just you are not realizing...", Yamini Prakash said walking to her room... His father gave a knowing look to his son as if he knew what decision he is going to take, before following his wife...

Viraj went home that night, he started thinking about how he testified against Ojaswi and how she lost Adiyansh's custody... He cursed himself for the mishap... If he didn't involve himself there, he wouldn't be stuck in a moral dilemma now, he thought. He so badly wanted to kill Rajendra Narayan who talked him into testifying against Krishna... If not, he would be thinking about how to trap the criminals or might be planning their encounter, not thinking about a girl who gets on his nerves always and about the pros and cons of marrying her... Whom is he kidding ?? He knew there won't be any pros, Krishna Ojaswi is the last person he wanted in his life but today, he is considering getting married to her... 

Only if he is not accountable... He is always proud of his Accountability but for the first time, he is hating the very same quality of his, because of Krishna Ojaswi... 

He so wanted to reject it, but sadly he couldn't, this is the only option left for them... Maybe they could find a man who cares for both Krishna and Adiyansh but that would take a lot of time, and time is what they don't have...

He thrashed the alcohol glass in his hand getting frustrated at his helplessness... He finally convinced himself, and took a decision but decided to inform his decision to his parents only after talking to Krishna Ojaswi and making some things clear... These were the last thoughts before he fell asleep in the hall itself...