Before you start reading this, I have to notify all of you with something really important. After sitting with my friend and brainstorming for the best explanations of all the situations and twists created in this book, we came to a conclusion. Though I have an appropriate set of explanations to Arjun calling Amaya an 'infertile' woman, I'm still removing that word from the prologue. Why? It's because it altogether makes Arjun sound really cruel. He has already been portrayed as a much darker person than I thought I would do so in order to not make Arjun cross his limits, the word is going to be removed and guess what? I'll be dealing with this in another book...not an Arjun-Amaya story but a new one, some other time.

*I'm actually embarrassed* But it's my first draft and I can't help it. Errors do happen. So sorry for confusing you all.

Her mother will continue calling her an infertile woman but Arjun...actually, now even I'm feeling bad for him so no, Arjun will call her everything but infertile. I hope you all don't have a problem with it?

And ofcourse the book will be undergoing editing after its over so no worries!

Enjoy the chapter and don't hate Arjun :-D

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My eyes were only fixed on Disha. Wherever she went, whatever she did, I kept a strict eye on her while she was greeting people and enjoying the party.

After a while, Arjun approached her with two glasses of wine and handed one of them to her. Arjun, as usual was looking hot and I don't have words to describe this insanely sexy yet troublesome man. He was wearing a handsomely tailored black suit with crisp white shirt and hand-crafted black Zara shoes with an expensive intricately tooled black leather watch.

She pecked on his lips and sipped the wine while his gaze met mine. I felt uncomfortable and I don't know how but my stomach just dropped on this mere thought of Disha having Arjun for the rest of her life.

Arjun was only mine...or that's what I thought. Did he really never love me? Was it all a lie?

Yes Amaya, yes. Why can't you just accept this harsh reality? Did you forget the tape? The entire magazine fiasco was done by Arjun to conveniently get a divorce from you and put all the blame on you.

I had tears in my eyes yet again. Damn!

Amaya, just one last night...that's it. Tomorrow, in the morning, at around 4 , you'll be at the airport, with your kids, with your brother, with your best friend and you'll leave them once again and this time there won't be any regrets but only satisfaction that the last bond of your relationship...that one last signature on the divorce papers has finally ended everything. Then you'll be entitled to start your life again and this time on a happy note. You'll have to live for your beautiful kids who'll grow up to become amazing human beings. You deserve nothing like Arjun...infact you don't need anyone else, as a matter of fact, in your life. You know it was only Arjun and it will remain like that so all you can do is, make him a real passive memory and move on.

I reminded myself and kept my gaze fixed on him, mindlessly. My inner counseling had begun. I was preparing myself mentally to leave everything behind...I had my required answers.

Why did Arjun want to divorce me? Why did he throw me out of his life, etc!

What remained unanswered was what Disha wanted to say about the rape case.

These nine days proved to be really informative *note the sarcasm* as far as my personal life is concerned. The reality related to my parents, then my step brother, the truth that my step mother was my psychiatrist and my father was my business partner, who possibly knew more about me and my life than my real mother who threw me out of her husband's house and step father, who claimed that I was his pride.

But, what was my "real" father doing here with Arjun yesterday? Did he know something? He was trying to find out who was behind all this. The Jindals. I don't think they can be the one behind my blood because all Suhana wanted was to kill me internally. The living example was the attachment she'd sent me yesterday. Arjun's reality.

I came out of my deep thoughts when my phone buzzed twice. It was a message reminder.

I quickly tapped on the power button and checked for the sender of the message. It was from Aahil.

Aahil - Mahira's phone location says her sim card was last activated in a law firm owned by a powerful lawyer...the place where Disha works!

What the Fuck?
Disha???

Me - Aahil, are you sure?

I tapped on the send button and impatiently waited for a reply.

Aahil - 110%

Me - Thanks brother

Aahil - No mention sis. Anyway, I just wanted to inform you that dad will be accompanying us back to Paris.

Me - Oh! And what exactly was he here for?

He took a little time to reply. By the time I had drank two blue lagoons, I still hadn't received his reply though he was typing.

Aahil - He was here for you. He had a doubt on Arjun...maybe he was trying to harm you but now he's clear it isn't him. He knew you were in safe hands. According to dad, Arjun is almost there. He has reached those men. I don't know how true this is but mind you Amaya, you're not changing your decision to go back...please.

I read it and stared over the reply for the next two minutes...my mind had gone numb. Arjun obviously wouldn't harm me but had Arjun really found out who did that to me? Was I even important to him or was it a fake concern he was trying to show in front of my real father knowing he would kill him if he finds he still is the reason of all my pain.

Aahil - You there Amaya?

Aahil's question was a reality check. "You there"...no, I'm lost. What is this Arjun...why is he so confusing. Why is he so mysterious. How could I blindly love this man...he is my nothing.

Me - Aahil, I'll just call you after a while. I think Disha knows something about the rape case.

I hit the send button and looked around for Disha. She was now laughing with her friends...Rhea  and Diya were also there.

I rolled my eyes and asked myself. Why do I hate her? Is it my inferiority complex? That mom never loved me because Disha was more beautiful? Even I'm a mother but I don't feel that way. I love Aryan and Aahana like they're some part of my soul. Why can't I love Aryan more than Aahana? Or why can't I love Kabir's child more? This is impossible...absolutely shitty and baseless. How could my mother even say such things to me and make me feel disastrous about myself.

That word which she used for me, 'mistake' had created that strong inner walls around my heart that I really considered myself a mistake. I was the reason of all the pain my mother went through, I accept that but what was exactly my fault? That I came into her womb and she didn't kill me because of her own god damn emotions? Then where was her emotion when I came into this world? Why did she make me feel like a fucking shit when I didn't mean anything to her. I know she cares for me but I doubt if she loves me. I was a normal kid who went through her own set of problems. She was never there for me. Her husband and my brother was more important to her than me. She wasn't there in my childhood, my teenage period and even when I needed her the most, the night Arjun's anger was at peak and I don't even know why! The night Arjun threw me out of his life.

Six years back...

I rang the bell twice of my mom's house. It was already three thirty in the morning and was stark dark. The deadly silence just screamed its pain out. I could hear it.

My face was tear stained all over and I just hoped that I won't burst into tears in front of my mother.

I rang the door bell again and this time Pyali opened the door. She was all sleepy and looked irritated but the moment she saw me, she was alarmed and stood straight in attention.

Pyali and I share a different bond altogether. Remember Pyali from Paris? My house help and Aryan and Aahana's nanny? Well, I don't think of her that way. She is the same person I'm talking about.

She moved aside and let me enter. She quickly ran inside and brought glass of water (which she still does and has been doing since the time she is living with us).

Her face was dripping with concern. "Amaya di, what happened? Is everything alright?" She asked.

I went inside the library. I didn't want to create a havoc at this hour of night. I would wait for mom and dad and everyone to wake up the next morning. I wanted to tell mom everything that kept on happening between Arjun and me and that both of us were at fault. Everyone knew about the affair story but I was not to be blamed. It never happened between Parth and me. I had already signed the divorce papers for him in anger and I hated him for making me do this. I loved him so much and if this divorce gave him happiness, be it that way. It ached like hell to know about this.

My pregnancy was something bothering me more than the divorce. Arjun should have known but now, he didn't deserve anything of it. He called me a 'whore', finally. That's what he felt about me. Ofcourse, he never loved me.

He did not even deserve his kids after all this. That planning and plotting he did to divorce me...he deserves all the shit in this world and ofcourse one of them is Disha. After what he did to me, the torture, the pain, the isolation, the hatred and finally the divorce...I hated him but now I regret loving him.

I thought my parents would stand by my side. How wrong I was.

"Amaya di," she whispered as she saw my eyes welling up with tears.

She rubbed my back and sat on the floor, right in front of my. I was then sitting on the couch.

"Is everything fine between Arjun bhaiya and you?" She asked trying to look into my eyes.

It just seemed like flood that hit my senses and I burst into tears. I nodded in a 'no'.

"What happened di?" She asked, holding my hand into hers.

"Nothing...y-you go and sleep. I'll sit here tonight," I said as I was about to stand up. She didn't let me and tightened her hold on my hand.

"What did he do to you di?" Her eyes were watery too or that's what I could see.

"Nothing Pyali...go," I tried to say in a stern voice but failed.
I buried my face into my palms and cried my heart out.

"Di, remember you told this to me once, 'whenever you feel heavy from inside, talk to someone. It will make you feel lighter though it may not heal your pain',"  she said and I looked up.

"Remember? The day I walked into your house? Both of us were only nine. Everyone considered me a maid but you didn't. You called me a part of this family. Your smile and love towards me was always genuine. After a week I cried in my room...do you remember that night? You came to check on me in the servant's room because I wasn't well and I was sobbing. You didn't sleep that night. You sat beside me and consoled me even when you knew ma'am would scold you if she found out," she tried to make me feel a little better by telling me how great I was when I was a kid and now? Well, I was a whore. This word...which would never leave my system. I was not infertile because I was four months pregnant and I wasn't a whore because Arjun was the only man in my life and it will remain like this.

I chuckled bitterly.

"Di, it's okay. Don't tell me but please don't sit here all night. Come, I'll prepare your room," she said as she stood up.

"Pyali leave it...just switch off the-"

"Who is it Pyali?" I heard the footsteps and voice of my mother echoing in the living room.

"Ma'am it's Amaya di," she said as she rushed towards the voice.

I heard the footsteps quickening and soon my mother's frame stood right at the library door.

"What happened Amaya?" She asked.

"Nothing," a lot of things mom!

"Then what are you doing here?" She asked switching all the lights of the library on.

"I'm-well, can I not come to my own house whenever I feel like?" I asked.

"Is everything fine between Arjun and you?" She asked and I couldn't control but swallow a lump down my throat.

I stood up and started leaving the library. She blocked my way and asked again, "What happened between you two?"

"We fought," I said. That's nothing in front of what happened. I signed the divorce papers.

I was scared of telling her. I feared she wouldn't listen to me once again and jump to conclusions. Divorce, pregnancy and everything - she can blame me and 'I was right'.

That night was a total nightmare for me. First Arjun and then mom.

When I blurted out everything to her, leaving the most important parts - the divorce and my pregnancy, scared of her reaction as it seemed she'd already had enough of my story.

"Fights happen between a husband and a wife," she said.
"And all that he did to you was something out of sheer anger," she added making my eyes go wide in shock. All that he did, made me feel hell terrible was all nothing. Just anger? About what exactly?

"Wh-what?" I was taken aback.

"He separated from his family. You get that? His mom, dad, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin and grandma. People he used to call his world just because they objected the way he treated me. Everyone cannot be wrong and-" I was cut short by mom.

"Amaya you are a disgrace to our family. It has been a habit of yours since childhood. First commit a mistake and then roam around blaming others. Everyone was talking about your affair with Parth and now when they'll hear about this latest news about you staying with us, I'm sure you will be a point of gossip in every party," she said this so casually as my emotions were absolutely nothing.

"Mom-"

"And I don't want your marriage to dissolve in any case," she said.

It already has mom!

I was too shocked to even believe what she was saying.

"And how can I forget about your infertility?"

WHAT???

INFERTILITY?

You also?
Great!

"Had it been your dad, he would have already left me," she stated.
"With so many faults in you as a woman, I think it's you who should say sorry to Arjun," she added while my body turned hot with anger and tears started gushing down my cheeks.

"Go home, talk to Arjun and sort things out. You aren't a kid anymore. Infact, you should seek medical assistance and have a child after finishing your college," I had enough of her shit.

So yeah, she asked me leave in her way. She asked me to sort things out with Arjun but then my anger was out of control.

Everyone was just leaving my hand one by one. Mom! I thought she'll be there for me but no...she did exactly what Arjun did to me.

Never be dependent on anyone...lesson learnt.

"How can an infertile whore have a child?" I couldn't hold my tongue for long. I just blurted this line.

"Amaya stop it, now...I'm sick of your daily drama," she was annoyed.

"Just look at yourself. You say Arjun never loved you? How will he love you? You are not even one percent of what Disha is. Look at her. Beautiful. I'm not comparing the two of you but even you know that you don't stand anywhere in front of her and-"

"STOP," I shouted.

"Talk softly," she showed her eyes to me.

"Softly...lower your voice...shut your mouth...this is all you've taught me the entire life," I yelled again.

"You know how angry dad is right now? He doesn't even want to look at your face," she said with disgust.

"Oh really? Good. That's actually a great news to me. Okay, fine. I think I should leave right now," I said as I turned around to leave.

"Where will you go at this hour of night?" She asked.

"It's already five. I am going back to Arjun," but I never did as I said.

She tried to stop me but I told her that I wanted to fix everything.

Everything including my broken heart, shattered self-confidence, my education and my children.

I asked the driver to take me to Zara and Kabir's place. I knew Kabir would never leave me and I was right. The moment the car rose to life, I saw Pyali running towards my car.

"Please take me with you. I know you're not going back," she pleaded. Her eyes were wet.

"Pyali...I-"

"Please...everyone's asleep. I cannot live with them and I also know that you are not going back. Let me come with you," she literally joined her palms and begged.

"Are you out of your mind Pyali?" I asked.

"Please," she was adamant.

"I tell you to go back now and it's an order," I sternly said and asked the driver to speed up.

"Please di...please...I will do as you say...please di," she pleaded. 
I thought for a while...

Why should I do this now?

"Please," she requested once again. I saw tears brimming her eyes and I knew I could not leave her.

"Come in," I said and her face lit up with hope as she got inside the car with her bag and we headed straight to Kabir's house.

Zara didn't go to New York. She stayed back with Kabir and me. My marriage was something that almost broke our group. Meera left for New York and remained live and study there till she completed her graduation in architecture. The incident involving Zara and me created a wall between us. Kabir was busy raising their son Karan, take care of Zara's traumatized self and complete his degree. I was busy balancing my life and love...I failed miserably but nevertheless, it was for something good.

When I narrated everything to Kabir, crying hysterically over how everyone hated me, the only thing he asked to me was, "Do you want to go back or start afresh?"

He knew everything about my childhood. How I was raised and how I was treated. Listening about Arjun's part in my life, he literally was speechless.

"I want to start afresh but how?" I had no clue how this was even possible.

"Do you know Amaya? Fast forward your life for say, four-five years from now! What do you see?" He asked.

I couldn't think about it. I didn't see myself anywhere now. Had Arjun asked this, I would have replied, 'with you' but right then,  I had absolutely no clue about my future.

"I don't know," I replied, honestly.

"But I see you in your best branded clothes, sexy high heels, descending down a luxury car, your head held high with confidence, walking down the most elite business conferences of the fashion world, holding a tag of the 'leading designer' and name every one in the industry knew," he said.

I shook my head in disbelief, listening to his imagination. I thought this was never possible, how wrong I was.

"Twins is what you are carrying in your womb right? Okay, so when you'll be home in the evening, the kids would be running down the stairs and you'll engulf them in a hug and talk about their day. You'll be dropping them off to school every morning and you'll be sending them to the best summer schools of the world. They'll explore and you'll give them a life you never had. You'll be their father and mother both and give them the best upbringing. They'll be called by their names when they will grow up and that's how you will have your own complete family," he showed me a dream I never thought I will be able to achieve. He proved me wrong. Backing me not like a best friend but like a brother, taking an added responsibility of my children on his already burdened shoulder, he kept me in his house for a month after which we decided to move to Paris after I got a transfer in one of the world's best fashion university. Meera joined an architecture firm there itself. I gave birth to Aahana and Aryan a few months later, leaving my studies on a hold once again.

"Amaya...lost in your thoughts?" I heard a voice ringing in my ears. I didn't recognise the voice but I knew I'd heard it somewhere.

I turned around to look at the source of the voice.

What the Fuck?

"Preet?" Woah!

"Yeah...Preet. You don't really have a bad memory," she smiled and replied but it didn't really feel good to see her.

After all she's...

"Neil's sister," I smiled nervously and said.

"Yes, exactly..." she gave me a half smile. I smelt something fishy with her attitude. Well, it has always been like that but...yeah! It's strange.

"Where's Arjun?" She asked.

"Huh?"

"A.r.j.u.n," she stressed on each letter of his name. It was weird.

"I-I...he must be-" she cut me short with her blunt words, "oh! I'm so sorry Amy. You two got divorced right?"

What the...

Just then my phone went off. It was Meera. I answered the call immediately.

"Amaya did you pack Aahana bed-time story book?" She asked.

"Uh-yeah...i-it was in Aryan's bag," I replied.

"Is everything okay Amaya?" She asked, sounding worried.

"Yes Meera, I'll call you later," I said and disconnected the call.

"And Miss Preet Maheshwari...you've got to do no fucking business with my personal life," I warned.

"Oh no Mrs Malhotra...I have to do a lot of things with your personal life. A lot do you understand? And Aryan? Who's this?" She asked in a rigid voice.

And Mrs Malhotra?

"That's none of your fucking business," I retorted.

"No worries...I'll find it out myself. A lot is there to catch up darling. Six years," she said, leaning on the bar table.

Her green shimmery gown shone blue under the dim blue lights. Her face looked evil...as of it was here for a purpose. Something destructive perhaps.

Aryan...she is literally threatening me with her words. I feel this.

"There's nothing left to catch up...you understand that?" I said as I stood erect, trying to control myself from breaking down.

"This time, it will be your end Amaya!" She said taking a sip of her cocktail and crooked her right eyebrow.

"I love that look on your face...Arjun is such a player," she said and seated herself on the bar stool.

"Don't you feel that way Amaya?" She asked.

My nose flared in anger and I knew I was going to lose it any moment.

"Does it pain?" She asked.

I creased my brows and looked at her with a Fuck-off-now look.

"Heart...does it hurt over there?" She asked.

I didn't answer.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. Yours is already broken beyond repair, right? You tried your level best in Paris... to mend it all. I got the news! Then again Arjun was back. I always tell this to him, he's a fucking awesome player. His favorite game is Amaya's heart!"

"Enough," I almost shouted but it all faded in the loud music that suddenly took over the soft one.

She raised her glass and said, "Cheers!" Smirking and looking straight into my eyes, she laughed after drinking the entire cocktail in a go.

"Give this to your to-be ex," she handed me a pen drive and stood up.

"Happy soul break Amaya," she said as she turned around to leave.

I was beyond shocked. I had no words. I quickly dialed Meera's number.

"Meera...Aahana and Aryan...are they okay?"

"A-Amaya...calm down! Everything's fine," she said.

Since the music was loud, I went to a corner and talked.

"Meera please take care of them. Is security tight all around?" I asked.

"Yes Amaya. What happened, you tell me first," she said.

"Nothing. Just keep them safe and call Aahil to your place. Please. I cannot take any chances this time," I replied as I examined the black pen drive in my hand.

"Okay, call me whenever you feel like telling it to me and don't worry. Trust me, I'm a good babysitter," she said and hung the call.

The moment I checked my phone, a message popped on my screen.

Meet me now!
~Arjun

I read the message again and my eyes searched for Arjun all over the hall.

Our old room. Be quick!

I got a message from him once again. Without even thinking twice, I ran towards the stairs and paced towards our room.

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Hey everyone! So, how was the update?

So who's this Preet now???
Your reply - Obviously Aditi...a new character! Again, another suspense! What's this? Cut the crap...reveal the mystery!

Trust me, this is one more step towards the revelation.

Excited?

How was the past?

Mahira's phone is traced. A law firm? Where Disha works! Seriously? Well, yeah.

So what's there in the pen drive? Any guesses? 

What is Preet upto? Something destructive?

Neil! Now who's this man ya?
Simple - Preet's brother! *lame, I know*
You'll know everything with time.

So do not forget to let me know what you feel about this chapter, about this book, about my lovely characters and anything you feel like.

Do comment and vote on this chapter. It's the longest chapter I've written till now. 4600. I deserve votes!