**
Mrs.Khan and her daughter, Zara visited early in the morning. They could not sleep after hearing what happened to Krishna. They bought fruits for him as well.
Priyanka took the basket inside while they stayed in the living room and pet the sick boy.
"Where? Is it still hurting?" Mrs.Khan asked while he shook his head with a smile. He was doing better "oh, my sweetheart. Come here." She gave him a big hug. "Do not stop fighting dear. The bad days will soon be over."
Priyanka nodded as she stood at the door, listening to what Mrs. khan had said. It was true that bad days were going to be over soon.
"Come here, Priyanka" She startled her.
"Mrs.Khan" She sat next to the aged woman. This moment reminded her of Karan's family and how she lied to them. If she meets them by the road, she will gladly tell the truth and be free from this guilt.
"You should smile like always," Mrs. Khan told her. "God will bring a way."
"Yes, ma."
"You haven't heard from Karan?" Kamala returned with Zara. She tied her hair into a bun. Her face was swollen from yesterday's cry.
"No, but I asked around" Mrs. Khan stroked Krishna's hair and continued ", He traveled out of the country. They don't know when he will come to the clinic."
Priyanka was surprised. Was it because of the proposal? If it was then, he was making it seem like she was the bad person in the story.
"I see. No wonder whenever I call, his number is unavailable" Kamala told them.
"Can we go inside?" Zara asked.
Priyanka nodded, leading the way to her room. She did not know what to do. Even Karan left the country after she refused to marry him. Now, there is no hope left for Krish except for a miracle.
"How are you doing?" Zara shut the door and asked. Her friend was just heartbroken. She almost lost her brother last night. It was not a good experience.
"How do you want me to feel after hearing all these?" she placed a hand on her forehead. It was burning. Priyanka took a painkiller and sat on the bed. "Karan left the country. I'm feeling guilty even though it's not my fault."
"Really!* Zara's eyes widened.
"Yes. Not for his sake" She rolled her eyes up and hissed "but for Krishna. I asked Pintu, last night..."
"What did you ask him about?"
"I asked what he would do in my situation" Priyanka took a breath, before saying "Pintu can do anything to save his mother if she was the one in Krish's shoes."
Zara wiped her tears. She couldn't stand her friend's pain. If there was a way they could help...
"I should have gone for Karan's offer. Instead of raising my shoulders in the name of pride" Priyanka let out a sigh "family always comes first but I put myself first this time. I almost went crazy yesterday when Krish fainted."
"Oh, mine. Please don't cry over spilled milk."
"I won't" she stood up, wiping her tears with the back of her palms. "See, I won't cry. I have found the perfect and crazy solution to our problems. I hope it goes well. I will go to the dancing house this evening."
"What solution have you found?" Zara didn't want her to take a drastic step. She would regret it later, again.
"It's a secret. I don't think you will like it." Priyanka opened her wardrobe and searched for a blue dress.
"What do you think?" She brought out another yellow dress.
"I can't think of anything. You have to tell me what's going to happen, my friend.
"I will tell you later in the evening," She said, closing the wardrobe. "I have to see Aunt Srita first.
Zara did not pressure her to say it out. She just prayed that she does not do anything that will bring more pain to her or aunt Kamala.
**
After the discussion, she had with Miss Srita. She felt better and made her way home.
Priyanka was relieved after what happened, last night. Her decision will change their lives forever.
The road was quiet, which makes it unusual. It seemed Karan left with the noise. His presence brought hope to her life. She wanted to marry the man she loved. But fate had greater plans for her.
The more, she struggled, it dragged her into an empty hole.
A white Volkswagen car kept following her as she walked down the street. Her heart skipped a beat. For a second, she thought it was Karan. Has he come to look for her?
Priyanka stopped and looked back. The car also stopped. The door opened and Atharva came out of the car.
She felt like pouring mud on his body. Why must it be him of all people?
"Priya dear" His deep voice came on board. He tried to be as soon as honey but it was not working. Such calmness did not suit his face. "I went to the house but you were not at home. Did something happen to you?"
"N-nothing happen" She took a step back. Her gaze flew on the twin roads, facing each other. Few passersby were coming from a distance. They gave her hope.
"But you look pale, my love" Atharva said, raising his hand to touch her hair. But she shifted her head, back. There was no way she was going to allow him to touch her.
He smirked "Very soon, we will get together. You won't have to behave like this."
Priyanka was confused. Her left brow arched up as she spoke "stop dreaming Atharva. Nothing will go on between us. Never!
"Is it because of that stupid guy, I saw you with the other night?"
She was surprised that he knew him. Her tongue betrayed her by asking "do you know him?"
"Yes, Karan. A very rich kid but dangerous. Stay away from him" He warned, with a wicked smile. "He is also the ladies' man. You might get yourself into trouble when they find out that you are going out with him."
A cold shiver ran down her spine. What was she thinking? Atharva will never say anything good about Karan because he pictured him as his rival. But what he said was almost the truth. He was a womanizer.
"You don't have to worry. I will protect you" He said. Priyanka wondered how he was going to protect her when he was going in and out of jail like it was his home.
"I don't need your protection. Stay away from me" She continued walking down the street but he caught up with her.
"No matter how much you run away from me, I will always come after you, my love," he said with a smirk. "I will bring a priest next week to look at our horoscopes. We will get married whether you like it or not."
She was dumbfounded. Priyanka watched him go back to his car. This was a nightmare, and she wished someone to pinch her out of it. Atharva was scaring her unnecessary right?
No! He meant every word that he said.