Two days later, Ranveer returned home with a lady. She was wearing a saree, her black hair flowed down her back, and she was pulling her suitcase along. I was in the living room reading a book. I stood up upon seeing them. Kiara came along from the kitchen. She paused in her tracks. The lady wore a smile. Ranveer led her to me as Kiara joined us.“Hi, love,” he greeted pecking Kiara on the forehead. That relieved me a bit. Kiara was still surprised. Did Ranveer bring in his mistress? But he said he wasn’t cheating. Who then was this lady? “Love, meet Kamala, she’s Krishna’s new nanny,” he announced.Kiara exchanged a puzzled look with me. She looked back at Ranveer. “A nanny?” Kiara uttered.“Greetings, ma’am. My name is Kamala. I’m a professional nanny. I have worked with three great families before, I bet you will enjoy my services,” Kamala introduced.“Yes, love, she’s an experienced nanny,” Ranveer contributed. “I learned how much you missed working. I know you have been secre

I was in the living room when I heard Chandni’s cry. I headed upstairs in a hurry, almost stumbling on the staircase. I opened the door and halted. Kamala was holding her. What? How dare she touch my baby? I hurried towards her and collected Chandni from her.“Look here, Kamala, I don’t act nice when it comes to my baby,” I let out. “Your job here is to take care of Krishna, not Chandni. Please don’t touch my baby again,” I said calmly.“I’m sorry, ma’am, I heard her cry, so I thought it nice to come to calm her down. I’m sorry,” Kamala apologized.“You can go,” I said, leading my baby to the bed. Though Kamala acted reserved and collected, I can’t trust her around my baby. My trust limit increased when I heard what happened to her child. I don’t want the same fate for my child, never.The following day, Kamala was playing with Krishna in the living room. She suddenly stood up to go get God knows what. I was coming downstairs. Krishna was alone on the couch. How

Manu didn’t go upstairs, she laid down on the couch in the living room, crying. Why would Arjun slap her? She knew how much he loves his aunt but that doesn’t justify his action against her. The thought of Arjun raising his hand to her made her cry even more. As early as dawn when the moon was still visible in the sky. The sun was yet to take over. Arjun descended downstairs. He saw Manu curled up on the couch. He rushed down to her. She sighed heavily in her sleep. She had cried a lot last night.“Sweetheart?” he called, gently shaking her awake.Manu opened her eyes, and she quickly sat up, moving away from him. She acted scared. Maybe he was going to slap her once again. The memory of last night was still fresh in her mind. He moved closer, crouching in front of her.“I’m sorry,” he apologized, holding her hand. “I didn’t know what came over me. I won’t ever hit you again, I promise,” he apologized sincerely. She couldn’t help but cry once again. “Don’t cry, sweetheart, I will make

***“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Veejay queried, standing up in front of Sunia.“Nothing, I was just wondering how much Aadi loved the girl to have stayed off relationships for her sake,” Sunia set forth, pretending to act normal. She was scared deep down. Aadi was the same Aadi she knew in high school. He had in every aspect of concern shown her how much he truly cared, but she felt nothing for him despite that. He simply found herself appalled by his presence. He was the major reason she agreed to her parents' decision back then.“The coincidence of you having the same name as that girl is clear somehow. Are you the one Aadi loved?” Veejay questioned with signs of confusion, as fear washed over his face.“What are you saying?” Sunia chuckled. “I never studied at St. Andrew’s high school. I studied at Maharashtra high school.”“Your namesake in question changed school, remember?” Veejay pressed further.“I didn’t change school, I studied fully at Maharashtra high school. Besides, why

I woke up at sunset. Sidd wasn’t with me. I flung my feet to the floor. I headed towards the door. I went downstairs. I saw Ranveer and Sidd in the living room. The damage I caused wasn’t there anymore. I shuffled to them. “Did you find my baby?” I questioned.“We will go to Kamala’s house tomorrow if she doesn’t return,” Ranveer said.“You are still anticipating her return?” I chuckled. “I don’t care how you all go about it, I just want my baby back,” I set forth. I couldn’t cry anymore but I hope my baby will be found. I can’t hold my sanity for long without my baby.“Don’t worry, love,” Sidd assured, “Chandni will be back.”I dropped down on the couch.The following morning, I, Ranveer, and Sidd went to Kamala’s house. Her door was locked. We turned to ask around. She got neighbors. A lady came along. “Who are you looking for?” she asked.“Um, we are looking for Kamala. She works as a nanny,” I responded.“Nobody bears that name, ma’am,” t