"Hi Pri di!!!!" exclaimed Sandy, "Hi sandy, you sound happy" Priya laughed, "Of course, you are calling me after a long time." She said, Priya smiled. "How's Arjun?" she asked, "Ahh, I swear that boy is getting naughtier and smarter every day. But yeah, he's doing really good." Priya said looking at her son who is currently sleeping peacefully next to her. Sandy laughed hearing her, keeping her phone in speaker, as she was doing something that required both her hands, "Sandy, yeh sab chodo, how are you? Is everything well?" Priya asked, though she is not in contact with Meera and Sara, though a part of her hates them for everything, she couldn't help but ask, they have indeed been a big part of her life, hating them is not very easy. "I am fine, yahan sab teek hai. Are you asking about someone else? Perhaps my boss?" asked sandy smugly, Priya turned red for a moment, thinking about him sure does wonders in her mind, but she was curious to know, how he was. It was the same case for him as well, though she wanted to dislike him, she found it impossible to. His laugh, his soft smile, he horrible jokes, his care, everything that overshadowed his negative traits, made her heart melt, but there was a hole, that night, five years ago, he created that hole in her heart. "Sandy!" she reprimanded, but all Sandy did was chuckle, "Waise, I wanna tell you something important, don't get overexcited okay." Priya said, Sandy was intrigued, "I am coming back to Mumbai." She spoke, Sandy was stunned at first, and then broke into a smile, "Permanently?" Sandy asked, hoping it was. "I don't know that for sure." Priya answered, Sandy felt upset at first, but nonetheless, it was enough that's he was coming back at least, she was gonna see her sister face to face after five years. "when are you coming back?" Sandy asked, just about when Priya was going to answer, they a heard a tumble outside, and a man curing out colourful words, Sandy's lips twitched, she knew who it was. With her phone, she walked to the glass wall, only to see Ram rushing towards the lift. Did he hear? She wondered, Priya's voice brought her back, "Kya hua? What was that?" she asked, "Kuch nahi di, someone tripped outside, they are fine, I think" she said, "Okay. So, as I was saying, I will be there by the end of the week, probably Saturday." Priya said, Sandy hummed excitedly. They spent the next two hours chatting, and catching up. They said goodbye and Sandy was off to work now.

It was Thursday night; her flight was tomorrow night. She was done packing her stuff along with Arjun's. Arjun was asleep in his room, while Priya, Krish and Zoya sat in the living room. "Zo, I really wish you were coming with us too." Priya said, she sighed, "Me too. But I need to take care of few things before I leave, I thought I'll finish it by today, unfortunately, it extended, but I'll be there with you both on Tuesday." She spoke. "Are there chances that I'll meet him?" Priya spoke softly, Zoya eyed her, "are we talking about the infamous, Mr. Kapoor?" she asked, she gave her a flat look, and continued, "Even now, when I think about him, I find all the reasons to hate him, only then to realize it's not easy to." She confessed, Krish sighed sadly, "Priya, I understand. But how long are you gonna hold him? You are only hurting yourself. That is why I think it's good that you are coming to Mumbai, it's time you face them. Also, I spoke with Ty, he thinks it'll be nice that you'll have a change. Kya pata, koi naya inspiration aaye aur you can try to write? Also, I really need your help with this case." Krish said, Priya smiled and nodded. "Fine then, we are going back tomorrow. And I am exhausted with all the packing!" she said yawing, "Yep, sleep well. We'll see you tomorrow" Zoya and Krish left her home.

'You love him! You will always love him!' a man yelled, 'You need to underst-' he cut her, 'I need to? I need to? I love you, I took care of you, I made sure you were happy, where was he? He left you, why don't you understand that? Why is it so difficult for you to get that shit inside your head?!' Priya cried, 'I am sorry, I truly am, but I cannot change the way I feel and you cannot control it!' she yelled, 'Priya, you have me and Arjun. We love you so much' he said as his voice softened, 'I know, and I love Arjun' She said as her crying slowly stopped, 'Then where am I lacking?' he asked, 'You're not him' she replied without hesitation, hurt flashed across his eyes, which were now teary. 'Even after everything he did, I am sure, if he welcomes you with open arm, you'll run to him like nobody else matters.' He said moving away. 'No, you matter, Arjun matters, I just cannot love you the way I loved him, but that doesn't mean, I don't care about you or Arjun. I am not sorry for how I feel about him, but I am sorry that I cannot reciprocate your feelings.' She said firmly, he sighed there was a moment of silence, it was awkward and uncomfortable, after a long pause she heard hm talking, 'It's fine. Arjun has grown quite attached to you, for a one-year old baby, he needs your presence, you have become his mother. He needs you; I need you. And I don't want to do anything that'll destroy what we have. If anything, I will always want to be your friend' he said, Priya gave a small smile, 'I glad to have you and Arjun' she said.

Priya got up in the morning, when she found her son wiggling beside her, the dream welled her eyes, wiping them, "When did you get here?" she asked him, pulling his tiny body up, he grinned, counting his fingers adorably, "7 minutes ago" he said, Priya laughed, "How accurate. Why don't you go and brush, while I make us some yummy breakfast huh?" she asked, he instantly agreed and got off her bed and rushed to his bathroom. She got up, freshened up and headed down to the kitchen. It was her last day here, and she was definitely gonna miss this place. "Mumma!!" she heard his voice echoing as he entered the kitchen and stood beside her, "Sit down" she said, he went to the table, pulled up two table mats, placed them nearby, then he slowly placed the plates, with two forks next to it. Priya smiled at how he had set the table for both of them, she taught him to do everything he could from a young age, and he never complained, not once. She never forced him to learn, he wanted to, he was intrigued by everything she does, he might be a naughty kid, but also an obedient and an intelligent one. His eyes lit up seeing the food, "Choco-chip pancakes!!" he squealed, "I love you mumma" he said placing two of it in his plate. "I love you too, baby" she said back kissing his cheek.

"So, mumma, I was thinking. Will I get mowe screen time?" he asked munching his pancake. She looked at him confused, "what do you mean?" she asked, "Well, Krish said it's...." he began counting his fingers again, it started when he had learnt about numbers and how to count. She found it cute, when he would get all irritating because he wasn't doing it right, his tiny eyebrows come together and he pouted. "Yes! One seven houws" he exclaimed, Priya chuckled, "It's seventeen, baby. But do continue." He nodded, "So, it's seenteen houws and it's so loooong. So, maybe with more scween time, it will be nice and not bowing" he said showing her his signature puppy eyes, "Hmm, so you mean to say if I give you more screen time, you will constantly irritate me by saying you're bored every five minutes?" she asked, he nodded enthusiastically, "Ok then, only because the flight is too long and I know how much you hate it. But then, after we reach it's back to three hours per day only" she said gently but with firm. "Okay" he chirped, back to eating his pancakes.

"Mumma, I'll hold your bag?" Arjun asked sweetly, he looked at her and then at the big suitcase, "Buy why?" she asked, holding his hand, "because I am a big boy now" he replied attempting to puff his chest, she laughed, "No, you will always be my baby boy. Now Krish will help us, carry the big one, while you can carry yours if you want" she said pinching his cheek. He was not exactly chubby, but he looked absolutely adorable, his baby blue eyes shimmered, his innocent smile, he tiny features, all of them just awed her. "Okay" he said taking his avengers bag and putting it on. "Bye Zo-Zo, I'll see you later" he yelled waving his hands. Priya hugged her, and asked her to be safe, and she did the same. "I'll see you later" Krish said pulling her closer and kissed her. Priya immediately put her hand and covered Arjun's eyes, walking away. Arjun was frustrated, and tried pulling it off, and she only did when they broke apart. Krish chuckled as he neared her. "I love you both, but come on, there is a kid here, keep it PG" Priya said annoyed, while Krish only chuckled.

Arjun was busy playing games on his iPad, while Priya sat there silently thinking deeply, Krish tapped her shoulder, breaking her chain of thoughts. "Whatcha thinking about?" he asked casually, she shrugged, "I am nervous for some reason. Also, I would be lying if I said I am not excited." She replied, "hmm... So... will you be meeting Meera aunty and Sara?" Krish asked, Priya looked away, "I don't think so. I don't want to. Seeing them just reminds me, what I have lost. But I do wanna see, Sandy and Maitreyi. I cannot believe that Maitreyi is 7 months pregnant." He knew, it will be difficult for her to see her mother and her elder sister, so he decided to drop the topic for now. "Why is it hard to believe?" he asked, "Well, for one, I never took her as a children lover and two, I remember Neeraj saying he doesn't want kids. Maybe they changed their minds." She said, "Or what if it was just an accident, and they are human enough to keep the baby" he said, Priya chuckled, "That is a very likely possible. But whatever it is, I am happy for them." She said. He hummed in response, "Priya, I mean it. Agar kuch bhi ho, you will not hesitate to call me. I know we will be working together, so I'll be seeing you often, but just in case, I mean it." He said holding her hand, she squeezed it reassuring him, "Thanks for looking out for me." She smiled. "He's asleep" Krish said looking at the child. "There goes his screen time" Priya laughed.

"How's Ishaan doing?" Krish asked, eating his dinner, "He's enjoying his MIT life. He's better, he still takes therapy though, I think he's doing good in that too. I last spoke with doctor, he said Ishaan is making great progress." She replied, "That's nice. See Priya, you improved his life. That kid's happy and doing what he loves." He said, she jus gave a small smile. 4said, she gave a small smile. "I am just glad he wasn't sent to juvie, it would have ruined his life. And I am glad that he owned his mistake and put his best effort in rectifying it." She said with a smile that Krish also returned. "Mumma, can I have the cake now" Arjun asked, "You can have it after you finish your rice" she said, "But it looks so yummy, it is calling me to eat it" he said drooling over that chocolate cake. "did you just say it's calling you to eat it?" she said staring at him, he simply nodded, eyeing his cake. She shook her head, "I don't know from where you learn this. But okay, why don't you eat just five more spoons and then you can have the cake" she said, he thought, and then agreed happily. "You're a natural, Priya. You have that motherly aura. It's nice" he said, "Thank you. Maybe I get it because, I practically did raise Maitreyi and Sandy, so..." he agreed, "Well, have you thought about putting him in kindergarten? He gonna be of four years next week." He asked, "Yeah, but I thought I'll see it after he becomes four and then maybe check for some place." She replied. "Okay. Let me know if you need any help" he said.

The seventeen hour journey was finally over, when they heard the speaker, Priya felt warm inside, she loved NYC, but this was her first home, she grew up here, she fell in love here, at the same time, it was also filled with sad memories of her dad, her brother in law, her mother lying, Neeraj but most of all, the person who she actually loved, left her. She felt bittersweet, she didn't want Arjun to be tangled in any of her mess. So, she decided to keep him close to her, away from all the bad things. Arjun was way too excited to explore the new place, especially when he had come to know that Priya used to live here before, he was set to know more of his mumma. He has talked to Sandy few times, well, never to Maitreyi, but was excited to meet both. "Sandy is coming to pick us up." Priya said, taking her luggage from the airport conveyer belt. "Yay Sandy!!" exclaimed Arjun clapping his hands. The time was probably 2pm, "It is quite crowded here" Priya said, "Yeah well, it is the end of summer, people are coming home from their trips I guess" he said, taking all the baggage. "OK baby, hold my hand and do not let go" she said gripping Arjun's hand tightly. They stepped out of the airport. "Wow, it has been a long time" she said. They spotted Sandy who jumped in happiness. Sandy and Priya immediately hugged, as tears made way through their eyes. "Di!!! I am so happy to see you. Look at you, you look so good" she said still in embrace. "Sandy, kitni badi ho gayi ho. Look at you, young lady, you look amazing" she said. Sandy bent down to look at the little boy who was confused seeing them cry, "Why are you cwying?" he asked, "I am not, you look so cute." Sandy said, he blushed a little, "Thank you" he replied.

The reached a five-star hotel, where Priya made an eye roll, but Krish did not bother at all. Krish had a separate room and excused himself to talk to Zoya, while Sandy helped Priya settle down in her room. Arjun excitedly jumped on the bed and called out, "Sandyyy! Will you play with me?" He asked, Sandy felt sad, she didn't know how to refuse him, Priya understood that. "Baby, Sandy will play with you at night when she comes over for dinner. She has work now." Priya said, Sandy thank her. Arjun pouted and then was back to playing by himself. "If I don't reach there by another half an hour, I will surely get fired today" Sandy said looking at her watch. "Then you better go. I'll see you at night" Priya said hugging her, "I still wonder, why he kept me" she said, Priya furrowed her eyebrows, "What?" she asked, Sandy continued, "He said he doesn't want anything to do with us Soods, yet, he was okay with me working for him" she explained, "Well, he is a good business man, he knows not to mix personal life with his professional one. And he'd a fool to fire you. You are a talented, hardworking and the sincerest employee. Now, go on, before you become late" she said breaking the hug.

It was not that Priya wasn't aware of what was going on. She was updated with what he did, either by Sandy or the news itself.The company has risen to new heights, and she was indeed proud. But he didn't look the same anymore. His blue-green eyes that drowned her, looked cold and icy now,her well kept styled hair, was messy, and there was a barely visible chain around his neck. He never looked happy, and even if he did smile, she knew it was fake. There are a lot of videos of him yelling or scolding an employee, from Sandy, his timings have become worse. That man clearly knows how to hide his emotions, but not from her. She knows him too well now. All his interviews are short and to the point, he wasn't lively, making jokes and having fun. Part of her blamed herself for turning him into this monster, and part of her wished,she would just hate him. And now she found herself wondering what he is up to. She had to fight the urge to follow Sandy to his office. "Mummaa!" Arjun called,her attention was now diverted to her almost four-year old, "Let's play puzzles"he said, she smiled, "we will, after you take bath, you, stinky boy" she said tickling him, leaving him in a fit of giggles.

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I know, I have kept Priya and Ram's story separate now, and it will be till they meet. I have also given a glance of Arjun's background more this time, feel free to think upon it. ALso, there is more of that boy in this part. I felt him to be cute. Also to clarify, I am not making Priya a love sick puppy for Ram(while he might be, lol), nor will she run back into his arms. Yes, she may or may not still love him, but, she is sensible. That doesn't necessarily mean, they wont be together at all. Love takes time, especially when it has been broken once.

I hope you guys liked this part. Please do voice your thoughts on this. 

Happy weekend y'all <3