FADING DARKNESS

EPILOGUE

Please, please read the note at the end :)

5 months later

"Bhai, there you and Rudra are at last." Piya's voice reached them as they both stepped out of their cars, outside their destination, Jashn Grounds, in Shimla . Piya was wearing a red lehenga-choli with golden embroidery and she positively glowed as she walked towards them. "Papa and Mama arrived ages ago!"

"Sorry, my fault, sis. Had to clear up some unexpected mess at work." Arjun grinned, pulling his sister into a hug. "And I made it with ample time to spare, as promised." He pulled back, his grin widening. "You look beautiful, sis. This about-to-be-engaged glow suits you perfectly."

Piya laughed. "You and your phrases, Bhai." She smiled down at the little boy holding onto her brother's hand.

"Hello Rudra."

"Hello Piya." For some reason, Rudra absolutely refused to call Piya "Piya Di" or anything similar. "She's my friend." he had stated. "And shouldn't I call my friends by their names."

Laughingly, Piya had agreed, and she had been Piya for Rudra since then.

"Thank you." she told him now. "And you look just like the prince you are."

Rudra beamed. "Thank you." he said. He had turned out to be quite an engaging child, a fast learner at school and in love with cricket. He was starting to bloom more and more as the days passed, and it was a complete contrast to the shaking, trembling boy who had been squashed under Ranvijay's shadow.

"There's something we have done for you and Abhay Bhaiya, Piya, but it is a surprise, so you have to wait. No asking Papa either." He said, hands on his hips, his eyes bright with mischief.

"Oh, wow." said Piya, grinning. She leaned down and gave Rudra a kiss on each cheek and got a kiss on her cheeks in return. "Well, I'll wait then." she said, straightening up. "And I won't ask. Promise."

Rudra beamed again and turned to Arjun.

"Papa, I'll go and meet the others, OK?" he asked, and at Arjun's nod, he set off to find the other kids. He had started calling Arjun Papa a week before he had officially and legally become Rudra Dobriyal, Arjun Dobriyal's son, and each time he called Arjun that, Arjun's heart swelled with more love for his son.

Misha came up just then, grinning.

"Arjun Da. Here at last." She said, hugging him and he hugged her back smiling. "You're late." she said, in a stern tone, pulling back. "Now, come on, help me and Kabir do some last minute arrangements."

"Mish." Piya began. "Really, there's hours till the engagement, and anyway, there's no need for so much—"

"Now, you be quiet." said Misha . "It's not every day that my bestie-cum-sister gets engaged. You let me arrange as lavishly as I want. I won't stop you from doing anything during my wedding next month."

"She's right." said Arjun grinning. "It's not every day my sister will get engaged."

"Fine." said Piya, in a defeated tone. " I'll take my revenge on your wedding, Mish. And during every birthday celebration of Rudra's."

Misha winked. "Deal. Now come on, Arjun Da."

Piya watched them both go, a smile on her face.

She remembered the first time Arjun had brought Rudra to Shimla, to the orphanage. While Rudra had made new friends, Arjun had gone to meet Haseena. Chand had been visiting that day as well. No one knew what had happened inside the room, but when the three had emerged, neither had had dry eyes.