Manvi's POV

Early in the morning the artistic golden sun got up like a baby and started painting the dark black sky into a bright blue sky. The bright looking milky clouds got up from sleep and started travelling around the sky visiting the wonderful environment.

Fresh windy cool and crispy air started whistling like an invisible ghost. The red and green in colour birds with chilli like beaks started twitting their morning melody. The enormous garden stood like a royal palace and the thick dried strong brown big branches danced welcoming the morning. The green-brown beautiful countless leaves whispered to each other about their morning plans.

I was sleeping peacefully in my bed, I was cradling a pillow to my chest. The sun was beaming through my blinds causing me to stir. I groaned when the first beam of sunlight hit my face. I picked up the phone from the side table and looked at the time. 

"oh no, it's 11 am" I placed the phone back on the surface and slowly began to sit up. 

I put my hand on my head and then crawled out of the warm bed. I walked to the bathroom and freshened up. After which, I moved into the bath cubic box and turned on the shower. I closed my eyes and the water flashed on my body, the last night memories began to appear in my mind. 

She turned off the shower after 10 minutes, wore the bathrobe and stepped out of the bathroom. She went to the dressing table, picked up the hairdryer turning on the plug and began to dry her hair. 

Her phone ranged, she picked it and kept it on loudspeaker without looking at the caller Id. 

"hello.." she said with a smile on her face. 

"where the hell is you?? I am standing in front of your flat" the voice spoke

"Alisha.. sorry I will be there in 20 minutes" Manvi replied and disconnect the call. 

She quickly wore her clothes and moved out of the bungalow. The guard stopped her and asked, "where mam?"  

"to my house" Manvi replied. 

He talked to Sameer on the phone call, who informed him to drop me at home in the car. I snatched the phone and said "it's fine I will go on my own"

"oh no.. two times you have been attacked I can't take any risk" he informed in a concern. 

I smiled hearing him and gave back the phone to the guard. He signalled me to sit inside the car, I sat down and he sat in front along with the driver. 

Within half an hour, I reached my building. I took the lift to the floor and within a minute I was in front of the flat. Alisha was standing there crossing her arms across her chest with an annoyed face. 

I hold my ears and apologized "I am so sorry..."

Alisha glared at her and turned to the other side showing her anger.  I didn't want to create a scene at the corridor and disturb the neighbours so unlocked the door of the flat and signalled her to step inside.

"I am leaving" she shouted and moved a bit but Manvi pulled her back and dragged her into the house. 

I shut the door and kept my hand on my waist "sorry.. Alisha, please don't overreact now" I said 

Alisha noticed something and smiled "ooho.. it seems like Aarav is back from his mission" she spoke excitedly. 

I gave her a look, she came forward and pointed towards the mark on my neck. I glanced down and it was a love bite. She began to laugh "I know Aarav is very very romantic and you are damm desperate that's why the night he return you guys went for a second honeymoon" 

I gulped down my throat and realised I just cheated Aarav. Alisha snapped her fingers in front of me and asked "madam.. where is Aarav?" 

"he has not yet returned" I replied in a low voice. 

Alisha looked at me in confusion and asked "Then where were you?" 

Shall I inform her about Sameer? In her and Aarav's absence, I ended up spending time with him and getting closer. Alisha  shrugged my shoulder and said "Manvi I am asking something" 

I smiled at her and replied "I was at my friend's house" 

I moved to the kitchen to prepare coffee for her. It was an open kitchen so Alisha stood in front of me and asked "your friend? but I thought I was your best friend" 

A smile appeared on my face hearing her and said "yes you are.. he actually saved my life"

I informed her about the attacks on me and how he saved my life. Obviously, I didn't inform her about the date, gifts and yesterday what transpired between us. 

I forwarded the coffee mug and she grabbed it in her hand. She sipped it and glanced at me. She questioned, "Did you slept with him?" 

I glanced here and there for a moment. She is very close to Aarav and she was the reason which brought her closer. Alisha demanded answers "Manvi did you slept with him?" she nearly shouted 

"yes, I did" I confessed. 

Alisha was left shocked hearing it, she kept the coffee mug on the table and walked away from there. I followed her and grabbed her wrist "Alisha listen" 

Alisha turned and jerked my hand away. She looked at me in disgust and shouted "I had listened enough! You cheated Aarav.. don't you know he loves you a lot" 

Manvi crossed her arms across her chest "really?? then ask him when he took me to dinner last? when did we sat and have a good conversation? or ask him when did he kiss me last?" 

Alisha shook her head and said, "mannu.. have you lost it?" 

"No I haven't, because of him I was attacked twice. That man brought happiness to my life" I exclaimed. 

"great Manvi! do whatever you want but remember this is called an illicit relationship! you have become selfish.." Alisha screamed at her. 

I slapped her in anger, Alisha smirked "well this proves you know you are wrong and before you lose everything get back to the track" 

Alisha picked up her bag and moved out of the flat. She stopped at the door and said without turning "before Aarav returns I will suggest you end your relationship with that man! otherwise, you might lose Aarav who loves you selflessly" 

Her words left me in dilemma, she walked away from there. I sat down on the couch with deep thoughts running in my mind. 

I moved downstairs, Alisha was about to sit down in her car. I stopped her with "one minute Alisha"

Alisha gazed at her and crossed her arms. I spoke "mom dad went to the US to my brother, he went on his mission and you also left for office work. I was left alone in this city. What if those criminals had ruined my dignity? what if you wouldn't have seen me standing alive today? Is thinking about myself wrong? I don't think so Alisha.. when none was here. He was with me, he brought a smile to my face, made me feel special"  

Alisha lowered her arms and said in a polite tone "I understand Manvi, circumstances brought you closer to him and I won't hate you or judge you for that but please don't create complications in your life. Once, Aarav returns you must not meet him please.." 

I eyed her and was left in thoughts. She isn't wrong too, Aarav is my husband but what about the pain he gave me? He should know how it feels to be hurt by the person who loves him the most. 

My phone buzzed and it was Sameer calling. I picked up the call and he said "I am coming to pick you up.  I have a surprise for you" 

A smile appeared on my face hearing this. I then noticed Alisha glaring at me. She sighed deeply and left from there without listening to me or giving me a chance to explain. 

Third Person POV

Alisha headed back towards her house and thought about what Manvi said. She sighed deeply "this girl is just ruining her own life.  Aarav please return soon so that she doesn't commit any more mistakes" 

She left a message for Aarav on his phone and took a deep breath. She just prayed Manvi realises her mistake and don't hurt Aarav more. 

To be continued......