Prinku clutched the rough fabric, that was supposedly her blanket, around her for comfort.

The light above her flickered a few times before completely going out, leaving a loud, ghostly dimness behind.
She tried to squirm to her side, to curl up. But her hip didn't allow any other movement other that lying flat, a position she was set in by Arjun.
As if on cue she heard her cell door creak open and then slowly shut close.
She stared stubbornly up, trying not to feel the fear prodding her mind's edges. Her eyes moist, but ears sharp.
A hesitant step towards her, followed by a pause and then another. She fought hard not to look in the direction.

"Prinku..."

She couldn't help the relief that surged through her followed by immense terror.

" It's me .... Arjun"

She knew it was him, she just wasn't the sure he was the same man she thought she knew.

"I ...i- bought dinner" strange she had never heard him speak uncertainly .

" Leave it there" it surprised her how cold and strong her voice came out despite feeling dead inside.

His feet shuffled for a beat before the bowls were set down and then the door shut.
Her  breath came out in a loud huff, she didn't remember holding it in.

She blinked away the sudden excess moisture in her eyes. No. No crying. She rubbed them away angrily. She couldn't afford tears at the moment.
Holding her chain as support she slowly grunted up to a sitting position.

The burning pain she had in the beginning was replaced with a dull agony that echoed through her bones. She bit her lip from groaning out in pain.

She eyed the food on the ground. Bending down was impossible. But her calling out for help was non existent.

She sucked in her breath and bent down slowly. It's of no use. The pain was so fierce, that her spine sprang up to sit straight while a agonized scream ripped through her throat.

The cell door slammed open and Arjun burst in.
His face was twisted in fear, as he grabbed her, steading her.
She shook her head " let me go!"
"You need help Prinku" his voice was clam and collected unlike his face

" No, i am fine " she hissed.

"You have to let me help you" he pressed.

" I'd rather die"

He froze as if she had slapped him. Prinku almost blurted out apologies. She didn't mean it as harash as it had sounded.

She didn't say anything as he laid her down gently, silently.

" Take this" he pressed a white pill to her lips.

She swated his hand, sending the pill flying onto the floor.

"No"

She heard him ground his teeth, as he reached for another.

" Can you please stop?" She hit the pill away " Do i look that stupid to let you drug me?"

"Drug ..you!? Why would I!"? His voice rose a few tones, his brows crushing together.

" Because I don't know who you are or what you are" Prinku snapped.

" Prinku don't say that..."

She twisted her face away from his view " get out. Leave me alone"

" Priyanka am here to hel-" he reached out to touch her shoulder when she flinched away from him.

She heard him take a sharp intake "are you..." he moved a few paces back " are you afraid of me?"

She refused to look at him "let me be Arjun"

His hand pulled up her chin roughly, forcing her to meet his stormy gaze " answer me "

She swallowed hard, her eyes betraying her strict orders, let a tiny tear slip the corner of her eyes.

" Who are you Arjun" her voice was barely a whisper.
His grip loosened, he leaned back.

" Why are you here?"

" How did you find us..? Why did you find us?" She sniffled her throat tightening.

" And... what was going out there an hour ago?...why do you have a gun... what are.. you wearing...?" Her fingers brushed his vest.

He shook his head " I can't tell you Prinku..you just have to trus-"

" Trust you?!" She snorted.

" You bought me back into a cell to be chained! How the fuck am I supposed to trust you!?" Her body jostled in anger sending bolts of pain, she moaned.

Arjun hovered over her worriedly          " listen to me. All that I did or am doing is for you" he paced away from her " I know how this might look like but I would never" he paced back to her " ever" his hands reached out cupping her cheek " hurt you"

" I can't" she looked away " can't trust you"

He sighed "then I have no choice" his fingers pryed her mouth open, and before she could realize it a pill slipped into her mouth followed by a gush of water. She struggled try to get out of his grip "drink" he murmured.

He pressed his lips to her ears                  " swallow babe.. or else I can push it down your throat too" her eyes widened in shock and the pill slipped down her throat.

Arjun let her go, allowing her to gasp and spurt water, he chuckled " that's my girl"

" What did you do!" Prinku yelled " did you drug me?!"

Arjun rolled his eyes, leaning against the wall " first of all, if you need to drug someone, you don't give them a actual pill. You either inject them or mix it in their drink"

Prinku narrowed her eyes at him " I just gave you some painkillers babe, you need to heal" he cast a look at her hips. She looked away angrily. She heard him sigh softly.

" This is a game to you isn't it?"

"Priyanka.."

" Were you even a journalist!?"

He rubbed his face tiredly, Prinku's hated that her heart still ached at how good he looked despite the rugged tired face.

"I can't tell you..."

" Then get out" she hissed " you ask me to trust you yet all you've ever told me were lies! And I can't believe...." Her voice dropped into a whisper " that ...I ever liked a guy like you" the last word quivered, as tears flodded her.

She hid her face, as the sobs grew louder. All that she held back came pouring out.

Nothing happened for a beat when she felt arms on her head. Fingers threading through her hair trying to keep them from her face.

He cupped her face, pushing awa the wet strands matted to her skin, his face unreadable.

" Get away from me" she sobbed trying to push him away. But he didn't budge.

" Let me go Arjun!" She cried pushing at his chest harder " I can't believe I made such a fool out of myself by falling for a complete liar..let me go!"

But he stared at her, his dark eye boring into hers as she struggled " Priyanka..." His voice sounded hoarse.. broken.

" Why did I ever love you!?" She sobbed, thumping at his chest " why did you have to save me, why did you have to be so nice to me, why am I so pathetic"

" Baby..." There was something in the way he said it that made her lock her teary eyes in his.

" Let me go" she whispered
His breath came out ragged as he pulled her close, their foreheads touched, eyes  closed " let me go" Prinku whispered again.

" I can't" he whispered back.
She opened her eyes, his face seemed like it was set in stone. " I can't let you go Priyanka"

She stared at him, their breaths inches away from each other " why not"

He swallowed, they stared at each other for a heart beat before he pulled her to him, his lips pressing against hers.