This chapter is dedicated to niveaelizabeth, Thank you for your encouraging words:)

Riya.

"And what's your name?" The officer asked me rudely and I flinched.

"R..Riya" I  stammered.

We were all made to line up at the police station. The fighting had ended with the entry of police and the students in both of the colleges were lined up.

"She is the victim here, there is no need to be rude," Sachin said.

"I will decide it" The officer looked at him threateningly. "And you, who are you?"

"Sachin Dixit," He said and the police officer looked at him oddly.

"That's right, I Am Dev Dixit's son," He said smugly.

The officer walked to the next one in line.

"And you sir, whose son are you," The officer asked Neev sarcastically.

"I Am Nivin Aldrick," He said coolly.

"Are you related to the-"

"That's him" Sreejith muttered beside them.

"And this is Rajeev Sharma, you must know Sharma sir, the leading politician," One of the constables said and the police officer sighed.

Then he turned to me, obviously, I must be the only one without a title and "safe" to handle.

"It all started because of you!" he said and I trembled.

I had never in my life thought that I will have to visit a police station like this!

"It's not, they played a prank on her" Sachin defended and everyone turned to look at him.

"You call this a prank?" He asked.

"She is the only one who stands up against the toppers in our college, so they played a prank on her to get her in trouble" Sreejith explained.

Rajeev's eyes snapped to me.

Well..now you know!

He was the one who was accusing me about using the money, I hope he will be satisfied, now that he knows that I am a nobody.

"My dad is here," Sachin said looking to the door.

"Ah..sir" The police officer greeted him.

"I hope it's not much of a trouble" Sachin's dad said.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Sachin's dad was one of those famous lawyers, I think I have seen him in the newspaper a lot of time!

"Not at all" The officer looked at him respectfully.

"you too Neev?" His dad asked, spotting Neev in the line and surprising me.

"uh...Uncle" Neev greeted awkwardly and I looked between Sachin and him.

They are enemies, right?

"They were fighting the other college," The officer said.

"Can I take them with us now?" Dev asked cheerfully, like talking about the weather.

"Ah...Of course" The officer said.

Sachin turned to me and grabbed me by my wrist, pulling me forward and surprising me.

"Meet my friend dad," He said, making me blush. "Riya, this is my dad," He said proudly.

"Hello sir" I smiled shyly at him, I can't believe he is Sachin's dad, he doesn't look like most of the guardians now came to take their children off, threatening and complaining.

"Nice to meet you Ms.Riya" he smiled at me, then turned back to meet Neev.

"let's go," he said.

"Thank you, Uncle," he said.

Neev.

We walked out in silence. Once we were out, Dev Dixit turned to Sachin.

"Wait till your mom hears about this!" he said, I know she will have a fit when she hears about it, she hates fighting the most.

"Oh no!" Sachin groaned. "I swear, it was not our mistake," he said and Dev laughed.

"You have to compensate for it then, I guess," he said.

"No dad! even if I stand by you, mom will find out," he said.

I also know Sachin's dad is not allowed to drink inside the house. Mrs.Nandini Dixit has her own special rules.

Riya looked confused.

well...she doesn't know the fact that our families are close.

"You kids get in, I will drop you," his dad said.

"it's ok Uncle, you go ahead," I said.

"Just get in man, it has been long since I saw you" His dad opened the car door and got in the passenger seat.

Sachin opened the door for her.

"After you," he said cheerfully and Riya blushed.

That girl! she is flirting with him!

Riya got in and Sachin followed, not even giving me a second glance.

"Hey, Neev!" The driver uncle greeted me cheerfully. I sighed and walked to the opposite side.

Riya.

AWKWARD!

There is nothing else I could tell you about the situation I'm in. I am now sitting in between the two of them, who were both busily ignoring each other.

"Are you hurt Riya?" Sachin turned to me.

"No" I shook my head slowly. they only cut my hair a little. I tucked the end of it behind my ear.

Neev.

"Thank you, dad, I will drive home now" Sachin too stepped out of the car, we were dropped in front of the college as both of our cars were there.

As soon as uncle drove away, Riya started to hurry inside. I couldn't believe the nerve of her! After creating all of these, she has the guts to walk away.

So much for not getting involved in each others business! screw the deal!

"Where do you think you are going?" I grabbed her hand angrily.

"Let me go!" she said acidly as I pulled her to a side.

"You have an explanation to do!" I said.

"Let her go Nivin, you know it was not her fault"

"And I know it was your fault too, so shut up," I told him, remembering it was Mia, his ex who started this.

"Both of you, keep away! I don't want your fans to get mad again, so stay away from me" she said angrily and walked away.

"you-" I started.

"Leave her alone Aldrick!" Sachin said warningly at me.

"Mind your own business Dixit"

"She is my business!" he took a step forward.

"Oh really! that's no surprise, considering her background and all"

"I told you to leave her alone!" Sachin took hold of my collar.

Seriously? Is he going to fight me because of that nobody?

"Take your hands off me!" I said, trying to control, no, I don't want to fight him, I know what's going to happen when grandpa hears about it.

"So worried! it's so unlike you Neev" Sachin said my nickname accidentally and both of us froze.

"Don't act as you know me" I pushed him away.

"We have a race to complete," Sachin said. "the usual place, now," he said. I had no intention to break another rule today, but I don't want him to get the satisfaction.

Actually, I want to release my pent-up frustration too, my life is been hell since she appeared!

She has a way to get me in trouble.

She is trouble!

"I am ready" I gritted my teeth.

Riya.

"And where is him?" Grandpa's voice boomed around me and I shivered.

"I.. I don't know" I trembled in front of him, I have never seen him like this before.

It was half-past 10 and still, there was no sign of Neev. To make matters worse, his grandpa has somehow learnt about the fight in the college.

"I warned him, but he doesn't listen, now I am going to show him what I could do," he said angrily.

"It... It wasn't our fault-" I started.

"I don't care whose fault it is! I will not allow the family name to drag through this, both of you are going to get punished" he said and I dropped my eyes to the floor.

"he is here," Someone said from the door.

"Bring him inside" grandpa ordered and Two of his bodyguards brought Neev inside.

he smelled of alcohol and he was a mess. there was still scratches from the fight earlier. his hair was wild.

"You break your curfew, again!" grandpa said, taking in his appearance. "you are drunk and you fought earlier," he said.

Neev just stared back as angrily as his grandpa, I shuddered from the power around me.

"well, like father like son, I guess some things can't be helped," Grandpa said and I saw the fire in Nivin's eyes, I know grandpa had said something that is too sensitive to him.

"Keep them out of this" Neev said in a calm voice that sent chills down my spine.

"It's no secret Nivin, your father drank himself to death and your Mother ran away, it's no wonder you are like this" grandpa said, apparently satisfied with Neev's anger.

I cringed at the news. when Danny told me that Neev lost his parents, I thought they were dead!

"I don't expect more-"

"shut the f*** up" Neev said.

There was a dead silence in the room as everyone continued the staring contest.

"You know the rules of Aldri-"

"I don't give a damn, let me get out of this hell hole, I don't want even a penny from you, all I want is my freedom," Neev said.

"I am afraid it doesn't work that way," grandpa said. "And you know what happens if you break the rule in this house," he said evilly. I flinched at the tone but Neev didn't move.

"JP" Grandpa called and his PA came inside. "Tell Philip to Assist them to the room, they broke our family rule," he said.

Ten minutes later, we were in a dimly lit room. They left me and started to tie Nivin's hands together.

My heart started to beat wildly in my chest. I watched with wide eyes as they kneeled him down. Nivin did not attempt anything to stop them and went along.

Soon one of the men took the long cane and I gasped. he swung it and I closed my eyes in terror.

The sounds of beating continued and I opened my eyes slowly. I saw Neev fisting his hands that's turned white now, his head was bowed and his eyes tightly closed in pain.

Oh my God! it's not a normal household!

I started to tremble as I detected the red stain on his shirt now.

blood!

I crawled back to the wall and hugged myself tightly.

Someone opened the door with force.

"Stop this!"

A new voice said and my eyes snapped to him.

I saw the expensive looking suit first, he was very tall and well built, probably 27 or 28 years old. He was looking very familiar too.

The beating has now stopped, and the men turned to him. Neev was still kneeled, not even raising his head.

"Don't order them to stop, it was my orders," grandpa's voice said I shivered. I never thought I would see him this heartless. How can he punish his own flesh and blood like this!?

The guy in the suit turned to face him, his face was in shadow.

"Grandpa, just this once! let him go please" he said, his voice was pleading.

"I gave him many warnings, he broke the rules!" grandpa said stubbornly.

"For me please, it's my first day home, I wish to spend it with all of you, not like this"

"You don't know what he's been up to these days," grandpa said grimly.

"Please leave it for today, I will see to his matters, I promise you" The guy pleaded again and grandpa sighed.

"Well... I guess he has had his lesson anyway" he said, now watching the blood stain that is stuck to Neev's back. Then his eyes wandered to me and I froze, shivering with terror, I slowly backed down to a corner.

"Now you know what happens if you break any rules in the family, don't think I won't know, because I know everything," he said and walked back.

His men started to follow him except the suit guy. he walked slowly to Neev.

"Are you alright Neev?" he asked slowly. Neev was silent as he tried to untie his knot.

"Let me help you" The suit guy took a step forward and Neev moved back a little.

"Stay away, Rohan, I never wanted your help, I have told you before," Neev said furiously and I was shocked at his attitude.

Rohan guy practically begged for him and this is how he is reacting?

I tried to remain in the shadows, I don't want either of their attention on me.

"Then learn to keep away from trouble" Rohan said, now somewhat angry. "Do you think being stubborn is going to work with him?" he said.

"F*** off, this is my business," Neev said. Rohan remained, staring at him.

"Do me a favour, don't mind me, just go on with your wonderful life" Neev added.

"Fine, you are only making things more difficult!" Rohan walked out.

Neev started to struggle with the knot.

"You can come out now," he said and I jumped, realising that he is talking to me and there is no one else in the room.

I slowly walked to him with shaking legs.

"so, get ready to get beaten up, you and I both know that you are lying," he said, now trying to pull the rope off.

"I will help you," I said as I take his hands and he moved away from his hands, slightly wincing at the sudden movement.

"Please" I whispered and just like that my tears started to fall. "I'm so sorry Neev, I had no idea... I never thought it will be like this... I didn't know I was not supposed to go there" I started sobbing.

"Jeez! I don't have time for this, stop it, ok?" he looked at me.

"It was really not my fault... I was set up by them... I was-"

"Uh..untie me" he ordered and I looked at him through my tears.

"What are you waiting for, untie me!" he demanded again and I wiped the tears away and started to untie him.

I felt the trembling in his hands, but didn't say anything, I know he was badly beaten and he is aching all over, but he held himself strong.

When his hands were free, he started to get up, only, he had no more strength in his limbs and I tried to help him again.

He did not refuse my help and I know that he couldn't move.

"Can you walk?" I asked slowly.

"You should as well take me to my room since all of this started because of you, it's your fault I get into the fight," he said again and I supported his weight and started to walk slowly.

It took nearly 10 minutes to reach his room. I laid him upside down and tried to remove his bloody shirt away.

"Don't, just get out of here" he said.

"It's sticking to the wound," I said. "you will get infected"

"Mind your own business and get out"

"It's going to be difficult for you to remove your shirt, alone"

"Mind your own-ah" he winced again as I pulled the right-hand sleeve off him.

"stay still, I will be careful" I ordered.

"Who do you think you are to order me-ah..can you stop this!?" he winced again.

"Don't be a crybaby, you were asking to be beaten up, so suck it up" I removed the shirt and gasped.

The wound was still bleeding slightly, but what made me gasp was the scars on his upper body and arms that was in red-blue colour.

he followed my eyes. "It's from before, it will heal in a few weeks" he shrugged and I tried to look calm.

"I will help you with the first aid-"

"no!" he said.

"but-"

"Mehra, don't test my patience now, get out of my room!" he nearly yelled at me and I know it's final from him.

I sighed and walked out.

"You are dead meat if you tell anyone in college" I heard his warning before locking the door.

I started to walk to my room.

"Riyechi" Danny was in front of me.

"How's brother Neev?" he asked sadly.

"He's bleeding," I said. "I don't know how he's tolerating the pain" l added, starting to walk again.

Danny walked with me.

"He had had worse, they had done it until he passed out sometimes," he said.

I stopped in my track. I hate him and his rotten attitude, but I still think this is too much!

"This time it's because of me, he didn't fight for him, he was helping me," I said sadly.

"Don't think it's you, there are too many things that you don't know"Danny whispered.

"Will grandpa beat up everyone if they do anything wrong?"

"Not usually..not until you have gone extreme," Danny said. "Brother Neev just challenges him, bringing the worst in him and I heard Rohan had had punishment only once"

"What happened? who's Rohan?" curiosity got the better of me and I asked.

"I don't know what exactly happened, grandpa was so mad, I still remember it, it was rare he was mad at Rohan, usually they get along well then brother Neev just came back and stopped his punishment, I think its the first time I saw him begging in front of grandpa"

"Neev begged for Rohan? it seems he hates him now" I said thoughtfully.

"It's a long story chechi, don't worry about anything now, go to sleep" Danny opened the door for me.

I went inside my room." who is Rohan?" I asked again.

"He is my elder brother," Danny said.

My eyes widened. "he..he is an Aldrick?" I asked, no wonder he looked familiar.

"yes, Rohan Rosh Aldrick, GM of Aldrick corporations, the party this weekend is to welcome him home," Danny said.

"Where was he all this time?" I asked. "I never thought there's another brother here.

"He went to States 2 years ago" Danny smiled.

"So he is the GM? did Nivin ever worked in the company?"

"Yes, two years back he was in the company"

"What happened?"

"It's not my place to say, chechi, I really don't want to talk about it"

"Umm... It's just that I am surprised about the punishment" I said.

"I just hope brother Neev will graduate this semester, he can escape then only"

"Grandpa seemed to target him," I said slowly. "The Joseph Aldrick I know is kind-hearted and a good man, I think he even has a lot of orphanages under him"

"It's true, he's adopted many orphanages, I think brother Neev just reminds him of his son," Danny said sadly. "Brother Neev is just like his dad, James" Danny said.

I shuddered. I still remember grandpa's words.

"Your father drank himself to death and your mother ran away, it's no wonder you are like this"

I shuddered at the thought. I can't imagine him punishing Nivin for his father's mistakes, or just because they look familiar!

And that's when I started to get involved.

I think I know it now,  the arrogant and self-centred Nivin Rosh Aldrick has a different side to him.

He's not welcomed in the family and his grandpa hates him. He lost his parents from his childhood itself.

I shivered. growing up in an orphanage is difficult, I know it because I have experienced it, but somehow a lonely little boy brought up by hatred seems a hundred times worse to me.

I think deep down he's hurt and broken by his loved ones!

Even though I was brought up by the orphanage, I'm glad that I have people who care for me!

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