Maahi walked down the road to reach the bus stop. With her books hugged close to her chest, her bag over her shoulders, she quietly made her way to the stop. It was a nice warm day in the valley. The imposing mountains looked majestic as they soared into the sky. The birds tweeted all across the valley, deers slinked through the bushes and there was this mildly cool breeze sweeping over the town. Nothing appeared incongruous. All was perfect and serene, which generally implies that nothing can go wrong, but if only. Just as she was about to step into the Sadhna Road (where her bus collects her) and leave the Keshav Complex (the locality just outside her colony and usually a very quiet place), she heard the sound of tyres and a familiar diesel smell approaching her from behind. Before she had time to wheel round and see for herself, she was overtaken by a thundering open wily jeep. She jumped in surprise as her books fell from her hands. She stood gaping in surprise at the familiar handsome face beaming lasciviously from inside the expensive vehicle.
"What is this?? What were you thinking??" she fumed. Karanvir chuckled. Leaping down his jeep, he gathered her books from the ground, blew off the dirt from them, and offered them back to her. That little act of chivalry did nothing to pacify her. She still had disappointment written all over her face. He sighed.
"Good morning gorgeous and I think these books are not helpful to me in any way. I'm not into studies anyway, So.....why not take 'em back." said Karanvir sheepishly. Maahi narrowed down her eyes at him.
"You never answered my questions Sir." she said Sir with contempt. Karanvir bit his tongue to contain his laughter. Why the hell was she so damn adorable?? But seeing that she won't give up until she has answers, he sighed in defeat and prepared himself to respond to her.
"Well, I was just driving down the road and I saw you walking alone so I thought why not offer you a ride to college. Where's your brothers btw??" asked Karanvir, crossing his arms over his chest. Maahi carefully took back her books and looked up at him blankly. She still hadn't forgot what he did yesterday and as a good girl she was, she had decided to keep away from him and not provide him 'hints' of any sort.
"They won't be coming today, they needed a day off for some reason. And now please leave my way, my bus will arrive any minute." she said gruffly. Karanvir's face dropped. He never understood why was she hostile towards him. Ofcourse he wouldn't count his own flaws which led her to behave like this with him. But certainly he never appreciated when she treated him like he treats every other girl/guy/both but not her,he had always treated her like she was a princess. Because she was a princess for him and will always be.
"Why would you wanna go by bus when I am here to drive you to college??" he asked, slightly disgruntled. She huffed.
"Because I don't want to go. Look Sir, I.....I think I need to make things clear today. I do not enjoy your company in any way. I do not like to hang out with guys like you or with guys in general. I don't appreciate when you try to invade my privacy and I certainly don't appreciate when you behave like last night. I think I have cleared everything and I don't think that I need to say any further. You can stop being around me. We are complete strangers and we'll be that for the rest of our lives." she told him loudly. Was it her loudness or the obvious insolence in her words, she never knew but what she knew was that Karanvir surely wasn't in a good mood. His fists were balled, his jaws clenched tightly and his eyes were dark like night itself. Maahi gulped. If she wasn't regretting her little act of bravery few minutes back, then she was surely regretting it now. There was danger written all over his face. Maahi did feel like running back home but she knew it wasn't a great idea, especially when this guy's an athlete. He looked her in the eye and it chilled her to the bone. Now she knows why he needs no weapon, he can kill anyone with that vice look in his eyes.
"Perhaps you forget everytime baby girl that I am a bad guy and you don't get to escape a bad guy THAT EASILY." he hissed, eyes embracing fire. Maahi was literally shivering.
"Le-eave my way please." she said meekly, voice barely audible. He smirked cruelly before moving closer to her. He cocked his head at his side and watched her darkly.
"Never gonna happen baby girl. Now come, be a good girl and climb into the jeep. I don't want you missing you classes." he said cockily. Maahi shook her head.
"I'm not going anywhere with you. Didn't I just tell you....."
"Didn't I just tell you that you can never escape me!!! Hm. Now be quite and get in the car." he hissed. Maahi was literally freaking out but she still had that brave look on her face. Even Karanvir knew that she was feigning bravery, from inside she was this timid cute girl he was obsessed with.
"Please just leave me alone. I am not going anywhere with you. Stop bothering me." she said irritated. Karanvir shut his eyes and drew in a breath. He then grabbed her wrist, dragged her to the jeep, scooped her up in his arms and deposited her on the seat next to his. She yelled all the while but he cared not.
"What are you doing???" she shouted, fear in her eyes. He climbed behind the wheel and shot her a look which spoke danger and unhinged.
"Now baby doll, you are either being complaint or I am kicking your brothers out of the team. Ok." he said hotly. She controlled her tears and sat quietly on her seat, too afraid to look at him. Revving up the engine, he gunned the jeep down the road and towards the college.

Mountains flanked them as they drove towards the college. Maahi was quiet since then. He had seen that and he was pained to see that. Halfway down the road, he realised he owe her an apology.
"I'm sorry maahi. I shouldn't have behaved like this. Please forgive me. I wasn't trying to offend you.....I just.....huh, forget it. Please just smile." he apologized cutely. She didn't respond, probably because she wasn't listening to him. Most of the time what he says makes no sense to her, which explains why she chooses to ignore him on certain occasions. However, something did caught her attention. They weren't going to college, she was sure about it because THIS DORK HAD NOT ROUNDED THE BEND BUT HAD DROVE STRAIGHT UP THE NEXT ROAD WHICH LEADS TO DOWNTOWN. Horror was evident in her eyes.
"Where are we going??" she shouted abruptly. Karanvir literally flinched in surprise.
"Um downtown to get you an ice cream and lighten up your mood." he said as if it wasn't a big deal. For first couple of seconds she just watched him blankly, like was this guy for real?? And then she gasped loudly.
"My mood needs no lightening, just take me to the college that's it." she said anxiously. He looked down at her adoringly.
"Oh it does dear, i know you're upset with me. I will buy you all the ice cream and everything. I don't like when you're angry with me." he said, glaring at the man in the car on his side who was trying to overtake them. Maahi was going to have a panic attack. She knew she had to think something real quick.
"Um...I have a test and it's very important for me to reach on time. If I won't than my grades will come down." she lied. Karanvir looked at her, his brow raised. Later, he smiled.
"If that's the case, then I have no choice but to drive you straight to college. I don't want you getting sad over Bs and Cs. You're gonna top the college, I just know it. Trust me I am not letting anyone else get grades better than you, I will smash his skull. It's only you who will get that trophy for the studious kid of the year." he said lovingly, although he sounded more dangerous than lovable at the moment. She paid no attention as she watched him speeding up towards the right road at the crossroads which eventually merges into the college road 500 meters down.

When Karanvir jammed on the brakes at the university's parking lot, maahi quickly leapt down and marched off to her classroom. Karanvir chuckled while taking out the keys from the ignition. Maahi could feel everyone's eyes on her. She was sure that it must've been breaking news by now that she had been driven to college by one and only KARANVIR ROY. She hated that. She hated everybody for thinking so high of him. He's just a dork, why can't people admit it and walk away. While inwardly cursing everyone (along with Karanvir) she collided against someone. Her books landed on the ground (everytime!!!).
"I'm so sorry." maahi muttered, picking up her books. It was a boy, totally unknown and not very remarkable in appearance. He was peeved, but he didn't show it to her as boys rarely are rude to girls. Suddenly, he was yanked by his collar and thrown harshly on the ground. Maahi gasped loudly. Looking up she found the creepy Karanvir standing next to her and glaring murderously at the fallen boy.
"Watch your step jerk." he said hatefully. The boy shuddered as he stood up on his quivering legs. He muttered a feeble apology and darted off.
"Did he hurt you??" he asked, his voice softer. Maahi looked up at him in horror and quickly shook her head. For the rest of her way to her classroom, Karanvir accompanied her and it was one hell of an experience because she had to endure all stares of envious stares thrown at her from around. If this wasn't a bad day, than what else can be.

In the classroom, came kunal and other boys when maahi was quietly going through her notes.
"I'm sorry for sending you friend request maahi and also posting pictures with you. I think you could've talked this out with me instead of dragging Karanvir in our matter." she heard kunal say. She looked up at him confused.
"What are you talking about??" she asked. The boys rolled their eyes.
"Stop playing naive maahi, you know everything. And yes we're not sitting near you or with you, please ask your Karanvir if we can breathe near you, who knows he gets pissed off with that too and beat us black and blue." said the long haired guy. Maahi still couldn't understand anything. The girls of the class too weren't talking to her.
"Wait!!! Wait!!!! Wait!!! My Karanvir. What the hell are you talking about and why would he have issues with you being around me?? What's all this??" asks she bewildered. The boys watched her poker faced.
"C'mon maahi, I really thought that you were too innocent but looks like I was quite wrong. Karanvir huh!!! You went for the big fish. It's incredible I mean, as far as I know Karanvir isn't a guy to fall for anybody but you literally just......Huh!!! You innocent ones." said kunal hatefully. Maahi really felt like crying. Why were being so rude to her??
"What's happening??" and came the professor. The boys said nothing but maahi told him everything. Professor, after listening, glared at the boys.
"I wouldn't be surprised if boys as stupid as you believe a spoilt, rich brat and not a girl who is your classmate. Just because he says something to you, you believe it and then you attack her for something she didn't do. How can you trust that creep and not this girl?? You've known him for years being of the same town, and still you need more reasons to not trust him." professor scolded them. The boys looked at maahi guiltily.
"Sorry maahi. I shouldn't have behaved like this with you. But we're just so scared of him. He's just.....I don't wanna talk about it." apologized kunal. Professor turned towards maahi.
"Maahi dear, is this guy Karanvir bothering you in any way. I mean, I have seen him doing other stuff but he's never done something like this, I mean going to the extent of threatning kids to stay away from a girl. Is everything ok maahi?? Do you want to share something with me about him??" asked professor softly. Karanvir's fear was still heavy in her heart. She timidly shook her head, scared that Karanvir might target the professor if she tells him about him. Professor sighed, he had already sensed her reluctancy and fear.
"Ok. But if you have to tell anything, I am always available." he said with a smile. She smiled back.

Maahi was getting ready to visit vaishali. Now, a little incident from the evening which should be mentioned goes like this. Maahi saw Karanvir standing right outside her department from her classroom window. With vaishali, she once again formed that same plan of evading the college unnoticed by him. The plan worked this time as well and she was in her home now. But, because Karanvir had already asked her to drop her home, she was a little nervous as how he would react tomorrow. Besides karanvir's behaviour was growing weirder and creepier everyday. She seriously was petrified of him. Anyways, she merrily climbed downstairs and saw her happiness fading off. There he was, sitting in the hall, surrounded by her over dramatic family. When his cold eyes met her, she was chilled to the bone. Like really.
"Maahi see Karanvir is here. Karanvir, please can you drop maahi to vaishali's home, I am too scared to let her go alone in taxis." her mother requested. Karanvir, whose eyes still were glued on her quivering frame, smiled and nodded.
"Ofcourse." he responded. Maahi gasped.
"No mom. I'll go alone. I don't wanna go with this guy." she shouted. Her family was taken aback. Karanvir watched her coldly.
"Watch your tongue maahi. This is not how you speak of your guests." her mother warned. Maahi balled her tiny fists.
"No mom. I don't like this guy and....he is brother's friend, he has no business with me. I am going alone and that's final." she said loudly and with little respect. Karanvir fumed.
"Maahi you....."
"You aren't going alone maahi. This isn't Jaipur where you can walk freely around. This is vanasthali, your government rules don't apply here. If there's anyone you can be safe with than that's me. And you're saying not a single word more and coming with me. That's final." Karanvir spat angrily. Mrs. Khandewal was shocked and so were the twins.
"No." maahi still continued to act like a brat. Karanvir tried to calm himself down and not yell on her or worst pick her up, throw her in the jeep, drive her to his mansion, take her up in his bedroom and show her who is in charge.
"Maahi enough. You are either going with him or you aren't going at all. I can't risk you walking alone on the streets of Vanasthali." her mother scolded her badly. Karanvir really didn't like her tone but right now she was working in his favour. Maahi had no choice but to comply. She was angry with her mother and hence she walked straight out of the house without looking at them. Karanvir followed.

During the whole ride he said nothing, just looked straight at the road. He was pissed off surely and she didn't had the courage to ask him. When he dropped her to vaishali's house, he only said one thing.
"Next time I won't appreciate you going back home in the car of another man." and left. Maahi was shocked. How did he know that she left in Uday's car?? Anyways, she spend two hours at her friend's house and when she came out, Karanvir was waiting outside in his jeep. But she hadn't called him. However, with that dangerous look in his eyes, she surely couldn't question him. He opened the door for her, she sat in and he sped off to her home. He stopped next to an ice cream parlor to buy her an ice cream which she was too afraid to turn down.
"I have to use the washroom." she whispered. He nodded and opened the door for her. The washroom was near. She used the washroom and was coming back when a guy stopped her.
"Hi baby." heavily drunk he was. He wasn't a shabby looking inebriate but an average looking guy in his mid 20s. Maahi tried to ignore him and walk to the jeep which was at the other end. But he grabbed her wrist and yanked her to him. She gasped in fear.
"Where you going baby......" he whispered, trying to kiss her. Maahi struggled. Tears building up in her eyes. Suddenly, she felt two strong arms wrenching her out of his grasp and the next thing she saw was a shiny pistol in karanvir's hand. A shot was fired and all she saw was thick stream of crimson oozing out of the wound from the drunk guy's chest. Maahi was frozen. She couldn't remember how did he scooped her in his arms and deposited her on the seat, or how he drove her to her home or how or when did that ice cream came in her hands. All she knew was that she had seen a murder and she was sharing the jeep with a murderer who seemed to be repenting nothing. Horror filled her mind and body. Until now she was just scared of Karanvir but now she was horrified of him. He was a cold blooded murderer. He was homicidal for god's sake.
"Reached your home." her thoughts broke suddenly. Her house had came. She didn't look up at him and climbed down in fear. She wanted to scream loudly but she couldn't feel her voice. That scene kept running before her eyes like a montage film. She said so much overwhelmed with shock that she couldn't even react when Karanvir came behind her and kissed her cheeks softly. He knew she was freaked out, he did care about her but not the murder. No regrets though, she looked cute when she was scared. Gently he kissed her fingers while she was still trying to cope up with the shock of witnessing a murder.
"Goodnight baby girl. I'll see you in the morning." he whispered huskily in her ear before placing two kissed on her earlobe. Maahi looked up at him in fear. Cold sweat breaking on her forehead. He cupped her cheeks and smiled.
"Don't think so hard baby doll. This was nothing. I can killing hundreds and thousands for you. The one who touches you or sees you improperly, I will kill him." he came closer as she started to move away from him. He grabbed her waist and pulled her to him so she wouldn't run away. She gasped loudly. Fear gripping her.
"You're mine to touch. Mine alone." he growled. She was so spooked that she felt she would pass out. Looking into his eyes she saw something she hadn't seen before, obsession and yearning.
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