Two weeks later

"Betrayed by other I might still recover, it's the treachery of those loved ones that left me crippled forever. "

Two weeks passed by. These two weeks were dark, gloomy and ominous.

Bani was fighting for the life of her sister.When she was brought to the hospital she was very weak, considering she was already ill, the blood loss made her even more weaker.

The doctor's clearly said that she needed to be admitted and it might even take few weeks for her to regain her consciousness.

Bani was hella worried. Tears were continuously flowing from her eyes but those tears and that pain didn't break her anymore. Sometimes life breaks us so much that after a point we become unbreakable.

Bani was standing outside the hospital room looking at the doctors operating on Meera. She was blaming herself for all this. She was blaming herself for trusting him. She was blaming herself for not being able to protect her sister and putting her guard down.

How could she be so stupid? She thought. Did she really think that a Vampire.. A vampire prince to be precise would have a good side. How could she forget what these monsters did to her parents.

She was lost in her thoughts when somebody patted on her back.

Bani - Tapish...!

She saw Tapish and hugged him as tears fell from her eyes. She was very thankful to Tapish who had been there for her sister at such a vulnerable time.He had become like a brotherly figure for her now.If not for him and the arrangements that he did for her sister, god knows what would have happened to her.

Tapish - Hey.. It's alright Bani.. Nothing will happen to Meera..!

Bani - It's all my fault..

Tapish - No it isn't Bani.. Stop blaming yourself..

Bani - I couldn't protect my sister.. I broke the promise which I made to maa and baba..

Tapish - Bani look at me.. You are one of the strongest person I have ever met.. And Meera is very lucky to have someone like you in her life.. And trust me by hurting yourself , the person who you are hurting the most is Meera.. Cause she loves you.. She cherishes you..

Bani - Why did he do this..

She said suddenly and Tapish understood who she was talking about.

Tapish - Maybe he genuinely had some reason...

Bani - Reason? To kill my sister ?

Tapish - He would have easily killed her if he wanted to that very moment..

Bani - Seriously Tapish.. Now you are taking his side.. ? Didn't you tell me that all this was a game for him?

Tapish - I know Bani.. I was very angry at that moment.. Meera was bleeding and I couldn't think rationally..

Bani - I should have guessed you are all the same..

Tapish - Both of you are same... Stubborn!!

Bani - I am Nothing like him...!

Tapish - Bani I told you Aakesh sir is very dangerous.. Maybe Veer did it to save Meera from him..

Bani - I don't know what the reason was Tapish.. But I just know that I can't trust him anymore.. I can't be around him anymore.. My sister is in such a condition due to all this. I can fight this whole world for her.. I can give up this whole world for her.

Tapish sighs. He knew Bani would not understand everything now. He somewhere even blamed himself for bringing Meera to the mansion and hitting Veer.

Come on he knew Veer better than that. If Veer wanted somebody dead that person would have no chance to survive. If he could doubt Veer, then how tough would it would be for Bani to understand the complexity of the situation.

Tapish - Take care of her Bani. I have something to take care of tonight.
Bani nods. Tapish starts leaving

Tapish - Bani..

Bani - Yeah..

Tapish - It wasn't me who arranged for the Royal doctors..

He said and left.

Bani - It was him... (She said softly)

Why was everything so complicated? Why would things never go smoothly in her life. He was the tormentor and saviour both at the same time.

When Tapish said that everything was a game for him. She could literally hear her heart breaking into pieces.

All their moments and his words running in her mind.

Veer - Itna khayal mat rakho, ki mere khayalon se hi na nikal pao.

She remembered the day he saved her getting hurt himself. Something had changed a little between them that night as he enveloped her in his arms protecting her from the cold.

She remembered how he had brought breakfast for her and the way they bantered with each other. His smile, the first say she saw his genuine smile moved something within her.

Next the memory of their library visit hit her.

Veer - Whatever our souls are made of..

Bani - His and mine are the same..

The way their hands brushed against each other , that hug which felt ethereal and calming and that dance of passion everything running in her mind.

Bani - NO! NO! NO! Bani get a grip over yourself.. It was all an illusion.. Nothing was true.. A web of lies!!

Then why are you hoping it to be true? Her heart asked.

A lone tear fell from her eyes.

Doctor - Ms Sharma..

Bani - Ye.. Yes doctor..

Doctor - You can spend sometime with your sister..

Bani - Doctor when will she get up..

Doctor - Soon.. She wasn't bit that harshly.. It felt like the intention was just to weaken her and not kill her.. Plus we were called soon.. So don't worry..

Bani kept listening to the doctor.

Bani - Doctor.. Can I ask you something..

Doctor - Yes.. Ms Sharma..

Bani - You are a human but a royal doctor.. You treat those monsters.. Doesn't that bother you at times?

Doctor - Ms Sharma sometimes we find humane emotions in these monsters and monstrous emotions in humans.. Nobody's black and white.. All of us are morally grey characters.. Sometimes we just have to choose between the good and bad and sometimes between bad and worse..!

Bani nods listening to his words intently.

Bani - Thanks Doctor..!

Bani gets inside Meera's room and settles beside the hospital bed.

Bani holds Meera's hand and kisses it.

Bani - We will survive Meera..! No matter what happens.. Your di will be there with you till her last breathe..! (she said as she caressed Meera's hair)

She was sitting their when slowly she asleep sitting on the chair with her head on the bed.

As she fell asleep a small memory hit her in form of a dream.

Nandini - Bani ! Baby eat the food, don't trouble your mother!

Bani - NO mumaa.. Pleaseee.. I don't like khichdi..

Nandini - Bani.. ! (She said sternly )

Bhairav - Why are you a scolding my princess..?

Bani - Baba.. You are here! (She said joyfully)

Nandini - Bhairav stop spoiling her.. She has to eat food..

Bhairav - Stop scolding my baby .. And you know what Bani.. (He says slowly in Bani's ears).. I hate khichdi too..

Nandini - I can hear you two!

Dono baap beti ek jaise hi hein! (She said facepalming herself)

(Both father and daughter are the same)

Bhairav - ohh no..your Mumma is angry..! Will you not apologize baby?

Bani - Mumma.. Cholly naaaa! Don't get angry.. I will eat it! (She said innocently)

Nandini- Now how will your mumma be angry if you act so cute! (She said taking Bani in her arms )

Bani giggles.

Nandini - Both of you always trouble me..!

Bhairav - Come on Nandini.. I will always be your prince Charming..!

Nandini - Bhairav..! (She said being flabbergasted)

Bani - Mumma... Who is prince Charming?

Nandini - Baby all of us have a Prince Charming..

Bani - How will we know if we have met our Prince Charming.. ? (She asked innocently)

Nandini - Our heart always tells us when we meet our Prince Charming.. That he is the one.. The one who protects you, cares for you, takes a stand for you.. Respects you and you reciprocate the same.

Bani - Mumma.. Get me one soon!

She said enthusiastically as Bhairav and Nandini laughed.

Bani slowly opened her eyes and saw Veer. Was this still a dream? She wondered

Bani - Veer..

Veer - Sweetheart..

Bani - What are you doing in my dream?

Veer - Troubling you as usual I guess.. (He laughs a little)

Bani - Yes you are very bad.. (She said pouting like a child)

Tumhare barein main kuch sochna nahi chahti magar iss dil main khayal sirf aur sirf tumhare hein.. Tumse nafrat karna chahti hu par ye dil manta nahi.. Dimag tumhari hazar galatiyan dikhata hein aur dil sirf tumhari khoobiyon ko jatata hein... Kyun Veer?

(I don't want to think about you but only your thought lingers within my heart all over. I want to hate you but this heart doesn't listen to me.. My mind points out all your mistakes while my heart just sees the good in you. Why is it so Veer?)

(She said as a tear slipped from her eyes)

Veer keeps looking at her with tears filled in his own eyes.

Veer - Sleep sweetheart.. Everything will be over now..!

He said softly as Bani closed her eyes falling asleep.

~~~
Next morning

Bani gets up as the sunrays hit her eyes. As she gets up, she finds a blanket on her.

Bani - Blanket..? Maybe the nurse..

She was about to complete the sentence when last nights memories hit her.
Those dreams.. Of the moment with her parents and then of Veer.

Bani - That can't be true right ? Why would he be here?

She was thinking when suddenly Meera moved her finger.

Bani - Meera!! Doctor! Doctor!

Immediately two nurses came in.

Bani - She moved her finger..

Nurse - She has definitely gotten better.. And the doctor is coming soon.

Bani nods and moves out as the doctor entered.

Tapish also entered at the very same time.

Tapish - Bani...

Bani - Meera has gotten better! (She said with a smile)

Tapish also smiles.

Doctor - In a hour or so.. She will be completely conscious..!

After two hours.

Meera finally regained her consciousness. Bani and Tapish entered to meet her.

Meera - Di... Ta.. Tapish.. .. (She said slowly looking at both of them)

Bani - Shh.. Don't speak much.. Take rest... !

Meera - Di.. You are okay..?

Bani -Seriously? You are asking me this right now? Look at yourself..! I feel like scolding you right now! Why did you come here?

Meera - I heard you.. You.. We. We're in trouble.. And you are here because of me Di..

Bani - Meera..! You know if a scratch also comes on you, I experience thousand deaths due to that.. And here you were unconscious since two weeks..

Meera - Di.. Prince...

Bani - Don't talk about him or anything..

Meera - But Di..

Bani - I said take rest Meera.. We will talk later..

Meera nods.

Bani - I will get something for you to eat..

Bani moves out.

Tapish settles on the chair.

Tapish - How are you now?

Meera - Better...

Tapish - Both of you are very strong.. And the love you have for each other is even more Strong..

Meera smiles.

Meera - Thank you for saving me so many times..

Tapish - You know people say if somebody meets you once it's chance, twice it's luck and thrice it's destiny.. Maybe it was in our destiny to meet each other.. (He said with a smile as a blush formed on Meera's face)

Bani - Here's the soup..!

Bani comes and settles beside Meera. Bani forwards the spoon as Meera drink the soup.

Tapish - Bani I think you should get back to the college... You already missed so many classes.

Bani - No way Tapish.. Before Meera gets well completely I will stay here..

Tapish - Bani.. Meera is fine now.. She is under the best doctors and I am here for her..

He said as Meera meekly looked at her knight in shining armor.

Meera - Yes di.. You get back to the academy..

Bani - But Meera..

Meera - Di please.. (She said making puppy eyes)

Bani - Well can't say no to that expression now!

She smiled softly and Meera hugged her. Tapish also smiled looking the Sharma sister duo.

~~~

Next morning

Bani was standing in front of the mirror looking at her reflection. She had to return to the academy today. The very same academy where he would be. She didn't want to meet him. She didn't want to see him . It wasn't because she hated him but it was because she couldn't hate him at all somehow and that bothered her.

Pass jana bhi mumkin nahi tha aur dur rehena bhi.

(Neither could we be unite nor could we separate.)

While looking into her reflection why was she seeing a part of him in her eyes. Why could she not forget about his existence like a dream.

She sighed as she left for the academy.
She entered into the academy and involuntarily her eyes started to search for the very same person who she had decided to avoid.

She went to her class and attended it. She didn't want anymore dramas, anymore unnecessary attention but in this elite academy peace was something which people would least expect.

Bani's class ended and she immediately packed her stuff to go meet Meera. She didn't encounter Veer today and somewhere she was both happy and gloomy about it.

She knew she had to let this feeling go. Even if her heart had the fire, it was not allowed to burn for him anymore.

She was about to leave the campus when she got surrounded by a group of girls.

Girl - Look who we have here!

"The Bani Sharma."Another girl said.

"You have become quite famous in a short time, I must say."said another.

"The prince has gotten so close to you, what black magic did you do on him? "

Bani - Not again(she sighed)
Listen, I don't want to create a scene, just let me go.

Chandani - Kya Raaz hein? Humein bhi batao Bani Sharma..
(She said with an evil grin)

(What's the secret? Do tell us as well Bani Sharma)

Bani - YOU!

Chandani - Yes, the one and only.

Bani - Right the one and only born after sacrificing hundred devils.. (She said with a fake smile)

Chandani - Will take that as a compliment..(she retorted)

Bani - Ohh and also thousands of dimwits.. Forgot to mention that..

She said and the other girls almost laughed. Chandani was fuming in anger.

Chandani - It's Veer's order to not kill you or else you would be dead by now...

Bani - Done with your talks? Now let me go..!

She heard moving ahead.

Chandani - By the way Veer didn't restrict me to not kill anybody's sister.. (She smirked)

She said and Bani turned.

Bani - Don't you dare take her name from your dirty mouth..

Chandani - Or else..? (She said moving closer to her anger)

Guy - Or else you will not be a part of this academy anymore..!

Bani and Chandani turned around in the direction of the person.

Chandani - Don't poke your nose in my business..!

Guy - You really want to challenge me..?
(He said arching his eyebrow)

Chandani - What do you want Jay Mathur.. ? (She said in anger)

Jay - Her.. (He said pointing towards Bani)

Bani looked at him being shocked while a particular someone was watching the entire scene while gripping his fist in anger.

***

How was the chapter?

Did Bani really dream or was Veer actually there?

Any suggestions for our Bani. She is in a real dilemma!

Jay Mathur is here! So will he reunite Vani Or create more misunderstanding between them?

Next Chapter will start from Veer's perspective of the two weeks!

Stay tuned!

Love you all ;)