A little Bani was playing with Meera when she heard a voice.

She went to see who it was, when she saw a lady talking to her parents.

Her eyes we're exactly like Bani's holding the same charisma.

Lady - Keep this holy water.. It will shield you during attacks.

Nandini - Thank you so much Didi!

Lady - Nandini, You know I will always be there for you.. After all you have done so much for my family.

Nandini - Since when did so much formality come between us..!

Lady - No seriously Nandini.. You literally married my useless brother... I have full sympathy with you..

Bhairav - Heyyy! I am standing right here!

He said and Both Nandini and the lady laughed.

That's when the lady turned and saw the little Bani. Bani was looking at her with awe.

The lady moved towards her.

Lady - Aww.. My baby..

Bani - You are pretty!

Lady - Thank you love..!

She smiled and suddenly Bani woke up from her dream. Bani poured some water in the glass from the jug and drank it. She didn't know why she felt a bit restless with the dream.

Bani - This dream...Who was that Lady..? (She wondered)

Bani cornered her thought as she got ready for her classes. Bani loved Science and literature. A unique combination. She wanted to become a researcher while literature was the calm that she needed in her life.

Today was the first class that she would have for her literature which was her optional and she was quite excited for it.
Bani walked into the campus and thankfully she didn't encounter any group of pathetic mean girls.

She sighed and moved in when somebody called her name.

Jay - Bani..!

Bani turned to look at the person.

Bani - Jay..!

Jay - Hey Bani.. Are you good?

Bani - Yeah..

Jay - I mean yesterday Veer forced you to leave with him , so I was really worried.

Bani - I am fine Jay.. Thanks for your concerns.

Jay - You can talk to me if you ever need help.

Bani - Jay I am an independent person, And I can manage. Hope you understand.

Jay - He has poisoned your mind against me.. Is'nt?

Bani - Jay..! I said I am an independent person and I make my decisions. So please stop assuming things.

Jay - I am.. So.. Sorry Bani.. (He said with puppy eyes)

Bani - I didn't wanna sound rude Jay but that's how I am as a person, I Don't like when somebody sympathises with me or thinks that I am weak..!

Jay - I understand..

Bani - I have my class now.. So..

Jay - Yeah sure... Can we meet during lunch though?

Bani -Oh. Okay..! (She said being a little irritated now)

Jay left while Bani entered the class. She saw three empty benches at the last and Bani went and sat there.

The professor entered.

Professor - Alright Class, so today we are going to talk about the love saga of Romeo and Juliet.

Monil - Excuse me Miss, Can we join..

Professor - Late comers need to stay out!

That's when another person stood beside Monil.

Veer - Really Ma'am? (He said arching his eyebrows)

Professor - You can enter Prince! (The professor said fearing her job)

Bani rolled her eyes.

Veer came with a smug look on his face and sat beside Bani.

Bani - You know there is seat behind also..!

Veer - Wow.. Really? Then how about you go back (he said with a playful smile on his face)

Bani - I came first.. (She said gritting her teeth)

Veer - And I own the place.. Bad luck sweetheart.. (He winked)

Bani turned to face the professor.

Professor - So class what do you think, what is love?

Girl - A feeling of wholeness..!

Professor - Anyone else?

Guy - A firecracking people..?

Professor - Is that even a word?

She and rest of the class laughed.

Girl - Something that makes you go speechless..!

Veer - Bullshit.. (He said slowly such that only Bani could hear him )

Bani - Ohh really, you know so much about love? (She said arching an eyebrows)

Professor - I think Ms Bani wants to enlighten us with her knowledge. Ms Bani please tell us what is love?

Bani looks at Veer angrily while Veer controls his laughter.

Bani - Umm.. I think.. Love is solitude.. Love is serenity... Love isn't something in which guitars gets played or winds starts blowing... Love is silent.

Dabe pao Zindagi main aata hein aur pata hi nahi chalta kab ek insaan humari puri Zindagi ban jata hein..

(It slowly enters in our lives and one person turns into Our whole life.)

Veer keeps looking at Bani , listening to her words intently. Didn't the same happen with them? Amidst hatred he didn't know when love knocked on his door of heart. When her pain became his pain, when her smile became his sunshine and when her entity became the reason for his existence.

Bani - Mom always used to say that our soulmate is a person who loves us, cherishes us and respects us and we reciprocate the same. I think that respect along with the passion is love.

She said and the entire class clapped.

Professor - Wow.. That was intense.

Bani - Thank you ma'am but I think Prince would give a better answer.

She said smirking looking at Veer. Veer got up awkwardly to answer.

Professor - Sure Prince..

Veer doesn't say anything for a moment and Bani smirks .

Veer - Love is light.

He said and Bani looked at him.

Veer - When you are engulfed in the darkness of life, love comes as a light, as a savior. Love is that firefly that has the strength to lighten up the most dark and dense forests. We often don't realise when we start moving towards that dark forest in our lives. It's only love that shows us the path that could lead us back to where we belong, that could give us hope amidst biggest storms.

He said and Bani's lips parted with astonishment. She didn't know why all his words hit directly to her heart. She knew he had a light within him, though he was forced to stay in the dark. His words were melting her. Why could the circumstances not be in their favour? She wondered.

Veer - But Love is also hateful..

He said and everybody again turned to look at him in astonishment.

Veer - Love hurts. Love gives you hope and love itself burns those dreams . Love itself buries you in pain and love itself mourns your state. Love is like that rose which seems beautiful but its only when you touch it you realise that it has thorns. Thorns that are gonna hurt you.

He said looking at Bani for a moment. She knew all his words were for her. But couldnt he see how hurt she was with everything that happened.

Bani - Love is holding that rose even when your hands are dipped in your own blood. Even when they hurt you , you keep holding it on. But is that pain worth it ? I guess not always.

She said with anger in her voice and the pain of accusation.

Veer and Bani were looking at each other with intense gaze.

The fire in their eyes against each other and the fire in their hearts for each other both were blazing at the same time.

That's when the bell rang.

Professor - Had a great class students! We will continue in the next class.

The professor leaves and Bani immediately packs up her bag and leaves.

Bani went to the cafeteria and sat holding her head.

Bani - Nafrat bhi karte hein aur parwah bhi.. Najane ye rishta kya hein.. Kaisa hein.. ? Ek pal ko lagta hein ki usse dur ho jau aur dusri taraf lagta hein ki woh abhi aaye aur mujhe apni bahon main bhar le.. Ye kaisi uljhan hein..

(There is hatred also and care as well.. What is this relationship?.. How is it..? One moment I feel like going away and another moment I want him to come and take me in his arms. What kind of confusion is this?)

She kept thinking when somebody put their hands on their eyes.

Bani - Ve.. Veer.. (She said involuntarily )

Jay - It's me.. Jay..

Bani - Ohh Jay... (She said being embarrassed as she had just taken Veer's name)

Jay - Not fair Ms Sharma, I though we were going to have lunch together.

Bani - Ohh.. It just slipped from my mind.

Jay - That's fine! So what will you have?

Bani - Anything... You like..

Jay calls the waiter and he order.
The waiter was coming when the plates was about to fall from his hand and Jay helps him out.

Waiter - Sorry Si.. Sir..

Jay - Firstly you are older than me..So you can call Me Jay and secondly Be careful.. You are fine right?

Waiter nods and Bani smiles looking at Jay's caring nature. Somewhere Veer's words comes in her mind.

Veer - He is danger..

Bani - Why would Veer say that.. (She wondered)

She was busy thinking when she touches the knife placed on the table and her finger bleeds.

Bani - Ouch..

Jay - BANI!.... (He comes near her)

Jay -Are you okay?

Bani - I am fine..!

Bani sees Jay being extremely restless and looking only at her cut. He moves a little forward when he feels a grip on his hand.

Jay turns to look at the person and Bani also witnesses who it was.

Veer - I told you to not touch her didn't I?

Bani - Veer.. Please don't create a scene.

Jay - Leave from here.

Veer - Shhh..

Veer - Khayal apna rakhti nahi aur narazgi khayal rakhne wale se jatati ho.. Badi nainsafi hein? Nahi... Sweetheart...!

(You don't take care of yourself and blame the person who cares for you. That's quote unfair sweetheart.. Don't you think? )

Bani looks at him as Veer takes her finger in his mouth sucking the blood. She shivers as his lips touches her fingertip.

Veer - You don't know what a drop of your blood can do to all these Vampires present her.. They can lose their control.. (He said with concern)

Bani - And you won't?

Veer - These day I have lost control over myself..

He says looking at her with emotions stirring in his eyes.

Jay - Hogayi tumhari bakwass?

(Is your nonsense done?)

Veer - Bakwass? Bakwas karna hota toh tumhare barein main batein ki hoti.. (He said and sat on the chair with a smirk on his face)

(Nonsense? If I wanted to talk nonsense, I would have talked about you.. )

Jay - Now why are sitting here?

Veer - It's my academy as well.. I can sit anywhere I want...

Jay - No you can't.. (He said in anger)

Veer - Uff.. Itna gussa.. Lagta hein yahan ka dhabewala Tu hi hein..

(Oops..so angry..it seems you are the dhabawale here..)

Jay - VEER!!

Veer - Ouch..someones ego is hurt(He said and laughs)

Bani - Veer...

Veer - What Sweetheart? Come on.. I am. Hungry.. Won't you guys share your food with me?

He said and saw the dishes. He tasted one of them

Veer - Whatever.. Who had ordered this?

Jay - Me.. You have any problem?

Veer - You yourself are my problem.. (He gives a fake smile)

Jay - Aww.. Is Veer Singhania scared of me?

Veer - Veer Singhania is bored of you Chep dhabewale..

Jay - Veer... Everybody knows who is a monster here.. (He said holding Veer's collar)

Veer - And everybody knows who is a double faced loser here...

Veer said holding Jay's collar as well.

Bani - BAS!

(Enough)

You know what? You guys have food cause I am done.

She said leaving from the spot.

Veer - A scratch on her Jay and you will see the actual monster..

Jay - I don't hurt things that are mine.. (He smirks)

Veer - She isn't a thing and she is definitely not made for losers.. She is a fucking queen!

~~~

Bani comes out and her phone rings.

Bani - Hello

Caller - Am I speaking to Ms Bani?

Bani - Yes!

Caller - Ms Bani.. Today we have the operation of your Sister Ms Meera.. We need you within half an hour to sign these documents or else it will be very late.. The team of doctors have especially come from abroad.. So no delay would be entertained.

Bani - Today operation.. But Veer didn't tell me.. I.. I will be there doctor!

The call got cut and Bani started moving towards the exit. She wondered why Veer didnt tell her about something so crucial but she didn't have time. She just had half an hour.

As she reached the exit, she saw few Vampires along with chaandani.

Vampire guy- You can't leave.. It's sir's order..!

Bani - Excuse me.. What?

Chandani - Are you deaf? We said you can't leave.. It's an order..

Bani - Who had given you that order..

Jay - Veer Singhania..

Bani - Jay.. You here? What is all this?

Jay - He just told me Bani.. That he will make you suffer because you didn't listen to him.. This is all his plan...

Bani - Veer can't do this!! He isn't like that...

Jay - All these are his games Bani.. He is a master of manipulation and deceit. Has he not already once cheated you?

He said and Bani was speechless. The concern for her sister and the hurtful feeling overpowering her. Did he really play her from the start? Was nothing from his end genuine? Was everything just a manipulation?

Bani - I have to leave Jay.. Meera.. It's her operation ... I just have half an hour..
She said panicking.

Jay - Calm down Bani.. Breathe!

Bani - Please help me out Jay!

Jay - Bani I can fight with the whole world for you but I am a human and they are vampires.. Within half an hour I can't finish the fight..

Bani - I have to talk to Veer!

Jay - Talking with Veer is useless Bani.. He won't let you go before half an hour..

Bani - Then what Can I do?

Jay - The red crystal!

Bani - What's that?

Jay - Bani.. Veer always carries a red crystal with him and that is a symbol of royalty. If you get that they will let you go...! (He said pointing. Towards the vampires)

Bani - But... How can I..

Jay - Bani! There is no time.. You have to do this carefully .. You can't fight with him.. You have to manipulate him..

Bani - What!!!... No I ain't like that...

Jay - Bani.. Think about Meera.. What's more important her or your morales?

Bani held her head. A sharp contrasting emotions fighting within her. She felt like crying her heart out.

Jay - Bani..

Bani - I will do it!

Jay - Great! (He said with a smile)

Bani immediately moves in and searches for Veer. She saw him in the corridor and immediately held his hands and moved to the terrace.

Veer - Where are you taking me Bani?

He asked with curiosity though her hands in his was calming his soul.

Bani - I want to talk to you!

She said as they reached the terrace.

Veer - Let me guess you want to talk about that Dhabewala!

Bani - Veer.. Listen

Veer - No Bani.. If you are here to lecture me.. Tell me how good that Mathur is.. How devious I am..or If you expect some stupid apology then I am not going to give any..

Bani - Veer...

Veer - He is a fucking loser and I don't care...

Veer was continuously speaking when suddenly he was pressed between the wall as Bani's lips crashed into his.

~~~

Hey guys!

How was the chapter?

Bani kissed Veer! Views?

Will Meera be okay?

Did Veer really stop her or is it someone else 's game?

Who is that lady in Bani's dream?

Stay tuned ;)

Love you all!