People often say that by runnning from our fear, we feed the inner darkness within us but what if this very darkness turns out to be the only place where you find tranquility and serenity?

Here was Bani running away from all the monsters that had haunted her life. She didn't even know for which particular incidence was her eyes filled with tears while her legs made a run from this devious world.

She had many dark nights in her life.

The night her childhood was snatched away from her due to the blood sucking monsters.

The night she could not feed herself and her sister.

The night they were almost being harassed at such a tender age.

The night her sister got diagnosed with a disease.

Or the night when her self esteem was plundered by the very same monster who she despised.

She was very strong mentally but she couldn't fight a Vampire. She knew it was a bitter truth.

Why was her life so wrecked ,she thought.

Bani - I will not submit! Never! (She shouted reminding it to her very own self as tear formed in her eyes)

The whole day she had wandered around the town. Hiding from Vampires and the council 's members.

It was night now. The dark sky filled with sparkling stars. Bani was now in the outskirts of the city. Her feet stopped as she looked at a forest in front of her. The forest looked mystical.

This was the only way to get back to the place where her sister resided. Bani took a long breathe, trying to gain her courage .

A memory of her past hits her.

Flashback

A little Bani was sitting on the ground as her mother was putting oil in her hair.

Bani - Maa your champi is is the best!! (She smiles)

Nandani - And my baby's smile is beautiful..

Bani giggles.

Bani - Mumma.. Today I had a fight....

Nandani - My baby had a fight with someone.. What did the other person do?

Bani - How do you know mumma that it was the other person's fault.

Nandani - That's because my Bani never bickers with anyone unnecessarily. (She says kissing her on her forehead)

Bani - Adarsh was telling Preeti that she is weak.. That she is not strong enough to defeat him.. He was pulling her hair also.. (She says sadly)

Nandani - Then what did you do?

Bani - I punched him.. (She said flipping her hair)

Nandani - Bani.. Baby listen to me.. It's not always necessary to win fights through physical battles because the battles that are fought in the  minds are much more deadly and impactful..

Adarsh was very wrong but he might do the same thing again.. So fight back in such a way that the opponent becomes so weak that the weapon might be lying right in front of then yet they are incapable to fight..

Bani - But what if we get defeated?

Nandani - You hold power till you are driven towards your goals.. Fight back and never give up! Sometimes you even might have to take two steps back only to take jump four steps ahead.. But never give up..

Bani nods

Bani -Pinky Promise mumma.. (She says extending her little finger cutely)

Nandani - Pinky promise.. (She smiles )

Flashback ends

Bani - I will fight back Maa, till my very last breathe..

She said and entered into the forest. She kept walking but there was something very weird about this place. It was very chilly, while an ominous silence was spread across the forest. She halted when suddenly she heard some voice from the bushes.

Bani - Whose there?(she asked gaining courage)

The noise increases.

Bani - I asked who is there? (She moved a little. Closer to the bush. It wasn't an animal, she could sense a human figure being there)

Meera - Don't you remember me Di..

The voice was of Meera. She was turned back.Bani couldn't see her face but she could very well identify her voice.

Bani - Meera.. You..? What are you doing here?

She said moving towards her Meera.

Meera - Why are you so weak Di..? How are you such a loser?

Bani - What are you saying Meera..? (She said being hurt by her words)

Meera - You destroyed my life..

Bani - My Meera can't speak like this ...

Meera - Your Meera..? (She moves back a little )

Meera - But she is dead..

She turns completely and Bani gets horrified. Her eyes we're black in colour and her hair disheveled with blood coming out of her mouth.

Bani stumbles back.

Bani - You are not my sister!!!

Nandani - You couldn't protect us too Bani.. You are such a disgrace..

She heard her mother's voice as Bani turned around to see her mother in the same state like Meera.

Bani - Maa.. (She said as tear slipped from her eyes )

Bhairav- They killed us in front of you but what did you do? You stayed back like a coward..

Bani - No baba.. I didn't understand what happened then, or else I would have fought back..

Meera - You are pathetic..

Bani keeps her hand on her ear trying to stop there voices

Nandani - Disgusting...

Bani - No.. Stop... I didn't.. (She said crying )

Bhairav - Giving birth to you was our sin..

Bani couldn't tolerate the things anymore. She knew that they were not real. It was an illusion. An illusion created to cheat her but she still felt hurt. Her heart was aching and bleeding with those venomous words.

She runs in the opposite direction without looking back. The whispers didn't stop though.

FILTHY !!!

DIRTY !!!

DISGUSTING!!!

COWARD !!!

Bani tried not paying heed to anything happening around. Her eyes we're closed, and her feet was at run. She didn't realize when she reached towards a cliff's end and ended up falling.

Bani - Ahhh.... Is this really my end?
(She thought closing her eyes)

~~~

Guard - Sir ma'am was seen in the market.

Here was Veer sitting with a glance of wine in his hand, looking outside. He was keeping track of her every move. He knew where she was but he didn't interfere. He wanted to show her that no matter what in the end it was just going to be her and him.

Well, that's what he was taught always ,the game of diplomacy , the game of minds but what he didn't know was that these games were not played in the battles of hearts.

The game of love was the only game in which the one who loses actually wins the game. Love was about giving and protecting but he was still unknown to all these.

Veer - I won't lose you .. I have always lost sweetheart .. First my parent's, then my brother who changed after there death, and then her..

He pauses for a second .

Veer - I even lost my childhood and the tiny bit of humanity left within myself but You.. I will never give up on you.. By hook or crook.. You will be mine sweetheart.. Forever..

Tapish - Dilon ke mamle main kya phase, khambhakt aapko toh nashe ki lat lag gayi

(You got involved in the game of hearts and you so soon became an alcoholic? )

Tapish laughed as Veer rolled his eyes.

Veer - Not now Tapish..

Tapish - So will you not introduce me to the one who had turned you into this state..

Veer - She ran away.. (He said turning around)

Tapish - Wait what..!?

Veer - Yeah..

Tapish - That's so cool! (He smiles)

Veer - Seriously..! ?

Tapish - Now I know that this girl is perfect for you..

Veer - She is just a prey..

Tapish - Who are you even lying to Veer.. Me Or yourself? I am not telling you love her.. I know love takes time but she intrigues you.. She challenges you...

Veer - And even despises me..(He scoffs)

Tapish - Well don't you deserve that after what you did to her.. ?

Veer - I KNOW! I KNOW I MESSED UP! My anger fucking ruined everything..!

Tapish - What did you do? (He asks seriously)

Veer - I... (He hesitates)

Veer - I drank her blood..

Tapish - WHAT!? And now what , you expect her to happily live with you?

Veer - I just want her..

Tapish - Veer sometimes you actually prove that you are Aakesh Singhania's brother..

Veer - I am not like him.. (He says glaring)

Tapish - Just look into the mirror and ask yourself the very same question.. We don't even realise how sometimes we ourselves turn into people we despise.. (He said and left)

Veer's grip on the glass tightens. He looks at his very own reflection. Had he actually turned into what he despised. The answer was yes to some extent.

His eyes become red , not with anger but with unbearable pain. Why did he turn out to be so fucked up . Why did she leave him with someone like Aakesh? Why didn't he get a lap, in which he would lay his head and all his problems would disappear or a person who would scold him for his mistakes and shower love on him for his achievements.

Why was his life so Wrecked?

The glass breaks due to his tight grip as blood drops stains the white floor.

Guard- Prince!

Veer turns to look at the guard concealing his emotions.

Veer - What?

Guard - Madam has entered the illusionary Forest.

Veer - Shit!

~~~

Bani closes her eyes in hope of maybe finally reuniting with her parents. Maybe this was how it should turn out to be. Maybe she was actually a failure. A coward. She thought.

As she closed her eyes to fall in Oblivion, she felt a strong grip on her hand. She slowly opens her eyes as she sees Veer holding a branch with his hand and her hand with another.

Bani - Leave my hand..!

Veer - Never!

He said with determination in his eyes.

Bani - Don't you want me to die?

Veer - I will not let even death seperate you from me..

He said as the branch broke, making both of them fall from the cliff.

As they fell, Veer enveloped Bani in his embrace and turned around. As they hit the ground, it was Veer who had taken the blow. Bani also had few scratches and a wound here and there.

She opens her eyes and looks at the situation. Veer had protected her but his back was bleeding, his blood was all around them.

Why would he save her?

Wasn't he a monster?

Bani - You are bleeding...(She said with concern)

Veer - Don't ask with so much concern.. I will think that I won in making you mine..

(He said with a humor in his tone, though he was in immense.He had strong healing powers but this wound would take some time to heal considering that it would have killed a normal human or a low rank vampire too.)

Bani - Shut up!!You are cracking jokes at this moment?

Veer - At least I am not trying to get Myself killed.. What the fuck were you thinking while getting into the illusionary forest at night!??

Bani - I.. I didn't know.. (She says averting her gaze, though somewhere her mind was still on his wound)

Veer - Of course.. Ignorant humans.. (He says trying to get up but falls a little)

Bani holds him preventing him from falling. Her hand on his shoulder and another supporting his head. Veer looks at her with a solemn expression while Bani tries avoiding an Eye contact.

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

(Don't take care of me so much that I won't be able to get you out of my thoughts)

Bani - You saved my life, I am helping you save your.. THAT'S IT! (She said being irritated by his constant teasing)

Veer however found her very cute at the moment.

Veer - Okay Sweetheart..

Bani - Don't call me that...! I have a name you know..

Veer - And that is..?

Bani - Bani.. Bani sharma..

Veer - Bani.. (Her names rolls out of his mouth as a smile forms on his face)

Bani - How much time will it take for you to heal?

Veer - An hour or so.. Considering the intensity of our fall.. Or even less if I could get blood.. (He says another line slowly though Bani did hear it)

Bani - Drink mine.. (She says slowing lowering one side of her dress to her shoulder)

Veer - What!?

Bani - Drink my blood.. I don't want to keep any debt of yours..

Veer was again aggravated. Why ? Why she had to despise him so much?

He held her hair and pulled closer to him. Her head tilted a bit back while his lips grazing near the crook of her neck.

Veer - You sure..?

Bani nods as she gulps her saliva in fear.
Veer slowly moves towards the crook of her neck and Bani closes her eyes .

Veer - From where do you want me to devour you... Here.. (He said kissing on the crook of her neck)

Bani - Wh.. What.. (She said as his touch built something within  her. A weird emotion. Which was as addictive as a drug. You know it ruins you, yet you keep wanting it.)

Veer - Shh.. (He said putting his finger on her lips).. Just answer me sweetheart..

Bani - Just get done with it.. (She said slowly)

Veer - Or how about here.. (He said taking her hand in his and kissing on the back of her hand)

Bani - Mmh... You..

Veer - Or here.. (He said as he held her waist and pulled her closer)

Bani - Yo.. you are playing with me aren't you.. (She said calming her heart which was thumping loudly in her chest).. Is that why you saved me?

Veer doesn't say anything. He just keeps looking at her. He leaves her while Bani looks at him with confusion.

Veer - Let's search for a place to stay tonight..!

He said and starts moving.

Bani - What about drinking blood?

Veer - I am not weak, that I can't survive without it for a period of time..

Bani - I can't understand you..

Veer - You feel like understanding me now..? (He says arching his eyebrows and giving a teasing smile)

Bani - Ridiculous.. (She said and moved forward as Veer smiled)

Veer - Why did you come here , when you hate us so much?

Bani - Majbooriyan insaanon se bohot kuch karwa jati hein..

(Compulsions makes humans do many things.)

Veer - Main agar ye majboori mita du.. Tumhare har dard ko mita du.. Toh rahogi mere sath..? (He asks her slowly)

(If I remove this compulsion.. I remove all your pain.. will you stay with me..?)

Bani - Staying with someone is a choice not a deal where you do a favour to someone and the other returns it through sympathising with another.

Veer just listens to her intently. He was always taught that the world is selfish. You do something for someone and then and then only they give you something in return.

Why was she different then? Why did her company make him want to regain the long lost humanity within him.Why was she without even doing anything healing his wrecked heart. He thought.

Bani - There is a cave..!

She said pointing towards the cave, making Veer come out of him thought process.

Bani - It's too dark in here though..

Veer - Wait a minute...

Veer goes around looking for twigs and stones.

He places the twigs and was about to run the stones against each other to create a fire.

Bani - I will do it myself... (She said taking the stone from his hand)

Veer - How can someone be so stubborn..

Bani - Ask it to yourself.. (She says with a fake smile)

Veer - Very funny.. Haha..

Bani - It was a fact not a joke (She says and starts rubbing the stones. The fire does not get created even after many attempts)

While Veer chuckles looking at her failed attempts. Bani glares at him.

Veer takes the stone from her hand and lights the fire.

Bani - I told that I can do it myself..

Veer - There is nothing wrong in taking help..

He said and a memory came in his mind.

Flashback

A lady was tieing Veer's shoelace.

Veer -Ish.. I am a big boy now.. I don't need help..

Lady - There is nothing wrong in taking help Veer.. we just don't have to permanently dependent on someone but taking help doesn't make you weak.. Understood?

Veer nods with an innocent smile.

Flashback ends.

Veer - Taking help doesn't make you weak..

(He says repeating the words which someone had told him long back)

Bani sees Veer lost in this thoughts. His eyes said that he was in pain. Bani thought that it was due to his physical injuries but she didn't knew that the devil was once an Angel too.

Bani - Since when did you start talking senseful things..? (She said diverting his attention)

Veer arches his eyebrow.

Veer - So you aren't scared of me anymore?

Bani - Well.. You certainly don't want to kill me..

Veer - At the moment.. (He gives a fake smile)

Bani - I am not scared of death.. Death ends your pain in a moment.. Life is more scarier but now you know about my sister.. The only family member I have.. So congratulations you can continue your assault .. (She gives a dry laugh)

Veer - Look.. Whatever happened.. Was not suppose to happen.. I... I am.. So..

He tries to apologize but he just couldn't. He had not used the word sorry in his life ever.He never had to apologize but today he really wanted to.

Veer - We should sleep now..

He says not being able to convey his apologies to her.

Bani nods and rest her head on one of the stone. It was really chill outside. Bani was shivering due to the cold. Veer saw her shivering figure and moved closer to her taking her in his embrace from back.

Bani - What are you doing?

Veer - I am shivering.. I want you to pay me back.. Just stay still...

He knew she wouldn't agree if he told her that he wanted to help her out. So he lied.

Bani - Aren't you Vampires Cold blooded? (She frowns )

Veer - Can you stop talking.. I am trying to sleep..

Bani - Devil.. (She says slowly in a childish tone and Veer controls his smile)

Bani was now in Veer's embrace.

Though he was a cold blooded creature but somehow he felt very warm. His hug made her feel protected. She was cursing herself for feeling this way. It was like the prey getting comfortable with the predator.

On the other hand Veer felt very peaceful.She was precious. No matter how many scratches she had, the heavenly smell of her blood was also not capable of luring him in comparision to her very own fragrance , that he just could'nt resist.

Her warmth was melting his heart while his concern was creating a confusion for Bani.

They both were somewhere fighting with their own selves and the ghosts from their past.

The wreck that destiny created in their lives.

Bani - What are you Veer?

This was the last thought she had as she fell asleep.

~~~

Next morning

The birds were chirping and Bani could feel the tiny ray of light radiating on her face. She slowly opens her eyes but what she witnesses shocks her.

She was back in his room with the window closed!

***

Hey guys!

How was the chapter?

My poor baby Bani has gone through alot and Veer's life was turned upside down after his parents death ! Isn't?

Did you like their moments?

Tapish is very sensible ain't he?

Veer again brought her back!*facepalming*

Love you all!

Stay tuned ;)