Writer's POV :-

"Hmm...Neel bhai! Bade Papa ke bete (my uncle's son)." A sad chuckle escaped his lips as he said the last word.

"Par wo to...(but he...)" She didn't say anything further more because of all the confusions.

Aakarsh, on the other hand, understood her incomplete words. He, with a deep sigh, slowly nodded in confirmation. This is the harsh reality he was still facing. Aakarsh got backstabbed by his beloved Neel bhai.... obviously it was a matter of shock.

"Pta hai Diksha, hum insan jab kisi par bharosa karte hai, to ye humara dil aur dimag, ye apni ek theory bana leta hai -- ki chahe puri duniya humare against kyun na ho jaye, wo ek insan humara sath zarur dega. Hum kabhi ye soch bhi nahi sakte ki wo humein dhokha dega jisne humesha humein protect kiya ho."
(You know Diksha, when we humans trust someone, then our heart and mind form a theory of its own -- that even if the whole world go against us; this one person would always support us. We can never think that  he -- the one who always protected us -- will cheat us.)

Diksha was keenly listing to his words. The changing expression on his face, was telling the bitter experience he had. She can see the pain in his eyes and for some unknown reason her heart too was feeling his pain.

"This was my only mistake that I trusted him too much to see his evil side and sense his crooked intentions. I never knew that he was planning something extreme until I got trapped." Aakarsh face was now showing all the anger he had for Neel.

"Par Neel bhai Ka Stuti wale matter se kya lena dena aur tum par ye ilzam kaise aaya?" Diksha asked curiously.
(But how come Neel bhai was related to Stuti's matter and did you got blamed?)

"Sirf lena dena nahi sab kuch unhi ki planning thi (it was all his planning)...from the very start...Stuti Ka meri life me aana mere alawa kisi aur se friendship na Karna (Stuti's entry in my life...not having friendship with anyone except me)... everything was planned by him. He is responsible for our miseries. He is responsible for the poor health of Maa. He was successful in his plan of ruining me." he said with a hard expression visible on his face.

"Unhe wo sab kuch chahiye tha jo mere pass tha....kyunki unke according main ye sab deserve hi nahi karta (he wanted everything that I had, because apparently according to him I don't deserve any of these things) the company the love of my parents a friend or the one I love.... nothing." He said clearing her confusion about Neel.

"So all that good and lovely behaviour of his, since your childhood was a facade?" She asked again.

"Unfortunately yes!"

"Par kyun (but why).... I mean he himself had everything, right?; The fortune, loving parents everything in his life...phir tumse ye sab chheen ne ka matlab ( then what's the point of snatching your everything) ?"

"That's what I'm trying to find out, what's the reason of his hatred."

"Ohh that's why you asked time from our parents. Are you sure you're doing right thing?"

"Yes, I'm hundred percent sure...he had already destroyed everything once...I won't let him to destroy us this time." Aakarsh said in a determined tone. He was ready to fight and win this time.

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"Uss din kya hua tha..(what happened that day)?" Diksha asked suddenly as they both were now quietly leaning on the railing, taking support of it.

For few minutes, Aakarsh was staring into the space. Black clouds shimmering with infinite stars, the soothing silent tune of mother nature... everything was making Aakarsh more and more at peace even if it is for a short period of time.

"That day was my birthday when I decided to confess my liking towards Stuti." His voice interrupted the prevailing silence amid the two.

"I was somewhere very confident in my heart that she feels the same for me...but she did something completely unexpected. Spiking my drink she made me look like a criminal. She was my best friend Diksha....I trusted her so much, hell, I even started liking her. How could she do this to me?" His eyes teared up at the remembrance of that bitter memory, his voice cracked as he was trying hard to control himself.

As if she felt his pain in her heart... As if it was her heart which was aching badly -- Diksha embraced Aakarsh. She hugged and rubbed his back to sooth his pain. And like a magic touch, he indeed felt peace in her arms. Aakarsh encircled his arms around her waist seeking her warmth. Warmth which were easing his pain. It was like solace for him -- being in her arms. He tightened his hold keeping her more close.

Seeing Aakarsh relaxed a bit...Diksha detached herself from him, making him miss her warmth instantly.

"It's okay if you don't want to continue." She said rubbing his arms. He took hold of her palm and held it tightly. For some reason this contact was looking all natural. None of them was uncomfortable with this sudden action of Aakarsh.

"Trust me, I want to." He said looking at her intently. She nodded in response which made him speak further.

"I was waiting for evening so that I could execute my surprise for her...but as the saying 'you never know what destiny has in stores, for you' I too didn't see it coming; the blame of such a heinous crime -- sexual harassment."

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