*Republished because some readers had some problems. If this chapter is still showing error, do tell me.* 😊😊😊

Hi y'all!

I know I'm really really late! And sorry for that. I know some of you might even want to scold me for it.
😂😂😂 

Anyways, Onwards...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

(Words in braces) - Telephone conversations

Previously - Ragini calls off the helpers at the café so that Rishi gets to spend time with Tanuja with the excuse of helping her. Laksh comes to visit Ragini, but to save himself from Maya, he says he came to pick up Pragya as they both work in the same college. Pragya agrees with his lie just to save him. Abhi decides to drop them off at the college, and also to drop Swara at her school where she works. Maya, over worried for Ragini, takes her with her to her office.

Now -

Chapter 20 - To Protect You

"Wow! Its huge! It wasn't this big when I last came here two years ago." Ragini exclaimed in wonder as she looked at the big building in front of her.

Maya locked the car and came to stand beside her. "Yes, I renovated it."

"It's amazing Maya di."

"I'm glad you like it Ragu. Shall we move inside?"

"That's such a silly question. Let's go already!"

Saying so, Ragini pulled Maya along with her towards the building.

At a distance, another car parked and the person got out.

Arjun narrowed his eyes at the building. 'I followed her till here. But how am I supposed to keep an eye on her when she is inside? Who knows if that Samay has men inside!?'

"Excuse me Sir."

Arjun looked to the side to see a man standing there with a camera. He was dressed in bright colors. 'Either he is a photographer or a joker.' Arjun nodded at him. "Yes?"

"Can you tell me if this is the Glam Town building where Maya Malhotra works? I'm new in this town so I'm a bit unsure."

"Oh. You wanted to meet her because?"

"I'm the new photographer who she has appointed for her next project." The man said with a prideful smile.

Suddenly an idea struck Arjun and he smirked. "Is that so? You're a new aspiring photographer I see. Well buddy, I can help you with that."

#Mermaid café#

He clicked his fingers in front of her face making her break out of her trance. "Eh?"

"Where were you lost Tanuja? I've been calling you since some time."

"N-no where Rishi." she tried to change the topic. "Tell me the truth. Why were you here in the first place?"

"To protect you, just in case Samay tries anything. Now, don't change the subject and tell me."

"It's just that I...I'm thinking about Ragini and Maya. I hope Ragini isn't being too troublesome."

"You're worrying for nothing! Maya knows how to handle her."

"True. But I don't want them ending up fighting."

"They won't. Even if they do, no one can stay mad for long on Ragu."

Tanuja smiled in agreement. "True. I wonder where she got that charm of hers."

"Probably from someone who makes men fall for her with her smile." Rishi joked while looking at her.

At first Tanuja didn't understand his implications. But as she made sense of it, she blushed and hit him on the arm. "You and your flirting!"

"You're not the only one Tanuja bhabi. Rishi bhai used to flirt with every beautiful girl at college." spoke a different voice. They both looked up to see Mani and Yuvraj entering.

"Yeah. And make them swoon over him too." Yuvraj added.

"What do you mean used to? I still can." Rishi boasted.

"So you plan to flirt with other girls too, eh?" Tanuja questioned in anger.

"W-what? No! I didn't mean that I me-"

"Whatever!" Tanuja took the tray and left to attend to a table.

"Arre come on! I didn't mean it!" Rishi heard his brothers laughing and glared at them. "It's all your fault!"

"How is it our fault?!"

"It is and that's that! Now pick up two leaflets and start helping us in the cafe. Move it!"

#St. Peters College#

"Well, here we are!" Abhi spoke as he parked the car in front of the college Laksh and Pragya worked in. They had already passed Swara's school and dropped her there. "So are you two going in or not?"

Pragya bit her lip in indecision. "I already told the Principal I won't be coming to work for some days. Its only because of this Laksh that I had to lie to Maya."

"And I'm really thankful Pragya. If you hadn't lied that I came to call you for work, Maya would have no doubt killed me!" Laksh exclaimed in relief.

Pragya looked at him in irritation. "Why do you fear Maya so much?"

"Pragya, she has a big heart for you sisters. But for others, she's like a fire breathing dragon!"

"No she isn't!" Pragya countered back. "Abhi tell him."

"No offence Pragya, but Lucky isn't wrong. Maya is scary. She's like a pretty monster. One who looks like a cinnamon roll, but could actually kill you." Abhi answered with a shiver.

"You both are unbelievable! In my opinion, you both are just cowards." Pragya chided.

"A coward in Maya's case? I'm not ashamed of that since the only human who doesn't fear Maya is either completely foolish, or has a death wish."

"Well said Lucky." Abhi praised, giving Laksh a high-five, irritating Pragya further.

"Coward, both of you! It's a good thing she's keeping away Ragu from you Laksh. She shouldn't get you as a boyfriend."

"Whatever!" Laksh opened the door and fixed his hair. "Thanks for the help guys. But now I gotta go meet my Ragu."

"You do realize that she's with Maya, don't you? The very Maya that you and I fear."

"I know Abhi. But even Maya can't keep me away from my Love. I'm ready to face her if it means I get to meet Ragini." Laksh proudly stated with a smirk. However, in his heart, he wasn't so sure. 'I'm sure I can somehow meet Ragini without Maya getting to know of it. If she sees me, I'll run before she can catches me! Or I'll tell her Pragya and Abhi sent me. That way, she won't hurt me...I hope.'

Abhi watched him walk off with a frown. "Why do I feel like he's gonna doom himself and take us along with him?" hearing a giggle, he turned to look at Pragya. "What?"

"Nothing. You're talks are just entertaining."

Abhi smirked. "Well, I try. I wa-" his phone buzzed interrupting him. It was Tanu, no doubt calling to ask him for a shopping trip. Abhi cut the call and switched off his phone.

"Eh? What if it was from someone important?"

"Nothing is more important to me right now than the person sitting beside me."

Pragya looked at him in amusement. "Started again with the cliche lines again?"

Abhi shrugged. "My lines may be cliché, but the feelings behind it are genuine."

"I know Abhi. I never doubted you."

Abhi smiled at her in response. "Let's go to somewhere nice today. Guess where I'm taking you out to eat?"

Pragya thought for a moment. "Um...Sunset Point Restaurant? That's the only place that's coming to my mind right now."

"Yep! Guessed it right in the first try!" saying so, Abhi started the car.

The truth was that he had never thought of a place in his mind. But he knew whatever he said, Pragya could agree to the place without giving her own opinion. So he made her guess to know where she wanted to go.

Abhi looked at Pragya from the corner of his eyes. As their eyes met, they smiled at each other.

Abhi gripped the steering wheel harder. 'But I must make sure to look out for any trouble. I won't let that Samay come near you again! He doesn't know what I can do to protect you.'

#Glam Town Building#

"Boss isn't here yet? Quite surprising. She's never late!"

"Chill Sanjh. Besides, it's good Maya isn't here to boss us around." replied her colleague. "Look around! Everyone's so comfy right now."

Sanjh looked around and indeed everyone was in a care free mood, merrily talking to each other.

However, everything changes when Maya comes into the building. They know how strict Maya is when it comes to work. One wrong move and they could be fired.

"But Simi I ca-" her words were interrupted by the peon rushing in.

"Boss is here. Boss is here!"

On his words, everyone at once leapt for their seats, some even falling down while hurrying towards their positions. Sanjh and Simi hurried to their posts as well.

Few minutes later, Maya strolled in with an air of authority, confidence radiating with the way she carried herself.

Even if Sanjh had worked over a year for her, Maya never failed to intimidate her. 'She walks like a queen! I wish I had such confidence.' she watched in confusion as Maya stopped to look back. Something seemed to irritate Maya as she looked at the door with narrowed eyes. 'Who could have pissed her off right in the morning?' Sanjh wondered.

Soon, a girl entered with a broad grin.

"Ragini, stop fooling around, will you?"

"Hehe...sorry sorry. Couldn't stop myself from doing some sightseeing."

'She's dead now. Poor girl.' Sanjh thought as she looked at the new girl, whom she heard Maya call Ragini.

However, to her and everyone's surprise, Maya didn't shout at her. She just shook her head and asked her to follow behind.

The whole office watched in bewilderment as they walked towards the receptionist desk where Simi was seated.

"G-good morning Maya ma'am."

"Good morning Simi. For today, you can go help Sanjh in her project. Ragini will manage it here."

"O-okay ma'am."

Ragini watched Simi walk away and turned to Maya in question. "You're making me receptionist for the day?"

"Yes. Because this is the only job that will ensure you don't cause any trouble, while also get time to do your studies." Maya pointed to the two telephones there. "The red one is for you to contact me and inform me about anyone who wants to meet me, alright? And the blue on-"

"I know I know. Relax Di, I'm not that dumb. You go to your cabin. I'll be fine!" Ragini assured.

Maya pointed a finger at her, making her look at it cross eyed. "No. Masti. Whatsoever. Am I clear?"

"Yep. Crystal. Clear!" Ragini responded, mimicking her tone.

Maya's eye twitched in irritation. 'People say Maya Malhotra is dangerous. And this one? She's treating me like a child!' nevertheless, she knew arguing with Ragini would get her no where. "Alright. I'll be in my cabin."

Ragini sat down and opened her book and pretended to read. However, her mind was on another person elsewhere.

Maya walked away and entered her cabin. She took out her phone and texted the rest of her sisters. Only when they replied that they were fine did she sit down to work. However, the telephone ringing distracted her. "Hello?"

(Hey Di!)

"Eh? Ragu? You needed something?"

(Nah! Just checking if it works or not.)

Maya rolled her eyes at her sister's antics. "Alright then, bye."

After sometime...

*telephone ringing*

"Hello?"

(Hey ya Maya Di!)

"What is it now Ragu?"

(It just occurred to me that I've never seen you pout. Do you ever pout?)

Maya took a deep breath to calm herself. "Ragu dear?" she spoke in an extra sweet tone.

(Yes di?)

"Ragu, darling, if you don't stop calling me for stupid stuff like this, I won't hesitate to cut off your hair when we get home an-" Maya stopped talking when the line got cut from the other end. "Hmm...that's better."

#Sacred Heart School#

"And put your left foot out like this and spin!" Swara instructed her students.

The students obeyed their dance teacher and imitated her steps.

"Nice! Now spin to the left an-woah!" Swara stumbled on her feet, making her get out of balance. She closed her eyes as the ground zoomed in on her and she prepared herself to take the brunt of the fall.

However, instead of the hard ground, she landed on something soft. She felt arms wrapped around her and felt a breath near her ear. "You should be more careful Swara. I may not be there everytime to catch you."

Swara's eyes popped open on instinct. "Sa-Sanskar!" she straightened up and looked at him to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

He greeted her with his signature smirk. "Hello Swara."

"Hello Sanskar." Swara said with a dreamy smile, lost in his eyes. However, soon she came back to her senses and glared at him. "What are you doing here? Are you by any chance following me?"

Sanskar blinked at her innocently. "Now why would I do that?"

"If you're not following me, then why are you here?" Swara grit out. Sure they had solved their earlier differences, and maybe she even had feelings for him. But that didn't mean that he was allowed to spy on her without her knowledge. She valued her privacy after all.

"I'm the new fashion teacher here. That's why I came. I never knew you work here though. You're not that important that I'll follow you." Sanskar replied. While it wasn't a total lie, it wasn't the entire truth either.

Samay's actions had left all of them shaken. Sanskar didn't want to take any chances of Samay hurting Swara. That was why he found out about Swara's job, and convinced the Principal that a modelling class was much important for the upcoming generation.

'I joined to protect you Swara. But it's better you don't know the truth. Your pride won't let you accept it. Besides, I'm not ready to openly express my love for you just yet!' Sanskar was broken out of his thoughts by Swara's voice.

"Okay. I still don't fully believe you, but let's not waste time. I'll introduce you to the children." Swara said while looking at the 12 year olds.

Sanskar nodded. "Yes. Introduce me to our children."

Swara looked at him with wide eyes. "W-what!?"

"Well, they will be taught dancing by you and modelling by me, right? So I think I can call them our children who we will teach. Isn't that right?"

"Ye-yeah b-but...but..."

Sanskar leaned his head to the side and gave her a playful smirk. "Why? What else did you think?"

Swara felt her blood rush to her face on his question and turned around to hide her blushing face. "N-nothing! Just w-what you...you said." she stuttered out.

'Aww...cute! I know you like me Swara. Why do you deny your feelings? *sigh* Well, this only makes it more fun to tease you.' Sanskar went over and stood before her. He placed a hand over her forehead. "Why are you so red? Have you got a fever?"

Swara, if possible, turned redder. "No! I...I...I'll be right back!" she squeaked out and promptly ran away from there.

Sanskar chuckled. He heard some giggling and turned to look at the students. "I guess you all already know I like your Swara ma'am, don't you?" he asked, wriggling his eyebrows at them. "Well, just don't tell her, okay?"

The students giggled, but nodded.

#Glam Town building#

Ragini yawned as she closed her book. 'Okay, no more! I think that's enough for today.' she looked around the place and noticed everyone working hard. 'Geesh! Is everyone here just as serious about work like Maya Di? No wonder Di is so boring. Her companions are such!'

She got up from her seat with a smirk. "Well, this changes today. I wi-eep!" she exclaimed as someone abruptly came on front of her face.

"Shh! It's only me. Don't you recognize your own lover?" Laksh teased.

Ragini at once grabbed his hand and pulled him outside the office. Once outside, she looked at him in wonder. "How did you manage to get inside the gate with all the security there? Maya Di will surely end you if she finds out you're here to meet me."

Laksh took out a rose and handed it to her. "This Romeo can't be stopped by anyone from meeting his Love. You're my Juliet and I'm ready to die for you."

Ragini giggled at his antics. "And what if Maya Di doesn't let you meet me from now on?"

Laksh snorted. "As if that's something new. That female Dracula is out for my blood since day one!"

"Oi! That's my sister. Mind it!" Ragini chided. Nevertheless, she accepted the rose and put her hands around his neck. "Well my Romeo, you didn't fail to impress me today. What would you like in return?"

Laksh at once pulled her close by the waist. He joined their foreheads together and smirked. "How about a kiss?"

"You ruined my first one at a parking lot. Don't dare ruin my second by doing it here."

"Does the place matter?!"

"It does to me." she reached out and turned his face to the side, placing a kiss on his cheek. "There. Happy now?"

Laksh pouted. "Was this supposed to be some kind of consolation prize or something? Not fair Ragini. You're being cruel."

Ragini smirked and poked him on the nose. "Love, cruelty means power, and there's beauty in power." saying so, she pushed him away playfully.

Laksh grabbed her hand and stopped her from heading inside. "Let's go on a date Ragini."

"Eh? Now?"

Laksh nodded. "I never took you out to a nice place. Last time, I just wanted to escape from Kavya. Now...now I truly want to spend time with you." he said with a genuine smile.

Ragini's heart skipped a beat at his words. Nevertheless, she tried to make the situation light. "I've noticed you smile a lot nowadays. Just look at your goofy smile!"

Laksh's smile only broadened. "I do smile more. In fact, since you've been around, I tend to smile a lot. And I wish to always see you smile. I aim to protect you from ever shedding a tear."

Ragini blushed at his words and looked down. She tucked a strand of hair beside her ear while peeking at him shyly. "Enough with the cliché lines already Laksh."

"Ragini, I'm not lying. You know, I used to be a flirt with full confidence in myself. But now...now I feel insecure that you'll be stolen away from me. You're beautiful Ragini Gadodia and I hope I'm the only one who ever gets the privilege to call you mine."

"Wow! Nice lines bro."

Laksh and Ragini looked up at Arjun as he stood there smirking at them.

At once, Ragini pushed away Laksh and ran inside.

"Ahahahaha...love the floor that much?" Arjun teased as Laksh fell down on the ground face down.

Laksh simply raised his hand and made a shooting motion at his brother. "Die die die!"

"Hahaha...no way. The world will lose a handsome gem." Arjun moved forward and picked him up from the floor. "I bet Maya doesn't know you're here."

"I'm still alive. It's obvious that bloodsucker hasn't found out yet."

"Hey, watch it! Don't insult Maya."

"Yeah yeah, I won't insult your beloved. Chill!" Laksh teased.

Arjun thought of denying that he liked Maya, but decided against it. After all, he and Lucky never hid anything from each other. "Glad you realized it little bro."

Laksh nodded and got serious. "Bhai, one more thing. I know how you like challenges. But this time it's Ragini's sister. If you flirt with Maya just for fun and play with her feelings, Ragini and the rest of her sisters would never talk to the five of us. Also, after knowing about Maya's past and her troubles, I...I don't want anything bad to happen to her either, even though she may be rude to me."

Arjun chuckled. "Maya's rude to everyone!" he placed a hand on Laksh's shoulder. "As for playing with Maya's feelings, trust me Lucky, I've never wanted someone to like me that passionately as I want Maya. I want her to love me, to consider me as her special someone. I want to be the one in whose arms she can empty all her troubles and feel safe. Before I realized my love for her, only my family meant more than my life to me. But now, she's equally important to me."

Laksh looked at his brother with a new found respect. "It's the same I feel for Ragini."

Arjun nodded. "And I bet it's same that nitwit Abhi feels for Pragya, smarty-pants Rishi for Tanuja and that sourpuss Sanskar for Swara. We're all screwed in love!"

Laksh chuckled. "Yeah, we're hopelessly smitten bro. I blame the girls for it."

"For what exactly?" came a voice from the entrance, making Laksh and Arjun look in that direction.

'Eeeep! Bloodsucker!' Laksh patted Arjun on the back. "Well bro, I dropped you here as you asked. Since that was why I was here, I will leave now. Bye bhai, bye Maya!" without waiting for a reply, he ran away.

'Wah bhai! You abandoned me seeing Maya. Rukja, let me get home. I'll see to it!' Arjun was broken out of his thoughts by Maya's voice.

"Arjun Sharma, Why are you here?"

'She said my name? Woah! It sounds so beautiful from her lips. She may be speaking it with anger, but that's okay. I see love in your anger Maya.' Arjun mentally smacked himself to break himself from his lovesick thoughts. "I um...I ah...I was..."

"Did you lose your ability to speak Mr. Arjun? Speak properly." Maya grit out.

"I am the new photographer you appointed."

"I did not."

"Yes you did!"

"I did not!" Maya took a deep breath to calm herself. Arjun had an ability to get under her nerves.

"Look at these documents. It has your signature in them too." Arjun handed her the papers. 'I hope she doesn't realize that I took the papers from the other photographer and copied her signature.'

Maya scanned the papers. 'But how?! I don't remember signing Arjun's documents. Then how? Was I so stressed out over Samay's threat that I failed to see who's papers I signed? How could I have made such a blunder?!' Maya sighed in frustration. "Fine! Come on. I don't have the time to look for another photographer."

Arjun nodded and followed her inside. 'It's not easy to trick Maya. The fact that she didn't seem to recognize my cheap trick only shows how much anxious she is because of that Samay.' Arjun grit his teeth in anger. 'Don't worry Maya. I'm there for you. I'll be your shield and weapon against Samay Randhawa. From now on, my first priority is to protect you.'

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To be continued...

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹