'Hey there? Please get up. We've reached'

Bani woke up to a soft voice. She rubbed her eyes and saw a god-like man kneeling down in front of her.

B: God? Did I die and reach heaven?

A smile broke on Veer's face when he heard Bani's sleep voice. Her eyes had a dazed look, indicating she wasn't fully awake yet. He found her oblivion amusing.

V: You think I am god?

B: Hmmm???

She stretched her arms like a cat and rubbed her eyes.

D: Bhai, she isn't fully conscious.

V: I realized.

Veer let Bani have her sweet time figuring out her surroundings. Slowly, reason drew upon her and her eyes widened.

B: Oh! Sorry. I am kind of slow after waking up. Takes me a minute or two to catch up.

V: It's okay. I quite liked it.

B: Ha-ha. (she laughed dryly) I am glad my goofiness amused sir. Now, can we leave?

Veer enjoyed the chirpy Bani. He'd any day pick her over the terrified Bani he saw in the room. He guided her out of the small plane and they left for Singhania Mansion.

~~~~~~

In VSR's farmhouse, things looked very scary. All the guards and maids were standing with their heads down. They were terrified. Mrs Rajput had escaped again! She escaped right under their very noses and VSR was going crazy.

VSR: No! No! No! She can't run away from me! How can she escape again?!?! She is mine! MINE!

He looked around the room and saw the melted bars. He frowned.

Security Guard: S-sir?

VSR: WHAT!?

SG: Sir, we checked the footage. Ma'am wasn't captured in any camera at any exit point.

Whispers ran through the guards. 'How can ma'am leave without getting caught on camera?'

VSR: Silence! I know what has happened. There is no way she could melt these bars! No way, she could escape alone. My little minx had help this time. It has to be someone supernatural! Someone who can get in and get out without getting detected.

He grabbed his hair with frustration and called all his men to run around for clues.

VSR: Just you wait my love. This time I will chain you to myself.

~~~~~~

Veer guided Bani inside the mansion. He was looking at her like she was a doll made of fine china.

B: I won't crack and break. I am not some doll and I have seen really bad days, so fret not. I don't break down easily.

She greeted everyone with a warm smile.

B: Hey Pankaj! You are the only person I met from Teer's family. You were eleven I guess when I saw you.

P: Hello di! Aap mujhe Ponky bulao pr. I don't like this Pankaj and all.

Ponky and Bani got into a conversation. Balwant corner Veer.

Ba: Ye sb kya hai Veer? Ye ladki ko tu yahan kyu laya hai?

Veer saw Bani was busy with Ponky so he took the family into a study and told the story. He told them how he had seen Teer's broken phone on the day of the funeral. He had carried the rage in his heart for years. He told how he misunderstood Bani and insulted her. He ended the story by telling them about her abusive husband and him rescuing her.

Ba: Chi Veer! Tu ye kaise kr skta hai?! Us bechari bacchi ne kitna kuch saha hai life me aur tune uski pareshani aur badha di!!

T: This is really wrong Veer. Even if she was Noor, you cannot vent out your frustration and anger on anyone like this.

Pa: Haan beta. Teer ke breakup ke time vo dono 17-18 saal ke they. Bacche they. Noor ne galat kiya pr Teer ki maut ka karan vo nahi, Teer ka kamzor dimag tha. Noor ki ye intention nahi thi ki Teer mar jaye.

They scolded and explained Veer about how wrong his action were. Veer understood and seeked forgiveness.

Ba: Maafi humse nahi, us bacchi se maang.

The family got out into the hall. Balwant kept a hand on Bani's head. This startled her and she looked at him.

Ba: Beta, tum jb tk chaho yahan reh skti ho. Koi bhi cheez chahiye, kuch bhi chahiye to kissi se bhi keh dena. I promise ki mai aur mera poora parivar tumhe safe rakhenge.

Tear clouded in Bani's eyes. Nobody had been this nice to her since a long time. She held Balwant's hand, her eyes showed appreciation. Balwant turned to Veer.

Ba: Sun, mujhe aur Pawan ko to International Business Conference ke liye London jana hai. Tapish bhi onsite visit ke liye Kodaikanal jaa raha hai. Tu hi sbse bada hai ab toh dhyan rakhna aur haan, iss bacchi ko koi takleef nahi honi chahiye.

Veer promised. Balwant and Pawan left. Tapish too left a while later in the evening. At night, Veer went to call Bani for dinner and saw her talking to Ponky again.

D: It is not normal you know.

V: What?

D: Her laughter.

V: What do you mean?

D: I mean kabhi kabhi muskurate hue chehre sbse gehre ghaav dabaye hue hote hai...

V: I know she has been through a lot...(Veer agreed sadly)

D: Aap smjhe nahi bhai. Accha, tell me; did she yell at you for what you did?

V: No. But she was vary of coming with me.

D: Exactly bhai. She bottles her pain and anger. She is trying to hold very tightly to positive emotions but she needs to understand that she shouldn't hide her pain. She needs to let the pain go and not cover it up.

Understanding dawned upon Veer. He went to her.

V: Hey! I see you too are getting along great!

P: Yes bhai. Mujhe bhi yaad aya hum kahan mille they. Teer Bhai ka fifteenth birthday tha. Papa ko ghar pr party throw krni thi pr bhai ko Noor Di ke saath alag se jaana tha. Bhai mujhe market se kuch dilane ke bahane le gaye aur Noor di Bani di ke saath ayi thi. Vo dono alag cafe me chale gaye aur mai aur Bani di wahan park me khelne lage. Agr ye nahi hoti to mai bohot bore ho jata.

The mention of Noor left a bitter taste in their mouth. Guilt rose up again in Veer's heart.

V: That's great you remember. Chalo ab dinner kr lo.

They all went to eat. Post dinner, they went away.

V: Bani, aao mai tumhe tumhara room dikha deta hoon.

B: Thank you Tee-Veer. Vo sorry. I mixed up names. I-

V: I understand.

Veer guided Bani into a guest room.

V: Mera room ye saath wala hi hai. Kuch bhi problem ho, bs ek awaz dena, mai aa jaunga.

Bani nodded.

B: Mera saman?

V: Vo Chandigarh se kl subah aayega.

B: Oh! To abhi mai kya karu?

V: Um- You can borrow my clothes for the night. I won't mind.

Bani smiled softly and nodded. Veer bought her a large t-shirt and some boxers. He also got a hoodie, pyajama pants and socks.

B: Ye sb?

V: I didn't know what you will feel most comfortable in (He said while rubbing the back of his neck, feeling shy)

B: Thanks

V: Bani-

B: Haan..

V: Ek baat poochu?

B: Haan..

V: Tumhare saath maine bohot galat kiya. Galti nahi gunah kiya. Tumne mujhe kuch kaha kyu nahi.

B: (she smiled sadly)Yelling requires energy and thinking about it would make me sad. I am just tired of feeling tired and sad about being sad.

She said and went in the room. Veer stood rooted to his spot. Her words haunted him. Just a few words but they were enough for him to peep into her broken soul. She was really hurt deep down but hid it well under her warm smiles.

That night, her words kept playing in his mind when he heard a very loud scream. At once, he recognized it was Bani and rushed out at once. His felt anxious, wondering if it was that nevla! However, when he reached inside, he saw a sight that was way more heartbreaking and not what he had expected.

It was Bani, screaming clutching the sheets. She was curled in a fetal position and tears streamed down her face.

B: (In her sleep) Mere mummy papa ko chor do. Mai unse kabhi nahi milungi aaj ke baad pr unhe zinda chor do. Tum jo kahoge, waise karungi, please...aaahhh!!!! nahi!! Mt maro unhe....

Veer felt his heart break. He rushed to her side.

V: Bani, utho...sweetheart, please utho..it is a dream. Please wake up.

He shook her gently and she woke up. She first started at him, confused. Veer let her comprehend things and saw realization dawn upon her. She quickly wiped her tears and smiled a lttle.

B: Did I wake you up? I am so so sorry. I just had a nightmare. Nothing major. Please don't worry..vo bs

V: Bani, you don't –

She cut him off.

B: I am sorry. I disturbed your sleep. I am fine.

V: BANI!!!!

Veer screamed at her to break her sorry speech.

V: I am fine are the most lied words in the history of time.

He said to her softly and sat next to her as she rose up on the bed. Her face paled a little and she looked down. It was a weak moment for her and her control was fading away. She was still shook after seeing the memory of her parent's death.

V: You can talk to me Bani.

B: Please (her voice broke) It is hard for me to control my pain. Please don't talk like this. It will break my walls.

V: Then let the walls break Bani, let it break and let the pain flow.

Veer could see Bani was unsure. He got up and pulled her with him.

V: Come?

B: Kahan? Is time.

V: We won't leave the room. Aao toh.

Veer took her to the balcony and went back in. He came with a fuzzy blanket and laid it down.

V: Aao

Bani slowly laid down as well.

B: Ye kya-?

V: ssh...upar dekho.

Bani looked up and saw a lot of stars.

B: wow, ye sb Mumbai me?

V: Humara ghar main city se kafi door hai. Yahan se dikhte hai. Aur vo dekho..vo hai Teer bhai.

B: Veeranshu- you don't have to.

V: Let me. So haan, vo hai mere Teer bhai. Mere twin. We loved each other but humare parents ke separation ke baad mai mom ke saath chala gaya aur Teer bhai yahan reh gaye. We met only for a few days every year. Then, I turned eighteen and I was so excited to live with him now. Maine socha hum dono bhai bohot maza karenge. He was my confidant growing up and I was happy. But the day I reached here, he died. It broke me. I was angry so when I channelize my anger at a person. I did. I harboured hate for a stranger for years. Turns out it was a wrong stranger. But after my shameful deeds, I realized that even if I did wrong to the wrong person, my thoughts were wrong too. I shouldn't blame anyone. In reality, I blamed myself for not being quick enough when I heard his fall. I thought I could save him but I couldn't. I was also broken by his demise. I channelized my pain into anger and look how it consumed me.

Veer then turned to face Bani.

V: You are doing the same Bani. They difference is that you are channelizing your pain into fake smiles. You aren't flushing out the pain but trying to cover it up. While my anger burnt everything around me, yours is more lethal. It is slowly burning you. I request you to not do this to yourself.

Bani got emotional hearing this.

B: I don't want to burden anyone. I have bottled up so much for a while now. I am afraid that if I open my mouth, then the fire in my heart will consume everyone.

V: I don't care Bani. Let that fire go and I promise I will burn with you. Don't be scared Bani. You are a damn phoenix. You'll rise from the ashes.

Bani's heart melted and she hugged him tightly. Veer held her with care and realized she was crying. He left her. After a while of crying. Bani began to tell what happened to her. Though Veer knew it through his investigator, he shut up and let her tell her story so that it gets off her chest.

Bani spoke about all the horrors she faced. It did make her feel much better. It was the first time she ever told anyone what truly happened to her. The murder of her parents, the verbal and physical abuse. After a while, Bani looked in at the clock. It was four.

B: Look at the time!! I ruined your night's sleep. I-

V: Don't you dare say sorry because I am not sorry. I am glad we talked. It got a load off my chest and I am sure talking helped you too. Come, it is still early, we can sleep.

Veer guided her to the bed and tucked her in. He turned to leave when he heard Bani's voice. It was soft, so soft that if he was not a cheel, he wouldn't have heard her at all.

V: Kya hua?

B: I- I don't want to sleep alone tonight. Can you please? I-

V: shh....I won't misunderstand. Let's sleep okay?

Veer get into the bed with her. Slowly, Bani moved and held his hand.

B: Helps with my scary dreams. I used to hold my teddy but it is in Chandigarh.

V: and I thought I was special! Turns out I am just a teddy substitute!

Bani giggled softly. Veer smiled.

V: Music to my ears. Sleep sweetheart.

Bani's cheels became red at the endearment but she didn't comment. It had been an emotional night and she was exhausted. They drifted off to sleep quickly, hand in hand.

~~~~~~~~

Sleep had left VSR's eyes. They were blood red in anger. He punched the punching bag with so much anger that it fell down.

VSR: You ungrateful wife of mine! Phir bhaag gayi!!!! Ugh!!

His phone pinged. He picked it up in one ring.

VSR: It better be some good news!

SG: It is good news sir. Sources se pata chala hai ki recently ek private plane aya tha Mumbai se. Usme do pilot or ek hi passenger tha but jaate time do passenger aur they. Sir vo private plane Singhania group ka hai and apko to pata hai hi hai, vo ek Cheel royal family hai. I know chances of them knowing and taking ma'am are less but we cannot trace any other supernatural activity. And sir, ek aur baat, Cheel Rajkumar recently Chandigarh they, wahin se Ma'am milli thi so there could be some connection.

VSR threw away his phone against the wall after hearing Bani's names referred with another male. It broke into pieces. He immediately called for his men.

VSR: Prepare! We are going to Mumbai!

Guard: Sir, all the men?

VSR: No, we are dealing with a supernatural clan this time. Get only the nevlas in the team and make arrangements.

The guard bowed and left.

VSR: I hope you are not with the Cheel. Because if you are with another male, I will rip him apart and punish you the cruellest way possible. Get ready Rajkumar, I wish for your clan's sake that you don't have my wife!

~~~~~~~~

To Be Continued

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Next: Last Part

(I know ye story thodi zyada lambi hai)