Dhruv's point of view

My body is wet in my own seat, my heart was beating rapidly, one more drop of sweat fall from my hair, making me realised that may hair are completely drenched. My jaw is tight and I again push myself up making one more number add in my push-ups. I groaned in frustration when again my past started haunted me with the flashbacks.

I hate those moments after I am done crying and I just sit there emotionless. I always hate getting flashbacks where I was happy. I was happy in my life until Yash took his life.

It wasn't a sudden thing. I had known that what he is going through because of his parents, because of the people in this cruel society who always makes him unwanted. But I never did that. I always tried my best to make him worthy but then he leave. He leave like I had never mattered to him, like our friendship was nothing.

I hate getting flashbacks from things that I don't want to remember.

Alone,

Yes, I am alone from years. I was sad. I want scream on people's face how lonely I am. How things hurt me. How their words hurt me. I want to tell them how I am stuck in a mid of endless dark tunnel.

But as the time pass I accepted it. I accepted that, Maybe I would not cross this dark tunnel and this darkness started giving me weird warmth. Yes, It's give me nightmares too that sometime I feel, it's sucking the soul out of and my eyes are wide open, wanted me to watching it, how it take away my last breath.

I can feel my arms are pumping and if I do not stop right now they started paining. Today is one of the day when I pushed my limits while doing workout. I did this for hours without any break. I laid down in the floor when my arms give up and stare the blue sky. A lone tear roll down from my eyes, wetting the floor.

I screams, I cry but no one was there to save me. No one was there to push away that vampire who don't show any sympathy when he suck my soul. No one was there to save me from that vampire.

But now, I can see the light, the light in the endless dark tunnel who could save me from that vampire and I am willing to go out where I stuck from million years. I don't know how, but that light reached me, after cutting through the darkness and show me the path, the path where I could find my happiness.

I got up from the floor, took my towel from chair and wipe out the sweat from my face. I took out the cigarette from the cigarette pack and put it back on the the table. I hold the cigarette between my lips and lit it with the matches. I walked forward in the balcony and took the look of another meaningless morning in my life.

The cigarette in my hand touched my lips and I took a long drag of it. The burning smoke mixed with my morning breath and I looked outside of my bedroom's balcony.

The morning breeze touched my bare torso and railing feels cold against my hands when I leaned to it. Trees were swaying in the wind, birds are chirping making it a beautiful morning for others but sad for me. I just did my work out for three hours, letting out all my frustrations but it seems like, I am still restless and frustrated more than before.

Aditi...

She is in my mind since I met her yesterday. She is not the one she used to be. Her eyes, which never loose the sparks in them, now look dead. Her face lost the glow of happiness and her eyes gave away whenever she looked at me. I clearly saw the hidden pain behind those beautiful orbs of her which she tried hard to hide by putting a strong girl face.

She looked more broken than before. 

Maybe more broken than me.

My pain was nothing in front of her pain. Before she used to jolly and bubbly but now her answers are shorts. She never talked to me like that before. Yes, she talked less when I was around but whenever we had shot conversation, every words from her mouth sounds lively. But now she barely speak.  It seems like she loose the hope in her life and just living physically without any soul inside her. She lost the wait, I can see her bones. When we were in the restaurant, first time I noticed that she wasn't wearing  her long silver earrings, which she loved the most wearing in her childhood.

No bangles, no anklets.

I couldn't hear the melody of her earrings when the swaying in the air or tinkle when she tuck the loose strand of her hair behind her ear when her cheeks turning into pink because of me. I could not hear the melody of her anklets ghungroo when we both go for walk after our long day in office.

My heart sink when I saw her suit was torn from her shoulder and she immediately hide it with her dupatta when she noticed I was looking at it.

I don't know why she is like this. I thought she must turn into a strong girl but as I saw her yesterday, she was more than broken to be repaired. There were so much pain in her eyes when she was comparing herself from that trashed  tissue paper. She doesn't know her value.

Is her family, her parents and Atul torturing her more than before. Why did she say that she is happy when I clearly saw she is not. There were so much hurt and pain in her voice when she said I hurt her. It feels like she was not talking about the physical pain which I gave her, gripping her wrist tightly, it was more than that.

Did I really hurt her?

She hugged me yesterday. Maybe that was the best thing I had ever feel in years. I car still feel her body close to me. My heart was beating fast at that time but it was weirdly calm and composed like this the thing it needs from years. It finally found the lost piece which was missing from years.

I want take Aditi with me right away but I don't want to hurt her feelings more. I want to take things slow between us. I don't want the history repeats and again fingers raised on her character. I want to be her friend. I want to make her happy and wanted to see that smile again on her face which she always had looking at me. She still have my effect on her. I saw how she turn red when I squeezed her hand lightly at the restaurant.

I will again make her my beautiful neighbour whom I loved to adore from my window at late night, after she sleep.

Ting...Tong..

I was lost in her thought when the door bell rang. I crushed the cigarette in the astray, extinguished it and walked to the door to open it.

I opened the door and Nikhil was standing before me in his business suit. I moved inside and Nikhil closed the door after getting him in. I took my navy blue t-shirt from the couch and wore it. He took a look of my house and shake his head in disbelief looking at its condition. Last time he came here when I was lying in my own blood.

"You are literally living in a dustbin. Should I send the maid to clean it." He said while looking around in my house and then make himself comfortable on the one side of couch.

My living room is far clean than other area in my house. I wonder what will say after looking at my bedroom. That's why I never allowed anyone to visit my house. Even dustbins are clean than my house.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it." I said in a flat tone and make my way in the kitchen and I know he was following me.

"Coffee...?" I asked him without turning to him.

"Yeah sure." I heard his answer and pour water in a kettle later add some coffee and set the kettle in a coffee machine. I open the fridge for the toast because doesn't like his coffee without little snacks but my fridge was empty. I didn't remember when was the last time I went for grocery shopping because most of the time, I eat from outside.

"Why are you living here when government gave you the mansion with all facilities?" Nikhil seems to noticed it.

"I am fine here." I said while serving some peanuts in the bowl which I have from last time when Raghav accompany me here, in my house for drink. It was him, to bought this packets of some namkeen.

Nikhil didn't say anything and I must say he again shake his head in disappointment because there is no use of arguing me I won't budge and my short answers dismissed the discussion before it could start.

Nikhil wasn't the same whom he used to be. Now we have some differences
He changed after his marriage and I accepted it because he has a wife and a two year old son to take care of not his depressive brother. But he still care for me that's why he has tears in his eyes when I was in the hospital after my failed suicide attempt.

The beep from the coffee machine pulled me out from my thoughts and I poured the coffee in two cups. I pour some milk in Nikhil's coffee and add some sugar because he doesn't like my bitter black coffee. I gave him his cup along with peanut bowl and we both headed to the living room. Nikhil took his place on the couch and I stand near the wall, lean on it while sipping my black coffee.

Nikhil pulled out a paper from his wallet and forward to me. I looked at the check in his hand and then to him.

"I already told you, I don't need it." I said in a flat tone.

"I know but it's your right. It's your money not mine." Nikhil said.

"My salary is enough for me. I don't have anyone to spend the money." I said and sip my coffee. Nikhil sigh and put the check in his wallet. But I know he is going to transfer the money in my bank account.

Nikhil started his own business after his college along with his three friends. Papa helped him to build his business and their company was doing great. But his friends cheated on him and kicked him out from the company. He was devastated and he didn't know what to do next. That time I helped him. I invested my savings in his business and told him to start again. Ragahv and I both helped him to build his business again and now his company is doing great in the market and he earns in lakhs. His company provide the web security to other companies who had the big name in the country.

He also build the app which now trending in social media. I am a 40% share holder in his company and every month he gave me my profit present. Every time I refused to take it but he transferred the money in my account no matter how many time I refused to take it. But I never touched the money he gave me. It still in my account untouched. I don't even know the amount I currently had in my bank account. My salary is more than enough for me.

"Dhruv, you helped me at the time when I was devastated and thought nothing could be done and my life is doom. When I thought, I wasted Papa's money which he spent in my education. But you tell me to start my business again. You gave all your savings to me. You are not a software engineer but you used your contacts and introduced me to the people who shows interest in my idea and ready to invest in my company. You helped me to gain my confidence and build up my business again. You helped me that time when everyone leave my hand." He said and his eyes were filled with emotions. There were a brotherly love in his eyes.

"You are my brother." I said and looked away from him.

"You are my brother too and I want my brother back. I can't leave you when you need someone beside you." I looked at him when he said that.

"But I am fine." I was fast with my answer.

"I can see that." He said with his greeted teeth.

I didn't say anything and I don't want to. Nikhil and I were close in our childhood but it was me who make the distance between us. I want him to focus to his family and his growing business not to his shitty IAS brother.

I sip my coffee and looked outside from the Livingroom window. This black coffee is as much as bitter the truth in my life which I was hiding inside my heart. Only a person could understand who is as much as broken like me and maybe there is someone who is more broken than me and understands my pain without I sharing anything to her.

"Why are you not picking up Priya's call? She called me yesterday to ask about you." I again moved my attention to Nikhil he was looking at me for the answer.

"I was busy." I said in a flat tone and was quick in my answer because I was indeed busy yesterday.

Yesterday I was with a girl whom I was finding from past five years and I finally found her in this city.

"I wasn't talking about yesterday. You are ignoring her calls since you walked out from her house without telling anyone. Dhruv will you tell me what is going on, inside your head." Nikhil asked me in authority and he was turning to his elder brother mode.

"I don't want to marry her. I cleared it with her at the very same day but she is not ready to listen to me." I said without any emotions.

"The way you are right now, Priya is perfect for you. I know she likes you from your childhood. She helped you to come out this phase of yours. Just give her chance and I don't let you cancel the wedding. I have to take things in my hand if you being a jerk like this and keep your life ruining." With that Nikhil got up from the couch and straight up his suit. But I was keep looking at him in disbelief.

At once Nikhil was the one who could understand me the best but the way he is talking right now I am not sure if he is the same person.

Yes, he love me but he literally forcing me to marry Priya when I just confessed that I don't want to marry her.

Is really every thing will be fine if I marry Priya. If she really able to pull me out from that endless dark tunnel but I know the answer.

She is not the one.

Priya was always the girl who grew up with all love and care. She lives always lives in a shelter where everything is fine, life is beautiful. She doesn't know the cruel reality of this world. She will never able to understand me.

"I'm getting late for work. I have a early meeting." Nikhil said while seeing the time in his wrist watch.

"See you soon, take care of yourself." He walked to me and then took me in a brotherly hug. I nodded my head and then he leave from my house and I closed the door behind him.

******

Aditi's point of view

"Aditi these are the documents you need to submit today at DM's office to start your training from next week."

I took the papers from Tyagi sir and take a look of them.

"Thank you sir. I will submit them today." I said while looking at the papers and checked if I have all the needed documents.

"Aditi..." I moved my attention from documents to Tyagi sir when he called me.

"Your money problem is solve now. You get the scholarship money at the end of this month. I hope you submit the exam fees soon." Tyagi sir were deadpanned and I know this time he could not help me if I didn't submit the exam fees soon. But he doesn't know my scholarship money will be snatched by my Bua ji. She already have all the details of my scholarship and if she found I took some money, God knows what she will do to me.

"I understand and thank you sir for recommended my name to Dean sir. I could not get into the program if you did not help me." I thanked him when I remember I didn't thanks to him properly for helping.

"Oh! I forgot to tell you that it wasn't because of me. Later I came to know that DM already selected your name before I could recommend you to the Dean sir." I was shocked after getting that information.

Dhruv already selected me for the program but it was expected. I was fooled to think that I get into this program because of Tyagi sir after not getting the highest marks in the test. I am in this program because of Dhruv.

Dhruv get me into this program so I could meet him. He did it deliberately. I don't know why he did this. Maybe because of our old relationship of neighbours. But I am glad he did this. He saved me from the wrath of my family. Later I talked to the topper of the test and she is okay with me to join the program instead. She told me that she gave the exam just for fun and assured me that I deserved it more than her.

Maybe, not everyone is as bad as the people at my house.

"You should thank to the DM not me." Tyagi sir gave me the smile.

"I will..." I said with absent mind and then walked out from Tyagi sir's cabin still lost in my thoughts.

****

DM's office is another 35 Km away from my college and it took me almost three hours and was already past lunch time when I reach there by myself. Guard stopped me at the main gate of DM's office but I show them my college ID card and the joining letter of the social program. They let me in and I asked them about the administration office.

I make my way towards the Administration department and beautiful lady in her late forties greeted me. But she wasn't looked pleasant as she talked to me and asked my business to her. I told her about the program and she asked me about the documents. She literally snatched it from my hand.

I looked around the building. Dhruv must be in one of the room doing his IAS officer's duty. Yesterday I don't know how I end up in his arms. I remember he pulled me to him angrily and demand for the answer. I could not sleep last night while thinking about him. I was tossing turning whole night, thinking about our meeting yesterday.

He was asking about my happiness but I know if I told him about my condition he will definitely help me to get out of this hell, out of sympathy and pity not because he has some feelings for me. He cleared that eight years ago in the letter.

I might not be in good condition but being burden on Dhruv and get his sympathies, this is the last thing I want from him. Just only one year and after that I vanished from everyone's eyes like I never exist if I get successful unlike my last attempts. I hope this training went well with Dhruv beside me and I won't loss the control on my emotions and won't anything stupid that Dhruv get suspicious. I hope my love for him don't come out and he would not know that I still love him.

"You need a signature of DM sir in these papers and then bring back to me." The lady ordered me rudely and glare at me. I wonder what I had ever done to her.

She must fight with her husband early in the morning.

I took the documents from her and was about to go towards Dhruv's office to get his signature when the lady stopped me again.

"Bring those documents before 5. I won't stamped them if you get a minute late." She ordered.

Typical government employee.

I could not help but sighed. After nodding my head I walked outside the chamber and started searching DM's office while reading the name plate if every room.

I asked few people and they gave me the direction of DM's office. After sometime, I reached in a different section of the building, where things are little bit modern than other parts if the building and looked more beautiful with flowers and plants.

I stood in front of DM'S cabin and feel overwhelmed when I read Dhruv's name as District Magistrate. It was really blissful to read his name again and again as a District Magistrate.

The new transmitted IAS officer.

But I could not barges into his cabin just that. It wasn't like, I did that before. I never dare to come into his room eight years ago even if he gave me the permission and now he is a freeking IAS officer. Plus his two bodyguards are already guarded his cabin with rifles in their hands.

There is always this effect on me that I can't resist but feel intimidated but love at the same time.

I saw the man sitting just outside his office and doing his work on his table. I walked to him and read his name and position on the nameplate.

He is the assistant of Dhruv's secretary.

"Excuse me...." The man looked up to me and waited for me to speak.

"I need Dhruv's sir signature on these papers. Administration office send me here." It feels weird to call Dhruv as Sir. But now I have too make it a habit as I can't take his name in his office.

He is big boss here.

That man took documents from me and check them. Then he dialled to administration office in landline for confirmation. He cut the call and staples the documents with a small slip attached.

"Sir is busy in a meeting. We can't disturb him right now. You have to wait till meeting get over." He said and then again busy in his work which he was doing before.

I looked around for a sitting place to wait and I found a couch just outside Dhruv's office door. I walked to it and sit.

I know, I am not going to meet Dhruv today because it just the documents which needs his signature. His secretary must do it without my presence and I felt kind of relief with a fact that I am not going to face him, today at least because I was so embarrassed what happened yesterday.

I hugged him without his consent. He must be thinking of me being clingy which is far from the truth. He must be feeling uncomfortable with my touch. I feel a sudden pain in my heart when the thought of Dhruv felt uncomfortable with my touch.

The door of Dhruv's office open and my eyes automatically went inside his cabin. He was sitting behind his desk and talking to someone who were sitting in front of him. His aura was looking intimidating but looking all handsome in his business suit. Before I could adore him more the door finally closed.

A man wearing a safari suit with big reading glasses walked out whom I remember as Dhruv's secretary, Shastri ji.

"Vikram give me the file which I gave you yesterday. Sir needs it right now." Shastri ji asked the file and his assistant gave the file to him. He was about to go inside again with a file when..

"Sir.." Vikram ji, his assistant stopped him and Shastri ji wait for him to continue.

"These documents came from the Administration office. They needs the signature of Dhruv Sir." Sastri ji took the papers from him and read them.

He looked around and approached me when he saw me waiting here on the couch. I also stood up on my place and greeted. He gave me the warm smile after accepting my greetings.

"You are the same college girl with whom Dhruv sir went outside." My cheeks heats up when Shastri ji recognise me.

I didn't expect him to recognise me as I am not some one special to Dhruv or hold any high position.

"I came here for the signature." I said while gesturing towards the documents in his hands, try to change the topic.

"Oh! I'll do it right away. Should I inform him about your arrival."

"No, please. I just want his signature." I shake my head abruptly. I don't want to meet Dhruv.

He must think that I am stalking him and wanted to take advantage of him because of his position. I don't want to get him any wrong idea about me. I just want to keep my relationship formal with him and want to end this internship in peace with good experience.

"Okay, wait here. I get his signature." After saying this, Shastri ji went inside the cabin with my documents and file.

****

I sit calmly and looked at the watch. It's already 4.30 P.m. and now I am getting worried. That lady clearly warn me to bring sign papers to her before 5 and now only half an hour left.

What should I do?

Should I ask Shastri ji assistant? Dhruv seems to caught up in the meeting. Since no one came outside from his cabin till now except his secretary, Shastri ji.

Maybe he forgot about my documents.

Suddenly his cabins door open and two man walked outside from his cabin. With their dressing style, I can clearly say that they are local businesses men. Maybe Dhruv asked them to invest in some projects. I tried to look Dhruv through the slightly open door but I can as Shastri ji was standing in front of him blocking my view. Finally the door closed and I sighed.

I again leaned back on the couch, staring at the clock on wall and started wishing that the time could stop so I could get Dhruv's signature before 5 and I don't have to walk 35 k.m. again under the burning sun.

I startled when some commotion take place on the long corridor and I couldn't believe my eyes anymore. Here in front of me Raghav was walking in the police uniform while talking on the phone and other two one police officer and two constable were following. Looking at his dress collar, it didn't take time for me to know that he is S.P. He looked taller and masculine than before.

I can see that he spent lot s of his time in gym because his uniform fitting him too perfectly almost let the girl drool over him but I still see him as my brother. His charm never effected me.

My heart filled with warmth that Raghav also achieved his dreams. Everyone gets what they want except me but I am happy for them. They all did the hard work and now they are eating the fruit of it. They deserve this.

I stood on my place with a smile ready to greet him but he was still busy with someone on phone. Dhruv's guard saluted him and he nodded his head.

"Is he inside?" Raghav asked Shastri's ji assistant while removing his phone from his ear.

"He just finished his meeting." Vikram, Shastri ji assistant said.

"Perfect." With that Raghav walked inside the cabin without sparing a glance towards me and the two constable stood outside Dhruv's cabin.

I felt hurt that Ragahv didn't recognise me but happy at the same time that Dhruv and him become a good friend.

I again took my seat and sit on the couch.

How much time it take to sign the god damn documents.

Only few minutes.

But here..I am waiting from two hours  and the lady in Administration office won't give me a second later 5:00 p.m.

"Chaudhary, what do you think, they will do tonight?" The senior constable asked to the second constable.

"Who.. Shukla ji?" Chaudhary asked in confusion. I came to know his last name as senior constable just called him by his last name.

"Aree..both ACP and DM. What do you think they do tonight?" Again Shukla ji asked to Chaudhary with amusement.

My ears stood up in attention when they both started talking about Dhruv and Raghav.

Chaudhary chuckled and said, "Going to drink till they are not sober enough."

I was little confused there because as far as I know both of them, they both were stay away far from alcohol.

I am sure about Dhruv. He never touched alcohol and cigarettes in his life.

Shukla ji started laughing in low voice.

"Shai hai. Inhe kon se apni biwiyon se dande khane hai." Shukla ji said and started laughing. Chaudhary also joined him.

(cool...Their wife are not gonna beat them.)

Suddenly Dhruv's cabin door open and Shastri ji walked out from his cabin with my documents.

"Sorry, for the delay. I forgot about them." Shastri ji gave me back my documents and looked at me apologetically. I checked the papers and there his name written in beautifully curvy letters.

"It's okay. I still have time." I gave him small smile and then he walked away. I looked at the clock and there is only fifteen minutes lefts to Five.  I still have time, I still make it if I hurried myself to Administration office.

****

It's 5 o'clock and I was walking outside the building, making my way towards the main gate. I reached the administration office five minutes before the 5 and they lady was packing her stuff when I reached there. She denied to do my work as I was late and her work hours are end.

I requested her and made my point that I still have five minutes. She looked furious when I said that and I know I made a big mistake. I apologised to her her for my behaviour and literally beg to her to stamped my documents and approved them. At the end she convinced and stamped my documents.

As I stepped outside the building I saw both Dhruv and Ragahv walking out from the other side of the building where I was before waiting for Dhruv's signature. Their guards followed them and waiting for them to hop inside but both of them ignore their rides and walked to the motorbike which was parked few feet away from them.

Dhruv get on the bike and Raghav on the backseat. Dhruv was looking handsome with his sunglasses on. His hair are little bit messy but it make him look more hot. It remind me the days when he used to came school on his bike and how, first time I set on the backseat of his bike.

Dhruv kicked the bike and they both drove off. My eyes didn't leave them until they both crossed the main gate and drove on the main road.

I out my hand on my chest and realise that it was beating faster than normal.

At least I am happy that time get them close and now they both are friends.

......................................................................

I hope you like the chapter.

I know I was late but as you can see this chapter is longer than the previous one. So it take time yo complete it.

This chapter holds both Dhruva and Aditi's point of view. I hope you like that.

please do votes and comments and definitely share my book with your friends.

See you guys in next update.

Thank you.