Prabir made Bhargavi sit on the bed beside him. She leaned forward to rest her head on his chest and whispered," I know you are indeed pissed off with me, as I didn't let you know that I was stabbed and also because... I didn't call you up, yesterday asking for help. You think I don't care about your feelings.

It's not like... I am ashamed to ask for your help.

Your honor in my defense umm...I would like to state that I was experiencing an identity conundrum.

Yes! Each and every word that Uncle said today is so genuinely true. Life really is so short.

The possibility of death never felt so real before. I never expected myself to be praying to the Almighty for...for strength so that I am able to endure the pain and survive.

I wasn't really worried about Maa or Bhawani because in my absence, I certainly know that ...you will shoulder all of my responsibilities instead."

"Bhargu! Shush! Don't...Don't think that someone... anyone can ever replace you," Prabir said softly, gently stroking her hair.

"No! Listen up. Don't shush me please," Bhargavi pleaded and continued " The only person I was worried about was YOU...Prabu.

I...I couldn't let you suffer the pain of self-loathing because you weren't there for me when I needed you the most. This was not your fault.

I kept thinking all the while on bus, while returning to Jaroha...that I will call you and ask you to pick me up from the bus stop and then I will narrate you the entire story in person.

But then the feelings of self hatred swelled in my chest. I carried with me clothes, heels,a wig, and every nonsensical thing but ...not even a single pepper spray bottle,you had presented on my birthday.

I had been so delusional into thinking that nothing could go wrong in broad daylight...in the afternoon. I would be back home before evening.

I had been so reckless.

And then suddenly I also found that I had lost my necklace,the one... you had gifted... I gave up all plans of calling you up and walked all the way back home from the bus stop frustrated and angry with myself.

How could I behave like such a headless chicken? I was so careless."

Bhargavi had a stream of hot tears rolling down her cheeks. Prabir wiped her tears delicately and murmured," It's only a necklace Bhargu."

He admired her silently as she looked like a little girl, who had lost a toy and was pretty upset about it while she rolled her eyes at him and blurted out enraged," It was not just a necklace. It was my first gift...from you and I lost it."

"Are you sure Bhargu?" Prabir asked curious.

She gazed into his eyes and replied stonily," yes!" 

"Okay! Now close your eyes," Prabir pleaded. "Why?" She questioned adamantly resisting his plea.

"Baby. Just do as I say. Common now, close your eyes," Prabir said cheerfully.

She closed her eyes and sat quietly till he reached for her right hand and placed something gently in her palm. She abruptly opened her eyes to see the necklace in her hand. She was elated to see it even though, it was broken.

"Where did you find it Prabu?" She enquired curious with brightly shining eyes.

"When everyone was asleep I barged into your house, to get a few things that you might need for spending a week's time here," Prabir informed and placed a bag beside her.

"I found this lying on your bed Bhargu," he further added pointing at the necklace.

She started to look inside the bag and ended up with a handful of neatly folded undergarments placed under her laptop and a few notebooks. She flushed red with embarrassment and avoided looking at him.

"You can obviously put on my clothes but I don't own a pair of lingeries," he whispered and noticing her deeply mortified he further added, " Bhargu. I am not an alien. I too put on some clothes and don't run around naked."

She couldn't help her lips curve into a smile at his remark.

"Alright! It's time to sleep now," Prabir mumbled ruffling her hair. He placed the bag under the bed as he had done before after zipping up all the chains and laid down with a thud on the bed.

She still had the necklace clutched in her hand as she placed her head gently on his chest, laying down on her right side.

"Keep that aside Bhargu. I'll gift you a prettier one," Prabir said softly studying her with adoring eyes.

"Bhargu. We need to be able to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others. You know that right? Wherever you go, please carry a pepper spray at least," Prabir insisted.

"You might be thinking what kind of a psycho I am, right?" Bhargavi quizzed sadly placing the necklace beside Prabir's head on his right and burried  her face in his chest.

He was bemused to see that she had tears in her eyes not because she was hurting inside and was in a devastated emotional state. The physical pain of being stabbed, or beaten up so brutally was not enough to bring tears in her eyes.However, she was weeping like a little child only because she thought that she  had lost her necklace which he had gifted her.

"Yes! You are crazy Bhargu," he said and paused to see her reaction. She looked up at him innocently with sad eyes. "But you are mine," he added smirking.

"Are you willing to be mine forever Bhargu?" He finally launched the grenade.

"No! "She replied back instantly and he almost had a panic attack.
She looked into his gemstone green eyes with tenderness while he looked into her jet black eyes with a quizzical look.

"Are you not willing to get married now or you don't want to marry me at all?" Prabir asked hurt.

"Yes! I am willing to marry you but I am not willing to be yours forever... As I already am YOURS," she said desperately trying to dismiss his vague fears.

He stared at her blankly for some time as she cupped his face and whispered softly," I love you Prabu."

"Try to get some sleep now Bhargu. It's 3a.m. and it will be morning very soon," Prabir mumbled patting her head.

"Why did you have that stark fear written all over your face when I said 'no' ?" She enquired abruptly.

"I had a tough time mustering up courage to ask you that question as I think that you don't trust me enough to ...to depend on me.

You never told me about your work or about Ziko till today and then when you said a straight 'No' ...not even that you need some time to think, I felt my heart shattered into pieces. It was a fatal blow," Prabir clarified.

She sat up straight and said in a very serious tone," I trust you more than anyone else...even me.

I didn't want to tell you about my work because... what and how would I tell you that all I do is seduce men, make them drink a beverage that leaves them unconscious so that I can steal information from their phone??

Should I be bragging that when I have to deal with dangerous women, I dig up their past and blackmail them into making a deal with me...to give me the information I need and in return I  don't spill the beans about them??  As women like to make their own drinks and don't trust me making a drink for them.

Ziko...yeah! He is a savage person. He appears all cold and tough but has a soft spot for me. I had urged him that I need a job to take care of my family.

He taught me everything I needed to know to do this job. He too works for money but very precisely follows certain rules, like he never hurts women physically. Though his words are sometimes so harsh that it can end up scalding your flesh.

I am mean, rude and a badass person Prabir and I didn't want you to know all this. There is nothing about it that will make you feel proud of me.

And might I also remind you...I am not even honest with Ziko, who taught me everything. I was only using him to accomplish my ulterior motives.

My own mother hates me now that only half of the truth is revealed.

I don't have the strength to bear your hatred," she confessed.

"Think carefully a million more times before you really think about marrying me...now that you know who I really am," she added sardonically.

Prabir held her chin up and said with a warm smile,"Bhargu. You are the most elegant and graceful lady I have ever seen in my life."

He kissed on her forehead softly and mumbled," I don't want to reconsider my decision even once, forget about a million more times."

"Bhargu. Mayank came today asking for help. His mother is in a really bad shape.

She found out about the nefarious activities that Mr. Nishwas is involved in and pleaded him to stop. When he refused to listen, she threatened to expose him and he has left her paralyzed using toxins and drugs," Prabir informed.

"That f****** parasite. He again landed up on your door begging for help," Bhargavi snapped.

"Bhargu. You haven't seen the miserable plight of his mother. She needs treatment. Mayank doesn't have an iota of intellect to be able to save her," Prabir stated bluntly.

"If you have already decided to help her. Count me in. I'll help," Bhargavi said thoughtfully regarding his face and pushed him on his chest with her palm gently making him lie down. She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes briefly before drifting off to sleep.

When it was five in the morning, Prabir woke up rubbing his eyes as he had spend an almost sleepless night waking up in every fifteen minutes to look at Bhargavi.

He was worried stiff that he would hurt her if he slept, she had bruises on her arms, back and even if he happened to just place his arm around her, she would be in immense pain. And in any case he didn't want to disturb her sleep trying to get up and leave the room.

He gently placed her head on a pillow and rolled out of the bed, leaving her still sleeping peacefully. She mumbled in her sleep," Maa I will never show you my face again, if that is what you want. I will never return home."

Prabir stood impasse listening to her words. He went over to her and ran his fingers in her hair, speaking very softly," Bhargu. You know I need to go and make breakfast now but I will be back to check on you in sometime." He said certain random things that came to his mind and left after sometime when she wasn't blabbering anymore.

He went straight downstairs and started to work in the kitchen. He knew Mr. Bhairav and Mrs. Kavya would come in the morning to pick up Dhruv.

Mayank entered the kitchen and informed Prabir that the nurse would be there within half an hour. Prabir mutely nodded almost ignoring him. He felt he couldn't deal with his stupidity or weirdness early in the morning.

The day went on as usual with Parul going to school, Mr. Banerjee going to the hospital. The only difference was Prabir had to speak with the nurse about her payments and timings, as Mayank stood silent like a fool. Not earning a single rupee on his own, he was placed in an awkward situation.

Mr. Bhairav and Mrs. Kavya came to pick up Dhruv at 9 in the morning. Dhruv felt sad and left with a gloomy face after hurriedly packing up his belongings. Even though Prabir had a sleepless night, no one could discern anything from his face.

Dhruv had wanted to bid goodbye to Bhargavi but Prabir had informed that she was still asleep.

At 10.30 in the morning Prabir walked upstairs to find Bhargavi awake and beaming at him.

"You freshen up. I'll get your breakfast," he murmured and rushed downstairs immediately.

Bhargavi freshened up and enquired,
"Did you have your breakfast?" when he placed her breakfast on his study table.

"Yes! Bhargu. I had my breakfast," he said with a pleasant smile.

She was still having her breakfast when Prabir called up Ms. Nalini after gesturing her to keep quiet.

"Hello! Maa.

Bhargavi had called me up just now.

She is staying at her father's place," Prabir informed.

"Yes I know Prabir. Raghav had called me yesterday," Ms. Nalini replied back.

" She asked me to pick up Ishita's belongings. Those clothes and wigs actually belong to the drama club. She told me to take it to the college.

When I told her that some men yesterday came to demand the money and took it all.She was extremely pleased.

She told me that one day while she was returning to Jaroha after meeting a friend, two men in the bus, had forced her to carry these bags home for safekeeping. They had warned her not to tell about it to anyone, else they would kill everyone in her family. They had followed her till she reached home.

She had left the bags in Ghosh Uncle's store room downstairs, which is always unlocked but later took the bags upstairs and hid the money under her mattress as it was unsafe to leave the bags in the store room," Prabir narrated the story in a very serious tone while Bhargavi listened to him open mouthed.

"Prabir. She is not receiving my calls. I have wronged her, I know. Please talk to her and bring her back home. She will definitely listen to you. She has never lived without me for even a single day," Ms. Nalini pleaded.

"Maa. I am coming. We will talk," Prabir said and disconnected the call.

Realizing that Bhargavi was staring at him with amazement, he said," I am a good story teller right?"

"A great one.

So she wants you to convince me to return home? And it is a mother's heartfelt plea so you can't drop it.

Fine! The moment you ask me to return...I will. I won't let you suffer from a dilemma where you will have to chose between Maa or me," Bhargavi replied thoughtfully.

"Not this time Bhargu. This time her tears won't work on me. I will shift you in a girl's paying guest(PG) for a year if needed but won't be sending you back to her," Prabir smirked.

He was boiling inside with rage pulsing through his veins, but had put on a facade of being calm. He turned around to leave and was held back as Bhargavi clutched on his t-shirt grabbing as much material as she could.

"Settle down!" She said calmly.

Prabir sat down and looked at her astonished. "Prabu. She is an old, irrational lady. You are not.

Cool down! I know it pains you to see me suffering. But I am not at all suffering. I am so happy that you will be making all my meals for seven days.

All I want to say is please be careful with your words. I know you are not like me, impulsive and aggressive. But I am getting a vibe that you are not going to...only have a friendly chit-chat with her.

With every passing day you are becoming more and more like me," she said sadly pouting and held his hand looking at his bruised knuckes.

"I am not going to stay in a PG. I will stay here with you and irritate you till you get tired and kick me out," she added with a wicked grin.

"Uncle wants me to marry you and Maa doesn't consider me as her daughter anymore. So if she disagrees it doesn't matter and the only reason she will disagree anyway is because she will be having pity on you...you know. She thinks that I will ruin the person's life who marries me," she rattled on cheerfully.

Trying to hide all her pain, here she was back to being the Bhargavi he knew,he thought to himself.

A/N: So yeah! That's it for now.

Hope you enjoy reading.

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