A/N

For everyone who don’t like reading Author’s Note… DO NOT SKIP THIS because I WON’T BE ANSWERING ANYONE’S QUESTIONS AFTER THIS…

Alright, I’m so done with this plagiarism thing and I’m very serious right now. You all ask me for updates, you all say you love my stories and what do I get in return… the news that someone is copying my hard work. Do I look like some insane person to everyone that time and again someone or the other comes up making me believe that I’m making a fool out of myself over here? Like seriously!! You guys might be finding me very rude right now but don’t you think I have every right to get angry here! This is the reason I didn’t post yesterday, because I needed time to calm myself down.

This has happened to me twice with my two major stories and I don’t think I’ll be able to take any more blows. I’m sorry guys but I’m not that strong and forgiving. I can’t do this every freaking time. I’m amiable, I talk to everyone politely but that definitely doesn’t mean I don’t get hurt and this really hurts.

I’m still not over that Tujhh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai was copied and this has happened to me again! It took me bloody one and a half years to write MITWAA and these people have the audacity to copy it and call it their own! Just tell me guys what do you expect me to do. Please don’t make me hate the silent readers of my stories. That would be too much for me.

Now, all these incidents have forced me to take some very strict steps…

# First thing first, I’m making MITWAA and TMRDH private on wattpad. As soon as the results of New Author Awards and Heart Conqueror Awards will be out, I’ll be making TO YOU, MY HEART I SURRENDER and THE HIDDEN HALF also PRIVATE and I’m not entering my stories in any awards from here on. So, if you want to read them, follow me and read the stories.

# I’m removing all my stories from all other sites… be it telly updates or Facebook. From here on my stories will be available only on wattpad.

# For my readers on Facebook also, come to wattpad if you want to read my stories because I see very less readers on fb. The likes have come down from 200 to 50 and the comments from 80+ to 10. So, I see very less people interested in reading the stories. And this will apply right from the next update of THE HIDDEN HALF. My wattpad ID is @GS_Stella

# And for heaven’s sake stop being a silent reader. Learn to appreciate the work if you like it and if you don’t then DON’T READ. Please stop testing my patience.

I don’t want myself to cry again over these people who don’t give a damn about me and my feelings! And this time I won’t be saying sorry for my outburst, clearly when I’m not wrong.

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Here you all go with the next chapter…

*** CHAPTER 19 ***

“What the hell do you think you were doing?”, her booming voice echoes through the walls of the empty hall and her brother visibly flinches back. The moment Sahil enters through the main door of their farm house, Kavita goes all ninja upon him.

Sahil: (feigning innocence) What? I was just playing around!

Kavita: Yeah, right! Playing stupid tricks around.

Sahil: Oh come one! You’re no fun!

Kavita: Ugh! Here I’m trying to do something important and all you care about is sending some stupid message to that impersonator and kidnapping Swara!

Sahil: I wasn’t planning on that, okay! I just wanted to play around and kiss her, and I would have done it by now if you wouldn’t have called me.

He scoffs and Kavita’s eyebrow quirks up in disagreement. Folding her arms across her chest she glares at him on his baseless accusation silently threatening him to shut his mouth. How could he blame her for the failure of his stupid plan?

Kavita: Oh really?! And how am I responsible for that?

Sahil: Don’t give me that look, Kavita! And what the hell was so important that I was forced to come here? You could have waited for me to return home!

And in an instant a foreboding sinister smirk replaces the frown on her face. Sahil’s expressions mirror hers immediately as realization dawns upon him. It has to be important for he knows this menacing look on his sister’s face means nothing but a grave rising peril and that’s ought to bring ruination.

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Feeling the grip around his waist tightening, forces Vidhaan out of the little nap he has been having. Is it morning already?

Opening his eyes he expects the blinding sunlight seeping into the room but frowns a little on finding it still dark. Fetching his mobile phone from the bedside table, he taps to look at the screen only to find that it’s seven… ‘p.m.’?? It’s not seven in the morning but seven in the evening! How has he been sleeping to lose the track of time?

The series of events from the same afternoon rush back to him flashing in front of his eyes, right from her getting lost to their kiss and finally as she sleeps in his arms and he cradles her in his embrace like a baby. Rocking her body lightly with his own, he doesn’t know himself when sleep took over him as well.

He looks to his side and finds Swara still cradled against him as if seeking refuge into his warmth… her lips have curved up slightly with satisfaction and he smiles knowing he’s the reason behind this beautiful smile of hers. Even before he could think of resisting this urge, he leans down to press his lips lightly against her forehead and in an immediate response the curve of her lips grows into a full hearted smile.

Swara snuggles closer to him falling back into the deep slumber instantly and Vidhaan’s trance gets broken. He tears his gaze away from her making a feeble attempt at contemplating his next move but with her presence by his side seems to overpower his ability to think. Should he wake her up or should he just leave the room? And just then a light knock at the door comes to his aid.

Slipping out of the bed, he dashes towards the door. Opening the door he finds Ragini standing there giving him a weary smile with a hint of guilt.

Ragini: How’s she now?

Vidhaan: She’s better than before. Maybe she’ll sleep a little more under the effects of medicines.

Ragini: Oh! Okay. That’s good.

Vidhaan: (sighs) You’re still thinking that, aren’t you? It wasn’t your fault, Ragini.

Ragini: It was my fault. If I had been a little more careful…

She trails failing to bottle up her feelings anymore and a narrow streak of tear drops escapes her eye.

Vidhaan: Okay. Okay. Stop crying. Just look at it this way… If you would have known that this was going to happen, would you still have left her alone?

Ragini: (shakes her head vehemently in denial) No! Never!

Vidhaan: (smiles) See! This is what exactly I’m saying. It wasn’t your fault. You can never do such a thing deliberately.

Ragini: (wipes off her tears) How come you find good in everything? You’re the most optimist person I have ever met.

Vidhaan: (grins widely) I’ll take that as a compliment.

Ragini: (chuckles) Of course, it is a compliment, stupid! It’s really a great relief that Swara is fine now.

Vidhaan: (smiles looking at Swara) Yeah, it is.

Ragini: But what did you do that she calmed down instantly? She was literally freaking out hours ago.

Vidhaan takes in a deep breath rubbing his palms against his face and letting out a frustrated grumble.

Vidhaan: I don’t know what I have been thinking. I did something I shouldn’t have done.

Ragini peers over his shoulders to sneak a glance at Swara who by now has tucked herself in the warm embrace of her comforter with the smile still gracing her fragile features.

Ragini: It can’t be that bad. If I might say then she looks happy!

Vidhaan: Trust me it is very bad! I shouldn’t have done that knowing this is going to take us nowhere.

Ragini: (narrowed her eyes) What did you do?

Vidhaan: I… uh… I kissed her. Ugh! I know I shouldn’t have done that.

Ragini: Why are you always so antsy and troubled when it comes to your feelings?

Vidhaan: Because I know that means trouble. My parents will never agree… heck, Swara will never agree.

But the smile that instantly lights up Ragini’s face makes him frown. Here he is explaining to her how distraught his condition is and she’s smiling!

Vidhaan: Why are you smiling like that?

Ragini: You called them ‘my parents’!

And Vidhaan’s eyes widen at his sudden slip of words. Now looking back at few moments ago, he realizes that he really has called them that. It’s a good sign, isn’t it?

Vidhaan: (stutters) Oh! Um.. Did I?

Ragini: (smiles widely nodding her head) Yes! Yes! You did. I’m so happy!

Vidhaan: But… please don’t tell them.

Ragini’s smile drops immediately and she frowns looking at her friend.

Ragini: What do you mean?

Vidhaan: I… I mean I want to tell them myself. So, please promise me that you won’t tell them anything!

Ragini: Um… Okay! But only if you promise me something.

Vidhaan: (raises an eyebrow) Why am I not having a good feeling about this?

Ragini: Promise me! Or shall I call Badi Maa?

Vidhaan: (wide eyed) You won’t…

Ragini: (smirks and shouts) BADI MAA…

Vidhaan: Okay… Okay… I promise…

Ragini: Hah! Now you cannot back off!

Vidhaan: Okay! What do I need to do?

Ragini: (smiles) Give yourself and Swara a chance!

Vidhaan: What?! No!!!

Vidhaan almost shouts and Ragini immediately keeps her palm on his mouth before taking a look at Swara and sighing in relief. She’s still sleeping!

Ragini: (removes her palm) What’s the problem with you? Why are you so confused? Don’t you love her?

Vidhaan: Uh… Y-Yes!

Ragini: And she loves you!

Vidhaan: I-I don’t know!

Ragini: I’m not asking you. I’m telling you that she loves you. Then, why don’t you give yourself a chance. Look we don’t know what future has in store for us. But because of the fear of what might happen tomorrow, we can’t stop living today, right?! Can we?

Vidhaan: No!

Ragini: So, live your life. Show her that you love her. She deserves this. You deserve this. And whatever happens tomorrow, we all will face it together. Okay?

Vidhaan: (smiles nodding his head) Okay!

Ragini: Alright then freshen up a little and come down. I’m going to get the dinner ready.

Vidhaan: Thank you… for being such a great friend, Ragini.

Ragini: I know. Consider yourself lucky.

Vidhaan: (chuckles) I do!

Chuckling herself too, Ragini turns around to leave for the kitchen and Vidhaan turns around to look at Swara. He would have told her in a heartbeat about what he feels for her… only if their lives would have been a little less complicated.

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“Did you get him beaten?”, Sahil asks the moment he steps into the corner most room of their farm house right after Kavita and for the reply his sister just smirks picking at her nails before looking at the man, all bloodied, tied up and slumped across the wooden chair almost lifelessly.

Kavita: Well, he wasn’t much… cooperative!

Sahil smirks as he leans down towards the man whose eyes flutter open on feeling a presence nearby and the instant his blurry eyes land on Sahil, disgust and hatred flash across his numb features. A low grumble escapes his throat and the immense pain shooting through his body makes him wince.

Sahil: My! My! You’re a very troublesome person. Aren’t you… Hemant Uncle?

Hemant: (stutters) I should have… known that it’s… you people. What else could we… expect of you?!

Kavita: Ahan! Just watch what you’re saying old man. My men are still waiting outside for another round.

Hemant: You’ll… never get… what you want!

Sahil: Reality check, my dearest uncle. I’m almost there. There’s just a small hindrance and I need your help to sort that out.

Hemant: I’m… I’m not telling…

He trails as another pang of pain hits him and he feels his eyes drooping shut. The occasional pain shooting up his body starts pulling him back into unconsciousness. Sahil starts patting  his cheeks rigorously and Hemant groans.

Sahil: No. No. No. You’re not doing this. Just answer me first.

Hemant: I’m… not telling you… anything.

He says in between his clenched teeth and Kavita trudges up towards him with the same baleful look on her face. Hemant cringes back as she sticks her phone out towards him.

Kavita: Maybe, I could help in changing your decision.

Hemant: I… I… don’t want…

Kavita: Uh-huh! Just listen to this before you make any hasty decision. You know we care for you, right?

Hemant looks at her apprehensively as Kavita taps her mobile screen before turning on the loudspeaker and a slow timid voice calls from the other side, “W-Who are you all? Why… why am I here?”

And with that each and every ounce of Hemant’s breath gets knocked out of his body listening to the terrified voice… of his daughter!!

Hemant: Deepti!

Deepti: Papa! Papa… I don’t know… where I am. I’m so scared.

Hemant: Shh! Shh! Relax beta… I won’t let… anything happen to you!

Sahil: Are you still planning on denying my proposition? Tell us what we need to know and your daughter will be safe.

Hemant: Why are you… doing this?

Sahil: That’s none of your concern. Now, just tell me who is he!

Hemant: Who?

Sahil: The one who is staying with the Maheshwaris as Shlok! And where did you find him?

Hemant: What… What are saying? He is… Shlok!

Sahil: (chuckles menacingly) You’re… you’re really funny! You seriously think I’ll believe you?

His voice becomes dangerously grave as he leans towards Hemant with both his hands gripping his wounded arms mercilessly and that makes Hemant cry out in pain.

Deepti: Papa… Papa, are you alright?

Hemant winces and opens his mouth to say something but Sahil beats him to it and speaks.

Sahil: So, what’s your answer now?

Hemant: I won’t betray Mr. Maheshwari!

Kavita: Not even at the cost of your daughter? Come on! Don’t you know she’s with my men… really frustrated men?!

And on getting greeted with nothing but silence Kavita scoffs before turning back to her phone.

Kavita: Alright, you can have her!

Hemant: (shouts) NO!!!!! No… Please! She’s just… sixteen. Please! I’ll… tell you!

Kavita: (on the phone) Drop the girl from where you picked her!

Hemant takes a deep breath and tears threaten to slip out of his eyes on his helplessness. He has failed… failed as a father… as an employee… as a confidant. And may be Durga Prasad Maheshwari, whom he considered as an elder brother will never forgive him.

Sahil: So, where did you find him?

Hemant: Mum… Mumbai.

Sahil: See! Now we are talking! And where in Mumbai?

Hemant opens his mouth to answer but his senses betray him and words fail him. This is too much for him and his reeling head hasn’t been helping either. And as Sahil shouts again every ounce of energy left leaps out of his body.

Sahil: I asked where in Mumbai?

Hemant: Gra… Gra…

And with that he slips into unconsciousness again making Sahil roar in frustration. Kavita places a hand on her brother’s shoulder and sighs.

Kavita: Now, at least we know something.

Sahil: But what’s next?

Kavita: (smirks) Looks like Mumbai is calling us for a little visit, dear brother!

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