Adi,

My skin burned as Raksha's palm landed on my cheek, my fingers curled into a fist as a reaction as It took me lot of self control not to retaliate, though I wanted to and bad. She triggered the wrong side of my brain. Glaring her once, I left that place. A minute more and Raksha would be pleading for mercy. No one till date had the courage to behave with me like that, damn her. I punched the steering hard recalling the events of the day.

Shaan had created chaos, yet Anjali and James convinced me about not cancelling my plan with Raksha. When I came out the butler informed me about her leaving the premises and gave me her message, which stated that she wasn't interested in my family drama. How mean could she get? I am surprised that she is Veer's sister, a man so calm and down to earth. If not for Veer, today Raksha would have paid bad for slapping me. I have always been good to her, even when she acted rude to me. I have been a good friend and maintained the distanced as per her wish , knowing she kept toying with my feelings as per her will. She had treated me hot and cold, awakening my hopes every now and then. Yet, I let go thinking it to be her childish attitude to grab attention, but what she did today will cost her in a way she will never forget.

''Where are you Adi?'' James bellowed over the phone, I pulled it off my ear to save my ear drums from being damaged. ''Are you hearing me? Where the hell are you.''

''I am going to fight street, need to distress.'' With that I disconnected the phone and switched it off. I need vent my frustration and anger out , and I am not stupid to sneak out without letting someone know of my whereabouts. I know James will be there in no time, but till then its just me and the opponent, whoever he is going to be, it's his bad day. 

***

With the call of my name, I stepped into the iron cage meant for fighters. My opponent's side kicks cursed me as walked past them, smiling I winked and threw flying kisses at them irritating them more. My opponent was a huge man, a seasoned fighter. I have met him before. Outside this cage , he is a jolly guy and inside it he is a monster. "I am going to make a pulp out of that handsome face of yours.'' He winked 

''bring it on then, what are you waiting for.'' I challenged. He flexed his arms charging towards me. Our hands got tangled as me battled each other for dominance. I hooked my leg around his making him stumble, that got me the chance to the dominant position. Moving to his back, I locked his arms behind, pulling them harder making him groan in pain. He used all his strength and then kicked my shin breaking away from my grip. Turning around he punched my face hard, I felt warm coppery taste in my mouth and realised I have got a chipped lip. ''Nice move, my turn.''

With force, I blocked his  next punch with an arm and punching his face hard. he stumbled cursed and came back in full force. By now, we both were equally charged with all  friendliness gone. We kept throwing punches and kicks at each other with equal force. We jumped on each other with our limbs tangled , rolling over the dusty floor trying to gain the dominance.

''Adi, enough get the hell out of there'' Came James voice, I ignored completely. My focus was on my opponent. For my sanity, I had to win this. I wrapped my arm around his neck and a leg around his torso, using my complete strength I pushed him hard on to the floor, making him almost immobile. He struggled tried and then gave up. he patted the floor thrice, accepting his defeat and I let him go. Extending my hand to help him up, ''Guess some female rubbed you the wrong way bro.'' He joked, and I just smiled

''Listen up bro, next time just sought it out before coming here. You might kill someone in your anger.'' He left patting my back . I was lucky to have him as an opponent today. In most cases the opponent vouch to kill or break each other's body.

''Are you bloody insane. Look at your face, it resembles a trash can.'' James scolded like a mother. 

''I will be fine.''

''No, you won't be till you sought it out with her. Don't interrupt just come along or I will throw you in the trunk and take you with me.''  James warned and I did as he said. I was exhausted and just wanted to surrender to a good slumber. 

As James pulled on to the front porch, I quickly got out to escape him lecture. As I stepped in, I was greeted by two more angry figures. Standing with their arms crossed , Anika smiled and got a tap on her head from Anjali, ''We are angry with you Adi, we will not smile.'' She said innocently trying to look stern. But her little act gave away the drama, and I started laughing lifting my little friend up. her tiny palms cupped my bruised face, blowing warm breath over my wounds, ''Does it feel better?''

''Much better, now go and enjoy your tv show.'' She pecked me before running away. Anjali walked to me fidgeting , its all because of me. I....'' He flow of words stopped as James planted a deep kiss on her lips. Shocking Anjali and me to the core.

"What the hell?'' She asked

''Yeah, what the hell.?'' That came from me. 

''I like her, and with all the drama around her and you I am little insecure. Look girl, I love you and love Anika like my own. Let's get married.'' I have always known about James fondness for Anjali, but kept it a secret as she was being scarred bad in her previous relationship. She feared her ex would hurt her or Anika and anyone who would stand by them. I Have noticed the adoration in her eyes when she sees Anika with James, but she won't give in that easily.

''That was the worst of all the proposals.'' I said, but found Anjali little scared. ''Hey, its okay, if its a no. He totally understands that. '' I consoled her. James gave me an annoying look

''James, I can't marry again. I am sorry.'' With that she ran off. James eyes were fixed in the direction she left, ''I do love her.''

''I know, but marriage for her had been a nightmare . Give her sometime, until then this remain between us only.''

''Tell this to your dumb girl and she will be fine.'' James suggested

''I hell care of her now.'' Before James could reply, I left for my room. 

Moving to my room I took a quick shower, washing of the dirt and dried blood of my body. Feeling calm I stepped out, ordering the dinner in my room. I was in desperate need of silence. Raksha has messed with my brain bad, for now I just don't want to see anyone. In an attempt to distract my brain, I picked the remote and switched on the television surfing through the channels. Just when I was about to drown myself in the headlines, commotion in my house took my attention. Sound of multiple footsteps running towards my room made me frown. I was about to step out when door flew open , Raksha stepped in with James behind her, ''I tried stopping her mate. She just wouldn't listen.''

I just nodded asking him to leave. He walked off , closing the door behind him. ''what brings you here?''

''I wanted to apologise.'' She replied softly

My anger knew no bounds then , what the hell she think of herself. She can behave anyway she wants and expect me to forgive? Not this time, ''Doesn't matter, leave.''

''Just hear me out...Once.'' She pleaded and I raised my palm, shutting her off. Taking long strides to her, I stopped an inch away from her making her step back. I kept walking glaring at her till she was locked to the wall, ''This not your Jaigarh Palace, and I am not your attendee that you can walk in whenever you like. This is my Mansion, Aditya Ranawat's . It runs on my will and orders and for now I don't want to see your face.'' Throwing those words at her face I moved back, turning away from her , waiting for her to step out.

''I know, this is not Jaigarh and not my place. I have never been spoken to in that manner back home.'' Her voice came chocked.

''I wish, someone would have shown you the mirror back home.'' I said with a sarcastic laugh

There was a silence, I heard her taking a deep breath and then she spoke, ''Adi, I came here to apologise. I had no right to behave that way, I am sorry.''

''Done! Now out.'' She couldn't understand that her presence was making things worse. My bruised ego was pushing the other side of me to hurt her. Make her cry, which I didn't wanted to.

Where there was no movement , I turned to check if she left. She stood there at the same distance with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her eyes then widen and she leaped at me, taking me by surprise, ''What is this? How did you get hurt?'' She asked caressing the cut over my lip with her thumb. I stepped back, ''none of your concern, Now leave.''

''Adi , stop behaving like a child. What did you do to yourself.''

''I wanted to wipe your imprint on my cheek , so I got the darker ones .'' She stared at me wide eyed, then an emotion crossed her eyes before she took another step closer to me. Locking her eyes with mine, she gently looped her arms around my middle. '''Step back Princess!'' I warned. I felt her shivering and then suddenly her lips landed on my cheek, ''I hope you wouldn't find a darker mark to diminish this one. '' She whispered over my cheek, pecking it tight once more. I am done with her toying my emotions all the time. Pulling her arms apart, I pushed her, ''I asked you to leave.''

''Forgive me and I will.'' This time her voice came stubborn.

''Its late princess, if someone back home knows of your presence in my bedroom at this hour. You might be in trouble.''

''I trust you.'' Those words made me halt, locking my eyes I took two long strides and grabbed her by upper arms , pulling her body up.

''trust! Are you kidding me? Where was your trust when you acted snobbish in the morning? Where was your trust when you decided to leave without me being informed. Do hell with your trust, you relived me of all the responsibilities and promises I made to your brother regarding you. So, here I am giving up all the responsibilities associated with you. You don't matter to me, now out.''

Pushing her back harshly, I turned away immediately. I have never been this rude to anyone , but for some reason I can't control my rage on her. For now, I wanted her to leave. I was experiencing strange emotions, her words about freeing me off all responsibilities had cut deep, because she was never one, and today I wanted to show her that. I wanted to mark her, own her shake her , hurt her. I was scared of this emotion, scared that I might hurt her. Closing my eyes, I wished she would have left.

A faint moan made me jerk around and I found her on the floor against the wooden cabinet, holding her forehead. One of her heels broken and her leg slightly twisted. She struggled a bit to get up and then looked at me, ''I am really Sorry, forgive me if you can. '' She removed her palm as she bent down to pick her heels. Her forehead was bruised. I realised, I had pushed her with so much force that she couldn't prevent her fall. With her head hung low, she limped towards the door. Shutting my eyes once, I moved to her scooping her up. Without any hesitation , she dropped all she held in her hands wrapping them around my neck. Hiding her face in my neck she sobbed, ''I am sorry.'' 

Moving to the bed, I adjusted her on my lap. Cupping her cheek, I lifted her face up. ''Does it hurt.'' I asked. She stared into my eyes , then grabbed my palm, placing it over her heart, ''It hurts hear, when you refuse to look at me. '' Her fingers caressed my cheek and bruised lips. Throwing her arms around my neck she apologised again, ''Slap me , but don't cut me off. ''

''You think you can survive my slap.''

"I will try.'' She sobbed. Making me chuckle. Wrapping my arms around her shivering body, I rocked her. She cried harder and I laughed receiving a punch on my shoulder. She moved back a little , brushing her fingers on my cheek, I grabbed her hand, ''No Raksha, this is not right.''

''We are adults.'' She argued

''I am , you are still a kid from your brain.'' She frowned at my response. "what's the issue Adi.''

''Commitment! Commit yourself to me for life and I promise, I will lock the door for eternity. But if you are looking for fun, I am not the man.'' She smiled softly. Leaning her head on my shoulder she hummed, ''Fine, I will settle for your friendship.''

I smirked, I knew this was coming. She is scared to commit and I am not giving in until I have a word from her. Game on

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