Raksha,

As I waved at my family leaving for Delhi, my heart turned heavy. Bhai held the door for me, I got in the car with my eyes still on all the faces that stood at the porch smiling at me. It's so strange, there was a time I was looking for one chance to run from here, and now when I am far all I want is to be here, with them. My eyes watered watching Mom dabbing her eyes again and again, being the youngest I have always been the apple of her eyes. ''Hey its fine, you are going to do something better.'' Bhai said ruffling my hair. Nodding once, I waved at my family as the vehicle drove out of the Palace.

''Bhai, why you never visited me in past one year?

He smiled, ''I didn't wanted you to feel tied down.''

''Will you now?''

''Yes, and soon. I promised Ananya a vacation, but it never happened handling so many issues.''

I grinned wide, having Ananya around has always been a pleasure to me. She is my best friend and soul sister. Till date no one knows me the way she does, ''Its because of her I am doing my masters'' I whispered

''And you are not married. Hadn't she intervened, we would have abducted Adi for sure.'' That made me laugh aloud. The picture in my head was too funny having Adi been gagged and tied sitting next to me on wedding dais. ''Are you fine?'' Bhai asked caressing my head

''Yes, I am. I guess the growing up started.'' He nodded as things felt silent again. After 3 hrs we parked on the porch of a luxury hotel, my flight was late in the night and we were staying here for till that time.  

Though I was suppose to take some rest but sleep eluded me, I have already started missing my family. I don't know how am I going to survive another year, after twisting turning for few minutes I decided to watch television but that turned out to be all the way more boring. Switching it off, I jumped of my bed and marched towards Bhai's room. He called me in as I knocked the front door, ''Are you busy.''

''Yes, but you can join too.'' I took the place next to him on couch , eager to know what kept him busy on his phone. My guess was right, he was on a video call with Ananya. She had made Rolli sit on her lap and now camera focus was only on my cute little niece. Ananya, touched something on to her cheek which made Rolli give a comical expression, ''what did she do''

''That tumbler is cold, every time she does that Rolli gives funny expressions.'' We laughed as bhai tried talking to his daughter and she got ready to eat the phone, ''I am going to miss the kids.''

''And we will miss you.'' He said placing a peck on the top of my head. I smiled leaning my head on to his shoulder, ''She seems to hate Veer the most.''

''That's a different story, they can't live with or without each other. He loves irritating her and she enjoys being angry on him.'' His eyes turned to me, ''he use to do the same with you. You guys fought the most, yet were close. ''

''No bhai, its you I loved the most. You were always a hero in my eyes, this why I was so mad at you for years. You went leaving me behind, I hated the rules, the walls around me but there was no one to share with.'' I closed my eyes allowing the tears to rolls down, his arm went around my shoulder and he pulled me close, ''I am sorry. I should have taken an effort to understand your side too.''

''I don't want to go'' I now sobbed like baby.

Bhai cupped my cheeks, ''Now, stop crying. It's just 1 year, it will go just like that. You can complete your masters and take a job in London if you want to...''

''Why should I work there? Will you not hire me ? Am I incompetent.'' I asked wiping my eyes. He chuckled pulling my cheeks, he tried his best to calm me, ''I just wanted you do all you wanted, if you don't then you can come back and work with any of the resorts.''

''Promise me that you will come to see me in less than 3 months.'' Forwarding my palm I pulled his on to it. ''You can't break it now.'' I warned, he laughed hugging me close. Its true, he has always been my hero and now I regret losing the time in my madness.

At the departure gates I cried buckets hugging my brother. I made him make thousands promises, because I know he will keep all of them. I was all the way more gloomy because after what happened with Adi, I have no hopes of meeting him anytime soon. I told bhai that I would make him proud, to which he replied that he has always been proud of me. Still, I wanted to excel now. I wanted Adi to know I am no less in anything. I am done people taking me for a ride, now I will let my brain rule me and send my heart on hibernation. The cabin crew announced the departure and I closed my eyes to take a nap, I felt Hansa covering me with a blanket. I stayed still pretending to be asleep,  back of my head there was just one thought, to make my own proud .

Our vehicle was ready waiting for us  when we stepped out of the airport. We drove in silence as I was still very gloomy. After reaching home, I went straight to my room to crash on my bed. I felt so alone. Having family around had kept my thoughts away from Adi, which now in loneliness went back to him. As his thoughts started occupying my brain, tears made their way from the corner of my eyes to my pillow. Turning to my left, I sniffed once. I thought he would readily agree to marry me , but to my surprise he challenged bhai stating he could make my life hell. Wiping my tears, I gathered myself and commanded my mind to be strong. In a week my classes will start and I was determined to drown into studies.

***

''I will pick you in evening Princess.'' Hansa said as she pulled the vehicle at the entrance of University. ''Just Raksha!'' Reminding her I moved out to begin the final year of my course. After getting the details of the class, I moved to the assign lecture hall to be greeted by few familiar faces. I greeted them with a smile, moving up to take a chair in the semi circle theater seating arrangement of the hall. ''Look who is back ,the mighty Princess.'' I just ignored Jordan moving to the other row, who would believe this guy is doing Masters, he behaves more like a teenage boy.

''Wouldn't you greet your old friend.'' He said suddenly hovering over me. Leaning back , I frowned at him turning my face away. I didn't feel the need to reply or react at his childlessness so I ignored him completely. ''Looks like you forgot me Raksha.'' He taunted

''what if I tell them about the good time we had.'' I felt like laughing on his stupidity. He was acting too childish. Shaking my head I went back to my books, he couldn't take my ignoring him, ''Do you realise I can make you famous in a wrong way.''

With a smiled,  I turned to him , ''And do you realise that in your ignorance you can spoil your career and future. Turn around, walk away and you will safe,if you don't I will make sure they kown how you were being handled by my female guard.'' His face turned red in anger, but now I don't care. Do hell with him.

The arrival of the professor made him retreat , next few hours went busy in lectures and professors giving us a feel of future assignments. Once the class got dismissed, I turned my phone on to find messages from everyone back home and last one from Hansa.  I smiled looking at the pictures of the kids, they are just too adorable.  

When I reached home, I found a  gift box and bouquet  waiting for me the hall. The house keeper informed it was delivered with no name of the sender. My heart started beating wild, was it from Adi? I had an urge to rip the wrap and see what the gift he had left me. My fingers caressed the flowers, I wanted to feel his presence. May be he too touched these petals, may be it still had him on them. My eyes again went to to the box, ''Get rid to these and don't accept anything which comes from someone unknown.'' 

''It could be something expensive. Have a look atleast.'' Hansa said

''I didn't ask for it, get rid of it.'' with that I made my way up to my room. I need to get rid of all such thoughts and soon. I took a warm shower and changed into a comfortable dress. I had few assignments to do and decided to do it after dinner. Moving the the balcony, I stared at the open sky. All visible through my room is the enormous front lawn. I am sure bhai bought this manor so that no one from outside could get a glimpse of his precious sister, shaking my head I smiled recalling his sweet words. Moving out I took the stairs to the terrace, I really need a view outside my house. Back home, the porch of my room gives an elegant view without me getting noticed. I had enjoyed numerous sunrises from my room. Moving up , I opened my arms and took a deep breath. The Breeze was cold but fresh, strolling around I decided to let my brain run in all possible directions. I was enjoying the view of my back yard when something caught my eye on the other side of the boundary wall. A man dressed completely in black, stood facing me leaning on a black racing bike. He had worn a helmet, again black to hide his identity.  Though its impossible to recognize who it is, but I have a feeling I have seen that vehicle. Actually I have taken a ride on it. Yes, its Adi's bike, He had taken me on a ride few months back . What is he doing here? Keeping my eyes on the figure I ran down the stairs towards the back gate of the mansion. The guard hurriedly unlocked the door and I stepped out to be welcomed by an empty road. ''Any thing wrong ma'am.'' The guard asked

''Did you see someone dressed in black riding a black bike?'' He thought and shook his head in negative. How would he? this door his huge, plus we hardly use this one. Since this area is very quiet , we only find vehicles of the people staying in and around here
 

Taking a step ahead I looked in both directions to find a proof of him, there was no one . With a sigh  , I turned around to go back when my feet halted. I realised I saw something on the road, turning around I ran towards the other side of the road where I had seen the man standing. There on the earth, lay small soft toy holding a heart with a sorry written on it. With it was a a rose bud. So he was here and its not my imagination. I had a urge to kick it but I can't, because that would be wrong. Leaving the bud and the teddy on the road, I made my way back into the mansion. I know he is around and must be watching me, and I want him to so that he knows the message loud and clear. I am done.

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