Adi,

A permanent smile had been plastered to my face since the guest lecture at the university. Raksha's face was a treat to watch. She had always been way more than expressive, hiding emotions and feelings have never been her thing. Her face is mirror to her soul, every time I mentioned something related to us during the lecture she seemed to be cursing me in her head. I found that cute, but its an amazing feeling to watch color run up her cheeks and knowing that I am the reason makes me feel all the way more amazing.

The day at work to turned out be awesome.  I felt content, though I have lost the keys of her house but I still am hopeful about finding a way to her. With random thoughts in my mind my car drove into the drive way of my mansion. Swinging my keys I stepped in humming my favourite song.

''Adi, we have a guest.'' Anjali's voice halted my steps. I frowned, I wasn't expecting anyone nor I was aware of any business partner or friend visiting me. Nodding once, I followed Anjali to the main hall. I feet halted when I eyes fell on the visitor, ''Hello Adi''

Ananya greeted me with a smile, there was something about that smile that made me frown. Next to her was her daughter who was busy looking at the unfamiliar surroundings. ''I wasn't expecting you''

''I know, even I wasn't expecting to visit you. At least, not this  soon.'' She replied with a smile which didn't reach her eyes. Taking a deep breath, I took the place opposite to her, ''What would you like to have?''

''A cup of tea would be good.'' She smiled never moving from her eyes from me. ''Can I play with the baby.'' Anika asked innocently and Anjali followed her in apologizing profusely. That moment I saw a different Ananya, calm loving and angelic, ''Off course sweet heart.'' Anjali picked the little Princess up as Anika wouldn't leave without her. And Ananya was back to the icy self. I had met her when she was just Ranvijay's wife , since then she has come a long way. She has grown up into a powerful woman. 

The butler bought in the tea and she took a sip from her cup, ''Adi, visiting Raksha in the darkness of night like a thief is not something appreciable.''

''I am not looking for permission.'' True I didn't care who thinks what

She smirked, ''If I were you, I would.'' I was about to reply but rise of her palm silenced me, ''It was you who turned her down. It was you who threatened to make her life hell. Even  after knowing of your mother's deeds, she wanted your love but you turned her down. What do you think of yourself Prince, not everything is going to go as per your will. Its you who have been deciding it every time, and that cannot be fair.''

''I guess you have forgotten your wedding with Ranvijay, that was too forced.'' I know I shouldn't have said that but it just came out.

''Yes, it was. But there is a difference, once he said he loved me he never backed out . Ranvijay never dwindled like a pendulum when it came to his decisions. He said he would marry me and he did, even when Granny was against it. If you want to compare, compare that because you couldn't do it. '' That came from the fiery Queen like a whip lash.

''Apologies, I shouldn't have said that .'' 

Her eyes turned calm, ''Well, I had no intention of interfering in your and Raksha's matter . But sneaking into the house is  something which cannot be ignored. I was a commoner , Raksha isn't and not to forget I didn't had brothers like Ranvijay and Veer. I have a suggestion, take things slow. Convince her first, then your family because convincing Rathores is no going to be easy. GOOD LUCK!'' She walked out of the room without waiting for my reply or greetings. I followed her out, she lovingly ruffled Anika's hair and gave Anjali a hug giving the glimpse of old Ananya. She lifted her reluctant daughter up and walked out with a whoosh. 

''WOW! She is something.'' James commented once ANanya's vehicle was out of sight. Taking a deep breath I replied, ''She is. I just lost another friend.''

''She wasn't wrong you know.'' That came from Anjali. I looked at my friends and found them staring at me like I was some kid being whose naughty secret was out.

''Don't look at me like that.''

''Why did you sneak into her house at night?'' Anjali questioned angrily

''I wanted to see her...Once. Its all her fault she didn't answer my calls.'' Though I gave the justification , my eyes couldn't meet their eyes.

''Adi!!! Give that girl some space to breathe. Why can't you men understand that women take some time to heal. They aren't like you, in love today and all gone tomorrow.''

''Hey! That's mean. I have been in love with you Since you stepped into this house.'' James interjected and I was thankful for that, Anjali seemed to have taken the role of chief feminist blaming every guy on the earth for the plight of miserable females.

''James not now and You, do have any idea how hurt that girl must be when you suddenly cut your ties with her for 4 months and the you snub her down in her own house. She still wanted to marry you and you go back threatening her brother about making her life hell. After all this, you want her to respond. You got to be kidding Aditya Ranawat.'' We stared at Anjali, our jaw touching the floor.

''Man she is in foul mood, you better escape before she tears you apart .'' James whispered leaning closer. I felt the same, I had no answers why and what I did. I had cut my ties with her because she thought ill of my friendship with Anjali. During Vikram's party I felt she was acting those tears and affection , after seeing her with my mother, my anger exploded. The marriage proposal too came as a blackmail from her brother, which made me change my opinion about her for a second. But her words thereafter made me realise that Ranvijay enacted all to test me and I failed miserably.

Ananya was right, if you have a brothers like Rathores its better to stay single. ''Now will you say something.'' James was right, Anjali indeed looked mad

''Give him a break and come along. We have to discuss about sending Anika for ballet lessons.'' Anjali made a confused face hearing James as Anika had no interest in dancing. The girl just loved to play football, but he dragged her along and I took a deep sigh of relief.

***

I couldn't sleep that night. May be I should give Raksha sometime to cool her mind and figure things out, but a part of me was restless. What if she decides to forget me completely. There has no other girl in my life but her. Since I have understood the meaning of the word Love, it has been Raksha. I started loving her even before I could understand my feelings. No girl has ever touched my heart the way Raksha did, her innocence was so attractive that I felt an urge to keep her safe. I would often think of eloping with her to some place where we couldn't be found. I laughed at the irony, all I wanted was to protect Raksha from pain and I became the reason for it. But all this has to end somewhere. Making a decision, I typed a message as I knew she wouldn't answer.

'I want to meet you, even if its for last time.' For long there was no response, either she has slept or has decided to ignore me completely. May be I no longer effect her. Throwing my phone on the side rack, I plonked on the mattress disheartened. I don't know when sleep took over me and I travelled to a land of disturbed dreams.

I saw Raksha dressed like a bride holding the hand of man, staring at him with a loving emotion. I questioned her, but she refused to acknowledge me. I watched her dancing in arms of a man who wasn't me. I kept my eyes on her while walking backwards and then I fell into a deep ditch with darkness engulfing me from all sides, there was no one who would here my screams of come for my help. Though, I heard all Rathores laughing on me.

''Ouch!!'' I woke with groan as something hard hit my back. Actually I had fallen off the bed while dreaming about falling into the ditch. I scowled at the memory of Rathores laughing at me, they are actually the villains of my life.

Quickly freshening up, I ordered the chef to make me a strong black coffee as my head was hurting bad. I quickly hopped down and joined my friends for breakfast. I sipped the black liquid and felt it touching my throbbing nerves, my eyes opened when my phone beeped with a message tone, 'meet me at Caffeine  in evening.'

My lips stretched into a smile as a cloud that appeared dark emerged with the silver lining giving me the required hope I had been waiting for so long. Gulping the coffee in one go, I shot up from my place to leave. I have to finish my work early to see my girl. I just can't keep her waiting.

***

Raksha was already there when I reached the coffee shop. She looked radiant in violet trousers paired with a pale shirt. Her hair were neatly pulled into a bun and she had accessorized her look with large pearl studs. She was busy reading something in her phone, as she sipped the coffee. she would lick her time and again to wipe any traces of the liquid.  And I was back to square one, a night before I had decided to let her go if she wanted to, but now ...NO WAY IN HELL!

''Hi Raksha...'' Her brown eyes snapped up. She blinked twice and then nodded gesturing me to take the seat.

''What did you wanted to talk about ?'' She asked fixing her eyes on me.

''About us, don't you feel its necessary we discuss thing out.''

She stared at me with a blank expression, ''Is there a us Adi?''

''It has always been us, from the time I saw you first, till the time you decided to break off with me. It will always be us.'' I said leaning close to her. Her innocent eyes fluttered , how much ever she tried to hide them she wasn't successful. I smiled and she quickly lowered her eyes leaning back, ''All discussion, hopes and chances were brutally crushed by you some months back. I am not ready to get hurt again. Its better we go separate ways.''

''I can't and won't and won't allow you too.'' I spat as soon as she turned quite. She shook her head. ''No, we have come too far  to go back and I don't want to get distracted.'' Her words didn't match her body language. Pulling my chair closer I cupped her cheek, ''Say that looking into my eyes.'' I could feel the heating of her cheek under my touch. 

She quickly moved her face away, ''I don't want to turn back Adi. Please don't push.'' I smiled. She was losing control, good for me. Just when I was about to throe another magical line, we were being interrupted by a group of boys from the other table , ''Looks like she isn't interested, why don't you back off and let us have our chance.'' They laughed , Raksha squirmed at their crude words.

''Behave or I might send you back to school to learn some lessons you missed.'' I warned them with a smile

''What if we don't ? What are you going to do big man.'' One of them pushed me rather hard. I noticed, many didn't bother to interfere. May be these guys are influential and arebeing feared here. Not me.

''Adi lets leave.''  Raksha got up, another grabbed her wrist, ''Where are you going lovely one, we have so much to talk.''

''You will regret.'' Her eyes warned, but guess those boys were high on something and ignored her words. I can't take a chance of her guard popping out, that could be dangerous for these boys. 

''Back off or...'' They laughed at my warning and then he touched Raksha's cheek. I would have ignored and walked off , but touching by her they committed a mistake. With my eyes on Raksha, with a jerk I pushed down the head of group leader to the table. He tried freeing himself, but he was just a boy and I was a man. A man whose woman they dared to lay eyes on. 

''Let him go'' Another one warned in a shaky breath

''Come and get him.'' I challenged. with every passing second, I kept increasing the pressure on his head. After few minutes his group fled leaving their leader at my mercy. Pulling him up by shirt , I lightly slapped him a couple of times, ''If you wanna play, find someone of your size. Because next time , I will crush all of you.'' Tumbling he ran off, throwing threatening words at me. ''Adi, we don't need attention.''

''Come one, I went all Rambo for you and no sweet words.'' I complained making a face.

''You were aware Hansa was just few meters away.'' She tried to break my hero bubble. 

Taking a step I cupped her cheek, ''You are not Hansa's job, you are mine to protect care and love. Just mine.'' Her lips parted, but she didn't break apart. Leaning closer, I pecked her lips, ''Adi, you can land in trouble if Hansa tells this to bhai.''

''I don't care, do you?'' I wanted her to answer. Instead she smiled, walked back and ran away giggling. That was the best sound I have heard in months. Ranvijay Rathore, SCORE LEVELED!

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Sorry I am late, wanted to post on Saturday but couldn't complete being down with viral. Do drop in your comments and don't forget to vote. Love you ALL!