Continuously driving away the thought of Vishwa's arrival in the city and simultaneously failing, Priyasha acknowledged the tightness in her chest since morning. It'd be a downright lie if she denied she didn't overthink the consequences of the judgement of her case. Despite the adjudication that went against Romeo, she had always been aware of the criminal gang that stood behind him and the fact that they would never spare her an ordinary life. As much as Vishwa loved his brother, his brother was an essential pawn in the walks of his life. He would never compromise Romeo's life taking their blood-relation into account. Vishwa knew about his brother's obsession with her. Romeo wanted nothing but full domination over Priyasha since the beginning. So, Vishwa made himself very clear to Priyasha in this matter, and now that he knew her whereabouts, he surely would come after her.

Throughout the day, thoughts relating Vishwa and Romeo remained clouded in her mind that the disturbing what-ifs and all the negatives left her weary at the end of the day.

Abhiraj did not bother her after their morning argument. But when he went out around 2 p.m. with an extremely intense countenance, she reckoned, he was going to conduct a very serious business, especially now that he had let down Vishwa.

It appeared odd that nowadays, even in her privacy, she needed someone's presence near her, and inevitably she realized it was not just anyone, she wanted Abhiraj's company. A sense of fear returned to her every time whenever he parted from her and an emptiness crept into her heart. Controversially, she felt safer in his presence. It didn't take long for her to identify the feeling which wasn't any more confusing. She was growing attachment toward him even after being aware of the fact that she knew very little of him.

Around 11:30 p.m. her turbulent thoughts somehow made peace with her when Abhiraj returned, dead-exhausted. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone. His vest peeking out from inside, both of the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the hem of his shirt was free from his trousers grip. A brown packet was in his hand, he came inside and straight went to his room. Not a single word was exchanged as she had expected to the least. He didn't even acknowledge her; she was waiting for him in the living room. Abhiraj's avoidance obviously hurt her sentiment that she ran to her room immediately and locked the door with a thud.

Her sulking abated right away when Vikash's sudden call renewed her panic mode she had been trying to put off. Kaushik's gradually worsening health after the recent fit attack made his condition more serious. He had been admitted to the hospital and as per doctors report, the next 36 hours were very critical.

Vikash's voice slightly wavered when he said, "Chini, if you can, come here as soon as possible," which certainly meant the condition was much worse than she had expected. Priyasha obviously agreed and hung up the call.

She pondered for a moment then went to Abhiraj's room. Having no idea what he was doing inside, she knocked on the door twice than one more time. It was already 11:45 p.m. and she didn't have a clue if she could still avail reservation on the overnight bus to Asansol.

A moment later the door swung opened and Abhiraj stood there in the same clothes he was wearing before. He scrunched together his eyebrows when he noticed Priyasha's eyes were glistening with tears, threatening to roll down her cheeks any moment.

"What happened?" He asked, instantly worried.

"Papa is hospitalized. I need your help." Priyasha choked out as the tears streamed down her face.

"Come inside." Abhiraj stepped back, allowing her to move through the doorway, to his pale yellow-colored room.

Priyasha entered, her head hung low, and took a seat on a corner of his bed.

He crossed the room toward the small corner-desk cum bookcase and took the bottle of water in his hand. "When did that happen?"

"Dadabhai called me just now. He said around afternoon they admitted him to the hospital."

Abhiraj took a long swig of water then checked on his phone. "And his condition?"

"Critical." Priyasha answered, her throat seemed to close in from fear. "Dadabhai wouldn't have called otherwise." She looked up at him through blurred eyes. "I need to reach there by morning. Don't know how much time he still..." She couldn't complete the sentence and broke down covering her face.

A guilt was playing at the back of her mind for she blamed herself partly for everything that had happened in the past. She held herself responsible, because she couldn't be the daughter Kaushik and Maya wanted her to be. She did them wrong while all they wanted from her was, to stay away from the lurking danger. Kaushik and Maya had given her everything she could never have imagined. Moreover, they believed she'd stay with them till the end. But all she did was run away. She acted as a failure in reciprocating their love, and that was one of the reasons, she hated herself more than anyone else ever could. Her eyes burned from the heat of all those toxic thoughts.

"Can you arrange for a bus reservation?" She asked him hopefully.

Abhiraj stooped low and opened the doors of the lowermost drawer, then brought out a helmet. "Get ready. Let's see what I can arrange."

Priyasha nodded at him; her vision still blurred. Abhiraj put down the helmet on the bed and now was unpacking the brown packet completely nonchalant about her presence in the room.

She stood up intending to leave, but all sorts of negative thoughts clouded her mind in that instant. She realized the fatality of the current situation and that she had to visit her old life once again. She failed at trying to abandon it altogether. In fact, she could never. She zoned out overwhelmed by her fatally wounded past and equally disturbing present.

Despite dreading the fact that she had to relive her past again where she lost her virginity, she found herself feeling safe in Abhiraj's presence. She was well aware that she had furtively developed a dependence on this man. There wasn't any rational explanation, but still, she had been gradually growing this unusual feeling around him. It was like, being at the focus of a high security system which was skillfully built by him. There was an undeclared assurance that she wouldn't have to confront any danger as long as Abhiraj was with her.

"Priyasha?" Abhiraj called out making her out of her trance, "Are you okay?"

"Ah...yes, yes." She wiped off the tears and nodded.

"Then go, get ready. I am not sure if we will be able to catch the bus. Let aside getting any reservation. At this eleventh hour chances are very thin."

She frowned despite agreeing with him and once he concentrated again on what he was doing, she put herself into motion.

After another fifteen minutes, they left the apartment. Trying to cope with the quiescent ambience outside their apartment, she fell quiet. He had changed into all black. A pair of jeans, a jacket, and a t-shirt underneath. Looking nothing but like those bad boys from movies. She shrugged away that tantalizing thought. Despite the fact he had this dark appearance, she couldn't deny, he actually looked attractive in those outfits. She flung the backpack over her shoulders then held his mini duffle while he locked the door.

"I am hoping you will probably reach there by 6:00 in the morning," he said after taking back the bag from her.

Priyasha kept quiet as she followed him down the stairs. The society kept the elevator closed at night, so the keeper wasn't also anywhere on sight. They descended to the parking lot as he approached to the far end corner, right where his car supposed to be. But the plot was empty. Instead, a Royal Enfield Himalayan stood there.

He went over to the place and quickly climbed onto the Himalayan in a swift motion and kick started the bike.

Priyasha stood there stupefied, mouth agape. Looking at the bike and the rider.

"Climb on."

"Where is your car?"

Abhiraj put on his helmet and answered casually, "My car met an accident this evening."

"What?" She squeaked. "How did that happen?"

"Really?" He anchored his attention toward her. "You really think that's important for you to know right now?"

"Ah-no. No! I mean yes, that's important too...I mean..." she blabbered then bit on her bottom lip as he gave her that rare smirk and held up another smaller helmet for her. Priyasha took it and put it on, then climbed on to the bike behind him.

"Ready?"

"Yes." As soon as she said that, the Himalayan took off.

The gust of wind rolled past them as the late of the night spread out its serene mood with a handful of people on the streets.

Priyasha had to put her hands on Abhiraj's shoulders as he sped up the Himalayan.

His woody and earthy cologne with a hint of mild floral fragrance hit her nostrils soon after she climbed onto the bike. She wouldn't dare disregard it because it was unexplainably calming her mind from all those negative thoughts. The scent was infusing gentle effects into her nervous system, about which he was clearly oblivious of. She inclined herself closer to him and inhaled a deep breath, not caring about the mortification she might face if get caught.

"So, aren't you going to tell me since when you ride bikes?"

"Huh?" He was concentrating more on the roads than her words, so she had to ask again, louder this time. "Since when you started riding bikes?"

"Oh! This is not mine.... this is Sanjay's... one of my... friends."

"Oh!" She let the topic drop, paused momentarily then asked, "How did your car met the accident?"

"Long story!" He was answering louder than he usually would have. The blowing wind grew wild with each moment as the Himalayan accelerated through. His husky voice sounded more thrilling because of their current situation. He added after a brief pause, "I'll tell you later."

"Are you okay? Did you hurt in the accident?" She asked.

"No, not at all. I am fine. Thank you for asking."

Priyasha noticed one thing. Since meeting him, this was the most ordinary conversation she had with him and she was glad he was acting normal and not behaving like his usual passive self.

After sometime, they reached the bus terminus. He parked the Himalayan at one side before she climbed out and proceeded toward the ticket counter, him following her close behind.

They approached the less crowded side of the bus terminus, where the ticket counter was. Her eyes roamed around the place locating the long line of the buses for various destinations. Mostly the place was uncrowded at this time of night. A few people were scattering around here and there and passed on some curious and doubtful glances at them.

Priyasha took a shaky breath and eyed at Abhiraj. His tall, intimidating frame provided her some nerves as they reached the counter.

A middle-aged man behind the net window looked at them with his impassive eyes before asking in a harsh voice, "How can I help you?"

"Mmm..." Priyasha cleared her throat to ask before Abhiraj stepped in front and asked, "When is the bus for Asansol will leave?"

The man answered uninterestedly, "Last one left at 12:25 a.m. Next one available is at 3:36 a.m."

Priyasha muttered under her breath, "Oh no! What now?"

Abhiraj turned toward her and noticed the shadow of anxiety crossing her face. He motioned for her to move to the side and said in an undertone, "Don't panic. Let me think."

Although his advice came too late to her. She had already started panicking. Clutching the straps of her backpack she mumbled, "What do I do now? If I take the bus of 3:36 a.m., I'll not be able reach Asansol before 9:00 a.m. That's too late considering the emergency on hand." Her throat ached from the worry.

"Let me think!" Abhiraj whisper-chided at Priyasha, looking around, running his hand through his hair.

Priyasha looked around the place, then checked on her phone. It was almost one o'clock and still she didn't know how would she reach there by 5 or 6 in the morning.

After a minute Abhiraj said, "Wait here for me. I'll be right back." Then he went toward the exit, without giving her time to respond.

"What the hell?" She whisper-yelled. Such a jerk! Couldn't even give a proper response! She cursed him then found the little bench at a corner. She went there, sat down and started fidgeting. Surfing social sites would be most convenient way to pass the moments, she thought and started swiping to and fro on the screen.

"There she is!" She heard a booming voice from across the place and reflexively her eyes flew up to that way. A group of men were actually rushing toward her. Her eyes went wide as the understanding settled in immediately. They were Vishwa's men. Oh hell!

She sprung on her feet in an instant, backed away then ran to the opposite side. Please! Abhiraj, where are you? She begged quietly as the men chased her way too fast. A sour churning moved in her gut. She yelped, clutched one of the straps of her backpack and managed a quick glance on her phone to dial Abhiraj's number. His number happened to be the first one on her number list due to the universal alphabetical sorting on phones.

She tapped on it and held it against her ear while continuing running. As the Gate 1 of the terminus ground neared, she felt the sudden forced-pull on her backpack. The abruptness made her tumble back. She lost balance, flounced, and dropped on to the ground. A shriek left her mouth as two of the men lunged forward, one of them retrieved a weapon from behind him and extended at her to prevent her from moving. The other one gripped her upper arm and pulled her up onto her feet.

"Keep your mouth shut and come with us," he said furiously.

Priyasha jerked off her hand to free it from his grasp, "Leave me!"

"Shut up!" The man shoved her forward. Meanwhile, her phone had fallen somewhere in the middle of this brawl.

She was about to scream aloud when one of the men wrapped a hand around her mouth restricting her from doing that.

Her eyes flew to the other exit, as she prayed hard. The men shoved and dragged her toward Gate 1 and they were almost at the edge of the ground when she spotted Abhiraj turning around the corner of the Gate 2. Few feet away from them, toward the right.

Although she wasn't sure if he could hear her muffled screams from that distance at all, but she used all her efforts in doing so.

She screamed behind the flat of the hand that had covered her mouth tightly, and just like that, as if he had heard her for real, Abhiraj froze, startled. Then his eyes strayed to his left, spotting the group right away.

Never had she ever felt happier in her life by seeing him.

Without a single delay he ran toward them. The rest three of the men leapt forward to confront Abhiraj when they saw him. One of the men lunged at him, blocking his way. His fist flew forward and made a forceful contact with the side of Abhiraj's ribs. Abhiraj jerked back, but soon recovered and pushed the man off him. Other two by then had gone behind him. One of them had a sharp weapon in his hand. He extended his arm to attack Abhiraj.

Abhiraj was facing the other two, fist-fighting with them. He wasn't at all aware of the lurking danger behind his back. Priyasha's eyes went wide in dread, her hands were held forcefully behind her back and mouth confined. She couldn't think properly seeing him in the danger. By then Abhiraj had launched punches on one's nose, and kicked in the other's gut making them fall on the ground in pain. Priyasha blinked.

In less than three seconds, she bit fiercely on the palm that had covered her mouth in an attempt to get rid of him. The man yelped, "Bitch!" and moved his hand away from her mouth.

As soon as the hand left her mouth, she screamed aloud, "Abhiraj! Watch out!"

Abhiraj spun around when the man delivered the strike. The weapon sliced through his jacket, reaching inside, Priyasha couldn't tell if it had hurt him, but she saw him taking a step back just to punch on the attacker's face with all his might. The man didn't even get time to understand his quick reflex as he tumbled backwards.

The rest two, who were holding her back, loosened their grasp on her and now was facing Abhiraj.

Priyasha yelled out a sky splitting scream, "Help! Help!" as the quiet atmosphere of night shook all of a sudden.

Within minutes, guards came rushing to where they were; the gang backed away noticing the crowd. Abhiraj by then had fallen on the ground, clutching his abdomen.

Priyasha rushed to his side in a blink and crouched down. "Abhiraj! Abhiraj! Oh my God! Abhiraj!" She saw the dark red-colored liquid on his hand. She looked at it horror-stricken as words came out in between her pants, "Are - are you - are you okay? Y-you're bleeding! Oh my God! You're hurt!"

He hissed from the sting. "The bustard might have broken the skin! It's okay I'll live, don't worry." He chuckled quietly at his own joke.

Priyasha, annoyed by his ignorance, made him lift the hem of his shirt and saw the injury.

"Are you okay?" A guard inquired.

"Yes."

"Who were they?" He asked again.

Priyasha bit the inside of her chin, unsure of how to answer that, Abhiraj saved her this time too. "Snatchers!"

The guard seemed to accept the answer and didn't stretch the question, "Are you bleeding?"

"Ah, it's just..."

"You can avail the medical facility in the office."

"Okay. Thank you."

"And, it this any of yours?"

She looked at the object. It was her phone.

"Yes. That's mine. Thank you."

After that they went to the office. Abhiraj was given first aid and the wound was thereafter bandaged nicely.

Priyasha muttered to him as they were leaving the office, "Why the hell did you do that?"

"What did I do?"

"Abhiraj!" She demanded, frustrated this time.

"I promised someone to keep you safe."

She stopped in her tracks. "Whom?"

Abhiraj by then had taken a few steps forward. He stopped then turned around and fixated his gaze dead into her eyes. The same unnerving stare which made her cautious about herself. Then he blinked and averted his gaze, mumbling the only word she had least expected to hear at that moment. "Myself."