"I don't understand." Jai severely frowned after listening to her recitation. "What does that even mean?"

Priyasha smiled heartily then read the purport of the same verse from the Bhagavad Gita. Because of her acute restlessness Priyasha had to seek the help of Bhagavad Gita, which she blindly believed would bring her calm, and Jai decided to join her. Not only because he was curious but also because he wasn't allowed to join the guys in Abhiraj's room.

The officers were of course sitting in the living room and when Priyasha started reading loudly from the Bhagavad Gita to make Jai listen, they eyed her wryly with an incredulous smirk on their faces.

The officers had been pretty serious about the security. Even when she and Abhiraj, both assured they knew the men when Vijay, Ravi and Jai arrived, the officers didn't let them enter the apartment until they were done with thorough checking.

The officers' presence surprised the guys. Priyasha had to disclose everything to them once they settled themselves inside, still stunned. Initially, Abhiraj and Vijay were avoiding each other. Priyasha and Jai both noticed that and exchanged worried glances until Ravi saved the situation when he related the in-hand concern seriously. Abhiraj stopped him immediately and told them to join him in his room. Clearly, he didn't want any other person apart from his men to know the issues. Vijay sat still and looked away while Ravi and Abhiraj stood up to leave. Abhiraj noticed that and sighed calmly, then called Vijay by his name to invite him over. Priyasha had to roll her eyes with their silent sulky conflict. Although, after that Vijay grudgingly joined them and Jai and Priyasha both breathed out in relief.

Meanwhile, Priyasha unexpectedly received a call from Vikash and surprisingly he talked to her pretty nicely. It was unanticipated, but it felt nice to hear his normal loving voice again. She was about to ask him about Tiyu and the rest, the call disconnected abruptly. She tried to call back quite a few times, but all she heard was the automated voice repeating over and over, the number was out of reach. It was absurd, but she had to disregard it for it was then when the men arrived.

Priyasha cleared her throat and read, "One tries to satisfy his lust, and when he cannot, anger and greed arise. A sane man who does not want to glide down to the species of demoniac life must try to give up these three enemies, which can kill the self to such an extent that there will be no possibility of liberation from this material entanglement." [BG as it is, 16.21, purport]

"Whoa!" Jai frowned again. "Still can't understand. Explain."

Priyasha shifted on her seat and faced Jai. From her peripheral vision she noticed the officers were listening to their conversation intently. "See, Man steps into crime when one of these three negative emotions, lust, greed and anger, messes with his mind, or better say, a man's intelligence. Lord clearly said, these three negative emotions are the three gates to hell. And that is the reason why they are called sins. Why? Because, they are very destructive and degenerative in nature. Man loses his mind under their influence. When they enter a man's system, they completely obscure the consciousness of a soul."

She observed Jai's stunned face and smiled while continuing, "Jai, do you know what exactly are we?"

Jai of course shook his head.

"Okay, I'm telling you. We all are immortal souls, and souls don't get destroyed easily. Well, that is another chapter, I'll tell you later or you could just borrow this one from me and read it yourself." She held up the book and smiled. "Anyway. So, when lust, greed and thereafter anger messes with the consciousness of an immortal soul, they cause complete chaos inside and because of that, they bring utter ruin to any human being. They straightaway block the access to a soul's higher self, which can lead one to the highest position of self-realization and this is the reason, lord has instructed humans to be extremely vigilant to avoid these three gates of hell."

"And what is this highest position of self-realization?" This one came from one of the officers.

Priyasha darted her eyes on him and gladly accepted his query. "As in spiritual realization. You see, we are spirits in our true forms. Therefore, our self- realization should also be directly connected to our spirits or souls." She placed the flat of her hand on the cover of the Bhagavad Gita and said, "Lord has said here, when one gets free from all the material contamination, he eventually gets elevated to the highest perfectional stage. [BG as it is 6.28]. Self-realization cannot be attained by artificial means, but when one knows his constitutional position in relationship to the Supreme, he finally learns the truth."

The officer snorted. "That only means, we want or not, we have to worship God?"

Priyasha shook her head. "You don't understand. It doesn't work like that. What are we? We're all individual souls, that is, we are all parts and parcels of the Supreme, and only supreme is transcendental in nature. As individuals, we cannot get to that height where we can turn yogis or in other terms, self-realized persons just like that. It doesn't work when we become the slave of our own desires, that is our wishes. It is not about what we want to do or don't want to do, it is about what is the right thing to do. The only way to reach to that highest stage is to render transcendental services to the supreme personality to Godhead. The highest and the perfect stage of self-realization is only under his lotus feet."

Both the officers and Jai stared at her for a long minute still grasping whatever she had said, which was when they were interrupted by Vijay.

"Jai, go to Roy's room. He wants you there."

Jai's shoulders finally slumped down as he relaxed after that quite a heavy conversation for him. But it wasn't.

The soon one starts their spiritual education, the sooner they get elevated to their higher self. When the mind is young, it is easier to fill it with rightful thoughts. The more mind suffers and endures life's complications, the more it gets complicated to hold any fresh information about spiritual knowledge, which is ultimately the final stage/destination for every soul.

Jai immediately excused himself without another word. Priyasha rolled her eyes and shook her head while putting the book down on the table. Vijay then turned toward the officers and asked suddenly, "Officers, would you like to have some tea?"

The officers assented almost immediately which is when Vijay focused his gaze on Priyasha and requested, "Care to join me in kitchen?"

Priyasha shrugged and rose to her feet. "Okay."

She observed Vijay carefully once they were in the kitchen and he got to work right away. Vijay was much silent today than usual and looked thoughtful. He put the tea utensil on flame quietly and added the ingredients one by one. His silence prompted her to finally tore her attention from him and do the preparation for lunch.

Both were quiet for the first few minutes, for she was honestly out of any relevant topics to talk on, considering yesterday's abrupt end to their exchange. But then, Vijay saved her from the awkward silence with an expectable question, "So, Romeo called you last night?"

Priyasha nodded without looking at him while her hands continued working.

Vijay leaned on the kitchen counter with his back and stated, "I don't think he meant it. It would not be easy to break through the security."

She sighed and shook her head. "You don't know him."

"Don't worry. Things will be fine." He assured quietly, to which Priyasha didn't respond.

A few seconds later Vijay turned when he saw the tea was ready. He turned off the flames and started pouring the tea on cups.

"Priyasha.... I- I have something- I mean- I'm not sure if... I should tell you...but- but I don't think, being silent about this... would help either... I-" Vijay suddenly hesitated.

Priyasha focused her curious gaze on him, trying to contemplate what exactly he was trying to say. "What?"

"Umm...I don't know how to say it..." He paused and put the cups on a tray, then turned toward her burying his hands in his trousers pockets.

Priyasha frowned. The look on his face confused her. Her cheeks flushed sensing a secret, could-be dangerous ... flickering in his eyes. Okay, not literally a danger but his eyes definitely were shining with terrifying... yearning. It made her nervous. But she kept quiet, waiting for him to say more.

Vijay averted his intense gaze off her and murmured, "I'm sorry for yesterday."

"Oh." She blinked. He was just apologizing to her and there's nothing wrong with that. "It-it's okay, really," she quickly said to cover her nervousness. "I... figured out everything, after... you were gone. I don't blame anyone. You guys have been going through ... many..."

"No!... no!" Vijay shook his head cutting her in between and brought out one of his hands just to clutch the edge of the kitchen counter. She could sense him struggling to figure out a way to tell her something in an affable way, so she wouldn't be scared about the revelation.

Priyasha exhaled a shaky breath and stared at him. His eyes flew down and focused on his hand on the counter. "I- I think-" He was actually avoiding eye contact with her and which was what scaring her more. "I think... I- I like you. I-I've fallen for you."

As soon as the words slipped his mouth she froze on her place, lightning-struck. It was the last thing on earth she was expecting to hear. She stared at him stupidly. God helped her! How on earth Vijay found it to be okay to pull off as a joke?

But it wasn't.

She realized that when he turned his eyes and focused intently on hers. They gleamed fiercely. He was telling the truth.

She blinked as her mouth fell open once the truth sink in. "Vijay..." she whispered, flabbergasted.

Vijay's jaws clenched, but he didn't deny it.

The temperature suddenly dropped as they stood there in the kitchen gazing at each other. For a moment neither of them could move until she tore her gaze from him and turned away. "I - I can't. It-it isn't... possible!" A whisper left her mouth.

Vijay didn't respond immediately, the silence stretched between them to an extent that she thought she should leave the kitchen and she was going to, but Vijay stopped her pleading, "Don't... don't leave, please."

She stopped, turning slowly toward him and eyed him nervously.

Vijay murmured softly, "Don't get me wrong. I- I wanted to tell you this for a long time now. But the timing was never favorable."

She winced. How long had it been there?

He continued, "I developed an instant liking to you, the first time I saw you." He grimaced then corrected himself. "Well, the first time doesn't count." He paused; a hint of guilt was in his voice.

Her heartbeat quickened. Regardless, Vijay was making it difficult for her, she didn't want to acknowledge that.

If she could afford being truthful to herself for this tiniest of fraction, deep inside she had always sensed this was coming. She always had put off the voice inside her repeating that Vijay unquestionably had this slightest advantage. He was friendly, supportive, caring and every other thing a girl would want in her man. But... perhaps, she fell for the... wrong guy.

And, right at this moment, she felt torn.

It was already too late.

"I think I-"

"Vijay!" She whisper-begged hurriedly, "Don't say it, please."

"Let me, Priyasha. If not today, I can never."

Priyasha shuddered at the way he insisted earnestly.

His gaze wavered and dropped down on the half-chopped vegetables. "You don't know how beautiful you are, inside out. I realized that when I first met you officially. I straightaway observed that you're not even aware of how special you are and have been underestimating your worth since long."

He paused momentarily glancing at her, making her squirm under his longing gaze. She shifted her weight from one foot to another uncomfortably, too abashed to make eye contact with him and gazed down on the floor.

"Several times I thought to tell you but circumstances never permitted."

She could almost feel the extreme thump-thump in her chest as her face flushed observing the genuine affection in his voice. He resumed, "Nonetheless, even if I or anyone in general, take a wild guess, it is evident that Roy and you are seeing each other. I sensed that first time... in Asansol."

Priyasha faltered in her thought and stared at him, stupefied. How could he sense that then? Even she wasn't aware at that time.

"I thought it best to keep my quiet. But, when last night, Jai told me that you wanted me to come over so that things between Roy and me could be easy like before, I couldn't admire you more. I decided to confess. I don't expect anything in return I promise. Because, I'm not sure if in future, that'd be even possible if you and him..." he trailed off.

She stared at him, feeling suddenly cautious and bashful, unable to pronounce anything... at all.

"You - you are... very beautiful, Priyasha. I'm not sure how can you overlook that trait about yourself. Anyone would love ... to be with you, and feel lucky to have you. Roy, definitely is a lucky bastard." He paused, shaking his head. "Nonetheless, he deserves that. He deserves happiness. He's been a lonely child throughout his growing years and still, he keeps distance from almost everyone. He has been struggling since long and I honestly don't hold a grudge against him. Just..." He paused and anchored his attention on her again, "There's this disappointment that you could never be mine. I can never have you."

Silence dropped.

Her breath caught in her throat. It was exactly what she didn't want to hear.

Vijay's eyes softened as he leaned closer, cupping her face with his right hand. Then as quickly as a blink an eye, he leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek. It was a lightest and softest kiss she had ever experienced, but it sure sent tingles all over her. His lips lingered on the spot longer than necessary before he retraced and grazed his hand over her hair. There was this subtle sadness in his eyes which he immediately covered with a warm smile, and then he backed off, took the tray and left the kitchen, without giving her a second glance.

She stood there frozen for a long time after he was gone, then sank to the ground, pulling her knees to her chin and wrapping her arms around them.

It felt as if her world was shaking, yet another time.

She felt... wasted and entirely wretched.

~~~

Sometime in past

A knock on the door startled her as she put down the book she was reading.

Barely a week had passed since her 'nightmare' and her wounds were still raw and painful. She let out a muffled groan while shifting to a sitting position as Vikash entered through the door.

He passed a quick glance on her before averting his eyes and scanning around the room. It was clearly apprehensible that he felt uncomfortable and struggling to start a conversation with her. But Priyasha waited.

After a long pause he crossed the room and stood beside the window, overlooking outside. "Chini, I - well... how are you feeling now?"

"Better." She didn't want to prolong her answer, for she absolutely had this fear that if she talked too much, everyone will know how filthy and tormented she felt inside-out at the moment, and she didn't want to trouble everyone else alongside her.

"Ah - can- can we talk... about..." Vikash hesitated. "Your- I mean - the case?"

Priyasha grimaced and like a lightning shot fear blasted inside her. She shut her eyes forcefully and shook her head rapidly. "No!"

She could never talk on the subject without reliving it over again. As soon as Vikash mentioned about it, she practically visualized every detail the darkest day of her life had brought in her life and visibly shuddered.

Still eyes closed, she felt the bed shift under his weight. "Chini, open your eyes and look at me." Vikash emphasized.

She shook her head in a desperate attempt to forget everything, but failed miserably.

"Chini, look at me," he repeated, and this time his voice held such authority that she had to obey him. When she finally opened her eyes, she didn't realized she had been crying, her vision was blurry from the tears, which she wiped off quickly and stared at Vikash.

Vikash's eyes softened in compassion at the sensitive state of her situation. "Chini, you need to be strong." He comforted softly.

Priyasha shook her head and gazed down; her eyes again teared up.

"Promise me Chini," Vikash caught one of her hands and squeezed it gently. "You'll never ever let others have a glimpse of what's going on inside you. Especially then, when you are broken. It'll make your life more difficult."

She looked up at him, absolutely crestfallen, trying to grasp what he was saying.

Vikash nodded and continued, "Promise me Chini, no matter what happens to you, you'll not shade tears in front of any evil like him and you'll keep fighting till your last breath and never will you lose your hope. Promise me that." Vikash paused momentarily before resuming, "Chini, this is a hard truth that you have to accept. They will break you more if they find out how defeated you are feeling inside. It's a cruelest human psychology. Humans take pleasure in someone else's pain. Unless you stand up for yourself, they will keep suppressing you till you sink into the ground. Don't ever give them the satisfaction of your fall. You understand me?"

She blinked some more tears and stared at him for a long time. Nonetheless, Vikash was very patient with her and sat there holding her hand. Finally, when her tears stopped falling and she nodded understanding, he let go of her and declared, "The hearing will start from tomorrow and I want you to stand your ground, no matter what happens in the court. Okay?"

His eyes focused on her fixedly until she nodded quietly.

"And, never will you tear up in front of that vile, despite the numerous times you'll have to encounter him on court. Promise me this."

"I promise." A whisper left her mouth even before she could discern what she was about to agree on. And which later, gave her the strongest appearance of a women who didn't know how to cry.

~~~

Until, Abhiraj came in her life.

A sudden knock on her door brought her out of her trance.

"Isha?"

"Come in." Her heart fluttered at his voice and the way he said her new name. It was caring, affectionate and every time he called her so, a warmth of rightness settled in her heart.

Abhiraj came in through the door and his galaxy eyes immediately fell on her. Their eyes locked for few seconds before she blinked and gazed down on the book she was reading.

He took a few steps toward her then stopped at the foot of the bed.

"You should eat something. It's almost seven and you haven't eaten anything the whole day."

"I'm not hungry," she replied without making an eye contact.

It was true that she had lost her appetite since last night. Every time she was remembering Romeo's call, she was feeling nauseous. Even she declined Jai when he came to invite her for the lunch. When she didn't turn up to the dining table the guys came along, but she avoided them too, making up an excuse of stomach pain. She couldn't tell how much the guys believed that, but they had indeed refrained themselves from bothering her anymore.

The whole afternoon she stayed locked inside her room reading books. She wanted to call her parents but decided against it. Maya would have understood her depressed voice in a matter of seconds and she didn't want them to engage in her problems too. They already have enough on their plates. Kaushik was still sick and extra stress would do nothing but more harm to his health. So, she had switched off her phone and kept it aside to completely immerse herself in a whole different world of stories.

"No one ate today," he calmly uttered.

And that made her shot up her head to his face. What did he mean by that? She stared at him questioningly. "What does that mean?"

"Everyone's worried for you." He dug his free hand in his pocket and turned to walk toward the little bookcase. "No one had their lunch."

Her eyes followed him but she sat there dumbfounded. Why would they do that? It was the last thing she had in her mind.

Abhiraj on the other hand, caught a quick glance at her before turning his gaze on the books. "You're not the only one who wants to care about others." He paused momentarily as his eyes shifted and focused on her again. "Especially, if that person is someone special."

Her gaze wavered at that as she looked away, warmth rose to her face and she was sure it had taken a shade of pink by then. She felt guilty, ashamed and mortified all at the same time.

"They shouldn't have done that," she whispered, absolutely embarrassed. "You shouldn't have let them."

"Who am I to order around?"

This made her scoff. Says who?

He again enunciated, "Let's go. Eat something."

She sighed looking away. "I don't feel like eating."

Abhiraj didn't respond to that, instead he came around the bed and tugged on her forearm. "Come on."

She stared at the spot he had caught in disbelief. Then, when he kept increasing the tension, she gave in and joined others in the kitchen.

The guys were already sitting around the table, waiting for her. When they entered, Vijay and Ravi noticed them as they were facing the door. Vijay was sitting at the end of the table and both Ravi and Jai on either side of him.

Their eyes lit up noticing them as she quietly went and sat down beside Jai, while Abhiraj sat on the opposite side of Vijay, right next to her.

The first word of apology came from her breaking the silence around the table. "Sorry."

Vijay waved a dismissive hand. "Don't be. Here, eat this." He passed on a bowl toward her.

Although she was in a bashful state but she decided to focus on the food to keep her stress and embarrassment away for a while.

Her gaze dropped on the food. It was some sort of rice recipe but she didn't recognize which one from both of its look and smell. "What's this?"

Vijay answered, "Enchilada rice."

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise as she threw him a curious but incredulous glance. Noticing that he added shrugging, "Originally it's a Mexican recipe, but this one is made of V.H. flavor!"

"What's a V.H. flavor?"

"It's Vijay sir's name, Di!" Jai giggled.

Her lips tilted up at the corners as she eyed him, amused.

Vijay smiled too as their eyes locked, before he mumbled, "I hope you'll like it."

To which Jai grinned, Ravi raised his eyebrows while eating his portion from his plate and Abhiraj scoffed. "I hope so too."

Vijay turned his gaze immediately on Abhiraj and glared at him. "It's always you who finishes off those foods whatever that I cook."

"Yeah, because no one likes them and I don't like wasting food," Abhiraj muttered under his breath which infuriated Vijay even more. He leveled a glowering look at him, but Abhiraj miraculously ignored that.

Priyasha, after quite a while smiled genuinely, watching the guys behaving normal. She shook her head and ate a spoonful.

"Wow!" was the first word that left her mouth after tasting the food. "This is...mmm... quite something... Vijay." She chewed on the savory food, relishing on the unique taste.

Vijay grinned, watching her enjoying the food.

"It tastes really good," she commented with a mouthful. "Amazing in fact. I seriously doubt I myself can cook such a delicious food...ever."

"Well, thank you." Vijay tilted his head to her then turned toward Abhiraj and gave him a cold dramatic glare. "See?"

In response Abhiraj just shrugged while digging into his food, while there was an explicit smirk playing on his lips.

Jai pushed another bowl toward her and exclaimed, "I made this one."

Priyasha smiled, "Oh!" And glanced on the item. The garnished cashews were sitting on top of the creamy orange colored gravy. Her eyes lit up instantly, "Oh my sweet Lord! Kaju Masala?"

Jai grinned and nodded. "Maa taught me."

She immediately scooped up a ladleful and placed it on her plate. Then ate it. "Oh my god! Jai! This is... delicious!"

Jai's grin widened. "Thank you."

The rest of the time the guys bickered with each other especially, Abhiraj and Vijay, and for a quite while she almost forgot her current situation and laughed aloud along with them.

"Priyasha," Priyasha's eyes flew to Vijay who had just passed the salad plate toward her. "He was talking about my cooking, now you'll understand how awful he himself is!"

Abhiraj immediately snorted. "I'm better than you."

"Yeah, we'll know that soon."

Priyasha threw Abhiraj an astonished stare, which he of course disregarded and continued finishing his food. "You cooked too?"

Regardless Abhiraj kept quiet, Vijay and Ravi exchanged a knowing look with each other before Ravi said, "He didn't cook, he baked! And... specially for you."

Which right away made her face flush. She tore her gaze away from him and focused on her plate. The guys laughed out loud at her discomfort and laughed some more, when Abhiraj muttered under his breath, "Buzz off!"

She glanced up, biting her lower lip, silently praying the guys would stop making her uncomfortable.

"A dessert is always necessary to lift up a lady's mood, and that's what, he believes." Vijay winked at her while pointing to Abhiraj, making her even more nervous as her gaze dropped again on her empty plate. She had to blink several times to refrain herself from going crimson out of embarrassment. Her cheeks blushed furiously as the guys laughed out heartily looking between her and Abhiraj.

Abhiraj after that warned them to stop talking nonsense while the guys ignored his warning and continued chuckling, even Jai was giggling.

Abhiraj had made choco-lava cupcakes and when Jai served the cups to everyone, they had all settled in the living room. Even the officers were pleased with the sweet dessert.

Priyasha secretly exchanged an amorous look with Abhiraj when no one was looking and smiled, letting him know that the choco-lava tasted ... heaven.

But, to their misfortune, everyone except the officers, did notice that and they kept passing on harmless jokes at them, careful enough of the officers' presence.

Abhiraj shook his head several times, annoyed before turning serious all of a sudden. "I don't think Romeo meant it."

Priyasha instantly froze when she heard Romeo's name and remembered, why was everyone present there with her. They were safeguarding her... which she no longer knew would be of any help.

Vijay frowned. "We can't be sure, until the day is over."

"He might have learned about all the security that has been arranged for her."

"Your life is at stake too." Vijay pointed out.

Abhiraj waved dismissively at Vijay then gestured to one of the officers. "Officer, you should contact Mr. Jeet to inform him about the current situation."

"Don't worry Mr. Roy. We already did. Everything is under control."

"Even so, we should be prepared. Ravi."

Ravi looked at him and nodded with a knowing look, then went inside. Priyasha stared at the way Ravi went, not understanding a single thing what the men were up to. She exchanged a scared look with Abhiraj, which he returned with a reassuring one.

Which is when the doorbell went off, making everyone stiffen on their respective places for a quick second, before everyone jumped up, alarmed. Abhiraj hastily pulled her behind himself.

Both the officers pulled out their guns and immediately loaded it by pulling back the slider. One of the officers went to open the door, finger already on the trigger, and the other stood right in front of Abhiraj, pointing the gun right at the door.

Abhiraj motioned Jai to go over to the door to see through the peephole. This all happened in less than half a minute that it barely gave her any time to run inside. She hid more behind Abhiraj, grabbing his upper arm.

Jai carefully went ahead and looked into the peephole, then straightened, turning toward Abhiraj and muttered worriedly, "It's Zinnia Ma'am."

What? Zinnia? What was she doing here? She released her hold on Abhiraj, then stepped out from behind him dumbstruck and stared up at him. It was evident by his stunned expression he was shocked too. None was expecting... Zinnia of all people at this moment.

The officer stood in front of him moved aside and asked, "You know the lady?"

Abhiraj nodded as his expression hardened. "Open the door Officer, she's ... a friend."

Suddenly feeling insecure, Priyasha's eyes lingered on his face, until he noticed that and wrapped his arm around her pulling her closer. She let out shaky sigh, tearing her gaze from him and looked ahead, when the officer opened the door. Jai stepped back and stood beside the door. Zinnia entered through the door slowly with a phony smile plastered on her face. Her eyes wandered around the room before they settled on Abhiraj and Priyasha.

Her smile widened as she sneered, "How are you, Roy?" Then her eyes darted toward Priyasha and lingered on the spot where Abhiraj was holding her, before her lips curled at the corners. "So, Priyasha, we meet again."

"What do you want Zinnia?" Abhiraj jabbed. Although his composure was gradually becoming unstable, he maintained his calm.

Zinnia threw a mocking cruel smile before answering, "C'mon Roy, can't I come to see you?"

Abhiraj withdrew his arm over Priyasha and dug it in his pocket. "We both know, that's not the case here."

Zinnia's lashes swept up at Priyasha as her eyes twinkled with mischief, before she took a step aside and moved away from the doorway so that it could be shut. The officers, by then had let down their guards for a fraction of second when they realized she wasn't a threat.

Zinnia's eyes lingered on Abhiraj for few seconds before she countered, "You want to know what the case is?" She paused for a quick second before answering to her own question, shrugging, "I don't regret anything."

Before anyone could grasp what exactly she meant by that, the turn of events next, broke all hells lose in Priyasha's life.

A blur of movement emerged on the doorway and shot the officer close to the door right on his head. Although the sound wasn't loud due to the silencer, everyone startled in alarm. The officer's body sunk to the ground, as she watched in horror blood oozing out from the bullet wound. The other officer pulled the trigger aiming at the figure with a black mask covering the lower half of his face. But the miscreant was faster. He dodged the bullet turning sideways then in a flash, moved his hand and shot the officer first in the leg making him crumple, then shot at his hand which was holding the gun. The gun fell from his grasp as the officer dropped on the floor sideways, groaning in pain. The miscreant then tilted his head for a fraction of second before shooting him dead on the head. All of these happened so fast in front of their eyes, they barely got time to move and act. By then Ravi came running with a handgun in his hand. The same moment, Jai leapt at the evil from behind, but the wretch was faster. His elbow shot right at Jai's face, making contact with his lower jaw as he stumbled back. The evil went round in a flash, while yanking Jai right in front of him as a shield, pointing the gun right on his ear. His forearm wrapped around Jai's neck, almost choking him.

By then, Vijay had collected the officer's gun from the floor and was now aiming at the devil.

Now that the position of them was deadlocked, Priyasha moved even closer to Abhiraj, clutching his t-shirt and shuddered visibly. Abhiraj had his hand wrapped around her as he angled himself forward to be in front of her.

Vijay growled, "Leave him or I'll shoot you."

The evil turned his head toward Vijay, his eyes sparkled cruelly as he said calmly, "Do it."

When no one replied anything back immediately, he said again, "You pull your trigger there, and this kid will die here." He snarled as he pressed the gun on Jai's temple more furiously.

No one could move an inch. Both Ravi and Vijay hesitated to pull the trigger which was when the evil revealed his face by dragging down the mask from his face and focused dead on Priyasha, with that same evil sinister smirk, making her squirm behind Abhiraj. She suddenly felt numb, all her limbs felt heavy... his awful face alone was repellent to her that she felt nauseous and her stomach turned.

Romeo barked while not taking his eyes off her, "Drop the guns or I'll shoot him right now."

But no one listened and stood their grounds.

"Oye, you don't believe me? Then watch him die." He was about to press on the trigger when Priyasha shrieked, "NO! Stop, STOP!"

He tilted his head at her and sneered, "Bubbles," licking his lips wickedly he sniggered, "My Sugar-Doll, tell them to drop their guns or else you know who I am."

She came out from behind Abhiraj as his hold on her arm tightened restricting her movements. But she somehow came in front and begged Vijay and Ravi, "Please, drop your guns, please! He'll kill Jai otherwise. Please!"

Nonetheless, the guys didn't budge. Noticing that Romeo punched Jai on the right side of his abdomen, causing him cough blood. Priyasha watched him as her eyes widened, terrified as Romeo barked again, motioning to Zinnia, "Babygirl, go collect the guns from them and bring to me."

Zinnia moved forward and snatched their guns and went back to stand behind Romeo.

"Good girl," Romeo sneered.

"Now, Bubbles, come here. We don't have much time."

In response to which Abhiraj's hold on her tightened. Romeo let out a vicious laugh noticing that, then commanded Zinnia, "Baby girl, show them the clip. I knew it could come in handy."

Zinnia pulled out her phone from her jeans pocket and showed them a video of... Tiyu.

Priyasha's eyes went wider in fright, if that was even possible.

Tiyu was crying sitting on ground while three men was pointing rifles right at her head. The soon Zinnia had shown them the clip she retraced the phone faster than that.

Romeo barked again, "Bubbles, you have two options. Either you come with me, or there the little girl dies. The choice is yours. I'm learning to be generous. Just for you." He snarled at the end.

Priyasha took a step forward when she felt the tug on her hand. Abhiraj's hold on her had tightened to such extent that it almost hurt. She knew it'd leave bruises later. She turned around and stared fixedly in his eyes. The galaxy of his eyes was not any more visible. All she saw there was fear. Fear of loss. Her eyes blurred watching him like that but she immediately wiped them off. She couldn't give the evil the satisfaction of her inferiority. She pleaded with her eyes moist but in check. "Save my niece." Then she jerked her hand away from his strong grip and slowly turned toward Romeo. Her chest tightened predicting her near future, but she had no other choice. She had to go with him.

Romeo watched her move toward him and let out another sinister laugh. "That's my girl. Come here."

When she almost neared him, Romeo pushed Jai forward, as Jai stumbled and fell face down on the floor, hitting his head on the ground as a pained groan left his mouth. Romeo immediately grabbed Priyasha and yanked her toward him hastily, causing her to spun around, as she collapsed on his chest by her back. His left hand right away flew forward to grab her left breast as he, without a delay, began kneading it mercilessly, making her cry out in pain. As if he wanted to crush it then and there, in an attempt to remind her, she bore his mark. Romeo leaned forward as he bit down on her ear hard, earning a painful whimper from her and inhaled her scent audibly, making her stomach churn in the process. "Mmm, Bubbles... your scent is still addictive."

Priyasha's eyes swept up to look straight at Abhiraj, who stood there helpless, unable to do anything. She noticed his body had gone rigid as his fists turned into balls but his eyes were telling a different story. They wavered as a trail of tear rolled down from the corner of his eye watching her in that position. Her heart squeezed inside her chest watching him in pain. But she warned him, "Don't." When his eyes lingered on her, she reminded him once more. "You promised something."

When Romeo heard that, his grip on her tightened as he growled at Abhiraj, "You dared touching her? You'll pay for that. She's mine!"

Abhiraj took a step forward carefully, holding up his hand.

"Stop right there," Romeo yelled out.

But he didn't stop. Abhiraj and both Ravi and Vijay stepped forward carefully, while Abhiraj said, "Let her go."

In response to which, Romeo pulled out a knife from who knows where, making the men stop abruptly as he placed the knife on her throat. "I can manage two weapons at the same time, you wanna see?" Nonetheless, he didn't wait for anyone's reply, he swiftly slashed the knife on her shoulder, tearing her cloth and skin as blood trickled out from the wound. She hissed out in pain at the burning sensation.

Both Abhiraj and Vijay screamed aloud, "NO!!"

Romeo laughed aloud and warned, "You take one step ahead, I'll do it again. Against her throat this time."

Everyone froze on their spot, and all of a sudden, Abhiraj sank down to the ground, collapsing on his knees. His head drooped. Priyasha noticed that and chided, "Abhi, don't you dare ... break. Look at me," she demanded earnestly.

His eyes shifted up and found hers as they locked for a bare second before Romeo dragged her behind along with him. Nonetheless, she utilized that fraction of second as their unspoken conversation. She threw Abhiraj a determined, full of trust and a headstrong stare. Despite his eyes were showing off fear of loss and pain... he recognized her indication.

Zinnia was following them out when Romeo shouted at her, "You stay."

"But I helped you ... I'm your - your companion."

Romeo snorted while his iron grip on Priyasha's throat tightened. "Who cares? I have my girl now. I don't need you anymore."

Zinnia stood stock, flabbergasted as Romeo yanked the guns from her hand and buried in his belt, then stepped out the door along with Priyasha. Before closing and locking the door, Romeo pointed out his gun at Abhiraj. "Abhiraj Roy."

Abhiraj shot him a seething glare, this time dead in his eyes. An enraged fury gradually creeping up on his face as his jaws clenched and she recognized the same old resolute Abhiraj Roy.

Romeo exclaimed, "Vishwa'll be beyond happy when he'll learn about your death. And... for me..." He gritted his teeth. "You dared touch my girl! You have to face the consequences for sure." By saying that he pulled the trigger and closed the door in a flash. Just before the door slammed shut with a bang, she heard Vijay shouting in terror, "Roy!" It followed by a loud thud of a person falling on the ground.

Priyasha's eyes burned with the overwhelming lose-lose situation. But as the evil held her against his chest, she felt dirty all over again. Her stomach dropped as a sick churning sensation settled in her gut.

But she couldn't let him win... she would never let him break her.

Romeo brought out a white handkerchief and held it against her nose and mouth. As soon as she caught a whiff of that obnoxious smell, her eyes started drifting close as a veil of darkness spread over them. A somnolent effect victimized her, catching her off guard almost immediately. Her limbs fell limp at her sides. Before drowning to a complete darkness, the last thing she experienced was Romeo's crazy, damp tongue on her cheek as he licked her along her jaw before whispering in her ear, "Mine."