"This is why, I want to file a complaint against him." She repeated.

Sneha's father took a moment before speaking. Her mother and sister were still confused.

"How dare he?" Shankar didn't hide his anger and disappointment.

Sneha then detailed the scenario.

"Did anyone witness it?" Her father asked.

Sneha thought for a while. She was so lost in crying at that moment that she had not really paid attention to it.

"I don't know. It was early morning and no one was on the beach at that time...as far as I remember." She said.

Her father sighed.

"We will go to the police station tomorrow, right, papa?" She asked softly, almost begging him. She wanted to see Viraj being punished for his senseless act so that he doesn't do this with someone else.

"Of course, papa will go with you, didi." Priya interrupted while her mother looked at Shankar in anticipation.

The elders had to think of the situation from many perspectives. If a simple boy had done this unacceptable thing with Sneha, her father would have immediately rushed to the police.

But, this was Viraj Khatri...the mafia don of Mumbai with a chain of businesses at his fingertips. He had the power to bring the entire Bohra family to the roads if he wanted within a snap of his fingers. He could easily kill them and frame it as an accident. He had the power to ruin the lives of both Sneha and Priya and no one would know a thing about it. And this is what scared, Shankar.

"Sneha..." Her father started and she looked at her father expectantly.

Her father looked at her mother once before speaking.

"I will visit Viraj tomorrow, okay? I'll talk to him." He said gently.

Sneha narrowed her brows.

"Why would you meet him? We should just file a complaint and the police will take care of the matter themselves!" Sneha interrupted and Priya nodded furiously.

"And make him angry enough to kill us? You have seen him do that, Sneha. What makes you think he won't hurt us?" Her father knocked sense into her. For him, Sneha and Priya's safety was of utmost importance.

Sneha froze. She hadn't thought over this in this way.

'He wouldn't kill us for this, right!' She thought but then got the answer too. He could!

Sensing her thoughts, her father elaborated.

"You know he is a powerful man, Sneha. His father has huge connections in politics. I don't know why he did this to you, but I'll talk to him. I'll explain the situation to him politely...man to man. I am sure he will understand. Till then, you must stay at home, okay?" Her father asked.

"But, why should I stay at home? I didn't do anything wrong!" She asked sadly, already knowing the answer. Why was it that in such matters, it was always the girl who was punished?

Her father sighed before replying.

"Only for a few days, Sneha. It is for your safety. Please!" Her father requested.

This time, Sneha couldn't hide her tears and a salty drop fell from her eyes.

She hated Viraj even more now. Because of him, she became a prisoner in her own home! And, because it concerned her family's safety, she didn't argue. What if Viraj approached her again in college or library like earlier? She wouldn't be able to fight him, physically or verbally. Currently, her safety was in her home only.

"Okay, papa." She mumbled.

"Also, don't tell this to Shashank, okay?" Her father added.

"Why?" She asked.

"Think it never happened, Sneha. Just listen to me." Her father said gently but the order was clear in his tone. Even her mother nodded at it.

She understood his intention, though. They were afraid that Shashank might break off the engagement if he gets to know that she had been kissed by another man. She sighed at the thought. If she couldn't trust her fiance, then why should she even marry him, she wondered.

"Okay, papa." She mumbled in defeat.

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It was finally 12:30 am when Sneha stepped out of the bed. Priya was very upset with what Viraj had done. She already disliked him and now, her hatred was on another level. So, Sneha had to console her sister and force her to sleep. When she was sure that Priya had slept, she slowly sneaked out of the room and took her phone from the charging point.

Unlocking it, she opened the message box of her fiance. Shashank had asked her to inform him once she reaches home safely. But, she was so engrossed in her affairs that she forgot to text or call him. Since it wasn't the right time to call him, she quickly typed the message.

'I reached home safely. Will call u 2mrw. Gud ngt.' She typed and hit the send button.

As soon as she hit the send button, she got another text message.

Her frown deepened when she saw the sender's name. It was him.

Curiously, she opened the text message.

'Did you reach home?' Viraj had texted her.

Even though he knew that she had reached home safely, he still wanted to ask her. Right now, it was the only way he could initiate the conversation as he lay on his own bed, waiting patiently for her reply. He had listened to Gaurav and had not disturbed her the entire day, even though he desperately wanted to talk to her.

With a grim expression, she opened the setting section of her phone and blocked Viraj's phone number from receiving both text messages and calls from him.

'Shameless man. He is engaged and still, he is texting another girl. I wish I could tell Nupur about her fiance and his true face!' Sneha thought angrily and locked the phone.

Coming back to the bed, she tried to sleep.

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"Let's go, Viraj." Gaurav informed him about the next meeting when his PA of common affairs entered.

"Sir, Mr Shankar Bohra wants to meet you. He is waiting at the reception and he says that it is very urgent. He doesn't have an appointment but he is insisting a lot." The young girl informed.

'Sneha's father!' Viraj thought in surprise. He looked at his watch and then towards Gaurav.

"Gaurav, start with the meeting and I'll join soon. Just make notes so we can discuss later." Viraj commanded and Gaurav nodded.

"Escort him here. And, get us some coffee." Viraj told the young girl who nodded and went to her work.

"Viraj... You know why he is here, right?" Gaurav asked.

"Yes. I'll talk to him." He assured.

"Just...don't lose your temper, okay?" Gaurav suggested to which Viraj nodded. As soon as Gaurav left, Viraj took his seat.

He had talked to his father yesterday itself and had asked Dev to break the engagement between him and Nupur. However, his father had only asked him to hold the thought and that he was coming today to talk to him about it.

A knock resounded in his office.

"Come in." He said aloud.

Cautiously, Shankar entered the room and searched for Viraj. He was sitting like a king in his chair at the centre of the room.

"Mr Bohra. Please, come in." Viraj greeted Sneha's father.

As soon as Shankar sat on the guest's chair, he spoke.

"Mr Khatri...my daughter...told me about what you did in Goa." He came straight to the point while making sure to keep his tone and words in check.

And, Viraj was aware of his fear.

Viraj nodded and spoke.

"Yes. And, I am ready to take responsibility for my actions, Mr Bohra. I will come straight to the point as it will save our time. I like your daughter and I want to marry her." He stated as a fact.

Shankar's face stiffened as he heard Viraj.

"It is my honour, Mr Khatri. But, I have promised her to someone else already." He said slowly and carefully.

Viraj's brows raised as he stared at Sneha's father.

"What?" He asked painfully slow, as he was unaware of this information.

At that moment, Viraj's PA arrived with two cups of coffee. She professionally placed the cups in front of both of them and left.

"Yes. My daughter is getting married. So, please, understand. I have given my word and all the preparations are done. The date is finalized and the cards are printed." Shankar said.

Viraj's fist tightened in anger and jealousy. However, he maintained a calm composure and didn't let anything show upon his face.

"Who is he?" He asked patiently, even though from the interior he was burning.

He felt cheated!

Shankar hesitated before replying.

"He is my friend's relative and a very good boy. I am sure you will get many girls of your liking...better than my daughter, Mr Khatri." Shankar said politely.

Viraj only stared....glared at Sneha's father. The only reason why he was not unloading his gun in this man's skull was because of his relationship with Sneha. He was her father and he won't kill him.

Viraj picked up a pen from the table and started tapping its head on the table slowly.

"So, the date has been fixed." He asked.

"Yes." Shankar replied.

"When is it? The marriage?" He asked.

"June 30."

"That's a long time, isn't it? If he is a good boy, why not get your daughter married sooner?" He asked curiously.

Shankar hesitated to answer. He wondered why Viraj was asking these questions.

"Uhh...Sneha wants to finish her studies first." Shankar said.

Viraj nodded firmly.

"What about the engagement?" Viraj asked because he had not seen Sneha wearing any ring.

"It will be on 10th March...after Holi." Shankar replied.

"You have printed the cards already?" Viraj queried.

"Yes. For the engagement."

Viraj nodded.

"What does he do?" He asked referring to Sneha's fiance.

"He is a government employee."

"Alright, Mr Bohra. As long as Sneha is betrothed to someone else, I understand that I shouldn't interfere in her life." Viraj announced after giving the situation a thought.

Shankar released a satisfied breath.

"Thank you, Mr Khatri!" Shankar said with a huge smile as he had not thought that Viraj would agree to this so easily. Viraj wanted to scoff.

'Does he really think I am backing off?' He thought.

However, on the exterior, Viraj flashed a smile as well.

"Of course, Mr Bohra."

"I should go now." Shankar said.

"At least have some coffee." Viraj pointed at the cup of untouched coffee.

"I am so sorry, Mr Khatri. I am diabetic."

"Green tea perhaps?" Viraj asked, trying to woo his soon-to-be father-in-law.

"No, no, sir. I should really go to my office now. Thank you so much for your time. I am forever in the debt of you." Shankar said cheesily.

Viraj chuckled at the choice of words. In a way, he was right too. His Sneha was with Shankar right now.

As soon as Shankar left the office, Viraj threw the pen across the room in anger.

"You are so going to pay for hiding everything from me, Sneha." He swore and called one of his men in the underworld.

"I want you to find out who Sneha is engaged to. I am sending her photograph and her phone number to you. The work must be done in an hour." He commanded his man and cancelled the call.

As soon as he hung up the call and sent the details, the door to his office opened again.

He already knew who the newcomer was. Only one person had the audacity to enter his office without knocking.

"Son." Dev greeted as he entered the office.

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(Hey all!

So, do you think Viraj would be able to convince his father?

And, what about Shashank?