The bell rang twice before Sakshi stretched her legs lazily. She took a long breathe and felt difficult in opening her eyes. Her eyes must have swollen, she exclaimed already.

Shifting slowly, she looked at her right and groaned out, "Aditi. Babe, wake up! Someone's at the door."

She herself breathed as she felt faint pain in her shoulder and recalled all the events from yesterday. She glanced around the room, observing the daylight. "Damn! It's day out. We slept for late. We hadn't even put the garbage out for the man to take away."

Aditi groaned while stretching hard. She slowly rolled away and checked the time on her phone. "It's almost nine," she told.

The bell rang again, making Aditi alert. "Who the fuck is that?"

Sakshi sighed. "Well that's what I have been thinking. Now go before he or she goes away."

In her heart, she hoped if it was Shrey. But was it possible? For all she could remember, he had left with such anger and disappointment. Was he changed enough to throw away his ego and come back to patch them back? She bit her lip while feeling flutters in her heart as Aditi got up.

Sakshi slowly sat up while minding her aching shoulder which was still covered with ointment from last night.

"Aarush, wake up!" Aditi yelled while wearing the slippers and adjusting her T-shirt.

Sakshi smiled as she heard Aarush's groans and yawns while bell rang again. The sound of opening the door reached her and she waited for Aditi to greet the person. But no voice was heard.

Her eyes narrowed as she listened carefully. Only slow footsteps could be heard and Sakshi's heartbeats fastened. Only Shrey would dare to walk towards her room.

Sakshi had started to smile when to her disappointment, Aditi showed up looking paled.

"Who is it?"

Aditi gulped before replying, "Someone's here to see you."

Sakshi smiled widely, her eyes brightening at thinking of the possibilities. But then she remembered, she hadn't even brushed her teeth, her eyes were swollen and she had only worn a spaghetti top. But it was only Shrey.

Aditi observed Sakshi's appearance and threw a stall at the bed near her that she had picked from the nearby chair. "Cover yourself," she mouthed, making her confused.

Before Sakshi could even ask her, Aditi entered the room letting the man behind her show up. The air left her lungs, Sakshi was frozen from the sight in front of her. Just as she recovered from the shock, she narrowed her eyes and managed to question, "How dare you come here?"

Aditi cleared her throat when she heard Aarush calling her in a faint voice. "I'll be right back."

Sakshi was frightened immediately because the last time she was alone with this man, she had suffered enough and had blocked his advances before he could do more.

"Why are you here?" She asked again, looking in his eyes.

Kabir observed her fully. He noted her bed hair, her swollen eyes, her faintly red shoulder that was half covered with the stall she had on.

"I am calling the police."

He blinked and let out a light chuckle. His eyes twinkling behind his frameless spectacles. "No need for that. I will be going already. I. . ."

"Leave already," Sakshi said through gritted teeth. Her jaws clenched when she saw him looking around her room.

He looked back at her and put on a serious face. "I just wanted to know if you are fine now. How. . . How's the pain? Has it dulled?"

Sakshi stared at him in disbelief. "How the hell do you know if I have any pain?" She was curious and slightly scared.

Kabir breathed slowly, walking ahead, making her observe his every move. He stopped when reached the foot of the double bed. "I have always been a good stalker of you."

Sakshi's nostrils flared as she gave him a teary-eyed look. "I am going to complain about you to ghe University. You need to leave. . ."

"I am just here to check on you," he immediately explained. Kabir sighed heavily. He corrected his specs and nodded, "Mihir's girlfriend had seen you three at the hospital last night. Her Aunt is admitted for some viral fever. Mihir told me this morning and I was worried. I came here the first chance I could get."

Sakshi gulped and blinked away her tears. The last night's glimpse made her stomach churn. But right now, she felt more attacked. "You are my professor. You need to be in your limits. I have warned you enough. . ."

"Sakshi," Kabir flared his nostrils, looking at her. "I am not doing anything. I am just here to know what happened and how are you now. Blame me for being mad about you."

For some reason, her heart curled up at his words.

"Its my subject's exam afted two days. I was worried if anything serious happened. We're you fine enough to study or not? Was it bad of me to think that way?" asked Kabir while looking at her desperately.

Sakshi observed his face, completely different from the proud one when he was nearly molesting her in his office. "I don't feel comfortable with you in the same room as me. Before I call Aarush and throw you out, leave already."

Kabir gasped silently, his eyes stoning on her face. Realization hit him hard as he closed his eyes and grimaced. "Sakshi, I am sorry." He stepped ahead only to step back when she clenched her jaws immediately.

"I was being crazy that time. I couldn't control myself. I was harsh and disrespectful with you." He breathed slowly, looking at her tiredly. "I have been waiting for this proposal to step ahead and want nothing but a great relationship with you. I had waited enough and couldn't control my feelings-"

"What are your feelings? Lust for me?" She enquired. "You touched me," she accused him with a glare.

Kabir was quiet before he gulped. "I couldn't stop myself and I am ashamed. I should have thought better."

He lowered his eyes, smiling slightly. "I just am crazy about you, that's all. I don't mean to hurt you."

Sakshi chuckled humorlessly. "You have hurt me enough. How could you even show up with the face that you showed to my Shrey? You are nothing but a fraud, Kabir Nair. You are a desperate sick man."

Kabir bit his tongue while she further accused, "What do you think, you would achieve by showing him my random pics, claiming that you are my fiance and I am cheating on him?" Sakshi smiled furiously, making his jaws clenched.

"Sorry, but you suck at that. Mr. Kabir Nair, I won't ever forget how you have been interfering in my life. Shrey and I won't get apart by your mere tries," she told him, making him breathe heavily. "You showing up here won't make me think high of you."

"You are lower than I had expected. You are sick," she said, while observing Aarush standing at the door.

"What is he doing here?" He asked immediately while rubbing his eyes. "God! You are our professor. Have some decency. You are in her room?" His eyes narrowed.

Kabir turn around but not before staring in her eyes. Sakshi wanted to look away but she couldn't resist seeing the lustful thirst in his eyes. Shivers ran down her spine when he smirked humorlessly.

"I just wanted to inform you guys that the teachers who are going to check your answer sheets are within my circle," he said confidently. "If Sakshi is unable to study or write the exam, I can be helpful enough to not let her flunk my subject. After all, a fiance can do this much-"

"Whoa! Whoa! Calm your horses," Aarush chuckled, "Not that I mind you helping us all. But there is a difference between help and bribe."

Kabir's smile faded as he glanced at Sakshi.

"Leave the help. Leave the favour if you think. Or bribe that you call it." Her eyes met his as he spoke, "Mark my presence. It's not Shrey who is here to see you. It's me, Sakshi. It's me. Not him."

Before Aarush could reply, Sakshi glared up at Kabir. "That doesn't change the fact that you are a molester, a blackmailer, a stalker. I would never want my husband to be that way."

Kabir's jaws clenched as he stared at her. "I will say it again. I am sorry. I am highly ashamed of what I did. But at least I didn't do it with any girl. It's just you. If only you see the love we can form together, everything would be great-"

Sakshi laughed humorlessly, anger reaching her face as she glared at him, remembering the way he touched her forcefully and how he manipulated Shrey against her.

"Get. Lost."

Aarush smiled in pride as Kabir sighed heavily and left the room slowly. The man didn't seem Bewitched by her but was more like desperate for her.

"You need to get laid," Aarush muttered when he passed her.

Kabir smirked, not before stopping near Aarush and giving him a taunting smile. "Miss Khanna helped me do that, already," whispered Kabir, quietly.

Aarush's face paled in utter shock and eyes frozen.

"Wasn't much fun. Couldn't take my thick dick in her little mouth. Sakshi has a big one, " he exclaimed with a careless side smile. "Call me if you need extra marks, Mr. Mehra. Miss Khanna likes nerds, we both know."

Aarush couldn't move as he had never experienced such villainous scene before. He watched the professor leave not before giving his Aditi too a look.

The door shut after him, breaking his daze.

Aarush turned his head to observe Aditi who was waiting for him to reveal what the professor whispered to him. His gaze moved further in the room, his mouth parting at seeing tears in Sakshi's eyes.

The girl truly was suffering so much.

"You are marrying that Shrey anyhow," he said, walking into the room.

Sakshi wept quietly. "Looks impossible to me," she choked out.

Aarush shook his head, his mind filling with pictures of Kabir fucking Miss Khanna. He cringed while nodding.

"It's possible. Even if it means kidnapping him and getting to the court."

_____

[9:30] Coming too see you, right now.

~Sakshi

His eyes squinted as if to believe he was actually seeing this message. His heart beats fastened when he lowered down the profile to check display picture. There she was, smiling at the screen with two of her friend on each side.

Goosebumps risen on his skin while past slowly started rising from the ground of his mind. He stared at the name in utter shock. How was it possible? How long had this been going on? He scrolled through the previous chats, his lips pressing tight at seeing romantic greets and sweet talks.

Having nothing intimate, he felt more scared now. It looked like these both had matured and were genuine. But Shrey could never be mature enough. He would always be the little brother that Rishabh would have to take care of.

His blood turned cold when he checked the call logs. He felt embarrassed and scared foe his brother at seeing the outgoing calls that had been missed were twenty three.

Oh my God!

He opened the chat again and understood that they had a little argument. Both were not having a proper communication. Once, Sakshi was ignoring him and second, Shrey himself. Shrey had called on another number five times, this morning too.

It must be her other number.

"Rishu, shall I call the driver or any of you is driving?" Came the voice from the drawing room. It was Shrey's mother calling him.

Rishabh blinked slowly as he stared at Shrey's phone. He needed to think fast and protect Shrey from these stupidities. Of all girls, he was pulled back to the sister of that one and only Rathore? His jaws clenched at the thought of seeing furiousness in Rathore's eyes if someday he would confront Shrey about it.

He himself would be speechless because this time, it's not the play thing. It's something serious and the police case that happened had made him give his word that Malhotra boys would never show their faces to Rathore's.

He gritted his teeth while calculating the possible consequences. This could go so bad. Shrey had just came out of a big case and now, this trouble. He breathed furiously and typed the message.

I am waiting.

~Shrey

Just as it was sent, Rishabh deleted the last two messages. He closed the apps and put the phone back at the drawer near Shrey's bed. Hearing the shower turning off from the bathroom, Rishabh walked out of the room with a determined look on his face.

He started watching TV while his gaze was continuously stopping at the door, waiting for any footsteps. He was ready to do anything to save his brother from this nuisances. Shrey had suffered, now he won't let him get bullied further. That even from that Rathore.

"Shrey. You are ready," he heard his Chachi's cheerful voice. "Come have your breakfast. Alisha is calling her father. And then, we will all leave for the movie."

Shrey had put on a light pink T-shirt with full sleeves that was sticking to his muscular form. He was checking his phone, waiting for any sign of response from Sakshi. Even Aarush had ignored his calls yesterday. He had tried Aditi's number too but even she wasn't picking up.

Shrey's heart was drowning by each second. He couldn't lose Sakshi. He had to contact her by any means. He bit his lip and was about to send her a message, wishing her good luck for studies or a little apology. But before he could even type a letter, his mother snatched the phone, locked it and put it sideways on the table.

"Mom!" Shrey stared at her in surprise.

His mother smiled and slid the tray to him. "First, your breakfast and later, the phone. You don't insult the food by keeping it waiting this way. Alisha and Rishu are already done. You need to hurry up. . ."

Shrey bit his lip when his mom left and stared at the phone, that was far from his reach now. He hurriedly did the breakfast and had only washed his hands when Rishabh's phone rang.

Shrey picked up his own, putting it into ghe pocket. He decided to message her within some minutes, away from other's eyes. Right now, they were all leaving.

Alisha was going out with his mom while Shrey too was locking the doors. Rishabh was talking on the phone while settling in the car, getting it out of their yard.

Shrey didn't really want to go watch a movie when inside he was wrecked by the news of Sakshi having a fiance. Now, he didn't just have to fight for her love but also to claim her as his. But it seemed like an impossible journey. It all seemed unachievable now when things had gotten so messed up.

He sighed while twisting the knob and key. Just as he was about to turn around, Rishabh's voice echoed around.

"What do you mean you didn't do it?" He yelled angrily, banging the staring.

Shrey shook his head, rolling his eyes at seeing the Rishabh he really knew. While Aditi and his mom looked terrified.

"What happened?"

Rishabh ignored Alisha's words and got out of the car. Anger completely displayed on his face. "I had given you enough time, you moron. If that data is not finalized today, how will I show it my colleague from the panel. I am going to kill you-"

Shrey walked carelessly towards the car, observing his mom looking worried. Alisha was read to get out and calm Rishabh down. But the dramatic brother had another wave of drama coming.

"Listen you idiot. I am giving you two hours. If you don't send that to me by the given time, you'll be fired plus the fine you'll pay for ruining my meeting. You hear me," Rishabh said angrily and cut the call, grunting hard and fuming around.

"What just happened?" Alisha asked worriedly.

Rishabh sighed heavily while rubbing his forehead. "One of the assistant had a little accident. He is having a hard time making the sheets for our panel records."

Alisha gasped while Shrey pitied the assistant already. "What happened to him?"

"Internal pain in the feet. It's all swelled up. Now, he is getting help from his roommate or someone." Rishabh said while looking at them.

"Poor kid," Shrey's mother said, "Rishu, how will he able to do that? You need to soften up."

Alisha twitched her lips in pity too. "Can't you do it yourself? You'll barely take an hour or what."

Rishabh shook his head. "And I thought I could spend time with my family."

Alisha gulped while Shrey suddenly said, "I can help. . ."

Rishabh's eyebrows raised and he wanted to smile inside. He shook his head. "Leave it, you guys go. I will join you within an hour. I will do it on my own and tell that prick to rest for now."

Shrey was surprised but he didn't say anything. His mother smiled though. "Are you sure?"

Rishabh nodded while Alisha sighed in understanding. "Fine. We will roam the mall or buy something until then. We can go for the next show which is in another hour."

Shrey groaned while laying back and shaking his head.

"Shrey will drive," Rishabh ordered while coming to his window to take the keys for the house.

Shrey flared his nostrils while handing the keys and got out of the car only to shift in the front. He drove out of the yard, speeding away on the road towards the market.

While Rishabh unlocked the door, getting inside with a smirk on his face.

________

"What do you think?"

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