It was night and Sanskar and Akshey were sitting in front of the alcohol bar of Malhotras Mansion. They made a toast with their glasses saying together: "Cheers!" – And sipped their drinks.

It was time for Malhotras to celebrate their victory over Raichands after all.

Akshey: "So finally this diamonds matter is closed! And the winners are Malhotras!"

Sanskar: "This had to happen since we are the best!"

Akshey gulped down the drink and said: "Hold on pal! This time we won because luck cooperated with us big time! Man I still can't believe that a simple accident made you reach not only to the diamonds but also the girl you were talking about today! How lucky you are!"

Sanskar: "And you think I should feel lucky because she finished at the hospital because of me?"

Akshey: "You think so negatively! Think like... because of the accident you could spend time with her and now you also found a reason to meet her again and talk to her! You'll have to apologize, won't you?!" – He touched his own head with an index raising his eyebrows as to tell how smart he is.

Sanskar: "I didn't take her to a long drive and spent time with her; I took her to the hospital because she got unconscious after meeting an accident caused by me! You know I've always felt your brain is damaged... Tomorrow we will go to the hospital for an x-ray!"

Akshey showed him a hand: "Oooo! You should feel grateful to me that I'm giving you suggestions to strike up a conversation with that girl despite having a bet with you! I could lose a Lamborghini yet I'm helping you!"

Sanskar rolled his eyes looking upwards as he remembered about the bet.

Sanskar: "Damn... You're speaking about talking to her and I don't even know how I will face her... She first thought I was...." – He made a disgusted expression – "I was romancing Madam Fernandez, then she thought I was killing Madam Fernandez and then the accident happened... she must have had such a bad impression of me! Shall I tell her that I'm Harsh Malhotra's son? She won't ever talk to me or even worse, what if she reveals my identity to everybody?"

Akshey: "That's your problem! I already can see myself winning my girl's heart, the bet and a beautiful made in Italy yacht! Coz I gave her a very good impression I'm sure!" – He rose up his collar saying that.

Sanskar glared at him.

Sanskar: "So this bet is really on?"

Akshey: "Why are you even asking it? You know that you're going to lose so you want to give up already?"

Sanskar put his glass down on the table and looked straight at Akshey: "Sanskar Malhotra doesn't know the meaning of losing and giving up!"

Akshey put down his glass too and looked straight at Sanskar saying: "Then you should google it."

And he started to laugh at his own joke.

Sanskar: "Ok stop it! Let's make this bet official." – He said bringing ahead his hand.

Akshey stopped laughing and shook Sanskar's hand. They looked at each other with challenging gazes.

Sanskar: "Remember Akshey. We have to make them fall for us, not fall for them." – He said recomposing.

Akshey: "Obvio. That's our rule in matters of girls."

Akshey and Sanskar returned back to their drinks when they heard:

"What's happening here at midnight?"

Recognizing Harsh's voice, Akshey and Sanskar immediately hid the whiskey bottle under the table and replaced it with a Coke bottle which they had placed on ground earlier.

Harsh came to Sanskar and Akshey who stood up.

Sanskar: "N..nothing Papa! We were just having cold drink while chatting and celebrating our victory..."

He eyed at Akshey who was gulping down the remained whiskey in his glass before Harsh could notice it.

Harsh: "Cold drink?" – He looked at the bar – "Don't you think it will be better if we celebrate with..." – He grabbed the bottle Sanskar and Akshey had hidden under the table – "This?"

He laughed at Sanskar and Akshey's expressions and then sat with them filling three glasses.

Akshey: "Bade Papa we thought you won't like that we are drinking at midnight since tomorrow there is college..."

Harsh: "But today my sons did a great job..." – He then looked at Sanskar – "They fulfilled their promise... so we have to celebrate! Cheers guys!"

They did a toast.

Harsh: "I'm so proud of you both! You made me really happy!"

Just then Akshey's phone rang. He looked at it and said: "Mom calling from Bulgaria! I'll come in a minute..."

With that he got up and left from there.

Harsh was drinking when he saw Sanskar staring at him with a little smile.

Harsh: "What happened? Why are you looking at me like this?"

Sanskar: "I'm glad to see you happy Papa..."

Harsh: "You're the reason behind this happiness my son!"

Sanskar: "And that makes me even more glad." – He said smiling while Harsh patted on his back chuckling.

ON THE OTHER HAND

Ragini was jumping the rope on the balcony of her and Devika's hostel room. She was wearing a red sporty crop tank top and black leggings and her hair were tied in a ponytail. It was night and there was darkness all over but workout always helped Ragini whenever she was in bad mood so she was just jumping the rope with a serious face.

She recalled her mother lying in a pool of blood and her father saying: "Harsh Malhotra's son, Sanskar... he shot her to get the diamonds."

Anger flamed in her eyes while she clenched her jaw remembering that.

"She is in coma now"

Ragini recalled the doctor's words and the face of her unconscious mother lying unresponsive on the hospital bed came in her mind. She stopped jumping as her eyes welled up. Something pinched in her heart. She had become aware of that feeling: it was pain, something new for her, something bad. Ragini touched the tear that had skipped through her eye and looked at it.

Ragini: "Tears are sign of weak people, and I, Ragini Raichand, daughter of Yash Raichand, can't ever be weak." – She said clenching her fist.

Ragini started to work out again placing her left hand on her right shoulder and stretching the arm.

"I trust you more than myself. Ragini Raichand can never fail."

Yash's words echoed in Ragini's mind.

"Don't worry Papa. Nobody can defeat me easily. I'm Yash Raichand's daughter after all!"

She had failed. She had disappointed her father. She hadn't come up to Yash's expectations. That was the first time and Yash hadn't told her anything but Ragini had seen the disappointment in his eyes and also that he was upset and that was disturbing her. Maybe he stayed quiet because she had just had an accident. He had pitied her. Thinking all that was hurting her. She was her father's pride. Wasn't she?

Suddenly a hand on her shoulder broke the chain of Ragini's thoughts. Ragini turned around just to see Devika in tee and pajama standing in front of her.

Devika: "It's midnight Ragini. It's enough for today. Now change and go to sleep." – She calmly said.

Ragini nodded and was about to go inside the room when Devika said from behind: "One minute Ragini..."

Ragini looked at her.

Devika: "Anger, seriousness, smartness and especially happiness suit on your face..." – She placed a hand on Ragini's cheek – "Pain doesn't."

Ragini touched Devika's hand which was on her cheek and then just hugged her. Devika hugged her back. She knew her younger sister very well. Ragini was not at all expressive, not an emotional type of girl but she didn't even need to be one because Devika understood even her silence and was aware of whatever Ragini was going through. There was no need to speak. That hug was enough for both of them to console each other.

Ragini: "I'm feeling like... something is missing..." – She slowly lipped while hugging Devika who just placed a hand on the back of her head.

"Mom was your biggest support system. After stressful days spent in handling deals and obeying Dad, you would find peace in her lap. I promise you my little one, I'll not let you feel Mom's absence..." – Devika thought caressing her younger's sister's hair.

AT MALHOTRAS' MANSION

Sanskar, Akshey and Harsh were cheering their victory when they heard a noise of something breaking coming from the hall.

They went to the hall and got surprised seeing a drunken Karan there. He was not in his senses and was having difficulties to walk also, that's why maybe he had tried grabbing a nearby vase as support but it fell and broke down making noise.

Sanskar and Akshey rushed to him: "Bhai!"

Before Sanskar could go near Karan, the latter backed off shouting: "Stay away from me!"

Harsh and Akshey looked on while Sanskar slightly winced.

Sanskar: "Bhai listen, you drank too much... let me take you to your room..."

He tried holding Karan by his shoulder but Karan pushed him away and yelled at him: "DON'T TOUCH ME!" – He shocked Sanskar, Harsh and Akshey.

Karan: "Can't you understand? I said stay away from me!"

Sanskar: "But Bhai what did I do? Why are you behaving like this?"

Karan: "Because I hate you! I hate you for always snatching my happiness! I have always suffered because of you! You are the worst thing happened in my life!"

Sanskar was hurt by his words. He had never imagined that his own elder brother could say all that to him and he couldn't even understand the reason.

Harsh came to Karan: "Karan what the hell are you saying?! He is your brother!"

Karan: "My brother my foot!" – He said loudly. – "I hope that nobody in the world gets such an egoistic and ego-centric brother who just cares about himself! I am stupid to think that you would ever think about what I want or what not Sanskar... I should remember that you didn't even care to save your own mother, so what value an elder brother can have for you!"

Sanskar got stunned. He looked at Karan widening his eyes not believing that he actually said that.

Harsh: "KARAN!" – He shouted.

Karan shouted back: "Don't shout Dad! You will always take his side only and might not want to hear the truth; you love him more after all... but you can't deny the fact that today our mother is not with us because of Sanskar only!"

Sanskar staggered as Karan's words hit him hard. Akshey supported Sanskar putting his hands around his shoulder.

Harsh: "Akshey take him to his room. He is not in his senses so he isn't realizing what rubbish he is saying." – He said looking straight at Karan who was difficultly staying erected.

Akshey obeyed Harsh and put Karan's arm around his own shoulder and took him away holding him.

Sanskar was still. Karan's words worked like a stab on him.

Harsh: "Sanskar don't take Karan's words to your heart. He is drunk."

Sanskar: "But he said the truth only..." – Voice came out from his mouth striving as his eyes had welled up – "Right?"

Harsh placed a hand on his shoulder and slightly shook his head.

Harsh: "Go to sleep now. It's late." – He left from there without saying anything else.

Sanskar walked towards his room. He went inside and shut the door merging his back against it. He rested his head on the door and looked upwards fighting back his tears.

Man uljhe ko kaise sambhalun
Bikhra hua hoon
Uljha hua hoon

Karan's words kept echoing in his mind. A blast, a scream. Sanskar covered his ears and tightly shut his eyes trying to escape from those memories.

Apne hi apno ko hai jalate
Chahat mai jinki jal sa gaya hoon

When finally he calmed himself down, he opened his eyes. He hadn't switched on the light when he entered in the room so there was darkness all over. Sanskar turned on the lights and looked on. His room was full of canvas covered with cloth, colors and brushes. It looked like an artist studio more than the room of the son of a mafia boss. Well... art was Sanskar's little secret, his shelter.

He walked towards a canvas and removed the cloth that was covering it. The painting showed the back of a woman with long dark hair carrying a kid, a mother-son duo. Sanskar caressed it.

Hume chod kar tum kahan khafaa hoke gum ho gaye ho
Kaise gawara krein hum abh dur tum ho gaye ho
Jahaan kahin bhi tum ho, chale aao abh sunlo...

Sanskar wiped a tear that dropped on his cheek and grabbed a brush and his colors palette. He went in front of a blank canvas and started painting. After a while he stopped and looked at what he had drawn with a frown.

THE NEXT MORNING

AT CHRIST UNIVERSITY

Sanskar and Akshey were walking in the yard of the college.

Akshey: "I need to hear your blabbering Sanskar! I don't like to see you so quiet! Are you still upset for what Karan Bhaiya said last night?"

Sanskar: "He didn't talk to me even this morning..."

Akshey: "Because he had an exam so he had to leave early! Believe me Sanskar, he didn't really mean what he said! We are Malhotra brothers! There can't be hatred among us! Just bromance!"

Sanskar: "You're right maybe..."

Akshey: "I'm always right! Anyway... I would love to stay with you but unfortunately, we are in different sections and your classroom is near but mine is on third floor so I must leave before getting late! Now give me a smile and just focus on our bet!!"

Sanskar smiled a bit while Akshey hugged him and then left from there.

Sanskar sighed and turned around. He was about to leave when his eyes went on the orchids among the flowerbeds which were surrounding the fountain at the center of the yard of the university. He remembered Ragini holding the orchids bouquet and saying "Orchids! I love orchids! They are my favorite flowers!"

Sanskar smiled recalling her smelling the orchids and walked towards that flowerbed.

He bent down and was about to pick an orchid when suddenly someone placed a hand around his one stopping him and at the same time he heard a female voice saying: "Don't pick it!"

As that hand had touched his one, a breeze had caressed Sanskar's face moving his hair and he felt strange. He slowly lifted his eyes looking up just to see Ragini's face inches apart from his one as both were holding the same flower. Ragini had not seen Sanskar since she was just looking down at the orchid that Sanskar was about to pick up. She moved up her eyes too and that's when their gazes met. A corner of Sanskar's lip lifted slightly. Both looked down at their hands: Ragini's one was placed on Sanskar's one. They could feel each other's touch on the skin.

Tere hathoon ki taraf
Mere hathoon ka safar...
Rozana... Rozana...

Sanskar looked again at Ragini who immediately took back her hand. Sanskar recomposed too keeping his eyes on her. It was not in his hands to take them off, he just couldn't.

Teri aankhon se kahe
Kuch to meri nazar...
Rozana... Rozana...

Sanskar had forgotten all his worries as she had come in front of him. His heartbeat had increased: this was the effect she had on him, always. Ragini was looking at him with a frown while he was just lost in her. She was looking gorgeous in open straight hair, wearing a sleeveless black indo-western kurti.

Rozana mein sochoon yahi
Kahan aaj kal mein hoon laapata...
Tujhe dekh loon to hassne lagein
Mere dard bhi kyun khaamakhaa...

Ragini looked away and walked towards the opposite side of where Sanskar was looking. As she passed near him and their shoulders almost touched, a gust of wind made a side of Ragini's dupatta fly a bit and then land on Sanskar's face. An unaware Ragini walked ahead while the dupatta caressed Sanskar who closed his eyes inhaling its scent as it had a captivating smell of lavender.

Hawaon ki tarah
Mujhe chooke tu guzar
Rozana...Rozana..

Ragini's dupatta moved away from Sanskar who immediately grabbed its corner. Ragini stopped walking as she felt something tucking on her dupatta so she turned around just to see Sanskar holding it. She glared at him.

Sanskar: "What an insolent dupatta! Please do handle it; I'll mind it if it lands on the face of someone else and drive him crazy like it did to me..."

Ragini grimaced pulling the dupatta out of Sanskar's grip.

Ragini started to leave from there but Sanskar reached her and started to walk along her.

Sanskar: "Hey listen! Can you spare a minute for me? "

Ragini: "Not unless I want to waste it."

Sanskar: "Please!"

Ragini stopped walking and looked at him sighing irritated: "What do you want for leaving?"

Sanskar: "Well..." – He came closer to her and looked at her with a flirty sly smile – "A conversation with a cup of cold coffee after which I'm sure you won't even want me to leave."

Ragini raised an eyebrow.

Sanskar: "Ok we can do that later. Right now I just need to talk with you about..."

Ragini: "About what?"

Sanskar: "Listen first of all I wanted to apologize for the accident. I'm really sorry; I got distracted while driving and the accident happened... I hope you are not so..." – He looked at her bandaged forehead – "...hurt..."

Ragini: "Yeah, I am very hurt. But you don't need to waste my time apologizing."

"Your time?" – Sanskar said widening his eyes.

She started walking away leaving Sanskar a bit taken aback.

But he reached Ragini again and said: "Listen I know you have had a very bad impression of me after what happened in Madam Fernandez's office but let me clear that matter also. You might have thought that I was killing Madam Fernandez and it's really something I'm willing to do since long but I was actually just..."

Ragini: "You really don't need to explain anything..."

Sanskar smiled: "Really? You understood that I was not doing anything wrong?"

Ragini: "No, I am just not interested." – She said giving him a quick fake smile and then turning stiff again. She walked away.

Sanskar stood there thoughtful: "Flirting with a girl has never been so difficult. I wonder why she behaves like this with me." – He thought putting a finger on his chin. He recalled that he met her for the first time when he broke into Ragini Raichand's party with his goons, the second time she saw him locked in an office with a middle-aged woman in his arms and the third time he hit her car with his one. – "Oh well... I guess I can understand what went wrong."

ON THE OTHER HAND

Akshey was rushing upstairs in hurry and when he finally reached the third floor, he dashed into someone and both of them fell down.

Akshey: "I'm so sorry.... I'm..." – He stopped when he saw that the one he had bumped into was Devika. His face immediately lightened up as he stared at her.

Devika was just trying to realize what just happened while sitting on the floor and looking around at her books which had dropped from her bag scattered here and there.

Akshey shook his head coming out from his trance and got up apologizing: "I'm really sorry, I was actually in hurry since I'm getting late for the lesson..."

Devika giggled at his clumsiness: "It's really fine, you don't need to apologize." – She smiled.

"Let me help you!" – He gathered all the books and put them back in Devika's back and then forwarded a hand towards her. Devika put her hand into Akshey's one and he pulled her up making her slightly dash into his chest. They looked at each other.

I feel love when I look into your eyes
I believe if you move out from my side
I'll be losin'... I'll be losin' grip on you

Devika recomposed and took her bag from Akshey looking down: "Thank you... Actually I'm getting late for the lesson too and I don't even know where the classroom is!" – She said scratching her ear while looking at a chit.

Akshey: "Show me, I might be able to help."

Devika: "Aren't you getting late?" – She asked while giving him a chit.

Akshey: "Oh that's not a big deal, it keeps happening." – He read the chit and smiled – "There is a good news for you!"

Devika got confused: "Good news?"

Akshey indicated a nearby classroom: "Your classroom is right here and..." – He pulled up his collar – "You have a very handsome classmate."

Devika frowned: "I think I didn't get you..."

Akshey: "I'm talking about myself! We are classmates!" – Devika raised an eyebrow understanding his previous line – "Ok it wasn't so bad!" – Akshey defended himself.

Devika started laughing. A smile appeared on Akshey's face seeing that. Devika hit his shoulder with one of the books she was holding: "Crazy you are!"

Akshey: "Maybe a bit." – He chuckled too.

AT THE SAME TIME

Madam Fernandez spat the water she was drinking reading something on the screen of his laptop.

"Which idiot put Devika Raichand and Akshey Malhotra in the same classroom?!" – She shouted.

She put her hands in her hair: "What if Harsh Malhotra comes to know that we have allowed Raichands in the university? We will be destroyed!" – If desperation had a face, it would have been the one Madam Fernandez had right now.

IN THE MEANTIME

Akshey and Devika entered in the classroom and sat next to each other. The professor wasn't there yet.

Akshey: "So do you know anyone here?"

Devika: "Not really. I shifted with my family here in Bangalore since few days only so I'm a little bit disoriented. I only have my younger sister in this university."

Akshey: "Well now you have me too! My name is Akshey." – He forwarded a hand towards her.

Devika looked at it and then shook it smiling: "I'm Devika."

Akshey stared at her with a smile and thought: "Sanskar you can get ready to lose the bet. I'm sure luck hasn't cooperated with you so much to bring your lady right in your class. I can already see myself with Devika enjoying a romantic moment on your yacht." – He grinned at the thought.

Akshey was right: things weren't surely going so easy for Sanskar since Ragini didn't even want to see his face. But Ragini's persistence was nothing in front of the stubborn Sanskar Malhotra.

Ragini was about to enter in her class when someone grabbed her elbow and pulled her inside the dark storage room next to the classroom and shut the door.

Ragini: "What the...." – She grabbed a box placed there and turned around to hit the person who brought her there but stopped when...

Sanskar: "Wait! It's just me!"

Ragini: "Then I shouldn't wait at all!"

Ragini was about to throw the box at him but Sanskar held her wrist and snatched the box from her hands putting it back on the shelf. Before Ragini could grab anything else, Sanskar grabbed her other wrist too and put both her hands behind her back and pulled her closer. Now Sanskar was covering Ragini with his body as his arms were engulfing her. Their faces were inches apart and they were straightly looking at each other.

A peon passed near the storage room and saw it half open. He shook his head mummering something and locked the door from outside.

Ragini: "You'd better leave me." – She warned Sanskar gritting her teeth.

Sanskar: "Not before clearing out things between us. See you may not know who I am so..."

Ragini cut him: "I know very well who you are."

Sanskar was taken aback: "Really?"

Ragini angrily glared into his eyes. Unlike Sanskar who had his rival in front of him but couldn't recognize her, Ragini had engraved his face and name in her mind. He was her mother's culprit, he was the son of her father's biggest enemy... how could she even forget or forgive him after what he had done?

Ragini: "Sanskar Malhotra, aren't you? Son of Harsh Malhotra, the Mafia boss?" – She lifted the corner of her lips seeing Sanskar's stunned expression as he didn't expect her to know about him.

After few seconds Sanskar asked: "Wait are you related to a Mafia family too?"

Ragini realized that he might get her identity so she looked away and struggled to free her wrist: "That's none of your business!"

Sanskar tightened the grip around her wrists and pulled her even closer: "Well I guess it is. What if the enemy has planned to send such a beautiful girl to trap me in her love? Now I understand why you were also in Ragini Raichand's birthday! It makes sense."

Ragini: "Are you seriously dumb or acting to be one? What makes you think that I would ever waste my time on you?"

Sanskar: "Why would you not if you have been ordered to do so?"

Ragini: "I have an idea. Why don't you just stay away from me to avoid the risk of getting trapped or whatever?"

Before Sanskar could say anything more, Ragini stepped on his foot and that made Sanskar immediately leave her.

Sanskar: "Ouch!"

Ragini pointed a finger at him: "Don't you dare doing something like this again." – She warned him... like Sanskar was even going to listen to her.

Sanskar grinned: "Girl you've quite an attitude!"

Ragini went to open the door but couldn't. She pulled the doorknob but in vain. She sighed and turned towards Sanskar: "Open it."

Sanskar: "Sure." – He said with his usual sly smile.

But he could do nothing to open the locked door. He looked at Ragini.

Ragini: "What? Open it!"

Sanskar: "It's not opening."

Ragini glared at him: "What the hell have you done?"

Sanskar: "Excuse me? I did nothing! It has been locked from outside!"

Ragini gave him a deadly glare and then tried opening the door again. Ragini looked around and saw a hopper window. Sanskar followed her gaze and saw the window too.

AFTER FEW MINUTES

Sanskar was standing on a stack of wooden boxes and was trying to open the hopper window.

Sanskar: "Have you even thought about how I will jump out?" – He complained.

Ragini just rolled her eyes heavenwards. Sanskar opened the window and took a deep breath before sneaking into it and jumping out. Ragini heard a thud and a slight scream. She chuckled a bit. Then she got on the stack of wooden boxes too and jumped through the window.

Sanskar was about to get up when Ragini fell on him and his back hit the ground once again. Ragini's dupatta landed on his face covering it. Sanskar stared at her through the dupatta. He removed it from his face.

Sanskar: "I don't know about you but your dupatta has already fallen for me." – He joked.

Just then they heard someone clearing his throat and looked on just to realize that they were in a classroom, in the midst of a lesson, and everybody, including the professor (played by Sachin Tyagi), were looking at them.

Sanskar: "I can't believe! Among all the classes, this had to happen in the one of Prof. Hitesh only!"

Ragini and Sanskar recomposed.

Hitesh: "Why I'm not surprised that it's you, Sanskar? Now what is this new drama?"

Sanskar: "Someone locked us in the storage room and we had to find a way to get out." – He justified.

Hitesh looked at him and then at Ragini. He kept looking at her for few seconds. Ragini felt like she had already seen him somewhere. Hitesh turned to look at Sanskar again: "Well, then a question shall arise: what were you doing in the storage room where students aren't allowed to enter instead of being in your classroom?"

Ragini: "Sir I..."

Hitesh interrupted her: "I know you are the new student. Madam Fernandez informed me about you. You can take your place; this is your class." – Ragini nodded and went to sit – "And I suggest you to stay away from such individuals. Unless you are like him too."

Ragini: "Not at all." – She grimaced.

Sanskar was glaring at Hitesh. For some unknown reasons, he has always felt like Hitesh has some grudges for him neither Sanskar liked that professor much.

Hitesh: "Do you need me to call someone to throw you out or are your legs working and you can kindly walk out from here Sanskar?" – He said calmly.

Sanskar made a face and walked out of the classroom. Ragini looked at him leaving with an eye.

LATER

Akshey opened a door and let Devika get inside first.

Akshey: "Ladies first."

"I'm trying to understand if you are just flirty or really a gentleman." – Commented Devika at his gesture.

Akshey stepped a bit closer to her and said in a husky voice: "Time will let you know." – He smiled.

Devika could not understand why but every time he looked at her with that smile, she felt butterflies in her stomach. She looked away feeling nervous.

Akshey: "So this is the auditorium of the university."

Devika looked around: it was a huge room with lots of seats and a big stage.

Akshey: "Come!" – He grabbed Devika's hand and took her to the back-stage. There were lots of costumes there.

Devika: "Wow! This place is so interesting!"

Akshey: "I know, right! Students aren't actually allowed here until preparations for a play or function are going on but I'm theatre prof's pupil so I basically have a special treatment!"

Devika chuckled: "You a prof's pupil?"

Akshey: "Don't be surprised! She really thinks I have a natural talent for acting and honestly I think I would have been a movie hero for sure if I wasn't..." – He stopped and looked at Devika who was listening at him with interest – "... if I wasn't... Oh look what's here!" – He changed the topic and grabbed a fake golden crown like those that Maharaje used to wear.

Akshey wore that crown. Devika started laughing.

Akshey: "Why are you laughing? Am I looking bad?"

Devika: "No but... you're looking funny." – She said while trying to hold her laughter. Akshey wanted to say something but all he could do was staring at her with an unknown smile on his lips.

Dekho qareeb se
Miley hai naseeb se
Aayega pal yeh phir kahaan

Devika stopped laughing as she felt his gaze on her and started looking at the other costumes. Akshey suddenly grabbed a dupatta from a mannequin and placed it on Devika's head. She looked at him confused.

Akshey: "You know what? I think you would look even more beautiful in Indian attire." – He said touching her nose. Devika smiled blushing.

Aaj achanak tumse miley hum
Yeh to nehi hai bewajah

They were sharing an eye-lock when Devika's phone beeped and she returned into reality. She checked the notification.

Devika: "It's an email from Madam Fernandez. She has written that there has been a change and I have been shifted to another section."

Akshey: "What? But why?!"

Devika: "No idea... it's strange." – She said confused – "Well, now I shall leave. It's lunch time and my sister must be waiting for me!"

Akshey: "Oh does that mean that we won't have lunch together? What if I also call my brother and we four have lunch together?"

Devika: "Sorry but I don't think it's a good idea... knowing my sister, she won't really like it. Maybe a next time!"

Akshey raised a pinkie: "Promise?"

Devika laughed: "What is this?"

Akshey: "See I don't believe at any other promise except pinkie promises!"

Devika laughed and entangled her pinkie with his one: "You are crazy!" – She removed the dupatta from her head and placed it back on the mannequin. Before leaving, she turned towards Akshey and added – "And cute too." – She winked at him with a smile and then left from there.

Akshey hit his chest with a fist: "Haaye!"

Gazab ka hai din socho zara
Yeh deewanapan dekho zara

He returned serious: "But I have to do something with this Madam Fernandez. She can't ruin my plans like this!"

AFTER A WHILE

Akshey and Sanskar were sitting in the canteen.

Akshey: "So after the accident for which you didn't even apologize yet you got this girl locked in the storage room and then embarrassed her in front of her new class on her first day?"

Sanskar: "In short yes."

Akshey: "Listen Sanskar what about giving me your yacht already?"

Sanskar: "Hold on! How are you planning to keep it up with that girl if she won't be your classmate any longer?"

Akshey: "Bro, unlike you I got to know the name of my girl at least. And secondly, I already know what to do about this matter. Plus at least mine one has nothing to do with mafia world, she is too sweet and innocent."

Sanskar sighed: "And mine one has surely something to do with it and you know what? I'll soon find it out and won't surely lose the bet so don't claim victory already!"

Akshey: "Let's see." – They exchanged challenging glares.

Sanskar: "By the way where is Karan Bhai?"

Akshey: "I have not seen him since morning."

AT THE SAME TIME

Ragini was about to cross the gate of the university when...

"Well, well, look who is here!" - Ragini heard this voice and turned around facing a smirking Karan.

Ragini smirked back crossing her arms walking towards him: "Seems like at least one of the Malhotra's brothers isn't blind. I wonder how someone can't recognize his biggest rival. Your brother is a duffer you know."

Karan stepped towards her too: "I know." – He smiled – "Don't you see anything except this enmity? You keep mentioning it and reminding someone that such a pretty girl is your enemy is a bit annoying, believe me."

Ragini snorted: "All I can see is my mother's condition. She is in coma just because of your brother whom I'm not going to spare. Malhotra's... you will have to pay for the pain you gave to my family, you can't even realize the danger that hangs over you. And you better stop being so plucky with me." – She warned showing him a finger.

Karan held her wrist tightly and pulled her closer to him. She hissed for pain since his grip over her wrist was very tight.

Karan: "The one who needs to be less plucky is you miss. Ragini Raichand. What revenge do you want to take? I really want to see that! What do you think to do by hiding your identity from Sanskar? What will you do? Will you kill him or me? But how? You don't even carry the pistol anymore right?"

Ragini, who was trying to free her wrist, looked at him: "How... how do you know? Of course I carry my pistol!" – She lied looking down.

Karan pushed her leaving her wrist: "I noticed it yesterday when you came in the university and met Sanskar. You were about to take out your pistol but you stopped, because you didn't have it." – He smirked.

Ragini gritted her teeth.

Karan: "I will let you play your game whatever it is. I won't talk about you with Sanskar."

Ragini: "I don't need favors so you better change your tone."

Karan: "It's not at all a favor. Trust me; I am not doing any favor on anyone."

Ragini: "And why are you doing this then?"

Karan smiled: "First of all for entertainment. I'll be in this university just for my final exams. All these years have been a little boring; at least I want to enjoy a spectacle in my last days here. I know you planned nothing against my dear brother yet, so you must do something quickly. I'll be waiting."

Ragini: "You are so presumptuous."

"Look at who is talking." – Karan clinched.

While Ragini was busy glaring at Karan angrily, he noticed a bike coming towards them in full speed. Karan immediately put an arm around Ragini's waist and pulled her towards him; he spun on himself fast and like that he moved away from there before the bike could bring any damage. In the movement, Ragini hit her foot with the tyre of a car behind her and fell on it dragging Karan with her. Ragini was now lying with her back on the hood of the car and was holding in her fists the collar of Karan who was upon her and had his hands on the hood.

A corner of Karan's mouth lifted: "While I was saving your life I thought that now you really give me a favor but after this, I think you are free from any debt!" – He flirted referring to their closeness.

Ragini gritted her teeth and pushed him away getting up. She left from there. Karan looked at her from behind with a smirk and sighed.

AT RAICHAND MANSION

"It was such an important deal and that Sanskar Malhotra ruined everything!" – Yash said throwing a file on the table enraged.

Mr. Mehra was with him: "Calm down Yash! And listen to me, I have a plan which will end the Malhotras matter once for all."

Yash sat with him: "What do you mean?"

Mr. Mehra: "Enough of chasing each other, it's high time we just put Harsh Malhotra out of the race."

Yash: "How?"

Mr. Mehra: "We need Dev Bakshi on our side for that."

Yash: "Dev Bakshi? But he is just a local gangster! Why would we need him?"

Mr. Mehra: "Because he is Harsh's arch-enemy; apparently they have a score to settle with each other. Plus a local gangster would be perfect for our plan."

Yash seemed getting interested: "And what the plan is?"

Mr. Mehra: "Destroying Malhotras at any cost." – He smirked.

AFTER A WHILE

AT MALHOTRA'S MANSION

Harsh: "So Yash Raichand has stooped so low that he will join hands with a local gangster, that bloody Dev Bakshi?" – He took the latter's name with extreme disgust while looking out of the window and standing with his hands behind the back. – "For what? As far as I know Dev Bakshi doesn't have any important deal in his hands right now?"

Niraj, who was there and had informed him about Yash and Mr. Mehra's plan, replied: "I couldn't find out much about their plan yet, but I know that Yash is going to meet Dev Bakshi soon to discuss about the same."

Harsh saw Karan parking his car through the window. He turned around at Niraj: "Great Niraj, let me know if you find out anything else. I'll look into the matter."

Niraj nodded and then left from there.

While going out, Niraj met Karan in the courtyard.

Niraj: "Hi Karan! Done with your exams?"

Karan: "Actually some are left yet. I had missed quite a few exams when I had to go to Dubai for a deal, thanks to Dad's contacts, they are letting me submit those exams now. Anyway, everything happens for a good reason. I don't really want to leave that university right now."

Niraj: "By the way, I wanted to inform you that Ragini and Devika Raichand are also attending Christ University now! I shall let it know to Sanskar and Akshey too before..."

Karan immediately interrupted him: "No need! You don't have to tell them anything."

Niraj: "But why?"

Karan: "Because I said so. Just don't." – And with that he left from there entering in the mansion.

Niraj shrugged: "It's so hard to understand these people. Anyways, who cares..." – And he left from there too.

Karan was about to go upstairs when

Harsh: "Did you get rid of your hangover or are you going to create another drama in drunken state?"

Karan gritted her teeth tightening the grip over the railing of the stairs.

Harsh walked towards him: "Do you really think that Shweta is no more because of Sanskar and that I give more important deals to him because I love and trust him more?"

Karan kept looking down and didn't answer. Harsh understood.

Harsh: "Fine. To prove you wrong I'm going to assign what could be the most important mission for us so far. And you will be able to avenge your mother also from Dev Bakshi, her real culprit."

Karan looked on.

Harsh: "Our two biggest enemies, Yash Raichand and Dev Bakshi, are coming together. You have to hit two targets with one arrow. Will you?"

Karan smirked: "For sure."

ON THE OTHER HAND

Akshey and Sanskar were standing in front of Madam Fernandez's office.

Sanskar: "Are you really sure of what you are planning to do?"

Akshey: "Of course, it won't take much with this woman. It would have been better for her if she hadn't stood in my way."

Sanskar: "Well in my case she just helped me. I have to help the cleaners in the hostel for a week but I know how to take advantage out of this punishment as well and get to talk and spend time with my girl." – He said with a victorious tone.

Akshey: "Bah! I don't need to turn into a cleaner to talk with mine one since I have her number thankfully." – He smirked.

Sanskar glared at him and then walked away from there.

Akshey: "Best of luck bro!" – He shouted at him from behind and chuckled.

Akshey looked at the door of Madam Fernandez's office and grinned. He knocked at the door.

"Come in!" – He heard Madam Fernandez's voice.

Akshey peeked inside: "Hi Mam!"

Madam Fernandez's eyes went round seeing him: "YOU?!"

MEANWHILE

Sanskar gave some money to the cleaner of the hostel: "Not a single word about this with anyone." – He warned him.

Cleaner: "Don't worry!" – He assured him putting the money in his pocket.

Sanskar: "A new girl must have come in the hostel. Do you have any idea where her room is?"

Cleaner: "The guardian is the one who knows all this. But I have seen some new girls in the second floor."

Sanskar nodded thinking something: "I see... well, thank you!"

The cleaner left from there.

Sanskar stretched his arms: "Let's get to work and find her!" – He went upstairs.

AT THE SAME TIME

Devika and Ragini were in their hostel room. Ragini was silently reading a book while sitting on bed. Devika saw her and thought something. Her face lightened up as she got an idea. She went near a smart speaker and said: "Alexa, play hum dil de chuke sanam."

Ragini looked up hearing it.

Devika: "Mom and Dad's favorite song! Remember how they used to dance together on it?! Dad used to kneel down in front of Mom like this." – She knelt down copying her father. She was trying to cheer Ragini up and she got successful as Ragini laughed seeing her enacting Yash. Devika smiled seeing that.

Devika grabbed Ragini's hand and dragged her to dance with her. They sang together.

Hum dil de chuke sanam
Tere ho gaye hai hum
Teri kasam

Sanskar was in the corridor when he heard the music and some voices and laughter coming from a room. He walked towards the window of that room and moved the curtain a bit. A smile appeared on his face as he saw Ragini getting twirled by a girl (Devika) whose only back was visible. She was laughing and for an unknown reason Sanskar felt immense happiness seeing her like that.

Yeh duniya kare sitam
Tujhpe mitenge hum
Teri kasam

Just then Devika's phone started to ring and she stopped going on the balcony to attend the call.

Ragini was left alone in the room and she was about to go back to read her book when her eyes went on the window. Sanskar immediately hided before she could see him. Ragini went to sit on the bed and got back to read.

Sanskar: "Maybe for today it is enough that I got to know where she stays..." – Thinking that he left from there.

IN THE MEANTIME

Akshey was sitting in front of Madam Fernandez holding a gun with one hand and his phone with the other.

Madam Fernandez was shivering: "I have placed Devika back in your section, now you can put it again, can't you?" – She said indicating the gun.

Akshey glared at her widening his eyes and put a finger on his lips asking her to stay quiet. Madam Fernandez sat back with a finger on her lips.

Akshey talked on call: "Hey Devika!"

Devika, who was attending his call on the balcony, replied: "Hi Akshey! You know what just happened? I just got an email saying that the previous one in which there was written that my section is being changed was sent by mistake... isn't it strange?"

Akshey: "Madam Fernandez keeps making such mistakes." – He glared at Madam Fernandez who was just sitting there helpless.

Akshey got up and was about to leave when he saw a leaflet on Madam Fernandez's desk: "There is a masquerade party in the university tomorrow and I didn't know anything about it?"

Madam Fernandez: "If only you brothers could concentrate on anything else except giving me heart attacks..." – She slowly said.

Devika: "What are you saying Akshey?"

Akshey: "There is a masquerade party in the university tomorrow for the annual day function. What say, will you come with me?"

Devika: "Sure! That sounds exciting!"

Akshey: "Ok, I'm sending you the picture of the leaflet with the details of the party." – He said walking out of the office.

As soon as he was gone, Madam Fernandez went to shut the door and locked it. She sighed a breath of relief merging her back with the door and said: "I need to get CCTV cameras in my office! These Malhotras are getting too fearless!"

AFTER FEW MINUTES

Devika returned back in the room and went to Ragini excitedly: "Ragini! There is a masquerade party in the university tomorrow!" – She showed her the leaflet picture on her phone.

Ragini: "You know I don't really like such parties... you can go if you want but I don't think I'll come."

Devika: "Please Ragini, how can I go without you?" – She tried convincing her.

Ragini was about to say something when her phone rang.

Ragini: "It's Papa!" – She smiled and picked up the call – "Hi Papa!"

Yash spoke from the other side: "Hi Ragini! How are you?"

Ragini sighed: "Just missing you and Maa... how is she?"

Yash: "There isn't much betterment unfortunately..." – Ragini looked down sadly – "Listen Ragini I need to talk with you for a very important matter. I will explain you everything when we meet but first of all... do you know Dev Bakshi?"

Ragini: "I have heard about him..."

Yash: "Well, you need to meet his son Raghav."

Ragini was confused: "But why?"

Yash: "I told you I will explain you everything later. Just tell me how and when you can meet him?"

Ragini: "You know I can't go out from the hostel except in the weekend... but..." – She looked at the leaflet picture Devika was showing her – "There is a masquerade party in the university tomorrow..."

Yash: "That's perfect! He will be able to come there then and nobody shall recognize him! Ok Ragini, I will talk to you later then!"

Ragini smiled a bit and then they cut the call. She looked on thinking about what is happening.

CHAPTER ENDS

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PRECAP: 

Ragini shut her eyes as someone had twisted her hands behind her back and had a dagger pointed on her neck. Suddenly the guy got a punch on his face and Ragini felt someone grabbing her wrist and pulling her aside.