"I will kill you....!" she snatched my coffee mug from table, and opening its lid she was going to throw at me when I tried to shield my face with my arms. I waited for boiling liquid to burn my skin but nothing happened. Suddenly all the giggles and whispers got stopped. A complete silence. When slowly I moved my arms away and looked up Manik was there, holding Elina's wrist. Since the day I met Manik, everything unexpected happening in my life.

If he wouldn't have gotten here fast, she almost had burnt me. He snatched cup from her hand and placed at table before shoving her away. I could see her body burning up from anger and face laced with deep hurt feelings. If already I was shocked, now my bewilderment increased ten time more. Manik just protected me, from his own girlfriend. The same girl he exclaimed to be in deep love.

"Manik you know what she did. This piece of trash...!" Elina tried to tell him her latest story of being victim of me. Her eyes full of crocodile tears, made me shocked. I was expecting that ignoring my existence, he would leave but he was here.

"Enough Elina.....!" he yelled, anyone could point out that hint of anger in his voice. That look at his face was really scary but I didn't flinch as much as Elina. Because may be its first time she saw his ruthless side but I faced it many times. May be she didn't know he already have witnessed everything. She thought he came just now.

I was dying inside after whatever happened. It was so emberrasing so without looking up I turned my back towards them. Bending down I picked my bag roughly from the ground and walked away. For the first time I didn't feel as confident as I was. These people just ruined me. They were destroying my self confidence. I wanted to be out of cafe asap. I was frightened that I will spill tears in public and humiliate myself more at front of all these minions covered in tons of makeup.

I went straight into washroom, to clean myself little bit so that any taxi driver could allow me to sit in his car. I wasn't in the state for going back to attend my last class. I hissed when I tried to clean my scratched elbows and palms. After half hour I was standing at front of Malhotra house paying for taxi.

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By the time I got inside, Manik was already there. He looked very weary as his body was slumped over the sofa and head was reclined on the headrest. Sensing my presence he opened his eyes but just ignoring me he closed them again. My head was spinning, after facing fantastic show of his bimbo girlfriend. Dropping my bag harshly over coffee table, I made my way towards him.

"It's you behind all that drama of your crazy mental girlfriend. Right....?" my heart jerked under my ribs as his captivating eyes looked straight into mine. There was a moment of silence. Then without replying he stood up and was going to leave. But I needed answer so I moved at front of him to block his way.

"Move....!" he said coldly, seemed he was having tough time to behave normal but the humiliation I faced in college snatched last bit of my patience.

"First answer me, it was plan of both of you. Wasn't it....?" I yelled, my frustration touching its edges and my throat was painful And dry.

"What...?" he pretending like he didn't know already anything about whatever Elina was planning to do with me. It wasn't possible.

"Listen I'm already drained and tired after having enough of your and Elina's cat fight....!" he emphasized strongly, making me more furious.

"Do you know how people saying nasty things about me and just because your dumb girlfriend is spreading dirtiest rumours....!" my voice got higher as I recalled all the painful time I suffered this whole week. Manik didn't answer, his features holding a inscrutable look. After taking few deep breaths I was about to leave when he suddenly pulled me back.

"Why didn't you think about this before stepping into my life....!" he said coldly, making me more furious.

"Now you think it's my fault. Why you and your stupid girlfriend are so determined to ruin my life....!" I screamed as I punched him on his chest, making myself free from his hold. His chocolate brown eyes flashed in shock. My blood was boiling and whole body was shaking with anger.

"It's all happening just cause of you. You made my life a hell....!" not caring about his reaction, I hit him again and again. My bare hands were already scratched after falling and now they were paining as I continued hitting him.

"Stop, are you crazy....!" he warned as he moved backwards. But I moved closer again.

"No I won't. What will you do, huh. Tell me. Like your dumb head girl friend, you will burn me. Then do it....?" I screamed, hitting him again. I wanted him to feel the same pain I was going through. Taking one more step backwards, Manik's legs hit against the sofa and he fell over it. His jaw was clenched. I was standing closer enough that our knees were touching.

In an instant, he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me down into his lap. I shrieked in utter shock as stumbled over him. His other hand pressed against my mouth to stop my shouting. My legs slightly spread out around his both muscular thighs. My both hands pressed against his chest, where his heart was thumping so fast. I tried to pull away from his lap but he was too strong for pinning me down to him.

"Stop shouting....!" he whispered in anger, my eyes still widened in shock. Our foreheads almost touching and hot blood rushing into my whole body. My cheeks would be red as I didn't expect him to do such thing. I tried to say something but I couldn't. His one hand was locked around my waist tightly while other was still pressed against my mouth. There was complete and utter silence, his dark cold eyes boring into mine. I wriggled to get free but there was no way I could ever break away from him.

Even though Manik made absolutely no motion at all, but still this position accelerated my heartbeat like any crazy teenager. Something clenched deep in my stomach. It was an unfamiliar feeling that made me uncomfortable. Then suddenly door of living room was opened. I pulled myself up from his lap quickly, like I got an electric shock.

"Oh my goodness, I'm sorry. I really didn't see anything....!" Aanya blurted out while turning her back towards us. I glared at Manik and his icy cold eyes were already looking towards me. He didn't seem even little bit effected but at the other hand I never felt more stupid and embarrassed in my whole life.

"Kids at least have bedroom...! This time it was Rohan who chuckled teasingly. I breathed in hard to calm my chaotic nerves. Of course today was my humiliation day.

"Ok dad...!" Manik replied before getting up and left without explaining anything. I wanted to smack him really hard, as I realised that his siblings were having totally wrong ideas and he didn't even clear their misunderstanding. It wouldn't have happened if he hadn't pulled me into his lap.

"Ahem ahem....!" Aanya coughed dramatically, teas shone in her bright eyes. Really I will break his hands if he touched me next time.

"Aanya you are taking it all wrong actually I was just angry and....!" I tried to explain to Aanya but Rohan interrupted me in between.

"Nice position to take out anger.....!" he once again chuckled when Aanya smacked his head.

"Behave yourself....!" Aanya gave him warning before turning towards me. My heart was still thundering in my ears and face burning hot.

"Nandni leave it and tell me how was your day....!" she asked, purposely changing the topic as I must be looking pitiable hot and red mess. I was really thankful for having her in my life. I'm sure she didn't know what Elina did to me in cafe so I didn't tell her either. I didn't want to ruin her mood. We sat at the same sofa when Rohan went to get fresh in his room.

"Aanya, we gonna leave in one hour. So don't be late....!" Ishan said before storming inside as well. Aanya nodded her head, making me little confused.

"Are you going somewhere....?" I asked lowly as Aanya smiled in response. I was feeling physically and emotionally drained after such day full of humiliation and embarrassment.

"It's Friday. Time to go back home....!" Aanya told me excitedly. My heart immediately sank into its own depths. How I forgot that they all go back town for weekends. I really wished to cry out loud. Feelings of being homeless really hit me hard.

"We will be back at Monday. I'm sure you will take care of yourself and my brother as well because Ellie auntie also have gone to see her kids....!" This time I really groaned loudly because not just I was homeless but I have to share this huge house with Manik monster malhotra for next two days.

"Don't worry Sameer is also here. Everything would be fine...!" Aanya just patted my cheeks and left to be ready and leave. My heart became little relaxed as it was racing in my chest at the thought of being alone with Manik.

After one hour, driver was placing their bags into car. Ishan sat at front seat while Aanya was waiting for Rohan at back seat. Soon he also joined them and I kept watching them from the window of my room. Loneliness of this house already started making me feel miserable. Tears fell from my eyes as their car left from the huge gate of Malhotra house.

I pulled heavy and dark curtains together, blocking any source of light. After locking the door I laid on my bed. Closing my eyes, I recalled past few months of my life. About Abhi, baba, engagement, all betrayals, murder attack, homelessness and my days and nights full of insult and pain. I wiped my tears harshly, while cursing myself for being such crying-baby.

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It was 11 pm, I was sitting in living room aimlessly. TV was on. I didn't want to go in my room, as its walls felt like closing on me. Making me suffocate and breathless. I pulled my legs up and hugged my knees closer to my chest.

Suddenly door of living room was opened and Manik entered inside. He looked little startled as he saw me there, like he wasn't expecting me there. Of course he was used to for empty house at weekends. I took my eyes off of him, as he locked the door.

Taking slow steps he came inside and sat at the single chair which was placed at front of me. Between us was the huge coffee table. I didn't do anything to acknowledge his presence. I had been crying for hours and my eyes were still red and puffy so I avoided to look up.

His head was reclined on the headrest of the chair as I could feel his eyes on me. My right thumb was rubbing the palm of left hand. When I felt he have no attentions for leaving, I convinced myself to get up and leave. I covered the distance to my room with sure and fast strides. Entering in my room, I took deep sigh after locking the door from inside.

I don't know how long I have been laying over my bed when I heard some noise. I tried to concentrate that from where it was coming. It sounded like someone was mumbling something. Then it stroked me, when I listened sobs and whimpering.

I got up from my bed and came out of my room. Now I could clearly feel, noise was coming from Sameer's room. Suddenly he started screaming loudly, like pleading for help. I was completely frozen still standing over my door. How I forgot that Sameer was also here. Then I saw door of manik's room opened. Wearing a lose T-shirt and sweatpants Manik rushed out bare feet.

He didn't notice me standing at front of my door as Manik straight ran towards Sameer's room. Taking slow steps I went to see them. As I came closer I could clearly listen Manik calling Sameer's name impatiently. What was wrong...? My heart skipped few beats as I listened what Sameer was having nightmare about.

"Abhi....!" he was screaming that name so painfully that I felt my heart was sinking in deep agony.

"Sameer...! Open your eyes. Sameer....!" Manik was patting his face before sitting beside him over his bed. Abruptly Sameer's body jolted up from his sleep. Tears fell from his eyes as he looked around in his room. His whole face was pale and sweaty. After realising it was just a nightmare he squeezed his eyes tightly. He started crying like a child when he saw Manik at front of him. He held Manik's both hands, like he was scared of something.

"Manik I killed him. I killed my brother. I killed him....!" Sameer sobbed but Manik was trying to shush him.

"Shhh. No you didn't. Sameer look at me.....!" manik pulled his face up to look straight into his eyes. I still stood at the door, confused and scared. I was trying to understand that what they were talking about.

"It was just an accident. Ok. You didn't kill Abhi. You understand that...!" I gasped audibly, as his Manik's words drilled into my head. The world seemed to stop completely and the atmosphere suddenly lacking oxygen. Both looked towards me. Manik's eyes widened in shock.

"What are you doing here....!" first time I sensed Manik Malhotra's voice slightly wavered. Sameer's eyes were still drained of any emotions as he kept looking towards me with those tears stricken face. I lost my all strength like panic started racing through my veins.

"Sa..sameer it was you wh...who killed Abhi....!" I stuttered while still standing at the door of his room. Manik's dark brown eyes snapped up to mine and for a moment I thought he was going to lash out at me but instead breaking his gaze away he held Sameer's both hands. Without saying anything Sameer looked down, once again tears fell from his eyes.

Manik was going to say something when Sameer nodded his head and my nightmare turned into horrible reality. I palmed my mouth to suppress that heart squeezing gasp.

My whole world seemed to blast at front of me. Manik looked back towards me for long few seconds but then he tore his eyes off me and looked back at Sameer. I stepped backwards to have support of something, feeling like after listening that horrible truth my legs just gave up.

Taking defeated sigh Manik lowered his head down helplessly, like he has failed to protect his brother. I felt someone just brutally shredded my heart out of my chest. That pain was unbearable, like choking me to death. I bit my lower lip hard to stop them from trembling.

It was Sameer who snatched my every happiness. He was the one who snatched even the last ray of hope from my life and left me suffocating in darkness. He was the only person I trusted blindly and he was the only responsible for my destruction. I felt betrayed, I felt back stabbed by the person I considered my well wisher and my friend.

Manik slowly stood up from his bed and left Sameer's room silently. I felt, my soul left my body lifeless when I recalled each word and all the curses I said to manik for killing Abhi.

"Nandni....!" Sameer's voice came through snapping me back into reality. My body jolted away, when Sameer tried to touch me. This time I couldnt stop myself from sobbing like a child. That pain in my chest made its way to the deepest corner of my heart. I felt like I'm not able to breath anymore, I was gonna die.

"Don't you dare to touch me. I...I thought you and Aanya were my light in the dark, like my family. Only persons who were constant in my chaotic life. But you. You ruined everything....!" I burst into tears when Sameer remained silent. Nothing left to say between us. I turned over my heels and came out of his room.

Time felt like it was hauntingly slowing down. I stopped at front of Manik's room. My hand clutching my chest like, this pain was slicing my heart ruthlessly. I missed Riya, I wished to have Aanya. Anyone whom I could hug and let this pain out. I took deep breaths, it was so hard to control my hiccups as tears were stubborn to not stop. I gulped down the lump that formed in my throat and wiped my tears away.

Without realising my feet moved out of their own accord towards Manik's room. With my shivering hands I opened his door. Quietly I entered inside, forgetting every promise I made for not stepping into his room ever again.

My eyes stopped at his tall figure, standing outside of his room on the balcony. He was looking ahead aimlessly. His hairs tousled in the wind. His motionless profile showed, he was in his deep thoughts. Taking slow steps, I approached him and stood behind him. First time I wanted him to yell at me. To say exactly those horrible words, I said to him for killing Abhi. I felt an urge to touch him but his whisper stopped my hand in the middle of the air.

"Miss murthy it's quite late already. Go in your room....!" he told me idly, he was sounded broken and defeated. I expected his words to churn in my stomach to the point it will make me nauseated but instead I don't know why I felt overwhelmed.

I blinked away the tears that were about to fall out once again. First time I could see that child in him who lost his mother at the age of 12. Who was hiding himself behind an ugly and ruthless mask. Who took every blame on himself silently just to protect his brother.

He wasn't the same Manik I got engaged to. Tonight I saw his completely different side. I know this side was more terrifying. May be impossible to fix. He just scared me because I could see my own reflection into him. Alone, tired and damaged. So I did the only thing I could do. I walked away.

I didn't want to see the pain behind those eyes, which were looking lifeless yet sparkling like a blaze. And those were pulling me towards him like moth to a flame. He was blamed for the murder, he didn't even do. He needed the justice for the sin, he took over himself and accepted my hatred like it was written in his destiny. But no it wasn't his destiny. He deserves to come out clean of this blame. And I will make sure of it. With that determined thought I just left from his room.

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