Its been 5 days since I ruined Manik malhotra’s assignment. After submitting our assignments we never had combined class with our seniors. But today our professor was going to give our results. So I’m sure we will again have a combined class.

I was already late for my second last period. I ran towards the lecture room. As I entered with the crowd of other students, I saw the source of my nightmares.

In the middle of the row, Manik malhotra was sitting. Like usual his cup cake I mean Elina was also besides him. He was sitting back calmly in his chair with his long legs in white jeans, spread out under the table at front of him. His soft black hairs settled very nicely. His black dress shirt was stretched across his chest and his biceps bulging under short-sleeves.

Suddenly his eyes fell on me, his stare reflected a mixture of anger and revenge. I returned his gaze unflinchingly. His posture was relaxed but he was looking like a lion, ready to pounce on me to shred me into pieces.

I know he must be very pissed off over his ruined assignment. He looked like a completely antagonist at that moment. I could hear thunderous beats of my heart, the heated blood rushing through my body.

I wish he could ignore me like before. I was never centre of his stares but now I think I have become reason of his breaths. Not in a sweet romantic way infect in worst disgusted way.

I could sense his power combined with rage, but I won’t let him intimidate me. Never ever. I saw his lips slowly curled up and I tore my gaze away. I didn’t like that smirk because it was wicked and cruel.

I saw Aanya was sitting in the front row with her one friend. She didn’t see me and taking advantage of it I climbed up all the way to sit in the last row of the room.

Once I took my seat, I placed my bag at table. I raised my head and my eyes immediately fell on him. He has his body fully turned towards Elina. She was telling him something and he was having a soft smile. He was making no secret that he was admiring her with all devotion and interest.

She must be something to witness Manik malhotra's this side. Then he leaned forward and placed gentle kiss at her temple. Waaooo. What a perfect lovely couple. My sarcasm level overloaded.

I tore my gaze away and busy myself getting ready for class. The lecture room fell into silence as our professor entered. My heart started hammering against my ribs.

First he explained that what type of mistakes mostly student had in their assignments. Then after explaining marking pattern he opened our marking sheet.

Every time he announced the name of student and then his or her marks, I felt my heart jumping out of my throat. Aanya got 100%. Told you already malhotra's intelligent genes.

Elina got zero marks. Waht...! Our professor gave disappointed look to Elina. Manik looked back towards her, like he just had the worst shock of his life. There was smile at her face but he was staring down at her with a look in his eyes as if He was trying to solve a puzzle.

Manik Malhotra got 98% marks.

“What....?” I screamed in my head silently. Then I noticed how his gaze became confused and then turned even more hard. How is that possible. This time Manik didn't look towards Elina. His jawline was tight with anger. His both arms were folded at table at front of him.

I could see his struggle to control himself. His hands curled into tight fist until his knuckles turned white.  Elina tried to slip her hand over his but he pulled it back. She was looking at him like, any boy could melt under those big beautiful eyes.

Then suddenly realisation dawned over me. Elina submitted her own assignment at Manik’s name. Then teacher announced my result. I got 94%. I didn’t feel much better because Manik had still more than me.

After announcing our results as our professor left, all the students also started leaving the lecture room. Elina and Manik were still at their chairs, just like I was glued to mine.

“Manik....!” Elina once again tried to talk to him but Manik got up and rushed towards the exit door. Elina ran after him and holding his wrist she stopped him.

“Manik listen to me, I was just....!” she didn’t even complete her sentence when he turned around and grabbed her shoulders in tight fists. I stand there gaping at them.

“What... Han tell me you what...!” he asked her and she instinctively moved closer to him. She didn’t say anything but raising her hand up her fingers gently brushed against his cheek. He closed his eyes and taking a deep sigh he opened them. There were just soft orbs looking back at her.

“That was your hard work and you deserved all the credit....!” leaving her shoulders he cupped her face into his both palms.

“You helped me, you also deserve good marks....!” she replied softly.

“Promise me you wont do such thing in the future. Ok....!” he said looking straight at her face. She nodded her head slowly. He leaned in to kiss her. Oh no. I don’t have stamina to feel nauseous once again. I don’t want to witness their love making sessions any more. Please no...

In totally panicked state I dropped my books down and this was the time they realised I was also there in the room. Abruptly their faces turned towards me and his eyes were locked in on me.

His steely expressions were saying that I’m once again in deep trouble. Leaving her face he turned around, glaring at me with such wrathful look in his eyes as if I was the most hateful thing he'd ever seen.

“What are you doing here...!” he growled at me. He took one small and steady step towards me like wanted to just kill me. My heartbeat rose and knees felt like jelly. I’m trying to be ready for my last day. Gripping his wrist with her both hands Elina didn’t let him move further. 

“No manik, No, let’s go....!” she trying to pull him towards exit door but his eyes were still stuck on me. Making his wrist free from her hold with sharp pull, he left the room. As he was gone Elina looked back towards me. Her eyes an open warning like she wasn't done yet.

My eyelashes fluttered dramatically and I gestured her towards the exit door. Before giving me her last glare she also ran after Manik. I can’t help the grin from forming on my face.

        --------------

It was almost 7pm and my shift was going to end really soon. But seeing Abhi sitting in the library this late, it was really surprising. He never came here during my job hours.

Student started leaving but the person I wanted to send out of the library at first, was still sitting there. His eyes all the time following me everywhere and observing everything I was doing. Holding all the books carefully in my arms I started placing them at their right places.

Using my left hand most of the time I started with lower shelves. My right hand was still swollen and paining whenever I try to hold any thing heavy. But when I needed to place books at higher shelves, I was using my both hands. I hissed lowly when suddenly heavy book lost the balance from my hand.

“Hey be careful....!” a soft whisper made my movement stopped and I felt weight of the book  became double. Before it could fall down on my feet and broke my few bones of fingers, Abhi placed his hand at the back of my hand. His hand was warm but not soft like Manik. Urghhhh. Why I’m comparing this Angel with that devil.
I pulled my hand back but I couldn’t move away as he was taking all the place behind me.

“Where, these books will go....!” he asked pointing towards other books, waiting for my attention. I pointed to the next shelf and Abhi picked one by one and settled them at their right places.

“Thank you....!” I said when he turned around to face me.

“No problem...!” he replied softly, with a charming smile. His smile was innocent and giving him manly look. He narrowed his eyes as I was still looking at his lips twitched into smile. Of course I had PhD in being stupid at front of everyone.

Without saying anything I went towards the room at the back of library. It was the room where I place my bag and all other stuff. After taking everything I came out and library was totally at peace, no one was there not even Abhi.

After discussing the schedule for next day I came out of library. As I looked up I found abhi sitting over the bench.

Looking at me he stood up and it was clear that he was waiting for me but why. My question could be answered only when I will go to him. Wordlessly he moved at front of me and blocked my way.

I peeked up to look at him. I was there alone with him but he looked so calm and totally harmless. There were no crazy movements of my heart as I had around Manik. I closed my eyes cursing for such stupid comparisons. 

“Your wrist is still swollen so you need to bandage your wrist....!” he said looking straight at my face. Out of all the problems in the world he was concerned about me. How cute. I clear my throat to show him, I’m the one who’s in control here.

“Why are you so concerned about me....!” I asked lowly but in pin drop silence my voice felt louder and sharp. One of his eyebrows lifted up in surprise.

“I mean it’s fine I don’t need bandage...!” this time I tried to behave calmly. His mouth slowly curled up into knowing perfect smile.

“Don’t be stubborn. Sit here....!” holding my wrist he made me sit at the bench, where he was sitting few minutes before. This time I didnt protest and wisely decided to be silent.

He took out balm and a small roll of bandage from his pants pocket. Taking a small amount of balm he rubbed over my wrist. It was still paining. I tried to pull my hand back.

“Don’t move your hand....!” he asked so politely like, he was treating a 5 years old kid instead of an adult. I nodded my head silently and I noticed his gaze became even more softer.

“Use this balm for few days. Exams are close and you having trouble while writing....!” he mumbled so lowly, any one could think he was talking to his own self. This balm was really magical. Soothing warmth and soft bandage around my wrist, already making my wrist better. He opened just an inch of the zip of my bag, making me confused.

“Where is your friend....!” he asked while dropping that balm into my bag and closed the zip again.

“She must be waiting for me into parking lot. I need to go....!” I said standing up from the bench. He just smiled as his eyes twinkled.

“Ok good night, see you soon....!” he replied, his words were like a promise. I tried to speak in firmer voice, ignoring his hopeful and peaceful looks.

“Good night...!” I said before turning around and ran from there.

        -------------

I hugged my pillow closer and sigh as I was sitting on my bed at 11 in the night. It’s been hours resting my back against head-rest of my bed I’m staring out of the window. I couldn’t sleep even though my eyes were painfully tired.

Looking at silent streets of the city, bringing peaceful yet lonely feelings into my heart. I was trying to clear my foggy mind but still every thing around me was blurry. Today has been very eventful, in more ways than one.

“I was 6 years old when my baba divorced my mother. I was too young to understand why their relation got ended. They had gotten rid of compromised relation, may be they never thought about me.

She wasn’t a bad mother but if you say she was an ideal then it would be wrong because I don’t have any special memories with her.

When I was a little girl, imaginary ghosts inside my dark room used to scare me. During those stormy nights when sky thundering and wind howling horribly, I missed her. There was no one to lullaby me to sleep except harsh pattering of rain against my Windows and suffocating silence of my room.   

I still miss her when there is some girlish problems and I couldn't discuss with baba. I wish I could have mother who could guide me. Then God blessed me with most loyal friend, Riya. I have her for as long as I can remember. She was the only constant thing in my life when every thing betrayed me.

My relation with baba is typical like a father daughter. I respect him a lot and he is doing hard work day and night to fulfil my all needs and that’s it.

Baba is an employee in a small malhotra factory in our town. As a personal assistant he more often needs to go out of city or some times out of country. During those trips he was always worried because his one daughter is alone at home.

He never got promotion for any higher post because he didn’t want to move in any higher branch of malhotra industries or he didn’t want to go out of country.

After my FSc from the college of our town he wanted me to get married instead of joining college but it was Aaryan sir who forced baba to let me study further. I can’t balm my baba for it. Being a single parent wasn't easy for him. Specially when you have a daughter alone at home and you need to remain outside to earn for her.

But baba placed one condition at front of Aaryan sir that, he will keep looking for a boy and as soon as he got one I would marry him. Aryan sir promised baba that he himself will find a good boy for me. Baba saw few boys but after investigating about them Aaryan sir refused them.

If Aaryan sir took my responsibility then I can trust him with closed eyes. Whoever he will choose, would be best for me. I trust him infect every person of our town respects his decisions.

“Riya...!” I spoke lowly. I don’t know why my voice was shaky. She was lying at bed, her eyes were closed but I know she wasn’t sleeping.

“Hmmmm....!” she replied, peering at me from her bed. A small study lamp was the only source of light in Our room.

“Did you ever feel like there is heavy weight at your heart and that heaviness making you sink deep down....!” I asked, my words sounded silly for my own ears.

“What’s the matter nandni....!” she asked seriously. She stood up from her bed and came towards me. She sat parallel to me, resting her back against head-rest as well.

“You are just silent for almost hours, not to mention there isn’t any fight today, no silly jokes. Are you ok. I’m having your abnormality vibes...!” she added.

I just gave her my best glare but Riya won’t shut her mouth until she gets the reason of my deep thinking session. I kept looing out and she gave me my time happily. Riya really deserves a medal for keeping her mouth shut even for this one minute.

“Do you remember before joining college what Aaryan sir promised to my baba...?” I whispered, still gluing my gaze out of the window.

“How I can forget that your baba wanted you to get married instead of joining college but it was Aaryan sir who forced your baba to let you study further....!” she replied, her eyes stuck at the side of my face. She wanted to know the reason for discussing this topic at the middle of the night.

“Try harder dear, you forgot main point, Aaryan sir promised to find a good boy for me also....!” as I finished, she didn’t say a single word, instead she waited for me to tell the main point here. She was always a good listener and my best secret keeper too.

“A boy sent proposal for me. Aaryan sir called me at malhotra mansion the night before we came here. He gave me time to think and tell my decision. After our mid term exams when we will go back I have to give my answer....!” I replied shifting my eyes back on her face.

“Who’s the boy....!” she managed to ask only this and I smiled at her desperate expressions. Her long sweep of eyelashes fluttered against the top of her cute cheeks. I moved my eyes down, took a deep sigh before telling her.

“Abhimanyu....!” I  whispered lowly rubbing my fingers softly at the warm bandage around my wrist.

“Abhimanyu, from our town, right....?” she asked me like trying to make sure, she listened me properly or not. I nodded my head silently.

“That’s why I noticed him many times looking at you with such hungry eyes....!” as she said I looked back towards her surprisingly. She winked at me to tease but there was no hint of any joke. It means it’s not just me who noticed his constant stares at me.

“Ok. Then what you decided....!” after painful silence she asked the question, I’m not willing to answer yet. She was staring at me, breathing in complete wonder. I can sense her excitement.

“I have no reason to reject him. He is good looking, educated. A gentle man. Doing part time jobs. No bad habits, no bad company. He have only one friend, Sameer malhotra....!” I shrugged my shoulders, while still finding for any flaw in his personality but got nothing.

“By the way he is hot and his smile is so charming and cute too....!” I laughed at her compliments. If a choosy girl like her accepted him already it means he is really something.

“What would be next, if you said yes....!” Riya asked, suddenly her expressions changed into sad.

“Of course then it will be my turn to fulfil my promise to baba. In mid term vacations I will get married to him....!” I said the most painful part so casually like it doesn’t matter.

“Will you leave me and college too....!” I laughed after seeing her pouted lips as I flung my one arm around her shoulders.

“My sweetheart I will complete my studies but I think I would say bye bye to hostel. Actually have no idea, what will be in future....!” My heart sank lower and a wave of sadness washed over me as I thought about my future.

“I don’t want to discuss it any more. Good night....!” she jumped off my bed and went for her own. I smiled looking at her tantrums. Such a cutie pie.

“Good night. Have hot dirty dreams....!” as she said I giggled and placed my pillow down. I dropped my head on top of it. Hugging myself into my own arms, I rolled to lie on my side. I know there was no escaping and I know what will be my answer. No more burden at my father's shoulders.

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