First of all I want to mention it's the 30th chapter 💫 of my first story.This is too close to my heart ❤️.

Thank you so much for giving it a chance and making it successful with your love and support 🤗.I really appreciate it and am really grateful for those who vote and comment lots taking their time and makes me feel happy reading your comments.

And I really feel happy realising you have same love for them As much as I have❤️It's all beacuse of you all my dear readers,I heartily want to thank you all✨ and love you all Dil se💞.
~

"Everything feels better with you,
by my side"

Next morning,

Sun light peeped through the window on the two faces who were sleeping on the bed.

Karan was shown in a sitting position lying his head on the headrest and his one hand still holding her hand which was entwined.

Preeta was still lying on bed but her head was shown on his lap and her other hand surrounded him.

She blinked her eyes feeling rays which were hitting her eyes and opened them slowly to see something different around her.

Her eyes shut again and she gulped realising something.She immediately opened her eyes shockingly and instantly lifted her head from his lap sitting on the bed.

His sleep disturbed feeling her movement and he opened his eyes being irritated.

She held her head and closed her eyes due to a headache and tried to remember last night properly.

When he opened his eyes he found her sitting opposite to him holding her head being annoyed.He signed and held her shoulder.

"Preeta"he called her.

She opened her eyes immediately feeling his hand and looked at him thinning her eyebrows.

"Han"she spoke lowly and looked away from him.

"Tum thik ho?"he asked her worriedly seeing her face.

She nodded her head absent minded and looked at her lap.He forwarded his hand and corrected her hair properly brushing his hand on her cheek.

She shivered with his touch and took a deep breath holding his hand which was on her cheek.

He smiled at her lightly and took his hand back loosening his hand from her.

"Tumne kal insist Kiya toh I slept here"he said looking at her.

She saw him remembering her words.She was too weak and disturbed last night that she didn't realise or thinked twice before saying anything to him.There was much more for her to remember everything what all she had spoke to him last night.which she may regret later.

She closed her eyes understandingly and nodded at him slightly.

"Tum fresh up ho jao,mein ata hu"saying he stood up and moved outside her room correcting his hair.

She looked at him going and signed sadly.The memories of last night took over her mind making her shiver in fear.

Her quarrel with him,when she left the house,the two persons which tried to ruin her,her screams,her pain,her tears,then karan..her saviour and abhi everything played like a video in front of her.

Karan's care and affection which made her heart flutter.His warmness,his arms which made her feel like home,his hold on her making her feel secure,his words which made her calm..a slight smile adorned her face and the Cheeks which turned red remembering their kiss.

"Will he be this sweet and caring all the time or was it just for yesterday"the question ran her mind drowning her smile.

She pressed her lips together and took a deep breath.She got up from the bed and moved towards washroom.
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Karan was shown preparing something in the kitchen with a full concentration.His eyes were fixed on the pan.Flippling the omelette he signed confidentially.

"Finally"whispering to himself and took the two plates and placed them on the slab.

Placing the omelettes in the plates he kept them in a tray and two cups of coffee.He smiled inwardly at his cooking skills and turned to go.

His eyes caught her standing at the door silently.He looked at her and lifted his eyebrows.

"You came ha!mein aaraha tha abhi,come" he showed her the tray and moved past her.

She looked at him faintly and nodded her head following him.

Placing it on the dining table he sat comfortably and signed her to sit.

"Sit"he said taking the plates.

Preeta sat opposite to him quietly and saw him busy in arranging everything he had brought.

"Take"he said and forwarding her plate in front of her.

She took it and looked at him.He saw her confusingly and asked her raising his eyebrows.

"Kuch chahiye?"She shook her head in no and looked down holding her plate.

He hummed in return and started to eat.He looked at her silently eating without saying anything.

He eyed her waiting for her to say something on his cooking.But finding her eating silently.It seemed like she was even unaware of what she was eating.

He was getting impatient seeing her.He had cooked with so much interest and not getting any response from her was making him sad.he signed with a disappointment and resumed eating.

"Breakfast karne ke baad rest Karo,11 baje Inspector aa rahe hai..you need to file a case against them"karan told her.

Her throat dried with a fear and she shook her head in no.

"Mei..mein ku..kuch nahi kar..karungi"she said looking at him with fear in her heart remembering them.the two monsters.

Karan saw her and approached her immediately.He sat beside her chair and held her hand which was on the table.

"Agar kuch nahi karogi toh..unhe saza kon dega?"he asked looking at her.

She looked at him and again nodded in no with moist eyes.Taking her hand back she stood up from the chair and turned to go.

But he caught her hand stopping her and stood up from his chair.She closed her eyes feeling low.

Standing in front of her,he cupped her face understanding her State of mind.She saw him with pleading eyes.

"Mein kuch nahi kar..karungi karan..I don't want anything"she said trembling as tears gathered in her eyes.

He instantly wiped a drop of tear which was about to flow.She closed her eyes and pressed her lips together taking a deep breath to calm herself.

"You are doing and it's final"he said firmly staring her.

"No...mei kuch nahi karungi..ag..agar woh fir se aag..aagye to..toh mei..mein kya kar..karungi mei..I can't do t.."he immediately stopped keeping his finger on her lips and shook his head.

"They will be behind the bars,they deserve the punishment preeta..tum hi aise karogi toh...un jaise rascals,scou"he gritted his teeth while remembering them and closed his eyes composing himself no to split any worse Infront of her.

"Aur kisne kaha woh ayenge,sirf woh nahi..no one will dare to touch or eye on you and I will make sure of that from now.I don't want to repeat that mistake again.I will be there beside you always...with you"he concluded directly looking into her eyes.

Preeta was stunned listening to him.The tears which she had were gone listening to his heartwarming words.

Did he just said that he is with me?i.e too always!

The feeling itself made her breath steady.She saw him with a heart eyes feeling good and happy.

If he was with her then she was ready to do anything...for him!

She nodded her head giving him a sign of hope.Karan lightly smiled at her and took his hand back.

"You will do it right?"he again asked confirming.

She nodded her head assuring him.

"Good"he replied looking at her.

She looked down and turned to go.he saw her saddened face and signed.

~

Preeta's pov

Coming back to my room I sat on the bed with a thousands of thoughts running in my mind.

The way he talking was so foreign for me.It literally breaks me to say this.My karan was always like this with me.

And I don't know who is he?

But today seeing him a little caring is making me sacred.I don't want to feel hurt again.

Already my little heart is broken and I can't die with a heartbreak.

Alteast not before proposing him,I Chuckled with tears mentioning that.But I don't think the day will ever come in my life.

The memories of last night came into my mind, making my cheeks wet.The worst and vulnerable night of my life that I had never imagined.

Their sinful, lustful eyes on me, Their hands, touches still makes me to burn myself and makes me sacred to death.

I don't know,but I didn't expected karan to be on my side.He was the one who told me to go away from him.

However,he found me..the only thought which makes me feel good.Atleast he cared about me,that means I mean something to him...as his best friend may be.

And the way he consoled, which felt like crying more in his embrace, seeking the peace.

Holding him itself made my half of the pain vanish.I didn't wanted to leave him.. never.He was my medicine and is...

Wiping my tears I lay down on my back holding the pillow close to my chest.

He was my saviour.My hero.

But your not his heroine!my mind mocked me and I shook my head with moist eyes.

It hurts so much to know that he loved someone.Wish even I was with him since then.Then till now we would be married and maybe..

I gulped and closed my eyes thinking further.

No..nope!stop it preeta!

He doesn't even remember me as a friend, considering me as a wife will be a dream .

Of course it was my dream, to marry him, to love him crazily,to take care of him, to cook for him, to hug him countless times, to be in his arms every night, to be loved by him,to get pampered by him,to..

I stopped realising what I was thinking...and of course dreaming like always...but No worries I am used of that all now.

Before these imaginations and dreams used to make my day and heart happy.But now they haunt and aches like hell.

I guess this is what is written for me, I think he may be thinking that I am weak and I need his support,that is why he may be showing some concern.

Otherwise he is not this karan,I lost him when he left me in the college days..he is no more that Karan and I don't think he will return ever.

But just please don't hurt me more karan,I am ready to live like this..I am already broken into pieces.I don't have more energy to sustain your rudeness and hurtful words.

This care and concern is too much for me. It's just makes me to fall for you more even there are many reasons to hate you.

Please I want you to be the same,the care and affection for me that I saw in your eyes yesterday and today..I want it to stay forever.I am happy at least you are normal with me and it's enough for me to live happily.

~

Third person's Pov

Karan knocked the door of preeta's room as the inspector was about to come.They had just informed him that they were coming in half an hour.

So,he thought to wake her up.After their breakfast when he came to her room he saw her sleeping and thought to let her sleep.

"Preeta"he called her.But finding her asleep he moved inside and shook her shoulder.

"Preeta,get up"she opened her eyes lazily and looked at him blinking her eyes rubbing them.

"Woh inspections ane wale hai,tum fresh up ho jao, I will be waiting "He informed her and went.

She stiffened remembering their morning talks and closed her eyes calming herself.

"I will do this"taking a deep breath she thought and got down from the bed.
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As she came outside,karan was sitting in the living room talking with Inspector.Her nervousness increased seeing them and her steps slowed down to them.

"Preeta"karan called making her alert and signed her to come.

She nodded in return and slowly walks to them.

"Hello, mrs.luthra"Inspector caught her attention.

"Hii"she replied lowly and sat beside karan.

"Toh,apko pata hai ham yaha kyu aye hai,aapko darne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai,they are in our hands now,we just need your complaint against them to punish them for what they deserve"he informed her.

She nodded and looked at karan.He shook his head in response.

"They deserve their punishment and I will make sure of that.Ham kuch puchtach karenge apko batana hoga that's it"inspector told them.

Preeta's heart beat quickened and she gulped in fear.She didn't want to remember those memories again,the worst night,the dangerous people.Her heart clenched as her mind took over that night.

Karan saw her getting nervous and uncomfortable.He gently held her hand in his which was on her lap.She instantly shivered and saw him being surprised.

"Don't be nervous,we are here with you, they need some information from you to investigate the matter "he said slightly squeezing her hand in order to calm her.

She felt a concern in his voice which strengthened her.Nodding at him she looked at the Inspector getting ready to answer.
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They were done with the session and preeta was feeling relaxed and slightly happy for standing for herself.She was scared at first but listening to karan's words she had decided to go ahead with it.

He was there beside her,with her and it was enough for her to take any decisions.She had decided that she is not be going to cry anymore remembering the worst night, rather than that she will decided to move on trying to forget that.

She cannot change her past,it was not in her hands and she had accepted that,but she has her future and she thought not to ruin it keeping that worst memories.

It was not easy for her,still her heart throbbed reminding the night and they haunt her mind.But she had assured herself not to remember anything related to that.

As she was about to get up and wanted to move towards he room that she heard him calling her.

"Preeta"she looked at him asking 'what' with her eyes.

"Thankyou, you did it and remember you are strong"karan said smiling at her.

Preeta looked at him with a slight smile on her face and replied"you don't need to say thank you, it was my right to do that and thanks to you for reminding me that"she said feeling good and seeing him happy.

He nodded at her being Happy listening to her words, which made him feel that she was Better than last night.

Remembering the last night, something took over his mind and he thought to clear it.

"I wanted to say something else"he said being nervous all of sudden and cleared his throat.

She saw him confusingly seeing the change in his expressions.

"About the kiss" he said rubbing the back of his neck raising her heart beat in a mere secs.She never thought that he will bring that topic in front of her.She got nervous all of sudden.

"I..I shouldn't have done that" He said feeling guilty.

She felt something breaking inside her..

Heart!

"I am guilty of that,It won't happen again"he said without realising the outcome of that.

For him,he was apologizing for kissing her without permission,because of her weak situation and moreover he didn't know why he did that and was guilty for his behaviour.but he didn't had any tiny idea of what she may felt.

Her eyes became teary and her heart dropped feeling hurt.The little hope she was building inside her were just crashed and died.

He is guilty!

He regrets!

He is sorry for kissing me!

"Preeta"she came back to senses hearing him and saw him.

Her eyes didn't show any emotions.As If she was just looking at him numbly not getting what to do or say.But she didn't protest.

"It...it's fine"She replied with a heavy heart and difficulty without meeting his gaze.She didn't feel like staying there anymore.She turned suddenly to go but stopped to say something.

"I.. know you would have done this to anyone..bu..but still I want to thank you for what you did to me"

"Thank you,Mr luthra"she said looking into his eyes but her own eyes turned wet.

Saying she turned and walked out leaving him.He didn't realise what just happened.But her way of talking felt too odd to him.he didn't like it.It felt too official.

"it's true..I would have done the same for anyone,but it's not the same for you and I don't feel the pain like I felt yesterday for anyone and I don't kis.."He stopped running the fingers in his hair feeling messed up.

"It was just for you"he whispered to himself not realising the harm had already done.

And they again came back to where they where!!
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To be continued

*****

They are back to square one, again!😶

Did he do right?by apologizing to her?

They are like Puzzle!well will see whether the writer will be able to join them perfectly or not!and don't kill me if I didn't 😬.

Fine will see you all in the next chapter!

Exams postponed guys 😖,I don't think so that my degree will ever complete 🤷🏻‍♀️!

Well bye!

A~