"Madhyam are you sure about this..."Soha's words stopped Madhyam in his track.

Turning around he looked at Soha with the most curious expression etched on his face."What do you mean Soha..of course I am 100% sure about this..it's the question of my sister's life Soha...how can you even ask this question.."

"Of course I know everything Madhyam..and I am equally worried about Nandini. You know na..how much she means to me."Soha replied.

"Then why Soha.."Madhyam covered the distance between them and stood in front of her."...why are you questioning me. Don't you trust me."

"Where did that come from Madhyam.."Soha scowled." Of course I trust you..I trust you more than my life..don't you know that.."

"I know that you do and that's exactly why I am surprised that you are raising questions on my decision..as if you are having second thoughts about this whole thing..as if you are doubting me.."Madhyam accused.

"What the hell is wrong with you Madhyam. Why are you taking this entire thing into a different direction altogether. When did I questioned your decision. In fact I have only supported you without raising a question because I know your intentions is not at all wrong..but then too you are accusing me like this.."Soha shook her head in disbelief.

"You know what I am done explaining myself. Think whatever you want to..i won't say anything more."saying this Soha was about to walk away when all of a sudden Madhyam said. "I am sorry Soha..I am extremely sorry.."

She turned around to look at him only to find guilt etched on every single inch on his face. "I didn't mean to hurt you Soha..it's just.."before he could say anything more Soha completed his sentence."..that you are scared.."

"..but not for yourself.."

"You are scared.."

"...scared for..her.."

"Nandini.."

Madhyam's head snapped up and his eyes met Soha's. Though he didn't say anything but it was pretty evident from his eyes that whatever Soha said was absolutely correct.

She covered the distance between them. Cupping his face with her hands she brought his face closer to his and the very next moment she kissed him.

He took her into his embrace by snaking his arms around her and kissed her back.

They kissed with such intensity that had the potential to set everything around them on fire. They only pulled away when they both ran out of air.

Resting his forehead against her he finally confession his biggest fear. "I can't loose her Soha..I can't loose Nandini..You know na she is the only family we both have. She is too precious Soha..we can't loose her..we just can't.."

"I know..I know.."Soha caressed his hairs.

"Why her Soha.."Madhyam shook his head. "Why Nandini.."he pulled away to look at her. "Why did this happen to her..Why."Anxiousness was etched on his face. "She had never hurt anyone...Forget about hurting she can't even think about hurting someone..then why her..Soha..why.."

"Sometimes there are no answer to some questions. We don't know why and when the eyes of those supernatural forces fell on Nandini. But we know only one thing that we have to protect her.."Soha replied.

"Then why are you questioning my decision Soha.."Madhyam asked.

"Because I genuinely don't believe that getting Nandini married to Aryaman is the solution to this problem.."Soha said honestly. "I don't know why I am getting this feeling that we have done a big mistake. I just can't get this nagging feeling off my mind that something bad is going to happen..soon.."

"Nothing wrong is going to happen Soha..you are simply overthinking things."Madhyam held her hands. "Soha..believe me..I know what I am doing. This is the only way.."

"But.."Soha was about to say something but Madhyam stopped him, "..Soha..why don't you understand..it's Nandini what that so called "supernatural thing" wants..but if she get married to someone than no bad omen can even come close to her as her life..her fate and she herself would belong to someone else..
Once we get her married no evil power can ever touch her."

"I know that Madhyam...but why are you forgetting that it's not some human we are dealing with..we don't even know exactly what we are dealing with. Tell me something Madhyam do you really think that things will be so easy..how can you be so sure that supernatural power won't do anything and would just see everything as a bystander."

"He has chosen Nandini..and do you really believe he will let her go so easily..without a fight..No Madhyam..that supernatural power won't give in so easily...and only God knows to what extent he might go to..and that's what scaring me Madhyam.."Soha finally expressed concern.

"So what are we supposed to do Soha..just stand by and let her claim Nandini..No..we have to fight back Soha..and this is us fighting back.."Madhyam said with determination.

"Madhyam I fully support your intentions of saving Nandini..but unfortunately the way that you have chosen for her I don't approve of that.."Soha said looking at him.
"Because right now you are simply imposing your choice on Nandini..and that's something which isn't acceptable to me.."

"Nandini likes Aryaman..and when I asked her..she gave her assent too..so how can you say this.."Madhyam argued.

"Yes she likes Aryaman...but she doesn't love him Madhyam..and the reason why she agreed to this because she didn't wanted to hurt you..or your feelings..and I know this because I can see sadness in her eyes. Though she won't agree but I can clearly see that she isn't ready for this..and since she can't say no to you she is doing this so that you can be happy.."

"But what about her happiness Madhyam...I agree that Aryaman is a great guy...any girl will be lucky to have him as her life partner...but the real question is whether Nandini is that girl or not...whether Aryaman is her "one and only" or not...whether he is in his destiny or not."

"You can't change her destiny Madhyam..no matter how hard you try you won't be able to stop what's written in her destiny...what's meant to happen will happen...nothing can changed that...Nobody can change it..not even you."Soha's words silenced Madhyam.

Getting no response from him she smiled. "I know right now whatever I am saying must be annoying you...you might even hate me for this..but deep down even in your heart you know that I am not wrong."

"It's too late now..i am going to bed..i won't ask you to join me as I know you have loads of stuff to take care off.." planting a kiss on his cheek she said ".. good night..and please don't over work yourself."

Caressing his face one more time she walked away.

Madhyam was lost in his thoughts when out of nowhere he heard a high pitched scream that was enough to scare the living daylight out of anyone.

He immediately got out of the house and soon his eyes fell on bunch of localites who were carrying something...rather someone.

He walked towards them and that's when he realised Aryaman was one of the guys.

"Aryaman.."Madhyam soon covered the distance between them. "What happened..."

Aryaman looked at him with concern filled eyes. "Another Attack.."

"What.."A shiver ran down Madhyam's spine.

Aryaman simply nodded.

"Who.."though Madhyam didn't finish his question but Aryaman exactly  knew what Madhyam wanted to ask.

"Fortunately there was no casualty."Aryaman's words relieved Madhyam beyond measure. "Thank God."

"This guy is really lucky to have survive this massive attack.."Aryaman looked at something.

"Is it someone we know.."Madhyam questioned.

"No.."Aryaman shook his head in negative. "I have never seen this guy around..but he happens to be one of those hunter guys whose patrol the dark forest in the night to make sure everything is okay or not."

"How are you so sure about it.."Madhyam asked.

"Because of this..."Aryaman took out something from his pocket and extended toward Madhyam. "We got his id..which had his name on it..'

Madhyam took the card and looked at it.

But as soon as his eyes fell on the picture that was printed on the card he became uncomfortable.

He turned around to look at the person who was still unconscious and then once again he looked back at the card and finally read the name written on it.

"Manik Malhotra."

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