He took her by shock. He completely swept her feet away with that kiss that he initiated.

She never in her dreams expected Vikram to make such a move. It was so...not him.

Vikram stole the kiss so fast that Jaanvi did not even expect it. She was confused for a moment. Was he acting his role? But slowly, she realised that she was too dumb to not have noticed his gestures. He was always aiming for that kiss.... Not that Jaanvi didn't think of it. She did... Numerous times she had fantasized Vikram in different ways. But that needn't be told. He was a handsome hunk and it would be a sin to ignore him. But he didn't need to know that.

Yes, he was charming. But that was it. She never in her dreams expected him to make the first move. Damn, she didn't even expect Vikram to be attracted to her. They were leagues apart!

He was always composed and smart, whereas Jaanvi was clumsy and extremely expressive of her emotions. They were two poles apart and yet, they had this attraction which was so magnetic.

Jaanvi shivered when she felt the intrusion of his tongue. He was being extremely trained and Jaanvi felt as though she was struggling with it. She felt like an amateur when he kissed her. She knew nothing about what he was doing. His kiss was rough and way too dominant. He was not going easy with her. Instead, he went on with all tongue and teeth. Jaanvi's eyes clenched as she slowly started to blank out.

Jaanvi was horrified at how easily he confessed his 'I love you'. She didn't think she heard him properly. Did he just confess his love as though he was borrowing an eraser?

Her mind froze and she began to hyperventilate. Her hands shivered and eyes teared on her own. She knew she wasn't capable of loving anyone anymore. This was so wrong. He was her psychiatrist and he was supposed to be her friend in need. From when did their relationship change?

She did not anticipate this kiss no matter how tempting it was.

Vikram kissed her like it was his god damn right. How dare he?

Jaanvi's hands shook and her senses were electrocuted. She couldn't breathe for a second. Yes, she admitted on having fantasising Vikram's lips on her for very long. She wasn't going to lie. Yes, he was one of the hottest men she had seen on the planet. But she never expected it to be this demanding.

When he released her lips from his, Jaanvi was breathless. She almost fell down without balance until Vikram held her waist. She blinked multiple times to confirm that she wasn't daydreaming. This was all real. Vikram was still standing six feet tall like a magazine model, with his shirt sleeves rolled up. No no no.... Wake up Jaanvi Mishra.

"Oh my go-"

"Don't give me that crappy look, Jaanvi. You and I know... Let's just learn to admit." He spoke and Jaanvi's mouth opened and closed like a breathless fish.

"Admit? Admit what?" Jaanvi didn't even know what she was supposed to say. She found it so hard to absorb whatever he was talking. How the hell was he so cool?

"Admit that we kissed. We had a moment. And it was good." He gripped her fingers and Jaanvi felt herself turning red. She really wanted to dig a hole in the ground and bury herself there. She never wanted to return back to the world.

"I... My mum is not even out yet." She mumbled stupidly. Honestly she did not know what else to say. Her head was all over the place and she did not think she could ever overcome the so called 'moment' that Vikram was saying.

"You still think that I kissed you for your mother?"

"What else can it be?" Jaanvi asked when Vikram gave her a charming smile. Jaanvi swore she felt herself melting into puddles. This wasn't good.

"Well... didn't you hear my confession before the kiss?" he asked while caressing the hair that blocked her right eye. Jaanvi was horrified and she immediately took a step back. She looked around to make sure he wasn't acting his part.

There was literally no one around them.

"Vikram.... You are really freaking me out. There's literally no one around here. You don't need to act." She said like she was explaining to a kid. Jaanvi's mind was still in an unbelievable-mode.

Vikram smiled again. He knew that he had freaked her out a lot with his move. But he couldn't stop his emotions when she was that close. Everything about her pulled him closer to her. There was so much of vulnerability and innocence in Jaanvi that attracted Vikram to her. He was suddenly feeling of all sorts.

"It's nice to see you being vulnerable." Vikram smirked, revealing his deepest dimples. It was a side he never showed Jaanvi.

But at this moment, his sweetest side scared her more than anything.

Ever since he had discovered his feelings for Jaanvi, they seemed to multiply on its own. The more he saw her, the more he wanted to her. The determination of owning her increased. He wanted all of her for himself. And he knew that his intentions would definitely overwhelm the poor girl.

He tried his best to take it slow. But time was ticking and he had no other way to bring this out.

Vikram walked closer to her and saw how terrified she was. Her hands were fisted to her dress in her sides as she studied his every movement. She was one hell of a smart woman. Even at this moment, she trusted Vikram. He could see that in her eyes. She was waiting for his explanation instead of running away.

Vikram couldn't help but smile.

"Vikram, you have to leave. I don't have time to deal with this today.... I have a big problem going on in my house today." She explained breathlessly.

"Oh yeah, I forgot. The dickhead who's coming to see you, right?" Vikram asked and Jaanvi's eyes squinted at him. Her lips formed into a pout. But they straightened the minute Vikram's eyes drifted towards them.

"Right. You should leave..."

"What about the boyfriend drama? Am I still given the role?" Vikram faked sadness.

"No... Now, I don't think that's a good idea." She said as she glared at him.

"I see.... So, is this a rejection?" Vikram gave her a sad pout while Jaanvi rolled her eyes. Her face was turning red in anger. But it was really entertaining for Vikram to watch. He found out that he really enjoyed her reactions. He was a sadist at times like this.

He walked closer to her. Every step he took, Jaanvi stepped back. Tables had turned. Now Jaanvi was caged between his muscular arms and trapped between him and the walls. She regretted bringing Vikram inside here. She was standing only a few meters away from her house's back gates.

"Vikram! Stop-" before she could continue, she heard loud footsteps of a few people behind them.

Jaanvi's eyes widened when she realised that her mother and father were there behind them. There were a few more people there too, whom Jaanvi couldn't recognise. Looks like they were the groom's side of guests.

Jaanvi closed her eyes in defeat. She was so dead!

Quickly pushing Vikram away, she straightened her dress and gaped at them awkwardly. Think Jaanvi... think!

"Uhurmm... So I guess, you guys have already met." Ram said more like a statement. His eyes did not hold any amusement. He seemed a little off the edge this time. Jaanvi's eyes were filled with confusion. Already met?

Jaanvi saw how composed her parents were. Especially her dad. Shouldn't he be mad now?

"Dad.... I am sorry, but I don't want to marry the guy you have chosen." Jaanvi was straight on point. Vikram stood behind her, folding his arms straight.

He was interested to see what she had to say. She always made herself known to others without thinking twice. There was nothing he could do to save Jaanvi now. His seventh sense knew that she was going to blow this up for her own self.

"Oh, and what are you planning to do to stop me?" her father's eyes were so stern that even Vikram was feeling the danger radiating. Ram was really angry when he projected the question. It seemed like a war was going to happen. But Vikram was intrigued when he saw how Jaanvi wasn't scared.

"I am in love..... with Vikram here." She pointed and Vikram's eye's physically expanded. He tried his best to keep his shock in bay. But hearing those words from her made it feel more real. It would have been nicer if it was real.

Although he knew that she was acting, he felt a little sorry for her. She was a girl with beautiful dreams. She was fighting for something that not many people struggled for.

Self-respect.

"Oh really... The last time I heard, he was your doctor?" Ram spoke in a bitter tone. Jaanvi was blocked with confusion. Why was everyone acting normal? The people behind her father were also gawking at her. Her mother was too stunned to speak anything.

"What? Erm yeah, he was my doctor. He's my friend too. I mean...so what? What if he's my anything? What's wrong with you.... I mean, I am in love with him. He's t-the one ddd-dad." Jaanvi was really blabbering now. Her tongue felt like they have stuck on the base due to the lack of lubrication. She was really hydrating. Help Vikram!

She looked at Vikram and he gave her a different kind of look. This wasn't the Vikram she knew.

He looked at her like he was amused with her. No way...she had to be dreaming.

"Oh really? From when has this been happening?" her father awakened her thoughts and was now glaring at her. Looks like this wasn't going down well with Ram.

"Dad... I have been wanting to tell you. Buy you were always hasty. You never asked my opinions. I don't want to marry any random guy whom you get to choose. This is my life and I want to make my choices. I hope you stay by my side this time at least. Ask them to go away." She pointed at the visitors behind.

"Jaanvi???" Veena gasped when she watched her daughter's ridiculous behaviour.

"No maa, please don't do this. All this while, you have only supported dad behind his decisions. You will never stand by my side. I know, okay? I know." Jaanvi spoke and turned towards Vikram. She gave him a pleading look to play along.

Vikram was just as casual as he ever was. She could never understand him.

Meanwhile, there was an old man and a young aged boy behind her father. They looked really amused with whatever she was saying. Well, she wasn't an exhibition piece. Yet, Jaanvi felt a little guilty for insulting them. But she was left with no choice. Either this, or marry another stranger.

"Well Mr Ram Mishra.... I am sure everything is beyond our hands now. Shall we fix talk about the wedding now before it's too late?" the old man asked and Jaanvi felt her blood draining. She was shocked to the core that she couldn't even shut her eyes.

"W-what??" her hands flew to her chest as she heard the man speak to her father as though nothing had happened. Fix the wedding? Were they out of their minds?

"Yes dear? Anything else you want to say?" the man asked Jaanvi and she blinked at him with perplexity.

"You still want to fix this marriage?" she asked him unbelievably. Vikram shook his head and walked forward.

"Jaanvi... you have to listen to me first-"

"No Vikram!!! He is insisting on fixing my marriage dates! Oh my god." Jaanvi was panicking and Vikram held her to slow her down. This was way chaotic than what he expected.

"Well... Yes, definitely. But before that, you have to see my wife too, Ms Jaanvi Mishra. The lady of the house needs to approve." He laughed, raising his hands up in defeat. Ram and Veena's face were tensed as he was speaking.

Vikram could tell that they were praying hard for Jaanvi to keep shut. Well, Jaanvi's parents always had to stay in the edge with a daughter like Jaanvi. She could always speak things which were very unpredictable.

"But I don't want to marry your son! Whoever he is.... I don't want. Sorry." she said, looking at the both of them like they had gone crazy. The man seemed genuinely shocked as he gazed at Jaanvi.

"Oh really? Okay then. Now I understand why my son likes you. You are.....very......ummm....How do I put it? More like him.... I guess?" The man's smile widened as he winked at her. Jaanvi was having a panic attack. What the hell?

"Sorry, but may I know who are you? Is that your son?" Jaanvi pointed to the man who was standing next to her father. He was standing with a guy who's most likely too young to be a groom. She didn't know why, but her instincts told her that she was in deep trouble. Those men there looked really elated. What was happening?

"Well... My name is Krishna Prasad and this is my youngest son Ved. For your kindest information, I am the father of your dearest lover, Dr Vikram Krishna. I am sorry that he's my 'son' that you are dying to marry. I know that you guys are madly in love. But that doesn't make this secret meeting at the backyard appropriate. I understand that you both love each other. But there's a time and place for everything. So, we would appreciate if you guys respect the traditions and meet us in the hall." He announced with an uneasy smile, putting an end to the entire chaos.

Jaanvi was thunderstruck. Son?

She didn't dare to look behind. She didn't want to.

Now it all made sense.

Perfect sense...

-------

Jaanvi sat in the middle of the hall, staring at the empty space infront of her.

Everyone there were talking about their marriage plans as if Jaanvi was invisible.

She was dumbfounded and her whole body was undergoing shock. Her nervous system was completely shutting itself down. She had never felt so lost for a long time in her life. Her entire head throbbed with a million questions. She didn't know how to react anymore.

Vikram's family was here for a marriage proposal? Out of all people, Vikram????? Really? No way... This had to be a joke.

He had made her look like a fool infront of the entire family. This must be a prank. How dare he? Was he taking revenge for all those days she was troubling him? His father must have thought that she was a mental case. How humiliating?

Today was the most embarrassing days in her life. She was stuck there like sitting duck. Her parents were just talking to Krishna like he had known them for years. And this cheeky brat called Ved was giving her a 'I-am-not-involved' look for so long. He had the naughtiest look that she had never seen in anyone.

For the first time in her life, Jaanvi felt so stupid. How could she not realise that Vikram was here for this?

Vikram had been hinting her to hear her out. But she was dumb to not realise his intentions. Never in her dreams, had she expected her proposal to come from Vikram. Never!

The confession, kiss and everything was all real. Too freaking real!!!

Even now, she was wishing everything to become a joke. She was waiting for him to tell her that this was all a prank. She was just waiting....

Vikram was there sitting in his casual long sleeved black shirts which was rolled up till his elbows. His first button was unbuttoned while his hair was all ruffled and messy. His jaws so sharp and beard neatly shaved like a supermodel, he gave her father a smile that could kill all the organs inside a living woman. His smile was the sexiest this she ever saw in him. He had a huge dimple and damn....those blue eyes. They shined when his smile was genuine. Jaanvi wondered how she hadn't seen that kind of smile before. There was a little trail of tattoo peeking out from his fair neckline. He definitely had this bad boy vibe going around him. Something like a mafia vibe, except he was only a psychiatrist.

There was a powerful presence around Vikram even when he was the quietest there. His two words had the power of an hour of speech. People gave him attention. Attention! Yes, attention was what he had from everyone. Jaanvi had always noticed how he drew attention even without trying. Even when he was giving her treatments back at the rehabilitation centre, he always held her attention.

Be it fear, attraction, sympathy or anything.... Vikram was always good in creating the atmosphere around him.

It was a trait in him which made him the centre of attraction.

And that brought her back to the biggest nightmares.

She suddenly had a lot of things going through her mind. She didn't care what everyone else was talking. Now there was no room for escape anymore. If Vikram was really here to marry her, there was no way out. She can't even undo her lies. She would be stuck with him for an entire lifetime. This was much worse than marrying a stranger.

For a start, she feared Vikram a lot because of the knowledge he had about her. It was too scary to think of an entire lifetime with a person who knew too much about her. He knew that she wasn't a virgin, he knew about her first love, drugs, Ricky and many more. He even knew her darkest secrets that she was about to take to her grave.

Tying her life with him was giving her chills. It was almost as if she was stripped bare. He knew her worst secrets even before he had a chance to see her nicer side. She dreaded that she may always have to fear him in future. She was so embarrassed to look into his eyes and speak, knowing how much he had known about her.

Sometimes she preferred marrying a stranger than to Vikram.

She couldn't understand why Vikram would want to marry her. Wasn't he repulsed by her past? Or did he take pity on her? Does he know the amount of danger she was in? They were born quite a number of years apart. Their age gap was actually a little threatening. She didn't want to look like some school kid when she was compared with him.

Yes, she knew that she was silly. She admitted that she had a childish part to her. But Vikram would always give her a look as though he was talking to a kid at school. He made her look like she was insane. She even doubted if he ever looked at her like a grown up woman.....until of course, the kiss happened.

Yeah, the kiss wasn't totally him. She was stupid as well. She reciprocated the kiss for at least ninety-nine percent as much as he did. Jaanvi wanted to shoot herself when the memories came back alive. She wished she could rewind back the time and go back to the hour when she spotted Vikram outside her house. If she caught him again this time, she would easily shut him outside and throw the keys inside a magical river.

If only she had a magical river.

"Why is the bride so quiet?" Krishna was the one who awoke her from her thoughts. Jaanvi stared at him and shook her head. Bride? Seriously Mr?

"Quiet? Looks like you guys are fine without my opinions?" Jaanvi snapped, earning a nudge from her mother.

"Haha... What she means is that, she doesn't have much opinions. So, she is quite lost and shy. She is actually quiet most of the times." Veena laughed and covered up as if Jaanvi had done a huge crime.

Ram was not too impressed by Jaanvi's remarks. He looked like he was struggling to keep his anger at bay.

Vikram looked up and watched Jaanvi closely. His father making comments like that made him cringe as well. Jaanvi and quiet? What a joke. If anything, she had the loudest minds of them all. When Jaanvi looked up and frowned at him, Vikram lost his battles. Her frown was everything he ever dreamt of lately. They were so sexy that he found himself gazing at them again and again. He swore he felt like walking up and kissing her frowny lips all over again. He wanted to pull her hair so hard and destroy her lips for him. Jeez, since when did his mind become so aggressive?

He just prayed hard that he could marry the devil soon. Even though she was forced into this marriage, he knew that it wasn't easy to win her heart.

Jaanvi looked up at him and frowned harder. She wished she could teleport her message to him by her fierce facial expressions. Her lips formed into a pout like all the times she was irritated. She wanted to relay her message of how stupid his ideas were. If he thought that he was doing her a favour, then he was clearly wrong.

She did not get him at all. How was he this cool about this proposal? Wasn't he afraid of spoiling his life? And what about Shree? Poor girl died... Oh wait.... Was he thinking that this was a rebound relationship? That after marriage, they both could spend their lives back in the memories of each other's pasts?

"Earth to Jaanvi??" This time it was Krishna again. Jaanvi winced when she felt her mother's pinch on her shoulders. She shook her head and smiled awkwardly. Stupid Jaanvi.

She was scared at how easily she zoned out among people. Of course, she had a lot to think. But not this much. Her mind was indeed very noisy.

"Yes?" she tried being more polite, only for Vikram's sake. Again, she didn't know why she wanted to do him any favours.

"Are you okay with the marriage being in the next three to four months?" he asked and Jaanvi's face paled.

"Umm.... Can I speak to Vikram before that?" she asked and everyone there gasped. Well, not everyone. Only her parents. But Krishna and Ved seemed taken aback too.

The only person who sat there like an emotionless rock was Vikram. She was so irritated that she never got to know his real feelings or emotions through his face. There should be something to read at least, right?

"Well... may I know why?" this time, it was Ram who asked the question. The entire hall was silent as they all focused their gazes upon Jaanvi.

"I just need some time for the wedding. And also, I want to discuss some things with Vikram.....privately." she hesitated as the pressure kept building on her.

"No, you can't do-"

"It's fine uncle, I will speak to her first." Vikram cut her father off and raised his brows upwards. Hot as hell....but no thanks.

"Well, didn't you two had a moment outside?" Krishna asked his son.

"Yes, but if she needs to talk to me, she talks. I don't want anyone stopping her." Vikram announced and everyone kept silent.

The way Vikram spoke, put everyone off-guard. It was that tone he used in his workplace. He had that aura like a boss. People naturally listened to him. He didn't do dramas and gave the fearful vibes. He only spoke a few words and people listened. But Jaanvi had to scream the whole day and not an ant will listen.

Jaanvi rolled her eyes at her own thoughts. She really had to stop zoning out.

Vikram walked out of the living area after giving her a brief look. Jaanvi breathed in. She could do this.

Standing up, she walked to the room where Vikram entered. She had to stop herself from concentrating over the piercing gazes that followed her. Everyone there looked at her as though she was sinning.

As she entered the room, something seemed strange. She watched Vikram staring at the empty walls and felt her throat turn dry. Why did everything have to change between them? She used to be so comfortable around him previously. Why did he do this to her?

"Please tell me this is a joke, Vikram. I can't do this." She started to speak first.

"Well, unfortunately nope. This is not a joke. I have come here officially to ask for your hand in marriage. I already told you that I love you...." Vikram said as he was now fully facing her. She held his total attention.

"What kind of prank is this? You never liked me... Never, ever"

"That's what I seem to display on the outside... Well, its complicated. I know its hard for you to digest-"

"Hard??? It's unbelievable. I can't even imagine the both of us together in a room, okay? You have to help me and cancel this off. I can't... I can't do this." Jaanvi tried her best to keep her volume low. The fact that she saw how determined Vikram was, scared her.

"Cancel this? Why?" he asked with a serious expression. She saw how hard his blueish eyes turned.

"Why not? I mean.... 'Why not' should be the actual question."

"Because I love you. Simple." Vikram shrugged and Jaanvi's jaws dropped. Did he seriously say that again?

"Love? Are you being serious?" Jaanvi was agitated. He did not seem like he was joking. Everything about his demeanour screamed seriousness. He was all manned up and his eyes seem to flicker with emotions when he admitted his feelings for her.

She knew that he was no longer joking. He had this eyes that were softened and tender. This wasn't the Vikram she knew. He had soft eyes and a calmer persona. He was no longer fierce and arrogant. Instead, he was being all charming and difficult to resist. This was so bad...

He was a different person altogether that Jaanvi had a hard time to wrap it around her head. The Vikram she knew was cold, unfeeling, rough and ignorant. He never gave her a minute of his day. He was always annoyed at whatever she spoke and most importantly, he called her Satan. He never entertained her or looked at her in a way where she could have sensed an attraction.

There was simply nothing between them except fights.

But now, this Vikram was being all different. She did not know how to be around him. She could not do the lovey-dovey shit again. It was all too much for her to do the 'love' thing again. Arjun had destroyed her heart forever and it was hard to recover from the strike.

"Yes, I love you Jaanvi. I know this might not be the dreamy proposal that you expected. But it's still the truth."

"I don't need a dreamy proposal, Vikram. I mean....why me? Why didn't you tell me that you are the one who's coming here? You could have told me through phone, right? Why through my father? I thought you didn't like the idea of settling down? Wasn't that what you told Vishalini?" Jaanvi tried catching her breath.

Vikram looked like he had a hard time processing her questions. He knew that she had the rights to ask. But time wasn't in his favour. His mother was bugging him and if he hadn't made this move, Poorna would have came down personally to see Jaanvi herself. Vikram would rather come down himself than to his mother.

"I know it's unfair on you and I am sorry sweetheart. My intention wasn't to hide." Vikram walked closer and Jaanvi's eyes widened. She instinctively took a step back and raised her hands to her chest to create a distance between them.

"Jaanvi... You have to understand that I am trying. All your questions are valid. But maybe...try to look at it from my point. You gave that idiot Sid a chance. Why not me? Why not someone who loves you?"

"How is it possible that you are in love with me all of the sudden? You never liked me from the start. I find it too hard to absorb this...." Jaanvi shook her head, still not convinced.

But Vikram just smiled. He leaned closer, making Jaanvi's shoulder tense. She pasted her entire back on the wall and stood straight. They still had an arm length distance between them.

"Well, honestly even I am shocked at this revelation. It's not something I am happy to admit....but I have always been attracted to you. Out of all people in the world, I couldn't believe I was attracted to a satanic demon. I always thought that it was just a casual infatuation. I was getting too involved even back in the rehabilitation centre. That's the reason, I dropped your case abruptly. But the more I moved away from you, the more I was affected internally. You just consumed my mind all the time. I just couldn't help but think about you day and night. I just..... I just find something in you....that I have never found in another girl. I know it can sound a bit cliché, but that's the truth, Jaanvi. I have been with a lot of girls to be able to tell you this. Trust me when I say that you are the only one who have gotten along with me for the longest period of time." He nodded and Jaanvi stared at him wide-eyed. So, is that a good thing?

Woah.... That was the longest she had heard him speak. Jaanvi took time to process everything.

"What happened to Shree, then? Can you move on from that?" she asked and Vikram scoffed.

"Shree cheated on me. So, I ended ties with her! If anything, I hate her more than my entire life." Vikram huffed and Jaanvi blinked again. Yet, another revelation.

Her jaw couldn't drop more for that day. How many atomic bombs was he going to drop inside her heart. Didn't he tell her that Shree died? She always felt pity whenever she asked him about his first love. So, was it all a lie?

"Wow...Like wow...... Seriously? But you told me that she was dead???"

"I lied. I couldn't tell you the full truths due to confidential reasons. I found her cheating right under my nose. She cheated on me with her friend and I left her." He snapped like he was so done with that topic. There was so much of repulse on his face when he spoke about Shree. Looks like she did a number on him.

"I still don't think I can do this Vikram....... I am sorry to say this. But I have never seen you in that way. I don't think I can think about a romantic relationship between us either. Yes, I am attracted to you. But that's only because you are the only one who gives me attention. I don't have friends or anyone. So I might have gotten attached to you easily.....But I don't think it works throughout the life."

"Why not?" Vikram was frustrated.

"Because I don't think I can love you the way you want me to."

"How do you know how I want you? I haven't even spoken to you yet. Do you know how I want you with me? Do you?" he asked fiercely and fear gripped her heart.

"Vi-Vikram...."

Vikram this time walked closer to her body and leaned forward in a way his entire body was only one centimetre apart from hers. From head to toe, they were almost.... Almost pasted.

Jaanvi could breathe him even without him touching her. This was worse than a touch. It was a tease and she didn't know if she could survive Vikram's tease.

"Do you want to know how I would want my woman to be?" he asked, almost breathlessly. Suddenly the atmosphere heated up from zero to hundred degrees.

Jaanvi didn't dare to move a muscle for the first time. She was scared to open her lips and accidentally brushing upon his. The proximity was too thick and heavy. Their breaths mingled and she could inhale every single breath of his. The way his eyes hooded and changed colours was out of the world. She hadn't seen anything like this from anyone before.

His neck muscles tightened and she could see some kind of rage in his eyes.

"I like my woman to be mine. Completely mine to own. I won't share what's mine and I claim every bit of my ownership. I need you Jaanvi...... But I won't beg. You either agree or disagree. There's no third option." He said passionately as his palms went to her throat. His hands didn't wasn't hard enough to choke, but they were firm.

His harsh worry lines on his forehead displayed some kind of power that he displayed.

Jaanvi's head swivelled. For the first time, she looked at Vikram differently. He seemed too dominant, if she wasn't mistaken. He didn't seem like the person from the outside. But now, the demands he made was really frightening. Extremely hot, but frightening.

"That's a nice description. But no thank you. Can't we just be friends?" she asked and Vikram gave her a mocking smile. She was too retarded at times.

Vikram urged his lips to stretch them into a smile. If this situation wasn't so tensed, he would have laughed. This was the Jaanvi he fell in love with. The fearless lioness. No one dared to face him and speak like that when he was this way. The mad man he was, terrified his own self at times.

"Friends? When I have this urge to pin you against the wall and have my ways with you all the damn time, how is it possible to have a friend-zoned relationship?" Vikram asked, still holding on to her neck. But this time, his palms tightened. Jaanvi's entire body tingled with an unnatural arousal through those words he uttered.

"Aaah..." Jaanvi winced, but she didn't ask him to remove. She found it weird about how she naturally listened to him like an obedient submissive. Even she didn't know why she wasn't stopping him. He looked like a crazy man when his eyes were that dark. But she was drawn to him. She was still drawn to his attitude.

"Would you rather marry a stranger and accept his advances on you?" Vikram spoke in a hoarse voice, staring right in her eyes.

"There are some things, some people can't do..... You know too much about me." Jaanvi replied patiently.

"So, you would rather marry a stranger who knows nothing. You are okay with hiding your personality and living a lie? Is that what you want? You do not want to recover and move on...Instead, you want to paint a false picture in someone else's life?" he asked and Jaanvi gasped. That wasn't what she meant. Jeez, he was harsh.

"I didn't mean that. I just....just can't...."

"Can't what?" Vikram asked, still holding a strong gaze at her.

"I..... I don't know.... You are too.... Too.....much for me to handle. I feel too pressured under your hold. I can't deal with powerful men in my life anymore. You are no way near normal. I h-have seen how persuasive and strong y-you can be. You seem like the possessive kind. When you lose your cool.......you become this person who I fear." She finally admitted, feeling his presence overwhelming her. She felt her skin crawling uneasily as she admitted how small he made her feel.

Vikram was another dimension of powerful. Someone like Jaanvi who didn't even have much knowledge about Vikram's background could feel the power he radiated around him. It was like a second skin to him. Power and intimidation was in his blood. It was reflected in his walk, talk and gaze. She saw how manipulative and dominant he was. Jaanvi understood that in order to be his partner, one would have to lose a lot.

"So, it's a no?" Vikram finally asked. He would never force her if she was going to reject him. He was taught better than that.

He eventually got her real reason. He knew that Jaanvi was smart. She was very calculative and cluey. Just from the way he spoke, she calculated his real persona. It wasn't an easy job. Even his friends didn't know what type of man he was.

Yes, he was possessive and overbearing. But that was part of him which was inseparable.

Jaanvi relaxed a little when she felt his hands loosening against her throat. Damn, he almost gave her the hot mafia vibes.

"Vikram, listen-"

"Yes or no?" he asked again and Jaanvi blinked a few times. She knew that it was a straight no. But why was she hesitating? Even she knew that it wasn't so easy to tell him that. If she rejected Vikram, her parents would be back on finding another loser as a prospective match. She would also lose a friend like Vikram. Was it all worth it?

"If I say no, will you still keep in contact with me?" she asked hesitantly and Vikram raised an eyebrow. He rubbed his jaws and blinked at her again.

"No." He said and Jaanvi nodded in distress.

"W-what do you expect from this marriage? From me? I mean.... I get the commitment part. But will you expect more......more....umm"

"More what?" Vikram asked, even though he knew what she was hinting at. He wanted her to verbalise her feelings.

"Like......ummm..... we are supposed to live like married couples?" she asked stupidly and Vikram gave her a 'really?' look.

"Aren't married couples supposed to live like married couples?" he asked, faking dumbness.

Jaanvi frowned and turned away. Her cheeks turned crimson as she thought of how to explain to him.

"Do you expect me to be physically close to you?" she said as decently she could put it. She did not look at Vikram, because she had no courage.

"Physically close? You mean have sex?" he asked with his hands wide. Idiot always loved to embarrass her.

"Um...hmm" she just nodded. Her face was now burning red with embarrassment.

"Well, yes! To be exact, very frequently, demandingly, excessively, controllingly and differently, I always keep the sexual drive high in my life. I expect my wife to be my wife at all times, all places and all situations. I do not care about the time of the day. When I need it, I need it." He said, enjoying how Jaanvi squirmed in her place.

Vikram loved how uneasy he made Jaanvi feel. The fact that she was thinking about him, made him harden for her. If anything, this was a first for him.

"I can't be intimate with anyone else..... I have l-lost it in m-me, Vikram." A lone tear slipped from Jaanvi's eyes as she stared bravely into Vikram's eyes. She was not intimidated by him because she didn't fear anything else in life.

She was hopeless. She knew she wouldn't be able to replace anyone in the place of Arjun. The intimacy was destroyed when she was brought into the brink of rape from a bunch of monsters.

Vikram didn't show any expressions in his face. If he was shocked, he didn't give it away. The way his face stoned on hers', scared Jaanvi. He didn't speak for what seemed like a few minutes. Instead, his hands spoke.

He moved closer to Jaanvi again and caged her under his body.

His fingers trailed off a fading memory against her forearm. He brushed them till they reached her delicate shoulders. His fingertips barely touched her skin when they reached her nape. He slowly caressed until she felt the hairs standing up in attention. Her skin tingled and she inhaled a deep breath. What was he doing?

Vikram brought his lips down and slowly touched the mere distance between their lips. He did not kiss her, but he was indeed testing her mind. He only placed the lips aligning with hers with a hairline distance.

Jaanvi's entire body perspired as she carefully followed his movements. The rise and fall of her chest was shamefully giving away her temptation of how much she desired this. Everything she did, gave him a wrong message. Jaanvi hated her body for doing this to her. Mentally, she knew she didn't want this. She wasn't even ready for an intimate relationship.

She knew it. But her body was a betrayer.

Her body seemed like it had a brain of its own. Unknowingly, her face moved forward and reached up to kiss him by her own. Just when she moved on her own accord, Vikram pulled away slightly, causing a frustrating frown to appear on her face.

But when Jaanvi realised what she did, her eyes widened in astonishment.

Her heart dropped and she slammed her head back on the wall. She gave Vikram an unbelievable look this time. No way.... He must have manipulated this.

"See, it's not so bad Jaanvi. Intimacy is not really the physical touch that loathes you. It's the temptation that your mind sees and the breathlessness your body craves from emotional attachment. When you form a liking towards someone, your body will naturally love their touch. Now now....." he asked and trailed his hands down to her hips.

Jaanvi feared the worse when his fingers moved further down her back. In an instant, he grabbed her and to himself and wrapped his arms around her torso.

It happened so fast that Jaanvi almost screeched in terror. Vikram slammed his palms on her mouth to cover her screams, but Jaanvi was horrified. She struggled in terror.

Vikram pulled her shawl away and slammed her to the wall. His eyes still holding up a fix expression and his one hand covering her mouth. He was firm and his strength was nowhere near fightable. He waited till her fights died.

Jaanvi felt tingly. Every part of her body died the minute she came into contact with his body. No...no...no.

Her heart thudded rapidly and she felt like she couldn't breathe.

"Breathe in...." He instructed and she looked at him wide eyed. Was this dude serious?

"Vikram, you are going to kill me!!! Don't you know that you are touching me against my will? Leave me! My parents are outside." She panicked and Vikram shook his head.

"Well, I am only doing this because I saw your acceptance." He shrugged.

"Acceptance my foot. Don't lie."

"Your eyes don't lie, Jaanvi. A normal person can't see it. But I can. Now now..... Tell me. Your decision will be final. If you say yes, I will have you all to myself. If not, you will have to travel your journey yourself. This is the final destination for us. If you say no, I won't ever cross your path again. Not even as a friend." He said strictly, draining all the life from her.

Jaanvi liked Vikram a little too much, compared to all her friends. This friendship wasn't normal. It was a little too intimate then a normal friendship. Even Jaanvi knew it.

But every time she saw Vikram, she was scared of not being able to commit to him. She still hadn't moved on from Arjun. For the first time in her life, she was afraid. Truly afraid of ruining Vikram.

"I am not marrying you. I can't Vikram...."

***********