In the following week, since Abhiraj went back to Kolkata, the most awaited call from him never came. Instead, she had to both call and email Vikram to seek for a week's leave. Vikram unexpectedly approved that with no demand of explanation. The reason both could be him being generous suddenly or it was because of her rest of the owed holidays. Even Vikram assured her if she needed another few days off for Kaushik's health issues, she could easily avail that. However, that would require a few more formalities.

For Priyasha, the week rolled by either her giving visits to the hospital or engaging herself with Vinita in her wedding planning. Neither of which could take her mind away from Abhiraj or his obligations toward Permabell and whatever else that he was hiding. At times, her heart would ache disapprovingly because she desperately wanted to hear his voice. But it'd quiver the next moment, fearing the worst scenario. Once, she even had this strange assumption of him getting engaged to Zinnia. Maybe that was the reason he wasn't any more interested in knowing her whereabouts. It was quite a difficult task for her to let it be... without getting irritated. She practically had to force the thought away.

Vijay was terrific in keeping his observation on her. When he was around, Priyasha could actually not tell that he was following her everywhere and all the time. So, there was no possibility on earth that anyone else could. Priyasha in the beginning wanted him to introduce to Vikash and the rest of her family. But because, one, she was out of a good justification about Vijay's association with her and two, it never appeared a good timing to do so. So, Vijay insisted, it'd be better if he stayed undercover. Things would go smoother that way. Priyasha unwillingly agreed with him on that.

Neha and Sonya in the meantime called her and compassionately gave condolences which she somewhat needed and thanked them dearly for that.

29th July

"Vijay, you never told me why did you even engage yourself in all this in the first place?" Priyasha asked emptying the sugar packet in her tea-cup.

They were sitting inside the hospital cafeteria. Since the beginning, both of them never had any opportunity to sit and talk together as she had been always busy either with her family or friend and Vijay decided to watch her from a distance. Now that Vikash needed to go to Burdwan for his work and couldn't accompany her to hospital, Priyasha invited Vijay to come and sit with her while she was waiting for the appointment with doctor regarding Kaushik's discharge. Kaushik was much better now. Recovering from the after-surgery complications. Doctors had consulted to start the EBRT few days later considering Kaushik's age.

"I was furious with Abhiraj concerning your condition." She frowned remembering the scene from the police station.

Vijay leaned back in his chair; the corner of his lips tilted upwards. "Why? But, thank you for getting worried about my condition."

Priyasha cocked an eyebrow toward him and shot him an annoyed look, warning him. "Vijay!"

Vijay shook his head admiring her peppery tone, then cleared his throat and said, "Roy never forced me into anything. I volunteered. It was solely my decision from the beginning."

Priyasha stared at the person sitting opposite to her. The cup in her hand stopped mid-air from meeting her lips. Who the hell wants to get hurt intentionally? And why would someone want to get hurt in the first place?

"You went to lock up intentionally?" Priyasha furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and questioned, "But why?"

Vijay's eyes went soft as they settled on Priyasha's face. "Ms. Chatterjee..."

"My name is Priyasha, please."

He smiled. "Priyasha it is then." He moved forward and rested his elbows on the table, "The foremost and basically the only reason is avenging my father's death. Is the reason enough?"

"Your father's death?" She whispered, "Who?"

Vijay's face turned pained immediately. "I see. Roy didn't tell you anything. Actually, I can't blame him though." His eyes went almost glassy as he was talking. "Roy doesn't want you to get hurt. He doesn't like innocent people get hurt at all." He inclined forward and held his head on his palms. "Satyaki Hazra, my father."

The name had popped up somewhere in the past, although Priyasha couldn't really remind herself exactly where. She gazed at Vijay curiously. Vijay sighed then focused back into her eyes. This time with more intensity, that for a few seconds she almost lost her nerves. That's when she remembered, Satyaki Hazra was one of the business partners of Permabell, who was killed in a tragic car accident in a recent year. She had read the article online a few days back. Her eyes went wide. Vijay was deceased Mr. Hazra's son.

"Mr. Hazra was your..." She trailed off, both because of shock and nervousness.

"Father." He paused then gritted his teeth. "And was murdered. Cold-bloodedly murdered by Debdutta Roy. How could I not take part in something that would avenge his death?" He stopped, then added, "Roy helped a lot, because he also has some strong motive to do things against Debdutta Roy."

Priyasha stared at him. But Abhiraj said, he was involved in it only because someone had to. "What motive?"

"He hasn't told you anything. Has he?" Vijay countered.

Priyasha felt betrayed by Abhiraj all over again. Her face grew hot as the realization washed over her. Abhiraj had been deceptive toward her from the very beginning, and yet she couldn't stop having the ache in her heart. She was in a terrible position and she knew it couldn't bring anything pleasant.

She slowly shook her head, eyeing downwards.

"Well, I can't disclose much then, without discussing with him beforehand."

Priyasha's eyes burned all of a sudden overwhelmed by this humiliating secrecy. She had to blink several times to clear the tears as well her mind.

"You've been in contact with him regularly, no?" She played with the used sugar packet on the table as she asked something she shouldn't have.

"Yes, why?"

"Why is he like this?" Her gaze traveled up on Vijay's face.

"What do you mean?"

Priyasha shook her head, then whispered, "Since he went back, he didn't even call me for once. Why couldn't he call me?"

Vijay smiled. "I have known him for seven years now. He's reticent. He lacks the ability to talk or express much. Maybe he's getting updates from me about you, or maybe because of lack of time." He shrugged. "Nowadays he's actually very busy with several affairs."

Priyasha nodded understanding his point even though her heart ached for his absence.

"Vijay, I want this to end, for once and all. I want to live... in peace. For at least once."

Vijay placed his warm hand on hers that was resting on the table. "Priyasha, it'll be alright." He gave her hand a gentle reassuring squeeze.

Priyasha smiled at his gentle gesture and wondered, how different he and Abhiraj were. Then it struck her. She was actually comparing the two of them. Had she taken Kaushik's words seriously? Checking on people randomly, for their potential to be her would-be spouse? She winced internally, then slowly withdrew her hand uncomfortably. They didn't know her past. She couldn't selfishly want them to get engage with her while they remained in the dark.

Vijay delivered a warm smile. He was unlike Abhiraj, warm and friendly. It was much easier to be around him.

He continued. "Don't worry. If Roy could manage deceiving the Police, he can very well plan a way out of this situation. He's an intelligent fellow. When I lost my father, it was him who approached me. My mother was broken, and I needed someone to stand by our side. He appeared like a savior."

Priyasha grimaced. "Don't promote his position as a savior." She scoffed. "He came in my life as a kidnapper."

Vijay laughed. "It was a part of his plan. He never meant to harm you."

"Doesn't matter."

Vijay leaned back in his seat and touched the tea-cup to his lips.

Priyasha's eyes darted toward the man and stopped on his face. The wound on his forehead was now taken a shade of light purplish. Most of the scars had now faded. He was looking more handsome than she remembered one week back.

Priyasha shook the thought away from her head.

Once finishing the tea, they left the cafe toward the doctor's room. The corridor was less crowded at this point as the visiting hours ended half an hour ago. Most of the patients' relatives were gone. The remaining were either waiting to talk to the doctor or paying bills and buying medicines.

Priyasha had to wait till her serial number came. So, they found an empty seat outside the doctor's room and sat down, waiting.

A few minutes later, when it was their turn after two more people, her phone rang. She brought out the phone and hurriedly went aside to not cause any disturbances to other patients and their families. Vijay followed her close behind.

It was an unknown number. Even the call identifying app didn't show the caller's name. Vijay was stood right behind her. She could almost feel the warmth radiating through his body.

While the phone kept ringing, he said, "Who is it? Answer it."

"...I don't recognize the number." She stared at the phone screen.

"It's okay. I'm here with you. Answer the call."

Priyasha hesitantly answered the call and instantly froze horrorstricken upon hearing the voice.

"So, Ms. Priyasha Chatterjee, or should I call you Chini or Romeo's favorite - Bubbles?"

Vishwa. It was Vishwa. She panicked. How did he get her new number?

"Did you think, Roy or the son of Satyaki Hazra could keep you safe from me?"

Priyasha felt her limbs go limp, and she faltered back just to collide with Vijay's strong muscular built. As a quick reflex, he caught a hold and steadied her. Vishwa knew everything about her current situation. He could reach her anytime, anywhere!

"How did you find my number?" Priyasha whispered.

Vijay, held her close and asked worriedly, "What happened? Who is it?"

Vishwa must have heard Vijay's voice in the background, so he continued, "I see you're not alone, but mind my words, pretty lady! You're going to be alone soon. Someone can't wait long to meet you."

Her throat had gone dry by now. She swallowed the lump in her throat and clutched the strap of her bag. This was far worse than she had expected. He was referring to Romeo. Did that mean...he's out? She couldn't think anymore.

Vishwa let out a quick laugh and finished his threat with a warning, "Permabell is going to be mine, and none can beat me there. Roy made a huge mistake engaging me in his plan and now he better stay out of my way. Because, I'm having my way with both the partners alive. So, Roy has to back away from both you and Permabell, otherwise he'll be suffering the consequences."

The extra thump-thump hammered down her heart so painfully that she didn't even realize when Vijay snatched away the phone from her grasp and now furiously yelling on the phone, "Hello? Who's this? Hello?"

Vishwa must have disconnected the line. So, he cursed while taking down the phone from his ear while holding Priyasha close with his free hand.

"Priyasha!" He asked worried, "Are you okay? Who was it? Who was the caller?"

Priyasha spun around, clutched Vijay's shirt, dug her face into his chest and the tears rolled down her face freely. She couldn't even process the thought of Abhiraj being hurt because of these destructive actions he was engaged in. As far as she knew him, he would never back off and let Vishwa have his way.

"Priyasha!" Vijay held her softly and led her to a nearby empty seat, then made her sit down. Thankfully, the place was the hospital and no one would think it weird or give it a second thought on a crying relative of a patient.

Priyasha held Vijay's shirt tightly to feel shielded as she broke down in tears.

Vijay rocked her, whispering soothing words when she murmured, "When will this end? I want this to end."

Vijay was about to say something but was interrupted by Priyasha's phone ringing again.

He gave a wary glance at her then picked up the call himself.

"Hello?" His voice was implying how anxious he was. "Yes... I guessed it too." He looked down at her. "She's... uh... she's here. ...Okay." Vijay patted her back softly. "Priyasha, talk to him."

She looked up at him questioningly, her vision blurry from the tears.

"Roy," he declared, pointing at the phone and handed it over.

Priyasha took the phone and hurriedly connected it to her ear learning it was Abhiraj.

"Abhiraj!" She cried out.

"Senapati called you? Are you okay?" He sounded way more anxious than her.

"Yes, he said..." Priyasha was about to recite everything Vishwa had warned her, but stopped right away when it dawned on her. "How do you know?"

Abhiraj paused for a moment then cursed which sounded like he had taken the phone down while doing so, then answered, "I - I have my ways."

Anger flared through her frantically when she realized how much damage he just caused her right now. It felt like her whole world crumbling down. She couldn't express in words how she felt at that moment. She was scared, angry, deceived, helpless... hurt. Her heart burned furiously that she thought it'd end up in nothing but ashes of her hopes.

But, most of all, it ached excruciatingly.

Priyasha's grip on the phone tightened as she visibly started trembling. She yelled out furiously and her voice broke with the utterance of each word. "You have been hacking to get access to my phone's data? You sick scoundrel! How dare you? How dare you!" She shouted aloud, almost cracking her voice at the end from the fury.

Vijay tried to calm her down. "Priyasha!"

Abhiraj began explaining, "Listen to me, it was because..." but Priyasha cut the call off and threw the phone away furiously.

Vijay's eyes flew with it. "Oh! What's wrong?" He quickly went and picked up the phone. Then strode back to where she was sitting and sat down beside her.

"Why are you so angry?"

"What do you expect me to be, Vijay?" Priyasha snapped, "He's been hacking my phone... damnit! Without my consent! He doesn't have any rights!" Priyasha shook from the anger, gripping the edge of the seat tightly. "I hate him. I hate every single thing relating HIM!"

Vijay calmed her down. "Relax. You still have to talk to the doctor. Don't go crazy over a simple misunderstanding."

"Simple misunderstanding?" Priyasha threw a dirty glare on him. "You call it a simple misunderstanding? He hacked my phone, Vijay! Do you know what that means?"

Vijay eyed her with concern.

"It means I don't bloody have any privacy in my life," she yelled aloud.

Two people were passing the place at that moment. They shot curious glances at them making Vijay embarrassed.

"Priyasha, calm down. Stop attracting attention." Vijay worriedly looked around then reminded her, "You should go talk to the doctor, first of all."

Priyasha closed her eyes then attempted the 7/11 breathing control exercise to calm her nerves down. It worked somewhat. Then she stood up, wiped away the angry tears and stomped off toward the doctor's room. Vijay followed her worriedly.

~~~

30th July

Since yesterday, Priyasha didn't care touching the phone knowing it was probably broken. She was furious with Abhiraj. How the hell he could even think about doing that? Now it was clear to her. Yesterday's revelation explained why he suddenly became so generous while ordering the phone for her in the beginning. Rascal!

Vijay refrained himself from bothering her regarding the same.

Yesterday doctor wrote Kaushik's discharge order and prescribed medication that would continue till the time of his EBRT. Only after the EBRT start, the medicines will be replaced.

Thus, it was time for taking him home. Vikash had returned last night around 11 and gone through the papers and other financial arrangements already.

Right now, he was in the accounts section finishing off the discharge process officially. In the meantime, Priyasha had packed all of Kaushik's belongings in a bag and now waiting with Kaushik seated on a wheelchair by the elevator door. She kept his father busy talking about trivial matters to divert the feeling of his discomfort.

However, as far Kaushik's emotional state was concerned, he was far from uncomfortable. When he heard that tomorrow was the day Vinita was getting wed, he immediately demanded, Priyasha should get wed as well and sooner. In response, she kept quiet while her face took a shade of tomato red which she wasn't sure, whether from shyness or anger, and cursed the person, frowning, who popped up in her head along with the thought of marriage.

Meanwhile, she spotted Vijay keeping a close eye on her. This time without giving it much thought she had summoned him and introduced him to Kaushik and Vikash as a new friend. Vikash obviously disregarded with a scowl but Kaushik soon liked him and got mingled easily. That was a relief.

~~~

Vikash climbed into the passenger seat and threw a stern look at the back seat. "Kaku, are you comfortable?"

In response, Kaushik looked at Priyasha sitting beside her and nodded, "Yes. Let's go home."

Priyasha turned her attention on the other side of her and exchanged a quick glance with Vijay. He blinked with a soft smile assuring her as the car came to life and drove around the crowded parking lot and made it to the busy street.

She made sure Vijay came along with them, even though Vikash disapproved the idea. But when Kaushik consented, Vikash couldn't argue.

After about half an hour ride, the engine died down right before the main gate of their house. Vikash and Vijay got out of the car and in an instant were by Kaushik's door to help him out. With their help, it was easy for him to get out of the car and they proceeded toward the gate. While Priyasha carried the bag and followed them behind.

However, she had to stop and suck in a deep breath right before entering the house. The last person on earth she wanted to see at that moment was standing right beside her mother, staring at her. His resolute stare caressed her face attentively. She quickly disregarded him and went inside along with Kaushik and the rest.

Priyasha behaved nonchalantly in front of her family but inside she was burning like an inferno. How dare he come here after all the things he had done to her? Upasana took the bag from her and went ahead toward Kaushik's room. When Vikash noticed Abhiraj's presence, he grunted. It was evident that Vikash did not like him or appreciate his visit. After settling down Kaushik on his bed, Vikash went out of the room, Upasana trailing behind him.

Maya sat beside Kaushik as her eyes went moist. She tried hard not to tear up in front of Kaushik.

Priyasha stood quietly at one side of the bed while the guys stood at the foot of it. Although, with her peripheral vision, Priyasha had noticed them exchanging a few meaningful glances. But they resisted themselves from exchanging any words. It was Maya who introduced Abhiraj to Kaushik, and Priyasha's heart started beating fast disapprovingly when Kaushik looked between the men then glanced at Priyasha, with his mouth tilted up.

Priyasha excused herself immediately to spare her from giving out much of her emotional state and went straight to her room.

She scowled viciously. The audacity he has!

She stomped off to her bed and sat down furiously. She did not want him here. Not now. Not anytime soon. He did wrong, and that was the only thing her mind was inclined to believe.

She balled her fists and hit the bed at both sides of her. Damn it. Damn him.

Few minutes later, she heard the expected knock on her door, and it infuriated her to a higher degree.

Without giving the person an outright look, she snapped, "I don't want to talk to you. Get out."

However, being the cocky person that he was, he came right into her room and closed the door behind him. Priyasha shot a furious glance at him. "What are you doing? Get out from here!"

Abhiraj didn't even bother listening to her order. Instead, he closed the distance between them and sat down beside her. Seeing that she sprung on her feet and took a step toward the door, definitely intending to leave the room as soon as possible. But she couldn't succeed as he caught her hand and pulled her toward him in a swift motion without giving her much time to react. She came collapsing on his firm chest as his cologne hit her nostrils like a sedative. She frowned once steadying herself and immediately pushed him away. But he had, by then, placed both of his hands on the lower back of her and pulled her closer in his strong embrace. The compromising position of them infuriated her even more. They had never been this close. He was practically manhandling her. She hit his chest with her fist repetitively while trying to wiggle free from his grasp. But he was stronger and she couldn't dislodge his strong hold on her.

"Stop," he said finally.

"No, I won't." She pushed on him. "Leave. Me."

"I won't." He repeated her words. "Until unless you stop fighting and we talk the matter out calmly."

She didn't answer to that but kept on fighting him.

Few minutes later, she started panting furiously, then gave in and stopped moving, clutching his shirt in her fists tightly.

"Done?" He mocked and looked down at her.

Her glare traveled up to his face and noticed the annoying smirk. She wanted to slap it away from his face, but thought otherwise. Because it won't affect a damn thing to him.

"How dare you?" She snapped furiously.

He sighed, then loosened his grip on her. "I had to watch over you even when I was away."

She leveled a glowering look and studied his face. There was no regret, no guilt, no shame.

"By snatching away my privacy?"

He frowned. His shoulders stiffened.

"You have every data my phone has, damn it! Even those which I didn't want anyone to look into them!" She noticed his taut, muscled arms loose more of their pressure on her.

"I was only concerned about any suspicious contacts. That's all," he explained.

"You cannot be forgiven for that Abhiraj. Do you realize that? You cannot do that without my consent. This is just not OKAY!" She yelled out at the end, exasperated.

He released his hold on her and stepped back. "I know. I'm not apologizing that's why."

Her hold on his clutched shirt tightened as she hissed, "You're an arrogant jerk."

He took hold of her fists and loosened them away from his shirt.

Priyasha's voice cracked, even though she tried to maintain her burning fury against him. "Feelings never got valued to you. Did they ever?"

Abhiraj groaned. "What do you want me to do now? What's done already...is done. I can't change a damn thing about it."

"And even so, you cannot apologize?"

They fell silent for a few seconds. Her eyes welled up while he raked his hand through his hair. After a moment, he sighed in defeat. "Okay, fine. I'm sorry."

Priyasha felt disgusted. He was a terrible person who couldn't even regret for doing something wrong. She backed away from him. Her eyes started burning from the disgrace. "Get out. I don't want to talk to you."

"Priyasha, I said sorry," he said and instinctively took a step toward her.

But she spun around and wiped away the tears which was threatening to fall down. She was not ready to show him (and would never) that how much hurt he had awarded her in these past few days.

Abhiraj instead took another step forward and extended a hand in front of her face.

Her eyes fell on it and she froze instantly with shock.

He was holding a small box with a beautiful pair of earrings studded with emeralds and zircons. She took a deep breath, focusing on it.

He murmured from behind her, "Tomorrow is your friend's wedding, so I thought..." and trailed off.

Her heart ran an extra beat. What to make out of this man? No seriously, what was this man's deal?

She turned around to face him. "You're actually compensating for your offence by buying me a pair of earrings? And you think, for this..." She pointed her finger at the box and gritted her teeth. "you'll receive forgiveness?"

He frowned in response. "It's not that."

"Then, what is it?"

He focused his probing gaze on her and their eyes locked. Her chest suddenly squeezed in an unknown pain while she stared at those troublemaking night-sky-like eyes. Her heartbeat rose a few degrees as she felt warmth rushing to her face. She quickly stopped herself from faltering and her own betraying adrenaline rush.

He cleared his throat, taking his eyes off of her face. "A gift."

"Reason?"

His eyelashes swept up again at her. They stared at each other for a longer period, which she wasn't sure why, until his eyes flickered. He averted his gaze, spun around, closed the box and put it down on the bed.

"I liked them. They'll look good on you," he calmly uttered those words, then left the room, causing her to gawk at his back till he disappeared behind the door.

Arrogant emotionless evil!

She cursed him aloud in her mind and fell face down on the bed crying in frustration.

She was falling for someone who didn't even care about her feelings.

She'd definitely suffer for this.

~~~

Author's note: Have you followed me yet? I deserve a follow, don't I? This story is getting better with each chapter. Isn't it? :)