Aaliya's Pov

I saw a man enter the hall. Generally, I wouldn't have paid attention to him but the man was injured. He was someone, I knew. His left eye was covered with a black dark patch as if he was punched right in his eyes. His face had a few small cuts and a bandage was tied in his hand which is used in case of fracture.

The man was Mayank, He was searching for someone in the hall and shared a glance at me. He smiled, walking towards me.

"What happened?" I showed concern as he was badly injured.

"Nothing, I just slipped." He uttered, faking a smile. Those injuries were not looking like he fell but was telling me that someone beat the shit out of him.

"I think, you should have rest," I said, awkwardly as I remembered my brother telling me not to indulge with him and that he will take care of the matter himself.

"I came here to tell you something?" He gazed down, and I was scared that what more was left to say, "What? I asked.

"I am sorry that I can't marry you." He said something that made me smile unknowingly.

The words I was waiting to hear. I finally heard those words. I was excited, "You won't go back on your words, right?" I confirmed. He assured me, "I won't."

He even left to meet my Baba and told me that he would tell him that he couldn't marry me.

I was so happy that I started to jump into my position, giggling unknowingly. I stopped when I realized that waiters were staring at me thinking that I was mad. But who cares? I was happy.

Looking at Mayank, talking to my Baba, I think I know, what happened to him and why he changed suddenly.

I walked towards the bar, crossed my hands against my chest, and confronted Vansh and my brother in a serious and bold tone. "Are you both responsible for his condition?"

*********

Vansh's Pov

The party was about to end but Deepak and I were indulged in our conversation related to business.

"I have a surprise for you," I said, taking a sip of my drink.

Deepak thinned his eyebrows, "What is it?" taking a sip of his drink. I gestured with my eyes to let him see the door.

He turned, "I feel bad for him." He flinched, staring at Mayank's injury.

"Well, that's completely his fault." I scoffed.

"What do you think he will reject for the marriage?" He inquired. I murmured, "I hope he does, but if he doesn't then I can't help him."

"You know, Rocky called me saying that he was not happy punching him a few times. He wanted to have some fun with him." I arched up my eyebrows. He inquired, chuckling, "Really?" I nodded smiling back.

"I wanted him alive, otherwise Rocky wouldn't have left him so early." I chuckled.

We both saw my princess having a serious conversation with Mayank. We couldn't hear it but judging by her excitement, we were assured that he had agreed to reject the marriage.

My princess was happy, she was jumping on her spot. I was shocked, staring at her being so adamant about not getting married. I was worried, how could I even ask her for marriage in the future? I was afraid that I might end up not getting married in this life.

My thoughts were interrupted by Deepak, he was visibly scared. "Oh no! She is coming here, she knows we did this to Mayank."

I glanced at my princess, she was walking toward us in anger.

"Act fool... Act fool." I blabbered as we both started to laugh awkwardly avoiding her stern glance.

She stood opposite us, crossing her arms above her chest in anger. She asked, "Do you both have something to do with his condition?"

Deepak and I were staring at each other, having our minds fight about who would first reply to her.

I know my princess well, whoever among us will first gaze towards her is bound to suffer the anger from her.

I was scared and I didn't dare to look at her as I already pissed her off earlier. I didn't want to do it again.

On the other side, Deepak was also scared of her sister, my princess, he also knew that whoever gazed at her first was bound to suffer anger. So, he also didn't dare to.

She clears her throat, asking again. "Are you guys responsible for his condition?” In her bold voice.

I tightened my eyes, exhaled sharply, moistened up the courage, and gazed at her innocently. "What?" I gulped.

"What are you talking about? Whose condition?" Soon, Deepak also glanced at her, right after me, smiling devilishly at me because he knew that I was the one who gazed at her and so I would suffer her anger. And, I was ready for it.

But, to my surprise, she didn't get angry and uttered excitedly, "He rejected the marriage."

"I know, you guys have done that to him and I hate it but for the very first time I feel that I am happy because he rejected the marriage." She blabbers her happy heart out.

We both were surprised looking at the Princess's happiness. We were ready to face her anger because we opted for violence but she didn't get angry. She was happy enough that she forgave us.

"Good job, boys! But, don't you dare to repeat it? I happened to slide it up just for this time." She happily added, glancing back at Mayank who was talking to Baba.

We both laughed, feeling blessed to be able to survive her anger. We even gave a hi-fi to each other, muttering, "Mission accomplished."

**********

Author's Pov

Aaliya was happy that everything would be back to normal. Her not getting married to Mayank and will continue her studies.

On the other hand, Vansh was also happy that her princess was not getting married.

In the end, everyone was happy but there was one person, who was not happy.

It was Mayank. Although he agreed to cancel the marriage, somewhere he had a backup plan ready before coming to the party.

He gave a good bundle of money to a waiter and gave him medicine to mix in the juice and let Aaliya have it.

The waiter approached Aaliya, who was sitting on the couch in the corner near the window. He had two glasses in his tray; one with whiskey neat and the other was a juice.

Aaliya being a non-drinker, chose juice. She gulped the juice in one go, feeling thirsty.

Soon, her vision was getting blurred. Her head was in pain due to feeling heavy. She started to sweat heavily, feeling hot. She wanted to remove her saree pallu from her shoulder, feeling hot.

She controlled the urge to do so as she knew that there were people present in the hall.

Soon, Mayank approached her, faking worry for her, "Are you okay, Aaliya?"

She exhaled sharply, "I am not feeling well."

"Let me take you to rest." Mayank helped her to stand and they walked to the floor where rooms were available for stay.

In the meantime, Vansh and Deepak were drinking and having a smooth conversation about how they were able to deal with Mayank easily.

Vansh took a steady glance to the hall searching for Aaliya. His eyes became restless when they didn't find her. He scanned the room again, placing the glass back on the table in no time.

"What's wrong?" Deepak asked, seeing Vansh panicking.

"She is n..not here." Vansh stutters, searching for her with his eyes.

"Who is not here?" Deepak inquired glancing at the hall.

Vansh soon left the bar in a hurry to search for her. And, Deepak followed him by asking numerous questions.

On the other hand, Mayank let Aaliya sleep on the bed comfortably. He abruptly removed her saree pallu from her shoulder, and let her cleavage and the neck skin be exposed.

He took some photos of her and then removed the sleeve of her blouse hanging down on her forearm. He hovered upon her and clicked some intimate photos of them being together.

The moment he was done taking pictures, he smirked, "It's enough to ruin your innocence and let you beg me to marry you."

Mayank's plan was simple to post the pictures online and blackmail Aaliya using these pictures so that she would have only the option to marry him. But, seeing Aaliya unconscious, he changed his mind to let her have a little fun with her.

"You are so beautiful." He hovered on her again, trailing his fingers from her face to her cleavage.

Aaliya felt disgusted by his touch as she half opened her eyes and tried to push him off. But, she couldn't do so as her energy was drained out due to the drugs she had.

She tried, every means to stop him, kicking, pushing and even fighting for herself to remain conscious to not let him touch her.

Mayank was also not giving up as he was forcing himself on her. He was trying to touch and kiss her.

Vansh was getting angry with himself as he couldn't find Aaliya anywhere. He decided to check all the rooms in the hotel one by one. He was panicking, having a lot of thoughts regarding her. What if she is hurt? What if she needs me? What if something happens to her?

Checking a lot of rooms he didn't find Aaliya. Deepak was trying to make contact with Aaliya, calling her many times but it seems her phone was off.

Vansh moved to the other room, trying to open the door but it seemed the door was locked from inside. He knocked so many times but no one opened the door. He lost his patience, kicking the door in one swift motion to open it.

He enters the room, watching Mayank forcing himself on her princess and she was resisting him to her core.

He clenched the nape of Mayank in his one hand, pulling him abruptly to the ground. He quickly checked his princess, tapping her cheeks softly, "Princess?"

"Princess?"

"Are you alright?" In his panicked and worried tone, clearly visible.

Aaliya heard Vansh calling her princess, embracing her in his arms. She felt safe and she soon stopped fighting her eyes as unconscious hovered over her.

Deepak entered the room, glaring at Aaliya on the bed in a half-exposed way. He saw Vansh, tapping her cheeks to let open her eyes and calling her princess.

"Aaliya?" Deepak, visibly worried, in his panicking voice, rushes to her. Vansh quickly removed his blazer and covered Aaliya's chest.

Deepak tries to let Aaliya wake up and in the meantime, Vansh's mind is filled with anger and thoughts. What if he had not reached in time? What if Aaliya couldn't help herself and Mayank took advantage of her? What if he couldn't save her?

Vansh gulped, growling at Mayank, who was laying on the floor having a devilish grin lingering on his face. Mayank was laughing in his mind.

"You, psycho bastard!" Vansh roared, hovering above Mayank in anger.

Vansh clenched tightly the neck of Mayank with his left hand and started punching right to his face with his right hand. He went punching harder and harder to his lips that were smiling, to his nose that sniffed his princess, and to his eyes that lustfully saw her.

In no time, Mayank's eyes were fully black and bleeding like rainwater. His nose was broken in a crooked shape. He was screaming in pain, "Aaaahhhhh" the moment, Vansh punched his lower jaw bone to be broken.

Mayank's lips were swollen, his eyes were completely shut and Vansh's punches were not stopping. His mind had only a single dangerous thought what if...what if he had not reached in time? How could he have faced her princess? How could she have faced the world?

Everything happens, Aaliya laying on the bed covered with Vansh's blazer, and Vansh beating the shit out of Mayank. But, Deepak only had his mind and eyes fixed on Vansh. The rage of Vansh towards Mayank was undeniable and inexpressible. Deepak had merely thought of what if the girl, Vansh liked Aaliya.

Having Mayank seems to be a lifeless body. Deepak rushes to Vansh, and grasps his forearm to remove him from Mayank, "Vansh, leave him or he will die?" He yells.

"So, what if he dies?" Vansh yelled, having a tear fall from his eyes. "Such a scoundrel must die." He snaps in anger, wanting to punch him more.

Deepak stops him, "You have beaten him already, look at his condition."

He bared his teeth in a grimace, "I made a mistake leaving him, I should have killed him earlier." His eyes were red, and his blood was boiling.

Soon, Aaliya's sister-in-law, Khushi Bhabhi came inside, "What happened to her?" She asked, finding the truth in Vansh and Deepak's faces which narrowed themselves down, ashamed to answer.

Khushi Bhabhi tried to wake Aaliya up, dripping some water on her face. She couldn't as the drug was of heavy dose.

Deepak and his wife exchanged some eye gestures where Deepak was telling her to take care of Aaliya and call the doctor as he demanded Vansh, "Come with me outside."

Deepak pulled Vansh outside of the hotel in the parking lot.

Deepak in his bold tone, "Mein terese srif ek sawaal puchunga or uska jawab mujhe srif sach batana, srif sach." (I will ask only one question and I want the truth as an answer only the truth.)

Vansh buried his eyes down, feeling helpless and restless. His hand was bleeding as he punched really hard on Mayank's face.

"The girl you like, is she Aaliya? My sister Aaliya?" Deepak inquired abruptly.

No response from Vansh, he gulps digging his eyes downwards.

Deepak grasped Vansh's collar in no time, "I am asking you something?" Deepak yells his lungs out.

Vansh slowly glances into Deepak's eyes, a tear falling down his cheeks as he nods in his answer, agreeing.

Deepak flinched in surprise, cursing under his breath, "Saale, tu mujhe apna dost kehta hai or itni badi baat tune mujhse chupayi." (You bastard, you call me your friend and you hid such a big thing from me.)

Deepak lands a hard punch to Vansh's face, taken aback by the sudden punch, Vansh stumbles on his legs leaving a red bruise on his lips.

"Aaj ke baad tu mujhe apni shakal mat dikhana." Deepak warns him in anger, leaving him alone in the parking lot.

**********

Vansh's Pov

Deepak and I are childhood friends. I have shared my sorrows and joy with him but I didn't tell the hard truth about myself. A truth that I had a liking towards his sister, that I fell in love with his sister. I couldn't tell him. I wanted to express my feelings to Aaliya first and then to him but I couldn't do that either.

I couldn't control myself when I saw my princess in that condition. A condition where she was a piece of mutton that was about to be eaten if I didn't reach in time. My blood was boiling having a thought of Mayank hurting her. I shouldn't have left him so easily, I should have killed him earlier.

My emotions led me to lose control and Deepak sensed that I loved her sister. His anger was justified towards me and so, I didn't give any excuse or explanation. I deserved all of it.

I saw Deepak carrying her sister to the car and left for home. I followed them. Despite the warning from Deepak, I couldn't hold myself back. I wanted to see her, just once to make sure that she was okay.

We all reached home, Deepak saw me entering the house but he didn't utter a word to me. Baba didn't know anything about this because he left the party earlier than us. Only me, Deepak, and Bhabhi are the ones, who know about this incident.

We all were standing in my princess room, where she was lying in her bed peacefully wrapped in a comforter. The doctor was called for a checkup.

She examined her and told us that the drug was powerful so she was unconscious but the drug would wear off in a few hours and she would be fine just like a hangover. She added that she wasn't physically hurt.

Bhabhi told us that she would be staying with her today and let her rest. We could talk tomorrow.

We both gave a nod to Bhabhi and said, "Take care of her."

Deepak glancing at me, left the room in anger and I followed him. He stopped in the garden and I stopped myself standing behind him.

"Meine tujhe usse dekhna ka mauka issiliye diya kyunki tune uski jaan bachai hai, magar iska yeh matlab nahi hai ki meine tujhe maaf kar diya." (I let you see her because you have saved her life but it doesn't mean that I forgave you.) Deepak spoke abruptly in a serious tone, without glaring at me.

I sighed, "I didn't plan to love her. It just happened." I swallowed a stuck saliva down my throat, "I didn't tell you because I wanted to tell her first."

Deepak turned, facing me, "Then, why didn't you tell her?" he inquired in a visibly serious tone.

I replied, wet my lips, "Voh abhi chotti hai." (She is small.)

I exhaled sharply when Deepak didn't say anything, I turned to walk inside the house.

Deepak stopped me, "Where are you going?"

I stopped to reply, "Before going back home, I'll see her once." I demanded a low yet hoarse tone.

I went inside and reached her room, bhabhi was sitting in a chair near the princess bed.

********

Author's Pov

Khushi Bhabhi stood up when Vansh entered Aaliya's room. Deepak also entered the room following Vansh. Deepak gestured with his eyes to her wife to leave them alone.

Bhabhi gave a nod and said to Vansh, "I'll go and check If Arav is asleep or not."

Arav is the son of Deepak and Khushi. He is three years old now. Khushi left the room and Vansh also peeked from the corner of his eyes then Deepak followed her.

Although, Deepak was standing outside the room, leaning against the wall beside the door.

Vansh sat on the chair beside the bed. He glanced at Aaliya, she was still in sleep.

He sighs in regret, "I am sorry." He pauses for a few seconds, and stutters, "I..I am sorry that I didn't protect you well."

He gasped, "I thought, I had everything under control but I didn't assume that Mayank would go to this extent." He sniffs, controlling his tears from falling, "I underestimated him."

"I still remember in childhood when we used to play, I always used to say that I'll protect you but this time, I failed miserably." He sighs in regret.

A pain lingers in his voice, "I couldn't get a thought out of my mind that what if I had not reached in time? What if I couldn't save you?" He exhales a stuck breath. "The thought has been killing me inside. It's piercing my heart with a dagger into a million pieces."

"I have been planning to moisten up my courage to tell you something I have been waiting for so long. I know you are on drugs and probably you won't even remember what I am saying to you but that's fine. I have been wanting to say it so let me just say it." He bends a little forward, placing his elbows on his thighs and playing with his fingers in nervousness. "I am in love with you." He exhales, "I think, I am in love with you. I can't see you with anybody else. I can't share you with anyone. I have been controlling myself for a while but I feel that I can't live without you. The mere thought of you getting hurt is giving me pain more times than you."

"It's alright If you don't accept my love. I can wait for as long as you want. But, at least be the Aaliya that you used to be. The Aaliya, I know from childhood. I remember when I first came to your house. You were small but still, you took care of me, you played with me, you shared your toys with me, and everything else. That Aaliya used to be a clingy little girl, who always wanted to stay with me. You used to wander around me like I was an important person in your life. I remember that you didn't even let me go to the washroom just because you thought that I would not come back." Vansh chuckles softly, remembering the old days, "Deepak had to hold your hands and legs so that you let me go to the washroom. And when I came back from the washroom, you again followed me back like a little tail. You used to hold the corner of my T-shirt, to match my walking pace. Later, I don't know what went wrong between us but I hope and wish that I get that Aaliya back in my life. I miss that Aaliya. I really do." A tear fell from his eyes, touching his cheeks and sliding down to his collarbone.

Deepak heard the conversation and then left from there. Vansh wipes his tears when Khushi comes back inside and then Vansh leaves the room without saying anything.

Aaliya moves her fingers a little, opening her eyes half open, "W.. water!" She stutters.

"You are awake?" Bhabhi went near to Aaliya, helping her to sit down.

To be continued...

Hey, lovely readers, how was the chapter? I hope you guys like it. Do share some feedback through comments. I am looking forward to it.

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