Note:   changing POV style to normal style. Will edit previous chapters accordingly... later. 

****

After leaving the Mansion and driving their car around for a bit Mahesh and Angel park their car next to an open, grassy field that leads to the jungle. With Tuffy wagging her tail between them, they begin taking a leisurely stroll.

Mahesh glances at Angel. As usual, she looks happy to spend some time between them but she must probably be worried about Ishika.

"I'm so worried! Ishika ko weird dreams aate rehte hai!" Angel says, speaking her thoughts out loud. She's not someone who can keep it all inside. "Ab hum yaha is ajeeb si jagah par hai. Pata nahi kya hoga. Mujhe usko akele nahi chodna hai wahan, Mahi! Especially jab Naman us ghar me ho!"

Mahesh sighs. He doesn't know what Angel's problem is, and why she doesn't trust Naman, but he agrees with her. This mansion, this place is strange. His head hurts constantly after coming here. Does this mean he should be fearful too?

He looks at Angel and Tuffy who are both acting cheerful now. He is not worried about himself, but he's worried for these priceless angels next to him. He's worried about his beloved, his friends and everyone in the SFTU. And he's also worried about his Dad. Of course, he can't speak his mind to Angel and worry her more.

Angel is trying to be extra cheerful that she's dashing forward fast. He holds her by the arm.

"Let's slow down okay!" Mahesh says as she looks at him with wide eyes. "Ishika will be fine. Once mera dost yaha aa jaye, toh wo kabhi akeli nahi hogi. Aur waise bhi, wo akeli nahi hai abhi bhi, humare staff hai remember?"

Angel nods. Yes, she knows they have come here with a few assistants but how good are they against the supernatural? She looks at Mahesh who's now smiling at her.

"Relax, yaar! Tum humesha aisi chapad-chapad karti rehti ho! Achanak aise serious na bano! Aur please, aise don't force yourself to act cheerful. That's even worse."

Angel smiles a little. Mahesh always sees through her act. This is proof of their bond. In moments like these, she feels hopeful, and she feels that he treasures her.

"Okay! Ab main hansti hoon, okay?" Saying this, Angel laughs clutching her stomach. She laughs, remembering the funny moments she had with her friends and loved ones, thinking of how every moment wasted on sadness is a curse.

Mahesh doesn't understand any of what's going on in her mind. He sighs heavily and mumbles looking at Angel. "Aisa kon hansta hai? Announcement karke?"

Angel stops laughing. "Arey main hoon na! Main karti hoon. Aur wo mera genuine laugh tha. Phew, now I feel relaxed. Thanks, Mahi, it helps that you care."

Mahesh nods, noticing he still is holding Angel's hand. At some point he must have held her hand and not realized it. As he releases her hand hastily, the girl cocks an eyebrow at him.

"Mahi? Is this a date?"

Angel waggles her eyebrows and Mahesh chuckles. Angel is always straightforward about her feelings towards him, unlike him who always tries to run away or hide.

"Don't know, yar. If this is a date, you should be treated like a princess, no? But we are walking, so this is not a date!"

Angel pouts, "unfair! This is still a date because there's you, me and Tuffy! Arey, Tuffy kider gayi? Ruko, Tuffy don't go too far!"

Angel chases after Tuffy and Mahesh laughs to himself, thinking that she's so cute.

Angel manages to grab Tuffy and scoop the dog into her arms. Then she looks at Mahesh. "Tumne mujhe cute bola?"

Mahesh feigns surprise but the expression on his face makes her chuckle.

"Haan. Cute," Mahesh admits the truth. "Like Tuffy; cute people deserve only the best things in the world. So, give up Angel! Mere peeche apna time waste na karo. I might not be the one for you! Mat karo mujhse itna pyar!"

He has said the words he wanted to, but he feels miserable after that. Mahesh doesn't know what else to say or where to look. When he looks at Angel, she's already glaring at him, brushing back her hair, hugging Tuffy to her chest.

"Tum! Tumne kaise decide karliya? To me, you are the best, Mahesh. And even without this pyar-vyar ka thing, you are the best! And how can you ask me to stop!? Pyaar kya ek bottle hai... jiske upar lid lagaya, aur dhakkan band kar diya?"

Mahesh doesn't know what to say or how to convince Angel. These headaches of his. He's afraid he might die. Now he can't tell Angel that, can he? He shouldn't have said anything. It's obvious that Angel won't understand his words. Why did he say that? Now she's angry and this little date is ruined!

Yes this is kind of a little date, isn't it? And it would have been a nice experience for both of them...

Angel is still glaring at him. "Apologize!" she yells.

Mahesh sighs again. "I'm sorry... I truly... I didn't say that to make you upset," he says.

Angel taps her foot impatiently. She mutters, "I'm still upset," and as if sensing her mood, Tuffy barks loudly, resorting to growling at the man who's annoyed her beloved friend/owner.

Before Mahesh can say anything that might give rise to an argument, his head begins to pound. He doesn't want to show his pain, but he ends up clutching his temple and letting out a pained cry.

Angel softens seeing him in this state. "Mahi! You... You are sick aren't you? What are these headaches? I'm so worried now. Did you get them checked?"

As Angel frets over him and pulls out a roll-on from the pocket of her jeans, Mahesh tries to smile. He might as well tell her the truth now. The splitting headache might kill him now, who knows, and he may not be able to talk to her.

"Angel... I.... I got checked once. The doctor couldn't diagnose anything! Mujhe..." he groans, unable to speak, but finally manages to talk. "Muje lagta ye headache jaane wali nahi, meri jaan lene wali hai!"

Angel remains shocked for a few moments after hearing that. Recovering, she's a little teary-eyed as she says, "arey, nahi aisa nahi bolte!"

She lowers Tuffy to the ground and applies roll-on to Mahesh's forehead. "Tumhe kuch nahi hoga, Mahi..." she mumbles as she massages his temples, sending a little prayer to the heavens — don't let anything happen to Mahi.

After a minute or two, Mahesh lets out a sigh of relief. He thought he could die here, but he lived through it. Maybe his days aren't over yet...

"I... I'm better..." he says, smiling at Angel.

Angel says nothing. Unable to stop her raging emotions, she leaps at Mahesh, hugging him tight.

Mahesh puts his arms around her, hugs her back and squeezes her tight. All this while, he's convinced himself that this girl is the one bothering him, but he too had felt her love. He too felt like reciprocating, but he kept telling himself that it wasn't possible for them to have a future. He denied his feelings.

He will do it now again, but for a while, he will let this hug be his solace. "Angel..." He says her name as his emotions threaten to break loose again. "Please don't... don't continue like this..."

Angel doesn't know how much longer she hugs Mahesh. She doesn't feel like letting him go, but eventually, she has to. He hugged her back and said something about not loving him. But it appears to her that what he wants is the opposite. She's glad at the turn of the events, but also feels torn at the moment. How does she attain his love? Can't the heavens bless them both to be together and happy? She hopes they do.

Mahesh shakes his head and shows her a small smile. "Uh..." he tries to say something to brush off the heavy, awkward mood. "Uh... Angel, let's go! Maine kuch doston ko humari madad k liye bulaya hai. It's time to meet them."

Angel sighs. She doesn't want to bother Mahi when he just recovered from a headache. But on another day, they are going to talk about love in detail.

She nods, and the two of them guide Tuffy back to their car and drive to the nearest train station.

***

Dushyant and Priyanka arrive at the train station. They drove here, to this remote town in Goa, in his jeep but still, this is their agreed meeting point with Mahesh. They park their jeep in the open space outside the train station and disembark.

Priyanka stretches her legs a little, pacing two and fro before the jeep.

Dushyant places a hand over her shoulder and smiles. "Mera dost Mahesh yaha aane wale hai. Thoda wait karte hai..."

Priyanka nods, returning his smile. She doesn't mind waiting. The journey up until now has been incredible, and every moment she spends with Dushyant is precious. Just then a jeep arrives right outside the station.

"Wah! Right on time, mere dost!" Dushyant says, letting out an excited cry.

Priyanka looks on as he rushes to greet Mahesh — a rather tall, fair-skinned young man who looks incredibly handsome.

Mahesh gives Dushyant a tiny wave and stops the jeep. He and Angel climb down, and Dushyant curiously looks at the new girl next to his friend Mahesh.

"Dushyant! Thank you so much for coming all the way here," Mahesh says, smiling and pointing to Angel. "She's Angel, SFTU ka researcher aur meri dost. And this is..."

Like Dushyant, Mahesh too is surprised to see Priyanka, the girl who's accompanied Dushyant to Goa.

"I'm Priyanka." Priyanka introduces herself with a smile and shakes hands with both Mahesh and Angel.

"And I'm Dushyant..." Dushyant also shakes hands with Angel and bumps fists with Mahesh.

"Nice to meet you both..." Angel says, keeping her tone polite and friendly. Dushyant and Priyanka. The two make quite the fetching pair. She doesn't know why she said "pair" but they do look cosy. "Aur ye meri doggy Tuffy. Iska bhi introduction zaruri hai warna wo bura maan jayegi..."

The mood which has been awkward until now lightens after she comments, and the four of them share a laugh.

"I swear... Angel..." Mahesh sounds a little breathless as he talks. He doesn't realize it sounds like he's showering praises on the girl, but he's doing it, anyway. "She is the breath of fresh air you need, man..."

Those casually said words sound like a compliment, and an intimate one. Angel blushes a little. To Dushyant and Priyanka, she appears like she is on cloud nine. They exchange looks and smile at the pair — Mahesh and Angel.

"Don't they look cute together?" Priyanka murmurs, careful enough that Mahesh and Angel can't hear her. Her words are meant for Dushyant who has an exceptional sense of hearing than a normal human for some reason. "And they are so friendly... I am glad main bhi Inki madad karne ja rahi hun..."

Dushyant nods. Priyanka doesn't know the full picture yet. She said she'd help and he said okay, but this business could be dangerous. He wanted to distract her from her chaotic life and give her a break, but he also doesn't want to put her in danger. As he's questioning his decision, the girl pokes him in the ribs and raises an eyebrow.

"Yes... yes, they are," he chuckles, responding to her earlier question. "Mahesh mera college friend hai. Usse ab kahin salon bad milna possible ho raha hai. Phone par hum baat karte rahte hain. He mentioned Angel sometimes, but he never said she was his special someone. Chupa raha tha mujhse! Apne dost se!"

Dushyant looks like he's pouting, so Priyanka pats him on the shoulder soothingly. "Maybe he was shy. Or maybe abhi kuch solid nahi hua unke beech."

Dushyant nods and shrugs. "Maybe."

Angel and Mahesh are both busy, fussing over Tuffy, to notice this secret conversation taking place between them, Dushyant and Priyanka feel a little relieved and guilty.

All of a sudden, Mahesh turns to face Dushyant. He blinks and nods his head as their eyes meet, sending a secret guy code of some sort. Though Priyanka notices this, she says nothing. Dushyant clears his throat and looks at her and Angel.

"Han to aap girls apni gaadi mein baith jao. Main aur Mahesh zara dekh kar aate hai, kuch snack jaisa milega ya nahi station ke andar ke shop me..."

"Mereliye chips le ana... aur ice cream."

Angel has her order ready. Priyanka says she wants some hot chai.

"Han Han! Le ayenge.. Le ayenge..." Mahesh says, though he's not sure if there's any shop, let alone some ice cream inside the train station.

Dushyant pats the guys back and they both move away from the girls and make their way into the station. There's a shop indeed. Lucky for them. The guys heave a sigh of relief. Now they don't have to hear their girls' whining.

But before that, they need to talk business.

The real reason they have come here is to discuss something in secret. They adore the girls, but there are some things they can't discuss in front of them.

Dushyant is the first one to speak. "Mahesh. Ye kya hai? What you said on the phone really worried me. Aakhir kya hua?"

Mahesh sighs. "You know the kind of work we do, Dushyant..."

"Yes, I know. You have told me about Angel too, par abhi tak ye nahi bataya that she's special to you. Not fair."

Dushyant sulks, and Mahesh just pats his friend on his shoulder.

"Kaise batata. Maine khud ko bhi kabhi maanne nahi diya ki wo mere liye special hai. Main maan bhi nahi sakta... with the way things are..."

He grimaces, and this time Dushyant is the one to squeeze his shoulder.

"Mahi.. Bata yar. Kya baat hai?"

Mahesh takes a moment, not knowing how to respond. But knowing, he can't lie or hide things from Dushyant, he begins to speak. "Pata ni! I get these intense headaches. I feel like it's some unknown bimari. And I'm gonna die."

Dushyant's jaw drops, but Mahesh avoids the man's eyes and continues laying his heart bare. "Khud ki chinta nahi Hai Mujhe. Bas Angel... Wo pagal Hai. Main jaanta hoon. Pagalon ki tarah pyar karti mujhse. Kya karu uska main? Aur Papa... Honestly main unko bhi chod kar nahi jana chahta. Par meri sacchai to yahi hai. Aur yaha par... Ye investigation. You know na supernatural jaisi koi cheez hoti nahi. Yahan par jo mysterious disappearances ho rahe hai... Ye khatarnak ho sakte hai meri team k liye. Angel ke liye. Aur... With my health and existence being unpredictable, mujhe kisi trusted dost ki madad ki zarurat thi. I'm glad you're here, Dushyant. Thank you for coming here."

Dushyant sighs. He feels both helpless and torn after hearing what Mahesh has to say. But he doesn't want to lose hope. He stares at Mahesh.

"Thank you na kaho. I'll be glad agar main tumhara kaam aa saku toh. Don't worry, you'll be safe, and we'll keep your team safe too. But tum please ye marne ki baat na karo. Tumhe kuch nahi hoga."

Mahesh chuckles, and looks Dushyant in the eye. "Itne yakeen ke sath kaise keh sakte ho, jo bhi keh rahe ho!?"

"Yakin to na sahi, ummeed to kar sakta hun na," Dushyant pleads, his eyes not wandering away from Mahesh. "Mahi. Tum please ummeed na khona... I... can't bear it..."

Mahesh lets out a loud sigh. But after a moment, he laughs out loud. "You and Angel..." He gives Dushyant a quick hug and pulls back to look at the guy in his eye again. "I want to believe when you say stupidly positive things."

Dushyant shows him a small smile. "Arey positive toh rehna padega, na. Priyanka bhi waisi hai. Tumhari tarah. Zara si takleef hui aansu nikal aati uski. Okay... Zara si nahi. Itni bhi kamzor nahii wo. Wo mujhse choti hai aur umer nahi hui uski, par baht thokar khaye hai usne. Uski life mein kuch sahi nahi horaha. Uske music ka sapna har baar toot kar bikhar jata hai. Aur jis jagah she set up her music school, lease par leke, makan malik ne rent double kar di. Aur... kuch selfish music directors aur event management log use humesha nirash karte hai..."

Mahesh listens to Dushyant as he frets over what Priyanka is going through. Life can never be easy for any of them out there. Everyone is suffering one way or another.

"That's awful," Mahesh says, trying to reassure Dushyant. "But she has you. So she'll be fine. Waise tumne bataya jo khas dost hai... wo yahi hai na? Last time we parted... college ke bad. In fact, College mein bhi... I believe you were a lone wolf. Is ladki se kaise mile? Uski feelings aur takleef ki itni kadr!? Toh kya wo sirf dost hai? sach bata...!"

Dushyant scratches his head. He realizes now he had given an animated account and revealed a lot of details about himself and Priyanka. At least the basic idea of their bond, that is. He feels a little bashful to be put on the spot like that.

He wants to be honest with Mahesh but he can't.

"Main kya batau..." he growls, turning away from his friend. "Tumne bataya Angel ke bare me? Abhi bhi clearly naa bole ki usse pyar karte ho ya ni aur muje puch raha hai!"

Mahesh knows his friend is being shy. He holds the guy by the shoulders and makes him turn around.

"Arey, bataya tha na! I nearly confessed to her also... Tu baat ko na taalo."

Dushyant sighs.

"Priyanka mere baju wale ghr me rhti thi. She lives alone kyunki uske koi apne nahi hai. Aur jo hai udki kadr nahi karte. She was kind and earnest, and always mingling with everyone, you know. You were right. Main lone wolf tha. But the way she is... uski friendly smile ke aage, it just vanished. I liked her company and she liked mine. I guess we understand each other, so we became quick friends. She supported me when my neighbors suspected I was the one doing the rash driving... You know, the car accident wala fiasco which I told you about all those years ago. Kisi chor kahika ne mere gadi churake accident karwayi. Kisine mera yakin na ki, but Priyanka was the only one who believed me. She helped me prove my innocence too. Abi 6 saal ho gaye hain usse milke, aur humare graduation k pure hote hue bhi. You never changed aur She never changed. You both are very dear to me. Aur Pree... I don't know ye pyar hai ya kya hai, but I will protect her. I can't let people take advantage of her innocence. Aur fir mujhe shak hai kuch unknown entity usko target kar rahi aaj kal. Usko bhi nahi pata ye sab... So filhal... supernatural ki baatein na hi kare uske saamne to acha hai..."

Mahesh sighs. He can tell Dushyant and Priyanka share a deep bond. They truly are lucky to have found each other the way they did. But does Dushyant believe in the supernatural?

"Okay... I understand. I hope she remains safe. And I will also help. But she's here toh usko pata chal hi jayega, na . At least tell her why she's here. Let's tell her who we are."

Dushyant nods. "Yes... mai bataunga. bas usko darana nai chahta. just in case. Hotel me Settle ho jaye fir bataunga."

Mahesh grins, wanting to tease his friend a little. "Caring ho. Nice..."

Dushyant punches the other guy's arm.

"Chhedo mat. Chalo ladkiyan wait kar rahi hogi."

Dushyant and Mahesh buy snacks and ice cream and walk back to where their vehicles are parked.

Dushyant sighs as he looks at the group and Mahi.

Mahi thinks the supernatural does not exist, but the incident in this village might be the work of the supernatural itself. No one might know but he knows as someone who closely understands the subject.

How does he convince everyone without being too obvious?

His thoughts are broken by Priyanka who sulks she hasn't got hot chai but coffee. Meanwhile, Angel enjoys her butterscotch ice cream and is smiling to herself.

"Angel ki tarah na ziddi bano..." Mahesh chides Priyanka softly. "Coffee bhi to acha hai na. Tum pilo. Waise Estate me Naman Ji bana sakte hai Hum sab k liye chai..."

Priyanka smiles at Mahesh. She obviously doesn't take the words as rebuke. The two of them exchange friendly smiles.

Angel who witnesses this looks mildly annoyed. Nope. She's not jealous. No. Priyanka and Mahesh are both pure and clearly Priyanka has eyes for Dushyant.

But she didn't like Mahesh's derogatory comment. What does he mean by Angel ki tarah na bano....

She giggles to herself. She's not truly mad, no. But she can tease him and torment him a little about this.

After he feels better that is. And when he doesn't have a headache. She sighs. Holding Tuffy close, she climbs back into the car after finishing her ice cream.

Priyanka finishes her coffee while sitting in the passenger seat of Dushyant's jeep, smiling and savouring the taste of some hot and sweet coffee.

Mahesh gets inside his car.

Dushyant looks at the group as everybody prepares to leave. He's definitely the tough guy out of this group. He should protect them all. But can he? His powers should help him but... He isn't sure if he will do good against the unknown.

***

AN: Sagel-Runsh I hope you like this chapter! Finally! Finally I could update this! Thank you so much for being so patient! Lots of love xoxo

RuVineet I hope you liked this update too! <3  lovee xoxo
there's more coming!

Everyone who read: I'm sorry for putting this story on hold but from now on, I will update whenever I can... :) Love ya all! <3

p.s. will try to update bonds as well! it's a struggle par some day hoga sab kuch!