DHRITI's POV

I was resting since morning. I got discharged yesterday and dii took me to her home. I am being pampered like a small baby by everyone.

Whenever i try to tell that i am fine... I repeat... I TRY... They just give me their puppy face.

I was in my room when jiju entered and said me to get ready. When i asked him where are we going, he stayed numb.

We reached our destination which was police station.

I looked at him for answers but he didn't tell anything. Even dii was looking equally clueless.

After few minutes a car stopped next to us and a person exited from it. His back was towards us but he was looking somewhere familiar. He turned 

DHRUV....

I was surprised to find him here. I saw there were few bruises on his face, also there was a small bandage oh his forehead. I wanted to caress his bruises to shove his pain away.

STOP IT Dhriti.... What the hell are you thinking!!

He came to us and nodded at jiju. Then both of them went in. Me and dii looked at each other confused and then followed them.

We went to inspector's cabin. Dhruv greeted him and introduced us to him and vice versa. They were discussing about the incident that took place 2 days ago, when all of sudden the inspector became a bit hesitant and said that i need to narrate my past.

Even mere mentioning of that incident bring the shiver to my spine. But somehow i controlled my shivers and narrated all the past incidents.
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 All the time Dhruv was holding my hand to support me and surprisingly i didn't get panic that time. His hold was giving me a kind of assurance and comfort. Dii was looking at me and giving a knowing look. There was a smile on her face.

After narrating my past they started talking about the witness. A shocking face entered the cabin and witnessed in my favour.
Mansi ?

She asked for forgiveness. I forgave her as i didn't want to hold any grudges anymore. 
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I just wanted to go home and rest as there were too many shocks for a day, when Dhruv said.

"One thing is left..."

I looked at him confused and dii-jiju  were giving him same look. I sighed heavily as i was not ready for another shock.

" You both can leave... I will drop Dhriti to your home after that work.." Dhruv asked for their permission.

Dii-jiju were a bit hesitant.

 He requested again
"Trust me... She will be safe."

They looked at me and gave them a slight nod. They nodded back and went to their car.

"Chalein ??" Dhruv asked with a smile.

"Huh.." I nodded at him. and followed him somewhere which i have don't have any idea about.

But i trust him.

Dhriti's mind- Oh madam.. When did this happen??

Heart ❤- Dekha.. I knew it.. I knew it

Mind- You shut up!!  Stupid fellow..😠

Well Hello there i missed you both... Dhriti said rolling her eyes at them. 🙄

Mind- Lady i don't need your stupid eyeroll... What trust him??

Heart ❤- It simply means that she trusts him and soon will be in love with him😍

Mind- How is this possible??

Heart ❤ - Why this can't be possible.

Mind- Dhriti i told you to not spend time with this mindless person but you never listen to me... Now see what happened... How can trust a stranger that too a man.

Heart ❤- You heartless creature, this happens in love and he is not any stranger.... He is Dhruv.

SHUT UP!! both of you and yes...

"He is not a stranger..." I said a bit loudly i guess as Dhruv was looking at me in confusion

Mind & Heart❤ - Oh shoot... He heard it... It's time for us to leave.. Will meet you soon...
Bye sweetheart...
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"Who is not a stranger??" Dhruv asked.

"Huh..??" I said.

"Are you fine??
And what were you saying, Who is not a stranger??" He asked again.

"No... Nothing" I replied. 

He gave a look that he was not satisfied with my answer but dropped the topic.

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We reached a place which was closed with darkness around it. There was not any other person around which was creeping me out. Dhruv sensed it and held my hands.

"Don't worry i am here... You will be safe" He said making me nod.

A man in black tee and jeans entered. He was tall and muscular looking like a body builder. Dhruv nodded at him and he took us near a room and opened the door. We entered and i shocked looking at the person laid on the ground in front of us.

MANAN

He was lying like a dead person with a bruised body.

I moved backwards to run away from here but Dhruv held me at my place. Dhruv signaled someone and water was thrown on Manan's  face. He shivered and opened his looking at us. 

He smirked looking at me but then his smirk removed looking at Dhruv's angry face.

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"Why are we here??" I asked Dhruv.

He gave me a small smile,
" Dhriti... It's time to get rid of your nightmare... This jerk here who thinks it is completely okay to go against any girl's wish, needed to learn his lesson... 

You didn't tell me anything but i knew there was something huge. The day we got hold on him, we brought him here... It's his punishment...

You were not alone who was victim of his cruelty... You were just one of his prey... He has charges against him for molestation , rape threats and other illegal activities...

His punishment will be incomplete if you didn't do anything..."

I looked at him " I dont want to do anything... Please just take me away"
I was really scared.

What if he came again for revenge??

"Dhriti you have to... Today and even in the past it was you and tomorrow it may be someone else..

He will not understand his lesson even he spends his whole time in prison until you teach him..

I have a sister and other female in my family too.... I will not say that i can feel what you are and must have been going through..

But i can understand... 

You have to do this Dhriti... not for only yourself but for every lady out there who is a victim of his and other monster's cruelty which are roaming freely...

I am here with you Dhriti... Go for it

Think about those girls who have given up on their life or who are in depression due to these monsters.. No one can understand their pain better than you

COME ON DHRITI..."
He said in stern tone.

(P.S.- The lines and scenes mentioned below might me disturbing... I am sorry but this were the requirement and somehow the harsh reality of our society.. I am not saying that it is present everywhere... But stilll..

You guys know what i mean

SORRY for the inconvenience)

His words brought all the events that happened with me...

Those news which are enough to shiver the heart of everyone in the world specially females.. Those news of Rapes , Eve-teasing , Acid-attacks, candle marches and what not.

"A girl was gang raped while going back from her college......"

"A teenage student was allegedly raped by a group of men while coming back from market in her neighborhood..."

"A  body of 12 year old girl was found tortured and raped in the bushes of her neighborhood."

"A high school girl  was kidnapped and raped by her school van driver when she complained against him ......"

"A college student while going to her college when stood up against molestation, became a victim of Acid attack..."

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Anger rose in me... I went to Manan and kicked right in his stomach.... A tear rolled from my eyes but it was the tear of NOT being A VICTIM anymore... These were the tears of SATISFACTION.

Tears of RELIEF...

Tears of feeling STRONG.

Tears OF SELF-BELIEF.

Tears of not being a BECHARI  anymore
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He screamed in pain... I kept kicking him mercilessly... 

"What do you think... huh??

What do you think that you can do anything and we will stay quiet..." I gripped his hair in my hands.

I punched his already bruised face.... Blood oozed out from his nose... I slapped him continuously..

"I... i ... am S.O.R.R.Y..... ahhh" He spoke with difficulty.

"What am i going to do with your sorry??" I stood up and kicked between his legs.

"Aaahhhhh...." He gave an ear piercing scream and rolled in his laying position.

"PLease... I ... AM.. SO..RRY
Please save me.." 
He looked at Dhruv but he didn't gave any answer.

I kept kicking him mercilessly... My vision was blurred due to tears.. They were not stopping from my eyes.

Soon he stopped moving and kept laying in that position... Dhruv came to me and stopped me from kicking him further..

"Leave me.. I will kill him today.." I said in between tears.

"Sushh... It's okay... I am here..." He calmed me and turned me towards him.

I circled my hand around him and cried hiding in the crook of his neck..
I cried hard... I cried after ages in someone's embrace.

It felt safe..

He stroked my hair and kept saying soothing words to calm me down..

After some time which felt like ages to me i parted away and saw tears in his eyes too.

"I am with you TODAY, TOMORROW & ALWAYS..." He said kissing my forehead.

We were lost in each other's eyes when we heard a throat clearing sound.

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There was that black tee guy standing with face downwards.

I moved away from him but he held my hand not allowing me to go away.

I looked at Manan who was looking unconscious. I looked at Dhruv worriedly.

He blinked his eyes giving me the assurance.

" Max..." He said and that guy looked at us.

(P.S.- Ever wondered why bodyguards are mostly named as Max  in wattpad??  🤔😂)

"Okay sir... I got it.."

Dhruv nodded and took me away from that area. We went to the place where his car was parked. He made me sit in the passenger seat and came to the driving seat.

 He gave me some wipes and raised my eyebrow asking him WHAT??

He turned the mirror a little towards me and gestured me to look at it. I looked at saw there were tear stains on my face.

I smiled at him and took that wipes to clean my face.

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He  stopped the car in front of an ice cream parlor.

"Which one??" He grinned.

"Chocolate " I replied sheepishly.

He went in the parlor and came out carrying two cups . He gave me my cup and sat on his seat.

We finished our ice cream while talking about the random things.

He told me about his family tales...

"So Basically you are on House arrest??" I asked amusingly.

"Yes"  He replied with a smirk.

"and you ate the ice cream ??" I smirked.

"Yes... " He replied casually.

"You know what house arrest means??" I asked.

"Of course, it means staying in home not doing anything. You are not allowed to go outside , neither you are allowed to eat anything from outside not even packaged food." He said in 'duh' tone.

" And what were you doing here ?" She asked with raised eyebrow.

"Hey.... today was an exemption." He replied.

"Really?? Let me ask Sakshi auntie whether ice cream was included in this exemption or not." I took my phone out.

He looked at me horrified.

"Young lady... Do you want my mom to throw me out of her home" He asked amusingly.

I smirked.

" I know you are not going to do anything like this." He declared.

Challenging Dhriti?? You are gonna regret it Dhruv...

" Oh really Mr?? Let me show you what can I do..."  I unlocked my phone and dialed Sakshi aunt's number.

He was not paying attention to me as he still was thinking that i am joking around. Aunt picked up the call and i put it on the speaker after tapping Dhruv's shoulder.

"Hello beta... How are you??" Her voice came.

Dhruv's mouth widened in shock. 

"Hello aunty...I am good.
 How are you?" I replied.

"I am good... Is that jerk son of mine with you?? He is not picking my calls." She asked.

Dhruv looked for his phone and saw 3 missed calls of his mother. He was about to reply something when i reply.

"Yes mam... He is with me only"  I replied.

"Oh... Can you please give him your phone??" She asked.

He was again about to reply when i gestured him to be quiet. He pouted.

"Aunty, he has gone to attend some call.... actually i wanted to ask you something..." I started.

NOOOO... He mouthed.

"I wanted to ask that....." I looked at him.

'Please Nooo' He joined his hands.

"that whether it is okay if....." I raised my eyebrows at him.

'You won... I am sorry' He said joining his hands. 🙏🙏

I showed him my palm saying 'Tathastu' ✋

"I was saying whether it is okay if i meet your friend who wanted to contact me for renovation next week " I said poking him

He made a face but there was a smile lingering on his face.

"okay auntie i will contact her next week.. Bye" I ended the call.

"Soo??" I asked with a smirk.

" I never knew you were such a prankster" He said with a smile and my smirk removed realizing what i had done.

"I would love to be prey of your prank if you keep smiling and being like this" He said looking into my eyes.

We shared a look and i looked outside from the window.

He started driving and dropped me at dii's home, ofcourse when i gave him directions.

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DHRUV's POV

(anyone missed me?? 😎😉)

I dropped her at her sister's house and drove to my home. There was a smile on my face. I looked in the mirror i was smiling goofily.

I entered home. There was nobody at home except our 2 helpers. I shrugged and went to my room. I freshened up and realized today was the first day when she showed her real side to me.

Today was such a filler.
Firstly her past confrontation. After listening to her i wanted to kill that bastard with my bare hands. He was such a monster.
I wanted to ask what about her family?? Why they didn't say about this?? 

Her parents?? Are they alive?? I didn't ask anything as it would be too much for her. 

I was angry at Mansi also.
Being a girl how can she support such a criminal. But that time even she was not knowing truth.

The way Dhriti beat him up and vent out all her pain on that bastard i am proud of her. She was broken. I wanted to handle her , my eyes also filled with tears after watching her in pain.
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She was depressed though their was a relief in her heart. I took her to an ice cream store to lighten up her mood.

The way she really called mom and planning to tell her everything with her smirky face my heart swelled with a happiness.

Such a pure soul she is. Her real self is hidden behind that façade.

Mom was right. There is pain hidden in her eyes. I promise to remove all her miseries and give her all the happiness she deserves.

At first i thought it may be just an attraction which will pass on with time. But today i have realised i am truly, deeply and madly in love with her.

I LOVE YOU Ms Dhriti 😍❤❤

I really do..

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I smiled at my realization and got busy in my work.

The door of my room opened when i was busy in my work. I looked and saw a cute intruder giving me her toothless smile.

"Chachu..." She ran to me.

"Oh my darling princess .. Where were you??" I asked kissing her cheeks.

"Nani house" She told me excitedly.

"Daadi is calling for dinner" She said sternly.

"Aye aye captain" I mock saluted her making her giggle.

I picked her up and went downstairs.

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I sat along with my dad and mom. After a while bhai and bhabhi entered downstairs and princess ran to bhai.

He picked her up and raised him up in the air making her giggle.

Mom asked me about today's incident. I narrated her not revealing anything related to Dhriti's past. 

"Soo??" My mom said clearing her throat.

"ji maa?.." I asked in confusion

"Have you told her??" She asked.

"What maa??" i replied in confusion.

She twisted my ears...
"Kuch yaad aaya...??"

"AAhh.. ouch.. Aa gya maa" I said while trying to get out of her hold.

"Have you told her??" She asked gain.

"NOO maa.. not yet" I replied and she removed her hold.

I rubbed my ears.

"Then when are you planning to when someone else make her their daughter in law" She asked.

"How do you know??" I asked with a sigh and looked at bhai-bhabhi muttering 'traitors'

They shrugged in NO.

"They didn't tell anything... It  is very much evident"
Dad said with a goofy smile.

" So when it happened??" He asked.

I grinned and narrated everything from our first meet up till now. They were smiling at me.

"We will be glad to have a daughter in law like her" dad said with a smile and mom nodded.

"It would be nice to have Dhriti here but only is she agrees" She said.

"Dhriti dii will live with us??" My princess asked.

"Yes my doll she will be your chachi..." Bhabhi spoke excitedly making her smile.

" I want her as my daughter in law and if you by any chance hurt her... You will be out" Mom said glaring at me.

wait... what just happened.. I thought she is my mom.

She already went to her daughter in law's side.

" Finally I will not be alone now..... Now you will realize my feelings, what happens when mother and daughter in law are best friends .....  " My brother muttered which was audible to me only.

We shared a look and sighed..

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Hello everyone😊

I hope you are doing well.

Next update is here...I hope you like it

 Don't forget to vote, share and comment.🙏

Take care..

Stay Happy, Stay Safe 😊

-Pratima :)