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Author's POV

"Who is Mr. Yash Sharma???" Neil asked as she looked at him surprised.

A silence prevailed in the entire room with only source of sound being the ticking of the clock  as both kept looking at each other, unblinkingly.

Or better to say Neil glaring at her while she gave a puzzled look thinking what to answer or whether to answer at all or not

"I asked you something Tiasha. I hope you have this much sense and manners to give an answer if you are asked a question" his hold on her arms tightened as she flinched while her eyes turned moist.

"You are hur---hurting me Ne---Neil" she said, closing her eyes while Neil remained silent.

Tiasha slowly opened her eyes and looked at him yet again as his intense gaze with those fiery eyes send shivers down her spine while her mind was getting clustered with several thoughts.

"What happened to him all of a sudden??? And from where does Yash came in between??? Is he mad at me for that college thing???" she thought as she couldn't figure out suddenly what happened that made him so furious.

"Neil, lea---leave. You are hurting me" she said freeing herself.

"Fine. But I want an answer Tiasha??? Who is Yash and what was all that spilling of coffee and all???" he asked, trying to be calm as her tear stricken face didn't go unnoticed by him.

"It's something that doesn't bother you Neil" her voice was low enough yet audible enough for him while he sighed in anger.

Saying that, she passed by his side and was about to walk away when she felt a grip on her wrist and the next moment she was pulled back with a force as Neil pinned her to the wall, caging her between his well-built body and the wall.

"Tiasha it's something that definitely bothers me. You better don't test my patience and please tell me"

"And you better be don't try to talk to me in that tone Neil"

Though she knew that something was definitely not right and knowing about the so-called threat that Yash gave, she wasn't sure if he could really do something or not but somewhere she was feeling scared too.

Tiasha didn't want Neil and his family to get involved with her life matters and fall into trouble.

But little did she knew that even something way more horrific and mysterious chapters were yet to be revealed

"Ok ok" he let out a breath as his voice softened as he continued, "Tiasha listen, it's important for me to know the answer" he said, leaning towards her as she felt his hot breath brushed against her face.

"And may I know why??? Why are you concerned??? Why my life stories bothers you???" she shot back a glare followed by questions in return.

"Because for the next one year, we are bound together by this marriage and anything related to you matters to me.  You are my res----" he stopped in between and looked away as Tiasha gave a sarcastic laugh.

"----Responsibility right?? Complete your sentences Mr. Khurrana" she said as he sighed and looked at her while she continued, "Firstly make it very clear that Tiasha never was and never will be anyone's responsibility. I am myself is capable enough to handle situations and secondly it was you whose bigger than any epic that freaking rule book said that we shouldn't interfere into each other's business. So stay away from it"

"Why the hell do you always bring that in between??? Every single time, rules rules and rules"

"Really you are saying this??? The one who himself clearly turned this marriage into a contractual deal??? And what do you want to know about Mr. Yash Sharma??? So listen he is my classmate. Yash is my classmate. Got your answer??? Now move"

"Not yet Mrs. Khurrana. I am not done"

"But I am Mr. Khurrana"

"Tiasha please understand this is serious. I am doing this for a reason. So tell me who is this person???"

"I guess you need an ear check-up or would you like to visit some good doctor who could treat your brain. You suffer from short term memory loss I guess"

"Tiasha I am not joking here"

"Neither am I Neil. Ok fine, you want answer right. I will tell you" she said as he immediately looked at her as his eyes showed a tint of relief.

"But before that, you have to answer my question Neil" he looked at her suspiciously as she spoke.

"What???"

"Why do you want to know about him??? And from where did you learn about him???"

"That's not important Tiasha"

"It's important Neil. I never told you about him as far as I know"

"Tiasha, I said that's not important"

"Why???" she said and after a small pause continued, "Neil, if you ask question I am bound to answer and if I answer, that's not important. That's not fair"

"Tiasha listen, I am not doing this because of fun. I am not mad. It's important. It's important because la--" he stopped in between as she gave him a suspicious look.

"La??? What la???" she asked looking at him as he turned his face away.

"Neil I am asking something??? What's la??? What's the matter???"

"Nothing. Tiasha, listen, listen to me carefully. Tell me. Moreover, I know that day in the college incident something is there which is all related"

As his words reached his ears, Tiasha looked at him shocked.

"Don't look at me like that. I ain't a fool and neither blind or dumb. So answer" he took a step forward as Tiasha gasped.

She was feeling confused as she wasn't being able to decide what to do because zillion of thoughts again crept into her mind.

"And what if I still don't answer??? Then what??? I won't answer" she said sternly and walked away when Neil sighed and again stopped her holding her wrist, making her pause on her tracks.

Neil was about to speak but before he could say something, Tiasha turned around fuming in anger as she gave a tight slap across his face.

*Slap*

A silence prevailed in the entire room as Neil had his face turned away and  was left numb while Tiasha was breathing heavily.

"Enough is enough now Neil. I don't owe an answer to you and you have know right to interfere in my life. I told I don't want to answer that means I don't want to answer.  Neil, I don't need any temporary protector, or a savior only to listen later that this is a forced marriage and only because of that I am being a burdened on someone or being someone's freaking responsibility. Tiasha always handled her life alone in the past and now also she can do so. Afterall, after a year, I won't have Mr. Neil Khurrana with me. Moreover, you shouldn't ask a question when you don't have an answer to it. Under---" she stopped in between when she realised that she didn't get any response in return.

Hearing her speaking so much it was obvious for her to think that by that time Neil would have interrupted in between

Thus, she was surprised and looked in front only to see Neil looking at her with a blank face when the incident which took place few minutes ago, clicked her mind.

"I---I slapped---slapped him???" her inner voice spoke as her eyes widened and fresh tears brimmed inside them.

Both looked at each other, being completely stunned as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Neil---I am---I ---so---" she tried to speak though her voice was barely audible.

Before she could even say anything and apologise, Neil left the room, quietly, closing the door behind him with a bang.

Being surprised, Tiasha kept looking at the door as she took few steps back and finally collided with the bed and fell on it with a thud.

"He--he---he didn't react???" she mumbled, sighing.

"But I shouldn't have done that right??? What got into me that I ended up giving him a slap??? The anger and fear  I showed for or have for Yash I took that anger on him. What if he was serious??? What if something is---wrong???" she thought as her mind was completely puzzled as she continued, "Yet I can't also let any harm to this family. Afterall, after a year when I leave I don't want them to suffer. Moreover, I also don't need anyone's care and concern just to later again get hurt by the person. We aren't like Karan bhaiyya and Anu bhabi afterall and definitely when it's a forced marriage"

A sarcastic laugh escaped her lips as she remembered Neil's words and she looked away, shaking her head.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, as she looked at the sky and remembered her parents.

"Mumma papa why did you leave your Tia all alone??? Am I that bad that even bhaiyya always tell that he is happy to meet you???All are leaving me and going. Nobody is happy to have me in their life. I don't know mumma what's happening with me??? Mumma your Tia is strong enough to fight her own battles but mumma, I am not strong enough to fight my emotions, my feelings. I don't know mumma what's happening but whatever is happening, I know it's not right. I have no idea what I will do after a year??? Here everyone, everyone loves me so much and I am also getting attached to them, everyone and it also includes Neil too. If today you and papa had been with me, you would have helped me. Mumma why did you and papa leave me??? I miss you both" she cried her heart out looking at the sky where two stars were shining brightly among the others.

Then she kept looking at the sky, sitting on the bed like a statue while tears rolled down her cheeks and as time passed when she fell asleep she didn't know herself also.
........

After a month

It's been a month since that outburst happened and neither Neil nor Tiasha had a proper conversation regarding the same.

The next day itself, Neil left for Singapore to attend one of the business deals while Tiasha also stayed in her home with her maama and maami, telling that she wanted to spend some time with her family and Shalini also agreed in one go as all knew that Tarun was also not doing good.

Though in this one month, Neil did have a talk with everyone, regarding his whereabouts and aslo had a talk with Ruhanika, yet the two didn't have a word also.

But then the  situation took a turn a week ago, when Tarun was admitted into the hospital of all a sudden as now even the doctors have up hope for his survival.

It was just a matter of time to all

"Tiasha" she heard a voice as she looked back to see, Karan and Anamika standing infront of her.

"Tiasha, you should go and eat something now dear. Since one week even you are not eating anything properly and since last night you are empty stomach" Karan caressed her hair as three of them looked at Tarun through the glass window.

"I am not hungry Karan bhaiyya. Moreover, since last so many days even bhaiyya was not used  to eat anything properly. Everything changes so suddenly" she kept on blabbering as Karan and Anamika exchanged glances.

Then Anamika pulled Tiasha along with her and made her sit on the chair and placing her head on her shoulder, she caressed her hair.

"Tia, Tarun would also not love to see you like this. See, in the morning you saw him right. And I heard that , he spoke to you too few days back. Tiasha, Tarun wants you to be happy and I know through what phase you are going. But my dear sister, now if you fall sick then what will we do???"

"Bhabi you know bhaiyya told that he is very happy when the last time we spoke. Though I know he is breaking from within but he always keeps a smile. And how lucky he is na, he will be going to mumma papa, even God loves him. But bhabi in his place why didn't I suffer??? Why mumma and papa taking him and not me???  Because I am bad right??? No, I mean if I die it won't matt---"

"Tiasha" Anamika shouted as she continued, "Enough Tiasha. What are you saying??? Don't you know you shouldn't say all these. If something happens to you, you think it won't matter to us??? You think that we don't love you and let me tell you, you are everything to us Tiasha, you are and Neil is also there for you. Tiasha, doctors are treating him right??? Tarun will be fine. Nothing wi---"

"----No bhabi. Don't give me this false hope now. I too believed that bhaiyya will be fine but at a point it comes that even we ourselves know the truth. So don't bhabi. I am mentally prepared to take up everything which destiny has planned"

"Tiasha" Anamika said as she pulled her closer to her as Tiasha burried her face into her chest as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Why bhabi why it's always me??? Why??? I lost my parents and now I am also about to loose my brother, who was nothing less to me than my parents. Since four year till now, I don't know what a mother's love feel like. Though I remember my childhood when mumma used to feed me. But when a girl grows, I heard from people that her mother becomes her best friend. But I had never felt that. I never felt how it feels to be dad's little princess and he being the savior when mumma scolds. Though I won't tell that bhaiyya wasn't there. He was always with me like a protective shield. He tried to give me the love of both mumma and papa. But bhabi, parents are parents right??? And today, the one whom I considered my world, is lying there on the bed like a lifeless soul and I can't do anything. Everyone, everyone whom I love is going away from me, leaving me behind......and one day I will go away from you all too, away from that home, away from you all to my own life, my own home" last lines where spoken by her inner self as she closed her eyes, crying continuously.

"Tia, Tia don't cry. Ple---"

"-----Let her cry Anu. Since a week she didn't even react nor showed any emotions. Let her cry" Karan said before Anamika could complete her sentence, stroking Tiasha's hair.

"Also, maami and mamu said they will be coming and even Tiasha's family. So, Naina and Naman will be with Riddhima. I asked them to drop her at her house"

"Okay. Indeed Tiasha needs her family. Also Karan, don't forget Neil knows----"

"No one will inform him anything bhabi. Please" Tiasha said as she looked at them with pleading eyes.

"Bhabi he went there to work. I know how important this deal is to for your entire company. No one will tell anything to him" Tiasha requested as Karan and Anamika exchanged glances.

Both knew that Tiasha was hiding something and definitely something was not right between the two because they knew the two the most and Neil could fool anyone but not them. 

Still but no one tried to confront the two as by the time they could solve anything and make them understand, Tarun's detoriating health came as a shocker for all.

While for Tiasha, she didn't want to bother him because she somewhere didn't have that strength in her to face him after whatever happened between them. She knew both their anger was justified but yet she felt something was there and maybe limits were crossed too.

The only thing which bothered her was what if he was really trying to help her???

"But Tiasha---" Karan was interrupted by Anamika as she continued, "Karan. Let me talk"

"Tiasha listen, I don't know what happened between you both and neither I am interested. It's between you husband and wife and that's completely personal. But I know something isn't right because that day we all saw how Neil stormed towards the room. Anyways, that's something different. Let's not talk about it. But Tiasha, whatever it is, Neil should know it. He is your husband afterall. Moreover, before that, come with me" Anamika said breaking the hug as Tiasha looked at her confused.

"Where bhabi???"

"You need something to eat. Here you can't eat right??? Maami has sent food too. Come"

"But bhabi I am really not hungry. I can't eat"

"Tiasha I am not listening to anything now. Come else you will get a scolding seriously. Tia, you need to stay strong and for that you need food. Atleast eat something. Come"

Before Tiasha could say anything, Anamika dragged her outside the hospital premises and sighing, having no option left Tiasha followed her as Karan too followed them.

Then after feeding Tiasha, though she barely ate anything, three of them again returned back to the hospital when Tiasha saw Rudra, Sneha and Priya standing there.

Seeing her, not wasting even a single second the trio hugged her immediately as Tiasha hugged them back with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Tia, Tia don't cry" Rudra patted her back as she kept sobbing.

"Yes Tia please don't cry. You are our strong Tia na??? Please don't cry" Sneha wiped her tears as they made her sit on the chair.

"You all came???" she asked, as her voice cracked.

"How can't we??? Tarun bhaiyya is our brother too right??" Priya smiled to give her a assurance as Tiasha nodded and added, "Definitely he is"

"But you all have college now right???" she asked as she remembered the time.

"We took a leave" the three of them said in unison as Tiasha looked in surprised.

"Leave??? Why???"

"So that we can complete your assignment. After five days, we have the presentation right??? Tiasha, the one who always helped us with our work, today you think we will leave her behind???" Rudra asked as she looked at him confused.

"We took a leave so that we can help you completing your assignment. Tomorrow is the due date of one assignment so we three will complete it by tonight and will show it to you. Entire thing you only did and the rest finishing part we will handle and about the presentation, we will sort everything"

"You guys took a leave for me???" she asked shocked yet her eyes turned moist again.

"If we say yes then are you planning to thank us???" Rudra's voice sounded like a threat as Tiasha chuckled.

"You three are the best I swear" she hugged them yet again as the four shared a hug.

She was indeed blessed with them and they always proved the real meaning of friendship

Afterall, it's hard to find such friends now

"Huh we know that since a long time" Rudra said proudly as he stroked Tiasha's hair.

"Anyways madam go back home and atleast check the work once, if you find time. Tiasha even Tarun bhaiyya wants you never to compromise with your studies"

"And yeah I gave a file to your sister and kept a pendrive inside. It has all the details and for the notes, you check the blue copy, you know very well which one. It has all the works and notes that's been taught recently" Sneha added as Tiasha nodded.

Then Sneha and Priya went to Anamika to know greet her and know how's all going while Rudra stayed with Tiasha.

"Tia" he called her softly as she looked at him.

"Yes??"

"You are still disturbed with that Yash's case and what happened that day in the canteen right???"

"Rudy please not today. I am not-----"

"-----I know you are not in the mood Tia. But I am not talking because o want to talk about that psycho but since I came I didn't see Neil" he said as Tiasha sighed.

"Tia, believe me Neil isn't angry at all. And whatever you all had, though I don't know but it's being a month. Tia, he is concerned for you"

Hearing that, Tiasha felt happy yet again was lost in her thoughts while Rudra too was lost in his