Aditi's point of view

After leaving both the boys stunned in the room, I came back to my desk and keep myself busy in work.

"Aditi, I am so sorry for what happened inside."

After sometime Raghav approached me and apologized for his behaviour. And there this cute innocent smile on his face and the way he was giving me his puppy look, I forgive him because I can not be mad at him over a stupid things.

"It's okay.." I smiled back. He pulled a chair in front of my desk and sit on it. I also took a seat on my chair.

"Thank god You forgive me. I thought you are never going to talk to me. So tell me Where are you from past eight years? How's the life holding up." He asked while leaning on the table.

"It's good. I am doing my graduation from the local degree college and got the internship here." I put it in simple word like I am leading the most simple life ignoring the fact that I don't want anyone to live a life like me because it's beyond hell.

"How about you?" I asked him.

"As you can see, I achieved my dreams and be friended with the most arrogant man in the world. I consider him as my best friend because he was with me in my worst though he never consider me as his friend and thinks me I'm annoying. He is right though, I am annoying sometimes." I laughed when he gave the brief description about his and Dhruv's friendship.

He is little dramatic sometimes.

"I can understand." I said between my laugh he laughed too.

"Hey, Are you married? If not then marry me."

"What..?" I chocked in my saliva when he suddenly asked me. I agree he is handsome and kind but I never looked at him like that. He is like a brother to me.

"Yeah, my mother is literally behind me for marriage. I don't want to marry some random girl. I don't have a girlfriend and you are single so why not we should tie the knot." He casually said like he was asking for pen and after 8 years first question he asked me if I am married or not.

This guy is crazy.

"She is single doesn't mean she will marry you because your mother wants to see you marry. She is not your escape goat." We both turn to the direction to the voice and saw Dhruv glaring to Raghav and clenching his teeth.

"Chill dude let the girl speak and what are you doing here? You have a meeting to attend." Raghav said to Dhruv and his eyes filled with amusement.

"Fuck you.." Dhruv cursed under his breath and leave from there. I saw Raghav was enjoying after annoying Dhruv.

"So where are we?" Raghav turn to me and speak with his dreamy eyes.

"Shut up Raghav. That's not gonna happen." I said sternly.

"Sorry...Sorry I was just kidding. But At least accept me as you boyfriend." He winked at me and I shrugged it off with laugh, knowing his flirting nature.

We both talked a lot. He shared many things about him and including the heart breaking breakup. I feel bad for him, I tried to console him but he shrugged it off. He said he is okay okay now and move on from her. He made me laugh with his stupid jokes and in between all of this Dhruv join us again but he leave soon after with sulking face.

Raghav ignored him but I was keep wondering why he was sulking all day because he even shouted on one of the employees for doing the mistakes in the report. Soon Raghav left for his work with a promise that he will come soon to meet me and again I resume in my work.

Since morning Dhruv did not call me in his cabin since morning and I kind of sad because I did not get much chance to see him. Today is Saturday and there is not much work in the office So I can go home early. Today's bua ji and others are going out of town for some work and they will come home late. So today is like a off for me and I can have some time for myself and study for my upcoming exams.

It's already a lunch time, every one leave for the cafeteria. I picked up my belongings and ready to leave. I don't have a hand bag so I have to carry my things in my hands as much as I could.

I already informed Shastri ji about my half day leave and he allowed me. Before going to home, I have to go to college to issued some books for my exams and has to meet my HOD regarding my examination fees.

Dhruv is not here in the office after Raghav's episode he left and went to attend the outdoors meeting. Since morning only one thing is bothering me.

Why did he ask me to move in with him?

I know, after knowing about some details of my life, especially the food anyone could be sympathize me and pity on me but I might be alone and in a bad condition, I don't want anyone's help. I am better off alone. It scares me to get close to anyone, especially Dhruv, to left alone in the end. Every one leave me like my existence burnt their skin.

I spent years in alone and I always want to live alone now in future. I don't want to burden on someone because this is what everyone makes me feel since my childhood. Dhruv left me once eight years ago, I was broken and devastated that time but now I am beyond broken, I am shattered into pieces that it's hard to put me together. If I die in an accident , I would not complain even I thanks the driver to run his car over me, that much broken I am. The idea of being friend with Dhruv was bad. I should not have accept his offer.

He has the beautiful life to lead. His family loves him and soon he find his true love and going to marry her, then he leave me again. I know he asked me to move in with him because he is pity on me but this is my mess and I don't want anyone to get into this mess, especially Dhruv. He doesn't know the horrible truth of my life, he doesn't know how this society crushed you under their feet because you born as a girl. This gives nightmare and finding no one beside me when I woke up from the nightmares or have anxiety attacks was the worst feeling ever.

My bua ji's family wasn't the only one who break me and ruined my life. They are just breaking me in more pieces. I broken before I came here. I could not feel my soul anymore. Something died inside me, something break that it could not heal anymore. I just wish no one lives the life I am living. I don't know if I ever get successful to run from here after my graduation because it's hard to free myself from the claw of my bua ji's family. I am just counting my last days and waiting my death to embrace me in its cold embrace.

This is the only wish I have now.

By the time I reached my college, my eyes are wet and I was visibly crying. I wiped my tears and head towards the HOD's cabin.

***

HOD sir literally gave me the one week ultimatum. If I will not submit my fees in next week he won't let me sit in the upcoming exams and my future will be doomed. I don't know how to get the money for my exam fees.

Should I ask Dhruv's help?

Will he borrow me 6000 rupees? I will repay him with interest when I get  the job.

No...no..bad idea. He get one more reason to let me move in with him. He already know enough of my life and already did a lot. I can't put a burden on him. I can't take advantage of him just because he is an IAS officer. But where I get the money for my exams?

I should ask bua ji for the fees. But they will surely beat me for asking them. They would not lent me a single rupee.

"Books please..." I came out from my thoughts when a librarian asked me for the books. I muttered a small apologies and forward my books towards him. He write the entries of all my books in the card and then gave them back to me. I grab all the books and headed towards the exit of the college campus.

"Aditi..." As I left the main building I heard someone calling me. I turn and found a girl from my class was running towards me. I am not friend with anyone so I don't know anyone's name except some popular students.

"HOD sir is calling you in the cafeteria." She informed me and then leave immediately before I could ask her anything.

It's rare that professors have their lunch in cafeteria, especially HOD sir. But I just met him, half an hour ago. Why does he want to see me again?

But no matter what it is I have to go to the cafeteria to meet him. Maybe he found a way and wanted to help in my examination fees. I shrugged all other thoughts and headed towards the cafeteria.

Today I was lucky that I did not come face to face with Karan other wise what Dhruv did to him last time, he definitely going to take revenge of me for that. I greeted some professors whom I meet on my way to cafeteria. Whole cafeteria was highly packed up when I reached there.

I roamed my eyes in the cafeteria to find Tyagi sir, our HOD but I could not see him in the crowd so I walked further while looking around but suddenly I fell on the ground on my face when someone tripped me on my legs. I heard roars of laughter by the people in the cafeteria and I knew someone tripped their leg on my way just to make fun of me in front of people.

I stood up with difficulties, no one come forward to help me. Next moment when I stood up on my feet, I found Karan's gang holding the posters in which my face was sticking to the animated naked girl and under it was written a random phone number with a line which reads, ' available 24*7.'

Tears welled up in my eyes, seeing all this. Every one was laughing at me including girls. This is humiliating, the one did this practically harassed me and I know who is behind all this. That girl tricked me and like a fool I trust her. But Alas! I could not tell anyone about this because no one going help me.

Karan walked out between the crowd with a smirk on his face. He grabbed the glass of water and stood in front of me. He drinks the water from it and then suddenly he splashed the water on my face. When I opened my eyes again, they are red with tears. What happened in the cafeteria will stay their because no one gonna say a word against him.

"This for the day, when that DM beat me just because of you. It's a payback time bitch." He said through his greeted teeth and then started laughing loudly. Along with him his friends also started laughing and soon whole cafeteria was laughing at me.

I could not able to take more, so I picked my books from the floor immediately but as I turn to leave the cafeteria I bumped into a hard chest. I was about to fall back but that person hold me by my waist and I hold it from his shoulder from saving me falling but make my books fall on the ground. I couldn't look up to the person because I know who is it. His signature cologne and my racing heart beat are enough for me to know that he was standing in front me, holding me tightly. Suddenly whole cafeteria went silent, no one was laughing and clapping like nothing happened here.

His grip on my waist was tight possessively, his shoulders are stiff, his jaw was clenched and I know his hands are itching to beat Karan.  he was about to make a move to walk forward when I hold him by his shoulders.

"Please don't..." My voice was shaking in emotions and I was holding back my tears. I still did not look into his eyes because I was feeling embarrassed. 

"Let me teach him a lesson." His voice shaking in anger like a lion is roaring on its pray and ready to attack him. Finally I looked at him and found him glaring the karan who was now gulping in fear.

"Please I beg you. Please.." I practically begged to him not to create more seen. He looked down at me and his eyes turn into softness. He was looking at me with concern.

"Are you alright..?" His voice was mere a whisper but enough for me to hear him. I shake my head as no while looking down when he asked me.

"Take me away from here." I said while resting my head on his shoulder.

"I will..." He whispered back in concern and ii n the next moment he picked up my books from the ground and guided me towards his parked car.

*****

Children are playing, birds are chirping while returning to their homes, another beautiful evening arrived but it stills dark for me. I was sitting on the bench of this park, doing nothing but crying. My face was dry now but get stained from the water Karan throw on my face and my own tears. The more I think about, the more I cried in agony.

Suddenly a bigger hand than mine covered mine on the bench and again I feel sparks. I know the reason behind them because he is sitting beside me and let me crying.

"Dhruv, Why is it so difficult to live?" I said between my sobs, still not looking at him and stick my eyes to the ground.

"Because we expect things from the life and it hurts when it started falling apart." His voice was fill with his own pain.

It was like he was going through the same pain as mine. I lean to him and put my head on his shoulder. He immediately encircled his right arm around my shoulders and hold my left hand with his left hand. My heart started getting calm and I feel the warmth of his body.

"So should we stop expecting things from the life?" I asked while looking at the front.

I feel him shaking his head as no.

"We should start expecting things from the people who makes our life beautiful, who care for us, who love us." He said the last part in whisper but I heard it.

"What if you don't have any of them?" I asked him again and blinked out the lone tear which was blurring my vision.

"You have me." As he whispered out the words, I pulled out from his embrace and looked at him. He was already looking at me and the way his eyes holding the emotions, it feels like he meant every word.

"Why did you not let me teach him lesson?" He asked while looking at me.

"I wanted to go away from there as soon as possible." I speak honestly and Dhruv nodded his head in understanding.

"Move in with me." He asked me suddenly.

I closed my eyes, let the tears falls out from my eyes. I shake my head as no.

"I can't.."

"Why?"

I turn my face to the other side so that he could not witnessed my broken state more.

"I don't want to cause you any problem." I said while biting my lips to suppress my sobs. He make me look towards him by turning my face to him.

"You won't, trust me." His eyes were glistening with the emotions that it was getting hard for me to deny him but I can't loose myself in front of me. I can't live with him because he has sympathy for me and if I move with him, I don't know what my family do. He may hurt him because of helping me. I can't let anything happen to him.

"You are not understanding Dhruv. I can't live with you." I shake my head, get up from the bench and started walking towards direction of my house.

Suddenly a larger hand then mine hold mine and make me turn abruptly. Dhruv was standing before me and he was looking pissed off.

"Why are making this difficult. You know, I know that you are not happy there then why do you not want to live with me?" He said through his clenched teeth. I looked at our joining hands and his gripping my wrist tightly.

"Dhruv leave my hand." I said with equal rage and glared at him.

"I won't until you agree to come with me." He was adamant.

"Why do you want me to live with you? Give me the one valid reason to move with you. We are not lovers, we are not husband wife then from which relation, I should live with you?" I demand him the answer. My blood was boiling in anger.

"If you are concerned about the society then don't worry. I don't give a fuck to them, just come with me." He said while pulling me closer to him.

"Society is not my main concern. You are doing all this because you are pity on me. You sympathize my condition. Tell me I was wrong. Tell me what I am thinking is all wrong. You are not pitty on me." I demand him the answer make him stunned with my question.

His grip get loose on my hand. I took my hand from him and again started walking towards my house direction. I was right, Dhruv was pity on me. He is doing out of humanity. In future he will get marry to the beautiful girl and lead the beautiful life, if I live with him, I only be burden on him and I don't want to burden on him.

"You are wrong.." I halted on my steps when I heard him. I looked back and he was already looking at me.

"I am not doing all this because I pity on you. You will surely come with me. I am going to stand in front of your house and won't budge until you won't agree to come with me." He shouted and his every word holding the much more power. I shake my head and run from there leaving him there standing on the middle of empty road.

*****

It's been four hours I came home and it's been four hours he was standing outside my house. It's raining heavily outside and strong winds make the trees swaying with high motion. I was sitting on the floor in the kitchen and thinking about him.

He is only in mind. What he is asking me, I could not do. I could not live with him because I don't want to ruin his life. My tears are wetting my cheeks. I can wipe them with my hand but what should I do with me heart. It was crying, wanted to meet its love. Why it is so difficult to live without him? Why it is so difficult to love him?

My tears are still not dry and I was looking at the same place since I came back to the house. No one is at the home. I supposed to be study today, then why I was restless. He was standing outside in the rain, why do not he is understanding that he is hurting me doing all this.

I got up from my place and went to roof. As I step outside, under the sky, I damped into the rain immediately. It feels like sky was crying along with me. I took a slow steps towards the railing, hoping that he already leave but I know how adamant he is and there he was standing leaning to his car, drenching under the rain. His coat jacket was no longer on him. His white dress shirt stick to his body like a second skin that I can see through it.

Suddenly he looked up and his eyes met with mine. He immediately straighten himself when he saw me on the roof.  His eyes are red, like blood shot. Tears immediately welled up in my eyes and my shoulders are shaking when I broke down in tears and sobs. His own eyes are filled with unshaded tears.

He was standing under the rain because of me. I could not see more. I could not see him like this.

I immediately turn and run to downstairs. I stumbled on my way and run to main gate. I opened the latch of main gate and saw him standing on his previous place. I immediately run to him while crying on my way and hugged him tightly. Soon after he encircled his arms around my waist and pull me closer to him like his life only depends on me. He was holding me by my waist while my arms are encircled around his neck.

He was holding me closer and hiding his face in the crook my neck while I was doing the same. We both drenching under heavy rain but none of us said anything.

"Dhruv, why are you doing this?" My voice is shaky in emotions. I was crying in his arms.

He broke the hug and pushed my hair back while cupping my right cheek.

"I don't know why I am doing all this. This is not for the sympathy or pity, I sure of that. But I want to protect you. I want yo protect you from this world. I want kiss away the pain you are hiding inside you from years." He said and wiped my tears while I was keep looking at him and tears are not stopping from them. No one did this to me ever. No one shows such concern for me. This man does not love me then why he cares about me so much.

"Please cone with me." He whispered again while looking at me through his unshaded tears.

"Dhruv, all my life I was depending on other