"Maa! Papa, Uncle and Bhai all have left together, who am I supposed to go with now?" Parthvi complained returning back to the hall.

"Randheer, he will accompany you!" Nakul offered.

"But Uncle..."

"No 'buts' beta. You go out, he'll be there in a minute!"

With a polite nod she headed towards Adarsh's bike anxiously checking her phone, it was nearly four. Taking deep breaths, Parthvi steadied herself when Randheer finally appeared.

"Let's go!" lifting the bike off the stand he brought it to life. "How do you emerge out of thin air without making a single sound?" she frowns settling beside him. "I don't walk on the ground; I fly through the air!" he mischievously grin.

"Where are we heading?" guiding the bike out of the house he asked "To the lakeside!" Parthvi replied, her one hand resting on his shoulder other clutching to the phone tightly.

"At this hour?  itna kya ghumne ka shok hai tumhein?"  Randheer snapped irritated. "I was about to sleep, and when Papa called, I thought it was something urgent!" he added.

(Do you have such an insatiable wanderlust?) 

"Shh...we're not going there for fun. All these things just need to be submersed in the river today only, that's it." "Ohh!" he nodded in understanding while Parthvi glared at him in annoyance.

"What do you mean 'oh'? You scolded me for no reason; now apologize!" she snapped. "Excuse me? Apologize for what?" he asked in disbelief.

She shot him a fierce look.

"Alright, I'm sorry! Happy now?"  he scoffed "Happy!" she murmured, smiling. He shook his head at her childish antics.

-----------✽✽---------------✽✽-----------

"If you're done, can we head home?" Randheer asked for the tenth time.

"Hmm, it's done. Let......" She halted abruptly as her phone rang. Her hands trembled gripping the device tightly, glancing at the caller ID - Saransh.

"Could you give me a moment......please?" Parthvi turned to Randheer, who nodded silent, his gaze steady.

"I'll be right here; just come back when you're finished." He settled on the stairs, watching the water reflecting the rays of the setting sun. She nodded, moving a little away to answer the call with her trembling hands.

PARTHVI’S POV:

"Um, hey..."

"Hi!"

"Listen, Parthvi, I know we had dreams of a future..."

"Saransh, I need to tell you something I can no longer hide!" I interrupted.

"What is it?" his voice came "I've developed feelings for someone else while being with you, and I wish to continue with him." I inhaled deeply; I couldn't cry at least not in front of him.

"I know you're lying!" he dismissed without a second thought. No, I needed him to believe I was being unfaithful to him and our relationship.

"I'm not playing games, Saransh!" I attempted again.

"Okay, then show me who it is! I want to speak with him!"

"Tumhein hum par vishwas nahi hai?"

(Do you not trust me?)

"I trust you, that's exactly why I want too!"

Think, Parthvi! Where would you get a man who doesn't exist?

"Tell me his name, Parthvi."

"Where is he from?"

"What does this imaginary guy of yours do?" He continued to press, and my mind went numb.

"Randheer!"

Yes, what a mistake! How could I utter his name? His will kill me if he gets to know!"

"Yes, Randheer Thakur! And I'm with him; he is Papa's best friend's son!" I uttered confidently.

"You're with him?" he questioned, disbelief lacing his tone.

I hummed, expecting him to explode and cut the call.

"Show me, then!" he scoffed, switching the call to video.

Urghh, Saransh! In any other situation, I would have admired your trust, but not today. I rushed toward Randheer, who stood up upon hearing my voice.

"Is everything alright? Why are your eyes so red?" his voice laced with concern. "Can you pretend to be my boyfriend for this call? I'll explain everything later, please!"

He looked at me in confusion while I lowered my gaze, but before he could respond Saransh's video call came masking a faded smile. I picked it up.

"Randheer is not imaginary—see?" I shifted the camera to show Randheer, who stared at me as if I had lost my mind.

Saransh's eyes welled with tears, his trust shattered with a glimpse of him.

"He proposed to me and I want him in my life. So, let's end this. Besides, you too are forced to marry someone else. I wish you all the best for your future and married life ahead!" I lied smoothly.

"What have you done Parthvi? Here I was, drowning in guilt, and you? You were busy romancing someone else! I never thought you would turn out like this, so slu..."

"Dare to finish that sentence and I'll ensure you never speak again!" Randheer's voice thundered, sending a chill down my spine, while Saransh visibly flinched across the screen.

"Now I understand what attracted you. You always wanted power and he possess it!" With that, Saransh disconnected the call.

I turned toward Randheer, now seething, his jaw clenched, veins prominent on his neck and forearms. Unaware of how he will react I tried to speak frightened to life. "Randheer!" I called softly. "Could you please explain this?"

I nodded and sat on the stairs as he silently joined me. I shared everything honestly, but by the end, his anger had intensified rather.

"Are you insane? Why would you do this for a coward with no guts to stand up for you?" he asked in a deep voice, trying hard for his anger to not overflow.

"You can either be in love or be selfish!" I said gently. "What a twisted theory, love is the most selfish human emotion, Jaana!" he scoffed.

"You won't tell anyone, right?" I asked uncertainly, peeping in his deep orbs that Jaana from his mouth doing something to me deep down.

"If that's what you want, but I refuse to overlook the fact that he dared to insult you, how dare he call you that?" His eyes were cold, and I missed their warmth.

"He could have said whore but..." "Shut up!" his dark voice made me flinch "No one has any right to call you that or any bad word not even you!" I looked at him, with admiration?

He is cute at time, okay just cute!

"You were enduring so much; why didn't you share it with anyone?" he asked again after a brief pause. "I didn't even know what was happening or what I wanted. But last night, I decided to end this with no chance of return. This felt like the best way."

My gaze fixated on the setting sun.

"And I thought you were weak and childish. Although I don't agree with your noble theories, you are stronger than I imagined!"  I turned towards him clearly not expecting this.

"Was that a compliment?" I scoffed. "You may take it as one!" with his dank humour returning, we turned our gazes back to the setting sun.

"Hum phase hue the ki agar bhagwaan aapka dil nahi badal rahein to unhone kabooliyaat ka irrada kar liya hai or agar vo sabr se naawaaz de to pyaare se pyaara saksh dil se utar jata hai! Humein pata hai ye aasan nahi hoga par ab hum uhnein jaane de rahe hai!" He smiled encouragingly, wiping my tears with his thumb.

(I found myself caught between the idea that if God isn't changing your heart, it means He has decided your fate. And when the Almighty grants you with patience, even the dearest person can fade from your heart. I know it will be challenging, but I'm letting it go!)

RANDHEER’S POV:

So, this was the 'him' she mentioned. I didn't feel much about all this; it's not that I am deeply in love with her. It's her life—she can do as she pleases.

The notion of marrying within the same caste is nonsense to me. I consider myself more spiritual than religious. I take pride in discussing my religion and caste, but that doesn't mean I disregard others.

They could have found a way, but what she did was utter nonsense. As the victim, she had to play the criminal, taking the blame for someone who couldn't stand for his love, and to top it off, he attempted to abuse her.

Shakti is the supreme form, meant for worship, not abuse in any circumstance, and he needs to learn that lesson!

By the time we left, moon was shining with its faded moonlight darkness growing and the abandoned roads did nothing to soothe her.

Balancing the handle with one hand, I held her hand with the other, pulling her closer until her head rested on my shoulder.

"I know you fear the darkness," I explained not wanting her to think I was taking any advantage. "Darkness has become an inseparable part of me, Randheer!"  She whispered, lost in thought sinking deeper.

"I promise to hold you just like this whenever darkness dares to approach you!"

PARTHVI’S POV:

It's been two days. The men have been occupied with their land affairs, leaving early in the morning and returning after dark.

Not a word has been exchanged between me and Randheer since that evening. He neither questioned me nor attempted to invade my space.

It was past midnight, I sat in the living room with Maa, Chachi, and Sangeet  Aunty, waiting for them. Normally, I would have gone to bed long back, but their conversation was too spicy to miss.

When the doorbell rang, I got up to open the door, but the sight before made me numb. "Papaaa!" I gasped, nearly shouting. The women rushed over to the door at my voice.

"What happened?" Chachi asked, her hands gripping my shoulders, while Aunty consoled Maa as they settled Papa on couch.

"Everything is fine," Papa said calmly, "Serve dinner; we'll talk on the table. It's already late." He added.

We silently agreed, and after serving the plates, Maa couldn't control herself anymore. "Who dared to do this?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Parthvi, get me a glass of water." Bhai requested.

"But Bhai—"

"Go."

I nodded, walking towards the kitchen, without arguing. Why they always treat me like a child who needs protection?

I grabbed a bottle, only for someone to take it from me. I turned, annoyed, to find Randheer standing there sitting on the slab.

"Thank you!" he muttered, even his sincere words felt like a taunt.

"Paani to dushman ko bhi pilana chahiye, sababh ka kaam hota hai" I replied calmly.

(Even enemies deserve to be offered water. It's a matter of basic decency.)

Taking out another bottle and turning to leave but his next words stopped me. "Uncle is fine. The bullet has barely touched him. The wounds aren't deep." I looked at him, grateful at least that he didn't see me as fragile like the others.

"Who did this?"

"You don't need to know that."

His blunt response caught me off guard. I had been wrong; he is same as the others.

"I'm not a child, Randheer! I can protect myself!" I snapped, frustrated.

"Sure, you can." he replied softly, his calm voice disarming me. "But you don't need to, not while I'm here."

His gaze was steady, and my eyes misted over. Before I knew I had wrapped my arms around him, seeking comfort in his embrace. He didn't pull away either, instead tucked my head beneath his chin and gently rubbed my back.

"Shh... don't cry. Everything's fine. Trust your father, if not me. Come on, let's go back. Tumhare chakkar mein thanda khana padega!" he muttered, his thumb gently wiping the tears away.

(Because of you, I'll have to eat cold food!)

I shook my head with a small smile. "You'll never change, will you?"

"Randheer, I trust you," I called his retreating figure as he started walking back.

He paused mid-step and turned his head slightly. "...with this?" I added teasingly.

He glanced over his shoulder, looked at me with soft yet unreadable eyes and walked away.

RANDHEER’S POV:

"Randheer, I trust you." Her words tuck something deep within me, more than even that hug. It felt... good. But then she added with her mischievousness back, "...with this," and whatever happiness I had felt disappeared.

Disappointed, I turned back to the dining area. Kuch nahi ho sakta is ladki ka.

(There's no hope for this girl.)

"Veer, should we tell them?" Papa's voice pulled all the attention on the table but I was in no mood to engage in their discussions. I was starving.

As I focused on eating, Veer Uncle dropped the bombshell. "We want Randheer and Parthvi to get married."

I choked on my food, coughing, while Aadarsh, sitting beside me, patted my back without even looking at me. Parthvi shot me a glare as though I had proposed this.

"Nakul, you knew about this?" Maa asked, her tone flat. Yes, she will deny!

"We discussed it mutually!" Papa responded calmly.

"You could have told me earlier! I would have brought shagun for her, itni pyaari bachi hai!"

(Shagun is a sign of prosperity and good luck/She's such a lovely girl!)

My eyes widened in disbelief. Where was this going to lead?

To Be Continued....