2

Vidya's POV

Ayesha can you please drop me home. I'm really late. Badi mummy will kill me. By now Bade papa must be at home.

After 1 hr 30 min

10:17 pm

I rang the bell. Aasha opened the door. As soon as I entered. SLAP! Before I could react again, SLAP!

Preeti : IS THIS THE TIME TO COME HOME? WHERE WERE YOU? MUST BE SLEEPING WITH SOME OTHER BOYS IN THE NAME OF INTERVIEW. SUCH A CHARACTERLESS GIRL YOU ARE!

Vidya : Badi mummy I was in the workplace only—

SLAP!

Shekhawat : DON'T ANSWER BACK YOU IDIOT. YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE MANNERS HOW WILL THAT THAKUR INDUSTRY HIRE A WORTHLESS PERSON LIKE YOU?

Vidya : They already hired me. I'm the PA— i mean I-I'm the HR man-manager of that company.

(Lied, otherwise they will get another reason to bully me..)

Preeti : Whatever! No food for you. That's your punishment. Go to your room now. Don't show your ugly face to us.

Vidya ran to her room locked the door and started crying. She started panicking, just then she received a message

UNKNOWN : Just thought you weren't fine.. I'm all ears.

Vidya : Who are you??

UNKNOWN : You'll get to know Moon

Vidya : Moon?

UNKNOWN : It may sound creep, but whenever I see you I find peace, the same peace i find while watching the moon.

Vidya : Oh. How do you know me?

UNKNOWN : Ignore it.Friends?

Vidya : Yeah. Good night

UNKNOWN : Good night Moon.

Who was that person. Shreyansh..? It is definitely Shreyansh. Should i talk to him? No-No how can I. He should text first. Ughh I'm hungry—

Someone knocked at the window. I opened it. I saw a person who was wearing a mask with a bag in hand, he gave it to me and ran back to his car. Before i could speak anything, He went away. As i saw inside the bag , I was shocked. It was my favorite food item. And then I got a text.

UNKNOWN : Might be hungry no?

Vidya : How did you know?

UNKNOWN : I know everything!

Vidya : Oh sweet little Mr. facts

UNKNOWN : Mr. facts? you're impossible

Vidya : And you're sweet.

I kept my phone on the side table. And I started eating the stuff the Person gave me. I don't know why, while talking to the unknown person, I felt safe. I felt protected. I felt someone was there to listen to me. The person was familiar.

After eating I lay down on the bed watching the ceiling.

Vidya (herself) : Mumma ,I miss you.. I'm tired of working. Papa, I need you..they always hit me.

And suddenly a tear left my eye and fell into the cheek. And i started crying. Slowly..sleep took over me

Adi's POV

I went home, it was 9:30 already. Had a hectic day again. But something was best there. Her. So simple yet so attractive, just like a fairytale. That lavender kurti suits her. I still remember her smile, her voice, her eyes, and a small mole on her neck. Her long hair. Smell like a flower. Just mine.

When i reached home I didn't sit down with my family for dinner. For the very first time. Not because of her thoughts, but because something felt—off. Standing near my big window I decided to text her. But she has my number.

I can't hurt those people now who hurt her,

at least not now.

Adi (himself) : Ranisa, You are only mine. I just need to win your heart, everyone will suffer who made you cry , I Promise you are not alone. I will protect you.

"If you smile—I smile if you cry—I'll destroy the kingdom."

After talking my mind was fresh. I had dinner and dozed off.

---

Next day.

6:30 am

Vidya's POV

When i woke up..i had a smile on my face. But as soon as the reality hit me, My mind got stuck in that face. Shreyansh. I loved him. Ayesha introduced me to him. They were best friends. But soon they were distant, i thought so. I called Ayesha but her phone was busy.

Vidya : Itni subha kisse baat kar rhi hogi yeh ladki? I should call Parul , they live together she must be knowing.

Called Parul.

Vidya : Parul, Ayesha kaha busy hai?

Parul : She's talking to some boy yaar. Raat se ussi ladke se baat kar rhi hai. It was related to revenge—

From the background,

Ayesha : STOP TELLING MY TALKS TO OTHER.

Parul : It's Vidya only yaar. Don't overreact.

Ayesha : I don't care. Shut the fuck up now!

Parul : Sorry babe, I'll call you later.

I was hurt. I was deeply hurt. Not because of Shreyansh but because of Ayesha now. I saw the clock, I will be late I got up, went to the washroom, Went towards the window, looked outside and smiled in the hope that One day I'll be out of this home. I was standing in front of the mirror and saw my cheeks. It was still red, because of last night.

Received a message

UNKNOWN : Good morning Moon. Excited for the first day at Thakur Industry? All

the best

Vidya : Whoa! stop being a stalker Mr. Facts.

Seen.

I went to the kitchen, Made idli , sambhar , chutney for My circus. I went to the office, talked to the receptionist, and my cabin was inside the cabin of Rajsa. I was sitting there, learning my work. Saw his schedule, Hectic, I was doing some work that Mr. Nihar Sinha told me to do.

---

Adi's POV

Today is the first day of her work. I'm so.....Nervous. i still remember her eyes that showed innocence and pain.

I went to the office and saw her from my cabin. Beautiful. The dress was as elegant as her character. Her eyes on the laptop. Sincere. 

" You'll enjoy the journey from Vidya Reddy to Vidya Adi Thakur— I promise. "

I was staring at her through CCTV suddenly she got up and came in front of me

Vidya : May i come in Sir?

Adi : Come in. You don't need to ask.

Vidya : Sir you have a meeting in 15 mins. And then—

Adi : You look pretty today. This colour suits you.

Vidya (shocked) : Thank you Sir.

Adi : You can keep the schedule here, And please rewrite one file, I'll send it to you in the mail. Check and give it to me. And after doing this, make a presentation file for the meeting with Kashi builders.

Vidya : okay sir. Here is the schedule.

I gave her a lot of table work, just because i wanted to see her through CCTV. I loved her presence. I was doing my work while watching her. Told Nihar to keep an eye on her health too. Give her the reminder to drink water every 1 hour. Give her coffee or something to eat.

"Ranisa, you're as beautiful as your soul. Be mine."

Vidya's POV

I went to my office, and started working. Suddenly I felt someone's eye on me. I looked around, no one was there. Suddenly the door knocked. Nihar came, with a tray full of food, coffee and water. I looked surprisingly.

Nihar : "Don't be surprised, Get used to it. "

And he left.

I don't know the reason behind "Get used to it." But it felt...Safe.

6:30 pm

I was tired, And my work—Complete. I started packing up everything. Received a text.

UNKNOWN : Enjoyed working?

Vidya : Yeah, Just tired. Btw can i ask you something?

UNKNOWN : You can ask me anything, anywhere, Moon.

Vidya : Hehe. It seems like I already know you. You're near me.

UNKNOWN : Maybe I'm.

Vidya : What?

Hey?

What do you mean?

Stop ignoring me.

Hello?

Mr. Facts.

Seen.

While watching the phone I started moving to the Cabin, and saw Rajsa attending an important meeting. He stopped the meeting and saw me.

Adi : You may leave now. There is a party tomorrow at 7. I'll pick you up.

Vidya : Okay sir but what's the dress code? And my family doesn't know that I'm your PA

Adi : Wear something traditional. And it's fine You're not my PA— according to your family. I'll pick you up.

I left the place and went back home. I made dinner while listening to the taunts given by my lovely family ate dinner after everyone went to sleep. Made my way to my bedroom. I was too tired, i dozed off.

Adi's POV

I never stop the meeting for someone, but you're special Ranisa. I really want to see you in traditional, that's why I kept the party tomorrow. I promise you'll feel special tomorrow.

I went back home. I ate dinner with my family. Enjoyed Avi's drama and how Maa was scolding him. While everyone had a serious expression. I went to my bedroom.

I opened my laptop in which her photo was there as a wallpaper for the last 4 years. I had a secret room inside my Room. I went there. It was full of Ranisa's Pictures. I loved sitting there.

Suddenly I received a call

Nihar : Boss, kal party? Kis khushi me?

Adi : I wanted to see her in traditional.

Nihar : Woah! Someone is in love no?

Adi : Shut up. This is why you called me?

Nihar : Obviously not. There is one girl named Parul. We met 5 months ago through social media.

Adi : Okay so?

Nihar : We started dating today

Adi : In love?

Nihar : Yes. And guess what?

Adi : what?

Nihar : Ranisa is the childhood friend of Parul.

Adi : Is it Parul Dutta? Mbbs student. 23 yrs old.

Nihar : Boss stop she's mine.

Adi : Calm down I'm not stealing her. It's just—I know everything. She's nice.

Nihar : Thanks boss. Okay bye

Adi hung up the call as usual. He never replied to the word "bye". His fingers started dancing in the laptop again and slowly the city also settled down and he slept.

The next day was a holiday due to the party.

Vidya's POV

I woke up , made breakfast. Did everything and went to Parul's house. Ayesha was also their. But she seemed annoyed. I ignored her and started talking to Parul. When i saw the time It was 5. I started getting ready. I wore a black coloured saree with a designer blouse.

I wore a simple red dress with hairs down.

I looked sexy.

I was getting ready no makeup at all. Hair down. Everything was perfect.

I received a message.

UNKNOWN : Party huh?

Vidya : How do you know?

UNKNOWN : Maybe I'm with you.

Vidya (looks around) : Where?

UNKNOWN : in your heart maybe

Vidya : Stop it.

UNKNOWN : Which colour dress are you wearing

Vidya : Black saree

UNKNOWN : perfect.

---

It was already time to go. Vidya was waiting for Adi's call. Suddenly he called her and asked for the address. She gave him Parul's address and he came within 5 mins as if he was flying the car.

She went near the car. He came out opened the passenger door for her. She sat and then he started driving. She noticed he was wearing a simple black kurta in which his veins was visible.

Vidya's POV

He's wearing black kurta, veins , hair was perfect, eyes on road, muscular body, that smell. It's pure divine.

Adi : You look pretty. And you can also compliment me instead of staring.

Vidya : I-I am so s-sorry.

Adi : Ra—Vidya stop saying sorry. You're my friend now. It's okay.

He smiled.

And Vidya lost her heart. She was attracted towards him. His smile was killing her .

Soon they reached to the office. Everyone was busy. Adi was talking to some clients. Some clients and businessmen were also invited.

Vidya, an introvert, was standing alone with a soft drink in her hand, staring at Adi's pure beauty.

Suddenly Someone pulled Vidya in the corner. And she felt someone's hand in her waist. In fear she closed her eyes. He was touching and forced her to open her eyes.

He was yash. Shreyansh's best friend.

Yash : Oh darling, we met again. I love how you flaunt your beauty. Your saree looks amazing but it's a barrier for me. I can't see your bod— PUNCH!

He fell down , his lips were bleeding , as he saw the person he was shocked.

The person who punched him was no other than "RAJSA".

PUNCH!

RAJSA himself. He himself came forward to punish the person who touched his Ranisa. Only his. He could feel the rage inside him. If he could, he would have killed everyone who was looking at his Ranisa. He wanted to tell everyone that-

"Vidya belongs to Adi, only Adi"

~

Author's POV

Rage took over Adi. Not because of jealousy. But because someone touched what belongs to him-only him . He started beating him with no mercy . He looked at him for the last time before calling someone.

In call.

"Code Red. Yash, Yash Singhania"

"Okay boss."

He looked back to Vidya. She was scared, fear in her eyes were visible. Without thinking for a once

"She hugged him."

His world stopped. He could feel her sobbing. He could feel his heart break into a million pieces.

Inner : Yash I won't spare you. You touched What is mine. You made her cry. No one dares to make Ranisa Cry.

~

Adi's POV

To himself

"Please Ranisa, your tears are like poison to me. It's killing me. Stop..Stop Moon.."

Adi (softly) : Stop.. I'm with you don't cry.

She hugged him more tightly, as if he would disappear if she left him. He started caressing her hair. He picked her up carefully and took her to the car. He made her sit in the passenger seat. And then went back to driver seat.

Adi : I'll drop you home. Let's go. Don't panic I'm here.

Vidya : Stay..

Adi : Sorry?

Vidya : I don't wanna go.. please stay with me..Just today.

Adi (smiled) : don't worry Ran-Vidya.. I'll stay with you.

She held his hands tightly.

"I'll hold your hands like this forever Ranisa."

She fell asleep in his shoulders. She was definitely scared.

~

After 30 mins they reached to the mansion in which no one was allowed to come.

He held her in bridal style with his firm hands.

He saw her sleeping peacefully, for the first time probably in 5 years.

He took her to the bedroom. He called the female maids to change her into something comfortable. She was now wearing Adi's Shirt which reached her mid-thigh. It was....comfortable. She was sleeping peacefully. Adi went to his basement.

Yash Singhania : LEAVE ME! I SWEAR I'LL KILL YOU.

Adi : Stop shouting before i turn into a devil.

Trigger warning -----

He asked a bodyguard to give a bottle to him. He wore gloves. Slowly he took the bottle and poured into his hands from which he touched Vidya. Acid.

His hands were burned.

He was screaming in pain. Begging to stop.

A man gave him a knife. He started making cuts in the burned area.

Adi : Enjoying?..you challenged the Rajsa himself, now bear the pain.

He then took a baseball bat and hit him in the leg. So hard that..we can say his leg was now broken. He was screaming in pain. But Adi was in no mood to give him mercy. He took the gun and shot him in the same broken leg. He then took the knife and stabbed it in hand. Another knife in another hand. Yash was not in his state now.

~

Adi stopped as a call came-

"Rajsa, Ranisa roo rahi hai. Please ap jaldi aa jayen."

Adi looked for the last time at Yash and went to his washroom near basement to change his clothes.

He then went to her.

Adi : Hey Hey Calm down

She quickly hugged him like a baby, and started crying.

He was caressing her hair. He knelt down, at her level now.

"Stop crying Moon, I'm here."

Not in her state ,she ignored everything and started panicking. And started hitting her hand in the side table in fear.

He took her hands in his and calmy said:

"Look at me, Calm down. Breathe with me."

She looked at him. Now silent.



Her eyes showed no fear now. It was something different.

Vidya : C-Can i ask you something?

Adi : You can ask me anything, anywhere Moon

Vidya : I heard this somewhere, but I don't remember.

Adi : don't put so much pressure. And now sleep.

Vidya : Why do you care about me? I'm such a worthles-

Adi (cold) : You're not.

Vidya : I'm.

He touched me. It feels so disgusting.

Adi : You're not worthless. And if he touched you, you can take a bath tomorrow. Not now, you'll get fever. Sleep now.

He started moving to another room when she held his hand.

Vidya : D-Don't leave...

Adi : Can i sleep beside you?

Vidya : Yes you can.

~

Vidya's POV

"Did i just asked Rajsa to sleep beside me? What am i doing."

He saved me. Moon, Unknown. It was Rajsa.

And I know about the shirt I'm now wearing. It was his maid. He respects me. His small gesture affects me a lot. When he listens to me. When he asked Nihar to take care of my health. He is my shield.

~

Author's POV

Adi came to sleep beside Vidya. As soon as she dozed off..He woke up. He went to the couch. She didn't tell him to sleep there because the couch seemed a little uncomfortable. But he went there. He didn't want her to feel scared, that's why he decided to stay in the same room.

"Before marriage, I won't even take your dupatta off Ranisa."

Everything was perfect.

Next morning.

She got breakfast in bed. Rajsa himself fed her. She felt...loved. She got ready. In the same saree. She went back to home, in fear. She was ready for another slap. She was ready for some mean words. But-

As soon as she entered, for the first time, Preeti gave her a smile which was obviously fake. And told her

"You should have said you were with Rajsa due to some work"

"Get close to him. We want his marriage proposal for our Aasha"

"Badi mummy he's 10 years older."

"We need money, not your advice."

She went upstairs. Not willing to do anything. Adi told her to do WFH. She was working suddenly received a call from Adi

"han Rajsa, boliye.."

"First stop calling me rajsa, call me Adi and second go and eat something. You haven't eaten something in 5 hours. Go."

"You care too much..Bubye"

"Bye"

She hung up. A smile formed on her face.

It has been two months now-

Vidya's heart had learned to smile again-but only around him. Around Rajsa. No-Adi. The man who fought her battles like they were his own. The man who didn't touch her soul-he sheltered it. She was happy for Parul. She got the best person-Nihar.

But inside her house?

The walls were still echoing with taunts, expectations, and greed.

~

Vidya's POV

It's 7:10 PM.

I returned home from a meeting, exhausted. Not because of the meeting-but because I had to wear a mask. Fake smile. Fake voice. Fake answers. Real pain.

"Badi mummy" looked at me like a deal. Not like a daughter.

"Aasha ko bhi aise hi train karo. Taaki woh bhi jaane lage Adi ke aaspaas."

I didn't reply.

I went to my room. Closed the door. Closed my eyes. Opened my phone.

14 missed calls-

Adi

And 4 texts.

Adi:

You okay Vidya?

Answer me.

You don't get to disappear like that.

I'm coming.

I quickly texted him back.

"I'm home. Sorry. Just needed silence."

He replied in 3 seconds.

Adi : I'm outside.

I looked outside. He was standing there in his black shirt, folded sleeves, sunglasses even in the dusk.

My heartbeat?

Yeah, it went wild.

~

Author's POV

He didn't wait for her to open the window. Her silence was enough. He came to her room through window and saw her sitting on the bed, knees hugged tightly.

He didn't say a word.

She didn't either.

But when she finally looked at him, he opened his arms. And this time, she didn't hesitate.

She ran to him.

Adi: "Breathe... I'm here."

Vidya (whispers): "You always are."

~

Flashback:

Adi's POV

Code red : torture

Two months ago.

Basement.

Yash's death wasn't an accident.

Adi didn't just kill him.

He destroyed the existence of anyone who could make Ranisa cry.

He had told Nihar:

"Clean it up. And make sure no one ever finds out. Burn everything, including the name."

He had stared at the fire that night.

"One less threat to her peace," he whispered to himself.

This incident changed everything.

Present:

Vidya's POV

We were talking for hours. We were quite not because of night but because of my family. I was scared.

"I was scared of almost everything. But..He feared nothing. And we met each other."

~

After sometime he went back to his mansion. And i slept. Next morning evrything was normal. Until Nihar asked me to visit Adi's farmhouse at 7 pm.

I wore a simple white suit and was waiting for the car. Suddenly 3 car came and from the middle one , a person came out. I knew him. He was the bodyguard of Adi. I sat there.

~

After 50 mins we reached there. Already frustrated because of traffic. I went inside the farmhouse. As I entered the house with a smile-my smile fades away.

I saw a girl kissing Adi-Tina. His back was facing me. From behind it looked like they were having a moment. My brain stopped working. I didn't saw anything, the room, the bodyguards nothing.

I started crying and ran away and told Nihar to take me home. Seeing my condition without wasting any minute he took me home.