Chapter 1

Priya

I squirmed as I felt sweaty and burning hot all over. I snapped open my eyes and roamed it all over my surroundings. I wasn't in my room. I squinted my eyes to adjust with the bright lights of this room. As I looked down I was covered with huge fluffy blankets and I was wearing a shirt. And my eyes grew as big as saucers

Where are my clothes ?

Who changed me in these and what am I doing here ?

All sorts of questions raced in my mind and it became difficult to breathe when I realised what happened. I met Sumit in a hotel and he was practically asking me to sleep with him . Bile rose up to my throat and I pushed off the blankets to get some air. My shuffling caused some movements at the corner of the room and a figure walked at me. I rubbed my eyes to look clearly .

"Priya, Priya can you hear me? Are you alright?" I heard him call out. But I couldn't see because of the tears in my eyes.

"Priya, it's me Arjun," he patted my shoulder and maybe he understood that I couldn't breathe properly.

I just wanted the words echoing in my head to stop.

'Spend one night with me.'

He'd said and he held my hand in a death grip. I couldn't defend myself.

Suddenly I was engulfed in a warm embrace and Arjun rubbed soothing circles on my back. Then it started, first one drop of tear fell and the rest followed. I cried so hard and my hands clutched his waist for support.

"It's OK, Priya. You're safe now. He's not here, he can't do anything to you." He whispered slowly in my ears to calm me down and to my surprise it worked! I stayed in his embrace for a while as he continued to rub my back.

I removed my arms from him and wiped away the tears with the shirt sleeves.

He made me sit comfortably on the bed and made me drink a glass of water. When I raised the glass for another sip, his eyes moved to my wrist and his jaw clenched and he closed his eyes as if trying hard to not snap.

I've known Arjun for the past two years as Jhanvi's brother. And I do know that he has a real bad temper. He was holding back himself from bursting out after he saw the bruises on my wrist.

I just kept the glass aside and pulled down the sleeve to hide it.

"What time is it ?" I asked changing the subject.

" It's eight in the morning," he said glancing at his watch and a wave of shock struck me.

" What ?" I almost screeched.

So it was yesterday that I met Sumit. Which means that I've stayed out the whole night.

My God ! What are my parents going to think, they must be worried about me.

"Arjun, I have to go back home." I said getting up from the bed but he grabbed my shoulders making me steady.

" Relax, Priya, it's alright. I know you must be thinking about your parents but I messaged your mother from your phone," I gaped at him.

He used my phone.

"Arjun, what am I doing here ?"

"Priya, I'll explain everything later, right now you need to eat." He said and brought out a tray of food .

"Nope, we need to talk Arjun ."

I said pushing away the plate full food and glared at him.

Can anyone believe it !

Heck even I can't believe I am ignoring food.

He just glared back at me and cut the pancakes and brought it to my mouth. I sealed my lips in a thin line.

" Open up." And I was following his command.

Another unbelievable thing .

Arjun Rawal is feeding me breakfast .

Many women would have died if this news came to light.

I just sat here silently and ate up everything he's feeding me.

Once I was done , he kept the plate aside and turned to look at me. He has these light brown eyes which has tiny little specks of gold in them making me hypnotized.

"Priya, how do you know Sumit Gandhi ?" He asked and I froze as my brain recollected everything from yesterday.

"You don't have to worry, I just need to get some things cleared with the police. "

What!

"Police ?" I almost screamed on top of voice.

"Yep, do you not know that he's one of biggest drug dealer of the state and the police was trying to catch him ?"

FML!!!!

"D-d-rug d-dealer ?" Gosh! Is it me stuttering ?

"Wait, you have no idea about that ?" He asked and I furiously shook my head.

" He is my landlord. And our parents had decided to marry us within a month." I told him.

"Next ?" He asked with a questioning gaze.

"We were in the hotel and h-he a-asked m-me to s-sp-pend a night w-with him." I was so ashamed to say this in front of him. I just want to go back home.

"Fucking asshole !" He whispered under his breath.

But how did I end up in here ?

I was about to open my mouth when he spoke.

"He got arrested but maybe he said something to you which triggered you and you fainted. Luckily I was there and I brought you here." That is really nice of him.

"Thank you." I genuinely meant it and he gave me a nod.

"The doctor says you are suffering from hypertension. Tell me Priya, is this guy troubling you ? Did he do anything to you ?" He asked with so much concern that my heart just melted. I couldn't hold it anymore and again tears fell down as I thought about all that's happening in my life.

"Hey, hey Priya, don't cry, it's okay. He can't do anything to you now." And he wipes away the tears making me a heap of pink hearts.

"A-Arjun, m-my Papa is d-dying." I felt scorching pain in my throat as I let out those words.

"Priya, please tell me clearly, I might be able to help you." I just shook my head.

" Now, no one can help. It's all over." I said letting out slow sobs. I was instantly pulled towards his broad chest and he looked directly in my eyes.

" You can tell me, as your friend."

As a friend .

" Papa has Grade -3 brain cancer.

And he only has one or two months maximum. All doctors have lost hope. A-and h-his last wish is to see his only daughter getting married before he takes his last breath." He was shocked to hear this.

"Why didn't you tell us anything ? Does Jhanvi know about it ?" He asked looking down at me. I just shook my head as a no.

"Why Priya ? Why ?"

"I didn't want to burden anyone with my problems." He gave me a sharp look and I lowered my gaze. This wasn't supposed to happen at all.

I remember when I first met Arjun, my heart had unexpectedly developed a crush on him . Everytime I look at him or even the mention of his name would give me butterflies in the stomach. But now is not the time for all this, my Papa is more important .

I need to tell the truth to my family, to Papa.

"There's a change of clothes in that bag, you can freshen up and I will drop you off." He said and when I looked up to him. There were absolutely no emotions in his eyes. His voice was void of the softness which was there only moments ago.

I can never understand this man. He's always been a mystery to me.

I made some space between us and walked out of the bed and shivered a bit as I am only in a thin fabric shirt. Taking the bag with me I push open the bathroom door and relaxed my nerves by doing the breathing exercise.

I stripped out of the shirt and took a shower and started thinking about what would I do next.

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