008

In the days that followed, Niyati's life had turned upside down.

An unexpected element had entered her life in the form of a handsome man, one as smitten with her as she was with him.

That morning, she left home wearing a new lavender-colored suit she had bought during a shopping trip with her family. Her hair was plaited simply-she could no longer leave home with her hair down, not with the "devil" back and monitoring every little change. But it wasn't just the suit or her neat hair; it was the vibrancy within her, the extra bounce in every step, and the smile that seemed glued to her face. Not even Manorama's taunts could dull the light she carried.

The excitement in the household was palpable, as news about a potential suitor coming to see Shivangi brought a wave of happiness. Even their grandmother, who typically had much to say, chose to remain silent this time-a miracle in itself.

Niyati made her way to the road, and there he was, leaning against his Jeep-a vehicle that was new to her-and talking on his phone. The moment Achintya saw her walking shyly towards him, he cut the call. She kept her eyes lowered, her cheeks glowing as she struggled not to smile but failed miserably.

"Morning." Achintya lowered his phone as she came to stand in front of him, clutching her bag nervously.

He removed his glasses, his eyes feasting on the girl who refused to raise hers. In that moment, his fatigue vanished.

He had been in Patna the day before for election work and had traveled overnight just to return to Begusarai by morning. Running on barely two hours of sleep, the campaign had drained him completely. Some nights, he would collapse on his bed without even realizing when the night turned into morning.

Niyati, noticing the slump in his shoulders, the heaviness in his eyes, and the absence of his usual playful energy, felt a wave of concern. Everyone had been talking about the upcoming election, their voices filled with apprehension. Campaigns were in full swing, with parties loudly promising things they'd never fulfill. She had noticed the changes in him too-the dark circles under his eyes, his hollow cheeks, and his hair, longer and brushing his neck. On anyone else, it might have looked disheveled, but on Achintya Chaudhary, it only added to his charm.

"Are you not feeling well?" she asked, making Achintya's heart soar.

"No..." he teased. He loved teasing her, loved the way she would puff up in mock anger, her eyes widening like an irritated kitten.

"Why? What happened?" Her worry was endearing, and he couldn't help but revel in the feeling. Achintya was used to making others nervous, so this role reversal wasn't something he was about to complain about.

He wanted to tease her more, but in the face of her genuine concern, he couldn't. "I just didn't sleep well last night," he admitted. There was something about her that made him want to be completely honest, like she had some magical power over him.

"Why? What were you doing all night?" Her anxiousness made Achintya smile, her concern warming his heart.

"Waiting for morning... so I could see you."

Her face flushed at his words, and she blinked, opening and closing her mouth, unsure how to respond. "That-you-uh... fine, don't tell me. I didn't want to know anyway."

Achintya laughed, but quickly quieted when she huffed and tried to walk away. He straightened up, stepping in front of her to block her path.

"I went to Patna yesterday for some work-"

"Then why are you here?" she interrupted, already suspecting what he was going to say.

"I traveled overnight just so I could get back to Begusarai and see you in the morning. I already told you that," he said, his tone serious. Niyati could tell he wasn't joking. How could he be so... intense?

Her mind always seemed to conjure the worst scenarios, but here was Achintya, proving her wrong every time.

He had traveled all the way to Patna and back just to see her. How was she supposed to compete with that kind of devotion? Niyati had no idea how to respond.

Seeing her speechless, Achintya took a step closer, folded his hands behind his back, and leaned down to rest his forehead on her shoulder.

Niyati froze. What was he doing? Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion, but oddly, she didn't find his touch repulsive or uncomfortable.

Achintya, unaware of the storm of emotions he'd stirred within her, was in bliss. Her scent-light, fresh, like coconut-invaded his senses. He couldn't tell where he ended and she began. But the sweet moment was interrupted by the sound of a scooter passing nearby, jolting Niyati back to reality.

"We're in public," she whispered, her voice soft, as if she was as affected by the situation as he was. Achintya sighed but stepped back, though Niyati couldn't ignore the pang of loss she felt.

"Let me drop you off at college. I have some other work to do afterward." His casual tone made Niyati frown. This man was clearly exhausted. Who told him to travel all night just to see her, and now he wanted to do more work? His audacity.

"No," she said, surprising both of them with her firmness. A few moments later, her confidence faltered, and she mumbled, "You need rest. Go home and sleep."

Achintya looked at her, amused. "I'll be fine. This," he pointed to his body and then his head, "has been through worse."

But she had never seen him at his worst. Her heart ached at the sight of the dark circles under his eyes, the way his hair seemed tousled from running his hands through it too many times, and the light stubble on his cheeks.

"That might be true, but you still need rest. It's not healthy to push yourself this hard."

Achintya had always liked when she cared, but now he realized-he loved it. He loved the way she unconsciously stepped closer, reducing the distance between them to almost nothing.

"Can't you just do what I ask for once? It's not much, you know," she said, her voice softening. Emotional blackmail was a tactic she had perfected with her father, and she had no qualms using it now.

Achintya's dark eyes softened. There was so much he could do for her. Niyati didn't know it, but the hold she had on him was anything but ordinary.

"Alright," he said, his smile so wide it nearly split his face in two. "On one condition."

"Condition? What condition?"

"Don't look so scared. I won't sell your kidney-"

"I'm not scared!" she protested, but her anxious tone said otherwise.

"Sure." He smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction. "It's an easy favor."

"I'll be the judge of that. Just tell me," she urged, her patience wearing thin.

"Come out with me. Tomorrow." He'd wanted this for a while, to take her somewhere private, away from the eyes of the public she feared so much. A space that was just theirs.

Had he asked this under different circumstances, she would have rejected it outright. But now, in this moment, Achintya took his shot.

"Tomorrow? But-what if...?" Her mind raced. She wasn't against the idea-in Indore, she had been out with male friends plenty of times-but this was Begusarai. It wasn't the same. Her mother's warnings echoed in her mind. What he was asking for could lead to scandal. She had no idea what the consequences would be.

Sensing her dilemma, Achintya reassured her, "No one will see. No one will know. I promise."

Could she trust his promise? It was tempting, but the consequences...

Ignoring the loud warnings in her mind, Niyati let her heart take the lead. Before her rational mind could take control, she nodded.

___

Are you sure about that?"

"Hundred percent, Sahab, my information is spot on. I saw it with my own eyes. It was Achintya Chaudhary with a girl-"

Abhishek looked up from his phone at the portly man. "What's even new in that? She's probably just his latest prey-"

"It could be, Sahab. But the big news isn't that. The big news is Chaudhary Babu's scheduled meeting with her tomorrow. It's the perfect opportunity to move forward with our plan." Chintu greedily snatched the wad of cash Abhishek threw on the floor, shoving it hastily into his shirt.

Abhishek walked to the small locker in the room and pulled out a gun. As he examined the barrel, his thoughts drifted to the man whose chest he was planning to empty the whole clip into.

Achintya Chaudhary had become the biggest threat to his father's party in the election. Phoolan Chaudhary's influence was already strong throughout Bihar, and winning this election would be the cherry on top. But that win required taking down the rising star. And Achintya Chaudhary would be the perfect blow.

"Inform the men. A few are to follow that bastard and his whore, and the rest will come with me. No need for more than three-I'll personally end his suffering."

"And the girl?" Chintu asked, a greedy gleam in his eye. He and his cronies usually got the leftovers after Sahab had his way with them. He'd seen the girl from afar; she looked delicious. Beautiful face, soft skin, and that voluptuous figure hidden under her modest suit. But what made her most enticing was her obvious innocence.

"What about her?" Abhishek snorted. "She'll meet the same fate as her companion."

_

In the quiet of her room, Niyati admired herself in the mirror. The cream-colored suit was a gift from her father on her last birthday. She remembered how excited he'd been when she walked out wearing it and how much he'd praised her.

This piece of clothing was special. It was the only thing in which Niyati felt truly beautiful-because Laxman had always said so.

To honour the occasion, she had left her hair open, held together by a large clutcher-a temporary measure until she was out of her neighborhood's prying eyes.

She hadn't slept well last night, tossing and turning, thinking about today. Now that the day had arrived, she was getting cold feet.

Since the morning, an odd anxiety had churned in her gut-nerves, she tried to convince herself.

"Everything will be fine. Don't worry. You'll be with Achintya Chaudhary, so nothing can go wrong." She said this to her reflection in the mirror, applying lip balm before grabbing her bag. In her haste, she knocked over the ceramic pen holder on her desk.

Closing the door of her house behind her, she stepped into the world outside, not knowing how drastically her life was about to change.

__

Everything set?" Abhishek asked, his tone low and measured.

"Ji, Sahab. You said three, so I brought the three deadliest men," Chintu replied confidently.

Abhishek observed the trio. They were tall, muscular, and menacing. The first had a scar running from his chin to his right eye, the second, bald, bore a gnarly scar on his head, and the third had a nose so crooked it seemed to have been broken multiple times.

"Hm." Abhishek nodded, satisfied with their appearance. "Chintu, stay back and make sure my father doesn't hear about this."

Afterall, Abhishek's father, for all his political clout, feared the wrath of the Chaudhary family.

_

"What is this place?" Niyati asked, her voice filled with curiosity. The fort Achintya had brought her to was vacant, its walls aged and damaged, the surroundings empty and eerily silent.

The early morning light bathed the place in a golden hue, and she could hear the distant chorus of birds singing. "It's so peaceful."

"Hm," Achintya agreed, but his gaze wasn't on the scenery. His eyes were fixed on her, on the carefree smile that adorned her face. It was rare to see Niyati this relaxed, away from the judgmental eyes of society. For him, it was peaceful watching her be herself.

Niyati twirled in the open space, her laughter filling the air. Her hair, long and unbound, danced behind her. Achintya suddenly felt that maybe bringing her here wasn't the best idea.

The control he prided himself on was slipping bit by bit as he watched her. Her beauty, her vibrancy-it was overwhelming.

"How do you know this place?" she asked, spinning closer to him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"It's an old spot. A lover's place," he said with a smirk. "It's usually full of couples, but we're early, so it's empty."

"Oh..." Her expression dimmed slightly, a flicker of nervousness crossing her face. Achintya quickly reassured her, "Don't worry. We're far from the circle of your people. Even if someone saw us, they wouldn't know which family you belong to."

Relief washed over her, and Achintya couldn't help but notice how much she cared about appearances, about what people thought. But in this moment, she was different-free, unburdened by societal expectations.

How many layers did she have? And how long would it take for him to peel them away, to unravel every part of her until she was bare before him, heart and soul?

The thought gripped him. Achintya had never been one to share, and when it came to Niyati, she would be his-completely.

"Come, I want to show you something." He grabbed her wrist gently and led her behind him.

_

A few minutes later, they stood at the top of the fort's window, overlooking the entire city of Begusarai. The buildings, homes, and shops seemed small, almost insignificant against the vast sky and rising sun.

"It's beautiful," Niyati whispered, her eyes wide with wonder. Achintya stood just behind her, still holding her wrist. She turned to look at him, finding his gaze already fixed on her face. Her cheeks flushed under his intense stare, the sun casting a golden glow on them both.

"It is," he said, though he wasn't referring to the view.

In an instant, he pulled her into his arms, his lips crashing against hers with fierce intensity. His hands gripped her waist, possessive and demanding.

When he finally pulled away, she was breathless, her body trembling in his hold. He rested his forehead against hers, his breath mingling with hers as they stood there in silence.

"I've wanted to do that since the moment I first saw you," he murmured, his voice low and husky.

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, the world around them forgotten. Time seemed to stand still.

Achintya eventually loosened his grip, gently guiding her to sit on the windowsill. Kneeling in front of her, he took her hand in his. "Look at me," he demanded softly.

"I won't do that again unless you want me to," he promised. He wouldn't admit how hard it was for him to control himself around her, how his desires threatened to overpower his reason. But he would wait. Time would tell her..and that time will be the right time to unravel himself.

_

"How's the campaign going?" Niyati asked later, as they sat on the edge of the windowsill, quietly enjoying the morning together. The end of their time together loomed over them, though neither wanted to acknowledge it.

Achintya tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, cupping her face. "Why the sudden change of topic?"

Niyati felt it wasn't sudden. He had asked her so much about her life, her past. It was only fair she ask in return.

"I want to know more about you, too," she said, her voice soft. "About the people in your life, those who were-are-important."

"Oh, just my family and a few friends from the city," he said casually. "My line of work doesn't really allow for friendships. But enemies? I've got plenty of those."

Niyati smiled, but her curiosity was piqued. Achintya was a smart man, always dodging the deeper questions she asked. And yet, she couldn't help but be intrigued by what little he did reveal.

"We're a powerful family, Niyati," he continued, his tone darkening. "I'm sure you've heard the rumors about us. Men love power. It fuels them, drives them. My father built his empire on the blood of his enemies, earning the title of Bahubali. And we won't let that sacrifice go to waste."

A chill ran down Niyati's spine as he spoke, his words filled with a detached, almost casual cruelty. He talked about life and death as though it were a game, and she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that crept over her.

Achintya noticed her reaction. She was stiff against him now, the weight of his words settling heavily on her. But he wasn't worried. She would come to understand, in time, that this was the world she was stepping into.

"Did I scare you?" he asked, his voice teasing. "Don't worry. I'm not strangling anyone today."

Niyati forced a nervous laugh. "I'm not scared. But... maybe we should go. It's getting late, and if anyone sees us, I'll be in trouble."

Achintya smirked, but he complied. He reached out his hand to help her down from the windowsill. She hesitated for a moment before taking it, her grip tight and uncertain.

As they left the fort behind, the bubble of time they'd stolen for themselves burst, and reality came crashing back.

_

"Sahab, that's Chaudhary's jeep," Chintu whispered. "He must be inside."

Abhishek checked his pistol one last time, then slid it into the holster at his side. "Let's go. We've given him enough time to say goodbye to his whore."

The five men moved toward the fort, silent and deadly. Abhishek carried a sharp knife with him, though he doubted he would need it. Achintya was outnumbered. It would be far more satisfying to watch him suffer slowly.

__

Achintya sensed something was wrong the moment the door creaked open, revealing five men. Two of them grinned like maniacs, while the other three looked as lifeless and clumsy as poorly sculpted statues. The kind a five-year-old might carve.

"Ah, look boys, who's joined us... Achintya Chaudhary," Abhishek taunted, striding forward with his clowns in tow.

Achintya quickly pushed Niyati behind him, positioning himself to keep her out of their sight.

Pp These fools had come here to die by his hands-fine by him. After all, it was his duty to help these creatures unite with God. But Niyati's presence complicated things. He had to send her away, away from the carnage that would soon unfold. He couldn't taint her eyes this soon.

"More like you stalked me and showed up here," Achintya snorted, eyeing his opponents. He could easily take down the three men Abhishek was foolishly overconfident in. They were unarmed, relying solely on their skills. Idiots. Bloody idiots.

His attention shifted briefly to the short, portly man. Achintya imagined crushing his skull, plucking his rotten teeth out one by one, and letting him howl in pain. He'd grant the man death, but only after he begged for it. Especially since that fool had dared to look at Niyati, the one person he had no right to even glance at.

"What's the difference, Chaudhary? We're here now." Abhishek shrugged, too calm for someone walking toward his own doom. "Oh, did we interrupt something? I hope so. But you were leaving, weren't you? Looks like you already had your fun."

"Maybe I did. Doesn't mean I can't have more." Achintya smirked, but his mind raced. He had to get Niyati out of here soon. She was trembling behind him, her hands clutching his shirt. Even if she couldn't see, she could feel the animosity thickening in the air. "I'll have fun breaking your bones, trust me."

Abhishek laughed. "Look around you. You're outnumbered-"

"It's sheep who need a herd, bastard. I, alone, am enough for you and your clowns."

A vein pulsed dangerously on Abhishek's forehead. His teeth clenched as rage shook him. "Still arrogant as ever. Let's see if that attitude remains intact when you're begging for your life-"

"Oh, it will. But tell me one thing... does your father know about this suicide mission?"

"Don't you dare bring him into this!" Abhishek shouted, confirming what Achintya had already suspected. Kulbhushan Prasad had no idea about his son's reckless plan. It wouldn't matter much, though. The grief of losing a son would hit Prasad harder than losing the alliance with the Chaudharys.

"Don't you dare involve my father, you dog! He might fear you, but I don't. When I kill you, I'll be the one laughing over your corpse. And hers-"

Achintya's punch landed before Abhishek could finish his sentence, shattering bone with a sickening crunch. Abhishek howled, clutching his nose as blood spilled between his fingers. Niyati stifled a scream, her eyes wide with shock.

The short man tried to pull Abhishek away, but Achintya was already moving. He dodged a punch from the man with the scarred face and kicked the bald one square in the collarbone, sending him crumpling with a scream.

The ugly-nosed man lunged at Achintya, landing a hit to his abdomen, but Achintya quickly retaliated. He caught the next punch mid-air, pushed the attacker away, and slammed the ugly-nosed man's head against the stone wall, dragging it before throwing him to the floor.

The ugly-nosed man lay unconscious as Achintya dusted off his shirt. "Don't mess with my clothes. They cost more than your worthless life." He turned to the last remaining man. "Come on, I don't have all day."

A minute later, Abhishek stood frozen, watching his handpicked men sprawled on the floor. Only the bald one remained conscious, barely. The waves of confidence Abhishek had felt earlier vanished, replaced by icy fear as Achintya strode toward him, murder gleaming in his eyes.

Abhishek braced for the blow, eyes clenched shut, but instead, it was Chintu who screamed. "Sahab! Sahab! Let me go! I didn't do anything!"

"Oh, I know what you did," Achintya growled, tightening his grip on Chintu's throat. "I'm just admiring your eyes."

Chintu's face turned purple, hands scrambling to free himself from the chokehold. "Let's see if they'll still look beautiful as the life drains out of you."

Achintya loosened his grip just enough to flip Chintu around, pinning him with an elbow. "Look," he hissed, forcing Chintu to face Niyati. "There she is. You don't have to sneak glances anymore."

Chintu's eyes widened as they locked onto her. In that moment, he thought dying while seeing her face wouldn't be so bad. A single tear slid down her wheatish skin, sparkling like a diamond in the sun.

"Fucking bastard," Achintya muttered before smashing Chintu's head against the wall. With a sickening thud, Chintu crumpled to the ground, unmoving. Achintya spat on him, wiping his bloodied hands on Chintu's shirt before kicking him for good measure. "You made my hands dirty."

He turned back to Abhishek, who whimpered as Achintya approached. "Don't run away," Achintya said mockingly. "You're not dying-not yet. I've got better plans for you."

But then his eyes met Niyati's. She stood exactly where he'd left her, trembling, fragile. The rage inside him dimmed just a bit. Her eyes, wide with fear, scanned the carnage around her before locking onto his. A sob escaped her lips as he opened his arms.

Niyati ran to him, wrapping herself tightly around him. Achintya pulled her close, his sturdy arms encircling her. She trembled against him, and he guided her head to rest against his shoulder, shielding her from the sight of the bodies littered around them.

"Relax," he murmured. "I promised I wouldn't kill anyone in front of you."

Abhishek watched them walk away, Achintya acting like an unbothered king, his only concern being the girl clinging to him. The one who had caused him to lose control and break Abhishek's nose. The one for whom he spared him from immediate death.

But who was she?

She didn't seem to come from an influential family. Her clothes were plain, and she wasn't adorned with any expensive jewelry. She was beautiful, undeniably so, and innocent-her reactions to the violence made that clear. Yet, she must be something else. What kind of "respectable" girl would come to a secluded place with a man?

In the end, Abhishek decided she must be some low-life vermin who had caught Chaudhary's eye. But why her?

His hand brushed the knife he had hidden this whole time. He hadn't used it earlier, fearing Achintya's wrath. But now... now was the perfect moment, while Achintya was distracted.

_

Achintya shoved Niyati aside just in time as Abhishek lunged forward, the knife plunging into his shoulder. Niyati screamed, and Abhishek laughed maniacally. "I got you! Now I'll take that slut with me-"

Achintya spun, eyes blazing with fury. "You'll take her when I let you live."

With a swift, brutal punch, Achintya sent Abhishek crashing to the ground, his head lolling to the side.

Niyati rushed toward Achintya, but he raised a hand to stop her. "Don't come near me. I'm bleeding, and I don't want to ruin your clothes."

He pulled out a handkerchief, pressing it against his wound to slow the bleeding. The pain was sharp, but he knew he couldn't show it. If he did, Niyati might faint-she already looked pale as a ghost.

"Sit," he ordered. "I'll drop you near the college." But Niyati stood frozen, unable to move.

"NIYATI!" he barked, snapping her out of her daze as he barked in the phone "-Yeah, lover's spot fort. Send someone. I want that bastard alive when I get home."

She climbed into the jeep behind him, and they drove away, leaving the blood and broken bodies behind.

___

Uff..

.

.

First of all, apology to all for being M.I.A all this time without any notice ; a member of my family was in the bad place + I had my semester papers too.

.

.

But I'll try to be as active as I can from now.

.

.

The next chapter Vijay and Niyati will meet- who's excited..

.

.

Like || comments || follow