015

The moon was high in the sky illuminating in the darkness, its pearly glow falling, lightning the earth. Under that moonlight stood a couple, hidden from the cruel eyes of the spectors, their terms and conditions and the expectations of the society.

In the fear someone peeked out of their window and saw them, Niyati made Achintya park his bike on the outskirt corner hidden behind the aboanded and silent park.

They sit there together on the cold bench with Achintya arms and jacket protecting her from the chilled winds. The warmth cocooning the young couple as they hold the hands, him stroking her palm with his thumb.

"Well what were you thinking? Throwing pebbles on the window? What if you were mistaken and it was my mother who peeked out?"

"I wasn't thinking, actually." He drawls. It was his instincts guiding him, screaming to be with her. To see what Gayatri meant? Of how she manages to get hurt in the short period of being standing infront of the gate with her friends to the end of the college. It was hardly 5 hours of the gap inbetween those two periods. "I wanted to see you and so I came."

"And how you were sure that you are knocking the right door?"

"I had a hunch." It was true. Partly. When he went infront of the house, he saw two windows ponting towards him and yet he was sure in his heart that it was the left one that is her. It sounds stupid even in his own head, so it would be better to not tell her that.

"And your hunch usually are correct?"

"Most of the time, Yes. Papa says I inherited this from him."

"Tell me about them. About your family?" It is the fact that Niyati is involved with a Chaudhary and still holds no knowledge about them that is weird to her. In between everyone, she only have liked Abhay till now and only because the child was too innocent to understand the concept of power and status.

Otherwise, Durga Devi however respectful towards them were, still holds the superiority in the way she talks and Raghuveer looks at her. Gayatri too was like that, in the college she tried few times to be on the coridal bases with her but the girl looked at everyone like they are beneath her. Other than those two, she hardly has interacted with others.

"Who you want to know?"

She didn't need to think about that and instantly said, "your mother. How was she?"

A smile grazes his lips and Niyati was sure that it was unintentional, like even thinking about his mother is enough for him to lighten up his mood. "She is the best mother one could ever wish for. Sweet, caring, gentle and patient. She was the only one infront of whose Papa ever bowed his head. She was everyone's favourite from the elder staffs of the home to the relatives of ours to the town's people, everynody respected and loved Mala Chaudhary. "

"She sounds lovely." She commented hearing his words. How it would be, if she was alive and Niyati got the chance to meet her.

"She was. Extremely lovely and kind. She treated everyone same regardless of their status and wealth. The twelve years I spent under her shades are the best moments of my life. She died in a accident, Papa, her and Guddi -she was only eight- went to this relative's wedding when one of our own betrayed us leaking the information to the enemy. "

A gasp left from her lips, tears filling her eyes just imagining what must have happened next.

"The car was attacked, luckily Papa holded those men untill the backup came but one of them sneaked from behind, pulled the trigger and to save him, my mother died. Papa lost his mind..and when Kaka reached there, the road was covered in the river of the blood."

"That was so tragic.." she whimpered. Coming infront of him and enveloping him in a hug. Staying like that for a few seconds he pulled her towards him making her sit on his lap sideway and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

How wonderful it is, when somehow the pain that belongs to the other becomes yours so much so that you felt it as it is your own. "She didn't deserved that. She..she sounded so..why it happened to her!"

Patting her head he holds her to him, hand rubbing her back as from the other he bring a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Sometimes things happen and we holds no control over them."

"But still..it is just so.. do you know who it was? The friend who turns out to be the foe?" She inquired dabbing her eyes.

"Unfortunately no. Papa wiped off everyone involved behind the attack, hunting each and every one of them from the hole of the hell but all they knew was that, it was an annonymous tip given by a phone call. The number belonged to a PCO that was destroyed few days later. "

"Who would have done something like that? What they would have gained killing three lives, two of them belonged to the innocents. " Shaking her head Niyati thought of just how much disgusting it all was. The children loosing their mother because of the rivalry, Gayatri was such a small child at that time what type of the misery she would have to gone through.

"Many people." He replied, it was time she understands few laws of his world. At first, he simply wanted to be with her because of his infatuation but now that he gets to be with her and then to be separated, Achintya has realises one fact perfectly.

He, cannot even think of an another day of his life where he wouldn't see her and live. It does not matter whether with it was with him or just alone, but he has to have her infront of his eyes.

These days separated from her, her laugh, her warmth made him realise that. Just by thinking that it wouldn't be her smiling face he would see the first thing in the morning soured his mood, imagining to live the day without hearing her voice or the whines and the complains made his temper to rise crushing his heart.

No one has affected him this much that she has but Achintya wanted to be as affected as he can be, if the reason is her.

"In my world, an eye is for an eye Niyati. And I won't lie or sugarcote it for you but we, I, have gauged many eyes. The whole empire of ours is built on the blood and the bones of our enemy. We are not the good people neither we are the reasonable one. And now, you are part of this. Because being with me means entering the cut-throat world of ours. " Caressing her cheeks he bought her head lower, touching their foreheads together "and I'm sorry but I can not let you get out of there."

__

Niyati laid on her bed, eyes wide opened and duvet around her eyes blinking at the celling. He said so many things today, so many things are revealed infront of her.

Achintya swearing on his mother's to prove his words of not being involved with any other woman beside herself and "if you gives the consent, it will remain this way for our whole life" was enough to give her the whole damn zoo in her stomach. His sincerity worked like the balm on her burnt feeling.

Truth to be told, Niyati has long forgotten the reason behind breaking up with him whenever she would saw him. Her mother's words not completely wiped away from her mind -but the heart is treacherous thing. It want what it want.-

and deep in her heart she knows, knows that whatever that is between him and her could not be that easily broken off.

Didn't he said he wanted her to be the only woman in his life, if things go according to the plan her mother might one day actually get ready for the dreams Niyati has weaved for her and Achintya.

There would be the barrier of the caste, but she belives in him and his ways and when the right time will come he will definitely find a way to make her dreams come true.

The days she spent away from him were the most darkest days of her life and after that Niyati was sure, she would rather take hundred difficult days with him then one easy day without him. That thought is the one that promoted her to reconcile things with him. And also the fact that he came running to her the moment he know about her being injured, him respecting her wishes and not creating any drama on Shivangi's engagement despite being so angry with her, him treating his siblings with so much care and every small actions done by him..all of them are just the bonus factors in shaping her decision.

"You are mine." How easily he said that. With the confidence in his tone that shows how sure and serious he was about her. Burying her face under the duvet she covers her face with the pillow and squealed kicking her legs in the air.

"Dii..." Mitthu shrieked from the side tugging the duvet and only then the stilled Niyati breathed. She peeked at the log like figure of her sister and after making sure she was back in the wonderlands did she throw the duvet away from her body and standing up from the bed danced her heart out.

Everything is going fine. Will go fine. She has him and the light is back in her life.

__

The next morning, Niyati left the house running like the chicken. She overslept her alarm only waking up after her mother barged in the room and reminded her that the sun has graced the day and that college fees was not deposited so she can sleep peacefully in the morning.

She checked her watch, it was still early that no shops were open -she didn't even eat the breakfast- no vehicles were on the road and the streets were scant of the passersby.

She missed the one fair that run at this early in the morning but that too was 15 minutes away from the house and no matter how fast she will walk, she won't be able to reach there in time.

Mentally cursing herself for sleeping at the odd hours and not waking up with the alarm, she even left the house empty stomach which ensures an upcoming headache later and the prospect of sitting in the lectures without any food in her belly makes the day even more gloomy.

And just then the sun peeked out of those clouds, bringing the sunshine and Niyati smiled widely forgetting any gloom she was feeling a moment before. "Good morning."

He straighten up from the side of the jeep, raising his head from the cellphone. It felt like the deja vu, reminding her of the first time she saw him in the familiar setting , the last time they were like this together - not the right thing to think about.

The black coloured hoodie covering his eyes beneath the black leather jacket with the black trouser, it makes her breathe hitch and she stopped with a bit of the space between them. Thus this man ever looked bad in anything? Even though it was evident he didn't put much effort behind his appearance, she could clearly see the sleep clinging to his eyes and the bed nest of the hair under the hood which he still manages to pull off.

Seriously, thus this man ever looks bad in anything? It was the serious question, important for her sanity.

He gave her a look, she didn't move and so extending his hand he pulled her to him as she came easily staring in his eyes "morning Jaan" he peck a kiss on her forehead. "Now hurry up or you will be late for your class."

Is he..is he serious?

Seems like he was, because the next moment he pushed her gently and hop on the jeep while she stood there rooted on the floor, looking at him with her big almond eyes. "What? Hurry up..I need to drop you and leave. I am leaving early for the Bareli. Don't have much time today, sorry."

Nodding her head she sat beside him as he starts the jeep and they went along.

Over the loud thumping of her heart, she asked "why are you going to Bareli?"

"For some works. Don't worry I'll be back by the night." It reminded her off the time when he came hurrying from his trip to the Patna only because he wanted to see her. Reminder like these, just made her heart soar thinking how much this man actually care. "I won't miss the chance to see you first thing in the morning. "

Blushing, she turned her face away looking away to the horizon that passes. The sun was peeking behind the trees,the wind dancing with her tresses as she tucked a lonely strand behind her ear that escaped from her plait clutching the cream coloured sweater closer to her.

"Not when you looks like the ripe tomato just from my words-"

Mortified at his words and scarlet to her root she choose to ignore his teasing "if you are here, who will drop Gayatri?"

Smirking he looked at her, very much aware that she was changing the topic "that idiot isn't coming to the college. "

"Why?"

"Oh.. she has the stomach ache from eating too much from outside. " He shouldn't have given her the money..she is too much of an idiot who never know when to stop.

"Oh.." she nods her head turning away only to jerk back again slapping his arm "I completely forgot.. but Thankyou. "

"I know I'm awesome no need to thank me for that.." slapping his arm again she glared at him when he showed his teeth .

"I meant for the gift. The gift you gave to Shibu dii. It is so beautiful.. Kaki and Maa wouldn't stop singing praises of your family."

He already knows that. That is why he choose that one particular idol to gift. There is nothing better that showing people you care by gifting them something they respects the most. In the case of the Mishras, it was the idol. A strong base, he already kept it in front of the people he will one day need to be on his side.

"Whose choice it was?" She narrowed her eyes waiting for his response. Niyati has the hunch it was him..but still she needs the confirmation. "It was you, wasn't you?"

He nods his head just as the jeep stopped. "Your college." Why he has to drive at the fast speed? Niyati didn't really wanted to leave the safe heaven behind and enter the reality. "Go.. before someone see me with you. What they will think- stop it..keep your claws off."

She slapped him twice on the arm"Then keep your mouth shut. " and huffing left the Jeep only to heard his laugh and-

"I can't. Need some assistance in that..will you help?"

Blushing at his crude words -stopping her fluttering heart to not burst out of the ribcage- she walked away only to twirled around and found his grinning face above her "what? Leaving without the farewell?"

Not able to understand what he meant she was about to ask when he ducked down pressing his lips on her and then to back of both of her hands. "Bye. Try not to think too much of me and focus on your lectures."

Leaving her where she was  he walked away  backward, eyes fixed on her scarlet cheeks and the dusting of the pink around her neck hidden by the dupatta. Knowing very well, she definitely..wouldn't be able to focus anywhere but..on him.

Gaping at him she came out of the trance showing her fist to him she turned away making her way inside the college that was vacant of anyone but her and a sleepy looking guard.

Swearing to herself next time she saw him she will teach him a good lesson.

__

Just like that, the things turned on the right track. Back to the ways they were before that omnious day but now there were changes.

Changes in the form that Achintya was still his charming self except he now maintains a safe distance between himself and the other women no matter whether Niyati is present there or not.

A habit he included in his daily life.

That, Niyati still afraid of the eyes of the strangers now can get relaxed when he would bought her somewhere away from the Begusarai.

That she now waits for the morning, for him,  that she again start putting effort in how she dresses up even going to the parlour with Shivangi to get few things done.

"Why you cut your hair?" He asked two days later -Achintya was in the Lucknow- after her parlour appointment and Niyati looked at him in surprise. Hardly anyone noticed the cut, she told the lady very strictly to only removes the split ends and not touch the length.

"Uhmm...yeah." hesitated she touches his hand which he grasped easily bringing her to his chest. And how she spent those days away from him was now beyond her. Because, just spending two days without seeing him has done a number to her mood.

"Miss you." She mumbles in his chest finally now at peace with his arms around her.

The hold tighten, as with one Swift motion he hoisted her up on the hood of the jeep. Yelling she clutches his dark green hoodie "what-" for him to crush his lips on her. Like this she was at the perfect height that he didn't have to bend his neck much.

When they separated, she hit him on the chest.."why you always do this? Stop manhandling me all the time."

"Gain some weight then." He hugged her to himself as she huffs how she already is of sixty kilograms and trying to shed some weight off for Shivangi's wedding.

Closing her eyes, she stopped moving content to be where she was as she heard the chirping of the birds and from far the Ganga could be seen flowing serenly above the cliff. The cliff was even att more distance from the fort he usually take her to. Meaning even less chance of being seen by anyone since the area was empty of any beings in the early cold morning.

__

How much Achintya actually cares for her Niyati understands,

when sitting outside in the sunlight during the recess Asha came upon her like the thunder, eyes red and face sat in the hard expression gritting her teeth she pointed to her "you- are you happy now?"

"What's gotten in you now?" Niyati asked. Concerned for Asha's wellbeing, she has rarely seen Asha in the college in the last few days. Reecha and her both looked at one another to understand the reason behind Asha's outburst.

"Today is Mukesh's birthday." Asha hissed.

"Uh..happy birthday to him then,?" Niyati still was not understanding what that has to do with her.

"Keep your fake wishes to yourself. He do not need it. " Asha explained. "You know..how you looked down on him for being a simple mechanic, remember?"

"I never looked down on him, Asha. I have cleared this to you before, I don't know why you don't understands that. " Reecha nods her head in confirmation.

Wiping the tears from her face Asha stepped near the two girls glaring daggers at them "he lost his job. He lost his job because of you..on his birthday. It is all because of you." Saying that she stomped away from those two not wanting to see their faces ever again.

It was Niyati's fault. All of her fault. Her mother always reminded her that the words of the member of the priestly clan are actually powerful and could come true if said with enough force and energy. That they should always be treated with respect and no harms should be done to them.

The lord punishes Asha for hurting Niyati who is a Brahmin and then Niyati must have cursed her for this to happen. For Mukesh to be fired by his boss for no good reason.

She went to washroom trying her best to control her tears and not let anyone else see them. Many of the girls lives near her own home and words not take much time to spread around.

Asha will never forgive Niyati for what she has done, if everything went right..she would be with Mukesh on their trip and now here she was, alone locked behind the closed door of the washroom.

"I didn't do anything. Really..you belive me?" Niyati turned to Reecha for the girl to nod her head showing her support. Asha was being an idiot taking out her frustration on Niyati knowing she won't say anything to her.

"She is gone mad. Don't take her words to the heart. She will come around." If she has enough sense.

"But..why was she blaming me? I did nothing. I don't even know how Mukesh looks like let alone where he work or why he was fired. " Was Asha touched on the head. Or did she thought Niyati as the easy target?

She might not have said anything to her for the way she acted after hurting her -she was too busy with Achintya and his antiques- Niyati has thought that maybe after few day Asha will come back to her sense but things only turned worse.

But now.. she really has taken things way too far. "I..I won't take her attitude anymore."

Reecha only nodded her head, irritated at Asha for blaming Niyati for something she holds no connection with.

__

When they met next time - Niyati took the half day leave from the college as Achintya promised to bring her to the movie theatre to watch a movie he really liked.

Niyati let her concern out to him "..and I do not understand why she would blame me for all that."

She was hoping he would show her things she might have missed, -Achintya was very good at that, very meticulous- Niyati was feeling guilty after seeing Asha in so much pain, even though she knew she has done nothing wrong.

Asha stopped talking to both her and Reecha..she come to the college attends a class or two then spend rest of the time glued to her phone.

"Well she got the connection right but reasons wrong." She wiped her neck towards him trying to understand what he meant only for him to chew on the popcorn eyes fixed on the screen.

"What? What you meant by that?" Is..is what she's thinking true? Not it really can't be.. "Achintya explain."

"What's there to explain? She hurt you I hurt her back."

Gaping she looked at him this idiot.. taking the popcorn packet from his hand she turned to him pointing her finger on his chest she said angrily "there was no need for that.."

Catching her flying fists in one hand he assured "there was. She must understand it is not wise to hurt someone without expecting the punishment. "

"So you made Mukesh fired from his job on his birthday knowing how happy Asha was for that day?"

"Exactly." Patting her head he smiled. "you have gotten smart after staying in my company.."

"I was already smart even before meeting you, now I'm loosing my brain cells because of you." She huffed loudly deciding to ignore him for the rest of the movie.

The movie ended two hours later and with an irritated Achintya. Niyati was out of the door even before the credit rolled, "where you going?"

She didn't replied continued walking knowing he is following her along with many eyes following him. And she was not jealous of that, no. Why would she be..that man belongs to her but when she saw few young girls approaching him she turned and walked back to him grabbed his hand and pulled him with her.

After exact one minute she turned to him again, "why you are smirking?"

"Oh..I don't know. Maybe because I just saw my girlfriend being all possessive over me."

"I was saving those girls from you."

"I don't think they needed any safety from me Jaan, I wasn't even looking at them when my girlfriend was being all hot and possessive over me."Niyati groaned hearing his words  he really never plays fair knowing well enough that how that particularword affects her he still uses it at every given chance especially during their fight.

"I wasn't. " She announced entering a shop without any clue what it was about. Anywhere would be fine untill her red face turns back to normal.

Big mistake. Because it was an expensive looking jewellery shop, empty at the moment too because the moment she entered everyone's eyes were on her and she stopped in the middle.

Oh lord.. has she really lost all of her braincells?

"Welcome mam.. please this way.." a lovely lady wearing a red coloured saree came forward.

"Oh..no no.." she take a step back, her back colliding with something hard and without glancing back she knew who it was. The sales lady gave him the look one gives to the ascending God.

"I'm sorry. We entered the wrong shop." And taking her hand in his he swiftly turned back leaving a gaping staff behind and a mortified Niyati on his toe.

"Wasn't that Achintya Chaudhary? He looks even more handsome from up close." A female staff gushes as the door closes behind them.

"Didn't knew we came for the jewelry shopping-" teased Achintya. She really looked like the deer caught in the headlight in the shop.

"We are not. Even if I need to buy anything..I wouldn't come with you. Who know who will you mark as your next target.." taking her hand out of his grasp she went to the other side of the jeep and sat there.

Rolling her eyes at her Achintya started the engine. They stay silent towards the whole ride,the jeep stopped at the red light and instead of taking the left to the college it continued straight.

This road was unknown to her and as the sun was high in the sky not very much vacant of the people. It was hustling and bustling and they both were in the open Jeep and Achintya was the known face here. Oh lord, what he is doing now.

"Where we going? " She asked.

"Oh..so she talks." Taunting he shifted the gear the Jeep gaining the speed. "Thought you kept the maunvrat."

"You wish. Really where we are going?"

"To your home. No need to go the college I will drop you straight to your home."

Horrified at what he said she straighten up, the panic on her face visible "and what then? What I will tell everyone who will see you ? Oh no.. Achintya came to drop me because I spent the whole day with him."

"You can. I have no problem."

Glaring she said "I have. Stop the jeep right now. "

The tire skitted and with a halt stopped at the side of the road "what now? Us breaking up again-"

"No.." why he always found his way there. What she will do for him to forgive her "No.. I, when you will believe that I will never do something like that ever again?"

Sighing, he pinches the bridge of his nose. Why he always loose his temper with her so easily? He usually is better with others, is patient then why when it comes to her..his anger..his fear always manages to take over.

The whole truth, is his first instinct whenever it come to her.

"Nothing...sorry. I believe you no need to fuss about that."

She still looked unconvinced, expression pinched "why you are giving me the silent treatment?"

"Why you did that Achintya? Asha was being immature does not mean we all have to. And going as far as to fire someone from their job..you shouldn't have done that."

Snorting he started the engine again, "you would thank me Niyati after knowing the whole story."

"What story?"

"Well.. Mukesh the dearest has booked a room in the cheap motel for the birthday party and I think you are smart enough to understand what kind of party I meant. ."

What the hell?

What kind of man Asha is involved with? Renting a room in a motel? Niyati know she holds no ground to say anything in someone's relationship, maybe Asha wanted to cross that door maybe she not. Niyati was no one to decide that. But still, hearing the plan of the birthday Asha was so excited for, being this -something this disgusting- was not something she could easily digest.

It again bought the pointer back to him..and what he has anything to do with it? As far as she know Achintya is not a concerning person towards people he don't know and Asha was someone he wouldn't even know existed untill she told him.

"Still you holds no right -"

"I know. I am not a fan of doing charity. I told you before and because I don't like to repeat my words listen carefully, I hurt her because she hurted you. That's it. The story ended for me then and there."

Then and there.. that's it.. how he manages to always say to most brutal thing with the calmest face.

"You are impossible." Was the only thing she manages to say to him as his smirk widen.

__

Poor Asha.

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Fun fact :- still now in many place, men fears hurting people of the priestly clan because they think that will bought doom upon them .

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