ARJUN'S POV :

Neha inhaled deeply and prepared herself to put into words. Now I am feeling anxious. What could it be that she is getting nervous to express?

I am patiently focusing on her to speak. What Manvika might have faced in the past is making me restless. It's almost evening, the bustling of patients has reduced.

Some staff are returning to their homes and the doctor is still treating my baby. Each passing minute is like an hour. Neha and I are waiting for the doctor to come out.

Neha started to reveal Manvika's past.

“ Her nightmare, misery, tragedy that b*stard, motherfcvker Prashant walia. It was three years ago. When she returned home after our 11th grade exams.

After her heart was broken by listening to her bhabhi's conversation with her mother she reduced her visits to home. Even I didn't stress over anything about her to voice out.

But after the holidays, returning from her home she was abnormal. The charm and happy vibes she carried with her were replaced with gloominess, distress.

Most of the time she will be zoning out, often tears will flow without her notice. This bothered me alot. I couldn't look at her in that condition. But I can't invade her privacy or pressure her.

I tried to cheer her up and make her normal but things got even worse. She wouldn't sleep or eat anything.

One night when we were sleeping all of sudden she woke up crying badly and sweating by repeating the same thing. ‘PLEASE DON'T DO ANYTHING. PLEASE.’

This literally scared me about what she is horrifying. I calmed her, it worked to some extent. She clung to me like her life depended on me.

After sedating her I tried to ask the reason because looking at terror I should know the reason to help her. Pacifying her a lot, she prepared herself to confess her problem.

When she went to her home everything was normal and ok. Her brother's friends used to come to her house. But she never paid attention to them.

Mostly she stays in her room. One day her parents were out of the station to relatives' house and her Bhai, bhabhi went to their respective works.

When someone knocked on the door she opened it. It is her brother's friend Prashant. She said that her brother was not home yet. But he insisted on waiting until he was back.

With hesitation she allowed him in. As she cannot leave him alone, she sat in the living room along with him. It was awkward for her but she patiently sat there.

He started to shift close to her , she sensed something was fishy and tried to maintain the distance. All of sudden he grabbed her hand and yanked her towards him.

She was horrified by his act. Started to struggle to come out of his hold. He was strong compared to her figure so she couldn't free herself.

Further he started to lean to her by clutching her hands tightly and weighing his body on her.She was sobbing and trying her best to get out of his hold.

No Arjun I can't say further. Even remembering what she went through makes my heart break. She is such an innocent soul to get tormented that way.”

Neha stopped in the middle, sobbing and tears drenching her face. If she is feeling this way, what might my baby have gone through?

No I want to know completely about her past only that can afflict extreme pain to that b*tch. My vengeance, retribution are firing and burning for that mother f*cker to grieve in pain.

I insisted Neha to continue with a straight face. There were no emotions except the rage. After pausing a minute she continued.

“ He tore her top, she left only in her bra and tried to force her. When she resisted he slapped her multiple times and her lips started to bleed. He tried to touch her abusively.

She was screaming and crying for help but no one came to rescue her. His assault continued. But she had to save herself, so using her whole strength she pushed him from her. Hurriedly Ran to her room and locked the door.

That b*stard fearing Manvika complaining against him, so he filmed her while changing her clothes through the window in the past. He used that video against her.

Blackmailed her ,by threatening that he would post it on websites. Due to her bad relationship with her family she couldn't disclose this to anyone. From then he started to threaten and blackmail her.

She was shivering even remembering that incident. When she showed the marks which were given by that r*gue tears were not stopping.

All her neck and chest had teeth marks, bite marks, nail scratches and dark red purple marks. I cursed myself for not noticing them. All the while she was hiding those marks.

I insisted, she complained against that moron but she was scared to do that. Her mental health was deteriorating each passing day. She may slip into depression.So my brother and I took her to Dr. Shalini, my bhai's friend. As we both were minors , my Bhai helped.

Dr. Shalini was so attentive and treated her. She prescribed her antidepressants. Regularly she is taking therapy and overcoming her trauma. But I didn't know he was behind her.

I can't even imagine what a 17 year old girl underwent through that phase. For every girl her self respect is her pride. But when someone tries to malign that no one stands with her, support her.

This was the reason for my outburst on that day Arjun. I thought that she would face the same thing all over again. So I want to protect her.

Arjun I am trusting Manvika with you, never hurt her. She has suffered enough in her just 20 years of life. She never shared her pain, sufferings with anyone.

I am believing you so I have disclosed her past to you. Never imagine even harming her.”

Neha said about her past. Tears were threatening to slip any moment. My nails were digging into my skin, breath was heavy, anger and heart aching were the only emotions I am feeling right now.

I turned to Neha ,she was wiping her tears and closing her eyes.

“Neha, I promise you that I won't make her shed a single drop of tears and make the happiest girl. And definitely I will avenge my wife's agony. Prashant has to pay for his sins.”

I assured her. Her face filled with rage at the mention of his name.

“Arjun, I can feel that you are not sunshine that you appear but a whole dark night. I am not a saint. I want Prashant to rot in hell. Make him suffer.”

I was taken back with her words but I am going to be the whole dark shadow which is going to swallow prashant. I nodded to her words.

At the same time the doctor came and both rushed to her to know about Manvika.

“Doctor, how is she?” I asked her with edginess.

“She is fine. Her vitals are normal and take care not to trigger her panic attacks in future. She needs to continue therapy. She can discharge at night.”

This time she explained calmly unlike last time. Neha and I broke into Manvika's room.

Just looking at her pale face and body lying without any movement made my heart clench. Drips, IVs were attached to her hands and a clip is attached to her index finger to monitor her vitals.

Oxygen mask is arranged for her breathing. She was smiling and laughing this morning but now she is lying in a hospital bed.

Manvika, I promise you with my life that whoever, whatever it may be, I am going to protect you. No one can escape from me.

Neha was sitting on a chair beside her and I went to make a call.

I called Gaurav and asked him to get the call recording of Manvika's last call. Told him to trace that b*stard Prashant location. Gaurav never questions back but does the work on the special demands.

When I disconnected the call maa was calling me. I hesitate a little to answer her but cannot ignore the call.

“Hello maa”

“Arjun, where are you? Are you at home? Manvika is not lifting the call so I called you.” tense laced in maa voice.

“Maa I am not at home and Manvika is in hospital.” I cannot hide this because Manvika needs maa help. As I can't call her family so at least with my family I can share.

“WHAT HAPPENED TO HER? IN WHICH HOSPITAL SHE IS?” Maa panicked just by listening.

“Maa calm down, she is fine. Due to stress she fell unconscious. Everything is ok.We are coming home tonight.” I assured her hiding the main details.

And disconnected the call and went back to my baby.

“Neha thankyou for helping and disclosing her past. I think you should go back to the hostel. I will take care of her.” I asked Neha.

“ No mention it's my responsibility to care for my sweetheart. I will visit her tomorrow.” Neha left.

I am sitting beside Manvika by holding her hand gently so as not to hurt her. After a while I felt movements in her hand. She is gaining her consciousness.

*****