Abhimaan pressed the security code and entered with her. Both were silent during the whole ride - their minds blaring with too many questions.

Suddenly, the environment had changed into one of awkwardness. He could see her flushed face and the way she was avoiding any eye contact with him. He cleared his throat to gain her attention.

"Umm… You should change into something comfortable." He said pointing to her wet clothes, she nodded meekly and walked to her room.

He thought of accompanying her to her room and took some steps but stopped himself and watched her retreating frame.

He too went to his room to change his clothes, as the wet clothes began to bother him. He was cursing the rain - he hated rainfalls.

He couldn't remember when was the last time he voluntarily got drenched in the rain. But now he was standing there - soaked in the rain from head to toe. He groaned looking at his condition.

He changed into his comfortable trousers and t-shirt and picked his phone to call his secretary. He told him to take care of the situation regarding the paparazzi. He didn't want a single piece of news to get viral.

"Don't worry sir, I'll take care of everything." His secretary replied to him. That's exactly what he was expecting.

"Not a single stain on the company's name, understood?" He disconnected the call and tossed the phone on the couch. Call it his selfishness or whatever but for him, his name - his family's and the company's name mattered a lot.

Perhaps he didn't want to accept that he was doing this for her, in the guise of protecting his name. Also, his family should be unaware of all these. He knew how much his family got attached to Samaira in this short period. The news would hurt them, especially his mother.

He went out to the kitchen to get something, as he hadn't eaten anything since afternoon. He found the food but he didn't feel like heating it and all. So, he just took out the pack of juice and poured it for himself. His mind immediately reminded him of Samaira.

"Did she eat anything?

I should ask her too."

He took another glass and poured some juice for her too. Soon, he went to her room after drinking his glass of juice. He knocked on her room 2-3 times but didn't get any answer. Her vulnerable state flashed in front of his eyes.

"I hope she is fine."

"She has gone through so much today, she must be feeling very weak both mentally and physically."

"I shouldn't have left her alone."

He walked inside hurriedly while his gaze scurried around the room. He found his coat with which he covered her on the couch. The whole room was so tidy with a sweet fragrance floating in the air. He found the smell familiar - it was her smell. Soon he heard the sound of running water coming from the washroom, making him sigh in relief.

"Damn!"

"This girl!!"

"What 'This Girl'? It was you who panicked unnecessarily. She has nothing to do with this."

He rebuked himself.

My heart was still thumping loudly. I was still so scared. I could still feel those touches, his face and his vulgar words which were making me feel dirty.

After coming to my room I hurriedly went to the washroom, to remove that slimy feeling from my body. I just stood under the cold shower. My eyes were flowing with tears of pain and humiliation, finally blending with the cold water.

I wanted to cry.

I still couldn't believe what happened, or what could've happened to me.

I didn't do anything wrong. I just followed my professor's order like a good student.

Was it my fault?

I almost gave up in front of that monster.

But he came.

Abhimaan came to my rescue. He saved me from him. When he held me tightly in his strong arm, I immediately felt safe. His words, his strong arms made me feel alive again.

He listened to me. He kept on holding me. He waited for me. He did everything today - for me. He was my saviour today and I wouldn't forget this. Ever.

Most importantly, he trusted me. I never thought that anyone would believe me over that person, but Abhimaan believed me.

"I believe you"

His words were ringing in my ears. I felt the warmth in my heart.

His kisses.

I breathed in his cologne.

I felt like the safest person in the world.

I cried my heart out. After some time, when I couldn't cry anymore I turned off the water and wiped my body dry. I wore my nightwear and came out only to be surprised again.

......

Samaira found Abhimaan sitting on her bed, scrolling something in his phone. He looked up sensing her presence and got up. She looked down to avert his intense gaze on her - their kiss was playing in her mind.

He saw her wet hair, still dripping with some water. Her soft lips, which he had just tasted.

Her bruised cheek, he clenched his jaws.

She looked up after some time, and he met with her red, puffy eyes. Her pale face.

She was crying!!

"You were crying?" He questioned her but it sounded like an accusation to her. She didn't reply to him.

He averted his eyes for a brief second before speaking again.

"I told you not to cry. Then why the hell were you crying??" He raised his voice, making her shiver. Her lips began to tremble and her face clouded as if she was about to cry again, tears formed in her eyes.

He regretted immediately seeing her face.

"No... no... no. I didn't mean to... I... please..." He went closer to her. He couldn't see her crying again but at the same time, he was an asshole - no doubt, who didn't know how to behave calmly.

"Please, I'm sorry." He said. She looked at him with a strange expression. His face showed helplessness.

Please?!!

Sorry?!!

"Behave Abhimaan." He scolded himself.

"I... I... will not... cry... again..." She said looking into his eyes.

"Hm... Good." He said, straightening his posture. They looked around them awkwardly. She was gulping her dry throat and realized she needed water.

She looked towards the table and found a glass of juice, which was not there before. She looked back at him.

"I brought this for you. You need it." He answered her unsaid question and she just nodded in reply.

"Drink it." He forwarded the glass to her. She took it, their fingers touched a little, startling her. She parted her lips in a gasp.

His eyes were on her lips. He looked away. He kept his hands in his pocket.

"Control your perverted mind!!"

She put the glass back after drinking it. Hell!! She was hungry. He was still there and both were confused.

He watched her. Her face screamed of innocence. He didn't know when he started to smile but composed himself quickly.

"Come..." He said, forwarding his hand to her. She looked at him first, then at his hand. She put her hand in his, feeling his touch.

He smiled a little. He made her lie on the bed and covered her with the sheets. He caressed her cheek with his thumb a little. Her breath hitched. Both were looking at each other, he looked down to her lips. She matched his intense gaze, feeling a little conscious now.

"Is he going to kiss me again??"

He came closer and kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes, feeling content all of sudden.

"Sleep well and don't cry," he said. This time his voice was gentle, calm and showing warmth for her. She nodded.

"Please don't go"

Her heart screamed instantly at losing his warmth. He switched off the lights and closed the door behind him.

She kept on looking at his retreating figure with her longing eyes. She felt like going back to the darkness. She picked up her parent's picture from the nightstand and held it to her chest tightly.

Long teardrops managed to escape her eyes but she wiped them up. "Don't cry again." His voice stopped her from crying. She closed her eyes after some time.

Abhimaan came to his room and instantly collapsed on his comfortable bed. He sighed. His back was aching a little. He lied down, keeping an arm under his head. He kept on looking towards the ceiling.

Memories of the incident that took place a few hours ago haunted him. He saw her in a vulnerable state. It was only after watching her break down into pieces that he realized he would never want to see her like this ever.

He realized he didn't like her crying. Her tears were doing something to him. Her painful whisper was making him restless.

The way she broke down in his arms was so agonizing for him. How she was trembling all the time!

"I will protect her."

He said to himself with determination.

He thought about the kiss, about her touch. How she shivered when he was close to her. Her soft lips... He smiled but the very next moment his smile vanished and he got up with a jerk.

"I KISSED her!"

"Fuck!!"

"I took advantage of her vulnerable state."

"Oh please!! Like you didn't enjoy kissing her!" said a voice within him.

"Of course I liked it. It was an extremely unique feeling. So good, so perfect! But I shouldn't have done it. I'm not that kind of person who takes advantage of someone's vulnerability." He groaned.

"What will she think of me now??"

"I need to apologize to her about the kiss." He thought, lying down once again.