Avi clenched his fist tightly after listening to Maya. He mentally noted each and every abusive word that Bastard threw at his bunny. He will definitely make sure that he and his sister face hell. He opened his mobile and messaged someone. He is damn possessive and protective of his loved ones. That day, he left Chytra as she was a girl, and he thought she would realise her mistakes and change her behaviour. But it looks as if she didn't learn from her mistakes. He noticed her behaviour on their engagement day, and he also heard her taking Arjun's name. Wasn't she the one who ditched Arjun on their engagement and put the blame on him? Now when he is happily moving on in his life, what the hell does she want again? Both the brother-sister duo had done enough damage in Arjun-Maya's lives. Now, he will make sure they pay for their mistakes.

And he is damn angry with his bunny. How dare she hide all these things from him? The only thing he hates about her is her selflessness. She thought about the relationship between the two families and hid this matter within her, but not her pain. And that bastard took advantage of that. He remembered Surya telling him that Vyshali had come to meet Arjun. Does she also know about her so-called brother's atrocities? From the time he had seen her on the hospital bed on Arjun's birthday, he had increased security around her and also changed her mobile number.

From the security head, he came to know that Vyshali and her mother Gowri visited their house yesterday. And nobody talked about their visit in front of him. He also came to know how her mother told everyone not to talk about their visit in front of him. But why? What are they trying to hide from him? There were so many questions running through his mind. And she can give answers to all those questions.

But above all these questions, a question was raised in his heart. Will he be able to forgive her? His heart and mind definitely need some space. His eyes pooled with tears, tears of anger and frustration. He felt angry with himself for not being able to protect her. He felt he had failed in protecting her. She was going through pain, and he didn't even know that. He was enjoying his life while she was in distress.

He was lost in his world of emotions while Maya continued saying her past, which was going to break him more.

"After that day, he never called me again. I made sure I had blocked him on all the social media platforms. But his words always haunted me, especially at night. I started getting nightmares again. And on top of that, that hostel environment made me feel worse. I didn't know how my classmates got to know about Rajesh's proposal. They used to tease me by shipping with his name. I used to feel disgusted whenever they used to do that. I told them many times that he was no one to me, but they didn't listen. I asked them how they got to know about him. Then one of my friends told me that they saw him when he came to meet me a few times near the hostel and college. Well, I knew that he came to meet me. I even received gifts, flowers, and chocolates in my name, but I neither received them nor met him. I used to return them and warn the watchman not to allow that man near the hostel premises.

Aashi suggested me to shift to her home. So I shifted to her home for a while. I became preoccupied with my studies and my part-time job. And also, me and Aashi together have a blog. I worked with our college literature club as an editor and interviewer. The Club used to publish weekly and monthly magazines. We used to take the interviews of aspiring people who excelled in their special talents despite the hardships they had faced. Like chefs, artists, photographers, singers, dancers, writers, sports people, etc. Actually, it was Aashi's idea. She proposed it in the first year, and it took almost one year for its approval. We were a team of ten people. We even used to volunteer for NGO's.

I won't lie, but I really enjoyed my graduation days. Even though it pricks me that I didn't get the opportunity to follow my dream, I'm happy because I wouldn't have met Aashi if I hadn't joined that college. Aashi and I used to cook together, have late-night ice-creams, and have movie nights. Aashi used to tease Surya and Pranav Anna the next day about it. They used to be grumpy that whole day, and to make it up to them, Aashi used to cook dinner for them that day. You know, she is the best cook, and she is best at cooking non-veg. I and Dadi used to team up and tease Dadu and Aashi. Surya and Pranav used to join us on the weekends. Sometimes Sravya and Arjun Anna used to visit us.

I won't deny I used to miss you a lot. Aashi used to scold me for being stubborn and irrational. Unknowingly, I fell deeply in love with you. My day used to start and end with your thoughts. Though I used to talk to you daily, I used to miss your presence. I used to pour down my feelings either in my diary or in the letters that never reached you.

After that day, he didn't bother me again. And even my life went smoothly. I'd completed my second year and successfully entered my third year. Once again, I started getting messages and calls from unknown numbers. I thought it would be better if I said this at home. So, I decided to tell Nanna and Amma and went home by taking leave. I didn't inform them that I was coming home as I thought to surprise them. I thought they would be happy to see me, but they scolded me for coming home by leaving my classes. I was scolded by them that I was becoming irresponsible. I told them that I wanted to tell them something important. But they didn't pay attention. I was there for three days, and in those three days I tried my best to tell them everything. They used to leave early and come in the evening. Even after coming home, they used to be busy. I asked Anna to come home with me as I was tense. On the day of my departure, they asked me what the matter was. I tried my best not to break down in front of them. I tried to tell them Avi, but they were both working while sitting in front of me on their respective laptops. I was disappointed. Don't they even have a single minute to spend time with their children?

I dropped the idea of telling them the truth by observing their behaviour and told them that I wanted to pursue an MBA. They didn't say anything, but just nodded their heads. I just left there disheartened. Sometimes I wonder whether they were the ones who pampered me to no extent and showered me with all their love when I was a kid or not.

When I went back to college, Aashi asked me if I had told my parents everything. When I told her what happened at home, she also got disheartened. Both of our situations are the same. We have parents who forget about their children while running behind their work. She consoled me and assured me everything would be okay. After that, one day I was not feeling well due to my periods. So I was resting in my room in the hostel due to the severe cramps. I was sleeping when I got a call from him. I didn't see the caller id due to drowsiness; otherwise I wouldn't have picked up the call.

Flashback:

Maya: Hello!

Rajesh: Hi, baby! Missing me.

Listening to his voice, Maya sat on the bed with a jerk. A slow whimper came from her mouth due to the pain.

Maya: What do you want, Rajesh? For God's sake, why don't you let me live peacefully? She said slowly.

She was tired. Tired of all his drama. She was drained both emotionally and physically. What wrong did she do to him that he was not letting her live her life peacefully?

Rajesh: Ayyo, baby. I want you. I want to spend my entire life with you. I want to taste those luscious and plumpy lips of yours. I want to touch every inch of your body. I want to hear your moans from that sexy voice of yours. I want to feel your naked skin. You don't know how much I have been craving to see you under me. Before he could continue further, she shouted at the top of her voice.

Maya: Stop! Just stop it, Rajesh. Tears started to flow from her eyes. She started getting flashes of that fatal day when she was molested by her senior. Her body started to shudder at the thought of that day.

Rajesh: Arey! What happened? Don't worry, I will make you feel like heaven when I make love to you. I will be better than Surya and Pranav. And stop acting all innocent, baby. I know you are also like all those whores who will sleep around with anyone for money. A characterless bitch.

Here Maya's head started to spin due to the stress. She clutched the bedpost tightly in her fist. She felt disgusted while listening to him. Her body became cool and her hands started to shiver. She stood up to grab the water bottle from the table near her bed. Her mobile slipped from her hand. Her eyes became blurred. She shut her eyes and opened them. She reached the table and stood by taking its support. She started to feel dizzy and then collapsed on the floor.

Her roommates, who came to the room during the lunch break, saw her lying lifelessly on the floor. They were shocked to see her like that. They immediately called the warden of the hostel and admitted her to the hospital and informed Aashi about the same.

Aashi, Surya, and Pranav reached the hospital. Aashi and Pranav sat beside her bed on the stools while Surya was talking to the doctor. They looked at her pale face. Their hearts were pained by looking at her. They noticed her shivering and mumbling something.Aashi went near her and heard her say, "I'm not characterless. Please leave me. Ah!" Aashi's eyes pooled with tears from seeing her best friend's condition. She shook Maya. Suddenly, Maya sat up on the bed with a jerk. She looked around and saw herself on the hospital bed. She saw Aashi and Pranav looking at her tensely. She started to behave hysterically and pushed all the things on the table beside her bed. She shouted at them and asked them to get out. She pulled the IV harshly from her hand. She hugged her knees tightly and placed her head on her knees and started to cry loudly. Her body started to quiver and within a while she again collapsed on the bed. They immediately went to call the doctor.

Aashi, Surya, and Pranav's hearts broke by looking at her. Aashi hugged Pranav tightly and cried in his arms, seeing her bestie's condition. They didn't expect such a reaction from her.

Aashi: What happened, doctor? Is she fine?

The doctor: She is not. She got a panic attack, and to be frank, she is weak both physically and emotionally. I didn't know what happened dear, but by looking at her I can say that she is in trauma. She is depressed about something, and please make sure the environment around her is positive. Keep her away from the things that trigger her mind. And her blood pressure is too low. Make sure that she eats properly.

Aashi nodded her head.

Doctor: Do you know anything about her past health records?

Aashi: Yes, doctor.

She looked at Surya. And Surya told the doctor everything that he knew. The doctor went away after prescribing some medicines and giving some suggestions.

Aashi: Surya, please inform Arjun bhai.

Surya nodded his head and went to call Arjun. They went in and sat beside her. Aashi caressed Maya's hair and kissed her forehead.

Aashi: What must have happened for her to have a panic attack? She asked, voicing her thoughts.

Surya and Pranav sat there, lost in their thoughts.

Pranav: Did he call or message her? Guys, I think it's related to him. Didn't you listen to the doctor? He said something had happened that engendered her past memories. So, I guess that idiot must have said something that triggered her.

Surya: Where is her mobile?

Aashi: It must be in the hostel. Pranav, you go to the hostel. I'll call her roommate and tell her to give it to you.

Pranav nodded his head and moved out.

"I was unconscious for a day. The moment I opened my eyes, I saw Arjun Anna, Surya, Pranav Anna, and Aashi looking at me with concern. I was discharged that day, and Arjun Anna took me to his home. Janu maa and Babai (uncle/chachu) became concerned when they noticed how weak and pale I was.Anna and I told them not to worry and also told them not to inform my parents. I thought they would ask me why. But they never spoke a word. They took care of me like a kid. Vansh and Varsha were small babies then. Janu maa used to feed me daily. One day, Anna took me to Anitha aunty. He told Aunty about Rajesh and my panic attacks. Aunty told me to take treatment as she already knew my past. I agreed because I felt it was necessary for me. During that time, I got to know about dyspnea. I used to feel difficulty in breathing at a point of time."

Avi looked at her worriedly. While listening to Maya, he felt as if he was listening to a person whom he had never known. He was really hurt and didn't even understand what to say. By looking at him, Maya understood he was way more hurt than she expected. She sighed. She knew it was her fault, and she was ready to bear any punishment.

"I'm fine, Avi. I'm using medications for that. I used to attend counseling, and after two or three sessions I felt better. I used to attend it twice every month. I attended for 6 months. I totally shifted to Aashi's place. Even Surya and Pranav Anna shifted to a flat in the same apartment. They didn't want to take a risk. They changed my mobile number and mail IDs. Surya and Arjun Anna lodged a complaint against him. It wasn't official. You know right, Surya's grandfather was an IPS officer. So, with his help, they issued an arrest warrant for him. With the help of Thatha, they got all the call records and messages and stored them on a hard disk. Surya and Anna went to talk with him and warned him by showing him the arrest warrant. And after that, he didn't bother me until...."

To be continued.....

Sorry for the late update.

Thank you guys for your support.

Keep smiling and take care.