Rohan and Shikha would have not survived if Shekhar, Vikram's right hand, had not come at the opportune moment to inform that the college management waiting for him to arrive and take over. Vikram clenched his jaw, unable to voice out his complaints and frustrations openly as he wanted to win her trust.

He walked away, fuming at the exchange between Shikha and Rohan as they shared jokes with one another, laughing like there was no tomorrow, with no signs of worry. She painted a completely contrasting picture to the one which was etched on the canvas since the last night; a worried and innocent damsel in distress. For once or rather for the first time in his life, he wanted to be someone's knight in shining armor and it seemed that he already had competition.

Their conversation was soon interrupted by their other friends that they were supposed to the attend the placement drive being conducted in the college auditorium by the IT giant owned by none other than Vikram Singhal. Shikha felt a shiver run across her spine as she processed that piece of information but soon shrugged it away as she responded to another of Rohan's jokes.

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Auditorium,

Rohan and Shikha sat beside each other as they did since their childhood. They had been in the same orphanage before they started doing odd jobs and moved out of the orphanage to become neighbors. Their struggle only brought them closer as an unspoken understanding grew between them over the years.

Vikram, who was moving onto the stage, had seen Rohan and Shikha sitting together and his palm automatically balled into a fist. His manager was alerted by his sharp intake of breath as he struggled to maintain his facade which was his price to maintain the good impression he had created in the eyes of the woman which held so unknown force which was driving him mad.

Vikram began to speak about his IT Giant, and being the soft talker, which was a prerequisite for a man with two contrasting identities, he naturally had everyone's attention. His voice and his stature carried an aura of arrogance and enigma of pride which turned everyone spellbound and compelled even the best of speakers and worst of listeners to listen to his words.

It was a casual introduction but for Vikram, it was much more than that. He was happy that as soon as he started to address the crowd, Shikha stopped her interaction with Rohan, much to his relief.

"I, now, handover the mic to Shekhar, who would announce the interns we have shortlisted for our company. We have considered your past academic performance, your performance in the other interviews and your overall record. Thank you!" ended Vikram, earning a huge round of applause from everyone, especially girls who were swooning at him, unaware of what waited them if they caught the fancy of the man.

Shekhar took over the mic and spoke,

"Thank you, Sir. The very lucky students who got selected for the internship are,

Rohan Malhotra, Shikha Agarwal, Ankita Singh, Pamela Menon and Simran Chopra. A huge round of applause for our interns please."

Shikha was on cloud nine to get finally bag an internship and she was happier that she would be able to work with her bestfriend, like she had always wanted. Shekhar was left surprised when he saw the names which Vikram had chosen but he knew better than questioning his short-tempered boss. He was also aware that Vikram probably had a plan in store for Shikha's bestfriend.

"I request the interns to meet me after the event to get further details on the internship. Thank you." ended Shekhar, hoping that the woman realizes what she was getting into, but Shikha seemed to be in her own world, distanced from reality at the news of being shortlisted after several futile attempts.

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Agarwal House,

Shikha was very thankful to her Bholenath that she was inching closet to becoming independent like she always wanted to be and she ran inside her house as if she won the entire world.

"I FINALLY GOT A INTERNSHIP!" shouted Shikha, with happiness ringing in her voice, which made both Rajeev and Sunaina come out of their respective rooms and wonder about Shikha's behavior.

Rajeev went to her, stopped her from jumping further by holding her shoulders and asked with an affectionate smile playing on his lips,

"What happened? Care telling us so that we can jump in happiness as well?"

"Rajeeviji, I got my internship at Singhal Tech!" squealed an excited Shikha, erasing the smile from Rajeev's face.

"What? Vikram chose you for his company?" questioned Rajeev, his arms falling onto his sides as he wondered if his worst fears about the last night were turning into reality. He had never expected mercy from Vikram Singhal but he had been more than merciful to them last night. And offering her an internship seemed to be a part of the conspiracy that's sounds nothing like mercy.

"Rajeevji, you should be happy that I got the internship in one of the most reputed companies and instead you are all depressed!" pouted Shikha, innocently, her fears and worries about Vikram vanishing in thin air due to her excitement.

"No, Shikha! I feel there is something wrong. I have heard that their interviews are quite hard and they rarely take freshers. Moreover, Vikram being sweet to anyone is not a good sign," sighed Rajeev in a worried tone as he looked at Sunaina for her views on the situation.

After she had heard the previous night's incident from Rajeev, she felt that there was something amiss and fishy about Vikram's overall behavior but especially and worrisomely towards her younger sister, but after hearing the news of Shikha's internship, her intuitions found a new footing.

"Yeah, Shikha. Rajeevji is right. Don't you feel that there is something wrong with this thing? Till yesterday, no one even expected their company to come to your college. You met him yesterday and his company selects students and you are one of them. Don't you think there is something off about this thing?" asked Sunaina, thoughtfully.

"I don't know what is making the two of you so worried. The way you are speaking, it makes me feel as if I am not eligible for this or something! I don't see anything wrong in this!" said Shikha, irritated by the way in which the news was taken. She was expecting jubilation and joy and instead she was answering questions.

Shikha was the most sheltered them of all. She was the youngest in their orphanage and everyone had taken it upon themselves to keep her away from every kind of evil, despite their modest means and struggles. Her innocence and her firm belief in altruism seemed to challenge her own safety, much to Sunaina's worry.

"I hope that we are wrong, Shikha. But there is nothing wrong in being careful, isn't it? Just be careful!" said Rajeev, letting out a small mental prayer to protect his childish to-be sister-in-law.

Shikha had no idea where her steps would lead her to but guided by her dreams, she wanted to run wild and free, unaware of the thorns which waited for the beautiful roses like her.

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