She hated he was right about the vultures waiting to ravage her mind. Swarm of hushed whispers greeted her upon her entry into the office, and accusatory gazes followed her trail. She could feel the inquisitive and incriminating gaze burn through her back when she tried to immerse herself in her work.

Rohan shot her an apologetic look and averted his eyes from her. She had acquainted him with her plan, and he was on board with any help required. Shikha approached him with a doubt about the project they were working on when she heard an exchange of vile opinions about her friendship with Rohan.

"It must be her loose character and morals which led to calling off of the marriage. It hasn't even been a few days, and she has found a new target," said a coworker, making no attempt to conceal her indignation.

Shikha's nostrils flared, and her cheeks flushed in fury and embarrassment. She had paid the price of meeting him with her freedom in the past. Had the price reach up to her dignity?

"He told you that?" she asked, maintaining a straight face and donning a mask of nonchalance.

Reema smirked at Shikha. "Or maybe it was this snarky attitude that put him off? At least, he escaped while he still could."

"Are you sure your infatuation for him is not blinding you to the reality? Or has he woven a web of deceit around you as well?" asked Shikha, crossing her arms against her chest with narrowed eyes.

The smirk morphed into a frown, which then transformed into a scowl. Reema slammed her palm against her desk and jumped to her feet. "How dare you!"

"How dare you insinuate I am of loose morals because of a called off wedding! It is none of your business! You speak as if he is as pure as the River Ganga and I'm the sinned one!"

Shikha's voice had gone up by an octave and she had the attention of the entire office. Rohan tried to hold her arm and take her away from Reema, but it was to no avail. Shikha had no intention of backing down, and neither did Reema.

"Oh, really? You think I haven't seen you search for his profiles during the work hours for the past few months? Don't project your infatuation for him onto me!"

Shikha's blood ran cold and her ears tingled with blood rushing to her face because of the embarrassment. The whispers got louder and the occupants of the room did not hide that she was at the center of their discussion. She wished the earth would open up and swallow her, to avoid facing the judgmental looks that awaited her if she opened her eyes.

"That's enough! Do you get paid to discuss cancelled weddings and infatuations?"

Vikram's deep baritone voice tore through the chattering. Silence struck the room like a lightning strike and burned down the enthusiasm to discuss. Somber faces and apologetic looks replaced the smirks of the employees.

"Yes, we called off the wedding. We decided it was not the right time to get married, not that it is any of your business. If you have any further queries, you can contact me instead of Ms. Agarwal. Are we clear?" asked Vikram, scanning the room for any signs of disobedience.

Reema squirmed in discomfort and cast a glare in Shikha's direction. The populace of the office nodded in affirmation.

"Great! Ms. Agarwal, to my cabin, please!"

Shikha looked perturbed by his command, but she did not want to rouse more suspicions and add to the rumours by refusing to obey the command. The steps taken towards the cabin had turned heavy under the scrutinizing gaze of everyone in the room. Her heart galloped and pounded against her ribcage.

She clutched the sides of her kurta and gulped her inhibitions to continue walking. She did not bother knocking on the door and walked straight in. The sight of his calm demeanor unhinged the door of her restraint.

"Shikha."

The tears withheld with great restraint streamed down her flushed cheeks. "It's all your fault. Everything. It's all your fault," she said in a quivering voice.

Vikram took a step in her direction as her form shook with unvoiced complaints and inexplicable agony. "I know. I'm sorry."

Her chest heaved irregularly as she struggled to stifle the sobs fighting their way out of her chest. "How do I know it isn't another of your plans? To elevate yourself in my eyes and salvage your image," she asked.

"Why would I-"

"It won't be the first time."

Her derisive eyes, along with her condescending tone, made him hang his head in humility. He felt the walls of his cabin close upon him and choke the very life out of him. He felt breathless with the burden of remorse tied to his chest.

"I have no intention of repeating my actions chosen under the influence of obsession, Shikha. I would let no one question your integrity. This wasn't me," he said in a raspy voice.

"I hate myself for letting you get to me. So naïve, so ignorant. It must have been quite easy to entice and captivate me, isn't it? You must have enjoyed knowing you got into my head every time I searched for your profile. How dumb was I!"

The speech came out in gasps as she held her throbbing head between her trembling hands. The chilly air of the air conditioner made it harder for her to breathe, and despite her best attempts to barricade her tears, the torrential flow continued to wet her cheeks.

"How do you feel knowing I will always view someone's help and generosity with suspicion henceforth? Does it affect you to learn you drowned me in paranoia forever?" she asked, wiping the tears from her cheeks and underneath her nose.

Her face had turned red and her hair struck out awkwardly from her low ponytail. Her legs trembled, and she hoped they would not give way. She did not want to collapse in front of him.

She misconstrued his resounding silence as denial. She took wobbling steps in his direction, sniffling and quivering. "I'm a fool to think it would make a difference to you!"

She had not expected to see his eyes glisten with unshed tears. She loathed how his vulnerability exposed her to empathy she wanted to run away from.

"I wish it didn't. It would have been so much easier that way. Instead, I'm stuck in a desert with no hints of any oasis for miles and a thirst that's killing me. What do I do, Shikha? Kill myself before the thirst kills me, or continue to search for the quencher of my thirst."

"I wish I was heartless enough to exact my retribution that way, Vikram. I wish I had died that night instead of meeting you."

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