"Could it be that it's a lesson

That I never had to learn?

I looked at it like a blessing

And now it's just a curse.

I don't know why,

I don't know why...."

— "It's You" // Zayn Malik

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A week has passed and the workload isn't much. Abir is definitely giving Mishti a wonderful time to relax, settle herself in Rajkot and look back at things. There are no big cases till now and Mishti is able to devote her time in keeping a check on Vishambhar, Nishant and a brand new addition to her life – Abir Rajvansh. Although she hasn't spoken much to Abir, his mysterious smile and sharp eyes need no more than a second to attack her.

Mishti is given a new cabin and she's not sure if it was planned or just a coincidence that her cabin is right in front of Abir's. So naturally both of them are always checking on each other. Mishti chooses to believe that Abir is no saint to help her by offering a job and not "torturing" her in any way. He has a bigger plan and she won't be surprised if tomorrow Abir does something unexpected which will cause her trouble. She's not supposed to live in constant fear but Abir and his genuine attitude is not helping either.

What else do you expect from someone who has lost faith in goodness?

The one holding you tight today will push you off the cliff.

With people, you never know.

But one thing Mishti knows well – Abir Rajvansh is dangerously unpredictable.

Honestly, Mishti did underestimate Abir before meeting him properly.

Everytime she takes her head up from her files, she can see Abir clearly, and everytime she sees Abir, she remembers the bygones and with that comes the probability of what could have happened and what could have not. Apparently these calculations do not make sense now, but this is giving Mishti a reason to think of herself beyond the games of revenge and hatred.

A reason to look at her own mistakes.

It's been more than five years since Mishti first heard the name - Abir Rajvansh, that too as her prospective life partner. Her mom, Rajshree was very happy with the proposal of Mehul Rajvansh. As Mishti was studying in Canada and had no plans to get married anytime soon her first reaction was a rejection. Moreover Vishambhar always considered the Rajvanshs inferior to the Maheshwaris and being a "typical" Maheshwari it was Mishti's duty to follow her father blindly. She was asked not to bother herself with whatever "problems" the Rajvanshs are intending to create. On one Godforsaken day she was asked to marry a family friend Nishant Singhaniya and like a fool Mishti didn't even think twice before saying yes. After all, could her father ever be wrong? Wasn't he the God to Mishti? No matter how much Rajshree tried to guide Mishti towards the right way, Mishti was hell bent on following her pride - her father. The father she believed was her own, the father she thought would never hurt her, the father who promised to bring every happiness of the world under her feet, the father who ultimately made the way for all the misery to her life, the father who was the reason she lost her Mom.

Only if she listened to her mom once, maybe things would have been different today. Had she tried to realize the baseless pride and egoistic games of the businessman in Vishambhar, her life could be better. But she failed. She failed to see what was right, she failed to act when it was the time, she failed to save her mother. All her knowledge, her achievements were of no purpose. She watched the destruction of her family silently and couldn't do anything. The Singhaniyas turned out to be a poisonous snake but the always-so-right Vishambhar Maheshwari was the one to bite her right in the heart. The Singhaniyas abused Mishti, took away her property deceitfully and when finally Mishti decided to act, they turned her world upside down by taking her mom away.

They killed Rajshree.

Vishambhar's foolish decision to trust the Singhaniyas ended in havoc.

Anger and hatred are the only things she feels for Vishambhar Maheshwari today. To avenge Rajshree's death is the only motive Mishti has. Whatever wrong happened to her was ultimately because of Vishambhar. They say, the most beautiful smiles carry the deepest scars. Mishti was a fool. She could never see the pain Rajshree hid behind her pretty eyes. Time and again Rajshree tried to show Mishti the truth behind their apparently perfect lives but Mishti was blinded, blinded by her enormous love for her father.

Ah, how wrong she was!

Now looking back Mishti realizes everything was right in front of her eyes. She was the one who chose to ignore the facts. How can she be so wrong? She is a Goddamn lawyer and her life revolves around evidence and truth. But when it came to her father she was blind. What's the point of winning so many great cases when ultimately she couldn't save her mother, the only family she had? After all, Vishambhar Maheshwari was her step father, how can you not expect betrayal from him? Maybe his love for Mishti was not impure, but the businessman in him could never let the father win.

And Mishti was late to realize this.

It was late when Mishti faced the first attack on her. Vishambhar used Mishti as a prawn to achieve power. Mishti and Nishant's marriage was not a holy alliance, it was just a contract between two businessmen to expand their respective kingdoms. Mishti and her "non-existent" dreams, feelings, wishes and hopes were used to bring power to the estates of two namesake friends. Mishti could do nothing when she discovered that she was married off to Nishant Singhaniya for a deal of an investment of 250 crores for three years in Singhaniya industries. The moment this deal expired, Singhaniyas showed their true colours. When rosy glasses were removed, deceits, abuses, loathe, rivalry started showing up. A worthless marriage was still good to go with, but such was destiny's cruelty that Mishti had to suffer the loss of her mom, the only one she could really trust blindly, whose love was the most unconditional and purest.

The family she was so proud of.

Just a blink of an eye and everything vanished.

Everything.

All because of a man called Vishambhar Maheshwari's greed, foolish decisions and reckless business adventures. That man wasn't bothered even to sacrifice his family. Did he know what he was doing? Was he not scared to lose everyone? Did his conscience ever loathe him?

Does his conscience loathe him?

Does he feel the pain now?

Does he realise how pathetic his deeds were?

Does he know what he lost?

Does it even matter?

No. It doesn't. Nothing matters anymore.

No one matters anymore.

So now Mishti won't think twice before attacking him in his weakest point. And she is her "dearest" father's weakness – although Vishambhar wronged her in every way, his daughter is his only reason to live now. That's exactly where Mishti has attacked him – the way he dared to sacrifice her to satisfy his ego, she has now abandoned him and if that means struggling in a new city alone, let it be.

If seeing her suffer, Vishambhar's stone of a heart finally cries, then let it be.

Mishti left the Singhaniya House immediately after discovering the reason behind Rajshree's suicide. She did come back to her father unaware of what she was destined to face. One after another, she discovered the dark secrets deep buried under the large empire of her father. She started investigating on her own and it was much later she came to know what Vishambhar did to Mehul Rajvansh. The daughter Mishti Vishambhar Maheshwari was dying; finally the day she left Canada without even informing Vishambhar, she was no longer a Maheshwari. The death of a daughter made her embrace her real identity – Mishti Agarwal, the lawyer Mishti Rajshree Agarwal.

The one who is not bound by any ties.

"Good afternoon Miss Agarwal, I hope you're comfortable to have a discussion now." Abir was standing at the door with his charming smile.

Mishti naturally mirrors his smile. The differences they have above all the similarities never fails to surprise her. She has found a distraction in Abir. He makes her think about herself.

Abir makes Mishti look at herself.

This is why she wants to believe Abir has a game planned in his mind. Maybe he's just playing his charms to befriend her. Maybe he wants to use her for his revenge. It's easier to think this way. Genuine goodness is something Mishti has lost touch with. And now she has forgotten what love is even.

She's used to being used.

"Are you alright, Miss Agarwal?"

Just a look of eyes and Abir knows she's not. He blames it on his job though and he does his job quite well. So just a week of exchanging looks is enough for him to understand Mishti to an extent. Just a typical revengeful mind full of hatred for her offenders which is ultimately harming her only.

Abir sighs. Somewhere he blames his heart too.

He was not supposed to care. But he does.

"Too much anger burns ourselves the most, Miss Agarwal. No matter how cruel destiny acts carrying the bitterness in heart every moment does more harm than good."

"Probably not everyone is a good actor to hide themselves behind a charming smile. Or should I say, not as good as you, Mr. Rajvansh?"

Abir stands dumbstruck. He doesn't expect Mishti to speak much. Her eyes do most of the talking. But on rare occasions of proper talking, she always has the right words to say. And this is one thing he admires about her - Mishti Agarwal never loses control but she will make others submit to her.

And that's something he's equally scared of. Abir hardly meets anyone who looks behind his smile and that "someone" being Mishti gives him a mixed feeling.

"It's okay, Mr. Rajvansh. We both are aware of the past we share. There's no point in pretending at least in front of each other. Anyways nobody else will ever be able to understand us better than we do."

The words come genuinely to Mishti and it doesn't feel wrong. Neither of them might accept this openly but they indeed share a connection from the beginning. A strange connection.

Long but unwanted.

Bitter but deep.

Looking at Abir Mishti realises she pricked him in a soft corner though she didn't intend to.

"Don't take it otherwise, Mr. Rajvansh. I hope you're alright."

Only God knows how long this man has been carrying everything inside him and the day he'd collapse probably no one would have the courage to mend him. Pain is always scary, so Mishti looks away. This is the first time when Abir looks so weak and she hates seeing him like this. After all, Abir Rajvansh is one of the strongest survivors she has ever met and he is not allowed to fall weak. Mishti cannot afford to witness the brokenness a strong person can carry inside him, not Abir, especially.

And she won't let him feel so broken.

Mishti can't exactly recall how this happens but Abir crushes into her arms.

And it feels like the only safe place to be.

Like the only right thing.

She can't even recall whose heart is beating louder.

For the beats were rushing.

But it's in sync.

And their breath is lost in the rush.

The irony? She surely feels calm in her veins.

It should not feel so right.

But it does.

So when she's back to her senses she doesn't pull back. Standing in each other's embrace - even if it's just the heat of the moment - Mishti is finally sure of one thing. Abir is anything but a nemesis. He's more than just another person to be avoided in her life.

He matters.

How? She doesn't know. But somehow Abir Rajvansh matters to Mishti Agarwal.

Does he feel the same too?

Can he feel her heartbeat too?

Will he hold her tight like this forever and never let go?

Can she trust him enough to think so far?

Is he weeping?

No, he can't be! Mishti is not courageous enough to console someone. She can prick people and scrounge their wounds to bring out the truth. But she is never good with comforting people. And suddenly Mishti hates the moment she is in.

Abir pulls himself out of the hug. He takes a minute of silence to realize he actually hugged Mishti Agarwal. Oh God, This was not supposed to have happened!

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry Mishti.. I mean Miss Agarwal. I didn't mean to... Please don't take it otherwise. It was just a flow of the moment. I'm extremely sorry if I hurt you."

Abir is truly ashamed. Guilty? Nah.

But he's ashamed. Because he's Abir and she's Mishti and Mishti is not just any girl. She is the one Abir genuinely respects. The one to evoke emotions inside him for the first time in a while and with all regard to the situation they're in it's totally wrong. He's not allowed.

Not until Mishti feels the same.

"Don't be sorry, Abir, I know it's not easy to wear a mask always. I'm sure it's been ages since you've been carrying this pain inside you. I'm not saying you're allowed to have a breakdown in front of me, obviously you're not. I'm not good at comforting people. But we can surely talk as we both apparently don't have anyone to share some things with."

Mishti fondly smiles and Abir stares at her like a fool. This woman standing in front of him is nowhere near the typical Mishti Agarwal – the haughty, proud lawyer; so who is she? Maybe it's Mishti being just Mishti and this time she surprises him.

Abir can't help the funny feeling in his stomach.

"By the way my name is Mishti, Abir."

A friendship with Abir was the last thing on her agenda. And with Abir, everything is unpredictable. So this is it. The only right choice she has made in a while. The very first time after so long, when Mishti Agarwal has listened to the voice of her heart.

Even if it's just for a split second, it feels right.

The next moment maybe she'll find out all this was an act put up by Abir Rajvansh. But for today she'd excuse herself to forget all the bitterness. After all, her brain and her heart agree on this only thing; Abir is not the enemy, he's just another victim – just like her. Beneath all the artificial layers and masks, their skin carries the same curves.

Same scars.

Just like her.

"Nice to meet you Mishti. I'm Abir."

Abir's quivering lips break into a smile. So many things are happening to him for the first time and uncertainty dwells over his plans. And looking at Mishti's eyes he decides - probably this time he doesn't want to think at all. It's been so long since his heart feels nothing but good, so he might as well steal a moment of relaxation from all the hatred and enmity. And here she is, grinning, her hand advancing towards him.

Can she be the one to pull him out of his darkness?

No. Abir won't think right now. So he simply shakes hands with her and smiles.

He smiles - without even trying.

"Thank you, Mishti."

No space for doubts.

No fear of falling.

No need to think.

It's good the way it is. Nothing more, nothing less.