The light glared at him so sharply making him feel like going back to the darkness he had returned from. But he blinked.

Slowly and softly.

"Mom."

It took her mother's all efforts not to wail out loudly for the nearly-death experience of her only son.

"Shrey . . ."

It was hard to turn his head so he tried his best to move his eyes only to the direction where the sound came from. He had never seen his father with tear-filled eyes. But here he was, sobbing in front of him, thanking God to bring him back.

"Shrey? You awake, son?"

His throat was already dried and it was painful to gulp the lump that was forming at seeing the scenario. He could observe his father's lips trembling.

"I am sorry, son. I am so sorry. I didn't mean my words. I wasn't in my senses. But you were in your senses. Why did you do it, son? You do know that you are the only gem of mine," he choked out.

Shrey's eyes filled with immense sorrow. His heart ached at the cruel process of this universe. When he was begging them to believe him, they told him to fuck off. To go away and jump off the cliff. To hang himself on a fan. To kill himself. To disappear anyhow.

Now, when he wanted to leave the very world where people didn't believe him, they are believing him.

He wanted to rip all the bloody needles and jump out of the window that was giving him the faint surrounding full of mild sunlight. But it wasn't a morning for him.

It was another birth to another life full of darkness. He didn't want to live anymore. He had left the hope.

"Forgive us, Shrey. We knew our son couldn't do such thing. We knew. But in anger, your father said such cruel things which he didn't mean at all. You should have understood the anger. But you tried to take your life. Why, Shrey? Why? What would have left for me to do? To arrange your funeral and mourn for the death of my only son. Young and talented son. My only son."

Shrey looked away from his sobbing mother. He hated being with them at this moment. There was nothing left in him but a thirst to die.

"Do you feel alright, Shrey?"

Shrey's let out a rough chuckle. A dark one. He looked at his father. "Do you think I am, Dad? I don't want to fucking live this shitty life again. I want to die, do you hear me-" he coughed loudly. All his muscles ached when the cough series made him move forcefully. He winced.

"Shrey, calm down. We are calling the doctor." His mother was being naive and traumatized. He hated hurting her but now, he had pushed away all the thoughts of being in her life anymore. He had left it all behind. Then, how could he engage himself here again.

He wanted to run away.

His jaws clenched at the determination and the little monitor beeped frequently, making his mother's eyes wide.

"Doctor," she shouted eagerly.

In the next moment, the nurses had arrived and followed by the doctor.

"Leave me alone," whispered Shrey while gritting his teeth, closing his eyes.

"Shrey."

The doctor in his thirties made it sure to be polite for him, "Dear, can you breathe slowly. I am going to make you sit and massage your back since you must be feeling too heat there."

It was true but Shrey didn't care. He groaned and kept his eyes closed. His hands reached up to his head that had started throbbing.

"Leave me fucking alone," he shouted while at the same time, entered Rishabh and his eyes widened at seeing his brother behaving wildly.

"I want you to leave," the doctor told the parents. " But Mr. Malhotra, I need you to say," he actioned to Rishabh who immediately came closer to Shrey.

"You," growled Shrey at seeing the cruel cousin reaching out to him. "Get out. I don't want to see him. Get him out, mom. He mustn't see me."

Rishabh gasped and clenched his jaws immediately. "Shrey, calm down. You are feeling too much restlessness because of being in sleep for long-"

"Mom, I will kill myself. I don't want to see him-" his mother gasped and held his father's hand.

The doctor actioned the nurse for the injection that Rishabh guessed, was a sedative. He held Shrey's elbow hard as he was trying to struggle to remove the IVs and was scaring off the nurses who were trying to hold him.

His father looked at the monitor and the beeping sound hadn't silenced yet. His own heart started beating fast as he remembered how serious his own brother was that night and now, his own son. What was happening to his family? Who had cursed them?

He could see how traumatized Shrey was. His son was grunting hard when the doctor pushed the needle to his skin, with his stern look demanding peace from Shrey who was glaring at him with tears in his eyes.

"Let me sleep. Is it poison? Give me poison, then. Cut my limbs, kill the soul in me. I want to die," the last words ended up in a whisper as the liquid worked up on his body.

Everyone in the room watched with stunned faces as Shrey finally closed his eyes with his mouth parted.

Rishabh couldn't hold the shock that surfaced his mind recalling what his brother just said. Till now, he couldn't believe that a charming guy like Shrey could kill himself but watching him now had changed the colors. He was horrified. What about the anger especially thrown at him?

Though, he knew that he deserved it. He had been cruel to his brother. Shrey was caught up in an unforgivable crime.

But he should have anyhow trusted his blood. Shrey's ego which was bigger than his spine. He could never have stoop so low to get someone's attention. Then, how would he be able to get his hands on his best friend's wife.

Rishabh pinched the bridge of his nose while squeezing his eyes shut. His heart cried at the tragedies his family was going through. After getting thrashed by Rathore five years ago, he had his suitcases packed and had moved out of the hell hole.

He knew Pihu couldn't be his and so, he left her behind. But for good. Shrey could have forgotten his guilt about hurting Sakshi. He himself wanted to forget her and of course, getting over the cruel truth that she didn't even showed a bit of gratitude for the little help. But yes, he deserved it.

After what he did to break their marriage, it was right to her to never contact him. But then, he had done it very late. There was still time for her to thank him. Rishabh shook his head in defeat.

He had never faced police and securities so repeatedly. It was all because of his stupid craze over her. It wasn't even her fault at the beginning. His parents were embarrassed and disappointed at him.

So, he planned that he would come out of that phase one day. He worked up hard and focused on his studies. He earned a management degree from prestigious college in Mumbai. There he met Alisha, the love of his life.

Life started changing, finally.

She was different from Pihu. She was bold and hilarious. She had a class and was able to give perfect opinions at the right time. This was what he needed and he now loved.

But then came Shrey's downfall. Rishabh had thought that a plethora of happiness would burst in his home by adding Alisha to his family. But his dear cousin ruined it all.

He didn't know if it was his fault or not. But if taking note of all the past, he knew that Shrey could never force a girl. He could never touch a woman forcefully.

If whatever he was saying all along to defend himself was true, Rishabh thought that he would never be able to forgive himself for everything he had called him.

He had cursed his own cousin. He had said mean words that no brother would even think about saying to another brother. He badly regretted not supporting his little brother who had always helped him, followed him and taken care of his orders.

When doctor showed him the marks of cuts on his arms, it had stole the daylights out of him. He was stunned. He didn't know that Shrey was that depressed. But of course, a deadly crime like this been put fake on someone's shoulder was a nightmare for that person.

Shrey had dreams. He went abroad and took a degree. He wanted to be speaker. A mentor for young entrepreneurs and contribute as a director in their own company. He even wanted to try out Government jobs. He even wanted to fill his craze over cricket by getting himself in the state team, and then ahead.

But they all were vanished because of his family. Rishabh's father wanted Shrey to become a great businessman like himself. He was dear to his uncle. His own father wanted his only son to live closer to him. All these family demands took over the boy's own dreams.

This was cruel.

Moreover, his love life had never even started truthfully.

Rishabh pitied his cousin. His eyes filled out at realising what was going on in Shrey's mind all over these years. He never took care of his cousin's wishes. He never cared if Shrey was friends with good people.

Rishabh walked out of the room while weeping softly. He watched as Alisha got up from the sofa and came to hug him. He smiled through tears. In their relationship of merely two years, she hadn't ever seen him cry. And now, when he had the occasion, she was handling him so well.

She rubbed his back and took him to the sofa where his mother, uncle and Aunt were sitting.

"We all are cruel." He gulped. "We never cared what he was going through. What friends, he took care of?"

He breathed while wiping his face with the cuff. "I won't leave that bitch. I won't leave them." He promised while looking at his uncle and Aunt. "I will put them in jail, I promise you."

"I promise you, Shrey." He breathed.

_____

"How the hell he hides in this college and yet watches us all the time?"

Sakshi swallowed while slowly walking towards the classroom. She had tried hard to convince her friends, not to force her in attending the cruel teacher's lecture. But who could ever convince stubborn Aarush Mehra?

Especially when he and Aditi were in a serious discussion. She shook her head when she saw them still analysing the situation.

"Guards," Aditi counted on her finger, "security staff that checks all the camera records, teachers, seniors, what else?"

Aarush gasped, "What if an outsider is after you, Sakshi? Like happens in movies? A sexy, macho CEO has left his minions like Mihir after you to keep an eye on you."

Sakshi groaned loudly. "Guys, stop it. Please. You are encouraging him by discussing openly. We will talk in my flat. Alright."

Aditi shook her head. "He might be right, you know. Your brother is a CEO himself. He must be having many bachelor friends. What if you caught their eye? What if someone is trying to lure you, seduce you? So later on, you will be the one falling in love and later, convincing your brother for marriage?"

Sakshi stopped walking. She gulped and looked at Aarush, "What do you think?"

Aarush exchanged a glance with Aditi and shrugged his shoulder. "Possibility is there. I don't know. This is serious. This guy can be a student too. One of Mihir's friends or Mihir himself."

Aditi whined, "He loves Mahi. That's impossible."

Sakshi lowered her eyes while Aarush breathed out. "What if? What if it's one of the student anyway? Someone in our class who by default knows Mihir? A bet or something to win you? Or maybe a serious crush? But a student," he nodded, finally feeling confident.

Aditi gulped and slowly stepped near Sakshi. They both looked at Aarush with narrowed eyes.

"Is it you?"

Aarush widened his eyes. His jaw dropped. "Oh my God. Hats off. You finally caught me. Gotcha. Hands up. What else!" He rolled his eyes and smirked humorlessly.

He stared at Sakshi with serious eyes. "If I ever fall for you, I would tell you. It's not like you're going to reject me. I am the safest, bestest option for you."

Sakshi gagged and pushed his chest as he laughed loudly.

Aditi curled her lip in disgust and turned around to walk away. Aarush wrapped his arms around her shoulder. "Oh! Come on. If I have to be an admirer, why not Miss Khanna."

Aditi rolled her eyes. "Buzz off, really."

Aarush chuckled while Sakshi was offended as she fake glared at him. "Really? What is the problem in secretly admiring me?"

Aarush shrugged his shoulders. "Well, Raghav Singh Rathore is a problem. I don't want to get killed so soon and that even, by him." He gulped dramatically.

Sakshi nodded while controlling her smile as she walked along. "Well, this Mihir's cousin doesn't know that. I guess."

Aarush shuddered dramatically. "God knows what happens to him if your brother gets to know about it. Why don't you tell him already?"

Sakshi thought deeply. "I think I'll let it go. Because I haven't even told Tai ji about it. I just told her that the date never happened. So, she's silent over it while I am postponing talking to her. But if it goes all messed up, I will tell my brother."

Aditi nodded. "You should-"

Suddenly, Sakshi's phone rang and she immediately pulled it out from her pocket.

Aakriti

She immediately straightened and smiled nervously. "Guys, you go to the lecture. I'll just take this. . ."

Aarush looked at her sternly but nodded. "You come for sure. Okay?"

Sakshi nodded back and immediately picked up the call just as they left.

"Hello?"

"Oh, Sakshi?" The voice was so low but audible to Sakshi. So, she replied immediately.

"Yes, Aakriti-"

"Sakshi, Shrey is awake now."

Her breath hitched and she looked far at the tree in shock. "Really?"

The voice came in a rush. "Yes. He is quite in trauma. He still asks for dying you know. Do tell me if you want to come? Alright? I just thought, I should tell you."

Sakshi felt her heart warming up that she even put hand on her chest. "Thank you so much, Aakriti."

She hung up and sighed but was startled when she heard, "Miss Rathore?"

Her jaw dropped as she slowly turned around to see none other than the devil himself.

"Would you give me a minute in my office?"

Sakshi's heart thumped in horror. What? In his office?

"But sir-" The devil had already started walking towards the way and she swallowed before following him.

It was a two minutes walk to his office and Sakshi looked around and checked that it was still ten minutes for his lecture. She looked around and noticed maps, some posters of company's, some important notices, some sticky notes. . .

"So, Miss Rathore. I want to ask you the reason behind skipping my five consecutive lectures."

Why was he so handsome? She thought. It was cruel, seriously. He had wore a plain black shirt over grey pants. Those black specs made his complexion glowed out and those pink lips had stole her breaths.

"Um, I. . ." Suddenly, the image of an almost-dead Shrey flashed in her mind. She closed her eyes and breathed heavily. She looked up at him with pursed lips. "Someone I knew tried to kill himself-"

She stopped when she saw the professor's eyes narrowing. "What?" Was he thinking that she was lying? Seriously, why would someone use such a heavy excuse for five unnecessary lectures, maybe for five scoring attendance. But still?

She nodded slowly. Her throat tightened and she slowly sniffled as Shrey's pale face flashed in her mind. "My friends don't know about this. So. . ."

The professor leaned forward. His hands crossed, arms stretched out and Sakshi noticed how his biceps were close to rip the shirt. Coming straight to the point, the professor asked, "So, is he alright now?"

Sakshi bit her lip and stopped when professor looked briefly at her lips. Her breath stopped and she squeaked out, "Yes. He is awake. So, I was very depressed. It was hard to attend -"

She saw as the professor's eyes softened. "It was cruel of me to be angry at you, then."

Her heart fluttered so hard that she almost choked out, "Yeah." But she didn't.

Instead, she shook her head. "That. . . I was late. I deserved it. . ."

The Professor shook his head with a sigh. "I apologize, Miss Rathore. Your friend, Miss Sharma told me about the prank. I know now, that it was never your attention to disturb my class."

Sakshi could swear, she had felt the warmth spreading from her neck, chin, up to her whole face.

"It is alright, Mr. Nair."

The Professor smirked and Sakshi bit her lip. She knew that by now, her face was red. She wanted to cover it by her hands but she controlled hard.

"Now that it was my fault, I shall make it up to my very talented student," he murmured while looking at her. "Miss Khanna told me about how you have topped the second year of your Graduation and had been third highest score in the finals."

It was true how when God wants to give you, he just overwhelms you. Earlier, she was forced to drink her own tears, and now here, he had flooded her life with compliments.

She watched as the Professor opened his drawer and pulled out a file. He handed it over to her.

"These are the notes from last five lectures." Sakshi's mouth opened in shock as she looked at the name of the student below.

Ansh Raawat

"Ansh never gives his notes to anyone. How did you-" she bit her lip and looked at the professor who laughed heartily.

It would be stupid to deny that sexy laughter. Sakshi could feel her stomach churning at the very achievement. Only she had seen him laughing like that from other students.

"Yes, he was very reserved for even giving to me. But he should be. His notes are treasure. He doesn't miss anything important."

Sakshi nodded in agreement. "Thank you so much, Mr. Nair. It really means a lot." She looked at the clock and smiled nervously. "But the time for lecture-"

"Yeah, right." The professor himself stood up and nodded.

Sakshi bit her lip while slowly turning around. Should I walk with him to the class? What? No. That's too much. I should walk before him or Aarush will put thousand questions over it.

She clutched the strap of her bag but not before putting the notes in her bag.

"Miss Rathore?"

She stopped and looked back at him. He almost looked as if he was contemplating about asking her or not. But then, he did.

"Are you fine, Miss Rathore?" She raised her eyebrows while he shook his head. "I mean. The suicide attempt. Is he close to you? Boyfriend?"

Her lips parted as a string in her heart was pulled and all emotions broke out, flowing deep in her chest. She shouldn't tell this stranger about it. No, she shouldn't. But by sharing, she might feel better.

But he was a teacher. It was none of his business. But he had asked her in concern.

Sakshi bit her lip and breathed heavily.

"Ex-boyfriend." She wasn't sure if she should even claim him as her ex-boyfriend. After all, everything was a fraud.

She observed the surprise on his face and almost regretted telling him. What if she had spoiled all the impression?

"You have a big heart, Miss Rathore." He said with a smile.

Sakshi's eyes lit up. A big heart? Maybe, he was right. Who would stalk the guy all the way to his death bed just to see if he's alive or not? Even after he won't remember who she was. She smiled weakly.

She glanced sideways at her bag and patted it back to look at him.

"So do you."