The new day brought a new hope in Raghav's heart. Forgetting about his files, the first thing he did after getting ready was to knock at Sakshi's door.

She didn't open so he knocked again, not calling her by name or she would never open that door. A smile curved his lips when Sakshi opened the door and looked at him sternly.

Raghav gave her an apologetic look. "I am here to talk," he said, quietly.

"You are going to jail," she choked out, trying to close the door when Raghav chuckled and entered the room.

Sakshi sat on her bed in frustration and lowered her eyes.

Raghav looked around, noticing her suitcase ready and all other things not at their place. She must have blown out her anger. After all, she was their blood.

Remembering Pihu's words from last night, he bit his lip while sitting at the foot of his sister's bed. He didn't know from where to start.

"Shrey looks better than before," he said awkwardly. He observed her eyes getting narrowed at him and nodded. "Quite tall and handsome. He speaks well too."

Sakshi's heart started pounding in her chest. How did her brother know? God knew how much she wanted to ask him about it. But ego was the priority. So, she kept looking away.

"What is it that you both are talking about Kabir being a pervert," said Raghav, his eyebrows raising and tension flickering on his face. "Did something happen?" He questioned carefully, slightly relieved that he had jumped to the main question.

Sakshi's eyes filled up at remembering the incident in the office. She looked up in her brother's eyes, her mouth not opening in fear of facing his anger.

"Sakshi," he looked at her, waiting for her response. "I had told you that I would support you. If you don't want to marry him, forget him. But a pervert? Did he say something to you?"

He was ready to kill, Sakshi could see. Her brother had, early in the morning, this much anger on his nose already. How would he spent all her day? She gulped.

"If you won't speak, how would I know." He said, innocently. Seeing her hesitation, he sighed. "You are still angry about that slap?"

Sakshi blinked and looked away, her finger playing with the bed sheet.

"Do you remember that I was angry? I saw something that a brother shouldn't see. It infuriated me more when I recognized Shrey's face." He told her, his fist tightening. "It was something that happened in the heat. I didn't slap you for fun. I am angry because if you have boyfriends. Fine, enjoy your life. But don't be careless enough that some stranger is sending me those pics of yours?" He said, looking at her.

"You'd never hit me before," she said, wiping her eyes, a sob breaking out.

Raghav's mind started circling at seeing her fresh tears. He inhaled deeply and said, "You can slap me back. If that would make you forget it," he said, looking at her.

Sakshi gave him a bored look and stared at the floor.

Raghav wanted to growl out his frustration. But for her sake, he managed his cool. "I understand, world is changing. Its wrong of people to hurt any other physically and mentally. In schools, teachers aren't allowed to hit our kids. I swear, I would kill one if someone touches my Rian," he said, thoughtfully. "But if a parent has slapped in extreme anger, it is less of a physical pain for you, more of a mental pain for themselves."

Sakshi looked at him.

"I don't feel triumphant after hitting you. I couldn't sleep, Sakshi." He gulped before continuing, "I know, I have been a reckless guy back in my days. I couldn't care and did anything I want to do. Even if it meant hurting someone."

"But I regret all my acts," he told her. "I am not proud of doing those things to your sister-in-law. If I could, I would delete all those moments from my life and have my clean reputation. But I can't. I never wanted to set an example. Today, you are using it. One day, Rian will say the same things."

"When I had kidnapped her, and Dad got to know about it, he never hit me." He breathed slowly. "He never did. Even when I had beaten Ayaan for nothing. For my fun," he explained. "Always hyping my up, never letting me understand that I was wrong."

"I won't say, he was wrong. He was a supportive, a sweet father. But maybe, if he had slapped me, I would have never done those things. I would have think of that slap before doing anything wrong. I wouldn't have slapped her father." He told her, making her eyes widen.

"Pihu has slapped me enormous times," he told her. "Everytime, it lit up my mind. I realised my wrongs. But maybe, if that slap had been from Dad, I wouldn't have hurt her. I am not blaming it all Dad, neither I ma justifying that hitting you was a lesson. No it wasn't. But my intent was elderly love and protection. Nothing to hurt or insult you."

"The slap was harsh, I know. Go to the police. You can do that. I won't mind, I'll be amazed to see your courage. But you'll forever lose my protection, my care for you. I won't interfere in your business anymore. I meant you my own and which is why, I react."

"I'll ask for forgiveness in front of the family, police officers and whoever you want. I don't want to be all rowdy and control everyone," he told her. "I was just disappointed at seeing the pic and angry because something like that had happened with me before. Malhotras were involved then. Malhotras are involved now."

He took a long breathe before exhaling. "I am sorry, Sakshi."

Sakshi breathed erratically, controlling a sob while glancing at him. Her eyes filled when he gave her an awkward smile.

"The offer for hitting me back is still open." He reminded her, making her let out a chuckle.

"I hate you." She punched his chest before putting her arms around his torso.

Raghav smiled while hugging her back, kissing her head. "I won't deny, I was dead scared, thinking you'd leave us."

She pulled back to look at him. "Where will I go?" She asked him, shaking her head. "And with Shrey, it's all over. I don't want to marry him, Bhai. I understand how it will go on. His brother hates us. We hate him for what he did to Bhabhi. I would never put you guys in such an forceful situation," she said, while he wiped her eyes.

"I am proud of you for being so thoughtful," he mumbled. "For now, tell me what is wrong with Kabir?"

Sakshi's breath hitched, she lowered her hands, covering her mouth.

"You are scaring me," said Raghav, looking at her. "I am scared if I'll have to beat someone dead."

Sakshi gulped.

"Just tell me," he said, squeezing her hand. "I won't be angry, I promise. I will just listen."

He gave her a smile, didn't care about hiding the dark glint in his eyes.

Sakshi wanted to laugh in mockery but the dare was difficult to focus on. "Kabir is not a good guy, Bhai."

"What's wrong with him?" Raghav asked while narrowing his eyes.

Sakshi looked at him, releasing a long breathe before explaining everything. She heard his jaws tightening, eyes turning cold and hands all turned into fists aside. This could be a disaster. The worst one. So, she made sure to tell everything in a subtle language rather than exaggerating or mentioning everything.

". . .First, cat-fishing me. Then, stalking me. He knows many things about me and is quite creepy. He used to give me these looks throughout the whole lectures. I was highly affected, Bhai." Sakshi swallowed the lump before mentioning, "It all turned worse when Shrey came into the picture. Kabir saw him when one day, Shrey had came University to share his good news with us. About the case that he won."

Raghav's left eyebrows raised.

Sakshi blinked rapidly. "Since then, Kabir has been worse. He managed to meet Shrey and turn him against me. Showed him the pics from Diwali night and told him the lie that we were engaged. Shrey and I had an argument," she decided to hide the part about Rishabh and explained, "But the last day before I came here, Shrey said that he didn't believe the guy. He believed my uneasiness even at the mention of Kabir. He believed what Aarush taught him about mice and cat game going on with Kabir."

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Raghav asked calmly, his jaw ticking.

Sakshi gulped, observing his ears turning red. She was sure, he would do something wrong. But she felt at ease, sharing everything.

"We never got the chance. You were busy while I was stressed out with what was happening. I had decided to tell you everything once but then, I thought that telling everything on phone won't do good seeing your anger," she said, giving him a complaining look. "But I did tell Bhabhi about Shrey. She doesn't know what Kabir did but she knew about Shrey. So, when the time comes, she would have my back."

Raghav nodded quietly, "What else?"

Sakshi had to get away from Kabir for sure. So, she didn't feel an ounce of pity or guilt while telling her brother, "When I heard that he managed to turn Shrey against me. I was distraught. I went to his office to give him a piece of mind but. . ."

Raghav's ears perked up. Sakshi noticed the dangerous glint in his eyes and ease in his eyebrows.

"But what?" He nodded, in question.

Sakshi's nostrils flared as she remembered, "He tried to touch me. Not in a sense to molest me. He wanted to show, he could dominate me and he would after our marriage," she said uneasily. "I don't want to marry him, Bhai. Neither him nor Shrey."

She saw his eyes far at the wall. He was awfully quiet and she knew, he was thinking. He was planning. To lighten up, she slowly shared, "Tai ji can look for other guys, I will happily marry the one you'll say yes to. But please let Shrey and Kabir be out of here." Her voice cracked.

Raghav's eyebrows furrowed at her. "What did Shrey do?" His jaws already clenched.

Sakshi shook her head. "Like I said, our families would never mix. He has improved but what would I do of a man whose family won't talk to me. I would never be happy," she explained honestly.

Realization hit Raghav's eyes and a sudden confidence filled his chest at knowing that Sakshi had made a sane decision.

"I'll handle the case with Kabir. And if you are telling me that there is nothing with Shrey, then my mind must be clear of any betrayal. There shouldn't be any call or message to him," he pointed while giving her a serious look.

Sakshi nodded while he got up. "I have some work at the office, I'll see you in the evening."

Before he could even walk ahead, Sakshi grabbed his wrist. She got up and looked at him.

"Will you forgive me for starting it all with Shrey again?" She asked softly. "I couldn't help myself when I got to know about suicide attempt. I was so affected."

Raghav didn't look in her eyes.

"I didn't mean to fall in these traps when I was completely focused on my dreams and goals. I know, you are disappointed at me. But I won't do it again. I promise," she cried, looking at him. "Now, when I look at everything, it was all for nothing. I should have been stronger and not let down my guard."

"Shrey was at his lowest and I felt greedy," she confessed it to him. "I don't want you to think wrong of me, Bhai."

When she let out a sob, Raghav groaned loudly pulling her in a hug. "I am not good with dramas," he muttered, rubbing her back. "You don't have to apologise for being with him. I trust you enough. God knows what hit me when I slapped you last night."

"No, you were completely right. I was wrong," she told him, shaking her head.

Raghav sighed heavily, pulling away from her to lean down to meet her eyes. "Boyfriends happen, I understand. But if you are learning from these episodes, we should just move on. It would be unfair to not tell you that Shrey had met me in my office yesterday."

Sakshi widened her eyes, a sudden fear engulfing her. "Oh my God! He was the one giving you that pic?"

Raghav shook his head. "The pic is from an unknown number later. Shrey met me in the morning. He talked like things hadn't ended between you guys," he said honestly.

Sakshi lowered her eyes and for the first time, blush covered her cheeks.

"I am secretly triggered because he managed to talk about loving my sister in my own office. But as long as you don't want to be with him, I don't even need to think of him. It was quite filmy though, the way he conversed everything," explained Raghav, talking in a hush tone. "But the boy has flaws and you deserve better."

Sakshi smiled sadly at her brother.

"It is awkward to share it with you because it would be mean, but first love never dies." Raghav teased, making her jaw drop.

"I need to vomit," Sakshi gagged while rolling her eyes, making him laugh loudly.

Raghav patted her head before finally leaving her room. "Take care."

________

Nakul shook his head in amazement. "Woah! I missed on a lot. Did he really do that?"

Raghav glared at him, making him laugh.

Nakul leaned back on the chair, playing with the paper-weight. "That's kind of awesome, considering you are the girl's brother. I stan the Malhotra kid."

Raghav rubbed his head while closing his eyes. "The thing about Kabir? I don't have any proof to blame him in public. Should I just give him my dose in the private?"

Nakul looked at him weirdly. "Dude, you have a little son. Would you stop with your old arrogant habits? It's the real life, not college fights. We aren't doing any punches and beatings."

Raghav looked at him, not happy with his words. "That douchebag touched my sister."

"He is a government employee. A mere mark on reputation will make him lose his job," Nakul argued. "We can't ruin someone's life at this large scale. He tried to dominate and scare Sakshi. We can do the same."

Raghav blinked in thought. "How?" He asked innocently, but with war on his mind.

Nakul smirked, "We can't insult him in public. But we can do it in your house. Invite him, talk to him. The man in fear, will burp out everything he has in mind. If possible, he could even apologise to Sakshi and beg her love."

Raghav shook his head. "He is not on the title anymore. He lost it the moment he touched her without her consent and did all those shits. Think something, Nakul. My hand is itching, I swear." His nostrils flared in anger.

Nakul nodded. "Invite him, his parents and that mediator. Your neighbor. Be it face to face and everything will be fine."

Raghav was only closing his eyes back to rest when his best friend asked, "Shrey is in Chandigarh. Gives me the same vibes when you stayed in Delhi for Pihu."

"Sakshi is different. She won't back down from her decision," said Raghav. A smile curved his lips. "My Pihu melts easily."

Nakul gave him a goofy smile.

"Women are unpredictable. You never know what they have in mind. It's the upbringing that Sakshi hasn't run away with him. But Shrey has come after her even after the history with us. When you had completely warned the brothers," said Nakul, thoughtfully. "The boy has guts. We need to take care of Sakshi's sentiments."

"Help me with files. Will you?" Raghav said while straightening up, not liking that there could be a possibility of Sakshi mention away to accept Shrey.

But as long as she wanted to be out of all this, he didn't have to worry about Shrey's confidence.

Things would be fine by themselves. All he had to do, was to control himself from choking anyone.

_______

"What do you feel?"

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