After College...
The heated debate in the auditorium, the nasty drama in the corridors, and Advait Raichand's heavy-handed assault inside that dark classroom were all revolving in Pakhi’s mind like a terrifying horror film.
Stepping out of the college gates, Pakhi walked slowly along the roadside, completely lost in her thoughts. Her swollen, red lips bore witness to Advait’s brutal kiss and bite. Her fingers repeatedly touched her lower lip, where a sharp sting and burning sensation still lingered.
"How dare that vile, pathetic man touch me! An arrogant monster blinded by wealth... thinks he's God!"
Pakhi cursed Advait in her heart, a volcano of rage simmering inside her.
Suddenly, the roar of a speeding motorcycle came from behind, screeching to a halt right beside her.
Pakhi snapped out of her thoughts and turned around, startled. Armaan was sitting on the bike. Taking off his helmet, he flashed his familiar, sweet smile at her.
"Hey Pakhi! Where are you lost? I’ve been honking for so long, you didn't even notice!"
Pakhi quickly tried to compose her facial expressions. In panic, she keep her hankie on her mouth , higher to hide her swollen lips from Armaan's sight.
Forcing a fake smile, Pakhi asked, "Oh Armaan... you? What are you doing here?"
Putting the bike on its stand, Armaan looked at her with concerned eyes. "I came to pick you up. I thought college would be over, so we could head home together. But... why do you look so troubled? Why do you look so down? And what's on your lip...?"
Armaan’s gaze drifted to the red mark near Pakhi's lip. He got off the bike and stepped closer to her.
"What happened to your lip, Pakhi? Did you get hurt?"
Pakhi’s heart began to race. She knew that if she told Armaan anything about what Advait Raichand did, Armaan would lose his temper. Armaan was a straightforward, innocent guy—he was no match for a ruthless, powerful man like Advait. She didn't want to drag him into trouble.
Avoiding eye contact, Pakhi tried to cover up. "Uh... it's nothing, Armaan. I... I was in a hurry in the classroom and bumped into a bench, falling face-first. It's just a small scrape, nothing more."
Scanning her face carefully, Armaan asked, "Are you sure? Pakhi, you aren't hiding something from me, are you? Your eyes tell me you're furious."
Holding Armaan’s hand to change the subject, Pakhi said, "Oh come on! You're worrying over nothing. It was just a hectic day with presentations and seminars, my brain is fried."
Hearing her words and feeling the warmth of her hand, Armaan’s suspicion eased slightly. A relieved smile returned to his face.
"Alright then. But be careful from now on. A injury doesn't look good on that beautiful smile of yours."
Armaan's sweetness and care acted as a soothing balm on Pakhi's smoldering heart. Amidst the wounds inflicted by Advait, Armaan’s simplicity offered her comfort. A genuine, subtle smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you, Armaan. You are truly wonderful."
---
They were standing and talking, and Pakhi’s mood was just beginning to lift, when the phone in her jeans pocket began ringing loudly.
She pulled it out. The caller ID displayed "Mr. Sharma." Pakhi’s expression hardened in an instant.
Taking a heavy breath, she answered the call in a cold tone.
"Yes, speak... why did you call?" she said indifferently.
From the other end, Ramesh Sharma’s voice came through—filled with its usual bitterness, anger, and now an underlying, strange fear.
"Keep that attitude and arrogance in your pocket, Pakhi! Get home right now, this instant!" Ramesh spat out in a harsh, venomous voice.
Frowning, Pakhi replied, "I have no need to come home, nor am I interested in anything you have to say—"
Interrupting her with a scream, Ramesh panted in rage, "Don't talk back to me! Get home right now, or no one will be worse than me!"
He slammed the phone down.
Pakhi pulled the phone away from her ear, glaring at the screen with cold eyes, her fists clenched tightly.
Noticing her anxiety and tense posture, Armaan asked, "What happened, Pakhi? Was that Uncle Ramesh? Why did he sound so angry?"
Suppressing her disgust, Pakhi said dryly, "Has that man ever learned to speak politely, that he would start today? He says something happened at home..."
Taking a deep breath, she added, "Armaan, will you drop me home?"
Armaan smiled. "Do you even need to ask? Let's go."
---
A little while later...
As soon as Pakhi stepped through the main entrance of her house, a chilling silence hanging in the room hit her face. Every single family member was standing in the hall, staring at her as if she were a criminal.
Pakhi furrowed her brows. She was about to throw a sharp retort at Ramesh when her gaze landed on the main sofa in the living room... and her feet froze in place.
Advait Raichand was sitting on the sofa.
Leg crossed over leg, his steel-like fingers intertwined, he sat there like a king. A deeply venomous, deadly, and malicious smirk hovered on his face. His icy black eyes stared straight at Pakhi’s swollen lips, as if reminding her that just a short while ago, he had crushed those very lips with his teeth.
Pakhi’s blood boiled. Her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
---
Seeing Pakhi, Ramesh Sharma stepped forward, trembling with rage, and pointed a finger at her.
"There you are! Because of your disrespect and foul mouth, Mr. Raichand had to come here personally today! Do you have any idea who you've messed with?! Move quietly, fall at Mr. Raichand’s feet, and apologize!"
Pakhi completely ignored her father. Her sharp, fearless eyes locked directly into Advait’s icy gaze. Advait raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing wider.
A sharp, mocking smile appeared on Pakhi's face. Looking at Advait, she said in an intensely sarcastic tone
"Oh my... Did Mr. Advait Raichand's fragile ego get hurt over such a small thing that he personally came to my house to complain? Such a big corporate tycoon, yet such a petty mindset?"
The family gasped at Pakhi’s nerve. Ramesh Sharma’s face turned pale with fear.
Stuttering and shouting in panic, Ramesh cried, "Pakhi! Mind your tongue! Apologize to him!"
Taking a bold step closer to Advait's face, Pakhi roared, "Apologize?! I would rather die, I would give up my life... but I will never bow my head before this vile, pathetic excuse of a man! Forgiveness aside, I don't even like looking at this monster!"
Advait’s face hardened for a split second, a wild rage flaring in his eyes, but he quickly reined it in and maintained his arrogant smirk.
Gaving Advait one last look of utter disgust, Pakhi turned sharply and walked toward her room without caring about anyone.
"Pakhi, stop! Listen to me!" Ramesh ran after her to stop her, but Pakhi slammed her bedroom door shut and locked it from the inside.
---
A deathly silence fell over the hall. Trembling, Ramesh Sharma turned to Advait, folding his hands as he pleaded frantically.
"Mr. Raichand... please forgive us. That girl is out of her mind, she doesn't know what she's saying. I... I will talk to her, she will apologize to you. Please spare our company and our home!"
Advait slowly rose from the sofa. His stride carried that same heavy, terrifying authority. He adjusted the buttons of his suit jacket. His eyes remained fixed on Pakhi’s closed bedroom door, where his prey was trapped inside.
In Advait’s mind, Pakhi’s slap, her fearless eyes, and her sharp words echoed repeatedly. The fake smile on his face had vanished, replaced by a ruthless, predatory intent.
Advait looked down at Ramesh Sharma. His voice was so cold and flat that it chilled the room.
"Ramesh... I need to talk to you right now. In private. Let's go."
Ramesh looked at Advait's terrifying expression. A surge of dread washed over him, but he had no choice.
"Yes... yes, Mr. Raichand. This way."
Advait walked out with heavy steps, and Ramesh Sharma followed behind him like a frightened, wet cat.
Standing near the back, Riya, Vicky, and Sushma were stunned. Gritting his teeth, Vicky muttered, "Pakhi will never learn. She won't stop until she ruins us all and throws us on the streets."
Vicky then looked at Sushma and said, "Mom, I'm heading out, I have some work to take care of."
Sushma nodded. As soon as Vicky left, Riya turned to Sushma and whined, "Mom, Advait is so handsome... please get me married to him."
Shocked, Sushma replied, "Have you lost your mind? That guy isn't a human, he's a monster! I will never let my daughter end up with a ruthless brute like him."
Pouting, Riya said, "But Mom..."
Sushma said affectionately, "Don't worry, sweetie. I'll find you a much better guy , someone handsome and rich."
Riya didn't argue further, just dropping her face in disappointment. With a sly smirk, Sushma added, "Right now, I'm just wondering what Advait is going to do to Pakhi. She flies so high, doesn't she? Now she'll finally be put in her place..."
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