Mannat’s day at college felt like a blur. She tried to focus on her classes, her friends, and the bustling environment around her, but her mind kept drifting back to the morning’s events. Armaan’s words, his icy gaze, and the suffocating silence in the car replayed in her head.
Her friends, Chavi and Ishita, noticed her unusual quietness.
"Mannat, tu theek toh hai?"Chavi asked during lunch, concern etched on her face.
Mannat gave a small, forced smile. "Haan, bas thoda thak gayi hoon."
"Lagta hai college ke assignments ne pareshaan kar diya hai," Ishita teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Mannat nodded absentmindedly, but her fingers clutched her bag tightly. Her thoughts kept circling back to Armaan and the way he had dragged her into that clearing. She could still feel his tight grip on her wrist and the burning anger in his eyes.
As the day wore on, she found herself growing more restless. Even when she laughed at her friends' jokes or tried to immerse herself in her notes, the weight of Armaan’s actions lingered. She couldn’t help but feel trapped—between the expectations of her family and the cold hostility of Armaan.
---

Meanwhile, Armaan had reached his office and immediately immersed himself in work. He greeted Kabir, his business partner, with a curt nod before diving into the Shah deal preparations.
"Armaan, kya chal raha hai? You seem... distracted," Kabir his another friend observed, leaning back in his chair as they discussed the terms.
"Focus on the deal, Kabir," Armaan replied sharply, shutting down the conversation.
Despite his authoritative demeanor, Armaan couldn’t shake off the image of Mannat’s tear-streaked face. He told himself he didn’t care, but a part of him couldn’t ignore the guilt gnawing at him. She was nothing more than a reminder of his painful past, and yet, her innocence and vulnerability stirred something in him he couldn’t understand—or didn’t want to.
By the end of the day, the deal with Mr. Shah was successfully closed, but Armaan felt no satisfaction. He left the office earlier than usual, telling Kabir he had things to handle at home.
---
Both Mannat and Armaan arrived home at the same time, their gazes meeting for a brief, tense moment before Mannat quickly looked away. She didn’t want another encounter, not after what had already happened that morning. She hurried toward the stairs, but her escape was interrupted by Shanti Devi's cheerful voice.
"Beta, tum dono ek sath aaye? Waah! Mannat, college kaise tha?"
Mannat forced a smile, her hands fidgeting nervously. "Ji, theek tha, Dadi."
Sumitra’s eyes sparkled with warmth. "Aur Armaan? Office mein sab kuch theek chal raha hai na?"
Armaan gave a nonchalant nod and muttered, "Haan, "
As the family exchanged pleasantries, Armaan’s mother sumitra noticed the tension between the two. She gave them a curious look but said nothing.
After a few minutes, Mannat excused herself, hoping to retreat to her room. But before she could escape, Armaan’s voice stopped her.
"Mannat, mere room mein aao," he said firmly, loud enough for everyone to hear.
The entire family turned to look at them, confusion evident on their faces.
"Kyun?" Mannat stammered, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Bas jo kaha, woh karo," Armaan said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Mannat hesitated, glancing at Sumitra and Dadi , who gave her a reassuring nod. Reluctantly, she followed Armaan upstairs, her heart pounding with fear and unease.
---
The moment Mannat entered his room, Armaan shut the door behind her with a thud, the sound making her flinch. He turned to face her, his expression unreadable but his eyes burning with intensity.
"Kya chahiye aapko? Kyun bulaaya mujhe?Woh bhi yun sabke saamne sab kya soch rahe honge" she asked, her voice trembling.
Armaan stepped closer, and Mannat instinctively took a step back, her back hitting the wall.
"Main tumse kuch poochhna chahta hoon," he said, his voice low but filled with an edge that made her shiver.
Mannat’s chest tightened. "Kya?"
Armaan leaned in, his face mere inches from hers. She could feel his breath on her skin, and her knees felt weak.
"Tumhare saath rahkar mujhe hamesha lagta hai ki tum mujhe kuch yaad dilana chahti ho ki main kitna akela hoon haina? ," he said, his voice laced with anger and pain. "Par tumhe kya pata? Tumne kabhi woh dard nahi dekha jo maine dekha hai."
Mannat’s eyes filled with tears. "Maine kabhi aapko dukh dene ki koshish nahi ki. Main toh bas—"
Armaan cut her off, his eyes darkening. "Bas kya, Mannat? Tum yahan ho kyunki meri maa ne tumhe apnaya hai. Par tum yeh mat samajhna ki main tumhe apnane waala hoon."
Before she could react, Armaan’s hand gripped her arm, and his lips brushed against her neck—not gently, but with an intensity that made her gasp. His teeth grazed her skin, leaving a sharp sting that made her heart race.
Mannat pushed him away with all her strength, tears , How dare you, aap itne neeche... ?"
Armaan stepped back, running a hand through his hair. For a moment, he looked conflicted, as though he regretted his actions. But the mask of indifference quickly returned.
"Yeh tumhari saza hai," he said coldly. "Aur yaad rakhna, Mannat, tumhare paas yeh ghar chhodne ka option hai agar Tum yahin rahogi, toh main tumhe har din yaad dilata rahunga ki tum meri zindagi mein kyun nahi chahiye isse acha yeh ghar chod do ."
With that, he walked out of the room, leaving Mannat standing there, shaken and broken. She slid to the floor, sobbing quietly, her heart heavy with fear, anger, and an inexplicable ache she couldn’t understand.
---
Downstairs, Shanti Devi noticed Armaan storming out of the house and grew worried. "Yeh ladka itna gussa kyun karta hai? Mannat ke saath kya baat kar raha tha?"
Armaan’s mother sighed. "Mannat is a sweet girl, but Armaan... woh apne dard ke saath jee raha hai. Usse samajhne ke liye waqt chahiye."
"Samay toh tab milega jab yeh dono ek dusre ke saath baith kar baat karein," Shanti Devi said firmly. "Mannat ko bhi kuch kehna hoga. Aur agar yeh dono samjhdari nahi dikhayenge, toh ghar ka mahol kharab hote der nahi lagegi Or jo humne socha hai woh kaise ho payega."
Upstairs, Mannat wiped her tears, realizing that she couldn’t let herself break. If she was to survive in this house, she needed to find her strength— because she doesnt have any other hope,and perhaps find a way to reach the man who had built walls so high that even his own heart couldn’t climb them.
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