Naina had been working for a long time when she got stuck at one particular point. She wasn't sure which product had to be highlighted for that sequence.

'Munna se puch leti hun.' She quickly placed the call.

'Hi Naina, is waqt kaise call kiya?' Munna's voice held a tinge of surprise.

'Mujhe puchna tha ki Bestsellers of the Year ki list mein jo products hain unhe kisi particular order mein lena hai kya?' She put up the question that had halted her work.

'Tum ghar jaakar bhi isi mein lagi ho? Don't stress. Kal dekh lenge. Ek do din late hone se kuch nahi hota.' Munna felt guilty for not telling her beforehand that this specific client's mail was always drafted like an urgent, pressing matter but it wasn't that way.

Naina was surprised, 'Main ghar se nahi office se bol rahi hun. Bas thoda sa kaam bacha hai, usey khatam karke nikalti hun.'

'Arey tum abhi tak wahan kya kar rahi ho?' Munna exclaimed as he checked the time, 'Aath baj chuke hain. Ghar jao Naina. Report kal kar lenge. Tumhe itni late tak rukne ki zarurat nahi hai.'

'Oh!' Naina glanced at her watch and was surprised, 'Maine time dekha hi nahi. Okay, main ab nikalti hun. Baaki ka kal hi karungi ab.'

She rolled her eyes after hanging up, 'Pagal hun main bhi. Time hi nahi dekha.'

She collected her things, switched off the connections and walked towards the elevator. Only then she noticed the silence in the office. The surroundings that were bustling with people during the day looked eerie when vacant. It was well lit, yet it made her shudder.

As she walked towards the main door of the building, another hiccup presented itself. It was raining heavily outside.

Naina let out a frustrated sigh, 'December ke mahine mein baarish kyon hoti hai yaar. Ek toh thand lagti hai upar se geele kapde sukhte nahi.'

She waited for a while at the door, checking for cabs. That was another reason to worry. It had been probably raining for quite some time because now the app showed no available cabs. She postioned her bag over her head and sprinted towards the cafe.

Once inside, she brushed off the water from her jacket sleeves, looking around. The cafe was empty.

'Lagta hai mere alava sab time pe nikal gaye aaj.' She muttered in frustration, 'Aaj hi late hona tha aur aaj hi baarish aani thi. Mere saath kuch sahi toh ho hi nahi sakta.'

She went to the counter and ordered a coffee, then looked at the array of eatables. Natasha had gone for a flight today afternoon. She would be back only in the morning. Naina was in no mood to cook after reaching home. She asked the boy to pack her a sandwich. She could heat it up and have at home for dinner.

Twenty minutes later, her coffee was over but it was still pouring outside. She checked the app for cabs. Luckily, she could book one after a while. Because of the hazy visibility combined with the murkiness of the hour, she couldn't clearly see the road from cafe. Though the app showed the cab to be nearby, she did not get any message of arrival. When she called up again, the driver did not answer and cancelled the ride.

'Damn.' She muttered in frustration, 'Sab kuch aaj hi hona hai. Ab kya karun?' She then turned to the boy at the counter, 'Tum cafe band karne ke baad ghar kaise jaate ho?'

He checked his watch, 'Ma'am, abhi toh closing mein time hai. Main metro leta hun lekin aaj itni baarish hai toh peeche ke auto stand se auto le lunga.'

Naina asked him for the directions, and decided to go out to the stand. It seemed to be the only way as the boy did not have any number to contact any specific auto driver.

When she stepped out, the intensity of the rain had lessened but it was still enough to drench anyone who stayed out for more than few minutes. Zipping up her jacket and wrapping the muffler around her head, Naina stepped out and rushed towards the main driveway of the building. She had barely reached halfway when she spotted a black car parked next to the curb. Before she could even react to this sudden sighting, the door of driver side opened and a tall person stepped out.

'Hi Naina.' Nakul smiled at her.

Naina stood frozen on her spot, gaping at him. She had failed to see the black car earlier.

'Come, I'll take you home. Itni baarish mein kaise jaogi.' He casually stepped closer and stretched his hand to hold her arm.

Naina took a quick step to the other side, drawing in a sharp breath, 'No no, it's fine. Main... main manage kar lungi.'

'How?' Nakul narrowed his eyes, pulling his hand back, 'Is waqt metro station tak walk thodi kar sakti ho. Na koi auto milega na cab.'

Had she not been aware of his real face, Naina would have gladly taken the lift tonight. She had known him as Natasha's friend, and that was enough not to doubt him. But after what Sameer told her, she felt a shiver run down her body at his unblinking stare. Dressed in a waterproof black hoodie, with cap over his head, he looked more like a serial killer at the moment. Naina felt her breath stuck in her throat. The walkway, usually teeming with people and vehicles, was completely deserted tonight. The guards at the gate were at least 700 meters away. There was not a single soul around who she could reach out for help. The only safe place seemed to be the cafe.

Trying to appear unaffected, she countered, 'Meri cab aane wali hai. Shayad baarish ki wajah se late ho gayi. Main cafe mein hi wait kar leti hun. Okay bye.'

Before she could turn, Nakul took a step and blocked her way, looking down at her with piercing eyes, 'Theek hai cab le lena. Lekin pehle mujhse baat kar lo. I need to talk to you. Main che baje se yahan tumhara wait kar raha hun.'

'No.' Her voice came out too strong as she took a hasty step back, 'Not now. Abhi... abhi mujhe jaana hai. Yahan... baarish mein nahi bheegna.'

As she tried to get away from his side, Nakul held her arm from the elbow. She shot a furious look at him.

He smiled gently, 'Baarish hai isliye keh raha hun car mein baithkar baat karte hain. Tumhari cab aaye tab tak. Please Naina.'

She bit her lower lip to stop the trembling, then pulled back her arm from his grip. It wasn't possible for her to fight him. Nor should she antagonise him. She had to play smartly to get away from this situation.

Placing a cupped hand over her forehead to shield her eyes from the rain, she stated in a normal voice, 'Tum kal mere office aa jaana. Wahan aaram se baat ho jayegi. Abhi mujhe jaldi hai. Nutty wait kar rahi hogi.'

'Woh toh flight pe gayi hai.' Nakul mentioned with confidence.

Naina was taken aback. How did he know? Was he still keeping an eye on her... or maybe on both of them? He had been inconspicuous for past few days, making her think that he had backed off. But probably he was waiting for Natasha to leave. Another wave of dread invaded her, making her take a shaky step backwards. Here, on the dark, deserted pavement, facing a man who had a scandalous reputation, she felt all her courage go down the drain. She just wanted to run away... anywhere, to be away from his prying eyes.

'Naina,' Nakul's voice showed concern, 'baarish mein bheegne se bimar ho jaogi. Cab aane tak car mein wait kar lo. Mera tumse baat karna bohot important hai.'

'Kyon? Aisa kya important hai?' She spat back, irritated at his pretence, 'Hamare beech koi connection nahi hai toh tum mujhse baat kyon karna chahte ho? Yahan kyon wait kar rahe the che baje se? Tum Natasha ke dost ke dost ho, isse zyada kuch nahi, fir abhi baat karna kyon zaruri hai?'

Nakul's face hardened at her rough tone. He narrowed his eyes, 'Connection nahi hai? Maine tumhe propose kiya tha. I like you.'

'Aur maine ussi waqt bataa diya tha ki main tumhara proposal accept nahi kar sakti. Baat khatam ho gayi. Ab mera raasta chodo. There is nothing to talk between us. Mujhe ghar jaana hai.' She declared with grit.

Nakul's eyes flashed with anger for a moment, but he controlled himself and persisted in a gentle voice, 'Mujhe yaad hai tumne manaa kiya tha lekin maine bhi kaha tha ki iske baare mein sochna. Tumne socha kya?'

Her eyes widened at his audacity, 'I made it very clear ki aisa kabhi nahi ho sakta. Mujhe ab iske baare mein koi baat nahi karni.'

She turned to leave from other side but he quickly walked around to block her way and demanded, 'Kyon nahi ho sakta Naina? Kya kami hai mujh mein? I'm handsome, rich, established. Aur kya chahiye tumhe?'

His movement had brought him too close to her. Naina was filled with disgust.

Steeling her voice, she looked him in the eyes, 'Mujhe jo chahiye woh mujhe mil gaya hai. I'm seeing someone.'

The hatred in his eyes couldn't remain hidden, 'Kaun? Sameer Maheshwari?'

So he had definitely seen them together.

'Jaante ho toh puch kyon rahe ho. We are dating. Isliye please, ab mujhse baat karne ki koshish mat karna.' She decalred.

The false gentleness on his face vanished, making his features set in a brutal arrogance as he bitterly retorted, 'Tum Sameer ko jaanti nahi ho. Woh rude, ghamandi aur bigda hua ladka hai. Tumhe bewakoof bana raha hai. Koi pyar vyar nahi karta.'

'Woh kya hai aur kaisa hai yeh main achhi tarah jaanti hun. Do saal se uske saath hun.' Naina gave him the already practiced story.

Nakul raised his brows, a wicked smile playing on his lips, 'Achha? Do saal se? Do mahine pehle tak toh tumhe uske saath kabhi nahi dekha tha. Ab bhi roz nahi milti. Yeh kaisi dating hai?'

She was stunned. He had been stalking her for a long time.

'Main tumhe kyon explain karun ki hamara rishta kaisa hai.' Her voice shook a little, both because of fear and cold.

Nakul again turned softer, 'Tumhe Sameer jaise ladke ke saath nahi rehna chahiye. Woh sirf tumhe exploit karega. Main prove kar sakta hun ki Sameer kitna bura hai. Mere phone mein uski chats aur photographs hain. Aao main car mein dikhata hun.'

'Enough Nakul.' Naina roared, 'Apni harkatein chupane ke liye doosron ki taraf ungli mat uthao. Main jaanti hun tumne school aur college mein kya kya kiya hai. Aage se mujhse baat karne ki koshish mat karna. Stay sway from me.'

Suddenly, Nakul gripped her arm and started to drag her towards his car, his voice devoid of any tenderness, 'Aage ka aage dekhenge. Abhi toh tumhe mere saath chalna hi padega. Itni der se tumhara intezar isliye nahi kar raha tha ki tum mujhe us Maheshwari ke liye reject kar do. Nakul ko naa sunne ki aadat nahi hai.'

'Leave me.' Naina screamed in panic, trying to free herself but his hold was too strong for her.

She looked around for help. There was no visible soul. Even her voice got lost in the pattering sound of incessant rain. If she had to save herself, she would have to do something fast. Naina tightened her grip on the strap of her large bag and swung it hard towards his head.

The blow could not inflict much damage but it took him by surprise, making his hold slacken. She jerked her arm free and ran towards the gate with as much strength as she could muster. Nakul recovered immediately, and dashed after her. Naina glanced back at his fast approaching figure. Her vision blurred, not just with rain but with tears that started to form as she trembled in trepidation.

She turned her head to look ahead a little late... and stumbled over the speed breaker on the road. Unexpectedly, a pair of arms wrapped around her, preventing her fall. Naina straightened with a start, fiercely pushing away. Nakul had reached her much before she expected.

'Are you okay?' Sameer's voice startled her.

Her eyes shot up to confirm if she had heard right. It was indeed Sameer, holding her by shoulders to steady her. Without a word, she caught his arm with both hands and spun around to stand next to him, turning to face Nakul, who was now rooted to the spot, just a few steps away from them.

Sameer looked at Naina's hands fastened around his upper arm. Silently, he placed his one palm over her hand before moving his attention to Nakul.

His eyes blazed as he spat out, 'How dare you, Nakul? Teri himmat kaise hui Naina ko choone ki?'

Nakul, who was momentarily stunned at this unexpected intrusion, was in control now. He smiled wickedly, 'Kyon, isey choone ka contract tune le rakha hai kya?'

Sameer's face contorted with anger. His jaw clenched and every muscle in his body coiled with fury. He took a step towards Nakul, only to realise that Naina was holding onto him with a deadly grip.

Staying at his place, he growled, 'Naina ka naam apne muh se dubara mat lena. Usse dur reh. She's... she's my fiancée.'

He felt Naina's fingers clench on his arm.

Nakul let out a laugh, 'Fiancée? Kise ullu bana raha hai? Chaar din ki jaan pehchaan mein shaadi tak baat pahunch gayi tumhari? Sameer, main jaanta hun tu aur Naina kuch dinon se hi milne julne lage ho. Usse pehle tum dono ko saath mein kabhi dekha tak nahi tha.'

'Tune nahi dekha toh iska matlab hum saath nahi the?' Sameer's voice did not waver, 'Anyway, humein apne baare mein tujhe clarification nahi deni. We are together, aur yeh baat tu achhi tarah dimag mein bitha le toh achha hoga. Dubara kabhi Naina ke aaspaas bhi nazar mat aana.'

'Jhooth bol raha hai tu. Main tujhe saalon se jaanta hun. Yeh koi pyar vyar ka chakkar nahi hai.' Nakul's gaze drifted over Naina, lingering for enough time to make her squirm.

Before Sameer could say anything, she retorted in a sharp voice, 'Khud dekh lena yeh kya hai. Yeh shaadi wala pyar hai. Kuch hi dinon mein hum shaadi karne wale hain.'

Nakul flashed an amused look at them, 'Shaadi? Impossible. Sameer tumse shaadi kabhi nahi karega. Tum iske type ki nahi ho. Isiliye tumhe saath dekh ke bhi yakeen nahi hota ki tum dono mein pyar jaisa kuch hai. Mujhe toh lagta hai tum dono mein koi rishta hai bhi toh woh sirf... friends with benefits... wohi toh main bhi chahta hun.'

Sameer felt a burning rage boil within him. He bolted ahead, freeing himself from Naina's hold which had weakened upon hearing Nakul's words. Nakul did not get time to understand what happened. Sameer's blow hit him straight on the face, making him fall back on the concrete road. Picking him up by collar, Sameer landed another sharp punch on his jaw, that sent him reeling over to the pavement. As he prepared to attack again, he was yanked back by Naina, her fingers digging into his arm.

He hissed at her, 'Leave me. Aaj main isey zinda nahi chodunga.'

'Please.' She pleaded, her eyes wide with fear and distress, 'Yahan scene hua toh security ko pata chal jayega aur mera naam kharab hoga.'

Sameer gazed at her for a few seconds, till he detected a movement from the corner of his eye. Quickly, he shielded Naina and moved aside. Nakul fell ahead with force when his fist did not come in contact with anyone, simply flaying in empty air. Sameer eyed him with disgust. He wanted to teach him a real good lesson, but Naina was right. This was not the right place. No one had witnessed what happened till now because of the rain, but now that the rain had reduced to a mere drizzle, they might get some inquisitive on lookers.

Before Nakul could get up and react, Sameer held Naina's hand and sprinted on the curved road towards the gate of the complex. His car was parked outside. Entry gate was shut when he had reached here, and no one had responded to his repeated honking. He had to leave the car outside and rush in from the small pedestrian gate.

It was a coincidence that he had called Munna earlier while he was speaking to Naina.

When Munna answered the phone after several rings, Sameer teased him, 'Kisse baat kar rha tha jo meri call ignore kar di? Lagta hai hamari bhabhi mil gayi hai.'

Munna chuckled, 'Teri nahi apni bhabhi se baat kar raha tha.'

'Teri bhabhi kahan se aa gayi? Shravan ne girlfriend bana li kya?' Sameer was surprised.

'Abey gadhe teri girlfriend se baat kar raha tha. Naina se. Ab teri girlfriend hai toh meri bhabhi hui na.' It was Munna's turn to tease him.

Sameer made a face, 'Chup kar yaar. Musibat hai who, aur kuch nahi.'

Munna scoffed at him, 'Kuch toh sharam kar Sameer. Teri itni help kar rahi hai aur tu usey hi musibat keh raha hai. Naina jo karti hai poori sincerity se karti hai. Abhi bhi office se phone kiya tha. Kaam ke chakkar mein time hi nahi dekha usne. I'm sure akeli bachi hogi wahan.'

Sameer glanced outside the window, 'Itni baarish ho rahi hai aur woh office mein baithi hai. Aaj ghar nahi jaana kya?'

Munna sighed, 'Andar kahan pata chalta hai baarish ka. Bichari bahar ayegi toh dekhegi. Aaj toh cab hi leni padegi usey. I hope mil jaaye. Baarish kuch zyada hi tez ho gayi hai.'

After ending the talk with him, Sameer called up Naina's number but it didn't get through. He was not able to take Nakul out of his mind even though Naina had not said anything about him for last two days. For the next one hour, he kept trying to call but could not reach her. A nagging doubt did not let him sit still and he finally drove to her office complex, only to find his fears confirmed when he saw Naina running wildly on the road, with Nakul following her.

Next update on Saturday