Evening came sooner than expected and Meher was in her room getting ready for shopping.

She had called her father a thousand times already, reminding him not to forget about the little plan they have.

She was wanting to buy a few formal ones as she will be joining the office soon. She also has decided to open her own CA firm but for the time being she wants to work in her father's company.

She was wearing a light blue shirt paired with cream colored pants. She did a little makeup and took her phone and purse before going down the stairs.

She got a call just as she reached the living room. “Yes Anjali aunty?” She answered the phone.

“Yes I am ready..” Meher replied. Anjali asked her if she could come to pick her. “No no.. Papa is coming as well so I am coming with him, you guys go. But wait for me..” Meher said.

Anjali laughed and cut the call after saying ‘alright’. Meher smiled and was about to keep her phone in the pocket when she noticed a few messages.

‘I am sorry.. ☹️’

‘Are you still angry?’

‘Tell me how do I make this right?’

‘Please at least pick up the call..’

Meher rolled her eyes at the messages, though she still felt bad but she reminded herself that why she is angry.

She opened the messages and typed a quick reply.

|Tell me how do I make this right?

As if you don't know why I am angry at you.

She pressed the send button and put her phone back in the pocket. She knows she is going to get calls soon. But for now she wants to enjoy the evening.

She was thinking all this when a car horn took her out of her thoughts.

She smiled and ran outside. There she saw her father and her brother Rishab, sitting inside the car already.

“Come on.. Why are you always late.” Rishab taunted. Meher just showed him her tongue and opened the car back door before sitting inside.

“Where is Ma??” her father asked. Mehar secured her seat belt and looked at her father. “She has a meeting with some traders in the evening, so she didn't make it to our plans.” Mehar shrugged her shoulders.

“Mom knew you were going to eat our heads all evening so she made an excuse.” Rishab teased her. “Ohh please.. We all know who is her favorite..” Meher rolled her eyes showing her palm to her brother.

Before Rishab could say something, Meher interrupted him.. “Why are we still here, let's go—” She couldn't finish her sentence when the back door opened again and her cousin Avni took a seat beside her. It wasn't enough of a shock for her as her elder brother Saurya also took a seat beside Avni.

Meher eyes widened. She looked at her brother with mouth open. “What?” Saurya asked.

“I thought you were not free?” She asked, narrowing her eyes. “I wasn't, I didn't even want to come, it's just dad asked me to.” he said, shrugging his shoulders as if it didn't just crush her little sister's heart.

Still she rolled her eyes and looked out of the window. “Its not like I was dying for you to come.” Meher said.

“See dad.. I told you she won't feel bad. You made me take a leave because of it.” Saurya said to his father who sighed.

“Okay enough, Meher, don't fight with your brother and Saurya.. Be a little mature. She is younger than you.” Rudra, her father said.

“It was because of you guys she is like this.” Saurya said. Avni just sat quietly between both siblings,scrolling her phone.

“What do you mean by ‘like this?’ Huh.. Did I ever do something to you..” Meher face became red because of frustration.

“Okay okay, Meher.. Bhai.. It's okay, relax..” Rishab said, trying to diffuse the tension between the both siblings.

Meher sat down quietly as her father started the car. Avni was still busy chatting with someone,not paying attention to anyone in the car.

Meher just looked out of the window feeling the sting of dejection. She always looked up to her elder brother, Saurya, despite the love she got from everyone, she always wanted to be his favorite.

She doesn't even know why he behaves like this with her. She can't even remember the last time Saurya and her had a sibling talk.

All they do is just fight and then Saurya will say something which will shut her up. She always wanted to be able to talk to him as she does with Rishab.

All the excitement of going shopping went out of the window as a tear rolled down her eyes. She quickly wiped it, not wanting anyone to notice it.

They reached the city mall shortly. It was already 7 in the evening and the whole mall was illuminated by bright lights making it stand out beautifully.

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“Ishita di.. Are you listening to me??” Rhea asked, nudging her with her elbow.

“Huh.. Yes yes..” Ishita said even though she didn't hear a single thing Rhea said.

Arjun was driving quietly listening to their talks. They are also going to the city mall.

Ishita, Rhea and Arjun are sharing the same car while Nukul along with Dev are coming in the second car.

Arjun laughed at something Rhea said and took a turn towards the mall. His phone chimed beside him.

He looked at the screen and sighed.

He was parking a car when he heard Ishita's voice. “Aren't they Malhotra's?” She asked looking out of the window.

Arjun turned his head towards the direction and saw Meher getting out of the car, typing something on her phone.

“Isn't Meher beautiful?” Rhea asked, looking at her. Arjun looked at her sister, but before he could say something Ishita slapped Rhea's head.

“No.. I don't think so.. She looks just as bad as them.” She replied, opening the car door and getting down.

“Get your eyes checked di.. She is beautiful.. Isn't she Arjun bhaiya?” Rhea asked and Ishita shook her head.

“Don't talk about them..” She said and made her way inside the mall. “Shouldn't we wait for Nukul?” Rhea asked. Ishita just waved her hands. “I don't care.. Just inform me when you guys leave.” She said and left.

“Rude.” Rhea mumbled and looked at Arjun who was looking somewhere. She followed his eyes and saw him staring at Meher while Meher was glaring at him.

She made an ‘O’ face and smiled teasingly. “Hmm.. Staring huh?” She asked. Arjun broke out of the trance and looked at his sister.

“What, rubbish..” Arjun said and rolled his eyes. “Our family are rivals, you know that right?” Rhea asked. Arjun raised his one eyebrow. “Yea.. So? What are you trying to say?” He asked.

“Nothing.. Dev bhaiya is here.. Let's go..” Rhea said and pulled him towards Dev.

Arjun once again looked back and saw Meher still looking at him. He raised his hand to wave a hi but Meher turned the other way just in time.

He sighed and followed his sister.

Nukul was looking around curiously, his eyes wide in astonishment. It's been a while since he came out of the house.

He had a small bag on his back as he held onto Dev sleeves and made his way towards Rhea and Arjun.

Rhea cooed at him while he smiled looking down. His behavior reminds them of an excited kid.

“Shall we go?” Arjun asked and held Nukul's hand. Nukul nodded his head and they all went inside the mall.

“What do you want to buy?” Dev asked and Rhea just shrugged her shoulders. “Anything is fine.. I just need a few dresses for college.” She said as she made her way towards the women section.

“Okay listen, you select the clothes, I am going with Nukul to the food corner okay?” Arjun asked.

Rhea nodded her head. “I will go with her.” Dev said and held her hand. “Call me when you guys are done okay?” Arjun asked and went away from there with Nukul after getting the reply.

“What do you want to eat?” Arjun asked Nukul, “I will tell… looking at menu.. then..” He formed a sentence and Arjun nodded.

They looked for a table from two and sat there. He took the menu from the table and handed it to Nukul.

“Here.. Take it and tell me what you want to eat today?” He said. Nukul opened the menu, skipping through the dishes while Arjun waited patiently.

“Fries.. and.. coke..” Nukul said and Arjun nodded his head. “That's it?” He asked. Nukul nodded his head and Arjun took the menu from him. “What about burgers?” He asked and Nukul's eyes widened.

“Yes.. Yes.. Burger.. Burger too..” He said excitedly. Arjun chuckled and stood up.

“You stay here.. hmm.. Don't move from here. I am coming with your food, did you understand?” Arjun asked.

Nukul nodded his head and smiled.

Arjun went towards the counter to order but there was a line so he had to wait for his turn.

He kept on checking on Nukul while standing in the line.

Nukul was sitting like the good boy he is, when his eyes fell on the toy store on the floor above.

More specifically the giant teddy bear that was showcased behind the glass wall.

His eyes shined as he looked at Arjun and saw him talking to a man. He stood up and made his way towards the stairs.

He climbed up and went towards the store but bumped into someone making the person yelp in surprise and the things the person was holding were all on the floor.

Nukul's eyes widened, he stepped back in fear. “I am– I am.. Sorry..” He mumbled, panicked and it made the girl look at him.

Meher was about to yell at him but stopped seeing his condition. She quickly went towards him but Nukul flinched thinking she was going to hurt him.

Nukul sat down on the floor quickly and started collecting her things with trembling hands.

“Hey hey.. Nukul.. Relax..” Meher said, crouching down beside him. “No.. No.. things fell.. because of I..” He tried to collect them but Meher held his hands.

“It's okay.. Look at me.. I am not angry. Relax..take a deep breath, come on.” she said cupping his face in her palms.

Nukul looked at her with moist eyes and rubbed his eyes. “You.. You not angry?” He asked in a low voice.

Meher shook her head.. “No I am not..” She assured him. Nukul took a deep breath and looked at the things.

Meher opened the shopping bag and started putting everything inside quickly.

“I am sorry..” Nukul again said and Meher just smiled at him. “No biggie, Nukul.. It happens.. You aren't hurt.. Are you?” She asked standing up and helping him to stand up as well.

Nukul looked at his hands, legs and back and then shook his head in negative. “No.. Me is fine.” he said and Meher smiled.

“That's good..” Meher said and that's when something clicked her mind.

“Nukul.. Why are you here alone?” She asked and looked behind her to see if anyone was there with him.

“Alone? Me is not alone.. Arjun bhaiya.. downstairs.. getting food.” He replied pointing down.

Meher looked down and saw Arjun standing in the line. His back was facing then but she can still tell him apart.

“Then why are you here alone?” Meher asked and held his hand, wanting to take him downstairs but she also looked around, not wanting any of her family members to see her talking with a Rathore.

“Why? Why?” Nukul looked around to find the reason he came upstairs and that's when his eyes landed on the same teddy again.

“Teddy.. Yes..” He said excitedly. “Huh?” Meher said and looked where Nukul was pointing.

“Ohh Teddy bear?” Meher asked and Nukul nodded. “You wanna buy it?” She asked. Nukul again nodded his head, this time more furiously.

“Let's go then..” Meher said and held his hand taking him inside the store.

They purchased the Teddy and Nukul took it with eyes filled with innocence. He hugged it close to him and looked at Meher who was paying.

“Thank you..” He said, smiling at her. Meher just shook her head and ruffled his hair.

“You should now go to your brother—”

“Nukul..” They all heard a loud voice and turned around seeing Dev coming towards them.

“Dev bhaiya..” Nukul exclaimed, Dev marched towards them and yanked him away from Meher.

“Relax–” Meher wanted to say but Dev just showed her his palm.

“What are you trying to do with him, huh?” Dev clenched his jaw tightly.

“Nothing, I was just–”

“Shut up, Ms. Malhotra, dare you come to him again.” Dev warned.

“You are getting it wrong Mr. Dev, he was here alone, you guys just left him unsupervised, I was taking him downstairs.” Meher explained her side, voice stern.

Dev glared at her and looked at Nukul who was playing with the Teddy bear. “Who bought it?” He asked.

Nukul looked up to Dev and smiled. He showed the Teddy bear to him and pointed at Meher.

Dev's anger flared as he snatched Teddy out of his hand and threw it towards Meher who didn't bother catching it resulting in the Teddy bear falling on the ground.

Nukul shrieked trying to get it back but Dev held him. “Let's go..” Dev said, “But Teddy..” Nukul tried to say but Dev dragged him away.

Meher sighed and looked at the teddy bear. She remembered Nukul's happy face when she bought it for him.

“Nukul–” SShe heard another voice and looked towards it to find Arjun.

She made her way towards him after picking up the Teddy from the ground. She tapped his shoulder making him turn around.

Arjun's eyes widened seeing Meher standing there, he opened his mouth to say something but Meher spoke first.

“Mr. Dev took him that way.” She said, giving out the direction. “How do you–” Arjun wanted to ask but Meher just shook her head.

“How irresponsible you are to leave a kid like that in this big mall. What if something happened to him?” Meher said angrily.

Arjun just kept looking at her, “will you speak something?” She snapped her finger in front of him.

“How are–”

BANG.

They both froze hearing the gun shot and turned around seeing a few goons running in their direction with guns in their hands.

The whole floor went up in chaos with people running to save themselves. He turned around to run when someone pushed Meher, she stumbled forward and collided with Arjun who was quick enough to hold her and balance themselves.

“Are you alright—”

BANG.

“Shit..” Arjun cursed and held Meher's hand before running away from there.

Meher also allowed herself to be dragged away with him. They ran into many people on the floor but Arjun managed to not let them fall.

Meher turned back and saw one of the goons following them, her eyes widened when she saw him aiming the gun in their direction.

“Arjun side..” She yelled and pushed themselves to the side while the bullet went past them.

Meher's whole body trembled in sheer fear as adrenaline kicked in.

“Ahh..” Arjun yelped, his body colliding with the side pole, “are you.. alright?” Meher asked, looking back and forth.

Arjun nodded his head and stood up again, “come on..” He said tugging on her hand as they again ran.

“I.. I think.. They are coming for either of us..” Arjun said looking back and seeing three of the goons following them.

“What do you mean by that??” Meher asked, scared. “I mean.. They are targeting either you, the malhotra Or me… the rathore.. Because he isn't firing the gun at anyone, just injuring them to get their way.”

“Huh.. Then we should part ways..” Meher said running.. Arjun looked at her like she had grown two heads.

“What? Are you serious?” Arjun yelled, turning around a corner. Meher looked back and then at Arjun. “Yes.. It will make it clear who they are coming for..” She said.

“And then what?” He asked. “Then one of us could go and bring the police or something..” She said, “tell me you are not that stupid, are you?” He asked.

Meher narrowed her eyes and before she could say something, a bullet hit her purse, touching her arm slightly.

She yelled and fell to the ground by the force of it. Arjun's eyes widened. He crouched down beside her and saw the blood flowing from her arms.

“Oh my god.. Shit shit..” He cursed, taking out a kerchief from his pocket and putting it on her arm to stop the bleeding.

“Let's get out of here..” She said, tears falling from her eyes because of the pain.

Arjun helped her stand as he looked back and saw the goons making their way towards them between people.

He quickly pulled her inside the clothes section and hid behind the racks.

He made her sit on the ground, Meher looked at her wound and then at her purse, she felt like cursing. “What the hell do they think they are.. Idiots, they ruined my designer bag and even hit my arm, stupids, animals..” She was cursing when Arjun put his hand on her mouth.

She glared at him trying to remove his hand but he just kept staring at her. Suddenly her eyes are the only thing he could notice.

Meher removed his hand and was about to say something when Arjun's phone rang. The loud voice blaring against the silent store, the complete opposite of the chaos outside.

He took out his phone and saw his brother's number, he quickly took the call. “Where are you bhaiya?” Dev's voice came out of the speaker, loud and filled with panic.

“Dev.. I am in some clothing store, are you guys safe?” He asked, “yes yes we all are okay, come to the back exit, we are waiting for you.” Dev said.

“Dev listen, the goons were chasing me, so I am hiding right now. Is the police here?” He asked.

“Bhaiya, the goons were after the malhotra's.. They even left Ishita unharmed. Malhotra's daughter is attacked.” Dev replied and Meher's eyes widened.

“What?? Are they alright?” He asked, looking at Meher whose eyes filled with tears. “I don't care bhaiya, they die or live, I don't give a damn. Just come out please..” Dev pleaded.

Meher sobbed thinking about her family. “Bhaiya.. Are you with someone?” Dev asked.

Arjun looked at Meher who was crying. “Dev.. Just go home.. I will come back..” He said and that's when the door opened with a bang.

Meher's eyes widened as she looked at Arjun in panic. Arjun kept a finger to his lips and peeked through the clothes to find the same three goons.

“MS. MALHOTRA.. I KNOW YOU ARE HERE, COME OUT. MR. RATHORE, WE HAVE NOTHING AGAINST YOU SO PLEASE.. COME OUT AND GO..” the goons yelled, firing a bullet, making Meher flinch and inch closer to Arjun who held her against his chest.

“Bhaiya.. You are with a malhotra? What are you doing with her..” He asked. “Dev.. Go and inform the police, we are in the dior section.” Arjun whispered.

“Bhaiya, leave her and come out.” Dev said. “Are you out of your mind.. Just do as I said.” Arjun whispered, rubbing Meher's head to sooth her a little.

Meher held onto Arjun, feeling scared. She shouldn't have come here today, she shouldn't have made her father agree to it. She put everyone in danger just because of a family outing.

“I WILL COUNT TO THREE AND IF YOU COME OUT ON YOUR OWN, WE WON'T HARM YOU BUT IF NOT THEN THE CONSEQUENCES WERE GOING TO BE BAD.” They heard the yell and Arjun peeked from the clothes section again and saw them looking around for them.

“Hey.. Listen.. Meher.. You okay..?” He asked softly, he felt her head move in agreement.

“I think we should—”

“HHHaaaa..” Meher and Arjun flinched when the clothes rack was pushed away and they were exposed in front of the goons.

Arjun stood up along with Meher, hiding her behind himself.

“See Mr. Rathore, we are not here for you today, so please.. Hand her over to us and you can go out freely..” The goon said.

Meher clutched his shirt from behind, feeling the pain shoot through her arms to her brain.

She stumbled but Arjun held her securely. “Ohhhoooo..” One of the goons cheered.

“Are my eyes seeing correct.. A Rathore.. saving a Malhotra..” He asked his minions who laughed.

“What do you want?” Meher asked, voice trembling but still enough to sound confident.

“I don't want anything.. Nahh.. But the one who paid us.. He wants you..” the goon said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Who…??” Arjun asked. “Now we aren't fools, see Mr. Rathore, let us do the work or we won't hesitate to hurt you as well.” The goon took out the gun and pointed at them.

“No..” Meher said, trying to come in front of him but Arjun held her back. “I won't..” He said.

“No.. What are you saying..? He would hurt you.. Idiot..” Meher yelled at him.

“Shut up..” Arjun warned her and looked at the goons.

One of them chuckled and ran towards them. He was about to throw a fist on Arjun's face but he moved away just in time.

“Nice..” The goon said as another one attacked him. It was now fist vs fist.

One of the goons went to grab Meher but she was fast enough to take the fallen rack and attack his head, making him shout in pain. She started hitting him more with her left hand because her right hand was injured.

The goon pulled her leg making her fall on the right hand, she cried out in pain as she clutched her arm.

The goon stood up, blood tricking down his side of the head. He kicked her in the face making her land on her other side.

Before he could hit another time, Meher suddenly turned around and stabbed his feet with the sharp iron hanger.

The goon cried out in pain as he fell to the ground. The iron rod is still inside his flesh. Meher panted feeling her arm throb and lips bleeding.

“Ahhhh..” She looked towards Arjun and saw him fighting with one of the goons but her eyes widened when she saw one of them coming from behind holding a bamboo in his hand ready to strike Arjun.

She stood up and took the iron road which she stabbed the other goon and took it out of his flesh before making her way towards the other one.

She pushed him away, making him fall down. The goon looked at her in anger and stood up, she was about to stab him but he held her hand and twisted it making the iron rod fall from her hand. She cried in pain.

“You little shit..” He said and twisted her arm more. She looked at the fallen iron road and slipped on the floor, letting her body fall on the ground along with the goon because of the imbalance.

She reached out for the iron rod with her right hand and wrapped her legs around the goon legs and stabbed it repeatedly.

The goon jerked, trying to free himself but Meher kept going, stabbing one after another, her whole hand was covered in blood.

Just then the door opened and police entered inside, followed by Dev, Rishab, Saurya and Meher's father.

The police fired the gun making all of them halt in their actions.

Dev ran towards his brother while Rishab and Saurya towards their sister.

Meher eyes were closing and opening on their own. “Misthi..” Rishab tapped her cheeks. “I am.. fine..” She said and looked at Arjun who was already looking at her.

Arjun took a step forward but stopped when Dev held his hand taking him towards the exit.

The police captured the goons and asked them to make a statement after coming to the police station.

Rishab carried Meher to their car while Arjun sat in theirs and looked at her unconscious figure until the malhotra's went out of there.

Ohh my god.. 4.1k words. Damn.

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