She took one deep breath, looking round the whole room. Silence prevailed. Ten minutes passed this way. Eeshani got sleepy and, having slept very little the previous night, began to feel sleepy. She tried to shake her head in order to remain awake, but that did not help. Sleep had conquered her to the uttermost, and she had started to sway upon her feet without being conscious of it.

Vikrant had eaten his breakfast by this time. He picked up a glass of juice. Eeshani, half-drowsy, dropped the glass when it came to his lips, and it fell directly on Vikrant on the sofa. The juice dropped out of his hand and wet his clothes.

Eeshani was now sitting on the lap of Vikrant. His countenance flushed with rage. Eeshani starts up with a shudder, and her eyes look into his furious face. She gazed at him, and her face grew tearful. Vikrant was frightening as an enraged man. With gritted teeth he said, "How darest thou touch me?"

Eeshani scrambled to her feet and dropped her head. "Sorry, sir! It was my mistake... I did not sleep last night and dozed. I am so sorry. Please forgive me, sir."

Vikrant stood and made a stride towards her in anger. Eeshani attempted to withdraw, but she bumped into the wall, and Vikrant was too close. She was not able to even turn her head. Trembling, she whispered, "Sir... I am really... shut up."

Vikrant was more agitated to hear this. Eeshani wept. Why should you grab me and get me dirty?, he shouted. I do not know whether you did it deliberately or accidentally, but girls like you, cheap and worthless, are not even worthy to be in the same surroundings with Vikrant Singh Shekhawat! I employed you to remain in your position and to work. Maybe you forgot your place."

The faster Eeshani wept, the more she felt worthless and not a human being but a dirty object. She attempted to restrain herself and said, "Sorry, sir... I didn't do it intentionally."

Vikrant shouted, "Look at me!"

Eeshani shook her head.

"I will not repeat again, Vikrant," he yelled. Look at me quietly."

Eeshani attempted to move aside, but Vikrant put both his hands on the wall where she was pinned between his arms. She shivered in fear.

"You are wrong," Vikrant said in a cold voice. You are going to have to pay the price of it.

Eeshani gazed at Vikrant with her big scared eyes at this. Vikrant began to unbutton his shirt with one hand suddenly. When this Eeshani turned pale and burdened his words, "Please, sir... do let me go. It was an accident—I did not do it intentionally. Please... don't do anything to me."

The following moment, Vikrant took off his shirt altogether. Eeshani, who was in a state of terror, dropped her head at once, her face full with tears. At this moment something came upon her mouth—it was his shirt. The voice of Vikrant came out in an abrupt way: So, your shirt became dirty on account of you. You will then pass it off as new, you see, and make it back to me.