A mistake, Vikrant said, is a mistake, great or little, and every mistake is punishable. There is a punishment for your error as well. He had not quite finished when Ishani screamed, What do you want?. Why are you doing this to me? How can you—"

Vikrant pulled his face within hers, almost touching his lips with hers, and, looking directly into her eyes, told her angrily that he must have her in order to gratify his ego. Ishani opened her eyes; she stood motionless. She did not know what he was telling her. Her big eyes were up at him, and his furious, reddened eyes were staring back at her. His furious, flushed countenance being so close at hand caused her to tremble. What? What do you mean, I managed trembling? What are you trying to say?" Her voice faltered.

Vikrant gave a crooked smile. Leaning forward and near her neck, with his deep voice, he breathes his hot breath into her ear and whispers, Why not? Why not? Or don't you want to? Your attitude towards me and the manner in which you talked to me yesterday hurt my ego. That ego must be satisfied. Now that you have insulted my ego, you will be the one to make it satisfied.

At this word Ishani shuddered—somewhere she knew what he meant. She could not get her hand free and screamed, "Look, I have done wrong.

Never again, after today, will I address you in that manner. I will never stand before you ever again. Please let me go. Don't do anything to me. I am much younger than you."

Vikrant abruptly dropped her hands and walked off a couple of feet before Ishani could utter another word. Ishani was in utter shock. She looked at him in disbelief, and her eyes were wide.

Looking at her face Vikrant smiled croakily and said icily,

"What did you think? That I was to do you something? Are you out of your mind? My ideal is not so low that I would have ever touched a girl like you. Touch you? I should not even allow someone like you to approach within fifty feet of my presence.

He said this, and, drawing a cigarette out of his pocket, struck a lighter and turned his back to her. Then, holding a drag, and puffing smoke up in the air, he proceeded.

"You really have a filthy mind. You ought to think of your own age, too—and the age of the person you are looking at—before you imagine such nonsense.

He dragged another step towards the sofa. Ishani remained standing there in a puzzled state. Forces of such haste pressed in her rear, and said,

Then what did you mean by what you said? Why had you said that you wanted me?

Vikrant sat on the sofa, intertwined one leg on the other, took another deep puff, and gazed at Ishani.

"Yes, I said I wanted you," he said coolly. Not like that you are trying to think. You may gratify those dirty urges of yours elsewhere. Not even to stand in front of Vikrant Singh Sakhawat, let alone anything more. So, stay in your limits."

At that, the face of Ishani flushed with fury.