Author pov..

Ishani stumbled back in shock, her eyes widening as she stared at him.

"You...?" Her voice trembled, the question unfinished.

He smiled faintly, a dangerous calm in his eyes."Yes. The one whose arms you always end up collapsing into."

Anger rushed through her fear. She pushed past him, her heart pounding, not wanting to stand that close to a stranger who spoke as if he knew her far too well.

But before she could take another step, shadows moved ahead.

The same boys.

They emerged slowly, blocking her path."Now where will you run, jaaneman?" one of them laughed.

Her breath hitched. Panic wrapped around her chest as she looked at them.

Her legs felt weak, her throat dry. She tried to step back-and felt someone move in front of her.

He stood there silently, firm, unshaken.

A barrier between her and danger.

"What's happening here?" his voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding."In a sacred city like Banaras, you think you can harass a girl so freely?"

The boys faltered.One of them stared at his face closely, fear creeping in.

He whispered urgently to the others,

"Bro... he's Raj bhaiya's elder brother."

The color drained from their faces.

The man stiffened when he heard that name. His jaw clenched.

He looked at them slowly, his gaze cold."Why are you troubling her?" he asked.

One boy swallowed and spoke nervously,"She... she sent your brother to jail. We were just making her pay for it."

In the next second, the air cracked.

The slap echoed loudly.

The boy stumbled back, stunned.

The man's eyes burned with fury.

"Who gave you the right to take revenge?" he thundered.

Silence fell.

The boys stood frozen, fearing replacing every trace of arrogance.

Behind him, Ishani stood shaking confused, terrified, and overwhelmed.

She didn't know his name.

All she knew was this.when the world closed in on her, a stranger had stepped forward and become her shield.

The boys backed away in fear.

Arguing with a Thakur would cost them dearly and they knew it.

Without another word, they turned and ran.

Abhay stood there, watching them disappear into the distance. His fists clenched."I won't let this go," he thought. "I'll make sure they're handed over to the police."No one had the right to harass a girl and walk away untouched."

Slowly, he turned around.

Ishani was still standing there.

Only then did he notice the way she was leaning slightly to one side, her foot trembling.

Pain flashed across her face her ankle had twisted.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice

softer now.

She nodded faintly. "Yes... I'm fine. Thank you for saving me," she said, and began to walk away slowly, carefully, each step hurting.

Before she could go far, Abhay hurried after her."There's no need to thank me," he said firmly."My brother did wrong to you. So please... don't say thank you."

Ishani stopped. She looked at him, startled.She couldn't believe how could a Thakur be this humane, this sincere?"Okay," she said quietly, and started moving again.

Abhay watched her limp, every step clearly painful. He couldn't ignore it.

"You can sit down if it's hurting," he said gently."Let me take a look."

"No, I'm really fine," she replied, not wanting to trust a stranger so easily.

He smiled reassuringly."Look, I'm a doctor. If you put too much pressure on your foot, the pain will only get worse. Let me check it once maybe it'll feel better."

Ishani hesitated.She didn't usually trust strangers.But something about him felt different.

There was no unease, no fear only calm.Slowly, she sat down.

Abhay knelt beside her, carefully examining her ankle, his movements gentle and precise."May I touch your foot?" Abhay asked gently.

Ishani hesitated for a second, then nodded.

He examined her ankle carefully. It was only a mild sprain.Looking up, he asked casually, "By the way, what were you doing here alone? Isn't your friend with you today?""I came to watch the Ganga Aarti," Ishani replied.

He kept her talking, distracting her with small questions and suddenly, without warning, he firmly twisted her foot back into place.

A sharp cry escaped her lips. Pain shot through her leg.She looked at him in anger, her eyes blazing."What did you do?" she snapped. "It's hurting even more because of you!"

Abhay stayed calm. Almost amused.

"Relax," he said. "I fixed it. Now stand up."

"No, it's not fixed. It still hurts," she protested.

"First, stand up," he insisted softly.

Reluctantly, Ishani rose to her feet.

She waited for the pain but it never came.

Her ankle felt light. Normal.

Slowly, disbelief spread across her face. She looked at him, then smiled.

"It... it's really fine," she said in wonder. "The pain is completely gone."

Abhay smiled back, quiet confidence in his eyes."I told you," he said. "It would be okay."

And in that moment, her fear faded and replaced by trust, surprise, and something warm she couldn't yet name.

"Thank you... so much," Ishani said, her face lighting up.

She walked a few steps, almost testing herself no pain at all.

Abhay watched her, a quiet smile forming on his lips.

"By the way," he said, "my name is

Abhay Thakur. What's your name?"

"Ishani Awasthi," she replied with a soft smile.

"Ishani," he repeated. "That's a beautiful name."

Then, as if remembering something, he added lightly,"So... how is your brother the one who ran away from home?"

She shook her head quickly."He's not my brother. He's my friend's brother."

"Oh," Abhay said thoughtfully. "The same one who called me a kidnapper?"

Color rushed to Ishani's face. Embarrassed, she lowered her eyes.

"Rahul was with you so we thought you were kidnapping him. That's why we called you a kidnapper. I'm sorry."

Abhay chuckled softly.

"It's alright. Misunderstandings happen."

Then he looked at her with a teasing smile."By the way, you say 'sorry' and 'thank you' a lot. Ever since we met, that's all you've been saying."

Ishani smiled shyly."But you helped me. It's just courtesy, isn't it to thank someone who helps you?"

"Yes, it is," Abhay admitted.

"But hearing it from you like this... it doesn't feel good. Please don't say it."

She grew a little awkward, unsure how to respond."Okay," she said softly. "I should go now it's getting late."

She turned to leave, her steps light, her ankle healed.and behind her,

Abhay stood watching, knowing this meeting was far from ordinary.

Ishani kept walking, but a sudden thought made her slow down. "I should call Divya and ask where she is,"she told herself. She reached for her phone nothing.

Her hand froze.

She checked again, her fingers searching her palm, then her pockets.

A faint uneasiness crept into her chest.

Quickly, she opened her handbag and rummaged through it, but the phone wasn’t there either.

Her heartbeat picked up.Panic began to rise as she turned back toward the ghat, her eyes scanning the ground desperately.

Maybe I dropped it there… She searched frantically, moving from one step to another, fear tightening her throat.

Abhay was standing nearby, quietly watching her growing restlessness. The worry on her face didn’t go unnoticed.

He walked up to her, his voice calm yet concerned.“Ishani… is something wrong?”

She looked at him, her eyes anxious, her words tumbling out in a rush.

“M-my phone… I can’t find my phone. It was in my hand just a moment ago.”

She continued searching, her movements hurried and unsettled.

Abhay joined her, looking around carefully, but when they still couldn’t find it, he turned to her and said gently,“Tell me your number. I’ll call it. Maybe we’ll hear the ringtone.”

Ishani quickly told him her number.

Abhay dialed immediately.A second later, a ringtone echoed nearby.

Ishani ran toward the sound, her heart pounding.

She spotted her phone lying there. She picked it up quickly its glass was cracked, shattered at one corner.

But none of that mattered.

A deep wave of relief washed over her. Her shoulders relaxed, her breath steadied.

The phone was damaged, yes but it was found. And for her, that was enough.

Abhay walked toward her, He stopped in front of her and said softly,

“Here… you found your phone.”

“Yes… thank you,” she said, her voice low. “Without you, I really wouldn’t have found it.”

Abhay let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.“So many thank yous,” he said lightly. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a girl thank me this much.”

Ishani blinked, then laughed soft, genuine, almost shy. The heaviness inside her chest finally loosened.

“Okay,” she said, smiling. “From now on, I won’t say thank you at all. Happy now?”

“Hm,” Abhay replied, his lips curving into a faint smile. “Maybe.”

Ishani immediately dialed Divya’s number.

Divya answered.

“Where are you?” Ishani asked, her worry returning instantly.

“It’ll take a little more time,” Divya replied.

Ishani pressed her lips together. “But Divya, it’s already so late. Everyone at home will start worrying. We came here by lying… and if my brother finds out, he’ll be angry with me too.”

“Just a little longer,” Divya pleaded. “Please. Nothing will happen. Don’t take so much tension.”

Ishani closed her eyes and released a long, helpless sigh.

“Okay,” she finally said.

Divya sounded relieved, almost cheerful, before ending the call.

Ishani lowered her phone and stood there for a moment, lost in thought.

When she looked up, she realized Abhay was still there silent, unmoving, as if he had chosen to stay.

She walked toward the steps of the ghat and sat down slowly, hugging her hands together. The evening air felt heavier now. After a brief pause,

Abhay sat beside her, close enough for her to sense his presence, yet far enough to make her heart restless.

She glanced at him, her voice hesitant.“Are you… going to sit here?”

Abhay turned toward her, his gaze calm but searching.

“Why?” he asked gently. “Does my being near you make you uncomfortable?”

Ishani shook her head quickly.

“No… it’s not that,” she said. “It’s just—”She stopped. The words refused to come out.

Because how could she explain that his nearness felt unfamiliar… and yet strangely safe? That the silence between them was louder than words? That her heart was beating a little too fast for no reason at all?

She looked away, staring at the flowing water, while Abhay remained beside her quiet, steady like someone who wasn’t planning to leave anytime soon.

On the other hand side, Vaibhav had already finished teaching all the children. He stepped out of the house and started walking toward Deepak’s place, his mind finally easing after a long day.

That was when Rani appeared in front of him.The moment she saw him, her expression shifted.

“Vaibhav, beta,” she asked with concern, “where is Divya?”

Vaibhav stopped short, confusion flickering across his face.“Aunty… she’s gone to the ghat, right? For the Ganga aarti,” he replied.

Now it was Rani’s turn to look puzzled.“You’re already back?” she asked slowly. “Didn’t the two girls come with you? How could you leave them there alone?”

Vaibhav felt a strange unease creep into his chest. He didn’t understand what she meant.“What do you mean, aunty?”

Rani looked at him carefully.

“Divya told me you were going with her and Ishani. If that’s the case, then why are you here?”

The words hit him like a sudden jolt.

Vaibhav stood frozen, realization dawning on him Divya had lied.

Inside his head, his thoughts spiraled. What am I supposed to do with this girl? One day, this habit of hers is going to get her into serious trouble.

Forcing a calm expression, he quickly said,“Oh, aunty… actually, I forgot my wallet at home. That’s why I came back to get it. I’m leaving right now to pick both of them up.”

Rani frowned slightly, worried etched across her face.“But beta, you shouldn’t have left the two of them alone like that.”

Vaibhav shook his head reassuringly.

“Nothing will happen, aunty. If you keep protecting them so much, how will they learn to manage on their own? Don’t worry I’m going right now and bringing them both back.”

Rani hesitated for a moment, then nodded.“Alright, beta. Be careful.”

Vaibhav gave a small nod and turned away, his steps quickening his thoughts heavy with concern and a growing sense of urgency.

Vaibhav  called Divya.

The moment his name flashed on her phone screen, her heart skipped.

Panic rushed through her. Without thinking, she cut the call.

On the other end, Vaibhav’s anger flared.First she lies and leaves… and now she’s cutting my calls too?

He dialed again.

This time, Divya gathered all her courage and picked up.

“Hello?” her voice trembled slightly.

“Where are you?” Vaibhav asked, his tone sharp.

“I’m near the ghat… why, what happened?” Divya replied, trying to sound calm.

“You lied to your mother,” he said bluntly. “You told her you went with me.”

Divya froze. Fear crept into her chest.

“Yes… I did say that,” she admitted softly. “But I really came to the ghat with Ishani. I’ll come home soon, don’t worry.”

“But you still lied, Divya,” Vaibhav said, his voice heavy with anger.

Taking a deep breath, Divya spoke up, forcing strength into her words.

“Yes, I lied. Mummy wouldn’t have let me come otherwise, so I took your name. I’m sorry if that hurt you.”

“Hurt?” Vaibhav scoffed. “I’m angry. How can you be so careless, Divya? You can’t do things like this. From today onwards, you won’t repeat this. Ever.”

Divya lowered her eyes.

“Okay,” she said quietly. “I won’t do it again. Never.”

There was a brief silence.

“Hmm,” Vaibhav sighed. “Come home now. It’s getting late.”

“Yes, I’m coming,” Divya replied.

“Where’s Ishani?” he asked.

“She’s with me,” Divya answered.

“Should I come to pick you both up?”

Vaibhav asked, concern slipping through his anger.

“No,” Divya said quickly. “We’ll come on our own. Please don’t worry. We’re leaving soon.”

“Okay,” Vaibhav said after a pause.

And the call ended leaving Divya scared.

Virendra noticed the fear on Divya’s face and frowned slightly.

“What happened?” he asked gently. “Why do you look so scared?”

Divya exhaled, her voice low.

“I should leave now. If I don’t go home, I’ll get scolded a lot.”

Virendra didn’t hesitate.

“Should I drop you home?”

Divya shook her head.

“No, I’ll go on my own.” Then she paused, looking at him. “Thank you for the date. I really liked spending time with you.”

A soft smile appeared on Virendra’s face.“I’m lucky,” he said quietly, “that a girl like you chose to spend her time with me.”

His words made Divya’s heart beat faster. For a moment, she felt flustered, caught off guard by the warmth in his tone. She looked away, embarrassed.

“Okay… I should go now. Bye,” she said quickly.

“Bye,” Virendra replied, getting up from his chair.

Divya walked out of the restaurant and immediately called Ishani.

Ishani answered.

“I’m coming,” Divya said. “Meet me outside the temple in five minutes.”

“Okay,” Ishani replied, and ended the call.

Abhay noticed Ishani getting up.

“You’re leaving?” he asked.

“Yes,” Ishani said. “Divya just called. She’s coming.”

Abhay nodded, though something tightened inside him.

“Oh,” he said lightly, masking his feelings. He doesn’t feel good when Ishani is leaving he actually enjoys spending time with her.

What he didn’t know was that Ishani, too, had enjoyed spending time with him more than she was ready to admit.

Ishani stood up from the steps, and

Abhay stood as well.

“Come on,” he said softly. “I’m heading home too. Let’s walk till outside the temple.”

Ishani nodded.And together, they walked both carrying unspoken feelings, lingering quietly between them.

Meanwhile, Vaibhav went to Deepak’s house and knocked on the door.

Deepak’s mother opened it. The moment she saw Vaibhav, she froze in shock.

“Vaibhav, beta… you’re here?” she said, surprised.

“Yes, aunty,” Vaibhav replied calmly. “Is Deepak at home?”

“Yes, he is. Come inside,” she said warmly. Then she called out loudly,

“Deepak! Deepak! Deepak!”

Deepak appeared, slightly irritated.

“Yes, Maa, why are you shouting so much?”

His mother pointed toward Vaibhav.

“Look, Vaibhav bhaiya has come to meet you.”

The moment Deepak heard Vaibhav’s name, fear washed over his face.

“Come inside, beta,” his mother insisted.

“No, aunty,” Vaibhav said politely. “I just had some work with Deepak. I need to leave soon anyway. Please send him outside.”

Deepak’s mother looked confused but nodded.“Go,” she said to Deepak.

Nervously, Deepak stepped outside.

Vaibhav glanced at him, then looked back at his mother, who was still standing near the door.

“Aunty,” Vaibhav said gently, “I just need to talk to him for a bit. I’ll bring him back in a while.”

“Alright, beta,” she replied, and closed the door.

Deepak stood there with his head lowered, eyes fixed on the ground.

Vaibhav broke the silence.

“Deepak, why haven’t you been coming to coaching for the past week?”

“Bhaiya… I—” Deepak began.

“Speak clearly,” Vaibhav interrupted, his voice firm. “You know I don’t like people who lie. Whatever you have to say, say it honestly.”

Deepak slowly lifted his eyes and looked at Vaibhav.“Bhaiya,” he said quietly, “my mother works very hard. She goes from house to house to work. So I found a job too. I work in a shop after school. They pay me for it.”

His voice trembled as he added,

“Please, bhaiya… don’t tell my mother that I’ve stopped going to coaching and that I’m working instead.”

Hearing this, Vaibhav was shocked.

“Deepak,” he said firmly yet kindly, “you’re only thirteen. You’re still a child. Right now, your focus should be on your studies. Your mother works so hard only so that you don’t have to struggle.”

He paused, choosing his words carefully.“When you study well, become a good person, and earn well one day, all this pain going from house to house, working everywhere will finally feel worth it to her. She’ll feel that all her hard work paid off.”

Deepak shook his head quickly.“Bhaiya, I am studying. I haven’t given up my education.”

“I know,” Vaibhav replied, “but at this age, your full attention should be on studies. If your mother finds out, she’ll think she didn’t work hard enough that her son had to start working so early. Tell me, do you really want her to feel that way?”

“No, bhaiya,” Deepak said softly. “I don’t want that. I just wanted to help Maa. If I earn a little money, she won’t have to work so much.”

Vaibhav sighed.“These things aren’t for you to worry about right now, Deepak. Your responsibility is to study. What you choose to do later is your life but my responsibility is to show you the right path.”

He looked at Deepak with calm seriousness.“Think about this on your own. And remember my coaching is always open for you. Always. Okay?”

Deepak nodded.

He didn’t fully understand everything yet. He was only thirteen, after all. But seeing his mother work so hard hurt him deeply, and that was why he had chosen this path.

“I’ll get going now,” Vaibhav said. “Take care of yourself and of your mother.”

Deepak nodded again, quietly watching as Vaibhav walked away.

Ishani and Abhay stepped out of the temple together.

For a few moments, they stood there in silence, wrapped in a strange calm.

Neither of them spoke. Words felt unnecessary, almost too heavy for the quiet that surrounded them.

Just then, Divya arrived in an auto and called out, “Ishani, over here!”

Ishani looked at Divya, then turned to

Abhay. After a brief pause, she said softly, “Okay… bye.”

“Bye,” Abhay replied.

Ishani walked toward the auto and sat inside. Abhay stood there, watching as the auto slowly moved away. His eyes followed it until it disappeared from sight.

Somewhere deep inside, a thought echoed I wish she had stayed a little longer. An unfamiliar emptiness settled in his chest, quiet but persistent.

Ishani left, and soon after, Abhay got into his car and drove home. Yet, no matter how far he went, Ishani refused to leave his mind.

Her silence, her presence, the moment they shared it all stayed with him, lingering like a feeling he couldn’t quite name.

Ishani asked Divya softly, “So… how was the date?”

Divya smiled, her eyes lighting up as she replied, “It was really good. Virendra is… really nice.”

Ishani raised her eyebrows, a hint of excitement in her voice. “Does that mean you like him?”

Divya hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly. “It feels like I do.”

Ishani smiled. “Then that’s a good thing, right?”

Divya’s smile slowly faded. “It is a good thing… but your brother called.”

Ishani looked at her, confused.“Called? Why?”

“He found out that I lied before leaving the house,” Divya said quietly.

Shock and fear hit Ishani at the same time.

Her heart started racing as she asked anxiously, “Divya… what’s going to happen now?”

Divya noticed the fear in Ishani’s eyes and said calmly, “Relax. I was the one who lied. They won’t say anything to you they’ll say it to me. Why are you so scared?”

Ishani replied softly, her voice trembling, “I’m scared for you. I don’t know what will happen when we reach home.”

Divya gave a small, uncertain smile. “We’ll see,” she said quietly.

After a while, the two of them reached home.

Vaibhav was sitting outside the house, waiting. Ishani saw her brother from a distance, and Vaibhav noticed them too.

Divya paid the auto driver and then turned around. Her eyes met Vaibhav’s. Together, the girls walked toward him.

Vaibhav looked at Ishani and said firmly, “Go inside, Ishani.”

Ishani hesitated and said quickly, “Bhaiya, please don’t say anything to Divya. Aunty wasn’t letting her go, that’s why she had to lie.”

Vaibhav nodded slowly. “Yes, I understand. I won’t say anything to your friend. Go inside now Ma is waiting for you.”

Ishani didn’t feel like leaving. Her heart resisted, but still, she turned around and walked inside the house.

Divya stood a few steps away from Vaibhav, her hands clenched tightly together. She didn’t look up.

She couldn’t. His presence alone made her nervous like a student standing in front of a strict teacher, or a child caught doing something wrong.

Vaibhav watched her quietly. To anyone else, his face looked calm and unreadable. But inside, his heart was restless. He cared about her more than he should. He always had.

Somewhere between protecting her, worrying about her, and silently looking out for her, his feelings had crossed a line he never allowed himself to admit.

“Divya,” he said finally, his voice steady but low, “you shouldn’t have lied at home.”

Her breath hitched. She nodded slowly, still staring at the ground.

“I know,” she said. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

Vaibhav sighed softly. He wanted to say so much more to ask where she had gone, why she felt the need to lie, whether someone else was involved.

But he stopped himself. He reminded himself of his place.“I just worry,” he said instead. “People talk. Situations get misunderstood.”

Divya swallowed hard. To her, Vaibhav wasn’t just Ishani’s brother. He was like a guardian someone whose approval mattered, whose disappointment scared her.

She felt small standing there, even though she had done nothing wrong in her heart.“I’ll be careful next time,” she whispered. “I promise.”

Vaibhav looked at her then. Really looked at her. For a brief second, his strict expression softened. He wanted to tell her she didn’t need to be afraid.

That she could live her life. That she didn’t owe anyone explanations.

But the words stayed trapped inside him.

“Go inside,” he said gently. “Your mother must be waiting.”

Divya nodded. As she walked past him, her shoulders tense, she felt his gaze on her back.

She didn’t know that Vaibhav stood there long after she disappeared inside.She didn’t know that his chest felt tight with emotions he refused to name.

She didn’t know that the idea of her lying wasn’t what hurt him most.

What hurt him was the fear in her eyes.

And what Vaibhav didn’t know what would shatter this fragile balance someday was that Divya hadn’t just gone out.

She had gone on a date.

With someone else.

Only Ishani carried that truth.

And for now, silence held them all together fragile, tense, and waiting to break.

Divya entered the house and saw her parents, Rani and Devnath, sitting on the veranda, waiting for her.

The moment they noticed her, a wave of relief washed over their faces.

“Oh my God, Divya,” Rani said, her voice shaking. “You scared me so much. I thought… I thought maybe those Thakurs had done something to you.”

Divya moved closer and said gently, “Mummy, you don’t need to worry so much. I’m absolutely fine.”

Devnath stood up, clearly tired. “Alright, you’re home now. Go eat your dinner and sleep. I’m going to bed too.”

“Yes, Papa,” Divya replied softly.

Rani added, “Your food is already served. Go and eat we’ve all eaten.”

“Okay,” Divya said.

Rani walked away, and Divya’s face slowly lit up with a quiet smile. The happiness from her date with

Virendra still lingered in her heart.

For the first time in a long while, she felt light, hopeful, and alive.

But what she didn’t know was this the same heart that felt so full tonight was going to break in the days to come.

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