Author pov..

Divya stood there, frozen in guilt. She had no idea that Vaibhav loved her so deeply.

Vaibhav, too, remained standing silently, watching her, his heart heavy with unspoken feelings.

After a few moments, Virendra arrived. He walked straight up to Divya and said urgently, "Divya, whatever he's saying is all wrong. I love you so much. Please, Divya, listen to me."

Divya looked at Virendra with burning anger. Before he could say anything more, she slapped him once, then again.

Virendra stared at her in shock, unable to believe what had just happened.

Divya's voice trembled with fury as she said, "Do you think I'm stupid? What made you think I would listen to you? From today onward, if you ever show me your face again, remember this I'll take you straight to the police. For misbehaving with girls and using them like objects. Get out of here. And listen carefully I will always trust Vaibhav. Do you understand?"

Virendra glared at her angrily, his pride shattered, and then turned away and left.

Vaibhav watched Divya quietly. He had been sure she wouldn't believe him but she did. That realization shook him.

Tears welled up in Divya's eyes, silently slipping down her cheeks.

Vaibhav gently said, "Come on, let's go home,your family must be worried."

Divya nodded softly and went with him.

Vaibhav started the bike. Divya sat behind him.

She was wearing jeans, so she sat with both legs on either side, holding herself steady as the bike moved forward away from the chaos, toward safety.

As the bike moved forward, the cool air brushed against Divya's face, but her mind was anything but calm. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Vaibhav.

She closed her eyes for a moment.

He never raised his voice, she thought. He never forced his feelings on me. He just... stayed.

That was when it hit her.

All this time, Vaibhav had been loving her quietly protecting her, trusting her, believing in her. He had spoken the truth not to prove himself, but to keep her safe. And she... she had almost failed to see it.

Her heart tightened.When everyone else tried to control me, she realized, Vaibhav only wanted me to be okay.

She looked at his back as he rode the bike steadily, careful with every turn, as if even the road mattered more because she was with him. There was no anger in him, no pride only concern.

A soft tear escaped her eye.How long have you been loving me like this, Vaibhav? she wondered. And how did I stay so blind?

In that moment, Divya understood this wasn't just care. This wasn't just friendship.It was love. Quiet, patient, and real.She held onto that realization tightly, her heart whispering something her lips were still afraid to say.

The road stretched ahead, quiet and dimly lit, but Vaibhav's mind was anything but calm. His hands gripped the handlebars firmly, eyes fixed forward, yet his thoughts kept spiraling.

Why did I do that? he asked himself again and again.Why did I say anything at all?The hum of the bike couldn't drown out the noise in his head.

I should've stayed quiet, he thought bitterly. I promised myself I wouldn't cross that line. I just wanted to protect her... not complicate her life.

He could feel Divya sitting behind him silent, close, real. That made his heart ache even more.What if she thinks I spoke up for my own selfish reasons?

What if she feels pressured now?

His chest tightened.For so long, he had loved her in silence, hiding his feelings behind concern, and restraint.

Speaking the truth had felt right in that moment but now fear crept in.

What if I lose her because of this?

What if today was the day everything changed for the worse?

I don't need her love, he told himself quietly. I just need her to be safe... and happy. Even if that happiness isn't with me.

The bike kept moving forward, carrying two hearts full of unspoken thoughts both unaware that the truth they feared had already begun to bring them closer.

The bike slowed to a stop in front of Divya's house.

Vaibhav switched off the engine.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Divya slowly got off the bike, adjusting herself, her feet touching the ground but her heart still felt unsteady.

She took two steps forward, then stopped."Vaibhav..."

Her voice was low. Careful.

He looked up at her, surprised. He hadn't expected her to speak.

"I just wanted to say..." She hesitated,

Vaibhav's breath caught.She didn't meet his eyes at first, but when she finally did, there was something new in them understanding.

"Thank you," Divya said softly. "For standing by me. For telling me the truth. For... caring and protecting me."

Vaibhav nodded once, swallowing the lump in his throat. "It was nothing," he said, even though it meant everything.

Divya gave a small, almost smile.

Then she turned toward the gate, paused again, and added quietly, "I trust you."

Those three words stayed behind long after she went inside.Vaibhav stayed where he was, still seated on the bike, as if moving even an inch might break something fragile in the air.

Her words echoed in his mind.I trust you.He let out a slow breath he hadn't realized he was holding.He lowered his gaze to the ground, a faint smile tugging at his lips before he could stop it.

Maybe I didn't ruin everything, he thought. Maybe I finally did something right.He rubbed his face with his hand, trying to calm himself. "Idiot," he murmured under his breath not in anger, but disbelief. "One sentence from her... and I'm already losing control."

He looked up at the house once more, the light glowing behind the curtains. Knowing she was safe inside brought him a sense of peace he couldn't explain."I'll wait," he whispered not expecting anyone to hear. "As long as it takes."And for him, that was enough.

Vaibhav returned home. The moment Ishani saw him, she grew anxious and asked nervously, "Bhaiya... where is Divya? Is she okay?"

Vaibhav looked at her and replied calmly, "Yes, she's fine. She's at her home."

Only then did Ishani feel relief. Letting out a breath, she said, "Okay... I'll go meet her."

"Alright," Vaibhav replied.

Ishani went to Divya's house. Inside her room, Divya was sitting quietly, lost in her thoughts, her mind replaying everything again and again.

Ishani walked in and asked softly, "Divya... are you okay?"

Divya looked at her, and suddenly all the strength she was holding onto gave way.

She hugged Ishani tightly and said through trembling words, "Virendra wasn't a good person, Ishani. He used girls. I was the foolish one. Vaibhav warned me, but I still didn't listen to him."

Ishani gently held her and said, "Yes, bhaiya told me everything. He was worried...Virendra did anything wrong to you?"

Divya shook her head and replied quietly, "No... nothing happened."

Ishani held her close, stroking her hair gently, whispering softly, "Shh... it's okay, Divya. You're safe now. Nothing bad happened, and no one can hurt you anymore."

Divya buried her face into Ishani's shoulder, letting the tears flow freely. "Ishani... I was so stupid. I didn't listen to Vaibhav. I thought I could handle it myself... but I couldn't," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Ishani tightened her embrace. "It's not your fault, Divya. You didn't know. Virendra was wrong, not you. You trusted the wrong person, but that doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."

Divya lifted her head slightly, looking into Ishani's eyes. "But... Vaibhav... he warned me, and I didn't listen. I almost... I could have messed everything up for him too," she said, guilt written across her face.

Ishani shook her head firmly. "No, Divya. Bhaiya knew you'd understand eventually. He trusts you, and he believes in you. You made a mistake but it's done now. What matters is that you're safe, and you learned from it. That's what matters."

Divya took a deep breath, the weight on her chest lightening slightly.

Ishani's calm, steady presence made her feel like she could finally breathe again.

"I just... I don't know how I'll face him," she admitted softly.

Ishani smiled gently. "You don't have to do it alone, Divya. Bhaiya already here for you, even if you don't see him. And I'm here too. Whenever you need me, I'll be here."

Divya hugged her once more, a small, grateful smile breaking through her tears.

For the first time, she felt the warmth of reassurance, the quiet strength of friendship, and the hope that maybe just maybe things would be okay.

Ishani pulled back slightly, brushing a stray strand of hair from Divya's face, and asked gently, "Divya... aunty didn't ask you anything, did she?"

Divya shook her head softly, a small, tired smile forming. "No... nothing."

Hearing that, Ishani let out a sigh of relief, the tension in her shoulders easing. "Okay, good," she said, her voice warm. "I'll leave now, but you... take care of yourself, alright?"

Divya nodded silently, her eyes following Ishani as she walked toward the door and stepped out.

The soft click of the gate closing behind her echoed in the quiet room.

For a long moment, Divya remained seated, still and thoughtful.

Her mind drifted, turning over the events of the day, replaying every word, every glance.

And amidst it all, one thought refused to leave her heart Vaibhav.

Ishani headed back home, a quiet sense of relief settling in her chest.

Divya was fine now, and that was all that mattered.

She felt lighter, as if a small burden had finally lifted off her heart.

But then her phone buzzed.

A message.

From Abhay.

Hi. How are you?

Ishani's expression hardened the moment she saw his name.

Ever since she had learned the truth about Virendra, her trust in boys had shattered completely. Fear had taken its place fear of being fooled again, fear of believing the wrong person.

Without overthinking, she blocked Abhay's number.

She deleted the message.No explanations. No second thoughts.She just wanted a distance.

Later that night, her phone rang again.

An unknown number.

She ignored it at first, her heart racing slightly. Who could it be? The phone rang again... and then once more.

Annoyed and a little uneasy, she finally picked up.

"Hello?" she said cautiously.

There was silence on the other end.

"Hello? Who's speaking?" she asked again, her voice sharper this time.

Then a familiar voice broke through.

"Hello, Ishani. It's Abhay."

Ishani froze. Her breath caught in her throat. Hearing his voice sent a jolt of shock through her.

"You called from another number?" she asked, stunned.

Abhay replied quickly, worried clearly in his tone.

"I've been calling and messaging you from my number for so long, but I didn't get a single reply. I got scared, Ishani. That's why I called from a different number. Are you okay?"

Her shock turned into irritation.

"I blocked your number," she said bluntly. "That's why you didn't get any reply."

"Oh..." he finally let out, his voice quieter now. "I didn't know I had done something that bad."

"If you don't want to talk to me, I'll understand," he continued. "But at least tell me this are you safe?"

Ishani closed her eyes. She didn't answer immediately.

"I'm... fine," she finally said, her voice low but steady. "You don't need to worry."

Abhay didn't interrupt. He let her speak.

"It's not about you," Ishani continued after a pause. "It's just... I don't trust it easily anymore. Not after everything I've seen and learned."

She took a slow breath. "When someone suddenly messages or calls, my first instinct is fear not comfort."

Her voice cracked slightly, but she forced herself to continue.

"I didn't block you because you did something wrong," she admitted. "I blocked you because I wanted peace. I didn't want questions. I didn't want explanations. I just wanted silence."

On the other end, Abhay listened quietly.

"I'm tired, Abhay," she said honestly. "Tired of overthinking, tired of guessing people's intentions. Sometimes, distance feels safer than connection."

There was a long pause.

"But..." she added softly, almost reluctantly, "I know you called because you were worried. And for that... thank you."

Her words weren't warm, but they weren't cold either just honest.

"I understand," he said at last. His voice was gentle, without disappointment, without pressure. "And I respect that."

Ishani didn't expect that. She had been prepared for questions... arguments... even persuasion. But not this quiet acceptance.

"I won't message you," Abhay continued. "I won't call. Not unless you want me to."

There was sincerity in his tone no hidden demand, no emotional trap.

"You deserve peace," he said softly. "And if distance gives you that right now, then I'll stay at a distance."

"I'm leaving for London in a week," Abhay told her. "For work."

The words hung in the air.

"I thought you should know," he added. "After that... I won't disturb you at all. Not even by mistake."

"I don't even know when I'll come back to Banaras," he admitted softly. "Maybe months... maybe longer. I honestly can't say."

Ishani listened quietly, her heart tightening with every word.

"There's something I should be honest about," Abhay continued. "I like you Ishani. That's the truth."

Her breath caught.

"That's why I wanted to talk to you," he said, carefully choosing his words. "Not to pressure you. Not to rush anything. I just wanted you to feel comfortable around me at your own pace."

Something shifted inside Ishani. Not trust. Not love. Just a quiet acknowledgement.

"...Okay," she whispered.

Abhay exhaled softly, as if relieved.

"Take care of yourself," he said. "And don't feel pressured to respond to anything. Live peacefully."

"Good night, Ishani."

The call ended.Ishani stared at her phone long after the screen went dark. She told herself the distance was what she wanted.

That night passed restlessly.

Vaibhav and Divya lay awake, lost in thoughts of each other, their minds replaying unspoken moments again and again.

Ishani spent the same sleepless hours thinking about Abhay his words, his silence, the calm he had left behind.

Morning finally arrived.

One by one, everyone began getting ready for college and school, slipping back into routines that felt strangely unfamiliar after the chaos of the previous day.

But Divya didn't feel like going to college at all.

Her heart felt heavy, her mind tangled. What had happened with Virendra, followed by Vaibhav's sudden love confession, had left her completely confused.

Nothing made sense anymore her emotions, her choices, even her own life felt unfamiliar.

Rani noticed immediately.

"Why aren't you getting ready for college?" she asked gently.

Divya forced a weak smile.

"Just like that, Mom. I won't be able to focus on studies today. I don't feel like going."

Rani studied her face for a moment, sensing something was wrong, but chose not to push.

She simply nodded and said nothing more.

Rahul, meanwhile, finished getting ready and left for school.

The school felt unusually quiet that day.

Inside the classroom, Deeksha and

Deepak didn't even look at each other. The punishment they had received the day before still weighed heavily on them.

Instead of their usual chaos, both stayed busy with their own work, avoiding eye contact completely.

Rahul noticed the change.

He glanced at them once... then again.

The silence felt strange but not unpleasant.

He let out a small sigh of relief.

At least they're not fighting today, he thought.

For once, the calm felt like a blessing.

But Rahul's happiness didn't last even a minute.

The teacher entered the classroom and announced a project, instructing everyone to choose their partners and start working on it together.

The moment she left, the quiet atmosphere shattered.

Deeksha's face lit up instantly.

She turned toward Rahul with excitement."Rahul, you'll be my partner, right?" she said confidently.

Rahul nodded without much thought.

"Yeah."

Before the moment could settle, Deepak spoke up sharply, almost instantly.

"Why will he be your partner?" he said. "He's my friend. He'll be my partner."

Deeksha shot him with an angry look, her eyes blazing."He's my partner too," she snapped back. Then she turned to Rahul. "You tell him."

Caught between the two, Rahul looked from Deeksha to Deepak, already sensing the tension rising.

Trying to calm the situation, he said carefully,"Okay, then I'll be partner with both of you. Let's do the project together with the three of us."

For a moment, it sounded like a perfect solution.But Deepak immediately shook his head.

"No," he said firmly. "She's not making the project with us."The words hung in the air, heavy and sharp.

Deeksha's jaw tightened, her anger bubbling up once again while Rahul realized, with a sinking feeling, that the peace he had enjoyed that morning was already slipping away.

"What did you just say?" she snapped.

Deepak didn't back down. He crossed his arms, his tone stubborn."I said no. You're not doing the project with us."

That was it.Deeksha slammed her notebook shut, the sound echoing in the classroom."Excuse me?" she burst out. "Who are you to decide that?"

A few students nearby turned to look. Rahul instantly tensed.

"You act like you own Rahul," Deeksha continued, her voice rising with every word. "Just because he's your friend doesn't mean he belongs to you!"

Deepak scoffed."At least I don't force people into teams they don't want."

Deeksha laughed sharp and furious.

"Oh please! The only person forcing things here is you."

She pointed a finger at him.

"You fought with me yesterday, got punished, and now you think I'll just quietly step back? Not happening."

Rahul tried to step in.

"Guys, stop-"

But neither of them listened.

"You always have a problem with me," Deeksha shot at Deepak. "If I breathe, you're annoyed. If I talk, you're irritated. What's your issue?"

Deepak's jaw tightened.

"My issue is you," he said flatly.

That hit harder than expected.For a brief second, Deeksha was speechless. Then her anger doubled.

"Fine!" she said loudly. "I don't want to work with you either. Rahul, you decide. Right now."

The entire class had gone quiet.

Rahul stood there, stuck between fire and fire, realizing one painful truth.

The project wasn't the real problem.

Whatever was burning between Deeksha and Deepak had nothing to do with schoolwork at all.

He looked at Deeksha angry, stubborn, eyes blazing.Then at Deepak arms crossed, ego bruised, jaw tight.

If I take one side, the other will explode, Rahul realized.And if I stay silent, this will only get worse.

Rahul took a deep breath and spoke, his voice firm for the first time.

"Stop."

Both of them looked at him.

"I'm not becoming anyone's partner,"

Rahul said clearly. "Not yours, Deeksha. Not yours, Deepak."

The words landed like a slap.

"If you both want to do the project with me," he continued, trying to keep his voice steady, "then first end this fight."

Deeksha opened her mouth to argue, but Rahul didn't stop."I'm done being stuck between you two," he said honestly. "If you want me on your team, then drop this drama, stop fighting, and become friends again."

Silence spread across the classroom.

"You decide," Rahul finished quietly. "Project... or this endless fight."

Deeksha and Deepak stared at him.

Shock was written all over their faces.

Deepak shifted his weight awkwardly. The confidence he had a minute ago slipped away.

He scratched the back of his neck, eyes fixed on the floor.

The silence felt loud.

"So..." Deeksha muttered under her breath, not looking at anyone, "you're really not choosing?"

Rahul shook his head.

"Nope."

Deepak glanced at Deeksha for half a second, then quickly looked away again, as if eye contact itself was dangerous.

"This is ridiculous," he mumbled, though his tone lacked its usual sharpness.

"Oh really?" Deeksha replied instantly then stopped herself. She took a breath, remembering Rahul's condition. "I mean... fine."

That single word hung in the air.

Fine-but not friendly.

Fine-but not peaceful.

They both stood there, unsure what to do next, trapped between pride and reality.

A few classmates exchanged amused looks. Someone coughed. Someone else shuffled a chair.

Finally, Deeksha spoke again, softer this time."We're not... friends," she said carefully. "But we're also not fighting. Deal?"

Deepak hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod."Deal," he said. "For the project."

Their eyes met for a brief second quick, awkward, and immediately broken.

Rahul let out the breath he'd been holding, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Just when things finally seemed to settle, Deeksha cleared her throat.

"Okay," she said, trying to sound bossy but failing slightly, "then you both will have to come to my house to work on the project."

Deepak's head snapped up instantly.

"Why should I come to your house?" he protested.

Deeksha put her hands on her hips.

"Then whose house, huh?" she shot back. "You tell me!"

Deepak thought for a second, then shrugged."Definitely not yours."

Deeksha rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Wow. Very mature."

Before either of them could start again, Rahul quickly said.

"My house,"

Both Deeksha and Deepak turned toward him at the same time.

"What?" Deeksha asked.

"You heard me," Rahul said, trying not to laugh. "Both of you. My house. Neutral territory."

Deepak frowned."Why your house?"

Rahul grinned."Because at my place, fighting is banned. And snacks are compulsory."

Deeksha raised an eyebrow."Snacks?"

"My mom makes the best snacks," Rahul added casually.

That changed everything.

Deeksha's anger vanished instantly.

"Oh. Okay. Your house works."

Deepak sighed in defeat.

"...Fine. But if she starts fighting-"

"I won't," Deeksha interrupted. "Unless you start."

Rahul clapped his hands once.

"Great! Decision done. Project at my house. No fights. Only work."

They both nodded reluctantly.School finally ended, and without changing out of their uniforms, Deeksha and Deepak headed straight to Rahul's house for the project.

Rahul unlocked the door, and the moment they stepped inside, Rani looked up from the kitchen.

Her face brightened instantly when her eyes fell on Deepak."Oh, Deepak beta! You came?" she said warmly, smiling wide.

Deepak smiled back politely.

"Yes, aunty."

Then Rani's gaze shifted to Deeksha.

She paused.Her smile didn't fade but confusion appeared in her eyes. She studied Deeksha for a moment, clearly trying to place her.

Rahul noticed."Mummy," he said gently, "this is Deeksha Thakur."

Rani frowned slightly. "Deeksha...?"

"The same Deeksha," Rahul added quickly, "who stopped me that day when I had left home without telling you."

Rani's eyes widened.She looked at Deeksha again, properly this time. Then, without hesitation, she walked closer and placed her hand softly on Deeksha's head.

"Thank you, beta," Rani said, her voice full of emotion. "Thank you for taking care of my child that day."

Deeksha froze.

Rani smiled at her the way mothers smile at their own children.

"You did a very good thing," she added lovingly.

Something stirred inside Deeksha she lowered her eyes, a small smile forming on her lips. The warmth in Rani's words felt unfamiliar almost overwhelming.

Her own mother had never spoken to her with this kind of softness, never held her like this, never thanked her so openly.

For a brief moment, Deeksha simply stood there, absorbing the affection.

It felt... nice.What mattered was the feeling Deeksha carried with her.The feeling of being seen.Of being appreciated.Of being cared for.

Something she hadn't realized she had been missing all along.

Rani looked at the three of them standing in the living room, still in their school uniforms, bags hanging from their shoulders.

"So," she asked casually, "why are you all here together today?"

Rahul dropped his bag on the sofa and sighed dramatically."Project, mummy. Group project."

Rani raised an eyebrow."Group?" she repeated, amused. "You three?"

Deeksha and Deepak exchanged a quick look."Yes, aunty," Deeksha said politely.

Rani smiled.

"Okay then," she said warmly. "You all do your work properly. I'll make some

nice snacks for you."

The moment she said snacks, Deepak's eyes lit up like someone had just announced a festival.

"Really?" he blurted out without thinking.

Everyone turned to look at him.

Deepak cleared his throat, trying to sound normal."I mean... thank you, aunty."

Rani laughed softly."Of course. Studying needs energy."

She walked toward the kitchen, already thinking aloud.

"Samosas... maybe pakoras... and lemonade."

Deepak practically whispered, "Best group project ever."

Deeksha shot him a look."Focus," she said. "We're here to work, not eat."

Rahul spread the project sheets on the table."Okay, let's divide the work. Deeksha, you do the charts. Deepak, content writing. I'll handle the presentation."

They both sighed.

Five minutes later, chaos returned anyway.

Deeksha was coloring the chart aggressively."Why is your handwriting so big?" she snapped.

"At least it's readable," Deepak shot back.

Rahul tried to glue a picture, but it stuck to his fingers instead.

"Why is this glue attacking me?"

Just then, Rani walked back in with a tray full of snacks."Break time," she announced cheerfully.

Deepak almost jumped out of his seat.

"Already?!"

Deeksha rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself.

As they ate, the arguments softened into teasing, the silence into laughter. For once, the chaos didn't feel exhausting.

After finishing the snacks, Rahul clapped his hands."Okay, break over. Back to work."

Deeksha wiped her fingers and leaned over the chart she had been working on. She froze.

"...Deepak."

"Yes?" he replied innocently, still chewing the last bite.

"Why," she said slowly, dangerously calm, "is the heading written as 'Enviroment'?"

Deepak blinked."What?"

Deeksha jabbed her finger at the page.

"You forgot the N. It's an Environment, not an Enviroment."

Rahul leaned in.

"Oh."

Deepak shrugged.

"So? It's just one letter."

That was the wrong thing to say.

"JUST ONE LETTER?!" Deeksha exploded. "This is a SCHOOL PROJECT, not a WhatsApp message!"

Deepak scoffed."Relax. The teacher isn't counting the spelling bees here."

"Oh really?" Deeksha snapped. "Then why don't you submit it like this and see what happens?"

"Stop acting like you're perfect," Deepak shot back. "At least I wrote something. You're just coloring all day!"

Deeksha's eyes widened.

"COLORING?" she repeated. "These are charts. Visual presentation matters!"

"Oh please," Deepak said. "You just like bossing everyone around."

Rahul stepped between them.

"Guys-"

"No, Rahul, let him speak," Deeksha said angrily. "Since apparently spelling doesn't matter anymore."

Deepak grabbed the pen.

"Fine. I'll fix it. Happy now?"

He crossed out the word aggressively, tearing the paper slightly.

Deeksha gasped."WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! You've ruined the sheet!"

"It's still readable!"

"No, it's ugly now!"

"YOU are overreacting!"

"YOU are careless!"

They were practically shouting now.

Rahul looked from one to the other, panic rising."This is over ONE LETTER," he muttered.

At that exact moment, Rani's voice floated in from the kitchen."Everything okay?"

Instant silence.

Deeksha and Deepak straightened up immediately."Yes, aunty!" they said together too quickly.

Rani peeked in suspiciously, then smiled."Good. No fighting, okay?"

As soon as she left-

Deeksha whispered fiercely,

"You did that on purpose."

Deepak whispered back,

"You scare people on purpose."

They glared at each other.

"ENOUGH!" Rahul repeated, his voice sharp and shaking with frustration. "I don't care about the spelling. I don't care about the charts. I don't care who's bossing who around. Just stop fighting! NOW!"

At that exact moment, the sound of shouting carried through the house.

From the kitchen and the hallway, footsteps rushed in.

Rani appeared first, eyes wide with concern."Rahul? What's happening?"

Nirmala dadi followed, holding her cane, looking alarmed."Arre beta, what's all this shouting?"

Hearing Rahul's voice, Divya came over as well.

All three froze in the doorway. Papers were scattered across the table, pens rolled under chairs, and Rahul sat in the middle, hands in his hair, clearly at the end of his patience.

Deeksha and Deepak stood stiffly, glaring at each other like tiny warriors ready for battle.

Rani's jaw dropped."Are you two... fighting in my house?!"

Divya says, "What is all this going on here? And Deepak, isn't this girl Abhay Thakur's sister? What's happening here?"

Rani replies, "Oh, these three had come for a group project, and now they're fighting. What happened, Deepak and Deeksha?"

Rahul says, "Nothing, Mom. Deepak made a small mistake in the project, so they had a little fight. They argue like this every day."

Rani looks at all three of them and says, "There will be no fighting in my house. You'll have to work peacefully."

Both Deeksha and Deepak nod.

Rani then says, "Divya beta, since you didn't go out college today, help them fix their project whatever has gone wrong."

Divya says, "What will I do, Mom? I don't know all this."

Rahul replies, "Then what do you know, didi? After studying so much, you don't know anything."

Hearing this, Deepak and Deeksha smile.

Divya glares at Rahul and says, "These days, you talk way too much."

Rani interrupts, "Alright now, you two siblings don't start fighting. Divya, just help correct whatever mistakes they've made in the project."

Divya looks at the three of them, then at the project, and says, "Okay, Mummy."

Deepak, Deeksha, and Rahul all become happy.

Divya goes over, kneels down, and asks the three of them what went wrong in the project.

Deeksha pointed at the chart. "He misspelled the heading!""'Enviroment' instead of

'Environment'!" Deepak countered. "She's overreacting!"

"You don't care about the project's presentation!" Deeksha shot back.

"And you boss everyone around!" Deepak fired.

Divya sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "This is ridiculous," She muttered. "You're fighting over one letter?"

Rahul buried his face in his hands, muttering, "Finally, someone sane."

Divya knelt down, gathering the scattered pens and papers. "Alright," she said firmly, "stop blaming each other. Deepak, you fix the heading. Deeksha, you finish the charts. Rahul, make sure the images stick this time."

She smiled, handing them each a task. "Think of it as teamwork. Not war. Got it?"

Deeksha and Deepak looked at her, blinking, as if realizing for the first time that someone was actually making sense.

"Didi..." Deepak muttered sheepishly, "thanks. You're... helping instead of yelling at us?"

Deeksha's lips twitched into a small smile. "Yeah... thanks, Didi."

Divya rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course! Someone has to keep you two from killing each other. Now, let's get to work before I lose my patience too."

Rani, watching from the kitchen, smiled as she carried a tray of snacks. "Beta, I see Divya is doing a good job. Maybe now the project will finally get done."

Deepak's eyes lit up at the sight of the samosas.

Deeksha glanced at him, smirking, realizing that even in the chaos, Divya had managed to turn the fight into progress.

Rahul leaned back, exhaling slowly. "Didi, you're a lifesaver," he muttered, watching his friends finally calm down and start working together.

After what felt like hours of chaos, shouting, gluing, coloring, and endless corrections, the project was finally complete.

Deeksha leaned back in her chair, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, and looked at the finished charts and neatly arranged papers.

Deepak straightened his tie, pretending to act cool, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

Rahul rubbed his hands together, relieved that the disaster was finally over.

All three turned toward Divya at the same time.

"Thank you, Didi!" they said in unison.

Divya just nodded, her smile gentle but knowing. "You all did your part... eventually."

Deeksha muttered under her breath, "Yeah, eventually," which made

Deepak snicker. Rahul rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling at the moment.

Rani peeked in from the kitchen, holding the now-empty snack tray, and chuckled. "See? All done! And no fighting mostly."

The trio packed up their project carefully, making sure nothing fell out of place.

"Alright," Rahul said, standing up. "Time to go to tuition at Vaibhav Sir place. We can celebrate this 'miraculous teamwork' later."

Deepak grabbed his bag. "Let's go.

And Divya-thanks again."

Deeksha, adjusting her uniform, gave a small, shy nod. "Yes... thank you, Didi."

Divya smiled, shaking her head lightly. "Go, before I start teasing you again."

With that, the three of them left Rahul's house, walking together toward Vaibhav's tuition, the afternoon sun warm on their backs.

Divya had been waiting since morning for Ishani to return from college.

She checked the time, thinking that Ishani must have arrived by now.

Curious to know what had happened at college that day, she goes to Ishani's house to ask her.

She walks straight to Ishani's room, where the door is slightly open.

From the washroom, faint sounds drifted out. Divya paused at the threshold, assuming Ishani was inside.

She didn't want to disturb her, so she quietly moved to the bed and sat down.

Minutes passed in silence. Then, the washroom door creaked open.

Divya's eyes instinctively went toward the figure emerging and she froze.

Vaibhav.

Water dripped from every inch of his body, the towel wrapped precariously around his hips.

He looked completely unaware of her presence, stretching slightly, shaking the water from his hair.

Divya's breath hitched. Her heart seemed to skip beats.

She opened her mouth to say something but couldn't, and instead, a sharp, startled scream escaped her lips.

Hearing her, Vaibhav's entire body stiffened.

His eyes went wide, and panic flashed across his face.

Instinctively, he reached out, covering her mouth with his hand. "Divya! Stop.why are you screaming?"

His voice was low, urgent, almost pleading.

Divya's hands flew to his, pushing against him, her eyes wide with disbelief and embarrassment. "Move... your hand!" they seemed to beg.

He hesitated for a heartbeat, then slowly removed it.

Divya immediately covered her eyes, her cheeks burning. Her voice trembled. "W-what are you doing here, in Ishani's room?" she stammered. "And... and standing there... like this... without clothes! Don't you feel any shame?"

Vaibhav blinked, suddenly aware of just how exposed he was. His face flushed crimson. Vaibhav is still wrapped in a towel when he turns to leave, nervous and distracted.

His foot slips on the damp floor, and before he can steady himself, he collides into Divya.The sudden impact pulls them both off balance, and they fall onto the bed together.

For a brief moment, the world narrows down to just the two of them too close, too aware.

His breath brushes her face as their bodies press together every body part they could feel each other.

Vaibhav's lips graze Divya's, soft lip and accidental, yet powerful enough to steal the air from her lungs.

Time freezes.

Their eyes lock, hearts racing, neither of them daring to move.For a moment, neither of them moves. The fall has pulled them too close, close enough that they're painfully aware of each other's presence.

Vaibhav can feel the warmth between them, the steady rise and fall of Divya's breath. Divya feels the same his nearness, his stillness, the way the space between them has completely disappeared.

As awareness slowly returns, both of them realize just how close they are.

Divya's eyes flicker with sudden panic, and Vaibhav's breath catches at the same time.

Shyness rushes in, warm and overwhelming, making the moment feel even heavier.Almost nervously, they try to move at once.

Their hands hesitate, movements awkward, as if neither of them quite knows where to place themselves.As they try to separate themselves from each other, they fall back into each other.

Vaibhav quickly looks away, his ears turning red as he pushes himself up, careful not to meet her eyes.

Divya sits up too, clutching the edge of the bed, her heart pounding loudly in her chest.

There's a soft, uncomfortable silence between them.

Neither of them dares to speak. Neither of them dares to look at the other for more than a second.

Divya could feel her heart still hammering, a strange, confusing warmth lingering where their lips had met.

Vaibhav's mind raced with embarrassment, guilt, and... something else he wasn't ready to name.

The silence stretched, heavy and loaded with emotions neither wanted to confront just yet.

Divya's heart was still racing, her palms clammy, as she kept her hands over her face. She couldn't look at him after that accidental kiss.

He ran a hand through his dripping hair, trying to pull himself together, but his mind refused to cooperate.

He couldn't stop thinking about how close they had been... how soft her lips had felt against his. He cleared his throat awkwardly.

"I... I really didn't mean that," he said finally, his voice low, careful. "It was... an accident. I swear."

Divya peeked at him through her fingers, her chest still fluttering.

"O-okay," she said softly, though her voice betrayed her nerves. "Just... just be careful next time, alright?"

Vaibhav nodded, though he couldn't quite meet her eyes. "Yeah... I will."

He paused, unsure of what to say next. The tension between them was thick, almost suffocating, yet oddly intimate.

Divya finally cleared her throat. "I... I should go check on Ishani," she said, trying to sound casual.

Vaibhav stayed for a second longer, then finally, wrapping the towel tighter around his waist.

"Yeah... you should," he said, his voice quieter now, almost thoughtful.

As Divya walked toward the door, their eyes met again, a small, almost imperceptible spark passing between them.

Neither spoke, but both felt it an unspoken connection, electric and charged, left lingering by that single, accidental kiss.

Divya stepped out, her heart still racing, stealing one last glance at him before leaving the room.

Vaibhav watched her go, a strange warmth spreading through his chest.

He shook his head, almost frustrated at himself.

Divya went to Ishani, who was in the kitchen. "What are you doing here?"

Divya asked, a little flustered. "I thought Aunty was in the kitchen, so I went to your room instead."

Ishani looked at her, a small smile playing on her lips. "So what if you went there?" she said casually.

Divya felt her cheeks heat up, embarrassment flooding her.

She went quiet, her fingers nervously touching her own lips.

Ishani noticed her hesitation and the way she kept fidgeting. "Hey... what happened to you? Where did you lost" she asked gently, concern lacing her tone.

Divya shook her head. "No... nothing."

Ishani tilted her head "Have you finished preparing for tomorrow?"

Divya blinked. "What... tomorrow?"

Ishani's eyes sparkled. "Tomorrow's the fresher's party, isn't it?"

"Oh... yeah!" Divya exclaimed, realizing. "I've finished."

Ishani's lips curved into a sly smile. "Are you blushing? What's gotten into you?"

Divya's cheeks heated instantly. "Nothing... nothing at all," she muttered, trying to sound casual.

"Alright, I'm going now. You cook dinner, okay?" Divya said, trying to divert the conversation.

Ishani frowned slightly. "Hey... what's wrong with you today?"

Divya waved her off. "Nothing," she replied quickly, and began to walk away.

Just then, Vaibhav appeared.

Fully dressed, though his hair was wet from the shower, he looked... different.

Divya's eyes involuntarily traced him from head to toe. Her heart began to race uncontrollably.

"He's... hot," she thought to herself, despite how stubborn and grumpy he could be.

Vaibhav noticed her staring.

Their eyes met for a brief second, an almost electric moment, before Divya quickly looked away.

Her cheeks were burning. She turned on her heel and fled from the room, almost colliding with Malini in the hallway.

"Divya, where are you running off so fast? Be careful!" Malini called out.

Divya barely looked at her, muttering, "Sorry, sorry, Aunty, I'm leaving," before hurrying away.

Malini watched her retreating figure, frowning slightly. "What's gotten into her today?" she wondered aloud.

Night had fallen, but neither Divya nor Vaibhav could sleep.

Divya lay on her bed, the events of the evening replaying in her mind like a movie she couldn't pause.

Her heart still raced at the memory of their brief eye contact, the way his gaze had made her cheeks burn.

Every time she closed her eyes, she could picture the way he had looked, the subtle confidence in his posture, the slight tilt of his head when he noticed her staring.

Her mind betrayed her with a blush she couldn't hide, her hands gripping the bedsheet as if holding herself together.

Meanwhile, Vaibhav lay in his own room, restless. He couldn't get Divya out of his head.

Her little flustered expression, the way she had looked away so quickly, yet still hadn't completely stopped glancing at him he replayed it in vivid detail.

Why do I even care so much? he wondered, frustration and curiosity warring inside him. She's just... she's impossible.

But I can't stop thinking about her. That look she gave me... like she was trying not to look, but couldn't.

Hours passed, and both of them turned restlessly under their blankets.

The next day, Divya got ready for the fresher's party, draped in a beautiful blue saree.

Ishani, too, had chosen a saree, black and elegant. Both looked stunning, each in her own way.

Divya's father, Devnath, was taking them to college in his car.

As soon as he saw Divya, a broad smile spread across his face. "My daughter looks so beautiful today!" he exclaimed.

Divya smiled shyly. "Thank you, Papa," she replied softly.

Devnath chuckled. "Alright, come I'll drop both you and Ishani at college," he said, motioning toward the car.

Divya nodded, "Hmm."

Stepping outside, Devnath and Divya

Vaibhav and Ishani were already there, standing nearby.

The moment Vaibhav eyes met Divya's, both of them froze for a second, hearts skipping.

Then, almost instinctively, they started looking away, pretending to be casual, yet stealing glances at each other every few seconds.

Devnath noticed Ishani and smiled warmly. "Ishani, you look so lovely today!" he said.

"Thank you, Uncle," Ishani replied politely, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Devnath climbed into the driver's seat, motioning for the girls to get in. Divya and Ishani settled into the back.

Devnath's eyes briefly flicked to Vaibhav, who was still standing outside."Vaibhav, beta, come on. I'll drop you at college too," Devnath offered.

Vaibhav shook his head. "No, Uncle. I'll go by bike," he said confidently.

Devnath waved a hand, teasing, "Oh, come on. Today I'm dropping my daughters. I can drop you as well."

Ishani chimed in, smiling, "Yeah, Bhaiya, come on, you too."

Vaibhav finally relented, realizing he had no choice. With a small smile, he got into the front seat of the car.

Inside, Divya couldn't help but steal a glance at him, her heart fluttering.

Vaibhav, sitting in the front, caught her gaze for a split second before quickly looking away, his own heart betraying him.

The air in the car was charged, quiet yet electric, filled with stolen glances and unspoken feelings.

As the car pulled away, the morning sunlight glinted off their sarees, and for both Divya and Vaibhav, the day ahead seemed suddenly brighter and more complicated than they had imagined.

The college fresher's party was buzzing with music, laughter, and chatter.

Lights flickered in soft hues of red and gold, casting a warm glow over the crowd.

Divya and Ishani stepped out of the car, their sarees swaying elegantly as they walked toward the entrance.

Vaibhav gets out of the car when Devnath calls him.

Vaibhav turns around and says, "Yes, Uncle?"

Devnath hands him the car keys and says, "Here, take these. I'm going to a friend's place nearby I have some work to do. When the fresher's party ends, take both of them home from college."

Vaibhav replies, "Okay, Uncle."

Their eyes met for a fraction of a second, and Divya felt her cheeks warm.

She quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her saree, though her hands trembled ever so slightly.

Vaibhav, on the other hand, couldn't get her out of his mind.

That blue saree... the way it hugged her figure just enough to make his heart race... and her shy, flustered smile whenever their eyes met it was all he could think about.

He leaned against a wall, pretending to look at his phone, but every time Divya moved, his gaze followed.

Vaibhav, sensing her fluster, felt a strange pull in his chest. Why does she affect me like this? he thought, shaking his head. I shouldn't be thinking about her... but I can't help it.

The DJ announced the start of a group dance, and Divya and Ishani joined their friends. As she moved to the music, Divya couldn't help but feel

Vaibhav's eyes on her. Every step, every sway of her saree seemed to make him glance her way. And every glance made her heart skip a beat.

At one point, their eyes met again longer this time. Both froze, caught in a moment that neither wanted to break.

Around them, the party continued, laughter and chatter filling the air, but for Divya and Vaibhav, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them.

Divya's mind raced. Why do I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest whenever he looks at me?

Vaibhav's thoughts mirrored hers. Why does she make me feel like this? I'm usually so calm... but now... I can't even breathe properly.

Neither dared approach the other yet the tension hung in the air, electric and unspoken, teasing them both.

Every stolen glance, every accidental brush of their hands when moving past friends, only intensified the quiet pull between them.

The music grew louder, the lights brighter.

Divya found herself dancing with another boy from her class, trying to lose herself in the rhythm.

She laughed lightly, moving to the beat but every few seconds, her eyes drifted away, searching without meaning to.

Across the floor, Vaibhav was dancing too, surrounded by friends, another girl beside him. Yet his attention wasn't really there.

Again and again, his gaze slipped toward Divya.

Every time their eyes met, both of them looked away too quickly, pretending nothing was happening while their hearts said otherwise.

They danced like strangers, but watched each other like something unfinished lingering between them.

After a while, Divya felt tired. She stepped away from the crowd and walked toward the refreshment counter.

Her throat felt dry, her head slightly warm.

She picked up a cold drink and took a few long sips, unaware that someone had been watching her closely.

Virendra.

His eyes followed her with quiet intent.

At some point, when Divya was distracted, laughing at something someone said nearby, he slipped something into her drink quick, careful, unnoticed.

Divya finished the drink, feeling relieved at first. But slowly, something felt... off.

Meanwhile, Vaibhav had gotten pulled into a conversation with his friends, laughing half-heartedly, his mind still drifting back to Divya.

Ishani was nearby too, busy chatting with Prachi, completely unaware of what was unfolding.

Minutes passed.

Divya's steps began to falter. The lights seemed too bright, the music too loud.

Her head felt heavy, her body strangely weak. She tried to steady herself, confused, frightened.

That's when Virendra approached her again.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly,

almost convincingly.

Divya tried to step back. "I... I'm fine," she said, but her voice didn't sound like her own.

When he held her arm to "support" her, she stiffened.

"No... let go," she whispered, trying to pull away.

But her strength was fading. Virendra tightened his grip just enough to guide her, pretending to help, slowly leading her away from the crowd.

Divya resisted, panic flashing through her foggy mind. "I need... Ishani," she murmured, trying to turn back.but he didn't stop.

At that very moment, Vaibhav looked around.Something felt wrong.

He scanned the dance floor friends everywhere. Ishani was there. Prachi too.But Divya wasn't.

His smile faded. His chest tightened.

He searched near the refreshments. Nothing.

His eyes moved frantically across the hall, his heart beginning to race as a cold realization settled in. She was just here... where did she go?

Vaibhav pushed through the crowd, his eyes scanning every corner of the hall.

His uneasiness grew with every passing second. Finally, he spotted Ishani near the stage and walked straight toward her.

"Ishani," he asked, trying to keep his voice steady, "where's Divya?"

Ishani looked at him, confused. "She must be around here somewhere, Bhaiya," she replied casually. "She was just here a while ago."

Vaibhav shook his head. "No," he said, panic creeping into his voice. "Something's wrong. She wouldn't just disappear like this."

Ishani noticed the fear in his eyes and her expression changed instantly.

"What do you mean?" she asked, now worried. "Divya!" she called out, looking around.

They both started searching first near the dance floor, then by the refreshment counter.

Ishani checked every familiar face, every corner she could think of.

"Divya!" Vaibhav called again, louder this time.

No answer.

His heartbeat thundered in his ears as dread settled deep in his chest. Ishani could feel it too now the growing fear that something wasn't right.

They moved faster, searching the corridors, peeking behind pillars, checking near the exits.

Vaibhav ran his hand through his hair, frustration and fear mixing inside him."She was here," he muttered, almost to himself. "She was right here."

They had searched almost the entire college.Classrooms. Corridors. Stairwells. The seminar block. Every place that could possibly hide someone.

Vaibhav's heart sank with every empty corner.Where are you, Divya...

Just when hope began to thin,

something caught his eye near the far end of the parking area where the lights were dimmer and the noise from the party barely reached.

A car door.

Half open.

Vaibhav slowed, his breath catching.

And then he saw her.

Divya.

She was barely able to stand, her movements weak and unsteady.

Virendra was holding her tightly, one hand clamped over her mouth as he tried to push her toward the car.

Divya struggled, her hands shaking as she tried to pull away, fear clear in her eyes.

Vaibhav's blood ran cold.

"DIVYA!" he shouted.

The sound echoed through the parking lot.

Virendra froze for a split second, panic flashing across his face. He tried to force Divya into the car faster, but that single moment was enough.

Vaibhav sprinted toward them, rage and fear driving every step. "Leave her!" he yelled, his voice raw.

Divya heard him.Her eyes lifted relief, fear, and desperation all crashing together as she struggled harder, gathering the last of her strength

Vaibhav reached Virendra in a blur of rage.

He grabbed him without hesitation, his hands shaking, his breath uneven. "I warned you," Vaibhav shouted, his voice breaking with fury. "I told you to stay away from her. You didn't listen."He punches him in the face.

He struck him again and again, blinded by anger and fear, every movement driven by one thought alone he tried to take her.

Divya stood frozen a few steps away, watching in shock. Her body trembled. She had never seen Vaibhav like this so out of control, so terrifying.

Her mind felt distant, numb, unable to fully process what was happening in front of her.Then suddenly, Ishani arrived, running toward them with Akash and a few other boys.

Akash rushed forward and grabbed Vaibhav from behind. "It's okay! It's okay!" he said urgently. "We'll hand him over to the police. Please control your anger!"

But Vaibhav couldn't hear him.

His mind was clouded, his chest burning. He broke free and lunged again and punched him, his anger spilling over, unstoppable.

Virendra collapsed to the ground, no longer moving.

Ishani's face is drained of color. Fear wrapped around her voice as she cried out, "Bhaiya, stop! Please stop! He'll die!"

Her words finally cut through the noise.Akash called the police immediately. They arrived soon after and took Virendra away.

He remained unconscious as they carried him off, but a formal complaint was filed against him.

Amid all the chaos, Ishani stayed close to Divya, holding her gently, speaking softly to calm her down.

Divya was still under the influence of whatever had been mixed into her drink her eyes unfocused, her body weak, her mind drifting in and out of awareness.

Ishani looked at Vaibhav, worry etched across her face. "Bhaiya, we should take her home,"She said quietly. "I think she's consumed something. She's not okay."

Vaibhav turned to look at Divya. Seeing her in that state made his chest tighten with fear and guilt.

His anger had faded, replaced by deep concern. He nodded firmly. "Yes," he said, his voice steady but tense. "Let's go."

Divya's legs suddenly gave way.Before she could fall, Vaibhav stepped forward and caught her.

For a moment, he hesitated then, without a second thought, he lifted her into his arms, holding her carefully in a bridal carry.

She felt light, fragile, her head resting weakly against his chest.

Divya barely understood what was happening.

The world around her felt distant, blurred. The only thing she could sense was warmth steady, grounding.

Vaibhav didn't say a word. His jaw was tight, his eyes filled with worry as he gently placed Divya in the back seat.

Ishani sat beside her immediately, holding her upright, whispering reassuring words.

"I'm here, Divya... you're okay," Ishani murmured, brushing her hair back gently.

Vaibhav walked around the car and got into the driver's seat. His hands trembled slightly as he gripped the steering wheel.

"We're going to the doctor," he said firmly, more to himself than anyone else. "She'll be fine."

The engine started, and the car pulled away quickly, cutting through the night. Every second felt heavy.

Vaibhav drove with complete focus, his heart pounding, his mind filled with one thought only get her help, now.In the back seat, Ishani kept holding Divya, watching her closely.

He wouldn't stop until Divya was safe.

The hospital lights were harsh and white, a sharp contrast to the chaos they had just escaped.

Divya was quickly taken inside, placed gently on a bed as a nurse checked her vitals.

Vaibhav stood a few steps away, his hands clenched, his heart refusing to slow down.

The doctor arrived after a brief examination. He adjusted his glasses and looked at them seriously but not alarmingly.

"She's been given a mild intoxicating substance," the doctor explained calmly. "Most likely mixed into a cold drink. It causes dizziness, confusion, weakness, and delayed reactions."

Ishani's face went pale. "Is... is she going to be okay?" she asked softly, fear trembling in her voice.

The doctor nodded reassuringly. "Yes. You brought her in at the right time. We've given her fluids and medication to flush it out of her system. She'll feel sleepy and disoriented for a few hours, but there's no permanent harm."

Vaibhav finally let out the breath he'd been holding. "How long before she's normal?" he asked, his voice low but tense.

"By morning, she should be much better," the doctor replied. "She'll need rest, hydration, and someone to stay with her. No stress, no exertion."

Divya stirred slightly on the bed, her brows knitting as if she were trying to understand where she was. Ishani immediately moved closer, holding her hand gently.

"She's safe now," the doctor added, his tone firm. "Just make sure she isn't left alone tonight."

Vaibhav nodded silently, guilt and relief crashing over him at once.

He looked at Divya so still, so fragile and made a quiet promise to himself.

Vaibhav stood near the corridor, his eyes fixed on Divya through the glass window.

After a moment, he turned to Ishani, his voice steady but heavy with concern.

"Ishani," he said quietly, "call Uncle and Aunty. They should know Divya is in the hospital."

Ishani nodded immediately. "Okay, Bhaiya."

Her hands trembled slightly as she dialed Devnath's number. The call connected after a few rings.

"Hello?" Devnath's voice came through.

"Uncle..." Ishani said softly, trying to stay calm. "Divya is in the hospital. She wasn't feeling well at the fresher's party. The doctors are treating her right now."

For a moment, there was complete silence on the other end.

"W-what?" Devnath's voice shook. Fear rushed into his words. "What happened to my daughter? Is she okay?"

"She's stable, Uncle," Ishani replied quickly. "But please come as soon as you can."

"I'm coming," Devnath said firmly, panic breaking through. "I'll be there shortly."

Within some time, Devnath and Rani rushed into the hospital.

The moment they saw Divya lying on the bed pale, weak, still half-unconscious their hearts sank.

Rani hurried to her side, holding her hand gently, tears pooling in her eyes. "My child..." she whispered, her voice breaking.

Rani asks Ishani how all of this happened. Ishani then tells her everything.

Rani and Devnath find it hard to believe that someone could do something like this to their daughter.

Devnath stood frozen for a second, fear written all over his face. Then his eyes fell on Vaibhav.

He walked toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "If you hadn't been there today... I don't even want to imagine."

Vaibhav lowered his gaze, shaken. "I just did what anyone should have done, Uncle," he replied quietly.

Rani looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "You saved our daughter," she said softly. "We'll never forget this."

Vaibhav glanced back at Divya, relief and concern mixing in his chest. She was safe now and that was all that mattered.

Like and comment please 🙏❤️