Prologue

The hospital corridor was unusually silent for 6 pm ., just the hum of ceiling fans only distant beeping of machines breaking t the silence

Aradhya Shah adjusted the dupatta draped loosely around her white floral Anarkali suit . She had just returned from grabbing warm water for her mother, who had been admitted with a mild fever. Not life-threatening , but enough to keep Aradhya , pacing restlessly through the ward.

Her scandals padded softly against the tiled floor as she passed section.

Then she heard a voice , "Water..." A low, ragged voice.

She froze. It sounded strange-like someone holding onto the last thread of consciousness.

Curious, she peeked through the half-open door.

The room was dimly lit. Her eyes took a moment to adjust.

That's when she saw him.

On the bed lay a man-no shirt, in the bed , deep shadows cast across his bruised, muscular torso. A blood-soaked bandage clung to his left arm. Scars marked his skin like stories which is never told. His body was tense, but it wasn't just the injury-there was something more about him. Even half-dead, he looked like danger.

And still, the way he muttered, "Water...", it wasn't a plea. It was a command.

(A/N : First click on the star button below , then read )

Aradhya hesitated , then stepped in.

She poured the warm water into a nearby glass and quietly approached his side. As she reached out to help him drink,

He gulped the whole water in just one go and despite of giving her glass , his hand moved-fast, strong, not caring about the wound-and wrapped tightly around her wrist.

She gasped, nearly dropping the glass.

"Let go! You're hurting me-"

But he didn't.

His eyes opened slightly, unfocused. He wasn't seeing her properly, but something about her presence... calmed him. He wasn't able to see her .

And ask for another glass to her . She poured another glass of water and steadied herself and held the glass to his lips.

He drank-slowly, like every drop was keeping him alive.

Her wrist trembled in his hold, but she didn't pull away. Not until the glass was empty.

"Now let me go," she whispered, trying not to panic.

But he shifted suddenly his arm tugged her down , In a second, she lost balance-and landed on him.

Chest to chest. Her palms splayed across his bare, heated skin. Her heart pounded against his ribs. Her breath hitched.

His hand was still on her wrist-but now his fingers moved, trailing lightly down her skin.

Aradhya's eyes widened like a socket , She shoved herself off him, stumbling back.

"What the hell-!?"

She reached the door in a rush, yanking at her dupatta... only to realize it was stuck.

She turned , It was wrapped in his fingers. And He wasn't even fully conscious. But he held onto it like it was something precious.

She wanted to snatched it back. But he didn't let her so she leave from their in hurries

Walking out, she muttered furiously, "I gave him water, and he-ugh-held me like he owned me!"

What she didn't know -- Behind her, in that dim hospital room, Deep Shekhawat's eyes fluttered half open again.

He didn't see her face , but her scent...the warmth of her touch... And most probably ? Her dupatta was with him which was now tattooed in his memory And she had no idea of that ........

SCENE:- 2

Sir!" One ( guard ) of them shouted , "Please move back!"

Deep didn't even glance at them his eyes never left Aradhya "Guns down everyone she is my wife " he commanded

But nobody moved "I said..."His tone dropped even lower."Guns. Down."One by one, every weapon was lowered.

The entire highway fell into absolute silence Aradhya's hands refused to stop trembling. She looked straight into his eyes as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

Her voice broke , "... nafrat karti hoon main aapse Mr. Shekhawat..."Another tear escaped "...Bohot jyada..."

Aradhya's trembling finger tightened against the trigger.

Deep didn't move not even for a second. His dark eyes remained fixed on hers as he slowly took another step forward.

"Sir!" one of the guards shouted, panic flashing across his face , "Please step back!"

Deep ignored every voice around him "Look at me, Biwi ."She couldn't hear him anymore becuase Sharad's words kept echoing inside her head.

"Don't... don't come near me!" she screamed, her hands shaking so violently that even holding the pistol had become difficult. Tears blurred her vision until his face became nothing more than a shadow beneath the headlights to her .

Deep took one final step , A deafening gunshot shattered the silence and BANG everyone froze.

Aradhya stood motionless, her breathing completely out of control. The pistol slipped from her numb fingers and hit the road with a metallic clang.

The bullet tore through his shoulder , For a split second, Deep stood frozen.

His gaze slowly dropped to his shoulder, where warm blood was coming through the white fabric of his shirt. Within moments, the white cloth was completely soaked in crimson red .

Aradhya's eyes widened in horror , "N-No..." she stammered, her voice trembling. "I... I didn't..."She couldn't , never in her life had she imagined hurting someone.

She froze her feet refused to move as , He looked down... then slowly lifted his gaze back to her. Ignoring the burning pain, he clutched his wounded shoulder and slowly walked towards her

Each step he took was heavy, Blood continued to trickle down his arm, staining the floor beneath him, but his eyes never left hers , now he was standing right infront of her

Aradhya instinctively took a step back, only for him to gently pull her back by the waist.

She sucked in a sharp breath , as they were so close that she could feel his uneven breaths against her face.

Ignoring the pain shooting through his shoulder, Deep carefully cupped her cheek. His blood-stained fingers trembled slightly as they brushed against her skin, yet his touch remained gentle.

His gaze searched hers for a long moment before a faint, bittersweet smile curved his lips -one that didn't reach his eyes- and he said "Nafrat to bakhubi nibhayi hai tumne... biwi."

_____________________________________________

[ SECOND LEAD ]

~:Blurb: ~

Shaira stood near the college gate holding her books close to her chest while waiting for Shaurya to pick her up.

A soft breeze moved through her hair lightly as she checked the time once again.

At the same time— Inside his office, Shaurya glanced at his watch and frowned slightly. “It’s already late.”

Deep had called earlier-"Shaira's still in her class. Pick her up. driver will not be able to pick her from college."

He quickly picked up his car keys from the table before walking out of the office hurriedly.

A few moments later, his car speed through the city roads before finally stopping outside the college.

Meanwhile, near the gate— A boy suddenly approached Shaira.“Hii,” he said with an easy smile.

Shaira looked up slightly startled. The boy then forwarded his hand for a handshake.

“I’m Mohit.”

Shaira hesitated for a second before awkwardly placing her hand in his.

But the moment he held it— Something about the way he tightened his grip made her uncomfortable instantly.

She quietly pulled her hand back somehow , “I’m… Shaira,” she replied softly.

Mohit smiled again. “Actually, can I borrow your design notes sometime? Your sketches are really good.”

“Hm…” she nodded politely before opening her bag to search for the sketchbook.

Meanwhile, Mohit slowly stepped closer towards her , too close. His hand brushed lightly against her arm.

Shaira immediately stiffened uncomfortably. Then suddenly— He lightly grabbed her hand again.

“You’re really beautiful,” he said casually then added “Let’s be friends.”

Shaira instantly shook her head. “No… here’s the sketchbook. Please leave.”

But instead of stepping back, Mohit moved closer again.

“Come on, let’s talk for a while—”

And just as he was about to grab her arm— A cold voice interrupted from behind. “You got a problem?”

The atmosphere instantly turned tense mohit froze completely. Meanwhile Shaira’s eyes widened slightly.

Shaurya stood there , his expression was terrifyingly calm.

Before Mohit could even react properly— SLAP.

The sound echoed loudly near the college gate.

Mohit stumbled backwards in shock while holding his cheek. “N-no sir—”

Another slap landed instantly. “Then why are you misbehaving with her?”

Another slap.

Mohit’s face had completely lost color now. “Sorry sir! I’m sorry!”

Students nearby had already stopped walking and started staring at the scene nervously.

Meanwhile Shaurya’s anger only kept increasing , because the moment he saw that boy touching Shaira— he was buring from inside him

Finally, Shaira stepped forward hurriedly. “Bhaiya… leave him.”

Shaurya’s hand stopped midair. Meanwhile Mohit immediately took the opportunity and practically ran away from there without looking back once.

A heavy silence followed then suddenly Shaurya turned towards her , “What were you doing?”

His voice was sharp. “Can’t you slap someone when they touch you like that?”

Shaira flinched slightly. “But bha—”

“STOP CALLING ME THAT.” He shouted

Her lips parted slightly in shock , Meanwhile Shaurya rubbed his temples frustratedly before speaking again,

“What would’ve happened if I wasn’t here, huh?”

“The whole campus was crowded then why were you standing here alone, Shaira?”

Tears instantly welled up in her eyes. Because despite his anger— She could hear the fear hidden underneath it.

Meanwhile Shaurya suddenly looked away frustratedly. “That’s why Deep doesn’t trust anyone.”

Without saying another word, he turned and started walking towards the car.

Shaira quietly followed behind him with teary eyes. The entire drive remained silent.

Shaira sat beside the window watching the passing trees outside while avoiding looking at him completely.

Meanwhile Shaurya kept driving with one hand gripping the steering wheel tightly. The anger had already faded and guilt had quietly replaced it instead.

After a few minutes— Shaurya suddenly stopped the car near a small convenience store.

Without explaining anything, he stepped out for a moment before returning back inside the car.

Then silently— He placed a chocolate bar near her , Shaira slowly looked towards it then towards him.

Shaurya exhaled softly before finally speaking, “Sorry.”She remained silent.

“I shouldn’t have shouted at you.” Then he added

Shaira quietly looked down at the chocolate in her hands before speaking softly, “But… I wasn’t at fault.”

The moment those words left her mouth— Shaurya’s expression softened instantly , “I know.”

The silence inside the car no longer felt heavy after that.A little later, the car finally stopped outside the mansion.

Usually— Every single day before leaving the car, Shaira would softly smile and say bye to him.

But today—She quietly opened the car door without saying anything.

Her eyes were still slightly teary while the chocolate remained clutched tightly in her hand.Without looking back once, she quickly entered the mansion.