Author's pov

The master suite of R.S.R. Villa was unnaturally silent. Heavy velvet drapes shut out the dawn, trapping the room in darkness where even time seemed reluctant to move.

On the massive king-sized bed, Raghav Singh Rathore lay perfectly still. His broad chest rose and fell in slow, measured breaths. To anyone watching, he looked peaceful.

He wasn't. Beneath that composed exterior, his pulse burned with quiet intensity, imprisoned inside a dream that felt far too real to leave.

The scent reached him first. Wet earth. Wild Rose. Her.

He stood behind her, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from her body. He didn't need to see her face, he knew the exact curve of her spine, the delicate dip of her waist. The soft rise and fall of her breathing. The tiny silver payal around her ankle chimed with every hesitant step she took.

She tried to walk away but before that Raghav reached out, his fingers tangling in the loose drape of her wine-red sari, pulling the silk until her back slammed softly against his chest.

A soft gasp escaped her lips.

His hands slid firmly around her waist, locking her flush against his solid body, his knuckles brushing against the bare skin of her stomach.

Her pulse was hammering wildly where his chest pressed into her back. He leaned down, his lips brushing the sensitive curve where her neck met her shoulder, drinking in the sudden shudder that ran through her frame.

"Kahan ja rahi ho?" he murmured into her skin, his low, velvet voice heavy with dark intent. His grip on her waist tightened, pulling her so close there wasn't a breath of air left between them.

(Where are you going?)

She shifted in his embrace, turning just enough for him to glimpse the outline of her face. Her trembling fingers rested lightly against his chest not to push him away, but to hold on.

He lifted one hand and gently cradled the back of her neck, tilting her head back to force her eyes to meet his dark, burning gaze.

His thumb traced the soft swell of her lower lip, pressing down just enough to feel her warm breath against his skin.

"Jaana" The name escaped him like a prayer. His forehead rested against hers. "Tumhari Har saans par... har dhadkan par... sirf mera haq hai."

(Every breath you take... every heartbeat... belongs only to me.)

He leaned closer. Just as the distance between them disappeared...Raghav's eyes snapped open.

Darkness. Silence. Reality.

His breathing remained uneven as he stared at the carved ceiling above him. The dream vanished. The ache remained.

He sat up slowly, running a hand through his dark hair before dragging it across his face. The  watch resting on the nightstand read 4:30 a.m

Another dream.

Another morning.

Another reminder that she still had no idea he existed. For years, he had taught himself the same impossible lesson. Never touch what wasn't yet his.

He rose from the bed, his bare feet meeting the cold marble floor before crossing the room toward a heavy oak door hidden beside the library shelves.

Pulling a brass key from his pocket, he turned the lock with a quiet click and stepped inside.

He opened the drawer, his dark eyes darkening into something possessive and unyielding. Inside lay a delicate silver payal (anklet) that had fallen from her foot years ago, She never realized she'd lost it and he never intended to return it

"Bohot jee li apni marzi se," he whispered, his thumb pressing harder against the glass. "Ab se tum meri nazar ke saamne rahogi."

(You've lived long enough on your own terms. Now... you won't remain out of my sight even for a single moment.)

___________

JAANKI's POV

The alarm rang loudly, causing me to frown. I attempted to find my phone with my eyes shut, and when I finally grabbed it, instead of turning off the alarm, I hit snooze.

Five minutes later, it rings again, and I let out a frustrated sigh. "Great. Ruining my sleep for the course I chose myself."

I cracked one eye open and squinted at the screen. 7:00 a.m. My brain immediately started calculating how fast I can get ready and how much attendance I can afford to lose. Just as I was about to toss my phone aside, a notification popped up.

"We need to talk."

We need to talk? Excuse me?? Is he breaking up with me?

I shook my head and got out of bed.

As I stood in front of my wardrobe… I instantly regretted every life decision that led me here. Clothes stared back at me. Judging me. Mocking me.

"I seriously need to go shopping. Kapde hain… par vibe nahi hai." I ran my fingers through my hair, already annoyed.

(I have clothes, but they don't have that vibe.)

"Agar college thoda sa bhi aisa waisa pahen kar chali gayi to professor mujhe blame karenge unke pyare suar-jaise ladkon ko bigadne ke liye."

(If I go to college in anything, just like that clothes, the professor will blame me for spoiling their pig-like boys.)

I rolled my eyes and then opted for a simple kurti paired with wide jeans.

I looked at myself in the mirror… paused… and then Blew a kiss.

"Hayee… kitni pyaari lag rahi hoon main." (Oh my! I'm looking so pretty.)

As I made my way downstairs, I saw my mom. Siya Shekhawat. She is a well-known fashion designer and owns her boutique.

"Come have breakfast. No drama."

I grinned and gave her a playful salute, saying, "Of course, your highness! If my poor dad can't stand up to you, who am I to challenge your authority?"

"Dramebaaz kahi ki bilkul apne baap par gayi hai."

(Drama queen, you're just like your father.)

I grabbed an apple and said, "Maa, I'll eat it on the way since I'm running late." I hurried out and got into the car.

_____

By the time I reached campus, my mind was entirely consumed by Aditya's message.

"Kya patakha lag rahi hai aaj!"

(You're looking like a bomb today.)

Ruhi looked me up and down, impressed for a second… then her expression twisted.

"Bas yeh mat bolna ki tu us kutte ke liye ready hui hai."

(Just don't say that you did all this for that dog.)

I rolled my eyes and replied, "Why do you have such an issue with Aditya? You both always argue like cats and dogs."

She crossed her arms, eyebrows raised like she'd been waiting for this. Aditi stood beside her.

"Main seriously bol rahi hoon," Ruhi cut me off, her tone suddenly firmer, less joking. "Woh banda mujhe na… full negative vibes deta hai."

(No, you listen to me; that man gives me full negative vibes.)

For a second, something in her voice made me pause, but only for a second.

"Chhod. Tu maanegi nahi. Chal, andar chalte hain. Usse pehle woh khadoos professor hamari Lanka laga de. You know na, we are his favorite targets. CCTV camera se zyada nazar rehti hai hum par uski."

(Leave it. You'll not agree. Let's go inside; otherwise that arrogant professor will scold us. He keeps more eyes on us than CCTV cameras.)

We strolled into the classroom, like we owned the place…only to find the professor piercing the gaze on us. I leaned slightly toward Aditi and whispered, "Gayi aaj ki attendance!"

(Today's attendance is gone.)

"You have made a habit of arriving late. You are not permitted in my class. Stand outside," the professor declared with authority. We nodded like seedhe-saadhe bacche and turned around… and the moment we stepped out

High five.

"Chalo bach gaye uske lecture han. All he does is just read the text."

(We get saved from his lecture.)

I chimed in, "Honestly, I learn way more from YouTube than from him."

She smirked and said, "The difference is just that YouTube pe skip button hota hai; yahan patience test hota hai."

The canteen

Noise. Chaos. Fry smell. Peace.

"Jaanu, in today's traffic, I saw such a handsome man… I cannot even explain!" Ruhi said dramatically, then she placed her hand on her chest like her soul had left her body.

"Kasam se… cocaine tha cocaine."

I rolled my eyes and replied, "No one can be more handsome than my Aditya."

She slowly crossed her arms, staring at me like I had personally offended her ancestors.

"Look at you, ekdum swarg se utri hui apsara lagti han phir bhi uss chuchandar ke lande jaise shakal ke aadmi ke piche padi rehti han."

(Look at you; you look like a nymph come from heaven, still you go after that shrew's shit-face man.)

I choked on my water. She wasn't done.

"Don't be the blind Dora the Explorer in love!"

We talk about random things for a few minutes. I laughed, shaking my head. When my phone buzzed. I didn't even have to look. I already knew it was him.

Sorry, babe, I won't be able to meet you today, as there is urgent work.

When I pressed him, his responses were short, distant, and cold. I was at the library. We'll talk later.

He was avoiding me.

Ruhi nudged me with her elbow, eyes already curious. "What happened?

I locked my phone and shook my head lightly. "Nothing. He said he is busy."

"Work? Aaj? Itna bhi kya busy ho gaya woh? Subah se to nalla ghum raha tha."

(Today? How does he become so busy? Because in the morning he was roaming around like a jobless person.)

_______

By nightfall, feeling suffocated by his sudden distance, I let Ruhi and Aditi drag me out to a club to clear my head. For a few hours, the loud bass and neon lights washed away my anxiety. By 11PM...

"Let's go. Ruhi and I are going in the same direction, so we'll drop you too," Aditi suggested.

I shook my head, adjusting my bag.

"No, it's okay. I will manage"

"Call me after reaching home." Ruhi said

I nodded, and Ruhi gave me a quick hug. "Text me after reaching home, otherwise I'll become a CID officer."

They left and suddenly The noise felt different. Louder, Emptier. I looked around, scoffing lightly.

As I stepped out toward the quieter side of the club, I noticed a couple standing in the dim corner near the exit. Too close. The kind of closeness that makes you instinctively look away. I didn't pay much attention at first.

Not my business.

I kept walking, but then my steps slowed, just a little. Their faces were hidden in the shadows, the neon lights barely reaching them, and then my gaze fell on the man's wrist.

A Tattoo

Familiar, painfully familiar. My steps stopped completely. Like my body recognized it before my mind did..No. My heartbeat started picking up. Loud and uneven because I knew that tattoo; I had traced it with my fingers once.

I slowly lifted my gaze, and there it was, my worst nightmare.

Aditya and Avni.

Her hand rested on his chest. His arm was around her waist. Like they belonged there. My breath caught in my throat, and for a second, I forgot how to move, how to think, how to exist, and then Aditya turned, and his eyes met mine.

I felt like I was the one caught doing something wrong. My fingers curled slightly at my sides my body screamed at me to leave, to run, but my feet stayed rooted to the ground because maybe I needed this.

This ugly, undeniable truth.

All those little hints I had ignored. All those doubts I had silenced. A hollow laugh almost escaped me. He doesn't love me.

Was any of it real? Or was I just convenient?

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Just silence because he wasn't just my boyfriend; he was my best friend.

My safe place. The one person I never thought I'd have to protect myself from.

Aditya stepped back slightly, his hand slipping away from her waist like it suddenly burned.

"Jaanki... I..."

"Don't."

My voice was calm. Too calm. Even I didn't even recognize it. I let out a small breath, shaking my head faintly.

"Urgent work, right?" A humorless smile touched my lips.

He ran a hand through his hair, panic flickering across his face. "It's not what you think."

"Wow... you actually said that." I looked at him properly now. Really looked. As if I were seeing him for the first time.

"At least be creative with your lies." My voice dropped, softer now.

"Just tell me one thing..." A pause.

"Was anything real?"

His expression shifted to guilt and confusion but not regret, and it didn't even matter anymore because whatever answer he had, I didn't need it. I shook my head lightly, stepping back.

"No, actually, don't answer."

He stepped closer. "Jaanki, listen to me," and that's when it happened. My hand moved before my mind could stop it.

Slap.

My hand stung. Not as much as my chest. "That was for lying."

I slapped him again. Not louder but deeper. I took a step back, putting distance between us.

"And this is for breaking my trust. Our friendship."

"If you wanted to walk away, all you had to do was say it." My lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. "But no... you chose the most cowardly thing an impotent man can do...Cheating."

I turned to Avni, giving her a faint, almost polite smile. "Congrats. You can keep him." Then back to him.

"No explanation needed because nothing can justify cheating." Then I turned and walked away.

The moment I stepped out of the club.

Everything I had been holding in broke. Tears slipped down my cheeks, one after another, unstoppable.

Silent. I let out a shaky breath, pressing my lips together as if that could somehow stop the tears.

It didn't.

My steps moved on their own, slow and directionless. I didn't even know where I was going. I just kept walking.

Like if I stopped, everything would crash harder. My phone started ringing. The sound cut through the silence. I blinked, wiping my tears quickly with the back of my hand, trying to clear the blur in my vision.

Missed calls from Maa, Ruhi, and Aditi.

And messages, so many messages!

"Where are you?"

"Reached?"

"Call me ASAP."

I can feel concern, care, and love. A small, broken smile appeared on my lips. "Unlucky in love..." I whispered faintly. "...but not unloved."

I wasn't alone, not really. I have people. Who chose me, who worried about me, who cared without hurting me. And somehow that hurt even more because I had given my heart to the one person who doesn't deserve it. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

Not now. I can't fall apart here.

I typed quickly.

To Maa:

"I'm staying at Aditi's tonight. Don't worry."

To Ruhi & Aditi:

"Reached home safely"

A lie but necessary because right now

I didn't have the strength to explain anything.

I locked my phone and looked up at the empty road ahead, and for the first time that night, I let the tears fall freely. No stopping. No hiding.

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Lots of love and puchiisss ❤️ 💋