Jaanki

"Dhyan kaha tha aapka? Chot lag sakti thi." The sharp voice cut through the ringing in my ears. One second I was walking. Then next, a hand wrapped around my wrist and yanked me backwards so suddenly that I stumbled straight into a solid chest.

(Where was your attention? You could have been hurt.)

A car sped past us, barely inches away. The wind from it brushed against my face. Only then did I realize what had happened. I could have been hit.

He released my wrist immediately. Almost too quickly. As if he had touched something he wasn't supposed to.

I looked up.

Tall. Broad shoulders. White shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. Sharp jawline. Dark hair, slightly messy, like he had run a hand through it one too many times.

And eyes. Pale blue eyes.

"Can't you see where you're going?" he snapped.

The tears in my eyes suddenly felt ridiculous. His frustration wasn't entirely unreasonable, but the way he was speaking? That irritated me instantly.

He ran a hand through his hair before looking at me again.

"If you want to get yourself killed," he said sharply, "at least don't do it where someone else has to deal with it."

Something inside me snapped. Not because of him, but because of everything that had happened before him. I wiped my face with the back of my hand and took a step forward.

"Pehli baat," I said coldly, "apni awaaz neeche rakhiye." His eyebrows lifted slightly. "Second... I wasn't trying to die." I paused. Then added quietly, "Or even if I were... you don't need to worry about it."

(First thing, keep your tone down.)

For a second neither of us looked away. His jaw clenched.

"Oh, so now it's my fault?"

His voice had dropped. Somehow that felt more dangerous.

"Did I say that?" I asked.

"You're walking in the middle of the road."

I folded my arms and said, "And you're dragging strangers around like you own them."

"Strangers who almost got themselves killed?"

"At least I wasn't asking for a lecture."

A humorless laugh escaped him. "Lecture?" He looked genuinely offended. "I just saved your life."

"Maine bola tha?" I shot back. The words came out faster than I could think.

(Did I ask you?)

"Unbelievable."

I smiled sweetly. "Finally, something we agree on."

His eyes narrowed. For a moment he simply looked at me. Then let out a short laugh.

"Problem kya hai aapki?" he said, his voice lower now. "Aankhon mein aansu hain... phir bhi zubaan talwar ki tarah chal rahi hai."

(What is your problem? You have tears in your eyes and still your mouth is running like a sword.)

His gaze didn't leave mine.

"Humne toh sirf aapki jaan bachayi hai," he added, a hint of something unreadable in his tone, "par aapne toh hume hi katil bana diya."

(I just saved your life, but you made me a culprit.)

For a second I forgot my next comeback because unlike everyone else tonight...He wasn't looking at me with pity. he was looking at me as if he could see right through every emotions I was trying to hide.

"Lagta hai kisi ne dil tod diya hai aapka..." he said lightly.

(Looks like someone broke your heart.)

I froze. Only for a second then I smiled immediately. The fake kind.

"The problem isn't me."

"No?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No."

I stepped closer.

"Problem mere mein nahi hai, bas kuch logon ko galatfahmi ho jaati hai..." A slight pause. My eyes locked into his. "...ki woh mujhe doormat ki tarah treat kar sakte hain."

(The problem is not in me; it's just that some people think they can use me as a doormat.)

I took a step closer. Not breaking eye contact.

"You saved someone...Aur ab ussi baat ka lecture de rahe hain." I tilted my head. "Were you expecting gratitude?Ya phir aadat nahi hai logon ko bina sunaaye help karne ki?""

(Or are you not used to helping people without giving them a lecture?)

He let out a short, humorless laugh.

"Bol liya?" That calm tone was somehow more irritating than his anger. His gaze moved over my face again. The tear stains. The exhaustion.

The frustration. Things I was trying very hard to hide.

"Drama khatam ho gaya ho toh meri baat suniye." I scoffed.

(If your drama is over then listen to me)

"Performance de rahi thi kya main?"

(I was giving a performance?)

His expression remained completely serious.

"Performance nahi." A pause.

"Self-destruction."

Something about the way he said it made my stomach tighten. I immediately pushed the feeling away.

"Spotlight doesn't suit everyone. You need to be the main character for that kind of spark."

"At least my main character doesn't walk into moving trucks," he shot back.

"Car thi," I corrected instantly. The air between us tightened. Neither of us is willing to step back.

I turned first. Because if I didn't, I wasn't sure what I'd say next or what I'd show. I had barely taken a few steps away when

"Rukiye." (Stop)

I turned sharply

"Ab kya?" (What now?)

He was already on his phone, not even looking at me.

"I'm booking a cab"

I frowned. "Excuse me?"

He glanced up briefly. "You're not going alone at 1 A.M. at night in this condition."

That tone. Not a suggestion. A decision. Instantly my irritation returned.

"I'm perfectly capable of going home myself."

He didn't argue. Didn't even react.

Just kept typing. That somehow annoyed me more.

"You're even listening to me? I said I don't need..."

"Location?" he cut in, still looking at his phone.

I blinked. "Seriously?"

Now he looked up. Straight into my eyes. "I'm giving you two choices: either go by car or I'll drop you."

My eyes narrowed. "No chance."

A flicker of something passed in his eyes almost like he expected that.

"Good," he said simply and went back to his phone. Two taps. Done. He stepped aside slightly, giving me space but not leaving.

"The cab will be here in a few minutes ."

I let out a disbelieving laugh. "Unbelievable. Do you know what "no" means?"

He slipped his phone into his pocket.

"I know what it means, and I also know how to ignore it."

That shut me up. For a second. I hated that. A car approached. Headlights slowing down. He gestured toward it lightly.

"Your Ride"

I didn't move immediately because a part of me Still didn't want to accept it, but another part knew. I was too exhausted to argue anymore. I walked toward the car and then turned back. He was already stepping away.

"Thanks..." I said barely audibly.

He didn't respond. Just gave a slight nod.

Through the rear window I saw him still standing there. Watching until the car disappeared. As though he needed proof that I'd reached the end of the road safely. Only then did he look away.

He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.

"Unbelievable..."

He walked back to his car, slower now. Opened the door. His fingers rested on the steering wheel, but he didn't start the engine. Instead, his eyes drifted back to the road ahead.

Empty.

"Aankhon ne Aankhon se mulaqat kya ki....sara sukoon tumhare pass girvi ho gaya."

(The moment my eyes met yours..All the peace I had was pledged to you.)

He finally started the car. The engine hummed, but his mind? Still stuck on a girl who had no idea that for him...

This wasn't their first meeting .Not even close.

How was the chapter?

Lots of love and puchiisss ❤️ 💋