The house was buzzing with energy.
“Yashviii! Jaldi karo!” Anita’s voice echoed again.
“I’m coming, maa!” Yashvi rushed down the stairs, slightly breathless, fixing her dupatta.
She landed in the living room—
—and immediately bumped into someone.
Strong hands steadied her before she could fall.
“Careful.”
Aarav.
Yashvi looked up and grinned. “Good morning to you too, bhai.”
Aarav shook his head slightly, but there was a faint smile in his eyes.
“Running like the house is on fire?”
“It basically is,” she said dramatically.
“Come here,” Anita called.
Yashvi walked over—and Anita’s eyes narrowed instantly.
“Pink. Again.”
Yashvi groaned. “Maa please…”
“Beta, today Deepika is coming. Wear something different. Wear red.”
Yashvi hugged her arm, pouting. “Maa plzz… I love pink.”
Before Anita could argue—
“Let her be, maa.”
Aarav’s voice came, calm but warm this time.
He walked closer, lightly adjusting Yashvi’s dupatta himself.
“It suits her,” he added.
Yashvi’s face lit up instantly. “See! Best brother.”
Aarav gave her a small look. “Don’t get used to it.”
“You already spoil me,” she shot back.
“Only because you’re impossible,” he replied.
But there was no harshness in it.
Only quiet affection.
Anita sighed, giving up. “You both… honestly.”
Then suddenly—
“Where is Aditya?”
Yashvi picked up a tray. “Maa, he left early morning. Some important work. He said he’ll come back before they arrive—I told him everything.”
Aarav’s expression didn’t change much, but he nodded.
“Hmm.”
Then, softer—only for Yashvi—
“He’ll come. Don’t worry.”
She noticed.
He always did that.
Said just enough to calm her.
Morning passed like any other—
—but the evening was about to change everything.
Earlier That Day
Aarav had already left for the office.
Like always.
Sharp. On time. Focused.
Rishi sat in his study, files spread across the table, glasses low on his nose—completely absorbed in work.
In the kitchen, Anita was busy preparing.
Because today mattered.
“Yashvi!” Anita called.
“Yes, maa!” Yashvi came running, holding a folder.
“I have to go to college. Final submission today,” she said quickly.
Anita frowned slightly. “Beta, come back quickly, okay? Today Deepika and her family are coming.”
“I know, maa,” Yashvi smiled. “I’ll be back before evening.”
“And take the bodyguard with you.”
Yashvi groaned. “Maa please… it’s just college.”
“Yashvi—”
“Maa, I’ll be fine,” she insisted, already picking up her keys. “Promise.”
Before Anita could argue further—
She was gone.
At College
The submission took longer than expected.
And not by coincidence.
Anamika.
Deepika’s step-sister.
Sweet on the outside. Sharp underneath.
“Oops, sorry Yashvi!” she said for the third time, pretending innocence as she “accidentally” misplaced Yashvi’s documents.
Yashvi forced a smile. “It’s okay.”
But it wasn’t.
Anamika watched quietly.
Satisfied.
Because delay was exactly what she wanted.
Evening – At Home
The house was ready.
Decorated. Warm. Perfect.
The door opened—
Deepika entered with her family.
Her father, Shekhar.
And Jiya—her stepmother.
And behind them—
Anamika.
Looking as innocent as ever.
Anita welcomed them warmly.
“Please come.”
Aarav arrived just then.
He stepped forward, calm and respectful, and bent to touch Shekhar and Jiya’s feet.
“Namaste.”
“Jeete raho,” they blessed.
He sat down beside them.
Composed. Quiet.
But attentive.
Discussions began.
Dates. Muhurat. Arrangements.
Everything was moving smoothly.
Until—
“Waise maa,” Aditya suddenly spoke, looking around, “where is moti?”
Anita smiled slightly. “She went to college for submission. She should be back by now.”
Aarav’s eyes lifted.
The clock read—
8:00 PM.
His expression changed.
Slightly.
But enough.
He turned to Anamika.
“You saw her?”
Anamika shook her head instantly. “No… I left earlier.”
Too quickly.
Too smoothly.
Aarav noticed.
“Phone?” Aditya asked.
Anita tried calling.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
Her worry grew visible.
“She went alone…”
Aarav looked at her sharply. “Alone?”
Anita hesitated. “She didn’t take the bodyguard…”
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Rishi stood up immediately. “Call her again.”
Aditya grabbed his keys. “I’m going out.”
Aarav was already walking toward the door.
His jaw tight.
Eyes dark.
“Let’s go,” he said.
Meanwhile…
Dark road.
Broken silence.
And fear.
Yashvi ran.
Her breath uneven, heart pounding violently.
Her car had broken down miles back.
No signal.
No help.
And then—
Them.
Drunk. Laughing. Following.
“Arre ruk na…” one of them slurred.
She tried to run faster—
But they caught her.
Hands pulling.
Tearing.
Her voice cracked as she screamed, “Help! PLEASE—”
Her clothes ripped at the shoulder.
Tears streamed down her face.
She struggled—
Fought—
But she was losing.
“Leave me!” she cried.
And then—
A voice.
Cold. Sharp.
“Touch her again…”
Silence.
“…and you won’t walk away.”
Neil.
Before they could react—
The first punch landed.
Hard.
Fast.
Precise.
Neil fought like he had nothing to lose.
Rage. Control. Strength.
One by one—they fell.
Groaning. Broken.
Gone.
Yashvi stood frozen.
Shaking.
Terrified.
Safe.
Neil turned to her.
His anger vanished instantly.
“Yashvi…”
That was all it took.
She broke.
Running straight into him—
Holding onto him like he was the only thing keeping her from falling apart.
“I was so scared…” she whispered, trembling.
“I’m here,” he said softly. “You’re okay.”
He took off his jacket, wrapping it around her gently.
Then without another word—
He lifted her into his arms.
Like she weighed nothing.
Like she mattered.
At Home
The door opened.
Everyone turned.
And froze.
Neil stood there.
Yashvi in his arms.
Her clothes torn. Face pale. Eyes swollen from crying.
Anita gasped. “Yashvi!”
She rushed forward.
Rishi stood stunned.
Aditya’s fists clenched instantly.
And Aarav—
He didn’t move.
For a second.
His eyes locked on one thing—
His sister.
In someone else’s arms.
Hurt.
Shaken.
Broken.
Something inside him snapped.
He walked forward slowly.
Each step controlled.
Dangerously controlled.
“Put her down.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Neil met his eyes.
Didn’t argue.
Gently, carefully—he let Yashvi stand.
But she didn’t let go of him immediately.
Her fingers still clutched his shirt.
Fear hadn’t left her yet.
That was enough.
Aarav’s jaw tightened.
But instead of reacting—
He stepped closer to Yashvi.
Softly.
“Yash.”
One word.
And she looked at him.
Tears spilling again.
“Bhai…”
He immediately pulled her into his arms.
Protective. Strong. Unshakable.
“I’m here,” he said quietly.
The room remained silent.
Heavy.
After a moment—
Aarav looked at Neil.
His eyes still hard.
But his voice steady.
“Thank you.”
A pause.
“Seriously.”
Because no matter what he felt—
He knew one thing.
Neil saved her.
But that didn’t mean—
He liked how close Neil was to her.
Not at all.
Across the room—
Anamika watched everything.
Quietly.
Eyes calculating.
And something dark—
Satisfied.
The house had never felt this quiet.
Even with so many people inside—
There was only fear.
Anita held Yashvi tightly as they took her to her room.
“Careful… slowly,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Deepika followed behind, her eyes filled with concern.
“It’s okay… I’m here,” she said softly.
They made Yashvi sit on the bed.
Her hands were still shaking.
Her eyes distant.
Like she was still stuck in that moment.
“I’ll make something warm for her,” Deepika said gently. “Soup… she needs it.”
Anita nodded, unable to speak.
Downstairs—
Neil stood in the center of the room.
Everyone around him.
Waiting.
“What happened?” Rishi asked, his voice heavy.
Neil exhaled slowly.
Then told them everything.
The broken car.
The empty road.
The men.
The way she screamed.
The way she fought.
And how close it had been.
Too close.
Silence.
Dead silence.
Anita covered her mouth, tears falling freely.
Rishi turned away, his eyes red.
Aditya punched the wall lightly, anger burning in his veins.
“Damn it…”
And Aarav—
Stood still.
His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
His eyes… glistened.
But he didn’t let the tears fall.
Not here.
Not now.
Rishi stepped forward suddenly—
And pulled Neil into a hug.
“Thank you…” his voice broke. “You saved my daughter.”
Neil didn’t say anything.
He just nodded.
Nearby, Shekhar and Jiya tried to comfort Anita.
“It’s okay… she’s safe now,” Jiya said.
But even she knew—
Some things don’t leave that easily.
“I’m going upstairs,” Anamika suddenly said.
No one stopped her.
Neil looked toward the stairs.
“I’ll check on her,” he added.
And followed.
Upstairs
The corridor was quiet.
Dimly lit.
Heavy.
As Anamika walked ahead—
A hand suddenly pulled her back.
She gasped.
“Neil—what are you doing? Leave me—”
He didn’t.
Instead, he gently but firmly moved her closer to the pillar near Yashvi’s room.
His expression completely different now.
Soft.
Possessive.
Focused only on her.
“What happened, baby?” he asked quietly.
The concern in his voice was real.
But not for Yashvi.
For her.
Anamika looked away, annoyed. “Nothing. Just leave me.”
Neil tilted his head slightly, not letting go.
“I saw your face downstairs,” he said. “You didn’t like it.”
She scoffed. “Obviously I didn’t like it. I don’t like you near any girl.”
A pause.
Then, sharper—
“Especially her.”
Neil’s gaze softened, almost amused.
“She’s nothing, Anamika,” he said calmly.
“Just Aditya’s best friend’s little sister.”
His hand gently brushed her arm.
“Don’t overthink.”
Anamika finally looked at him.
“Then prove it.”
For a second—
He just watched her.
Then slowly leaned in.
Closing the distance between them.
His fingers lightly lifted her chin.
And then—
He kissed her.
Not rushed.
Not hesitant.
A quiet, claiming kind of kiss.
The kind that said you matter—
Even if the world outside was falling apart.
Anamika melted into it instantly.
Her anger fading.
Her grip tightening slightly on his shirt.
Because this—
This is what she wanted.
To be the one he chose.
But—
They weren’t alone.
Just a few steps away—
Behind a half-closed door—
Yashvi stood frozen.
She hadn’t meant to hear anything.
She just needed air.
Needed silence.
Needed to feel safe again.
But instead—
She heard everything.
Every word.
Every truth.
“She’s nothing…”
Her breath hitched.
Her heart—
Shattered quietly.
And when she saw them—
That was enough.
She stepped back slowly.
Silently.
Like her world hadn’t just broken.
And closed the door.
Without a sound.
Then—
She fell.
Not physically.
But inside.
Tears streamed down her face as she covered her mouth to stop herself from making a sound.
Because outside—
Everything was already too much.
And now this?
The one person who made her feel safe tonight—
Was never hers.
Not even a little.
She curled into herself on the bed—
Crying the kind of cry that doesn’t make noise.
But breaks you completely.
Outside—
The corridor looked the same.
Nothing changed.
But inside that room—
Yashvi’s world had.
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