•AUTHOR'S POV•

"Rudra, stop! I don't like being recorded."

Saanvi's voice echoed through the video, half laughing, half annoyed as she tried to hide her face.

"But you're looking so beautiful," Rudra whispered behind the camera, smiling. "Who knows when I'll need these videos?"

He sat in the dark, the cigarette between his fingers. The screen lit up his face. He stared at that very clip, Saanvi beside him, her eyes fixed on the breathtaking view. But the camera had never captured the scenic view. It was focused on her. On the way her hair moved with the breeze. On the way she slightly smiled when she thought no one was watching.

"Stop looking at me, Rudra," she said in the video, turning to the camera.

And then his hand appeared, brushing the hair off her face, tucking it behind her ear. "So... you were looking at me too,"

She shook her head at the phone smiling.

He chuckled under his breath, but in the present, it didn't reach his eyes it cracked halfway, like something inside him had splintered. Tears blurred his vision yet he didn't blink them away. He let them fall. Quietly. Bitterly.

Because now, it hurts. Now, he was watching proof that he hadn't imagined any of it.

But reality doesn't rewind like videos.

And love doesn't pause when someone walks away.

He swiped.

A photograph emerged. The same night. Her hair tousled by the wind, skin kissed by warm golden lights. She looked unknowingly ethereal, like a memory the universe wanted him to keep.

His thumb trembled as it hovered over the screen. He smiled faintly, a curve stitched with longing. He kissed her through the lens now, not through touch. It was the only way she still stayed.

He swiped again.

Another video.

He had set the phone on the dining table. It wobbled slightly in the frame.

"What are you doing?" Saanvi asked, adjusting in her seat beside him.

"Capturing something precious, because today... for the first time, you made food for me. Just for me. And I can't let this vanish like all ordinary days. Years from now, when we're old and wrinkly, we'll watch this and laugh. And even when I die, I'll make sure our kids keep it safe."

She burst out laughing, lightly punching his arm. "Shut up! Stop talking about kids already! And why would you emotionally blackmail our unborn children? You're so self-obsessed."

He grinned wide, leaning toward her.

"Not self-obsessed. Wife-obsessed." He chuckled. "By the way, the soup is really tasty. Just give me the recipe, I'll make it now."

Saanvi narrowed her eyes. "You didn't like it, did you?"

"I loved it, Pearl." He looked genuinely confused. "Why would you think that?"

"Then why are you asking for the recipe? If you liked it, I'll make it again."

He grabbed her hand and pressed a soft kiss on the back of it. "Why should you bother when your husband is right here? I'll make it for both of us. I liked it, so it's my responsibility now." He smiled, brushing her knuckles with his thumb.

The video stopped.

Rudra's smile faded. He closed his eyes as more tears escaped silently, leaving a trail down his face. He stood up slowly, walked to the dustbin, and dropped the half-burnt cigarette inside.

He walked to the dining area. It was empty.

He gripped the back of the chair. A memory struck.

"Rudra, you sick fuck! I told you I can't eat spicy! Why the hell would you make the pizza this spicy?!"

"S-Sorry, Pearl. Water-here, drink!"

He fumbled, panicked. But she shoved the glass away and slapped his shoulder.

"It's too spicy! Get milk! Now!" Tears had welled up in her eyes.

Panic surged through him. He ran.

Seconds later he came back, breathless, glass in hand. She snatched it but he beat her to it, gently guiding the glass to her lips. She coughed, and he reached around to rub her back.

"I'm sorry, Pearl. I didn't know you couldn't even handle a little spice-" He saw her glare. "I mean, I'm really sorry. I should've been more careful."

A few moments passed. Her breathing calmed.

He wiped the tears near her eyes with his thumb.

"You cried Pearl," he whispered, hand brushing her cheek.

She gave a faint, reluctant smile. "Believe me, I haven't cried in eighteen years."

He looked into her eyes, then kissed both of them gently. "Then I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you never have to again."

She raised an eyebrow playfully. "Aur tumne hi rula diya toh?"

(And what if you end up making me cry?)

He chuckled, still resting his forehead against hers. "Toh jaan le lena."

(Then take my life.)

She chuckled. "I won't let you go that easy. I'll hurt you first."

He laughed with her. "As you should."

Rudra sat at the dining table, his eyes fixed on the empty chair beside him, the one Saanvi always used. He stared at it, like he could summon her presence back if he just looked long enough.

"Rudra,"

He blinked and turned. Avyaan stood at the entrance, gaze heavy on Rudra's sunken eyes, the red rims, and the pale skin. He sighed, shutting the door behind him.

"I was ringing the bell for five minutes. Why didn't you open it?"

Rudra didn't answer. His phone in front of him, the screen dimmed. Avyaan walked closer, already guessing.

"You were watching those damn videos again, weren't you?" His tone turned sharp. "For God's sake, delete them,"

"I hate her..." Rudra's hoarse voice barely escaped his throat. "But I love her too much to delete even a single second of what we were."

Avyaan clenched his jaw. "Stop being pathetic. Pull yourself together."

"I can't, Avyaan," Rudra's voice cracked. He stood slowly, shoulders slumped. "I need her. I can't live without her."

Avyaan exploded. "Are you fucking mad? Where the hell is your self-respect? Pride? You had more spine when Anvika cheated on you. At least then, you didn't beg like this. But now, look at yourself. Did you forget what she did to you? She cheated on you. Stop loving her,"

"But I didn't cheat on her... I loved her. I still do. So what if she cheated? I didn't. Doesn't that give me the right to still love her?" His eyes welling up again.

Rudra stumbled backward, crashing against the wall as Avyaan's fist slammed into his jaw. His knees gave out, and he slid down, shoulder hitting the wall as he crumpled onto the floor. A thin line of blood traced from the corner of his mouth. Before he could gather his breath, Avyaan was crouched in front of him, fists clenched, rage boiling in his eyes as he grabbed Rudra by the collar and yanked him upright.

"Get your fucking mind together!" he barked. "Stop being a desperate wreck over a woman who walked away. A few days ago, you were sitting in this same room, crying about how she took your parents away. How they walked out and left you alone. And now? You're saying you want her back?"

His eyes glistened with unshed tears, but he didn't fight back. His chest rose and fell unevenly. He was barely breathing.

"Even now..." he said, the words trembling through his bleeding lips. "When I close my eyes, I see her... Not the betrayal, not the lies. Just... her." He coughed softly, wincing.

He blinked, and a tear rolled down, trailing past the bruise on his cheek.

"The way she looked at me when she laughed. I still feel it. In this room... in my fucking chest."

Avyaan let go of his collar, his jaw locked as he stood slowly, staring down at the man who used to be unbreakable, now reduced to pieces.

Rudra leaned back against the wall, resting his head there like he couldn't hold it up anymore. "I know I'm pathetic," he whispered. "But if she came back... if she knocked on that door right now... I'd open it without asking a single question."

He looked up at Avyaan. "That's how deep she lives in me. That's how far gone I am."

Avyaan stared for a moment, then turned and walked toward the kitchen in silence.

He pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Avyaan, I'm in the middle of something-"

"Abhimaan, it's urgent."

"What happened?" Abhimaan asked, more alert now.

"It's Rudra," Avyaan said, glancing at the man slumped silently against the wall. "He's not okay. He needs us."

Abhimaan sighed. "I'll be there in two days. Just keep him stable till then. And Kabi-?"

"He's still not back in India. You call him. Tell him to come back."

"Look, you and Kabir need to sort your shit out before-"

"I'm not doing that." Avyaan cut in flatly.

"Damn it, Avyaan. Will you stop cutting me off in the middle of a goddamn sentence-"

Avyaan hung up before Abhimaan could finish.

✿✿✿✿✿

"Saanvi."

She looked away from Brownie, who was rolling in the grass. The sunlight made her squint slightly as she turned to see Abhiraj standing near the edge of the garden.

He walked over slowly and sat beside her on the swing, the chains creaking gently under their weight.

A joyful bark broke the silence. Brownie leapt into Abhiraj's lap, his tail wagging furiously. Abhiraj smiled faintly, running his hand through the dog's fur.

Saanvi smiled too, watching them for a moment before asking softly, "You were saying something?"

He paused, his hand stilling on Brownie's head, before brownie left again.

"You have Coronary Artery Disease."

Her smile faded, just for a second. She turned her face toward him, but he wasn't looking at her, his eyes were fixed in the garden, as if he couldn't bring himself to face the weight of his own words.

"I know," she said quietly, almost as if reassuring him.

He finally looked at her, pain and anger flickering in his eyes.

Anger at her family... for not being here. For not knowing. For giving her no space to lean on, not even when her life was at risk.

"I don't understand how you carried this alone. It's your heart. This isn't something small. Dr. Meera said it could be life-threatening. One wrong moment..."

His voice trembled slightly, a rare crack in his otherwise composed tone. He looked down, closed his eyes for a beat, then opened them again, this time focused fully on her.

"But Saanvi..." His voice cracked with urgency. He turned to face her fully, "Dr. Meera said it was caught early. That matters, it gives us a real chance. I've read everything, your reports, the medication, even medical journals. I know this disease can be managed. There are people out there who were in far worse condition than you and they're living full, healthy lives now. You've got time. You've got a fighting chance."

He paused, "The doctor said with proper care, a clean lifestyle, and exercise, you can reverse this. In six months to a year, you can be free of it. No more panic attacks, no more fainting spells, no constant fear of your heart giving out." It sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than her.

"You can live, Saanvi. You will live."

Saanvi let her gaze fall to her hands resting on her lap. Her voice was calm, but tinged with quiet acceptance. "She also said... I could die at any time."

Abhiraj's jaw clenched. He looked away sharply, staring out into the garden like it might help him hold back the storm inside.

"You won't," he said roughly.

She let out a soft chuckle looking at Brownie barked at a butterfly, chasing it with giddy excitement.

"I've made peace with it. I'm not scared anymore. So you don't have to be either."

Abhiraj exhaled. "Even if you are scared... it's okay. You can say it. You're not alone anymore. You have a family now. You don't need to carry everything by yourself."

Her eyes snapped at him.

"You've come too far, Saanvi. And you still have a long road ahead, you fought for everything, even when you had no one. Don't give up now."

Saanvi stared at him, a long silence stretching between them. Then she finally nodded.

"I'll try," she whispered.

He smiled almost relieved. "That's more than enough."

But as he looked at her, that smile faltered just a little, burdened with a silent hope he couldn't bring himself to voice.

She used to call him papa just to irritate him. Back then, he'd hated it, he'd roll his eyes or snap at her to stop. He never wanted the word.

But now? Now he longed for it in a way he couldn't admit.

She had started calling Adrika maa again and each time he heard it, it made him hopeful. But she never called him anything. No name. No title.

And yet, he wouldn't ask. He would just wait quietly hoping that someday, papa would slip past her lips again. Not out of spite. But choice.

"Thank you, OG," she said with a small smile

His head snapped toward her, eyes widening in disbelief.

"OG?" he repeated.

She gave a casual shrug. "Yeah. Old Grump. I used to call you that, remember?"

He didn't laugh, but deep down, he knew what it meant, her calling him that brought him a sense of peace. It was a sign. A sign that the same stubborn, sharp-tongued woman he once met, was beginning to come back.

He raised an eyebrow. "So I assume I can go back to calling you 'Stupid Nurse'?"

Her smile dropped into a warning glare. "Don't you dare."

"Oh, you don't like it?" he asked innocently.

She shook her head firmly.

"Then I definitely will." He smirked. She scoffed, but couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips. She recognized the move, it used to be hers.

Saanvi stood up, slipping her feet into her sandals. "I'm telling Maa."

Abhiraj rolled his eyes, muttering, "Maa ki chamchi." (Mom's pet.)

"I'm telling her that too." She shot him a glare as she walked toward the house.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath, rising from the swing and following her with long strides. "Saanvi, wait-don't twist my words!"

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