SAANVI'S POV

I groan softly, pulling the blanket tighter around myself as my phone starts ringing, sharp and persistent in the quiet room. Still drowsy, I turn on my side and stretch my hand toward the nightstand, blindly searching until my fingers find the device.

Eyes still shut, I answer and press it to my ear. “Hello…”

“Happy birthday, Pearl.”

My eyes flutter open at the sound. I glance at the screen. Unknown number. But the voice, I know it too well.

Exhaling slowly, I blink a few times, then end the call without responding. I let the phone drop beside me and stare blankly at the ceiling, the soft golden nightlight casting faint shadows above.

A knock breaks the silence, followed quickly by the creak of my door opening. Bright light floods the room as I sit up, squinting.

“Maa?” I murmur, rubbing my eyes.

She walks in, beaming, holding a cake. “Happy birthday, Saanvi!” she beamed.

“Happy birthday, stupid nurse,” OG added with a teasing grin, following her in.

A laugh escapes me as I sit straighter, pushing the blanket down. They both join me on the bed, settling on either side while placing the cake carefully in front of me.

Maa hands me the knife, her eyes glowing with excitement. “Blow the candle first, then cut it.”

I grin, brushing my hair back with one hand before leaning forward and blowing out the tiny flame. They start singing.

I slice through the cake and feed the first piece to Maa, then offer one to OG who takes it with an exaggerated expression of pride. They both return the gesture, feeding me with teasing smiles.

Maa rises, gently cupping my face. “You must be tired, beta. Go back to sleep now.”

She kisses my forehead tenderly before stepping back.

“Sleep tight, stupid nurse,” OG added, ruffling my hair and with a playful nudge.

“Good night,” I whisper, smiling as they leave, switching off the main light and leaving only the dim lamp glowing softly in the corner.

I pick up my phone again. The screen is filled with messages, Shaurya, Falak bhabhi, Dhruv, Vikram bhai, even… Mr. Malhotra and other family members. A few more from the hospital staff too.

I stare at it for a second, then turn it face down and place it aside. Curling under the blanket once more, I close my eyes.

✦✦✦✦✦

I stand in front of my wardrobe, biting my lower lip as I scan the options.

What do I wear today? It can't be too simple, but nothing too flashy either. My eyes land on a black, long-sleeved knit top and a matching pleated midi skirt.

“Perfect,”

After getting dressed, I finish my makeup and dab a hint of perfume on my neck and wrists. The scent feels soft, comforting. With one last glance in the mirror, I head downstairs.

Maa and OG were on the couch, she’s sipping tea, and he’s buried behind the newspaper.

“Good morning,” I greet with a smile.

“Good morning, birthday girl!” Maa beams. “You look gorgeous, my baby.” She plucks kajal from the corner of her own eye and gently dots it behind my ear. I drop my gaze, cheeks warming.

“Mat sharmao beta, bilkul bandar lag rahi ho,” OG chimes in flatly, not glancing up from his paper.

(Don’t blush too hard. You look like a monkey)

My smile vanishes as I glare at him. He casually flips the page like nothing happened.

“Abhi, leave her alone for one day it’s her birthday,” Maa scolds, shaking her head. She reaches for my wrist, tugging me down to sit beside her. “Forget him. I have something for you.”

She places a wrapped box on my lap. I giggle and carefully unwrap it, revealing a designer box inside. It’s her brand. Raika.

I open the box and blink in surprise, a diamond necklace set glistens inside, paired with a delicate bracelet. My lips part as I look at her in awe.

“You like it?” she asks, eyes shining. “It’s one of our rare pieces, I chose it just for you.”

I chuckle, fingertips brushing over the stones. “It’s beautiful. Thank you so much.” I wrap my arms around her and she pats my back lovingly.

“I’ll wear the bracelet,” I say.

She nods and gently fastens it on my wrist. The stones catch the light perfectly.

I glance at OG. He peeks at me over the edge of the paper. “What?” he mutters.

“My gift?” I hold out my hand expectantly.

“You already have me, the greatest father of all. What more could you want?” He folds the newspaper neatly and sets it aside.

I roll my eyes. “Your self-obsession is next level.”

Grabbing my handbag, I start heading toward the door when he suddenly calls out.

“Wait.”

I arch a brow. “Hmm?”

“Sit,” he orders, and I catch Maa suppressing a chuckle. I sit back down, trying not to smile.

“You’ve been walking around in those same heels for four months,” he mutters, pulling out a box. My eyes widen as he opens it YSL heels. My exact style.

He kneels down in front of me.

“I’ll wear them myself,” I say quickly, trying to stop him.

He scowls. “Shut up, stupid nurse. You’re my daughter. I’ll put them on.”

He slips off my old heels and replaces them with the new ones. I watch him quietly, trying not to laugh.

“These are YSL too,” I mention.

He shrugs, adjusting the strap. “Still, yours were worn out.”

“Thank you for the gift, Papa,” I say with a soft smirk.

He doesn’t look up, but I catch the small smile tugging at his lips.

Maa chuckles beside us.

He stands and gestures. “Now walk. Let’s make sure they fit.”

I get up and take a few steps across the living room, twirling slightly before turning back.

“How do I look now?” I flash my wrist and lift my foot playfully.

Maa gives me a thumbs-up. “Prettiest girl in the world.”

I laugh and we sit for breakfast together before OG drops me off at the hospital, as always.

✦✦✦✦✦

The elevator doors slide open and I step into the corridor.

“Saanvi ma’am! HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAY!”

I jump, spinning around. It’s Naina, practically screaming across the floor.

I blink, giving her a stunned look. The entire corridor turns to stare. I force an awkward smile as a few colleagues offer polite wishes.

“You could’ve just wished me like a normal human being,” I mutter as we walk side by side.

“Oh, come on, it’s your birthday!” she nudges me. “Besides, you look so good, I almost want to kiss you.”

I shoot her a disgusted look. “Naina, what the actual fuck?”

Scoffing, I push open my cabin door and freeze.

Rudra lounging in my chair, phone in hand, one leg crossed over the other. His sleeves are rolled up slightly, and he looks too comfortable.

White roses sit on my desk. I exhale and cross my arms. “Mr. Singhania. This is my cabin.”

He pauses mid-scroll, but doesn’t look up immediately. “Mrs. Singhania, your mood even in the morning—”

He lifts his head standing up.

The words die in his throat the second his gaze lands on me. The phone slips slightly in his hand. His foot catches awkwardly under the leg of the chair, and he stumbles, “—Ouch,” he mutters, stumbling and gripping the desk for balance, eyes never leaving me.

I raise an eyebrow, watching silently.

His gaze travels slowly, trailing from my heels to the hem of my black skirt, lingering briefly at the bracelet on my wrist, then the curve of my jaw, my lips... and stays there.

His gaze softens, lips part slightly as if he wants to say something but can’t find the words.

And he doesn’t. He just stares. Lips parting slightly as he exhales.

“Lagta hai aapko dekh kar inhe 10,000 volt ka jhatka laga hai,” I ignore her comment, keeping my eyes locked on him.

(Looks like seeing you gave him a 10,000-volt shock)

“Get out,”

Rudra blinks, then lowers his eyes. He walks toward me silently, hands me the bouquet, and pulls leather diary from his blazer pocket.

I take the flowers with a blank expression and toss them in the dustbin. Then I step back.

“Keep your fucking diary. I don’t want it,”

He lets out a small sigh, takes it back, and nods.

“You look… really beautiful,” he murmurs, lips curving into a smile. And then, without another word, he walks past me and exits.

I dropped into my chair.

“How rude!” Naina huffs, dropping her bag. “He didn’t even wish you. He totally forgot, didn’t he?”

I don’t know how to respond.

Because the truth is, he was the first one to wish me.

✦✦✦✦✦

“Get in the car.”

I lift my head slowly, the glow of my phone screen still reflecting in my eyes. He’s parked by the curb, leaning slightly out of the driver’s seat, gaze fixed on me.

“I’m not in the mood, Rudra,” I reply flatly, looking back down.

But of course, he doesn’t listen. He gets out and walks toward me like it’s something he’s entitled to do.

“Dad’s caught up. He couldn’t make it,” he says. “I’ll drop you home.”

“I already booked a cab. You don’t need to play chauffeur.”

I unlock my phone and tap into the app, but before I can finish, he reaches over and snatches it from my hand.

My brows furrow. “Give it back.”

Instead of responding, he pulls out his own phone, dials a number, waits, and then holds it out for me.

“Just talk,” he mutters.

Reluctantly, I grab it and bring it to my ear.

“Saanvi,” Papa’s voice comes through.

“Yeah?”

“It’s not safe for you to go alone. Just go with him. After Navya... I can’t take that chance again.”

I press my lips together and stay silent for a moment, then finally let out a breath.

“Fine.”

I end the call, hand the phone back to Rudra, and snatch mine from his grip. Without saying another word, I walk to the car. I reach for the handle, but he beats me to it, opening the door. I slip in, keeping my eyes ahead.

He gets in, starts the car, and pulls onto the road.

A few minutes pass before his phone rings.

“Kabir, get the fuck out of there. Right now.” He speaks into the receiver.

I keep my focus on my phone, pretending not to listen. When the call ends, he turns suddenly down a different road.

My brows pull together. “That’s not the way home.” I glance at him. “Where are you taking me? Are you kidnapping me now?”

“You're looking dangerously beautiful... you really should’ve been more careful.” he says, keeping his eyes on the road

“Stop the car,” I snap, shifting in my seat. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He doesn’t.

“Rudra, I swear....stop the fucking car.”

After a few tense minutes, he turns into a street I recognize instantly. My stomach tightens.

The old apartment building. The penthouse.

I didn't move as he parks and steps out. When he opens my door, I stay frozen.

“Let’s go,”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I snap. “Leave me alone. Touch me again and I’ll scream—Rudra!”

Before I can react, he lifts me off the seat, arms under my knees and back.

My hands grip his shoulders instinctively, more out of reflex than trust.

“Put me down,” I struggle, kicking lightly, “I mean it!”

He says nothing, carrying me toward the elevator like he can’t hear me.

The doors slide shut, and I pound a weak fist against his chest. “You’ve lost your damn mind.”

The elevator dings at the top floor, and he steps out.

He punches in the old code. The soft click of the lock stirs something in me I wish it didn’t.

The door opens, as we step inside, my protests die in my throat.

The entire entrance glows with soft candlelight. Flowers are arranged along the walls, petals trailing along the floor. The hallway ahead shimmers in warm gold tones.

He sets me down gently. My gaze slowly shifts to the end of the hall, where a table sits, lit up with more flowers, and a cake surrounded by flickering candles.

I stand still, looking around, trying not to let it touch me.

“Did you like it?” he asks, watching my face.

“I was off the hospital grid all evening just to finish this,” he adds with a quiet chuckle. “While you were busy trashing me with Miss Sharma.”

He reaches for something behind him. “Oh, right, your gift.”

He pulls out a small paper bag, takes a box from it, and opens it slowly. A diamond ring rests inside.

“It’s for you,” he says softly.

He takes my hand, and slips the ring onto my finger. His thumb lingers there, brushing lightly.

“I designed and made it myse—.”

Before he can finish, I pull my hand away sharply.

I stare at the ring for a split second, then tug it off and throw it across the room.

It hits the ground somewhere with a soft clatter I refuse to look toward.

My vision blurs. My chest tightens. I swallow hard, but the tears still rise. Everything I’ve held in... slips.

SAANVI'S POV

“How can you be so calm?” Saanvi’s voice cracks through the silence, tears sliding down her cheeks. “Like this is some ordinary marriage?” Her breath trembles. “Did you forget what you did?”

She steps closer, fury and hurt battling in her eyes, and grabs Rudra’s collar with trembling fingers.

“You cheated on me,” she whispers through clenched teeth, eyes flooded with betrayal. “You left me when I needed you the most. You left me to die.”

Rudra closes his eyes.

She shoves him back with both hands, “Why? Why are you doing this to me?”

He watches her, the rage in her eyes slowly giving way to exhaustion. His heart twists as he takes a step toward her.

“It hurts,” she mutters, “Do you know why? ”

Her lips quiver, her throat thick with emotion. “Because I begged you, Rudra, begged you here... right in this place. I begged you to trust me. To stay. To believe in me. And you didn’t. You left.”

A single tear rolls down Rudra’s cheek, silent and slow.

“You broke everything,” she cries, clutching his shirt again. “I stayed here, that night crying for you while you were out partying in clubs like I never existed.”

Her sobs come harder now, and she leans into him. “Even when I was in the hospital… I hated that I still wanted you by my side. That even after everything, it was still you I waited for.”

He says nothing, his hands frozen at his sides, eyes brimming with tears.

"Do you even realise what it did to me when you said you were with someone else?" her voice cracks as she swallows the lump rising in her throat. "I never asked you to love me, Rudra. You were the one who kept coming closer... chasing me, saying you love me. And I—" she breathes sharply, eyes glistening, "I started believing in you. I started believing in us."

Her hands shake as she grabs his shoulders.

“So tell me,” she whispers, “how did it come to this? How did I end up begging the same man who chased me like I was all he ever wanted? The same man who swore he’d never leave me? I never ran after you, Rudra... it was always you. Then how?”

Rudra’s chest heaves. He shuts his eyes and lowers his head, unable to look at her.

“The worst part wasn’t that you left,” her voice softens, “It was that you made me believe you never would.”

His hands reach up cupping her cheeks.

“I used to read about love,” she murmurs, staring at him. “The kind that’s soft, warm… healing. But yours? Yours destroyed me. You didn’t just break me. You made sure I’d never trust love again.”

He exhales slowly, still saying nothing. His breath falls gently against her face as his fingers stroke the edge of her jaw.

Then he pulls her into a hug, arms wrapping around her waist slowly, one hand threading softly through her hair. She sinks into him, unable to fight anymore. Her fists ball into his shirt as her sobs shake her shoulders.

“I needed you,” she whispers through her cries. “I needed you to hold me… to tell me it’s going to be okay. I wanted you.” She clutches his shirt, and the dam she had been holding back finally breaks. Her cries shake through her body as she buries her face into his chest, gripping him like he's the only thing keeping her upright. “I just wanted it to be you… after everything,”

A quiet sob escapes from Rudra’s lips. His arms tighten around her instinctively, protectively, and he lowers his head to rest gently against the crown of hers, breathing in the pain he caused.

“Why, Rudra?” she whispers against his chest, her voice muffled and trembling. “Why didn’t you believe me? Why couldn’t you stand by me when it mattered? We could’ve been something else… something better… if only you’d trusted me—just once. Over everyone else. Over everything.”

Her cries echo softly in the quiet room, lost in the fabric of his shirt as she weeps, and he holds her like he’s trying to shield her from the damage he’s already done.

Rudra’s body trembles as he holds her tighter, burying his face against her head, a sob slipping from his lips muffled against her.

“I’m sorry,” Rudra finally whispers. “I’m sorry I failed you. I’m sorry for not trusting you.”

She slowly pulls away, her tear-streaked face looking up at him. “Things can’t go back to how they were.”

Her words sting more than any slap.

“I can’t trust you anymore,” she says quietly. “You always break it, Rudra. Every time I’ve believed in you, you’ve crushed it. As a friend. As a husband. Every single time.”

Rudra steps forward, breath shaking, and cups her cheeks again. “Then let me earn it back. Let me fix what I ruined, Pearl. I’ve come too far. I can’t lose you now.”

She closes her eyes. Her body trembles.

Then, without a word, he falls to his knees in front of her, gripping her legs gently.

“I’m not asking for forgiveness,” he says. “I’m asking for a chance. Just one. Please… don’t walk away.”

She looks up at the ceiling, blinking away tears, inhaling shakily.

“You had me at a point where I could’ve trusted you over the whole damn world,” she whispers.

When her eyes drop to meet his again, something breaks inside him.

“Leave me,” she says softly.

“Please... don’t go.”

Her lips tremble. Her hand reaches halfway to him, but she pulls it back and pushes his shoulder gently.

And she walks away silently, wiping her tears as she disappears leaving him kneeling on the floor with nothing but his regret.

-------------

She walks out of the elevator, tears still quietly trailing down her cheeks. Her legs feel heavy, her breath uneven as she reaches the car. One hand clutches her chest, trying to steady the ache that refuses to settle.

Then suddenly, a chill brushes over her skin sharp and alert. She turns her head instinctively toward the road. The street is dim, the silence unsettling. Under the faint yellow glow of the distant streetlight, something flickers. A shadow.

Her eyes narrow. It's across the lane, near the pole. The figure stands still, half-blurred in the haze of low light. She wipes her tears, breathing shallow, and steps toward it, slow and cautious, fists clenched, her heels clicking against the pavement, she moves beyond the main gate.

But before she can go further, a hand grabs her wrist and yanks her back. She gasps, stumbling against a chest, solid, familiar.

She looks up and saw Rudra.

She instantly shoves him away and puts distance between them, her eyes darting back to the pole but the shadow is gone.

Rudra follows her gaze, brow furrowed. “What's wrong?”

“I think... someone was there,” she mutters, still scanning the street, a frown pulling at her features.

Rudra turns toward the road. His expression shifts. He stiffens, eyes darting around the perimeter. Without a word, he grabs her hand and pulls her back inside the building.

“Let go of me!” she snaps, trying to wrench her wrist free, but he doesn’t stop. His grip tightens just slightly not to hurt, but enough to stop her from breaking away.

“I want to go home, Rudra!”

“I’ll take you,” he says sharply, dragging her toward the car.

“No, I won’t go with you. You’ve done enough already!”

He ignores her protests. Reaching into the glove compartment, he grabs another set of keys, slams the door shut, and leads her to his  private basement parking.

“Where the hell are you taking me now?” she snaps.

He stops in front of a sleek black car polished, and built like a fortress. The dark-tinted, bulletproof glass gives away that this isn’t just any luxury vehicle, it’s made for protection, the kind used when danger isn’t just a possibility but a guarantee. Without answering, he opens the passenger door, makes her sit, and fastens the seatbelt himself.

“Don’t close the window,”

“I have to,” he murmurs, almost apologetically, as the windows slide up with a soft hiss, sealing the car in silence.

He starts the engine and pulls out of the driveway.

Saanvi turns away, looking out, speaking softly on the phone with Adrika. Her voice fades into background murmurs as his eyes flick briefly toward her.

Taking the moment, he leans slightly to the side, his fingers reaching toward the underside of the dashboard, right below the steering column. He presses his thumb to a small section where the texture subtly changes. A quiet click follows. A narrow panel pops open, barely noticeable unless someone knows where to look.

Inside, nestled in black foam, rests a sleek handgun with a matching set of loaded magazines. His fingers hover over it for a second before he sighs quietly and shuts the compartment, the panel sealing back into place with a soft snap.

He glanced at Saanvi who was still unaware.

They pull into the Singhania Mansion. The car stops.

Saanvi unbuckles her seatbelt without glancing his way, opens the door, and steps out.

He watches her silently until she disappears inside. Then he turns the car around.

As he rolls to a stop at the main gate, the window slides down.

“Sir?” the guard steps closer.

Rudra leans forward. “From now on, don’t let any man inside this property unless it’s my father. No exceptions.”

The guard frowns. “But we just let you in—”

“If anything happens to my family because of your lousy security, I’ll personally make sure you remember this conversation for the rest of your miserable life.”

The guard straightens. “Y–Yes, sir. Understood.”

Rudra doesn’t say another word.

He rolls the window up and drives off.

_______________________________________

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