SAANVI'S POV

I step into my cabin and see Naina busy at her desk.

"Good morning, ma'am." She rises politely.

I nod, place my bag on the chair, and glance around the room. My brows pull together. "Naina, did you throw away the flowers Rudra brought today?"

She shakes her head. "No, ma'am. He didn't bring any flowers today."

I pause mid-motion as I look up sharply. "What do you mean he didn't bring any?"

"Yes," she says, "I saw him walking to his cabin. His hands were empty."

That can't be right, he never forgets. Not once. The idea feels impossible.

"Even I was surprised," she admits. "But maybe you're glad? I mean, you always threw them away. Now you don't have to." She shrugs.

My toes curl inside my heels. A heavy unease sits in my chest. Is this because of yesterday? If this is because of yesterday, it doesn't add up. He's endured far worse from me. I've thrown words sharper than knives, pushed him to the edge, even lied about forgiving him, and still, he'd turn up the next day with a bouquet in his hand, like it was some unspoken rule between us.

I let out a quiet sigh and sink into my chair.

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

"Give him the medicine after he eats, and make sure he follows his diet strictly," I tell the sister, finishing the notes. A quick glance at my watch shows it's already 1:15 p.m. I hand her the file and step out with Naina beside me.

"Next is ward three," she says, flipping through her clipboard.

I nod, half listening, when my eyes lift and land on Rudra coming down the corridor. He's holding a tablet, eyes fixed on the screen with a blank face. A security staff member follows close behind. For a second, my pace falters.

"Ma'am?" Naina glances at me, and I force myself to keep walking.

But as we pass, I can't stop myself from stealing a glance. Usually, by now, he would've looked up. There would've been some small gestures, but he doesn't look up, not even a flicker of acknowledgment. No smirk, no usual wink that he always used to whenever our paths crossed. He just walks past as if I'm invisible.

I stop. My eyes follow his back.

"Strange. I've never seen him walk past you like that." Naina says, "He always notices you. Did something happen between you two?"

My throat feels dry. "No, nothing like that."

My hands clutch my chest as a sudden tightness spreads through me, and an uneasy flutter gnaws at my stomach.

✿✿✿✿✿

| A Week Later |

After changing into my casual clothes, I make my way downstairs. The hallway was empty and quiet. I pause outside the kitchen when I hear Maa's voice, strained and trembling.

"I don't know, Abhi... what's wrong with Rudra? It's been a week. Whenever I try talking to him, he doesn't reply like before. He's not okay, Abhi. I keep asking him to move back with us, but he won't listen, please... do something. Scold him if you have to, threaten him if you must, but just... bring him back. I don't feel good seeing him like this. I don't want my Rudra to go through that phase again... just take him back here."

What phase are they talking about?

"I know, Adrika," Og says gently, "I understand why you're scared. I understand why you want him back immediately. But Rudra isn't ready right now. He's told us he needs space to figure things out himself. And if we force him, it will only push him further away. That's how he reacts."

"Space?" Maa's voice rises a little. "Abhi, it's been a week! I don't feel good, he looks... empty. I don't want him to go through whatever this is alone. Make him come back. What if he again-"

"Adrika," Og interrupts, "I know you're worried. And it's okay to feel that way. But listen to me. He's processing things in his own way. Right now, the best thing we can do is respect that. Give him the choice to come back willingly. If we push him, he'll only retreat more. You've seen that before."

Maa's voice wavers again, "But a week, Abhi... a whole week of silence. I can't just stand by. I need him here."

"I know," Og says softly. "I feel it too. But sometimes, giving him space is the only way he'll find his way back to us. I'll go to him, I'll talk to him, I'll make sure he's okay but forcing him will make things worse."

I sigh, leaning against the wall. It's been a week now, and it feels longer. He doesn't look at me, doesn't speak to me, and his face... his face looks blank. I pull out my phone and scroll to our chat. The last message I sent him was from the concert day. He never replied, not that day, not since.

✿✿✿✿✿

| NEXT DAY |

I glance at my watch, 10:15 a.m, and cut across the reception area when I bump into someone. My forehead stings from the impact, and I rub it quickly before realizing it's Dr. Neil.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?" he asks,

I nod, and step sideways to pass him. Then a sharp crack explodes through the air. My ears ring. Instinctively, I clamp my hands over them.

"What was that?" I whisper, scanning behind me. My legs want to move toward the sound, but before I can, Dr. Neil's hand clamps around my wrist and yanks me back.

"Are you out of your mind? That was a gunshot," he hisses.

I freeze, staring at him. "A gunshot? In our hospital?" My chest tightens. "Dr. Neil, we need to check. There were so many people near the ICU-"

"Saanvi," he cuts me off, "use your damn brain. If we walk into that, we'll be next." He drags me down the corridor with force.

"Do you have your phone?" I ask,

He shakes his head. "It's in my cabin. What about you?"

I shake my head. My palms grow damp, sweat trickles down my temple as I lean around the wall, just enough to see. Two men, masks, guns drawn sweep their eyes across the reception area like predators circling prey. My throat locks. I jerk back, pressing against the wall.

Then the wail of sirens cuts through the silence.

"See?" Dr. Neil whispers, relief flashing in his eyes. "The police are here. They'll handle this. We just need to stay hidden until they do." He grips my hand again, tugging me.

I rip my hand free. "How do you know the police will save us?" My voice shakes, but the words rush out anyway. "Those men have guns. This is a hospital siege. We don't even know if the police can get inside." My chest heaves, "And what about the patients? The ICU is right next to reception. People are in there, Dr. Neil. We can't just sit and wait while they're in danger."

He stares at me like I've lost my mind. "And what do you expect to do? Take them on yourself? You're a doctor, not a cop. They have rifles, Saanvi. We can't fight them."

"No," I whisper, shaking my head, though my whole body trembles. "We can't fight them. But we can help the police get in."

His eyebrows shoot up. "How?"

I suck in a breath, forcing my thoughts into order. "We're on the third floor. The Sterile Processing Department is close. From there, there's a way that leads directly to the old emergency gate. They converted it into a storage room years ago, so almost no one remembers it's still an access point. If you get down there and unlock it, the police can slip inside without being seen."

He frowns, shaking his head. "And what if there are intruders down there too?"

"It's unlikely." I explain, clinging to logic. "The attackers entered through the main reception. Their focus will be on the ICU and patient wards. That storeroom hasn't been used in years. It doesn't even look like an exit unless you know where to look. The police won't think of it, but we can give them that opening."

He rubs his face. "You're assuming a lot. If they catch me before I even get there-"

"You'll be less noticeable moving alone than if we both try," I cut in, "And every second we waste, patients are closer to dying. Think, Dr. Neil. The ICU has oxygen cylinders and fragile equipment, what if those men panic and start shooting randomly? We could lose lives before the police even get inside."

My own words make me shiver. The image of patients in ICU beds flashes through my head. I push the fear down.

"For god's sake, Dr. Neil!" My voice comes out a little louder than I intend, but I can't help it, my chest is tight with fear and frustration. "There are patients, children, people on ventilators. Their lives are at stake. We're doctors. If we don't try to help, then what the hell are we even doing here? You don't need to fight them. Just open the door, let the people who can fight come in."

"You think playing hero is the same as saving lives. It's not. We save lives when we have resources. Right now, we don't. Right now, our own lives are hanging by a thread."

I grit my teeth, the anger and panic twisting together until my hands shake. "Dr. Neil go. Or I swear I'll scream, and they'll put a bullet in your dumb head before you finish another excuse."

He runs both hands down his face, "The moment I met you, I told you the truth. With this kind of attitude, no man is going to tolerate you. Arrogance like this isn't something any man craves." His jaw tightens, "Why? Why do you always have to be this damn stubborn? Stop playing hero."

I feel my knees weaken, but I force myself to stay upright, gripping the wall behind me. My heart feels like it's trying to tear itself out of my chest. "I'm not playing hero. I'm terrified too. My knees are shaking so bad I can barely stand. But standing here, waiting to be dragged out and shot? That's not bravery, it's suicide." My voice cracks, "If you're scared too, fine. I'll go out there and draw their attention myself. They'll come after me, but at least you'll have a chance to escape through the side hall. I already showed you the route." My lips tremble, and for a second, I almost lose the words. "I can't jump from that height, Dr. Neil. If I try, I'll collapse before I even make it halfway down. But I can still buy you time."

His eyes widen, horror etched across his face. "Diverting them is dangerous. How can you even think like that? How the hell am I supposed to leave you here knowing they could..." He coudn't finish the sentence.

I swallow hard. "It's not about me. It's about the patients. Stop thinking about me and start thinking about them. If you bring help, we all have a chance. If you don't, people will die. Do you understand that? This isn't optional, Dr. Neil. Please. Go. Before they find us too."

He stares at me for a long moment, his expression torn between fury and helplessness. Then he finally exhales, shoulders slumping. He gives me the smallest nod.

Relief floods me, though my stomach still twists like it's in knots. I gesture to the corridor. "Hurry."

I force myself to take a breath, then another. My palms are clammy, my knees weak, but I push forward, clenching my fists until my nails dig into my skin. My heart pounds so hard it almost drowns out the silence around me. I walk toward the reception.

AUTHOR'S POV

"What's wrong in the hospital? Why is it so crowded?" Kabir asks, frowning as he peers out the car window.

"Stop the car here," Rudra orders sharply, his own brows furrowed as he spots flashing sirens and a line of police outside the hospital gates.

The driver pulls over a little away from the chaos, tires grinding against the side of the road. Both Rudra and Kabir step out immediately, tension running high as they push their way toward the cordon.

"What's going on?" Rudra demands from a cop who is busy holding back the restless crowd.

The officer turns, his eyes widening the second he recognizes him. "Rudra sir-you should leave immediately. I'll assign you security, it's not safe here-"

"I asked what happened," Rudra cuts him off sharply.

The cop swallows hard before answering. "The hospital's under siege. Armed men stormed the building and locked it down."

Rudra's eyes widen. Instinctively, his hand flies to his phone, dialing Saanvi's number. It rings once, twice but no answer.

"What the fuck?" Kabir mutters, scanning the barricades. "A siege? Out of nowhere?"

The officer nods grimly. "Yes, Mr. Mehra. It's political. The grandson of an MLA was admitted here yesterday. Intelligence suggests the attackers are linked to the opposition party, they want to use the child as leverage. But at this point, everything is speculation. We're waiting on confirmation."

Rudra doesn't waste another second. He dials Abhiraj. "Dad! Did you drop Saanvi at the hospital? Or is she at home?"

"I dropped her at the hospital-"

Rudra ends the call before his father can finish. His pulse is hammering, the world narrowing down to a single point, Saanvi is inside.

He spins back to another officer near the barricade. "Why the hell aren't you doing anything? Why are you just standing here?"

"Sir, standard protocol. The Special Action Group has been called in, but until they arrive, we can't risk a blind assault. The attackers are armed with assault rifles. Any reckless move from us could cost hostages their lives."

Rudra drags a hand down his face, his breath sharp and uneven.

"Is the doctor inside?" Kabir asks tensely, already knowing the answer but still hoping he's wrong.

Rudra gives a curt nod. Then something clicks in his mind, and he turns to Kabir. "Her watch. I think she's wearing it. The G-22V is still fixed on it. If we activate it, we'll get her location and audio." He unlock his phone as he speaks.

Kabir's eyes widen in sudden realization. "G-22V, the device you fitted when she was about to go out with Neil? Right. That's my tracker. Hurry, switch it on."

Rudra connects the feed, fits the earpods, and after a brief hiss of static, her voice comes through.

"....We're on the third floor. The Sterile Processing Department is close. From there, there's a way leading to the old emergency gate. They turned it into storage years ago, so no one really remembers it's still an exit. If you get down there and unlock it, the police can slip inside without being seen."

"And what if there are intruders down there too?"

"The attackers came through the main reception. Their focus is the ICU and patient wards. That storeroom hasn't been used in years, it doesn't even look like an exit unless you know where to look. The police won't think of it, but we can give them that opening."

Rudra clenches his jaw, a bitter scoff escaping. "This woman." he mutters under his breath.

"If you're scared too, fine. I'll go out there and draw their attention myself. They'll come after me, but at least you'll have a chance to escape through the side hall. I already showed you the route. I can't jump from that height, Dr. Neil. If I try, I'll collapse halfway down. But I can still buy you time."

Rudra's temper flares so violently he almost smashes the phone on the asphalt. "What the fuck is wrong with this woman? And how the hell can that bastard even consider leaving her there?" His voice shakes with fury and fear.

Kabir stares at him, "What happened?"

Rudra explains in short, his anger barely containing the raw fear beneath it.

A voice calls out from behind. "Rudra?"

They turn to see a uniformed officer striding toward them, "How is it you're always right in the middle of things like this?"

Rudra's patience snaps. "Because that's my fucking hospital Vijay, and send your team inside right now."

Vijay folds his arms, unbothered and steps closer. "Field agent Blaze Volkaris, this isn't your place to command. You don't get to dictate how I run an operation. We follow protocol here. Until we get clearance, my team stays put. So calm down-"

Before he can finish, Rudra grabs his collar and yanks him forward, "That's my goddamn wife inside! She's risking her life for those patients while your useless pricks are standing around jerking off like idiots. And you want me to calm the fuck down?!"

"Rudra, stop!" Kabir pulls him back, forcing him to let go.

Vijay glares at him, the crease in his shirt doing nothing to hide his irritation. "One day I swear, you'll end up in a cell. This is the second time you've pulled this stunt. And your wife, she's a doctor. It's her job to save lives."

Rudra's jaw tightens. His fists clench until his knuckles turn white. "And your job is to save lives too, but you all are standing around like useless motherfuckers while she's risking her life in front of armed bastards." He scoffs and stalks off, Kabir follows, trying to keep up with his sharp, predatory pace.

Rudra stops at the back of his car, yanks open his phone and tab, and starts scanning the hospital layout. Every floor, every corridor, every access point he memorizes in seconds. He zooms in, locating her exact position.

"What are you doing?" Kabir asks, eyes narrowing.

"I'm going in. She's on the third floor," he mutters under his breath, "That window connects to the ICU, which links straight to the reception corridor. If I reach that, I can get to her." he says looking up at hospital building.

Kabir's jaw drops. "You've lost your mind. They're armed, Rudra. You don't even have a plan. How the hell do you think you'll get in, alone?"

"Alone? Maybe. But I'm going in smart. I know the building, I know the blind spots," His fingers swipe the tablet with precision, tracing routes, access points, even fire exits. "She's saving lives, and I'll make sure no one touches mine."

Kabir blinks. "How the hell do you have the hospital layout?"

"I'm the fucking MD here, Kabir. Appointed to oversee the infrastructure. Of course I have the layout. Now stop whining and stay the fuck out of my way." he shoves the tab toward him, and Kabir catches it reluctantly.

"How do you even plan to fight them? They've got rifles-"

He pops the trunk. Guns, knives, holsters, and bandages glint in the morning light. Rudra strips off his blazer, tosses it in, straps a chest holster, belts knives at his waist, and slides a gun into it. He bites down on the end of the boxing bandage, teeth sinking into the rough fabric, his jaw flexes as he pulls it taut, and begins wrapping his fists tightly.

He flexes his fists as the bandage coils around his knuckles, the veins standing out along his forearms.

"Rudra, wait. This is reckless, just a little longer, the team's coming," Kabir says, panic creeping into his tone.

"Fuck the team. She's inside, she's scared, and I can hear it in my head. That trembling edge in her voice, I can't let that sit there while I do nothing. I'll carve a path through hell to keep her safe."

Kabir hesitates. "And what about the other people inside?"

"Cops have them." he slides his phone into his pocket. "She's saving her patients. And I'm saving my wife." He moves with predatory precision toward the wall.

"Rudra! You fucking psychopath!" Kabir mutters, frustration rolling off him in waves as he falls in step beside him.

"When the team arrives, hit the back of the storage room. That useless bastard, Dr. Neil, is going to open the gate, so make sure the cops are ready to move in. Don't fuck this up,"

With a final glance at the building, Rudra climbs onto the wall and drops down into the hospital premises, disappearing from view.

Kabir exhales sharply, running a hand over his face, and turns back toward the barricade.

"Kabir, listen," Vijay says, removing the handheld transceiver from his lips, "This isn't NVC territory. Go home, let me handle the coordination."

"No," Kabir snaps, cutting him off, "Send the team inside. The storage room at the back, a doctor is going to open it. That's our entry point, if the cops get in there first, we can secure a path to the floors above without running into hostiles immediately."

Vijay frowns, scanning his team through the transceiver. "We've got clearance, Special Action Team is on route. But we need to stabilize the lower floors first, we can't risk splitting our forces."

Kabir's patience snaps, he yanks Vijay by the collar, "Stop fucking stalling! My teammate is inside, risking his life right now. All I'm asking is for you to show some fucking initiative and get the team moving. You're thinking about protocols while people are dying."

Vijay pries free, "One more misstep, Kabir, and no one in your NVC will stop Rudra or you from ending up in a cell. Orders exist for a reason."

Kabir closes his eyes, takes a sharp, controlled breath, and steps back. "I'll take responsibility. Just get your men inside, now."

He exhales again, "I'll be fucking unemployed if I keep listening to cartel. You all are complete psychopaths."

| Inside the Hospital |

"New guest here, everyone."

A man in black, face masked, shoves Saanvi forward, gun tight in his grip. Another hand yanks her arm, forcing her to stumble across the polished floor. Her breaths come sharp and fast as she takes in the room. Her eyes sweep the reception. Five masked men, two with guns stand alert, while three lean against walls, rifles trained nearby. Eighteen hostages huddle across the room, doctors, nurses, patients, families all frozen, terrified.

Saanvi swallows hard. A gloved hand clamps her jaw, dragging her forward. "Leave my face,"

"Get the fuck down," he snarls,

She drops to the floor beside a woman, trembling, struggling to steady her breath.

"He's in ICU. Finish that kid, then get the hell out. Cops are circling outside," one of the men says, glancing toward the entrance.

Saanvi frowns.

"We've got another order to clear the other wards too," another adds. "Make it fast."

The man with the gun shrugs. "We can. The third party needs to take the blame. Make it look deliberate, make it bloody."

The hostages freeze, horror written across their faces.

"Start with the MLA's grandson." the man with gun steps towards ICU.

Saanvi's stomach drops. She bolts upright, standing in front of the ICU door, "He's just a child...please, don't..."

"Move. Or I'll crack your skull open and feed you these bullets one by one." the man growls, raising the gun.

Her tears sting. "He just had surgery...he's a child! How can you be this cruel?"

"Shoot her already. Let her fucking hero act crumble," another man says lazily, leaning against the wall.

"Dr. Saanvi, please...he has a gun. Don't be foolish," a doctor whispers from the floor with her trembling voice.

Saanvi swallows her panic, chest rising and falling rapidly. "That child is my patient. I cannot leave him," she says, "Whatever this is...why are you dragging him?"

"Shut the fuck up!" The man yanks her hair, twisting it and pain explodes through her skull. "Show your hero act somewhere else. I don't tolerate bullshit."

Adrenaline surges, she slams her knee up into his groin with precision. He hisses, staggering back. "Fucking assholes!" she screams, tears streaming down her face.

The other four step forward, but he raises a palm, halting them. "Now...you die." He presses the gun to her forehead.

Saanvi's body freezes. Her heart hammers so violently it feels like it might shatter her ribs. She shuts her eyes tightly, fists digging into her trouser seams. A whisper escapes her lips, trembling, "Mumma..."

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

"Move. Or I'll crack your skull open and feed you these bullets one by one."

Rudra closes his eyes for half a second, the words grinding in his ear through the air pod. His pulse hammers not from the dangerous edge of the rooftop under his boots, but because Saanvi is the one being held at gunpoint. The thought alone sends a heavy rush of heat through his chest.

He forces a steady breath, pulls his phone up, and checks her tracker. The blinking dot flashes near the east wing, right next to a window two stories down. He tucks the phone away, runs, and leaps to the other ledge. His body moves with practiced precision, the kind drilled into him over years of missions. Boots land hard against the concrete, knees bend, and he rises without hesitation.

The ICU window slides under his grip, with one motion he jumps inside. His boots touch the cold linoleum floor. The sterile smell of disinfectant mixes with the faint beep of a monitor. Out of the corner of his eye, he catches the pale outline of a child lying still in bed.

He draws his gun from the holster in one smooth motion and loads it with a quiet click, he keeps it angled low at his side, finger brushing the trigger guard. His boots make no sound as he closes the distance to the door.

Once there, he presses his back against it, steadying his breath. Slowly, his other hand rises to the lock. He twists it carefully.

Saanvi stands frozen, her eyes shut tight, tears slipping down her cheeks. The cold barrel of a gun presses against her forehead. The masked man holding her is seconds from pulling the trigger when his gaze catches the door behind her just barely cracked open. His frown deepens.

In a blink, the door bursts open, and Saanvi is shoved harshly inside. She crashes to the floor in the corner of the ICU, flinching as a deafening gunshot shatters the quiet.

Rudra, still pressed against the doorframe inside the ICU, sees the bullet strike the window he had just passed. His gaze snaps to Saanvi. Without hesitation, he darts out of the ICU, slamming the door shut behind him. The masked man raises his gun, but before the he can squeeze the trigger, Rudra lashes out with a brutal kick that sends the gun clattering across the floor. Gasps ripple through the room as the rest of the masked men whip out their rifles, chambering rounds with cold precision.

One arm wrenches the man in front of him into a chokehold, while his other hand locks the ICU door behind him. Soon his gun pressed hard against the side of the captive's temple.

"Put the fucking guns down," Rudra growls. "Or your man's brains will be all over this floor."

The captive in Rudra's grip claws desperately at his arm, trying to break free. Rudra fires a single shot into the man's foot. The hostage shrieks in agony, collapsing against Rudra's hold.

The other masked men freeze.

"I said put the fucking guns down!" Rudra's roar rattles the walls. His gaze sweeps the room, scanning the terrified patient's family, doctors and nurses huddled in the corner. He knows reinforcements will be here soon, but until then, it's on him to keep these people alive. He jerks his chin toward the far side of the room, motioning the gunmen away from the hostages. "Move. Now."

Three of the masked men obey, lowering their weapons, their hands slowly rising as they step forward. But the last one lingers, still holding his rifle.

"You need a goddamn invitation?" Rudra snaps.

The man narrows his eyes. "You can shoot him. But the moment you do, everyone in this room dies."

Rudra tilts his head, unbothered. "And then what? You think you walk out of here alive? This guy-" he yanks his bleeding hostage tighter, forcing another pained scream out of him "-he's already a liability. The second the cops get to him, he spills everything. Names, routes, plans. Your whole operation goes down the toilet."

The man swallows hard, sweat beads along his temple despite the mask. Rudra notices every twitch, every falter. His manipulation works.

"Go on," Rudra taunts, "Pull it. See how fast you die before your finger finishes the squeeze."

A sharp shot cuts through the side corridor. The man collapses, clutching his leg, screaming as pain shoots up his thigh. Tactical shields thunder down the hallway, pushing hostages toward safety.

The remaining masked men scramble for their guns, but Rudra doesn't give them a chance. He hurls the man he was holding and slams it down on his head. The man collapses instantly. Before the others can react, Rudra charges, boots connecting with other rifles, sending it sliding across the floor.

One of them swings at him. Rudra catches the punch mid air, twisting his wrist, sending the attacker to the ground with a sharp snap of bone. Another lunges too but Rudra pivots, his kick snapping the man's chest backward, leaving him gasping for breath. He yanks one by the collar, slams him face first into the wall, and twists his head until the man crumples.

Now, only one masked figure remains. Rudra's eyes lock onto him, he clicks his tongue and steps forward, yanking the man by the collar, slamming him hard against the wall. His fists strike in quick, calculated bursts, nose, jaw, each hit driving the man further into helplessness. The masked figure tries to fight back, but every move is anticipated, every reaction countered.

Saanvi groans, pushing herself up from the floor, rubbing at her elbow where it aches. Her eyes snap to the door. Through the small circular glass, she sees him, Rudra moving with lethal precision, taking on the masked men alone. Her chest tightens, panic clawing at her throat.

"Rudra!" Her voice cracks, her hands slam against the door, rattling it as she yanks at the handle. It doesn't budge, her knuckles scrape against the metal, tears burning hot along her cheeks. "Rudra! What the-oh fuck!"

Her heartbeat hammers in her ears as desperation floods her. She strikes the door again and again, gasping for air, watching him through the glass. Then she sees the man sprawled on the floor, clutching his leg, crawling toward a gun. Her stomach drops.

"No! Rudra!" she screams, louder this time, her fists slamming with all the force she can muster. Her body shakes with fear as her eyes stay locked on him, her pulse spiking.

Rudra hisses as the bullet slices through his bicep. Pain shoots up his arm and he drops the man for a fraction of a second, clutching the wound.

The masked gunman on the floor curses under his breath, fumbling to aim again, but before he can line up another shot, a heavy boot smashes into his face. The gun slips from his fingers.

Rudra looks up to see Kabir standing, hands in his pockets, expression annoyingly bored. "Seriously? You were actually about to take out Rudra? Uske bina hamara side job kaise chalega, bhai?" (How will we manage our side job without him, bro?) Kabir shakes his head, letting a slow, mocking smile tug at his lips. Then, with surgical precision, he drives a kick into the man's stomach. The masked figure doubles over, coughing violently, clutching his gut.

Abhimaan and Avyaan stand a few steps behind, scanning the wreckage of the corridor. Vijay and a few constables move in to secure the rest, rounding up the subdued masked men with efficiency.

Rudra straightens, ignoring the burn in his arm, "Who touched her?"

Every masked man glances toward the one Rudra had first taken hostage. Rudra follows their gaze.

He steps toward him and crouches slightly, his elbow brace on his knee. He grabs the man by the hair, yanking his head back just enough to rip off the mask. The man's eyes widen, sweat beading along his temples.

"The woman you touched... is my wife," he whispers and his fingers clamp around the man's hand, and he slowly bends the fingers back. "I heard everything while you hurt her. Her screams... they burned into my ears. I kept imagining how I'd break the hands that dared to touch her. And now... you get to find out." he harshly twists the man's fingers back, forcing them flat brutally. The sharp crack echoes, and the man screams in pain, eyes widening in shock.

"Don't," Vijay calls out, "This time, I can't cover you if you kill him."

Rudra pulls his hands back for a moment, tilting his head as he studies the man's terrified expression, he grabs the other hand. "Oh, I forgot to ask... which hand it was. Guess I'll just break both." In a heartbeat, he twists the fingers harshly, the man screams loudly, clutching his hands in pain, his eyes wide with panic.

"Enough!" Abhimaan shoves him back, gripping his shoulder hard. "Control yourself. This isn't our ground."

Rudra finally relents, shaking him off, his eyes still cold as the constables drags the man away. Vijay signals the other constable to take the masked men away, and they all vanish down the corridor.

"Oh fuck, iski biwi to abhi bhi ICU mein band hai." (oh fuck! his wife's still locked in ICU.) Kabir mutters, eyes flicking toward the ICU door. He steps forward and opens it.

Before he can react, Saanvi shoves him hard, he stumbles backward onto a stretcher, groaning and rubbing his hip, staring at her in disbelief.

She crashes into Rudra. Her arms wrap around him, tight and desperate, her body trembling. Tears spill down her cheeks as she buries her face into his chest, breathing in ragged, shaky gasps.

Rudra's hands twitch, about to move to hold her, but he stops, rooted to the spot. He doesn't hug her back. She finally pulls away just enough to look at him, and her gaze drops to the blood staining his bicep. Her eyes widen.

He scans her quickly, checking for any injuries. Sighing in relief at the absence of wounds.

"I'll treat you," she murmurs, her hands reaching to unbutton his shirt.

He jerks slightly, stopping her, a gulp catching in his throat. He can't let her see the scars of his weakness, the vulnerability he carries in his body and blood. She frowns, confusion flickering across her face.

Avyaan and Abhimaan exchange a glance before Abhimaan steps forward. "Saanvi, he'll get it handled somewhere else. You need to check on the other patients,"

She looks at him, incredulous. "What's the problem if I do it?"

"Stop questioning and mind your business. Rudra, let's go," Avyaan adds coldly.

Rudra softly removes her hands from his forearms, stepping back. The small space between them feels like a canyon. Saanvi's chest tightens at his restraint, a dull ache settling in her heart.

Rudra turns, ready to walk away.

"You used to say... you only want me," she blurts, forcing him to freeze mid step. "...to treat you." She finishes, her eyes searching for a trace of the man she knew.

The words hit him, memories of their early days.

"Our hospital has plenty of doctors,"

"But I want only you... to treat me."

"Not anymore," he says and walks away without looking back.

Avyaan and Abhimaan cast one last glance at her before following him silently.

Kabir rests a hand gently on her shoulder. "Everything will be alright, doctor. Take care," he says softly, then steps away.

Saanvi remains frozen, her tears streaking her cheeks.

"Not anymore."

Those two words land harder than any blow, sharper than any fear she's felt tonight.

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