The night was colder than before.
But this time—
the silence didn't feel peaceful.
Something felt… off.
Meher stood near the window, her arms wrapped around herself as she stared outside into the darkness.
The mountains looked the same.
The snow still fell softly.
But her heart—
felt uneasy.
"Why does it feel like something is wrong…" she whispered.
Behind her—
Aarav stood near the table, checking his phone.
His expression had changed slightly.
Focused.
Sharp.
"Stay inside," he said suddenly.
She turned.
"What?"
"I'll be back."
"That's not an answer," she frowned.
But before she could say anything else—
He walked out.
Just like that.
The door shut behind him.
And the silence returned.
Heavier this time.
Minutes passed.
Too many.
Meher paced around the room, her heartbeat slowly increasing.
"This is stupid," she muttered. "Why am I worried?"
But she was.
She couldn't ignore it.
Then—
A loud sound broke the silence.
A sharp crack.
Gunshot.
Her heart stopped.
"Aarav…"
Without thinking—
she rushed outside.
The cold hit her instantly, but she didn't feel it.
Her eyes searched frantically.
And then—
she saw him.
Aarav stood a few steps away, slightly bent, one hand pressed tightly against his arm.
Blood.
Her breath caught.
"Aarav!" she ran toward him.
He looked up.
Still calm.
Too calm.
"Go inside," he said.
"No!" she snapped instantly. "You're bleeding!"
"It's nothing."
"Nothing?!" her voice shook. "You've been shot!"
His jaw tightened.
"It's just my arm."
"That doesn't make it better!"
Another sound echoed in the distance.
Aarav's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Inside. Now."
This time—
his tone wasn't just controlling.
It was protective.
And she listened.
But not before grabbing his uninjured hand.
"Come with me."
For a second—
he looked at her.
Surprised.
Then—
he followed.
Inside—
she quickly shut the door, locking it.
Her hands trembled slightly.
"Sit," she said, pointing to the chair.
"I'm fine—"
"Sit. Down."
Silence.
Aarav looked at her.
Then—
for the first time—
He listened.
He sat.
Meher rushed to grab a first aid kit.
Her heart was pounding wildly.
Her hands shaky.
But her mind—
focused.
"Show me," she said.
He slowly moved his hand away.
The sleeve was soaked.
Blood spreading.
Her breath hitched—
but she didn't stop.
"Why didn't you tell me it was this bad?" she whispered.
"It's not bad."
She shot him a look.
"Stop saying that."
For once—
he didn't argue.
She carefully rolled up his sleeve.
Her fingers brushed his skin—
warm despite the cold.
He watched her silently.
Every movement.
Every expression.
"You're shaking," he said quietly.
"I'm not," she replied quickly.
"You are."
She ignored him.
Instead—
she cleaned the wound gently.
He didn't react.
Didn't even flinch.
But his eyes—
never left her.
"You should have stayed inside," he said.
"And let you bleed out?" she shot back.
"I wouldn't."
"You already are."
Silence.
Her hands softened slightly.
Careful.
Gentle.
"Does it hurt?" she asked quietly.
"No."
She paused.
"You're lying."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Maybe."
She rolled her eyes slightly.
But her movements—
became even softer.
She wrapped the bandage around his arm carefully.
Her fingers brushing his skin again.
And again.
Each touch—
felt different.
Not forced.
Not angry.
Just… caring.
And Aarav felt it.
Something shifted inside him.
Because this—
this version of her—
was something he had never seen before.
"You didn't have to do this," he said quietly.
She didn't look up.
"Yes, I did."
That answer—
simple.
But it stayed.
When she finished—
she stepped back slightly.
"There," she said softly.
A pause.
Then—
"Try not to get shot again."
He almost smiled.
Almost.
Silence settled again.
But this time—
it wasn't tense.
It was… different.
"You were scared," he said quietly.
She looked at him.
"For a second," she admitted.
"Aur ab?" he asked.
(And now?)
She hesitated.
Then—
"No."
A small pause.
Then softly—
"Because you're okay."
His gaze softened.
Just slightly.
"And if I wasn't?" he asked.
Her breath caught.
She didn't answer immediately.
Because the thought—
felt wrong.
Unacceptable.
"…then I would be," she whispered.
Silence.
That answer—
hit him harder than the bullet.
Because for the first time—
she didn't push him away.
She stayed.
And that meant something.
Something dangerous.
Aarav leaned back slightly, still watching her.
"You care," he said quietly.
She froze.
"No, I don't," she replied quickly.
"Tum karti ho," he murmured.
(You do.)
She looked away.
"I just helped you. That's it."
"That's not 'just' anything."
Her heart skipped.
But she didn't respond.
Because deep down—
she knew.
He was right.
And that scared her.
More than anything else.
Outside—
the cold wind howled softly.
Inside—
the distance between them had changed.
Not gone.
But… closer.
Because for the first time—
it wasn't just his obsession anymore.
It was her beginning to care.
And that—
was far more dangerous.The room had finally gone quiet.
The storm outside had softened, and only the faint sound of wind brushing against the windows remained.
Aarav lay on the bed, his injured arm resting carefully by his side.
His eyes were closed.
But he wasn't asleep.
He never slept easily.
Not fully.
A few hours passed.
Slow.
Silent.
Then—
something shifted.
A soft sound.
His eyes opened instantly.
Sharp.
Alert.
He turned his head slightly.
And that's when he saw her.
Meher sat on the couch across the room.
A small lamp beside her cast a warm glow over her face.
She was wrapped in a blanket, her posture slightly tired, but she wasn't asleep.
In one hand—
she held the medicine bottle.
In the other—
a glass of water.
Waiting.
For him.
Aarav didn't move.
Didn't say anything.
He just watched her.
Her eyes looked heavy, like she had been fighting sleep.
But she stayed awake.
For him.
Something unfamiliar stirred inside him.
Something quiet.
Something he wasn't used to feeling.
Care.
Not his.
Hers.
And it affected him more than he expected.
"She should be sleeping…" he thought.
But she wasn't.
She kept glancing toward him every few seconds.
Just to check.
To make sure he was okay.
A faint, almost invisible smile touched his lips.
"Pagal hai…" he murmured under his breath.
(She's crazy…)
But his voice didn't carry annoyance.
Only something softer.
Something warmer.
Minutes passed.
Her head slowly tilted to the side.
Her grip on the medicine loosened slightly.
And before she realized—
She fell asleep.
Right there.
On the couch.
Still holding onto the things meant for him.
Aarav watched her.
Silently.
Then slowly—
he sat up.
Careful of his injury.
Every movement controlled.
He stood and walked toward her.
Step by step.
When he reached the couch—
he stopped.
Just looking at her.
Her face looked peaceful now.
Calm.
Nothing like the girl who argued with him constantly.
Nothing like the girl who challenged him.
This version of her—
was soft.
Real.
And dangerously beautiful.
He bent slightly, taking the glass from her hand first.
Placing it aside carefully.
Then the medicine.
His fingers brushed hers lightly.
Warm.
Delicate.
She stirred slightly.
"Aarav…" she murmured softly in her sleep.
His breath stilled.
She said his name.
Without fear.
Without hesitation.
That did something to him.
Something deep.
He exhaled slowly.
Then gently—
he adjusted the blanket around her shoulders.
"Tumein thand lag jayegi…" he whispered.
(You'll feel cold…)
His voice softer than ever before.
For a moment—
he didn't move.
Didn't look away.
Just… stayed.
Watching her.
Memorizing this version of her.
But suddenly—
her expression changed.
Her brows furrowed.
Her breathing became uneven.
"Aarav…" she whispered again.
This time—
not soft.
Scared.
"No… no…" she mumbled.
His expression shifted instantly.
"Meher?"
She shook her head slightly.
"Aarav… blood…" she whispered.
His eyes darkened.
She was dreaming.
"No…" her voice broke. "Don't… don't go…"
Her hands clenched tightly.
Her breathing quickened.
And suddenly—
She woke up.
Gasping.
Her eyes wide.
Fear filling them completely.
Before she could even process—
She moved.
Straight into him.
Wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"Aarav…"
Her voice trembled.
"I thought—" she stopped, her grip tightening.
His body went still for a second.
Completely still.
Because this—
This wasn't force.
This wasn't fear of him.
This was fear for him.
Slowly—
very slowly—
his arms moved.
And wrapped around her.
Holding her.
Firm.
Secure.
"I'm here," he said quietly.
Her breathing was still uneven.
"You got shot again…" she whispered.
"It was a dream," he murmured.
She shook her head slightly against him.
"It felt real…"
His hand moved to the back of her head.
Gently.
"Main theek hoon," he said softly.
(I'm fine.)
She didn't let go.
Didn't even try.
Her fingers gripped his shirt tightly.
Like she was afraid he would disappear.
And Aarav…
He didn't stop her.
Didn't push her away.
Because for the first time—
this moment felt perfect.
Not controlled.
Not forced.
Just real.
Her fear.
Her care.
Her closeness.
All of it.
"Tumhe darr laga…" he murmured.
(You were scared…)
She didn't deny it this time.
"Yes," she whispered.
A pause.
Then—
softly—
"For you."
That was it.
That one line—
It hit him deeper than anything else.
Because this time—
She didn't fight it.
She didn't hide it.
She admitted it.
And that changed everything.
Aarav tightened his hold around her slightly.
Not possessive.
Not controlling.
Just… holding.
As if he didn't want to let go.
And maybe—
for the first time—
he didn't.
.
.
.
.
Here is your bonus chapter with her soft side and she started feel for him hope you will like this chapter meet you tomorrow with new chapter