Morning came quietly.
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting the room in a warm golden glow.
Aarav was already awake.
Not because he couldn't sleep—
but because he didn't want to.
His gaze rested on her.
Meher lay beside him, still asleep.
Peaceful.
Calm.
Her hair slightly scattered across the pillow.
Her breathing soft.
For once—
she wasn't fighting him.
Not arguing.
Not running.
Just… there.
With him.
Aarav didn't move.
Didn't blink much either.
He just watched her.
As if memorizing every detail.
"Tum aise hi raho…" he murmured quietly.
(Stay like this…)
Because in this moment—
everything felt simple.
Then—
she stirred.
Her eyes slowly opened.
And the first thing she saw—
was him.
Watching her.
Intensely.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Subah subah staring competition?" she teased.
(Morning staring competition?)
Aarav didn't look away.
"I'm winning."
She let out a soft laugh.
"Creepy ho tum."
(You're creepy.)
"Tumhe pasand hai."
(You like it.)
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"No, I don't."
"Jhoot."
(Lie.)
She rolled her eyes and sat up slowly.
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Kaise?" he asked.
(How?)
"Like…" she paused, searching for words.
"…like I'm the only thing in the room."
A small pause.
Then quietly—
"You are."
Her breath caught.
She quickly looked away.
"Okay… enough," she said, trying to regain control.
A beat.
"Let's go out."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Where?"
"Shopping."
Silence.
He stared at her for a second.
"Shopping?"
"Yes."
"Now?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"Fine."
She blinked.
"That easy?"
"I don't argue with you anymore."
Her lips curved slightly.
"Good."
A couple of hours later—
The streets were alive.
People moving.
Shops open.
For the first time in days—
Meher looked genuinely excited.
She walked ahead, checking things, smiling slightly at small things.
Aarav followed.
Quiet.
Watching.
Always watching.
"Look at this," she said, holding up a dress.
He barely glanced at it.
"Nice."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You didn't even see it."
"I saw you."
Her heart skipped.
"Focus," she muttered.
She laughed lightly, moving from one shop to another.
For a moment—
everything felt normal again.
Too normal.
And that's when—
it happened.
A sharp sound.
Not loud.
But precise.
Aarav's instincts reacted instantly.
"Meher—"
But it was too late.
She flinched.
A gasp left her lips.
Her body jerked slightly.
And then—
she staggered.
"Aarav…" her voice trembled.
His eyes widened.
Blood.
On her arm.
Time stopped.
Completely.
"Meher!" he rushed toward her.
She was holding her arm tightly.
"I… I'm okay…" she whispered.
But she wasn't.
Not even close.
Aarav's heartbeat turned wild.
"Who did this—" his voice turned dangerously low.
But right now—
nothing mattered more than her.
He picked her up instantly.
Without hesitation.
"Stay with me," he said sharply.
"I am…" she tried to smile weakly.
"Don't close your eyes."
"I won't…"
But her voice was fading.
The car ride was chaos.
Aarav drove faster than ever.
His grip tight.
His breathing uneven.
"Meher, look at me," he said.
She blinked slowly.
"I'm here…"
"Stay with me."
A pause.
"I'm trying…"
Her head leaned slightly to the side.
"No," he said quickly. "Meher, no."
His voice had changed.
There was no control left.
Only fear.
Real fear.
"Talk to me," he demanded.
She smiled faintly.
"You're… panicking…"
"I'm not."
"You are…"
Her eyes slowly started closing.
"Meher—"
"I'm just… tired…"
"No. Don't sleep."
But this time—
she didn't respond.
Her body went still.
"Meher!" his voice broke.
For the first time—
Aarav felt something he never allowed himself to feel.
Helplessness.
Real.
Raw.
Dangerous.
Because this wasn't about control anymore.
This wasn't about possession.
This was about losing her.
And that—
he couldn't survive.
The car sped toward the hospital.
But inside—
everything had already changed.
Because for the first time—
Aarav wasn't just afraid of someone taking her away.
He was afraid of losing her forever.The hospital doors burst open.
"Aur jaldi!" Aarav's voice echoed as he carried her inside.
Doctors rushed forward immediately.
"What happened?" one of them asked.
"Gunshot—arm—she fainted," Aarav said quickly.
"Take her in."
And just like that—
she was taken away from him.
The doors closed.
And Aarav stood there.
Still.
For the first time—
he had nothing to do.
Nothing to control.
Nothing to fix.
Just… wait.
The best doctor in the hospital was called.
Specialist.
Experienced.
Because Aarav made sure—
nothing less would touch her.
Hours passed.
One.
Two.
Three.
Each second felt heavier than the last.
Aarav didn't sit.
Didn't move.
His eyes stayed fixed on that door.
His fists clenched tightly.
"Nothing can happen to her…" he muttered under his breath.
For the first time—
he wasn't the dangerous one.
He was just… scared.
Six hours later—
The door finally opened.
Aarav moved instantly.
"Doctor—"
"She's out of danger."
Silence.
Then—
everything inside him relaxed.
Completely.
As if the world had been returned to him.
"But…" the doctor continued.
His jaw tightened again.
"Her arm has a serious fracture. She'll need time to recover. And she's very weak."
"I don't care about anything else," Aarav said immediately.
"Just tell me she's okay."
"She is."
That was enough.
For the first time—
Aarav smiled.
A real one.
Because in that moment—
he felt like the happiest person alive.
When he entered the room—
she was still unconscious.
Lying quietly.
Her arm bandaged.
Face pale.
But breathing.
That was all that mattered.
He walked closer slowly.
Sat beside her.
And for the first time—
he allowed himself to relax.
His hand moved to hers carefully.
Holding it.
Gently.
"Don't do this again," he murmured.
Hours later—
Meher stirred slightly.
Her eyes opened slowly.
Everything felt heavy.
Her body weak.
Her head spinning.
"Aarav…" she whispered.
He was there instantly.
"I'm here."
She tried to move—
and winced.
Her arm.
Pain shot through it.
"What—" her voice trembled.
"It's fractured," he said softly.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Weakness is normal… doctor said you'll recover."
But she wasn't listening fully.
Her gaze stayed on her arm.
Bandaged.
Heavy.
And suddenly—
her eyes filled with tears.
"I can't even move…" she whispered.
Her voice broke.
"I feel so weak…"
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I hate this…"
Aarav's expression softened instantly.
"Hey…"
He leaned closer.
"Look at me."
She shook her head.
"No…"
"I don't like this…"
Her voice trembled more.
"I feel useless…"
That word—
hit him.
Hard.
Without thinking—
he pulled her into a careful hug.
Gently.
So she wouldn't feel pain.
"You're not useless," he said quietly.
Her tears didn't stop.
"I can't even take care of myself…"
"Then I will."
Silence.
She froze slightly.
"What?"
"I'll take care of you."
Simple.
Direct.
No hesitation.
Her breath hitched.
"I don't want to be a burden…"
"You're not."
A pause.
"You're the only thing that matters."
Her heart skipped.
Her tears slowed.
And then—
unexpectedly—
he leaned forward slightly.
And kissed her nose.
Soft.
Gentle.
"Stop crying," he murmured.
Her breath caught.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
Even through tears.
"Idiot…" she whispered weakly.
"Your idiot."
That made her smile.
Just a little.
The next few days—
he didn't leave her side.
Not even for a second.
After discharge—
things changed even more.
Because Aarav—
became someone else.
He helped her sit.
Helped her walk.
Fed her when she was too tired.
Gave her medicines on time.
Adjusted her pillows.
Stayed awake at night.
Just to check on her.
"Drink this," he said, holding a glass.
"I can do it myself," she said weakly.
"I know."
"But I want to."
Silence.
She didn't argue.
Because she could see it now.
This wasn't control.
This was care.
Real care.
Sometimes—
he would just sit beside her.
Watching.
Making sure she was okay.
And every time she noticed—
she felt something new.
Something soft.
Something she couldn't ignore anymore.
Because the man she once feared—
was now the one she felt safest with.
And that—
was the most dangerous change of all.The evening had turned quiet again.
The room was calm.
Soft light glowing.
Aarav stepped out for a few minutes—
just to take a call.
Even that felt long.
Because leaving her alone—
even for a moment—
didn't feel right anymore.
When he returned—
the room was silent.
His gaze immediately searched for her.
And then—
he saw her.
Meher had fallen asleep on the couch.
Curled slightly.
Her injured arm resting carefully by her side.
Her face looked tired.
Still weak.
But peaceful.
Aarav stood there for a moment.
Just watching her.
Something about this sight—
made everything inside him soften.
"Pagal ladki…" he murmured.
(Crazy girl…)
Slowly—
he walked toward her.
Careful.
As if even the air around her needed to be gentle.
He bent slightly—
and slid one arm under her legs—
the other supporting her back.
Lifting her carefully.
She stirred slightly—
but didn't wake.
Instead—
she leaned closer to him.
Instinctively.
As if she already knew—
she was safe.
Aarav's grip tightened just a little.
Not possessive.
Protective.
He walked toward the bed—
slowly.
Each step measured.
Making sure her arm didn't hurt.
When he reached—
he gently placed her down.
Adjusting her position carefully.
Making sure she was comfortable.
He was about to move away—
when suddenly—
her hand moved.
Grabbing his shirt.
Weakly.
But enough to stop him.
"Aarav…" she murmured in her sleep.
His breath stilled.
He looked down at her.
Her brows slightly furrowed.
Like even in sleep—
she wasn't at peace.
"Don't…" she whispered softly.
A pause.
"…lose me."
Silence.
Everything inside him—
went still.
That one line—
hit deeper than anything else.
Because this time—
she wasn't scared of him.
She was scared of losing him.
And that changed everything.
Aarav slowly sat down beside her.
Carefully.
So her arm wouldn't be disturbed.
Her fingers still held his shirt.
Not letting go.
And for the first time—
he didn't try to move away.
Instead—
he lay down beside her.
Gently.
Close enough—
but careful.
Always careful.
His hand moved slightly—
resting near her—
not touching her injured arm.
Just… there.
Present.
She shifted slightly in her sleep—
and moved closer.
Her head resting lightly near him.
Her breathing slowly calming.
And Aarav—
he closed his eyes.
For the first time in days—
his mind wasn't restless.
Because she was right there.
With him.
Safe.
And maybe—
for the first time—
he felt something stronger than obsession.
Stronger than control.
Something quieter.
Something real.
Something that didn't need words.
And slowly—
both of them drifted into sleep.
Together.
Not perfectly.
Not peacefully.
But enough.
For now.
.
.
.
.
.
Hope you like the twist now the real game started