Aadhya's pov
I walked straight up to them this time.
No hesitation. No warning. No second thoughts.
One of them turned, probably about to open his mouth—big mistake.
My fist connected with his jaw before a single word could come out.
Hard.
He went crashing down like a broken chair.
Good.
I hope that hurt.
I jerked my hand slightly, wincing. Damn it. It's been a while since I got into a proper fight. My knuckles aren't used to this anymore.
The other two froze.
Shock written all over their faces.
They don't recognize me yet.
Perfect.
"I have a message for your Riya…" I said slowly, each word dripping with venom.
And just like that—
Recognition hit.
Their expressions changed.
Fear? Anger? Both.
Good.
I stepped forward.
One of them tried to speak—
I didn't let him.
My fist met his face.
Then my elbow.
Then a kick.
He dropped.
Too easy.
The third one rushed at me.
I was thrown back, stumbling—but I didn't fall.
"That's cheating," I muttered under my breath. "I'm a woman, idiot."
I rushed forward again and kicked him exactly where it hurts the most.
Yeah.
He screamed.
Satisfying.
But the other two recovered.
And now…
This wasn't funny anymore.
Both of them came at me together.
Damn it.
I punched one straight in the nose.
The impact was solid.
Blood.
Good.
But the other one—
He didn't stop.
His fist slammed into my stomach.
My breath hitched.
Not again.
I slapped him hard.
He went crashing down.
Their leader.
I didn't stop.
I kicked him in the stomach.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The same way he did to me.
"I thought you were tough," I said between kicks, my voice shaking but strong.
"Tell Riya… she messed with the wrong girl."
I stepped back, breathing heavily.
My chest rising and falling fast.
My body already aching.
But I wasn't done.
Not yet—
Something sharp hit my head.
Everything went black for a second.
I dropped.
The ground felt cold.
Distant.
I looked up.
Blurry.
His pet.
Of course.
"You think you can win against us?" he sneered. "You're only a woman."
My vision spun.
No.
Not now.
My head felt heavy.
Everything was tilting.
He raised the pipe again—
I shut my eyes.
Waiting.
One second.
Two.
Three.
…
Nothing.
I slowly opened my eyes.
Someone was standing there.
Holding the pipe.
I blinked.
Wait…
What?
Vivaan.
What the hell is he doing here?
His face—
It wasn't the usual smirk.
It wasn't irritation.
It was something darker.
Dangerous.
He snapped the pipe in half like it was nothing.
Then grabbed the guy's arm—
And twisted.
A loud crack echoed.
I shut my eyes again.
I didn't need to see that.
His scream filled the air.
"I'll give you a chance to fight me," Vivaan said coldly. "Though we both know what you did to Aadhya was unfair."
His voice—
Low.
Controlled.
Terrifying.
Another guy charged at him.
Vivaan laughed.
Actually laughed.
Then kicked his knee.
Hard.
The guy dropped instantly.
My heart skipped.
Why is he this angry?
Why… does he look like this?
He didn't stop.
He kept kicking their leader.
Relentless.
Like he wanted to erase them.
Then suddenly—
"Are you okay, Aadhya?"
His voice changed.
Softer.
Slightly.
I froze.
What?
That was so random.
"Yeah…" I replied, a little dazed.
"We need to get out of here," he said.
"You go… I'm coming…" I muttered.
Seriously, can't he see the state I'm in?
Can't he be a gentleman for once?
Oh right.
This is Vivaan Oberoi Windsor.
What was I even expecting?
"Tch..You walk like a turtle," he said casually—
And walked away.
Wow.
Amazing.
So helpful.
I tried to get up.
My body screamed in protest.
Legs weak.
Head spinning.
But I pushed myself.
Because of course.
I have to.
Suddenly—
Nikansh appeared.
Out of nowhere.
Again.
Why do these people teleport?
Before I could react—
He bent down.
And lifted me.
Like I weighed nothing.
Excuse me?
I blinked.
I'm not light.
I have food.
A lot of food.
"What—" I started.
"It'll take you an eternity to walk," he said flatly. "So just shut up and behave like a good girl."
Wow.
Romantic.
Very.
I stayed quiet.
Because honestly?
I didn't have the energy to argue.
After a few seconds, he spoke again.
"Can you do me a favor?"
I nodded slightly.
"Can you take the blame for this incident?"
I frowned.
Why?
He kept looking forward.
Calm.
"Because Vivaan can't get into any more trouble right now."
Oh.
So that's it.
Then why did he help me?
If he already knew the consequences?
If he knew this would cause problems?
I stayed quiet for a moment.
Thinking.
Then nodded.
Hesitantly.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
Wait.
What?
That was new.
I stared at him.
Something felt… off.
Different.
They were all acting weird today.
Vivaan.
Nikansh.
Even the way they showed up.