It was afternoon.
A strange melancholy had settled over the mansion. Even the wind seemed scared, and a strange silence lingered through its corridors. The servants were busy with their chores no one looked at anyone, no one cared about anyone else.
Breaking through that silence, Ravindra Thakur stormed out, his face a mix of anger and restlessness. Without speaking to anyone, he got into his car and drove out of the haveli. But he had no idea that someone was watching his every move.
A black car, parked quietly by the roadside for the last two hours, silently followed Thakur's vehicle. The man inside was draped in black from head to toe. His eyes were dark, cold, and terrifying—like a predator who could already see his prey.
"Not anymore, Thakur… you must die," he muttered, increasing the car's speed.
Just a little further ahead, as Thakur's car approached a bend, the black car tried to ram into him,but just then, a large truck appeared from the opposite direction, ruining the plan.
"What the fuck!" the man slammed the steering wheel in frustration. Hatred and rage were clear in his eyes.
"You cannot win, Thakur… you have to die," he gritted his teeth and accelerated again—this time smashing directly into Thakur's car.
CRASH!
Thakur's car skidded violently, veering off the road and crashing hard into a tree. The front of the car was completely wrecked.
The man in black had a glint of satisfaction in his eyes, as if his mission was accomplished. But the next moment, that glint turned to shock…
Because the one crawling out of the car, drenched in blood, with a deep head injury and staggering steps—wasn't Ravindra Thakur… it was Anay.
"No!"
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"How is this possible…!" he muttered, "I saw Thakur get into that car…"
As he was about to open the door, a screeching sound of brakes from afar startled him. Several cars rushed toward the accident. A white car stopped abruptly, and Shrey jumped out, panic written all over his face, his eyes brimming with worry.
"Anay!" he yelled, running to him.
Anay was about to collapse, but Shrey caught him just in time. Blood streamed from Anay's forehead, but his eyes were open—filled with pain.
"Tunnu, get the car, quick!" Shrey shouted over his shoulder.
Another car skidded to a stop nearby. Tunnu opened the door, and Shrey carefully placed Anay inside, then sat behind, cradling Anay's head in his lap.
"Nothing will happen to you… I'm here, I won't let anything happen," his voice trembled.
The car sped off.
A little farther away, Rudransh sat in another vehicle, having watched everything unfold from a distance—his fists clenched tightly.
Two days had passed.
Anay was still lying in a hospital bed. Bruises marked his face, his head was bandaged, and the beeping of machines cut through the quiet room.
Rudransh came to see him once or twice, but Shrey never let him in.
"You don't need to come here," he said, shutting the door in his face.
Thakurain was devastated, crying endlessly.
Ravindra Thakur's face burned with fury. His chest heaved, fists clenching and unclenching.
He now recalled every moment of that day.
Anay had forced him into another car at the mansion gate and taken his place in Thakur's car.
He had his doubts at first, but brushed it off as some important errand.
But Anay had deliberately put himself in danger to protect him.
The third day.
The hospital was calmer, but Anay's restlessness was only growing.
He kept looking toward the door, full of hope… and each time, disappointed, he'd turn away.
Shrey came in with medicines and water, placed them on the table, and said coldly,
"The one you're waiting for… she's not coming here anymore."
Anay leaned his tired head back on the pillow and whispered,
"I'm feeling so restless, man… just once… if I could see her, just once…"
Shrey snapped,
"Have you gone mad? You're in no state to even stand,and all you can think about is her?"
Anay took a deep breath, his eyes beginning to well up.
"But if I don't see her… I might die, man…"
Shrey stared at him for a few seconds, then said in a stern voice,
"Listen, Anay… that girl isn't a blessing in your life, she's a curse. It's only been two days since she entered your life,and already you're dying in her absence. One day, she'll leave you like this again, writhing in pain. Love isn't always beautiful… sometimes it's empty, even cruel. And that girl....."
"Enough!"
Anay suddenly shouted.
"You've said enough—just get out!"
Shrey stopped.
"I'm only trying to help..."
"Go… just go!"
Anay turned his face away, refusing to even look at him.
Shrey gave him one long look, then walked out silently.
Anay didn't eat the entire day. No breakfast, no lunch… just a few sips of water and his medicine.
Even in the evening, he lay silently, eyes fixed on the wall.
Shrey brought food and tried again.
"Anay, don't be stubborn… eat a little, look at your condition," he said gently.
But Anay didn't even bother to respond with his eyes. Still silent.
Shrey sat there for a while, then snapped—
"At least talk to me… I'm not here to fight. But watching you like this… it's killing me, man…"
Anay turned away slowly, back to Shrey, and muttered—
"Sometimes… there's comfort in pain too. Just leave me alone."
Shrey had a lot to say… but he didn't want to argue right now.
He got up quietly, put the plate away…
and gently shut the door behind him.
It was night.
The room was dim, filled with the silence of the heart.
Shrey opened the door softly and said,
"Anay…"
But without looking, Anay replied,
"Go away… I'm not in the mood to talk…"
Shrey smiled and said,
"At least look at who I've brought… say whatever you want afterward."
Anay was startled… and just then, Advika entered the room, slowly, her footsteps light.
At her mere presence, Anay's closed eyes opened—and from his lips escaped a soft, breathless whisper—
"Advika…"
As her eyes met his wounded face, she froze.
Bandages on his head, scratches across his cheeks, burn marks and dressings on his limbs…
She looked at him for a moment, then turned away.
Even through the pain, Anay tried to smile.
Shrey looked at him and said—
"You couldn't find peace, so I brought her to you.
Now look at her… maybe find some peace within yourself.
Watching you suffer like this… it's killing me."
Anay, looking at Advika, spoke with deep tenderness—
"In the blistering heat of June… you are the cool shade of December.
Seeing you is like rain falling in a desert, Advika…"
But Advika still stood silent.
She didn't even look into his eyes once.
Shrey snapped,
"Look at her… this is your so-called love.
You're writhing in pain here, and she won't even spare you a glance.
Even a stone would melt in front of this… but her? She's heartless!"
Advika interrupted in a calm voice—
"Did I ever ask him to fall in love with me?
If your friend chose to love me, then that's his problem… not mine."
A heavy silence fell upon the room.
Anay's smile shattered in an instant.
To be continued...