Chapter 33

Heyyy girlies 💞
So i am back with a new update 🥰
Brooo like i never written this long chapter as far as i remember…
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Chaliyeee suru krte haiii
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The second I heard her voice on the call, something in me just… said there is something absolutely wrong.

“Vani?!” I barked into the phone, but she didn’t answer.

I tried calling again, but no use.

I Didn’t care about the people staring.
I Didn’t care about the organizers still talking at me, or giving me looks.

I just ran out.

I heard Subh called out behind me “Veere?”

But I didn’t even stopped or look back

My chest tightening with every step I take and

Then

I saw her.

Not too far.

She was lying on the ground,her hair covering her face.

For one second, I couldn’t even breathe.

my legs moved on their own.
I was on my knees the next second, my hands cupping her face, patting her cheeks.

“Vani! vani wake up. Vani! Can you here me?”

No response.

Behind me, I heard footsteps — Subh and Ayanshi running up, both looking pale.

“V-veere…” Subh started, his voice unsure.

Ayanshi gasped softly, sitting down beside vani, her hands trembling.

I glanced at both of them sharply.

“Did anyone see her eat or drink anything?!” I demanded, my voice louder than I meant it to be.

Subh’s eyes darted away, then back.
“She… she was drinking some juice maybe,” he said, unsure.

I cursed under my breath.
“Fuck…”

I didn’t waste another second, and lifted her up.

She felt light.
And her head rested against my shoulder.

I stood, adjusting my grip on her, and turned to both of them.

“Listen to me, very carefully.” My voice was low, steady now, but my chest was still aching.

“I’m taking her home.”

“ mai bhi chalugi..” ayanshi said…

( I’ll go too)

“ please bhaiya… I wanna be with my di… ” she pled

“ ayanshi listen, we have to attend galla prep, its mandatory, if we all leave they’ll take it as insult, and maybe maybe we can be disqualified. So be here but-”

“Be attentive. Don’t eat or drink anything, samjhe? Koi jitna bhi force kare , no means no. Aur Ek doosre ke saath rehna. Aur kisi ko akela mat chhodna. Got it?”

( “Be attentive. Don’t eat or drink anything, understood? No matter how much anyone insists—no means no. And stay together. Don’t leave anyone alone. Got it?”)

Subh swallowed and nodded.
Ayanshi’s hands were still shaking, her eyes fixed on Vani, guilt written all over her face.

I caught her gaze and softened,

“Ayanshi… main hoon na,” I said quietly, her worried eyes stays the same.

( “Ayanshi… I’m here.”)

“Even if you don’t trust me… But I’ll take care of your sister. I promise. You just… stay alert. Okay?”

She pressed her lips together and nodded faintly.

I adjusted Vani in my arms again, looking down at her face, pale, quiet,

“Subh,” I added,

“Don’t leave her. Even for a second. Galla is dangerous. I repeat, dangerous. Stay with her.”

“ji veere,” Subh said looking at ayanshi, but ayanshi’s Focus was on her sister. She wasn’t moving at all.

I took one last look at them before walking out, her head still resting on my shoulder.

“Call me if anything happens,” I said over my shoulder.

Their quiet “Ji” rang in my ear as i go outside.

✧

I was gripping the steering wheel tighter than usual,

I was checking on vani, between my driving

Her head was resting against the window, her breaths uneven.
Every few seconds I glanced at her, just to make sure she wss alright….

she slowly stirred.

her head rolled toward me, and her eyes fluttered open. But she couldn’t open her eyes fully, they were shutting down on their own.

Relief flooded my chest.
“Vani?” I called softly, my eyes darting between her and the road.
“can you listen to me? How are you feeling?”

Her brows knitted together as if she was thinking hard.
Then she mumbled,
“…so hot…”

I blinked. And looked at her and then back at road
“…what?”

Her hands started pulling at her saree pallu
“It’s hot. Its so hot, here” she whined, rolling on the seat, trying to press her.

I reached over quickly to adjust the AC,
“is it better? I dropped down the temperature more.”

But she kept mumbling nonsense under her breath,;which i couldn’t hear properly. her eyes unfocused.
Her fingers brushed against the window.

Then, she stilled for a moment…
I thought she is getting sleepy again
But itni achi kismat kahan meri?

She sit up suddenly and shout,
“Mujhe neeche utaro!!”

[ Put me down]

I furrow my brow’s but didn’t stopped driving and said.
“What?!”

“Utaro mujhe!!” she insisted, fumbling with the door handle.
I quickly reached the button and child locked it.
“Pagal ho gayi ho? Abhi kidhar utarna hai?!”

( “Let me out!!”
“Have you gone mad? Where do you want to get down right now?!”)

She huffed and crossed her arms, muttering something about “rude driver” before collapsing back dramatically.

“ maii??? Driver???? Saste nashe hi kiye hai! Tum hosh mai hoti na abhi to mai— kya hi kr leta? …”

[ Me??? A driver??? You must be high on some cheap stuff! If you were in your senses right now, then I would have–as if I could’ve done anything…”]

“ vog ganna sa yaad aa raha hai, meei situation pai ek dum perfect.. bankee musibaattt peechee padi hai.. yeh comdey ya tragedy hai, na hona tha kyu ho geya? Locha e ulfat ho geya….”

( “That song keeps coming to mind—fits my situation perfectly.
It’s turned into a disaster chasing me.
Is this a comedy or a tragedy?
It wasn’t supposed to happen, so why did it?
This has turned into a mess of love)

✧

By the time we reached home, she had passed out again.

I parked, got out, and opened her side
Tried walking her up, but kumb karan ki aulad hai yeh, uthagi thodi?

( “I parked, got out, and opened her side.
Tried to make her walk—but she’s Kumbhkaran’s child, she’s not getting up easily.” )

So I picked her up and went to her apartment. I unlock the door with her fingerprint. Easy — but the moment I entered her apartment
Her eyes popped open

“I’m hungry!” she declared like a queen announcing.

“ To? Tere baap ka naukar hu kya? Payar se bol”

( “So? Am I your father’s servant or what? Say it nicely.”)

She made a cute puppy face with puppy eyes and a sad pout,

Yaar esa mat dekha kro, mai acha insan hu mujhe taras aa jata hai…

( “Hey, don’t look at me like that. I’m a good person—it makes me feel bad…”)

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Fine. Khana banata hoon. Tum chup chap baitho Yahan. Oke? ”

( “Fine. I’ll make food. You sit here quietly. Okay?”)

She followed me inside, shockingly steady for a second ,until I started cooking.

Voh kehte hai na, khusiyo ko jaldi nazar lag jaati hai, jada khush ho geya tha mai.

(“You know how they say—happiness gets jinxed easily. I guess I got too happy.”)

Then the chaos started.

First, she started spinning in the middle of the living room, her saree end flying around.

“Dekho! Moon! Dekho kitna bada moon!!” she shouted, pointing at the ceiling light.

(“Look! The moon! Look how big the moon is!”)

“It’s a bulb, Vani. BULB.” I muttered, stirring the dal.

She ignored me completely, climbed up on the sofa, and tried to catch the moon with both of her hands.
When that didn’t work, she jumped down, Marched towards me, and ruffled my hair hard.

“Bhoot!” she giggled.
“Tum bhoot ho!!”

(“Ghost!” she giggled.
“You’re a ghost!!”)

I froze, spatula in hand.
“What did you just call me?!”

“Bhoot ho… cute bhoot,” she twirl, poking my cheek before spinning away again.

( Ghost… cute ghost)

I wanted to yell but honestly—what was the point?

Vese yeh nashay mai zada cute lagti hai…

(“By the way, she looks cuter when she’s drugged)

Then came the worst part.

She stopped. Completely.
Turned to me slowly.

And her eyes…changed.

I furrow my brows

She bit her lip, took a small step toward me, and murmured in a low, breathy voice:
“…why are you standing so far… it’s… so.. lonely…”

I blinked.
Oh no.
Oh hell no.

My eyes widened and i stood still.

She reached out, her fingers brushing against my collar, her gaze heavy and dark now.
Her breath hitched as she whispered,
“…Nav… it’s so… hot…”

That’s when it hit me

she is drugged.
She was completely out of her control.

And now she was looking at me like…
like that.

My throat went dry.
This was officially the scariest moment of my life.

“Bas. Enough. vanii go sit on the couch go..”
I raised my hands defensively, backing up slightly.

She step towards me and grabbed my collar

“Vani, vannii–” I grab her wrist and make her grip lose on my collar

“ vaniii… You are a good girl right? Go and sit outside. I’ll get your dinner.hmm?”

But she just tilted her head, smiled lazily, and whispered,
“…but you’re so close now…”
Her face getting close to mine

I swear for the first time in years
I panicked
I actually panicked.

Her fingers were still on my collar.
Her lips curved into this lazy, dangerous little smile, and her eyes… God.

her breath warm on my neck.

And I
Nav Brar,  who had stood unfazed in front of armed men, and mafia’s, who could shut anyone in a boardroom.
I froze.

My back hit the wall as I raised both hands, like I was surrendering to the universe. Maybe her? No no no

“Vani… suno… you are not in your senses.,” I started, my voice shaky but firm.
“You don’t even know what you’re saying right now.”

But she just tilted her head, all innocence
“…maybe I do…”

Oh hell.

No you don’t bachaa…

“Bas. Hogya… its bad vani. Are you a bad girl? ” I muttered grabbing her wrist and pushing her a little to make distance between us.

( Its enough…)

She laughed ,actually laughed ,
Meri yahan jaan ataka rkhi hai isne and she is laughing?
and then stumbled backward,
“I’m a… moon…” she announced proudly, pointing to herself.
“See? Chand hoon main!”

(My life is hanging by a thread here, and she’s laughing?
… “See? I’m the moon!”)

I rubbed my temple
“Yes, yes. Tum chand ho. Ab so jao, Chand, tumhari roshni ki duniya ko jarurat hai.” It’s chand vani is still better than the ….. You know.

( “Yes, yes. You’re the moon. Now go to sleep, Moon—the world needs your light.”)

But instead of listening, she suddenly sat up and pouted.
“…I’m hungry…” she declared again.

“I was making food,” I reminded her dryly.
“You were busy catching the moon. Aur mujhe bhi apne sath laga liya. ”

( And you made me join you..)

But she ignored me and jumped, and before I could stop her, she grabbed a tomato from the counter and took a big bite.
Then made a face.

“Eww… why does this taste like… tomato?” she groaned, dropping it back on the counter.

“Because it is a tomato!” I shouted, snatching it away.
“Pagal ladki. Sit down before you eat the knife next! Fir kaho gi ewwww yeh chocolate knife jesi kyu laag rahi hai… pagalett”

( “Crazy girl. Sit down before you end up eating the knife next! Then you’ll say—‘ewww, why does this chocolate taste like a knife…’ idiot.”)

She giggled and leaned on the counter, watching me as I served the dal and roti.
But before I could even hand her the plate, she reached out and

ruffled my hair again.

“Cute bhoot,” she murmured, her fingers lingering way too long.
“Nav the cute bhoot.”

I pulled my head away and glared at her. But seeing her like this my face break into the smile,
“bus karo meri maa, kahna kha lo. Please ”

( “Enough, for God’s sake. Eat the food. Please.”)

But she didn’t sit.
Instead she twirled,actually twirled ,right in the middle of the kitchen.

Then she suddenly stopped, staring out the window, her eyes going wide.

“Moon…” she whispered in surprise like she’d just discovered a 1000 year ruby.
“It’s following me… look! It’s… mine!”

And then, before I could stop her, she ran to the balcony, reaching up toward the sky, trying to “catch” the moon again.

I followed her quickly, grabbing her from her waist gently but firmly. And bring he back inside. And lock all the windows,

Kya pta gir jaye? Fir meri photo ayegi kal ke akhbar mai.

( “What if she fall? Then my photo will be in tomorrow’s newspaper.”)

But she turned to look at me

Her expression had changed again.

Her gaze was heavier now, her cheeks red, her breathing uneven.
She stepped closer, her hands coming up to my chest, fingers curling into my shirt.

“…Nav…” she murmured, her voice lower now.

I swallowed.
“Hmm?”

Her lips parted slightly, her lashes lowering as she whispered —
“…you feel… warm… even though… it’s cold…”

And she rested her head on my chest.

My entire body stiffened.
This is bad.
This is very, very bad.

My hands hovered awkwardly in the air before I slowly, carefully, placed them on her back.

“Vani…” I said softly but firmly.
“lets eat something, and you can sleep afterwards. Hm? ”

But she didn’t move.
Instead she snuggled closer, mumbling something I couldn’t even here.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and carefully ,very carefully, lifted her up in bridal-style again.

“Tum bhout tang krti ho mujhe.,” I muttered under my breath.
“Par theek hai.I’ll take care of you. I promise.” i smiled.

( “You trouble me a lot,” I muttered under my breath…. But its okay……)

And I carried her to her room,
✧

Her hands were shaking now ,  fumbling with the pallu of her saree.

“Vani,” I warned, my voice low, trying to grab her hands.

But she didn’t stop.
Her cheeks were flushed red, her breath coming too fast.

“I… can’t… it’s… hot…” she stammered, still yanking at the knot at her waist, her movements becoming more frantic.

I caught her wrists firmly this time, pulling them away.
“vanii!!! Get in your sense what are you doing?”

But she struggled against me, weakly, clumsily ,until I realized she wasn’t even looking at me anymore.
She didn’t even know I was there.

“ navvv help me… It aches… It aches down there… Please do something….. Its so hot, I am sweaty.” she mumbled softly

I cursed under my breath.

“ sorry for what i am going to do now bacha.”

In one swift motion, I scooped her into my arms again,her body light but trembling, her head falling against my chest and carried her to the bathroom, she didn’t even struggle, as if she trusts me.

I Set her down on her feet, and turned the shower on full blast cold.

At first she gasped, startled, tried to go, but ny grip on her didn’t losen. I get her steady in one place. but then she went quiet.

The water soaked through her saree quickly,  I looked down at her waist, which was looking tempting to touch….

I shook my head and looked in her eyes.  What if they are closed? She is beautiful. So beautiful.

her hands clinging to my shirt.
her breaths growing slower.

Good.
That’s it.

I just held her there, letting the water drench both of us,

She finally begin to calm.

“ navvvv..” she murmers slowly

“hmmm? …” I murmured quietly, one hand braced against the tiles behind her.
“are you better now?”

After a few moments, her grip loosened completely , her head dropping forward, I make her head rest against my chest.

I closed my eyes and exhaled.

Carefully, I picked her up again, carried her out of the shower, and set her down gently on the bed.
But then,

I realized.

Her clothes were soaked through.

Her hair stuck to her cheeks, and her saree clung to her skin.

“Vani…” I tried softly, tapping her cheek.
No response.

I reached for my phone, to call the lady staff, to change her clothes

Of course. Filmi scene hai kya?
(“Of course. What is this—a movie scene or what?”)
The staff, was unreachable, its out of their duty hours.

I cursed under my breath, running a hand through my wet hair.
I looked at her.
Called subh, to ask when they are coming, ayanshi can change her clothes.

Yeahh right.. no one picks up when you are in need.

She’ll get sick yaar.

I opened her cupboard and pulled out a clean night-suit,  and a towel
First I soak the excess water in the towel
Then I pulled my tie loose and tied it tightly around my eyes.

I took a deep breath.
I could do this.
Without crossing any line.
Without looking.

I sat on the edge of the bed, as I started to work awkwardly,  my finger buds, touch her skin,how its so soft
‘NAV KAM KAR APNA…’ my subconscious mind retorted

( Nav do your work )

I unfasten the wet blouse with careful, shaky fingers, unwrapping the heavy saree without letting my hands linger anywhere.

The wet fabric clung stubbornly, and a few times I had to stop, swallow hard, and remind myself:
She’s drugged. She trusts you.

I work slowly and my with my gentle touch, maybe i was afraid that what if hurt her, or what if she wake up?  I’d peeled the last of the wet saree away,  and then her garments follow next. I reached for the dry clothes and dressed her piece by piece.

When I was done, I finally let myself breathe.

I stood up, I prepared myself mentally,
And
I untied the blindfold slowly and glanced at her,

She was lying there now, quiet and dry, her chest rising and falling softly, her hair over the pillow like nothing had happened.

I sat next to her, and slowly and gently, remove a stand of her hair from her face and sit there watching her.

And even though she couldn’t hear me, I whispered anyway,

“ vani, agar tumhe koch ho jata, mai kabhi apne aap ko maaf nahi kr pata. I promised your father that I’ll take care of you. And navver singh brar always fulfil her promise.”

( “Vani, if anything had happened to you, I would never have been able to forgive myself.
I promised your father that I would take care of you.
And Navveer Singh Brar always fulfills his promises.”)

‘Yeh sirf isliye because you promised her father?’ my subconscious mind asked and I with care ignored him.

( This all just because you promised her father?)

✧

The room was quiet now except for the faint sound of rain hitting the windows.

I also changed my clothes,

Vani was asleep, tucked under the blanket, her breathing slow and even.

I sat there watching her for another long moment before finally pulling out my phone.

I dialed Subh.

He picked up on the second ring, his voice low
“Veere…?”

(Brother?)

“Haan,” I muttered, rubbing my temple with two fingers.

(Yeah.)

“Kahan ho tum dono? Sab theek hai na wahan? And I called so many times, why didn’t you picked up? ”

(Where are you two? Everything okay there?)

I could hear faint murmurs and some shuffling in the background before Subh answered

“Uh… haan, sab thik hai yahan. Bas… barish bohot zyada ho gayi hai. Hum fas gaye the”

(Uh… yeah, everything’s fine here. Just… it’s raining way too much. We were stuck )

I frowned.
“itni zyada?”

(That much?)

“Matlab… saari roads band ho gayi. Waterlogging. Sab kuch block ho gaya. We… we couldn’t come back,” he admitted.

(I mean… all the roads are closed. Waterlogging. Everything’s blocked. We… we couldn’t come back.)

“So we checked into a hotel nearby for the night.”

My eyebrow furrows automatically
I leaned back in the chair, smirking faintly.

“Hotel, hmm?”

There was a beat of silence on the other end.

Then I added casually,
“Ek room liya, ya do?”

(Took one room, or two?)

That’s when Subh started fumbling.

“Arre no, no, no! Of course not, veere! Do rooms! Do alag rooms liye hain!”

(Oh no, no, no! Of course not, brother! Two rooms! We took two separate rooms!)

His voice cracked halfway through and I could practically hear his ears turning red.

“Haan, haan… do rooms,” I repeated, letting my smirk grow.

(Yeah, yeah… two rooms.)

“Accha. Theek hai. Stress mat le.”

(Alright. Don’t stress.)

I heard Ayanshi’s faint voice in the background asking him something, but  I think he quickly covered the receiver.
I rolled my eyes but didn’t press him much.

“Sun,” I added after a second, my tone softening.

(Listen…)

“Woh… Ayanshi ko bol dena. Ki uski behen theek hai. So rahi hai. Safe hai.”

(Tell Ayanshi… that her sister is fine. She’s sleeping. Safe.)

Subh cleared his throat.
“I will. Thanks, veere.”
(I will. Thanks, brother.)

“ aur galla prep mai koch hua?”
[ And did something happened in galla prep?”]

“ many people went missing. And i don’t like the people here. All are too much flirty.”  he said

“ kyaa???” i sit straight and my forehead furrows, “ nashe kiye hai kya? What are you saying? Did you drink something too.”

(What??.. are you drugged too?….)

“ ohh i mean.. yeah everything was fine. The galla people seems actually dangerous. Like they flatter people to eat or drink. ” he said shuttering.

I raised my eyebrows
“ offcourse.” i said with a scoff.

“Aur suno… be attentive. Koi zyada friendly lage to seedha naa bol dena. Na khana lena kisi se. Na drink. Na kuch. Samjhe?”

(And listen… be attentive. If anyone seems too friendly just say no outright. Don’t take food from anyone. No drinks. Nothing. Understood?)

“Haan, veere,” he replied more firmly now.

(Yes, brother.)

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on everything.”

“Good.”

Just before hanging up, I couldn’t help but throw in one last tease
“Aur Subh?”

(And Subh?)

“…Haan?”

(…Yeah?)

“Bas confirm kar raha hoon… alag rooms, right?”

(Just confirming… separate rooms, right?)

I could almost hear him gulp.

“YES! Do rooms, veere. Pakka. Good night!”

(YES! Two rooms, brother. Promise. Good night!)

And he hung up before I could tease him again.

I chuckled quietly to myself, slipping the phone back into my pocket as I looked at Vani one more time.

“Sheesh. Tum logon ka toh scene alag hi chal raha hai,” I murmured to the empty room

(Sheesh. You guys have your own kind of story going on.)

Then went to the couch, to sleep.
Good night

______________________________________

Spoiler from next chapter.

Subh raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching like he was holding back a laugh.

“…Ahem. Humne disturb toh nahi kar diya?”

I blinked at them, confused.
“Matlab?”

Ayanshi glanced at Subh, then back at me, her tone sharp yet teasing

“Matlab – tum dono ki saans kyun phooli hui hai? Tum dono itne laal kyun ho? Aur darwaza kholne mein itni der kyun lag gayi?”

I froze, cheeks heating instantly.
Behind me, I heard it – Nav’s laugh.

He finally stepped forward, put his hands on my shoulder gave Subh and Ayanshi a wide grin.
“Arey nahi nahi… disturb nahi kiya. Bas thoda… intense tha scene.”

Next chapter gonna be funnnnnnn 🤣🤣

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