Chapter 34

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I was sleeping on the couch, uneasy, I heard a sound.

At first, it didn’t recognise or maybe i was in sleep, it wasn’t clear, just a faint noise, someone crying crying, I thought it was part of my dream, or just an illusion.

But then it grew louder.

“Stop… don’t—”

My eyes snapped open.

For a moment I just lay there on the couch, staring into the darkness, confused about where I was. Then it hit me.

Vani.

I sat up, my heart already thumping in my chest, I quickly switched on the lights.

On the bed, she was curled up her breaths sharp and uneven, her fists gripped the sheets hard as she mumbled broken words.

“No… it burns—don’t… please please please. Don’t please. Please i beg you don’t. It hurts. ”

The words were muffled but heavy with terror.

I quickly moved towards her, Her face was wet with tears.

“ vanii”
“ vanni??”

I could see how tightly she was gripping herself. The way her body flinched. I crouched beside her bed

“ vani … Wake up its a dream. Vani?” I shake her but she didn’t woke up.

I sat beside her on the bed took her in my arms, our Position as if we are hugging

“Vani,” I said louder this time.  “It’s just a dream. You’re okay.”

She didn’t wake.

Her breath hitched again, and she whispered, almost inaudibly, “It burns… please… Why you are doing this…?…”

Carefully, I reached out and placed a hand on her arm. She jerked at the touch but didn’t wake. So I rubbed slow, steady circles against her skin, and a soothing hand on her back amd head murmuring softly.

“Hey. It’s me. You’re safe. Nobody’s here. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise. Navver singh brar is promising you vani, you are under my protection. I won’t let a scratch touch you..”

Gradually, her body began to loosen. Her fists unclenched. The tight lines around her eyes softened, and her breathing slowed. She sank in my chest, I kept soothing her, unable to let her go.

After I don’t know how much time.
I help her back into the pillow.

I stood there a long while, just watching her, watching how fragile she looked now that the nightmare had passed.

When I finally sat back on the couch, I couldn’t close my eyes again.

Because no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t shake the sound of her whispering it burns, or the way she flinched at nothing.

And for the first time, I began to wonder ,what exactly had she lived through… and why did it feel like she was still living it every night?

My head was heavy and pounding,
The headache was unbearable.

I slowly opened my eyes,  or tried to
They shut themselves . I tried several times before actually opening them.

There was still dizziness, I stood still for sometime, looking at the ceiling of my room

Wait
My room?
My room?
My room?
It Is my room

But how?

My bed.
My blanket.
My pillow.
I am home?

I quickly get up and and my eyes landed on him

I shout louder than i intended to. My hands automatically moved to cover my mouth.

why the hell was Navver singh Brar sleeping on my bedroom couch?!

No blanket. His tie loosened on his chest, and his long legs stretched out, arms crossed over his chest like he owned the damn place.

What. The. Hell.
He stirred, listening to my scream,  opened eyes lazily

He opened his eyes hearing my scream

“Tum…. yahaan?!” I Asked

(You… here?!)

“Subah ho gayi?” He asked

(Is it morning already?)

“What are you doing in my HOUSE?!” I demanded.

He yawned, completely unaffected
“Tumhare ghar ki security ka kuch karna padega. Ek ungli lagayi aur darwaza khul gaya. Tumhara hi fingerprint, by the way.”

(You really need better security. One press of your own fingerprint and the door opened. Your fault, really.)

My jaw dropped.
“You broke in?!”

He gave me a look – deadpan.
“Broke in? Tumhare ghar ka password tumhari ungli hi toh hai. Main kya karta? You were unconscious”

(Broke in? Your house’s password is your finger. What was I supposed to do? You were unconscious.)

I kept glaring at him.
“And… and why are you SLEEPING here?!”

He stood, rolling his shoulders casually.
“ ulta chor kotwal ko dante.I was managing your gala hangover. Do you even know what you did last night?”

“The thief is scolding the policeman.” (i.e., blaming the one who’s actually in charge / innocent)…….)

My stomach dropped.
“What… what do you mean?” I asked nervously.

His lips curled into smirk.

“First you drank the spiked juice madam, at the gala. You started going blurry and throw soooo much tantrums”

I bit my lip.
“Oh…”

He took a step closer, crossing his arms.

“Do you not remember anything?”

I shook my head, cheeks heating.
“no.”

That smirk of his grew wider.
“Wow. Then should I tell you what happened yesterday night?”

I gulped.
“Yes…?”

He tilted his head, fake-innocent.

“You… danced, insisted on taking off your saree, ran to catch the moon, and…he leaned in just slightly, voice dropping –
I changed your clothes”

My whole body went rigid.
I stared at him, horrified.
“YOU WHAT?!”

“I just told you darling ”

“You’re LYING. Right? Right?!”

He pretended to think for a second.
“Hmm… nahi.  Fir to tumhe yeh bhi yaad ni hoga, ki kese kal raat tumne meri izaat lutti?”

[ Hmm… no. Then you probably don’t even remember how you took away my honour last night.]

“You- you beast! How COULD you?!”

He walked closer to me.

“Arey behosh logon se kaun permission leta hai? Tum toh itna cooperate kar rahi thi… main kya karta?”
(Who takes permission from unconscious people? And you were cooperating so much… what else could I do?)

I felt my ears turn red.
“Co-cooperating?!”

He nodded gravely.
“Bohot. Tum khud hi bol rahi thi… Nav, hold me baby… Nav, mujhe thand lag rahi hai… Nav i am hot, nav its aching down there. Main kya karta?”

(Very. You were literally saying… ‘Nav, take care of me… Nav, I feel cold…’ What was I supposed to do?)

I pressed my hands over my face, letting out a muffled groan.
“Tell me you’re lying. PLEASE.”

“Nope. I even remember your trying-to-catch-the-moon dance moves.”

I peeked through my fingers at him, glaring.
“You’re making this up.”

He raised both hands, like mocking or surrendering

“ kal raat to tum bol rahi thi, nav you are hot, tum ache ladke ho, so good, more deep—”
( “Last night you were saying—‘Nav, you are hot. You’re a good guy. So good… more deep)

I picked up a pillow and throw the at his head.
“SHUT UP. You’re IMPOSSIBLE mr.brar.”

He caught it easily, grinning like the devil himself.

“And you’re cute when you’re embarrassed.”

“GET OUT!” I covered my self with a blanket

He chuckled under his breath, straightening his tie as he went towards the door.

“Alright, alright… I’m going. But next time change your house password, Miss Rathore.”

And before leaving, he looked back with one last smirk –

“By the way… I did change your clothes pretty well, right?”

I threw the other pillow at him so hard he actually laughed as he ducked out.

And I sank back onto the bed, pulling the blanket over my head, my cheeks heating in embarrassed

I. HATE. HIM.

✧

After a very long shower and several internal talks, I walked out of my room, hair still wet, When i get into my living room I get startled

Because he was sitting at my dining table.
In my house.
Eating chole kulche,
Like he owned the damn place

Aur isko indian food kahan se mil jata hai paris mai???

He looked up at me mid-bite and grinned.
“Good morning, Miss Rathore.”

I glare at him.
“Tum abhi bhi YAHAN?!”

(You’re still HERE?!)

He leaned back in the chair, completely unbothered.

“Arey yaar… kaam ho gaya toh kya? Tum bhookhe pet ghar se nikal dogi? Aise nahi jaaunga main.

(What, just because the job’s done, you’ll throw me out hungry? I won’t leave like that.)

I scoffed, throwing him a look and sitting at the table opposite him.

“You’re unbelievable.”

He took another bite and murmured, “Thank you.”
I ignored him.

He made a plate for me too and pass towards me and started eating again. Seriously?

I fiddled with my spoon and asked quietly,
“…Ayanshi?”

His eyes flicked up to mine, serious for a moment.
“She’s fine. Safe. Subh’s with her. Don’t worry.”

I nodded faintly, then hesitated… debating whether to say what was on my mind.

Finally, with pure hesitation voice, lower than usual I asked him

“…Kal raat… hamare beech… kuch… hua toh nahi?”

(Last night… between us… did anything… happen?)

He froze – then set his spoon down very slowly

His eyes locked on mine with a slow, sinister smile spreading across his face.

“Tumhe koch bhi…yaad nahi?”

(You don’t remember anything?)

I shook my head silently.

He leaned forward a little, slowly

“…Tumne mujhe permission bhi di thi, vani..”
(…You even gave me permission vani)

My throat went dry.

“I… what?”

“ yes. You did. I did it all with your permission, i even said, vani you are not in your sense lets not do it. But you kept hovering over me, removed my clothes, and i too lost control and then–” he raised his brows “ you know.”

My jaw dropped, it feels someone snatched air from my lungs.
“You’re LYING!”

He tilted his head,
“ ab dekho jo hona tha, so hogyea, ab kya hi kr sakte hai, just forget it. It will be just a one night stand”

[ Now look, what had to happen has happened. What can we even do now? Just forget it. It will just be a one-night stand.]

I buried my face in my hands
Oh god oh god oh god.

When I peeked through my fingers, he was still staring at me, his gaze dropping once before meeting mine again.

I froze, my ears burning.

The way he was looking at me making me more guilty and embarrassed, and  made me want to sink into the floor.
I just sat there, quiet now, unable to argue anymore. I can feel my eyes glistening

“ vani?” he called out his tone serious, but i couldn’t meet his gaze. Not anymore, never.

He set his spoon down, leaned back, and finally said –

“ vani listen.”

I didn’t looked at him.

He leaned closer, his voice soft

“ nothing happened between us, not a single thing, not even a kiss vani, i Swear. And no I didn’t even see you naked. Yes i do changed your clothes because staff was unavailable and you were wet, but my eyes were blindfolded. ”

I stared at him, my jaw dropping.
“You… you were PRANKING me?!”

“Of course. I thought to prank you, just to mess with you, but you believed it and-”

Something inside me snapped.

I stood up so fast my chair scraped back.
“You… NAV BRAR! You- you-!”

He blinked, realizing too late what was coming.
“Uh-oh-“

I grabbed the nearest cushion and hurled it at his head.
“HOW DARE YOU?! MAIN TUMHARI-“
(I’LL-)

He ducked just in time, already running
“Arey arey arey- Vani-“

“RUKO WAHIN!” I yelled, grabbing another cushion.
(STAY RIGHT THERE!)

But he didn’t stay.

He jumped around the couch, chuckling breathlessly.
I chased after him, throwing every cushion within reach.

“Main sir fod dungi tumhara!
BEWAQT KA RANJHA!”

(I’ll break your head! Uninvited Romeo!)

He snorted, standing behind the dining table.

“Yeh kya tareeka hai apne savior ko treat karne ka?! I saved you yaar. “

(Is this how you treat your savior?!)

I picked up another cushion.
“SAVIOR? YOU MEAN PSYCHO?!”

He raised his hands in mock surrender, but he was still grinning ear to ear.
“Thoda toh thank-you bolo!”
(At least say thank you!)

“THANK YOU MY FOOT” I yelled, throwing the last cushion.

He barely managed to catch it, laughing so hard he stumbled into the wall.

And there I was – panting, hair flying, cheeks flaming – while he stood on the other side of the couch, grinning like a idiot yet looking the slightest bit worried I’d actually kill him

“Pagal ladki,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head, still smiling.
(Crazy girl.)

And I glared at him, clutching my last cushion like a weapon, swearing, I will kill him

while Nav leaned casually against the wall, smirking at me like the devil he was.

“Ab bas karo, Miss Rathore,” he said, wiping an imaginary sweat from his forehead.
(Now calm down, Miss Rathore.)

“Tumhare sar tod du gi mai Mr brar. ” I hissed.
(I will smash your head.)

Before he could respond, the doorbell rang.

We both froze.

I glanced at the door, then at him, then back at the door.
He just shrugged, clearly enjoying my flustered state.

I stomped,  and walk to the door and yanked it open

Ayanshi and Subh standing there, both looking at me with… suspicion?

“Tum dono?” I asked, confused.
(You two ?)

Ayanshi’s eyes narrowed.
Subh raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching like he was holding back a laugh.

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

(…Ahem. We didn’t… interrupt something, did we?)

I blinked at them, confused.
“Matlab?”

(Meaning?)

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

“Meaning – why are you both panting? Why are you both so red? And why did you take so long to open the door?”

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

He finally stepped forward, hands in his pockets, and gave Subh and Ayanshi a wide grin.

“Oh no no… you didn’t disturb us. Just… things got a little intense.”

My eyes widened in horror.
“NAV!”

He shot me a look full of mischief, then leaned lazily against the doorframe.

“What can I do, I have to tell the truth, right?”

Ayanshi’s mouth fell open.
Subh stared between us, clearly trying not to laugh.

I turn around to glare at Nav, my cheeks feeling so hot I was sure steam was rising.
“This is NOT what you’re making it sound like!” I snapped.

But he just chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Arey tumhare chehre ka rang hi sab kuch bata raha hai,” he murmured.

(Your face says everything already.)

Subh actually chuckled now, muttering under his breath

“Woh toh hai…”

(That’s true…)

I threw my hands up and groaned, stepping aside to let them in ,

all the while glaring at Nav, who just winked at me before walking past.

And the worst part?

The way my cheeks still burned – whether from anger or… something else – I refused to admit.

✧

We all sat down at the dining table.
Ayanshi kept giving me suspicious little side-eyes.

Subh just looked way too amused for my liking.

And Nav?

Nav sat there like he was the king of this circus,

Bandar kahika.

I poured tea for everyone , very pointedly ignoring him.

But as I placed his cup down, he leaned in slightly – his voice so low only I could hear

” Thank you, Mrs. Brar.”

I froze.
My hand twitched so hard I spilled the chai on him.“ accidentally”

“ vani wtf?” he stood up..

“ oppsssyyy so sorry Mr brar.” I leaned in “ mess with me again and i will burn you”  I said and he smirked. He actually smirked, this little-

“ I’ll be back after changing my shirt, I want my tea miss rathore. And my breakfast is still pending. I’ll be coming in 5″ He said and got out.

Koch pal ki shanti…

✧

Ayanshi caught the way I was glaring and asked pointedly,
“What’s going on here? Do you have something to tell us?”

Before I could open my mouth, Nav leaned back and said lazily,

“What you’re thinking… is exactly what’s happening.”

I almost choked on my tea.
“Nav Brar-” I started, my voice high.

He tilted his head, grinning innocently.
“Haanji, Mrs. Br-?”
(Yes, Mrs. Br-?)

That was it.
I kicked him again, harder this time.

This time he hissed a little under his breath and muttered,
” Rathore. Miss rathore Itna pyaar toh sambhal nahi raha mujhse”
(Can’t I handle this much love )

Subh and Ayanshi exchanged glances, clearly enjoying the show.

I picked up a vase from the dinning table and held it threateningly.

He raised both hands in mock surrender, the smirk never leaving his face.

“Okay okay – just joking. Save your anger for when we’re alone.”

I gasped.
“You-“

But he leaned in again and whispered softly, just for me to hear:

“If you blush this much, even I’ll start believing it.”

I froze.
Eyes wide, breath caught, cheeks heating.

“ gussa kehte hai ise.”

[ Its called anger.]

“ sure.” he said

I quickly sat back down, glaring at my tea as if it was to blame.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him chuckle quietly, shaking his head like he couldn’t help himself.

And when Subh and Ayanshi started talking about the gala prep again, I risked one glance at him –
he was already looking at me, a soft smile tugging at his lips, like he was… proud of how irritate he’d made me.

Oh god.
This wasn’t over.

I was still enjoying her reactions while drinking my chai when my phone buzzed on the table.
I glanced at the screen,
a number I couldn’t ignore.

“Excuse me,” I muttered, pushing my chair back and walking out to the balcony before anyone could ask.

my chest already felt heavy as I answered the call.

“Yeah. Tell me.”

On the other end, one of my guys spoke quickly, his tone low.

“Sir, just like you instructed… we reviewed the CCTV and the guest list. We know who spiked the drink.”

I gripped the railing tighter, jaw locking.
“Who?”

“Rohan Khanna. He’s with the Shekhawat group.”

Of course.
Of course it was them.

“And why?” I asked, though deep down, I already knew.

“They… wanted to humiliate Miss Rathore in public. Bring down your team’s credibility. That way, their chances for the gala contract improve. And they couldn’t bear a girl was giving them tough competition”

My fingers curled tighter around the metal railing.

Cheap.

Dragging her into this mess because they couldn’t win fairly.

I stayed quiet for a moment, staring at the city below, breathing slow to keep my voice calm.

“Pick him up,” I finally said, my tone low and cold.

“Understood, sir.”

“And…” I added, softer but sharp enough to cut,
“She doesn’t need to know. This is my fight. Keep her name out of it.”

“Yes, sir.”

I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket, staying there a second longer to compose myself.
Letting the anger settle behind my usual calm mask.

I didn’t asked her about her nightmares, maybe its just a nightmare or maybe it happens because of the drug. But i won’t push it. Not now.

When I finally turned back toward the door, I took one last breath and forced a faint smile back onto my face.

She didn’t deserve to know how dirty this game really was.
Not yet.

______________________________________

Kisi ko yaad hai vani ko nightmare kya atte the?