Chapter 53

Ki hall chall sohneyooo???

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Now I’ll stop my rants. Go and Enjoy the chapter 😊

It’s been a week.

One week of her presence settling into my days like a habit I never asked for
movie nights that stretch longer than planned,
arguments that never really end,
dinners where I forget to check my phone,
smiles that arrive unannounced and stay longer than they should.

And somehow

that feels dangerous.

Tonight, we’re attending a business partner’s party.

Formal.
Public.
Controlled.

At least, that was the plan.
Unless she make me lose my consciousness.

I imagined her cute face and smiled.

I ring the bell on her door.

It opened—and before I could say a word, she turned and walked back inside.

Just like that.

I narrowed my eyes.

Locked the door behind me.

And proceeds towards her room

Then knocked.

Even though it was already open.

“Yeh kya tha, Vani ji?”
(What was that?)

She turned toward me, completely unbothered.

Smiled.

“Baingan.”

( Brinjal) 

I chuckled.

Great.
Now she’s following reel trends too.

“Nav, yaar pareshan mat karo,” she said, distracted,
“abhi tayaar hona baaki hai.”

(Don’t trouble me, I still need to get ready.)

She dabbed excess powder off her cheeks, completely unaware of the damage she was causing.

I leaned against the doorframe.

“Khoobsurati ho tum pehle din se hi…
Hamse puch ke to dekho, hamri sanse tham jaati hai tumhe dekhte hi…” I said quietly.

(You’ve been beautiful since day one. Ask me sometime—my breath stops every time I look at you.)

She turned.

Finally.

And that’s when I saw her properly.

A navy blue saree
deep, rich, wrapping around her curves,

My throat went dry.

I looked at her waist, i try to move my eyes, but i couldn’t, when i realise what i was doing, I instantly looked sideways and rubbed my neck,

She turned to look at me and

“Khoobsurat hu mai pehle din se hi…” she said calmly.
“Isiliye kya nafrat krte the tum, mujhse pehle din se hi?” She stepped closer, eyes sharp, playful. “Jannte hai yeh chalaaki tumhari, sudhar jao, varna krenge suttai, in hatto se tumhari.”

(I’ve been beautiful since day one.Is that why you hated me at first? I know your tricks. Behave, or I’ll beat you up with these hands.)

I froze.

Widened my eyes.

Did she just….

“Akhein bahar aa jaayengi, Mr. Brar,” she said sweetly.
(Your eyes will pop out.)

I recovered fast.

Smirked.

“Bas tum hi ho jispe ye risk lena banta hai.”

( Its only you, whom this risk should be taken)

She lifted her earrings.

“Kaunse?”
(Which ones?)
“Jaldi batao.”
(Quick.)

“Uh…”
I swallowed.
“Left wala.”

She smiled.

Picked up the right one.

Wore it deliberately.

My eyebrows shot up.

“Yeh… kya tha?”
(What was that?)

She met my gaze.

Unapologetic.

“Aadat daal lo, Nav Brar,” she said softly.
(Get used to it.)
“Tumhare kehne pe chalna meri list mein nahi hai.”

And just like that

she walked past me.

Leaving behind the faintest trace of her perfume.

And my completely ruined composure.

“ ahnnn… Yeh Ladki pagal krdegi mujhe ” I said palming my face, and then walked behind her like a lost puppy

✧

We’d reached the venue thirty minutes ago.

Vani had been chatting with Mrs. Arora, smiling politely, nodding at all the right places.

I’d been stuck with Mr. Milano and Mr. Mariano—talking numbers, logistics, things I usually enjoy.

Tonight, I didn’t.

Because my focus kept drifting.

Back to her.

The moment she was free, I wrapped up my conversation faster than I normally would and walked toward her.

“Vani,” I called.

She turned.

“Hmm?”

“Bhukh lagi hai?”
(Are you hungry?)

“Thoda kuch kha lo.”
(Eat something.)

I already knew the answer.

I always do.

She hesitated for half a second.

“Nahi… main aane se pehle apple kha ke aayi thi.”

( No… I ate an apple before coming.)

I narrowed my eyes.

“Maine dekha tha,” I said slowly.
“Dinner table pe jo sliced tha… wahi khaya tha? ”

(I saw what you ate. The slices on the table.)

She laughed, nervous, quick.

“Matlab… ek piece.”

( Means, one piece)

I shut my eyes for a moment.

Opened them.

Mujhe aaj tak samajh nahi aaya yeh ladki zinda kaise hai.
Chirya jitna khati hai.
Shayad chirya bhi isse zyada khati hogi.

( I still don’t understand how this girl is alive.
She eats as little as a bird.
Maybe even a bird eats more than her.)

“Vani—” I started.

She cut me off instantly.

“Pastry,” she blurted.
“Bhukh.”
“Main khati hoon.”
(Pastry. Hungry. I’ll eat.)

And just like that, she turned and walked toward the corner
almost running.

I followed her, irritated.

And amused.

And quietly relieved.

Because
this was her.

Avoiding lectures.
Choosing sugar.
And making me care more than I ever planned to.

I watched her quietly, forcing myself not to lecture her about health.

Again.

She was focused on the pastry like it was the most serious thing in the room
eyes narrowed, spoon moving carefully.

I smiled despite myself.

“Vani—”
I opened my mouth to say something—

And she shoved a spoonful straight into my mouth.

“Achhi hai na?”
(It’s good, right?)

She looked at me expectantly.

That smile.

Too bright.
Too pleased with herself.

I chewed slowly.

Then shook my head.

Disbelief.
Defeat.

Yeh ladki bhi na…
Ek din meri saari self-control kha jaayegi.

( This girl, honestly…
One day she’s going to eat up all my self-control.)

“Acha,” I said suddenly
“Sunno…”
“Tum gift le aaye the Manvelli’s ka?”

( Achha, I said suddenly.
Listen…
Did you bring the gift for the Manvelli’s?)

Her eyes widened.

“You forgot?” I asked.

“Nahi—” she said quickly.
“Matlab… car mein hai. Main le aati hoon.”

( No— she said quickly.
I mean… it’s in the car. I’ll get it.)

I shook my head immediately.

“Ruko. Main le aata hoon.”

( Wait. I’ll bring it. )

“Nahi,” she said, already stepping back.
“Tum yahin raho.”
She smiled.
“Logon se baat karo… unhe apne charm se impress karo, jaise hamesha karte ho.”

( “No,” she said, already stepping back.
“You stay here.”
She smiled.
“Talk to people… impress them with your charm, like you always do.”)

Then, softer—

“Main ek minute mein aa jaungi.”

( I’ll be back in a minute.)

She extended her hand.

“Car ki chabi?”

( The car keys?)

I placed the keys in her palm.

Slowly.

For half a second, I considered stopping her.

“Jaldi aana,” I said instead.

( Come back quickly.)

She nodded and turned away.

And I stood there, watching her walk off,

✧

I opened the car door and pulled the gift out.

I felt cold immediately.

Too cold. My hands and arms are must be like ice now.

I hugged the box closer to my chest, i rubbed my palm on my forearm

Nav ko hi aane dena chahiye tha.
(I should’ve let Nav come.)

The thought came uninvited.

I locked the car quickly.

And Turned—

“Itni jaldi ja rahi ho?”

( Going this early?)

The voice sliced straight through me.

My body froze mid-step.

Not slowed.

Not hesitant.

Frozen.

My lungs forgot what they were supposed to do.

No.

No—he can’t be here.

I didn’t turn around.

Didn’t dare.

My feet started moving on their own—too fast, too uneven.

My heart slammed against my ribs like it wanted out.

I could hear footsteps.

Behind me.

Too close.

Too familiar.

Nav…..

The air felt thick. Heavy.

I tried to speed up.

Then

Pain shot up my arm. ” Ahh…”

Fingers clamped around my wrist.

Hard.

I gasped, the sound tearing out of me.

I twisted, kicked, tried to yank myself free….

“Chhodo !”
(Let go—!)

Something pressed against my face.

Sharp.

Chemical.

I shook my head violently.

Tried to hold my breath.

But he pressed it with more force.

My vision blurred instantly.

The world tilted.

“No—no—no—”
The words collapsed in my throat.

My strength drained too fast.

My knees buckled.

His grip tightened as I struggled weak now, useless.

And the last thing I felt

was terror.

Pure.

Unfinished.

Terror..

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Khemmm chooooo????? Bola tha na…. Kya lagta hai kon hoga???  And any favourite scene???