Vivaan's POV
( This was when Aadhya fought kaal. After she wokeup from her trauma)
When she woke up in my arms, I felt it instantly—the way her body tensed, the way her breathing turned uneven again. I had already seen it once, just moments ago, and I wasn't going to let it happen again. When she softly called my name, I opened my eyes and without thinking, tightened my hold on her. She tried to move, confused, nervous, asking, "H-hey… why are you hugging me…?" but I didn't let go. "No. Not until you calm down," I said firmly. Even when she said she was fine, I only loosened my grip slightly, not completely.
Then she remembered.
I saw it happen right in front of me—the shift in her expression, the confusion turning into fear.
"Where is Kaal?" she asked, and I didn't need to answer. I just looked. She followed my gaze and the moment her eyes landed on him lying there… I knew. Her body started trembling harder, worse than before. When she looked at her hands covered in blood, it got even worse. Her breathing turned unstable, like she was slipping again.
Before she could spiral completely, I pulled her closer, turning her toward me and holding her tightly. "He's alive. He isn't dead," I said, softer this time. That was the only thing that seemed to matter to her. She looked at me, her voice breaking, "Did I… do that to him?" For a second, I didn't want to answer. But I did.
"Y-yes."
And that was enough to break her.
She started crying, completely breaking down in my arms.
"What's happening to me… I'm hurting people like a monster…" she said, her voice shaking. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to fix this. I've dealt with fights, injuries, enemies—but this… this wasn't something I understood. All I knew was she was falling apart right in front of me.
Her body started giving up again, her voice fading, her strength slipping. And before I could even react, she went unconscious again—right there in my arms.
I held her as her body went completely still in my arms, her head resting against my chest, her breath finally slowing after all that chaos.
"Aadhya…?" I called softly, but she didn't respond. She had fainted. My arms tightened around her instinctively, like if I loosened even a little, she'd slip away again.
My eyes moved to her hands—still stained with blood—and then to Kaal lying there.
Why does she react like this…?
It wasn't just fear. I've seen fear. This was something else. The trembling, the way her eyes went empty, the panic… like she was reliving something. And then—
That day.
P.E. class.
When I hit her with the ball.
I thought it wasn't that serious. Just a hit. But she froze when she saw the blood. Her breathing had gone off, her eyes distant and trembling—just like today. And what did I do? I laughed. I mocked her. And worse...
My jaw clenched hard.
"Damn it…" I muttered.
And then more memories started hitting me.
Every time I pushed her.
Every time I provoked her.
Every time I hurted her.
Every time I dragged her into fights she didn't belong in.
The factory.
The trap.
Even today.
If she wasn't connected to us… none of this would have happened to her.
And still—I kept going.
Using her.
Planning around her.
Treating her like she was just another piece in my game.
My grip on her tightened slightly, guilt settling heavy in my chest.
"She has already suffered something big … and I still—" I stopped myself from saying further.
I looked down at her face. Pale. Tear stains still visible. Forehead and lip bleeding. This wasn't the same girl who stood up to me without fear. This wasn't the one who argued, who hit back, who laughed like nothing affected her.
This was someone who had been holding everything in.
And I didn't even notice.
Or maybe I did… and chose to ignore it.
My chest felt tight.
For the first time, my plan didn't feel right.
It felt wrong.
Completely.
"I was going to use her…" I whispered, almost in disbelief at myself. Yet she stayed behind to save me.....
The thought disgusted me.
After everything she's been through… I was about to drag her deeper into it...shame on me.
After hospital... next day
Vivaan's POV
Something was wrong.
I noticed it the moment I walked into class.
She wasn't the same.
Aadhya—who couldn't stay quiet for more than five minutes—was sitting there like… a shadow of herself. No spark. No irritation. No sarcasm. Just silence.
And I didn't like it.
I looked at her for a second longer than I should have… then forced myself to look away and walk to my seat. But even after that, my eyes kept drifting back to her.
Avi was doing his usual nonsense, Dj hovering around her, Nikansh sitting close—massaging her hand like she'd break if he didn't.
And the worst part?
She let them.
Quietly.
No protests. No attitude.
That wasn't her.
"Tired," she said when Nikansh asked.
Tch.
Lies.
I clenched my jaw slightly.
Something's off.
Throughout the class, I kept watching her from the corner of my eye. She wasn't paying attention. Not even pretending to. Just… there. Like her body showed up but her mind didn't.
Lunch break made it worse.
She could barely stand properly.
When she tried to walk, I noticed the slight imbalance. The way she held herself like every movement hurt.
Of course it did.
I looked away.
And still she showed up to school like nothing happened.
When Krish told her to sit, I didn't interfere. But when Avi started feeding her, something twisted inside me.
Annoyance.
I looked away again.
Why does it bother me?
She's injured. Obviously someone has to help her.
Still…
I didn't like it.
Not even a little.
Then she stood up and walked out.
I didn't follow.
But when she came back—
I saw it.
That moment.
Her steps weren't stable. Her body leaned forward like she was about to collapse.
Before I could think—
I moved.
Caught her.
My hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her back before she hit the ground.
For a second, she just looked at me.
Confused.
Lost.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
She nodded immediately and walked off.
I stood there for a second longer, watching her go.
The rest of the day, she barely stayed conscious. Sleeping on the bench. Zoning out. Not eating properly.
And everyone else—
They noticed.
Of course they did.
That's why they were hovering around her like idiots.
I didn't say anything.
But I was watching.
When school ended, I didn't even give myself time to think.
I just stepped in front of her.
Blocked her way.
"Dheeraj, you take her home. Avi—you too. Stay with her while going and coming," I said.
They nodded.
Good.
She looked confused.
Didn't matter.
I turned and walked away.
Because if I stayed there any longer—
I might've said something I shouldn't.
Or worse—
shown something I wasn't ready to admit.
Something's wrong with her.
And this time—
I'm not letting it get worse.
Not again.
This was next day when they were dancing..
( Dancing )
I shouldn't be doing this.
That thought crossed my mind for a second… but the music was already loud, Avi was already making a fool of himself, and somehow—I ended up right in the middle of it.
With them.
With her.
I glanced at Aadhya for a moment.
She was smiling.
Not forcing it. Not pretending. A real one.
And something in my chest… shifted.
For the past day, she had been so quiet. Distant. Like she wasn't even fully there. And now—she was laughing, dancing, actually living in the moment.
Because of this stupidity.
Because of us.
I scoffed lightly and grabbed the duster from Nikansh before I could think too much.
If this nonsense is what makes her smile… then fine.
I'll play along.
I pulled my shirt off, ignoring the whistles and hoots behind me, and started copying the steps—over the top, dramatic, completely ridiculous.
But my eyes—
they kept going back to her.
🎶 Speed me tujhe agar sardi lage toh… 🎶
I sang, looking straight at her.
And for a second, she froze.
Her cheeks turning red.
Good.
At least she's reacting.
I smirked slightly and spun around, continuing the steps, but I could still feel her presence there.
Then Avi dragged her in.
And suddenly—
she was dancing with us.
Laughing.
Completely unaware of everything else.
And I just… watched her for a second longer than I should have.
Why does this matter so much?
Why does her smile feel like something I need to protect?
I clenched my jaw slightly, forcing my focus back on the dance, back on the chaos around me.
my eyes drifted back to her again.
And this time—
I didn't look away....