When I reached the haveli, Amma was standing right there.
The moment she saw me, she rushed forward and pulled me into a tight hug.
"Why do you do things like this, beta?" she said worriedly. "You scared all of us…"
I didn't know what to say.
As I pulled back, my eyes drifted.
That old man… who bought me for the night...was standing there !
His arm was injured, his head bandaged, and he was staring at me with clear hatred.
I froze for a second
.
"What happened to him?" I asked Amma quietly.
She sighed. "Kabir sahab did this."
I went silent
.
Deep down, I already knew.
Kabir wouldn't do something like that without a reason.
Maybe… it was because of me.
I stepped inside slowly.
Two doctors were already there.
Aunty gently made me sit. "Kabir called them," she said.
My eyes widened slightly. "Why?"
"You have a fever," she replied softly.
The doctor checked me properly while I stayed quiet, lost in thoughts.
He still cared…
Even after everything, how much i hurted him and he was angry but he still cared ...
After prescribing medicine, they left.
And I just sat there… guilt slowly building inside me again.
I couldn't hold it anymore.
I went to Amma and hugged her tightly, tears spilling out.
"I messed everything up…" I cried. "Because of my stupidity… Kabir got hurt… I didn't even know that place is a red light area and that was so dangerous…"
I don't know what would have happened to me if kabir didn't come for rescue but at then at the end i hurted him so much....!
Amma patted my head gently, trying to calm me.
"It's okay… just don't run away again."
But I kept crying.
"I don't understand, Amma… why does that Kadir hate Kabir so much?" He was talking about some business while hitting kabir..!
Amma's expression changed instantly.
Her tone turned serious.
"That man… he's not good," she said firmly.
"He hates Kabir because Kabir wants to shut down all this."
I looked up.
"What…?"
Amma continued.
"Kabir wants to remove brothels from this entire area. He wants to turn it into a proper place… schools, hospitals, parks… a colony for those girls so they can live with dignity."
I stayed silent, shocked.
"He even wants to start industries here," she added. "So those girls can work and earn respect. But people like Kadir don't want that."
Her eyes hardened.
"Kadir brings girls here forcefully. This whole system… he benefits from it."
Everything suddenly felt heavier.
My mind went blank for a second.
And for the first time…
I started understanding Kabir a little more.
Then after that, Amma gently wiped my tears and said, "Don't worry… he's just angry right now. I know him. When he comes back, go and apologize."
I nodded slightly, still quiet.
"Now go and freshen up," she added. "You haven't eaten anything."
I went to the washroom, took a bath, and came out feeling a little lighter… calmer than before.
When I came back, food was already kept in front of me.
I hesitated for a second.
"Amma… Kabir..Did he eat something?" I asked softly.
she laughed. "You're really worried about him, aren't you?"
I immediately looked down, slightly embarrassed.
"Not like that…" I mumbled.
She chuckled and said, "He's still nearby. I'll call him."
She picked up the phone and called Kabir.
After a few rings, he answered.
"Yes, Amma."
How's AAIRA??Is she fine??? Fever has reduced or what ?? Did she eat something??
He asked a barrage of questions in one breath ..
Her tone softened in a teasy way . "Dono ko ek dusre ki itni prwaah h but phir bhi itta kalesh krte hai ( Both care a lot about eachother but still fight like tom and jerry)
There was a short pause.
He didn't say anything !
Then Amma asked - Did you eat something???
He said - No amma not yet!
Amma smiled knowingly and glanced at me
I quickly gestured, silently telling her to ask him to eat.
She nodded.
"Beta, eat something," Amma said gently.
A small pause.
Then Kabir said, "Okay, Amma."
And the call ended.
Amma looked at me again with that same teasing smile.
I just lowered my gaze, pretending to focus on the food… but my mind wasn't on it anymore.
For the first time, my sleep felt deep and peaceful.
After a while, I woke up slowly.
I looked outside and realized it was already evening.
I sat up quickly.
"Where is Kabir?" I asked one of the workers.
"He came back a while ago," they replied.
I immediately got up and went toward the room.
When I entered, I saw Navya standing there.
She turned and looked at me instantly, her expression changing into anger.
"What are you doing here?"
I took a small breath. "I need to talk to Kabir."
She walked straight toward me and grabbed my hand tightly.
"Because of you, Kabir almost got hurt today!" she said angrily. "Do you even realize that?"
I winced slightly. "I already said sorry…"
She didn't let go.
Instead, she leaned closer. "You should stay in your limits. People like you don't belong here."
I pulled my hand back and said softly, "I made a mistake… I'm sorry."
But she tightened her grip again.
"You deserved that brothel," she said harshly.
"I don't know why Kabir brought you here."
My body went still.
My eyes widened slightly.
"…What did you just say?" I asked slowly.
Don't act innocent ! You're just using him ...ik people like you ok...!
I said - Please navya madam tell me ??? I don't know !
Before anything else could happen—
the bathroom door opened.
Kabir walked out.
His eyes immediately went to both of us.
His face stayed calm, but his voice was sharp.
"What is going on here?"
Navya jerked my hand away and immediately went to Kabir.
"Are you okay?" she asked quickly. "That Kadir… I won't leave him."
Kabir's voice stayed calm. "I'll handle it."
Navya didn't say anything else. Instead, she suddenly hugged him.
I froze for a moment.
I don't know why… but I didn't like it.
Kabir's eyes briefly shifted toward me while Navya was still holding him.
Then she called for food for him.
When Kabir went to eat, he flinched slightly.
"Ah…" he murmured, holding his shoulder.
Navya immediately noticed. "What happened here?"
Kabir glanced at me for a split second.
"Nothing."
I quickly lowered my eyes, guilt hitting me again.
Navya said, "Let me feed you."
But Kabir shook his head. "I can eat myself. You go and talk to the police about Kadir.
Check everything there."
Navya hesitated, then nodded.
Before leaving, she gave me a sharp look again… and walked out.
The room fell quiet.
And I just stood there, avoiding Kabir's eyes… not knowing what to say.
Kabir looked at me and asked calmly, "What are you doing here now? Is there something left to say?"
I walked closer, lowering my gaze.
"I'm sorry, Kabir…" my voice broke. "Please… I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have done that.
Forgive me… I won't do it again. Whatever you say, I'll listen. Just please forgive me."
My words started turning into tears.
I couldn't stop crying.
Kabir sighed softly. "Okay… stop crying now."
But I was still crying.
He got up immediately, came closer, and gently lifted my face.
"Shh…" he said quietly, wiping my tears with his fingers.
"Enough now," he added in a softer tone. "Don't do things like running away again.
Okay?"
I nodded slowly, still sniffing.
Then my eyes fell on his shoulder injury again.
"Does it hurt?" I asked softly, reaching out without thinking.
"It's fine," he said.
But I shook my head slightly. "No…"
I carefully guided him to sit down again.
"Sit," I said quietly, more serious this time.
He looked at me for a second… then sat down without arguing.
I took the ointment from the drawer and turned back toward him.
Then I gently opened his shirt again.
"It's fine," he said quietly.
"Shh… stay still," I replied, softly but firmly.
Slowly, I started applying the ointment on his shoulder, careful not to hurt him.
For some reason… being this close felt strangely calming now. Now it feels good !
The tension from before wasn't there anymore.
I looked at him while applying it.
And he was already looking at me.
We both stayed silent for a moment.
I didn't even realize I was slightly smiling.
"Kabir I wanna say something !
He said - What???
I called Ishikha to come outside the brothel to rescue me ! But she was not there !
I'm scared whether she's fine or not !
" You kiddo ! Kitta dimaag chlaati ho !??? Ahh Don't worry,Wo nhi aayi hogi ..! But I'll talk to her ! Kabir said firmly..!
After a while, I finished applying it and carefully fixed his shirt back in place.
Then I went to washroom and cleaned my hands !
And then I saw kabir was trying to eat but he couldn't !
"Leave.. I'll feed you ! I said ...!
I walked back and sat beside him again, keeping the bowl near me.
Then I picked up a small bite and held it toward him.
"Eat this," I said softly.
He looked at me and sighed. "Aaira… I'm not a child like you ... Give me a proper bite"
I frowned slightly. "Ok fine ! I took a very large bite...
Before he could argue again, I quickly pushed a large bite into his mouth.
He paused for a second, then looked at me. "Not so large bite"
I couldn't help it—I started laughing.
"No, no, eat slowly," I said, still smiling. "Relax…"
Then I was feeding him normally when his phone suddenly rang.
He looked at it and said, "Pick it up."
I shook my head immediately. "No. Eating time means only eating."
He tried to argue, but the call ended on its own.
"It might be important, Aaira," he said.
I sighed. "Fine."
I went to the table, picked up his phone, and unlocked it without asking.
He instantly turned toward me. "How do you know my password?" he asked, suspicious.
I froze for a second.
Then I quickly said, "It's my habit… my birthday is in this date. My phone password is similar too."
He paused. "Oh…"
Then I glanced at him. "Why did you even set this password?"
He cleared his throat slightly. "Ah… just like that."
Then added quickly, "Kiro's birthday was on this date."
A small smile came to my face. "Oh… Kiro."
I felt a little happy hearing that.
He then said, "Call the recent number."
I dialed the recent number and put the phone on speaker.
After a few rings, the call got connected.
A voice came from the other side.
"Kabir Rathore…"
Kabir's expression instantly changed. His voice turned cold. "Kadir…"
Kadir laughed slightly on the call. "What did you think? I would get caught so easily?"
Kabir's jaw tightened.
Kadir continued, voice sharp and angry. "You tried to attack my business… nothing will happen to me. And that girl… she was supposed to be in my brothel. You took her away from me… I will bring her back no matter what."
The moment he said that, Kabir's face darkened.
"Don't take her name," Kabir said lowly, full of warning. "Or I'll kill you."
I stood there completely confused, my heart already beating fast.
Then suddenly the call ended.
I looked at Kabir. "What happened?"
He didn't answer me.
Instead, he turned and called one of the workers immediately.
I stepped closer. "Kabir… don't go—"
He cut me off gently but firmly. "Aaira… stay here. Take care of yourself. I'll be back."
And before I could say anything else… he left the room.
I stood there frozen, not understanding what just happened… only feeling that something bigger was about to unfold.
I stood there frozen for a second after Kabir left.
My heart felt uneasy.
I quickly turned to a worker. "Kabir ka dhyaan rakhna… please."(Take care of kabirr please)
They nodded and left.
But I couldn't stay still.
My mind started overthinking everything.
"Kaunsi ladki?"(Who girl?l
"Kadir kiski baat kar raha tha?"(Whom Kadir is talking about?)
"Navya ne bhi toh kaha tha Kabir mujhe yahan le aaya…"( Navya said Kabir brought you here)
A tight knot formed in my chest.
A sudden thought hit me—
What if… kadir was talking about me?
My breath got uneven.
"No… that can't be it," I whispered to myself, shaking my head slightly. "Right?"
But the more I tried to ignore it, the more it stayed.
My fingers clenched together.
I felt confused… scared… and guilty all at once.
I looked toward the direction Kabir had gone.
And for the first time, I didn't know what truth I was even running from.
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