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Her panicked scream from earlier still echoed in his ears. The way she’d crumpled beside her grandfather, trembling, her eyes wide and wet and scared, shook him to his core.

The same girl who’d been glaring at him with fury the night before was suddenly this fragile woman, falling apart in front of him. And he hadn’t known what to do except hold her hand and stay, offering whatever comfort he could.

And ever since, he hadn’t stopped thinking about her. Not just about her being okay, but hoping she wasn’t crying anymore. Because the truth was, he had no idea how much longer he could pretend not to care.

***************

Nandini had barely moved from her spot beside the hospital bed ever since the doctors informed her of the minor fracture in her grandfather’s ankle. The moment she’d heard the words‘he’ll recover in a few weeks’, her knees had buckled with relief, and she’d collapsed into the chair beside him, her hand clutching his like it was her lifeline.

She had messaged her parents right after, informing them about Grandpa’s condition, though she knew they would still be sleeping. It was still early morning in London, and she knew they’d been up late celebrating the New Year’s party. Her fingers had hovered above the screen for a few extra seconds before she’d pressed send. The image of her grandfather crumpled at the bottom of the stairs still haunted her.

If Shaurya hadn’t rushed into Raichand Villa the moment she screamed… if he hadn’t scooped up her grandfather and driven like a man possessed to get him to the hospital in time, then…

Nandini didn’t even want to finish that thought.

She knew he was still here. In the hallway. He chose to stay despite knowing her grandpa was okay. That simple act meant so much to her.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden movement beside her. Grandpa moved slightly, his fingers twitching, and then, his eyes fluttered open.

“Daadu!” Nandini gasped, her hand tightening around his. “You’re awake.”

He blinked groggily. “Nandu…? Where am I?”

“You fell down the stairs,” she whispered, pressing a glass of water to his lips as the nurse helped him sit up. “You have aminor fracture in your ankle. Nothing major. But you gave us all a heart attack by passing out in shock.”

He drank slowly, clearing his throat. “A fracture, hmm?” he murmured. “Figures. It does hurt like hell.”

She gave him a weak smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “The doctor’s advised complete bed rest for the next few weeks.”

He sighed, nodding, then turned his gaze on her, sharper now. “You must’ve been scared out of your wits. How did you… manage to get me here?”

Her fingers tightened slightly around the empty glass.

There it was—the question she’d been dreading.

She should’ve been prepared for it. Rehearsed a script. Come up with something half-believable that didn’t involve her stormy neighbour playing a hero and carrying her grandfather like in a scene straight from an action film.

Her lips parted, the word ‘ambulance’ nearly on the tip of her tongue.

But nothing came out.

Because honestly, she didn’t know whether to tell him the truth now or later, or maybe never at all. Would it make things worse? After everything that had already happened, the last thing she wanted was to send his blood pressure spiking again. So, she hesitated.

Just as she was about to open her mouth to speak, the door to the private ward opened.

And in walked Shaurya.

With him was his ever-grinning friend, Varun, whom she recalled meeting the other day.

The moment the older man’s eyes landed on Shaurya, whatever trace of softness had returned to his expression vanished. His mouth twisted into a hard scowl, his back stiffening despite the injury.

“What… what ishedoing here?” he snapped, his voice rising loud enough that even the nurse passing by couldn’t help but peek in, her curiosity piqued.

Nandini’s heart stuttered. She opened her mouth again, hoping to divert him, to explain gently, but Varun stepped forward before she could.

“Grandpa,” he said cheerfully, “Shaurya was the one who brought you here.”

“He what?” Grandpa turned his furious gaze to Nandini, as if she had just committed an act of pure betrayal. “You let him touch me? You let him carry me?”