𝐊 𝐀 𝐕 𝐄 𝐑 𝐈
People crave a second chance to forget the past.
I don't know if it's a curse or mercy-
But God gave me that chance.
Even with familiar faces around, my heart is lost.
A stranger's image haunts my dreams.
Someone I don't remember...
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"Vihaan Ranveer Rawal," the stranger revealed, his voice calm yet commanding. Karan slammed the brakes, the tires screeching to a halt. "Vihaan" he whispered, a mix of shock and relief flooding his voice. "Hm, it's me," Ranveer confirmed, his tone firm. "Are you okay?" Karan asked, leaning back against the seat, finally allowing himself to breathe.
Ranveer glanced sideways at Kaveri. "Don't you think you should ask about her first?" he asked, running his finger gently over her wrist. "I know she's fine," Karan replied with a soft smile.
"How?" Ranveer questioned, eyes narrowing. "If she wasn't... Chirag would already be dead," Karan exhaled, the truth sharp and heavy. "You still didn't answer my question," Ranveer said coldly. "Do you really think I'd be okay after seeing her like this?" he gritted, eyes scanning every injury on her fragile form.
"Kaveri—" Karan began, voice laced with guilt. "I gave her a mild dose of anesthesia," Ranveer interrupted, more softly this time. "She's sleeping. She'll slowly wake up in ten minutes."
Then, with finality, "Be at my villa in 45 minutes," Ranveer said, abruptly disconnecting the call.
His heart was heavy, guilt clawing at him with every second. He gently brushed her hair back, whispering against her unconscious form. "I waited so long to be with you. But watching you cry on our engagement day—because of me—it shattered me, Kaveri. Your red eyes... the way you struggled to breathe—" His voice cracked. "I only wanted to be the reason behind your smile. But instead, I became your pain—again"
He let out a shaky breath, his smile twisted with regret. "If you had just told me you wanted to run away, I would've helped you myself. But you didn't. You kept it in. And now—" he trailed off, wiping the dried tears from her cheeks, each touch tearing at his soul.
He closed his eyes, remembering. How he had followed her the moment she left her house. How he stayed hidden, protecting her from the shadows. And how, in one moment of distraction—a call from Karan—he missed her car. He missed her.
"I was right behind you the whole fucking time," he growled. "And I still failed you." He looked down at her hand, where the blood had seeped down into the bouquet of flowers he had brought—flowers meant to clear every misunderstanding. "This isn't how I planned it," he muttered bitterly, gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white.
When they arrived at the villa, Kaveri was still fast asleep. Her face, despite everything, looked peaceful—almost as if she hadn't just been through hell. Not wanting to wake her, he carefully opened the car door and lifted her into his arms, carrying her inside in a bridal hold. She was unaware—unaware of the care, the guilt, the love he was drowning in.
He laid her gently on the bed, his hands trembling as he adjusted the pillow beneath her head. But just as he was about to step back, she shifted, and he lost his balance—nearly falling onto her.
