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"They what?" I woke up with a bang as Kiaan shouted vigorously to join him.
''Yes, and with some manager got stuck in the walk-in refrigerator. Evyaan, I'm going to see her," Kiaan replied, pulling a sweatshirt over his head and striding away.
"We're not allowed in the compound, but wait, let me come with you. I'll cover for us if anyone finds out," I replied, joining him with a pounding headache. Yesterday's spice was still affecting me, along with the lingering conversation.
The walk to her room was nothing like what Isha had described it was rather quiet and awkward.
Samayara remained silent, and so did I. I didn't want to push her. We exchanged goodnights with a small, hesitant smile. Her gentle smile lingered in my mind, a flicker of warmth in the growing cold between us. My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Kritika Di's assistant.
"I'm sorry, sir, what are you doing here?" she asked with confusion at the sight of Kiaan.
"Something you clearly couldn't manage," Kiaan snapped back, his voice cold and laced with disdain. "What kind of assistant are you if you can't even keep track of your boss for over six hours?" His eyes burned with anger, his protective nature on full display.
Despite being the youngest, Kiaan was fiercely devoted to his family, his emotions running deep beneath his usually calm exterior. Any sign of negligence towards them set him off like a storm.
"Sir—"
"Don't bother. Show us the way quickly," I interjected, trying to save time from this pointless exchange.
"Here," she pointed in the direction, and we both sprinted towards it, almost racing, with no sign of Kiaan's supposed broken ankle.
"You lied?" I asked him as we reached the second lobby.
"First, tell me which one it is so I can differentiate," he replied, making me internally sigh but pushing myself to run faster.
"Never mind. Just keep up," I urged, speeding ahead.
"Di!" I called out a little loudly than I meant. There she was, Kritika Di, frozen and shivering violently, her hair stiff with ice. She was being carried by a man equally frostbitten—wait, was that Isha's brother?
I moved towards them quickly, pushing past a team of doctors who were already surrounding them.
"Check her first," he insisted, his voice strained as he laid her down gently.
Kiaan arrived beside me, panting. His eyes were wide with fear and anger.
"Kritika Di! Di!" He called out shaking her violently.
"Mr. Malhotra, please step aside; we need to check her," the doctor said, his voice trembling with apprehension.
I quickly grabbed Kiaan's hand, feeling his muscles tense under my grip. "Come on," I whispered, trying to coax him away from the chaos. He resisted, his feet rooted to the spot, his eyes locked on Kritika Di.
