𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓

𝟒𝟑. 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫

DHRUV'S POV:

I gently run my fingers through Alia's hair as she sleeps peacefully in my arms, her breathing steady and calm. We were watching her favourite show, The Vampire Diaries-a show she's so passionate about that I finally gave in and decided to watch a few episodes with her. She must have been exhausted because she fell asleep during the second episode.

Now, as the third episode unfolds on the screen, I find myself getting drawn into the story. Stefan is trying to adjust to his new life in Mystic Falls, but tensions rise when he joins the high school football team. Meanwhile, Elena, the girl he's clearly interested in, grows closer to him. Damon, Stefan's older brother, starts causing trouble, revealing a much darker side. The rivalry between the Salvatore brothers intensifies, with Stefan fighting to protect Elena from the dangers in town-most of which stem from Damon, who is definitely a vampire. That's probably why Stefan is so determined to keep Elena safe.

Carefully, I reach for the remote on the table and turn off the TV. My eyes drift to my angel, sleeping so peacefully in my arms. Just weeks ago, it felt like the world was trying to tear her away from me, but now, here we are, both of us finally where we belong.

I lean down and gently press my lips to her forehead. "I love you so much, angel," I whisper softly, my voice barely audible, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the tranquillity of the moment.
Whenever I'm with her, a profound sense of calm washes over me, as if all the chaos in the world fades away. She has this light about her, a warmth that wraps around me and makes everything feel right. That's why I call her "angel." She's my guiding light, the one who saves me from the darkness I sometimes find myself in.

But lately, I haven't been calling her that. For the past week, I've held back, unsure why. I've noticed it bothers her-how her eyes flicker with a hint of hurt when I don't use the nickname. But she doesn't question it, doesn't demand an explanation. And maybe that's what frustrates me the most. I want her to claim me, to demand why I've stopped. I want her to fight for that piece of us, to show me that it matters just as much to her as it does to me.

Instead, she remains silent, waiting patiently, and it only makes me love her more. I want to tell her that. I want to say it over and over until she never doubts it again.

My phone vibrates on the table, flashing a call from Sameer. Gently, I shift Alia from my arms, careful not to wake her, and pull the blanket over her, tucking her in snugly. I press a soft kiss on her forehead before picking up my phone. With a final glance at her peaceful face, I walk quietly to the balcony in my penthouse to take the call.

Settling into the chair in my study, I answer the call. "Am I disturbing you? Were you in the middle of something?" Sameer's voice carries that familiar teasing tone, instantly recognizable.

I roll my eyes, a smirk forming on my lips. "Yes, I was in the middle of something important, and I had to leave it thinking this was an urgent call," I reply, playing along. "But clearly, it wasn't, so I'm going to hang up and get back to what I was doing."

"Eww! Gross!" Sameer and Vishal exclaim in unison. "Hey, dipshit, I don't want to hear you doing stuff to my sister, got it?" Vishal's voice comes through the phone, sharp and protective.

I grin, knowing I've hit the mark. "So, why'd you call?" I ask, getting to the point.

There's a brief silence, followed by the faint sound of rustling papers on the other end. A knot of unease tightens in my chest as I wait for them to speak.

Finally, Sameer's voice breaks the silence, his tone more serious. "The police called... They said her brakes failed, and she hit a tree. The car caught fire, but... that's not what killed her."
"I know that," I reply, and the silence stretches between us.