REGRETS: An Unspoken Longings

SAVIOURS.

Suhani's point of view-:

It had been days since the trip ended, days since I had last seen Veer. I thought distancing myself would help, that the space between us would dull the ache, that time would soften the memories. I had been wrong. Each day since the trip had only brought back more memories, made his absence more profound. But I kept going, kept pushing through, pretending I had finally managed to let him go.

Until tonight.

I had been working late, finishing up a project at the library, losing track of time. By the time I checked the clock, it was well past ten. I gathered my things quickly and headed out, but the moment I stepped onto the dimly lit street, an uneasy feeling crept over me. The area was quieter than usual, the streetlights casting long, eerie shadows. I told myself it was nothing, just my nerves playing tricks. I could make it home. It was just a short walk, anyway.

But then I heard the footsteps.

At first, they were soft, like an echo, blending in with the distant hum of the city. But as I picked up my pace, the footsteps grew louder, quicker, matching my rhythm. A chill ran down my spine. I took a sharp turn down an alley, hoping to lose whoever was following me, but the footsteps didn’t stop. In fact, they grew closer.

“Just keep walking, Suhani,” I muttered under my breath, forcing myself to stay calm. My heartbeat was pounding in my ears, and I could feel the adrenaline surging through me. I reached into my bag for my phone, trying to call someone, anyone, but before I could dial, a rough hand grabbed my shoulder, spinning me around.

Fear gripped me as I looked up into the face of a stranger, his eyes cold, a twisted grin spreading across his face. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” he sneered, his voice laced with menace.

I stumbled back, trying to get away, but he tightened his grip, his fingers digging into my shoulder. Panic set in, my mind racing as I searched for a way out. “Let go of me!” I shouted, my voice trembling.

The stranger laughed, unfazed, and took a step closer. “Now, now, don’t be difficult. It’s just you and me here.”

Just as he reached out, something crashed behind us, a force of movement so sudden that it left me momentarily dazed. And then, in a blur, the man was yanked back, his grip on me breaking as he staggered. I blinked, my vision clearing, and there he was—Veer.

His face was hard, eyes blazing with fury as he glared at the man. “If you lay a hand on her again, you won’t be able to walk out of here,” Veer growled, his voice low and dangerous.

The man sneered, clearly not taking him seriously, and threw a punch. Veer dodged effortlessly, landing a hit that sent the man stumbling back, clutching his jaw. I watched, frozen, as Veer pushed forward, his movements precise and unyielding. The man tried to fight back, but Veer was relentless, every punch filled with a controlled rage I hadn’t seen before.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the stranger fell to the ground, defeated. He scrambled to his feet, shooting a hateful look in our direction before staggering off into the darkness. Veer watched until he was gone, his fists still clenched, his chest heaving.

When he finally turned to me, his face softened, concern replacing the anger. “Are you okay, Suhani?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, trying to find my voice. “I... I think so. Thank you, Veer.”

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out as if to touch me, but he hesitated, his gaze searching mine. “What were you doing out here alone? It’s not safe.”

I laughed weakly, trying to steady myself. “I was just... working late. I didn’t think—”

“You shouldn’t be walking alone at this hour,” he interrupted, his tone gentle yet firm. “Anything could’ve happened.”