Silent Vows

Chapter 23

Karan stormed out of the hospital, leaving his friends calling after him in confusion. He didn’t care. Rage and frustration bubbled inside him, making every step feel like it was on fire. He could barely process the fact that Meera—the cold, distant girl who kept him at arm’s length—had saved his life, holding that secret close all this time. The way she’d hidden the truth drove him mad. He’d never been so furious in his life, and right now, he felt as if he was on the verge of snapping.

As he made his way across campus, he scanned the grounds, seeking out that familiar face. He caught sight of her, finally, sitting beneath a tree with Arav, that serene, unbothered expression on her face as she laughed softly at something Arav was saying. That look of calm, that quiet smile—it made his anger surge. Without thinking, he crossed the distance between them in a few long strides.

When he reached them, he didn’t say a word. He reached down, grabbed her wrist, and started pulling her up and away. Meera’s calm expression broke into a flicker of surprise as she stumbled up, struggling to keep pace with him.

“Karan, what—?” Arav started to get up, concern in his voice, but Karan glared back at him.

“This is between me and her,” he growled. "Stay out of it.”

“Karan, let her go!” Arav’s voice was sharper this time, but Meera shook her head slightly at him, giving him a look of quiet reassurance.

“It’s okay, Arav. I’ll handle it.” Her voice was as calm as ever.

Karan didn’t stop. He dragged her across the campus toward a quieter area, fury barely contained as he tightened his grip on her wrist. She was calm as she walked along with him, her footsteps steady, almost like she was walking herself.

Once they were out of sight from others, he released her with a shove, barely able to keep his emotions in check.

“Are you...are you angry about the project?” she asked softly, straightening herself and looking up at him, her expression still serene.

He scoffed, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. “Forget the damn project, Meera!”

He took out his phone, opening the picture and holding it up right in front of her. “This! This is what I’m talking about. Care to explain?” His voice was cold, words sharp as he thrust the phone closer to her face.

Meera blinked, her gaze settling on the image for a moment. But she remained...unfazed, utterly indifferent, her calm demeanor only fueling Karan’s anger further.

“I didn’t think it mattered,” she replied softly, glancing back up at him with a quiet, composed gaze.

“You didn’t...think it mattered?” His voice was a strained whisper, almost disbelieving. “You didn’t think saving my life was something worth mentioning?”

She looked away, almost as if his frustration was lost on her. “You were hurt. I was there. I helped you. That’s all.”

“That’s all?” he repeated, his voice rising. “Why? Why did you hide it?”

Her eyes finally met his, still calm, yet serious. “What does it matter, Karan? You’re alive, you’re well. That’s what counts.”

He felt his blood boil. “You kept this from me for months, Meera! And you’re acting like it’s no big deal?”

Meera took a steady breath, her gaze never faltering. “I don’t know what you’re expecting from me. I did what anyone would’ve done in that moment. I didn’t save you for gratitude or acknowledgment. I didn’t save you because I wanted anything in return. I just…did what I thought was right.”