❝The only kind of love I want is one where even if it is just for a short moment, it feels like I have lived a lifetime in that moment with that person. ❞ - Jhanvi Raichand.
**You CANNOT read this as standalone. Read Dare to Be before reading this...
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2.5 City of Ruins
"Tell me, everything." I hiss the order to Aarush after he had received treatment for his injuries.
"I was following her, keeping an eye on her as always. Everything was normal. Just... normal. She was walking out of the mall. Then I noticed the guy. I got busy fighting him off I didn't see the car. I'm sorry, I failed. I understand if you want to fire me."
While I remain silent, gazing at an unconscious Jhanvi on the hospital bed worrying about her and just wanting her to wake up, dad replies. "You didn't fail, Aarush. You weren't to know there would be multiple attacks at once. Yes, she's hurt, but she's alive. They both are. We owe it to you. Thank you."
Aarush nods accepting that but perhaps not having accepted it himself. I get the feeling he is the type of person who is always too hard on himself for things he may feel he failed at, but he does need to know. This wasn't his fault.
I voice out the silver lining while trying to convince myself at the same time, "Dinesh came over-prepared. We might have missed this time but we'll be ready for him the next time. He has shown us what he is capable of. That tells us what to expect.
Dad informs, "You both stay here. I'll go call the commissioner."
"Whoa, wait. What?" I stop him, looking away from Jhanvi, "You're going to involve the police?"
"Yes, Aarav. This is the first step to proof that Jhanvi's life is in danger. We might not be able to prove Dinesh is behind this but it's a start to ending that chapter once and for all."
I counter, "That's all good but what's the police going to do? They can't protect her any better than our security. They'll only get in the way."
Khushi smiles mysteriously, "Dinesh just has to think that she's under police protection to keep him from taking another attempt at her life. It'll buy us the time we need."
I glance between both of them, "You've already thought of everything, haven't you?"
Dad makes a good point, "When it comes to protecting our own children, do you even have to doubt?"
Khushi adds, "We've been preparing for this day for years, kid."
It was true. We have known all along that a war was coming. It was time to step into the battlefield and put our best food forward because from this point on, losing is not an option. Our enemies are prepared to play with lives. They did not care if they left behind a city of ruin in their wake. They just cared to get what they had their eyes set on without any remorse.
Those were not risks we were ever willing to allow. I was ready to compromise on having to play dirty tactics but not the criminal ones they were willing to. I could color outside the line but I would not erase the line altogether.
