The banquet hall glittered with golden chandeliers, their light bouncing off crystal glasses and shimmering gowns. Laughter and upbeat music mingled in the air, creating a surreal atmosphere.
" Cheyyaa , faster ! We're going to be late!" she squealed, her Elsa-themed dress sparkling under the soft glow of the banquet hall lights.
"Relax, Vidhi," I said with a soft laugh, clutching her gift bag in one hand. My own heels clicked against the marble floor as we approached the grand entrance.
Before we could step inside, a tall security guard stopped us.
"Invitation card, ma'am," he said firmly.
I fished it out of my purse and showed it to him.He checked it, then gave me a single silver mask.
"It's a masquerade theme tonight. You'll need this," he added.
I took it silently, tied it carefully over my face, and stepped inside with Vidhi.
"Go, have fun," I whispered with a smile.
She bolted toward the kids' section, her laughter ringing like a melody, leaving me standing alone amidst a sea of strangers.
I sat at a nearby table, keeping her in sight. My gaze wandered over the grandeur of the hall, the velvet drapes, and the ornate decorations.
Yet, underneath the glamor, a strange unease curled in my chest.
Something about this place felt… familiar.
Why does it feel like I've been here before?
The sensation was maddening, like a word at the tip of my tongue that I couldn't quite say.
"Shreya?"
The voice jolted me.
I turned sharply.
A woman stood there in a dark blue shimmering gown, her open hair framing her fair face, glowing under the warm lights.
Her eyes widened in surprise as they met mine.
"How come you're here?" she asked, her voice carrying genuine shock.
"Are you here with… Kabir?"
I froze. She knew my name—even with my mask on.
But her face stirred no memory in me.
Who is she? How does she know me? And Kabir?
Swallowing my confusion, I forced a neutral expression.
"You've got the wrong person," I said coolly, then turned and walked away, feeling her confused gaze burn into my back.
My thoughts spiraled. She knew me. I could see it in her eyes. Then why don't I remember her? And who the hell is Kabir?
Seeking escape from the growing noise and tension, I slipped into the restroom. The soft thrum of music dulled here, giving me a brief reprieve.
But soon, three women barged in, chattering animatedly, completely ignoring me.
"Have you seen Kabir tonight?" one gushed, her voice thick with desire.
"God, he's so hot. I think I'm in love!"
"Shhh!" another hissed, glancing around nervously.
"What if someone hears you? You know how possessive Aradhya is about him."
The third smirked darkly.
"Don't you remember what she did to his ex-girlfriend?"
Their laughter turned sharp and cruel as they left.
I stood frozen, processing their words.
A possessive girlfriend, a mysterious Kabir , people calling my name even though I don't know them , and kept asking about KABIRRR … seriously, this feels like some over-the-top drama. Can this even happen in real life? ARGGGHHHHH !!!!
I stepped back into the hall, scanning for Vidhi.
Suddenly, a hand clamped around mine and yanked me backward.
"Wha—!" My protest was cut off as I stumbled into a hard chest.
One of his hands held mine in a vice-like grip, while the other slid possessively around my waist.
My breath caught as I tilted my head up.
Even with his mask, the man radiated dominance, his presence so powerful it seemed to command the air itself.
His voice was a deep, silky whisper that sent a cold shiver down my spine.
"If you missed me, you could've called," he murmured against my ear.
"Why did you follow me here, Shreya?"
My shock turned to blinding rage.
I shoved him back with all my strength, my voice trembling but fierce.
"Wow. A phone call. I should've thought of that."
I spat the words like venom.
"Of course, that would imply I know you, have your number, or even care enough about your pathetic existence to follow you.
Newsflash—I am none of those things!"
The entire hall fell silent.
Every single eye turned toward me.
Their stares weren't just curious—they were hostile, as though I had committed some unspeakable sin.
The man's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"Drop the act," he said softly, almost mockingly.
"And come with me. Unless you want to create a bigger scene."
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" I snapped and turned to leave.
But in an instant, his arm coiled around my waist.
Before I could scream, he swept me off my feet, carrying me bridal-style through a side door.
"LET ME GO!" I thrashed wildly, hitting his chest, kicking, clawing—but his grip was unyielding.
My helplessness only fueled my fury and terror.
He finally set me down in the isolated fire exit.
I stumbled back, gasping for breath, then exploded.
I slapped him, the sound echoing in the empty stairwell.
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!"
My voice cracked, echoing through the cold stairwell.
"How DARE you touch me like this!"
Before I could step back, he pinned me to the wall, his face inches from mine.
"No, Shreya," he growled, his voice laced with dark fury.
"How dare YOU."
The sheer venom in his tone froze me in place.
My throat went dry. Fear prickled down my spine.
My lips parted to scream.
BANG !
The door crashed open.
"SHREYA!"
That voice. Familiar, commanding.
I froze.
Standing there was Vihaan.
His dark eyes locked on me and then on the man holding me , burning with a mix of fury and… something else. Something I couldn't name.
His presence filled the narrow space like a storm about to break.
Without hesitation, I shoved the masked man away and ran into Vihaan's arms.
He caught me instantly, his grip protective, his chest solid and warm against my cheek. For the first time, I felt truly safe.
Vihaan removed his overshirt and draped it over my trembling frame. His voice was calm, but his eyes… oh god, his eyes burned with a fury I'd never seen before.
For the first time, his carefully controlled face cracked, showing raw concern.
The masked man smirked, as if unbothered.
He glared at the man, a look so deadly it could slice steel. The masked stranger faltered, his bravado flickering.
"Vidhi!" Vihaan's shout rang through the hall, sharp and commanding. Within moments, she came running, confused and scared.
"Stay close to me," he ordered, guiding us both out.
Once we were outside, he opened the car door with icy calm.
"Shreya, sit inside. Wait for me."he said softly but with no room for argument.
My legs wobbled, but I obeyed, sliding into the seat.
From inside the car, I saw him step away, phone in hand.
His voice was an explosion of rage as soon as the call connected.
"HOW THE FUCK DID THIS HAPPEN—AGAIN?!"
His roar cut through the night like a thunderclap.
He paced like a caged predator, chest heaving.
The person on the other end must have stammered excuses, because Vihaan's tone suddenly dropped—cold and terrifyingly calm.When he spoke again, his voice was quieter, but infinitely more terrifying.
"Don't give me excuses. I don't care how it happened. I care that it happened at all. He laid a hand on what's mine."
My heart stuttered. Mine?
Vihaan's voice dropped lower, vibrating with a promise of destruction.
"He dared to whisper to her, to fill her head with his pathetic lies, to think he could claim a second of her time without my permission."
His voice turned into a guttural growl.
"AGAIN."
Through the windshield, his eyes met mine.
The rage in them softened briefly—only to turn into something far more dangerous.
Possession.
"You speak of burning his house? His business?"
He let out a humorless laugh.
"You underestimate me.
I want him to watch as everything he's ever built collapses, piece by piece.
I want him to beg for mercy while knowing it will never come.
And when his world lies in ashes…"
His lips curved into a deadly smile.
"…I will stand over him and remind him of the single greatest mistake of his miserable life."
He ended the call with a violent click.
When he returned to the car, the storm in his eyes hadn't lessened.
He slid into the driver's seat, his voice soft but final.
"No one will ever hurt you again, Shreya," he vowed.
"I swear it."
The drive home was suffocatingly silent.
Once there, he dropped Vidhi inside and returned almost immediately, his jaw set tight.
I said nothing as we drove aimlessly, his anger simmering beside me like a living thing.
Finally, he pulled into a deserted stretch of highway and stopped abruptly.
He turned to me.
That single, unreadable look shattered the fragile dam I'd built inside myself.
My tears burst free.
I crumpled into sobs, shaking uncontrollably.
Vihaan's arms were around me instantly, his embrace fierce and grounding.
I buried my face in his chest, crying so hard I could barely breathe.
His t-shirt grew damp with my tears, but he didn't let go.
When I tried to pull away in embarrassment, he held me tighter.
His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, his voice trembling—not with anger, but with a desperate need to comfort.
"It's okay," he murmured.
"You're safe now. With me.
You can cry as much as you need to. And I promise…"
His arms locked around me like an unbreakable shield.
"There will never be another reason for you to cry over that man again."
I clung to him, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear, his vow etching itself into my soul like fire and ice.
For the first time, amidst the wreckage of fear and confusion, I let myself believe him.