The moment he read those words—
"She's next."
Something inside Aarav snapped.
Not loudly.
Not visibly.
But completely.
"Meher," he said—
low.
Cold.
"We're leaving."
She didn't argue.
Didn't question.
Because his tone—
was enough.
His grip on her hand tightened—
and within seconds—
they were moving.
Fast.
Too fast.
"Aarav what's happening?" she asked—
trying to keep up.
"Don't look back."
"What—"
"Just run."
That word—
sent a chill through her.
They turned into a narrow street.
Dark.
Almost empty.
Aarav's eyes scanned everything.
Every corner.
Every shadow.
His mind racing.
Calculating.
Because this wasn't random.
This was planned.
"Car yahan nahi hai," Meher said.
"I know."
He pulled her toward another lane—
shorter.
Faster.
Behind them—
footsteps.
Faint.
But real.
Meher's breath hitched.
"Aarav…"
"I heard."
His pace increased.
Almost dragging her now—
but careful.
Always careful.
"Can we stop—" she said—
"No."
Another turn.
Another street.
But this time—
two figures appeared ahead.
Blocking the path.
Aarav stopped instantly.
Pulling Meher behind him.
"Stay behind me," he said.
Firm.
Her fingers clutched his shirt—
tight.
The men didn't speak.
Just moved forward.
Slow.
Dangerous.
Aarav's jaw clenched.
"Galat jagah aa gaye ho," he said coldly.
(You've come to the wrong place.)
No response.
Just one step closer.
That was enough.
Aarav moved.
Fast.
Precise.
Within seconds—
he pushed one man aside—
hard—
creating an opening.
"RUN!" he shouted.
Meher didn't hesitate.
She ran.
Aarav followed—
right behind her—
making sure no one got close.
The street opened ahead—
main road.
Lights.
People.
"Bas thoda aur," he said.
(Just a little more.)
But just as they reached—
a car screeched nearby.
Too close.
Too sudden.
Aarav's instincts kicked in.
He pulled Meher back instantly—
shielding her.
The car door opened.
Another man stepped out.
Clapping slowly.
"Impressive," he said.
Aarav's expression turned deadly.
"Tum…" he muttered.
The man smiled.
"Miss kiya mujhe?"
(Did you miss me?)
Meher looked between them—
confused—
terrified.
"Aarav… who is he?"
But Aarav didn't answer.
Because now—
this wasn't just escape.
This was war.
He stepped slightly ahead—
pulling Meher closer behind him.
"Game shuru kar diya tumne," Aarav said quietly.
(You've started the game.)
The man smirked.
"Nahi…"
He tilted his head—
looking at Meher.
"Game toh ab start hoga."
(The game starts now.)
Silence.
Heavy.
Deadly.
Aarav's grip tightened.
His voice dropped—
dangerously calm.
"Usse touch kiya toh…"
(If you touch her…)
A pause.
"…iss baar koi nahi bachega."
(This time no one will survive.)
The man laughed.
"Let's see."
And just like that—
he got back into the car.
The engine roared—
and within seconds—
they were gone.
Leaving behind—
silence.
And a storm waiting to happen.
Meher's hands were shaking.
Her breath uneven.
"Aarav…" she whispered.
He turned to her instantly—
holding her face gently.
"I'm here."
But his eyes—
weren't calm.
They were dark.
Focused.
Because now—
this wasn't about protection anymore.
This was personal.The road was finally quiet.
Too quiet.
The car had disappeared.
But the danger?
Still there.
Lingering.
Meher stood close to Aarav—
her hands still trembling.
"Aarav…" she whispered,
"…who was he?"
Aarav didn't answer immediately.
His eyes were still scanning the road—
calculating—
thinking ahead.
"We're going home," he said finally.
"But—"
"Now."
His tone left no space for questions.
He held her hand firmly—
leading her toward the car.
This time—
not just protective.
Possessive.
Alert.
The drive back was silent.
Too silent.
Meher kept looking at him—
waiting.
But Aarav?
He didn't speak.
Not yet.
When they reached—
he didn't relax.
Didn't slow down.
He locked the door.
Checked the windows.
Called someone.
Short.
Sharp.
"Security double karo."
(Double the security.)
"Abhi."
He ended the call.
Meher stood there—
watching him.
"Ab bataoge?" she asked softly.
(Will you tell me now?)
Aarav finally looked at her.
And this time—
he didn't look away.
"Uska naam Kabir hai," he said.
The name felt heavy.
Dangerous.
"Kaun hai woh?" she asked.
(Who is he?)
Aarav exhaled slowly.
Then—
"Past."
She frowned.
"Clear bolo."
A pause.
Then—
"Woh mera partner tha."
(He was my partner.)
Silence.
Meher blinked.
"Tha?"
Aarav's jaw tightened.
"Haan."
"Ab nahi hai."
"Why?"
That question—
hung in the air.
Aarav's voice dropped.
Cold.
"Because usne trust break kiya."
(Because he broke trust.)
"How?"
Aarav looked away—
for a second.
Then back at her.
"Usne deal ke naam pe dhoka diya."
(He betrayed us in the name of a deal.)
"Log mare."
(People died.)
Meher's breath caught.
"Main usse khatam karne wala tha…" he continued,
(I was going to end him…)
"…par woh gayab ho gaya."
(But he disappeared.)
Silence.
Heavy.
"And now?" she asked.
Aarav's eyes darkened.
"Ab wapas aa gaya hai."
(Now he's back.)
"And he wants… me?" she whispered.
That question—
made Aarav step closer instantly.
"Nahi."
Then—
his voice lowered.
"Woh mujhe todna chahta hai."
(He wants to break me.)
A pause.
"…aur tum meri weakness ho."
(And you are my weakness.)
Her heart skipped.
Before she could respond—
her phone buzzed.
Both of them froze.
Aarav looked at the screen.
Unknown number.
"Don't pick," he said instantly.
But the phone buzzed again.
And again.
Meher hesitated—
then looked at him.
"Aarav…"
He took the phone from her hand.
Answered it himself.
"Kaun hai?" he said coldly.
(Who is this?)
Silence.
Then—
a familiar voice.
"Tumhari awaaz sunne ka mann tha."
(I felt like hearing your voice.)
Aarav's expression hardened instantly.
"Kabir."
Meher's heart dropped.
"Good," Kabir chuckled,
"pehchaan liya."
(You recognized me.)
A pause.
Then—
Kabir's tone changed.
"Meher kaisi hai?"
Aarav's grip on the phone tightened.
"Door raho usse," he said.
(Stay away from her.)
Kabir laughed softly.
"Already close hoon."
(I'm already close.)
That line—
sent a chill through the room.
Aarav's eyes snapped toward the window.
And Meher—
followed his gaze.
Across the street—
in the shadows—
a figure stood.
Still.
Watching.
Kabir.
Meher's breath stopped.
"Aarav…"
But before anything could happen—
Kabir raised his hand slightly.
And smiled.
Then—
he vanished into the darkness again.
The call disconnected.
Silence.
Dead silence.
Aarav didn't move.
Because now—
this wasn't a threat anymore.
It was real.
Too real.
He turned to Meher—
pulling her closer instantly.
"Ab tum akeli nahi rahogi," he said.
(You won't stay alone anymore.)
This time—
it wasn't a request.
It was a decision.The room felt suffocating.
Kabir was back.
Closer than ever.
And Meher—
was no longer just part of the story.
She was the target.
Aarav stood still for a moment—
then suddenly moved.
Fast.
Purposeful.
He picked up his phone—
dialed a number.
"Raghav," he said sharply,
"mujhe Kabir ki har movement chahiye."
(I want every movement of Kabir.)
"Abhi."
He cut the call.
Meher watched him—
silent.
But before she could speak—
his phone rang again.
Unknown number.
Aarav's eyes narrowed.
He answered.
"Bol."
(Speak.)
Silence.
Then—
a voice.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
"Aarav…"
He froze.
Completely.
Meher noticed instantly.
"Aarav… who is it?"
But he didn't respond.
Because that voice—
was from a past he had buried.
"Tumne mujhe itni jaldi bhool diya?"
(Did you forget me so quickly?)
His grip on the phone tightened.
"Anaya…" he said slowly.
Meher's heart skipped.
That name.
His ex.
A soft laugh came from the other side.
"Good," Anaya said,
"abhi bhi yaad hoon."
(So you still remember me.)
Aarav's expression darkened.
"Kabir ke saath ho tum?"
(Are you with Kabir?)
Silence.
Then—
"Always was."
That one line—
shattered everything.
Meher stepped back slightly.
"What?" Aarav's voice dropped.
"Surprise," Anaya said calmly.
"Deal yaad hai?"
(Remember the deal?)
Aarav's jaw clenched.
"Tum dono ne plan kiya tha…"
(You both planned it…)
Anaya didn't deny it.
"Tum predictable ho Aarav," she said.
"Control freak."
A pause.
Then—
"Bas ek cheez calculate nahi ki…"
(You didn't calculate one thing…)
Aarav's eyes hardened.
"Kya?"
"Tumhari weakness."
His gaze flicked toward Meher.
And Anaya—
laughed softly.
"Woh ladki…"
"Meher."
Meher's breath caught.
"Perfect choice," Anaya continued.
"Simple."
"Innocent."
"And now…"
A pause.
"…perfect target."
"Stay away from her," Aarav said.
His voice dangerously calm.
"Why?" Anaya asked mockingly.
"Tumne kab kisi ke liye rukna seekha?"
(When did you ever learn to stop for someone?)
Aarav didn't respond.
Because inside—
something was breaking.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Trust.
"Game shuru ho chuka hai," Anaya said.
(The game has started.)
"Let's see…"
"…tum kisko bachate ho."
(…who you manage to save.)
The call disconnected.
Silence filled the room again.
Meher stood there—
frozen.
"Aarav…" she whispered.
He didn't look at her immediately.
Because now—
everything was different.
Kabir was back.
But worse—
Anaya was with him.
His past.
His betrayal.
Together.
And Meher—
was caught in between.
Finally—
he turned toward her.
Walking closer.
This time—
his expression wasn't just protective.
It was dangerous.
"Ab yeh personal nahi raha," he said quietly.
(This is no longer just personal.)
A pause.
"Yeh war hai."
(This is war.)
Meher's heart pounded.
Because she could see it now.
The side of Aarav—
that didn't forgive.