I held my head in pain, my fingers touching the cut I hadn't even noticed before. Blood had started to form slowly.
Kabir's anger might have been justified... but the way he acted in that moment... it hurted me too.
And suddenly, everything felt heavy.
I have no one here... everyone is either cruel or complicated...
I then hid the cut on my head with hairs and wrapped dupatta around my wrist in order to hide glass cut !
I wiped my tears and slowly walked toward Amma.
But when I entered, Kabir was already there.
My steps froze for a second.
Fear hit me instantly.
Still, I gathered myself and went inside.
Amma saw me and immediately called me closer. I walked toward her and gently held her hand.
"Are you okay?" I asked softly. "Are you fine?"
Amma nodded. "Now that you are here... I'm fine."
The moment she said that, something inside me broke.
I couldn't hold it anymore.
Tears started falling uncontrollably.
"I didn't know..." I cried. "I didn't know Ramesh did that to you... he said you were with Navya madam... I didn't hurt you intentionally... please believe me..."
My voice kept breaking.
"In this whole place... you are the only one who has shown me kindness in such a short time..."
Amma looked at me with soft eyes.
"I trust you completely," she said gently.
And then she pulled me into a hug.
That was it.
I broke down completely in her arms.
For the first time, I felt a little warmth in this cold world.
But when I lifted my eyes slightly...
Kabir was still standing there.
Watching.
And I quickly looked away.
I didn't want to see him.
I was scared of him... more than I wanted to admit.
Amma gently fixed my hair when she noticed the cut on my head.
Her expression changed immediately.
"Ye kaise hua?" she asked.
I wiped my tears and said softly, "Kadir se bchne k chkkr me patthar pr gir gyii"
She frowned. "It's a deep cut. Doctor ko dikha dena chahiye."
At that moment, Kabir's eyes also shifted toward my injury.
"I'll call the doctor right now," he said immediately.
But I snapped back, "No. I don't need it."
My voice carried anger I didn't fully understand.
Kabir went silent.
Amma stepped in gently. "Beta, zid mat karo..."
"I'll manage it, Amma," I insisted. "You have eaten, right?"
She nodded. "Yes."
I forced a small smile, then helped Amma take her medicine.
After that, I said quietly, "I'll sleep with you tonight. If you need anything, I'll be there."
Amma smiled softly.
"I'll just get my pillow and blanket," I added.
And I walked out of the room.
But I could still feel Kabir's eyes on my back... silent, unreadable.
I returned to my room, and the moment the door closed behind me, everything I had been holding back finally broke.
Tears came without permission.
I quickly pulled out the first aid box and removed my dupatta. My hands trembled as I looked at the cuts on my arm-deep, stinging, reminding me of everything that had happened.
I poured dettol over it.
The moment it touched my skin, a sharp pain shot through me.
"Ahh..." I hissed, biting my lip as tears slipped down again.
I paused, trying to breathe through the pain.
That's when I heard a voice.
"I'll do it."
I looked up.
Kabir was standing at the door.
My expression hardened instantly.
"No. It's fine," I said quickly, turning away.
But he stepped closer. "I said I'll do it."
Something inside me snapped.
I stood up abruptly. "What do you think you are??? Yeah i understood why you brought me here !!! And I'm thankful that you saved me from my family and kadir!
But I'm sorry KABIR RATHORE!!! Just because you helped me,it doesn't mean I'll let you disrespect me...
Your anger was valid but It doesn't give you the authority to hurt me like this ! I'm done with all this ;
Why the hell my parents left me here alone to deal with this !??? I'm tired! I'm really very tired!
Tears started rolling down from my eyes !
Kabir was standing,still looking straightly into my eyes , pure guilt was on his face but I think he was so ashamed of himself or what !?? He didn't say anything !
I steadied my breath and wiped my tears, forcing my voice to stay calm.
"Do you really think I would ever hurt Amma?" I asked, looking straight at Kabir.
"Seriously?"
Kabir exhaled, his tone softer now. "I was angry... everything happened so fast. I'm sorry."
I let out a small, bitter laugh. "It's okay... your fragile male ego, right?"
He looked at me, slightly taken aback.
"And yes," I continued, "you did help me. But that doesn't mean you get to control everything and keep me in the dark."
You could have told me everything! I kept on asking but you didn't bother to speak about the truth !
I took a step back.
"And don't worry. You don't even have to throw me out. I'll leave myself once Amma gets better."
The room went still.
Kabir stepped forward slightly. "Aaira... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I swear, it won't happen again."
For a moment, his voice sounded genuinely strained.
But I didn't look convinced.
I shook my head slowly. "Yeah. It won't happen again... because I won't be here anymore."
Silence fell heavily between us.
Kabir didn't interrupt this time.
He just stood there, watching me like he wanted to say something-but couldn't find the right words.
As I took a step forward, dizziness hit me suddenly. My vision blurred, and I almost lost balance-
But Kabir caught my hand instantly.
"You're exhausted," he said, his voice softer now. "Just rest... you can be angry later. For now, let me apply the medicine."
I pulled my hand back slightly. "I don't need your care. Don't you get it? I'm the liar here, right? Just leave my hand."
Kabir's grip tightened just a little.
"You talk too much," he said, a hint of firmness returning. "Seriously, too much. I'm telling you, let me do it. It'll get infected."
"No," I snapped. "I don't want it. Not from you."
I tried to free my hand again.
Kabir exhaled sharply. "Fine. I admit it was my fault. I've already said sorry.
If you're still angry, stay angry later... but right now, stop being stubborn."
I crossed my arms. "Oh really? And what if I don't listen? What will you do-blackmail me?"
A faint smirk appeared on his face. "If you don't let me treat it... I'll go sleep with Amma tonight."
I froze for a second. "Don't even think about it. I'm the one staying with her."
He stepped a little closer, lowering his voice slightly. "This is my haveli, Aaira. If I want to stay there, I will."
Then, with a teasing edge, he added, "Or better... you stay there too. Spend the whole night staring at my face."
I immediately looked away, annoyed. "Never."
Kabir's voice softened.
"Let me do it... please."
There was something different this time-no authority, no anger... just quiet care.
I didn't refuse.
Silently, I sat down on the bed.
He came closer and gently held my wrist. The moment his eyes fell on the cuts, something shifted in his expression-pain, guilt... it was all there.
Without saying anything, he started cleaning the wounds slowly.
Very carefully.
Every touch was light, almost like he was afraid of hurting me again.
It still stung, and I flinched slightly, but he slowed down even more, being extra gentle.
I found myself just... watching him.
Because of him, I was safe today.
And even after everything-my anger, my words-he was still here, taking care of me.
But I knew one thing now...
I shouldn't stay.
Because of me, his problems would only grow. Kadir was already after him... and I didn't want to become another reason.
I looked away, lost in my thoughts.
Kabir broke the silence.
"I'm sorry, Aaira..."
His voice was low, heavy.
"I didn't even realize when I hurt you. I would never do that intentionally."
He paused for a moment, then continued,
"Amma raised me with a lot of care... maybe that's why I panicked. I got scared."
His hands didn't stop working.
"I know Kadir must have told you everything... or at least enough."
A faint sigh escaped him.
"I didn't tell you anything because you're... innocent. You don't understand how all this works. I thought I'd fix everything first... then tell you."
He shook his head slightly.
"But you didn't wait. You're too stubborn."
There was no anger in his voice this time-just quiet acceptance.
"Maybe... I should've told you earlier."
Then his gaze shifted upward.
To my forehead.
His expression changed instantly.
"This... how did this happen?"
"I-It just happened..." I said softly, avoiding his eyes.
Kabir didn't argue this time.
He stepped closer.
Gently, he moved my hair aside and started cleaning the cut on my forehead. The moment the antiseptic touched the wound, I flinched sharply.
"Hh-" a small gasp escaped me.
"Easy..." he murmured, immediately blowing lightly over it to ease the sting.
We were... too close.
Closer than we had ever been.
His face just inches away, his hand steady on my forehead-
And for a moment, everything else faded.
His eyes lifted... meeting mine.
We both froze.
Something unspoken passed between us.
Then, as if realizing it, he quickly shifted his gaze back to the wound and finished applying the medicine.
The moment broke.
He called a worker and asked for food.
I ate quietly.
He handed me the medicine himself, making sure I took it.
Then after a pause, he spoke-
"Aaira..."
I looked at him.
"How do I fix this?" he asked quietly. "Tell me what I should do... I'll do it."
I didn't hesitate.
"I want to leave." i said firmly
His expression hardened instantly. "It's not safe."
"Then I'll go to Kadir," I said, almost challenging him.
Kabir's reaction was immediate.
"Have you lost your mind?" his voice rose.
"Never."
"Why not?" I shot back.
"He's dangerous," Kabir said sharply. "He'll hurt you."
But if I won't go , he'll cause you trouble and I can't take this ! I don't want to hurt you anymore please ! I have to go anyhow !
Before I could move, he stepped forward and held my face between his hands, forcing me to look at him.
"Tum bacchi ho..." he said, his voice intense but not harsh. "Listen to me."
His grip wasn't rough... but firm.
"As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you. And nothing will happen to me either."
His eyes locked onto mine.
"Samjhi?"
I stayed silent.
"You're not going anywhere," he added, his tone final. "And don't ever say that again."
Tears started building up again, and before I could stop myself, I stepped forward and hugged Kabir tightly.
I broke down.
He held me just as firmly, one hand around me, the other gently on my head.
"Shhh... relax," he murmured softly. "I'm here. Nothing will happen to you... okay?"
His voice was calm... reassuring.
Slowly, my breathing steadied.
After a moment, he pulled back slightly and said, "Go rest now. Stay with Amma. If you need anything, I'm right here."
I nodded quietly. "Hmm..."
I turned to leave, but then paused.
Without looking directly at him, I said, "I'm still a little angry... for being extremely rude to me."
Kabir let out a small breath, almost like he expected that.
"Achha..." he said lightly. "Then tell me-what do I have to do to fix it ma'am?"
I crossed my arms slightly, pretending to think. "I'll decide... and tell you."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Fair enough."
And without saying anything else, I walked toward Amma's room.
*******************************************
AUTHOR
Hope you like this chapter! Please stay tuned...