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Saanvi

The city faded behind drawn curtains. After work, exhaustion hung from her like a heavy overcoat—shoulders slumped, voice barely above a whisper as she answered her mother's questions about dinner. Dal, rice, a few words about a new student at the school. Her mother tried to ask about her mood, but Saanvi deflected, hiding behind a tired smile. The two women watched TV together, laughter muted, both circling around their pain.

Later, in her tiny room, Saanvi changed into soft cotton pyjamas, patting moisturizer on her skin more out of habit than care. She slipped beneath her quilt, the engraved pen on her nightstand, lavender still lingering from that mysterious stalker. She didn't remember falling asleep; only that her last thought was a restless, stubborn wish—Let it just be a dream. Please.

Somewhere Past Midnight

On the balcony, beneath the ghost-light of the half-moon, stood a shadow. His hands were bare, strong, silent at his sides. Devraj Rathore. Suit jacket discarded for black silk; his features half-lit, half-lost. He opened the balcony door with slow, practiced precision. The lock—a joke. He entered her room, carrying no light, making no sound.

He stood by her bed, letting his eyes trace the gentle line of her sleeping profile. Moonlight made her cheekbones glow like fragile glass. She shifted, a foot slipping from beneath the quilt—small, delicate, painted pale pink. Devraj stopped breathing. Chalo, Devraj… ab toh yeh bhi mera hai. He adjusted the quilt, but not before his fingers brushed her ankle… and he placed a soft kiss on her toes.

He lifted her hand, studying her fingers. Then he slid the ring onto her finger—antique, priceless—and it fit perfectly. Of course it did. He’d measured her. He kissed her hand, a vow breathed into her skin. “So jaa, meri jaan… ek din khud pehnegi yeh, mera naam lekar.”

He ran his fingers through her loose strands before leaving the way he came—silent, unseen.

Downstairs – The Black SUV

Devraj slid into the back seat. Aryan grinned. “Bhai, heroic entry thi. Ring gift karke aa gaye, haan?”

Arnav smirked. “Agar bhabhi jag jaati toh samajh jaate tum.”

Devraj stared out the window. “Jo cheez meri hai… use apna banana aata hai.”

Aryan rolled his eyes. “Shaadi ka card banwa do—groom scaled the balcony.”

Arnav chuckled. “Ek din aise casually bata doge… Saanvi ko khud yakin nahi hoga.”

Devraj’s lips twitched, but he said nothing.

Morning – Saanvi

She woke up uneasy, dream echoes lingering—hands, whispers, sandalwood. She rinsed her face, reached for the toothpaste… and froze.

A ring. Heavy. Royal. Impossible.

She yanked at it—it didn’t move.

She checked the balcony. Locks intact. Only a faint mark in the dust. Her imagination?

Her phone buzzed. Unknown number.

“Ring utarna mat.”

Her breath shattered. She staggered back, searching the room for a presence she could feel but not see.

Later That Morning

At the dining table, her mother talked about groceries while Saanvi hid her hand under the napkin. The ring felt like a secret carved into her skin.

She reread the message again and again: Ring utarna mat. She should report it. She should scream. She didn’t.

Terror mixed with a forbidden pull—fear tangled with longing.

And somewhere in the city’s heart, a man whispered,

“Utari toh kya fayda? Wo ab tere andar hai, meri jaan. Main har din yeh yaad dilata

rahunga.”

To Be Continued ✨

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