The backstage area was buzzing with activity, crew members rushing to and fro, setting up for the next performance.
The energy from Abhir's electrifying act still hung in the air, but Charu was too distracted to revel in it.
She was lost in thought, trying to figure out how to approach him-how to say what had been weighing on her mind since their conversation about the case.
A sudden creaking noise made her freeze.
Above her, a large brass lamp, loosened from its fixture, wobbled dangerously.
Before she could react, a strong grip yanked her backward, pulling her into solid warmth just as the heavy lamp crashed onto the spot where she had stood moments ago.
Her breath stilled. The world around her blurred.
The familiar scent of musk and sandalwood enveloped her.
She felt him before she saw him.
Abhir.
Her heart pounded wildly as she tilted her head up.
His arms wrapped around her, holding her close, his grip firm yet protectiveâÂÂalmost as if he wasnâÂÂt ready to let go.
She could feel the tension in his muscles, the way his breathing was uneven, like the moment had shaken him more than he cared to admit.
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she tilted her head up.
His face was inches away, his sharp jaw clenched, his brows furrowed with a deep concern that made something inside her tremble.
For a moment, neither of them moved. Neither of them spoke.
The chaotic world around them ceased to existâÂÂthe noise, the crowd, the commotion. It was just them, locked in an unspoken moment neither had prepared for.
It was just them, his arms still wrapped around her, his grip protective, almost possessive.
Abhir exhaled sharply, his hold on her tightening before he pulled back just enough to look at her properly.
His dark eyes bore into hers, searching, assessing.
"Tum theek ho?" His voice was low, rough with concern.
Charu swallowed, her body still molded to his, her pulse skittering wildly.
She felt the warmth of his palm splayed protectively on her back, the unyielding strength in his embrace.
She should step away.
She should say something.
But she couldnâÂÂt.
Because, in that moment, she realizedâÂÂhe wasnâÂÂt just holding her. He was holding on to her.
Her lips parted, voice barely above a whisper.
"Haan..." she managed, though she wasnâÂÂt entirely sure if she was telling the truth.
But then, as she shifted slightly, a sharp pain shot up her ankle. She winced.
Abhir noticed instantly. "Great. Tumhari stupidity had to come with an injury," he muttered, crouching down to check her foot.
Before she could protest, he scooped her up effortlessly.
"Abhir! Main-"
"Chup," he cut her off, walking towards his vanity as if she weighed nothing. "Tum ab apni nautanki band rakho aur mujhe kaam karne do."
Charu gave up struggling, not trusting her ankle or her rapidly thudding heart.
People stared as he walked, but Abhir ignored them completely, making his way to his vanity van.
Inside, he placed her down on the couch with surprising gentleness before grabbing a first aid kit.
Charu sat there, still too stunned to react.
He was scolding her, yes, but his hands worked carefully as he checked her sprained ankle.
She watched him, fascinated.
His fingers were skilled, careful, as he applied ointment and wrapped a bandage around her foot. His jaw was clenched, his focus absolute.
She had never seen him like this before.
Then, without looking up, he asked, "Tumhe mujhe kuch kehna hai?"
Charu stiffened.
She did want to say something.
About the way her heart had skipped a beat when he pulled her close.
About the way his concern made her feel oddly... safe. But instead, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"S...sorry."
His frown deepened. "Kis baat ke liye?"
Realizing how weird that sounded, she quickly recovered. "Woh... you were right about the case. It was exaggerated."
For a moment, he just stared at her. Then, he let out a slow breath. "So now you trust me?"
She nodded, looking away, embarrassed.
Abhir studied her for a moment before asking, "Toh ab aage kya karna hai?"
Charu straightened. "Dekho, isme meri koi galti nahi thi... maine yeh case-"
"I know your dad was behind this," Abhir interrupted smoothly.
Charu gaped at him. "Tumhe kaise-?"
Abhir smirked. "Itni planning plotting tumhare pea-sized brain ki bas ki baat nahi hai Bansal"
Charu scoffed, offended. "Tum ek number ke batameez ho!"
"Thanks for the compliment. Kuch naya bolo." He shrugged nonchalantly.
She took a deep breath, choosing to ignore him. "Abhir, if you want to sue us, go ahead. But isme family bhi involve hogi, and everything will get complicated. I'll convince Mishra ji to settle. Can you trust me on this, please?"
Abhir blinked, watching her intently. After a moment, he gave a slow nod.
Charu let out a relieved breath. "Just give me some time. I'll figure this out."
Abhir suddenly stood up and walked to a cabinet.
He pulled out a folded paper and handed it to her.
"What is this?" she asked, taking it hesitantly.
"Read it," he said simply.
As her eyes skimmed the contents, she looked up in shock. "You're willing to do the next two shows for them entirely free of cost?"
Abhir nodded, his expression unreadable. "If it makes things easier, put this forward. Mishra won't be able to refuse-his ROI would be tenfold."
Charu stared at him, stunned.
She hadn't expected this-hadn't expected him to be this... reasonable.
For the first time, she didn't have a snarky comeback.
Instead, she nodded, looking at him with something close to admiration.
---------------------------------
Kiara scrolled through her endless collection of Abhir pictures like a lovesick teenager, Charu sat on the other side of the bed, aggressively pretending to read a book-because if she acknowledged this nonsense, she might actually lose brain cells.
"Di, dekho na," Kiara sighed dreamily. "How can someone be so... perfect?"
Charu didn't even glance up. "Haan, bilkul. Mahadev ne apni personal blessings se banake bhej di hai yeh duniya sudharne."
Kiara gasped dramatically. "Oh my God, tu aap bhi maan rahi hai ki Abhir ek divine blessing hai?"
Charu's fingers twitched around her book.
"Nahi. Main sirf yeh maan rahi hoon ki tujhe urgently ek doctor dikhane ki zaroorat hai you have become blind"
Kiara chuckled and said " Offc! You know naa pyaar andha hota hai ..."
"Pyaar andha hota hai, par tu toh full HD mein bhi bewakoofi kar rahi hai." Charu spatted.
Kiara giggled, completely unbothered, while Charu tried to focus on her book.
Except... the words kept blurring.
Because somewhere at the back of her mind, a pair of sharp, unreadable dark eyes refused to leave her alone.
And that was infinitely more annoying than Kiara's nonstop fangirling.