8

Author's pov

Roohi walked into the house where she was staying for the time being. The place was quiet, just like always, but she felt nervous as she moved through the hallways. Her steps were steady, but her heart was racing. She knew exactly where she was going.

She stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway. To anyone else, this was just a storage room. That's what she had told Vihaan when he had asked about it. But that wasn't true. There was something much more important behind this door.

Roohi glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was around. The house was empty, just as she expected, but she still felt the need to check. Once she was sure she was alone, she reached out and slid her hand over the wall next to the door. A small panel moved aside, revealing a keypad. She quickly typed in a secret code.

The keypad made a soft beep, and the door unlocked. Roohi pushed it open and stepped inside, closing it behind her quietly.

The moment the door shut, lights turned on automatically. The room wasn't a storage room at all. It was a hidden tunnel. Right in the middle of the room, a black car was waiting. It looked shiny and the driver stood next to it, waiting patiently for her.

Roohi walked toward the car without saying a word. The driver nodded politely and opened the back door for her. She got in and sat down, the leather seats soft and cool against her skin. The driver closed the door behind her, got into the front seat, and started the engine.

The car began to move smoothly through the tunnel. The space was quiet except for the soft sound of the engine. Roohi looked out of the window, but there wasn't much to see, just dim lights running along the walls of the tunnel.

She leaned back in her seat, trying to stay calm, but her mind was racing. She thought about where she was going and about the man she was about to see. Her hands rested in her lap, but her fingers fidgeted slightly.

After a few minutes, the car slowed down. The driver stopped the car and stepped out to open the door for her. Roohi got out, smoothing her coat as she stood up. In front of her was an elevator, its doors gleaming in the dim light.

She walked toward it and pressed the button. The doors slid open, and she stepped inside. As the elevator started to move, she glanced at her reflection in the shiny walls. She looked calm on the outside, but inside, her heart was beating so fast she thought it might burst.

When the elevator stopped, the doors opened, and Roohi stepped out into a hallway. It was beautiful and quiet. The floor was polished, the walls had elegant patterns, and the soft lighting gave everything a warm glow. Her footsteps echoed softly as she walked down the long hallway.

At the very end was a door. It was slightly open, and she could see a bit of light coming from inside. Roohi felt her breath catch in her throat. She walked closer, her steps slower now.

When she reached the door, she pushed it open and stepped inside.

And there he was.

Her husband.

Kabir Malhotra.

He was standing near a large window, his back turned to her. The golden light of the setting sun filled the room, casting a warm glow over him. His shoulders were relaxed, and his hands were in his pockets.

Roohi stopped and stared at him, her heart feeling full just from the sight of him. For a moment, she forgot everything else. All the secrets, all the risks they didn't matter right now.

This was her Kabir. The man she had risked everything for.

Kabir put his gun back on the table. His movements were calm but firm, as if he had done this a hundred times before. He turned toward Roohi, ready to say something, but he didn't get the chance.

Without wasting a second, Roohi ran toward him. Her steps were fast, almost frantic, and before he could react, she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

Kabir barely had time to steady himself before she jumped into his arms, holding him with all the strength she had. The sudden weight made him lose his balance, and they both fell to the ground together.

They landed in a heap on the floor, but neither of them seemed to care. Roohi's arms stayed locked around his neck, and Kabir's arms instinctively wrapped around her, holding her close. Neither of them made any move to let go, as if the world outside didn't exist anymore.

As they lay there, Kabir leaned his head down and kissed her forehead gently. His lips lingered there for a moment, soft and full of emotion, as if trying to tell her everything he felt without speaking.

Then, he tilted her face up toward his and kissed her lips. The kiss wasn't rushed or hurried it was slow, warm, and filled with love. It was the kind of kiss that made everything else fade away, leaving only the two of them in that moment.

Kabir held Roohi close, their breathing still heavy from the fall. His hands gently brushed her hair as she rested her head on his chest, not moving even an inch.

"You're here," Kabir said softly, his voice filled with relief. "I wasn't sure if you'd come today."

Roohi looked up at him, her eyes shining with emotion. "How could I not? I couldn't stay away any longer."

Kabir's hand moved to cup her face, his thumb gently brushing her cheek. "Do you have any idea how much I miss you when you're not here?"

Roohi smiled, her voice trembling slightly. "Probably as much as I miss you. I count the hours, the minutes, just waiting to see you again."

He leaned his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling. "You drive me crazy, Roohi. Every second you're not with me feels like an eternity."

She laughed softly, her fingers tracing small circles on his chest. "And you think it's any easier for me? I feel like the world stops when I'm not with you."

Kabir's expression softened as he looked into her eyes. "You're the only reason I keep going. No matter what's happening, no matter how hard it gets, knowing you're mine... that's all I need."

Kabir pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her as if he was afraid she might disappear.

A few years ago, when Kabir was stabbed by Siddarth. Siddarth left him to die, thinking he was gone for good. He was lying in a pool of blood, barely breathing. The sight of him made Roohi heart stop, but she didn't have time to cry or panic. She quickly called for help and managed to take him to the hospital.

At the hospital, the doctors told her the truth, Kabir's condition was extremely serious. His heart had been badly damaged, and there was no way he could survive without a heart transplant. The news hit Roohi like a storm, but she didn't let herself break down.

By some miracle, they found a matching heart just in time. The transplant was successful, but Kabir's fight wasn't over yet. After the surgery, he didn't wake up. The doctors explained to Roohi that Kabir had slipped into a coma. They didn't know how long it would last he could wake up in a few weeks, a few months, or maybe not at all.

Roohi refused to believe that he wouldn't wake up. Every day, she stayed by his side. She talked to him, held his hand, and hoped that her love would somehow reach him. Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, and months into years but Kabir remained unconscious.

During this time, Roohi made a decision. She couldn't just sit and wait anymore. She remembered the man who had done this to Kabir, the man who had almost taken him away from her. Siddarth khanna. The name made her blood boil. She knew she had to do something about him.

Roohi decided to track Siddarth down. She started finding out everything she could about him where he lived, what he did, and who he worked with. She spent countless nights gathering information, learning about his past, and preparing herself for the day Kabir would wake up. She wanted to make sure that when he did, they would be ready to face Siddarth together.

After over a year, Kabir finally opened his eyes. Roohi was there when it happened, and the moment she saw him awake, tears of relief rolled down her cheeks. She had waited so long for this day. But her mission wasn't over. She told Kabir everything about the transplant, his coma, and how she had spent all this time tracking Siddarth.

They both knew what needed to be done. Siddarth had taken so much from them, but now they were ready to fight back, together.

■

"It's time," Roohi said softly.

Kabir nodded, his face calm and focused as he started the car.

The two of them got in, ready for the plan ahead. Kabir kept his eyes on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel, while Roohi lost in her thoughts.

The silence between them stretched until Kabir cleared his throat, snapping Roohi out of her trance.

"What's on your mind, sweetheart?" he asked, glancing at her briefly before returning his gaze to the road.

"Nothing," she replied quickly.

Kabir gave her a knowing look. "Is it about Vihaan?"

Hearing his name, Roohi's head turned toward Kabir. She hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"I mean... from the very beginning, I knew Vihaan was just part of my mission," she began, her voice breaking slightly. "But I ended up hurting him so much, Kabir. He acts like it doesn't bother him, like he's fine... but I can see it. He's hurt because of me." She paused, her eyes glistening with tears. "I hurt a good man. He didn't deserve that."

Kabir reached out with one hand and gently took hers, squeezing it reassuringly before bringing it to his lips. He kissed the back of her hand softly and then said, "This is exactly why I've always told you, Roohi. This lifestyle? It isn't for someone like you. You're too kind. Too pure. You care too much, even when you don't have to."

Roohi looked down at their intertwined hands. "But I chose this life, Kabir. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I thought I could handle it. And now, I don't know. Every time I think about Vihaan, I feel like I've done something unforgivable."

"Listen," Kabir said, his tone firm yet comforting. "You can't blame yourself for everything. You're doing what you had to do. It's not your fault the lines get blurred sometimes. You're human, Roohi. And Vihaan? He'll be okay. He's stronger than you think."

"But what if he isn't?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Kabir sighed, his hand still holding hers. "Then you'll make it right, in your own way, when the time comes. But right now, you need to focus on what's ahead. Okay?"

Roohi nodded slowly, wiping the tears that had spilled onto her cheeks. "Okay."

Kabir gave her hand one final squeeze before letting it go, returning his full attention to the road. "We'll figure it all out, sweetheart. Together."

Roohi managed a small smile, though her heart still felt heavy. She leaned back in her seat, silently promising herself that she wouldn't let anyone else get hurt because of her choices again.

■

Meanwhile, in his room, Vihaan stood in the washroom with the tap running, the sound of water echoing off the tiled walls. He leaned forward, gripping the edge of the sink, staring at himself in the mirror. His eyes were red and swollen, a clear sign he had been crying.

He let out a shaky breath and turned the tap on harder, letting the water run freely as if it could drown out the storm in his mind. He cupped his hands under the stream, splashing cold water onto his face, hoping it would help. But even as the water dripped off his chin, tears continued to roll down his cheeks, warm and uncontrollable.

Looking back at himself in the mirror, he whispered, "What is wrong with me?"

He lowered his gaze to the sink, his hands gripping it tighter as he started talking to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "I loved Kriti so much... I really did. Back then, I thought she was my forever. But we broke up, and it shattered me. After that, I promised myself I'd never fall in love again. It was easier that way. Safer."

He exhaled heavily, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to calm the thoughts racing through his mind.

"But then Roohi came into my life," he said, his voice breaking. "I don't even know when it started, these feelings. It just... happened. I wasn't supposed to feel this way. I mean, she's married. She has her own life, her own reasons for everything she does."

Vihaan straightened up, running a hand through his hair as he continued to speak, almost like he was trying to make sense of it all. "And I know, God, I know I'm just part of her plan. Whatever mission she's on, I'm just a piece of it. I've told myself that a hundred times. But knowing that doesn't make it hurt any less."

He splashed more water on his face, rubbing his hands over his skin as if he could scrub away the pain in his chest. Looking back into the mirror, his voice turned softer, almost pleading. "Why does it hurt so much, though? Why does it feel like this when I know I mean nothing to her? She's using me. I get that. But even then, I can't stop how I feel about her."

He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head at his reflection. "It's stupid, isn't it? To feel this way about someone who probably doesn't even think twice about me. And yet, here I am... hurting over something I have no control over."

His voice dropped to a whisper. "It's wrong. I know it's wrong. She's married, and this... whatever I feel... it has no place. But I can't stop. I've tried, and I can't stop."

Vihaan pressed his palms flat against the cold surface of the sink, his head hanging low as his shoulders shook with quiet sobs.

"Get over it, Vihaan," he muttered to himself, trying to sound strong, but the pain in his voice betrayed him. "You've been through worse. You'll survive this too."

He splashed cold water on his face, hoping to hide the fact that he'd been crying. He looked into the mirror, his red eyes betraying him. He grabbed a towel, wiped his face, and stepped out of the bathroom.

"Vihaan, dinner's ready!" his mom called from downstairs.

He hesitated for a moment, but he forced himself to put on a neutral expression and headed down. His parents were already seated at the dining table, waiting for him. His dad was scrolling through his phone while his mom was setting a bowl in front of his plate.

"Come, sit," his mom said with a warm smile, motioning toward the empty chair.

Before he could respond, Vihaan's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw Roohi's name flashing on the screen. His heart skipped a beat, his hands tightening around the phone as he picked up the call.

"Hello?" Vihaan answered.

Roohi's cold, sharp voice came through immediately. "If you want Siddarth dead and Vikrant alive, you'll have to come to the location I've sent you."

Vihaan's stomach dropped. Before he could even process her words, the call ended. He stared at his phone, dumbfounded, as a message notification popped up with an address.

His dad noticed the change in his expression. "What's wrong?" Arvind asked.

Vihaan looked up at his dad, his heart racing. "Something's happened. It's about Siddarth. We need to go."

To be continued

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