Chapter 61

🤣🤣 I am sorry, I had missed one chapter, thanks for bringing this to my notice. In fact it was deleted from my notes. I just posted chapter 60. Please read both the chapters and vote on them.

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Vihan's POV

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice shaky but laced with an attempt at defiance.

I ignored her question, my gaze flickering to the cab that drove in. I walked to the driver, handed him a wad of cash, and said, "She’s not taking the cab. Thanks for waiting." The driver gave me a nod and drove off.

"Vihan!" Roohi protested her tone sharper now. "You can’t just—"

I turned to her, stepping closer. "I can, and I just did. You’re not going anywhere alone tonight. I am here to take you home."

Her lips parted in frustration, but she said nothing. I could see the fight in her eyes dimming, exhaustion taking over.

"I’m fine," she muttered, looking away.

"No, you’re not," I said softly, my voice was firm but gentle. I reached for her bag, but she tightened her grip on it.

"Vihan, stop. I don’t need you to—"

"To what? Protect you? I know you are strong and have that army of crazy, overprotective brothers." My voice rose slightly, and she flinched. I cursed under my breath, softening my tone.

" That man was... "

"Roohi, I saw everything. That man—he’s not just rude. He’s dangerous. You can’t deny that."

Her shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of her. "I... I don’t know why I came here," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"You were trying to give someone a chance," I said, stepping closer. "But he didn’t deserve it. And if I hadn’t been there tonight..." My voice trailed off as the thought made my stomach churn.

Roohi looked up at me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Why were you there? "

" I had to be," I said, my voice almost breaking. "How could I not be? You mean too much to me, Roohi, that's why I invited that girl, she had told me about him and I could not leave you with him,"

" You invited her? And told her to come and talk to him?"

" Yes! I knew he would react, I wanted to break that facade of a charming man. A charming person is like that with everyone. That person always looked rude to me. I swear, if he had even raised a voice at you, I would have beaten him to a pulp. "

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, I thought she might cry. But then she took a step back, shaking her head. "I don’t want to talk about this, Vihan. Just let it go."

I couldn’t. Not after what had happened tonight. "Let it go? Roohi slapped a waiter. He humiliated you and disrespected everyone around him—and that’s just in public. Do you know what could’ve happened if you kept seeing him? That's what I have been trying to tell you... "

She blinked, her tears finally spilling over. "Stop, Vihan," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I know, okay? I know I made a mistake. You don’t have to rub it in."

My chest ached to see her like this—so hurt, so raw. I reached out, cupping her face gently. "Roohi, I’m not trying to rub it in. I just... I can’t stand the thought of you being hurt. Not by anyone."

Her lips trembled, and she closed her eyes, leaning into my touch for just a second before pulling away. "Why do you care so much?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, the door to the restaurant slammed open behind us. Garv stormed out, his shirt still stained and his expression twisted with fury.

"Roohi!" he barked, his voice loud enough to draw stares from passersby. "Where the hell do you think you’re going? You didn’t even say goodbye."

Roohi stiffened, her back straightening as she turned to face him. "I told you—I’m going home. And I think we’re done here."

"Done?" Garv sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. "Because of one little mistake? Don’t be ridiculous, Roohi. Come back inside."

"I don’t think you understand," I interjected, stepping in front of her. "She’s not going anywhere with you."

Garv’s eyes flicked to me, narrowing dangerously. "And who the hell are you to decide that?"

"The person who’s not afraid to break your jaw if you try to force her," I said coldly, my fists clenching at my sides.

Garv let out a humorless laugh. "Oh, I see what this is. You’ve got a little crush on her, don’t you? Is that why you’re playing the hero?"

"Garv, stop!" Roohi snapped, stepping around me. "This has nothing to do with him. This is about you and the way you treat people. I can’t—no, won’t—be with someone like you."

Garv’s face twisted in anger. "You’re going to regret this, Roohi. Do you know how many girls would kill to be in your position?"

"And do you know how pathetic you sound right now?" I shot back, my voice deadly calm.

Garv’s hand twitched as if he wanted to lunge at me, but he stopped himself, throwing Roohi one last glare before storming off into the night.

Silence hung between us as we watched him leave. Then Roohi let out a shaky breath, her shoulders sagging.

"Let’s get you home," I said softly.

This time, she didn’t argue. She just nodded, letting me guide her to my car.

As we walked toward my car, I glanced down at her, my chest tightening. I had no idea when or how, but protecting her had become more than a duty—it was a promise I couldn’t afford to break.

As we drove in silence, I couldn’t help but glance at her, her face illuminated by the passing streetlights. She looked fragile, but there was a quiet strength in her that made my heart ache.

I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but tonight, I was exactly where I needed to be—by her side.

The silence in the car was heavy, and every glance I stole at Roohi only deepened the knot in my chest. She stared out the window, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap, her face a mixture of exhaustion and sadness. She didn’t deserve any of this—not Garv’s behavior, not the shame of walking away, and certainly not the sting of disappointment etched across her delicate features.

As I took a turn toward the quieter part of the city, I cleared my throat. "Roohi?"

"Hmm?" she murmured without looking at me.

"I’m starving," I said dramatically, pressing a hand to my stomach. "And considering I just saved your life—figuratively speaking—I think you owe me dinner."

Her brows furrowed, and she finally turned to look at me, the faintest hint of a frown on her lips. "Vihan, you just ate at the restaurant."

"Correction—I didn’t eat. I was too busy being a spy and saving your honor from that caveman. And now I’m paying the price. I’m famished."

Her lips twitched, the ghost of a smile threatening to break through. "You’re impossible," she said softly.

"Impossible to resist, I know," I quipped, taking another turn. "So, where are we going?"

"What do you mean?"

I grinned. "Your favorite place, of course. I’m not dropping you home until we fix that frown with some good food."

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