29. Fear and Freedom

Author's POV

The police arrived just in time, their sirens cutting through the tense silence like a lifeline. The group of goons, startled by the flashing lights, made a desperate attempt to flee. But the police were swift and efficient, intercepting them before they could get far. The sight of the goons being handcuffed and shoved into the police jeep brought a strange mix of relief and lingering fear to Ishika and Aditi.

One of the officers approached them, concern etched on his face. "Are you both okay?" he asked gently.

Ishika and Aditi nodded mutely, unable to find their voices. Their wide eyes and trembling hands spoke louder than words. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off, leaving behind the raw shock of what had just happened.

Dhruv stepped forward, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a calm, authoritative presence. He spoke to the police, ensuring that the situation was fully under control and that the goons would face justice. Once everything was settled, he turned back to the two girls.

"Come on," he said softly, his voice reassuring. "Let's get you both home."

Still shaken, Ishika and Aditi allowed themselves to be guided to Dhruv's car. The ride to Aditi's apartment was quiet, the tension in the air palpable. Aditi, still clutching her bag tightly, was the first to break the silence. "Thank you, Dhruv," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"No need to thank me," Dhruv replied, his tone warm but firm. "Just take care of yourself, okay?"

Aditi nodded, her gratitude clear in her eyes as she stepped out of the car and disappeared into her building.

Now, it was just Ishika and Dhruv. The car seemed both larger and smaller at the same time, the silence thickening with every passing moment. Ishika stared out of the window, the city lights blurring into streaks as they drove. Finally, she turned toward him, her voice tentative.

"Dhruv...thank you. For everything," she said sincerely.

Dhruv glanced at her briefly, his lips quirking into a small smile. "There's no need to thank me," he said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of warmth. "Just accept my friendship instead."

Ishika blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in the conversation. She couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her. "You really won't miss an opportunity, will you?"

Dhruv shrugged, a playful glint returning to his eyes. "What can I say? I'm persistent."

Her smile widened at his response, and for a moment, the tension lifted. Ishika turned back toward the window, her reflection catching the faint smile still lingering on her lips. Dhruv stole a glance at her, his gaze softening. The sight of her, bathed in the glow of passing streetlights, brought an inexplicable sense of contentment.

The rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence, the weight of the earlier events fading into the background.

***

Ishika sank into the soft cushions of the sofa, wrapping her arms around her knees as if the gesture could shield her from the lingering fear clawing at her chest. The room was dimly lit, the faint hum of the refrigerator the only sound breaking the silence. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions-fear, confusion, and an inexplicable ache she couldn't name.

She closed her eyes, but instead of peace, her thoughts betrayed her, dragging her back to the events that had unfolded earlier. The terror in her chest reignited as she remembered the cold, predatory gazes of those men who had chased her. Her heart raced at the memory of their footsteps pounding behind her, their laughter echoing in her ears. Even though she knew they were now locked away, arrested by the police, the fear clung to her like a shadow. She shivered, rubbing her arms as if trying to shake off the sensation.

With a deep, shaky breath, she reached for her phone lying on the table. Its screen lit up as she unlocked it, her fingers hesitating before opening her call logs. Her eyes darted over the list of names, but her gaze lingered on one in particular-Sahil. The sight of his name brought a lump to her throat. Why had she called him? She had wrestled with this question ever since the moment her trembling fingers had dialed his number. She didn't have an answer then, and she didn't have one now.

Her mind was a blank canvas, yet her heart was an open book, bleeding emotions she couldn't quite articulate. She thought back to that moment of desperation, when her body had moved on instinct, seeking comfort and safety. But why Sahil? They weren't close. In fact, she knew deep down she held no significant place in his life-or at least, she believed so. And yet, in her most vulnerable state, it was his name her trembling fingers had found.

The memories surged forward like a storm. The panic that had gripped her when the goons had cornered her, the frantic call to Sahil, the relief that had washed over her when Dhruv showed up at the right moment-all of it played out in her mind like a vivid, haunting movie she couldn't pause. She tried to push it away, but the images refused to fade. What if Dhruv hadn't been there? What if she hadn't been able to run fast enough? The questions twisted her insides, leaving her stomach in knots.

She let out a sigh, leaning her head back against the sofa. The room seemed to shrink around her as the weight of her thoughts bore down on her. The exhaustion of the day clung to her body, but her mind refused to let her rest. Every time she closed her eyes, the fear, the helplessness, and that haunting feeling of vulnerability rushed back with the force of a tidal wave. Sleep felt like an unattainable luxury.

She shifted on the sofa, wrapping herself tighter as if that could block out the thoughts that wouldn't let her go. She wished for peace, for the sweet oblivion of sleep, but her restless mind had other plans. As the night stretched on, Ishika found herself caught in a web of memories and emotions.

To distract herself, she decided to scroll through Instagram. However, as soon as she opened the app, the first post she saw was from Shanaya-a picture of a beautifully decorated table with three neatly arranged plates, perfectly capturing the essence of a family enjoying quality time together. She didn't need to think hard to understand what it implied. So, Sahil was with Shanaya, having a wonderful dinner with his little family, she thought bitterly.

Feeling a pang in her chest, she immediately closed her phone and walked to the balcony, hoping the cool breeze would soothe her restless soul. After staring blankly into the distance for a while, she finally returned to her room.

***

Next Day,

Ishika sat on her bed, staring blankly at her phone. The room was quiet, save for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. She had been lost in her thoughts when her phone suddenly buzzed.

An unknown number flashed on the screen. She hesitated, her thumb hovering over the answer button, before finally picking up.

"Hello?" she said cautiously.

"Ishika?" The voice on the other end made her heart skip a beat.

"Dhruv?" she asked, startled.

"Yes, it's me," he said, his tone soft but unmistakable. "I just wanted to check-are you doing okay?"

She blinked, unsure of how to respond. "I'm fine. Thanks for asking," she replied, her voice steady but guarded.

"Where are you right now?" he asked, his words careful, almost tentative.

"At home," she said, hesitating.

"Then you're free. Let's go somewhere," he suggested, his voice carrying a hint of his usual confidence.

"I... I don't feel like going anywhere," she replied, her tone dropping.

"Come on! Am I not your friend? Or do you still not consider me one?" he teased, a playful edge in his voice.

Her chest tightened with guilt. "It's not that," she said quickly. "I'm just in a really bad mood."

"Don't let some nonsense ruin your day," he said firmly, his voice growing more serious. "That's exactly why you need to step out and take a break. It'll fix your mood, trust me."

She sighed, her resolve wavering. After a moment, she said, "Fine. But I'll bring Aditi with me."

"No problem," he replied with a smirk she could almost hear. "I've got plenty of space in my car."

A faint smile tugged at her lips.

"Oh, and one more thing," he added. "Save my number. It's a shame if your friend's number isn't saved in your phone."

"Got it," she said with a small laugh, feeling the weight on her chest lighten just a little.

***

Aditi had gone to her parents' home for a while, so it was just Ishika and Dhruv in the car. She had no idea where he was taking her. For what felt like the hundredth time, she asked, "Tell me, na, where are you taking me?"

"It's a surprise," he replied with a smile.

She looked at him and said, "Hey, at least give me a little hint. I'm getting anxious!"

He glanced at her and replied, "You're not a very patient person, are you?"

She rolled her eyes at him in response.

After a moment, she asked again, confused, "Why are you doing all this? I don't understand. We hardly know each other."

Dhruv turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Because you and I are meant to be together. You're kind, and I feel it's my job to care for someone as special as you."

Ishika froze, caught off guard by his words. She managed an awkward smile, unsure of how to respond.

***

They both arrived at a club. Ishika sat quietly in her seat, looking around curiously. Inside the car, a glamorous woman leaned in toward Dhruv, clearly aiming for a kiss.

Dhruv didn't react. Instead, he calmly gestured toward Ishika.

The woman pouted, muttered something under her breath, and reluctantly handed him a drink.

Dhruv took the glass and turned to Ishika. "Try this. It's a mocktail."

Ishika hesitated for a moment, then accepted the drink with a soft, "Thanks."

After unfastening his seatbelt, Dhruv opened his door and stepped out. "Come on," he said, motioning for her to follow.

But Ishika remained seated, her hands tightly gripping the drink. Dhruv leaned down, peering into the car with a teasing smile. "What a good girl. Does it really matter? Your husband won't even notice if you're not home. He's a busy man, isn't he?"

The comment hit a nerve.

Ishika knew deep down that Dhruv was right. Sahil wouldn't care where she was or what she was doing. He wouldn't even come home-he was probably with Shanaya right now.

"Come out," Dhruv coaxed, his tone light and persuasive. "Have some great food, play a few games. I promise you'll feel better." He grinned, sounding more like a charming salesman than a friend.

Ishika opened the passenger-side door and stepped out, adjusting her sunglasses. She exchanged a glance with Dhruv.

"That's more like it," he said with a smirk.

Ishika followed him inside. The club was lively, filled with people laughing, dancing, and enjoying themselves. She looked around, taking in the vibrant atmosphere.

Dhruv led her to a VIP room. Once inside, he turned to her and said, "Change your clothes."

Startled, Ishika frowned. "Why?"

"You ask too many questions. Just do it," he replied, his tone playful yet firm. He signaled to a waiter, who promptly approached and guided Ishika to a changing area.

After changing, Ishika stepped out in a new outfit. Another waiter was waiting for her. When she appeared, he said politely, "Mr. Singhania is waiting for you at the stables. Please proceed to choose a horse."

Ishika nodded and followed the directions to the stables. The area was bustling with people selecting horses. As she ventured farther, she noticed the horses grew more majestic, the prices higher, and the crowd thinner.

At the farthest end of the stable, Dhruv was waiting for her, holding the reins of a stunning chestnut-colored horse.

"Wanna try?" he asked, his expression inviting.

"I've never ridden a horse before," Ishika admitted hesitantly.

"I can teach you," Dhruv offered with a confident smile.

Ishika replied honestly, "Actually, I'm scared of them. They don't seem gentle." She glanced around, watching people fall off their horses, and added, "They seem quite violent."

Dhruv chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, I won't let you get hurt."

Ishika stared at him, unsure if he was being sincere. After a moment, she extended her hand. "Pinky promise?" she asked, her eyes locked on his.

He laughed, shaking his head as he sized her up. "You're beautiful and interesting. How did you end up marrying Sahil?"

"I was young and foolish, greedy and lustful," Ishika replied with a sigh.

Dhruv licked his lips, nodding in understanding. Then, with a playful grin, he asked, "How about you marry me instead?"

Ishika raised an eyebrow. "First, teach me how to ride a horse."

"Okay," Dhruv agreed with a smile. He helped her onto the horse, ready to show her the ropes.

Dhruv gently adjusted the reins as Ishika settled on the horse, her posture still stiff with uncertainty. He stood beside her, offering a reassuring smile. "Relax, I've got you," he said calmly.

Ishika took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I'm not sure about this," she admitted, glancing nervously at the horse's large frame.

"Don't worry," Dhruv replied, his hand steadying the horse. "I'll guide you. Just listen to me, and you'll be fine."

He helped her adjust her grip on the reins and gave her a few basic instructions. "Lean forward slightly when you want to go faster, and pull back gently if you want to stop. It's all about feeling the rhythm."

Ishika nodded, her body tense as she followed his instructions. For a moment, she felt like she might fall, but Dhruv's steady presence kept her grounded. "Okay, I think I'm ready," she said, a little more confident now.

"That's the spirit," Dhruv said, his tone encouraging. "Now, let's take it slow."

They started walking the horse around the stable, Dhruv walking beside her, occasionally guiding the horse with a soft command. Ishika was surprised at how quickly she started to relax, the rhythm of the horse's movements becoming less intimidating. She focused on following Dhruv's instructions, trying to block out her lingering doubts.

"You're doing well," Dhruv said after a few minutes, noticing how her posture had softened. "See? It's not so bad."

Ishika smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I never thought I'd be able to do this."

Dhruv chuckled. "There's a lot more to learn, but you've got the basics down."

They continued for a while, the atmosphere around them light and easy. Ishika's initial fear had turned into a quiet thrill, the sound of the horse's hooves on the ground oddly calming. After a while, Dhruv led her to a stop, and then she dismounted.

"How do you feel?" he asked, his voice low, almost teasing.

Ishika smiled, her nerves having faded completely. "Surprisingly good. Maybe I'll try again."

Dhruv raised an eyebrow. "Maybe? I thought you'd be hooked by now."

She laughed softly. "I'll admit, it's not as bad as I thought."

Dhruv smiled, nodding in understanding. "Well, you did well for your first time."

Ishika gave a small, polite smile, appreciating the compliment. "Thanks."

They stood there for a moment, the sounds of the stable and the distant chatter of the club surrounding them. Dhruv looked at her with a slight grin. "Maybe next time, you'll ride better."

Ishika raised an eyebrow. "Maybe. But don't hold your breath."

Dhruv laughed softly. "Fair enough."

They stood in silence for a moment, the kind that didn't feel awkward but rather peaceful, almost understanding. Ishika finally turned to leave, her decision firm. She hadn't come here looking for Dhruv's approval or attention-this was about her, about proving something to herself. She owed him her life, and for that, she was deeply grateful. But gratitude wasn't love, and she had no desire to complicate things with feelings that weren't there.

As they walked back toward the club, she felt a quiet sense of accomplishment. She had stepped out of her comfort zone, faced something unfamiliar, and emerged stronger. It wasn't perfect, and it wasn't entirely her thing, but it was hers-and that was enough.

__________________________________

End of the Chapter.

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