More than a week had passed since their fight happend.

A full week of silence , a full week of stubbornness but A full week of longing that neither of them could admit.

They craved each other’s voice , Each other’s warmth, Each other’s touch, attention, love, care but neither stepped forward.

Maybe it was ego,Maybe fear , Maybe the hurt from that last argument still lay raw like an open wound.

Whatever it was , it chained both of them in a painful silence. People say distance makes love stronger ,makes you value the other person more.

And for Naaz and Sidharth, that was painfully true.

Both wanted to talk, Both wanted to apologize,Both wanted to rewind time and undo that terrible day.But they didn’t know how to start.What to say.

Where to begin.

Even so, today Naaz had made up her mind.

She couldn’t bear it anymore.

Today… she would talk to him.No matter what.No matter how nervous she was. No matter how he reacted, she would end this cold war.

After his lecture ended, students began leaving the classroom one by one.

Naaz sat in her seat, heart thudding against her ribs, palms sweaty from anxiety and hope.

When Sanya walked past her, Naaz tugged at her hand lightly and whispered something in her ear , a request, plan , a silent plea for support.

Sanya looked at her, eyes widening a little in surprise.

Sanya: “Tu… pakka? Abhi?”

Naaz took a deep breath and nodded.

Her eyes drifted to Sidharth, still standing near the desk, packing his notes and papers completely unaware of the storm in her heart.

Today, she would face him.

Today, she would talk.

Sanya shot Naaz a mischievous smile before slipping out of the classroom with Riya.

Sidharth, buried deep in his work, didn’t even notice the room emptying, nor the girl standing just a few steps behind him.

He only looked up when he heard the soft click of the door being locked.

And before he could turn, he felt it , two trembling arms wrapping around his chest from behind ,a face pressing gently into his back, , a familiar warmth seeping straight into his bones.

He didn’t need to look.

He knew its his Naaz.

Neither of them spoke.

They just stood there, breathing each other in, letting the silence heal what words had broken. His tense shoulders loosened as her hold tightened. Her racing heartbeat steadied against him. For the first time in a week, both their restless hearts felt a hint of peace.

After what felt like minutes suspended in time, Naaz’s voice finally cracked through the quiet.

“I missed you,” she whispered, sniffing softly. “And I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things. I don’t know what came over me that day. I just ,I didn’t mean any of it, Sidharth. I swear I didn’t.”

Her voice broke completely, and so did she.

Sidharth immediately turned, gathering her into his arms, holding her as if he could physically keep her pieces together.

“Shhh… bas, bacha,” he murmured against her hair, rubbing slow circles on her back. “It’s okay. It’s not just your fault. It’s mine too. I shouldn’t have ignored you after that day. Iwas in guilt, I thought I make you  uncomfortable that day , I didn’t know what you’d think of me, and...”

She placed her finger on his lips, stopping him.

Naaz shook her head softly. “Shhh… don’t say that, Sidharth. You can never make me uncomfortable. In fact, you’re the only one who makes me feel safe… the most protected… the most me.”

Her fingers curled around his shirt as she whispered, “So please… don’t ever think like that again.”

Lifting her face, she placed a gentle kiss on his chin soft, tender, and full of all the words she couldn’t speak aloud.

“I love you,” she breathed.

Something inside him melted. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her impossibly closer, as if he wanted her heartbeat to merge with his. She clutched his shoulders, leaning in

and then his lips claimed hers.

“I love you,” he murmured between the kiss, his voice warm against her mouth.

“Oye,” Sanya nudged Shehnaaz’s shoulder playfully, “ho gaya tumhara patch-up?”

Shehnaaz nodded shyly, and a faint blush dusted her cheeks as her mind replayed every second of their moment inside the empty classroom.

Riya whistled dramatically. “Oye hoyye… blush toh dekho!” she teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Chup karo, kanjaro,” Shehnaaz muttered, smacking both their heads lightly.

They burst into laughter, continuing their useless chitchat until her phone buzzed on the table.

A message.

From Sid.

Sid: Meet me in the lab.

Shehnaaz’s lips curled into a soft smile, her heart skipping a beat as she locked the screen.

Shehnaaz: Tum log apni bakwaas chalu rakho… main chalti hoon.”

Sanya smirked. “Haan bhai, ab saiyan ji ka bulawa aa gaya toh humari baatein toh bakwaas hi lagenge.”

“Shut up,” Shehnaaz muttered, her cheeks warming as she hurried away, leaving the two girls laughing behind her.

The lab was almost entirely dark when she stepped inside, the only sound the faint hum of the lights.

“Sidharth…?” she called softly.

The door behind her shut, Before she could turn around , strong arms wrapped around her from behind. She drew in a sharp breath as she felt his chin rest on her shoulder. His warmth, his presence everything felt right instantly.

Naaz…” he whispered, his voice deep and husky, nose brushing through her hair as he inhaled her scent. She shivered.

“Sidharth… aapne mujhe yahan kyu bulaya? Agar kisi ne dekh liya toh?” she said, her voice a mix of nervousness and excitement.

He pressed a slow kiss to her neck. “Yahan kaun aayega, meri jaan? Abhi koi practical nahi hai. Just relax.”

Before she could say anything, his hand suddenly covered her eyes.

“Sidharth… yeh aap kya kar rahe ho?” she gasped.

“Shhh… relax,” he murmured, his lips grazing her ear.

A moment later, she felt something cold touch the base of her throat. Reflexively, she touched her neck.

“Sidharth… yeh kya hai?” she whispered.

He removed his hand from her eyes. “Khud hi dekh lo.”

She blinked as her vision adjusted. And then her breath caught.

Around her neck lay a beautiful S-letter pendant in a simple heart-shaped necklace—elegant, delicate, undeniably meaningful.

“It’s… beautiful,” she whispered, her fingers brushing it softly.

Sidharth smiled, cupping her cheek. “Not more than you, sweetheart.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.

Naaz bit her lip and extended her hand. “Give me your phone.”

He didn’t ask a single question just fished out his phone and placed it in her palm, watching curiously as she opened the front camera.

Sid: Kya kar rahi ho, baby?” he asked, amused, placing quick kiss on her cheek.

Naaz pouted slightly as she adjusted the camera angle. “Hamari photo le rahi hoon. Mere paas toh phone hai hi nahin… bas ek dabba hai. Isliye aapke phone mein le rahi hoon.”

For a second, something inside him twisted painfully. Her casual tone couldn’t hide the truth , she didn’t even have a proper phone to capture their moments. His heart ached, but he stayed silent, simply watching her with softened eyes.

Just then,

Click.

The door knob turned.

Both froze.

“Sidharth…” she whispered in panic.

He reacted instantly switching off the lights in a hurry. They both scrambled, crouching behind the last lab table in the darkness. Naaz grabbed his arm tightly, their breaths uneven.

Footsteps entered.

“Arey… abhi toh lights on thi. Ye off kaise ho gayi?”

A girl’s voice echoed in the room.

Both of them silently facepalmed.

“Kaun hai yaha? Bahar aao warna main security ko bulaungi!”

Sidharth instantly stiffened.

He knew that voice.

“Aparajita,” he muttered under his breath.

He leaned closer to Naaz. “Naaz, listen, tum yahi ruko. Main dekh ke aata hoon.”

She nodded nervously, letting go of his shirt reluctantly as he stood up.

He stepped out from behind the table. The moment the dim light falling from the corridor hit his face, Aparajita’s eyebrows shot up.

“You?” she asked sharply. “Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho? Aur wo bhi andhere mein waha peeche?”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Sidharth steadied his breath, trying not to glance back at where Naaz was hiding.

Ah… woh… kuch nahi,” Sidharth muttered, trying to keep his voice normal. “Bas thodi der akele rehna chahta tha. Socha yahan aa jaun.”

Aparajita frowned. “Is lab mein? Alone?”

He forced a stiff smile, nodding awkwardly. “Haan… bas… mood.”

Before she could question further, A blood–curdling scream exploded from the back.

“Aaaahhhhh! Ammaaaa! Chipkaliii! Ammaaa Sidharthhh—chipkalii!”

Both Sidharth and Aparajita jerked in the direction of the sound.

And there… standing on top of a stool, clutching his phone to her chest, eyes bulging in terror… was Naaz.

Sidharth shut his eyes for a second.

Bloody chipkali. Out of everything in this world,  it had to be this.

Aparajita looked between the two, confused beyond words. “She… yahan? Tum dono?”

Naaz, realizing the Himalayan-level blunder she just committed, laughed nervously.

“B..bhaag gayi… chipkali… hehe.”

Silence, three pairs of eyes.

One very awkward situation.

And then… the worst possible thing happened.

Sidharth’s phone rang loudly ,in Naaz’s hand.

Naaz mentally slapped herself. Panic flooded her face. She slapped the phone mute and blurted, “Important call ha

main baat karke aati hoon!”

And she RAN. Literally ran out of the lab.

Aparajita’s suspicious gaze swung to Sidharth.

“Sidharth… if I’m not wrong, that was your phone, right?”

“Mine? N..nahi! Mera kaise hoga?” he stammered. “Mera toh… mere paas.... actually aaj bhool aaya! Haan! Aur… uh… maa wait kar rahi hongi. Bye.”

He practically sprinted out, leaving a very confused Aparajita behind.

Outside college In park , Naaz sat alone, lower lip jutting out in a cute pout, clearly waiting for him.

Sidharth approached, dropped beside her, and lightly smacked her head. “Gadhi,” he muttered affectionately. “Mujhe wahan phasa ke khud bhaag aayi? Bade chaant ho tum!”

Her eyes widened. “Woh chipkali bohot badi thi!”

He glared.

She pouted harder.

He sighed… and finally, a tiny smile escaped.

Naaz rolled her eyes dramatically, hands flying in the air as she mimicked him.

“Ha toh aur kya karti? Aur aap hi toh the na, ‘tum ruko, main dekhta hoon.’” She copied his voice horribly. “Na aap jaate, na wo chipkali aati, na main chillati, aur na Aparajita mujhe dekh leti!”

Sidharth’s jaw dropped.

“Sorry, maate. Galti ho gayi.”

He pressed his palms together in surrender.

She burst into giggles, the sound soft and sweet.

“Okay, okay,” she said, still smiling.

Next day , Sunday

Unfortunately.

The entire day stretched painfully long for him, he missed her too much, He wanted to see her, hear her nonstop chatter, hold her, smell her hair, everything.

But she wasn’t picking up his calls.

Later, her phone switched off completely.

His chest tightened with worry and frustration. He was missing her soo much that niw he is seeing her pictures in his phone, He stared at the simple keypad phone in her hand  she used, sighing deeply.

I should’ve given her a proper phone instead of just a locket… or at least along with it.

She needs a multimedia phone. At least for me… at least to stay connected.

The realization hit him hard.

She needed a phone ,badly.

Next day, Sidharth entered college with a stupid smile on his face, his heartbeat lighter just at the thought of seeing her after a whole day.

And there she was.

His smile widened unconsciously… but before he could even move toward her, Aparajita appeared out of nowhere and caught his attention.

Naaz looked away immediately.

The entire day passed just like that, he trying to find a chance to talk.

She, slipping away every time or being surrounded by friends.

And both of them… failing to talk even once.

But he noticed something.

She wasn’t herself ,She looked uncomfortable, Fidgety, Uneasy, Her behavior was off.

He didn’t like it.

So the moment he finally caught her alone, he didn’t waste a second.

He grabbed her wrist gently and pulled her into an empty classroom, shutting the door behind them.

Before she could say anything, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.

But.....

She hissed.

A sharp, pained sound.

Immediately he released her, heart jumping in fear, his hands came up to cradle her face, brows furrowed deeply.

“Naaz… what happened?” his voice cracked slightly. “Are you alright? Bol na, bacha.”

Her eyes shimmered ,with pain, with hesitation, and something else he couldn’t place.

And he felt his stomach drop.

But Naaz shook her head &  gave him a small smile.

“I’m fine, Sidharth.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push it.

Instead, he pulled her into his arms again, burying his face in her shoulder.

“I missed you so much, love,” he murmured.

She melted instantly.

“I missed you too… bebu.”

He froze.

Slowly, he pulled back and stared at her.

“What did you say?”

Naaz blinked innocently.

“What?”

He narrowed his eyes.

“Tumne abhi mujhe kya bulaya?”

She bit back a smile.

“Kyun? Acha nahi laga?”

“Ek baar phirse kaho,” he demanded, voice low.

“Kya?” she teased again, eyes sparkling.

“Naaz.”

This time his tone was firm.

Her lips curved and she softly whispered,

“Bebu.”

“Aye meri jaan…” he groaned, losing his mind for a second as she bit her lip.

“Stop doing this.”

His thumb automatically glided over her lower lip, as if soothing the bite mark she’d left there.

Before she could tease him more, he cleared his throat and pulled out a small packet.

“I have something for you,” he said, handing it to her.

Her smile faded, replaced by worry.

“Sidharth, please… ye roz-roz gifts mat dijiye. Acha nahi lagta mujhe.

Aap mere liye itna karte ho, aur main aapko kuch nahi deti…”

Her voice cracked as she pushed the packet back into his hand.

His expression softened immediately.

“Sweetheart, zaroori thodi hai tum bhi mujhe kuch do.”

He cupped her cheek gently.

“Mere liye sabse bada gift toh tum ho. Samjhi?”

Her heart flipped, but before she could melt completely, he added with a smirk:

“Waise bhi… yeh gift main apne fayde ke liye de raha hoon.”

“Sidharthhh… aap itne ache kyun ho…” she whisper-complained, hitting his chest lightly.

“Chal, ab paka mat. Gift dekh.”

He placed the packet back into her hands.

Reluctantly, she unwrapped it…

Her breath hitched,Her eyes widened.

A soft gasp escaped her lips.

Inside was a brand new mobile phone.

Naaz blinked at him, her fingers trembling around the new phone.

“Sidharth… ye kyun?” she asked softly.

He cupped her face, thumb brushing over her cheek.

“Sweetheart… kal poora din tere se baat nahi hui. Main samjhta hoon, phone receive karna aur baat karna mushkil hoga tere liye. Toh… yeh phone rakh.

Kyuki agar tu baat nahi bhi kar payegi, toh atleast WhatsApp ya Insta par aa jaayegi. Sukoon milega mujhe… jo kal poora din nahi tha.”

Her eyes glistened instantly with unshed tears. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

He responded immediately, holding her close at the waist.

His large hand slid over her back, tightening around her as if to melt away the tension in her body. But she winced slightly, a sharp breath escaping her lips.

He immediately broke the hug, concern flashing in his eyes.

“Naaz… bta mujhe… kya hua?” His voice was stern but gentle, demanding honesty.

“Bebu… kuch nahi hua,” she whispered, voice cracking despite her attempt to sound calm.

Sidharth said nothing. He didn’t need words. He knew. Something was off. And for lying to him, he kissed her.

His lips were harsh, urgent, pressing against hers in a mixture of frustration, longing, and need. Her resistance softened quickly, and when he noticed her getting lost in the kiss, he slowly moved strands of hair from her face to one side, pressing his body closer from behind.

His lips traveled to her neck, tracing her jawline, nipping at her earlobes. She shivered under his touch, caught between desire and disbelief.

His hand found the zip of her kurti and, in a sudden, possessive motion, he jerked it down.

“Sidharth!” she gasped, a mix of shock and longing in her voice.

Sidharth’s eyes widened in horror as he finally saw her back.

It was… a battlefield.

Scratches, burn marks, deep cuts, and rod-shaped welts ran across her skin. Blue, red, and angry scars intertwined  with old & some fresh wounds, some of them raw and bleeding. It looked as if someone had brutally beaten her, rods, knives… he couldn’t even process it.

His chest tightened. His heart practically stopped. Seeing his baby, his Naaz, bearing so much pain so much suffering was unbearable.

She turned slightly, noticing the tears pooling in his eyes. Panic flashed across her face.

“Sidharth… aap… ro kyun rahe ho?” she asked hurriedly, cupping his face with trembling hands.

“Kuch nahi hua mujhe… main bilkul theek hoon, I am absolutely fine, bebu.”

He choked back a sob, voice breaking:

“Naaz… yeh sab…”

She pressed her forehead against his, desperate to calm him.

“Sidharth, main theek hoon… please.”

He groaned, frustration and helplessness flooding him, pulling at his hair as if trying to claw away the guilt. He had failed her. He couldn’t protect his Naaz. His baby.

“Sidharth, kya kar rahe ho… chodo,” she whispered, trying to free his fingers tangled in his hair.

“Bahot pain ho rahi hogi na… kitna laga tujhe? Tu ruk… main ointment leke aata hoon, baby,” he muttered madly, his voice cracking. His vulnerability shattered her completely.

Seeing him like this broken because of her, Naaz’s control broke. She collapsed slightly, clutching his hand tightly, tears sliding freely down her cheeks.

Her sobs mingled with his frustrated groans, two broken hearts holding on to each other in desperate, wordless anguish.

Naaz… bacha, kya hua? Dard ho raha hai?” Sidharth’s voice trembled as he held her trembling hands.

“Wait… main… main painkillers bhi laata hoon. Baba… sab… sab theek ho jayega. Please, bacha… tu mat ro, tu yahi ruk… main abhi aata hoon.”

She shook her head desperately, clutching his shirt.

“Mat jao… please,” she whispered, her voice fragile.

He cupped her face, eyes burning with fear.

“Naaz, please meri jaan… infection ho sakta hai. Main bas 2 minute… aa jaata hoon, ok?”

Before she could protest further, he pressed a quick, desperate kiss on her forehead and bolted from the room.

After collecting all the necessary ointments and painkillers from the medical room, he raced to the classroom where Naaz was supposed to present.

But when he entered the class, she wasn’t there.

Her bag sat abandoned on the chair, her new phone is on the floor carelessly , but she herself was gone.

“Naaz!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the empty classroom, but there was no reply.

Heart pounding, he grabbed all her belongings and his own, moving out into the corridors to search.

Every corner of the college… library, canteen, labs… empty. No sign of her.

He questioned her friends, but even they had no clue.

Each passing second made his chest tighten.

A sick feeling gnawed at him. Something was wrong.

Something bad was about to happen and he knew it.

His mind raced, panic clawing at him as he ran through the college, calling her name again and again but got no reply from her.

        _______________________________

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