HIS PROMISE ??

He was sprawled on the large leather sofa, his tall frame clearly uncomfortable on the furniture that seemed too small for him. His head rested awkwardly on the armrest, his legs dangling slightly over the edge. One arm was draped over his chest, the other hung loosely to the side. His face, usually sharp and cold, looked almost peaceful in sleep, the harsh lines softened.

But Yashna wasn't moved.

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer, taking in the faint rise and fall of his chest, the crease of his brows even in slumber, and the way his hair fell messily over his forehead. Yet, there was no room in her heart for pity.

"He deserves to be uncomfortable,"  she thought bitterly, though the thought lacked conviction.

She turned back to face the ceiling, closing her eyes tightly as if to block out the image of him. But it was no use. His words echoed in her mind, soft yet commanding: "I'll protect you until the second I die."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Protect me ?" she whispered to the emptiness. "You're the one keeping me here against my will."

Her hands clenched the bedsheet, frustration bubbling to the surface. She wanted to scream, to cry, to demand answers, but she felt drained. Every ounce of strength had been sapped from her during the day's events.

Her thoughts turned to Jai. The image of her brother lying pale and wounded on the hospital bed was burned into her memory. Her anger toward him was fierce, yet the love she felt was undeniable. He had always been her protector, her rock.

But now ?

She didn't know who to trust.

Yashna sat up abruptly, her movements sharp and sudden. The room felt too big, too quiet. She wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her chin atop them as she stared at the floor.

The faint sound of shifting fabric caught her attention. She glanced toward the sofa and saw Vishwanth stir. He shifted slightly, his hand coming up to rub his face as he groggily woke.

Her heart skipped a beat, though she wasn't sure if it was out of fear or something else. She quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.

Vishwanth sat up, his movements slow and deliberate. He ran a hand through his hair, his sharp eyes scanning the room. When his gaze landed on her, his expression softened just slightly.

"Yashna," he said, his voice low and laced with sleep. "Why are you still awake ?"

She didn't answer.

He stood, stretching his tall frame before walking over to her. His presence was imposing yet strangely comforting, like a storm that threatened chaos but also brought rain to parched lands.

"Yashna," he said again, his tone firmer.

"I can't sleep," she admitted quietly, still not meeting his eyes.

He crouched down beside her, his sharp eyes studying her face. "You're overthinking," he said simply. "You need rest."

"I don't need your advice," she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended.

Vishwanth's lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn't argue. Instead, he stood and stepped back, giving her space. "Fine," he said coolly. "But at least try. Tomorrow won't be any easier."

With that, he turned and walked back to the sofa, settling himself into the same uncomfortable position.

Yashna watched him out of the corner of her eye, her emotions a confusing mix of anger, guilt, and something she couldn't quite name.

As she finally lay back down, her mind is still racing but her body is too exhausted to fight sleep any longer. The last thing she saw before her eyes closed was Vishwanth's silhouette, a silent guardian in the shadows.  

..........

The night passed like a restless tide. Yashna had finally succumbed to exhaustion, her breath evening out as sleep claimed her. Her face, tear-streaked and forlorn, reflected the turmoil she'd endured.

Across the room, Vishwanth sat on the edge of the sofa, his eyes fixed on her as though she might vanish if he looked away. The soft moonlight spilling through the window illuminated her delicate features, making her seem almost ethereal. His heart clenched painfully in his chest.

'She doesn't deserve any of this,'  he thought, a lone tear slipping down his cheek. He wiped it away roughly, his jaw tightening as the ever-present feeling of dread wrapped around him. The gnawing fear that someone out there wanted to harm her was growing stronger with every passing second.

'Who could it be ?' The question consumed him. Vishwanth had spent years outmaneuvering enemies, but this was different. The danger was veiled, the threat unseen, and it left him on edge. The protective instinct that roared inside him was nearly unbearable.

He stayed awake for hours, guarding her even as she slept peacefully, unaware of the storm raging in his mind. Eventually, exhaustion claimed him too, and he drifted into a light, uneasy sleep, his mind still plagued with unanswered questions.

.........

The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Yashna stirred, her eyes fluttering open. For a moment, she forgot where she was, the plush surroundings unfamiliar and almost surreal. Then the memories of the previous day crashed down on her like a tidal wave.

She sat up, her eyes scanning the room. The sofa where Vishwanth had slept was empty. A pang of unease settled in her chest. 'Where is he ?'

The faint sound of the balcony door clicking shut drew her attention. She turned her head just as Vishwanth walked back inside, his presence commanding even in the quiet morning.

The smell hit her first. The sharp, acrid scent of cigarettes lingered in the air, and she instinctively scrunched her nose in disgust.

"You smoke ?" she asked, her voice laced with annoyance and irritation .

...........

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