The One I Denied, The One I Can't Lose

One Hour Ago

Ranveer leaned back on his plush leather couch, swirling the whiskey in his glass while his friends, Vicky, Raghav, and Aditya, lounged around, basking in their so-called victory over Shayari.

"That was legendary," Raghav chuckled, stretching out on the couch. "The way she just stood there, speechless—man, that was worth every second."

Aditya smirked, taking a sip of his drink. "I don't think she'll act like she belongs in our world anymore."

Ranveer forced a smirk, but something about their words didn't sit right with him.

Just then, his phone rang—'Dad'.

Ranveer's grip on the glass tightened as he cleared his throat and answered, keeping his voice casual.

"Yes, Dad?"

"Ranveer, is Shayari still at the office?" Naveen asked, his voice calm but edged with concern. "It's past 11, and Gautam says she hasn't reached home yet."

Ranveer's jaw clenched.

He hesitated for a fraction of a second before lying smoothly, "No, Dad. She left at her usual time. I'm at my house with my friends."

Naveen sighed. "Alright... Maybe she's stuck in traffic."

"Yeah, probably," Ranveer said quickly, forcing a casual tone. "She'll be home soon."

As the call disconnected, a strange, uneasy feeling crawled up Ranveer's spine.

Shayari was out there, alone, in the rain.

He exhaled sharply. Not my problem.

"Who was that?" Vicky asked, pouring himself another drink.

"No one important," Ranveer muttered, pushing away the unsettled feeling gnawing at him. "Now, where were we?"

Present

The emergency room was a blur of chaos. Nurses rushed past, doctors shouted orders, and the metallic scent of blood mixed with antiseptic filled the air.

Shayari lay unconscious on the stretcher, her forehead bleeding, her arms scraped, her clothes drenched in rain and stained with blood.

The nurse on duty quickly plugged in her phone to charge, knowing they needed to contact her family. The moment it powered on, the first call was made to the last number dialed 'Maa'.

"Hello?" Chaitali's sleepy voice answered.

"Ma'am, we're calling from City Hospital. Your daughter, has been in an accident."

Silence.

Then, the phone slipped from her hand.

"Chaitali?" Gautam frowned, watching his wife turn pale. "What happened?"

"It's Shayari," she gasped. "She... she's in the hospital!"

Gautam didn't wait for another word. Despite his own health struggles, he grabbed his coat, his face pale with worry.

Chaitali, hands trembling, quickly dialed the one person she knew would help.

"Naveenji... it's Shayari... she—" her voice cracked before she could finish.

Naveen didn't need details. "We're coming."

Within minutes, the Randhawas were on their way. Madhavi clutched Naveen's arm tightly, her face filled with silent fear. Rishi drove, his grip tight on the steering wheel, his mind racing with worry.