Ranveer Singh Randhawa had everything-power, wealth, and the world at his feet. But the one thing he never wanted? Shayari Chatterjee. The perfect, poised, and infuriatingly brilliant woman who had been a part of his life since childhood. For years...
Without a second thought, he stood and strode out of the hospital. He walked down the road aimlessly until he reached a deserted park. He sat on a bench, leaning forward, staring at the dark sky.
For the first time in his life,he hated himself.
Inside the hospital room, Shayari lay propped against the pillows, still weak but awake. Chaitali sat beside her, holding her hand as if afraid to let go.
A police officer stood at the foot of the bed, his notepad ready. "Miss Chatterjee, we need to record your statement regarding the accident. Can you recall what happened?"
Shayari took a deep breath. "I had left work late and went to meet a friend afterward," she said, her voice hoarse. "I forgot to charge my phone. While walking back, I felt like someone was following me... I got scared and started running." She paused. "Then I saw the headlights. And after that, nothing."
The officer scribbled in his notebook. "Did you see the car or the driver?"
Shayari shook her head. "No... it all happened too fast."
The officer exchanged a glance with his colleague before nodding. "We'll check the CCTV footage of the area. Hopefully, we can track down the vehicle responsible."
Shayari offered a weak smile. "Thank you."
As soon as the officers left, Chaitali turned to her daughter, her brows furrowed with worry.
"Beta, are you sure that's all you remember?"
Shayari hesitated, her gaze dropping to her lap.
She had chosen to keep quiet.
Because if the truth came out-if Naveen Uncle ever found out that Ranveer's friends had humiliated her that night-it would break him.
Her father and Naveen Uncle shared a bond of decades. She couldn't be the reason that fell apart.
And Ranveer... he didn't matter anymore.
She had loved him once. Too much.
But that love had only brought her pain.
It had turned into a curse, and now, she refused to let it burn her any longer.
She was ready to move on.
Ranveer returned to the hospital just as dawn approached. He had spent the past few hours in a nearby park, trying to calm the storm inside him. But no amount of fresh air or silence could erase the guilt clawing at him.
As he stepped inside the waiting area, he saw his parents speaking to Chaitali and Gautam.
His footsteps faltered.
His parents looked exhausted.
Chaitali's eyes were swollen from crying, and Gautam looked like he had aged overnight.
He had been the cause of this.
Naveen turned around, noticing him. His expression was unreadable. "Ranveer," he said, surprised.
Ranveer hesitated before walking closer. "How... how is she?"
Madhavi's voice was colder than usual. "She's awake. The police took her statement."
Ranveer swallowed. "And?"
Gautam's voice was laced with bitterness. "She said she was followed before the accident."
Ranveer's heart thudded.
She hadn't told them the truth.
Why?
Before he could process it, Chaitali turned to him, her expression weary but gentle. There was no anger in her eyes-only sadness, only pain.
She reached out, placing a trembling hand on his arm. "Ranveer beta..." Her voice was quiet, heavy with emotion. "I don't know what really happened that night, beta. I just know... if she hadn't been out so late, maybe none of this..." Her voice cracked. "She didn't deserve this."
She exhaled shakily, glancing toward the hospital room. "Shayari is strong, but she's been through so much. I just... I just wish she didn't have to suffer like this."
Ranveer stood frozen, his throat tightening.
He had expected anger, accusations-even hatred. But this? This was worse.
This was trust.
Trust that he didn't deserve.
And yet, Chaitali still saw him as her own.
That realization made his guilt weigh heavier, suffocating him from within.
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