Page 95 of Protect my Heart
My entire body goes cold.
I can’t breathe for a second.
It’s not the words. It’s the timing. Thenerve. On a night like this. Duringthismoment. I thought this was over? I thought Aarav had handled Vikram, but then what is this? Whoever it is—they know. They’re watching. They want to ruin it.
Aditi sees my face and grows serious. “Anika?” she whispers. “What happened?”
A frown appears on Mumma’s face. “Everything okay, beta?”
I don’t respond. I’m already searching for him. Last time I hid it because I didn’t want to be a burden on Aarav, but now if I do so again, even after knowing that he genuinely cares for me—I will be stupid.
Aarav sees me from across the room. One look. One glance—and he’s walking toward me like nothing else matters. Like the rest of the party just fell away.
I hold out the phone with trembling fingers. He reads the message, his smile fading. And then, slowly, so slowly it’s terrifying, he looks up at me. His expression isn’t worried. It isn’t panicked. It’s furious. Controlled. Sharp.
And then he smiles. Not his usual charming smile. This one is different. Calculated. Dangerous. “It’s time to play with this bastard, Anu,” he murmurs, low enough that no one else hears. His eyes darken with something that makes evenmeshiver. “You do as I say, okay?”
I nod.
Because something inside me knows—he means it. This isn’t just about the two of us anymore. Someone wants to test what we have. What we’re building. What we’ve bled for. Andthey’re about to find out—they picked the wrong girl. And the wrong man.
CHAPTER 55
AARAV
I’m getting married in twelve hours.
Twelve hours.
And I’m in a hoodie, sneaking into my bride’s house in the middle of the night like I’m nineteen and she’s just the girl I can’t stop thinking about.
Okay—technically, sheisthe girl I can’t stop thinking about. But she’s alsomygirl. Myalmostwife (according to our mothers, I don’t count that divorce).
And I need to see her.
It’s not about tradition or superstition or whatever rules say I shouldn’t. I don’t care. I just can’t sleep. Not when her words are still replaying in my head that she is fine. Not after that message. I’m not someone who gets scared easily. I’ve never really known fear like that. But the thought of losing her?
Of anyone trying to harm her? That thoughtwrecksme. Like something claws at my chest every time it crosses my mind.
If my mother finds out I’m doing this, she’ll probably throw her chappal at me with the aim of a trained sniper. And Anika’s mom—despite her soft corner for me, despite the guilt Iknow still lingers behind her eyes—would absolutely join in. But nothing. No force on this damn planet can stop me from seeing Anika tonight.
The driver stops the car a little before the house. I didn’t want to risk being seen. One almost-wedding scandal is enough, thank you.
I slip out, careful, hoodie up, and quietly make my way to the side of the building where I know the pipe is. I have found climbing a pipe is a very easy and convenient way to meet your bride, definitely recommended.
Gripping the metal, I start climbing, slow and quiet, praying it doesn't creak. My palms sting a little, but whatever. I’d climb a thousand floors barefoot if it meant holding her for five minutes.
I reach her window and tap twice. And just like that—there she is.
Hair in a loose braid, face bare, mehendi still dark on her palms. Her eyes widen when she sees me, like the last time, and she pushes the window open immediately.
“What iswrongwith you?” She hisses, voice frantic but soft. “Do you know Mumma just went to her room liketwo minutesago?! We have a wedding tomorrow, Aarav!”
I shrug, still half out the window. “Anika, I don’t care.”
She blinks. “What?”
“I wanted to see you. So I’m here.” I swing a leg in and slide into the room. “And you know no one can stop me from doing that.”
