24.

NAINA

Entering my cabin, I throw my purse somewhere, not bothering to look where it lands. I turn back and see Kainaat entering, her eyes red and swollen. She must be having a hard time. "Kainaat, come here," I call softly. She hesitates for a moment before walking toward me, and I engulf her in a hug.

"It's okay. I'm here with you. I won't let history repeat itself," I whisper softly, stroking her hair. She breaks down into tears, her sobs wracking her small frame as she clings to me. Each of her cries feels like a knife to my heart. After some time, she calms down, and I pass her a glass of water. She drinks it, her eyes fixed on me.

"Why is he here, didi?" she asks, her voice trembling.

"I don't know, Kainaat. But don't worry, I won't let him come near you," I reassure her. She nods, but her eyes are still filled with fear.

"Please don't kill him," she pleads, looking up at me with puppy eyes. "You are the only thing stopping me, Kainaat. I don't know why or else he would have been dead that night itself," I answer with a clenched jaw.

"Please, didi, I know what he did was the worst thing that a woman can face, but his mother needs him," Kainaat says with concern.

"I won't do anything, Kainaat, hmm?" I pass her a smile. She smiles back, hugging me one last time before leaving.

I engross myself in work to stop thinking about the same thing over and over. It's okay, Naina. She is safe. I keep telling myself this, checking on her from time to time. I definitely have to increase security around Kainaat. I am not taking any chances this time. I won't let that bastard touch her again.

I'll show him I'm no longer the sweet, kind, and bubbly Naina he once knew. I've transformed. Now, I can pull the trigger without hesitation, and I won't look back.

Later, I receive a message from Dhruv, apologizing for the earlier incident. He informs me that his reception is tonight and that he came to invite me personally.

I reach home, entering the room to find Reyansh already there, working. He looks up at me, "Everything good, jaan?" he asks with a soft smile. I return the smile, nodding.

"Reyansh?"

"Ji, biwi jaan?"

My heart flutters. I have a sudden urge to grab him by his collar and kiss him until he is breathless. "It's Dhruv's reception tonight," I tell him, snapping out of my thoughts.

"Sure, what time are we leaving?" he asks.

"Eight," I answer. He nods, getting back to work. I change and lay down beside him.

"Wake me up in an hour, please," I tell him before closing my eyes. Sleep soon consumes me.

REYANSH

She lays down next to me, and I softly caress her with one hand while the other works on my laptop. Her breathing steadies as she drifts off to sleep, and I find myself mesmerized by her peaceful face. The storm that she battles every day fades away, if only for a moment, in the sanctuary of our home. I continue to work, but my thoughts keep drifting back to her.

I was done with my work. Closing the laptop, I set it aside and looked at Naina, still sleeping peacefully. I needed to wake her up, but her serene face made it hard to disturb her. I placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

Not letting my intrusive thoughts win over, I called out in a soft voice, "Naina." She was a light sleeper, so I knew it wouldn't take long to wake her up.

She slowly opened her eyes, adjusting to the light, and looked at me with a lazy smile on her face. She got up from the bed, facing me. "Chalo, get ready quickly. We'll leave soon," she told me before heading towards the restroom.

Without wasting any time, I moved towards the wardrobe. Changing into a blue kurta, I went downstairs. I saw Mihir and Raihaana sitting on the couch, watching Doraemon. When will these kids grow up?

I took a seat beside them, engrossed in watching the television. Just then, I heard the soft sound of payal and jhumkas. I knew it was Naina.

She walked towards us wearing a black saree, her locks flowing around her. Am I being dramatic, or is everything in slow motion right now?

"Bhabi, aaj pata nahi kitne log marne wale hai apki khubsoorti se," Mihir said dramatically, placing a hand on his heart.

"I doubt I am straight anymore," Raihaana said, and Mihir passed her a weird look. "Bhai, moo band karlo, macchar chale jayenge," I snapped my head towards Raihaana.

They all let out a laugh. "Let's go; we're running late," I told them, getting up. Naina followed me as I opened the passenger seat for her. She got in, saying a thank you.

I pulled the car out of the driveway. "Is your lipstick smudge-proof?" I asked her. She snapped her head towards me, a smirk dancing on her lips.

"Control, Mr. Singhania," she said with a small laugh.

"Jab aap aise hoor ki pari swarg se utri hui apsara banke baithein hongi mere paas, toh kaise control karoon, Mrs. Singhania?"

She let out a laugh listening to me. "Accha, do you have kajal with you now?" I asked her. She looked at me. "Kyun, ab tum bhi kajal lagao ge?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ji nahi, bas aap dijiye mujhe kajal jaise aap ne apna dil diya tha." She blushed lightly before passing me the kajal. I put a dot on my finger before moving forward and placing it behind her ear. "Kya pata meri hi nazar na lag jaye kahi aap ko, biwi jaan."

She smiled at me before putting the kajal back. After a while, we reached the venue. Getting out of the car, we were blinded by the paparazzi. I sneaked my hand on Naina's waist before getting inside.

We greeted and congratulated Dhruv. She was talking to one of her friends when a woman approached me from behind. Wait, I have seen her somewhere. But where?

She turned to me with a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Singhania," she said. Her voice screeched in my ears. I maintained my calm posture and greeted her back with a sweet smile.

"Ah, Mr. Singhania, I've heard so much about you. You must remember me from the last party, right?" she said, her tone overly sweet and grating.

I nodded politely, still trying to place her. "Of course, how could I forget?" I said, my voice steady.

She continued talking, her voice becoming more irritating with every word. "You know, I was just telling my friends how wonderful it would be to run into you again. And here we are! It must be fate."

She tried to touch my bicep and chest while I stood there with an awkward smile. "Naina, meri jaan, kaha hai ap?" I slowly tried to move her hand away from me.

"Oh, come on, Mr. Singhania, let's have fun," she said, acting all childish. I stood there, confused and desperate to save myself from this annoying human.

I looked around, trying to find help, when I again heard her voice. "Let's go to the pool area," she said. Oh, right, the pool area. There must be people there. At least I'll be safe. I nodded and followed her.

And boom, the pool area was all empty. Of course, Reyansh, this is a fucking reception why will there be people at the pool area? The woman from earlier looked at me with a smirk. I tried to back off just when I was pushed into the chair behind me.

Before I could understand anything, I saw Naina in front of me. She threw the other girl into the pool, and I felt something cold on my forehead—just to see a gun pointed at me.

There Naina was, standing in a black saree, her hair flowing everywhere, the gun in her hand aimed at me. Her eyes were fierce, a storm brewing in their depths. She looked like a dark goddess, powerful and untouchable.

"Stay away from him," Naina's voice was like ice, cutting through the air. The woman in the pool sputtered, trying to regain her composure, but Naina didn't even glance at her. Her focus was solely on me.

"Naina," I started, my voice trembling slightly. "What is this?"

"Just making sure you're safe," she replied, her voice low and dangerous. She stepped closer, the barrel of the gun pressing harder against my forehead. "Do you have any idea how much you mean to me, Mr. Singhania?"

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. Her intensity was both terrifying and intoxicating. "Naina, you don't have to do this."

She leaned in, her breath warm against my ear. "Oh, but I do. No one touches what's mine."

The woman in the pool finally managed to scramble out, dripping wet and looking furious, but one glance from Naina sent her scurrying away, her courage evaporating in the face of Naina's wrath.

Naina's eyes never left mine. "Now, where were we?" she purred, her finger caressing the trigger gently.

"Naina," I said, my voice steadying as I met her gaze. "I'm right here."

She smiled, a slow, predatory smile that sent a shiver down my spine. "Good," she said, lowering the gun but keeping it in her hand. "Remember that."