I twirled in front of the mirror, my heels clicking softly against the floor, bangles chiming like they were celebrating with me. I tilted my head, studied my reflection, and said dramatically,

"Tumhe koi haq nahi itna khubsurat dikhne ka." My reflection smiled back bright, hopeful, completely unaware.

Last year of college. Last year of normal. Last year of believing life was gentle.

I grabbed my bag and walked downstairs, the smell of toast and coffee wrapping around me like comfort.

"Mummaaa," I sang, kissing her cheek. She laughed. "Subah subah itni energy"

"Senior year," I grinned. "Finally."

Dad looked up from his newspaper. "You are still our little girl"

"Dad," I protested.

"Dad our stupid little girl ," Sahil muttered. "Jo aaj bhi mirror se baatein karti hai."

I threw a napkin at him. "At least main khud se baat karti hoon, teri tarah sirf complaints nahi krti."

Harshit bhai walked in, calm and effortless as always, ruffling my hair. "Bas karo tum dono kya subah subah World War shuru kar di hai"

"Why do you always take her side bhai?" Sahil snapped.

"Because she's right," Harshit bhai said easily. "And because annoying you is entertaining."

I laughed, sticking my tongue out at Sahil. Mumma shook her head, smiling fondly.

That's when I heard familiar footsteps.

Veer Rana walked in with Anya.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Calm eyes that noticed everything and reacted to nothing. He was dressed in a simple black shirt, sleeves rolled up, posture straight not stiff, but alert. Like someone who was always ready. His presence wasn't loud, but it commanded the room.

My heart did a stupid little flip.

Anya came running toward me. "ISHAAA!"

She wrapped her arms around me tightly. "Missed you!"

I hugged her back, laughing. "We literally met last week."

"So? Still missed you."

Veer gave a polite nod. "Good morning ma'am."

"Good morning," I replied too quickly, too softly. I hated myself for it.

Everyone greeted them warmly. Dad smiled. "Veer, Anya join us for breakfast."

Mumma nodded. "Haan beta, baitho."

They sat across the table. I pretended to focus on my plate, but my eyes betrayed me, stealing glances whenever Veer spoke.

He was discussing security arrangements with Dad, college routes, timings, extra guards at home. His voice was calm, steady, reassuring. The kind of voice you trusted without realising why.

He said, "We've increased campus surveillance. No unnecessary risks."

I swallowed. What were they talking about?

Sahil smirked, noticing my distraction. "Plate pe dhyaan de."

I glared at him. "Tu apna dekh."

After breakfast, Dad and Harshit bhai left for the office.

Mumma adjusted her dupatta. "You all go together okay?"

Sahil grinned suddenly. "Race to the car?"

Anya laughed. "You're on."

I looked down at my heels. "You're kidding, right?"

"Run Losers," Sahil said and bolted.

Anya and I ran, laughing and protesting, but Sahil reached first, unlocking the car with a triumphant grin.

"I win," he announced, hopping into the driver's seat.

"Wait-" I shouted.

Too late. He drove off.

"Unbelievable," Anya groaned. "He's impossible."

Before I could say anything, a familiar engine stopped beside us.

Veer stepped out. "Get in. I'll drop you two."

I froze.

"Uh okay," I managed, heart suddenly racing for no logical reason.

The car ride was quiet. Too quiet. I sat straight, hands folded, hyper-aware of everything his presence, his focus on the road, the faint scent of his cologne.

"You okay ma'am?" he asked casually.

"Yes," I replied instantly. "I mean-yes. Fine."

Anya was busy in the back seat.

I looked out the window, cheeks warm, pretending my heart wasn't misbehaving.

At that moment, Veer Rana was just my father's trusted security head.

Just Anya's protective brother.

Just a man I had a harmless little crush on.

Veer dropped us at the college gate, stepping out first to open the door like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Have a good day, ma'am and aanya ," he said calmly.

My heart did that stupid little jump again.

Anya waved at him. "Thanks, bhai."

He nodded once and drove away, leaving me staring at the road for half a second longer than necessary

"Okay," Anya said, looping her arm through mine, "tell me why you're smiling like that."

"I'm not," I lied badly.

She grinned. "Senior year, Isha! Can you believe it?"

"I know!" I laughed. "No more pretending to like juniors."

We walked inside, excitement buzzing between us, and headed straight to the cafeteria before class.

Coffee. Noise. Familiar chaos.

That's when Sahil appeared, leaning against a table like he owned the place. "Well, well," he smirked. "Lost the race and the car? Tough morning, ladies."

I crossed my arms. "Funny. I don't remember asking for your commentary."

Anya raised an eyebrow. "Also, you left us stranded. Very heroic of you."

Sahil scoffed. "You both are dramatic."

"Better dramatic than insecure," I shot back.

Anya smiled sweetly. "Yeah, Sahil. Some people peak at winning races. Others have personalities."

The table nearby burst into laughter.

Sahil glared, clearly outnumbered. "Whatever," he muttered, walking away.

We high-fived.

"Queens," Anya declared.

After class, we waited near the gate for Sahil. Minutes passed. Then more.

"Where are you moron?," I shouted on call. "With my friends sorry sissy" he replied hanging up the call.

Anya sighed. "Unbelievable."

She pulled out her phone. "I'll call bhai."

My heart immediately started racing again for...... no reason. Obviously.

"Hello Bhai?" she said. "Can you pick us up?"

A pause. Then a smile. "Yeah? Great." She hung up. "He's coming."

Great.

While we waited, a guy approached us confidently, a little too confident.

"Hey," he smiled at me. "I've seen you around. Isha, right?"

I shifted awkwardly. "Uh-hi."

"You free sometime? Maybe coffee?"

I laughed nervously, glancing at Anya for help. She was enjoying this way too much.

"I-uh-"

The sound of an engine interrupted me.

Veer's car pulled up.

I didn't think. I grabbed Anya's hand and practically dragged her to the car.

"Bye," I muttered to the guy, not even looking back.

Inside the car, Veer glanced at us through the rearview mirror.

"Was he bothering you, ma'am?"

"No-" I started, but Anya cut in.

"He was flirting with her bhai," she announced cheerfully. "Isha was turning red."

"ANYA," I hissed, glaring at her.

Veer nodded slightly. "Did he say anything inappropriate?

"No no" I said quickly, cheeks burning. Anya laughed. "Relax, bhai. He backed off."

Veer dropped Anya home first.

"See you," she said, smirking at me. "Try not to miss me."

I laughed.

The car door closed.

Silence.

Just me and him.

My hands twisted in my lap. My heart was loud. Too loud.

I opened my mouth to say something-anything.

Suddenly, impact.

A car slammed into us from the side.

I screamed.

Before I could process it, headlights flashed ahead-a truck, speeding toward us.

"Seat belt, ma'am. Now," Veer ordered sharply.

I fumbled, hands shaking.

The world tilted as he jerked the steering wheel, accelerating, narrowly missing the truck.

My breath caught.

With one hand on the wheel, Veer reached for his gun.

Gun.

My chest felt tight. "Veer-"

"Stay calm," he said, voice steady. Too steady. "We're almost home."

I didn't remember the rest clearly. Just fear. Noise. My heartbeat in my ears.

When the car finally stopped at our gate, I couldn't move.

My body refused.

Veer was beside me instantly. "Ma'am."

I didn't respond.

He unbuckled my seat belt gently and, without hesitation, lifted me into his arms.

The world blurred.

Inside, he placed me carefully on the sofa, then stepped away, already on his phone.

"Track the car," he said coldly.

Mumma rushed in, panic written all over her face. "Isha ? What happened baby?"

I tried to answer. I really did.

But I couldn't.