Episode 33 – "Between Duty and Danger"
1284 Words
(Neha’s POV)
This morning, I called Ruhani.
"Hey Nehu! What time are you coming?" she asked, chirpy as ever.
"I won’t be able to come today," I said, keeping my voice steady.
"What? Why not?"
"I have... some personal reasons, Ruhani. Something I need to take care of," I replied, not giving her more.
She tried asking again, her tone switching between concern and subtle insistence, but I didn’t budge.
“I’m sorry,” I said and hung up.
I couldn’t do this anymore. Not today.
After what happened with Veer… I needed distance.
His words still echoed in my head. “Neha, I like you.”
It wasn’t just what he said — it was how he looked at me. Like he meant it. Like he wanted something. But there was something in his eyes that made my stomach twist — something unreadable. Dangerous.
Yes, he had protected me that day.
Yes, he’d been kind… helpful, even.
But behind that mask of control and charm, I saw something dark. Something heavy.
And I can’t afford to get caught in it. Not when I have responsibilities.
Disha is seven months pregnant now. The doctor has advised complete care and monitoring. She's my family. And right now, she — and the baby — are all that matter.
And Sanchit.
I still need to find him. For Disha. For the baby who deserves to know who their father is. No matter how difficult it gets, I won’t stop until I find him.
---
(Ruhani’s POV)
As soon as I saw Neha’s name on my phone, I knew something was wrong.
She never called early.
When she told me she wasn’t coming, I forced my voice into a sweet tone. "But why, Nehu? Are you okay?"
She gave some vague excuse and then — just like that — cut the call.
My fingers clenched around the phone.
She’s slipping away.
If she walks now… the plan falls apart. All of it.
I rushed to Veer’s room and told him everything. His expression didn’t change much — calm as ever — but I knew that look. That coldness in his eyes?
He would take care of it.
---
(Veer’s POV)
I didn’t wait.
I got into my car and drove straight to the dance academy.
She wasn’t expecting me. I saw it on her face when I walked through the doors and she froze near the mirror-lined wall, still holding her teaching notes.
"Can we talk?" I asked, stopping a few feet from her.
She nodded, but her shoulders were stiff.
"I just wanted to say I’m sorry for last night," I began. "I didn’t mean to make things awkward. It was a moment, nothing more. I won’t force anything on you."
She didn’t meet my eyes. "Let it go, Veer."
"I will. I just needed to say it."
She gave a quick nod, trying to end the conversation.
But I wasn’t done.
"Ruhani… she’s been crying since you called. Says she hasn’t eaten. She thinks she lost a sister. A friend."
Neha looked up, troubled.
"She really cares for you. She’s young, and she’s not used to people walking away."
There was silence. Then she let out a soft sigh. "I’ll come tomorrow."
I smiled gently. "That means a lot. Thank you."
She didn’t say anything more — just turned back toward the mirrored wall, brushing her hair behind her ear.
I walked out without another word.
Outside, the sun glared over the car’s hood. But all I could see was her.
That soft, hesitant expression. That guilt.
She thought I was being kind.
But she didn’t know what I knew.
The photo. The clue.
The girl last seen with Sanchit before the truck hit him — the one the detective tracked down.
It was her.
She was the one.
The one who destroyed my best friend’s life.
And she thinks I like her?
No, Neha.
This is not about love.
This is about revenge.
And I’ll make sure you pay — not only with blood.
But with trust also.
And when that breaks… it shatters everything.
---
(Neha’s POV)
I didn’t sleep much last night. Every time I closed my eyes, his voice came back — "Neha, I like you."
It wasn’t just the words. It was the way he looked at me. Like he knew something about me even I didn’t understand.
I wasn’t ready for this. I didn’t come here for attention, or affection. I came here to survive. To protect Disha. To find Sanchit. Everything else felt like a distraction I couldn’t afford.
That’s why I had called Ruhani this morning and told her I wouldn’t be coming to teach. I gave no reason, just said I had something important to take care of.
She didn’t take it well. Her voice was polite, but I could tell she was upset. Still, I had made up my mind.
At least, until Veer showed up at the academy.
He asked if I could talk to him for a few minutes. I didn’t want to, but I stepped outside anyway.
He apologized. Said he didn’t mean to make me uncomfortable last night. That it just happened in the moment, and he wouldn’t repeat it.
“I won’t force anything on you, Neha,” he said, his voice soft. “You don’t owe me anything.”
I appreciated that — the honesty. But I still told him gently, “Let’s just forget it, Veer. Please.”
I thought that would be the end of it.
But then he mentioned Ruhani. How she hadn’t eaten. How she was crying and saying she lost a friend and a sister. His words weren’t harsh — they were soft, even careful — but I could feel the weight of guilt forming inside me.
I didn’t want to hurt Ruhani. She had been sweet to me from the beginning. And even though I needed space, maybe this wasn’t the right way to take it.
So I said yes. I’d come back. Just for her.
---
Back at the mansion, everything looked the same — the wide staircase, the soft scent of lilies in the hallway, the quiet hum of the afternoon.
But it didn’t feel the same.
Maybe it was me.
Ruhani ran up to me as soon as I entered. “Nehu! You’re here!” she said, wrapping her arms around me tightly. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
I smiled a little. “I couldn’t say no for too long.”
She pulled me into the dance room, already buzzing with energy and plans. “I missed you. I really did. You’re the only one who understands my chaos.”
We started practice slowly. She was excited, cheerful — and I tried to match her rhythm, letting the music guide us both.
And for a while, I forgot everything.
Almost.
---
Later, as I made my way back home — taking the long walk from the bus stop, my steps slower than usual — my thoughts drifted again.
To Veer.
To Ruhani.
To the delicate balance I was trying to keep between my world and theirs.
I wasn’t sure where I stood in it anymore.
But I knew where I needed to stay grounded — with Disha. With her baby. She was almost seven and half months now, and she needed me more than ever.
Whatever else was happening, whatever Veer felt or didn’t feel — none of it could matter right now.
Not until I found Sanchit.
Not until I made sure Disha was okay.
And so, I’d go back tomorrow.
Teach.
Smile.
Play the part I was supposed to.
Because for now, that’s all I could do.
- Writer
