Author's Pov

Dev stood in front of the Ranawat Mansion, staring at what was left of it. Half of the structure was burnt, the walls blackened, the air still carrying the smell of smoke.

For a moment, he just kept looking at the mansion. It felt like a reflection of his own life, damaged, shaken, and barely standing.

A guard approached him hesitantly.

“Sir… the firemen handed these over to me. They said these were recovered from inside the mansion.”

Dev took the small bundle from him. Inside were a few mobile phones, probably belonging to family members. Surprisingly, they weren’t burnt.

He nodded and turned toward his car.

Just then, one of the phones started ringing. Dev paused.

It surprised him that the phone was still working. He pulled it out and looked at the screen. An unknown number was flashing.

He hesitated for a second, then cut the call. He was about to switch off the phone when the wallpaper caught his attention. It was a picture of Janisha, laughing brightly, standing between her two best friends.

His jaw tightened slightly when his eyes fell on Abhishek, standing beside her. He felt a burning sensation in his heart. He couldn’t bear anyone’s presence around her. This will sound like a dictator but this is real him. Even if she wants to hate, her hate will only belong to him. He wants the whole from her whether it’s hate or love.

Before he could think further, the same unknown number flashed again. This time, he answered.

But before he could speak, a man's voice came from the other side.

“Oh babygirl… I think you didn’t like the flowers right? That’s why you are cutting my calls and blocking every number ” the man said mockingly. “But how many numbers will you block, hmm? I’ll just get more.”

Dev’s grip on the phone tightened.

“Stop resisting,” the man continued with a disgusting laugh. “Even your resistance turns me on.”

Dev’s other hand curled into a tight fist.

“And I’ve sent you something,” the man added. “Go check it. After that, I know you won’t ignore me or curse me anymore. Go… go check.”

Dev still hadn’t said a single word. Just then, a WhatsApp notification popped up on the phone.

The phone was locked. Dev stared at the screen, trying to think of the password. Then something suddenly clicked in his mind. Years ago… her password used to be his birth date. His fingers hesitated for a moment before he typed the date.

The phone unlocked. His heart started pounding.

Taking a steady breath, he opened the chat. There was a video file. He pressed play. The moment the video started, Dev froze. His breathing turned shallow.

In the video, Janisha was inside a trial room, probably in a store or a mall. She looked unaware that she was being recorded. She was about to change her outfit, she opened the zip of the back of her top, then she started sliding her top through her shoulders revealing her shoulders bare, and then the video abruptly ended.

Dev’s hands trembled not in weakness but in rage. The thought that someone had secretly recorded her… that someone had watched this… made rage explode inside him. The man’s voice came again from the phone.

“Got the video, babygirl? It’s just a trailer, ” he said smugly. “Now are you still going to resist?”

He laughed.

“Don’t worry. For now, only I’ve seen it. But if you keep refusing me… I can’t promise what will happen next.”

Dev’s eyes turned bloodshot.

“Say something, babygirl…”

“You filthy bastard.” Dev’s voice finally erupted, cold and deadly.

“I’ll rip your skin off and tear your eyes out of their sockets,” he growled. “How dare you blackmail my girl?”

For a moment, the man on the other side went silent.

“Wh… who are you?” the stalker asked nervously.

Dev’s voice dropped into something far more dangerous.

“YOUR DEATH. You made the biggest mistake of your life by setting your eyes on my girl.” His jaw tightened.

“Run as much as you want. Hide wherever you can… because I’m coming for you. For hunting you.”

“And when I find you… you won’t survive it.” He ended the call.

Dev's Pov

Now it all made sense. That bouquet… it was sent by that bastard.

And I…

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.

I made her cry.

How could I be so blind?

And that sick man still has the video… a video of my girl.

A cold fury settled inside my chest. I will make sure he regrets every breath he takes. Taking a steady breath, I deleted the video from her phone. She had already suffered enough. I wouldn’t let this break her any further.

From now on, I will make sure to remove that bastard from her life completely. I pulled out my own phone and called my best friend.

“Kashaan,” I said sharply when he answered, “I need a number traced.”

“I want every detail about the man behind it.” And without waiting for another word, I ended the call.

Author's Pov

Dev entered the Rooh Mansion silently and walked straight into the room. The mansion, once lively with voices and laughter, now felt unusually quiet.

He walked toward the bed and slowly lay down, staring blankly at the ceiling. His mind was a complete mess. Too many thoughts. Too many memories. Too much guilt.

After a moment, he reached for the phone in his hand, Janisha’s phone.

The wallpaper lit up the screen. It was her picture. She stood between her two best friends, laughing freely, her eyes shining with life. She looked radiant… carefree… the same girl he once knew.

Dev’s gaze softened.

For a long moment, he simply stared at the picture, his fingers lightly brushing the screen as if he could somehow feel her through it. Slowly, he placed the phone over his heart. His eyes closed.

And just like that, memories rushed back..The laughter they shared. The teasing arguments.The way her eyes used to sparkle when she looked at him.

Those moments… the most beautiful part of his life.

And now they felt so far away.

A single tear escaped from the corner of his eye as he lay there silently, the phone still resting over his heart, as if he was trying to hold on to the only thing left of her.

Four Years Ago

Dev was sitting in the college canteen, staring aimlessly at nothing in particular. His jaw was clenched, his eyes cold, but his mind was raging with anger.

He hated the idea of Nia forgiving Veeranshu. The very thought of it made his blood boil.

Dev still remembered how Veeranshu had treated her before… how he had broken Nia’s heart. And now suddenly he was back, acting like some changed man, some saint.  He scoffed bitterly. Even Shivraj seemed to approve of it.

But Dev couldn’t. Only he knew how badly Nia had suffered. Only he knew how many nights she had cried in his arms. How broken she had been because of that man.

And now she was giving him another chance? Why?

He couldn’t bear the thought of seeing his sister hurt again.

What if Veeranshu hurt her again? What if he was just pretending… playing with her feelings?  Dev’s thoughts spiraled dangerously.

Then I’ll show him what it feels like to see his own sister cry, Dev thought darkly. I’ll make sure he suffers the same pain.

Just then, his eyes caught a familiar figure walking toward him with a bright smile. She waved cheerfully.

Dev’s expression softened instantly, and he smiled back.

“Hi, Dev ji! What are you doing here?” she asked as she approached.

“Well,” he replied casually, leaning back in his chair, “I actually study here. But what about you?”

“Oh, I just came to fill out my admission form,” she said.  Dev raised an eyebrow.

“You could have just told me,” he said. “I would’ve gotten it done from home. You didn’t even need to come here.”

She blinked in surprise. “Huh? How?”

“This college belongs to Shivraj Bhai, madam,” he said with a playful grin as he stood up and lightly pinched her nose.

Her cheeks immediately turned pink, and she lowered her gaze shyly.

Dev noticed the sudden change in her expression. He snapped his fingers playfully in front of her face.

“Where are you lost, madam?” he teased.

She quickly shook her head, trying to act normal.

“Which semester are you in?” she asked casually.

“Fifth semester,” he replied in the same light tone.  Her eyes widened in surprise.

“Wait… how much older are you than me?” she asked suddenly.

Dev narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “And why do you want to know that?” he asked.  She immediately looked away.

“Nothing… just like that,” she muttered.

How could she possibly tell him the truth? That she had a crush on him… on a man who was older than her.

Dev watched her for a moment before smiling slightly.

“So… shall we go, Janu?” he asked teasingly. She nodded quietly but her cheeks flushed even more.

And together, they walked toward the exit.

.

Dev entered the house and found Nia standing near the door, dressed up and ready to leave.

“Where are you going?” he asked suspiciously.

Nia smiled brightly. “I’m going on my first official date.”

Dev’s eyes darkened for a moment, but he quickly controlled his reaction. Taking a deep breath, he nodded.

“Okay… take care. And call me if you need anything.”

Nia narrowed her eyes at him.

“Why are you behaving so nicely today?” she asked suspiciously.

Dev immediately smacked the back of her head lightly.

“Go already, you little witch! Even being nice to you is a problem now?” he said as he started walking away. She gritted her teeth and smacked his back.

“Kutta kahi ka ” she snapped. ("Idiot dog!"

Dev instantly turned around and messed up her hair with both hands.

“Ahhh! Dad! Bhaiya! Look at him! This dog is ruining my hair!” she cried dramatically.  Taking off one of her sandals, she tried to hit him.

Dev quickly dodged and ran away laughing.

“Ganji chudail kahi ki!” he shouted while running toward his room.

("You bald witch")

Later, Dev entered the gym and found his elder brother Shivraj there, hitting the punching bag.

“Bhai… we need to talk,” Dev said seriously. Shivraj hummed in response, still punching the bag.

“Why did you say yes to that Veeranshu for Nia?” Dev asked.

“I didn’t say yes to anything,” Shivraj replied calmly without stopping. “It was Nia’s decision.” Dev frowned.

“But bhai, what if he hurts her again?” he said in frustration.

Shivraj stopped for a moment and looked at him.  “He won’t,” he said firmly. “And if he does… I know exactly how to deal with men like him.”

Dev sighed and sat down on a nearby bench.

“But bhai, Nia is still a child. How can you allow her to date him?”

This time Shivraj’s hands paused completely. He took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“ I never 'allowed' her, Dev… she’s an adult,” Shivraj said calmly. “And she’s strong. I raised her, I know her well. So I respected her decision.”

He took a sip from his water bottle before continuing.

“She can handle her life. And even if she can’t… we are always here for her.”

Dev shook his head.

“But we need to protect her, bhai.”

Shivraj looked at him carefully, then walked over and sat beside him.

“Yes,” he said quietly. “We need to be protectors, not dictators. And I'm not protecting her because she's a woman, I am protecting her because she's my sister.”

He placed a hand on Dev’s shoulder.

“It’s our responsibility to protect her… but we don’t have the right to control her decisions.”

“She’s a human being. An adult. And most importantly, she’s a woman who is stronger than we think. She doesn't need my or your 'permission' to do anything.”

Shivraj’s voice turned firmer.

“So stop overthinking. And don’t let your dark thoughts take control of you.”

Dev sat silently for a moment.

He hadn’t realized that his protectiveness had started turning into control.

“Sorry, bhaiya,” he said quietly.

Shivraj paused at the doorway before leaving.

“Show your apology through your actions, Dev,” he said calmly.

“Words are easy. Actions are what truly matter.”

And with that, he walked away. Dev remained seated on the bench, staring ahead, lost in thought.

It was Janisha’s first day in college.

She was walking across the campus nervously when a group of boys and girls suddenly stepped in front of her, blocking her path. She looked up at them, her grip tightening around the straps of her bag.

“First day?” one of the boys asked with a smirk. Janisha hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“Well then, Miss Fresher, don’t try to escape,” the boy mocked. “We need to have a little fun before letting you go, okay?”

Janisha stiffened. She swallowed nervously but gathered the courage to speak.

“Y-you can’t do ragging,” she said. “It’s illegal.”

The group exchanged amused looks.

“Oh really?” the boy replied sarcastically. “We didn’t know that. Thanks for informing us.”  He leaned slightly closer.

“Now do what I say.”

Janisha glanced at them and tried to step back. But before she could move, a girl grabbed her arm tightly.

“Where do you think you’re going?” the girl mocked while the others laughed.

“Do you have a coin?” the girl asked.

Janisha shook her head nervously, still trapped in the girl’s grip.

“So you’re roaming around without even a coin?” the girl said, narrowing her eyes. 

“I… I have a card,” Janisha replied quickly. The boy raised an eyebrow.

“You want to leave, right?”

Janisha nodded again.

“Then do a small task,” he said. “Use your card and measure the entire corridor.”

Janisha’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“T-this is impossible,” she protested. “And I’m not doing anything like that.”

The boy’s smile disappeared instantly.

Janisha tried to pull her hand free.

“Let go of me, or I’ll complain about all of you!” she warned while struggling.

Because of her sudden resistance, the girl lost her balance slightly as Janisha managed to free her arm.

“You!” the girl snapped angrily. “How dare you push me!”

In anger, she shoved Janisha hard.

Janisha stumbled backward, about to fall, but suddenly strong arms wrapped around her from behind, steadying her.

Her eyes flew open.

She found herself looking straight at Dev.

Her heart started pounding wildly.

Dev gently helped her stand upright.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly.

Janisha nodded slowly, still slightly shaken.

Dev then turned toward the group.

His eyes were cold and intense.

The group shifted uneasily under his gaze.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Dev asked sharply.

“S-sir… we were just joking,” one of the boys stammered.

“Joking?” Dev repeated coldly. “Or ragging?”

He tilted his head slightly.

“And if it is ragging, then I guess I also have the right to give you tasks… since I’m your senior.” The group gulped nervously.

Dev turned back to Janisha.

“What task did they give you?” he asked calmly.

“They told me to measure the whole corridor with my card,” she replied.

Dev slowly turned toward the group again.

“Perfect,” he said calmly.

“Now each one of you will measure the entire campus with your own cards.”

The group stared at him in shock.

“And if your measurements don’t match,” Dev continued, “you’ll start all over again.” His voice turned colder.

“And don’t try to outsmart me. I have access to every CCTV camera on this campus.”

“Now go. Start.”

“S-sir please… no…” one of the boys pleaded.

“Go now,” Dev said firmly, glaring at them, “or I’ll give you punishments you won’t forget.”

The group immediately scattered.

One by one, they knelt down and started measuring the campus with their cards.

Dev watched them for a moment, a satisfied smirk appearing on his face.

Then he turned toward Janisha.

“Where’s your brother?” he asked.

“H-he went with Nia di,” she replied softly. Dev muttered under his breath, “Of course that bastard is busy impressing my sister.”

Without even realizing it, he casually took Janisha’s hand and started walking.

Janisha froze for a second. Her heart fluttered wildly.  Her cheeks turned pink as she looked at their joined hands.

A small smile spread across her face.

For her, this truly felt like the best beginning of her college life.

Present

Abhishek brought Janisha back to Rooh Mansion.

She looked pale,drained, fragile, as if the night had taken something out of her that she couldn’t get back. The moment she stepped inside, all eyes turned to her. The usual warmth of the house was replaced with a quiet, heavy concern.

She didn’t say much. She just walked slowly and sank onto the couch beside her brother, Veeranshu.

The moment she leaned into him, resting her head against his chest, his arms wrapped around her protectively, almost instinctively. His fingers moved through her hair again and again, as if reassuring himself that she was really there… safe… breathing. He had been holding himself together ever since the fire, but seeing her like this, weak, silent, shook him deeply.

They hadn’t told their parents everything at first, but the news had already spread through the channels. Questions had come, panic had followed, but for now, all that mattered was that she was home.

Across the room, Dev stood still. He hadn’t moved since she entered. His eyes were locked on her. Not once did she look at him. Not once.

But his gaze… it didn’t waver for even a second. It was as if he feared that if he blinked, she would disappear again, like she almost did. Something raw and unspoken flickered in his eyes.

But Janisha… she couldn’t bring herself to meet them.Not anymore.

On the other side, Abhishek stood watching. His jaw was tight, his eyes burning holes into Dev but Dev didn’t react. For once, he didn’t have anything to say. No anger. No arrogance.Just silence.

After a while, Janisha was helped to her room. Her steps were slow, unsteady. The medicines had started to take effect, making her body heavier with every passing second. By the time she reached the room, her eyes were already closing, exhaustion pulling her under.

She lay down without a word.And within moments… sleep claimed her.

The next day,

She already got her phone from Preet. And she didn't ask anything not knowing that it was handed by Dev to her.

Now, She was sitting around the girls. Nia, Preet, and Maya were planning to go shopping. They insisted Janisha come along, but she refused at first. She wasn’t in the mood, her body still felt weak, and her mind… even worse.

But Shankar gently insisted.

“Go beta, take something for yourself,” he said warmly. She couldn’t say no after that.

Abhishek was still asleep, unaware that she was leaving. Reluctantly, Janisha went with them. But the moment she stepped outside and saw who was driving… her steps halted.

Dev.

Nia happily took the front seat beside him, while Janisha quietly sat at the back with Preet and Maya.

As soon as they settled, Dev adjusted the rearview mirror. And there she was.

His gaze met hers through it. He slid on his sunglasses, hiding his eyes but not the intensity behind them.

Janisha looked up… and instantly felt it. Even behind those dark shades, she knew he was looking at her. Her jaw tightened. She shot him a glare.

A faint smirk curved his lips.

Annoyed, she turned her face toward the window, but still… she could feel his gaze returning to her again and again.

She didn’t dare look back.

She didn’t have the strength to deal with him today.

At the mall, the three girls were already excited....laughing, chatting, glowing with energy.

Janisha… just followed silently. They entered the clothing section, instantly getting busy choosing outfits. They urged her to pick something too.

She nodded faintly and walked ahead, scanning the rows of clothes.

The cold air brushed against her bare arms, sending a slight shiver through her body. She was wearing a simple sleeveless cotton dress....comfortable, light…

But suddenly, Something felt off.

She turned slightly and froze.

A man stood at a distance, staring at her legs. Her breath hitched.

Before she could react, his gaze slowly traveled upward… lingering in a way that made her skin crawl. A wave of disgust and unease washed over her. Suddenly she felt so exposed.

She immediately turned away, her steps quickening as she walked back toward Nia.

“Janu, did you find anything?” Nia asked casually. Janisha shook her head.

Her heartbeat had already started racing.

“Oh come on, look at these!” Nia said, showing her some denim tops.

Janisha tried to focus, forcing herself to look through them. She started looking at them while Nia walked to the other side to find more.

And then, Janisha felt it. A hand. Just near her waist. Barely touching… grazing. Then slowly… moving upward.

Her entire body went rigid. Her breath got stuck in her throat.

She turned sharply, It was him. The same man.

But he walked past her casually, as if nothing had happened.

As if he hadn’t just, made her so disgustingly uncomfortable.

Her fingers curled tightly into her dress.

Her hands trembled. Her body felt frozen. Her voice… gone.

She looked around helplessly.

Nia, Preet, and Maya were just a little away, busy with clothes, unaware.

Swallowing hard, she forced her feet to move and walked toward Preet.

Preet looked up and immediately noticed her face. Pale and Shaken.

“Janu? What happened, baby?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Janisha opened her mouth to speak but her eyes caught him again. Standing at a distance. Watching and gesturing something. Her breath broke.

Without a word, she stepped forward and hugged Preet tightly. Her body trembled in her arms.

Preet instantly wrapped her arms around her, rubbing her back soothingly.

“Bhabhi…” Janisha’s voice came out broken, shaky, “I… I want to go home…”

That was enough. Preet didn’t ask anything further. She immediately called Dev. Nia and Maya rushed over, worried, asking questions but Janisha couldn’t answer.

“I… I want to go home…” she repeated, like a stuck whisper. They exchanged worried glances, assuming she wasn’t feeling well. Within minutes, Dev arrived. He had been outside.

As he approached, his eyes instinctively searched and found her. Standing stiff, Silent and Pale.

Something in his expression changed.

“Dev, take Janu home. She’s not feeling well. We’ll come later, we still have to buy some gifts for Nia's in law,” Preet said quickly. Dev nodded, but his eyes didn’t leave Janisha.

“I’ll leave security here,” he said firmly.

They agreed.

He gestured for her to come.

Slowly… she walked. Her steps felt heavy.

Her shoulders tense. He noticed everything. Every small detail.

As they stepped outside, he instructed the security to stay with the others. Then he opened the car door for her.

She sat inside, Quietly. And this is unusual because most of the time she argues, taunts or at least glares at him.

He walked to the driver’s seat and got in.

For a moment, he didn’t start the car.

Instead, he turned fully toward her.

She sat stiff, her hands gripping her dress tightly, her gaze fixed on her lap.

“Janisha…” his voice was softer than usual. No response.

“Are you feeling unwell?” he asked.

Nothing.

“Did someone say something to you?”

Silence. His jaw tightened slightly.

Then, more carefully,

“Did… did someone make you uncomfortable?”

This time, she looked up. Her eyes met his. And they were filled.

A tear slipped down her cheek. Something inside him snapped.

His expression darkened instantly.

His hands clenched into fists.

He exhaled sharply… trying to control the storm rising within him.

Then slowly, gently,

he reached out and wiped her tear.

“Shh…” his voice dropped, dangerously calm,

“Crying isn’t for you…” A pause.

His eyes hardened.

“It’s for the one who did this.”

And now, he himself doesn't know, what he will do with that filthy man.