Evening – Kitchen, Before Dinner
Shristi leaned against the marble counter, watching Manoj, the cook, grind spices.
"Manoj bhaiya," she said firmly, "Please don't put whole garlic cloves in any of the dishes tonight."
He looked up, surprised. "Why not, Shristi beta? You usually don't mind."
She hesitated. "Someone… who's important to me is allergic. Even a small amount can cause a reaction."
Manoj nodded. "Alright. I'll be careful."
Shristi gave him a small smile, but her tone had an edge. "Not careful. Strict. No garlic. Please."
Dinner at the Villa
The dining hall of Shristi's home was grand yet welcoming, filled with the warmth of family chatter. Wick and Nick sat among Shristi's family, joined by her cousin Prishka and her friend Nishika, who were both there for a night stay.
Nishika and Prishka couldn't hide their curiosity about Wick and Nick. Their sharp eyes followed their every move, fascinated by the presence of two outsiders who had somehow become important enough to be invited into the villa.
Shristi's father, Vidhant, finally spoke, his voice calm but holding authority.
"Sona told me that you both arrived yesterday," he said, setting down his spoon.
Wick nodded, maintaining his usual composed demeanor. "Yes, sir. We came yesterday."
"Then why didn't you visit us yesterday?" Vidhant inquired, his gaze studying Wick.
Wick leaned slightly forward. "Honestly, we had no prior plans to come here. But when we learned that Shristi lived here, we thought of paying a visit. And we truly appreciate how warmly you welcomed us." He paused, then added, "As for why we didn't come earlier... well, we didn't have your address, but a man gave it to us."
Then, as if suddenly remembering something important, Wick's brows furrowed. "Speaking of which, I completely forgot to ask that man about the girl I rescued. I hope she's doing okay."
Shristi's father looked momentarily puzzled. "The girl you rescued?"
Wick shrugged. "Yeah... yesterday, some thugs kidnapped a girl. I managed to get her out of there."
The entire table fell silent. Shristi's father exchanged glances with the family, his confusion deepening. "Wait... what are you talking about?"
Wick, now feeling the attention on him, waved it off. "It's nothing, sir. Just something that happened on the way here."
But Vidhant leaned forward, his voice quieter. "I think... you don't know who the girl was."
A strange feeling crept into Wick's gut. "I didn't get the chance to ask," he admitted.
That's when Shristi, who had been quietly observing him, spoke up. Her voice was soft, almost hesitant, yet held a weight that made Wick look at her.
"It was me."
The words hit Wick like a thunderclap. His body stiffened, his breathing halted for a second. "No... that can't be."
But Shristi's eyes held no deception. "Yes, it's the truth. You saved me Yesterday."
Nick exhaled sharply, his gaze darting between the two.
Wick, still in disbelief, clenched his fists. His eyes darkened, burning with emotions he didn't know how to process. "If I had known..." His voice dropped into something dangerously low. "They wouldn't have been alive." His rage was barely restrained. "Why did they attack you?"
Shristi's father sighed. "It's a long story. There are people who believe that Shristi possesses unique powers, inherited from her ancestors. They think that by sacrificing her, they will gain supreme power."
Wick's jaw tightened. "What kind of nonsense is that?"
But before the weight of the revelation could settle in, Anuj, Shristi's brother, smirked, trying to lighten the moment.
"Relax, it's not a big deal. He just fought some drunk idiots, that's all," he scoffed. "They should be thanking God I wasn't there."
No one paid him any attention.
The dining table buzzed with chatter—until Wick suddenly leaned back, his hand to his throat, face tightening.
Shristi noticed instantly. "Vikram?"
He didn't respond, but the slight strain in his breath and the redness around his eyes were enough.
Shristi stood up, heart thudding. "Are you okay,Vikram?"
Shristi shot up from her seat. "Nick, move," she ordered, grabbing the glass of water and rushing to Wick's side.
"Drink this," she said gently but urgently, holding the glass to his lips. "Slowly. Come on."
Wick sipped, his eyes on her, as if the pain dulled just by her presence. But Shristi's own heart was pounding—too fast.
She turned to the cook, voice trembling under her rising anger. "Did you add garlic?"
Manoj stuttered. "J-just one clove in the dal, I thought—"
"I told you not to!" Her voice cracked. "You could've sent him to the Hospital!"
Without waiting for more excuses, she turned back to Wick. "Get up," she said softly. "You're done here."
He blinked. "I'm—"
"No. You're not fine. You need rest. Please," she added, almost a whisper.
She held his arm, helping him up gently but firmly. "Come to the room. Lie down. I'll stay till you're okay."
As they walked away, Shristi glanced back at Manoj. Her eyes didn't show anger anymore—just disbelief and pain.
"You don't get to make mistakes like this," she said coldly.
---
Later That Night
Wick was resting in his room when a knock echoed through the silence. He didn't need to ask who it was.
"What is it?" Wick's voice was neutral.
Shristi hesitated at the door before stepping inside. The room was dimly lit, casting a soft glow on her face. She folded her arms, her expression unreadable. "You really didn't know it was me?"
Wick exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I know how weird it sounds, but no... I didn't." His voice was quieter than usual. "If I had known, I don't know what I would've done."
Shristi studied his face. There was something raw in his voice, something unguarded.
"So... without knowing it was me, why did you fight against twenty men to save that girl?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Wick chuckled dryly. "Because I needed an address. Your uncle promised to give me one if I helped." Then, as if realizing how ridiculous that sounded, he let out a small smirk. "Funny, huh? The girl I saved turned out to be you."
His gaze softened as he asked, "So,now no need to call anyone to ask "How are you?".
Shristi felt her chest tighten. "I'm fine," she said, her voice quieter than before. "But... you really risked all that just for an address?"
Wick shrugged. "Don't overthink it. I would've done it even if it was someone else."
Shristi's heart sank a little at his words. "Yeah," she whispered, nodding.
She turned to leave, but before she could step out, Wick spoke up again.
"Hey... can you ask your sister to show us around the city tomorrow?"
Shristi froze. Her fingers curled slightly as something stirred in her chest-something that felt suspiciously like jealousy.
"Hn. Okay. I'll tell her." Her tone was clipped.
As she walked back to her room, she muttered under her breath, "Idiot. He could've asked me instead." Her brows furrowed in annoyance. "I'm his friend, after all. But nooo, he wants to spend time with Miss Sona."
Back in her room, she grabbed a water bottle and, without warning, tossed it at Sona.
Sona yelped. "What the-?"
Shristi crossed her arms. "Wick asked you to show him and Nick around the city tomorrow."
Sona's face lit up like fireworks. "Oh my God! Really? I can't believe it! Thank you, thank you! I love you, sis!"
Shristi rolled her eyes.
"I mean, you're not into him, right?" Sona teased. "So... maybe I'll give it a shot."
Nishika smirked. "Ayyy, we talked about this, remember?"
Sona shrugged. "But you should've seen Wick's face when he said, 'If I had known it was Shristi, they wouldn't have been alive.'" She sighed dramatically. "You can have Nick, but leave Wick to me."
Shristi scoffed. "Nick is a good guy. He's already into someone, though she doesn't like him back. And Wick... Wick is an idiot." She folded her arms, pretending not to care. "What's so great about him? He looks like a monkey, built like a bull."
Sona grinned mischievously. "And a personality like a lion."
Nishika chuckled. "Admit it, Shristi. You have terrible taste in men. You choose Vivaan, for God's sake."
Shristi groaned. "Can you all shut up already? I'm tired and want to sleep peacefully!"
The three girls broke into a playful pillow fight, their laughter filling the room.
---
Midnight Encounter
Wick stirred awake, hearing faint noises outside. He sat up, rubbing his temples. He was thirsty, and the jug in his room was empty.
He stepped out cautiously. The house was silent, except for a faint rustling sound coming from the kitchen.
Narrowing his eyes, he moved forward, switching on his flashlight.
A shadowed figure flinched and let out a muffled yelp.
Wick exhaled. "What the hell are you doing here at this hour?"
The light revealed Shristi, clutching a snack in one hand.
Shristi scowled. "Getting something to eat. What about you?"
Wick smirked. "Getting water."
She wordlessly handed him a glass.
He took it, raising an eyebrow. "Thanks, foodie pie."
Shristi rolled her eyes. "Ugh, shut up."
To be continued...