The crisp sound of glass shattering resonated throughout the room.
Hardly had the door opened
Agastya burst in, his face etched with concern.
"I reminded you to call me if you had a need," he reprimanded softly, urging a nearby nurse to clean up the pieces.
A moment later, he returned with a fresh glass of water. Sitting beside her, he helped her drink carefully.
"Did you have a nightmare?" he asked softly, his voice almost a whisper.
She nodded faintly, unable to speak out loud.
Without saying a word, Agastya enveloped her in his arms and held her shaking body against his chest.
"It's alright," he breathed into her hair. "I'm here. You'll be safe. I'll never let anything happen to you."
His reassuring heartbeat against her ear gradually calmed the horror gnawing at her very being.
She let herself relax in his arms just in that moment.
"Sleep," he urged softly, cradling her like a delicate treasure.
And to the rhythm of his hand patting and his heart's gentle lull, Anya fell asleep.
As soon as the older cleaning lady came to clean up the glass pieces, Agastya gently picked up Anya and carried her to his room and put her on his bed.
She stirred slightly and sniffed in the warm comforting body scent of him that enveloped her, yet did not awaken.
Agastya wrapped his blanket over her, his heart wrenching at the vision of her thin frame.
He gave a gentle peck on her forehead and whispered, "Sleep well, my love."
He didn't think it was right to share the bed with her, but he couldn't bring himself to leave her alone.
Taking a pillow with him, he sat down on the nearby sofa, his eyes never leaving her once.
As dusk fell, his mind wandered back to that Vegas night — the night that he discovered her in a pool of blood and barely breathing
Even today, the memory haunted his bones.
This time, he swore to himself, regardless of what secrets she was keeping, regardless of how far from here she attempted to flee, he would defend her. He would never lose her again.
Agastya's Pov
It's been four years since I took over my father's throne, the King of the Mumbai Underworld.
Four years since I have led empires in suits and blood.
I expanded my power both legally and illegally.
Made allies, crushed enemies, and became the man everyone feared.
But I was looking for her.
From the very first day I started commanding power.
I searched for her…Every street, every face, every whisper in the underworld.
But Anya Varma had vanished, like smoke in the wind.
Not a trace.
No CCTV footage.
No ID trails.
No bank activity.
None.
Just…gone.
I should've been furious.
I was.
Because she left.
Without a word.
Even after I told her to wait for me.
She disappeared.
But more than anger, I feared the worst.
So, imagine my state when…after nine damn years…I saw her.
I never thought I would see her here. In this place.
In Las Vegas.
I was there for a discreet underworld meeting …routine, I would say. But fate… it played its cruel hand.
There she was.
Anya…. my Naina….
That's what I used to call her…Because I love her pitch-black eyes.
On the sidewalk, walking beside a girl, maybe a friend.
Giggling.
Smiling.
The wind was messing with her hair.
Like a free soul, untouched by this world's dirt.
She looked… alive.
Unburdened.
Happy.
I felt the world go still around me.
For a moment, I thought she was an illusion.
My heart, which hadn't skipped a beat since she left…stumbled.
I wanted to run to her.
Hold her.
Scream.
Why did you leave, Anya?
Why did you make me search every corner of this godforsaken world?
Just why?
.
.
But I didn't move.
Because the life I live… would destroy her.
The Anya I knew hated cages.
And I… I am one.
If I went near her, she'd be hunted…used against me.
She is not my weakness, not then...not now...but I want her to have a carefree life.
So, I stayed in the shadows, heart pounding with wrenching pain.
For the first time in years, I smiled.
Because she was safe.
And if she was happy, I could live with never touching her again.
But fate wasn't done with me.
Later That Night…
.
.
.
I was asked to meet Adonis, one of the most dangerous and mysterious arms dealers, at the shipping port.
It wasn't supposed to happen that way, but in our world, nothing is ever predictable.
Plans change in a snap.
I reached early,
My eyes scanned the place, out of habit.
And then I saw her.
Covered in blood.
Lying on the cold ground, like a broken doll.
Barely breathing.
The same girl who was laughing just hours ago.
The world blurred. I don't remember screaming, but I think I did.
I ran.
Dropped to my knees and pulled her into my arms.
Blood soaked through my shirt, but I didn't care.
I held her, whispering her name like a prayer I hadn't said in years.
My assistant moved like a ghost, cancelling the meeting, securing the area, and wiping footage.
No one could know.
No one could ever trace this back to her.
We took her to a private hospital.
Once they stabilised her, I brought her to India.
I couldn't take a risk.
I didn't leave her side for days.
Not even once.
Three Months Later…
She opened her eyes.
After nine years and three months, I saw those pitch-black orbs…the eyes that once pulled me into an abyss and never let me go.
She looked at me, confused, scared….
And I knew.
This was just the beginning.
She was back.
But broken.
And now, I would burn down the entire goddamn world to find out who hurt her.
.
.
________________________________________
Hello there!
I'm new to writing, and every word you read here is a step in my journey to learn, grow, and hopefully connect with your hearts. This story, these people in the story, each one has been in my thoughts for years, and I finally thought of penning them down. This means something to me.
I know there are imperfections, and may be a few stumbles along the way, but I'm pouring my heart into it...
Your support, likes, comments and feedback, even the smallest encouragement, mean the world to me.
I hope you'll stay with me through this journey.
With love,
RedMist ♥️