What It Means to Protect
The doctor had barely left when Ranveer turned to Najma.
"You're not leaving this hospital without security," he said firmly.
Najma didn't look at him. "I don't need guards."
"That's not your decision anymore."
Her gaze snapped to his.
"It's always my decision."
The air between them tightened.
Ranveer exhaled slowly. "Someone is looking for you."
"I know."
"And you're still acting like this is just another problem you can handle alone."
Najma's voice softened—but not in surrender. "Because it is."
He stepped closer. "You disappeared once. I won't let it happen again."
She studied his face carefully. "You can't protect me by locking me away."
"I'm not locking you away," he said. "I'm standing between you and danger."
She shook her head. "You don't understand the kind of danger this is."
"Then explain it to me."
She hesitated.
That hesitation told him everything.
Najma turned toward the window, watching the city lights far below.
"They don't attack directly," she said quietly. "They wait. They observe. They test loyalty."
Ranveer frowned. "Like Rachel?"
Najma glanced at him sharply. "Rachel is loud. This is silent."
She turned back. "If they see you shielding me, they'll hurt you first."
Ranveer's jaw clenched. "That's a risk I accept."
"That's not bravery," she said softly. "That's ignorance."
The word stung.
Silence fell.
Then Ranveer said quietly, "You think I'm weak."
Najma turned fully to him. "I think you're human."
He swallowed.
She stepped closer, her voice dropping. "And I won't survive losing you."
The admission hung between them—raw, unguarded.
Ranveer reached for her hand. "Then stop pushing me away."
She squeezed his fingers briefly.
"I need you beside me," she said. "Not in front of me."
He nodded once. "Then we face it together."
Outside the room, unseen, a shadow paused.
A phone camera clicked silently.
The image uploaded.
Two figures.
Close.
Exposed.
Far away, Arya Khan studied the photo.
His smile was slow.
"So," he murmured. "She learned how to love."
His gaze darkened.
"Good."