17
Chapter 17
Under His Protection
Aarav's eyes remained fixed on the security screen.
The man had disappeared into the crowd almost immediately after approaching Anaya.
To anyone else, it would have looked like an ordinary accident.
To Aarav, it didn't.
Years in his world had taught him one thing.
Coincidences were rare.
Very rare.
"Vikram."
His right-hand man appeared within seconds.
"What happened?"
Aarav pointed at the screen.
"I want this man identified."
Vikram studied the footage.
His expression darkened.
"Isn't that-"
"Yes."
The same man connected to the anonymous photographs.
The same man who had been watching Anaya.
A dangerous silence settled between them.
"Should I alert security?"
Aarav's jaw tightened.
"Already done."
---
Downstairs, Anaya was completely unaware of the situation.
She continued inspecting the venue with her team.
Everything seemed normal.
At least until Riya appeared beside her.
"You okay?"
Anaya looked up.
"Why?"
"You keep looking over your shoulder."
She hadn't even realized she was doing it.
That uneasy feeling from earlier hadn't disappeared.
If anything, it had become stronger.
"I'm fine."
Riya clearly didn't believe her.
But before she could argue, someone approached.
A hotel employee.
"Ms. Mehra?"
"Yes?"
"Mr. Rathore would like to see you."
Of course he would.
At this point, she was convinced the man had a sixth sense for annoying her.
---
Five minutes later, she entered a private suite on the top floor.
The moment she stepped inside, she knew something was wrong.
Aarav wasn't working.
He wasn't even sitting.
He stood near the window, looking unusually serious.
"What's going on?"
Instead of answering, he asked a question.
"Did anyone approach you downstairs?"
Anaya frowned.
"What?"
"The ballroom."
Realization dawned.
"The man who bumped into me?"
Aarav's expression hardened.
So she'd noticed him too.
"Who is he?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out."
The answer immediately erased any irritation she felt.
Because Aarav wasn't acting overprotective.
He was acting concerned.
Genuinely concerned.
"Why?"
For a moment, he didn't answer.
Then-
"Because he's been watching you."
The room fell silent.
Anaya stared.
"What?"
Aarav walked toward the table and placed several photographs in front of her.
The moment she saw them, her blood ran cold.
Pictures.
Of her.
Of Kabir.
Outside school.
At the supermarket.
Near her apartment.
The same photographs she'd been receiving anonymously.
Only there were more.
Many more.
Her hands began shaking.
"Where did you get these?"
"We intercepted them."
The words barely registered.
Because all she could think about was one thing.
Someone had been watching her son.
For months.
The realization made her feel sick.
Aarav immediately noticed.
"Sit down."
For once, she didn't argue.
She couldn't.
The photographs blurred slightly as panic settled in.
"Why would someone do this?"
Aarav's expression darkened.
"I don't know."
That answer frightened her more than anything.
Because Aarav usually had answers.
---
The drive home that evening felt different.
For the first time, Anaya allowed Aarav to accompany her without protest.
She was too distracted.
Too worried.
Too afraid.
The anonymous messages had been unsettling.
The photographs were terrifying.
When they reached her apartment building, Aarav's security team was already there.
Anaya stared.
"What is this?"
"Protection."
"Aarav-"
"Not negotiable."
His tone left little room for discussion.
Normally she would have argued.
Tonight, she couldn't.
Because deep down...
She was relieved.
---
Later that night, Kabir sat on the living room floor coloring while Aarav spoke quietly with security personnel near the door.
The little boy looked up from his crayons.
Then smiled.
"Uncle."
Aarav glanced over.
"What?"
"You're here again."
The simple statement made something tighten in Aarav's chest.
For some reason, Kabir always made things complicated.
"Apparently."
Kabir nodded.
"I like when you're here."
Anaya froze.
So did Aarav.
The child returned to coloring as if he hadn't casually dropped an emotional bomb.
Kids.
Completely unaware of their own power.
---
After Kabir went to bed, silence settled over the apartment.
Aarav was preparing to leave when Anaya stopped him.
"Thank you."
The words surprised both of them.
Aarav looked at her.
"For what?"
"The security."
For protecting us.
She didn't say the last part aloud.
But somehow, he seemed to hear it anyway.
His expression softened slightly.
"You don't have to thank me."
"Why?"
For a second, he looked like he might answer honestly.
Might finally admit why he cared so much.
Instead, he looked away.
And that was answer enough.
---
An hour later, Aarav sat alone in his car outside the apartment building.
He should have gone home.
Instead, he found himself staring up at Anaya's window.
Thinking.
Something about today had changed things.
The threat against her felt personal now.
Too personal.
His phone rang.
Vikram.
"We identified the man."
Immediately, Aarav's attention sharpened.
"Who is he?"
There was a brief silence.
Then-
"His name is Sameer Khan."
Aarav waited.
"And?"
"He works for Rhea Kapoor."
The temperature inside the car seemed to drop.
Slowly, Aarav's grip tightened around the phone.
Because that meant one thing.
Rhea wasn't merely interested in Anaya's secret.
She was actively investigating it.
And if Rhea was involved...
The situation was far worse than anyone realized.
"What else?" Aarav asked quietly.
Vikram hesitated.
Then spoke.
"The man wasn't just watching Anaya."
Aarav's pulse quickened.
"What do you mean?"
"He was specifically watching Kabir."
For the first time in years, genuine fury flashed across Aarav's face.
Because whatever mystery surrounded the child...
Whatever truth Anaya was hiding...
Kabir was innocent.
And someone had just put him in danger.
The mistake would cost them.
To be continued...