Chapter 10
Aditya
“What the hell just happened?” I mutter to myself, staring at the café door Sana just disappeared into. The day had started off so well—running into her at the gym, then coming here, hoping I would finally break through that wall she’s built around herself.
But then, that damn phone call ruined everything.
Now, I’m fucking stuck wondering how to fix this, how to explain myself when I know she won’t even give me the chance. My thoughts spiral, frustration tightening in my chest, when my phone rings again. Annoyed, I pull it out of my pocket, only to see Raima’s name flashing on the screen.
Perfect. Just the person responsible for ruining everything.
My grip on the phone tightens as I continue to stare at her name on the screen. It’s time to give her a piece of my mind. With that, I swipe to answer.
“Hey, handsome. Why did you hang up earlier, calling it a wrong number?” she purrs through the phone. “Do you want me to book a hotel room for us tonight? Remind you just how well you know me?”
I scoff, gripping the phone tighter. “Listen carefully, Raima. That was a one-time thing. A mistake. It won’t happen again.”
“Oh, don’t be like—”
“Delete my number,” I cut her off, my voice icy cold. Before she can get another word in, I end the call.
Slipping the phone back into my pocket, I exhale sharply, trying to release the tension coiled inside me.
There was a time when life was simple—just drinks, fun, and no strings attached relationships.
One-night stands were nothing new to me.
It was just a way to let out some steam—something I’m not exactly proud of.
But now… now I want to put an end to it.
And damn Sana for having this kind of effect on me.
After taking a moment to collect myself, I draw in a deep breath and head toward the coffee shop. I can’t let any doubt linger in Sana’s mind about me. Now that it’s clear she’s the one who matters, it’s important—too important—that she doesn’t see me the wrong way.
As I push open the door, my chest tightens at the sight before me.
She’s behind the counter, her fingers flying over the keyboard, completely lost in whatever she’s working on. There’s a tiny crease between her brows, her lips pressed together in quiet concentration. I just stand there, watching her.
As if sensing my presence, she looks up at me and frowns, her expression unreadable.
“Please, not again. I’ve had enough of you for one day.”
“Sana, just hear me out.” My voice comes out low and husky as I stop a few feet away from her.
“I’d really appreciate it if you stopped forcing your way into my life.
I have no desire to see you again.” Her voice is steady, cold even, but I don’t miss the way her throat moves as she swallows.
I don’t know if she’s holding back tears or pushing down her nervousness.
Regardless, her words cut deeper than they should.
“That’s not happening.” My voice comes out firmer than I intended, but I don’t waver. I meet her gaze head-on. “I’m here to explain myself because I have no intention of walking away from something that matters to me.”
She rises from her seat, crossing her arms tightly over her chest, her eyes burning with disbelief. “After that call, you still expect me to believe your words?”
“I told you that call meant nothing,” I say through clenched teeth, my hands curling into fists at my sides, not out of anger but from the sheer effort it takes to hold myself back.
Because all I want to do is close the distance between us—grab her, taste her, consume her, claim her.
To make her see how much she’s started to mean to me. “It’s you I want,” I add softly.
Sana scoffs, her eyes flashing with anger. “You want me? Just like you’ve ‘wanted’ every other woman who was dumb enough to fall for your charm?” She shakes her head, arms still crossed. “Spare me the act. I’m not interested in being another name on your list.”
“You’re right. I’ve had a list of women—more than I care to admit.
And no, I’m not proud of it.” I take a step closer to her.
“But I’m not that guy anymore, Sana. I’m done with meaningless nights and hollow names.
You’re the only one I want. And that scares the hell out of me, because this, what I feel for you, is something I’ve never felt before.
” I meet her gaze, unflinching. “Believe it or not, but I’m not toying with you. Not now, not ever.”
Her mouth opens, then closes, but no sound comes out. She just stares at me, as if searching for something—an answer, a lie, a reason to push me away.
But she gives me nothing. No words. No reaction.
I keep waiting, but the next moment, her phone rings, shattering the silence. She breaks eye contact and turns to grab her mobile from the desk.
“Hello,” she answers, pressing the phone to her ear.
I don’t know who’s on the other end, but the moment she hears the voice, all the colour drains from her face.
“What do you mean she’s in the hospital?” Her voice pitches higher, panic lacing her every word. She quickly grabs her purse with hurried, unsteady movements. “I’m coming right now.”
Her hands tremble as she fumbles to find her keys in her bag before rushing toward the door.
In one swift movement, I step in front of her, blocking her path, my chest tightening at the panic on her face and her unsteady breathing. “Sana, what happened?”
“It’s my mom,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “She’s in the hospital.”
Her hands clench around her purse strap, and for the first time, I see something raw in her eyes—fear, helplessness. “She’s all I have. Nothing can happen to her. Nothing. I need to go to her. Now.” She tries to push past me, but my hands catch her shoulders, holding her in place.
“You’re not going alone.” I don’t give her a chance to argue as I take the keys from her hands. “I’m coming with you.”
For a moment, she looks like she wants to argue, but then her shoulders sag in defeat, her worry and fear overpowering her resistance. Without another word, I take her hand and lead her to my car instead of hers, open the passenger door, and gently help her inside.
Sliding behind the steering wheel, I glance at her, and my stomach twists at the sight. Tears stream down her face, her usual fire replaced by a fragility that nearly undoes me.
I reach over and gently wipe them away with my thumb. “Nothing’s going to happen to your mom, Sana,” I say, my voice soft and steady. “I promise.”
She doesn’t say a word, just nods, her hands clenched tightly in her lap as if trying to hold herself together.
“Which hospital?” I ask.
She swallows hard, blinking back more tears. “City Hospital,” she whispers.
I nod, and without wasting another second, I start the car. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you there soon.”
Sana nods at me before staring straight ahead, her hands clenched so tightly that her knuckles turn white.
I maintain my speed, focused on getting her to her mom as quickly as possible.
Thankfully, the traffic is light, and I’m aiming to reach the hospital in fifteen minutes.
But every so often, I catch myself glancing at her—seeing her lost in fear, her body trembling slightly.
It’s enough to make me press the accelerator a little harder.
The moment I pull up to the hospital entrance, she doesn’t wait. Before I can even shift the car into park, she flings the door open and bolts inside.
I quickly park the car and follow close behind as she rushes to the reception desk, her voice cracking with desperation. “My mom, Sumita Arora. I got a call—she was brought in. Which room?”
The nurse offers a reassuring smile. “Sumita Arora?” Sana nods as the nurse types on the computer before looking up. “She’s in Room 106, second floor.”
“Thanks,” Sana murmurs before dashing down the hall towards the stairs, taking them two at a time as she rushes to the next floor. I stay close behind, not willing to let her out of my sight for even a moment, given the state she’s in.
As we reach the door, Sana hesitates for a brief moment before pushing it open.
Stepping inside, I see her mom lying on the bed with an IV hooked to her wrist. She looks exhausted, but a faint smile appears on her face when she sees Sana.
Sana rushes forward, dropping to her knees beside her mom’s bed and taking her hand. “Mom… are you okay?”
Her mom sighs as if this is merely an inconvenience. “Sana, it’s nothing. I was chatting with Aruna Aunty when I started feeling a little dizzy. She panicked and insisted on bringing me here before I could even protest.”
Sana shoots her mom a stern look. “Don’t you dare say it was nothing. Thank God Aunty got you to the hospital in time.” She glances around the room. “Where’s Aruna Aunty now? Did she leave? I need to thank her.”
“She was here the whole time, but then she got a call from home and had to leave. And now, I’m stuck here with these doctors running endless tests,” her mom replies, sounding mildly exasperated.
“Now that you’re here, can you please tell them to stop these unnecessary tests? I’m fine. I just want to go home.”
Sana opens her mouth, clearly about to argue, but before she can say anything, her mom’s eyes shift to me.
A slow smile spreads across her mom’s face as she tilts her head curiously. “And who’s this handsome young man?”
I take that as my cue and step forward, coming to stand on the other side of the bed. Offering a polite smile, I touch her feet in respect. “Hello, Aunty. I’m Aditya. I’m...”
Before I can add anything else, her mom cuts me off, her eyes twinkling. “Are you Sana’s boyfriend?”
Sana lets out a strangled sound, her face turning a deep shade of red. “Mom!”
I bite back a chuckle, tucking my hands into my jeans as I glance at Sana, who’s glaring at me, completely flustered, while her mom watches us with a gleam in her eyes.
This is going to be fun.