Chapter 22
Sidharth
Apprehension claws at me as I replay the conversation I had with Viraj just minutes ago.
Manav, the one person we thought could lead us to Prakash, was found dead in his house.
The investigation team suspects a drug overdose, but Viraj and I both know better.
We know exactly who did this. Fucking Prakash.
But I didn’t tell Nisha about it. It’s something she doesn’t need to know.
Damn, if it were up to me, I’d lock her away somewhere safe, far from all this madness, until those bastards are taken down.
But I know Nisha’s just starting to get her life back after the coma.
She deserves normalcy. And I’ll damn well make sure she gets it, even if I have to burn the whole world down to give her that.
Damn, I’d trade my peace, my sleep, even my fucking life, just to keep that smile on her face.
That’s why the moment I hung up on Viraj, I shoved the rage down and composed myself before heading out to pick up Nisha.
I told her I had a surprise for her. And when I saw her whole face light up with pure joy, it nearly brought me to my knees.
That smile... it’s why I lose my mind every day, trying to keep her safe.
Every fucking second, I stay alert, just so she can laugh freely, without any worry.
And if that’s the price I have to pay, I’ll pay it a thousand times over.
Even now, as I lead her towards the skating rink I booked just for us, my eyes sweep over the empty space out of habit, a faint thread of anxiety still tugging at me.
I know the chances of that bastard showing up here are slim to none, but even the slightest risk to Nisha’s safety is enough to unravel me.
Still, I won’t let my fear win. I won’t let it chain her down.
Stopping at the edge of the rink, I let go of Nisha’s hand and watch her eyes widen and wander across the space, glowing with sheer joy.
In that moment, I knew bringing her here was the best damn decision I’ve made.
My mind drifts back to our conversation, where she told me about her childhood dream of how she’d always wanted to learn skating but never got the chance.
Ever since then, I knew this was something I had to do for her.
Her eyes land on the brand-new pair of skates by the rink, the ones I picked just for her, down to the exact size. They’re classic four-wheel quad skates in soft pastel pink, trimmed with white accents. I even made sure they’re smooth and sturdy.
She turns to face me, her breath catching. “You really did this for me?”
I nod, trying to steady myself, because seeing her this happy messes with my head in the best fucking way.
“You told me once you always wanted to learn but never got the chance. Figured it was time we did something about that.”
“Sidharth…” Her eyes glisten as she throws her arms around me and pulls me into a tight hug.
“Hey, don’t cry,” I mutter, running my hand over her head. “If you cry, I’ll start thinking I screwed something up.”
She lets out a soft, teary laugh as she pulls back. “No, you didn’t screw up. You made it perfect.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “Thank you.”
Just as I’m about to tell her she doesn’t have to thank me, she rises on her tiptoes and slides her hand around the back of my neck.
I freeze, my heart tripping over itself.
Then she leans in and presses her lips to mine.
Her mouth is soft, warm, and so impossibly gentle that it sends my heart into a wild, stumbling rhythm.
“This means a lot to me,” she whispers against my lips before pulling back.
I swallow hard, forcing down the rush of heat that one simple kiss stirred deep within me. Every instinct begs me to pull her back in, to feel those lips again, but I clench my jaw and shut it all down. Because this moment isn’t about what I want. It’s about her.
“You don’t have to thank me,” I manage to say, my voice husky. “Just seeing you happy is enough for me.”
She nods before she glances back at the rink, then down at her feet.
“I don’t know how to skate,” she admits softly, her tone shy, like she’s almost embarrassed to say it.
A small smirk tugs at my lips. “That’s where I come in.”
Her eyes flick back to mine, uncertain and hesitant. “I’ll fall.”
I give her a half smile and brush my knuckles against her cheek. “Not while I’m here. I’ve got you. Always.”
A blush creeps onto her cheeks. Damn, this woman! She always has a way of getting straight to my heart without even trying.
“I’m ready. Let’s do this,” she says, her eyes sparkling as she picks up the new skates.
“Not yet,” I say, nodding towards the bench off to the side. “We gear up first. You’re not stepping on that rink without proper safety gear.”
“Do we really need all that?” she says, eyeing the gear.
“Yes, we do,” I reply without missing a beat.
She lets out a playful groan. “You’re such a control freak.”
“Damn right. Especially when it comes to you,” I grin, taking her hands as I lead her over to the bench and grab the gear box.
She watches with an amused smile as I pull out the elbow and knee pads, wrist guards, and helmet.
I motion for her to sit. “Come on, let’s get the princess suited up.”
She giggles but settles onto the bench, doing just as she’s told.
I move to kneel in front of her, gently taking her foot in my hands as I slip off her ballerina shoes.
Then I trade them for the skates, making sure they’re tight enough to protect her, loose enough not to hurt, a detail I’ve triple-checked in my head.
As I begin lacing them up, my fingers move with practised ease, even as my thoughts spiral.
Once the skates are secured, I reach for the knee pads and strap them into place. Her eyes don’t leave me for a second.
Fuck. Me, on my knees in front of her, doing something this simple… it’s almost too intimate.
“Elbows,” I murmur. She lifts her arms, and I slide the pads into place and secure them. Next are the wrist guards, which I secure just as deliberately, making sure every buckle is snug. Finally, I pick up the helmet and place it lightly on her head, adjusting it until it sits just right.
She laughs, shaking her head. “I swear, I feel like a toddler taking their first steps.”
“You look adorable,” I grin, adjusting the strap under her chin. “And I’m not taking any chances.”
Her voice softens. “I know.”
I rise to my feet and hold out my hand. “Ready?”
She takes it, nodding, her grip tightening as I lead her towards the rink. Her steps are wobbly as she clings to my arm. I step onto the floor first, and she pauses at the edge.
“I’m gonna fall flat on my face,” she mutters, uncertainty written all over her face.
“No, you won’t. Not on my watch,” I assure her as I help her step onto the rink. Her legs are unsteady, and her body is stiff with nerves. “Relax,” I whisper, my hands settling lightly on her waist. “I’ve got you.”
“I feel like Bambi,” she says with a laugh, half-panicked, half-delighted.
“Yeah, you’ve nailed it. Cute, clumsy, and slightly terrified.” I tease, grinning.
She swats at my shoulder playfully.
I start guiding her, shifting my hands to hold hers as we take slow, careful steps across the rink.
“Bend your knees a little. That’ll help with balance,” I tell her.
She follows my instructions, every movement tense and unsure, but she doesn’t let go.
“Good. Now try small glides, one foot forward, then the other,” I say, keeping my voice calm and encouraging.
She stumbles, letting out a small yelp, and I catch her instantly, pulling her close, her body colliding softly with mine.
“Told you I’d catch you,” I smile at her.
She looks up at me, breathless, her hands resting lightly on my chest.
“I didn’t doubt you,” she whispers. “Not for a second.”
“Just keep trusting me like this. That’s all I’ll ever need,” I say quietly, easing her back onto her feet and helping her steady herself.
We keep moving, slow and careful. And every time she stumbles, she grabs onto me like her life depends on it. And honestly, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love every second of it.
“You’re doing great,” I say, genuinely impressed. She’s clumsy, but she’s trying, and she’s getting there.
“I’m terrible,” she laughs, her cheeks flushed.
“You’re doing good.”
After a few more shaky tries and a couple of near-falls, her movements start to smooth out.
Her balance steadies, and her confidence grows.
She stops clutching my arm and begins to glide on her own.
She pushes forward again, her arms slightly out for balance, and this time, she doesn’t wobble.
Her eyes widen with disbelief, and a breathless laugh escapes her lips.
“I did it!” she squeals, spinning halfway in place, nearly slipping but catching herself just in time. “I did it, Sidharth!”
I can’t help but grin, pride swelling in my chest. Her joy is infectious, and I find myself just standing there, watching her, soaking her in.
This right here. That light in her eyes. That laugh. That victory. This is what I live for.
She slowly skates back towards me. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes sparkle with joy. Instinctively, my body tenses, ready to catch her if she falls, but she doesn’t. She stops right in front of me and catches her breath. Before I can say a word, she reaches up and takes my face in both hands.
“This is the most incredible thing I’ve ever done,” she breathes, her eyes locked with mine. Then she leans in and peppers kisses all over my face—my cheeks, my nose, my jaw.
“Thank you,” she whispers between kisses. “Thank you for fulfilling my dream.”
I stand frozen, my breath caught somewhere between my ribs.
My hands hover at her waist, my fists clenched tight as I fight the urge to pull her close.
Man, if I could freeze this moment, I would, and keep her like this forever.
This woman is my everything. And I’ll be damned if I ever let the world take her away from me.
I lean in and lower my forehead to hers. “You deserve every dream, Nisha. And I’m just getting started.”
“You have no idea what that means to me,” she smiles, her hands still resting on my cheeks. “I stopped believing I deserved to dream a long time ago. But you… you made me believe in it again.”
A tear slips down her cheek even as her eyes shine with warmth. “With you by my side, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. Her words.
Every time she speaks like that, honest and painfully vulnerable, it shatters something in me.
She could ask for the moon right now, and I’d find a way to give it to her.
Because there’s no chance in hell I’m ever going to be just another man who lets her settle for less.