Jeeva's POV

As I come upstairs after meeting Krishav, I hesitate before entering my room. Opening the door, I find my parents sitting on my bed, worry etched in their eyes.

 My mother, with a furrowed brow, asks gently, "Why did he come?"

I force a small smile and reply, "He came to give me the medicines I forgot in his car." My mother simply nods, not saying anything further, but the concern in her eyes doesn't fade.

Excusing myself, I go into the washroom, shutting the door behind me. Leaning against the door, I put my hand over my heart, feeling its rapid beats. Warm tears fill my eyes, blurring my vision. 

I think about when he said, "I will wait for you." Those words echo in my mind, stirring a mix of happiness and fear within me.

I'm happy because someone cares for me deeply, but looking at my parents, my happiness transforms into a heavy sense of responsibility. 

They have so many expectations for me—they believe I will be successful, that I will never disappoint them, that I won't indulge in relationships and all. And now, I feel like I have betrayed their trust by developing feelings for Rish.

My heart aches as I realize that, even though I hadn't come here with the intention of growing close to him, it happened naturally. 

My heart led me to him. Now, even after admitting my feelings to him, I feel trapped. 

When he said he would wait for me, it was both a comfort and a burden.

I whisper to myself, "I can't let him wait for me. I can't continue this closeness."

The fear of disappointing my parents weighs heavily on me. I don't want to hurt them by doing things they wouldn't approve of behind their backs. 

I also don't want to leave Rish hanging, waiting for a future I can't promise. I don't know what the future holds, and the uncertainty gnaws at me.

As the tears flow freely, I sink to the floor, hugging my knees. I whisper, "I'm so sorry, Rish I don't want to hurt you, but I can't go against my parents' wishes. I can't let you wait for something I can't guarantee."

In the silence of the washroom, I feel the weight of my conflicting emotions, torn between the love I feel for Rish and the duty I owe to my parents.

After 25 minutes, I come out of the washroom, having washed my face and changed into comfortable clothes. I see that only my mother is lying on the bed; my father is nowhere to be seen. "Papa kahan gaye?" I ask.

(where is papa?)

"Woh hostel ke ground floor wale guest room mein hai," she replies.

("He is in the guest room at the ground floor of the hostel,)

I nod, understanding that he will sleep in the guest room.

 Guilt churns in my mind and heart for disappointing my father again. Despite all these years of hard work to make my parents, especially my father, believe that I wouldn't do anything against his will, today, that one picture almost shattered everything. 

All that respect I had built in their hearts was on the verge of vanishing if I didn't clear the misunderstanding that had arisen from that one bloody picture—Rish holding me in his arms bridal style after I hurt my foot, taken when we were leaving the juice shop that day.

I ask my mother to show me the contact from which the picture was sent. She hands me her phone, and I check the number. 

My heart sinks as I realize it's the same person who sent me those strange messages. Anger bubbles inside me. Why is this man targeting me? Why is he doing all this?

I close my eyes for a couple of seconds, trying to calm down, when my mother's voice breaks through my thoughts. "What happened?"

"Nothing, Ma. I'm just tired, but I need to study," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.

She nods and places her hand on my cheek, her touch warm and comforting. "We care for you, beta. We are your parents. We will never want something bad for you. We just want you to focus on your career and nothing else."

I smile at her, nodding. "I know, and I love you. Ab aap so jao, mujhe padhai karni hai."

(Now you go to sleep, I have to study.")

She kisses my forehead, and I feel a rush of love and warmth. My eyes fill with tears again, but I hide them. 

As she settles down to sleep, I walk towards my study desk and sit down, trying to focus. The weight of everything that's happened presses down on me, but I know I have to keep going, for my parents and for myself.

Sitting at my desk, trying to study, my mind keeps drifting back to the moments that happened just a few hours before. When I entered the hostel premises with Aditi, 

FLASHBACK

I saw my parents standing there with worried expressions. I felt a rush of happiness and ran to them, hugging them tightly.

"What are you doing here at this time? Why did you come so suddenly without informing me? And where are Kush and Siona?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

My mother replied, "We came to meet you, and Kush and Siona are at your uncle's house."

I made an 'o' face, understanding but still puzzled by the confusion, worry, and disappointment I saw on their faces. Aditi's voice broke my thoughts as she greeted my parents warmly.

"This is Aditi," I introduced her. "She lives in the room just opposite mine."My parents greeted Aditi with forced smiles, which I noticed immediately. I wondered why they were behaving so strangely.

"Let's go to your room and talk," my mother suggested, her tone gentle but firm.

I nodded and, after bidding goodnight to Aditi, led my parents to my room. As we entered, I couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling.

There was something they weren't telling me, something that made their smiles seem forced and their eyes worried.

Once we were inside, I couldn't hold back any longer. "What happened?" I asked, looking from my mother to my father. "Why do you both look so worried?"

They exchanged glances, and my mother took a deep breath. "Jeeva, we received a picture today. It showed you and a boy... he was holding you in his arms."

They showed me the picture.

I felt my heart sink. "Krishav," I whispered, more to myself than to them.

"Who is he?" my father asked, his voice a mix of concern and disappointment.

I took a deep breath, trying to explain. "He's just a friend. I hurt my foot, and he was helping me. There's nothing more to it."

My father shook his head, his expression stern. "Jeeva, we sent you here to study, not to fall into these relationship traps. You have to become successful. You have to follow your ambitions. You shouldn't fall off track from your goals."

"I know, Papa," I said, feeling the weight of their expectations. "I promise, I will never disappoint you in any way. I will stay focused on my studies and my future. Please believe me."

I saw their expressions relax a bit, though the worry hadn't entirely faded. Just then, Krishav's call came. 

Seeing his ID, my heart skipped a beat. I got confused and worried about what my parents would think. Why was he calling at this time?

Nervously, I received the call. After a brief conversation, I cut it and looked at my parents, who were staring at me with confusion. "He came to give me something," I said quickly, trying to reassure them. "I'll be right back."

Without waiting for their response, I went out of the room, feeling the pressure of their lingering doubts and my own conflicted emotions.

PRESENT

I sigh deeply, the weight of the day's events pressing heavily on my shoulders. I feel tense—tense about my feelings for Rish, about my parents' expectations, about my studies, and now this mysterious man who seems to be targeting me. 

Fear, frustration, and anxiety swirl within me, making it hard to think clearly. I bury my face in my palms, trying to calm myself, but the confusion only intensifies. 

What am I supposed to do? How can I manage all these conflicting emotions and responsibilities?

I glance at the clock. It's 1:47 AM. The late hour only adds to my stress. I stand up from the chair, stretching my arms in an attempt to relieve some tension. 

Maybe some sleep will help clear my mind, I think. But as I start moving towards the bed, a sudden realization stops me in my tracks: Rish doesn't know that my parents are here. If he comes in the morning to pick me up, my parents will get the wrong idea. 

Panic surges through me. I quickly grab my phone and type out a message to Rish, telling him not to come in the morning—I'll go by myself. Just as I hit send, my phone's battery dies. I curse softly under my breath, frustrated at the timing.

Hastily, I plug my phone into the charger and crawl into bed, hoping to find some rest. But sleep remains elusive. 

My mind races with thoughts of the man who seems to be orchestrating this chaos. Why is he doing this? What does he want from me? The questions gnaw at me, making it impossible to relax. I toss and turn, my thoughts spinning in endless circles. 

Eventually, exhaustion takes over, and I feel myself being pulled into sleep around 2:40 AM. The unanswered questions and lingering worries continue to swirl in my mind as I drift off, leaving me with a restless, uneasy sleep.

✧

As the teacher winds up the class, I gather my belongings and sling my bag over my shoulder. It's already 2:30 PM. Walking out of the coaching premises, I feel the warmth of the afternoon sun on my face. 

My phone buzzes with a new message. 

Curious, I check it, but a sudden wave of fear and disgust hits me as I read the words:

"How was the night, babygirl? Hope you felt happy after meeting your parents."

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. My fingers tremble as I type a reply: "Who are you, and what do you want from me?"

The response comes almost immediately: "You asked a good question. Now, to the answer of your first question: I am your well-wisher. As for the second question, I want you to keep your distance from Krishav and stay away from him."

Reading this, I feel a knot tighten in my stomach. My thoughts spiral into worry and fear. Who is this person, and why is he targeting me and Rish? Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly sense someone's presence behind me. 

Panic starts to build. I turn around slowly, my heart pounding in my chest. 

But as I see Krishav standing there with a worried expression, a wave of relief and comfort washes over me.

"Rish" I whisper, my voice shaking slightly.

"Jeeva, are you okay?" he asks, concern evident in his eyes.

I nod, trying to reassure him, but I can tell he isn't convinced. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Then why are you ignoring my calls and messages?" he asks, raising an eyebrow in concern.

"I didn't get time to respond," I say, my voice a little shaky. "My parents came to meet me."His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Oh, when did they come?"

"Yesterday," I explain. "When you dropped Aditi and me off, they were already here."He nods, processing this information. I can sense his worry growing. "Okay, then. Bye," I say quickly, thinking I should leave before I break down.

Before I can turn away, he gently grabs my arm, stopping me. "Wait, what happened? Why are you behaving like this? Is this about our conversation yesterday? About me waiting for you?"

I look at him, feeling vulnerable and torn. My heart aches with the weight of my inner turmoil. What should I tell him? That I can't promise him anything about the future? That my parents' expectations and my own fears are suffocating me? The words get stuck in my throat.

"Rish it's complicated," I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looks into my eyes, searching for answers. "Jeeva, talk to me. I need to know what's going on. If it's too much pressure, we can take things slow. But don't shut me out."

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "It's not just about us. There's so much happening. My parents, my studies... everything is just overwhelming."

He frowns, concern etched on his face. "I get that it's tough, but you don't have to go through this alone. I want to help."

"I know you do, and I appreciate it," I say, feeling a lump in my throat. "But I can't let you wait for something that might never happen. My parents expect so much from me, and I can't risk disappointing them."

"Is that what you're worried about? Disappointing your parents?" he asks gently.

I nod, tears welling up in my eyes. "Yes, and I don't want to hold you back either. You deserve someone who can give you the certainty and commitment you're looking for."

"Jeeva," he says softly, taking my hands in his. 

My phone pings with a message, and I glance at the screen nervously, my heart racing. Who could it be now? My eyes widen as I see more pictures of Rish and me looking close—on the bike, at the temple, and in the restaurant. 

The accompanying message sends a chill down my spine: "Remember, stay away from him, or I'll send these to your parents and might do something to Krishav too."

Fear grips me, but I try to maintain my posture, not wanting Rish to notice. My mind races with thoughts of who this person could be and what they might do. 

Lost in my thoughts, Rish's voice brings me back to the present.

"Hey, what happened? Is there something bothering you?" His eyes, filled with concern and love, flick from my phone to my face.

I want to hug him tightly, to let him comfort me, but I can't. 

Not when this threat looms over us. Collecting myself, I force a smile. "Everything is fine," I lie. "I need to go now; my parents must be waiting. They're leaving for Udaipur tonight, and I want to spend time with them."

He looks at me skeptically. "Are you sure? You seem off."

"I'm sure," I insist, my voice a little too bright. "I just want to make the most of the time I have with them."

"Let me drop you off," he offers, his concern evident.

I start to decline, but he is persistent. "Please, Brownie. I'll feel better knowing you got back safely."

Reluctantly, I agree, unable to resist his gentle coaxing. As we walk to his bike, I try to push the fear aside and focus on the moment, feeling the warmth of his presence next to me. 

We ride in silence, the wind rushing past us, but my mind is a whirlwind of anxiety and dread.

When we reach my hostel, I get off the bike and turn to him. "Thank you, Rish," I say, my voice soft.He nods, looking at me with a mix of worry and affection. "If you need anything, you know where to find me."

"I know," I reply, giving him a small smile. "I'll see you later."

As I walk towards the entrance, I glance back and see him watching me, his expression still concerned. 

 Once inside, I lean against the wall, taking a deep breath. The relief of being back is tempered by the gnawing fear of the unknown threat.

I head to my room, my thoughts a chaotic jumble. 

I need to figure out who this person is and why he is doing this. But for now, I need to focus on my parents and make the most of the time I have with them. 

The rest will have to wait, even though the fear and anxiety are far from gone.

As I enter the room, I notice my father staring at his phone with a frown etched on his forehead.

 A sense of dread washes over me, and I quickly approach him, trying to maintain a nervous smile. "Papa, why do you look so tense?"

He looks up at me, his expression filled with worry, and replies with sternness in his voice, "Our train was scheduled for 9:30 PM, but now it's showing 6 PM."

I glance at his phone, confirming the change in the train schedule, and nod in understanding. "Yes, the timings might have changed due to weather problems. The forecasters have warned of heavy rain tomorrow or the day after."

Just then, my mother emerges from the kitchen, a hint of disappointment evident on her face.

 She expresses her desire to spend time with me, but now it seems impossible.

I smile at her, then turn to my father, suggesting that they should visit again with Siona and Kush, and we can all explore Indore together. His smile, though faint, reassures me a bit.

Feeling a surge of determination, I gesture for them to sit on the bed.

 Confused, they comply. I kneel in front of them, taking their hands in mine, squeezing gently. "I promise, Papa, Mumma, I'll never do anything to disappoint you in the future. I'll remain focused on my career and goals. But I need your trust, your belief in me."

My father's expression softens, and he places his hand on my head. "We trust you, beta. We know you'll never let us down. But that picture... it worried us. We fear someone might trap you, and we can't bear the thought of losing you. You're our pride, and we need to protect you."

I nod, understanding their fear and their need to safeguard me. "I know, Papa, Maa. But if anyone sends you such pictures in the future, please don't panic. Trust me, I won't do anything to make you worry. Just block that contact and leave the rest to me. I'll handle everything and won't go against your wishes."

"But that guy..." he began, his tone filled with apprehension.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "He is Krishav," I replied, keeping my voice calm and confident. "And he is a good person."

I watched as my father's eyes narrowed, searching mine for any signs of uncertainty. I met his gaze firmly, willing him to see the truth in my words. "He is my friend," I continued. "He will never do anything to hurt me."

There was a moment of silence, the tension between us palpable. I softened my tone, hoping to bridge the gap. "But you need to trust me, you know I'm strong" I said, my voice almost a whisper. "Trust my judgment."

For a few seconds, time seemed to stand still. Then, slowly, I saw the shift in my father's expression. He nodded his head, a small smile forming on his lips. Relief flooded through me as I realized he was beginning to accept my words, and I felt a surge of gratitude for his willingness to trust me.

Both my parents nod in agreement. My father adds, "We know you're strong, Bete. We trust you."

As they share their trust in me, I feel a sense of determination welling up inside me. Now that they believe in me, I know what I must do. 

I'll find out who's behind those threatening messages, and I'll put an end to it. With their support and trust, I feel ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.