TRISHA
The morning light spilled into the room, casting long streaks of gold across the floor. The air was thick with the scent of coffee and last-minute revisions. My books lay open on the desk, pages creased from the relentless flipping over the past few days. Today marked the beginning of the end-our last few exams before a brief reprieve from the madness.
"Ugh, I swear if I see one more question about pathology, I'm going to set my book on fire," Ria groaned, stretching her arms above her head.
"Please do. At least that way, we can all go down together," Avika mumbled, her face buried in her notes.
I chuckled, though the weight of exhaustion pressed against my temples. "We just need to survive today."
The usual routine followed-coffee gulped down too quickly, hurried attempts to look presentable, and the last-minute scramble for pens. We made our way to the exam hall, the rhythmic tapping of our shoes echoing in the corridors. The air buzzed with nervous energy, students murmuring formulas and last-minute mnemonics under their breath.
The exam itself was bearable. Not easy, not impossible-just another hurdle to cross. Time moved in a blur of scribbling pens and the occasional sound of someone flipping through their answer sheet in panic.
Finally, it was over. One down, a few more to go.
The next morning, it began again-the cycle of exams and exhaustion. But something else, too.
The messages.
At first, they were easy to ignore. A simple 'Good morning, beautiful' from an unknown number, a message I brushed aside as spam. But by the second day, the tone changed.
'You looked tired today. Hope you're getting enough rest.'
I frowned at the screen. I hadn't told anyone I was exhausted, and yet, this person knew. Maybe it was a lucky guess.
The next day:
'That green kurti looked nice on you. But I think red suits you better.'
A chill ran down my spine. I had worn green that day. I hadn't told anyone.
I deleted the messages without replying.
The days crawled forward, each exam feeling heavier than the last, but the messages never stopped. They were watching. Whoever they were, they were always watching.
By the time our final exam arrived, my nerves were shot. I was used to stress-exams, deadlines, late-night studying-but this was different. This felt personal.
As the last paper ended, I exhaled a shaky breath. Relief should have washed over me, but all I felt was unease.
I reached my room that evening, hoping for nothing but sleep. Instead, a single red rose lay on my pillow.
And my phone buzzed.
'Congratulations on finishing your exams. I'm proud of you.'
The message blinked on my screen, a number I didn't recognize. My brows furrowed, but exhaustion weighed heavier than curiosity. Instead of overthinking, I tossed my phone aside and buried myself under my blanket. The last exam had drained every ounce of my energy, and for once, I didn't have to wake up to the fear of another paper looming over my head.
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The next morning was slow, filled with the warmth of knowing we had nothing but time for the next fifteen days. Our break had officially begun, and the entire college was buzzing with students making plans. Ria, Avika, and I wasted no time mapping out ours-days filled with exploring the city, eating our weight in street food, and dancing our stress away in clubs.
For the first few days, we lost ourselves in the chaos of it all. Mornings started late, afternoons were spent shopping or lounging in cafes, and nights stretched into laughter-filled outings. Jaipur was alive in ways we hadn't appreciated before, and we planned to soak up every bit of it.
But Arjun was never too far.
His calls came frequently, his texts persistent, though I kept my responses minimal. And then there were the messages-the ones from the unknown number. Random, unsettling, sometimes just a single word, other times a full paragraph.
'You looked beautiful today.'
'I see you. Always.'
'Why do you ignore what's right in front of you?'
I didn't acknowledge them. If I did, they'd become real, and I wasn't ready for that.
Then came the night at the club.
The music pulsed through the air, neon lights flashing in erratic patterns, bodies moving to the rhythm of a song I barely recognized. We had spent the day wandering through the city, stuffing ourselves with chaats and kulfis before deciding to end the night here.
Ria and Avika were already on the dance floor, swaying, laughing, completely lost in the moment. I was happy watching them, sipping on my drink, my head pleasantly light from the buzz of the night. But soon, nature called, and I excused myself to find the restroom.
The hallway leading to it was quieter, dimly lit, and for the first time that night, I felt the weight of my exhaustion. I pushed open the restroom door, stepping inside to the cool, tiled interior. The bass of the music outside was muffled, replaced by the hum of the air conditioning.
I washed my hands, fixing the smudges of kohl under my eyes with my fingers, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling that had been clinging to me all night. The bathroom was dimly lit, the overhead light flickering slightly, casting eerie shadows against the glossy tiles. The bass from the club's music thumped through the walls, muffled but persistent, as if trying to lure me back outside.
Exhaling sharply, I adjusted the pleats of my dress, smoothing the fabric against my skin. Just a few minutes of peace-I had only wanted that before heading back to my friends. But the moment I turned around, my breath caught in my throat.
The door creaked open, and a man stepped inside.
A stranger. Tall, broad, with a twisted smirk stretched across his face. His eyes gleamed under the dim lighting, predatory and calculating. The air in the small bathroom thickened, my stomach coiling with unease.
"You're a pretty one," he drawled, taking a slow step forward, blocking the exit. "Been watching you all night. You shouldn't be alone, darling."
My pulse thundered in my ears. Every muscle in my body screamed at me to move, but my feet felt glued to the tiles. The stench of alcohol and cigarette smoke rolled off him, suffocating, cloying.
"Step back," I warned, forcing steel into my voice, but he only chuckled.
"Oh, fiesty. I like that."
The room shrank, the air growing hotter, the walls pressing in. My fingers curled into fists. I calculated my options-I could scream, but the pounding music outside would swallow my voice whole. I could run, but he blocked the only exit.
He lunged.
I twisted, my instincts kicking in as I dodged his grasp. My elbow shot out, slamming into his ribs. He grunted, stumbling back just enough for me to make a move. Heart hammering, I yanked the heavy bathroom door open and stumbled out into the hallway, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
And slammed straight into something solid.
Or rather, someone.
A sharp, commanding presence that made my skin prickle.
Vihaan Singh Oberoi.
He stood like a storm given form-tall, imposing, dressed in an all-black suit that molded to his frame like sin incarnate. His presence demanded attention, the sheer power of his aura suffocating. His cold, dark eyes flicked down at me, taking in my disheveled state before shifting to the man now stumbling out of the bathroom behind me.
Silence. Heavy. Electric.
Then, Vihaan spoke. A single, low command.
"Take him."
Before I could fully comprehend his words, the air behind him shifted. His men-dark-suited, expressionless, efficient-moved as one. The stranger barely had time to protest before he was dragged away, his slurred curses swallowed by the pounding bass of the club.
I stood there, chest heaving, my mind spinning. My legs felt like they might give out, but I refused to collapse under his gaze.
Vihaan tilted his head, studying me like an enigma he wanted to unravel.
"You should be more careful, Dr. Singhaniya."
His voice was smooth, controlled, yet laced with something darker. Something possessive. It sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to show weakness.
The way his voice curled around my name, like a predator savoring its prey, made my skin prickle. I snapped before I could stop myself.
"How do you know my name?" My voice was sharper than intended, my brows furrowing as I took a step back. The dimly lit corridor of the club suddenly felt too enclosed, too suffocating. The bass from the music pulsed through the walls, but in that moment, all I could hear was the steady, composed rhythm of his breathing.
Vihaan Singh Oberoi tilted his head slightly, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. "I know a lot of things, Trisha."
A chill danced down my spine, but I forced myself to hold my ground. I wasn't some weak damsel who quivered at a man's dominance, no matter how suffocating his presence felt. Clearing my throat, I straightened my shoulders, pushing away the lingering unease.
"Thank you," I said coolly, my voice void of warmth.
I turned swiftly on my heels before he could respond, my heart drumming a staccato rhythm in my chest. My pulse still thrummed with adrenaline as I rejoined Avika and Ria, who were already on the dance floor, moving to the beats of a remixed Bollywood track.
"Where did you go?" Avika yelled over the music, throwing an arm around my shoulder.
"Bathroom," I muttered, forcing a smile, though my mind was still tangled in the encounter. I shook it off, determined to enjoy the night. This was our break, our time to breathe after the storm of exams.
The three of us threw ourselves into the music, the haze of strobe lights and liquor creating an intoxicating atmosphere. Laughter bubbled from my lips as we twirled and moved to the pounding rhythm, lost in the euphoria of the moment. A couple of tequila shots later, the weight of the world seemed to dissolve around us.
By the time we finally stumbled out of the club, the city air felt crisp against my flushed skin. Ria giggled beside me, clinging to Avika for support.
"I swear, the bartender was flirting with you, Trish," she slurred, nudging me.
I rolled my eyes. "Oh please."
Just as I was about to hail an auto, my steps faltered. My drunken haze thinned for a moment as I took in the scene before me. Lined along the curb outside the club, sleek black cars stood like silent sentinels, their polished exteriors gleaming under the streetlights.
Too many cars.
Too expensive for the usual crowd.
And then I saw him.
Vihaan stood near the entrance, his presence magnetic even in the chaos of the departing crowd. His gaze was unreadable, dark eyes locked onto me with an intensity that sent another shiver down my spine.
The realization hit me like a slap-he wasn't alone. His men, a dozen suited figures, loomed around him, an intimidating presence amidst the night's revelry.
My grip tightened around Avika's wrist. "Let's go. Now."
I didn't look back as we rushed out of the club, the night air hitting us like a cold slap. The streets were quieter now, the chaos of the evening settling into a drunken lull. Streetlights flickered, casting long shadows on the pavement. My heels clicked sharply against the ground as I steadied Ria, who was half-leaning on me, her movements sluggish.
"We need an auto," Avika muttered, scanning the empty road. "But at this hour-"
"I know," I cut in, frustration creeping into my voice. The three of us stood on the dimly lit street, waiting, hoping for an auto to miraculously appear. Ria groaned softly, her head drooping.
"I swear, if she passes out-" Avika started, but her words were drowned by the distant hum of engines. I turned my head, and my breath hitched.
The fleet of black cars lined the curbside like silent predators. Their headlights glowed ominously, illuminating the empty road.
"Great," I muttered. "Just what we need."
One of the car doors opened smoothly, and a man in a sharp suit stepped out, his expression unreadable. He wasn't Vihaan, but the air of authority around him made it clear he wasn't just another driver.
"Ma'am," he addressed me directly, his voice polite but firm. "Let us drop you off."
Avika stiffened beside me. "Uh... no, thanks," she said, grabbing my arm. "We'll manage."
The man didn't argue. He simply cast a glance at Ria, who was now swaying dangerously. I could feel her weight dragging me down. My back ached from holding her upright.
"You need help," he said simply. "Please."
I hesitated. Every warning bell in my head screamed at me to refuse, to turn around and find another way. But then Ria's knees buckled, and I barely caught her in time.
Damn it.
I gritted my teeth as the suited man in front of me stood patiently, waiting for my final decision. The warm night air buzzed with the fading energy of the club behind us, laughter and music still spilling into the streets. But here we were, stranded at the curb, with no auto in sight.
"I told you, we don't need a ride," I snapped, my eyes flickering to Ria, who was swaying slightly on her feet. Her eyes were half-lidded, exhaustion and alcohol weighing her down. Avika looked between us, concern etched across her face.
The man-one of Vihaan's guards-stood unfazed, his posture straight, his voice calm. "Miss, it's not safe to be out this late. Allow us to drop you back."
I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. The last thing I wanted was to owe anything to that man, to be in his debt, to feel his presence even when he wasn't around. But Ria's head dropped against my shoulder, her weight slumping onto me.
"Trish..." Avika hesitated, her voice laced with worry. "I don't think she can make it back like this."
Damn it again.
I exhaled sharply, my pride warring with logic. "Fine," I muttered. "But just to the college entrance."
The guard nodded, opening the car door. I slid in first, Ria practically collapsing beside me, and Avika followed. The interior was sleek, smelling of leather and something expensive. The moment the door shut, the car moved.
At first, the ride was smooth, the city lights flickering past the windows in a rhythmic blur. I tried to ignore the unease coiling in my stomach, convincing myself this was just a ride, nothing more.
But then-
I noticed the other cars.
One by one, they appeared. A sleek black SUV overtook us and slowed down, falling into place in front of us. Another on the left. Another on the right. And when I twisted in my seat, my stomach clenched-more behind us.
"What the hell?" I whispered.
Avika noticed it too, her grip on Ria tightening. "Trish...?"
I swallowed, trying to keep my voice even. "It's fine."
It was not fine.
We were moving in the middle of a convoy, surrounded on all sides. The neon lights of the city flashed against the tinted windows, but the suffocating awareness of control settled over me. The realization struck like a gut punch-this wasn't just any ride back to college. This was a calculated escort.
Vihaan Singh Oberoi was watching.
The cars never sped up, never slowed down. They moved like shadows, enclosing us in their grip, forcing us along a path we had no control over. My fingers curled into my lap, nails digging into my palm. I forced myself to breathe, to remind myself that the destination was still the same.
After what felt like an eternity, the convoy finally slowed. The car pulled up at the college entrance, and I almost sighed in relief-until I realized something else.
The gates were locked.
The college only remained open until 11 PM. It was past 11 PM now.
My heart hammered in my chest as I pushed the door open, stepping out into the cool night air. I rushed to the gate, fingers gripping the iron bars, shaking them slightly. No response. The security booth was empty. Not a soul in sight.
Avika stumbled out behind me, her phone's flashlight bouncing against the locked gate. "Trisha... what do we do now?"
I turned back, only to find the guards still standing by the car, silent and unmoving, as if waiting for something. Or someone.
Panic curled in my stomach, but I masked it with fury.
"Open the gates," I called out, my voice sharp in the silence. "We don't need your help anymore."
No response. Not from the guards, not from the campus. The city had never felt quieter.
The realization struck me like a slap-this wasn't a mistake. The college gates weren't just locked; they were impenetrable. I rattled them again, my fingers curling around the cold iron bars, hoping for some miracle, but they didn't budge.
Ria was slumped in the backseat of the car, her head lolling against Avika's shoulder, completely knocked out. She mumbled something incoherent, shifting slightly, but didn't wake up. Avika sighed, rubbing her temple.
"Trisha, we need to figure something out. She's dead weight right now, and I doubt any of us are in a condition to stand here all night," she said, glancing at the silent guards who had stationed themselves around us.
A shift in the air made me straighten. Heavy footsteps echoed against the stillness of the night. I turned my head and saw him.
Vihaan Singh Oberoi.
He had discarded his suit jacket, his sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, and his vest clung to his sculpted frame. His hands were casually tucked into his pockets, but his mere presence made the guards instinctively step back, heads lowered in quiet reverence.
He stopped in front of me, tilting his head slightly as if I were some puzzle he was intrigued by. "You shouldn't waste your energy," he said, his voice low, deep, and undeniably commanding. "For a mistake that has already been made, you should be looking for a solution instead."
I clenched my jaw. "The solution is to get inside the campus, not stand here discussing it."
His lips curled in amusement, a half-smirk playing on his face. "And how do you propose to do that?" His gaze flickered toward the locked gates. "Break in? Climb over? Or wait until morning and let the guards find you sprawled outside like trespassers?"
I exhaled sharply, knowing he was right, but I wasn't going to admit it. "We'll find a hotel nearby."
Vihaan let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "At this hour? In this city? Not a chance."
Avika, sensing the weight of the situation, hesitated before stepping forward. "Do you have another suggestion?"
His smirk deepened. "My penthouse is fifteen minutes away. You can stay there."
I scoffed before he could even finish the sentence. "Absolutely not."
"Trisha-" Avika started, her voice wary yet pleading, her gaze darting to Ria, who was still unconscious. "Look at her. She can't even stand. What other option do we have?"
"Any option but that one," I snapped, turning back to Vihaan. "We don't need your charity."
His expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes-something unreadable, something dangerous. "This isn't charity, Trisha," he murmured, his voice holding an edge of amusement laced with something darker. "It's common sense."
I hated how infuriatingly calm he was, how he looked at me like I was a stubborn child throwing a tantrum. I hated how, despite my reluctance, his offer was the most logical one.
Avika sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Trisha, please. Just for tonight. We'll leave first thing in the morning."
My teeth clenched, my fingers curling into fists. Every instinct screamed at me to refuse, but logic-and the undeniable exhaustion settling in my bones-told me otherwise.
Vihaan waited, watching, knowing he had won this round.
I inhaled deeply before exhaling sharply. "Fine. One night. But don't expect me to say thank you."
His smirk was slow, deliberate. "Wouldn't dream of it."
His eyes gleamed under the dim streetlights, something dark and unreadable swirling within them as if he knew something I didn't. But I had no energy left to decipher the storm in his irises-I just wanted to get through this night.
With a resigned sigh, I sank back into the car seat as Avika shut the door beside me. Ria was already unconscious, her head lolling against Avika's shoulder, dead to the world. The car rolled forward in a smooth, calculated motion, and just like before, we weren't moving alone.
The moment the wheels hit the empty road, I noticed them-sleek, black SUVs flanking us on all sides. One in front, one behind, two on either side. A silent convoy. No unnecessary honking, no revving of engines, just an eerie synchrony as they swallowed us in their midst. I exhaled slowly, my fingers curling against my lap.
I turned my gaze outside, the city passing by in a blur of neon lights and empty streets. The closer we got to our destination, the quieter it became. The usual honking chaos of late-night traffic was absent as if the very air around us held its breath.
Then, the car slowed.
I looked up just in time to see where we had stopped. My breath hitched.
The penthouse loomed before us, a towering structure of glass and steel, its imposing presence cutting through the night sky. Unlike the rest of the city, which was bathed in yellow streetlights, this place glowed with a cold, silver luminescence. The entrance was massive, guarded by men in black, their stances rigid and unwavering.
Before I could even process it, the doors of our car swung open-simultaneously. As if rehearsed.
A wave of cold air rushed in.
One by one, the guards stepped forward, each perfectly synchronized, their presence alone making my skin prickle. One of them reached for the handle of Vihaan's door, and the moment it opened, he stepped out with an effortless grace that was almost infuriating.
No upper coat. Just a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the fabric straining against the sharp lines of his forearms. His hands slid into his pockets as he moved, his long strides unhurried, confident-like a predator who knew there was no escape for its prey.
The guards instantly straightened, bowing their heads slightly in silent acknowledgment.
I swallowed, my feet itching to move but not knowing where to.
Avika gently nudged Ria, trying to wake her, but she was beyond exhausted.
Vihaan's gaze flickered to Ria's sleeping form before sliding to me. His head tilted slightly, expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned on his heel and walked ahead, leaving us no choice but to follow.
I stepped out hesitantly, my senses overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of his world. The place wasn't just secured; it was fortified. Men stationed at every corner, some with earpieces, some standing at attention like statues. The air carried the faint scent of something expensive-leather, musk, power.
As we moved inside, I could feel his presence just a few steps behind us. Not leading. Not rushing. Just there-watching, waiting.
The moment we entered, I felt the difference. The warmth of the interior was a stark contrast to the cold intimidation outside. Marble floors gleamed under the golden glow of chandeliers. The ceiling stretched high, a modern blend of sophistication and brutal luxury.
The entire place screamed wealth, but not in an ostentatious way. No, Vihaan's wealth was the kind that didn't need to be announced-it was simply felt.
A man in a tailored black suit approached him with a subtle nod. "Everything is ready, sir."
Vihaan barely acknowledged him before his gaze found me again.
I lifted my chin, my voice sharp. "Where are we staying?"
He smirked, slow and deliberate. "You'll see."
I clenched my jaw, every muscle in my body screaming at me to refuse. But I couldn't. Not with Ria half-conscious and Avika's pleading eyes burning into the side of my face.
So, without another word, I followed.
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