"Tu itni khoobsurat hai, mujhe teri zaroorat hai,
Ki tere bina ab toh mera dil na lage"

~ kabir raizada

~ Kabir ~

Mumbai, India

I got a commando training and how to use a gun, two years ago.

Sometimes money can do wonders.

The thought circled through my mind as I sat beside Meher, watching the rise and fall of her breathing. She lay asleep on the bed, her hair splayed across the pillow, her face pale but peaceful. In this quiet moment, my mind went back to that fateful day, the day I lost Radhika and learned the hard way what it meant to be powerless.

Radhika was my first love, my anchor in a world that sometimes felt too heavy. She had a light in her, a spark that made the world brighter, and I thought I could protect her from anything. But I couldn't. The police came too late, and I, like a fool I was, waited for her at home for the pooja. She slipped away, leaving me holding nothing but broken promises. The helplessness I felt that day haunted me, reshaping everything I thought I knew about myself.

That loss marked me, deepening the shadows of my life. And it taught me that I couldn't depend on anyone else to protect the people I loved. Not the police, not anyone else. The only person I could truly count on was myself. So, I did what I had to do. I trained. Hours upon hours, I was learning every skill I could, testing my own limits until I knew how to fight, how to shoot, how to defend. I became a shield. The kind that no one could break, the kind I'd needed on that day.

Although it was late, I ensured those robbers didn't see the next day's light.

I killed them how they had killed her.

One bullet through the head.

Today, sitting here next to Meher, I was reminded of why I made those promises, and why I became who I am now. Seeing her in that place, knowing what could have happened— I felt that same fire that I'd felt the day I lost Radhika. I would never, ever let anyone I loved face that kind of danger again, not as long as I could do something about it.

I look at her hand, lying motionless on the blanket, and resist the urge to reach out and hold it. She doesn't know how the pain of losing Radhika shaped me, into this person who sometimes takes justice into his own hands. But sitting here, I wonder if she can sense it, if somehow, even without words, she understands.

When I found her last night, fighting off those men in that awful room, my instincts took over. I didn't hesitate, didn't think. I knew what I had to do. Those men wouldn't have stopped. I could see the fear in Meher's eyes, but I also saw her strength. She wasn't about to let them have the last word. And in that moment, I felt that same determination— a promise to her and to myself. I would be her shield. I would protect her, no matter what.

The silence of the room wraps around us, broken only by the steady sound of her breathing. I let out a slow, shaky breath. This time, I hadn't arrived too late. This time, I didn't have to watch helplessly as someone I loved suffered. I'd kept my promise.

I leaned back, my gaze still fixed on her face. She's bruised, her spirit visibly shaken, but she's here. She's safe. And for the first time in a long while, I feel a quiet peace, knowing that I didn't fail, that I made it in time.

Even though she didn't know all the reasons why, I hoped she felt safe with me. Because for her, I'd cross any line, take any risk. She may not understand why I've become this version of myself, but I don't think she needs to. And maybe, just maybe, she'll let me stay by her side, to be the shield I promised to be.

As I watched her lying there, a surge of emotions washed over me, leaving me breathless. Meher's face was calm, her breathing steady, yet I couldn't shake the memory of her fear, her desperation. I'd seen her bravery too— her defiance and strength in the face of horror. And it hit me, all at once, like an ache I couldn't ignore.

I was madly in love with her.

I don't know when it happened, or how. It wasn't a single moment, but a thousand little ones— the way she laughed, the way she challenged me, the fire in her eyes when she believed in something. She was not just my wife by name; she was someone I'd give everything for. My heart, my loyalty, even my life, if it came to that.

Reaching out, I brush a loose strand of hair from her face, my fingertips lingering on her skin for a moment longer than necessary. I wanted her to feel safe with me, not just because I could protect her but because I love her. Fiercely, deeply, without any reservation.

The weight of this realisation pressed on me. It was no longer just about keeping a promise to myself or making up for what I lost with Radhika. Loving Meher was different. It's like discovering a part of myself I didn't know existed— a part that's only alive when she's near.

And now, as I sit here, I make another promise. I will tell her. She deserves to know that she's not just my responsibility or someone I'll defend because it's the right thing to do. She's my everything. And if she'll let me, I'll spend every day proving it to her.

* * *

Leaving Meher under Arya's care was one of the hardest decisions I'd made in recent memory. Every instinct screamed at me to stay by her side, to watch over her as she finally rested after enduring such horror. But there was a business I couldn't leave unfinished, not while every fibre of my being seethed with anger and unanswered questions. So, I left, striding toward the police station with a burning purpose. They'd taken Meher, used her as bait, and risked her life. Now, they'd have to answer to me.

The moment I entered the station, I caught sight of Officer Mistry at her desk, her expression tense as she noticed me approaching. Good. She should be uneasy. She didn't have an ounce of remorse for putting Meher in that situation, or so I thought, as I came to a stop in front of her. She looked up, guilt etched on her face.

"How could you?" I demanded, barely keeping my voice steady. "You put my wife's life at risk in the most reckless way imaginable. She may just be another civilian to you, but she's everything to me. You might think she's just another pawn in your operation, but you were reckless with her safety. You didn't have a foolproof plan, did you? I couldn't say anything yesterday because her safety was my top priority. Today, I need answers."

Officer Mistry flinched, opening her mouth as if to explain. But I wasn't interested in listening to excuses. "I don't want to hear any half-hearted apologies or attempts at justifying your so-called strategy. The fact is, you used her, unprepared, in an operation that went horribly wrong." My fists clenched as I fought to keep control over myself.

If Officer Mistry hadn't been a woman, it would have been my hand and her face.

Fuck the police.

Her gaze dropped. She looked as if she wanted to be anywhere else, but I refused to let her off the hook. She finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, "Kabir, please just listen."

My glare didn't soften, but I gave a reluctant nod, gesturing for her to continue. She owed me an explanation, and it better be worth the risk they had taken with Meher.

"The photographs Meher managed to capture, they're not just random images," she began cautiously, measuring her words. "She got images of records, ledgers, stored in a room that was locked. When we reviewed those images, we found they contained bank account details. But these accounts aren't ordinary. They're connected to high-profile businesses and mostly all of them are international transactions, all tied to offshore accounts in regions known for corruption."

My anger faltered as her words sank in. "What kind of ledgers?" I asked, feeling the curiosity replace my initial fury, though only slightly. "What exactly did she capture?"

Officer Mistry looked hesitant, but she knew she had to answer. "These aren't just financial records, Kabir. Well thankfully, each ledger is coded with some sort of numbers which we feel is linking back to companies abroad, places like the Cayman Islands, Seychelles, and some parts of Eastern Europe. This isn't a small case anymore, it is global."

I let the information settle, the weight of her words replacing my anger to some extent. "Are you saying that Meher managed to find all of these while she was inside? Wasn't she caught upon arrival?"

She nodded. "Exactly. I am not sure how she did it but she was very lucky yesterday. If we'd raided the place, they would've wiped these records. But Meher got the evidence on the inside, in a way none of us would have been able to accomplish. She captured records that point can potentially point to one of the country's top businesses, powerful figures, and influential leaders funnelling money abroad. It's massive, Kabir."

I was stunned. This was so much bigger than I'd expected. Meher had stumbled onto something huge— she'd inadvertently captured proof of something that had roots in some of the most untouchable parts of society. Even in the face of unimaginable danger, she'd managed to keep her wits and get the evidence we didn't even know we needed. The pride I felt was indescribable.

"If this is as important as you're saying, then you just proved how reckless you were with her safety," I bit out, though my tone softened slightly. "Meher risked everything for this operation. She could have died or been raped, Officer. You knew the stakes, but you didn't have a backup plan."

Officer Mistry nodded, looking as though she was finally acknowledging her own faults. "I know, Kabir. You're right. We weren't prepared for how dangerous it would become, and I underestimated the risks. I've been in this line of work long enough to know when I made a mistake, and this was one of them."

Her shoulders slumped, but I wasn't done. "She did what even a fully armed police squad couldn't do. She went in there with nothing but her courage, and you left her vulnerable. How can I ever trust your judgment again?"

Her gaze dropped to the floor, and I could see the regret in her eyes. "You have every right to be furious," she admitted. "I accept responsibility. But, Kabir, you need to know one thing: Meher didn't hesitate. She was in it, fully, for the mission. Even when things got tough, she stayed focused. She didn't let fear cloud her mind."

I stared at her, a strange mixture of pride and bitterness swirling within me. My wife had been through hell, yet she'd managed to keep going, to stay true to her mission. She hadn't faltered, hadn't let the terror consume her.

"I don't think you understand the risk she took, Officer," I replied finally. "You may have accepted her bravery now, but it's still not your life on the line. She had everything to lose." My words carried a weight that she seemed to understand, and her expression softened with remorse.

Officer Mistry looked at me with something akin to respect. "You're right. I don't fully understand what she went through, and I can never truly know. But what I do know is that she's exceptional. Meher put herself in harm's way for this investigation, for the chance to bring justice to victims of these operations. In many ways, she was the bravest one there."

I nodded, letting the pride swell up once again, mingling with a love that had only grown stronger through this nightmare. Meher was so much more than I'd ever given her credit for. She'd faced her fears head-on, and she'd come out on the other side with something none of us had anticipated.

"She's not just brave," I murmured, more to myself than to Officer Mistry. "She's extraordinary."

We stood there in silence, the weight of the conversation hanging heavy between us. My anger had softened, replaced by a quiet, simmering pride that I could barely contain.

* * *

As I walked through the front door, a wave of relief swept over me. After the tension at the station, coming home to see Meher safe was the only thing grounding me at this point. I heard soft voices from the living room and stepped quietly, finding Meher sitting on the couch, Arya beside her, spooning her sips of soup. There was an ease to the scene that I hadn't anticipated— something gentle and familiar, despite the heaviness that hung around us.

Seeing me, Arya's eyes flickered with a knowing look. She put the bowl down and rose to leave, offering a nod as she passed me. She closed the door softly, leaving Meher and me alone.

For a moment, silence stretched between us, and I let it. I didn't know what to say. What could I possibly offer that could begin to make things right? But Meher's gaze met mine, calm yet vulnerable, and I felt something shift.

After a moment, she cleared her throat, breaking the silence with a slight smile. "So, you made me sleep in your room?"

Her tone was teasing, but the softness in her expression told me she knew the answer. Still, I wanted her to know exactly why. "Husband and wife sleep in the same room," I said, keeping my tone light, but my eyes held hers steadily. "That's where you belong, Meher."

Her gaze dropped slightly, and I saw her eyes glisten. She looked away, swallowing hard before murmuring, "Kabir, can we ever be the same again?"

The vulnerability in her voice cracked something open in me. I wanted to be there, to take all her hurt and wear it as my own. But she needed words more than gestures right now, and I found myself grasping for something, anything, that could reassure her.

"Meher," I began softly, moving to sit beside her, "I don't think being the same is what we need to aim for. Maybe the situation is different now, and maybe that's okay. We've both been through things we couldn't have imagined, but we're still here. Together."

She turned to me, studying my face as if searching for some unspoken assurance. "You're not angry with me? I didn't listen to you and look what happened." My eyes went over her bruises once again and I looked away from it, knowing that it would just pain me.

"Angry?" I shook my head, letting my hand rest on the couch beside her, close but not touching. "No. Meher, I'm in awe of you. What you did, most people wouldn't have been able to do that, let alone survive it." I took a deep breath, my voice lowering. "If anything, I'm angry with myself. I couldn't protect you like I wanted to."

She reached out then, as if sensing my hesitation, and laid her hand gently over mine. Her touch was warm, and grounding, and I felt a surge of relief. But she noticed my hesitance and lifted her eyes, her gaze steady. "Kabir hold my hand. I'm not as weak as you might think."

I felt my chest tighten at her words, the strength in her voice was unmistakable, and I knew she meant it. Tentatively, I wrapped my fingers around hers, holding her hand, feeling its warmth, and suddenly the silence felt lighter, less oppressive.

"I know," I whispered. "I know you're not weak. But seeing you there, I just wanted to take you far away from all this."

She looked down for a moment, her voice softer. "I went into this knowing what could happen, Kabir. I understood the risks, and if anything happened, let's not put the blame on anyone. We can just blame it on kismat. Sometimes things happen, and we don't know why, but that doesn't mean we have to let it destroy us. Yes, I was so scared yesterday that the thought of death, of you crossed so many times. But I also thought of the people who I lost, for whom I couldn't do anything and neither did I have any knowledge about it."

I studied her for a moment, absorbing her words. It was so like Meher, to take something so heavy and find a way to carry it lightly. I took a breath, realizing that she was handing me the very acceptance I'd struggled to find for myself.

"Meher," I said, my voice barely a whisper, "you're remarkable." I let a pause hang between us before gently shifting the conversation. "There's something Officer Mistry told me today. I think you should know."

Her brow furrowed, but she didn't pull her hand away, listening intently as I continued. "She told me about the photos you took in that place. You captured more than just evidence— those pictures have details on bank accounts, and ledgers tied to possibly some powerful people. It's proof that goes beyond anything they had before."

A familiar spark flashed in her eyes, and slowly, a faint smile appeared. It was the first real smile I'd seen since all this began, and it was beautiful. At that moment, I realized just how indomitable she was. She had faced her worst fears and still managed to fulfil her purpose.

"You're telling me, that even in the middle of all that chaos, I managed to get something valuable?" she asked, a hint of disbelief colouring her tone.

"More than valuable. You uncovered something that no one else could have gotten close to. Officer Mistry herself admitted that even if they'd raided the place, those records would have been wiped clean before they could get there. You did that, Meher. You made that happen."

She took a deep breath, looking down as she processed my words. I watched her, a mixture of pride and admiration filling me. To see her find her footing again, to watch her find strength in the purpose she'd believed in all along, it was more than I could have hoped for.

I was waiting for the day when I could finally tell her that I loved her. I was waiting for the day when I could openly express my love for her. But the timing wasn't right.

We have an important mission to crack. I could not let my love make her weak.

But I hoped that this time, we did things right.

Without any harm to anyone.

And voila! Another end to a chapter. Giving you all a breather from the mystery and trauma. Well, the mission indeed turns into a success after all. There's always a silver lining in all of those things. I know many of you thought that was why Meher jumped into the first opportunity she got to investigate. That is because if you remember, Abhimanyu, Sahil and Tara together worked on something leaving Meher out of it and all of them died. It's a natural feeling to think that maybe your contribution could have made some change and also that she resented them a little for not telling her. She wasn't a child. Hence she jumped into the fire knowing she would get burnt because her friends had done the same.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Writing has always been my escape and weaving stories and giving them life is very refreshing. Like writing gives me life, what activity gives you life?

Do VOTE, SHARE and COMMENT. Comment a heart if you enjoyed reading this chapter.

With Love,

Akii.