"Sanjay?"

"Wow jai sir. I'm glad you remember me"sajay smirked. Jai held his head in pain. And groaned. Sanjay laughed stepping closer. He kneeled down to face Jay. And looked into his eyes.

"I knew that you would never ever forget me Jai. You are the reason. Behind my destroyal. I waited so long. For this day. Now when I look at you. All covered in blood. And helpless. I finally feel alive"sanjay said. Srishti looked at him horrified.

"Sanjay. Why did you do this?"jai asked. Clenching his teeths to suck in the pain.

"Why? Why?"Sanjay roared.

"Because of you. I lost everything. My happiness. My family. My buisness. My reputation. And I went to prison. I waited for all these years. To grab one chance to see you suffer. Whom do you think was doing all these? Your accident. Downfall in the buisness. Targeting your family members. Your girlfriend. Her family. It was all me jai"sanjay said smiling. Evily. Srishti looked at him. In shock and horror.

"But bad luck. You narrowly escaped everything I planned against you. For the past 3 months I had been around you. Waiting for a chance to get you all alone. And now I've come by myself. To watch you die. And in bonus you have brought your wife along. Now I get to give you the most painful death"sajay laughed and looked at srishti. Her heart pounding heavily. She looked at Sanjay. In scare and disgust.

"What will you do if I touch your wife in front of you Jai?"Sanjay asked. Jai clenched his fists in anger. While srishti widened her eyes. She tried to free herself from the goons. Who held her tightly from sides.

"Sanjay...."jai gritted his teeths. "If you touch her. I will kill you"

"What? You will kill me?"Sanjay laughed

"You can't even stand on your feets Jai. Do you consider yourself as a hero who saves his heroine? I'm sorry to burst that bubble Jai. This is not a movie going on"sanjay said and looked at srishti. She gulped hard in fear.

Sanjay licked his lips. Seeing srishti. He took few steps closer to her.

"No"srishti said. Scaring as hell.

"Please dont"

"Sanjay stop"jai yelled. The goons punched him again. Making him spit blood.

Srishti paused her breath. As Sanjay stood in front of her. So close to her. Looking at her. In lust. He raised his finger to touch her. She closed her eyes tightly in fear. He inched closer. Aiming for her lips.

Jai punched the goons right away with all his strength. Lunging ahead and kicking Sanjay on his knees. He fell back on the ground. Jai grabbed srishtis hands. Pulling her behind him. She stood behind. Holding his bicep tightly in fear.

Sanjay got up furiously. Taking a revolver from his pocket. He pointed at jai. Srishti widened her eyes in horror and held Jai tightly. Her heart was in her mouth. She could barely breath. Jai stood still. He knew he could not do anything else. He held srishti protectively. Behind him.

"Sanjay. We both know who was at fault. You went to prison for a reason"jai said.

"Reason? Do you know how much i suffered for the past three years? I won't let you die that easily Jai. I want you to go through that same suffering. And I will make sure that. You go through it"sanjay said. Gripping his revolver. And held the trigger.

"No please dont"srishti yelled closing her eyes.

Sanjay pulled back. Hearing the sirens. He looked behind and saw. Police vehicles approaching them. He gritted his teeths in anger.

"Annaya let's go"his goons grabbed him.

"No. I want to kill him"sanjay yelled. But his goons pulled him back and they got into their vehicles. Fleeing quickly from there.

Jai sighed in relief the moment. They left. He looked behind. Srishti was shivering in fear. Covered in sweat.

"Hey....you okay?"he asked holding her shoulder. She nodded her head. He closed his eyes. Feeling dizzy. And fell into her shoulder. Srishti held him quickly in shock.

"Sir...."

She kneeled into the ground holding him. Jai fell unconscious. He had already lost so much blood. She patted his cheeks. But there was no response from him.

The cops got down from their vehicles. And rushed towards them.
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Srishti sat outside the emergency room. She was still shivering. Never ever in her dreams she thought she would have to face such a day. Everything that had happened was still like a nightmare. To her. She now knew the seriousness of the situation. Jai and his family had been telling her. If the cops wouldn't have arrived at the right time. She couldn't imagine what would have happened.

She would have been killed. Jai would have been killed. Srishti couldn't come out of the shock. Jai had been taken inside the emergency room. He had already lost so much blood. She kept praying inside. To keep him safe. Tears kept rolling down her eyes.

Once jai was taken inside for treatment. The cops questioned Srishti. She didn't had much to say. And was still terrified. So the cops decided to give her some time. A little later Ganesh arrived. Srishti decided to tell Ganesh first. As she didn't knew how to relay this news. To their family.

"Madam"ganeshs voice startled her. She looked up at Ganesh.

"Madam. If you want you can go home. I'll be right here. And I'll inform you in case of any emergency. Don't worry mam. The cops are all around the hospital. And sir will be fine. Trust me"ganesh said. But srishti shaked her head.

"No. I want to be here"she said.

Ganesh didn't force her either. But he was equally concerned about Jai. And srishti.

Srishti had a small bandage in the corner of her forehead. She didn't had any major injuries. She was only concerned for jai. She changed her clothes. The clothes she wore was almost soaked completely by jais blood. It took her back to the memories of his accident. How scared she was. Thinking about him. But now he wasn't just her favourite actor. He meant much more.

The doctor came out breaking her thoughts. Both Srishti and Ganesh rushed to him.

"Hows he?"Ganesh asked. Tensing.

"Don't worry he's fine. Thankfully the wound in his head wasn't too deep. But he had lost so much blood. He needs complete rest in coming weeks. We have to do a complete scanning for further details. But he is going to be fine"the doctor said.

Srishti sighed In relief. But it also made her wince. Thinking how much pain he was in.

"Thank you doctor. When can we take him back?"Ganesh asked.

"In two days I think so. He had to be kept in observation for the next few hours. We will keep updating you"the doctor said. Ganesh nodded and they discussed rest of his health details.

The doctor left and Ganesh turned to srishti. Who stood still. Her eyes fixed onto the door of the emergency room.

"Madam he's fine. Just relax. I think it will take few more hours to see him. Do you wanna go home?"Ganesh asked.

"No. I want to be here. Did you inform others about this?"srishti asked to Ganesh.

"No madam. I've called shruthi madam and told her everything. I was actually waiting for the doctor to say that he's fine. Now that he is. I will go by myself and inform them. I also have to talk to the inspector. You please take rest. The guards are here if you need anything. I will come in the morning"ganesh said.

"Okay"srishti said.

He nodded and walked ahead.

"Anna"srishti called him from behind. Making him stop and look at her.

"He...he is going to be fine....right?"she asked. Ganesh smiled and nodded his head.

"He will be. Sir is so strong madam. And he had faced the worst. Trust me. I'm sure he's okay"ganesh said.

Srishti nodded her head. Hoping for his words. To come true.

Three hours passed. Srishti continued sitting outside the room. She didn't sleep and her mind was occupied by him. She kept thinking. How rude she was towards him when all he wanted was her safety. She wanted to apologise to him a million times. And she had already did that inside her head. She just wanted him to get better.

Today he fought for her. And he was indeed a real hero. Her superstar.

The nurse stepped outside the room. Breaking her thoughts. She stood up from the bench.

"You can go inside and see him if you want. We will be shifting him to the room in an hour"the nurse informed her. Srishti nodded and the nurse left.

She stood still for a moment and gathered her strength to walk inside. When she did. She saw him lying in the bed. With his eyes closed. He had a huge bandage over his head. He had few wounds in his arm. Which was dressed up. He was asleep and his chest rose up and down. With every breath he took.

She took slow steps towards him. And stood next to him. Watching him silently. Tears kept rolling down her eyes. She felt guilt consuming her. Over again

Jai opened his eyes with difficulty. Blinking it under light. He felt someone's presence besides him. He tilted his head to the side. To see srishti. Looking at him with tears. Seeing him awake. Srishti quickly wiped her tears off. His lips curved into a smile seeing her. He was hugely relieved. Seeing her safe.

"Hi...how are you feeling?"He asked and she looked at him surprised

"You've...got an...head injury sir"she said.

"I know that. You've got hurt too. Is it paining?"he asked and she shook her head. Even in pain. He was concerned about her little wound.

"Come sit"jai said. Srishti sighed and stepped closer. Sitting next to his bed. In the chair. He saw tears rolling down her eyes.

"Why are you crying?"he asked. She quickly sniffed and wiped her face.

"I'm...not crying"she said.

"Yeah. I can see that"he smiled.

She raised her eyes and looked at him.

"I'm...sorry sir. It's all because of me. You got hurt today. You would have....we would have..."she struggled to finish the sentence. And he understood what she was going through.

"Srishti. This is not because of you. I wasn't careful enough. I should have taken the guards along. Knowing that it was risky to take you outside. Without any protection. I still did it. I just wanted to have one peaceful conversation with you. And...that ended up like this"he sighed.

"I'm sorry too. So its 2-2 and we are even"he smiled sweetly. She kept her head down

"Ganesh came?"he asked. After few seconds of silence.

"Yes. He...went home. To inform others. And also to meet the inspector. He said...he will be back...by morning"she said. Making him nod.

"I don't know what's gonna happen next srishti. I can't even think what my family is going through right now"he said.

She looked at him. His concern for his family was over anything

"Can I....ask you something?"she asked and he nodded. Looking at her. Jai was happy. That srishti was talking to him.

"Who...was that? Why did he try to....kill you?"she asked with difficulty.

He rested his head back. And stared at the ceiling.

"That's a long story. It happened three years back. Do you want to listen?"he asked. And she nodded.
.
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Jais POV

3 YEARS BACK

I was at a peak point in my career. With lots of big projects. After having two successive hits. I decided that my next movie should be chosen wisely. I didn't wanted to disappoint my fans with my movies. And finally I was approached by a fresh concept love story. I immediately agreed to do it. The director was my friend so I was so confident about this movie.

Sanjay was one of the biggest producers of that time. He came forward to produce our movie. And we immediately started with the shoots. I didn't knew Sanjay very well. But we met quite few times. And he seemed to be a good person. At least that's what I thought so. He would be around the sets of the film and he took care of everything.

The director roped in a new face model as the heroine. Her name was saanvi. She came into the movies through auditions. And was also a model. I met her during the pooja of the movie. She was so shy and nervous. And told me that she was looking forward to work with me.

The first schedule was held in Hyderabad. The shooting went smoothly. Saanvi was really very talented. But every time she face camera, she always felt uncomfortable when Sanjay was around. I noticed it , but tried to ignore since Sanjay had his own reputation. And he was already married and had kids. This went on until one day I saw her coming out of Sanjays caravan , crying. I didn't ask her directly. One day I invited her to my caravan for lunch. She happily agreed

"I seriously haven't had such a tasty food in a very long time sir. Thanks for the lunch. I broke all the rules in my diet"she had said. When we settled down in my caravan. After having food.

"Thank you. And stop calling me sir saanvi. We are working together now. You can call me Jai"I said. She smiled politely.

"Saanvi...if I ask you something. Will you take me wrong?"

"No sir...I mean Jai. Ask me"she smiled

"Is there a problem between you and Sanjay?"

I saw her smile fading away.

"I mean. I always noticed how uncomfortable you get. Whenever Sanjay is around"I added. She looked down. And I saw her trying hard to keep her composure.

"See Sanvi. More than a co-star. You can always approach me like a friend. I would like to help you out"I said.

She sighed and closed her eyes.

"I know Jai. See. I always dreamt of being an actress from my childhood. And that's why I chose modelling. Even though my family was against my wish. I fought against all odds and went for it. I got so many opportunities in web series. And ads. But none of them felt like a real opportunity to me. Until I heard about this project. When this movie came to me. I didn't wanted to loose it at any cost. And I was so happy that I was working with someone like you. I thought everything is finally falling back in my life. But..."she paused and clenched her fists.

"Hey. What happened?" I touched her hand and she broke into tears.

"I didn't knew that movie industry. Had such a dark side too"she said.

Saanvi told name that Sanjay had been threatening. To kick her out of this movie and industry. Unless and until she sleeps with him. She told me that he always mistreated her and told her to make 'adjustments' and only then she can survive in the industry. I clenched my fists in anger hearing her.

"I tried my maximum Jai. It was pure torture for me. I didn't knew what to do. He is a big producer. And I'm only a fresher in this field. If I do something. He will ruin my career. I don't know for how long I can keep running away from him. Like this. But I want this movie to work. This is my dream"she said and cried holding my hand.

"Saanvi. Be strong. People like him are real threats of our industry. We should do something about it. Do you want to file a complaint against him?"I asked and she looked at me shocked.

"No Jai. I mean. Not now. I want to do this movie no matter what. I'm glad you're there for me. But I don't want to cause you any trouble because of me. I will handle this. I just need some time"she said. I nodded. Realising that it was her decision.

Later I made sure that Sanjay wasn't around the sets. And saanvi was comfortable. Few days passed by without any incident. We went for outdoor shooting. And we were staying in a hotel in Singapore. One night. I found Saanvi outside my door. She was shaking in fear. Her body covered in sweat. And she looked scared.

"Saanvi...is there a problem?"I asked and she fell into my chest, crying. She told me that Sanjay tried to force himself upon her. By barging inside her room. I lost all my coolness that day.

I stormed inside Sanjays room. He looked at me surprised.

"Jai sir? At this hour? What happened sir. Is everything okay?"he asked. I walked towards him and grabbed him by his collar.

"Whom did you expect then? Saanvi?"I asked and he looked at me shocked.

"What are you saying sir?"

"Sanjay. Saanvi had told me everything. Enough is enough. Leave her alone. We are all working in this movie together. And she is here to work. Not to please you. Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Think about your wife and kids. If you want to fool around and spoil lives of talented women. This is not the place for you"I said and left his collar. He dusted his shirt and looked at me sharply.

"You're believing that girl sir? She's new. And she's probably cooking up something to get attention in the industry"

"Sanjay. I don't have time for this. But just remember what a single complaint on your name. Would do to your career and buisness. You will be destroyed. Don't make me do it"

Sanjay just smirked at me.

"Sir you are getting things wrong. Industry has changed so much Jai sir. And now it's common everywhere. I don't think it as a problem. And how dare was she to come and complaint to you"he said. I stepped closer and stood in front of him.

"I'm not even kidding Sanjay. If you touch saanvi again. Be prepared to face the worst. This is your last and final warning. Mind it"I said and walked outside.

I came back to my room. Saanvi was still under the shock. I told her to take her time. And whatever her decision will be. I promised I will be there for her.

"I had enough Jai. I can't live scared like this forever. I want to file a complaint. I want Sanjay behind bars"she had said. And i knew she made the right decision.

I helped saanvi in filing a complaint. The moment we landed back in India. Sanjay was taken into custody and was interrogated. Saanvi had all the evidences against Sanjay. I did whatever I could from my part. The moment it became a news. So many other actresses. And models from our industry. Came out with the very same complaint against Sanjay. And justice was served. Sanjay was arrested and sent into prison. His company collapsed. He was out from the industry. His wife and children left him. His name became a big controversy all around the country. Whenever I was questioned about this. I chose to speak the truth. He has to be punished for trying to ruin so many lives.

Sanjay was a man in power. Before he went to prison. He threatened to spoil our careers. And destroy our lives. We didn't take it seriously. Saanvi was happy and finally at peace.

2 months passed by. Our film had almost wrapped up. My cousin had stepped in to produce our movie. Everything was going fine. I got to know that Sanjay came out in bail. With the help of his lawyer. Who is one of the biggest criminal lawyer in India.

Next day i got the news. Saanvi and her family died in a car accident , while they were returning back from a temple. Sanjay went back to Prison. And there was no news of him.

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Srishti looked at Jai in horror. As he finished telling her everything.

"I was sure that saanvis death was not an accident. But I couldn't prove anything. I kind of felt responsible for everything that happened. Sanjay knew i helped saanvi. And I was the sole reason behind his destroyal. Now he is out again. And he won't step back until. I die"jai said. Srishti drew a breath as soon as he said that. That word scared her. She was so scared thinking about him.

He looked at her. To find her panick striken.

"Srishti I'm really sorry for dragging you into this mess. I don't know what else I'm supposed do. But I promise. I will make sure that you are okay. No matter what. You are my priority"

Srishti wiped her tears and looked down.

"You shouldn't say sorry sir. What you did today. For me. And what you had been doing for me. For your family. It wont go in vain"she said. Making him smile.

"Thank you"

Srishti looked at the time. It was nearing five in the morning. Jai yawned feeling his eyes dropping. His body was in pain. She knew he needed rest.

"Sir....You should sleep now.....you are hurt and...you need rest. I'll be right there. Outside the room. Please call me...if you need anything"she got up from the chair. He quickly held her wrists. Stopping her. Sristi froze. As she felt his hold.

"Don't go. Sit here"he said.

She turned towards him.

"Why?"

"I want to talk to you. The whole night"he said

"But....its already morning sir. And you need rest"she said. But he shook his head.

"I don't know anything. I just want to talk to you"he said. As if he was stubborn like a kid.

"Why?"she asked again.

"Same thing.. You never talk to me when we are at home. And you keep stammering whenever you talk to me. Today we'll solve the problem. Come sit"he dragged her back to the chair

"No sir. You should sleep now. You've got some serious wounds...please"she said.

"Fine. But only if you promise. That you will talk to me tomorrow. And won't stammer"he said. Srishti sighed and nodded her head.

"Okay. We will...talk tomorrow"she said.

"And you won't stammer?"

"I won't...stammer"she said. He chuckled and left his hold. On her hand.

"Fine then. You should take rest too. Good night Srishti"he said.

"Good night sir"

He smiled and closed his eyes to sleep. She watched him for few seconds. And walked towards the door. Then paused. To look at him again.

Unknowingly her lips curved into a small smile. And he slept with a smile playing in his lips too.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap - Jai and Sristhis cold war

♡ Nila ♡