Aaradhya was standing near the school gate, laughing with a guy from her class. Too relaxed. Too open. Her head tipped back slightly, eyes bright in a way she never allowed herself to be when the world was watching.

His jaw locked.

He was a few steps away, sitting with her brothers on the bleachers, listening to them argue about something pointless. He nodded at the right moments. Smiled when expected.

He never looked twice.

Until she smiled again.

“Who’s that?” Advik asked, already alert.

“Classmate,” Arhan muttered. “Why’s he standing so close?”

He stayed silent.

Because if he spoke, it would be over too quickly.

She felt him before she saw him.

That pressure in her chest.
That instinctive stillness.

Her laugh faded halfway.

“You okay?” the guy asked.

“Haan,” she said, distracted.

When she turned, he was already looking at her.

Not angry.

Jealous.

Her stomach dropped.

Don’t, her eyes begged.

He stood and walked toward them unrushed, composed, like this was already settled. Like she was already his and everyone else was simply mistaken.

“Hey,” he said to the guy, voice calm. Almost friendly. “She’s needed.”

“For?” the guy asked, confused.

“Doesn’t matter.”

Her brother’s voice cut in sharply. “Problem?”

He turned immediately. Respectful. Easy. “Nahi. Bas timing.”

That was all.

The guy hesitated, then looked at her. She forced a small smile. “I’ll see you later.”

He left.

Her brothers relaxed instantly, satisfied.

He didn’t.

“What was that?” she whispered the moment they were alone.

“You forgot,” he replied.

“Forgot what?”

His eyes traced her slowly from her face, to her hands, to the space the other guy had stood in.

“Tum bhool jaati ho,” he said quietly, “ki tum free nahi ho.”

Her breath caught. “I’m allowed to talk to people.”

“Of course,” he agreed instantly. “Main mana kab karta hoon?”

“Then why—”

“Because,” he interrupted, stepping closer, lowering his voice, “tum jab hasti ho na log samajhne lagte hain.”

“Samajhne lagte hain kya?”

“That they have a chance.”

Her pulse thundered. “You don’t own me.”

A pause.

Then soft, deadly calm.

“Tum meri ho,” he said possessively.

She swallowed. “You’re crossing a line.”

He leaned in not touching, never touching unless she let him.

“Main line cross nahi karta,” he murmured. “Main line draw karta hoon.”

Her hands shook. “My brothers—”

“Tumhare bhai,” he said gently, “har aadmi se tumhe bachate hain.”

His gaze darkened.

“Main sirf ye ensure karta hoon… ki tumhe kabhi kisi se bachne ki zarurat hi na pade.”

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hi Lovlies 🤍
This is my first time writing and posting a story, so please be kind with me.

I know I don’t have many readers yet and I’m genuinely grateful for each one of you, but I really wanted to put this prologue out there because this story means a lot to me.

I’m sorry this update came a little late my boards are going on right now, and academics come first but I promise I haven’t abandoned this story. I already mentioned it earlier, but I still wanted to say thank you for waiting.

This prologue is just the beginning. Things will slowly unfold, secrets will come out later, and the characters will reveal themselves piece by piece.

If you’re still here after this chapter thank you.
If you decide to give this story a chance thank you even more.

Your comments, votes, and even silent reads mean more than you think 🤍

With love,
—Author