Aira

I saw my mom lying on her bed, pale and tired... but still managing that soft smile only mothers can.

"Hey, Mom," I greeted, walking toward her. She looked at me, slowly opening her eyes.

"Aira," she gasped, pushing herself up, eyes lighting up.

"How are you, my dear child? Aw, I missed you so much," she said, pulling me into her arms like I belonged there.

"I missed you too, Mom," I whispered, hugging her tight - my tears falling silently, unnoticed against her shoulder. We pulled apart, and her gaze shifted to the towering man standing next to me - broad, sharp, unreadable.

"Who's this, Aira?" she asked, with an innocent smile on her face.

"Ah... this... he's - "Before I could explain, his voice cut through the moment - cold, commanding.

"I'm her boss. I've heard a lot about you from her. Thought I'd give you a visit," he said, with a casual charm that didn't match the steel behind his words.

He's pretending. That smile... it's not real. It never is. Not when the doors close.

"Ohh... it's really nice meeting you, sir," Mom beamed.
"You can call me Karan. Mom," he added smoothly. I froze.

Why would he say that? Why would he call my mom "Mom"? What the hell is he playing at?

Mom didn't notice the tension. She was happy - her daughter wasn't alone. If only she knew the truth. The man beside me wasn't warmth or safety - he was the storm I wasn't allowed to run from.

Time slipped by in soft conversations and fake smiles. I didn't want to leave her... but I had no choice. I wasn't allowed that freedom.

"Okay Mom, it's time for us to leave now," I said, standing up.

"Oh dear, so soon?" she asked, her eyes dropping.

"Yeah Mom, we've been here a while. Sir has work too... so we should get going," I said, trying to mask my ache. She squeezed my hand and turned to him.

"Thank you so much, sir, for visiting me. I hope Aira listens to you and doesn't disobey too much."
"No, she doesn't. I take care of that. And of her. Of course," he replied, eyes locked on me.

That smirk... I hate that smirk.

I looked down, silent. There was no use resisting.

~~~~•••~~~~

We left the hospital and walked to the car.
"Ah... I'm hungry right now, so we'll go for lunch," he said, almost hesitantly.

"Okay," I replied, sliding into the car.

🥀🥀🥀

Karan

The hospital smelled like antiseptic and death - something I was used to. But today, it felt different. Maybe because I wasn't here to save lives. I was here for her.

As we stepped into the room, I watched her. Aira. The way her steps quickened as she saw her mother. The way her voice softened. The way her eyes lit up. It was a version of her I don't get to see often.

She looked... happy. Pure.

I stood at the door, silent. Distant.
I wasn't supposed to feel anything, but I did. A part of me felt like I didn't belong there - in that room filled with warmth and motherly affection.

But another part, a darker part, wanted to keep standing there. Because she was mine.
And I needed to see every part of her - especially the ones she hides from me.

When her mother noticed me, I knew I had to say something. Couldn't let her fill the silence with questions Aira wasn't ready to answer.

"I'm her boss," I said calmly. My voice cold, controlled. "I've heard a lot about you from her. So I thought maybe I'd give you a visit."I lied.

I've never heard a single thing about her mother from Aira. But I had to say something convincing. For her. For me.

Her mother smiled. Sweet woman. She reminded me of what Aira might have been if she wasn't tied to me. Then she called me sir.

"You can call me Karan... Mom," I added with a smirk.

I could feel Aira's confusion. Her shock. But I needed to say it. Maybe to test her. Maybe to claim something. Or maybe just to see how far I could push it.

She kept glancing at me while talking to her mother, probably terrified I'd say something she couldn't control. And maybe, that's exactly what I wanted her to feel.

Fear keeps people loyal.

As her mother thanked me and held Aira's hand, I felt an odd kind of ache in my chest. The way her mother looked at her - with hope, with affection - I wanted that look to be mine.

"I take care of her. Of course," I said, meeting her mother's eyes, then Aira's. And I meant it.

When we left the room, I noticed Aira's silence. She didn't complain. She didn't speak. She was just... quiet.

I liked it. But I also hated it. That's when I decided - I wasn't ready to go home yet.

"Ah... I'm hungry right now, so we'll go for lunch," I said. I didn't want to admit I wanted more time with her.

More of that innocence. More of her. Even if it kills me.

I booked the rooftop table long before I brought her to see her mother. I planned it. Every move. Every glance. Every word.

We sat near the edge, the clouds above us heavy, the wind cold. She stared at the view like it was magic.

It wasn't the view. It was her. It's always her.

She looked amazed - like the world hadn't ruined her yet. And I... I stared at her, memorizing every little twitch of her lips.

The waiter came to take our order. His gaze didn't leave her face.
I clenched my jaw.
"Are you done with that?" I asked Aira, my tone laced with steel, my glare burning into the waiter.

"Yes," she replied, glancing at both of us—then smiled at him.

She smiled at him.

Rage built like a wave inside my chest, but I swallowed it. Not here. Not yet.

Silence settled between us.

She watched the view. I watched her. So beautiful. So unaware she's mine in ways she doesn't even understand.

The food arrived."Thank you," she told the waiter, smiling again.

"My pleasure, Ma'am," he replied, bowing.

"Leave. Now," I said. My voice wasn't loud - but it carried a threat so sharp it could cut bone.
If he had lingered a second longer, I would've buried him.

Yes, I'm a doctor who saves lives... but I'd trade that in a heartbeat to destroy someone for her.

She lowered her head and began to eat. Small bites. No appetite.

"Did you forget the rules I told you yesterday?" I asked. My voice was calm, but fury simmered underneath.

She stopped chewing, panic in her eyes."N-no. I didn't forget," she stammered.

"Oh really? Then why the hell did you talk to him?" I leaned closer, every inch of me radiating power.

"B-but I... I just thanked him-- "

"When I said don't talk to anyone, I meant no one. I don't care if it's praise or thanks. Your words are mine to hear - not his."
She nodded, gaze down, barely breathing.

"I said words, Aira. Not humming. Not nodding."

I lifted her chin, forcing her eyes to meet mine. My grip was firm, but not cruel.

"Y-yes. It won't happen again. I won't talk to anyone," she whispered, her voice cracking. Her eyes filled with tears. She was about to break.
I let go of her chin, gently this time.

"Eat," I said softly. Not now. I won't let her cry.

Not here. Not when I need her to be strong - for me.
She obeyed. Silently. Always silently.

🥀🥀🥀

Author:- 

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