Morning arrived with the weight of anticipation. As Nick had instructed, their friends arrived early, ready to give their all in the search. Wick, Nick, Annu, and the others scoured every possible lead, leaving no stone unturned. Hours passed, tension rising with each passing moment.
Then, finally, they found him.
Shristi's younger brother had been kidnapped by a group of thugs, but they never stood a chance. Fueled by rage and determination, Wick and his friends unleashed hell, leaving the kidnappers barely able to stand. The fight was brutal, swift, and merciless.
With the boy safely in their hands, they rushed him back to the hotel.
Shristi, who had been forced to stay behind for her safety, stood in the hallway, anxiously wringing her hands. The moment she saw her brother, her breath hitched. Tears welled up in her eyes as she ran forward, wrapping him in a tight embrace.
"You're okay," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You're okay…"
Her brother clung to her, equally shaken but relieved.
Before the moment could fully settle, another voice interrupted.
Vivaan.
He approached hesitantly, his gaze flickering between them.
Wick, standing a few feet away, watched the interaction for a moment before turning to Shristi. His expression was unreadable, but his tone carried finality.
"Go with him."
Shristi stiffened. "What?"
Wick didn't repeat himself.
She frowned, her grip on her brother tightening. "Why? Where are you going?"
"Unfinished business," Wick muttered, his voice clipped.
Shristi didn't like it. "No. I'm staying with you."
Wick's jaw tensed, but he didn't argue. Instead, he simply stepped back.
"Go, Shristi."
His words weren't a request.
A battle raged inside her, but eventually, she exhaled sharply and nodded. "Fine."
Without another word, Wick turned and walked away, heading toward the car where Nick and Annu were waiting.
---
The Car Ride Back
The road stretched ahead in silence, the only sound being the hum of the engine and the occasional sigh from Nick, who was still frustrated with Wick's reckless actions from the night before.
Then, unexpectedly, Wick spoke.
"What if…" He hesitated for a second. "What if Shristi is—the one?"
Annu turned her head sharply, eyes widening slightly.
Nick glanced at Wick through the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable.
A small smile played on Annu's lips. "She is the one," she said softly.
Wick looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
"…and she will always be your epic love."
Wick didn't respond immediately. His gaze shifted to the window, his fingers drumming lightly against his knee.
After a long pause, he finally spoke again. "Tell me something about her… Something she likes, or a habit she has."
Annu chuckled. "Something unique?" She tapped her chin playfully, then smirked. "Well… your girl is always hungry if she's awake past midnight."
Wick arched an eyebrow, amused. "Always?"
"Always."
---
That Night
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the hotel.
Shristi had just begun to doze off when a soft knock on her door pulled her from sleep. She groaned, rolling over. "Who is it?"
No answer.
Sighing, she dragged herself up and opened the door.
Wick stood there, hands in his pockets. His usual composed demeanor was intact, but there was something different about his eyes tonight—something she couldn't quite place.
"Hey," he said quietly.
She rubbed her eyes. "I'm tired, Wick."
He didn't move, but instead, he held something up between his fingers.
Her eyes widened. "That's…"
Wick nodded. "Your necklace."
She took a step closer, reaching for it, but he didn't let go.
"Please give it back," she said softly, her fingers lingering just beneath his.
He exhaled, eyes searching hers. "I just need to say something first."
She frowned. "What does that have to say with my necklace?"
A slight smirk ghosted his lips, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He took a breath, as if steadying himself.
"Because what I'm about to say is probably the most selfish thing I've ever said in my life."
Shristi's heart skipped a beat. A sudden unease settled in her chest. "Wick, don't—"
"No." His voice was firm, yet there was something fragile beneath it. "I just need to say this once. You don't have to respond. You just need to hear it."
She swallowed hard, feeling her pulse quicken.
"I love you, Shristi."
The words landed like a punch to the gut. She felt her breath hitch, her entire body freezing.
Wick continued before she could process.
"And because I love you, I can't be selfish with you." His grip on the necklace tightened briefly before he finally placed it in her palm. "I don't deserve you."
Her throat felt dry. "Wick—"
"But he does."
Then, in a blink—he was gone.
Shristi stood there, her mind spinning, her heart pounding in her chest.
Had that really happened? Or had it been a dream?
She looked down at the necklace in her trembling hands, her fingers curling around it.
The warmth of his touch still lingered.
To be continued...