Pragati glanced quickly across the street, her eyes darting from side to side.. Ahead, just a low wall. Nothing else. No escape… what now? Her chest tightened, breath coming fast. Her mind raced—think. Plan. Do something.
She pulled out her phone with trembling hands, opened a siren app, and set it on a timer. Carefully, she placed it on the wall, angled so the sound would seem like it came from a police car arriving. Her pulse slammed in her ears. Please work… please work…
Then the wail started. Loud. Sharp. Piercing.
The men froze. Their eyes widened. The seniors by the SUV tensed. Panic spread like wildfire. Dumb, scared, predictable. Pragati felt a rush of relief, but it was mixed with… something else. Her stomach fluttered, heart hammering—not just from fear anymore.
The men bolted. The seniors sprinted to the SUV, yanked the doors open, and the engine roared to life before disappearing into the fog. Pragati exhaled shakily, backing against the wall, trying to calm her trembling hands.
Ruhan stepped close, his presence steady, grounding. Her chest felt tight—not just from the fear, but from the way her heart kept noticing him. His knuckles were still bleeding from the fight, his shirt torn, eyes sharp and protective. She had to remind herself: focus, Pragati. Don't… don't think about that now.
A few minutes later, a police control car rolled slowly down the street, lights off, checking the area. Pragati frowned. Why now? After everything?
Ruhan glanced at her, expression unreadable. "Better late than never, I guess."
They explained everything to the officers—the fight, the SUV, the chase. Pragati's voice shook, not just from fear, but from the lingering adrenaline. Ruhan stayed beside her silently, letting her speak, steady and calm, making her feel… safer than she'd expected.
Finally, after statements and reports, they stepped outside. Pragati spotted a small park bench nearby and guided him toward it, her fingers brushing his as she gestured for him to sit
Pragati's eyes went straight to his hands. His knuckles… his lip… the bruise forming on his cheek. She felt her chest tighten. He… he fought for me?
Her hands shook as she grabbed the antiseptic and bandages. "I… I need to clean this," she murmured, her voice barely there.
Ruhan held out his hands, calm as ever, but she could see him flinch when she touched the cuts. She leaned closer and blew softly on his knuckles so the sting hurt less.
He twitched a little, and Pragati's heart sank. Little tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them away quickly. She couldn't let him see how scared she was.
"You… you okay?" she whispered.
Ruhan's eyes softened just a tiny bit. "Yeah… I'm fine."
Her fingers lingered over the bruises and scratches, doing her best to make them better. Every touch made her heart beat faster. Not just because of the fear, but… because of him.
She pressed a bandage gently on his hand. Her eyes stung again. "Don't… don't scare me like that next time," she whispered, almost to herself.
🖤 by Pragati Priya (pen name: Zoey)
This is a work of fiction. All characters and events are original creations. Copying, reposting, or using any part of this story without permission is not allowed