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I'd: lil_missmystery_

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The night air was crisp as the group finally prepared to leave after their chaotic meal. Eklavya twirled his car keys lazily around his finger, his usual smirk in place as he leaned against his sleek black car. “Let’s go, Nisha. I’ll drop you home.” His tone was casual, but the glint of mischief in his eyes hinted at the banter that was about to unfold.

Nisha gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest as if she had been gravely insulted. “Excuse me? You should feel honored to be dropping me home. Not everyone gets this privilege.” She flipped her hair with exaggerated flair, her expression smug.

Eklavya’s smirk widened as he tapped his chin, pretending to consider. “Oh, I do feel honored. So much so that I’m thinking of introducing a ‘Nisha Drop-Off Tax.’ Your presence is expensive, after all.”

Nisha narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. “Oh really? And what would this so-called tax be?”

Eklavya shrugged nonchalantly. “Maybe silence for the entire ride?” His voice was hopeful, but the teasing lilt was unmistakable.

Nisha let out a loud scoff, shaking her head. “Hah! Keep dreaming. I’ll make sure to bless you with my commentary the whole way. You should be thankful for my company.”

Eklavya sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his forehead as if bracing for pain. “Great. A free headache with the ride. How did I get so lucky?” He then opened the car door for her with exaggerated politeness, smirking as he bowed slightly.

Nisha grinned victoriously, flipping her hair once more as she slid into the seat. “Buckle up, driver. It’s going to be a long ride.”

Sia, watching the playful exchange from the side, couldn’t hold back a snicker. “Oho, so much tension. Are we sure this isn’t a love story in the making?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief, her voice dripping with amusement.

Nisha shot her a deadpan look before waving her off. “Please, Sia. Unlike some people, I have standards.”

Eklavya’s smirk deepened as he leaned against the car door. “Good. Keep them high. That way, I’m always out of your league.” His words were smooth, effortless, and annoyingly cocky.

Nisha’s jaw dropped as she smacked his arm in outrage. “Unbelievable!”

Eklavya only chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction, while Sia laughed at the entire scene.

But just as she was about to make another comment, her eyes landed on Aisha, who stood quietly at the side, looking uncertain. Sia’s playful expression softened as she turned to her friend. “Where do you live? Who are you going with?” Her tone was no longer teasing—it was protective.

Aisha hesitated for a moment before answering softly, “I live alone.”

Sia’s face fell instantly. “hainnn?! Akelee?! Behen bhoot se dar war nhi lagta hai kya tumhe??” Her reaction was so loud that even Veer, who had been talking to Rudra, turned to glance at them. Without missing a beat, Sia blurted out, “Then come with me! I’ll take care of you.”

Aisha’s eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head, flustered. “No, no! I called my mumma. She’s coming to meet me.”

Sia frowned, clearly unconvinced, but eventually nodded. “Ohh… okay. But take care, alright?”

Meanwhile, Veer, who had been watching the interaction, turned toward Rudra, who had remained silent the entire time. “Rudra, drop Aisha home.”

At once, Aisha’s entire body stiffened. Her hands instinctively reached out, gripping Veer’s sleeve tightly, as if seeking an anchor. She shook her head immediately, her unease evident. Rudra had always been an intimidating presence—his sharp gaze, his quiet yet commanding aura—it all made her nervous. The idea of being alone with him was unsettling.

Sia, ever the quick thinker, noticed her discomfort instantly. Her lips curled into a playful grin as she clapped her hands together. “Don’t worry, Bhaiyaa! I’ll go with Rudra. You drop Aisha instead!” Her voice was light, but there was an undeniable protectiveness in her words.

Rudra, who had barely been paying attention, finally looked up. His dark eyes met Sia’s for a brief second, his expression unreadable as always. Then, without any argument, he let out a deep sigh and muttered, “Fine.” His tone was clipped, indifferent. He didn’t question it, didn’t protest—he simply accepted it.

Sia beamed, turning to Aisha with a wink. “See? Problem solved!”

Veer, who was still processing how Sia had just rearranged everything in seconds, sighed and slung his backpack over his shoulder. “Come on, Aisha. I’ll drop you home.”

Aisha hesitated again, gripping the hem of her sleeve. “I… I don’t want to be a bother.”

Veer softened, his voice turning gentle. “Aisha. It’s not a bother.” He gestured toward his bike. “Come on, let’s go before Sia finds another reason to cause drama.”

Sia gasped, placing a hand over her heart. “Wow. Blame me when I’m literally standing right here.”

Aisha bit her lip before nodding slowly. She took a tentative step toward the bike, hesitantly gripping the edge of Veer’s jacket for balance as she climbed on.

Veer glanced back at her. “Comfortable?”

Aisha gave a small nod, but uncertainty still lingered in her eyes.

With a quiet sigh, Veer took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders. “Here. It’s cold.”

Aisha blinked, looking down at the jacket in surprise. Warmth spread through her chest as she whispered, “Thank you.”

Sia, ever the instigator, smirked. “Oho. So protective, bhaiyaa.”

Veer ignored her as he adjusted the rearview mirror. “Hold on tight, Aisha.”

Aisha hesitated, her fingers barely gripping the sides of his shirt.

Sia, watching with barely contained glee, shook her , "that’s too polite. He’s your Uber driver right now, not a glass doll. Hold him properly unless you want to end up on the road.”

Aisha turned crimson, instantly tightening her grip.

Veer shot Sia a flat look. “Remind me again why I’m related to you?”

Sia grinned, tilting her head. “Because God decided life was too easy for you.”

Veer rolled his eyes before kicking the bike to life. The engine roared as they sped off into the night.

Meanwhile, Rudra leaned against his bike, arms crossed, watching Sia with an unimpressed expression. “Can we go now, or do you need a press conference?”

Sia huffed, flipping her hair dramatically. “Excuse me, you should be grateful I’m gracing your bike with my presence.”

Rudra smirked, the corner of his lips twitching upward. “Right. Should I roll out a red carpet too?”

Sia grinned. “Only if you’re lying down on it.”

Rudra scoffed. “Get in before I leave you behind.”

Sia stuck out her tongue before sliding onto the bike. As Rudra started the engine, she smirked at him through the mirror. “You know, I could drive if you’re too tired.”

Rudra let out a humorless chuckle. “Right. And I could jump out of a moving bike too, but neither of us are doing that.”

Sia pouted. “So rude. No wonder Aisha is scared of you.”

Rudra’s grip on the handle tightened slightly. “She’s not scared. She’s just—”

Sia smirked. “Terrified?”

Rudra shot her a glare. “You do realize I can make you walk home, right?”

Sia gasped, clutching her chest. “Heartless. Absolutely heartless.”

Rudra smirked. “You’ll live.”

As the bike pulled onto the road, Sia wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and rested her head against his back. A small, victorious grin played on her lips. “You know, for someone who acts all serious and broody, you are kinda fun to annoy.”

Rudra glanced at her through the mirror, his expression unimpressed. “Glad you found a hobby. Now shut up.”

Sia grinned, knowing she had won this round

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The hum of the engine echoed through the quiet night as Rudra sped down the road, his grip firm on the handlebars. The air was crisp, carrying the distant scent of rain, but Sia, perched behind him, was completely unaffected—leaning slightly forward just to annoy him.

Rudra clenched his jaw. Why did Veer have to dump her on me?

He had no patience for her constant chattering, her endless teasing, or the way she acted like they were friends. They weren’t. She was nothing but an irritating distraction, a storm of chaos he had no interest in dealing with.

Sia, of course, was in no mood to let the ride be silent. “Wow, you drive so stiffly,” she commented, peering over his shoulder. “Loosen up a bit, Rudra. You're riding a bike, not going into battle.”

Rudra didn't bother responding. He just pressed the accelerator a little harder, making the bike lurch forward. Sia let out a startled squeak, tightening her hold around his waist.

"Hey!" she protested. "Did you just—"

"Shut up and sit properly," Rudra interrupted, his voice flat. "I don’t have time for your drama."

Sia huffed. “Unbelievable. You really are the rudest person alive. I bet even your alarm clock is scared to wake you up in the morning.”

Rudra sighed heavily. "Maybe if you talked less, the world would be a quieter place."

Sia gasped, scandalized. "Excuse me? Do you even realize how boring your life would be without me? I add color to your dull, black-and-white world."

Rudra scoffed, his lips twitching in irritation. "I prefer my world without unnecessary noise, thanks."

Sia smirked, refusing to let him have the last word. “You know, I was actually doing you a favor by coming with you. Poor Aisha would have probably fainted from fear if she had to ride with you.”

Rudra’s grip on the handle tightened. "She’s not scared of me."

"Oh really?" Sia drawled. "Then why did she look like she was facing her final moments when Veer asked you to drop her?"

"Maybe she just doesn’t like unnecessary company," Rudra shot back. "Something you wouldn’t understand."

Sia gasped again, more dramatically this time. “I am the best company, excuse you!”

Rudra let out a dry chuckle. "Sure. And I’m secretly thrilled to be spending my evening with you."

Sia grinned. “See? That’s the spirit, Rudra! You’re finally admitting how much you enjoy my presence.”

Rudra rolled his eyes. "I’m dropping you home as fast as I can. That should tell you everything."

Sia pouted. "So cold-hearted. No wonder you don’t have a girlfriend."

Rudra smirked. "I don’t have a headache either. Must be connected."

Sia gasped in mock offense, but before she could fire back another retort, Rudra pulled the bike to a stop in front of her house.

"We’re here. Get down."

Sia crossed her arms. "You know, a normal person would say Good night, Sia. Have a nice sleep."

Rudra arched a brow. "Lucky for me, I’m not a normal person. Now get down."

Sia rolled her eyes but hopped off the bike, stretching her arms dramatically. "Wow, I survived a ride with Mr. Stone-Heart. What an achievement."

Rudra ignored her, already preparing to leave. But before he could, Sia leaned in slightly, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"By the way," she said, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper, "I’m gonna tell Eklavya you were actually nice to me tonight."

Rudra stiffened. "What?"

Sia smirked, already stepping back toward her house. "Yup. I’ll tell him how you protected me from the big scary roads and made sure I was safe." She batted her lashes. "Such a gentleman."

Rudra glared at her. "You wouldn’t dare."

Sia grinned. "Try me."

Rudra exhaled sharply, his patience officially at its limit. "Sia—"

"Good night, Rudra!" she sang, skipping toward her door before he could say anything else.

Rudra ran a hand down his face, muttering a curse under his breath. This girl is going to drive me insane.

Without another glance, he revved his engine and sped away.The soft rumble of Rudra’s bike echoed through the vast driveway of the Malhotra mansion as he brought it to a halt inside the grand garage.

.....

The air was still, the sky painted in hues of deep blue and purple, a perfect canvas for the arriving night. With a swift movement, he removed his helmet, running a hand through his slightly ruffled hair before stepping towards the mansion.

But before he could ascend the marble steps, his sharp gaze caught sight of an old lady standing near the tall iron gates, her frail hands gripping a wooden stick for support.

Her posture was slightly hunched, her wrinkled face illuminated by the dim glow of the streetlight. But what truly caught his attention was the way her eyes glimmered—not with curiosity, nor fear, but with a peculiar sense of nostalgia, as if she were gazing at something far beyond the physical structure in front of her. She wasn’t just looking at the mansion—she was remembering it.

Frowning, Rudra walked towards her, pulling out his wallet instinctively. “Dadi,” he said, his voice calm yet firm, “yeh lijiye,” he offered, holding out some money, assuming she was in need.

But to his surprise, the old lady simply shook her head. “Paisa nahi chahiye beta,” she said in a shaky yet resolute voice.

Rudra frowned, slipping the wallet back into his pocket. “Then why are you standing here, staring at the mansion like that?” His voice carried a rare softness, curiosity lacing his usual cold demeanor.

The old lady let out a deep sigh, her grip tightening on her stick. “Bas dekh rahi hoon…” she murmured, eyes still fixed on the grand structure before her. “Ek waqt tha jab iss mehal mein raunak hua karti thi... but usne sab kharab kar diya.”

Rudra stiffened slightly. Usne? Who? He narrowed his eyes, a flicker of unease settling in his chest. Before he could ask, the woman turned away, her frail body moving with a slow, deliberate pace as she started walking down the road. But just as she disappeared into the shadows, her voice carried back to him like an eerie whisper in the wind—

“Khandar bana diya mehal ko usne…”

Rudra stood rooted to his spot, his fingers instinctively curling into fists. A strange sense of disquiet crawled into his mind as he replayed her words. Who was she talking about? And why did her words feel so unsettling?

Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought—at least for now—and walked inside. As he entered his massive mansion, the grandeur that once felt normal now carried a strange emptiness. His mind refused to let go of the encounter as he climbed the stairs and entered his room.

After freshening up, Rudra sat at his study table, his fingers absentmindedly drumming against the polished wooden surface. The old lady’s words looped in his mind like a haunting melody, refusing to be ignored.

His train of thought was abruptly cut off by the sudden vibration of his phone. His eyes flickered to the screen—an unknown number. Without a second thought, he declined the call and tossed his phone onto the bed. But within moments, it rang again. Same number.

Annoyed, he picked up, his voice cold and sharp. “Who is this?”

A dramatic sigh came from the other end, followed by an unmistakably chirpy voice. “Oh, Mr. Khadoos Malhotra, don’t you have basic phone manners?” Sia’s voice was dripping with mock disappointment. “When a person picks up a call, they say hello!”

Rudra rolled his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Tumse tameez ki umeed karna hi bewakoofi hai,” he muttered under his breath. “Why did you call?” His tone was laced with irritation, but Sia, as always, remained unfazed.

“I was just being a well-mannered citizen, expressing my gratitude for your great services!” she said in an overly sweet, buttering tone. “So… THANK YOU for helping me and my friends!”

Rudra leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Cut the drama, Sia. What do you want?”

Sia gasped theatrically. “Arrey! How do you always know I want something? Do I look that greedy?”

“Yes.” Rudra’s reply was deadpan.

Sia huffed. “Fine. I need your help… again.”

Rudra sighed, already regretting picking up the call. “What is it this time?”

“We need Aisha’s address and phone number!” she declared. “We realized we don’t have it, and we’re planning to visit her tomorrow to check on her.”

Rudra expected himself to snap at her, to tell her to handle her own problems. But to his own surprise, he found himself agreeing without much resistance. “Okay. I’ll find it.”

Sia, on the other end, went completely silent for a moment. “Wait… what?”

“I said I’ll find it.” Rudra’s voice remained neutral.

Sia blinked. “You agreed without arguing?” she asked in disbelief. “Are you sick? Did you hit your head? Is this even the real Rudra Malhotra?”

“Do you want the address or not?” Rudra asked, his patience wearing thin.

“Oh, yes, yes!” she quickly recovered, before her voice turned mischievous again. “And… we’re visiting her in the evening after school. Bhaiya and Eklavya are also coming… Will you join us?”

Rudra was about to say no—his default answer for anything involving unnecessary social interaction—but for some reason, he found himself agreeing again. “Okay.”

This time, it was pure silence from the other end.

“…Sia?” Rudra frowned.

“…YOU AGREED? AGAIN? WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO RUDRA?!”

Rudra exhaled sharply. “Agar itna shock ho raha hai toh main na keh deta hoon.”

“NAHI, NAHI! Tum aa rahe ho bas!” Sia said quickly. Then, in an excited, cute tone, she added, “Waise bhi, tumhare bina toh maza bhi nahi aayega, Mr. Khadoos!”

Rudra didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, without another word, he simply cut the call.

Sia, on the other end, pouted at her phone. “Huh! Khadoos kahin ka! Cut kar diya call!” Then she smirked. “But dekhti hoon kal kaun jyada irritate hota hai, Rudra Malhotra!”

Meanwhile, Rudra set his phone aside and leaned back, running a hand through his hair. His mind should have been occupied with Sia’s antics, but instead, his thoughts drifted back to the old lady. Her words echoed in his mind, refusing to fade—

Khandar bana diya mehal ko usne…

A strange chill settled over him. He didn’t know why, but something about her words felt… important. Like a puzzle waiting to be solved.

And Rudra Malhotra never left puzzles unsolved.

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When we met. ✨