Chapter 10: A fall that wasn't

A Rude Awakening

A loud knock echoed through the small cabin.

Dr. Niki Agnihotri remained blissfully unaware.

Another knock. Then another.

Nothing.

His father, Dr. Rishant Agnihotri, sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose, and slammed his palm flat against the desk.

Still nothing.

Niki was sprawled across the leather chair, white coat half hanging off his shoulder, head resting against a pile of patient files. His mouth was slightly open, his breathing deep and even.

Then—

"Dr. Niki," his father's voice cut through the room.

Niki, in his sleep-induced stupidity, groaned and shoved off the hand nudging him awake.

"Nooo, five more minutes, sweetheart…" he mumbled. "If I die, just use my organs wisely…"

His father's scoff was sharp.

Niki stirred slightly but didn't wake. "Also, tell the nurse from the second floor she's too loud—like, damn, woman, I'm not deaf—"

That did it.

A hard thump landed on his desk, shaking him awake.

Niki jerked upright. "Wha—what happened?" His voice cracked, eyes still half-shut. "D-dad?!"

His brain short-circuited for a second before his mouth ran ahead of him.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

The moment the words left his lips, regret slapped him in the face.

Dr. Rishant leaned back, arms crossed.

"This is my hospital, Niki."

Niki cleared his throat, straightening his coat. "Oh. Yeah. I mean—of course." He nodded too aggressively. "Totally makes sense."

His father gave him an unimpressed stare.

Niki coughed. "Sooo, do you need something?"

His father's voice was calm but firm. "Have you spoken to Kyara about what happened at the engagement?"

Silence.

Niki scratched the back of his head. "Uh."

Rishant's gaze sharpened. "So, that's a no."

Niki really didn't want to have this conversation half-conscious, but his father didn't look like he was leaving anytime soon.

"Dad, listen—"

"You listen, Niki." His father's voice hardened. "A public engagement, a room full of guests, and she—" he exhaled sharply, keeping his anger controlled. "She threw wine at a guest."

Niki tensed.

"She embarrassed both families."

Niki ran a hand down his face. "I know."

"You might think this isn't a big deal, but people talk. Your actions have consequences—"

"Dad." Niki's voice was low but firm.

For the first time in the conversation, his father went silent.

Niki met his gaze directly. "She had her reasons."

A pause.

"You don't even know the reason," his father countered.

"Maybe not," Niki admitted. "But I know Kyara. She wouldn't do something like that without one."

His father's eyes narrowed slightly.

"If she was provoked, she doesn't owe anyone an explanation. Not me. Not you. Not even the entire guest list."

The room was filled with an unexpected silence.

For the first time, Niki had stopped his father mid-scolding.

Dr. Rishant tapped a finger against the desk, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long moment—

"Fine."

Niki blinked.

His father exhaled, running a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. "That's understandable."

Then—his lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

"I think I did the right decision by arranging you both," he mused, teasingly.

Niki froze.

His brain short-circuited.

"No. Noooo." He panicked, shaking his head too quickly. "It's still forced! We are just—just tolerating each other. No one is fine! Neither Kyara nor me!"

His father raised an eyebrow.

Niki's fingers itched for his car keys.

BAM.

The door slammed shut as he ran out of the hospital.

The Car Ride: A Silent Battle 

the car hummed softly, the steady vibration rattling through Niki's bones. He leaned back, pulling his hoodie cap lower, letting his eyes shut for a second.

But the air inside felt too still.

His collar suddenly felt tight. He loosened it, shifting uncomfortably.

His fingers tapped against his knee. Once. Twice.

The city blurred past the window, but it felt distant.

Like he wasn't really here.

Like something heavy was pressing down on his chest.

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out.

He flexed his hands, forcing them to be steady.

It's just exhaustion. That's all.

His driver glanced at him through the mirror. "Sir, are you feeling okay?"

Niki forced a lazy smirk. "Why? Do I not look okay?"

The driver gave a polite chuckle and said nothing more.

Niki pressed his temple against the window, letting the cold glass ground him.

Just get to the studio.

A Gamer's Worst Nightmare reaching the studio, he punched in the pin at the door, stifling a yawn. The cool air of the gaming workspace hit him as the door swung open—

And he froze.

His most advanced gaming studio. His tech haven.

And right there—

Kyara was playing carrom.

A loud, dramatic laugh escaped him.

Kyara turned casually, waving.

"Hiee!"

Niki gawked. "What are you doing?! This is a gaming studio, not some cheap neighborhood hangout!" He whined. "And playing carrom here is—is an insult! "

Kyara stood up, stretching. "Whoa, whoa, are you—high on oxygen or what?"

Niki took a long, suffering breath.

"Nothing."

But his father's words replayed in his mind—

I think I made the right decision arranging you both.

He clenched his jaw. "I'm going to work. Don't disturb me."

Kyara watched him through the glass window, arms crossed.

He sat at his desk, black hoodie, headphones on, fingers flying over the keyboard—annoyingly cool.

Kyara frowned.

He didn't even fight? He looks like a grumpy baby.

Her brain short-circuited.

Baby.

BABY?!

Kyara smacked her forehead.

"What the hell am I thinking?!"

A Fall That Wasn't meanwhile

, at Kyara's college, she walked through the campus garden, headphones on, lost in her own world.

A group of girls stood ahead, whispering.

The moment she passed them—

A foot shot out.

Kyara saw it coming.

She should have fallen.

But she didn't.

Because she had already practiced this with Niki.

She grabbed the nearest girl's wrist mid-fall, twisted her own weight—

And bam!

The girl hit the ground instead.

Gasps.

But as Kyara walked away—

Someone watched.

Cold. Calculating. Smirking.

And they weren't done with her yet.

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