HER POV
I sit in the corner of the café, my eyes drifting to the door again and again.
Cold air slips in every time it opens, but my mind is still stuck on that unknown phone call.
"Hello, dear future wife."
That voice…
It wasn't Alex's.
Then who was he?
And how did he know me?
"Riya! Sorry, I'm late," my friend says as she walks in.
"It's okay," I reply with a faint smile, though my fingers are wrapped tightly around my coffee cup, betraying my nervousness.
She hugs me, and the moment she does, I lose control.
I take a shaky breath, trying not to cry—but I can't.
For the first time since last night, I feel safe.
Like I'm finally with someone who understands me.
"Hey, hey… no," she says softly, holding me tighter.
"Don't cry, babe."
She pulls back, gently lifting my face to look at her.
"I'm here," she says firmly. "You're not alone. Don't be scared."
I nod, though my chest still feels tight.
I don't even understand this fear myself.
"I don't know what's happening anymore," I whisper.
"My life has been so strange these past few days."
I wipe my tears and glance around the café, suddenly aware of my surroundings, making sure no one is staring at me.
She notices and smirks.
"Have you lost it?" she says dramatically.
"Last night you were panicking, today you're crying—and now you're checking if someone's watching your crying face?"
I laugh, despite myself.
It feels good.
To laugh.
"At least I have someone I can tell everything to without thinking," I say softly.
"Thank you for coming the moment I called."
She smiles, then her expression turns serious.
"Okay," she says gently, almost like my mom.
"Now tell me. What's really going on? Why so much stress? So much tension?"
I sigh and take a sip of my coffee.
"I don't even know, babe," I say.
"I've been so busy at the hospital—no time to eat, no time to sleep, nothing."
I lean my head back against the café wall, exaggerating my exhaustion.
"And that call?" she asks suddenly, her tone sharp now.
"The one you mentioned last night. Who called you?"
My smile fades.
I look at her, my heart sinking again.
"I don't know him," I say slowly.
"Or maybe… I do?"
I shake my head, frustrated.
"What kind of trouble is this?" I whisper.
I look out of the café window, my fingers tightening around the cup.
"He said something on the call," I whisper.
"What did he say?" she asks, suddenly excited.
"Dear future wife," I repeat, still confused.
I look at her.
"What do you think… who could it be?"
She glances around, avoiding my eyes.
"I'm not saying anything," she replies quickly.
"Why?" I ask, narrowing my eyes. "Say it."
She sighs, clearly trying to protect herself.
"Maybe it's some ex… or a male friend," she says. "I'm just guessing, okay?"
I force a smile, trying not to get irritated.
"Babe," I say calmly, "I don't have an ex. And no so-called male friends either."
I take a deep breath.
"The only guy I know is Alex."
She opens her mouth to say something—but suddenly stops.
Her eyes shift toward the door.
"Wow," she murmurs. "Handsome."
I turn around.
And my body freezes.
No…
"It's him," I whisper to myself.
"The man from last night."
I immediately look back at my coffee, pretending not to notice him.
Why can't I remember his name?
Why is my heart suddenly racing?
Then—
"Rishabh."
His voice.
Too close.....
I turn back slowly.
He's standing right there.
Closer than he should be.
"Rishabh Malhotra," he says softly.
He looks… different.
Not like the man who scared me last night.
Calm. Composed. Almost gentle.
Nothing about him matches the fear he left behind.
"yeah," I nod instinctively.
Kavya looks at me, confused, and leans closer.
"Do you know him?" she whispers.
"Yes," I murmur back.
"I'll tell you everything later."
But my eyes drift back to him.
For a moment, there's silence between us.
Then he smiles—small, polite.
"I'm glad," he says. "You did a good job, doctor."
I blink, a little surprised.
"Thank you," I reply softly. "Just… take care of yourself."
"I will," he says. "You've already reminded me enough."
I let out a light laugh before I can stop myself.
Kavya clears her throat beside me, clearly amused.
"So…" she says casually, looking between us,
"Are we interrupting something?"
I feel my cheeks warm.
"No," I say quickly. "We were just talking."
Rishabh nods in agreement.
"I didn't mean to intrude," he adds gently.
"I just wanted to say thank you… properly."
"That's kind of you," I say, meeting his eyes for a brief second before looking away.
The tension eases—just a little.
And for the first time since last night,
I don't feel scared...
Just… curious.He glances at the empty chair across from us.
"May I sit?" he asks politely.
Kavya looks at me, raising an eyebrow.
I nod. "Sure."
He pulls the chair back and sits, keeping a respectful distance.
"I didn't expect to see you here," he says casually.
"What a coincidence."
"Yes," I reply. "I come here sometimes with friends."
Kavya grins. "Sometimes," she repeats teasingly.
I shoot her a look.
Rishabh chuckles softly, clearly amused.
"You seem… different today," he says, almost thoughtfully.
"Different?" I ask.
"More relaxed," he replies. "Yesterday, you looked exhausted."
I shrug. "Hospital life."
He nods, understanding.
"That explains it."
A waiter comes by, taking his order.
"Black coffee," he says simply.
When the waiter leaves, Kavya leans back.
"So, Mr. Malhotra," she says playfully,
"do you always run into your doctors outside the hospital?"
He smiles. "Only the good ones."
I shake my head, embarrassed.
"This is getting awkward," I laugh quietly.
But it doesn't feel uncomfortable.
It feels… unexpectedly easy.
And that surprises me the most. Just then, I notice someone standing a little distance away.
Tall.
Serious.
Quiet.
Rishabh glances over his shoulder.
"Dev," he calls calmly.
Dev walks toward us, nodding politely.
"Good morning, ma'am," he says, his tone respectful.
"Good morning," I reply, a little surprised.
Kavya leans closer to me and whispers,
"Bodyguard vibes
I try not to laugh.
Dev gives me a look—dramatic enough to show that he clearly heard what I said about him.
I smile.
"Please, sit," I say gently.
Dev pauses and looks at Rishabh first, silently asking for permission.
Rishabh nods once.
Only then does Dev take a seat, calm and composed.
We end up talking for quite a while—nothing serious, just light conversation.
Somehow, time slips by unnoticed, and before we realize it, we even have lunch together.
It feels… easy.
Normal.
Then my phone vibrates.
Buzzz...
I glance at the screen.
A message from Alex.
A small smile appears on my lips as I open it.I tap open the message from Alex.
"Hey Riya, hope you're not missing me too much "
I giggle softly to myself.
Rishabh notices the smile on my face, but he says nothing.
He just observes quietly, like he's piecing something together.
Dev, sitting beside him, leans back in his chair and gives Rishabh a subtle, dramatic look—as if silently saying, "See how she smiles at her boyfriend?"
Kavya notices too. She nudges me lightly and whispers,
"Why are you smiling like that? Someone's making you happy?"
I shrug and laugh quietly.
"Just a text," I whisper back, keeping it vague.
Rishabh's jaw tightens slightly, but he doesn't comment.
He keeps his expression calm, unreadable, yet I can feel his attention on me.
Kavya rolls her eyes playfully.
"Uh-oh, looks like someone's noticing you too," she whispers again, nodding at Rishabh.
I shoot her a look but can't stop myself from laughing.
Rishabh doesn't flinch, just sits there, composed, quietly observing us both.
The lunch continues with light chatter, coffee sips, and laughter.
Yet, in the back of my mind, there's a faint curiosity… about this quiet, composed man sitting across from me.Lunch is finally over.
I stretch my arms, feeling a little full and completely relaxed.
Rishabh stands, brushing his hands lightly over his suit.
"Thank you for the company," he says politely, his voice calm.
"Lunch was… pleasant."
I nod, a small smile on my lips.
"Pleasant," I repeat softly, almost to myself.
Kavya leans toward me, whispering,
"See? He's not as scary as last night, huh?"
I glance at Rishabh. He notices me looking and gives a faint, polite smile.
Then, without another word, he turns toward the café exit.
Dev follows behind him quietly, alert but unobtrusive.
I watch them go, feeling an odd mixture of relief and curiosity.
"Who was that?" Kavya asks, nudging me.
"I… I don't know," I admit honestly.
"But there's something about him…"
Kavya smirks knowingly.
"Something tells me you'll find out soon enough."
I take a deep breath and sip my coffee, letting the calm of the café settle around me.
Rishabh is gone, but his presence lingers—quiet, composed, and… unforgettable.
Why did Riya feel so 'Safe' around Rishabh today, even though he was the source of her biggest fear last night? Is it his charm, or is Riya making a dangerous mistake? Share your thoughts in the comments!