11:00 PM…
Ira was sitting on a swing in the park, gently rocking back and forth.
She seemed lost in thought… unusually quiet tonight.
The mischief and innocence that usually lit up her face were gone — replaced by a strange calm.
Just then, she heard a voice behind her.
“Where did it go… hey…hmmm—”
Ira turned around. A man was standing a few feet away.
In the dim light, she couldn’t clearly see his face, but his phone flashlight was on — he seemed to be searching for something.
Ira kept staring at him.
The moment he turned toward her, he froze — and so did she, her grip tightening on the swing’s chain.
The man slowly started walking toward her, and Ira instantly got up, stepping back in fear.
But then he spoke again, “Hey… what are you doing in the park so late, baby doll?!”
The familiar tone made Ira turn around — and her eyes widened.
It was Rivan, holding his phone light up to his face so she could see him.
Seeing the little fear on her face, he burst out laughing.
Running toward her, he smiled. “Come on! How can you get scared of such a cute face?!”
Ira pouted and turned to walk away, but Rivan jumped in front of her, blocking her path.
“Baby doll… at least say something! What are you doing here this late? (looking around) And… I don’t see your car anywhere! Don’t tell me you came here alone and on foot?!”
Ira narrowed her eyes. “Stay away from me…”
And with that, she started walking away.
Rivan followed her — like a loyal stray dog guarding a tiny princess.
After a while
Ira suddenly turned around, irritated.
Her abrupt movement made Rivan stop a few steps behind. “I swear I’m not following you! I’m just… walking!” he said with an adorably innocent face.
Ira rolled her eyes.
“You got hurt… and still you’re roaming around instead of resting at home?!”
Rivan shrugged.
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“Exactly! Because of this injury, Mr. Shah is acting like my personal bodyguard and won’t even let me go outside.
But I had to come out tonight! So… as soon as he fell asleep, I sneaked out.”
Ira looked at him sharply.
“So many people care about you… and yet, you only care about yourself? What’s so important that you had to come out this late?”
Rivan smiled and pointed at his wound.
“The reason I got this injury… I had to see if she was okay or not.”
He sighed. “But I can’t find her anywhere…”
Ira frowned slightly.
“What do you mean? Who were you fighting for?”
Rivan tilted his head playfully.
“I’ll tell you… but only if you tell me why you’re out here alone this late. Deal?”
Ira hesitated.
“What? What should I do…? Hmm… actually, I do want to know who he fought for. Once I find out, I’ll tell my brother that the boy he wants me to share his love with already has enough people caring for him! Then he’ll care only for me!”
While she was lost in thought, Rivan snapped his fingers in front of her face.
“Where did you drift off, baby doll? Deal or no deal?”
Ira gave a small nod. “Deal.”
Rivan smiled proudly.
“Well… I came here to find a puppy! She was being bullied yesterday. I went to save her, but those guys started abusing me — and Big Bro always says never to tolerate that. So, well… things got physical, and I got this injury.
Mr. Shah freaked out seeing the wound, rushed me to the hospital, and in that chaos, I couldn’t even check if the puppy was okay. I just want to see her once… then I’ll feel peaceful.”
Ira stared at him, surprised.
Rivan smoothed his hair back and added with a wink, “I know, right? God blessed me with good looks and a good heart!
Anyway, now it’s your turn, baby doll! What are you doing here alone? Didn’t the dark and empty streets scare you?”
His last line carried a faint warmth — genuine concern.
Ira looked away.
“I… fought with my brother.”
Rivan’s eyes widened.
“Whoa… Big Bro actually fights with you? I thought he spoiled you to the core! What did you ask for this time that caused a fight?”
Ira’s eyes flickered, replaying the scene from earlier that evening.
Finally, she muttered, “I just… wanted time. His time — only for me.”
Her tone hardened. “I don’t want to share him with anyone.”
Rivan took a deep breath and stretched his arms.
“Baby doll… I’m jealous of you.
When you want Big Bro’s attention, you just pick a fight — no appointment needed!
Me? I have to book time to meet him!
If I want an unscheduled meeting… I have to get myself injured first!
If only I had a big brother like yours who’d spoil me too…”
Ira’s mind echoed Aditya’s recent words:
She looked at Rivan. “You already have Mr. Shah… then why do you need my brother?”
Rivan chuckled softly.
“You really are a kid, baby doll. Do you seriously think I’m trying to steal your brother away?”
But when he saw her serious expression, he softened his voice.
“Alright… so it really bothers you when Big Bro spends time with me.
Listen, baby doll — Mr. Shah is my mentor. Big Bro asked him to guide me. Yes, over time, he’s become like family, but still… I often feel alone.
You know, you’re lucky. You have Big Bro, you stay with Aniket Bhai, Shekhar Uncle treats you like his little doll and protects you from everything bad… you have friends who adore you!
And me? I joke, laugh, run everywhere — you know why?
Because I know what captivity feels like.
Meeting Mr. Shah, Big Bro, and Aniket Bhai made me feel like my life was finally moving forward!
That’s why I want them in my life. But…”
He leaned closer to Ira.
“You know what, baby doll?
No matter what I do, for Big Bro — you’ll always come first.
And I’ll never try to take that place away from you.
Because if I even tried, Big Bro would drift away from me forever… and without his wild little cat, his smile wouldn’t exist.”
Then he turned away, exhaling softly.
“But it’s your choice, baby doll.
If you still want to keep fighting with him over nothing, go ahead… though honestly, that only benefits me!”
Ira instantly protested, “That’s not going to happen! Stop daydreaming!”
Rivan smirked. “But it’s night — the perfect time for dreams!”
Ira frowned. “I’m going back to my brother! I don’t want to be with an idiot like you!”
As she walked off, Rivan smiled faintly and thought, “If you’re angry with Big Bro, he’ll be upset too.
Doesn’t matter if he has time for me or not — but he must have time for you!
After all, he is my hero and what kind of hero doesn’t make time for his family?”
Then, following her, he said teasingly, “Come on, baby doll… can’t we just share a little of Big Bro’s time? I’ll even bribe you for it!”
Ira pouted. “I’m not greedy… but since I have a kind heart, I’ll think about it.”
“Your kindness is legendary, ma’am!” Rivan grinned.
And with that, they started walking back — toward the office, where Aditya was.
Meanwhile, at the officeHe couldn’t find Ira anywhere.
Panic was written all over his face — and seeing him like that made Anamika and Ruhi equally anxious.
Inside the security room, Aditya kept rewinding CCTV footage, his hands trembling slightly.
Ruhi whispered to Anamika, “Did something happen between Ira and Sir? She’s never gone anywhere without telling him before, Lady Boss…”
Anamika didn’t respond, just stared blankly for a moment and thought, “Where are you, Ira…? Please come back soon.
Your big brother is terribly worried about you.”
