Third person’s pov!

The commotion near the college gates drew everyone’s attention. Students paused mid-step, whispering among themselves as the unmistakable sound of fists landing on flesh echoed through the air.

Shiva turned her head, her brows furrowing as she spotted a familiar figure.

Nanda.

He was in the middle of a fight, his sharp movements swift and ruthless as he drove his fist into a senior’s gut. The guy doubled over with a pained groan, but Nanda showed no mercy. Maanav was also taking his turn to beat the guy. 

The guy had been troubling Maanav’s sister for a while now and it was just yesterday, she came over to Maanav, crying and telling him that this guy was troubling her with s*xual inneudos and all.

"You think you can mess with any girl and walk away?" Nanda’s voice was dangerously low, his tone laced with fury. "Try that again, and I swear, you will regret ever being born."

Shiva’s eyes narrowed as she took in the scene. The senior was clutching his side, stammering out an apology, but Nanda wasn’t done. He grabbed the guy’s collar and shoved him hard against the wall, his threats coming out in clipped, menacing syllables.

Shiva folded her arms, her irritation rising.

Oh, so he can take up quotations—just not mine, she thought, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Her blood boiled as she watched him. What made this girl so special that he was willing to throw punches for her? And yet, when she had come to him, practically begging him to put Adithan in his place, he had acted all high and mighty, refusing her like it was beneath him.

Determined, she marched toward him, her footsteps quick and purposeful. She was going to demand answers, right here, right now.

Just as she was about to reach him, a sudden movement caught her eye—one of her seniors, likely a friend of the guy Nanda was pummeling, lunged forward with a hockey stick aimed straight at Nanda’s head.

Shiva barely had time to react. She tried to side step, only to find herself caught right in the middle of the scuffle.

Pain exploded in her head as she stumbled back, her breath hitching. A sharp sting radiated through her head where the hockey stick had struck her.

The world seemed to slow for a fraction of a second.

Then, Nanda turned. His eyes landed on her.

A sharp gasp left Shiva’s lips as a warm trickle of blood slid down her forehead, blurring her vision. The world around her spun violently. She tried to take a step back, but her legs felt unsteady, her balance slipping from beneath her.

The muffled sounds of shouting and commotion faded into the background as darkness crept at the edges of her sight.

Then—nothing.

Yug’s eyes widened as he saw her sway dangerously. 

"Shiva!" He cursed under his breath, lunging forward just in time to catch her before she hit the ground.

His heart pounded against his ribs as he cradled her limp body, her head lolling slightly against his chest. The deep gash just above her eyebrow was bleeding freely, staining his fingers with warm crimson.

"Shiva, wake up!" Yug patted her pale cheeks, his voice sharp with urgency. But she didn’t stir.

"Nandu, she is bleeding badly! We need to get her to a hospital—now!" Maanav’s voice cut through the haze of panic, and Yug didn’t need to be told twice.

He scooped her up in his arms, his hold firm yet careful, and bolted toward the street. Kiran had already called a rickshaw, and without hesitation, Yug climbed in with Shiva still pressed against him.

As the rickshaw jerked forward, Yug quickly assessed her condition, his mind shifting into doctor mode—a side of him that no one in this town knew about.

Her pulse was weak but steady. Good. But the wound was deep, and the blood loss wasn’t insignificant.

He grabbed his handkerchief and pressed it firmly against her forehead, applying direct pressure to slow the bleeding. 

"Hold on, Shiva," he muttered under his breath.

Her breathing was shallow, her body unnaturally still. Yug adjusted her head slightly, ensuring her airway remained clear. With no first aid kit on hand, he did what he could—keeping pressure on the wound, monitoring her pulse, and making sure she didn’t slip further into unconsciousness.

Every second felt agonizingly slow as they sped towards the hospital.

The rickshaw screeched to a halt in front of the hospital, its tires kicking up dust. Yug didn’t waste a second. He jumped out, still cradling Shiva in his arms, and rushed through the entrance, his voice sharp and commanding.

"Emergency! She has a head injury—she’s lost a lot of blood!"

The nurses at the reception snapped into action. A stretcher was wheeled in almost immediately, and Yug carefully laid Shiva down, his grip reluctant to let go.

"What happened?" One of the doctors asked, assessing the wound.

"Blunt force trauma to the forehead. She blacked out upon impact. Pulse is weak but stable. Excessive blood loss, possible concussion," Yug replied instinctively, his medical expertise slipping through before he could catch himself.

"Are you a doctor?" The doctor shot him a sharp look.

Yug hesitated for a fraction of a second before shaking his head. "No. Just get her treated."

The medical team didn't question him further, too busy stabilizing Shiva. An oxygen mask was placed over her face as they wheeled her towards the Accident and Emergency Room. Yug stood frozen for a moment, his hands still stained with her blood.

Maanav and Kiran who had followed the rickshaw on his motorcycle hurried to Yug.

“How is she?” Maanav asked, breathlessly.

“She is taken into the A&E..” Yug said.

"She’ll be fine, Nandu." Maanav placed a hand on his shoulder. 

Yug exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair. 

Meanwhile at Shiva’s home, Pallavi smirked as she looked at her grandmother.

"Dadi, that goon, Nanda, came to the college today. He was fighting with someone over Shiva, and in the middle of all that, she got hurt!"

"I knew it. That girl has no shame. First, she runs around with goons, and now, she is getting into street fights?" Jayanthi’s lips thinned, her grip tightening around her cane. 

"She is in no way related to us. But in the eyes of others, she is a member of the family. What will people say, Dadi? That the granddaughter of Jayanthi Khullar is involved with a rowdy?" Pallavi feigned concern, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

"Enough! She has brought nothing but disgrace upon this family. First thing tomorrow, I will set her straight." Jayanthi’s nostrils flared. 

Pallavi hid her smirk behind a delicate sip of tea, knowing she had successfully thrown Shiva under the bus yet again. 

A/N

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SF❤️