Her eyes fluttered open to the faint light seeping through the car windows. A dull ache pulsed in her head as fragmented memories from the previous night clawed their way back. The cold air felt heavier, almost suffocating, as the details pieced themselves together. The chase. The men. The stranger.
She blinked, her vision adjusting to the muted interior of the car. Slowly, she sat up, the unfamiliar weight of a thick jacket draped over her frame grounding her. She glanced down at herself—her torn clothes hidden beneath the oversized fabric, its faint musky scent offering an odd sense of safety.
Her gaze shifted to the driver's seat. He was slumped there, head resting against the seat, his profile half-lit by the weak morning sun. His shirt was soaked in red near his left arm, the fabric clinging to his skin. Her veil—once a symbol of her shackled life—was now tightly wrapped around his bicep, a makeshift bandage. His chest rose and fell steadily, despite the paleness of his face.
She swallowed hard, her throat dry and scratchy. For a moment, she simply stared at him, the weight of what he had done sinking in. He had fought for her.Took a bullet for her.
Her fingers trembled as they brushed the edge of the jacket. It had been his choice to protect her, to cover her. And yet, guilt gnawed at her insides. She didn't even know his name.
Her eyes shifted to the window, the morning light reflecting on the lake in the distance. Everything felt surreal, like a scene pulled out of a nightmare. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside her. The stranger had saved her, but what now?
A low groan passed over her ears making her turn towards him, she stared at him as he woke up from his sleep and got conscious of the pain that ran through his arm. His eyes clenched before he unclenched them and looked towards her, finding her already staring at her.
"You are awake" all he could say before growling in pain again as she snapped out of her thoughts and leaned in to check on his arm unconsciously. "A-Are you okay?" She stuttered, her eyes turning teary as she saw her already red Veil turning even redder than before.
He stared down at her while she carefully unwrapped the piece of fabric wrapped around his arm, "W-we need to go to a doctor." She muttered in her low voice as panic surged into her bones.
She wasn't used to it, to blood. Her whole life she lived like a glass doll who was polished and kept safe just to be auctioned away when the time comes. The sight of blood made it even scarier from close as her tears trailed down her cheeks.
"I can't drive," he replied, his voice laced with vulnerability and pain.
"I will" She started and got down from the car and moved towards the driver side, he got down with her help and sat on the passenger seat while she brought the engine to life and drove off.
They didn't exchange any words and the ride was over with a complete silence between them, the tires screeched off and she got down passing the bonnet and taking him out helping him inside the small clinic that was before them.
She wrapped his hand around her neck and grabbed his waist to help him inside, the wooden floor making squeaking down each time they stepped on it.
Her heart thumped wildly as she looked at the doctor treating him, He sat there silently while the doctor bandaged his arm. A stranger who helped her out of humanity was shot just because of her, only if she was strong enough to protect herself.
Guilty thoughts and regret wrapped up around her head as she stared down at the guy who was almost killed saving her.
"It's done, don't stress your hand for a few weeks. Luckily it wasn't a serious injury or it would have taken months." The doctor explained gaining both of their attention. The doctor stared at them a little longer when he suddenly spoke, "She's my wife, we were returning from a wedding when we got attacked." making her surprised by his words but she concealed her surprise eyes and simply nodded at the doctor.
"We don't have a good network connection here and you look like an outsider, so better call the police and report it." The doctor said in a serious manner, gaining a nod from him, he stood up and was about to leave the cabin when he was stopped by the doctor.
"Leave your name and number, I'll call for confirmation if you have reported to the police or not." The doctor said and forwarded the diary and pen towards him. He simply bent down and noted his name and number down before moving out and paying the bills.
"W-why?" She suddenly said, making him turn back as he was about to open the car door, raising his eyebrow in confusion as he stared at her deselved self.
"Why did you say I was your wife?" she stepped closer and looked into his eyes, "Aapke paas koi dusra justifying explanation tha?" He asked leaning closer as she stumbled back. Shaking her head she bit her lower lip and stared at the ground.
(Did you have any better explanation?)
How stupid of her to ask such a question. She thought to herself, firstly he risked his life just to save hers who was just a mere stranger, he could have minded his business but he didn't and now she was questioning him on a silly thing.
They sat in the car and he drove this time, other than asking her address they exchanged no other words.
A comfortable yet awkward silence fell between them and none of them cared much about knowing each other. Infact he didn't even ask her about last night nor she questioned why he saved her. To her it was a mistake dragging him into her mess and to him she became his destiny.