His grip on the steering wheel was so tight his knuckles turned white.

What if one more minute late… something happened to her?

Just the thought sent a sharp bolt of fear through his chest.

He clenched his jaw, anger bubbling again.

I told her… didn’t I? I told her not to step out. I told her to obey me just this once. Why can’t she listen?
Why does she always have to fight, always push me to the edge…?

His breath trembled for a second — something he didn’t allow himself often.
He blinked rapidly, clearing the burning in his eyes.

He slammed his hand lightly against the wheel.

“No… nothing should happen to her. Nothing.”
His voice cracked in the empty car.

He kept checking the rear-view, the side-view mirrors, scanning shadows, every corner, every building, paranoid that danger could pop out from anywhere. Rakesh’s face flashed before his eyes — and his heart squeezed.

If that bastard even touches her…

His anger flared hotter, darker, but underneath it… terror sat like a weight on his ribs.

Still, his thoughts circled back:

But why didn’t you listen, Nidhi? Why do you make me angry like this? Why do you make me feel so helpless…?

He loosened one hand and rubbed his forehead, trying to steady his breathing.

He wasn’t just angry at her —
He was angry at his own fear.

The moment they walked into the house, Nidhi didn't spare even a glance at Rahul. She marched straight to her room, every step filled with anger and hurt. Rahul called softly, "Nidhi—" but she didn't stop, didn't turn, didn't hesitate. She went inside and SLAM! The door shut with such force that Rahul actually flinched. "Seriously...?" he muttered, dragging a hand through his hair as he walked to her door. He knocked once, lightly. No response. Then he banged harder. "Nidhi! What is this behaviour? Open the door."

From inside came her muffled, furious voice. "No! Go away! You're very bad!"

Rahul exhaled sharply. "Nidhi... open the door."

"No! Andari mundu arichav! Na friend mundu kuda arichav!" she shouted, her voice cracking slightly. You shouted in front of everyone! Even in front of my friend!

He clicked his tongue in irritation. "If you behave like a fool, then someone has to keep you in line na."

The silence that followed felt heavier than the door between them. Rahul closed his eyes—regret hitting him immediately. He leaned his head against the door and whispered, softer, almost pleading, "Just... open the door. Please."

But she didn't.
Not a sound.
Not a word.

Minutes passed. He tried again. Nothing.
He cooked lunch. Kept her plate ready.
Checked her door. Still silence.

A mischievous idea—half dramatic, half desperate—sparked in his mind.

He took a deep breath and suddenly shouted loudly, "OUCH! Ayyoo—oh god—Nidhi! No... ouch! It's hurting—"

The door burst open within seconds.
"What happened?! Are you hurt?!" she cried, her voice trembling, eyes wide with pure panic.

For a heartbeat Rahul forgot to breathe. Her fear... her concern... felt like a punch to his chest. Before she could think, he caught her wrist gently. "Sit," he said, pulling her to the couch.

"Bava! You lied—! I thought—" she started, flustered and annoyed.

"Shh," he said calmly. "Sit."

She sat with an angry pout, cheeks red from running and worrying.
Rahul brought the plate and placed it in front of her.
"Eat."

She turned away instantly. "No. Nakem odhu."

I don't want

"Nidhi—"

"NO."

Rahul inhaled deeply, gripping his patience before it slipped. "Fine. I'm saying sorry."

She tossed her hair dramatically. "Not accepted."

"Then... what should I do?" he asked, genuinely lost.

She folded her arms. "Do sit–ups."

His jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. I am."

"No. I won't do anything like that."

"See!" she shot back, standing up. "I knew it! You just said sorry for namesake. You're not actually sorry."

He grabbed her hand quickly. "Okay okay! Fine! I'm doing it."

She raised one eyebrow. "Hold your ears too."

"What?!"

"Do it."

Rahul stared at her, betrayed by the universe. But then... he bent down.
Held his ears.
Started sit–ups.

"One."
"Two."
"Three."

Nidhi burst into giggles—real, innocent, uncontrollable laughter that softened the entire room. And Rahul, though dying inside, looked up just to see her smile. The way his expression melted said everything he never spoke aloud:
Finally... she's smiling.

He sat beside her again.
"Okay. Now eat."

She narrowed her eyes. "I'm still angry."

"We established that. Open your mouth."

"No."

"Nidhi..."

She puffed her cheeks and finally opened her mouth.
He fed her a tiny bite.

Two seconds later—
"Cough! Cough—" she choked dramatically.

Rahul nearly dropped the spoon. "Arre! Slow! Chew 30 times!"

She stared at him in disbelief. "What?! 30 times??"

"Yes! Exactly 30. Start chewing. I'm counting."

"Bavaaaa!"

"Chew."

"Ughhh!"

And he counted.
"One. Two. Three..."

She rolled her eyes, made faces, silently cursed the universe.
At "Twenty-eight... twenty-nine... thirty," he nodded like a strict parent.
"Good girl."

She glared. "You're impossible!"

He wiped the corner of her lips with his thumb. "And you're careless. Drink water."

She took a sip.

"More," he demanded.

"I don't want—"

"More."

She glared, but he raised an eyebrow.
She drank.

"Good. Now eat again."

"NO!"

"Nidhi..."

"NOOO!"

He pinched her cheek. "Eat."

She groaned, defeated, and opened her mouth again.
He fed her slowly, gently, patiently—tiny bites, water in between, thirty chews enforced by dictatorship. Nidhi kept making irritated faces. Rahul kept pretending not to laugh. Finally, she finished.

Rahul placed the plate aside and cupped her cheek softly.
"You can fight... you can shout... you can slam doors... but don't starve yourself, okay?"

Her eyes softened before she could stop herself.
But she quickly looked away.
"I'm still angry."

He smiled, leaning slightly closer. "I know. But you still came running when you thought I was hurt."

Her cheeks turned pink immediately. "No! I just— I thought— I mean—"

"Mm-hmm," he teased. "Exactly."

"Shut up," she muttered, shoving him lightly.

Rahul laughed softly, finally relieved, finally calm. And there they sat—side by side on the couch—where one had faked pain... and the other had proved, without knowing, how deeply she cared..

.

.

He calls his assistant.

Phone Call
Rahul: “Constable Putta Swamy okasari intiki raa…”

Constable putta swamy come to my home.

After some time..

Putta Swamy: “Sir pilcharu…”
Rahul: “Ha ra Putta Swamy… oka pani undi…”
Ha come i have work with you

Rahul: “Kurcho… Ippude ostha…”
Sit i will come just now

Rahul walks to Nidhi’s room… tries calm voice…

Finally, Nidhi walks out silently.

Putta Swamy standing like 🤐👀 (statue)

After serving her properly…

Rahul:
“Repati nunchi Putta Swamy neethone untadu.
Clg degara… intlo…
and oka lady constable kuda…”

From Tommorow onwards he will be with you near college and wherever u go..

Putta Swamy (salutes happily):
“Namaste madam!”

Nidhi (attitude ON)
“Nakevaradhu… I can manage…”

I don't want anyone i can manage alone.

She’s about to reject… but—

“No! I can’t take risk…” said Rahul seriously.

“Aha avna? Nee Butta Swamy emaina Devuda? Kaapadaniki?”

Oh really is you butta swamy a god? To save me.

“Mam! Butta Swamy kadu mam… Putta Swamy…” said Putta swamy with puppy face.

Mam not butta swamy it's putta swamy

Rahul hides a laugh

“Ha ha ade le... "
Ha okok

"Devudu kadu… at least oka police unte manchidi…” rahul said.

He is not good but atleast one police should stay with you.

“Ok ! Rep nunchi ochai… morning to night!” rahul said to putta swamy

Ok come from tomorrow onwards.

“Nuvu agu Potta Swamy…” Nidhi said.

U stop potta swamy..

“Mam… potta kadu Putta Swamy…” he said with puppy face.
Mam its not potta it is putta swamy.

“Ha ade le… nuvu na emotion ni catch chei! Perlo em undi le…
Nuvem Mee sir mata namaku…
Nenu cheptuna nak odhu…
Nuv velipo!”
Ha ok you just catch my emotions there is nothing in name.

Putta Swamy starts walking sadly…

“Ey! Butta Swamy— chi— Putta Swamy…" Rahul roared.

Boss nena… thana...nenu velamanana?!” 😤

Who is your boss me or her...whom should you listen..

Hello guys...after a long time...from tomorrow onwards regular updates.....