The night after their rooftop conversation, Malishka didn't sleep.
She tried.
She tossed, turned, hugged her pillow, but the memories poured in like an unstoppable flood.
Her past with Rivan wasn't just a closed chapter—it was an unfinished sentence.
---
Flashback – College, 3 Years Ago
"Malishka Kapoor, if you don't stop running away every time I call your name—"
"You'll what?" she had teased, turning around with a smirk as her ponytail bounced. "Fight me?"
Rivan Knight was leaning against his matte-black bike, sunglasses pushed into his thick hair, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
He wasn't the boy-next-door kind of handsome. No.
He was dark-suit, smirk-on-lips, secrets-in-his-eyes kind of dangerous.
And he had been hers.
"I'll kiss you in front of the whole canteen," he had said coolly.
Malishka's cheeks flushed as students around them gasped and stared.
"You wouldn't," she dared.
One second later, he had pulled her close, cupped her jaw, and kissed her like the world had melted away.
Students had cheered. Some had clapped.
And she had melted.
In his arms.
In his fire.
In that illusion.
---
She blinked away the memory, walking into the office the next morning as if her soul hadn't time-traveled all night.
But the ghost of that kiss stayed on her lips.
---
KnightCorp – Present Day
"Morning," Rhea chirped, walking beside her with two cups of coffee. "You look like you fought a tornado in your dreams."
"I did. His name was Rivan," Malishka muttered, accepting the cup.
"Ohhh," Rhea giggled. "So you two have that kind of tension?"
Malishka shook her head. "We have history. That's worse."
Rhea gave her a side-hug. "I've got a list of Bollywood breakup songs if you ever need a cry playlist."
Malishka couldn't help but laugh.
Rhea was like sunshine in a stormy life—unexpected, but warm.
---
She reached her desk and powered on her system, only to find a wrapped box with a black velvet ribbon sitting on her keyboard.
No note.
No name.
She glanced around—no one was watching.
Cautiously, she opened it.
Inside was a worn paperback book.
"Letters to Juliet."
The same book she had once gifted him when they were in college. Her handwriting still inked on the first page.
> "Love isn't about possession, Rivan. It's about presence." – M"
Her fingers trembled slightly.
He had kept it.
---
"Good morning, Miss Kapoor."
She turned sharply.
Rivan.
In his dark suit. Crisp. Powerful. Completely composed.
Except for his eyes—they weren't calm. Not even close.
"I see you received the gift," he said, his voice low.
She clutched the book to her chest. "Why are you doing this?"
"I didn't return it because I wasn't ready to forget," he said softly. "And maybe you aren't either."
Her throat tightened, but she refused to break.
"I'm not yours anymore, Rivan."
He didn't blink. "We'll see."
---
The rest of the day was torture.
She worked. Typed. Smiled. But her body was aware of him like gravity. Every time he walked by. Every time he spoke.
And then Aaryan appeared beside her desk like a casual tornado.
"Need a break?" he grinned. "There's a conference room with the best view—and snacks."
She frowned. "What's the catch?"
"No catch. Just some harmless gossip."
Ten minutes later, she found herself in a soundproof glass conference room with Aaryan offering her chips.
"You and Rivan," he started, "what happened really?"
She stared at the skyline before answering.
"I don't know. He just… disappeared one day. No texts. No calls. Like we never existed."
Aaryan looked genuinely surprised. "That doesn't sound like him."
"Well, people change."
"Not when they're in love," he said, eyes serious now. "And trust me, he was."
Malishka stayed silent.
Then Aaryan added, "Maybe he left to protect you. Maybe the reason he broke your heart is darker than you think."
She blinked. "You're not making sense."
"Oh," he smiled, leaning back. "I'm not supposed to."
---
Later That Night – Knight Mansion
Rivan entered the study where his father, Raunak Knight, was seated with a glass of whiskey.
"Any update on the men near Malishka's building?" Rivan asked.
Raunak didn't look up. "Handled. But son… this girl, she's going to be your destruction."
"She's my strength," Rivan said coldly.
Raunak chuckled. "So was your mother. And look what happened to her."
A tense silence filled the room.
Then, Raunak said softly, "You've seen things, Rivan. You've done things. She hasn't. Don't hand her keys to a world she'll never understand."
Rivan's eyes burned. "I already did. Once. And I won't lose her again."
Raunak stood and placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"I can protect you from the world, but I won't protect her if she becomes your weakness."
Rivan's jaw clenched.
She wasn't his weakness.
She was his unfinished war.
Please comment as much as you can and follow me on insta@sanya_writez