17| The Only One

17| The Only One

Aaradhya Vidya Kapoor POV

The hospital’s waiting room was eerily quiet except for the distant beeping of machines and the occasional muffled voices of nurses passing by. The cold air smelled like antiseptic, and the fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, making everything feel even more suffocating.

But nothing irritated me more than the fact that I had been sitting here for two damn hours.

Waiting for him.

I clenched my fists, glancing at the time on my phone. 9:42 PM.

I had called Zeeshan. Again and again.

And he hadn’t picked up. Not once.

I exhaled sharply, my grip tightening around my phone as I hit the call button one more time.

It rang.

And rang.

And rang.

Before cutting off to voicemail.

“Zeeshan!” I hissed under my breath, resisting the urge to throw my phone against the wall. My patience had run out an hour ago.

I gritted my teeth, tapping my nails against the plastic chair armrest. My knee bounced restlessly.

Did he think this was funny?

Leaving me waiting like an idiot while he did what, exactly?

I had come here because he needed me. He had asked me to meet him. He had said it was urgent.

And now?

Now I was sitting here alone, looking like some desperate fool.

I dialed his number again.

This time, it didn’t even ring. Straight to voicemail.

I sucked in a breath, anger simmering beneath my skin.

“Oh, you think you’re smart, don’t you?” I muttered, glaring at my screen.

Fine. If he wasn’t going to answer, I was going to make sure he regretted it.

I quickly typed a message:

Where the hell are you, Zeeshan? Do you think this is a joke? If you don’t answer me in the next five minutes, I swear—

I stopped mid-text, my jaw clenching.

No. That’s exactly what he wants.

He wanted me to be frustrated. Wanted me to lose my patience.

I closed my eyes and exhaled through my nose. Calm down, Aara. Don’t give him the satisfaction.

But god, was he going to regret this.

Zeeshan Khan POV

Oh, she was pissed.

A slow smirk stretched across my lips as I watched her from just outside the waiting room, hidden in the shadows like a ghost.

She had no idea I was here.

No idea I had been standing just out of reach this entire time, watching, waiting, drinking in her frustration like the finest wine.

Two hours.

She had waited two hours for me.

Every little movement of hers was like a drug I couldn’t get enough of—the way her foot tapped impatiently against the tiled floor, the way she raked her fingers through her hair, the way her lips pressed into a thin line when she checked her phone for the millionth time.

Aara, Aara, Aara…

Did you really think I would come running just because you called?

I leaned against the cold wall, my head tilting slightly as I watched her type furiously on her phone, only to stop halfway and clench her jaw.

Ah. She realized it.

She knew she was playing right into my hands.

Good girl.

But that didn’t mean I was done playing yet.

I slipped my phone from my pocket, my fingers hovering over the screen.

Should I text her? Should I let her know I was watching? Should I remind her that no matter how much she tried to push me away, I would always be lurking in the background, just waiting for the perfect moment to strike?

No.

Not yet.

Instead, I silently walked forward, just enough so that I could see her clearer through the glass. The dim lighting of the hospital made her skin glow, her lips slightly parted in irritation.

She was so beautiful when she was mad.

So much fire in those eyes.

So much anger.

But it wasn’t hatred.

Not yet.

I wanted her to burn.

But I wanted to be the one to set her on fire.

I watched as she sighed heavily, standing up from the chair and pacing. She ran another frustrated hand through her hair, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Why the hell do I even care?”

My smirk widened.

Oh, babe…

You care because you’re mine.

Even if you don’t want to admit it yet.

I leaned in slightly, just enough to see the flicker of something in her eyes—doubt.

She hated me right now.

But deep down, she was waiting for me.

She was thinking about me.

And wasn’t that the most dangerous thing of all?

Aaradhya Vidya Kapoor POV

Enough.

I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. If Zeeshan wanted to play games, he could play them alone.

I wasn’t going to waste another second waiting for someone who clearly didn’t give a damn.

Just as I turned to leave, my phone buzzed.

1 New Message

My breath hitched.

It wasn’t from Zeeshan.

It was from an unknown number.

Don’t leave yet.

My heart skipped a beat.

I turned, scanning the waiting room, the hallways—nothing.

The hair on my arms stood up, a shiver crawling down my spine.

I wasn’t alone.

Someone was watching me.

And then—

Ding.

I stopped.

Slowly, I pulled my phone out again. A new message. But when I saw the sender, my heart dropped.

Unknown Number: Leaving already, doll?

My fingers stiffened around my phone.

Unknown Number: Didn’t you miss me? You waited for so long…

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

I turned my head slightly, glancing at the street behind me.

No one.

The sidewalk was empty, the dim glow of the streetlights flickering weakly against the darkened pavement.

My stomach twisted.

I quickly typed a response.

Me: Who the fuck is this?

A few seconds passed.

Then—

Unknown Number: You’ll find out soon enough.

My breath hitched.

I gripped my phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. This wasn’t random.

This wasn’t a joke.

Whoever this was… they were watching me.

I swallowed hard and forced my feet to move forward, my pace quickening.

And then—

A figure emerged ahead of me.

A tall, dark silhouette under the streetlight.

My breath caught.

As he stepped into the light, the glow revealed sharp cheekbones, a strong jawline, and dark, piercing eyes that held a quiet, unreadable intensity.

Eshaan Vikram Khanna.

Dressed in a black hoodie and fitted jeans, he stood there, hands casually tucked into his pockets. His gaze found mine instantly, like he had been waiting for me.

And damn it—he looked good.

Unfairly good.

His jet-black hoodie clung to his broad shoulders, the dark fabric making his pale skin seem even sharper under the yellow streetlight. His raven hair was slightly tousled, like he had just run his fingers through it.

He looked dangerous. And beautiful.

And for a second—just a second—I forgot how to breathe.

Then, his lips curved into the faintest smirk. “Aara?” His voice was smooth, calm.

Too calm.

Like he hadn’t just stepped out of nowhere.

Like he hadn’t just sent those texts.

I forced my face to remain neutral. “What are you doing here?”

His smirk deepened as he took a slow step toward me. “Fate, maybe?”

I didn’t answer. My heartbeat was erratic, but I wasn’t scared.

Because I knew Eshaan.

And Eshaan wouldn’t play stupid mind games like this.

Would he?

I tightened my grip on my phone, pushing the thought away. No. If he had something to say, he’d say it straight to my face.

And yet…

Something in his gaze made my stomach twist.

Like he knew something I didn’t.

Like he was enjoying this.

He took another step forward. “You look a little pale, Aara.”

I stiffened. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?” His eyes flickered to my phone. “You looked… tense.”

I swallowed.

I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had an effect on me.

I shrugged. “Just tired.”

His smirk didn’t fade. If anything, it deepened, his fingers twitching slightly in his pockets.

“Tired of waiting?”

My breath hitched.

Something about the way he said it…

Like he knew.

Like he knew I had been waiting for two hours for someone else.

I swallowed hard, keeping my voice steady. “What do you mean?”

He chuckled, low and smooth. “Nothing.”

Bullshit.

But before I could say anything, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, barely sparing it a glance before tucking it away again.

“Busy?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He gave me a lazy smirk. “Not at all.”

Something about the way he said it made my skin prickle.

Why did it feel like he was lying?

I exhaled slowly, stepping past him. “I should go.”

He didn’t stop me.

But as I walked away, I could feel his gaze burning into my back.

---

Zeeshan’s POV

That motherfucker.

Zeeshan’s fists clenched at his sides, his breath heavy as he remained hidden in the shadows.

She had waited for him. For two hours.

She had called him. Texted him. And now?

Now she was standing in front of Eshaan fucking Khanna.

Rage twisted inside him like a living thing, suffocating and wild.

Eshaan was standing there, acting casual, like he hadn’t just sent those texts.

Like he hadn’t just fucking toyed with her.

You think this is a game, Eshaan?

Zeeshan’s jaw ticked as he watched Aara leave, her expression still tense.

Eshaan waited a few moments before slowly turning his head—directly toward where Zeeshan was hidden.

Zeeshan’s breath stilled.

For a brief second, their eyes met.

And that was all it took.

That smug, knowing smirk on Eshaan’s lips was enough to send a violent, uncontrollable rage through Zeeshan’s veins.

Eshaan knew.

He fucking knew.

And he was taunting him.

Zeeshan’s fingers curled so tight his knuckles cracked.

Fine.

Let him enjoy this little game.

heyy guys I'm glad that you liked this story... I really need some support to continue..

if u like my story pls take a moment to vote and comment.

It  might be a small thing... But to me ur comments and votes are everything 🌏🫀🫶🏻

Pls follow joshi_author_

On Instagram too (link in my profile)

If u wanna talk to me pls DM me on Instagram...

We can talk 💗🎀🫶🏻

Byeee take care

Summer season started make sure to  hydrate urself 🎀

Take care..

*sending you virtual kisses and hugs*