between 51: A Call Before Dawn

At the Neemrana Fort palace,

In the hotel room,

Early in the morning:

(Vikram sighed heavily, lifting his head to glance at the bedside table.

His own phone was within reach, and he squinted at the screen to check the time.)

Vikram: (frowning) saadhe chaar baj rahe hain, subah ke!!! Itni subah kaun call karega?

(The concern in his voice pulled Naina further from her drowsy state.

They exchanged a quick glance, their relaxed expressions tightening with worry as the same thought struck them-could it be about the kids?

Vikram reached over her to the charging socket where Naina's phone sat, its screen glowing insistently.

He unplugged it and handed it to her, his hand lingering on her shoulder as if bracing for bad news.)

Vikram: (softly) Dekh lo. I hope sab theek ho.

(Naina sat up slightly, swiping at the screen to unlock her phone.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the message notification that just popped up. There was a missed call by Purab.)

Naina: (shocked) Pogo? (confused) Pogo ka phone? Itni subah?

(Her heartbeat quickened as she saw her phone ring again and Purab's name flashing on the screen, again. Worry seeped into her voice as she answered.)

Naina: Hello?

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(Purab spoke on the other side, his voice sharp and urgent, cutting straight to the point.)

Purab: Maine hum dono ke Mumbai ki tickets book karwa di hain! Tu bas do ghante mein airport pahunch ja… I'll meet you there, okay?

Naina: Pogo? Yeh sab kya hai? Mumbai kyun jaana hai?

Purab: (frustrated, voice laced with urgency) Tu bas Aryan ki news dekh jaldi! Kuch toh gadbad hai, Naina!

(Before she could ask anything, the line went dead.

She stared at her phone, her fingers tightening around it as unease settled deep in her stomach.)

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(Vikram, who had been watching her closely, leaned in, his brows furrowing.)

Vikram: Kya bola Purab ne? Sab theek hai?

Naina: (shaking her head, still processing) Pogo ne bola hai ki, Aryan ki news dekho… aur usne hum dono ke Mumbai ke tickets book kar diye hain. Mujhe airport pe milne ko kaha hai.

Vikram: (frown deepens as he stood up) Aryan? News? Kuch serious lagta hai!!!

(Without wasting a second, he grabbed his phone from the coffee table, unlocking it with swift movements.)

Vikram: You go change and pack whatever you can. I'll pack the bags aur... check bhi kar leta hoon, ki kya chal raha hai.

(Vikram took his phone out to check what was going on, while Naina moved swiftly, her focus sharp as she grabbed her small carry-on bag and without hesitation, she began gathering her belongings.)

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In the bathroom,

(She scooped up her essentials-her toothbrush, moisturizer, and hairbrush-along with Vikram's shaving kit and cologne.

She packed them into the carry-on, not bothering with neatness, her urgency driving her.)

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Back in the room,

(Vikram scrolled through the news on his phone, his expression darkening as he found what he was looking for. His jaw clenched.)

Vikram: (muttering under his breath) Shit!!!!

(His grip tightened around the phone, as he glanced towards the bathroom, knowing whatever was happening… it wasn’t good.)

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(Every second mattered. He strode towards the closet, pulling open the doors with controlled urgency.

His hands moved swiftly, folding their clothes with a practiced efficiency. Naina’s dress, his shirt—one after another, they disappeared into the bag.

His eyes swept the room, his mind running through a checklist.

Phone, charger... He grabbed her phone from the bedside table and tucked it into the side pocket.

His own watch and wallet sat on the dresser. Without hesitation, he scooped them up and dropped them into the duffel.

His movements were quick yet precise, his expression calm despite the underlying tension.)

(With a final glance around, he pulled the zipper closed in one decisive motion. The bag was packed.

His eyes, now lingered on the bathroom door. Waiting for Naina to come out.)

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A while later…

(Naina stepped out of the washroom. The moment her gaze landed on Vikram, her stomach twisted into knots.)

Naina: (anxiously) Jaan, kya hua? News mein kya aaya hai?

(Vikram exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair before looking up at her.)

Vikram: (voice tight) Naina… Aryan kaafi badi problem mein hai… Listen to this. Come, sit.

(He patted the spot beside him on the couch, but Naina barely moved, her pulse racing.

Ignoring her hesitation, Vikram cleared his throat and read aloud from the news article.)

Vikram: ‘Bollywood actor Aryan Khanna embroiled in hit-and-run controversy. Sources claim Aryan’s car was seen at the site of the accident. The victim is in critical condition. Aryan Khanna has yet to make an official statement. Speculations are rife, and his reputation is under serious scrutiny.’

(Naina’s breath hitched. Her legs suddenly felt weak, and she collapsed onto the couch beside him.)

Naina: (stunned) What?! Yeh sab kaise ho sakta hai? Aryan kabhi aisa nahi kar sakta!

Vikram: (grimly) Mujhe pata hai, Naina. Aryan aisa insaan hi nahi hai. But you know the media— unka toh kaam hai, hawa mein baatein udaana. Ek baar news viral ho gayi, toh truth ka koi value nahi hota. Yeh sab Aryan ke0 career ke liye bahut dangerous ho sakta hai.

(Naina’s hands balled into fists, her mind racing.

She could already picture the chaos—paparazzi swarming Aryan’s house, news anchors sensationalizing every detail, social media flooded with judgmental comments.)

Naina: (muttering) Purab ne isiliye hamaare tickets karwaa diye honge… Aryan needs us right now.

Vikram: (places a comforting hand on her shoulder) Haan... that is what best friends do....

(He got up and grabbed their suitcases, his movements brisk but controlled.)

Vikram: chalo, I have packed your baag too.... ek baar apna samaan check kar lo, and then let's leave as soon as possible. Airport pahunchne mein bhi do ghante lagenge!!!!

Naina: (she nods) Haan. I have already checked. We can checkout abhi.

(Vikram nods his head and swung both their bags over his shoulders.

Naina followed close behind as they walked down the corridor, their steps echoing softly in the quiet morning air. )

Naina: (softly) I just hope… Aryan is okay.

Vikram: (murmuring) Me too, Naina. Me too.

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Then,

(As they reached the reception area, Vikram set the bags down near the counter, waiting for the check-out process.

Naina hesitated beside him, guilt bubbling up once more. Their weekend had been cut short, and the weight of that realization sat heavy on her chest.

Once the formalities were done, they stepped away from the desk.

Just before reaching the glass doors of the lobby, Naina stopped abruptly, her fingers curling into fists.

Vikram turned to her, his brows knitting in concern. She met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with unsaid emotions.)

Naina: (softly) I'm so sorry, Jaan. (She swallowed hard, looking down.) I didn’t want our weekend to end like this. Aapke saath yeh waqt...

(Her voice wavered, and she looked away, twisting her fingers nervously.

The regret was evident in every line of her face.)

(Vikram exhaled, then gently placed a warm hand on her arm, stopping her.)

Vikram: Naina, stop… why are you feeling guilty? (voice is calm, reassuring.) Hum kar bhi kya sakte hain? Life happens, right? And Aryan needs his best friend abhi.

(Naina bit her lip, still unable to shake the feeling that she was disappointing him.

Vikram noticed and, with a gentle touch, tilted her chin up, making her look at him.)

Vikram: Woh hamesha tumhaare liye tha. (His voice held quiet conviction.) Har mushkil waqt mein, even when you didn't ask for help. Ab agar usse tumhaari zaroorat hai, toh jaana toh banta hai. Best friends ka bond aisa hi hota hai.

(Naina's lips trembled into a small, bittersweet smile. This version of Vikram always surprised her. His understanding, his unwavering presence— it always caught her off guard.)

Naina: You always make it sound so simple. (She exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly.) Thank you, Jaan.

(Vikram chuckled lightly, bending to pick up the bags once more.)

Vikram: Tumhaare liye aur tumhaare apno ke liye, main hamesha rahunga, Naina. (He glanced at her with a soft smile.) If there’s anything I can do from my end, just let me know.

(Naina nodded, the burden of guilt easing, if only a little.)

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Then,

(They stepped out of the hotel into the crisp morning air.

He led the way toward the car, carrying both bags effortlessly, his presence steady as ever.

And in that moment, Naina now realized that, no matter where life took them, Vikram would always be her safe place.)

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Author’s Note ✨💖

Hey, lovely readers! 👋🏻

What a rollercoaster, right?! Just when Vikram and Naina were enjoying their peaceful getaway, BOOM—drama knocks on their door at 4:30 AM! 😱💥 Aryan is in serious trouble, and now Naina and Purab are rushing to Mumbai to be by his side. But what really happened? Is Aryan guilty, or is there more to the story? 🤔

I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts! 📝💬

💡 What do you think about Vikram’s support for Naina?

💡 Do you believe Aryan is innocent?

💡 What’s your guess—who’s behind all this?

🔥 Don’t forget to:

⭐️ VOTE if you enjoyed the chapter! Your votes keep me motivated!

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Your support means the world to me! 🌎💖 Let’s keep this journey going together! 🚀✨

See you in the next chapter! 😉🔥