The next day, Wick handed over the file to Hamza. A satisfied smirk crossed Hamza's face as he skimmed through it.
"Impressive," Hamza said, nodding in approval. "You did well. I'll have more work for you soon."
Wick remained silent, his expression unreadable. He had expected this—Hamza was never one to give without taking more in return. As Hamza turned and left, Shristi stepped forward, her eyes filled with concern.
"You're making a mistake, Wick. They're using you," she warned, her voice firm yet laced with worry.
Wick met her gaze, his voice calm but resolute. "Protecting the people you love is never a mistake, Shristi. Maybe one day, you'll care about someone enough to understand that."
Without another word, he walked away, leaving Shristi standing there, her expression shifting from frustration to contemplation. His words lingered in her mind, unsettling her more than she cared to admit.
---
Later That Day...
The news hit Wick like a thunderbolt—Nick had been kidnapped. Fury coursed through his veins as he traced the source of the betrayal. It didn't take long to uncover the culprit: Vivaan's uncle.
Without hesitation, Wick stormed toward Vivaan. The moment he saw him, he struck—one clean, brutal punch to the face. Vivaan staggered back, blood dripping from his nose as he clutched it in shock.
"Where is he?" Wick demanded, his voice like a growl.
Vivaan barely managed to sputter a response, but Wick had no time for his excuses. He had a brother to save.
---
Wick arrived at the house, his fists clenched, his rage barely contained. The door opened, revealing a man with a smug look. Wick's eyes flicked past him, spotting Nick—his best friend, his brother—being held by a group of men. Bruised but conscious.
The man smirked. "You want him back? Then give me the file."
Wick's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "You want an exchange? Fine."
With a sharp whistle, he signaled, and from the shadows, his car door opened. Vivaan, tied and gagged, was dragged forward. Wick held a knife close to his throat.
"Let my brother go," Wick ordered coldly, "or Vivaan doesn't walk out of here."
The room tensed. The kidnappers exchanged wary glances. The man hesitated, eyes darting between Wick and Vivaan.
A door creaked open. From the side, Nick was shoved forward. The moment he was free, Dipanshu and Shreekant sprang into action. Like shadows, they moved, striking swiftly. Fists flew, bodies collided, and chaos erupted. Wick lunged forward, his knuckles connecting with bone, his rage unleashed.
It didn't take long. The fight ended in a brutal symphony of groans and broken pride. Wick grabbed Nick's arm, pulling him up.
"Let's get out of here," he muttered.
As they walked away, Vivaan, still recovering from the betrayal, watched Wick's retreating figure. Shristi's words from earlier echoed in Wick's mind, but he pushed them aside. Right now, all that mattered was that Nick was safe.
And Wick would never let anyone take his brother away again.
Later that night.Outside the hostel, Shristi met Vivaan, checking on him after Wick's assault. His nose was swollen, and bruises marked his face. She sighed, torn between anger and understanding.
When she returned to the hostel, she found Wick waiting near the entrance, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Wick spoke first. "His injuries will heal."
Shristi's eyes narrowed. "What do you need?"
Wick exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I lost control. I was furious because his uncle kidnapped Nick." His voice was steady, but there was a rare trace of regret.
Shristi folded her arms. "So… you're apologizing?"
Wick tilted his head slightly. "Technically, yes. But also no. I'm not asking for pity—I'm just owning up to my mistake."
Shristi sighed. "Wick…"
He raised a hand slightly, as if stopping himself from saying more. Then, with a quiet but firm voice, he admitted, "I shouldn't have beaten him that badly. That was wrong."
Shristi's gaze softened, but her words were firm. "Yes, it was."
Wick held her gaze. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I need it."
A flicker of emotion crossed her face, but she steadied herself. "And maybe I need time. A lot of time."
He nodded, accepting her words without protest. "Of course. Take all the time you need." But then, after a pause, his voice dropped, unwavering. "But if you see it from my perspective… I did the right thing."
Shristi inhaled sharply, torn between frustration and understanding. As Wick walked away, she remained rooted in place, her heart weighed down by conflicting emotions.
---
To be continued...