Chapter 17: 17What the Heart Knows Before the World Does

Jaipur woke up to sunlight.

Ishita hadn't slept.

She sat on the edge of her bed, phone in her hand, staring at Kabir's last message like it might change if she blinked too hard.

I'm fine.

She had heard those words before.

From patients hiding pain.

From surgeons refusing rest.

From Kabir—every time something was terribly wrong.

Her body felt heavy. Not tired. Different.

She pressed her fingers lightly to her temple, then to her abdomen again—an unconscious habit now. Something fluttered there, not movement exactly, but awareness.

"I'm overthinking," she whispered.

Doctors didn't believe in instincts without data.

But women did.

⸻

Paris – Rathod Safehouse

Kabir stood shirtless in front of the mirror.

Fresh bandages wrapped his torso, angry bruises blooming beneath his skin. His jaw tightened as he adjusted the sling on his shoulder. Pain radiated, sharp and unrelenting—but his eyes were colder than the wounds.

Veer watched from the doorway, arms crossed.

"You should be in a hospital," Veer said.

"I own hospitals," Kabir replied flatly.

Veer exhaled in frustration. "This isn't funny anymore."

Kabir met his reflection's gaze. "It was never funny."

Silence stretched.

"Rafael isn't done," Veer said quietly. "And bhai... this time, he's not coming for you alone."

Kabir's hand paused.

Veer continued, carefully. "He knows you have a weakness."

Kabir's eyes darkened.

"She is not a weakness," he said, voice low, lethal.

"She's the reason I'll end him."

Veer didn't argue.

Because that wasn't romance.

That was war.

⸻

Jaipur – Hospital Corridor

Ishita completed her rounds on autopilot.

Vitals. Reports. Sutures. Instructions.

Her hands were steady, her mind wasn't.

"Ma'am?" a nurse called gently. "Are you okay?"

Ishita blinked, realizing she'd been staring at a chart for too long.

"Yes," she said softly. "Just... give me a minute."

She turned toward the washroom—and suddenly the world tilted.

Just for a second.

She grabbed the wall, breathing slowly until the dizziness passed.

Her reflection stared back at her—paler than usual, eyes too thoughtful.

That night, she didn't go home immediately.

She drove.

Not to the apartment.

To the temple.

⸻

The Temple – Evening

The temple was quiet, bells echoing softly, incense curling through the air.

Ishita folded her hands, eyes closed.

Not praying for herself.

For him.

"Please keep him safe," she whispered. "Even if he doesn't tell me the truth."

A shadow fell beside her.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Doctor Sharma."

Ishita turned.

Rajmata Rathod stood there—dignified, serene, eyes sharp despite age. The former queen of Rajasthan. A woman the city respected... and feared, in quiet ways.

Ishita straightened instantly. "Rajmata."

The older woman smiled faintly. "You saved my son's life."

"I did my duty," Ishita replied.

Rajmata studied her for a long moment.

"You look unwell."

Ishita hesitated. Then said honestly, "Just tired."

Rajmata reached forward and slipped her bangles off her wrist—heavy gold, old craftsmanship, heirloom pieces.

"For you," she said.

Ishita froze. "Rajmata, I can't—"

"You can," the woman interrupted gently. "You stood between death and my son. And today..." Her eyes softened. "You said it is your marriage anniversary, didn't you?"

Ishita's throat tightened.

"Yes," she whispered.

Rajmata placed the bangles into her trembling hands.

"For good fortune," she said. "Some bonds don't need names to be real."

Ishita's eyes burned.

She bowed deeply, emotion choking her words.

⸻

Paris – Midnight

Kabir woke suddenly.

Pain sliced through him, sharp enough to draw a breathless sound from his chest.

But it wasn't the wound.

It was the feeling.

That deep, unmistakable pull in his chest.

"Ishita..." he murmured.

He grabbed his phone and typed.

Kabir:

Are you okay?

The reply came faster than expected.

Ishita:

I should be asking you that.

His lips curved slightly, despite everything.

Kabir:

Did you eat?

Ishita:

Don't change the subject.

He leaned back against the headboard, exhaustion weighing him down.

Kabir:

I miss you.

The words slipped out before strategy could stop them.

There was a pause.

Then—

Ishita:

Come back.

Just two words.

They hit harder than bullets.

⸻

Jaipur – Ishita's Apartment

Ishita sat on the sofa, bangles beside her, phone clutched to her chest.

Her doorbell rang.

She frowned. It was late.

Cautiously, she opened the door.

A familiar figure stood there—one of Kabir's undercover security men, plain clothes, eyes alert.

"Ma'am," he said respectfully. "This is just protocol. Please don't be alarmed."

Her heart dropped.

"Why?" she asked.

"Precaution," he replied. "There have been... movements."

Fear slid cold down her spine.

She closed the door slowly, locking it.

Her hand went to her abdomen again—this time consciously.

"Something is happening," she whispered.

⸻

Paris – Cliffhanger

Veer entered Kabir's room abruptly.

"We have a problem."

Kabir looked up instantly. "Rafael?"

Veer shook his head. "Worse."

He handed Kabir a tablet.

On the screen: Ishita's photo. Taken outside the hospital. Recent.

Kabir's blood went cold.

"He knows," Veer said grimly. "Not everything. But enough."

Kabir stood, pain forgotten, fury blazing.

"Book the jet," he said.

"Bhai, you can't—"

"I'm coming home," Kabir cut in. "Tonight."

Because this time—

The war had reached his heart.