LOVE REWIND

At the Orphanage

"I like you."

Her eyes widened. "But I don’t—"

He cut her off, his grin widening.

"I LIKE YOU! I LIKE YOU AND..." He paused dramatically, locking eyes with her before leaning in once more.

"And I like to irritate you."

Yadhana’s glare could have burned through walls.

Yuvaa chuckled. "And you look cute when you're angry."

Before she could explode, he playfully pinched her cheeks.

"Ugh! You're such a buffalo!" she snapped, turning away.

Yuvaa, ever the troublemaker, called after her. "Well, if I’m a buffalo, then you’re the buffalo’s best friend!"

She froze in her tracks, fists clenching.

"I am NOT your friend!"

"You are," he teased.

"I AM NOT!!"

"YOU ARE MY BESTEST FRIEND!"

That was the final straw. Fueled by rage, Yadhana stormed toward him, eyes blazing.

"I AM NOT! I AM NOT AND—"

Before she could finish, Yuvaa suddenly leaned in and pressed a quick kiss on her cheek.

"You are. Until our last breath, you’re mine."

And with that, he bolted, knowing full well that if he stayed, he'd be dead meat.

Fourteen Years Later

A scream shattered the silence.

"Please leave me alone! Please don’t do this to me… I beg you… please!!!"

Yuvaa’s eyes shot open. That voice—he knew it instantly.

"Yadhana."

Heart pounding, he rushed toward her. She was curled up in the corner, trembling, tears streaming down her face. When he placed a hand on her shoulder, she recoiled violently.

"Yadhana, what’s wrong?" he asked gently.

"Please… don’t touch me… I beg you," she sobbed, her voice raw with terror.

A lump formed in his throat. What happened to you, Yaad?

"It’s me, Yuvaa," he whispered, tilting her chin to meet his gaze.

But as soon as he said her name, her expression twisted in anguish.

"Don’t call me that name!" she snapped.

"Yaad—"

"DON’T!!! CALL!!! ME!!! BY!!! THAT!!! NAME!!!" she screamed, her body shaking violently.

Yuvaa flinched but nodded. "Alright… I won’t."

She clung to him suddenly, sobbing into his chest.

"Please don’t leave me with him, Pa… I’m scared… I don’t want to be with him… please don’t leave me…"

Pain stabbed through his heart. He held her tighter. "I won’t leave you, Yadhana. I promise."

But just as quickly, she shoved him away.

"No… no… you’re lying! You’re going to leave me with him!" she cried, eyes darting around in panic.

"Yaad, what are you—"

"DON’T CALL ME BY THAT NAME!" she shrieked again, her voice hollow, broken.

Yuvaa inhaled sharply. "Okay… okay… just breathe, Yadhana."

She turned to him then, her gaze sharp and piercing.

"Don’t come near me, Pa. I’m not the Yadhana you once knew. I’ve become a monster… I’m no longer the girl you remember."

Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms again.

"None of that matters to me. You are not a monster, Yadhana. You’re an angel. No matter what you’ve been through, you’re still you."

Tears glistened in her eyes.

"You’re lying…" she whispered.

He answered with a kiss.

For the first time in years, she stilled.

As sleep finally took over, Yuvaa gently laid her on the bed, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her face. He pulled a chair beside her, his fingers lightly running through her hair as he watched over her.

His jaw tightened. Who hurt you, Yadhana? Why are you carrying this pain alone?

Memories of the past flashed in his mind—the day her own sister slapped her, the silent suffering in her eyes, the wounds she never spoke of.

He clenched his fists. If you won’t tell me… I swear, I’ll find out myself. And when I do, I won’t let them get away with it.

Yuvaa exhaled sharply, his resolve hardening.

"I don’t care who they are—family or not. No one will ever hurt you again. Not while I’m here."

Leaning closer, he whispered softly, "I swear, my angel… I will protect you. Always."