You Are My Unique Gift

Symphony Of Shadows

KOMAL'S POV

The morning sun peeked through the gauzy curtains like a lecherous intruder. Each ray felt like a judgmental finger, highlighting the tangled sheets that mirrored the nightmare still clinging to my mind.

A cold sweat clung to my skin, mirroring the chill that slithered down my spine as I saw Vihaan’s name chiming on my phone screen.

“What the—” A gasp left my lips. My heart, usually a hummingbird on espresso, turned into a frantic drumbeat against my ribs.

Unlocking the phone felt like opening Pandora's box. The message hissed like a venomous snake coiled on the screen. Gathering every ounce of courage I could muster, I slide the screen open.

“Your fairytale ends at midnight, Komal. Remember, the prince isn’t always the hero.”

The metallic tang of betrayal mingled with the ash of burning dreams in my mouth.

Panic gnawed at my insides like a famished beast. I fumbled for my glasses, the blurry lines sharpening into a chilling reality, and flickered the lights on.

Fairytale. Midnight. Vihaan.

The pieces clicked, forming a picture I desperately wished to unsee.

Divirath!

The very thought sent a jolt of fear through me.

“Oh god, please not him,” I whispered a prayer choked by dread.

The image of his carefree smile, eyes filled with nothing but love twisted the knife further. It was a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me.

With shivering hands, I dialed his number. Each ring echoed the frantic rhythm of my heart. A shiver of pleasure danced down my spine as his voice, heavy with sleep and rum, washed over me.

He was okay. I sighed.

“Komal, babe, what's keeping you up? Longing for me already? Is my sweetheart feeling horny?” He purred, oblivious to the terror clawing at me. I wanted to scream. Instead, I forced down the urge and choked out,

“Divirath, it’s not over. Vi…”

His name got stuck in my throat, like a scary story you don't want to say out loud. I wondered, what's Vihaan hiding? He seemed invincible and, honestly, he scared me.

“What's not over yet? Love, are you alright?” Divirath's anxious tone stirred a knot of guilt in my stomach. I could feel the concern in his voice, and it made me uneasy, knowing I'd been hiding things and putting him in danger.

If something happened to him, I’d never be able to forgive myself.

The week had been a waking nightmare, each sunrise bringing the unwelcome knowledge of Vihaan’s twisted obsession. His dark eyes, glinting with a hunger that had nothing to do with love, haunted my sleep. He was a wolf in sheep's clothing, and I, a lost lamb wandering into his den.

“Komal, where are you?” Divirath sharper voice cut through my haze, making me sigh.

“I'm just talking about my vacation,” I fibbed, desperately wanting this nightmare to be over. I wished I could wake up and erase Vihaan Malhotra, my relationship, and especially the painful breakup five years ago from my memory.

“Your vacation?” Divirath sounded confused. I heard a ruffle of sheets and mentally cursed myself.

He was taking a nap!

“Yeah, um, it's not done yet! I really love the Bahamas. Thinking of staying a bit longer,” I stuttered, trying to sound genuinely thankful. All I could do was hope he bought it.

“Stay as long as you want! It's our private island. Just make sure you're back before we start getting ready for the wedding. Mom needs your measurements for the royal decorations,” Divirath replied, and my heart skipped a beat.

Once, I broke a man’s heart, and I swore I wouldn’t do it again. Divirath deserved better than what I could offer. His love for me never wavered. He was giving me everything—his name, his wealth, and pure love—while I couldn't even give him my heart. Was there anyone more cursed than me?

I felt like a deceiver.

"Nothing matters," I whispered, the truth spilling out like poison.

"Divirath... you're... you're in danger!"

Silence.

Then, a slow, ominous chuckle. "Intriguing, little dove. But danger is my middle name, remember? I know how to handle it. Being born royal has its perks. Be glad we're not from the ruling era, or you'd have to endure waiting for me to return victorious from battles." His words, a mix of a caress and playfulness, sent shivers down my spine. Divirath was a paradox – stunningly beautiful, yet his darkness pulsed like a living thing, both frightening and captivating.

"You didn’t get it, Divi. Anything could happen to you…or me!?” I sighed. “Look, there is something I gotta tell you. I'm coming,” I declared, the decision solidifying in my mind like ice. This wasn't about protecting Divirath anymore; it was about confronting the monster I'd been running from.

“You don't have to," he whispered, his voice a deep growl. "Whatever it is, it can’t touch us. There's a whole security team to handle any danger. It's impossible to breach those walls without getting hurt. You're guarded like a precious jewel, my dove." He let out a tense breath, and I could hear more commotion in the background.

Suddenly, he got up, the sound of slippers on the floor. The door opened, and he walked. “Ah, I wanted to keep it a surprise. But you need to know. I'm only a couple of minutes away from you. Didn't I tell you, Komal, fairytales always have happy—”

A loud beep blasted in my ears, and the line went dead, leaving me alone with the chilling echo of his words. I didn't have time to think because, in the next second, my phone rang again.

Vihaan Malhotra!

The air turned icy, and my mouth went dry. I couldn't decide whether to answer or not. It seemed like the decision wasn't mine anymore. I watched as the phone automatically swiped to green.

Tech genius!

My heart pounded in my chest. Divirath is in the Bahamas. Vihaan is in the Bahamas. What does he want now?

"Fairy tales are lies and your prince charming's a villain, Little Dove," Vihaan's voice slithered through the phone, shattering the fragile peace in my soul. His words, laced with poison, dripped with mocking endearment as he choked down a laugh.

"Ah! The sheer audacity to think you can be anyone’s but mine.” He chuckled out a dark growl that flipped my inside.

“We are over, Vihaan. Stop this nonsense! This isn’t a movie—” My sharp retort was interrupted by his angry growl.

“It’s not your decision to make. It’s mine. I am your the only salvation you'll ever find, Sarkaar.” The nickname, once sweet, now tasted like vinegar.

The truth crashed down like a thousand lightning bolts: He was playing a game and the game had just begun.

Relief flickered, then vanished, replaced by a cold dread that settled in my bones. My voice, barely a whisper, choked out, “You can't do this, Vihaan Malhotra!” It was pathetic, a whimper against his dark laughter that shattered the remnants of my courage.

“Wrong, love,” he purred, the amusement twisting the knife deeper. "I have already done it. Your precious fiancé won't see daylight till you learn first your lesson. Happy learning!”

And the line went dead.

The silence felt scarier than his laughter, the fear tightening in my throat. I gasped for breath, desperately trying to escape the nightmare he created.

My mind raced, searching for a way out. But Vihaan had me stuck in his dark story. The devil had taken over, and now I had to endure whatever cruel game he wanted me to play.

His words twisted my thoughts, and I could feel the panic building inside me.

“Hello? Hello? What do you mean Vihaan? Hello?,” I screamed to nothingness. The promise in his voice grounded me for a moment.

I couldn't shake the feeling that Vihaan was setting up a nightmare around me. He wanted me to suffer.

I hurried through the mansion, calling for my guards, the house help—anyone! My voice echoed in the empty corridors. Panic grew as I reached the staircase, finding no sign of anyone.

The mansion was empty.

My fingers shook as I dialed Divirath's number, desperately hoping to hear his voice. The call went unanswered, and fear washed over me like a sudden wave. I tried again a few times. Each time, a mechanic voice instructed to me to leave a voice mail.

Divirath never switched his personal phone off. What’s happened?

“Ugh! Where are you? Dammit!” I let out a string of curses under my breath.

With a shaky breath, I called Vihaan, my voice tight with desperation. Thankfully, he picked up on the third ring. “Malhotra, where is he? What have you done?”

"On your left, there's an address," his voice, cold and unyielding, cut through the phone, leaving me no room to argue. "Take the right elevator to the parking lot. You'll find a black Aston Martin. Drive it to this address. It'll take you where you belong. Drive safe."

He hung up, and without a second thought, I snatched the note along with the car keys, my heart pounding in my ears, anxiety and fear gripping me. I didn’t if I was walking right into his trap. I just wanted Divirath to be safe!