A sharp throb pulses in my chest, stealing the air from my lungs. My vision blurs at the edges as a wave of dread washes over me. I stop abruptly, gripping the wall for balance, my hand trembling violently against it.
I try to breathe, but it feels like my lungs have forgotten how to. All I can hear is Prakash’s voice, and all I can see is his face. My knees buckle, and I stumble forward, collapsing to the floor with a soft thud. My hands press into the carpet, my fingers clawing at the fibres like a lifeline.
Closing my eyes tight, I continue to gasp for desperate gulps of air that never seem to fill my chest.Not here. Not now. Please…I beg silently, but panic roars in my ears louder and louder, drowning out any and every reason.
I don’t know how long I’m like that when a pair of warm hands cup my face.
At first, I flinch, startled. I hadn’t heard any footsteps, hadn’t sensed anyone approaching. And then, I hear his voice—low, steady, and filled with concern.
“Hey… hey, look at me.”
Slowly, my eyes, blurry with tears, flicker open and meet his.
Sidharth is kneeling in front of me, his eyes locked on mine, filled with worry. I don’t know how he found me, but right now, he’s the only thing tethering me to reality.
“Relax,” he whispers, his thumbs brushing away tears I didn’t even realise were falling. “I’ve got you. Just breathe in and out with me.”
I try to nod but am barely able to move my head. My breathing is still choppy, but I focus on him—on the calm steadiness of his voice, and on the slow rhythm of his breath as he inhales and exhales with careful control.
“In and out,” he repeats, guiding me through it, over and over, until my body starts to respond. The air finally reaches my lungs, and the tight grip around my heart eases, just a little.
“I… I’m sorry,” I finally manage to whisper, my voice cracking. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Don’t,” he cuts in gently but firmly. “Don’t apologise for your weak moment. Not with me.”
His words break something in me, not in a bad way, but in the way that envelops me in a sense of comfort.
I give him a hesitant nod, and he doesn’t press further. Instead, he pulls me into his arms and holds me close. For the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself lean into someone. Let myself be held. And slowly, I begin to feel safe, like I might be okay. Maybe not completely, but enough to stand again.
I don’t know how long we sit like that, me curled in his arms, his breath gradually syncing with mine. But eventually, I become aware of his hold, and that’s enough to jolt me back to reality. I pull away, abruptly, startled at just how safe I’d felt in his arms.
“I’m fine,” I murmur softly, trying to sound convincing even as the rawness clings to my voice.
Sidharth doesn’t say anything at first. His eyes search my face, not believing me.
“I’m fine,” I repeat, a little firmer this time.
He nods slowly. “Do you want to rest for a bit? Or go back down?”
I glance down the corridor towards the room, then back at the closed elevator doors. I swallow hard, the taste of panic still clinging in my throat.
“Down,” I reply, then quickly add, “But before that… we need to talk.”
His brows rise, but he says nothing, waiting.
“I don’t want you to tell anyone about this. Especially not Kavya. Today’s her day, and I won’t let this ruin it.”
“I understand. I won’t say a word.” He pauses, studying me for a moment before asking gently, “Nisha, how often do you get these panic attacks?”
I stiffen, looking away for a moment before meeting his gaze again. “Don’t bother. It’s my problem.”
His jaw clenches, the muscle ticking there. “Nisha, I promised Kavya I’d take care of you—”
“I’m aware you opted to look out for me,” I interrupt, sharper than I meant to. “But you don’t have to. We’ll keep up the act till Kavya is here, and once she flies to Dubai, you won’t need to check on me. Just send her your lovely little fake updates saying you did.”
His lips press into a thin line. “Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. I’m keeping my promise.”
I grit my teeth. “Stop being stubborn.”
