The next few weeks were a breather, not because we had any solid leads, but because Sunita Aunty was finally discharged from the hospital, and Nisha was smiling again. And though things looked normal on the surface, I knew better than to get comfortable. This happiness was too damn fragile for me to let my guard down. Which only meant I had to reinforce it even more.
That’s what pushed me to start self-defense training for Nisha in the small gym room at my place. She hated it. Grumbled and sulked through every damn session, but I didn’t give a damn. I’d rather have her pissed at me than ever see her powerless again in front of those bastards.
“You’re still too easy to knock over,” I say, catching her wrist midair in a grip gentle but firm enough to halt the sloppy punch.
Her chest rises and falls as she scowls at me. “You’re too strong for me.”
“Strength isn’t the point,” I say, holding her gaze. “It’s about outsmarting and being fast enough to take down your target before he gets a chance to strike.”
A low growl of frustration escapes her. “Thanks for the motivational quote. Now, if we can get back to you teaching me this stupid wrist lock again.”
My lips twitch, fighting a smirk. “It’s not stupid. It’s going to save your life.”
I release her hand and step back, motioning for her to reset.
“Alright, now imagine the attacker’s coming straight at you.” I reach out and grab her wrist with enough pressure to mimic the real thing. “When someone grabs you from the front like this, you don’t panic.”
“Easy to say,” she mutters, rolling her eyes.
“Cute. Now stop rolling your eyes and focus.”
“Yes, Mr. Control.”
I can’t help but grin, taking a moment to let my eyes rake over her. Sweat glistens at her hairline, her ponytail is a mess, and loose strands cling to her flushed face. And damn if that doesn’t send heat straight to my lower body. But I shove it down and focus on the task at hand. The last damn thing I need is my desire calling the shots.
I shift her arm slightly and tap the spot between my thumb and index finger.
“Right here. This is the break point, the weakest part of the grip.” I demonstrate slowly, twisting my wrist towards that gap. “Rotate your wrist towards the space between their fingers. Fast enough to break free before they even realize it.” I let go. “And once you’re free, you drive your knee straight up to the groin. Hit hard before he even thinks of reacting. Now, let’s try again.”
I grip her wrist again. She fumbles the move. Doesn’t even come close to breaking free.
I take the opening and spin her around, her back slamming into my chest, my arms caging her in.
She groans, exasperated. “Sidharth, I swear to God, I’m not some Navy SEAL. You’ve had me doing this for forty-five minutes. I can’t do this anymore.”
I chuckle low in my throat. “Stop being a baby. I’m not stopping until you can get yourself out of my hold.”
“This is no fun,” she mutters under her breath.
“This isn’t for fun,” I lean in, my mouth brushing her ear. “This is because I need to know that if I’m not there, you’ll still fight and give that bastard exactly what he deserves.”
She stiffens slightly, her gaze dropping to the training mat beneath our feet. I know the thought of being alone scares her, and damn, the idea of leaving her, even for a moment, scares me more. But I have to think of thewhat-ifsand thebuts. Because logically, I can’t be with her twenty-four seven, no matter how much I want to.
And as much as it kills me, what she needs is to be able to fight without me there, if it ever comes to that.
I take a slow breath, step back, and move in front of her again, taking her wrist in my hand. “Again.”
This time, when she lifts her chin, there’s no frustration. Just sharp, focused determination. I’m so taken aback, trying to figure out what sparked this change in her, that before I even see it coming, she twists her wrist exactly the way I taught her and drives her knee into my stomach with more force than I expected.
“Fuck.” The hit isn’t that hard, but it’s enough to make me crouch slightly, one hand instinctively bracing my core.
Her eyes widen, stunned. “I did it?”
Still bent over, I glance up at her, smirking. “Yes, you did.”
She claps her hands, bouncing on her toes like a kid who just beat the boss level of a game. “I did it! I actually did it!”
And despite the ache in my gut, I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face.
