UNDER MY WINGS : 1

The flower shop was eerily quiet, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves outside and Meera's

frantic footsteps. She ran to the counter, her hands shaking, searching for anything that could

help. Bandages, water-anything. Her tears blurred her vision as she fumbled with trembling

hands, knocking over vases and scattering petals across the floor.

She was crying uncontrollably, muttering prayers under her breath. "Oh God, oh God... what

do I do? Arya, just hold on, please." Her mind was a storm of panic, unable to focus, unable

to think clearly. She stumbled over to the counter again, and her eyes landed on a small,

glossy visiting card lying near the cash register.

Shiv's name.

Without hesitation, Meera snatched it up, her trembling fingers dialing the number. The

phone rang once, twice, and then connected.

Shiv sat in the dimly lit expanse of his penthouse, leaning back on the sleek leather sofa. His

tie hung loosely around his neck, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and his forearms rested on

the armrests, veins taut from a long day. The rain outside beat against the tall windows, the

city beyond blurred by the downpour. He rubbed his temple, the exhaustion of endless

meetings, phone calls, and negotiations weighing heavily on him.

The sudden shrill of his phone snapped him out of his haze. He glanced at the unknown

number flashing on the screen. For a moment, he considered letting it ring out, but something

compelled him to answer.

"This is Shiv," he said, his tone clipped.

"Shiv!" Meera's voice cracked through the line, high-pitched and panicked. "It's Meera! You

need to come-Arya's-she's been attacked!"

Shiv shot upright, his body instantly taut, his exhaustion evaporating in a surge of adrenaline.

"What?" His voice was sharp, dangerous.

"She's hurt! Someone attacked her in the attic-I don't know who! There's so much blood,

and she's not waking up. Shiv, please-please do something!" Meera's sobs filled the silence

on the other end, her hysteria pouring through the phone.

"Where is she?" Shiv demanded, already grabbing his coat and keys.

"At the shop! I don't know what to do-I tried first aid, but she's not-Shiv, you have to

hurry!"

"Stay with her," Shiv ordered, his tone low and deadly. "Don't let her out of your sight. I'm

on my way."

He ended the call, his grip on the phone tightening as he strode toward the door. Tapping his

Bluetooth headset, he connected to his secretary

"I need an emergency medical team ASAP. Get the best doctors on standby. I'll

handle the costs."

"Yes, sir. Right away," came the efficient response.

Shiv stormed into the elevator, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. His hands curled into fists

at his sides, his entire body vibrating with barely contained fury. As the elevator doors

opened, he moved like a force of nature, the rain pelting him as he stepped out into the storm.

Sliding into his sleek black car, Shiv slammed the door shut and gripped the wheel with a

ferocity that turned his knuckles white. The engine roared to life, and he floored the

accelerator, the tires skidding briefly before catching grip on the wet pavement.

His mind raced as the rain lashed against the windshield. A deep, seething rage bubbled

within him, hot and unrelenting. Whoever dared to hurt Arya had no idea of the storm they

had unleashed. Shiv's eyes were hard, his expression a mask of cold, unyielding fury.

The city streets blurred past as he tore through the rain, his focus singular. He would get to

Arya. And when he did, whoever was responsible would pay dearly. The world could burn

for all he cared-he wasn't letting her go through this alone.

The wail of the ambulance siren pierced through the stormy night as it sped through the

drenched streets. Inside, Meera sat by Arya's side, holding her unconscious friend's hand

tightly, her own trembling. Tears streaked her face, her lips quivering as she whispered

desperately to Arya, "Please wake up, Arya. Please. Don't leave me."

Her fingers rubbed Arya's cold hand, willing warmth back into it. The sight of her pale,

bloodied face made Meera's stomach churn. She glanced outside, searching for Shiv's car

through the rain-smeared windows, but there was no sign of him yet.

As the ambulance screeched to a halt outside the hospital, the paramedics sprang into action.

Meera helped guide Arya's stretcher out, her hands shaking as she steadied it. "Careful!

Please, be careful!" she begged, following them as they rushed through the automatic doors

of the emergency ward.

The paramedics barked instructions, and Meera trailed behind, scared and exhausted,

glancing frantically at every face in the hospital, still searching for Shiv. She stayed by

Arya's side as they transferred her onto a hospital bed. The medical team swarmed around

Arya, hooking her to monitors, checking her vitals.

The screech of tires outside drew Meera's attention. A sleek black car roared into the hospital

driveway, skidding to a halt like a predator closing in on its prey. The driver's door flung

open, and Shiv emerged, drenched in rain, his eyes blazing with fury and desperation.

He stormed through the hospital doors, his commanding presence immediately drawing

attention. Staff stepped aside instinctively, sensing the tempest emanating from him. He

moved with purpose, like a force of nature, until his eyes landed on Meera, who stood by the

emergency room door.

His gaze was like a wildfire-intense, furious, and unrelenting. For a moment, Meera froze.

Despite knowing Shiv was there to help, the sheer intensity in his eyes made her feel like she

was facing the devil himself.

"What happened?" Shiv's voice was low and sharp, a growl that demanded answers.

Meera stammered, her words tumbling out in a frightened rush. "I-I don't know who it was.

She was... in the attic. There was a noise, and then... I came back, and she-she was hurt-

so much blood-I didn't know what to do-"

"Enough," Shiv cut her off, his tone biting but controlled. His towering frame loomed over

her, but he didn't waste a second more. "Where is she now?"

"The doctors... they're working on her," Meera whispered, still clutching Arya's bag like it

was her lifeline.

Shiv turned sharply, marching toward the operating room. The head doctor approached, but

Shiv's glare froze the man mid-step. "You will give her the best care this hospital can

provide," Shiv commanded, his voice cold as ice but leaving no room for argument. "Move

her to the presidential ward. Security detail, constant surveillance. No one enters without my

approval."

"Yes, sir," the doctor said, bowing slightly before hurrying off to carry out the orders.

Shiv dialed a number on his phone as he paced, his other hand gripping his waist in

frustration. "I want a full sweep of Arya's shop and the surrounding area," he barked.

"Whoever did this left a trail. I want them found, and I want them now."

Hanging up, he turned back to Meera, who looked at him like he was a force she couldn't

quite comprehend. For a moment, his hardened exterior cracked, and his voice softened, just

slightly. "You did well, calling me." He patted on her shoulder as sense of comfort

Meera, still frightened but reassured by his presence, nodded. "She's strong, Shiv. She'll be

okay, won't she?" she looked at him with her teary eyes

Shiv's jaw clenched as he glanced at the operating room doors. "She has to be ."

Meera shook her head. "I-I couldn't do enough. She's in there... hurt because I left her

alone."

Shiv crouched down in front of her, his gaze piercing but tender. "It wasn't your fault. And

whoever did this..." His voice grew cold, his jaw tightening. "They'll regret it."

In his chest, a fire burned-not just with anger, but with a deep, unspoken fear. Whoever had

dared harm Arya had crossed a line that could never be uncrossed. And Shiv was determined

to ensure they paid for it, no matter the cost

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