Chapter 5: The Kiss and the Choice

There was more than one bodyguard in the ward, and they all started complaining without fear:

A chorus of voices rose up—each bodyguard emboldened by the others, as if the power of the full moon had loosened their tongues and their loyalty.

"Exactly, last month’s full moon, who was it staring at Miss Sharma’s photo on his phone, longing until he lost his mind, muttering her name, probably dreaming of her too, right?"

"And the full moon before that, you parked your car outside Miss Sharma’s hostel all night. How many times did you want to rush in, only to freeze at the door? Even a tortoise would call you father!"

Their teasing was the kind you’d hear in a Punjabi joint family—loud, loving, merciless. But underneath, their affection and worry for Kunal was clear as day.

"If we don’t say it, Miss Sharma will never know. Do you really want to endure alone for a lifetime?"

"Chup karo, I can endure!" Kunal said coldly, lowering his eyes!

The doctor stood by, anxious:

"Endure my foot! If you keep enduring, you won’t see tomorrow’s sunrise! Beautiful lady, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and help him!"

The bodyguards by the bed bowed to me again, full of respect!

But, "What should I do? I don’t know how!"

The doctor, snapping his gloves with impatience, looked like he’d rather be at home watching the cricket match. He said, “Beta, this is not the time to be shy, samjhi? Kiss him!”

I’m quite shy, my face flushed red!

For a moment, I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole. My cheeks burned hotter than a tandoor, and my heart raced like the last train at Dadar station.

Standing by the bed, I didn’t know how to kiss this man who always kept people at arm’s length!

The bodyguard suddenly called out:

"Miss Sharma, do you know how the young master was injured? The day before yesterday, there was a fire in your college auditorium. Weren’t you trapped, almost suffocated by the smoke? Let me tell you, it was the young master who saved you! Because of the mark, the young master can sense his partner’s danger! He ignored everyone’s attempts to stop him, rushed into the fire to find you, and when he carried you out, was hit by a falling beam, his entire back caught fire! But he still endured the pain, used his last bit of strength to carry you out, and was then intercepted by the second young master! The second young master saw the young master carry you out, immediately rushed over and took you from his arms. If he cared so much, why didn’t he go in and save you himself?"

What?

I couldn’t believe it—Kunal was injured like this?

I remember waking up from a coma the day before yesterday, and Rohan was by my side! I thought it was Rohan who saved me!

Too much information today—I have no time to be shy!

Forget it, saving a life comes first!

In desperation, I leaned over Kunal! Stared at his lips and kissed him hard!

"Don’t touch!" Kunal’s tone was fierce, keeping people away, but his hands gripped the bedsheet tighter, his Adam’s apple bobbing, his eyes reddening alarmingly!

That scene—a wounded lion in bed—was truly tempting to crime!

But his tone grew colder: "Ananya, do you know what you’re doing? Normally, when you see me, you want to hide as far away as possible. Don’t do something you don’t want to do just to repay a favour. And don’t listen to their nonsense—it’s useless. You kiss me, I feel nothing."

But the doctor suddenly shouted excitedly:

"It’s working! The wolf blood is flowing out slower! Miss Sharma, hurry, keep kissing! The young master’s body is more honest than his mouth—kiss him hard for me!"

The doctor’s excited words were like a slap to Kunal’s stubborn mouth!

Kunal looked uncomfortable, and for a moment even buried his face in the quilt! He was actually shy? Both his ears were red enough to drip blood!

The bodyguards were all crying with joy, egging me on:

One of them actually wiped his eyes, sniffling as if he’d just watched the climax of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

"I knew bringing Miss Sharma would work! Miss Sharma, from now on, don’t believe a word the young master says. He’s just a fake tough guy—says no but craves it inside! Look, even his ears are red, his voice is hoarse and almost on fire. The young master is just shy, doesn’t want to trouble you. Who told you to only have the second young master in your heart!"

Kunal lifted his head, glaring coldly at the bodyguards: "Chup!"

Unfortunately, for his life, the bodyguards collectively ignored his angry glare!

I took the opportunity to boldly turn Kunal’s handsome face toward me! Held the back of his head and directly sealed his lips!

No matter how stubborn he is, he saved me twice—I can’t be indifferent! Even less can I let him down!

The moment our lips touched, I clearly felt Kunal tremble with emotion all over!

But he still clung to the last shred of reason:

"Ananya, can’t you understand plain language? I don’t need you to repay me out of gratitude like this! What do you take me for, Kunal, someone who needs your charity?"

My eyes grew moist:

The weight of his words pressed down on me, and I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. My throat tightened, but I spoke anyway, voice trembling with emotion that had nowhere else to go.

"Bhaiya Kunal, I’m willing—there’s not a bit of reluctance!"

I grabbed his hand and pressed it to my heart!

His pupils shrank suddenly, as if he’d touched something he shouldn’t! Don’t look, don’t touch! He tried hard to pull his hand back! But I held his hand and wouldn’t let go:

"Bhaiya Kunal, feel my heart! There’s really not a bit of reluctance here, don’t feel pressured!"

Kunal’s Adam’s apple bobbed even faster, suppressing himself harder:

"Don’t lie to me, I know your heart only has my younger brother Rohan! Earlier, when the bodyguard called you, I overheard! You said, tonight Rohan needs you more!"

I wanted to explain, but Kunal’s phone on the bedside suddenly rang!

I glanced at the screen—it was Rohan!

Kunal also glanced at the phone and swiped to answer:

"Rohan, what’s up?"

Rohan’s equally pained voice came from the phone:

"Bhaiya, tonight I awakened my werewolf trait, it’s so hard! But that brat Ananya still hasn’t come! I thought I could endure it, but I overestimated myself!"

Kunal looked at me: "Ananya, she..."

I immediately kissed Kunal’s lips, blocking the words he was about to say!

Because I took the initiative again and again, Kunal lost control, his pupils shrinking sharply! His big strong hand instinctively held the back of my head, as if wanting more! But soon, reason overcame impulse! He pushed me away, not having time to say I was here!

On the phone, Rohan’s complaint came:

"Of course I know Ananya is just stuck in traffic! She must be dying to come help me now! Her heart is about to go crazy with happiness! But things that are too easy to get always feel like they’re missing something! I really don’t want her to take advantage of my vulnerability, and be forced to treat her as my only partner for life. Why are we werewolves destined to be so loyal in love?"

Kunal’s eyes, red and frightening, flashed with surprise and anger:

"You don’t want to be devoted to her? Then why did you tease her since childhood?"

Rohan spoke to his brother without reservation:

"I was young then, hadn’t seen other women! Didn’t know how wonderful the world outside was!"

"Rohan!" Kunal suddenly called his brother’s name sternly: "If you don’t cherish her, don’t blame me for cherishing her!"

The room fell silent, save for the distant sound of an ambulance siren and the gentle hum of the ceiling fan above. His hand was warm in mine, the roughness of his palm grounding me, even as my heart threatened to leap out of my chest. For the first time, it felt like all the secrets, all the heartbreaks and sacrifices, had finally come tumbling into the open, as inevitable and messy as Holi colours staining your favourite kurta.

And as Kunal’s grip tightened around my hand, I realised—some stains, once made, never fade.