Despite Ted's persistent attempts to calm him, Jay’s fury was like a wildfire, spreading uncontrollably. He was ruthlessly chasing down the guy, thrashing him, his fists fueled by a deep, burning anger. Every punch, every swing, came with a raw intensity that left the bystanders frozen in shock.

"If Jay keeps this up, we'll lose any chance of reasoning with these villagers. No one, not even Ted, can stop him." Muskan thought, her heart pounding with fear.

Ignoring the throbbing ache in her injured hand, she pushed herself into a sprint, determined to reach him. "Jay! Stop, Jay!" she called out, her voice hoarse as she struggled to close the distance. 

Finally, after struggling, she reached him. Grabbing him from behind, Muskan pulled his arm with both her hands, trying with all her strength to hold him back. "Stop, Jay! Please!" she pleaded, her voice breaking.

It was always Muskan who could reach him, even in the depths of his rage. Her touch, her voice—something about it pierced through the storm raging inside him and would calm him down in an instant. 

Jay, breathing heavily and fists still clenched, paused. The rage that had consumed him started to fade, like steam rising from a fire doused in water.

Jay, visibly seething with rage, loosened his sleeves and rolled them up as he made his way toward the guy who had thrown the stone. His movements were slow and deliberate, like a storm about to unleash. The crowd parted instinctively, too afraid to intervene, watching with bated breath as the tension escalated.

A little while later, when the villagers had finally backed off from their protest, the team dispersed, sending them on their way. The tension in the air had lightened, but everyone was still on edge. A medical box was brought to Jay and Muskan to treat their injuries.

Riya, eager to help, started to approach them, but Ted gently held her back. “Let them handle it,.” he said quietly. “They need space to discuss the next steps. Besides, they’re the team leaders; they need to strategize.”

In truth, Ted's intention was more personal. He knew Jay and Muskan had unresolved issues, and after the chaos of the day, this might be the perfect moment for them to talk things through without any distractions. Riya, unaware of Ted’s underlying reason, gave a soft nod, understanding his intent.

When they both had fallen after the stone was hurled at them, Jay had grazed his cheek and hand. As they sat together now, Jay carefully applied lotion over Muskan's injured hand, wrapping a bandage around it with gentle precision. His touch was soft, despite the roughness of the situation.

Muskan noticed the cuts and bruises Jay had sustained—some from the fall, others from his impulsive fight with the village boy. Without a word, she grabbed his hand, pulling it toward her with an angry tug. Her frustration was clear.

“Oww!” Jay winced in pain but immediately clamped his mouth shut as Muskan shot him a sharp glare.

“What did you think you were doing? Do you think of yourself as some hero out of a movie or what? Always picking fights? You're not a school kid anymore, Jay. You're the boss of an internationally renowned firm known for its quality. Is this how you plan to represent it? You are such a thickhead when it comes to controlling your anger. Back then and even today.” Muskan’s thoughts screamed at Jay. She didn’t say a single word, just stared at him from time to time.

And still he could understand every single world she said, through her eyes. Unknowingly he softly said."Sorry!” when Muskan was done shouting at him in her mind.

"Hmm?" Muskan looked at him, surprised, as if she hadn’t heard him right.

"Umhmm." Jay quickly shook his head, pretending he hadn’t said anything at all.

As Muskaan finished tending to Jay’s hands, she moved on to his cheek. Taking a fresh piece of cotton, she dampened it with antiseptic and gently wiped his grazed skin. Her movements were careful, yet there was an unspoken tension in the air.

When she leaned in to blow softly on his cheek, their faces came incredibly close. The proximity between them was electric. Muskaan could hear Jay's heart pounding, each beat louder than the last. His warm breath brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. The world around them seemed to blur, leaving just the two of them in that intimate moment, both aware of the unspoken emotions but neither daring to break the silence.

A sudden realization struck Muskan, and she instinctively pulled back, distancing herself from Jay. Without uttering a word, she started packing up the medical supplies, ready to leave. But before she could walk away, Jay gently held her uninjured hand, silently asking her to stay.

“I’m sorry.” Jay began softly, his voice tinged with guilt. “I know you’re angry because I got into a fight with that guy. But Muskan, you know me better than anyone. I just can’t stand by and watch anyone hurt my people, anyone hurting you.”

Muskan stood still, listening to him in silence. There was something about his last words that struck a chord with her, softening her defenses, even if just a little. She didn’t respond right away, but the tension between them shifted.

In the past few days, her interactions with Jay had begun to stir something deep inside her, emotions she had long buried. Muskan, who once kept her feelings hidden not only from the world but even from herself, now found herself slowly awakening. She had confided in her best friend Kareena after that incident, revealing the weight of her emotions for the first time in a decade.

Could Jay's return be stirring the old Muskan back to life?