Haruv’s eyes were only on her.

For a moment, even the gangsters seemed to freeze—confused by his sudden appearance, startled by the quiet force in his stance.

Haruv gently pulled Ashi back onto her feet, making sure she was standing properly.

Before she could even breathe, the gangsters started moving again—slow at first, then faster, circling closer.

Without a second thought, Haruv stepped forward.

Positioned himself in front of her.

A silent shield.

The first punch came without warning.

And so did the second.

The fight broke out instantly.

Fists clashed. Bodies collided. Shoes scraped against the road. Haruv fought with raw instinct, every move driven by one purpose alone—

Don’t let them touch her.

Ashi’s heart was hammering violently.

Her eyes scanned the road desperately—and then she saw it.

A wooden stick, lying near the curb.

Without thinking twice, she grabbed it and ran forward.

She swung it with all the strength she had.

Once.

Twice.

A gangster staggered back with a curse.

But in the chaos—

One of them struck Haruv hard.

He stumbled.

Blood trickled from the side of his head.

Ashi saw red.

Rage exploded inside her.

“STOP IT!” she screamed.

Her voice tore through the street like lightning.

The gangsters froze for half a second.

Then fear took over.

One by one, they turned and ran.

Vanishing into the dark.

Silence crashed down suddenly.

Ashi rushed to Haruv’s side.

He was swaying slightly.

Blood was still seeping slowly from his head.

Her breath shook.

“You’re hurt… you’re bleeding…”

What she didn’t notice—

Was how his hands had moved to his ears.

How his breathing had changed.

The sharp echo of her scream was tearing through him.

But Ashi didn’t know that.

All she saw was the blood.

“Please… come with me,” she said softly, her voice trembling, “Let me take you to your home…”

Haruv lifted his eyes slowly.

And nodded.