A CONTRACT WITH RAINBOW

Part 15

Late Night - Siddharth's Bedroom
The room is dim. A single bedside lamp glows faintly, casting warm amber light across Siddharth's still figure.

The doctor has just left. A light bandage rests on his thigh. His shirt is off, a thin sheet covers him from waist down. His eyes are closed, but he's not asleep.

The door creaks open slowly.

Shehnaaz entered, barefoot, quiet. Her yellow cute pajama brushed her ankles as she walks in gently, believing he's asleep. A soft sigh escapes her lips as she steps closer.

She sits beside him - slowly - her eyes on him, his stillness, his breath.

Sana (softly):
you burn for me, silently."

Her hand reached out and softly caresses his hair, brushing back a few loose strands from his forehead. It's the most gentle touch he's felt in years.

Siddharth, still pretending to be asleep, keeps his breath even. He doesn't move. He knows - if he shifts, she'll pull away. And this moment... is everything.

For a brief second, all wounds vanish.

Then suddenly, her fingers brush near the burn on his thigh - light, but enough.

He flinches.

His eyes snap open - locking directly with hers.

Shehnaaz gasps.she straight herself but when his hand touched her waist..... Her body trembled, and she gently collapsed against his chest.

Their face just inches apart.

Shehnaaz's eyes fill with tears, one sliding down her cheek before she can stop it.

Sana (whispering):
"You got hurt... for me. Why?"

Sid (quietly):
"You know the answer."

A pause. Silence thickens.

She tries to speak, but her lips tremble. She rests her hand over his chest and this time, he doesn't pull away.

Sana:
"I didn't ask you to... but still, you did. Why do you keep doing this?"

Siddharth (looking away):
"Because when you're in pain... something in me breaks too."

A quiet moment. Heartbeats.

Shehnaaz leans closer, her forehead almost resting against his. Their breath mingles, silence speaking more than words ever could.

She lifts her hand, places it gently on his chest.

Shehnaaz (softly):
"Thank you..."

But suddenly, Siddharth's jaw tightens.

His eyes harden. He pulls away.

Sid (coldly):
"Don't."

Sana (confused):
"What?"

He sits up, pain flaring through his body, but his voice is sharper than any wound.

Sid (furious):
"Don't you dare thank me like I'm some stranger. Like I'm someone who helped you out of kindness. Do you think that's what this is?"

Sana:
Aisa nehi hai pl....

Sid (voice rising):
Tumne kabhi mujhe samjh neke koshish hi nehi ki......tumne socha mai tumhare liye khud ko jala diya ....nehi maine khud ko fir se ak murderer aylan hone bachaya..... samjhe.....jao ab iha se..... mujhe tumse irritation ho raha hai....

She stands, stunned. Her lips part to speak - but a loud knock slices through the tension.

Rohit (from outside, urgent tone):
"Sir! Open the door. It's important!"