The fluorescent lights of the Mumbai airport seemed too bright, too harsh for a goodbye. Kavya couldn't stop her tears as the final boarding call for the flight to Rajahmundry echoed through the terminal. She launched herself at Vikram, clinging to him.

"Vellodhu pappu"(Don't go, Pappu)she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Please. I have a really bad feeling about this".

Vikram held her tight, his own heart heavy. "Hey, I'll be fine, Akka. It's my job. Don't worry."

"This isn't your job, this is personal!" she argued, pulling back to look at him, her eyes pleading.

Their father, Raghuram, stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Vikram's shoulder. His face was a mask of conflicting emotions-a lifetime of pain warring with a fragile flicker of hope. "Listen, Vikram," he said quietly. "All I ask is this... It's okay if you can't make our family one again. I've lived with this for 28 years." He paused, his voice trembling slightly. "But please... don't increase the distance more."

The words landed with immense weight. It wasn't a request for a miracle, but a plea to prevent more damage. Vikram nodded, unable to speak past the lump in his throat. "I'll be careful, Nanna. I promise."

He gave his sister one last hug, touched his father's feet for blessings, and walked towards security, never once looking back.

As the car sped through the green, unfamiliar landscape of coastal Andhra, Vikram felt a world away from Mumbai. He had informed Anand of his transfer, but the reality was just now sinking in. He was here. He was alone. His mind, seeking a distraction from the heavy mission ahead, drifted to the one chaotic, bright spot from the last few days. He pulled out his phone.

Vikram:Anand. Send me the pictures you took.

The reply was almost instant.

Anand:Which one, Superman? The one where she is hugging you or the one where she is kissing you? 😉

Vikram:reyy... Just send me the pics

Vikram switched the phone off, but a small, reluctant smile played on his lips.

---

Meanwhile, in a Mumbai hostel room, Ananya woke up with a pounding headache.

"Abba! Enti intha darunam ga vasthundhi headache." (Oh man! Why is this headache so terrible?)

Radhika walked in with a glass of lemon juice, looking far too cheerful. "Here, drink this. It might help the massive hangover you earned last night."

Ananya gratefully drank the juice. "Ugh, Radha, tell me what happened. After that juice Vishal gave me, everything is a blur. Did I do something stupid?"

Radhika sat on the bed, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Stupid? No. You starred in your own action-romance movie!" When Ananya looked confused, Radhika leaned in.

"Okay, listen. It was actually scary, Anu. That creepy Vishal followed us to the parking lot. He pushed me down hard, and he was dragging you to his car. You were trying to fight back but you were too dizzy."

Ananya's eyes widened in horror. "He what?"

"Yeah. And then, out of nowhere, this guy just appeared," Radhika continued, her voice full of drama. "He didn't shout or anything. He just grabbed Vishal's wrist, and Vishal cried out in pain. The guy was tall, so you just stumbled back right into his chest. That's when he slapped Vishal. Anu, the sound of it! It echoed in the whole parking lot! And then you started clapping and telling your hero to kick him, so he did!"

Ananya buried her face in her hands. "Oh my god, no."

"YES! And when Vishal tried to act tough, your hero leaned in and said in this super cold voice, 'DCP Vikram Ramineni'. Just like that. It was amazing! Then he called his team, and they just dragged Vishal away like a sack of garbage."

Ananya peeked through her fingers. "And... and then?"

"And then you hugged him, called him your Superman, and kissed him on the cheek!" Radhika finished with a flourish.

The full weight of her actions hit Ananya. She flopped back onto the bed, covering her face with a pillow and screaming into it. "I kissed a DCP! A DCP! I am the biggest idiot in the world!" She sat up suddenly. "Hey, do you know where he lives? Or which station? Any phone number?"

Radhika raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Why? Planning a sequel? You want to kiss him again?"

"Shut up! It's not like that!" Ananya said, her cheeks turning bright pink. "I have to say thank you to him properly! And apologize! He saved me,Radha. It's the right thing to do."

"Riiight. 'The right thing'," Radhika teased. "Sorry, no idea. He's not my 'handsome policeman'. Now get up, we have an exam, or have you forgotten?"

Ananya groaned and dragged herself to the bathroom, but her mind was a whirlwind. All she could see was a flash of angry eyes, the feeling of a strong arm keeping her steady, and a deep voice that made her feel instantly safe.

She came out a few minutes later, wrapped in a towel, and tried to sound casual. "Hey, Radha.. what was his name again?"

Radhika looked up from her phone, smirking. "Whose? The villain's or the hero's?"

"Tell me, na!" Ananya whined.

"You didn't even change your clothes just came from washroom in a towel and asking his name what amma what's happening amma" Radhika teased her.

"Radha.... " Ananya lifted a pillow ready to hit her.

Radhika laughed. "Okay, okay. His name is Vikram."

Ananya turned away, pretending to search for her clothes."Vikram". The name felt nice. Strong. She couldn't stop the small, secret smile that spread across her face.