The corner street market buzzed with the evening crowd. The smell of fried snacks, fresh vegetables, and dusty asphalt mixed in the cool air.
I clutched my bag a little tighter, weaving through people, wishing I could just disappear among the stalls.
I am actually in hurry to buy groceries as it going to be dark soon.
Then I felt it—a shove from behind.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going, princess!”
I turned, heart skipping.
Three men, rough-looking, with sneers that made my stomach churn, blocked the alleyway.
“Please… I didn’t—” I started, but one of them grabbed my arm.
“Relax, sweetheart. Just having some fun,” another said, smirking.
I tried to pull away, my voice shaking.
“Stop… please…”
Suddenly, a shadow fell over the men.
A deep voice cut through the market noise:
“Touch her again, and you’ll regret it.”
I froze, looking up.
A man—tall, imposing, sharp eyes that could slice glass—stood a few feet away. He wore dark clothes, a leather jacket, and a presence that made the air itself tense.
The rowdies turned, laughter faltering.
“And who’s this?” one asked, stepping closer.
The man didn’t move, didn’t flinch. “I asked nicely.”
Before I could blink, the first man lunged.
He moved in a blur.
In seconds, the rowdies were on the ground, groaning, rubbing sore ribs, completely outmatched.
He didn’t even touch me; he just stood between us, calm, collected, and terrifyingly capable.
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering. “I… I’m okay…” I whispered.
He looked down at me, eyes softening ever so slightly.
“You should be. You’re safe now.”
I wanted to say thank you, but words caught in my throat. Instead, I hugged my bag tighter, my hands trembling.
He crouched slightly, his voice low but teasing: “Hey, don’t look like you just saw a ghost. I promise I’m… mostly friendly.”
I blinked at him, confused. “Mostly… friendly?”
He smirked. “Yes. 100% lethal to idiots who bully women. 0% to innocent girls in corner markets.”
Despite myself, I let out a small laugh. “You’re… weird.”
“Thanks. I try,” he said, straightening, eyes scanning the market as if expecting more trouble.
Then he looked back at me. “Are you hurt? Anyone touch you?”
I shook my head. “No… I’m fine.”
“Good. Stay close,” he said, glancing around.
“Markets aren’t as safe as they look. Especially for… bright, tiny human like you.”
I blinked. “Tiny human?”
He grinned. “Yeah. Cute, small, bookish… the kind I like to protect.”
My cheeks heated. “I—” I stopped myself. He was teasing, but there was something genuine in the way he said it.
Protective. Caring. Somehow… safe.
“Come on,” he said, nodding toward the exit. “I’ll make sure you get home without any more surprises.”
As we walked, I realized something strange.
For the first time in a long time, I felt… not alone. Not scared. Somehow, this dangerous, teasing man felt like… a big brother I didn’t know I needed.
And I think he noticed my little smiles because he smirked, muttering, “Yeah… I like this. I could get used to being your unofficial bodyguard.”
I laughed quietly, shaking my head. “Unofficial… right.”
“Okay,” he said finally, stepping closer, “let’s do this properly. I’m not just a random scary guy who punches bullies.”
I stared at him, unsure if I should be scared or relieved. “You… you saved me.”
He shrugged, casual, like saving people was nothing. “Yeah. That’s what I do. Name’s Viyaan Sharma.”
I blinked. “Viyaan…” I repeated softly, tasting the name. Strong. Steady. Somehow… safe.
“Now, tell me your name, little human. So your big brother knows who he’s looking out for.”
Myself ,"Ritika Mehra". I told him.
He nodded, as if the name suited her perfectly. “
Despite myself, I smiled, feeling a strange comfort in his presence.
"I… thank you, Viyaan. For… everything.”
He waved it off, but his eyes softened.
“No need. Just remember, little sister—if the world tries to scare you, you’ve got me. And I don’t scare easily.”
As the market lights flickered around us, I realized something: for the first time in my life, danger didn’t feel like the only constant.
There was protection, there was care… and now, there was a bond. A brotherhood.
And somehow, I knew it was only the beginning.
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