Samyuktika's eyes blazed with anger as she read the note. "Don't think you can escape me that easily." -E.
"Akdu, khadoos!" she cursed, crumpling the paper in her fist.
With a fierce cry, she tore the note into shreds, the fragments scattering across the floor.
"Kya use yeh lagta hai ki wo mere par kabza jamaa sakta hai."Â she fumed. ("Does he think he has control over me?")
Samyuktika's breath came in ragged gasps, her heart pounding with indignation.
"Main usse nahin darne wali," she vowed, her voice trembling. ("I won't fear him.")
She flung the teacup aside, the delicate porcelain shattering on the floor.
The sound echoed through the room, a testament to her fury.
"Ekansh!" she spat, as if the name itself was venom.
Samyuktika's anger consumed her, a wildfire raging out of control.
Samyuktika's fury raged on, her thoughts racing with images of Ekansh's impassive face.
"Woh mere saath Aisa salook kaise kar sakta hai?"Â she seethed. ("How dare he treat me like this?")
She paced the room, her footsteps echoing off the walls.
"Main usse dikhaoongi," she vowed, determination etched on her face. ("I'll show him.")
Suddenly, the door creaked open. The maid entered, concern etched on her face.
"Ma'am, kya aap theek hain?" ("Are you okay, ma'am?")
Samyuktika's anger faltered, replaced by a deep sadness.
"Haan, main theek hoon," she replied softly, her voice cracking. ("Yes, I'm fine.")
The maid hesitated, sensing the tension.
"Kya main kuch kar sakta hoon, ma'am?" ("Can I do something for you, ma'am?")
Samyuktika shook her head.
"Nahin, thank you," she whispered.
As the maid left, Samyuktika's gaze fell on the shattered teacup.
"Aaj se main usse nahin darne wali," she reaffirmed, her voice firmer. ("From today, I won't fear him.")
But as she looked around the opulent room, a nagging doubt crept in.
Was she truly free to defy Ekansh?
Ekansh sat behind his desk, his office shrouded in darkness. The city skyline outside seemed to mock him, its brightness a stark contrast to his inner turmoil.
"I know she must be thinking of escaping from here," he thought, his mind consumed by Samyuktika. "That's why I sent the note."
He poured himself another glass of whiskey, the amber liquid glowing in the dim light. The third bottle was almost empty, yet he couldn't shake off the numbness.
How did he end up in her room last night? The memories were hazy, but the guilt was palpable.
He recalled the way Samyuktika's eyes flashed with fear, the way she pushed him away.
Ekansh's grip on the glass tightened. He had tried to force himself on her.
The shame burned within him, but his ego refused to let him acknowledge it.
"Sorry?" he muttered to himself, the word tasting bitter. "No, I won't apologize."
Ekansh downed the remaining whiskey, feeling the burn course through his veins.
He couldn't afford weakness, not now.
The mansion's silence seemed to close in around him.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
"Sir, Samyuktika is asking for you," his assistant's voice crackled.
Ekansh's gaze snapped to the door.
Was she going to confront him?
His heart quickened, anticipation warring with guilt.
"I'll be right there," he replied, his voice steady.
The game was far from over.
Ekansh rose, squaring his shoulders.
Time to face Samyuktika.
Ekansh entered the mansion, his expression icy and unyielding. He expected Samyuktika to be cowed, but instead, she stood tall, her eyes blazing with venom.
"Mr. Ekansh Rai, you think you can control me this easily? Then you're wrong," she spat, her voice dripping with disdain.
Ekansh's eyebrows arched, surprised by her ferocity.
"What are you talking about, Samyuktika?" he asked, feigning nonchalance.
Samyuktika's laughter was laced with scorn. "Don't play dumb, Ekansh. You know exactly what I'm referring to. The note, your sudden interest in my whereabouts... You think you can manipulate me?"
Ekansh's gaze never wavered, but his mind raced. She was more spirited than he anticipated.
"Samyuktika, Iâ"
"Don't even try to justify yourself," she cut him off, her voice rising. "You think you own me? That I'm some pawn to be used at your whim?"
Ekansh's eyes narrowed. No one had ever dared speak to him like this.
"Samyuktika, you would do well to remember your place," he warned, his tone dripping with menace.
Samyuktika's smile was a razor-sharp slash. "My place? You mean as your prisoner? Your plaything?"
Ekansh's jaw clenched. How dare she.
But Samyuktika continued, unstoppable. "I'll never be that, Ekansh. You may have power, wealth, and influence, but you'll never have control over me."
The air was electric with tension as they locked eyes, the battle lines drawn.
Ekansh's cold demeanor cracked, revealing a glimmer of fascination.
This was a challenge he couldn't resist.
The servants exchanged nervous glances, their eyes wide with fear. They had never seen anyone dare to confront Ekansh Rai like this.
"Is she mad?" one of them whispered. "Does she want to die?"
Another servant nodded, his hands trembling. "Ekansh sir doesn't tolerate disrespect. She's signing her own death warrant."
They watched in horror as Samyuktika continued to defy Ekansh, her words piercing the air like daggers.
"How is he not reacting?" a servant murmured. "Normally, he would have pulled the trigger by now."
The others nodded in agreement. Ekansh's reputation for ruthlessness was well-known.
One misstep, one misword, and you were done.
But Ekansh remained still, his gaze fixed on Samyuktika.
The servants expected to see fury, expected to see the cold calculation of a man about to strike.
Instead, they saw something else - a flicker of interest, a spark of curiosity.
Ekansh's eyes seemed to bore into Samyuktika's very soul, as if daring her to continue.
The servants exchanged uneasy glances.
What was happening?
Why wasn't Ekansh sir unleashing his wrath?
Was Samyuktika somehow immune to his fury?
The uncertainty hung in the air like a challenge, as the confrontation between Ekansh and Samyuktika continued to unfold.
Ekansh's silence was deafening, his gaze never leaving Samyuktika's face. The servants held their collective breath, awaiting the inevitable explosion.
But it didn't come.
Instead, Ekansh's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as he studied Samyuktika.
"You're different," he said finally, his voice low and measured. "Most people cower before me. You... you dare to challenge me."
Samyuktika's defiance didn't waver. "I won't be intimidated. You may have power, but I have my dignity."
Ekansh's lips curled into a sly smile. "Dignity? You're in my mansion, under my protection. You owe me obedience."
Samyuktika's eyes flashed. "I owe you nothing. You've taken everything from me â my freedom, my happiness. I won't give you my self-respect."
The servants exchanged worried glances. Ekansh's smile grew wider, his interest in Samyuktika palpable.
"I think you'll find you're mistaken," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "You see, Samyuktika, you're mine now. And what's mine, I keep."
Samyuktika's face paled, but her voice remained steady. "I'll never be yours."
Ekansh chuckled, the sound sending shivers down the servants' spines.
"We'll see about that," he whispered, his eyes glinting with determination.
The air was heavy with tension as Ekansh took a step closer to Samyuktika, his intentions unclear.
Would he strike, or would he seduce?
The servants held their breath, unsure what would happen next.