As the music box's final notes faded, Ekansh's eyes locked onto Samyuktika's, his gaze searching.
"You're the first person to truly listen," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "To understand why my mother's legacy means everything."
Samyuktika's heart swelled with compassion.
"I'll help you protect it," she promised. "Together, we'll ensure Nalini niwas continues to thrive."
Ekansh's face relaxed, a hint of a smile appearing.
"Thank you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Ekansh gestured toward the stairs.
"Let's go downstairs, Samyuktika. You must be exhausted."
Samyuktika nodded, her eyes drooping.
As they entered Ekansh's room, he began arranging pillows between them on the bed.
"I'll keep my distance," he said softly.
But Samyuktika's gaze sparkled with mischief.
"You don't need to do that, Ekansh," she said, her voice teasing. "At this rate, you're going to break that border line anyway."
Ekansh's hands paused, his eyes locking onto hers.
"Is that an invitation?" he asked, his voice low and husky.
Samyuktika's cheeks flushed, but her gaze held his.
"Maybe," she whispered.
The air thickened with tension as Ekansh's eyes burned with desire.
Ekansh and Samyuktika settled into a comfortable silence, their bodies relaxing into the plush bed.
As the night wrapped around them, they surrendered to exhaustion.
Ekansh's arm instinctively wrapped around Samyuktika, pulling her close.
She nestled into his side, her head on his shoulder.
Their breathing synchronized, deepening into a peaceful slumber.
The pillows that once separated them now lay discarded, forgotten.
In the stillness of the night, they found an unexpected sense of belonging.
Their sleep was filled with dreams of a future untainted by Mahindra's manipulation.
Samyuktika's eyes fluttered open, focusing on the clock.
10:00 AM.
"Shit!" she muttered, bolting upright.
She tossed off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
But her urgency was met with an empty room.
Ekansh was nowhere to be seen.
Her gaze landed on a note on the bedside table.
"Had to leave early for a meeting," the scribbled message read. "Ekansh."
Samyuktika sighed, feeling a pang of disappointment.
Being a businessman's wife sucked, she thought.
No lazy mornings, no surprise breakfasts.
Just endless meetings and responsibilities.
She rose from bed, padding barefoot to the bathroom.
As she began her morning routine, her mind wandered to Ekansh.
What kind of meeting could be so important?
And when would he return?
Samyuktika finished her morning routine, wrapping herself in a stunning anarkali suit. Its intricate embroidery sparkled in the sunlight.
After a delicious breakfast, she found herself with nothing to do.
The opulent rooms felt empty, the silence deafening.
She missed the chatter of her students, their laughter and curious questions.
Teaching had been her passion, her identity.
Now, as Ekansh's wife, she felt lost.
Samyuktika wandered to the window, gazing out at the city.
What would her students be doing today?
Were they missing her as much as she missed them?
She sighed, feeling trapped in this luxurious prison.
Her dress by the way:)
.
.
.
Mr. Anirudh Bansal lounged on a plush couch, surrounded by the lavish decor of his penthouse apartment. Two stunning women, dressed in revealing gowns, flanked him, their hands roaming his chest.
As he sipped his wine, he spoke into his phone, his voice dripping with malice.
"That bastard Ekansh Rai thinks he's above me, but I'll show him his place," Anirudh sneered. "Kael couldn't do anything to get the information for me, and neither will Ekansh."
The women giggled, their eyes sparkling with amusement, as they fed him grapes and refilled his glass.
Anirudh's gaze drifted to a photo on his coffee table â Ekansh and Samyuktika's wedding picture.
"A arranged marriage, how...quaint," Anirudh mocked. "Ekansh thinks he's secured his legacy, but I'll rip it apart."
He hung up the call, his mind racing with schemes.
The women leaned in, their lips brushing his ears.
"Tell us, Anirudh, what's your plan?" they purred.
Anirudh's smile grew sinister.
"Ekansh's weakness is his mother's legacy. I'll destroy Nalini Foundation, and watch him burn."
Anirudh Bansal's gaze lingered on the photo of Ekansh and Samyuktika, his eyes burning with resentment.
His mind drifted back to the past, to the events that forged his hatred for Ekansh Rai.
*15 years ago*
Anirudh's father, Rajendra Bansal, was a thriving businessman and a close friend of Mahindra Rai, Ekansh's father.
However, Mahindra's ruthless ambition led him to sabotage Rajendra's ventures, bankrupting him.
Rajendra's downfall drove Anirudh's mother to despair, ultimately leading to her tragic demise.
Young Anirudh vowed to avenge his family's suffering.
As he grew, Anirudh rebuilt his family's empire, fueled by his thirst for revenge against the Rai family.
Ekansh, with his privileged upbringing, became the embodiment of Anirudh's anger.
*Present day*
Anirudh's phone buzzed, snapping him back to reality.
"Sir, our sources indicate Ekansh is planning a high-profile charity gala for Nalini niwas," his assistant reported.
Anirudh's smile grew sinister.
"Perfect. That's where I'll strike."
He turned to the women beside him.
"Prepare the trap. Ekansh Rai will fall, and I'll be the one pulling the strings."
The man, Anirudh's loyal informant, entered the room with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
"Sir, I have news," he said, clearing his throat. "Ekansh Rai has gotten married."
Anirudh's gaze snapped toward the informant, his eyes narrowing.
"To whom?" he demanded, his voice low and urgent.
"Samyuktika, a former teacher from a humble background," the informant replied.
Anirudh's expression twisted in disgust.
"A teacher?" he spat. "Ekansh must be desperate to secure his legacy."
He paced around the room, his mind racing.
"This changes things," Anirudh muttered. "I need to know more about this Samyuktika."
The informant hesitated.
"Sir, there's more. Samyuktika seems...different. She's not like the typical women in Ekansh's social circle."
Anirudh's interest piqued.
"Go on," he commanded.
"Rumors suggest she's kind, genuine, and has a strong sense of justice," the informant said. "Ekansh's associates are whispering about how she's changed him, made him more...human."
Anirudh's eyes flashed with anger.
"That's a weakness I can exploit," he growled.
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