Chapter 48: Chapter Fourty Four.

Arjun’s footsteps echoed with authority as he strode up the grand driveway toward the sprawling Madhav mansion.

The guards outside stiffened at his presence, bowing slightly in acknowledgment before opening the ornate double doors. Every maid and servant froze for a moment, bowing as he passed by.

His sharp, focused gaze didn’t waver as he walked into the drawing room.

Inside, his father, Mr. Madhav, sat comfortably on a luxurious armchair, a steaming cup of tea in one hand and a file in the other.

Beside him stood a sharply dressed young man. Mr. Madhav sensed his son’s presence before looking up, a sly smile curling on his lips.

“Well, well.” he said, setting down his tea. “If this isn’t a surprise. You couldn’t give us a heads-up? I’d have thrown a welcome party. Your mother would’ve been thrilled.” He chuckled, the weight of his words laced with sarcasm.

As if on cue, Mrs. Madhav entered the room, her sari flowing elegantly behind her. Her face lit up when she saw Arjun.

“Oh, my handsome boy.” she greeted warmly, her eyes softening. Arjun immediately bent to touch her feet in a gesture of respect.

“Bless you, my son.” she said with a fond smile, though her tone turned playful.

“But coming home unannounced? You didn’t even tell your mother?” She raised an eyebrow in mock scolding.

“Sorry, Ma.” Arjun replied, his tone measured. “I’ve just had a lot on my plate lately.”

She clicked her tongue, waving off his excuse with a knowing look.

Mr. Madhav leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Speaking of what’s on your plate, how’s my daughter-in-law doing?”

The question was casual but deliberate, causing Arjun to pause and Mrs. Madhav to whip her head toward her husband in shock.

“Daughter-in-law?” she repeated, her voice rising. She looked between her husband and Arjun, confusion evident on her face.

“What’s going on here? Who are you talking about?”

Arjun’s cold gaze flicked from his father to his mother, his jaw tightening. Before he could answer, his mother’s expression shifted to suspicion.

“Wait a minute.” she said, her voice growing sharper. “Are you dating someone? And you didn’t tell me?” Her tone was incredulous, her eyes narrowing at her son.

“Ma…” Arjun began, his tone laced with frustration.

“Dating?” Mr. Madhav interjected with a booming laugh. “Does your son look like the type to date anyone?”

The subtle jab made Arjun’s fists clench at his sides, but he remained silent, his mother’s confusion deepening.

“Wait, what?” she asked, glancing between the two men. “If he’s not dating, then why—”

“I said daughter-in-law.” Mr. Madhav interrupted smoothly, handing the file he had been reading to the young man beside him. Rising from his chair, he smirked. “Our son is getting married soon.”

The words hung in the air for a moment before Mrs. Madhav blinked rapidly, trying to process.

“Married? Arjun? Wait… is this about Suhana?” she asked, her brows furrowing.

“No.” Arjun growled lowly, his tone sharp and final.

“Then who—”

“Do you remember that beautiful young girl Siddhartha brought to my birthday party?” Mr. Madhav asked, his voice calm but pointed.

Recognition dawned on her face immediately. “Oh, yes! Of course, I remember her. That lovely girl”

Mr. Madhav chuckled at her excitement.

Her eyes widened as a bright smile broke across her face. “Wait… is it her?”

Mr. Madhav nodded slightly, amused by her reaction.

“Oh my God!” she exclaimed, clasping her hands together.

“She’s perfect! When can I meet her again? Arjun, why didn’t you bring her to see me?” Her joy quickly turned to mock outrage.

“Ma, please, enough.” Arjun groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“No, it’s not enough!” she shot back, her tone rising. “You’ve been seeing her and didn’t think your own mother deserved to know? And now you’re planning a wedding? Without me? Am I not your mother anymore?” Her glare intensified as she began to scold him further.

Arjun, visibly frustrated, groaned again, muttering, “This is exactly why I didn’t tell you.”

Mrs. Madhav ignored him, now lost in thoughts of Meera.

“Oh, I need to plan the most beautiful wedding! And she’ll look stunning in the family jewels…”

Mr. Madhav chuckled, watching his wife’s enthusiasm with mild amusement while Arjun remained rooted in place, his expression dark.

"Ma, please relax." Arjun said, his voice steady, though an edge of frustration peeked through. "We’ll talk about this later, okay?"

His mother stopped mid-step, turning back to him with a curious look. "I want to meet her. What’s her name again, though? Is it Mahira or..."

The name danced on the edge of Arjun’s mind, and Meera’s beautiful face flashed before his eyes. For a brief second, the softness in his gaze betrayed his usually stoic demeanor, but he quickly masked it.

“Meera.” he said, almost too softly, as though speaking her name gave him a strange kind of solace.

His mother’s face lit up like a festival. “Oh, wow! Meera—a beautiful name for a beautiful woman!” She clasped her hands together, her excitement spilling over.

“Mom.” Arjun interrupted gently, attempting to steer her enthusiasm.

“I need to talk to Dad right now. We’ll discuss this later, okay? And yes, you’ll meet her soon, I promise.”

Her grin widened, her joy nearly childlike.

“Oh, sure, sure! I’ll leave you boys to talk. But, oh my God, I need to visit the temple to thank the gods. My son, in love? I can’t believe it!” She practically floated out of the room, mumbling to herself about blessings and wedding plans.

The room grew quiet as Arjun turned to face his father.

“Haha.” Mr. Madhav chuckled, setting his tea down with a smirk. “She’s going to be devastated when she realizes that the girl you’re absolutely crazy about doesn’t have even the faintest feelings for you.”

Arjun’s jaw clenched tightly, his dark eyes narrowing dangerously.

“She will.” he growled, his voice low and full of unshakable resolve.

“Alright, alright.” his father said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

“So, what’s so pressing that it brings my son to my estate today? I assume it’s not just to share the good news about your nonexistent love life.”

“Luthra.” Arjun said coldly, the single name dripping with menace.

His father’s easy demeanor faltered slightly as he frowned, his brows knitting together.

“Luthra?” he repeated, his voice tinged with curiosity. “Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in years. A man not to be trifled with. Why are you so concerned about him?”

Arjun’s fist tightened at his side as he ground out a single name, “Ranveer.”

Recognition flickered across Mr. Madhav’s face, followed by mild surprise.

“Ranveer?” he echoed. “Now, that’s interesting, why search him and also with much anger.. except... Ranveer Luthra. He’s her fiancé, isn’t he?”

The deliberate way his father said it felt like a taunt. Arjun’s glare was sharp enough to cut steel.

“She won’t marry him.” Arjun said through gritted teeth, his voice trembling with both anger and determination.

“Son, you’re dealing with dangerous waters here.” his father cautioned, though a smirk still played on his lips.

“Ranveer Luthra isn’t someone who lets go easily. Neither is his family. He’s powerful, connected, and ruthless—a lot like us.”

“I don’t care who he is.” Arjun snapped, his tone laced with venom. “Meera belongs to me. Ranveer is a problem, and problems can be... solved.”

His father raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his son’s ferocity. “Be careful, Arjun. This isn’t just about muscle or money. Ranveer’s reach extends far beyond what you might think. If you intend to make a move, you better be prepared for a war.”

“The war already begin.” Arjun growled, his voice dark and unwavering. “No one—no one—takes what’s mine.”

Mr. Madhav leaned forward, studying his son intently. “You’ve got fire in you, boy. But fire burns everything, including the one wielding it. Just remember that.”

Arjun didn’t flinch, his resolve unshaken. "I don’t need advice. I need results."

His father chuckled again, shaking his head. “You really are something else. Fine. Do what you must. Just remember—the Luthras don’t play fair. Neither should you.”

Arjun’s lips curled into a dark smirk, his eyes glinting with a dangerous mix of obsession and determination. “I never do.”

"Come to think of it." Mr. Madhav began, his tone laced with sarcasm, "this Meera girl sure knows how to wrap powerful men around her little finger. Quite the talent, isn’t it? And here I thought she didn’t like criminal types. Isn’t that her whole family’s moral stance?" He rolled his eyes dramatically, leaning back in his chair.

Arjun’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening. “She doesn’t know who he is.” he said coldly. “To her, he’s just the charming, loving guy she remembers from her childhood. A mask.”

Mr. Madhav raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “Oh, so they’ve known each other for a while, huh? Childhood ties. That’s… significant.” He tapped his fingers on the armrest thoughtfully.

Arjun’s eyes narrowed, his voice dropping into a menacing growl. “I don’t care how long they’ve known each other.”

“Hmm...” his father mused, tilting his head slightly. “I’ll say it again—be careful. Ranveer Luthra may play the polished gentleman, but he’s far from harmless. He’s as cunning as they come. And let me tell you something interesting—years ago, there were whispers about him being obsessed with a girl. I never connected the dots before, but now it makes sense. That girl… it might be her.”

Arjun stiffened, his fists clenching at his sides. His father noticed and continued, his tone more serious now.

“Ranveer’s dangerous, Arjun. He’s like a scorpion—small, seemingly unassuming, but extremely venomous. The kind of man who strikes when you least expect it. Don’t underestimate him.”

Arjun’s mind raced. He’d been digging into Ranveer’s background ever since he discovered his connection to Meera.

The deeper he looked, the more unsettling truths he uncovered. Ranveer wasn’t just another competitor; he was a man who had built an empire from nothing, a man whose network stretched far and wide.

His charm was a façade, hiding a calculating and ruthless personality.

Arjun’s gaze drifted to the window, his thoughts turbulent. He couldn’t stand the idea of Ranveer anywhere near Meera. The mere thought of it made his blood boil.

His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. He glanced down at the screen, his sharp eyes scanning the message:

“We have him, boss.”

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Arjun’s lips. He slid the phone back into his pocket and stood abruptly.

“I have to go. Something urgent came up.” he said, turning toward the door.

Mr. Madhav watched his son’s retreating figure with a smirk.

“Just be careful” he called after him. “But remember, I’m always behind you.”

Arjun didn’t respond, his steps purposeful as he exited the room. Whatever the situation, he was ready to face it head-on. Ranveer might think he was untouchable, but he’d learn soon enough—no one can have what belongs to Arjun Madhav and got away unscathed.

♡♡♡

Meera paced the length of her room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand as she repeatedly dialed Ranveer’s number.

Each time, it rang without an answer, and her anxiety only grew.

With a frustrated groan, she slumped onto the bed, where a few of Veda’s clothes lay neatly folded, waiting to be packed into her luggage.

Veda, sitting cross-legged on the floor, glanced up from organizing her belongings.

“You really need to chill, Di.” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Maybe he’s just busy. It hasn’t even been 24 hours. If you’re that worried, why not just call his mom?”

Meera sighed deeply, running a hand through her hair.

“I don’t know, Veda. I just have this... feeling. Like something’s wrong. What if Arjun—”

“Okay, stop right there.” Veda interjected, holding up her hand.

“You’re spiraling, and it’s not helping. Ranveer’s fine. He has a ton of businesses to manage, and people like him probably go hours-sometimes days–without checking their phones. Instead of pacing around like a headless chicken—”

Meera shot her a glare.

“Fine.” Veda said, smirking. “Instead of worrying yourself sick, why not send him a message on WhatsApp? Or even an SMS. If he doesn’t reply by tomorrow, then you can escalate—visit his office, call his parents, whatever. But seriously, relax for now.”

Meera thought about it for a moment, then let out another sigh.

“You’re probably right.” she admitted, reaching for her phone. With shaky fingers, she typed out a brief message to Ranveer, asking if everything was okay.

She hesitated before hitting send, but Veda’s reassuring smile gave her the nudge she needed.

“See? Easy.” Veda said, flashing her a grin. “He’ll respond. And it’s going to be fine, okay?”

Meera nodded, offering a small smile in return, though the worry in her chest didn’t completely dissipate.

As she put her phone aside, her eyes landed on Veda, who was carefully folding a blouse.

“I’m worried about you too.” Meera admitted. “Are you sure you’ll be okay? You’re leaving home for the first time, moving to a whole new place…”

Veda paused, her expression softening.

“Di, I’m leaving to chase my dream...” she said with quiet determination. “And maybe… like Papa said, it’s better to be away from him for a while too. I’m not going to lie–it’s scary. Really scary. But I think it’s what I need to do right now.”

Meera’s heart ached for her younger sister, and she reached out, pulling Veda into a tight hug. “Please be safe.” she whispered.

Veda hugged her back with a laugh. “Don’t worry about me! I’ll be fine. And I promise I’m coming back for your wedding, no matter what. I don’t care if I have an exam that day–you’re way more important.”

Meera chuckled, her eyes misting with unshed tears. “You better keep that promise. And remember, I’m just a phone call away. Always.”

As Veda returned to packing, Meera glanced at her phone one more time, silently praying for a reply from Ranveer. Somewhere deep in her heart, though, unease continued to churn.

Just then, a soft knock echoed from the door, breaking the sisters’ moment.

Meera and Veda both turned their heads toward the entrance, and their father stepped into the room, his presence warm yet tinged with an undercurrent of melancholy.

“Hey, Papa.” Meera greeted with a gentle smile, trying to mask the concern that crept into her voice.

“How are my beautiful girls doing?” he asked with a cheerful tone that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

His attempt at happiness was evident, but Meera and Veda could easily spot the sadness lingering behind his words.

“We’re good, Papa.” Veda said, standing up to embrace him. “Just packing up my things. You know, the big move and all.”

He smiled softly as he hugged her back, patting her head like he used to.

“Ah, yes. My brave girl is leaving the nest.” he said with a chuckle that lacked its usual vigor. He looked at Meera, who was sitting on the bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

“And you, Meera? How are you holding up? Ranveer reached out yet?” he asked, his eyes searching hers for an answer.

Meera hesitated, but her father’s kind gaze made her sigh. “I’m okay, Papa. And no, still nothing.. I'm Just... a little worried. About Veda, about everything.”

He walked over and sat beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder.

“It’s normal to worry. I trust Ranveer is fine and will reach out later,  who knows he might be busy. And also you have to trust that Veda will find her way, just like you have.”

Veda, ever the optimist, chimed in with a grin. “Papa, don’t worry. I’ll be fine,also it’ll be with big stories to tell and maybe even a little success to show off.”

Their father laughed, this time with a bit more sincerity. “I don’t doubt that for a second, my little firecracker. You’ve always been the bold one.”

Veda smiled proudly, but the mood shifted as their father’s expression turned thoughtful.

“You know.” he began, his voice quieter, “I’m proud of both of you. You’ve grown into strong, resilient women. But seeing you both take on these challenges... it reminds me how fast time flies. It feels like just yesterday you were running around the house, fighting over toys.”

“Now we’re fighting over whose turn it is to help clean the kitchen and do some groceries shopping.” Veda joked, lightening the mood.

Their father chuckled, his eyes sparkling with fondness. “Some things never change, I suppose.”

“But, Papa.” Meera said softly, “are you okay? You seem... I don’t know, a little down.”

He hesitated for a moment, clearly debating whether to share what was on his mind. Finally, he sighed.

“It’s hard letting go, even when you know it’s the right thing. Seeing Veda leave, knowing Meera will soon be starting a new chapter of her own... it’s bittersweet. But don’t worry about me. My job is to support you both, and I’ll always do that, no matter what.”

Meera and Veda exchanged a glance before leaning in to hug their father.

“We’ll be okay, Papa.” Meera said softly. “And so will you.”

He held them both tightly, as if trying to soak in the moment. “I know. I just love you both so much. That’s all.”

For a moment, the room was filled with warmth and quiet understanding, unaware of the danger ahead.