Chapter 56: Chapter Fifty One.

Crazynotgonnalie Happy Belated birthday🔥🎊🎀 Honey!♥️🌹 I wish you the very best in life, in good health and Wealth.

Sorry it's coming Late honey!

♤♤♤

Back to the story!:)

♤♤♤

"Ahh! Are you ready for this evening?" Jiya's voice was practically buzzing with excitement over the phone.

Meera forced a small smile as she adjusted the phone against her ear.

"Yes." she replied, though her voice lacked the enthusiasm Jiya was hoping for.

"You want me to come pick you up?" Jiya offered cheerfully, her eagerness shining through.

Meera sighed, looking out of her window at the overcast sky. "No, Jiya, don’t worry about it. I’ll manage" she said softly.

But the truth was far more complex. Meera couldn’t even remember the last time she had felt genuinely excited about anything.

Everything felt like a blur—Veer’s obsessive behavior, Arjun’s Obsessed cryptic advances, the constant turmoil weighing down her every breath.

"Hey, babe, are you okay?" Jiya’s tone shifted, her concern evident.

Meera, lost in her thoughts for a moment, hummed distractedly. "Uh-huh."

Jiya wasn’t buying it. "Meera, seriously. Are you okay? You didn’t even look good earlier at school today. You seemed... distant."

"Just stress, Jiya. Trust me, I’m fine." Meera lied, her voice steady despite the chaotic storm in her heart. "I need to get back to work now. I’ll see you tonight, okay?"

Jiya groaned a little, clearly unconvinced, but let it slide.

"Fine. Take care, Meera." she said before ending the call.

As soon as the line disconnected, Meera lowered the phone from her ear and gripped it tightly, her fingers trembling slightly.

She closed her eyes, exhaled deeply, and turned back to pick up the book she saw on the table, she absently returned it to the shelf.

The weight of the world seemed to rest squarely on her shoulders, and there was no escaping it.

♡♡♡

Veer stood in the middle of the lavish drawing room, his presence imposing despite the fading bruises on his face.

His mother, Mrs. Luthra, watched him nervously, wringing her hands as she tried to reason with him.

"Son, you need to let her go." she said gently but firmly, trying to temper the storm she could see building in him.

"Remember, this is Arjun we’re talking about. You can’t just—"

"Ma, please." Veer snapped, his tone ice-cold. "Who cares if it’s Arjun? Meera was mine first."

His jaw tightened, and his hands clenched into fists. The injuries he’d sustained were almost fully healed, but the fire in his eyes told a different story.

"Why are you so fixated on Meera now?" his mother pressed, her confusion apparent.

"Back then, you didn’t even show the slightest interest. We asked you repeatedly if you had feelings for her, and all you ever said was, ‘She’s just a friend.’"

"Exactly." chimed in Mr. Luthra, his tone calm but pointed. "You shocked us when you suddenly declared that you wanted to marry her. What changed, Veer?"

Veer froze for a moment before a slow, sinister grin spread across his face.

Then, out of nowhere, he began to laugh—a laugh so chilling, so unhinged, that it made the air in the room grow heavier. It wasn’t joy; it was the kind of laugh that could freeze blood in its tracks.

His mother stepped back instinctively, her face pale. "Veer...?"

"You’ll see soon enough." Veer said darkly, his voice brimming with madness.

He turned on his heel, heading for the door. "Excuse me. I’m going to see Meera."

Mrs. Luthra’s eyes widened in alarm as she looked at her husband.

"Are you just going to let him leave like this? He’s not in his right mind!" she pleaded.

Mr. Luthra, unbothered, sipped his coffee and folded his newspaper neatly. He finally looked up at his wife, his cold, calculating gaze pinning her in place.

"You know your son." he said simply, his tone void of emotion.

Mrs. Luthra swallowed hard, a chill running down her spine. She did know Veer. She had seen glimpses of his psychopathy over the years—the rage, the manipulation, the absolute obsession when he fixated on something. And now, all of that was directed at Meera.

Her husband went back to his paper as if nothing had happened, but Mrs. Luthra couldn’t shake the growing dread in her chest.

Veer’s madness was a storm waiting to break, and she feared it would leave nothing but destruction in its wake.

♡♡♡

Meera rushed out of the library, clutching her bag tightly. She needed to get home, She was running late.

But the moment she pushed the door open and stepped outside, she came to an abrupt halt.

Standing right in front of her was Veer.

Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes locked with his. For a moment, the world seemed to freeze.

"Ranveer." she said, her voice trembling slightly.

His smile faltered, shifting into a frown. Meera never called him by his full name. To her, he had always been

"Veer." Hearing his full name felt cold and impersonal–a deliberate wall she was putting between them.

"Why are you here?" she asked, her voice steadier this time, though her unease was clear. She shifted her stance, inching away from him.

Veer’s eyes narrowed slightly before softening, the corners of his lips curling back into a familiar smile.

But now, that smile no longer warmed Meera; it only sent chills down her spine.

"Well, hello to you too, Meera." he said, his voice smooth but laced with an edge that made her uneasy.

Meera forced a polite smile, masking the fear she felt deep inside.

"Hi. Excuse me, I have to go."

She tried to move past him, but Veer stepped in her path, his hand reaching out to grab her arm. His grip was firm, bordering on tight, before he seemed to catch himself and eased it slightly.

"Let me drive you home." he offered, his tone calm, almost pleading.

Meera’s body stiffened. She shook her head, pulling her arm away from his grasp.

"You’re a criminal, Ranveer. A bad, devious, and dangerous one." Her voice was steady, but the tremor in her hands betrayed her.

Veer’s smile disappeared, replaced by a dark expression that sent shivers down her spine.

"And let me make this clear." she continued, stepping back. "Go your way, Ranveer. Whatever relationship or Ship we had—it’s over. Please, just stay away from me."

His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched at his sides. Meera could see the effort it took for him to hold himself back, his body vibrating with barely contained rage.

"Meera..." Veer said softly, his voice strained as if he were trying to reason with her.

But she wasn’t done. "You’re lucky, Veer. Lucky that, with all the evidence I have, I haven’t gone to the police. You hid so much from me. You lied. I hate criminals, and you know that." she said, her voice breaking slightly but full of conviction.

"If Mr. Madhav hadn’t given me that evidence, you’d still be deceiving me, playing me for a fool. I don’t want a relationship with a man like that."

Meera turned, ready to walk away, but Veer’s voice, now sharp with anger, stopped her in her tracks.

"So what?" he spat, his tone laced with venom. "You want Arjun now? Is that it? Isn’t he a criminal too? Huh?!"

Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay calm. Slowly, she turned her head to look at him over her shoulder. Her gaze was cold, her eyes steely.

"At least he didn’t hid his." she said sharply. "And whether I want him or not is none of your business, Ranveer."

Her words hit him like a slap. His face twisted in fury as he clenched his fists, his knuckles white.

She didn’t wait for him to respond, spinning on her heel and walking away with her head held high.

Behind her, she could hear his angry curses, followed by the sound of his fist slamming into the hood of his car.

A moment later, his tires screeched as he sped off, the roar of his engine echoing in the distance.

Meera stopped for a moment, watching his car disappear down the road. Her chest heaved as she let out a shaky sigh, her resolve cracking just a little.

"I pray you stay away, Ranveer" she whispered to herself before continuing down the street.

♡♡♡

Meera stood at the grand entrance of the hall, her eyes scanning the crowd as more business moguls, entrepreneurs, and CEOs entered with their entourages.

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation, a blend of nervous students and confident business professionals.

“Seen them yet?” Jiya’s voice came from behind. Meera turned slightly to see her friend approaching with a curious look.

Meera sighed, shaking her head. “Not yet. But they’ll be here.”

Just as she finished speaking, her eyes lit up. Across the hall, she spotted Siddhartha and Ishita making their way through the crowd. Her face broke into a wide smile.

“Hey, I’ll be right back.” she told Jiya before excusing herself and heading toward them.

“Ishita! Siddhartha! You both made it!” Meera exclaimed, her joy evident in her voice. Ishita beamed and pulled Meera into a tight hug.

“Of course, we did.” Ishita said cheerfully as she pulled away. “Who on earth would miss this event? Elite Coles University is basically a powerhouse of controversial connections. I wouldn’t dare skip it.”

Meera chuckled, her laughter blending with the upbeat mood of the event. Siddhartha reached over to ruffle her hair playfully, earning a mock glare from her.

“She’s not wrong.” Siddhartha said with a grin. “It’s an impressive opportunity for everyone involved.”

“Well, thank you for coming. It means a lot.” Meera said sincerely. Her grin widened as she added, “Especially since the legendary CEO of A.M. Empire decided to grace us with his presence.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Siddhartha teasingly.

Siddhartha laughed, waving her off. “Oh, please. Don’t start.”

“Enjoy the event.” Meera said, gesturing toward the bustling crowd of students and business professionals.

“I’m sure you’ll find plenty of impressive talent here. By the way, my group is over there.” She pointed toward a corner where four students were huddled together, chatting and laughing.

“Got it.” Siddhartha said, nodding. “I’ll make sure to check them out.”

With that, he gently pulled Ishita along, and the two disappeared into the crowd to mingle with students and other business people.

♡♡♡

This was Elite Coles University’s signature achievement—a grand culmination of the student project on interviewing industry leaders.

The after-project networking gala was designed to connect students with some of the biggest names in the business world, offering a unique platform for exchanging ideas and potential recruitment.

It was a hallmark of the university’s commitment to bridging academics and the professional world.

Business presentations, pitches, and engaging discussions filled the air as students seized the opportunity to showcase their ideas and impress the elite attendees.

Some business leaders had already expressed interest in retaining groups for internships or even permanent placements after graduation.

Meera took a deep breath, surveying the room with a mix of pride and hope. It was events like these that set Elite Coles University apart—a place where talent met opportunity, and dreams turned into reality.

The event was unfolding perfectly, with conversations flowing and students eagerly engaging with the business leaders. The hum of voices filled the room until, suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. A hush spread like wildfire, and heads turned toward the entrance.

Meera, caught up in a discussion with a fellow student, followed their gaze.

Arjun.

He strode into the hall with the confidence of a predator, his sharp suit impeccably tailored, his presence commanding attention.

The murmurs started almost instantly, some shocked, others nervous, as the realization of who he was rippled through the room.

Arjun’s dark eyes swept across the hall, scanning the faces like a hawk searching for its prey. Then, his gaze landed on Meera, and the corner of his lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile.

Meera felt her stomach tighten. Her palms grew clammy as she struggled to process his unexpected arrival.

Her group members exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions a mix of confusion and alarm.

Clearing her throat, Meera quickly excused herself and made her way toward him, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

The closer she got, the more her anxiety spiked.

“A-Arjun.” she stammered, stopping just a step away from him. “Why are you here?”

Arjun’s piercing gaze softened slightly as he looked at her, but the murmurs around them grew louder.

It wasn’t every day that a man like Arjun Madhav casually showed up at a university event.

Meera shifted uncomfortably, acutely aware of the eyes on them. Her anxiety doubled when she noticed the growing curiosity among the students and business attendees.

Arjun, catching the shift in her demeanor, turned his attention to the gawking crowd.

With a single icy glare, the room seemed to hold its collective breath. People quickly returned to their conversations, pretending not to notice the scene unfolding.

Meera blinked, stunned. She couldn’t understand how he managed to silence a room with just a look.

She glanced back at him, only to find his eyes already fixed on her.

“Ahem..” she started, trying to regain her composure. “You still haven’t answered my question. Why—”

“For you.” he interrupted, his voice low and firm.

Meera’s breath hitched, and she broke the intense eye contact, her nerves fraying.

“Y-You were not one of our interviewees. Just because you arranged for a last-minute slot doesn’t mean—”

“You need to relax, meri jaan.” Arjun cut in, his tone suddenly softer, almost coaxing.

The endearment made her flinch slightly, but she couldn’t ignore the warmth it stirred in her.

“You’re getting anxious again.” he said, taking a deliberate step closer. His proximity was overwhelming, and Meera instinctively took a step back.

Arjun noticed her retreat, his gaze darkening slightly.

He raised a hand, as though to touch her, to close the distance he so desperately wanted to bridge. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since the last time she spoke to him. Being in the same room with her now only amplified his need.

“Arjun.” Meera said quickly, her voice firm despite her racing heart.

“This is neither the time nor the place. Please don’t create a scene.”

“I’m not here to create a scene, Meera.” he replied, his voice smooth and unwavering. “I’m here because I couldn’t stay away. You are my wife, and I can’t allow that you are avoiding me.”

Meera’s breath caught. The intensity in his eyes was suffocating.

“Avoiding you is the only sane thing to do, and i am not your wife!” she muttered under her breath.

Arjun smirked, clearly hearing her. “We’ll see about that.”

Before she could respond, Jiya rushed over, her face pale with alarm.

“Meera, everything okay here?” she asked, eyeing Arjun.

“Yes.” Meera said quickly, forcing a smile. “We were just...talking.”

“I’ll see you soon, jaan.” he said, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

Then, with a lingering glance, he turned and walked away, leaving a room full of stunned onlookers and a very rattled Meera in his wake.

Meera exhaled shakily, her heart pounding. She could feel Jiya’s questioning stare, but she didn’t have the energy to explain.

“Are you okay?” Jiya asked.

Meera didn’t answer, but just stare at the direction Arjun went to.