Ekansh sat in his cabin, his face showing clear signs of exhaustion from a sleepless night. Dark circles lined his tired eyes, and his usual sharp demeanor seemed dulled by the storm of thoughts relentlessly swirling in his mind. To drown out the turmoil, he buried himself in paperwork, signing documents one after the other. Just as he tried to focus, there was a knock on the door.
Advik stepped in, his usual polite smile faltering slightly as he saw the state of his boss. "Sir, your schedule for today is fairly light. Not much work left," he informed Ekansh with a respectful tone. Ekansh merely nodded, his expression unreadable.
"Make my schedule as tight as possible," Ekansh ordered, his voice commanding, though his eyes were heavy with fatigue. Advik blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback.
"Sir, I... Iâll do that," Advik replied, struggling to understand why Ekansh was pushing himself so hard. It wasnât like him to request an intense workload, especially when his schedule was free.
Ekansh's eyes darkened, a cold fire burning beneath their surface. "One more thing," he said, his tone dropping lower, sending a chill through the room. Advik straightened, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
"Forget about the marriage," Ekansh continued, his voice icy. Advik frowned slightly, the mention of the marriage clearly a delicate subject.
"I donât want anyone knowing about it. Except we two," Ekansh added, his words sharp and final. His gaze met Advik's, a silent but dangerous warning lingering in the air.
"If anyone finds out... well, letâs just say you wonât be working here anymore. And your life... might not be as secure," Ekansh said coldly, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. Advik gulped, feeling a bead of sweat run down his back. The message was clear.
"Understood, sir," Advik nodded quickly before hurrying out of the cabin, his thoughts racing, knowing full well he had to keep this secret.
Ekansh leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. He could feel the weight of regret pressing down on him, but he shoved it aside. He would have accepted her as his wife, but there was something about the entire marriage that gnawed at him. His mind kept circling back to the suspicious glances exchanged between Mr. Raichand and her parents during the ceremony, and the whispered conversation between Mr. Raichand and Harish.
He knew something had been planned behind his back, but the reasons eluded him. Why would Mr. Raichand involve himself? What was in it for him? With a heavy sigh, Ekansh dismissed the thoughts, convincing himself that the marriage meant nothing. It was an accident, and nothing more.
Abhimanyu was sitting on the bed, focused on his laptop, when he noticed several bags sitting on the table. Initially, he dismissed them, but something nagged at him. His eyes landed on a small black dot on one of the bags. Frowning, he stared at it for a moment before slowly getting up and walking towards the table. He picked up the bag, inspecting it closely. His heart skipped a beat when he finally discovered a secret camera embedded in the material. His breath hitched, and fury ignited within him. Grabbing the bag, he stormed out of the room, his anger barely contained as he marched toward the lawn.
In the cool night air, Arnav, Ekansh, and Aavyan were talking amongst themselves, having just finished dinner. The peaceful setting was abruptly interrupted by Abhimanyuâs arrival. His steps were swift, his face tense with suppressed rage. Without saying a word, he slammed the camera down in front of Arnav, who frowned and glanced up at him.
"Whatâs going on?" Arnav asked, his brow furrowing in confusion, while Ekansh looked equally puzzled. Aavyan's gaze narrowed as he studied the small device.
"A secret camera," Abhimanyu spat coldly, his eyes blazing with anger. His knuckles were white from gripping the bag so tightly, and the frustration on his face was palpable. Arnavâs sharp gaze fell on the camera, his jaw tightening as he understood the implications. Ekanshâs eyes widened slightly, while Aavyanâs expression hardened, his suspicions rising.
"Where did you find this?" Arnav demanded, his tone darkening with each word as his mind worked through the potential danger.
Abhimanyu clenched his fists. "On Mishaâs handbag," he replied coldly, his voice barely masking the fury coursing through him. The thought of someone planting a camera on his wife, possibly with the intent to harm her or the family, sent waves of anger through his entire being.
"What?!" Aavyan exclaimed, almost in disbelief, his face contorted in shock. He exchanged a glance with his brothers, unable to process how something like this could happen.
"How the hell did it end up in Bhabhiâs bag?" Ekansh's voice was dangerously low, his tone edged with a growing fury. His eyes flickered with the same restlessness that matched Abhimanyuâs frustration.
"Someoneâs watching us," Arnav muttered coldly, his eyes narrowing as his mind churned through the possibilities. His usually calm expression was now darkened by suspicion. "Theyâre trying to gather information, but who?"
Ekansh paced restlessly, his hands clenching and unclenching as he tried to piece things together. "We need to find out whoâs behind this."
"I donât know yet," Abhimanyu admitted, his tone heavy with anger, "but Misha was out today. Someone mustâve slipped it into her bag while she was away."
Arnav's jaw tightened further, his eyes gleaming with a cold, almost dangerous edge. "Ask Bhabhi where she went today. We need to track down whoever did this." With that, he stood abruptly, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. Without another word, he stalked away, his footsteps heavy with determination, leaving the others to simmer in their own frustration.
Arnav stormed toward his room, his face dark with anger, every step echoing his frustration. His jaw was clenched, fists tight at his sides, radiating the fury he barely contained.
As he entered the room, he paused. Arthi stood there, turning to face him with a casual smile. Her presence alone made him halt in his tracks. His anger, which had burned so fiercely moments before, began to fade. His eyes softened, the fire that had threatened to consume him extinguished at the sight of her. He let out a sigh, conflicted. He needed to leave-urgent matters awaited him at the headquarters-but he didnât want to go. Not now.
"Sweetheart," Arnavâs voice came out cold, betraying none of the tenderness he suddenly felt. He moved toward her, and Arthi looked at him with confusion. She could tell something was wrong, even if he tried to hide it behind a casual facade.
"Iâm leaving," he said, his tone flat. "Iâve got something important to take care of. So, get some sleep and donât overthink where Iâm going." His words were clipped, trying to distance her from the situation. Arthiâs smile faltered, a hint of sadness crossing her face.
"Iâm going to the office. Understood?" Arnav added, his tone softening a little, though tension still lingered.
Arthi nodded, her emotions torn. On one hand, she felt relief that he was leaving, freeing her from the tension his presence often brought. But on the other hand, she didnât want him to go. Not like this.
Arnavâs gaze softened as he looked at her-his anger fully dissipated now, replaced by a reluctant tenderness. He turned to leave, but before he could take a step, Arthi spoke in a soft, timid voice, "Suniye, go safely and come back early."
Arnav froze, turning back to her with a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He walked back toward her, his expression warmer now.
"Sun liya," he said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
The gesture caught Arthi off guard, her heart fluttering as warmth spread through her cheeks. She stood there, blinking in surprise as his lips left her skin. Her mind raced, her heart both confused and overjoyed.
As Arnav left the room, the feeling of his kiss lingered, and a soft blush crept onto her face. She smiled to herself, her thoughts swirling as she lay down, replaying the moment in her mind over and over again.
Abhimanyu strode into the room, his steps hurried, eyes scanning the space until they landed on Misha, who was getting ready for bed. Without a word, he moved toward her. Misha turned and, for a brief second, startled, but her expression softened as she realized it was just her husband. Abhimanyu let out a breath, trying to calm the tension within him, knowing he needed to keep his usual sternness in check.
"Where did you go today?" he asked, his tone cold despite his efforts to sound neutral. He cursed himself immediately-it came off harsher than he intended, but it was too late to take it back. He decided to let her answer first before saying more.
Misha glanced at him for a moment, her eyes narrowing before she replied, "Why do I need to tell you?" Her words stung, and though Abhimanyu felt a twinge of regret for his tone, her resistance only fueled his irritation. He told himself he had been right to ask.
"Misha, Iâm asking you-where did you go?" His voice carried more command than casual concern, and Misha felt a shiver run through her as he spoke her name. There was something about hearing him say it that still affected her.
"Misha, answer me," Abhimanyu raised his voice slightly, frustration creeping in as she seemed lost in thought. Misha snapped back to reality and sighed, looking away.
"Why should I?!" she repeated, this time with irritation. Her words tested his patience, and he clenched his jaw, trying to hold onto the calm he had been fighting for. He exhaled deeply, resisting the urge to lose his temper.
"And werenât you the one who said weâre nothing behind closed doors?" she continued, her voice edged with bitterness. "But here you are, questioning me like a husband." Her face twisted in annoyance, and Abhimanyu sighed again, knowing this wouldnât end without a confrontation.
Without warning, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the balcony. Misha frowned, shocked at his sudden assertiveness-he rarely acted like this. Once they were outside, Abhimanyu released her, his eyes hard as he faced her.
"Weâre not in the room anymore. Now, tell me," he said, his gaze stern and unyielding. Mishaâs expression shifted from irritation to confusion, sensing the seriousness in his voice. Her brow furrowed in worry.
"What happened? Why are you so serious about this? In any way you thought I going away from you?" Misha asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. Abhimanyu shut his eyes, a surge of frustration building. He had expected her to answer his question by now, but of course, she was the wife of Abhimanyu Rathore-nothing ever came easy. Without a fight, the stubbornness in her, and the madness in his mind, simply wouldn't rest.
"If you ever try to run from me, Iâll chase you until youâre back in my arms. Iâll make sure you understand what it means to run away. Now, tell me where you went," Abhimanyuâs voice was icy, but his words came straight from his heart. Just the thought of her leaving had sparked something inside him.
Misha met his gaze, her heart skipping at his possessive words. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she tried to mask her reaction.
"Why are you so desperate to know?" she asked, tilting her head, a trace of confusion still lingering.
She saw the determination in his eyes and realized he wasnât going to back down from this. Before he could respond, she finally spoke up.
"I went to the office. I got a call about some urgent work, so I went and came straight back. Thatâs all."
Abhimanyuâs cold gaze softened slightly, though his jaw remained tense.
"Thatâs it?" he asked, his voice still carrying a sharp edge. Misha nodded, feeling exasperated.
Without another word, Abhimanyu turned and walked back into the room. Misha frowned, watching him leave, something clicking in her mind. She followed him inside, catching up just as he reached the door.
"Wait, doesnât the balcony count as part of the room?" she said, annoyed at his trickery.
"Next time, I wonât say anything if weâre inside!" she muttered to herself, only to bump into him when he suddenly stopped. She glared up at him, about to complain again, but before she could, he scooped her up into his arms effortlessly.
Mishaâs mind went blank for a moment as Abhimanyu carried her toward the bed, laying her down gently. She blinked up at him, surprised by the sudden change in his demeanor.
"Donât waste your energy. I know you can argue with me all night, but for now, get some rest. Weâll continue in the morning, I promise," Abhimanyu said, his voice playful yet firm as he gave her a teasing smile. Mishaâs eyes widened at his words, but they quickly softened as she processed his shift from cold to tender.
"And by the way," he added, smirking down at her. "The bedâs all yours tonight. Iâm heading to the office now. Enjoy the peace until I get back, sweet wifey." With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Misha lying there in a mix of shock, blush, and frustration-unsure whether to be annoyed or charmed.
As Abhimanyu exited the mansion, a faint smile lingered on his lips, thoughts of Misha and her stubbornness occupying his mind. The night air was cool, and as the car revved to life, he felt a strange sense of contentment, even as he headed off to deal with the matters awaiting him.
Tara, exhausted from the party at the club, was driving home with a tired expression when, out of nowhere, she saw a girl sprinting out of a dark alley. The girl suddenly darted in front of Tara's car, causing her to gasp in shock. Tara slammed on the brakes, her heart racing with fear as the car screeched to a halt. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she quickly got out of the car, her pulse still racing, to check on the girl and see what had just happened.
Roohi had been wandering around the city for two days, lost and alone, without knowing anyone or having anywhere to go. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her as the night deepened, and her empty stomach growled in hunger. She hadnât eaten in days, and the ache was becoming unbearable. Tears welled up in her eyes, her hunger and loneliness too much to endure.
She stumbled into a dark alley, feeling the weight of fear settle over her. The shadows seemed to close in, and suddenly, she had the eerie sensation that someone was following her. Her mind flashed back to when Ekansh had left her stranded on the road. She remembered how, not long after, a group of men had chased her. She still didnât know how she had managed to escape, but in her frantic running, she had fallen, injuring her palms, elbows, and legs. The wounds were deep, and though she had somehow stopped the bleeding, the pain throbbed in her every step. The memory of that terrifying moment still haunted her, and the fear surged back now as she quickened her pace.
The sound of footsteps behind her grew louder, matching her increasing speed. Was someone really following her, or was it her fear playing tricks on her? Her heart raced, her mind clouded with panic. She couldnât take it anymore.
Desperately, she ran toward the end of the alley, her breath coming in ragged gasps. As she reached the road, she glanced back, her vision blurred with fear and exhaustion. But in that moment, she failed to notice a car speeding toward her.
Her body collapsed to the ground, her eyes closing as darkness enveloped her. The world around her faded, and with a final, weary breath, she surrendered to her exhaustion, leaving everything in the hands of fate.
Tara rushed out of her car, her heart racing with fear as she approached the girl lying motionless on the road. Her breath quickened, and with worry etched on her face, she knelt down beside the girl. Gently, she turned her over, her concern deepening when she saw how young and exhausted the girl looked. Her clothes were filthy, and a fresh wound on her forehead suggested she had fallen recently.
"Miss, wake up! Are you okay?" Tara called out, her voice trembling. She carefully placed the girlâs head on her lap, but there was no response, not even a flicker of movement.
"Miss, please open your eyes," Tara said, her voice louder now, but still nothing. Panic settled in her chest as she realized the girl was unconscious.
"Oh no, what am I doing? Sheâs not waking up⦠I need to get her to a hospital!" Tara muttered to herself, her worry mounting. She carefully lifted the girl, somehow managing to get her into the car.
With a deep sigh, Tara slid back into the driverâs seat, her fingers gripping the wheel tightly. She sped toward the hospital, her eyes darting back to the girl every few seconds, feeling a pang of pity and fear for the stranger she had just rescued.