51. Shivaay came back for her

Niharika took her phone with trembling hands, her heart pounding against her chest. She scrolled through her contacts until she found his name. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the call button. The ringing sound felt endless as if time itself had slowed down. Finally, after a few seconds, she heard Shivaay’s deep, steady voice on the other end.

“Niharika,” he greeted, a smile evident in his tone. “I wasn’t expecting your call. Is everything okay?”

Hearing the warmth in his voice made her throat tighten, and she couldn’t stop the tears that began to well up. “Hello, Shivaay,” she said, her voice trembling. “I…I’m scared,” she confessed, her words coming out shaky.

The joy in his tone disappeared in an instant, replaced by concern. “Scared? What’s wrong? What happened, Niharika?” His voice became sharp, almost commanding, urging her to tell him everything.

She tried to steady herself, but the overwhelming fear and the haunting memories wouldn’t let her. Her breaths were uneven as she said, “I received a parcel today… There was a letter inside.”

“A letter?” Shivaay questioned, his mind immediately alert. “What did it say?”

“It said, ‘I will be back, butterfly,’” she whispered, her voice breaking as tears spilled over. “Shivaay… I’m terrified. Only one person has ever called me that. It’s him… It’s Kanishk.”

Shivaay froze, his grip on the phone tightening as rage bubbled inside him. “Kanishk?” he repeated slowly, his voice dark and heavy with anger. “The same Kanishk who hurt you?”

“Yes,” she replied, her voice barely audible. The name itself sent shivers down her spine. “Shivaay, I don’t know what to do. He said he’s coming back… I can’t stop thinking about what he did to me. What if he—”

“Stop,” Shivaay interrupted firmly, his tone softening as he realized how scared she was. “Niharika, listen to me. Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise you, he won’t even get close to you.”

Her sobs grew louder as she said, “I’m so scared, Shivaay. I don’t even know why this is happening now. Why now?”

Shivaay’s voice turned gentle but resolute. “Niharika, I know this is hard for you, but you don’t have to face it alone. I’m here for you, and I’ll make sure this Kanishk pays for even thinking about coming near you again.”

“But Shivaay,” she began, her voice shaking, “he said he’ll be back. What if he—”

“Niharika,” Shivaay said, cutting her off again but softer this time, “I won’t let him hurt you. You’re safe with me. Do you hear me? No one is going to harm you as long as I’m here.”

Tears continued to stream down her face, but hearing the conviction in his voice brought her a small measure of comfort. “I trust you, Shivaay,” she said quietly. “I just didn’t know who else to tell.”

“I’m glad you told me,” he replied, his tone softening even further. “You don’t have to carry this fear by yourself anymore. I’ll handle everything, Niharika. Trust me on that.”

She nodded silently, clutching the phone to her ear as if his voice alone could protect her from the shadows of her past. “Thank you, Shivaay,” she whispered.

“You don’t need to thank me,” he said firmly. “You’re my wife, my queen. Protecting you is my duty.”

His words made her feel lighter, even though the fear still lingered in the corners of her mind. “When will you come back?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Soon,” he promised. “Very soon. Until then, stay strong for me, Niharika. And don’t hesitate to call me if you feel even the slightest unease. I’m just a call away.”

She managed a small nod. “Okay, Shivaay. I’ll try.”

“Good,” he said. “And remember, I love you. Nothing in this world is more important to me than your safety.”

For the first time that evening, a small smile graced her lips. “I love you too, Shivaay,” she replied, her voice steadier now.

As they hung up, Niharika clutched her phone tightly, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the storm of her fears. Though the letter had shaken her, Shivaay’s words gave her the strength to believe that she wasn’t alone in this fight.

After the call ended, Niharika sat on the edge of the bed, her phone still clutched in her hands. Shivaay’s reassuring words echoed in her mind, slowly calming the storm of emotions that had been consuming her. She took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly as the weight of her fear began to lift.

She glanced at the letter on the bedside table, its presence still unsettling, but now she felt a little braver. Shivaay’s voice had a way of grounding her, reminding her that she wasn’t alone. He would protect her, no matter what.

Wiping her tears, she stood up and walked toward the dressing table. Her reflection in the mirror showed a woman still grappling with fear, but determination flickered in her eyes. She splashed some cold water on her face, hoping to wash away the lingering traces of her distress.

“I can’t let this break me,” she whispered to herself. “Not now, not ever.”

She picked up a small towel and dabbed her face dry before carefully reapplying her sindoor and adjusting her bindi. These small acts of normalcy gave her a sense of control, a way to remind herself of who she was—a strong woman who had overcome countless challenges.

She took one last look at the letter, then placed it in a drawer and locked it. She didn’t want to see it again, at least not for now. What mattered was that Shivaay knew, and he would handle it.

Feeling slightly lighter, she decided to step out of the room. As she walked through the corridor, the faint sounds of laughter and conversation from the family downstairs reached her ears. It reminded her that she wasn’t just Niharika; she was the queen of this household, a daughter-in-law, a wife, and a symbol of strength for everyone who looked up to her.

She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and made her way downstairs, ready to face whatever came next. For now, she would focus on the present, trusting that Shivaay would take care of the rest.

As Niharika stepped into the living room, Anita chachi immediately noticed her change of attire. She was now wearing a simple, elegant suit instead of the teal green saree she had been in earlier.

"Beta," Anita called out gently, her voice laced with curiosity. "Why did you change your saree? It was so beautiful."

Niharika smiled softly, trying to mask her earlier turmoil. "Actually, chachi sa," she said, her tone calm and composed, "I spilled some water on it by accident. It got completely wet, so I thought it was better to change."

Anita nodded understandingly, though her eyes lingered on Niharika for a moment, as if sensing something deeper. "Oh, I see. You could have called someone to help, beta. You do so much already."

Niharika shook her head gently, her smile unwavering. "It’s okay, chachi sa. It wasn’t a big deal. I managed it."

Anita patted her shoulder affectionately. "You’re truly something, Niharika. Always so calm and composed. I don’t know what we would do without you in this house."

Niharika felt a twinge of guilt at the praise but quickly pushed it aside. She didn’t want to burden anyone with her feelings or the letter. Instead, she focused on the warmth and support of her family.

"Thank you, chachi sa," she replied sincerely. "But I’m just doing my part."

Anita smiled, satisfied with her response, and moved on to check on other things in the household. Niharika watched her leave, her smile fading slightly as she sighed quietly. She was grateful for the family’s love, but the weight of the letter and the memories it had stirred still lingered in her heart.

She reminded herself of Shivaay’s words and decided to distract herself by joining the rest of the family. For now, she would focus on the present and the love surrounding her, keeping her worries locked away, at least for a little while.

In California, Shivaay was standing in his office, staring out the large glass window overlooking the bustling city. His mind was elsewhere, focused entirely on the call he had received from Niharika and the situation unfolding in India. He knew he had to act quickly.

He picked up his phone and dialed Mr. Charles, his business partner. Within moments, the call connected.

"Shivaay, good to hear from you," Charles greeted him warmly. "How are things going on your end?"

"Charles," Shivaay said, his voice firm yet calm, "I need to inform you about a change in plans. Something urgent has come up in India, and I need to return immediately."

Charles paused, sensing the seriousness in Shivaay's tone. "Is everything alright? Is it personal or business-related?"

"Personal," Shivaay replied. "It's a family matter that I cannot postpone. I trust you to handle things here in my absence. The projects we discussed are in good hands with you and the team."

"Of course, Shivaay," Charles reassured him. "You don't need to worry about anything here. I'll ensure that everything continues as planned. Take care of what you need to in India."

"Thank you, Charles. I appreciate it," Shivaay said sincerely. "I'll stay in touch and monitor the progress remotely. Just keep me updated if anything critical arises."

"You have my word," Charles replied. "Safe travels, my friend. And let me know if there's anything I can do to assist you from here."

Shivaay ended the call, exhaling deeply. With that matter settled, he began organizing his return to India, his thoughts focused on Niharika and the challenges that awaited him. There was no time to waste—he had to be there for his family.

After ending the call with Mr. Charles, Shivaay wasted no time. He immediately dialed Raj, the man who handled all his travel arrangements with precision.

Raj picked up on the first ring. "Yes, sir?"

"Raj," Shivaay said in a commanding tone, "I need you to make sure the jet is ready for takeoff within the next two hours. I'm heading back to India immediately."

"Understood, sir," Raj replied promptly. "I'll handle all the necessary arrangements. Do you have a specific airport in mind for landing?"

"Jaipur," Shivaay said without hesitation. "Coordinate with the ground staff there and ensure everything is smooth. I don’t want any delays."

"Consider it done, sir," Raj assured him. "Shall I also inform the pilot and crew about your schedule?"

"Yes, and make sure the security detail is briefed as well. I want a direct route with no stops unless absolutely necessary," Shivaay instructed.

"I’ll see to it, sir," Raj replied. "The jet will be ready, and I'll send you the confirmation within the hour."

"Good. Notify me immediately once everything is in place," Shivaay said before ending the call.

He leaned back in his chair for a moment, running a hand through his hair. His mind was racing with thoughts of Niharika and the ominous threats surrounding her. The urgency in his actions was fueled by both his love for her and his need to ensure her safety.

Without wasting another second, Shivaay stood up, grabbing his coat and files, ready to leave for the airport. Time was of the essence.

After ending the call with Raj, Shivaay wasted no time. He grabbed his essentials—a sleek black leather bag containing important documents, his phone, and his coat—and headed straight for the car waiting outside his office.

The driver opened the door, and Shivaay slid in, his face tense with determination. "To the airport, and make it quick," he ordered.

The car sped through the streets of California, weaving through traffic as Shivaay tapped his fingers on the armrest impatiently. His mind was occupied with thoughts of Niharika and the potential danger she might be in. Every passing second felt like an eternity.

As they reached the private hangar, he saw his jet being prepped, with the crew bustling around to finalize arrangements. Raj was already there, overseeing the process.

"Sir," Raj greeted him, walking up briskly. "Everything is ready. The pilot has filed the flight plan, and we'll be cleared for takeoff in fifteen minutes."

"Good," Shivaay replied, his voice firm. "Inform the crew that I want no delays, and double-check the security measures."

"Already done, sir," Raj assured him.

Without wasting another moment, Shivaay walked toward the jet, his footsteps echoing in the quiet of the hangar. As he climbed the steps, he turned back to Raj. "Keep me updated on anything significant while I’m in the air. And make sure my team in Jaipur is ready for my arrival."

"Of course, sir," Raj said, stepping back as Shivaay entered the jet.

Inside, Shivaay settled into his seat, fastening his seatbelt as the engines roared to life. The cabin crew ensured he was comfortable, but he waved them off, focused entirely on the situation at hand.

As the jet taxied onto the runway, Shivaay gazed out of the window, the lights of California fading into the distance. His heart and mind were already in India, with Niharika, determined to protect her at any cost.

The journey back to India took a long 19 hours, but for Shivaay, it was hardly a concern. His luxurious private jet was equipped with every amenity to ensure comfort. The spacious cabin had plush leather seats, a fully equipped office area, and a private bedroom with a king-sized bed for rest if needed.

Yet, relaxation was the last thing on his mind. Shivaay sat at the desk, his laptop open, going over files and coordinating with his team in India. The soft hum of the jet engines filled the cabin as he spoke to his trusted men through secure channels.

"Keep a close watch on the palace and everyone entering or leaving," he instructed one of his team members. "Niharika's safety is the priority. Make sure she isn't left alone for a moment."

"Yes, sir," came the firm reply.

Occasionally, Shivaay would glance at the photo of Niharika saved on his phone, his expression softening for a brief moment before the resolve returned to his eyes. He knew she was strong, but the thought of her dealing with this alone was unbearable.

As the hours passed, he took short breaks to grab a quick meal prepared by the onboard chef or sip a cup of black coffee. His mind raced with plans and strategies, trying to anticipate every possible threat and how to counter it.

By the time the pilot announced their descent into Jaipur, Shivaay was more than ready. He had spent the entire journey preparing himself mentally and ensuring his team was in position.

The jet landed smoothly at the private airstrip in Jaipur. The moment the doors opened, Shivaay stepped out, his sharp suit and determined expression making him look every bit the commanding figure he was. A black SUV awaited him at the end of the steps, its engine already running.

"To the palace," Shivaay said, getting in. "And make it fast."

The driver nodded, and the car sped off into the night, heading straight for the Ranawat mansion.