[25]

Singapore...

Kartik left Rishit's room after a long day, leaving Rishit alone in the quiet space. The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the silence as Rishit organized his files and laptop, setting them neatly on the desk.

As he moved towards the bed to sleep, he paused mid-step, a familiar image flashing in his mind. It was Vaani, her peaceful face as she slept.

A smile crept onto his lips, unbidden but genuine. He stood there for a moment, savoring the warmth that thought brought him, before finally laying down on his back. With that smile still lingering, sleep claimed him.

Dehradun...

The flight touched down smoothly at Dehradun Airport. Rishit and Kartik disembarked, their brief trip behind them. After exchanging a quick goodbye, Kartik headed to his apartment, while Rishit made his way to his mansion.

As Rishit approached the door, he rang the doorbell. Inside, Vaani sat in the living room, lost in her own thoughts. The sound of the bell startled her, and she quickly rose to open the door.

The moment she saw him, her emotions overflowed, and without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his waist.

Rishit froze, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. His hands hovered hesitantly for a moment before he began to lift them to return the hug. But before he could, Vaani pulled away, her expression unreadable.

"He didn't hug me back... well, he never does," Vaani thought to herself, her heart sinking slightly as she stepped aside to let him in.

"How was your trip?" she asked, following him to their room.

"It was good. The issue is resolved now," Rishit replied, his tone even, his face betraying no emotion.

He stopped in front of the wardrobe and turned to look at her. "Vaani, hum shaam ko baat karte hain. Abhi mujhe office jaana hai," he said, his tone polite but distant.

Vaani nodded silently, her disappointment carefully concealed as Rishit gathered his clothes and headed to the washroom to change. Moments later, he was gone, leaving Vaani standing alone in the room.

She clenched her fists, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "Office, office, office," she muttered angrily under her breath, her irritation seeping into her words.

After venting for a moment, she sighed and grabbed her bag. "Let me focus on my own work," she thought as she headed to her own office, trying to shake off the heaviness in her heart.

*******************

At Night (8 PM)

Vaani was driving back to the mansion, her mind restless and clouded with emotions. As she passed by a bustling area, her gaze fell on the glowing neon sign of a club.

She slowed down and pulled over, staring at the club's vibrant entrance. "Maybe these noises could distract me," she thought, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

Without giving it a second thought, she stepped out of the car and walked inside. The pulsating music, flashing lights, and chaotic energy enveloped her instantly.

She found her way to the bar counter and sat down. Around her, people were lost in their own worlds-dancing, laughing, and indulging in passionate moments. Yet, none of it could silence the storm raging within her.

Frustrated, she turned to the bartender. "One drink," she ordered firmly.

The bartender nodded and prepared her drink, while Vaani stared at the counter, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, across the Club, a pair of piercing eyes were fixed on her from the dimly lit corner of the club. The man leaned closer to his companion and asked, "Is she Rishit Oberoi's wife?"

The other man, seated beside him, glanced at Vaani and confirmed, "Yes, sir. She is Vaani Rishit Oberoi."

An ominous smile spread across the man's face, his expression turning sinister. "Wife... that means Rishit Oberoi's weakness," he said, his voice low and dripping with malice. One side of his lips curled into an evil smirk as he stood up.

"Let's go," he added, motioning for his companion to follow as they began walking toward Vaani.

Meanwhile, at Rishit's Office...

Rishit sat in his cabin, deeply engrossed in reviewing a file. The silence was broken by the sudden ringing of his phone. Without looking, he picked it up.

A stern, manly voice on the other end said, "Sir, your wife and your business rivals are in the club. They might harm her."

Panic gripped Rishit instantly. His calm demeanor shattered as he shot up from his seat. "Which club?" he asked urgently.

The voice provided the name of the club, and Rishit didn't waste a moment. Throwing the phone in his pocket, he grabbed his car keys and dashed out of the office, his heart pounding in fear.

The highway was crowded, but Rishit navigated through it with reckless urgency, his car speeding past other vehicles. Every second felt like an eternity as he imagined the worst-case scenarios.

Within 20 minutes, he reached the club, his car screeching to a halt in the parking lot. Without waiting, he bolted toward the entrance, his heart hammering in his chest.

Rishit stormed into the club, his eyes scanning through the chaos. He searched every corner of the ground floor but couldn't find her. Panic and dread coursed through him as he hurriedly made his way to the first floor.

He checked every corner meticulously until faint noises caught his attention from a secluded area. His heart pounded as he carefully approached the source of the sounds.

Turning the corner, the sight in front of him froze him in place. His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. There was Vaani, sitting calmly on a chair, while several men sat on the floor around her. Their hands were tied tightly, their faces downcast in submission.

"Vaani," Rishit exclaimed, his voice a mix of relief and disbelief, as he rushed toward her.

The moment he reached her, he pulled her into a fierce embrace, his arms wrapping tightly around her as though she might disappear. His breathing was ragged, and his heart raced uncontrollably.

Vaani, momentarily surprised, slowly responded by wrapping her arms around his waist. The tension in her body melted away as she leaned into his protective hold.

After what felt like an eternity, Rishit loosened his grip and stepped back slightly, his hands resting gently on her arms as he inspected her from head to toe.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" he asked, his voice filled with urgency and concern, his eyes scanning her for any signs of injury.

"I'm fine, Rishit," Vaani reassured him softly, her tone calm and composed, a stark contrast to the earlier chaos.

At that moment, Kartik arrived, his eyes quickly taking in the scene before flickering between Rishit and Vaani.

"Kartik, take her home," Rishit instructed firmly, his voice steady but authoritative.

Kartik nodded and gestured for Vaani to follow him. She hesitated momentarily, her gaze lingering on Rishit, but she eventually turned and left with Kartik.

Once they were gone, Rishit shifted his attention to the men on the floor. His expression hardened instantly, his piercing gaze cold and unforgiving as he strode toward them.

"How dare you?" he growled, his tone low and menacing.

Without waiting for a response, he began to unleash his fury. Each punch he threw was calculated, driven by the fear and anger that had consumed him. The men groaned in pain, left battered and broken on the floor as Rishit straightened, his knuckles bloodied and his breathing heavy.

He spared them one last contemptuous glance before turning away and heading downstairs.

Reaching the bar counter, he sat heavily on a stool. His tense expression reflected the fear that still lingered-the fear of losing Vaani.

As he stared at his reflection in the glass behind the bar, a realization began to take root. Vaani wasn't just his wife anymore; she was becoming his reason to protect, to care, and to feel once again.

"One drink," Rishit ordered at the bar counter, his voice steady yet heavy with unspoken emotions. As the bartender poured his drink, Rishit drowned himself in thoughts of the evening's events, the fear, and the growing turmoil inside him.

Minutes turned into fifteen, and one drink turned into seven. Despite the alcohol coursing through his system, Rishit remained partially in control, intoxicated yet still aware.

Finally, he paid the bill and left the club. His movements were slightly unsteady as he reached the parking area, but he managed to start his car and drove toward the mansion, the cool night air failing to sober him up completely.

Upon arriving at the mansion, Rishit unlocked the door with a spare key, making sure not to make any noise that might disturb Vaani. The house was quiet, its serene atmosphere starkly contrasting with the chaos in his heart.

He ascended the stairs carefully, his steps faltering but deliberate, and entered his room. As the door creaked open, his eyes immediately fell on Vaani. She was lying on the bed, her face soft and peaceful in her sleep, the dim moonlight filtering through the curtains casting a gentle glow on her features.

Rishit's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his heart stirred by emotions he couldn't yet fully comprehend. Without a second thought, he walked toward the bed, his steps measured despite his inebriated state.

He sat on the edge for a brief moment, then slid under the covers beside her. His hand instinctively reached out, wrapping around her waist as he pulled her closer to him. Her warmth seemed to calm the storm within him, grounding him in a way he hadn't expected.

As his head rested against the pillow, his hold on her remained firm but gentle. For the first time that night, a

sense of peace washed over him, and sleep claimed him almost instantly.

*******************

At midnight, around 1 a.m., Rishit woke up to find himself lying beside Vaani. His brows furrowed in confusion before the events of the previous night came rushing back to him.

Quietly, he got up from the bed and walked to the balcony. The cool breeze hit his face as he dialed Kartik's number. After a few rings, Kartik picked up, his voice slightly tired but attentive.

"Haa bol," Kartik said, clearly immersed in office work.

"I don't want to lose her," Rishit said, his voice raw and heavy with emotions.

Kartik straightened up at the seriousness in Rishit's tone. "Then confess, Rishit. Tell her everything, about Nandini too," Kartik advised gently. Rishit nodded, his resolve hardening.

Meanwhile, Vaani stirred from her sleep, woken by the faint sound of conversation. She glanced toward the balcony, her eyes adjusting to the darkness, and slowly got up. Curious and uneasy, she walked toward the source of the noise.

"Haa Kartik, I'll tell her everything-about Nandini, her place in my heart, and everything," Rishit said, determination evident in his voice. "Meri jindagi mein Nandini ki jagah koi nahi le sakta," he added.

The words struck Vaani like a thunderbolt, shattering the fragile hope she had held onto. She froze, trembling as the weight of his confession pressed down on her chest. Unable to bear hearing more, she turned and stumbled back to the bed, her heart breaking further with every step.

Once under the blanket, her tears silently soaked the pillow as Rishit continued speaking.

"Haa Rishit, tell her everything and make her yours forever," Kartik encouraged.

A soft smile played on Rishit's lips as he replied, "Haa, aur yeh bhi bataunga ki wo mere liye kya hai, mere dil mein uske liye kya jagah hai, uske liye meri feelings kya hain."

Though Vaani caught his voice, the words were muffled, leaving her with only the ache of uncertainty and despair. Her tears now flowed freely, soaking the blanket that she clutched tightly.

Rishit ended the call and stepped back into the room. His gaze fell on Vaani, and a smile touched his lips. Believing she was fast asleep, he left the room quietly and headed toward his study.

As the silence enveloped the room, Vaani uncovered herself. Her tear-streaked face reflected her inner turmoil. Staring at the empty space where Rishit had been moments ago, she whispered to herself, "If I don't matter to him, then why am I even here?"

Unable to bear the overwhelming pain, Vaani stood and quietly left the mansion. She got into her car and drove off to the airport, her mind clouded with anguish and confusion.

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