Riya stormed into the Mehta mansion, her heels clicking against the pristine marble floor. Her mind was racing, and her fury bubbled beneath the surface, fueled by the humiliation she had just endured at the Rathor mansion. She barged into the living room, only to find her mother, Shreya, sitting on the couch, clutching a picture of Sia and crying silently.
"Seriously, Mom?" Riya sneered, tossing her bag onto a chair. "You're crying over her? Sia, the same person who abandoned her so-called perfect family? The one who ran away like a coward?"
Shreya looked up, her face etched with grief and disappointment. Her fingers tightened around the frame as she rose slowly to her feet. "Enough, Riya. I've had enough of your venom."
"Oh, come on," Riya shot back, rolling her eyes. "You're acting like she's some martyr. Let's not forget, I was the one humiliated, standing there as Arjun's love and Sia's sister. And what did Sia do? She left her in-laws and ran away. Who knows with whom? Maybeâ"
A sharp slap cut through the room as Shreya's palm connected with Riya's cheek.
"Stop it, Riya!" Shreya's voice cracked with anger. "Not another word about Sia. She may have left that house, but it wasn't because she was guilty. She left because no one trusted her. She left because of people like you who sowed doubt in their hearts."
Riya touched her stinging cheek, her face contorted with rage. "And what? You're going to sit here and cry over her? She's not worth it. She's weak, spinelessâ"
"She's stronger than you'll ever be," Shreya snapped. "She endured more than you could ever imagine, and yet, she never stooped to your level. And what did you do? You ruined her life out of jealousy and spite."
Harish, Riya and Sia's father, entered the room, his face drawn with irritation. "What's going on here? Why are you yelling at Riya, Shreya?"
Shreya turned to him, her eyes blazing. "Why? Because this is what your constant indulgence has createdâa selfish, vindictive woman who thinks she can get away with anything. You always defended her, Harish, no matter what she did. And look where it's brought us!"
"Don't start blaming me for this," Harish said, his voice defensive. "Riya was only trying to protect this family's reputation. And was just achieving her dreams and making us proud."
Shreya's laugh was bitter, filled with disbelief. "Protect? Is that what you call it? Lying, scheming, ruining her sister's life? You always took Riya's side, no matter how wrong she was. And now lookâthis is the monster you've raised."
"Mom, stop dramatizing everything," Riya interjected, regaining her composure. "You're just upset because your precious Sia turned out to be a coward who couldn't handle the pressure of being in that family."
Another slap echoed through the room, harder this time.
Riya staggered back, her hand flying to her face. "You hit me again? How dare you!"
"You deserved it!" Shreya shot back, tears streaming down her face. "And you'll deserve every punishment that comes your way if you don't change your ways."
Riya's rage reached its boiling point, and she raised her hand as if to strike her mother.
"Don't you dare!" Harish's voice thundered as he stepped between them, grabbing Riya's wrist. His face was pale with anger, his eyes filled with hurt. "How could you? How could you even think of raising your hand against your mother?"
Riya yanked her wrist free, glaring at both of them. "You've all lost your minds. First, the Rathors insult me, and now my own family is against me? Fine. If you all think Sia is so perfect, go cry over her. But mark my wordsâyou'll regret crossing me."
"Sia be ready for my wrath, for snatching my Arjun, my place." she mummers to herself.
She stormed out of the room, her mind already working on her next move.
Sia's POV
The café was warm and inviting, filled with the rich aroma of coffee. Sia sat with Neha and Mayank, discussing the progress of her book.
"You've done an amazing job," Mayank said, his tone filled with admiration. "The publisher is thrilled with your manuscript. They want to move forward as soon as possible."
Sia's face lit up with a genuine smile. "Really? It's actually happening?"
Neha grinned, squeezing her arm. "See? I told you. You deserve this, Sia."
For the first time in days, Sia felt a flicker of happiness. "Thank you, both of you. I don't think I could've done this without your support."
Excusing herself, she headed to the restroom, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. But as she washed her hands and prepared to leave, she suddenly felt a hand clamp over her mouth.
A sweet, sickly smell filled her nose as a handkerchief pressed against her face. Panic surged through her, and she struggled desperately, but her strength faded rapidly. The last thing she heard was the sound of her name being called from somewhere in the distance.
Neha and Mayank
Back at the table, Neha tapped her fingers nervously against her cup, her eyes darting toward the restroom for what felt like the hundredth time. She glanced at her watch, the minutes ticking by slower than ever. "She's been gone for a while," she said, her voice tight with unease.
Mayank looked up from his phone, his brows knitting together. "You're right." A flicker of worry crossed his face as he stood abruptly. "Lets go check on her."
Neha nodded, clutching her scarf tightly as if trying to ward off the growing anxiety in her chest.
Mayank made his way toward the restroom, his steps quickening with each passing second. He called out Sia's name softly but received no response. Pushing open the restroom door, he checked every stall. Empty. A sinking feeling settled in his gut.
Returning to their table, he shook his head, his expression grim. "She's not in there."
Neha's face paled. Her hands trembled as she clutched her phone. "That doesn't make sense. She wouldn't just disappear. Did you check outside? Maybe she stepped out for a call or some air."
Mayank nodded, though unease was written all over his face. "I'll look outside. Stay here, in case she comes back."
Minutes turned into what felt like hours as Neha sat alone, her heart pounding against her ribs. Memories of Sia's recent struggles played on a loop in her mind. The thought of something bad happening to her best friend made her stomach churn.
When Mayank returned, his face was ashen. "She's nowhere outside. I asked around, but no one's seen her leave."
Neha's panic erupted. "What do you mean, 'nowhere'? Mayank, she wouldn't leave without telling us! She's not like that. Something's wrongâI can feel it!" Her voice cracked, tears brimming in her eyes.
Mayank placed a hand on her shoulder, but his own composure was unraveling. "We'll find her, Neha. I promise."
For a moment, he turned away, running a hand through his hair in frustration. A storm of emotions churned inside himâworry, guilt, and something deeper he hadn't allowed himself to acknowledge.
He clenched his fists, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Why hadn't I stayed closer to her? Why didn't I realize sooner?
"Do you think she left because..." Neha began, hesitating, the weight of her words thick in the air. "...because of everything happening with Arjun?"
Mayank froze. The mention of Arjun was like a dagger to his chest, but he quickly masked it. He couldn't let his feelings for Sia complicate the search.
"No," he said firmly. "Sia's strong. She wouldn't just run away. This isn't about Arjunâit's something else."
Neha nodded, wiping her tears but unable to shake the gnawing dread. "Then where is she? Mayank, we need to call the police. What if someoneâ"
"We will," he interrupted gently but decisively. "But first, let's check with the café staff and see if anyone noticed anything unusual. I won't rest until we find her."
As the two of them split up to gather information, Mayank's resolve hardened. He wouldn't let anything happen to Sia. Not her past, not Riya's manipulations, and certainly not his own buried emotions.
Little did they know, the clock was already ticking, and Sia was slipping further out of their reach. Riya's latest and most sinister plan was unfolding, one calculated move at a time.