The return to the Sehgal mansion was nothing short of chaotic, as usual. The convoy of cars rolled into the driveway, and the family spilled out, bringing their noise and energy with them.
"Finally! Civilization! My poor back can't handle those ancient Haweli beds anymore!" Shivay dramatically stretched
Devansh snortingly said,"Yeah, because itâs your back thatâs the issue and not the ten plates of biryani you inhaled last night."
"Forget his back. Someone tell him to stop wearing sunglasses indoors. Heâs not a Bollywood hero." Avya glared at him
Shivay struck a dramatic pose."Who needs Bollywood when Iâve got this natural charisma?"
As the family trooped inside, Siara quietly stepped out of her car and headed straight to her room, ignoring the lively banter. Her cold demeanor was a stark contrast to the chaos, but the others barely noticed, too busy teasing and laughing.
Meanwhile, Mahir walked in silently, his presence as stoic as ever, though his gaze did flicker briefly toward Siara before he joined his brothers.
It was lively, loud, and unmistakably the Sehgal-Malhotra household, where even returning home felt like a mini-adventure.
The hustle and bustle of everyday life had returned to normal after their trip to the Haweli. The days were filled with work, meetings, and family gatherings, but nothing could shake the sense of unease that lingered, especially between Siara and Mahir. Despite spending so much time together, they remained as distant as ever. Mahir, always the stoic figure, and Siara, with her cold, unyielding demeanor, were like two parallel lines that would never meet.
The evening of that day seemed uneventful at first. Siara had just returned from OT and was planning to leave soon, just then Shivani called her with an urgent request. She needed Siara to pick up Avya from college, as no one else in the family was free. Siara agreed, though she was in no mood to deal with anything extra.
She was dressed in her professional office attireâblack trousers, a shirt, and had no time to change into her saree. The hospital had kept her occupied, and now she was on her way to pick up Avya.
The campus parking lot was nearly empty when Siara arrived. She spotted Avya from a distance, walking alone, her posture as stiff as ever. Avya noticed her as well, and without a word, she slid into the car next to Siara, the same coldness in her eyes.
Avya was still rude, but there was a noticeable change. She didnât throw any snarky comments like before. The animosity had softened, though it was unclear if it was out of respect or simply a resignation to Siaraâs presence. Either way, Siara didnât care. Her thoughts were on the drive ahead, her face as impassive as ever.
As Siara started the car and made her way down the quiet road, something unexpected happened. A soundâa loud bangâripped through the air. Siaraâs eyes narrowed, and her reflexes kicked in. She glanced in the rearview mirror just in time to see a car racing toward her from behind. Suddenly, there was another bang, and a bullet pierced the air, just missing the car.
Avya screamed in panic, but Siara remained calm. She swerved the car expertly, narrowly dodging another round of gunfire. She quickly shouted at Avya to get down, to sink low in the seat. "Stay down, Avya! Do not move!"
Avya, shaking, obeyed, her heart racing. Siara's fingers tightened around the wheel as she tried to navigate through the narrow streets, her mind working in overdrive. But they werenât just being followed. Someone had targeted them.
Siara took a sharp turn, but another bullet hit the rear tire, causing the car to skid to a halt.
She glanced at Avya for a moment, her face unchanged, before dialing Mahirâs number from Avya's phone. The ringing tone felt like it lasted forever.âYes Avya? â
Siaraâs voice was clipped, her words direct as she explained the situation. âWeâre being shot at. I donât know who they are, but itâs not safe here.â
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end, and Siara could practically feel Mahirâs anger from the phone. He darkly said "Stay on the line. Iâm coming for you."
Without another word, he came to motion and Siara could hear him barking orders in the background. He became the ruthless Mahir Sehgal in that instant. He instructed his mens to track their location while he left immediately to find them.
The phone call was suddenly cut off. The line went dead.
Siara cursed under her breath as she tried to start the car again, but it wouldnât budge. The tire was completely flat. A group of men appeared, tall and bulky. They were the ones who had been shooting at them. They approached the car with slow, deliberate steps.
"Good thing, they are not wearing masks. It's not the time for having another anxiety attack,"siara thought
Siara didnât flinch. She was prepared to fight, but when one of them pulled out a gun and pointed it at Avya,she froze."Donât hurt her."
But before she could act, one of the men struck her on the head with the butt of his gun. Siara crumpled forward, unconscious.
Avya screamed, tears streaming down her face, but there was nothing she could do.
The men dragged both Siara and Avya out of the car, tossing them into another vehicle. The world around Siara faded into blackness.
---
Back at the Sehgal mansion, panic had set in. Mahir paced the floor, his thoughts a whirlwind of worry and rage. When he reached the location only siara's car was there. The Malhotra and Sehgal families had gathered, all of them trying desperately to find Siara and Avya. Siaraâs mother, Adhira, was inconsolable, her cries echoing through the halls. "My doll⦠Aarav do something⦠where is she?!"
Siaraâs brothersâReyansh, Ekansh, Avyaan, Aryan, and Vivekâwere all working tirelessly with Mahir and his team. They were all frantic, their faces showing a mixture of worry and determination.
Aarav Malhotra, Siaraâs father, stood off to the side, doing his best to contain his emotions. His face was a mask of fear and frustration.
But nothing seemed to be working. The tension in the room was suffocating.
Then, Mahirâs phone rang. His eyes darkened as he saw the caller IDâit was from his business rival 'Jaydeep kukreja' someone he had tangled with before. He knew immediately that this wasnât a coincidence.
âWhere are they?â he asked while clenching his jaw
The man's voice came through, calm but dripping with venom.âAh, Mahir Sehgal. It seems weâve found something of value to you. Well our plan was to only get your mysterious wife but look how lucky I am. Your precious sister and wife are with us now.â
Mahirâs hands tightened into fists. His voice was cold, devoid of all emotion. âWhat do you want?â
âWhat I want, I want to.... play a little with your wife and.....now your sist--" Kukreja was definitely playing with fire.
"Complete that sentence and I'll show you hell, If I find a single scratch on my women and my sister, you'll regret your birth" Mahir roared loudly
"If you have the power, youâll find us. If not⦠well, letâs just say their lives won't be the only thing in danger," kukreja smirked.
Mahir didnât waste another second. He hung up and turned to his family.
------
Meanwhile, Siara began to regain consciousness. She groaned as the sharp pain in her head made her vision blurry. As her senses returned, she realized she wasnât alone. Avya was tied up in a chair beside her, looking as terrified as ever. âStop crying. Nothing will happen to you.â
Avya asked, her voice trembling.âMe? What about you?â
Siara just stared at her, unblinking, as the kidnappers approached. One of them was holding a camera, recording everything.
The leader of the group Jaydeep Kukreja, a man with cruel eyes, sneered at Siara.âSo, you're the famous Dr.Siara, huh? Ohh sorry my mistake, Dr. Siara Malhotra Sehgal.â
Siara didnât flinch. She merely stared back, her expression icy cold. âGet to the point.â
The manâs eyes flashed with malice. He was clearly enjoying every moment of this. He came forward and bent to her level while saying,âWe know who you are, and we know exactly who your family is. Your fatherâAarav Malhotra. The Sehgal family. Weâve got all the leverage we need. Well that's good only, I have some unfinished business with that fucking Aarav malhotra alsoâ
Siaraâs voice cut through the air like a knife. âDonât you dare disrespect my father.â
Without warning, she slammed her head into the manâs face, making his nose bleed. His eyes widened in shock.
Siara firmly said,"Disrespect my father again and I'll turn this room into a graveyard. That's not a warning but a clear cut threatâ
The room fell silent for a moment, but then Avya shouted.âLeave us! Donât hurt bhabhi!â
A man while holding avya's chin tightly, told her to not speak a word.
"Her brothers will kill you, trust me on that. Leave her," saira coldly warned them
"Well one of her brothers is your Husband and I guess I should be scared of your brothers also," kukreja ammusely replied
"Oh, open my hands and you'll be scared of me also," siara said boringly
"I don't doubt that," he replied sarcastically thinking of it as a dry threat.
âYou have two choices. Option one: We have our fun with you and her both, Or option two- Just you. Select" Kukreja smirked
Siara didnât even blink and replied back âOption two, Now leave her.â
The man chuckled, then turned to his men.âLetâs see how she handles it.â
As they loosened Avyaâs ropes, Siara spoke again, her voice chilling.âGive her some water.â
One of the men obliged and made her drink some water but avya still looked terrified.
Then, the man asked Siara to make a final statement for the camera. He wanted to see her beg. He wanted to see her break. But that never happened.âSay something for your dear husband. Whatâs your last wish?â
Siara met his gaze without a hint of fear. Her voice was steady and calm.
âTell Avi to live for me.â
The man raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face, causing her lip to bleed. Siara didnât flinch. She didnât move. She just stared straight into his eyes.
The recording was sent, and soon the entire Sehgal and Malhotra families were watching, frozen in horror. Mahirâs face twisted with rage, his eyes burning with fury. His brothers, the Malhotra familyâeveryoneâfelt a deep stab of pain seeing Siara, the woman without a single thought saved avya"
But Siaraâs resolve never wavered. She is the daughter of Aarav malhotra and this time she'll not let someone lay their hands on her. If she dies, she'll kill these people first.
"Good I'm not wearing a saree," siara reminded herself when she was thinking the ways to break some precious bones of those kidnappers"