The echoes of the crowd had faded, leaving behind an oppressive silence. Everyone was gone, but the fog in Nisha’s mind only thickened. The intoxication surged through her, stripping away the last of her senses. It felt as if the world was drifting into the distance, dragging her toward a dark, inevitable void. While Aarush stood at the threshold bidding the final guests farewell, Nisha’s reality was dissolving into a quiet, hazy blur.
Meanwhile, in the sophisticated lounge of the very same hotel, Reyansh had just concluded his scheduled meeting. With the business of the day behind him, he began making his way toward the first floor to meet a friend, unaware that Nisha and Aarush were present on that very same floor, Reyansh did not walk alone, he was accompanied by his personal assistant and the assistant’s younger sister. The trio moved with a measured pace, their conversation quiet against the backdrop of the hotel’s ambient hum
While Aarush had headed down to the lounge to see off Shivangi, Samragni, and the rest of the group, Nisha slowly began to regain consciousness. Her mind was a blur, and she found herself unable to comprehend her surroundings or how she had ended up there. Finding the room unlocked, she managed to pull herself up and, with unsteady steps, made her way toward the door.
{Dazed and disoriented, she stumbled through the corridor until she reached the balcony, a quiet space arranged with tables and chairs for dining. Clutching her head in pain, she sank into a chair, caught in a hazy, semi-conscious state drifting somewhere between wakefulness and a blackout}
Only a short while later, Reyansh arrived on the balcony. Unaware of her condition, he pulled out the chair directly beside her and took a seat. To settle his remaining business, he sent his personal assistant to fetch his friend, while the assistant’s younger sister remained standing nearby.
Seated right beside her, Reyansh remained absorbed in his work, his fingers moving steadily across his laptop keyboard. He was focused on the screen, oblivious to the fact that the woman next to him was in a deep state of distress. Nisha, still caught in that hazy threshold of consciousness, could do nothing but sit there in her troubled silence, her presence a sharp contrast to Reyansh’s calm, professional demeanor.
Reyansh remained completely engrossed in his laptop, his attention never wavering from the screen. He had absolutely no idea that the girl sitting right next to him was the very same girl he had encountered at the temple that morning. Since he hadn't glanced her way, the coincidence remained hidden, to him, she was just a stranger in the lounge, while to the universe, their paths had crossed once again.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the floor, Aarush returned to the room only to find it empty. A sudden chill of unease washed over him as he realized Nisha was gone. What began as confusion quickly spiraled into a growing sense of anxiety, without wasting a second, he rushed back out, beginning a frantic search through the corridors, desperate to find any trace of her.
Sana (Reyansh p'a sister) :~ (in her mind) ye thora aajeeb nahi hai matlab inko hua kya hai bimar lag rahi hai shayad koi hai nahi kya inke saath...
Just then, Aarush arrived at the spot, his face etched with worry after his frantic search. His eyes finally landed on Nisha, and a surge of relief mixed with concern washed over him. He quickly approached her, reaching out to take her hand in an attempt to help her up and lead her back to the room.
{However, the moment his fingers brushed hers, Nisha instinctively pulled her hand free from his grasp. Her rejection was sharp and immediate, leaving a heavy silence between them as she struggled within herself, still unable to fully process his presence or her surroundings}
Sana :~ (to Aarush) sir shayad ye aapke saath jaana nahi chahati hai...
At that moment, Reyansh’s gaze finally shifted from his screen and fell upon Nisha. He watched as Aarush, his face taut with concern, kept one hand firmly on Nisha’s shoulder while reaching for her hand with the other, trying to coax her to stand.
Nisha, however, remained anchored to her seat. Her head was bowed, her fingers tightly clutching her temples as she silently refused to place her hand in Aarush's.
For a reason he could not explain, the sight of Aarush's hand resting on Nisha’s shoulder triggered a sharp sense of unease deep within Reyansh. He found it strangely unbearable to witness the two of them in such close proximity. A storm of conflicting emotions began to stir in his heart, yet he remained paralyzed by his own confusion. He could not fathom why it bothered him so intensely to see another man close to a girl he had only briefly encountered that morning. It was an irrational, possessive instinct that he didn't yet have the words to define.
Aarush :~ (to sana) meri hoor kabhi kabhi na bilkul bhi apna dhayan nahi rakhti hai usko kitna mana karta hu mai ki drink mat karo lekin meri sunti hi nahi hai....koi baat nahi hai mai manage kar lunga kabhi kabhi chadh jaati hai...
Sana :~ jisse ab kuch samajh nahi aa raha hai (to Aarush) sorry sir ye aapse dur jaane ki koshish kar rahi thi to mujhe aisa laga...ki sayad ye aapke saath na jaana chahati ho...
Aarush :~ (to sana) Nahi nahi aisa kuch nahi hai wo filhaal kuch samajh nahi paa rahi hai isliye...
Aarush began leading Nisha into the room with a gentle strength. With one hand interlaced with hers and the other draped over her shoulder, he drew her close. Nisha made a faint attempt to break free, but his grip was unwavering yet kind. Seeing that her resistance was no match for his persistence, she allowed herself to be led into the room.
Reyansh’s mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Does she actually drink? he wondered. If she were truly a heavy drinker, shouldn't she have built up a tolerance by now? The way she kept pushing him away stung, he knew she wasn't herself in that moment, but he couldn't help questioning everything. She loved him right? So why the resistance? He felt frustrated with himself for fixating on it, but he couldn't stop. And then there were her friend’s warnings about that man. If he really was a "bad person" why was she so blind to it? The more he tried to make sense of it all, the more hollow and restless he felt inside.
Reyansh :~ (to sana) agar mera friend aa jaaye to kehna wait kare mai aata hu ek important call karna hai mujhe....(Man me) Ek kaam karta hu ek baar check kar leta hu sab sahi hai ki nahi wo usse kaha leke gaya hai wo usse uske ghar chor raha hai ki wo kaha hai ek baar dekh leta hu....
He immediately set off in the direction Aarush had taken Nisha. His only lead was a single piece of information he had picked up at the temple, it was Nisha’s birthday. He called the reception desk, demanding to know exactly where the celebration was being held. Recognizing Reyansh and knowing better than to cross someone of his stature the staff didn't hesitate. They revealed everything they knew.
By the time anyone could intervene, Aarush had already guided Nisha into the room and tucked her gently into bed.
Settling beside her, he gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and whispered,
Aarush :~ My sweet little hoor pyaar se maan jaati na to itni mehnat nahi karni padti na, na mai badnaam hota ki Maine aisa kuch kiya mere kehne ka matalab hai hum dono ek dusare se pyaar karte the to meri baat manane me aakhir problem kya thi tumhe ab dekho mai karunga tumhe khabar bhi nahi hogi kitna galat hai ye tum hi batao mai chahata tha tumhe har ek pal ka ehsaas ho jab hum kareeb aaye lekin tum tumne to meri suni hi nahi batao apne pyaar ke saath aisa kon karta hai....ab majbooran mujhe tumhare saath ye sab karna pad raha hai...
Just as he was about to cup her cheek, a sudden thought gave him pause. He rose from the bed to lower the AC, the hum of the room deepening as he pulled off his shirt. Returning to the bed where Nisha lay, he settled close beside her. He took her hand, drawing it tenderly toward him, and leaned in until the space between them vanished. Placing his hand against her cheek, he began to tilt his face toward hers, his gaze fixed on her lips.
From the hallway, Reyansh overheard enough to see through Aarush's true colors. Realizing Nisha was in danger, he didn't waste a single heartbeat. While Aarush remained lost in his own world, tucking Nisha’s hair back and whispering to her with a misplaced tenderness Reyansh had already moved with cold precision. He summoned the police and alerted the reception desk before stepping firmly through the unlocked door.
As Aarush leaned in, a cold voice echoed behind him, stopping him dead in his tracks. Aarush froze, his heart racing as Reyansh's shadow fell over the bed.
Reyansh :~ A woman is a reflection of the Divine... and those filthy hands of yours don't deserve to be near her sanctity. To touch her without her will is one thing, but even a disrespectful glance toward her is a death warrant you've signed for yourself.
Aarush was caught completely off guard, his mind reeling as to why Reyansh was there. Without a single word, Reyansh grabbed him and hauled him off the bed, sending him sprawling. As Aarush hit the ground, a powerful kick from Reyansh’s boot followed. 'Put it on,' Reyansh hissed, tossing Aarush shirt at him. He refused to let the hotel staff see a shirtless man in this room and start whispering about Nisha. While Aarush struggled to stand, Reyansh had already moved to the bed, carefully covering Nisha with a blanket to ensure her face and her dignity remained protected from the outside world.
Adjusting his shirt with trembling hands, Aarush looked up at Reyansh and stammered Reyansh, it’s not what it looks like...I was just taking care of her. She was out of it, and I
Reyansh :~ Aur kitna jhooth kahoge (uska gussa fut jaata hai kyuki ab usase bardast nahi ho raha tha)
Aarush :~ Tum ho kon aur yaha kya kar rahe ho...tumhari himaat kaise hui mujhe maarne ki...
Reyansh :~ Meri nahi apni himmat ki baat karo tumhari himmat kaise hui jo ladki hosh me nahi hai uska fayada uthane ke baare sochne ki...
Aarush :~ Wo meri girlfriend hai hum relationship me hai...tu kon hota hai beech me padne wala chal bahut hua ab nikal yaha se...
Fury flared in Reyansh’s eyes as he began to ruthlessly beat Aarush. He didn't just strike him, he dismantled him. I heard it all Reyansh hissed, his voice trembling with hatred. You were waiting for her to be helpless. You planned to take advantage of the fact that she couldn't fight back.
Aarush :~ Itna gussa kyu ho rahe ho bhai chalo koi baat nahi hai phele mai use kar lunga fir tum kar lena...waise bhi isase ab mujhe koi matalab nahi hai jiske liye isko girlfriend banaya wo toh ye kar nahi paayi bas jab dekho to bahane banane lagti hai isiliye ye sab kiya taaki mujhe iska use karne me aasani ho...tum bhi isko taste kar sakte ho mere baad...
{Aarush words were the final spark. Reyansh saw red, losing every ounce of self-control as he launched into a brutal assault. He beat Ishaan mercilessly, the sound of heavy impacts echoing through the room. Faced with such raw, explosive fury, Aarush stood no chance, Reyansh’s onslaught was so relentless that Aarush couldn't even find a moment to strike back, let alone defend himself. By the time Reyansh finally pulled back, Aarush lay broken, blood trickling from his split lip and pooling on the floor}
Reyansh dropped to his knees right in front of Aarush. He reached out and bunched Aarush’s hair in his fist, wrenching his head back to force him to look him in the eye. With a voice like ice, he began to speak.
Reyansh :~ Women are reflections of the goddesses, and thinking you can touch one is a sacrilege. The penalty for that is death and for a vile creature like you, hell is the only place left. You aren't worthy of being in her presence, let alone touching her.
The arrival of the authorities was less an investigation and more a silent confirmation. As the sirens died down and the staff swarmed the area, the air grew heavy with a collective, unspoken understanding. One look at Aarush was all it took. The police didn't demand explanations or bark orders for a statement. In this town, Reyansh’s name was synonymous with an unwavering, almost crystalline integrity. He was a man whose word was never questioned because it never had to be.
They moved with a practiced, grim efficiency, the metallic click of handcuffs snapping around Aarush’s wrists echoing through the sudden quiet. There was no scrutiny of the scene, no frantic checking of Nisha’s condition, the trust they placed in Reyansh acted as a shield for the truth. If he was standing there, and Aarush was in restraints, the narrative was already written.
Then, breaking through the wall of uniforms and onlookers, a familiar figure appeared. Sana, Reyansh's P'A sister.
Reyansh :~ (to police) ye ek ladki ke saath relationship me tha 3 year's se lekin wo comfortable nahi thi isiliye wo iske close nahi gayi to aaj isne usse behosh karke unka fayada uthane ki koshish ki hai.
Inspector :~ Sir aapko hume kuch bhi batane ki jauart nahi hai aap kabhi galat nahi hote hai....aapko to kehne ki bhi jauart nahi hai hum samjh gaye the reception pe hume bata diya gaya tha...aap bilkul tension mat lijiye isko ab koi bhi bahar nahi nikal sakta ispe BNS section 122 {Old IPC section ~ 328} lagenge.
Reyansh :~ Aise darinde bahar rehne ke layak hi nahi hain.
The silence that followed the departure of the police and the staff was heavy, almost suffocating. The hallway, which moments ago was filled with the chaotic energy of an arrest, was now eerily still.
Sana stood exactly where she had been since she arrived, her feet frozen but her mind racing. She hadn't uttered a word, but she had heard everything, every cold accusation from Reyansh and the submissive, trusting responses of the Inspector. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place in her mind, and the picture they formed was chilling.
Sana :~ (to reyansh) sir kya aap inhe jaante hai.
Reyansh :~ Nahii aaj subah hi dekha hu inki aur inke dosto ki baate sunke me samajh gaya tha isiliye mujhe situation samjhne me time nahi laga.
Sana :~ lekin sir fir inhe kaise inke ghar pahuchayenge.
Reyansh's P'A arrives there and explains that Reyansh's friend has left for home due to urgent work. He says to Sana, "Sister, we should head out now as well, it has gotten quite late" It was already 11:00 PM, so it was time for everyone to head home.
Sana :~ (to Reyansh P'A) {her brother} she tells her brother everything.
Reyansh P'A (Aadi) :~ sir ab kya karenge.
Reyansh :~ Aap dono chale jaiye ghar aur jaane se phele parking area me jo female guards hai unko keh dijiye yaha aane ke liye.
No one dared to disregard Reyansh’s instructions, nor did anyone possess the courage to question him. Consequently, Aadi and Sana followed his orders to the letter, sending the female guards into the room. Reyansh then commanded the guards to escort Nisha to the car and take her directly to the farmhouse. Though he had both male and female guards at his disposal, he had strictly forbidden the involvement of any men in this matter, ensuring only the women arrived.
As they were preparing to leave, Reyansh’s eyes fell upon a purse lying near the scene. He picked it up, suspecting it belonged to the girl. Turning to the female guards, he commanded them to take the purse along to the farmhouse as well.
Reyansh then ordered the guards to escort Nisha to the car. With gentle care, the female guards guided Nisha out to the vehicle, one took her place behind the wheel, while the other two sat in the back to support Nisha. Reyansh then moved to the front, taking his seat in the passenger side next to the driver.
Reyansh :~ (man me) mai iss mamle me kisi pe trust nahi kar sakta mai subah suna tha ki iske father abhi out of town hai to mujhe pata nahi hai kon iska acche se dhayan rakh sakta hai abhi ye hosh me nahi hai mujhe hi iska dhayan rakhna hoga baad me jab hosh aa jayega to bata dunga kya hua tha uske saath aur ye mere farmhouse me kaise hai.
As the car glided through the quiet night, Reyansh turned slightly toward the guards, his voice low but carrying an undeniable weight of care. When we arrive he began, his tone softening, please escort her directly to my private suite. Ensure she is settled comfortably in bed.
He spoke with a quiet dignity that left no room for misinterpretation. It wasn't just an order, it was an act of chivalry. His own room was the only sanctuary currently prepared with the cleanliness and comfort she deserved. More importantly, he chose to give these instructions now, in the privacy of the car, to shield her from the prying eyes of the male staff at the farmhouse. He wanted her transition to be seamless and dignified, ensuring she remained undisturbed and protected from the moment they stepped out of the vehicle.
Reyansh :~ (man me) mai bilkul risk nahi le sakta na hi ye apna dhayan rakhti hai na hi isse sahi aur galat insaan me fark pata hai.
The journey ended as the car pulled into the driveway of the quiet farmhouse. Following Reyansh's strict protocol, the female guards carefully carried Nisha upstairs to his personal suite. They settled her into the bed with the utmost care, placing her purse and belongings on the side table nearby, ensuring everything was exactly where she could find it.
While Nisha was being looked after, Reyansh remained downstairs. He took a seat in the living room, the golden glow of the lamps reflecting off the documents as he began reviewing his files, his mind already shifting back to his responsibilities.
One guard stayed behind in the room to keep a watchful eye on Nisha. After a few minutes, the other two guards descended the stairs to find Reyansh. They approached him respectfully and informed him of the situation, Nisha showed no signs of regaining consciousness. Given the state she was in, it seemed certain she wouldn't wake up until the following morning.
Reyansh :~ Accha thik hai, aap ab sabke sone ka time ho gaya hai to aap sab jaa sakte hai sone mai handle kar lunga.
After ensuring everything was in order, the female guards who had assisted Nisha also retired for the night. Within the quiet walls of the farmhouse, a deep stillness settled as the staff went off to sleep. Only the night-shift guards remained awake, stationed like silent shadows at their posts outside the property, keeping a vigilant watch over the perimeter in the moonlit silence.
Before long, Reyansh also closed the final file and set his work aside. The farmhouse was silent as he made his way to the kitchen. He quietly began to prepare a simple meal, the rhythmic sound of his movements the only thing breaking the midnight silence. However, once the food was ready, he didn't serve himself. He stared at the plate for a moment, then carefully covered it and kept it aside.
Reyansh :~ (Man me) Khana bana toh liya hai, par abhi khane ka mann nahi hai. Shayad raat mein jab Nisha ki neend khulegi aur use bhook lagegi, tab uske saath hi baith kar kha loonga. Abhi use sone deta hoon.
He headed upstairs to his room. Opening the door softly, he saw Nisha sleeping peacefully on the bed, undisturbed. For a moment, he simply stood there, ensuring she was comfortable. Then, instead of disturbing her or reclaiming his space, he quietly walked over to the couch across the room and lay down, finally allowing exhaustion to take over.
Reyansh :~ (man me) kahi aur bhi soo sakta tha mai lekin kahi inko hosh aa gaya aur nayi jagah dekh ke ghabara gayi toh...mujhe yehi rehna chahiye...
Reyansh was lying there on the couch, the room’s heavy silence pressing against him as he remained lost in a labyrinth of his own thoughts. The weight of the recent confrontation still hung in the air, but eventually, the dry scratch in his throat pulled him back to the present. Feeling a sudden thirst, he finally rose from his reclining position to get a drink of water.
As he moved, a glint of silver caught the light, pulling his attention away from his task. His gaze fell upon the anklet, the very one belonging to Nisha. He stood still for a moment, looking at the delicate piece of jewelry that seemed so fragile in the stillness.
With a measured step, he walked over to where Nisha lay. The female guards had draped a blanket over her when they had laid her down on the bed, settling her into a quiet, uneasy peace. Reyansh sat down beside her feet. He reached out, his fingers steady as he gently lifted a corner of the blanket she was covered with, revealing her ankle just enough.
Moving with the precision of someone handling something sacred, he began to fasten the anklet onto her. He was agonizingly careful, Reyansh put the anklet on Nisha without actually touching her skin, maneuvering the clasp with a focused, hovering intensity. He did not want to cause her any discomfort, nor did he want to invite any further trouble or distress by waking her.
Once the metal was secure, he let the fabric of the blanket fall back into place, smoothing it over her carefully before finally turning away to satisfy his thirst.
After satisfying his thirst, he didn't return to the couch. Instead, he moved until he was positioned right in front of her specifically, directly facing her, and slowly sank to his knees.
He began to gaze at her intently, his eyes tracing the familiar lines of her face with a depth of emotion that defied explanation. To anyone watching, she couldn't fathom why he was acting this way, or why he seemed so utterly lost in her presence. It was as if the rest of the world had dissolved, leaving only the two of them in a suspended moment of time.
He continued to stare at Nisha unblinkingly, his expression a mix of reverence and something much more complex, as if she were his entire world. The silence of the room was no longer empty, it was filled with the weight of his unspoken devotion. Then, leaning in just enough to bridge the distance without breaking the sanctuary of her sleep, he spoke to her or rather, he whispered :~
Reyansh :~ Happy Birthday heartbeat...
The room remains frozen in time as Reyansh knelt there, the water he had just drunk forgotten, replaced by a much deeper thirst for understanding.
He didn't know why he had called Nisha his "heartbeat" The word had slipped out, an instinctual utterance that bypassed his logic entirely. Looking at the clock, he realized Nisha's birthday was just about to end, he had managed to wish her right at 11:59, a final tribute to the day she was born. Yet, even as the digits changed, he remained oblivious to the true nature of the feeling that had taken hold of him. He couldn't explain why he had felt so compelled to wish her a happy birthday, especially since, technically, he didn't even know her name.
He had seen her for the very first time today, a mere stranger in the eyes of the world, yet in the span of a few hours, she already felt so familiar so much like his own. It was a profound paradox of connection, as he gazed at her, it was as if his soul recognized a rhythm in her that his mind hadn't yet categorized, bridging the gap between a first encounter and a lifetime of belonging. This sudden, inexplicable closeness bypassed all logic, making the woman who had been a complete unknown just hours ago feel like the most essential part of his existence.
He became so lost in her presence that he could neither hear nor see anything else around him. The walls of his own house, the guards outside, the weight of his responsibilities it all faded into a blur. It was a strange sensation a sense of belonging, a feeling of profound tranquility something he was experiencing for the very first time in his life.
Yes, the room itself belonged to him it was his domain, his territory but this feeling, this newfound sense of peace, was something entirely new. It brought him a deep, soothing comfort that no amount of power or wealth ever had. As he whispered to her, the words were less for her and more of an admission to the universe, he was no longer the same man who had walked into this room earlier that night.
He stayed there, unblinking, anchored to the floor by a girl whose name he didn't know, but whose heart he had already claimed as his own pulse.
Reyansh :~ ye mujhe kya ho raha hai...
Afterward, he leaves the spot and sits on the sofa to resume his work. Feeling utterly bewildered and in a state of complete confusion, he begins working simply to distract his mind, hoping the familiar rhythm of tasks will silence the questions racing through his head.
Meanwhile, a short while later, Nisha begins to stir, and her eyes slowly start to flutter open. However, she has not yet fully regained consciousness, she is unable to sit up or even open her eyes completely, as she had been given a potent dose of alcohol mixed into her juice. Hovering between consciousness and unconsciousness, she begins to murmur, "paani...paani..."
Reyansh hears this and quickly gets up to fetch some water before heading over to Nisha. She slowly manages to sit up, but still not fully conscious she is unable to hold the glass herself. Consequently, Reyansh does not place the water in her hands but instead feeds it to her himself, taking care not to touch her directly. He holds the glass to her lips with a steady, hovering hand, ensuring she drinks comfortably without his skin brushing hers.
After drinking the water, she lies back down, and her movements cease immediately as she drifts into a deep slumber. Reyansh then leaves her side as well, as he, too, begins to feel sleepy. Concerned that Nisha might regain consciousness again or need assistance in the middle of the night, he decides to sleep right there on the couch, keeping watch over her even as he gives in to his own exhaustion.
And just like that, the night passed, and morning arrived,.the clock struck six. Reyansh was already awake, as this was his usual time to rise however, Nisha had not yet regained consciousness and was still sleeping peacefully, her breath steady and rhythmic in the early light.
After getting up, freshening up, and taking a shower, he headed downstairs to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He typically ate oats every morning a meal he always prepared himself whenever he was staying at the farmhouse so today, he decided to make a portion for Nisha as well, moving quietly through the kitchen so as not to disturb the silence of the house.
He had just finished doing this when he received an urgent call from his office specifically from his PA necessitating his immediate departure. The sudden intrusion of the outside world forced him into a rush. He hurried back to his room, pulled some clothes from the wardrobe, and changed in the washroom.
As he stepped out and was in the process of styling his hair, his gaze fell upon Nisha, who was still sleeping soundly. He paused for a moment, the comb still in his hand, looking at the girl who had turned his world into a labyrinth of unfamiliar emotions just hours before. The breakfast sat downstairs, and the office demanded his presence, but for a heartbeat, he couldn't take his eyes off the quiet peace she finally seemed to have found.
Reyansh descended the stairs, the quiet of the farmhouse echoing the focused discipline he felt. He walked past the dining table where his breakfast was served, but he didn't sit down. The thought of eating alone while she was still unconscious didn't sit right with him.
Reyansh :~ (to guard's) Main bahar hi kuch kha lunga, he stated coldly, his eyes moving toward the stairs. Jaise hi Nisha ko hosh aaye, mujhe fauran call karna. Ek pal ki bhi deri nahi honi chahiye.
Before leaving, he gathered his female guards to provide strict instructions. His tone was firm, leaving no room for error. He directed that one of them must stay inside the room with Nisha at all times, while the others were to remain stationed outside.
He explained the situation clearly, she could regain consciousness at any moment and would likely be in a fragile state. Given the potent dose she had been subjected to, and the uncertainty of whether she had eaten anything at all yesterday, he emphasized that she would be feeling extremely weak.
She is not to be allowed to leave without having breakfast he stated firmly. He wanted to ensure that despite her potential confusion or desire to flee upon waking, her physical well-being was prioritized first. With the instructions set and the perimeter secure, he finally turned toward the door, his mind already shifting toward the urgent business awaiting him, yet a part of him remained anchored in that room upstairs.
After Reyansh left for the office, a female guard entered his room and sat down, waiting for Nisha to wake up. Silence filled the room until the guard’s phone began to ring. Disturbed by the patchy network reception, she was forced to step out onto the balcony to continue her conversation.
At that moment, Nisha began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, scanning an unfamiliar ceiling. Panic surged through her as she realized she was in a room she didn’t recognize. Had she been kidnapped? The thought sent a chill down her spine.
Desperate for answers, she looked around and spotted her purse sitting nearby. She quickly retrieved her phone and checked her GPS. The map showed she was roughly 8 kilometers away from her own house, while her parent's home was 30 kilometers in the opposite direction. Since she usually lived alone and only visited her parents occasionally, the location offered no clues. Her mind was a complete blank, she had no memory of the previous night’s events.
Nisha hurried to the window and peered out. The sight of a busy highway instead of a deserted hideout offered a small sense of relief. For a split second, she considered climbing out to make a run for it.
However, the faint sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the hallway. Heart racing, Nisha scrambled back to the bed, pulled the covers over herself, and shut her eyes tight. She decided to feign sleep, hoping that by playing the part of an unconscious captive, she could overhear the truth about how she ended up there.
A moment later, the female guard returned to her post, only to be joined by a second guard who arrived at the same time. The sound of their muffled footsteps and the quiet creak of the door intensified Nisha’s anxiety as she lay there, perfectly still.
From beneath her eyelids, Nisha remained frozen, her ears straining to catch every whisper. The presence of two people instead of one shifted the dynamic, she realized that escaping unnoticed would now be much more difficult. She kept her breathing shallow and rhythmic, desperately hoping that their conversation would provide the missing pieces of the puzzle before they realized she was actually awake.
1st Female guard (pihu) :~ (to 2nd female guard) (varsha) tum yaha kya kar rahi ho...
Varsha :~ tumhe bulane aayi hu chalo breakfast kar lo...
Pihu :~ Fir yaha kon rahega hume inhe dekhna bhi toh hai...
Varsha :~ Aree koi nahi inko hosh aayega toh khud neeche aa jayengi waise bhi inhe jaana hi hai yaha se kon sa hum inhe jaante hai ya humare sir inhe jaante hai na ye humare sir ko...
Pihu :~ Fir bhi sir bol ke gaye hai na ki inhe nasta karwana hai aur sach bhi toh batana hai ki inke saath kal raat kya hua tha...
Varsha :~ Nasta wo oots...sir ko hi itna healthy khana hota hai aur koi nahi kahyega unke siwaye mai to bimari me bhi nahi khau aisa khana...
Pihu :~ Thora serious ho jao varsha inhe batana jaruri hai inke saath kya hona wala tha taaki aage se apna dhayan rakh sake...
Varsha :~ kya hua tha mujhe nahi pata hai hai mera matlab hai mai toh itna hi janati hu ki kal raat hume bulaye aur fir inhe yaha leke aa gaye hum...
Pihu :~ Sana ka call aaya tha wo mujhe sab kuch bata di hai abhi abhi usase hi baat karke aa rahi hu...
Varsha :~ kya bata di hai...
Pihu :~ Sana told me everything, her voice heavy with disbelief. That boy she was with the one she called her boyfriend? He had drugged her. He was trying to get physical with her, trying to force himself on her right there. If Reyansh Sir hadn't reached the spot at that exact second, we wouldn't be standing here watching her sleep we’d be searching for her in some dark corner of this city.
Varsha :~ kya itna sab kuch inhe toh sach pata chalna jaruri hai...
Pihu :~ Haa lekin ab kisi ko bhi ye baat nahi batana kyunki sir nahi chahate ye baat kisi ko bhi pata chale isiliye unhone kisi ko bhi batane se mana kiya tha sana mujhe isiliye batai taaki mai inhe bata saku aur ye apna dhayan rakh sake...
Varsha :~ Accha mai nahi bataungi kisi ko...
Pihu :~ Chalo chalte hai hum breakfast kar lete hai tab tak inhe hosh aa hi jayega...
Varsha :~ Haa sahi rahega...
Once the guard finished her chilling account, the room fell silent again. Satisfied that Nisha was still deep in her drug-induced slumber, the two guards turned and quietly exited the room, the soft click of the door locking behind them.
Nisha lay there, finally alone, but her mind was now a storm of horror and realization. The silence of the room suddenly felt heavy with the weight of the truth she had just overheard.
It felt as if her entire world had collapsed in an instant. He hadn’t just been her boyfriend, he was her entire world, the person she had loved beyond all boundaries. Over time, he had become more than a partner he was an ingrained habit, a constant presence in her life from the moment she woke up until she closed her eyes at night.
Despite her desperate attempts to hold them back, tears began to stream down her face. She tried to compose herself, to be strong, but the weight of the betrayal was too heavy to bear. Everything felt profoundly wrong, yet she couldn't deny what she had just heard with her own ears.
She struggled to make sense of the void in her memory. She couldn't even recall what had happened after she finished that juice, which only led her to one agonizing conclusion, he had drugged her. He had systematically planned to take advantage of her. The sheer scale of the deception was more than she could cope with, leaving her shattered in the silence of the unfamiliar room.
She no longer had the strength to face anyone or anything. All she craved was peace, a quiet corner where she wouldn't have to speak or explain herself to a single soul. Her world had been shattered into a thousand jagged pieces, and the overwhelming confusion left her feeling utterly hollow.
Driven by a desperate need for solitude, she began formulating a plan to escape. She wasn't running away from justice or safety, she was running toward the only thing that felt manageable being alone.
She turned her gaze back to the window. Fortunately, the room was on the first floor, making a descent feel possible. Without a second thought, she grabbed her purse and phone. Stepping out onto the ledge, she gripped the sturdy pipe running along the exterior wall. With trembling hands and a heart heavy with grief, she carefully maneuvered her way down until her feet hit the ground. Moments later, she disappeared into the distance, leaving the farmhouse and its painful truths behind.
Meanwhile, back at the office, Reyansh successfully wrapped up his first meeting. Without a moment's pause, he prepared to head out for his second appointment scheduled at a local hotel. Since several of the attendees had traveled from out of town specifically for this meeting and were staying there, Reyansh decided it was best to meet them on site.
Accompanied by his PA, Sana, and his manager, he walked out of the office building toward his waiting car. Once they were all seated inside, the driver pulled away from the curb, and Reyansh leaned back, his mind already shifting gears toward the high stakes negotiations ahead.
Nisha walked aimlessly, her tears flowing in a ceaseless stream that she couldn't seem to stem. Her mind was a chaotic loop of disbelief, she simply could not comprehend how the person she considered her entire world could betray her so cruelly. Her heart screamed in denial, refusing to accept that such a horrific reality had befallen her. The emotional agony was becoming physically unbearable.
In a desperate bid to numb the pain, she spotted a Pani Puri stall at the roadside. She didn't head there out of hunger or a craving, she needed a different kind of burn to distract her from the one in her chest. She approached the vendor and demanded the spiciest ones he could make the absolute hottest. As she ate, she urged him to make each subsequent one even more searing than the last. The people standing around whispered in bafflement, unable to understand why a girl was punishing herself with such extreme spice.
As Nisha struggled to regain some semblance of self-control, Reyansh’s car pulled up to the curb and came to a halt nearby. Sana, wanting to grab some juice, asked Reyansh for permission, he nodded, and she stepped out toward the opposite side.
It was then that Reyansh’s gaze fell upon Nisha. He overheard the murmurs of the crowd people wondering aloud what could have happened to drive her to eat something so incredibly spicy. Watching her, Reyansh began to piece together that she had woken up and overheard the truth, though he was momentarily confused as to why his guards at the farmhouse hadn't called him.
Wasting no time, he signaled to Sana from across the way. When she reached the car, he quickly and discreetly filled her in on Nisha’s situation. He instructed her to stop Nisha immediately, give her some juice to soothe the spice, and look after her. Because his manager and his personal assistant were preoccupied with arranging files and discussing work, the exchange went entirely unnoticed.
Sana approached Nisha, gently stopping her and offering the glass of juice. She looked at her with concern and asked what had happened, but Nisha remained silent, her expression guarded despite her tear-stained face. Sana even offered to give her a ride home or provide any assistance she might need, but Nisha softly declined. She claimed her house was very close by and insisted she could make her own way.
Respecting her wish for space, Sana watched as Nisha walked away. Returning to the car, Sana gave a subtle signal to Reyansh that Nisha was safe, and the vehicle pulled away into the traffic.
Reyansh found himself lost in prayer, his heart heavy with a single plea, that Nisha would be alright. In the middle of his silent reflection, his phone buzzed. It was a call from the farmhouse staff, informing him with a hint of panic that Mam was no longer in her room.
It's alright, you all just carry on with your work, Reyansh replied calmly, his voice betraying none of the turmoil he felt. He didn't offer any explanations, and they didn't dare ask for any. His only priority was Nisha's safety and well-being. Just as he hung up, his phone rang again this time, it was his younger brother calling. He took a deep breath and answered.
Ishaan :~ Bhaiya aap kab aaoge ghar kal raat bhi nahi aaye the...bebe ko bhej diye the khud nahi aaye the....
Reyansh :~ ek important kaam aa gaya tha isiliye nahi aaya tha mai aaj aaunga tension mat lo...abhi kaam me hu baad me baat karta hu...
Ishaan :~ Haa theek hai bhaiya lekin aayega aap...
Reyansh :~ Haa...
After that, Reyansh arrived at the hotel and headed straight into his meeting, projecting his usual professional calm. Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Nisha finally reached the sanctuary of her home. The moment she crossed the threshold, she locked herself in her room, and the floodgates finally broke.
The tears she had been desperately holding back burst forth in a violent, uncontrollable sob. She thought back to her friends how they had tried to warn her, how they had tried to dissuade her from falling so deeply for him. But she had paid them no heed. She had chosen to ignore the world and place her absolute trust in him instead.
Today, that trust along with the love she had nurtured so carefully lay in jagged, irreparable pieces. Sitting alone in the silence of her room, the weight of her misplaced faith was the most painful burden she had ever had to carry.
Meanwhile, in the spacious hall of a grand palace, the air was filled with the low hum of family conversation. The men were gathered on the plush sofas, deep in discussion about strategies to further expand their vast business empire. On the other side of the hall, the women were occupied with a different kind of planning, the marriage of the family's eldest son.
They spoke with a mix of hope and concern, wishing that a wife and a home of his own would finally encourage him to visit more often. They longed for him to take a genuine interest in his family life and spend quality time with his loved ones, as he was rarely ever seen at the palace. Typically, the moment his work was finished, he would bypass the family home entirely and head straight to his farmhouse.
It’s time he settled down and built a life for himself, one of them remarked softly. How much longer can he keep focusing solely on the well-being of others while neglecting his own happiness? He deserves to have a home and a family to come back to.
Grand dame :~ prisha tumhe lagta hai ki wo tumhari sunega ga aur tum jo ladki pasand karogi usase shaadi karega...dekho khud ko pareshan mat karo hume batao hum baat karenge...hum tumhe ya usse aur pareshan nahi dekh sakte...
It was none other than Reyansh’s own family sitting in that grand hall. The conversation had turned entirely toward him, as the elders and the senior ladies of the household reached a firm conclusion, it was high time he got married.
Being the eldest son, a heavy weight of responsibility rested on his shoulders, yet his personal life remained a void. The family felt that a wedding was the only way to anchor him back to the palace and his roots. They were determined to see him settled, hoping that a partner would finally give him a reason to come home instead of retreating into the solitude of his farmhouse.
Prisha :~ mummy mai jaanti hu lekin wo mera beta hai mai uske baare me kaise na sochu aakhir maa hu uski...
Shivani :~ di lekin wo maanta nahi hai na...
Bebe :~ Accha tum dono baate band karo hum baat kar lenge reyansh se....
Just then, the male members of the household wrapped up their discussions and joined the rest of the family in the center of the hall. Seeing the women gathered in such animated conversation, they approached with curious smiles.
What is being discussed with such deep focus? one of them asked, taking a seat.
The air in the grand hall shifted as the focus turned from business to the heart of the home. The men looked from one face to another, waiting for an answer, unaware that the topic on the table was the future of the family’s eldest son and the plan to finally see him settled.
CHAPTER END
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✧ What will Nisha’s decision be now?
✧ Why doesn’t Reyansh listen to his mother? Does he not even consider her to be his mother?
✧ Why does Reyansh stay at his farmhouse instead of living in his own home?
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