A Symphony Of Silence And Storm

Viraj new plan

Two weeks crawled by, and Viraj grew increasingly frustrated. He'd anticipated news of Shivay and Annika's imminent divorce, a delicious public spectacle of his own making. Yet, there was nothing. Not a whisper. Not a hint of marital discord. Seething, Viraj concluded Annika hadn't believed his lies.  Undeterred, that vindictive spark in his eyes reignited. A new plan, even more devious than the last, began to form in his scheming mind.

Two weeks passed, and while Viraj fumed over his failed plan, Annika had been keeping a watchful eye on him. His lack of activity in those fourteen days lulled her into a false sense of security, leading her to believe he'd finally conceded defeat.

Meanwhile, Annika had her own agenda. Driven by the desire to increase her stake in Singhania Industries, she realized she had two years to acquire more shares before her uncle and his sons held the majority. This determination led her to plan a trip to New Delhi to meet with potential investors.

Annika formulated a two-pronged plan.  Firstly, she would leverage her business acumen and charm to secure investments for RIA, which then she will use to buy shares of Singhania industries. Secondly, she needed a plausible excuse for a trip to New Delhi.  Opportunity, as they say, knocked.

The prestigious Hotel Paradise in New Delhi was hosting their annual grand gala, an event Kanika had once used to create a misunderstanding between Shivay and Pinky.  Unaware of this past drama, Annika saw this as the perfect excuse.  She accepted the project, knowing her capable team could handle the event logistics while she focused on investor meetings.

Lost in thought about her upcoming investor meetings in New Delhi, Annika stood gazing out the window. So engrossed was she in strategizing her pitch that she didn't hear Shivay enter the room after work. He approached her silently, a smile playing on his lips, and wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his head on her shoulder.

Startled by the sudden touch, Annika's hand instinctively flew to her waist. The warmth and familiarity of his touch calmed her, and she recognized Shivay's comforting presence.

"Annika, where'd you wander off to? Didn't even see me come in," he teased, his voice muffled against her back.

Annika gently placed her hand over his, "Just company stuff, Shivay. Actually, I'm off to New Delhi the day after tomorrow to organize an event."

Shivay's playful tone instantly faded. "New Delhi? Don't worry, I'll come with you."

Annika turned, gently untangling herself from his embrace. "But Shivay, it's for five days. You have important meetings here."

A pout formed on his lips. "Annika, I can't handle being away from you for even a day, and you're talking about five?"

Annika's heart melted a little. "Aww, my poor baby," she teased, reaching up to cup his face. "Don't worry, these five days will fly by. I'll call you every single day, okay?"

Seeing him unconvinced, she took a bolder step. Leaning in, she surprised him with a passionate kiss, the first time she had initiated their intimacy.

"I'll miss you too," she whispered when they pulled apart, "but you know work is important. Besides, I promise a whole week just for us when I get back."

Shivay, still stunned by her unexpected kiss has a blush crept up his neck as he stammered agreement.  Unaware of the storm brewing on the horizon, they drifted off to sleep, their dreams untroubled.

Three days had flown by since Annika's arrival in New Delhi. Staying at the very Hotel Paradise where the event was taking place, she'd kept Shivay updated with regular calls, a mix of video chats and quick check-ins.  Annika's charm had worked its magic, securing several promising investments for her company.  With her team, led by the ever-reliable Kavya, flawlessly handling the event logistics, Annika felt a sense of accomplishment.  Her work in New Delhi complete, she decided to indulge in a long-awaited reunion.

Reaching out to Rohan and Ishita, her siblings who resided in Delhi, Annika arranged a surprise visit.  Their initial shock at seeing her was quickly eclipsed by further surprise – Annika was married!  Though tight-lipped about her husband's identity, promising to introduce him soon, Annika's evident happiness put their worries to ease.

After a heartwarming day catching up with her siblings, Annika retreated to her hotel room, a pleasant exhaustion settling over her.  The quiet was shattered by Shivay's call.  Annika's heart skipped a beat.  He was in Pune, attending a party, and eager to know her arrival time the next day.  Missing him dearly, Annika downplayed her return date, mentioning an evening arrival the following day.

However, with no work obligations remaining and the irresistible urge to surprise Shivay, a mischievous glint entered Annika's eyes.  She would book a flight to Pune that very night, land near his location, and witness his reaction firsthand. The anticipation of seeing Shivay's face light up at her surprise arrival filled her with excitement.  Little did she know, her impulsive decision would set in motion a chain of events that would challenge their newfound happiness.

Meanwhile, consumed by a relentless desire to destroy Shivay, Viraj decided to shift his focus.  Learning about Shivay's trip to Pune, a devious plan began to take shape in his mind.  This time, he wouldn't target Annika directly; he would go straight for the source – Shivay's reputation.  The goal: a public scandal that would not only tarnish Shivay's image but also drive a wedge between him and Annika, hopefully leading to divorce.

Viraj arrived in Pune a day before Shivay, strategically booking a room in the hotel next door. His scheme was as twisted as it was calculated.  He planned to drug Shivay, rendering him vulnerable, and then arrange for a woman to spend the night with him. The next day, a pre-arranged reporter would "discover" Shivay in this compromising situation, the perfect fodder for a juicy scandal.  The fabricated narrative: Shivay, a womanizer who resorted to such tactics to secure business deals, all while betraying his wife.  Viraj believed this would not only ruin Shivay's professional standing but also push Annika towards divorce.

With chilling meticulousness, Viraj put his plan into action.  He hacked into the hotel's computer system, effectively disabling the security cameras, ensuring his actions remained unseen.  He then enlisted the help of two accomplices – a woman to be Shivay's unwitting target and a waiter who would unknowingly slip the drug into Shivay's drink.  The drug, a potent aphrodisiac, was designed to lower inhibitions and heighten desire, leaving Shivay susceptible to manipulation.  Viraj, a predator lurking in the shadows, waited for his unsuspecting prey to fall into his meticulously crafted trap. Unaware of the impending danger, Shivay's arrival in Pune would set in motion a series of events that would test the strength of his marriage and his own moral compass.