"𝘛𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦"
................
"Y-you're married?"
It wasn't a question. It was a statement, spoken like an acknowledgment of something he didn't want to belie...
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Everyone gathered in the backyard of headquarters, ready to depart, yet the absence of Abhiansh was palpable. He was always the first to arrive, punctual to the point of predictability. But today, he was nowhere to be seen.
“Should I call him?” Aradhya glanced at Veer, her brows knitted in concern.
“Let’s give it a few more minutes,” Veer replied, though his eyes betrayed the same unease. He was mid-sentence when a murmur rippled through the group. “Oh, there he is,” someone said, and all heads turned to see Abhiansh approaching.
As Abhiansh closed the distance, his figure cutting sharply through the early morning light, Veer couldn’t help but notice the subtle shift in his friend’s demeanor—the familiar aura of command was back. But Veer also sensed the shadow of thoughts that seemed to weigh him down, likely revolving around her. The one he couldn’t forget, the one whose absence haunted him still.
A sigh escaped Veer, the weight of unspoken wishes pressing on him. If only things had been different. He wished she would return to Abhiansh’s life, yet he knew it was Abhiansh’s own doing that had driven her away. His gaze dropped to the small silver locket hanging from Abhiansh’s neck, swaying softly as he walked.
“He’s wearing it again,” Veer mused, a dry chuckle escaping his lips.
Abhiansh stopped in front of Veer, his hand resting heavily on his shoulder. “You seem distracted,” Abhiansh remarked.
Veer shook his head quickly, forcing a smile. “Just thinking about you, that’s all.”
With a nod, Abhiansh turned toward Rajveer, who was watching him intently. Without a word, Abhiansh bent down, touching Rajveer’s feet in a gesture of respect. Rajveer placed his hand on Abhiansh’s head, offering a silent blessing before pulling him into a warm embrace.
“I trust you will do your best in this case too,” Rajveer said, his voice low but firm. “My blessings are always with you.”
Abhiansh nodded, the weight of expectation settling comfortably on his shoulders, as if it had always belonged there.
“Sir, you mentioned someone new would be joining us?” Ruhaan, ever the inquisitive one, piped up from the back.
At his words, they all turned to see a young woman approaching—tall, poised, her heels clicking against the floor with a deliberate rhythm. Her expression was composed, though her eyes held a gleam of something sharp and calculating. Aradhya’s face remained unreadable, but Kanika’s frown deepened for reasons no one could guess.
Esha’s gaze landed first on Abhiansh, and she extended her hand, her grip firm, her smile practiced. “Esha Gupta,” she introduced herself.
“Abhiansh Shakhawat,” he replied, shaking her hand but withdrawing almost immediately.
She acknowledged the others with a polite nod. “Pleasure to meet you all,” she said.
Ruhaan, ever the charmer, was quick to respond. “Likewise,” he said, a little too eagerly, drawing an amused glance from Aradhya.
“We’ll have plenty of time for introductions on the flight,” Abhiansh said, his voice carrying a tone of finality. Everyone nodded, and they began boarding the jet. Abhiansh was the last to step inside, pausing only briefly to exchange a final nod with Rajveer before the doors closed behind him.
---
“Vedikaa, uth jao meri maa! You’ll make us late!” Sayantika called, shaking her daughter gently awake. Mornings were always like this—a struggle between her daughter’s deep sleep and their ever-ticking clock.
Vedikaa stirred, her little hand coming up to her head. “I’m awake, Mama, stop shaking me! It feels like an earthquake,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes with her tiny fists.
Sayantika crossed her arms, feigning a glare as Vedikaa clambered out of bed. The girl stood on tiptoes and tugged at her mother’s sleeve, signaling for her to bend down. Sayantika did so, and Vedikaa promptly kissed her cheek.
“What was that for?” Sayantika asked, her stern expression faltering.
“I’m just loving my mummy,” Vedikaa replied, grinning cheekily.
Sayantika’s heart melted. For all her mischief, Vedikaa was wise beyond her years.
“Alright, little charmer. Let’s get you ready,” Sayantika said, sweeping her daughter into her arms and heading to the bathroom.
---
The flight to Delhi was mostly quiet. Everyone was partnered up, but Abhiansh sat alone, staring absently at the locket in his hand. It was a small, simple thing, yet its significance weighed heavy on him.
He kissed it gently, whispering a silent prayer to his lost love. “I’m going on another mission, Sunshine. Stay with me. You’ve always been my lucky charm.”
His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. He glanced at it briefly before putting it away, leaning back in his seat. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something momentous was about to happen—whether it was a blessing or a curse, he wasn’t sure.
A soft announcement from the cockpit informed them they were approaching Delhi. Abhiansh closed his eyes briefly, steadying himself for whatever lay ahead.
---
They exited the jet, blinking against the bright sunlight. Sanskar glanced around, clearly disoriented. “So… does anyone know where we’re headed?”
Before anyone could answer, a voice called out from behind them. “And that’s why I’m here.” A man in his early thirties approached, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.
“I’m Ayan Oberoi,” he introduced himself, shaking hands with Abhiansh. “I’ll be taking you to Rathore Villa.”
Ayan gestured toward a sleek Mercedes parked nearby. “Everyone except Mr. Shakhawat can ride with me,” he added, turning toward a separate car. Abhiansh nodded wordlessly and followed, leaving his team to settle into the other vehicle.
---
The soft chime of the temple bells echoed through the Rathore estate, their gentle ringing filling the large hall with a sense of peace. A young man wheeled an older man toward the altar, where a woman stood in prayer.
“Aksay,” she murmured after a moment, offering the two men the prasad as they bowed their heads. “They’ll be here soon. Go and call her. Let her know they’re on their way.”
Aksay nodded and left the room. The woman, Urmila, turned to her husband. He looked distant, his face a mask of worry. She knelt beside him, taking his hands in hers.
“They’re coming,” he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. “She’s coming back. What will she do when she learns the truth? When she finds out about the box?”
Urmila squeezed his hands gently, trying to offer comfort. “Everything will be alright,” she whispered, though her own heart was heavy with uncertainty.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted the silence. “Maa, they’ve arrived.”
