𝐕𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐀- 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞

12.

"She is such a bad woman. Look how she came into Vihaan's life and this happened. And now she's even staying with her daughter in this house-how shameless!" an elderly lady remarked, her voice dripping with disdain. Sayantika's gaze dropped to the floor as she fought back tears, while Urmila and Vikram shot her angry glares. Veer opened his mouth to retort, but Dhruv quickly grabbed his arm, urging him to remain silent.

Confused, Veer raised an eyebrow at Dhruv. Why was he stopping him? Dhruv merely gestured toward Abhiansh, who was gripping his glass so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He looked like an angry lion, ready to pounce.

Abhiansh took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. But when the woman continued, he felt his patience snap.

"No one will marry this girl now. After all, she has a daughter from her first marriage. I don't understand why Mr. Rathore even allows her to stay here..." she droned on, but her words were cut off by a booming voice.

"SHUT UP!" Everyone turned to see Abhiansh standing protectively in front of Sayantika, blocking her from the malicious gaze of the crowd.

Veer and Dhruv exchanged knowing glances, settling back in their chairs with a mix of amusement and anticipation. They could tell that a storm was brewing.

"What did you just say? She is a bad woman? Please, kindly tell me-WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU to say that? President? No rights here, so shut your ugly mouth! How dare you insult her? HER?" Abhiansh's voice reverberated throughout the room, his fury palpable. Sayantika watched him with wide eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks. Aksay swiftly took Vedikaa away, seeing her grip tightly around her mother's leg.

The two ladies exchanged nervous glances, the realization of their mistake sinking in.

Abhiansh surveyed the room, his glare piercing. "DOES ANYONE HERE WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?"

Silence filled the air, amplifying the tension. He clenched his jaw, frustration building. "I FUCKING SAID SOMETHING!"

The guests shivered in response, murmuring in unison, "No, sir."

"Gale main kuch atak gaya hai yaa khaya nahi hai subhe se? Speak louder!"

"YES SIR!" they shouted, fear coursing through them. Abhiansh's gaze fell on the women once more, their faces pale with trepidation.

"And what did you say? Oh yes, that no one will marry her?" A sudden crash echoed through the room as he shattered the glass in his hand, blood trickling down his palm. Sayantika gasped, eyes wide in horror.

Vikram and Urmila exchanged worried glances, while Aradhya looked on in confusion, unsure of what would unfold next.

"Bollywood movie chal raha hai yeha pe," Dhruv whispered to Veer, trying to lighten the mood.

Veer nodded, a grin forming. "Haa, thank God iss movie ke liye koi paisa nahi dena parega."

"Paisa, futi kouri bhi nahi deta! Huh, ye to thori romantic scene hai. Iss se to main accha kar leta," Veer responded, shaking his head at the absurdity of the situation as they both focused on the unfolding drama.

Abhiansh stepped toward Sayantika, who was still in shock, and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I'm sorry for what I'm going to do," he murmured, earning a confused look from her. Her eyes widened in alarm as he filled her hair partition with his blood, an act that shocked everyone present. Dhruv and Veer shared a high-five, and Aradhya nearly lost her balance, only to be steadied by Ruhaan.

Taking a deep breath, Abhiansh turned back to the stunned women. "Now she is SAYANTIKA ABHIANSH SAKHAWAT, and my daughter is VEDIKAA ABHIANSH SAKHAWAT. So keep that tongue in check when you talk about my family, or I may forget your age, Mrs."

Vikram couldn't help but smile, pride swelling in his chest at Abhiansh's fierce defense of Sayantika.

Sayantika was too stunned to respond, her gaze locked onto Abhiansh, who had just transformed her world in a matter of seconds.

Just then, Esha entered the room, her eyes widening in shock as she took in the scene-Sayantika's bloodied partition and Abhiansh's wounded hand. She gasped, piecing the situation together, before quickly exiting.

"Now please get out of this house if you're all done," Vikram said, his voice firm.

After a tense moment, the room emptied, the two ladies making a hasty exit. Dhruv and Veer blocked their path with smirks, pointing behind them.

They turned, only to see Abhiansh approaching. "Ainda se meri patni ke aas paas bhi najar mat aiye ga, cause maybe you can't return back to your house. Got it?" His voice was a chilling calm, making them nod rapidly before they fled the scene.

Dhruv chuckled, watching them scurry away. "What you did was good, but our plan got messed up."

"I don't care about anything-even my case. Everything comes after my Sayantika," Abhiansh replied, his voice hoarse.

Veer nodded in agreement as they made their way back inside.

Everyone was gathered in the main room, including Aksay, who was comforting Vedikaa. Sayantika stood frozen, her mind racing. Just minutes ago, she was a widow; now, she was married again, to the very man who had brought her back into this world of chaos, a past she could never forget.

Vedikaa looked up at her mother, her innocent eyes filled with questions. "Mumma, kya hua?"

"Sayantika, beta, let's go to your room," Urmila urged gently, but Sayantika remained a statue, lost in thought. Urmila took her hand and guided her, step by slow step, toward her room.

Abhiansh's heart sank as he watched her retreat. He sighed deeply and approached Vikram, seeking to clear the air.

Getting down on one knee to meet Vikram's gaze, he saw a mixture of emotions swirling within him. Vikram's expression was not one of anger but tinged with sadness. He had loved Sayantika like his own daughter, and seeing her in pain weighed heavily on his heart.

"I know what I did was wrong. I didn't even consider anything else but her in that moment," Abhiansh admitted, his voice thick with remorse.

Vikram sighed heavily, placing a hand on Abhiansh's shoulder. "I'm not angry with you, Abhiansh. I understand your intentions, and I'm grateful that you took a step for my daughter, whom you've only known for a short time. But as a father, it pains me to see her like this."

"Abhiansh," he continued, softening, "as a father, I'm asking you to take care of her. My girl has suffered so much, please."

Abhiansh shook his head, his resolve firm. "I promise, I'll take care of her. No one can harm her; if anyone dares, they'll have to cross me first."

Vikram smiled at him, gratitude shining in his eyes. Abhiansh bowed his head to receive his blessing, touching Vikram's feet in respect. Vikram patted his head affectionately as Abhiansh rose.

His gaze shifted to Vedikaa, who was sucking her thumb, looking adorably confused. He chuckled softly, a warmth filling his heart.

"She is your daughter now," Veer remarked, placing a hand on Abhiansh's shoulder.

"She is my daughter, but I'll become her father the day she accepts me as such," Abhiansh replied, determination etched across his features.