The Royal Tatvas

Chapter 40

Abhay was cleaning his gun when he noticed Vivaan descending the stairs. He inquired, "Vivaan, you mentioned Heer was at her friend's house. When is she returning?" Vivaan, looking puzzled, replied, "Yes, Vidhi received her message that she's at her friend's place. I'm not sure; ask Vidhi about it."

Vidhi, appearing behind him, asked, "About what?" Abhay repeated his question to her. She tried calling Heer, but her phone was on silent. "She's not answering the call," Vidhi noted, and Abhay's worry intensified. Suddenly, he recalled something, and a stark realization made his heart skip a beat.

Raising his voice, he called out, "Karan, Aditi, come here quickly!" Aditi rushed downstairs, her pace slowing as she saw Abhay's anxious expression.

She had never seen him so distressed; he was usually composed. Aditi caressed his face, asking, "What's wrong, Abhay?" He met her gaze and said, "Aditi, we need to locate Heer's phone immediately."

Karan moved to act, but Aditi halted him, "I'll handle it." She opened her laptop, settled into a chair, tied her hair back, and began working. After some time, she announced, "She's at this location," pointing to a spot that made Karan's eyes widen.

"This is..." Abhay swiveled the laptop towards himself, and his fury surged. "The Pratap Mansion," he uttered, recalling the bracelet in Nidhi's possession, identical to the one Heer wore.

Abhay grabbed his gun and stormed out of his palace, seething with anger. Aditi glanced at Karan and urged, "Hurry, Karan; he's going to do something reckless." Before they could reach the entrance, a car sped past them.

Holding her head, Aditi exclaimed, "Karan, find a car; we must hurry." Karan dashed off and soon halted a car for Aditi. They both departed from the palace swiftly.

Vivaan watched this with concern. Vidhi placed her hand on his shoulder, reassuring him, "They'll be fine, Vivaan. Don't worry." As she spoke, she gently stroked his cheek. Vivaan, troubled, confided, "Vidhi, she was missing for two days, and we failed to notice."

To console him, Vidhi embraced Vivaan. Meanwhile, Abhay was driving recklessly, haunted by Heer's words echoing in his mind, "I never had a brother, but now I know you'll shield me from all harm. Everyone should have a brother like you." The memory pierced his heart like a volley of arrows.

With a surge of determination, Abhay floored the accelerator. He arrived at the Pratap mansion, flung open the door, and, gun in hand, marched inside. No guard dared to confront him, intimidated by the fury and force he radiated.

Abhay entered and saw Yug standing there, engrossed in his phone. He grabbed Yug's collar and slammed him onto the table. Placing his shoe on Yug's chest, he pointed a loaded gun into his mouth and demanded, "Where is Heer?"

Yug shrugged and replied, "Who's Heer?" Nidhi descended the stairs and caught sight of Abhay. Tears began to form in her eyes. As Abhay's eyes reddened with anger, he pressed his shoe harder and demanded, "For the last time, where is Heer?"

The commotion drew everyone in the house to the hall. Pooja covered her face with her hand and pleaded, "Abhay, let him go." Abhay looked up, and his gaze shifted to Nidhi, whose face morphed back into Heer's.

Unable to contain herself, Heer ran to Abhay and embraced him. Abhay released Yug and returned her hug. He noticed the scratches and marks on her trembling body.

Through her sobs, Heer pleaded, "Hukum sa, please don't do this. He is my... husband." Abhay closed his eyes, overwhelmed by the pain of not being able to protect his sister from this brute.

Varnika was seeing all this from the top floor. She held the railing tightly. He looked back in a room behind her to see the bed full of red patches. It was Yug's room.