The Girl and The Stone

07. A Plan Gone Wrong

The Night Before

In their dimly lit room, Ankul leaned in and whispered, “Are you seriously sticking to that plan you rambled on about this morning?”

Zia’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Of course! It’s brilliant! We ‘kidnap’ Ishani for a little while—just long enough for Vyhan to get all heroic and swoop in to ‘rescue’ her. They fall in love, realize they’re meant for each other, and break off the engagement. Simple, right?”

Ankul raised an eyebrow, looking equal parts skeptical and horrified. “Simple? More like completely insane. But, uh… you’re on your own with this one. I can’t live the rest of my life in prison, thanks.”

Zia smirked. “If you don’t help me and I get caught, I’ll just have to tell everyone you were my accomplice.”

Ankul glared. “You wouldn’t dare—”

“Oh, I would,” Zia grinned. “And remember, you did say if I hadn’t meddled, Ishani and Vyhan would’ve been engaged by now.”

Ankul hesitated, then grumbled, “Fine. They do deserve each other… And the thought of Vyhan ending up with you—”

Zia stared daggers at him.

“Okay, okay! Let’s do it,” Ankul sighed. “But I swear, this is the last time I’m helping you with one of your harebrained schemes.”

“Deal!” Zia said, extending her hand. They exchanged a mischievous grin, fully convinced their plan would go off without a hitch. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

-------------------

The Next Morning

Zia and Ankul hid near the pathway Ishani usually took during her morning walk. Ankul nervously shifted from one foot to another as they waited.

“Alright, when she passes by, we jump out, cover her eyes, and just… keep her hidden for a bit,” Zia instructed with a wink.

“Got it,” Ankul replied, nodding with false confidence.

But just as they were about to jump, they heard footsteps behind them. Before they could react, a cloth was thrown over their heads, and strong hands restrained them. They struggled, but the binds were too tight.

Ankul shot her a panicked glance, and for a brief moment, they shared the same thought: This wasn’t supposed to happen.

In a muffled panic, Ankul muttered, “Wait… we were supposed to be doing the kidnapping!”

Zia’s voice was equally panicked yet somehow amused. “Well… maybe this is karma.”

The two were quickly bundled into a carriage, completely foiling their plan—and leaving Ishani, unknowingly, safe and sound.

-------------------

Later

When the cloth was finally removed, Zia and Ankul blinked against the dim light of a small room. They were alone, tied up back-to-back on a pair of chairs.

Ankul groaned. “Now what, mastermind?”

Zia smirked despite the situation. “Guess we wait for our ‘kidnappers’ to tell us what’s going on.”

Ankul sighed. “Next time, remind me never to go along with your schemes.”

-------------------

The Kidnappers Enter

The door creaked open, and two rough-looking men stepped inside. Zia and Ankul glanced at each other and quickly put on innocent expressions.

“So, did you kidnap us for ransom?” Zia asked, trying to sound casual. “We can give you plenty. Our father’s the Finance Minister, you know.”

The kidnappers laughed, their voices echoing ominously in the small room.

“Ransom? Oh no, we don’t need your money,” one of them sneered. “We’re human traffickers. We’ll get a lot more selling you off as slaves. So, you two better be ready to get shipped off.”

Ankul panicked. “I’m useless! I don’t know anything!”

Zia added, "I'm even worse!"

The kidnappers exchanged a look, unimpressed. “I don’t believe that. I bet you can cook and do chores.”

Ankul looked ready to cry. “She doesn’t even know how to taste salt in food! Where would she manage cooking and chores?”

Zia nodded eagerly. “Exactly! Complete disaster.”

One of the kidnappers chuckled darkly. “That’s fine. No worries—your bodies will be of use, at least.” He sneered as he turned away. “Take them.”

Zia and Ankul’s faces paled as they began shouting for help.

-------------------

Just then, the door burst open. Vyhan and Naman rushed in, taking down the kidnappers with quick, controlled moves.

Zia’s gaze lingered on Vyhan, momentarily mesmerized by his fierce focus.

As the dust settled, Vyhan glanced at Zia. “You never stay quiet, do you?”

Ankul, wiping tears of relief from his eyes, practically threw himself at Vyhan, clutching him like a lifeline. “Brother-in-law!” he cried, hugging him tightly. “Thank you! I’ll never scheme again—well, maybe just a little.”

Zia’s eyebrows shot up. “Brother-in-law?”

Ankul pulled away, looking sheepish. “Uh… just got a little caught up in the moment.”

Vyhan raised an eyebrow at Ankul, then looked back at Zia with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. “A little caught up in your schemes, more like.”

Zia shrugged with a grin. “Where’s the fun in life without a little chaos?”

Vyhan sighed, shaking his head. “Chaos seems to follow you like a shadow, Dara. But there are limits.”

Zia smirked, unfazed. “Limits are just suggestions.”

Ankul groaned, muttering, “Says the one who almost got us trafficked.”

Vyhan paused, looking at Zia with a serious expression. “You think this is a game? Today wasn’t just a prank gone wrong; you two could’ve been gone—forever.”

Zia’s grin faltered, her heart skipping a beat under his intense gaze. “I… I didn’t think it would go this far.”

-------------------

End of Chapter Seven