Shadow of redemption

Aaravi inform Rakshit about seminar

Hello everyone welcome to new chapter ☺️☺️☺️

Aaravi, unaware of the intricacies of Rakshit's life, messaged him one morning with excitement bubbling in her words.

  Aaravi:    "Rakshit, I'm coming to Mumbai for a medical seminar! It's such a great opportunity to meet my colleagues and explore the city. I’d love to see you too, it’s been so long!"

Rakshit’s expression hardened as he read her message. Mumbai, his stronghold, was not a city where someone as innocent and pure as Aaravi could move freely, not without danger. His usual arrogance masked the anxiety rising within him. How could he keep her safe while maintaining the illusion of being just her friend?

He thought for a moment, his mind a battlefield of emotions. He would never show weakness, never let his empire see that a mere doctor had any control over his thoughts. But Aaravi... she was different.

Rakshit typed back, his tone cold but controlled:

  Rakshit:    "Mumbai can be unpredictable. Be careful, Aaravi. I’ll see you soon."

Beneath his composed exterior, Rakshit began working swiftly. He assigned his most trusted men to shadow her, ensuring that she would be guarded without ever knowing. As much as it pained him to bring her into this dangerous city, he knew he had to protect her.

But he would do it from the shadows.

Rakshit personally contacted the head of the medical forum, a man named Dr Vikas Sinha , who was well-respected in academic circles. He called him for a private meeting, his commanding presence turning even a professional setting into a moment of tension.

Standing in front of Dr. Sinha, Rakshit’s usual icy demeanor was on full display, but there was something different this time—an intensity that no one but Aaravi could evoke.

  Rakshit:    "Dr. Sinha, I won't interfere with your academic affairs. But I want the best arrangements for all the doctors attending, particularly in terms of accommodation and security."

Dr. Sinha nodded, slightly taken aback by the stern authority with which Rakshit spoke.

  Rakshit:    "I’ll have my team oversee everything, but under no circumstances should anyone know I’m involved. I trust you understand."

There was no mistaking Rakshit’s warning. He was using his power not for mafia dealings this time, but for Aaravi—though he would never admit it openly. As he left the office, his emotions were tangled. He wasn’t sure what to make of this shift in his behavior.
Rakshit who never bowed, today he bowed before a mere image, 
He who avoided all love, today he paused for a smile.

---

Aaravi arrived in Mumbai that afternoon, filled with excitement. The city’s hustle and bustle felt like a new adventure. Her seminar was prestigious, but it was her chance to meet Rakshit that thrilled her most. She didn’t realize just how deeply entwined she was in a world that only Rakshit knew too well.

Rakshit, for her safety, didn’t come to pick her up personally. Instead, he sent his trusted confidant,   Raj  , who discreetly ensured her safe arrival at the hotel. As Aaravi was driven through the busy streets of Mumbai, she marveled at the city but also thought of Rakshit, wondering how he managed to live in such a place.

Upon arriving at her hotel, she quickly messaged her family.

  Aaravi:    "I’m here! Just reached the hotel safely."

Her phone immediately rang, and it was Aryan on the other end, his voice filled with concern.

  Aryan:    "Aaravi! Thank God. Are you okay? Did you check everything? Double-lock the doors! Don’t talk to strangers. And call me every hour, alright?"

Aaravi smiled at her brother’s panic.

  Aaravi:    "Aryan, relax! I’m fine, trust me. I’ll call you before bed, okay?"

  Aryan:    "I’ll still worry. You better call me. I’ll be tracking the news, just in case."

Next, she informed Rakshit of her safe arrival:

  Aaravi:    "Just reached the hotel! Everything’s smooth here, thanks for sending someone. By the way, they just informed me the seminar is postponed by a day—something about a flight cancellation for the foreign doctors."

Rakshit’s reply was quick:

  Rakshit:    "Good to know you’re safe. I’ll have Raj check on you later. Rest for now."

Aaravi, feeling comfortable, decided to push further:

  Aaravi:    "Since I’m free tonight, how about we have dinner together? I’d love to catch up."

Rakshit’s heart skipped a beat at her casual invitation. He wasn't used to being asked for something as simple as dinner—it felt foreign to him. But then, Aaravi always had a way of disrupting his cold, calculated world.

He hesitated, then replied:

  Rakshit:    "Dinner sounds good. I’ll send you the details later."

As he sent the message, Rakshit couldn’t help but feel the shifting tides within him. He was no longer just the Mafia king—the Phantom. He was now a man torn between his cold, ruthless world and the warmth that Aaravi unknowingly brought into his life.

Rakshit's who never distanced himself from time, 
Today a single moment forced him to change.

---

Later, as Aaravi settled into her hotel room, she lay back on the bed, her heart filled with excitement. Tomorrow was an opportunity to grow in her career, but tonight? Tonight was for Rakshit. Despite his cold demeanor, she could sense that somewhere beneath that rough exterior, Rakshit had started to change.And so had she.

Rakshit, ever the symbol of power and opulence, had booked the most exclusive restaurant in Mumbai for his dinner with Aaravi.   "The Starlit Haven"  , perched on the top floor of a luxurious hotel, offered a panoramic view of the city’s skyline. The night was clear, and the stars shone brightly above them, as if fate itself had painted this evening for them. The gentle murmur of the waves from the Arabian Sea and the soft music from the live band added to the romantic atmosphere.

As Aaravi entered, her eyes widened with awe. Everything was perfect, from the sparkling chandeliers to the private table set just for them by the window, overlooking the sea. But the extravagance made her a little nervous too. She knew Rakshit was wealthy, but seeing this side of him—someone who would spare no expense—made her feel a mix of happiness and concern.

  Aaravi (smiling nervously):    “Rakshit, this place is beautiful! But... you didn’t have to spend so much just for a dinner. I feel like I should be working to pay off this meal for the next ten years!”

Rakshit, leaning back in his chair, his expression still as cold as ever, watched her with an intensity that only he could carry.

  Rakshit (in his usual arrogant tone):    “I don’t care about the cost, Aaravi. It’s just dinner.”

But deep inside, his heart wasn’t as cold as his words. Watching her marvel at the beauty of the night and the setting he had arranged, Rakshit felt something stir within him. He had arranged this night for her happiness, and seeing her joy softened something in him that he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in years.

Will these stars ever understand the story of my heart? 
The one who never desired anything, today, desires you.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺
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