Eternal Love ♡

09♡

Anaya has discharged from the hospital now they[ abhimaan & Anaya]  were in the car heading back to singhania mansion followerd by their guards.
---

The ride back to the Singhania mansion was quiet, the weight of the recent events pressing heavily on Abhimaan’s mind. Anaya sat beside him, staring out of the window, her thoughts unreadable. The faint glow of the streetlights illuminated her delicate profile, and for a fleeting moment, Abhimaan felt a pang of regret. He had decided to let her go, to shield her from the storm brewing in his life, but every glance at her reminded him of what he stood to lose.

When the car pulled into the mansion’s driveway, Abhimaan’s voice broke the silence. “Anaya, you go inside. I’ll be coming late today; there’s something I need to handle.”

Anaya, still exhausted from the day’s ordeal, didn’t question him. She simply nodded, her voice soft but firm. “Okay. Just… be safe.”

A faint smile tugged at his lips. Her concern was genuine, and it warmed a part of him he thought had grown cold. “I will. Ab tum andar jao,” he said, his tone gentle yet commanding. Turning to Raj, who stood by the car, he added, “Raj, take her inside safely and then come back.”

Raj nodded. “Yes, sir. Ma’am, please.”

Anaya stepped out of the car, her gaze briefly meeting Abhimaan’s before she followed Raj toward the mansion. Abhimaan watched her until she disappeared through the doors, a mix of emotions swirling within him. Once Raj returned to the car, they sped off into the night, leaving the sanctuary of the mansion behind.

---

Inside the Singhania mansion, Anaya walked through the grand hallway, her steps hesitant. The silence was comforting yet eerie, amplifying the emotions she tried to suppress. As she entered the living room, her eyes landed on Abhimaan’s father, who was seated on the sofa, engrossed in some paperwork. He looked up, his stern features softening when he saw her.

“Anaya beta, idhar aao,” he called out, motioning for her to come closer.

Anaya paused, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn’t interacted much with him, but his demeanor was vastly different from Shalini’s. Where his wife exuded coldness, he radiated warmth. Reluctantly, she approached him, her voice hesitant. “Ji, uncle?”

He chuckled softly. “Don’t call me uncle. You can call me ‘Pa.’”

Anaya’s lips curled into a small smile. “Okay… Pa,” she said, the word feeling foreign yet comforting.

Abhimaan’s father set his papers aside, his expression turning serious. “Anaya, ek baat kehna chahta hoon. Dekho, mujhe pata hai ye sab tumhare liye kitna mushkil raha hoga. Pehle zabardasti shaadi, aur ab is ghar mein yeh sab. Abhimaan ka tumhare saath behavior... I know it’s not easy.”

She lowered her gaze, unsure of what to say. He continued, his voice heavy with emotion. “Lekin ek baat bata doon, beta. Abhimaan ne tumse shaadi zaroor revenge ke liye ki thi, lekin wo tumhe hurt nahi karega. Maine dekha hai kaise wo tumhari care karta hai. Shuruvat mein sab mushkil tha, par tumhari innocence ne use badal diya hai. Tumne uske zindagi mein aake use unknowingly heal kar diya hai. Uska nature tumhare liye badal raha hai.”

A single tear escaped his eye, and Anaya felt her own eyes welling up. She shook her head, her voice trembling. “Paa, please don’t cry. I don’t know much, but I do know he won’t hurt me. Maybe he has his reasons for behaving the way he does. If this is my destiny, then I accept it. I’ll give this marriage a chance.”

Her words seemed to ease his burden, and he smiled through his tears. “Thank you, beta. Thank you for being in his life.”

Anaya placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Ab aap mat royiye. Please rest. Main bhi thodi der ke liye so jaungi. Aaj ka din kaafi exhausting tha.”

He nodded, wiping his tears. “Thik hai, beta. Tum bhi aram karo. Waise, Abhimaan kahan hai?”

Her mind flashed back to Abhimaan’s parting words, and she decided against telling him the truth. “He had some work. He’ll be late. Aap rest kijiye; humne already dinner kar liya,” she lied smoothly.

With a nod, he rose from the sofa and headed to his room. Anaya watched him leave before making her way upstairs, her mind heavy with thoughts. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to change between her and Abhimaan.

---

Meanwhile, in Abhimaan’s car, Raj was giving his report. “Sir, about Samrat... he’s left the country. Our international guards are tracking him, but there’s more. Regarding the blast, I don’t think it was Samrat. He was just a pawn.”

Abhimaan’s jaw tightened, his voice dangerously low. “If not Samrat, then who?”

Raj hesitated before replying. “Sir, we’re investigating. But this runs deeper. There’s another player involved.”

Abhimaan’s gaze darkened, his mind racing. “I told you to find every piece of information. Do you understand where this is heading?”

“Yes, sir. We’ve already captured one of the men who tried to betray the company. He was attempting to sell our stocks. Mansionia caught him red-handed.”

Hearing the word “betrayal,” Abhimaan’s eyes turned cold. His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. “Oh, someone has a brutal death wish today. Let’s go.”

Raj nodded, and the car sped toward the warehouse where the traitor was being held .

In the  The Warehouse ..

The dimly lit warehouse reeked of sweat and fear. A man was tied to a chair in the center, trembling as he struggled against his bonds. The muffled sound of footsteps echoed as Abhimaan entered, flanked by Raj and two security guards.

The man’s eyes widened in terror as Abhimaan stepped into the light, his gaze colder than the steel of the knife lying on the table beside him.

“So,” Abhimaan began, his voice deceptively calm, “you thought you could betray me and get away with it?”

The man shook his head frantically. “No, sir! It’s not what you think! I—I was forced—”

Abhimaan raised a hand, silencing him. “Save your excuses. I don’t have time for them.” He picked up the knife, examining it casually. “You see, betrayal is something I don’t tolerate. Whether it’s against me, my company, or the people I care about.”

The man whimpered, sweat dripping down his face. “Please, sir! Mercy! I’ll tell you everything!”

Abhimaan’s eyes narrowed. “Start talking.”

The man spilled everything, revealing the names of those involved and their plans. With every word, Abhimaan’s rage simmered just below the surface, his grip on the knife tightening.

When the man finished, Abhimaan stepped back, motioning for Raj. “Make sure he’s dealt with,” he said coldly, turning to leave.

Raj nodded. “Yes, sir.”

As Abhimaan walked out of the warehouse, his mind was already racing with the next steps. The game had just begun, and he wasn’t about to lose. Not to Samrat, not to his parents, and certainly not to anyone else who dared challenge him.

For now, his priority was ensuring Anaya’s safety, even if it meant keeping her in the dark or letting her go .
......