Shadow of redemption

Morning

Hello everyone welcome to new chapter ☺️☺️☺️

Aaravi's serene morning prayer fills the house with warmth, leaving Rakshit and Raj captivated by her presence. After the prayer, Aaravi serves a hearty breakfast, her playful banter with Raj and teasing of Rakshit over his black coffee bringing a familial joy that Rakshit hasn't felt in years.

Later, Rakshit arranges for Aaravi to visit potential sites for her hospital, emphasizing his support for her vision. As their conversation turns personal, Aaravi reveals her family's involvement in the project and expresses her desire for Rakshit to meet them as her future husband. Rakshit, overwhelmed and uncertain due to his dark past, hesitates, fearing he isn’t good enough for her.

Aaravi reassures him with compassion, emphasizing her faith in his goodness. Her words challenge Rakshit’s self-doubt, and though conflicted, he decides to embrace her love. Determined to protect her and earn her family’s trust, he secretly tightens her security while vowing to stand by her side, no matter the risks. Aaravi, unaware of his internal struggle, feels secure and hopeful for their future together, ready to face any challenges with him.

As Rakshit stepped into his office, the warmth and gentleness he felt with Aaravi vanished, replaced by the cold, merciless persona of the Mafia King. The transformation was swift and chilling—the man who had been softened by love now reverted to the brutal, calculating leader his world feared. His eyes turned steely, his presence like a storm ready to unleash fury. Gone was the gentle smile; in its place was a smirk that promised pain and obedience.

When he learned that one of his subordinates had been leaking information to an enemy, his anger erupted. Rakshit’s eyes darkened, his expression hard as stone, and his voice dropped to a chilling calmness that sent shivers through his men. He confronted the traitor without hesitation, a predator stalking its prey. His hands, once tender around Aaravi, now dealt swift and unrestrained violence.

Rakshit’s brutal punishment was a message: he was not just a mafia boss but a god of death to those who betrayed him. With a single command, he ended the life of the traitor, an unflinching executioner. The room was silent, each member witnessing Rakshit’s cold and unfeeling wrath. The gentle man he was with Aaravi had become a distant memory; here stood the Phantom, an unstoppable force of terror. His cruelty had resurfaced, leaving no doubt that Rakshit was the ruler of his dark world, a devil who would stop at nothing to keep his throne.

On other side,

Aaravi, accompanied by Rakshit’s employees from RR Company, meticulously examined each piece of land for the new hospital. She noticed essential features that would make a significant difference in patient care and hospital operations. Accessibility was a priority; the chosen land was well-connected to major roads, allowing quick and easy access for ambulances and patients alike. Proximity to residential areas was also beneficial, ensuring community access and ease of recruitment for hospital staff.

Another critical point was the availability of utilities, like a reliable water supply and electricity, necessary for uninterrupted hospital functions. Additionally, the land’s size allowed for potential future expansions, making it ideal for setting up various specialized departments. Satisfied with these aspects, Aaravi finalized the land, feeling it was perfectly suited for the hospital’s vision.

Excited, she called her family, informing them of the decision and inviting them to Mumbai to see the location firsthand. The anticipation in her voice was clear as she discussed her plans with them, thrilled about moving one step closer to her dream of creating a healthcare facility that would benefit countless lives.

In Rakshit's office,

Rakshit’s anger roared like a storm. The betrayal from his subordinate struck deep, fueling his rage as he slammed his hand on the table, sending a chill through Raj, who stood nearby. His voice was as icy as it was commanding. “Raj, I want every bit of information on this—who sent him, what’s been leaked. You have one hour. Understood?” Raj nodded quickly and left, aware of the wrath his boss could unleash.

Just then, Rakshit’s phone chimed. He glanced down, expecting another report—but instead, it was a message from Aaravi. “Come home early. Dinner’s waiting for you and Raj,” she wrote. Instantly, the tension that gripped him softened, melting like ice beneath a warm sun. Someone was waiting for him—not with fear, but with care. The image of her waiting at home, cooking just for him, grounded him in a calm he hadn't felt moments before.

In that quiet, he realized how this simple act of love gave him a sense of belonging that no power or dominance could provide. The hardened mafia king felt a rare softness in his heart, as if Aaravi was his escape from the darkness.

"Tum ho toh jeene ka ehsaas bhi hai,
Tere saath dil ko thoda sa raahat bhi hai,
Tumse door jaane ka mann kabhi na kare,
Ye jo sukoon hai, sirf tumhari wajah se hai."

With her message, the monster transformed back into a man, carrying the weight of love that balanced his brutal world.

Raj walked into the room and found Rakshit leaning back, eyes closed, a faint smile curving on his lips. Teasingly, Raj settled into the chair across from him, saying, “So, Bhabhi sent you a few smiles, huh? Enough to make you smile like that?”

Rakshit opened his eyes, irritation flickering on his face. Raj raised his hands in mock surrender. “Don't scold me, or I’ll complain to Bhabhi. She’ll teach you a lesson herself!” Raj’s lighthearted words caught Rakshit off-guard; he blinked in surprise, his brows lifting at the idea of Raj involving Aaravi in their banter. “Seems you’ve got a backer now, hmm?” Rakshit muttered, narrowing his gaze, but his tone remained playful. Then, his expression turned serious. “What did you find out?”

Raj’s face fell, tension shadowing his features. Sensing the shift, Rakshit leaned forward, his own expression darkening. Raj spoke, his voice grave, “The Dhanraj gang from Rajasthan sent that mole. And he’s passed on information about Bhabhi to them—and to other rivals for money.”

In an instant, the softness that Aaravi’s message had brought vanished. Rakshit’s gaze turned ice-cold, like an unforgiving storm on the brink of eruption. His voice was a lethal whisper, “Double the security around Aaravi. Every moment of Dhanraj and those rival gangs—I want it all. Plant our men within their circles, start bleeding their resources dry, and expose them legally. I don’t care what it takes.”

The aura around Rakshit shifted—gone was the man who smiled at Aaravi’s text, replaced by a ruthless force known as the Phantom. This name wasn’t a title; it was a promise. To his enemies, Rakshit Khanna was the God of Death, a legend whispered in fear and never seen coming.

Raj, nodding, moved to leave, but Rakshit’s final command hung in the air like a death sentence. “And Dhanraj—remind him who Rakshit Khanna really is.”

Rakshit’s mind raced with cold, calculated strategies, but underneath, a burning fear lingered—fear of losing Aaravi, his only light. This was war, and he would eliminate anyone who dared threaten her safety. He was a shield for her, even if it meant sacrificing every ounce of mercy within him.

As the tension from the day finally subsided, Rakshit glanced at Raj, exhaling. “Let’s go home. I’m tired of all this. Your Bhabhi is waiting for us with dinner.”

Raj’s face lit up, excitement sparking in his eyes. “I think she must have made chicken biryani. I told her this morning how much I wanted it.”

Rakshit’s eyes darkened slightly, a hint of jealousy tugging at him. Aaravi asked Raj’s preference? He thought of her preparing the meal, thinking about Raj’s favorite dish, and the smallest shadow of jealousy crept into his chest. Aaravi had made the biryani for Raj's happiness—not for him.

The thought simmered in Rakshit’s mind as he climbed into the car, his usual stern expression softened but conflicted. The possessiveness he felt for Aaravi was clear; every detail mattered to him because it was tied to her. He wanted every part of her attention, even the smallest gestures. The realization that someone else could also receive her kindness reminded him just how deeply his feelings for her ran—beyond protectiveness and into love.

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