The Enchanted Love✨ [Barsatein]

Chapter 53

Reyansh wakes up, the cryptic message still etched in his mind. The faint glow of the sunrise filters through the curtains as he watches Aradhana sleeping peacefully. His hand brushes a strand of hair from her face, and she stirs, her eyes fluttering open.

Aradhana: (groggily) "You're awake early. Something on your mind?"
Reyansh: (forcing a smile) "Just thinking about work. Go back to sleep, Mrs. Lamba."
Aradhana: (narrowing her eyes) "Liar. I know that look. What's going on, Reyansh?"
He hesitates, then leans down to kiss her forehead.
Reyansh: "Nothing you need to worry about. Just promise me you'll be extra careful today."
Aradhana: (sitting up, frowning) "Reyansh, if something's wrong, you need to tell me."
Reyansh: (avoiding her gaze) "I will. Just... not yet. Trust me, Aru."
Aradhana studies him for a moment before nodding reluctantly. But the unease in her chest doesn't go away.

Aradhana is deep in thought, reviewing the whistleblower's documents. Her colleague, Meera, notices her distracted state.

Meera: "Earth to Aradhana Di. You've been staring at that same page for ten minutes."
Aradhana: (sighing) "It's Reyansh. He's hiding something, and it's eating at me."
Meera: (teasing) "You mean Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome has secrets? Shocking."
Aradhana: (rolling her eyes) "I'm serious, Meera. It's like he's trying to protect me from something. But what if it's something I need to know?"
Meera: (placing a hand on her shoulder) "Look, Reyansh bro is a smart guy. If he's keeping something from you, it's probably because he thinks he's keeping you safe. Give him time."
Aradhana nods, but her worry lingers. She decides to focus on her investigation for now.

Reyansh is in his agency's secure facility, reviewing surveillance footage with Vikram. The video shows a man in a hooded jacket planting something under Reyansh's car two nights ago.
Vikram: (angrily) "This is getting out of hand, Rey. They're targeting you and Aradhana now. You should've reported this earlier."
Reyansh: "And put her in more danger? No way. I'll handle this myself."
Vikram: (grabbing his arm) "Listen to me, Rey. You're not a lone wolf anymore. You have a wife who'll lose her mind if anything happens to you. Let us help."
Reyansh exhales sharply, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.
Reyansh: "Fine. But I'm leading this. I won't let anything happen to her."

Aradhana follows a lead to a shady café where she's supposed to meet a source. As she enters, a man in a baseball cap and sunglasses motions her to sit down.
Source: (whispering) "You're digging into dangerous territory, Mrs. Lamba. The people you're after won't hesitate to silence you."
Aradhana: (leaning forward) "Then why are you helping me?"
Source: "Because I've seen what they do to people who get in their way. If you're not careful, you'll be next."
Aradhana: (calmly) "Then tell me everything you know."
The source slides a USB drive across the table.
Source: "This has names, dates, everything. But once you open it, you'll be in their crosshairs. Be ready."
As Aradhana pockets the drive, she notices a figure watching her from across the café. Her instincts kick in, and she quickly leaves through the back door.
Scene 5: Lamba Apartment – Night
Reyansh returns home to find Aradhana sitting on the couch, the USB drive in her hand.
Reyansh: (concerned) "What's that?"
Aradhana: (holding his gaze) "Evidence. And a warning. Someone's watching me, Rey."
Reyansh: (tensing) "You should've told me before going after this."
Aradhana: (defensive) "I'm a journalist, Reyansh. This is what I do. I can't sit back and let you fight all the battles alone."
He sits beside her, taking her hand in his.
Reyansh: "And I can't lose you, Aradhana. You have no idea how dangerous these people are."
Aradhana: (softly) "Then let's face them together."
Their eyes meet, the unspoken bond between them stronger than ever.

Reyansh pulls Aradhana into his arms, his lips brushing against her forehead.
Reyansh: (whispering) "You're impossible, you know that?"
Aradhana: (smiling) "And you love me for it."
He kisses her deeply, their worries momentarily forgotten. They move to the bedroom, where the tension melts into passion. The way he holds her, the way she touches him—it's a silent promise to protect each other, no matter the cost.