Always Yours

A mistress ?

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Rudra and Shivansh's car rolled to a stop just outside the helipad. The moment they stepped out, Shivansh's eyes widened in surprise - Vani was already there.

Before he could even react, she rushed forward and threw her arms around him. But Shivansh... stood still. Cold. Unmoved.
He didn't hug her back.

Rudra, watching the two with unreadable eyes, didn't say a word. He turned and climbed into the helicopter without a glance back.

As he settled into his seat, he called out sharply, "Let's go, Shivansh. We're already late."

Shivansh gently pulled himself out of Vani's embrace and looked at her, puzzled.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, the edge of confusion clear in his tone.

Vani gave a soft, almost forced smile. "You weren't answering my calls. So I called Raj. He told me you were leaving for a week...

"You didn't even bother to tell me?"
Vani's voice cracked slightly, pain laced between her carefully chosen words.

"I'm sorry, Vani... I genuinely forgot," Shivansh replied, avoiding her eyes like they burned.

She let out a faint, hollow chuckle, nodding slowly. But the hurt in her eyes? Unmissable.

"Safe journey," she murmured, her voice tender yet distant. "Take care of yourself."

"You too," Shivansh said quickly, almost like an escape. "I should go. You're getting late too, right?"

Without waiting for another word, he turned on his heels and headed straight for the waiting helicopter. A few moments later, he was seated beside Rudra. The blades roared to life, drowning out whatever emotions lingered behind.

As the chopper lifted off the ground, Shivansh closed his eyes for a second - just one.
And in that fleeting moment...
Gauri's face flashed before him.
Those sorrow-filled eyes. That silent ache.
He opened his eyes instantly, as if burnt by his own guilt.

"You in love with Vani now?"
Rudra's voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"What?" Shivansh blinked, caught off guard. "I mean... we've known each other since college. She's... she's my type, I guess."

Rudra studied him - no expression, just that unreadable intensity.
"You sure you really know her? Don't forget... the enemies aren't just mine anymore. They're yours too."

Shivansh kept his tone steady. "I've looked into everything. There's nothing off about her."

A long pause followed.
Then Rudra leaned forward just slightly, his tone lower - sharper.
"You hiding something from me, Shivansh?"

Shivansh dropped his gaze.
"No. Nothing. And even if I did... why would I hide it from you?"

Rudra didn't reply. His eyes returned to the clouds beyond the glass - distant, thoughtful, and deadly silent.

Five Days Later

Gauri had left for a trip with her friends - a much-needed break, or maybe an escape.

Mahak had only been able to talk to Rudra once or twice in the past five days, as he was usually tied up in back-to-back meetings.

The house had never felt this empty. With Gauri gone and Sanya and Simran away visiting their parents, the chaos had faded, leaving behind a haunting silence. Raj and Harsh were buried neck-deep in work, and the home - once vibrant - now echoed stillness.