•Kabhi daal daal Kabhi paat paat
Main hawa pe dhoondoon uske Nishaan....•

"Shhhhhh... Don't make a sound," a man said, turning around to the other man who was following him as they took slow steps inside the VR mansion. The withered leaves crunched under their shoes, causing a rustle as both men walked in the backyard at night. The mansion was huge and was structured in a way that one could easily get lost, as they were told before coming to this giant villa to abduct someone - yes, to abduct someone. That someone was a beautiful girl whose photo was forwarded to them the previous night, along with the blueprint of the mansion, so they could easily map out the plan.

An advance payment was made, and a huge sum of money would be deposited into their bank accounts once they kidnapped the girl and brought her to the location shared with them. Everything was going smoothly, just like they planned. According to the blueprint, the back gate of the VR mansion was the door to their entry inside. At the back gate, one of their partners, disguised as a tea vendor, created a diversion. "Chai Chai Chai Chai..." The tea vendor chanted, drawing the attention of the guards at the back gate, who came towards him and asked him to move his bicycle from in front of the gate, as the road came under the private property of the VR mansion.

"What's the problem, brother... I've parked my cycle on the road... Your house gate is in front of the road, so what can we do?" The tea vendor argued, refusing to budge from the front of the gate. When the other guards came out to see what was going on, the argument increased. "Okay, fine. Take the tea, brother, there's just a little left. Once the tea in the kettle is finished, I'll also head home," the vendor suggested. The guards looked at each other; it was midnight, and their eyes were already getting heavy. A cup of tea would be just what they needed to stay awake, alert and focused through the long midnight hours.

"Okay, fine. Give your tea... Don't show your face here again, or we'll call the police," one of the guards spoke, coming forward. They were clearly told, "No nuisance at the gate," by their boss. "The VR" had already called twice in the security room to ask why there was so much noise at the back gate. Guards knew that before their boss himself came out to find out what was going on, they had to shoo the tea vendor away. The vendor smiled and poured tea from his kettle into disposable cups, passing them to the guards one by one. "Take your money and run away from here," a middle-aged guard said, taking out money from his wallet.

Wiping his hands from his red ganchha, the vendor took the money and left the place on his bicycle. His work was done; now it was his partners' turn to complete their work. When all the guards at the back gate fell asleep due to the sleeping pills added to the tea, the two men sneaked in, pulling black face masks over their faces. Till now, everything was going like they chalked on the floor of their Adda when they sat down to make a plan, keeping a bottle of Desi Daru near them. Hiding from the eyes of more guards, they managed to enter inside the backyard. Now, as planned, they had to enter inside the mansion without coming into anyone's eyes and search for the room of the girl they were supposed to abduct.

Crushing the withered leaves spreading on the small path of the backyard under their shoes, the men walked slowly, hyperalert, so no one could hear their approaching footsteps. True to what they were told, the VR Mansion was a maze in itself. The narrow, interconnecting paths in the mansion were paved in such a way that it would easily confuse any outsider. "Hey, look... There's the girl..." The man said, catching the other man's attention. They had a full-fledged plan to enter inside the mansion, but to their surprise, the one they wanted to abduct was in the courtyard itself, making their work easy and less risky.

When they saw her sitting on the swing near the pool area, they knew they had to act promptly because once she went inside the mansion, their task would become difficult. The men signaled each other. The first man slowly walked up to Riddhima while the other man hid himself behind a bush and waited for a signal from his partner.

Just when Riddhima was about to get up, the man attacked her, grabbing her neck with one hand and covering her mouth with another, trying to stop her from shouting. Riddhima was shocked. Before she could process anything, she was already held by the neck by the man who was covered in black cloth. She tried to remove his hand from her neck, but all in vain. The more she struggled, the more he strangled her.

Her eyes rolled up, and her chest tightened as she started feeling suffocated. With difficulty, she managed to bite the palm of the man, causing him to loosen his grip. Jerking his hand free, she turned and looked around, then started running, calling out "Vansh!" But out of nowhere, another man covered in black appeared before her from the bushes, and before she could run in the other direction, her hand was caught and twisted. "Vanshhhhh......" She called out loudly, looking at the gallery where he was smoking a few minutes earlier.

Her voice died down when a handkerchief was pressed forcefully against her nose, and she was made to inhale a pungent odor that eventually slowed down her brain. The pungent-smelling agent had an anesthetic effect on her, and she couldn't move a muscle. Her eyelids felt heavy, and her body fell limp as the men dragged her by the hand. "Ae ruk....." The men were frightened, hearing the voice that came from the first floor of the gallery. One look at the enraged man in the gallery, and they knew they were in serious trouble.

So, throwing Riddhima over his shoulder like a potato sack, the man ran, while the other man followed him. Their fear and speed both increased when they saw the enraged man jump the gallery and chase them.

Though the distance between them was greater, they knew it would take no time for the enraged man to grab their neck if they kept running at this pace.

"Aise bhaagte rahenge to ye sala pakad lega. Ek kaam kar, tu compound se kud aur gaadi nikal. Ladki ko mai samhalta hun."
Running through the bushes in the backyard, the man whispered to his partner.

Turning around the curved path, the men ran into the yard behind the mansion. Climbing the compound wall, the man jumped onto the road, while the other man, carrying the unconscious Riddhima, hid himself and her in the bushes after hearing the approaching steps of the enraged man, who was following them. It was time to execute their last-minute plan. After jumping from the compound wall onto the road, the man rushed towards their car, which was parked in the adjoining street. As planned, he got into the car and started the engine, while the other man was still hiding behind the bushes of the backyard, holding the unconscious Riddhima's body tightly.

Just as they thought, when Vansh heard the sound of screeching wheels, he put two and two together. Without wasting a second, Vansh climbed the compound wall and saw the car driving away from his eyes. Mistaking Riddhima to be inside the car, he lost his cool and made a mistake. When Vansh and Aangre left the VR mansion in their car, the other man, who was hiding with Riddhima in the bushes in the backyard, got a chance to escape from the VR Mansion. Coming out of the bushes, he laid the unconscious Riddhima on the floor.

Looking around, he pulled Riddhima's dupatta from her neck and tied her hands with it. Lifting her in his arm, the man walked on the pavement in the backyard and exited with Riddhima from the back door, fearless, as they had already taken care of the guards.

... "Abey Jaldi chala. Warna late kaam karne ke wo buddha Ded Hazaar rupaye kaatega."
Riddhima heard the voice and tried to open her eyes.
For some reason, her eyes were feeling unusually heavy. Her back was aching, as her body was in an uncomfortable position. She could hear a few muffled voices. Flailing her limbs, she tried to speak, but words failed to come out of her mouth. Her tongue felt heavy. She sensed she was in danger. She remembered how she was manhandled by two unknown men.

With great difficulty, she opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry, but from whatever she could see, she realized she was on the backseat of the car, held tightly by a man who was talking to the man driving the car. Her hands were on the lap of the man, and her body was tightly pasted to him....

"Abey gaadi bhaga. Ye saali pohochne se pehle hi mar mura gyi to gaye paise samajh...."
The man spoke, leaning his body to put a hand on the shoulder of the other man, who was driving. As he leaned forward, Riddhima's eyes fell on the mobile popping out from the pocket of his shirt. Trying to keep her eyes open, Riddhima looked at the mobile and tried to move her hand, which felt like a log of wood. She was hardly able to move her fingers.

A tear escaped her eyes as she realized her body was partially paralyzed. That mobile phone was her only chance to escape. While the two men were arguing with each other, Riddhima mustered all her strength to lift her hand from the lap of the unknown man.

"You know, you're your mother's bravest girl. Come on, get up and run..."
Riddhima remembered the words her mother spoke when she fell while running in their little house. Initially, her mother scolded her, but when she saw little Riddhima struggling to get up from the floor, her anger dissipated, and she encouraged Riddhima to get up on her own.

With great effort, Riddhima managed to lift her hand from the man's lap. She placed her finger on the mobile phone peeking out of his pocket and tried to grasp it. Her eyes began to ache, and her strength was slowly fading, but she persisted in her struggle.

The mobile phone felt heavy, and her fingers couldn't lift it. For a moment, she felt like giving up. She was an orphan, but to the RaiSinghanias, she was the heart and soul of their family. She was everyone's darling; if anything happened to her, her Anupriya Maa would be devastated.
.
.
.

Anupriya rushed towards Vansh as he entered the living area, frantic since learning of Riddhima's kidnapping.

"Have you brought Riddhu back? She was with you, right? Where is she? Is my daughter safe, Vansh? Did anything happen to her?"
She bombarded him with questions, her eyes darting between the door and Vansh, who ignored her and hurried to his room. Every passing second put his wife's life in greater danger; he couldn't afford to waste time answering questions.
.
.
.

As Vansh entered his room, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Riddhima was still with him. Her presence lingered, a constant reminder of his failure to protect her. He felt a surge of frustration and anger, his mind racing with thoughts of what could have been done differently.

He slammed the door shut behind him, as if trying to trap the emotions inside. But they only seemed to intensify, echoing off the walls of his mind. He felt like he was suffocating under the weight of his own helplessness.

Vansh's eyes scanned the room, searching for something, anything, that could bring him closer to Riddhima. But everything seemed empty and hollow, a cruel reminder of her absence. He spotted her earrings on the table, and his heart skipped a beat. He felt a lump form in his throat as he picked them up, the familiar scent of her perfume wafting up to him.

He clenched his fists, trying to contain the emotions that threatened to overflow. Why did this have to happen to her? To them? He was trying to make things work with her. And now, she was gone, taken from him by some monster who didn't deserve to breathe the same air as her.

Vansh's frustration boiled over, and he slammed his fist into the wall, the sound echoing through the room. He felt a pain shoot through his hand, but it was nothing compared to the ache in his heart. He leaned against the wall, his head bowed in defeat, the earrings still clutched in his hand.

He knew he had to keep moving, had to keep searching for Riddhima. But in that moment, all he could do was stand there, frozen in his grief and anger, and wonder how his world had been turned upside down so quickly.

Vansh's frustration and anger finally found a release as he gazed into the mirror. He saw his own reflection staring back at him, but it was distorted by the pain, guilt, helplessness, and desperation that consumed him. His eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, his jaw clenched in a snarl, as he slammed his fist into the mirror, shattering it into a thousand pieces.

The sound of breaking glass was cathartic, a release of the tension that had been building inside him. He felt a surge of energy as he punched the mirror again and again, the shards of glass falling to the floor like tears. Each blow was a cry of rage, a scream of despair, a plea for Riddhima's safe return.

As the mirror shattered, so did the illusion of control that Vansh had been clinging to. He realized that he was powerless to change the past, but he could use his anger and frustration to fuel his search for Riddhima. He felt a wave of grief wash over him, threatening to engulf him, but he refused to let it consume him. Instead, he channeled it into a fierce determination.

With a final punch, the mirror lay in pieces, a broken reflection of Vansh's own shattered heart. He stood there, his chest heaving, his eyes blazing with determination, his face etched with a mixture of pain, anger, desperation, and helplessness. He felt Riddhima's presence around him, as if she was still with him, watching him, waiting for him to find her. He could almost smell her perfume, feel her touch, hear her voice whispering his name.

He spun around the room, as if searching for her, but she was nowhere to be found. The emptiness was suffocating, the silence deafening. He felt like he was drowning in his own helplessness, unable to save the one person he loved more than life itself.

The broken mirror seemed to symbolize the fragmentation of Vansh's own soul, but it also represented his resolve to pick up the pieces and fight on. He would not be defeated by his emotions; he would harness them to drive his quest to rescue Riddhima. He would not rest until she was back in his arms, safe and sound.

As he stood there, surrounded by the shards of glass, Vansh felt a sense of resolve wash over him. He would move heaven and earth to find Riddhima. He would fight with every breath in his body to bring her home. And he would never let her go again. He would hold her close, never letting her out of his sight, never letting her go. He would make sure she knew how much he loved her, how much he needed her, how much he couldn't live without her.
.
.
.

Anupriya turned to Angre, demanding to know where Riddhima was. Angre's silence was unsettling, and his inability to meet her eyes made her snap her fingers at him angrily.

"I'm asking you something, Angre. Where's my daughter?" she pressed, her voice rising. Angre felt ashamed, knowing he had failed in his duty to protect the RaiSinghania family.

Dadi consoled Anupriya, trying to calm her down.
"Don't worry, Vansh will find Riddhima. Nothing will happen to her."

Aaryan, feeling helpless, decided to take action and called Kabir for help.

"Hello, Kabir. Riddhima's been kidnapped. We need to find her. Be ready; I'm coming over." He took his car keys and rushed out, telling Sia to look after his Badi Maa.

Anupriya, still distraught, dialed a number on the landline phone.

"Minister sahab, my daughter's been kidnapped, and you're sleeping? Don't forget you're talking to Anupriya Ajay RaiSinghania." Her tone was dominant and authoritative. When Indrani approached her, Anupriya hugged her tightly, praying for Riddhima's safe return.

Vansh witnessed the scene downstairs .

"Zindagi bhar khyaal rakhne ka wada kiya tha aur 2 mahine bhi mehfus nhi rakh paaya woh" (He promised to take care of her for life, but couldn't even manage two months).

Anupriya yelled, her eyes accused Vansh of putting her daughter's life in danger.

Anupriya's love for Riddhima was clear, and Vansh's determination to save his wife was unwavering. The clock was ticking, and they raced against time to rescue Riddhima.

"Shaant hoja Anupriya. Us bacche pe kyu ghussa nikal rhi hai. Wo bechara khud itna pareshaan hai"
(Calm down, Anupriya. Why are you scolding that child? He's already so troubled)

Dadi said, trying to intervene as she placed a gentle hand on Anupriya's shoulder. The living room was filled with tension, the air thick with worry and fear.

"Pareshaan hai to dhundke kyu nhi lata meri beti ko? Kahiye na usse meri beti ko wapas ghar le aaye" (If he's troubled, why doesn't he bring my daughter back? Tell him to bring my daughter home)

Anupriya demanded, her voice shaking with worry as she paced back and forth in front of the sofa. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, her hair disheveled from running her hands through it in distress.

"Calm down, Mom. You're scolding the wrong person. It's not Vansh's fault the girl got kidnapped," Ishani said, trying to reason with her mother as she stood leaning against the wall, her arms crossed. Her expression was a mix of concern and frustration.

"Sahi kaha. Galti Vansh ki nahi meri hai jo maine Riddhima ki jimmedari ise saup di Aaj tak ek kharoch nhi aane di maine apni bacchi ko, aur aaj dekho..." (You're right. It's not Vansh's fault, it's mine. I entrusted Riddhima to him, and now look what's happened...)

Anupriya said, tears streaming down her face as she collapsed onto the sofa, overcome with grief. The room fell silent, the only sound her sobs.

"Riddhima ki baat aate hi ho kya jata hai Mom aapko.. What is wrong with you? Bhulgye kya Mai, bhai aur Siya aapki aulaad hai...Riddhima nhi" (You're always talking about Riddhima... What's wrong with you? Don't you remember, Me, Bhai, and Siya are your children too... not just Riddhima)

Ishani snapped, frustrated with her mother's obsession. Her voice echoed through the room, making Aaryan flinch.

"Chup karo Ishani. Warna ek chapet padega" (Shut up, Ishani. Or you'll get a slap), Anupriya warned, her patience wearing thin as she glared at her daughter through tear-filled eyes.

"Mom... Meri taraf dekho" (Mom, look at me), Vansh said, trying to get his mother's attention as he took a step forward, his eyes filled with concern.

"I know you love Riddhima, but I love her more. She's my wife." Vansh said, his voice firm and determined as he stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Anupriya. His jaw was clenched, his muscles tensed, ready to take action.

"Aapki beti me meri jaan basti hai. I promise, use kuch nahi honge dunga" (My life is invested in your daughter. I promise, nothing will happen to her), Vansh reassured Anupriya, his voice filled with conviction.

"Aaryan, call the commissioner and ask him to start an unofficial investigation. We can't wait till morning," Vansh instructed, taking charge of the situation as he pulled out his phone and began dialing. The room was filled with a sense of urgency, the family knowing every minute counted.

"We need more manpower and weapons. Please look into it, Angre. Ask your men to be ready... We're going to attack." Vansh said, his eyes fixed on the door, ready to take action. The room fell silent, the family waiting with bated breath for news of Riddhima's whereabouts.
.
.
.

Riddhima, the cherished member of the RaiSinghania family, was fighting for her life. She had been abducted by cruel men who showed no mercy, and her body was paying the price. The mobile phone, her only hope, was snatched from her hand, and a slap sent her reeling. The pain was excruciating, and her eyes welled up with tears as she tried to grab the man's collar, pleading with her eyes to leave her.

"Phone laga rahi thi? Humse chalaki karrhi thi?"
The words cut through her like a knife, and she felt a surge of fear and desperation. She tried to speak, but her voice was barely a whisper, and the words got stuck in her throat. She looked at the man, her eyes begging for mercy, but his face was devoid of any emotion.

"Ladki mobile nikaal li aur Tera dhyaan kidhar tha? Ek kaam kar, Tu aage aaja. Gaadi chala, Isko to ab mai dikhaata hun"
The man driving the car shouted, and the next minute, the car stopped near a tree. The driver and the man who was sitting on the backseat interchanged their position. Pushing Riddhima roughly aside, the man sat inside the car and closed the door, leaving her feeling helpless and trapped.

Puffing a cigarette, he looked at Riddhima with a cruel gaze.

"Phone ghumaayegi? Chal ghuma phone"
Throwing his mobile on Riddhima's body, the Man shouted, knowing very well that Riddhima was still under the effect of the drug that they injected when she was lying unconscious in the car. Riddhima tried to reach out her hand to the mobile, which was just a few centimeters away from her. When her fingers touched the screen of the mobile, the man snatched it, and she felt a wave of despair wash over her.

Turning Riddhima harshly towards him, he leaned towards her body, his breath reeking of smoke and cruelty. Riddhima's eyes uprolled, and breaths got heavy when, taking out from his mouth, the man crushed the lightened cigarette on her arm.

"Ab ghuma phone"
Her mouth opened, but she wasn't able to scream. The pain was too much, and her body felt like it was on fire. She closed her eyes and tried to make a fist of her hand to reduce the pain, but it only seemed to intensify. Her eyes teared as the burnt cigarette charred her fragile skin, and she felt like she was dying.

"Aey kya karrhe ho. Anwar Bhai ladki mar-mura jayegi. Pehle hi bohot nazuk si dubli Patli si hai."
The man who was driving the car now shouted, turning his head back, his voice filled with cruelty and disdain. They were told clearly that they just had to abduct the girl. Killing or harming her in any way was strictly a no. But the cruel man was in no mood to listen. He pasted the lightened cigarette to her arm till the time all her willingness to fight died down, and her body gave up because of the immense pain. She fell unconscious again, her body broken and battered.

This time, the man tied Riddhima's hand with his red Gamchha and pushed her against the car window, due to which her head collided with the window pane, leaving a spot of blood on it.
.
.
.

Aaryan's heart raced as he walked towards the police station, his mind filled with thoughts of Riddhima's kidnapping. He had been supposed to go to Kabir's home, but Kabir's urgent call had changed his plans. As he crossed the road, he saw Kabir waving at him, his expression grave.

"Aaryan, here..." Kabir's voice was laced with concern. Aaryan quickened his pace, his senses on high alert.

"Don't ask, man. Car raste me kharab hogyi," Kabir said, his furrowed eyebrows revealing his worry. Aaryan understood, and as they walked towards the police station, he narrated the incident, his words tumbling out in a rush.

Kabir listened intently, his eyes narrowing as he tried to piece together the sequence of events. "We have already started searching for Riddhima. Jagah jagah par Nakabandi ki hai. Wo log Riddhima ko jyada dur nahi le jaa payenge," he assured Aaryan, his voice firm.

As they entered the police station, Aaryan's eyes scanned the room, taking in the junior officers saluting Kabir, the criminal-looking men being interrogated, and the tense atmosphere. Kabir led him to his cabin, his stride purposeful.

"I've managed to get the CCTV recording from the security room. Shayad kuch kaam aajaye," Aaryan said, his hand shaking as he pulled out the pen drive.

"Great. Mishra, bring the laptop," Kabir ordered, his eyes locked on the pen drive. As the junior officer returned with the laptop, Kabir connected the pen drive, and the CCTV footage flickered to life.

Aaryan's heart skipped a beat as he saw Riddhima sitting on the swing, her eyes fixed on the balcony where Vansh was puffing smoke. The masked men appeared, and Aaryan's blood boiled as he watched his best friend fight for her life. His hand formed a fist as the men made Riddhima unconscious.

"Stop, stop there..." Kabir's voice was sharp, and Mishra paused the recording. "Did you see? They were two, but only one man jumped from the compound wall upon seeing Vansh?"

Aaryan's mind raced as he realized the kidnappers' plan. "Iska matlab Riddhima ko us dusre kidnapper ne humare ghar me hi chupaya tha," he exclaimed, his disbelief evident.

As they continued to analyze the footage, Aaryan's anxiety grew. The kidnappers had tricked Vansh, making him follow the wrong car, while the other man returned to VR mansion in a different car to take Riddhima and his partner. It was all planned, and Aaryan felt a chill run down his spine.

"How are we going to find Riddhima now? Kisi bhi photage me kidnappers ka chehra nahi dikhrha," Aaryan's voice was laced with worry.

But Kabir was undeterred. "Back door ki photage me jo chai wala hai... I'm sure he is with the kidnappers. Mishra, take the screenshot of that tea vendor and show it to them," he instructed, his eyes locked on the tonight's guests in the lockup.

As Mishra showed the screenshot to the local goons in the lockup, Aaryan's heart raced with anticipation. And then, one of them nodded, recognition in his eyes.

Aaryan's hope surged, and he exchanged a look with Kabir. They had a lead, and they would stop at nothing to rescue Riddhima. The game was on, and Aaryan was ready to fight for his best friend.
.
.
.

Life is a game of chess, inexplicable, uncertain, and unpredictable. At one moment, you think you have everything, but the next moment, destiny plays its game and snatches your most precious thing away from you. Thakral is that destiny for Vansh, who has vowed on his deceased son's name to snatch everything from the RaiSinghanias.

Opening the shutter of an old store, Thakral entered inside.

"Sir, you...?" His PA Sathe, who was playing cards with the other men, got up from the chair and, keeping the cards on the table, went towards Thakral.

"Just came to look at the arrangement you made for the important guest who arrived here today," Thakral smirked, making Sathe give a sly smile.

When Thakral told him that he was planning to abduct Vansh RaiSinghania's secret wife Riddhima, Sathe was stunned. Kidnapping Vansh's wife from his mansion was like putting your hand in a lion's mouth and inviting your own death. It was dangerous, it was risky. They knew Vansh would go crazy. He wouldn't think twice before emptying the entire bullets from the loaded gun into their skull.

For a moment, Sathe thought to stop his master from inviting his own death, but stayed quiet after seeing the madness in his boss's eyes, who wanted to avenge his son's death at any cost. He knew Thakral was far from understanding anything. All he could see was red. Red... the color of his son's blood.

"She was unconscious when our men dropped her here an hour back. We have tied her to a chair in the basement,"
Sathe gave the updates as Thakral walked towards the basement area. He should be happy that the biggest weakness of his enemy was now in his clutches, but for some strange reason, he wasn't feeling contented. He himself couldn't figure out the reason of his restlessness. Maybe seeing Vansh's wife helpless in front of him could bring him some peace... He explained to himself as he was descending the stairs of the dark basement room.

His steps halted when his eyes fell on the fragile frame tied to the chair in the middle of the dark room, which had only a dim yellow bulb as the source of light.

"There she is..."
Sathe said as he went to stand next to the two men who were hired to keep a close eye on the girl... After all, she was Vansh RaiSinghania's wife. What if she knows how to fire a bullet or use a knife... No, they can't give her any chance to escape under their nose.

Thakral felt a strange emotion inside him, seeing the very delicate-looking girl tied to the chair. Taking slow steps, he approached towards her. Her eyes were closed, and loose hairs were soaked in sweat, covering most of her face. Thakral felt a sudden rage seeing the blood oozing from the corner of her lip.

"What is this? I told you clearly that I... Only I will harm RaiSinghanias. I will torture them with my own hands."
He turned to his men and grabbed Sathe's collar. Thakral himself didn't know why he was reacting this way. Maybe because the girl behind him was his son's killer's wife, and he wanted to be the only one to inflict pain on her. Maybe because he wanted to be solely responsible for every wound of RaiSinghanias. He wished to give them a life that was even worse than death.

Wait, why was he getting hyper? He should be happy that his enemy's biggest weakness was in his clutches now. He was just a few steps away from his victory. Then why wasn't he feeling satisfied? When Thakral himself couldn't understand his mixed emotions, he turned to Riddhima and looked at her face, which was soaked in sweat.

Life is a game of chess. In chess, you have a constant clash between light and dark. For Thakral, he was the "right" in this battle. After all, how could a father avenging his son's death be considered wrong? If someone was wrong, then it was the RaiSinghania family. Thakral was so furious that he wanted to crush each of them under his feet. His enemies deserved no mercy.

"Keep an eye on this girl. Inject her sedatives if she gains consciousness again." Thakral ordered to his men, who nodded their head.

Sathe nodded, his mind racing with the implications. Riddhima was now a pawn in Thakral's game of revenge, and he knew that Vansh would stop at nothing to rescue her.

As they left the basement, Sathe couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Thakral's obsession with revenge was spiraling out of control, and he was caught in the middle. The game was on, and only time would tell who would emerge victorious.

But for now, Riddhima was at Thakral's mercy, and Sathe knew that her fate hung precariously in the balance. Would she survive Thakral's wrath, or would she become another casualty in the war between the RaiSinghanias and Thakral? Only time would tell.

Thakral's mind was a chessboard, each move calculated to destroy the RaiSinghanias. But little did he know, Vansh was also making his moves, determined to rescue Riddhima and bring Thakral to justice. The game was on, and only one could emerge victorious.
.
.
.

Vansh slid into the driver's seat, his piercing eyes fixed intently on the road ahead, his jaw clenched in determination. Angre settled into the passenger seat, his phone still clutched in his hand, his brow furrowed in concern.

Vansh's eyes locked onto Angre, his gaze intense. "I got a tracker chip fixed to Riddhima's anklet long back, after she disappeared on our engagement day," he revealed, his voice low and urgent. "I need you to trace her location, Angre. Now."

Angre's eyes widened, understanding the gravity of the situation. He quickly opened the laptop and got to work, his fingers flying across the keyboard. The silence in the car was palpable, the only sound being the soft hum of the laptop and the distant thrum of the engine.

After a few minutes, Angre's eyes snapped up, his gaze meeting Vansh's. "I've got her location, Boss," he said, his voice tight with tension.

Vansh's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles white with anticipation. "Where is she?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Angre's eyes flicked back to the screen, his brow furrowed in concern. "She's...she's in the opposite direction. It'll take us at least an hour to reach her, maybe more, depending on the traffic."

Vansh's face darkened, his mind racing with the implications. Thakral had Riddhima, and they were running out of time. He could feel the seconds ticking away, each one a countdown to potential disaster.

"What if Thakral..." Vansh's voice trailed off, his thoughts too dark to vocalize.

Angre's eyes met his, understanding the unspoken fear. "We'll get to her in time, Boss. We have to," he said, his voice firm with determination.

Vansh nodded, his jaw clenched in resolve. He pushed the car to its limits, the engine roaring as they sped through the night, the distance between them and Riddhima's location slowly closing. But with every passing moment, Vansh's anxiety grew, his mind haunted by the thought of what Thakral might do to Riddhima before they arrived.

"Find Sathe's number," Vansh instructed, his voice firm and commanding, his deep tone sending a shiver down Angre's spine.

Angre nodded, his fingers flying across the phone's keypad with a sense of urgency, his eyes scanning the screen with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. After a few minutes, Angre looked up, a triumphant expression spreading across his face, his eyes sparkling with hope.

"Got it!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with relief.

Vansh's eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying, his mind racing with strategies.

"Call him. Now. And put it on speaker." he ordered, his tone brooking no argument. Angre dialed the number, his heart racing with anticipation, his palms growing sweaty. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity, the silence between the rings deafening, before Sathe's gruff voice finally answered.

"Sathe speaking."

Angre's voice was firm but cautious, his words measured. "Sathe, it's Angre. We need to talk."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, the silence palpable, before Sathe responded, his tone wary, his voice laced with a hint of fear.

Vansh's voice cut in, his tone cold and menacing, his words dripping with malice.

"We know you're working with Thakral, Sathe. And we know you're the one who's been helping him keep Riddhima captive." Sathe's laughter was nervous, his tone mocking, but Vansh could detect the faintest hint of fear lurking beneath the surface.

"You think you're clever, don't you?" Sathe sneered.

"But you have no idea what you're up against. My Boss Thakral will crush you like the insignificant bugs you are." Vansh's smile was ruthless, his eyes glinting with determination.

"We'll see about that," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Vansh's voice was firm and commanding. "Sathe, put Thakral on the phone. Now."

Sathe's laughter was nervous. "You think I'm stupid? I'm not going to put Thakral on the phone with you. You're just trying to trap us."

Vansh's tone turned glacial. "Sathe, don't play games with me. I know you're just a pawn in Thakral's game. Put him on the phone, or you'll suffer the consequences."

There was a pause, and for a moment, Angre thought they had lost their chance. But then, a new voice came on the line, cold and menacing.

"Vansh," Thakral's voice dripped with malice. "I've been expecting you. You're just in time to witness the final act of our little play."

Vansh's grip on the phone tightened. "Where is Riddhima, Thakral? What have you done to her?"

Thakral's laughter was chilling. "Ah, Riddhima. She's been... entertaining us. But don't worry, Vansh. You'll see her soon enough. And when you do, you'll wish you had never crossed me. I'll rip her off her dignity and....."

Vansh's eyes blazed with anger and fear as he gripped the phone tightly, his mind racing with the thought of Thakral's sinister plans for Riddhima. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his pulse racing with every passing second.

"Thakral, you coward!" Vansh's voice was low and menacing, his anger and fear for Riddhima's safety boiling over. "If you harm one hair on her head, I'll make sure you pay for it! I'll destroy everything you've built, everything you hold dear!"

Thakral's laughter was cold and calculating, sending chills down Vansh's spine. "Ah, Vansh, you're so predictable. You think you can threaten me? I have Riddhima, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep her. You'll never see her again, Vansh. Never."

Vansh's fear turned to panic, his mind racing with thoughts of Riddhima in Thakral's clutches. He could feel his control slipping, his anger and desperation consuming him. He knew he had to keep Thakral talking, had to keep him distracted until he could come up with a plan to rescue Riddhima.

"Thakral, listen to me," Vansh's voice was low and urgent, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Whatever you're planning, don't do it. Please, don't hurt her. She's innocent, Thakral. She doesn't deserve this."

Thakral's laughter was cruel, his voice dripping with malice. "Innocent? Ha! Even my Son was innocent Vansh."

Vansh knew he had to Do something immediately. Something that would buy him little time..... Now there was only one way to save Riddhima and that was by putting her in another problem.

"Thakral, I'm running out of time. And you're running out of patience. If you hurt Riddhima, you will be hurting your own Blood."Vansh's voice was firm and commanding, his tone piercing through the phone line. Angre's mouth gaped open at the new piece of information. What is his Boss doing?

Thakral's response was laced with rage and anger, his voice echoing through the phone. "What are you talking about, Vansh? You're just trying to trick me! You're just trying to save your precious Riddhima!"

Vansh's voice remained steady, his words dripping with determination. "Oh, no, Thakral. I'm not tricking you. I'm telling you the truth. And you know it. You know that you had affair with our househelp Priyanka. She had a daughter when she left you. And now, you're staring at your own flesh and blood."

Thakral's face turned white as a sheet as Vansh's words hit him like a ton of bricks. He felt like the ground beneath his feet had been snatched away, leaving him reeling and stumbling backwards.

"Riddhima...she's Priyanka's daughter?" Thakral's voice was barely a whisper, his mind racing with the implications.

Vansh nodded, his eyes blazing with determination. "Yes, Thakral. Riddhima is Priyanka's child. And she could be your daughter too."

Thakral's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling with the possibility. He had never suspected, never even imagined that the woman he had loved and lost had took Raisinghania's help to raise their child. And now, that child was standing in front of him, a pawn in his twisted game of revenge.

"No! No! This can't be! You're lying, Vansh! You're just trying to manipulate me!" Thakral's denial was fierce, his voice rising in a crescendo

Thakral's response was laced with venom, his words spewing forth like a snake's hiss. "I'll never believe it! Riddhima is not my daughter! You're just trying to destroy me, Vansh!"

Vansh's voice remained firm, his determination unwavering. "Believe it, Thakral. Believe it, because it's the truth. And if you harm her, you'll be hurting your own flesh and blood. And I'll make sure you suffer for every moment of pain you've caused her. I'll make sure you pay for every tear you've made her cry."

Thakral's anger was palpable, his words dripping with hatred. "You'll pay for this, Vansh. You'll pay for interfering in my business. You'll pay for trying to destroy me."

Vansh's tone remained steady, his voice unwavering. "I'm not afraid of you, Thakral. I'm not afraid of your threats. Because I know I'm right. And I'll do whatever it takes to protect my wife from you. Whatever it takes."

The line went dead, and Angre looked at Vansh with a concerned expression, His eyes wide with worry.

"What have you done boss? When I myself finding to difficult to believe that Bhabhi could be Thakral's daughter, how are you going to make him believe?"
Angre questioned Vansh's decision for the first time. He always supported his Boss but today for the his felt, his Boss did a mistake.

"I don't know Angre and I don't care. I just wanted to make sure that Riddhima is safe till we reach her."
Vansh spoke, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel as he look straight on the road.

Vansh's eyes clouded with worry, his mind racing with the thought of Riddhima in Thakral's clutches. "Damn it!" he cursed, slamming his fist on the steering wheel. "We're going in the wrong direction!"

Angre's eyes widened in alarm as Vansh spun the car around, executing a sharp U-turn that left them heading in the opposite direction.

"Hold on, Boss !" Angre cried out, grabbing the door handle as the car swerved.

Vansh's face was set in a grim mask, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "We can't waste a single minute, Angre. Thakral could be...," he couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

Angre nodded, his face pale with understanding. "I know, Bhai. We'll get to her as fast as we can."

The car hurtled through the night, the only sound the roar of the engine and the beating of their hearts. Vansh's mind was a jumble of fears and worst-case scenarios, his thoughts consumed by the thought of Riddhima in danger.

Please let us reach her in time, he prayed silently, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
.
.
.
Hearing the muffled voices around, Riddhima's lips parted as she tried to open her eyes. Her eyes flickered open, and she groggily took in her surroundings. Her vision, initially blurred which got cleared after a few seconds. She was in a dimly lit room, tied to a chair, with no recollection of how she got there. Thakral's men stood guard, their eyes fixed on her. She struggled against the ropes, but they only tightened. Panic set in as she remembered about the kidnapping.

"Abey ladki uthgyi....."

One of the man who saw Riddhima struggling to free herself, alerted the other man. Riddhima looked in their direction and tried to loosen the knot. Tears started brimming from her eyes as those men were approaching close to her. No, she can't bear the pain of Cigarette burn again. She shuddered recollecting that incident which has not only charred her skin but also her soul. What did she even do to deserve this inhuman behaviour?

One of the man leaned towards Riddhima and caught her Arm, while the other man put hand in his pocket and took out a Vial from it. Riddhima panicked seeing syringe in their hand, Her brain was quick to process that they were going to inject her something.

"Nahi... Please Nahi"

She tried to speak and moved her head negatively. Standing in front of Riddhima, the man break open the Vial and was pulling the drug into the syringe, When She somehow managed to kick his leg resulting in the glass Vial to fall down and break into pieces thus scattering the drug over the floor...

"Teri to Mai"

In a Fit of Rage, the man slapped Riddhima hard. She didn't even recover from the first slap and same man was about to slap her once again but stopped when his partner asked him to calm down.

"Pagla-Wagla Gya Hai kya?. Suna na abhi wo Buddha kya keh ke gya hai. Piche hat jaa"

His partner warned him. He gritted his teeth and injected whatever little amount of drug that he managed to pull into the syringe. Riddhima flinched as the sharp needle pierced her skin. Shiver passed her spine as the man pulled out the needle harshly, not even bothering to press the bleeding site.

Riddhima closed her eyes tightly not able to see the blood oozing out from the injection site. She wanted to scream, cry out loudly but wasn't able to. She felt like her tongue was getting heavier and heavier and her vocal cords were getting paralyzed. Suddenly She started feeling breathless. Parting her lips, she started gasping for air as the tighteness in her chest kept on increasing. Her head was getting heavy.. She experienced a constricting feeling around her neck as if someone was choking her.

The view of two men in front of Riddhima was now slowly becoming blur. It was getting difficult for her to keep her eyes open. At that point, Faces her family members flashed before her. What if they never find her? What if she never get to see them again?

A Blurred, Distorted image that stuck in her mind and refused to leave, was of Vansh. Her Husband Vansh whom she Disliked so much. When they first met, He made her cry by breaking her Doll's neck just because she stepped on his Toy car accidentally. When she went near him and tried to talk to him for the first time, He brought tears in her eyes by yelling on her face and warning her to stay away. When she started staying away from him, He again brought tears in her eyes by picking up fights on petty issues and insulting her. When He returned from London after years, He stepped on her Rangoli and ruined it, left no chance to taunt her, called her servant, said some nasty things and Did everything that No Gentleman would ever Do with any Lady. Somehow he was always the reason behind her tears. But even then, even then there was something in him...Something that always pulled her towards him. No matter how Much she denied, She could feel the pull.

Riddhima thought of the moments when Vansh saved her from falling down, slipping on the floor, and from Ishani. Hoping that this time too he somehow manage to save her, She closed her eyes as it was now becoming difficult for her to keep them open.

Only If Riddhima knew Vansh could save her from every Damn thing in this world, But not from himself.
.
.
.

Thakral's mind was racing as he made his way to the basement, his thoughts consumed by Vansh's revelation. He couldn't shake off the feeling that Vansh was telling the truth. He had to see Riddhima for himself, had to verify if she was indeed his daughter.

As he entered the dimly lit basement, he saw Riddhima tied to a chair, her unconscious body slumped forward. He approached her slowly, his eyes fixed on her face, which was covered in sweat. His heart was pounding in his chest, his breath caught in his throat.

Thakral's gaze scrutinized every feature, every contour of her face. He was searching for any resemblance to Priyanka, any hint that this was indeed his child. His eyes welled up with tears as he saw the faint scar above her left eyebrow, the same scar that his daughter had.

Thakral's heart raced as he reached out to touch Riddhima's face, his fingers tracing the outline of her features. He was searching for any spark of recognition, any sense of familiarity. His hand trembled as he touched her skin, his emotions overwhelming him.

And then, it hit him - a memory long buried, a memory of Priyanka, pregnant and radiant, smiling up at him with a joy he had never seen before. The memory flooded his mind, and he felt a wave of grief, regret, and longing wash over him.

Thakral's eyes snapped back to Riddhima's face, and he saw it - the same spark of joy, the same radiance, the same smile. He felt a lump form in his throat as he realized that this was his daughter, his flesh and blood, the daughter he thought he lost in an accident.

He stumbled backward, his mind reeling with the truth. Riddhima was his daughter. His flesh and blood. He felt a wave of shame and guilt wash over him, knowing that he had hurt her, knowing that he had caused her so much pain.

Thakral's legs gave way beneath him, and he collapsed to the ground, his body wracked with sobs. He wept for the daughter he never knew, for the pain he had caused her, for the memories they would never make. He wept for the father he had never been, for the family he had never had.

Sathe, his right hand, has never seen his Boss like this. He reached to console Thakral.

"Sir, don't get emotional. This could be Vansh RaiSinghania's new trick. We can't believe him. This is what he wants."

Sathe spoke, making Thakral widen his eyes.

Thakral's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, but his instincts were still on high alert. He couldn't shake off the feeling that this could be a trap, a ploy by Vansh to manipulate him. He needed proof, concrete evidence that Riddhima was indeed his daughter.

"Sathe," he called out to his trusted aide, his voice firm and commanding. "Take a sample from Riddhima. I want a DNA test done, immediately."

Sathe nodded, his expression neutral. "Yes, sir. Right away."

Thakral watched as Sathe carefully collected a sample from Riddhima's unconscious body. He felt a pang of guilt, but his need for proof overrode his emotions.

As Sathe left the basement, Thakral's mind raced with possibilities. What if Riddhima was indeed his daughter? What if she was just a pawn in Vansh's game? He couldn't trust anyone, not even his own instincts.

Thakral's thoughts were a jumbled mix of fear, uncertainty, and hope. He was torn between his desire to believe that Riddhima was his daughter and his need for concrete proof. He felt like he was walking on thin ice, unsure of what lay ahead.

He paced back and forth in the basement, his eyes fixed on Riddhima's unconscious form. He felt a surge of protectiveness towards her, a desire to shield her from harm. But he also felt a sense of detachment, a need to keep his emotions in check until he knew the truth.

As he waited for the DNA test results, Thakral's anxiety grew. He felt like he was trapped in a web of uncertainty, unsure of how to escape. His mind raced with questions, but he had no answers. All he could do was wait and hope that the truth would soon be revealed.

Thakral's thoughts drifted back to Priyanka, his ex-wife whom he saw first in Raisinghania Mansion when Ajay Raisinghania invited him for Dinner. He remembered her bright smile, her infectious laugh, and her sparkling eyes. He recalled the way she used to look at him, with a love and adoration that he had never seen before.

When him and RaiSinghanias had a fallout, He proposed Priyanka for marriage and asked her not to work for RaiSinghanias again. She left her everything and went with him. He remembered the day she told him she was pregnant, and how he had reacted with a mix of shock and excitement. He had promised to be there for her, to support her and their child, but he had failed to keep that promise.

Thakral's mind was flooded with memories of Priyanka, memories that he had long suppressed. He remembered the way she used to hold his hand, the way she used to look at him with a gaze that pierced his soul. He remembered the way she used to make him feel, like he was the only person in the world.

Thakral's eyes dropped in shame as he remembered the day Priyanka left him. His former wife, Jayanti, with his son, had stormed into their lives, her venomous words piercing Priyanka's heart like a dagger. She had called Priyanka a homewrecker, and their daughter illegitimate, her voice dripping with malice and hatred. Thakral's mind raced with the memory of Jayanti's ultimatum: choose between his son and the life of luxury in the grand villa, or leave with Priyanka and their "illegitimate" daughter.

Priyanka's sad eyes still haunted him, her gaze a mixture of disappointment, pleading, and despair. She had looked at him with a silent cry for help, hoping he would stand up for her and their four year old daughter, hoping he would fight for their love and their family. But Thakral had faltered, his fear of losing his son and the comforts of his wealthy life silencing him. The Villa he lived in was registered on Jayanti's name and she had the power to make him homeless in a blink of eye. He had stood there, frozen and helpless, as Priyanka's eyes lost their sparkle, her face crumpling in anguish.

He remembered the feel of Priyanka's hand slipping out of his, the sound of her tears echoing in his mind like a haunting melody. He had let her go, unable to muster the courage to fight for their love and their family. He had let Jayanti's venomous words and societal pressures tear them apart, leaving Priyanka alone and heartbroken.

Priyanka broke all the ties with him after that incident. She refused to take even monetary help from him. At his requests, she agreed to let him meet their daughter little Riddhima once a week. Slowly, the visits became once in a month and then one fine day he lost Priyanka's mobile number, His only way to contact her.

Thakral's heart was heavy with regret, his mind consumed by the what-ifs and if-onlys. He had failed Priyanka, failed their daughter, and failed himself. He had chosen the easy path, the path of least resistance, and it had cost him the love of his life and the chance to be a father to his child.

The memories of that fateful day still tormented him, a constant reminder of his failure and weakness. He couldn't forgive himself for letting Priyanka go, for not fighting for their love and their family. The guilt and shame had eaten away at him, leaving him a shell of the man he once was.

Thakral's world came crashing down around him as he received the news that Priyanka and his daughter had been in a fatal car accident. He felt like he had been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him. He stumbled backwards, his mind reeling with the devastating truth.

No, no, no... this can't be happening. His thoughts raced with memories of Priyanka and their daughter, their laughter, their smiles, their bright eyes. He remembered the day Priyanka left him, the pain and regret he had felt. And when, she was gone. His daughter, his sweet innocent daughter, was gone too.

As he stood there, lost in thought, Thakral felt a single tear roll down his cheek, a solitary drop of regret and longing. He knew he would never be able to undo the past, but he hoped that someday, somehow, he would find a way to make amends, to prove to Priyanka and their daughter that he was worthy of their love and forgiveness.

But life doesn't give second chances, and Thakral knew that. All he could do was hope that Riddhima would forgive him, that she would give him a chance to make amends, to be the father she deserved.

He collapsed to the ground, his body wracked with sobs. He wept for Priyanka, for his daughter, for the family he had lost. He wept for his own failures, his own weaknesses. He wept for the what-ifs and the if-onlys.

As he lay there, his tears soaking the ground, Thakral knew he had to find out the truth about Riddhima. He had to know if she was indeed his daughter, or if this was some cruel twist of fate. He slowly got up, his eyes red and puffy, his heart heavy with grief. He knew he had to face the truth, no matter how painful it might be. He will himself go to bring the DNA reports from the laboratory.
.
.
.

Vansh arrived at the abandoned warehouse, its crumbling facade a testament to the neglect and decay that had consumed it. The once-industrial building stood like a monolith, its walls bearing the scars of time and neglect. As he entered, the creaking of the old wooden floorboards beneath his feet echoed through the deserted space.

The air inside was heavy with the scent of decay and rot, and the dim lighting cast long shadows across the walls. Vansh's eyes adjusted slowly, revealing the remnants of a forgotten era: old machinery, rusted and still, stood like sentinels, while cobwebs clung to the rafters like macabre tapestries.

He moved cautiously, his footsteps echoing off the walls as he searched for any sign of Riddhima. But she was nowhere to be found. It wasn't until he stumbled upon a narrow staircase leading down into darkness that he sensed he was getting close.

The basement was a labyrinth of cramped corridors and damp, moldy rooms. Vansh's heart raced as he navigated the treacherous terrain, his gun at the ready. And then, he saw her - Riddhima, bound and gagged, her eyes pleading for help.

Vansh charged forward, his fists flying as he took down the first goon with a precise punch to the jaw. The sound of grunts and punches filled the air as he took on the next goon, their bodies crashing into the walls and floor.

He dodged a swinging pipe and countered with a spinning kick, sending the goon crashing into a stack of crates. The impact sent boxes tumbling down, and Vansh used the distraction to take down two more goons with swift punches and elbow strikes.

But Thakral's men were relentless, and soon Vansh found himself surrounded. He fought with every ounce of strength, his fists and feet moving in a blur as he took down goon after goon. He used the environment to his advantage, slamming goons into walls and floors, and even using a broken crate as a makeshift shield.

Riddhima's vision was hazy, her eyes struggling to focus. She was aware of her surroundings, but everything was a blur. She saw vague images of Vansh fighting off goons, his movements swift and deadly. She tried to call out to him, but her voice was barely a whisper.

The images before her eyes were fuzzy and indistinct, like a dream that was slipping away. She saw Vansh take down goon after goon, his fists and feet moving in a blur. She saw the goons crashing into walls and floors, their bodies crumpling to the ground.

But the images were fleeting, disappearing like smoke on the wind. Riddhima's head was spinning, her mind foggy. She tried to remember what had happened, but her memories were shrouded in a haze.

Suddenly, Vansh's face came into focus, his eyes locked on hers. He was speaking to her, his voice urgent, but she couldn't make out the words. She tried to respond, but her voice was trapped in her throat.

Vansh's face blurred again, and Riddhima's world went dark. She was lost in a sea of unconsciousness, unable to escape the darkness that had consumed her.

Vansh quickly freed Riddhima. He held her close, his heart still racing from the adrenaline of the fight. He knew they had to get out of there, fast, before Thakral sent more goons. He scooped Riddhima up in his arms and made a run for the stairs, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Just as Vansh was about to escape with Riddhima, two figures emerged from the shadows. Aaryan and Kabir, their eyes fixed on Vansh and Riddhima.

"Thank God Bhai you reached here before us. Is Riddhima safe? Why are her eyes closed? What did they do with her?"

Aaryan bombarded Vansh with questions seeing an unconscious Riddhima in his arms. Kabir had tears in his eyes seeing his friend Riddhima in that condition. How could someone even think about hurting a girl like her?

"Not now Aaryan. We have to get out from here first."

He said, and walked out of the warehouse holding Riddhima in his arms.

"Boss, here is your culprit"

Angre who was waiting outside said, grabbing the lapel of Thakral's coat and pushing him towards Vansh. Thakral who just came back from the laboratory and had no idea about the happenings in the warehouse in his absence, looked at Vansh. Their eyes ablazing with anger.

"Aaryan, don't let anyone touch my wife."

Vansh warned before giving him the responsibility of Riddhima so that he could deal one to one with Thakral. Aaryan and kabir took Riddhima from Vansh's arm and made her lay on the bonnet of their car, patting her cheeks and calling her name. Riddhima opened her eyes slowly.

Vansh's eyes blazed with fury as he pummeled Thakral, his fists landing with precision and power. Riddhima watched in horror, her eyes wide with fear, as Vansh's anger unleashed itself on her tormentor. Thakral's cries of pain and mercy fell on deaf ears as Vansh exacted revenge for the suffering he had inflicted on Riddhima. Kabir was a Policeman, but he let Vansh to take law in his hand this time. People who abducts kids, women and instill permanent fear in their minds, deserve no Mercy.

Finally, Vansh's rage subsided, leaving Thakral battered and broken. With a fierce gaze, Vansh dragged Thakral to the car and shoved him into the trunk, locking it with a resolute click. He then turned to Riddhima, his expression softening as he saw her terror-stricken face.

Without a word, Vansh scooped Riddhima into his arms, cradling her like a child. He gently placed her in the car, his touch comforting and reassuring. As he buckled her in, his eyes met hers, and he offered a gentle smile, trying to calm her fears.

Riddhima's eyes never left Vansh's face, her gaze searching for the man she called her husband, the man who had saved her. She saw the fury and the pain in his eyes, but also the love and the determination to protect her. And in that moment, she knew she was safe, that Vansh would always be there to shield her from harm.

"Aangre, I want a doctor ready before we reach home. Inform Mom that we got Riddhima and she is safe and sound," Vansh commanded through the car window, his voice urgent.

Aangre nodded quickly, understanding the gravity of the situation. As he moved to open the back door of the car, Vansh unexpectedly pressed a button on his remote, locking it.

"Come with Aaryan and Kabir," Vansh ordered firmly, gesturing towards them.

Aangre's eyes widened in surprise. "But Bhai, we brought Kabir's bike," Aaryan pointed out, hoping Vansh would change his mind. There was plenty of space in the car yet he was asking Aangre to come with Kabir and Aaryan.

"Come triple seat." Vansh said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Aangre, Aaryan, and Kabir exchanged uncertain glances, realizing Vansh meant for all three of them to ride on Kabir's bike. Reluctantly, Aangre nodded and they rearranged themselves on the bike.
.
.
.

Riddhima's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Vansh, her heart racing with fear. She had never seen him like this before, his face twisted in a snarl, his eyes blazing with aggression. The man she married, the man she has been living in a room with since last three months, was now a stranger, a formidable force to be reckoned with.

She trembled, her voice barely audible, "Vansh, please... calm down." But her words fell on deaf ears, as he continued to drive, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his jaw clenched in determination.

Riddhima's fear escalated, her mind racing with thoughts of what he might do next. She had seen glimpses of his temper before, but never like this. This was a side of Vansh she had never seen, a side she didn't know how to handle.

She shrank back in her seat, trying to put as much distance between them as possible, her eyes fixed on the door handle, wondering if she could escape. But something kept her rooted, a glimmer of hope that the Vansh, her husband would resurface, and this stranger would disappear.
.
.
.

Vansh slammed on the brakes, and the car screeched to a halt on the deserted road. The only sound was the creaking of the old vehicle and Riddhima's ragged breathing. Vansh's eyes blazed with fury as he yanked open the trunk and dragged out Thakral, his collar grasped in a vice-like grip.

Thakral's face contorted in pain and fear, his eyes pleading for mercy as Vansh hurled him onto the garbage dumping site. The air was thick with the stench of rotting trash and decay, a fitting backdrop for the brutality that was about to unfold.

Vansh's eyes never left Thakral's face, his gaze burning with a fierce intensity. He unleashed a torrent of abuse, his words cutting like a whip, each syllable laced with venom. Thakral cowered, his body trembling, as Vansh's anger raged on.

Thakral's mind raced with thoughts of escape, but his battered body betrayed him. He was trapped, at the mercy of this monster. He felt a warm trickle of blood from his split lip, and his head throbbed with each heartbeat. The garbage beneath him was damp and cold, a stark contrast to the burning shame and humiliation that consumed him.

And then, the unthinkable happened. Vansh unzipped his pants, and a stream of urine hit Thakral's face and body, the liquid splashing onto the dusty ground. Thakral's cries echoed through the desolate landscape, his body shuddering in humiliation. He felt like a animal, stripped of dignity and worth.

Riddhima's eyes were fixed on the gruesome scene, her mind reeling in horror. She felt trapped, unable to move or speak, as if her voice was frozen in her throat. The only sound was Thakral's pleas and Vansh's labored breathing, heavy with rage.

Thakral's thoughts swirled in a maelstrom of despair. How had it come to this? He had kidnapped Riddhima, hoping to exact revenge, but now he was the one being punished. He was at the mercy of a man who had once been a stranger, now a tormentor.

The scene was etched in Riddhima's mind like a nightmare, the image of Vansh's twisted face, Thakral's broken body, and the putrid surroundings forever seared into her memory. Her body seemed rooted to the spot, unable to move, unable to look away.

Thakral's vision blurred, his consciousness slipping away, as the darkness closed in around him. He was left with only one thought - he would never escape the hell that Vansh had created.
______________________________________

Author's Note:-

Phew! Finished typing this update. Let me know how it is. I know lil lengthy and boring. I tried adding as many emotions as i could. Also i didn't get time to edit so took help of an editing tool. So if you find something missing, let me know....

Like & comment.

Next update after my exams.