Hai ..

Hello ..

Happy reading ...

*****************

3 days later

Author POV:

Aniruddh sat at his desk, fingers tapping lightly on the table, his gaze unwavering as he looked at Aslam. There was a sense of tension in the air, heavy with the unspoken curiosity about the man they were investigating. Arjun's file lay open before Aniruddh, yet he hadn’t even glanced through it yet. He wanted to hear it straight from Aslam, word by word, detail by detail.

Aslam took a deep breath, placing the thick folder carefully in front of Aniruddh, aware of the weight of the information it held. Clearing his throat, he began.

"Sir, here's what we've found about Arjun," he started, his tone steady but carrying a hint of reluctance.

Aniruddh nodded, signaling him to continue.

Aslam leaned forward, his voice low but clear. "Arjun lost his mother when he was just eight years old. After that, he changed entirely – he became... cold, emotionless. He joined the mafia with only one purpose: revenge. His mother was nine months pregnant when she was brutally killed, and he never forgot it. At sixteen, he tracked down her murderer and took his life. His grandfather, recognizing his determination, declared him the next heir to the organization."

Aniruddh's face remained stoic, his gaze focused intently on Aslam. He wasn’t surprised by the darkness of Arjun's past but felt a strange sense of understanding toward the young boy forced into such violence.

"He hasn’t involved himself in illegal businesses, sir," Aslam continued, placing a few documents on the desk, each detailing Arjun's operations. "In fact, he banned human trafficking, weapons smuggling, drugs, and extortion under his rule. Because of these decisions, he’s made powerful enemies."

Aniruddh's expression remained blank, though his eyes betrayed a glimmer of respect for Arjun’s principles. He studied the documents carefully but said nothing.

Taking another breath, Aslam continued, "After his grandfather passed away, the will revealed that he could only inherit the family property if he married within a month."

Aniruddh’s jaw clenched at that. His voice was low, barely controlled. "So, that’s why he married Pallavi... this demon."

Aslam hesitated, sensing Aniruddh's anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Not entirely, sir. Pallavi agreed to marry him because her brother, Prateeksh, needed a major heart surgery. It was a straightforward deal between them – they’d marry for one year under an agreement."

Aniruddh's brow furrowed, his hands tightening into fists on the desk. "And then? What happened?"

Aslam paused, as if bracing himself for what he was about to reveal. "Someone, anonymously, funded her brother’s surgery – the money arrived on the day of the wedding. Pallavi had planned to escape, but Arjun forced her to go through with the marriage."

Aniruddh’s eyes narrowed, his anger simmering into something far more dangerous. "The person who paid… it was Arjun himself, wasn’t it?"

"Yes, sir," Aslam replied, nodding. "He didn’t even know who he was helping at the time. And slowly… they grew closer. Pallavi taught him the meaning of love, helped him heal. To protect her, he appointed her as CEO of his company while he stepped back to become her personal assistant, he brutally killed avyansh Khanna for touching her . Sir, she transformed him from a wild, ruthless man into someone capable of love."

Aslam placed a photograph on the table. It was of Arjun and Pallavi, laughing together, their eyes shining with happiness. The transformation in Arjun’s expression was undeniable – he looked nothing like the stone-hearted man Aniruddh had heard about.

"Does Pallavi know any of this?" Aniruddh’s voice softened slightly, the anger now mixed with an unexpected pang of sympathy.

Aslam shook his head. "No, sir… not yet,, but .."

Aniruddh’s face hardened again. "And there’s more, isn’t there?"

Aslam nodded, swallowing before he spoke. "Sir… we found this photograph of Arjun’s mother, Vasundhara."

Aslam carefully pushed the photo toward Aniruddh, who stared down at it, his expression transforming from anger to sheer disbelief. The world seemed to tilt for a moment; his breath caught in his throat. That face… it was all too familiar, painfully so.

He felt his grip on reality slipping, the floor beneath him seeming to fall away as a storm of emotions he hadn’t felt in years crashed over him. His voice trembled as he murmured," this can't be happened "

In that moment, Aniruddh’s carefully maintained composure shattered. He knew now that this case had become far more personal than he’d ever imagined.

**************
The conference hall was dimly lit, with a faint hum from the projector illuminating a slideshow of images across the large screen. Arjun, Abhram, and Aman were seated around the table, eyes focused on the images projected. Each slide showed different glimpses of a man’s life—a man whose mere name carried weight. Vipul, the presentation head, was narrating every detail with a tone that bordered on reverence.

On the projector was a photograph of a man in uniform, stern and imposing: ACP Aniruddh Singh Shekhawat.

Vipul flipped to the next slide, showing Aniruddh receiving an award for bravery. "Sir, ACP Aniruddh Singh Shekhawat is a very secretive person. What people assume about him is usually the opposite of the truth," Vipul explained.

Abhram raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "We asked for information, Vipul, not for you to make him sound like some hero," he teased, his usual playful tone lacing his words.

Vipul’s expression was serious as he replied, "Sir, I don’t mean to exaggerate, but he truly is a hero in every sense of the word."

Aman leaned forward, intrigued. "What’s so special about this guy?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the screen.

Vipul continued, his respect for Aniruddh clear in his voice. "Sir, this man achieved everything on his own. His father abandoned his mother when she was pregnant. After that, Pallavi ma’am’s father took his mother in, like a sister. But since childhood, Aniruddh has had intense anger issues. However, when he became friends with Pallavi ma’am, he changed completely."

Arjun, who had been silently observing, couldn’t hide his irritation. His voice held a note of jealousy. "Well, my Pallavi is so wonderful that anyone would change. What makes him special for that?" He leaned back, crossing his arms, his expression hard.

Vipul smiled slightly, unbothered by Arjun’s tone. "Sir, after his college graduation, he wanted to join the NDA, but his mother was against it. However, his desire to serve the nation was so strong that he secretly joined training with an elite organization dedicated to training RAW agents across India. Now, as a special officer in Mumbai, he’s known for his zero tolerance toward corruption. He neither takes bribes nor allows any corruption around him."

By the time Vipul had finished, both Abhram and Aman seemed deeply impressed by Aniruddh’s dedication and strength. Arjun, on the other hand, maintained a blank expression, but his fingers clenched slightly, hinting at something buried beneath his calm demeanor.

After a moment of silence, Vipul spoke again, his tone now carrying a hint of concern. "But, sir, there’s one thing that has been bothering me..."

Arjun looked up, raising a brow. "What is it?"

Vipul hesitated before switching to the next slide. The image showed Aniruddh, standing in the rain, locked in a passionate kiss with a girl. Her face wasn’t entirely visible, obscured slightly by the angle and the rain, but there was a mysterious allure to the photograph. The sight of such intimacy was surprising, almost unsettling.

"Who is this girl with him?" Arjun’s voice was sharp, demanding an answer.

Vipul took a breath, looking slightly hesitant. "Sir, no one knows exactly. There’s hardly any information about her. But some rumors say that..." He paused, his eyes darting around as if weighing his words.

"That?" Arjun’s curiosity was piqued, though he was trying hard to mask it.

"That she’s someone very close to him… even speculated to be in an illegitimate relationship."

Abhram’s eyes widened slightly. "What? Is that true?"

Vipul shrugged, glancing back at the screen. "I don’t know, sir. But looking at these photos, it’s evident that they’re very close."

Arjun’s gaze remained glued to the screen, his breath shallow. He felt a strange, unnerving pull, his mind scrambling to recognize the girl. "Zoom in," he ordered, his voice a bit shaky. "I want to see her face."

Aman noticed his friend’s discomfort and leaned in, concerned. "Arjun, are you okay? You’re sweating."

Impatient, Arjun snapped, "I said, zoom the picture, dammit!"

Vipul quickly adjusted the focus, enlarging the image to its maximum resolution. As the image sharpened, the face of the girl in Aniruddh’s arms became visible. She had a timeless elegance, her features delicate yet hauntingly familiar.

Arjun’s heart raced. He felt his throat tighten, and his hands grew cold as he stared at the screen. That face, her eyes, even the shape of her smile… it couldn’t be. The girl looked uncannily like his mother, Vasundhara.

An unsettling silence filled the room. The realization struck Arjun like a tidal wave, drowning out everything else. Memories of his mother’s gentle touch, her reassuring presence, and her untold secrets flashed through his mind. Was this just a resemblance? Or was there a truth buried that he had yet to uncover? The questions clawed at him, leaving him breathless and struggling to make sense of the revelation in front of him.

***************

Author's POV

City Hospital, Mumbai…

In the dimly lit record room of the hospital, Arjun and Abhram were pouring over stacks of files, sifting through decades-old records. But it was clear—Arjun was the one consumed by a desperate need to find something, a need that had taken root deep within him.

“Arjun, calm down. This is a postmortem report from 21 years ago—it’s not something we’ll find easily. But we will find it. I’m here, we’re all here. Just… take a seat for a moment,” Abhram’s voice was steady as he guided Arjun to a small bench, urging him to rest.

Arjun sank down, burying his face in his hands. His voice trembled, choked by the weight of long-held grief. "Do you remember, Abhram? You once told me that if you were in my place, you’d understand the pain of losing a sister. But… I already know that pain. I’ve lived with the guilt, the regret… that I couldn’t save my sister, couldn’t save my mother. If only… if only I hadn’t been a child back then, maybe I could’ve protected them both.”

Abhram felt the words strike deep, resonating with his own loss. He knew too well what it felt like to lose family. He placed a hand on Arjun’s shoulder, silently conveying the understanding that only someone who had felt the same pain could offer.

Arjun’s voice grew softer, the words almost swallowed by his anguish. “But now, the thought that she might be alive, that I never even looked for her… it’s unbearable. I made a promise to my mother, Abhram—a promise I couldn’t keep. What if… what if Meher is my sister, and all this time she’s been out there, alone, with no idea that she has a family, a brother? The questions—they’re endless, and I… I don’t have a single answer. I’ve never felt so helpless in my life.”

Just then, one of the bodyguards entered, holding a worn file. “Sir, we’ve found the report,” he announced.

Arjun snatched it from him, his eyes scanning the pages in silence. For a moment, he froze, the file slipping from his hands as he stood motionless, unable to process what he was reading. Abhram quickly caught it, taking a look himself—and he too was stunned by what he saw.

“So… that means… Vasundhara Aunty… she gave birth before she died,” Abhram said slowly, piecing it together. “It means… that the girl with Aniruddh could be…”

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the doorway. “She’s not his sister. She’s my wife.” Arjun and Abhram turned to see Aniruddh standing there, alongside Aslaam.

“Yes, Meher Farhan Khan Shekhawat is my wife. I don’t care if she’s Arjun’s sister or not. What matters to me is that you stop viewing our relationship in a negative light,” Aniruddh’s tone was calm but unyielding.

Arjun looked at him, stunned. “Wife?”

“Yes, we’re married,” Aniruddh replied, his tone definitive. “It might have been unconventional, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s my wife.”

Abhram’s curiosity was piqued as he asked, “Then what about Pallavi? Why were you so… insistent on being part of her life?”

Aniruddh responded with his own question, “And why are you so interested in seeing Pallavi happy? Is it because she’s your biological sister, or because, before being your sister, she was also your best friend’s wife?”

. “Look, I’m already nicknamed ‘adha pagal insaan’ Don’t push me over the edge here. Just… tell me clearly what’s going on.”Abhram said with a slight irritation

Aniruddh took a deep breath. “Maybe… maybe I mistook friendship for love, but meeting Meher made me realize what love truly is. It was only a few months ago that Meher and I met, and it became clear to me that what I had with Pallavi could never be love… at least, not in the way I feel for Meher. But I still can’t stand to see Pallavi in a wrong relationship—that’s why I was angry with you. But now… I know you truly love her. So, I have no issue with you. And if it turns out that my wife is your sister… toh galati se tum mere saala bhi bangaya hai , ( then by mistake , you are my brother in law too  )So… I don’t want any conflict between us anymore.”

Abhram, sensing a shift in the mood, chimed in, haan haan sari duniya ek taraf aur joru ka bhai ek taraf , yeh baat mujhse accha koun jaanta hai ?

“Oh, yeah, I get it. The whole world on one side, and a brother-in-law on the other. Who could understand that better than me?

Arjun and Aniruddh shared a look of exhaustion as they took in Abhram’s familiar antics, as if to say, “We’re dealing with enough here—save us from your tragic tales right now.”

Abhram sighed theatrically. “Ungrateful friends! After all I’ve done for you , and now you’re abandoning me? I’ll curse you both, mark my words! Your wives will make your lives as miserable as mine has become,” he muttered under his breath, casting imaginary curses on them.

Just then, Arjun’s phone rang, breaking the moment. “Hello, Aman?” he answered quickly. “Did you get the address?”

“Yes, the Khan family is in Lucknow. The chopper is ready. Head over, and we’ll leave for Lucknow immediately,” Aman’s voice came through, decisive and to the point.

Arjun nodded, ending the call. He turned to Aniruddh, who gave a silent nod of understanding. The three of them left the hospital, ready to confront the mysteries awaiting them in Lucknow, hoping that, maybe this time, they’d find the answers they desperately needed.

******************

Lucknow, Khan Mansion

Arjun’s POV

Lucknow, nawaabon ka sheher...

I stood in the grand Khan mansion, its towering walls exuding wealth and history, but its residents seemed smaller in stature, consumed by their hollow pride. I was here to uncover truths I didn’t even know I sought—a desperate attempt to piece together pages of a story I barely understood.

This house, for all its grandeur, reeked of secrets and suppressed whispers. As I walked through the lavish halls, my gaze fixated on a photograph hanging prominently on the wall.

Meher. My Maahi. My little sister.

The sight of her smiling face pulled me into the recesses of my memory, back to a time when life was simpler, happier.

---

Flashback

The room was alive with laughter as an 8-year-old me stood beside my father, Avinash. The walls were covered in framed photos of my mother, Vasundhara. She was five months pregnant and glowing with joy, though her expression turned curious when she entered the room.

"Yeh sab kya hai, Arjun?" she asked, puzzled at the sight of her own photos plastered everywhere.

"Humari Maahi ke liye, Maa," I replied, carefully pinning another picture to the wall.

"Maahi kaun?" she asked, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

I turned around, beaming. "Meri little soul. Meri behen."

My mother chuckled at my confidence. "Aur tumhe kaise pata, beta? Behen hi hogi? Bhai bhi toh ho sakta hai."

Before I could respond, my father chimed in. "Na, madam, na. Pichli baar maine aapki baat mani thi. Iss baar aapko meri baat maanni padegi. Mujhe ek beti chahiye."

He grinned as he adjusted a frame, the playful banter between them warming the room.

I walked over to my mother and hugged her baby bump tightly yet not hurting her . "Aur ekdum aap jaisi honi chahiye, Maa."

The room filled with laughter, our little family’s happiness painting a moment I would forever treasure.

---

Present

The sound of harsh words dragged me back to reality.

"Pata nahi kounsi ganda khoon ki paidaish hai yeh ladki," an elderly woman sneered. "Jab se iss ghar mein aayi hai, tab se manhoosiyat phailayi hai."

The venom in her voice was enough to make my blood boil. My fists clenched at my sides, and it took every ounce of my self-control to keep from pulling out my gun. If she weren’t the age of my grandmother, her existence in this world would have ended right here, right now.

But before I could act, another voice sliced through the tension like a knife.

"Dekh, andhi budhiya," came Aniruddh’s sharp words, his fury barely contained.

Abhram and Aman couldn’t suppress their laughter, but Aniruddh’s focus remained unwavering.

He pulled out his gun and pressed it against the old woman’s temple, his eyes blazing with anger. "Aaj tak jo kiya, sab pata hai mujhe. Tumne Meher ke saath kitna galat kiya,How her dreams were crushed, I know all of it. If you say one more word about my wife, I will forget that you're a woman and Meher's so-called grandmother."

I watched silently, my respect for Aniruddh growing, though I’d never admit it aloud. If only he weren’t Pallavi’s ex Ashiq, I might have actually liked him.

---

I gestured towards the sofa, signaling to the woman seated nearby. She hesitated but eventually walked over to sit opposite me.

She was none other than Nilofer, Meher’s mother. Her eyes carried a mix of guilt and sorrow, but she avoided meeting mine.

"Dekhiye, aunty ji," I began, my voice cold and unrelenting. "Mere gusse ke baare mein aapko andaza nahi hai. Isiliye bol raha hoon—mujhe sirf sach sunna hai. Aisi kaunsi baat hai jo aapki aankhon mein hai, par zubaan tak nahi aayi?"

Her shoulders slumped as she let out a deep breath, her resolve finally breaking. The room grew silent, every eye fixed on her as she began to speak.

---
22 years ago

The night was darker than usual, the moon hidden behind the heavy monsoon clouds. Nilofer and Aamir were driving back to Lucknow, their minds weighed down by the doctor's grim declaration.

"You have to accept the truth, Mrs. Khan. With your condition, carrying a child is impossible," the doctor's voice echoed in Nilofer's ears, crushing her dreams of motherhood. Aamir, sitting beside her, tightened his grip on the steering wheel, glancing at his wife with silent support.

The rain intensified, and the car's wipers struggled against the downpour. Aamir slowed the car and pulled over to the side of the road.

"This storm isn’t going to stop anytime soon," Aamir said, trying to sound calm. He leaned back and sighed. "We’ll wait for the rain to ease up."

As they sat in the car, the sound of raindrops hitting the roof seemed louder than their breaths. Suddenly, a man knocked on their window, startling them.

"Sahab, this area is not safe," the stranger warned, his voice urgent. "There’s a Shiv Mandir nearby, just on the edge of the jungle. You should take shelter there for the night."

Reluctant but left with no choice, Aamir and Nilofer followed the stranger's directions. The jungle seemed ominous, with shadows of trees swaying under the stormy winds. When they reached the temple, its ancient structure loomed in the darkness, barely visible under the dim light of the lanterns.

As they stepped out of the car, they heard hurried footsteps and saw a heavily pregnant woman running towards the jungle, her cries of pain piercing through the storm.

"Wait!" Nilofer called out, rushing towards her. The woman collapsed to her knees, clutching her stomach.

Aamir joined them, helping the woman to her feet. "We need to take her to a safe place " he said. Together, they guided her into a small hut  and laid her on the cold stone floor.

The woman, struggling to breathe, pleaded, "Please… save my child…"

Nilofer knelt beside her, holding her hand tightly. "Don’t worry. You’re not alone. We’ll help you."

Amid the chaos, the woman gave birth to a baby girl, her cries merging with the thunder outside. Nilofer gently wrapped the newborn in her shawl, tears streaming down her face. But before the woman could hold her child, her body went limp, and her eyes fluttered shut.

The woman grabbed Nilofer’s hand with her last ounce of strength. "Promise me… you’ll protect her… from them…"

Nilofer nodded, her voice breaking. "I promise."

Before they could comprehend the gravity of the situation, loud voices and the sound of footsteps echoed outside. Aamir peered out and saw a group of armed men approaching the hut , their intentions clear.

"Nilofer, we need to hide!" Aamir whispered urgently.

Carrying the baby, they slipped into the jungle and crouched behind a tree. From their hiding spot, they watched in horror as the goons stormed into the hut .

"Where is she?" one of them barked, spotting the unconscious woman. Without hesitation, they doused her in petrol and set her ablaze.

The flames illuminated the darkness, and Nilofer clutched the baby tightly, shielding her eyes from the horrifying scene. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, "No child deserves this fate. She’s ours now."

Aamir looked at her, his face pale but determined. "If that’s what Allah want, we’ll protect her with everything we have."

---

Back in Lucknow

Convincing Aamir’s mother was no easy task. The elderly woman, stern and traditional, had never liked Nilofer.

"You want to bring an orphan into this house?" she spat, her voice laced with disdain. "She’s not even your blood!"

Nilofer stood her ground, her voice firm despite the tears in her eyes. "That child is innocent. She needs a family, and I promised her mother."

Aamir intervened, his tone respectful but resolute. "Ammi, this is not just Nilofer’s decision; it’s mine too. Please, give us your blessing."

After hours of pleading, she finally relented. "Fine. Do what you want. But don’t expect me to treat her like family."

As Nilofer cradled the baby in her arms, a faint smile graced her lips. She whispered softly, "No matter what, you’ll always be my daughter."

The baby, oblivious to the turmoil around her, cooed softly, her tiny fingers clutching Nilofer’s scarf, sealing the bond between them.

******************

So that's it for today i hope you like it..

And yes here is an important note ..

This story is going to be end soon , last 5 chapters are remaining including epilogue..

So yes thank you so much for being with me in this beautiful journey