Hi Everyone!!!

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"A Secret."

Sanskar's POV:

'Anywhere for you sweetheart.' I can't believe, she was blushing on his mere fluting, a knot tightened in my stomach. Her eyes sparkling, and it stung to see her so easily captivated by his manipulation, while she rejected me when I was just trying to tell my feelings to her. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as I saw her. I heard that from the window of the ward room.

It's been ten minutes since I left the hospital building and made my way into the parking lot. The whole time I was waiting inside for some news of Vansh's death. But the bastard was still meant to live. He had somehow survived being trapped in cold storage for nearly an hour.

It took so much planning from me to get him inside the cold storage. Steal Riddhima's phone, then message Vansh to get him the storage area, pay the waiter and make sure that Vansh enters the room. Then lock him inside. But last part I made mistake in was to make sure that Riddhima never saw that message. Even though I deleted our previous conversation, she somehow got his location and reached there as a savior.

Hitting the steering wheel, I huff out in frustration. There is only one place, I can go and hide for a while. I leave VR Mansion soon but not before taking Riddhima with me. She is mine. Just Mine.

As I pulled the rental car out of the parking lot, the engine started roaring loudly, piercing the silence of the parking lot. Once back on the road, I was filled with a wave of determination. I needed to find a way to make her feel my love. I'll do anything to make her mine - big gestures, small surprises, whatever it takes. This thought excited me as I wandered the streets and planned my next move.

I stopped in front of the house I rented for the month, it doesn't have anything valuable and expensive and looks like an abandoned place since it doesn't have any neighbors. The once who lives in this location are farther away from here.

The landlord had apparently left this old property for rent and opted for a more desirable location. But it didn't matter to me; I chose this place for my own reasons. It was a perfect hideaway, a sanctuary where I could plan and collect my thoughts and figure out how to win her heart.

Opening the door, I enter not before making sure that no one is looking at me. But of course, no one seems to be coming here. I close the door behind me and turn on the lights on the hallway. The sudden intrusion of light makes me close my eyes, I blink once, twice to clear the path.

Muffled voice from down the corridors, makes me take a step in that direction. I cross the area and enter the living room, connecting a kitchen and bedroom. Sejal. I look at her bound to a chair and feel anger and hatred towards her. Just why I did that? Why I had to go ahead and date her?

"Shhh..." I say moving closer to her but she doesn't. She keeps on making small muffled noises. Moving closer I remove the duct tape. I let her inhale a deep breath.

"W..washroom..." Snarling, I looked at her in frustration. "I need to use the washroom."

Fine by me, there is nothing she can escape from me. Since, she didn't try it last time. I let her do it. Opening the ropes on her hands and then legs. I haul her on her feet. Could be the weakness that makes her stumble. "Don't fall on me."

She looks at me in confusion. I let her enter the washroom, but don't let her close the door.

"Don't try to run." I just stand there when I receive a message from him, the waiter I paid.

Man: I need more money.

Why does he want it now? He can't be blackmailing me. Can he? But I don't respond. My goal is to make Riddhima mine and just mine. These people can't stop me.

I wait and wait for Sejal to come out and when she doesn't I knock. No answer. No sound of flushing the toilet. Damn it, women. Frustration boiling over, I barge inside, and of course, she's making it difficult for herself by trying to escape. I look at the glass ventilation, made above the toilet seat whose glass plates are now kept on the floor. How did she manage to do that without making a sound?

I shake my head, pushing aside any further thoughts. Panic grips me as I rush out of the building; there's only one place she could have gone, and it leads straight to the main road. The thought of her alone out there makes my heart race. I can't let her get away.

"Why? Just why can't you see my love, Riddhima." I say, my frustration spilling over as I start the car. Best thing to bring her back. "Because of you, I have to stoop this low. But if it's for you, then I'd do anything."

It takes me no more than five minutes to spot her on the road. She's becoming a problem, and I need to act fast. I can see her struggling, breathing hard from exhaustion but refusing to give up. My heart races as I pull the car in front of her, blocking her path. No one should she us.

Moving out of the vehicle, I step in front of her. The shock in her eyes is evident, and she quickly pivots to escape in the other direction. But before she can get far, I reach out, my foot hits her ankle.

"Ahhh..." she yells, the sound slicing through me. Pain flashes in her eyes, and I realize I can't let this happen. Guilt and desperation surge within me. "I'm sorry," I say, my voice trembling. "Just... please, let me explain." I take a step closer, hoping she'll see the sincerity behind my actions.

I bend on my knees, and pick her up. She wriggles while her face is still in pain. "Let me go, please." I hear her plead as I deposit her in the car.

"No, look Sejal. Just listen to me." I say and get behind the wheels locking the doors.

"Listen to you. You kidnapped me. You said you love me, but you are obsessed over Riddhima. You have lost your mind. Just let me go." I hear her say while she is trying to open the door.

"I love her. And you know what Sejal just go with my plan and I'll let you go back, safely to your lover boy." Of course, I know some guy is going ballistic over her. Who? No idea. "You just have to..."

A hard sting lands on my cheeks and I look at her shocked. She just slapped me. "I'm not helping you. I trusted you once by introducing you to my best friend and falling in love with you but no. Not now. I have seen how much Vansh loves her, he will kill you before you can...."

I do the same slap her hard. I don't need to hear her bullshit. "Don't Sejal. You are just making me hurt you more."

She looks at me and then again, goes to trying open the door, while throwing a disgusted look at my face.

Taking out the syringe, I realized this might be my only option. I had hoped it would not come to this, but frustration clouded my decision. As I approached her, I steadied my hand, my heart beating faster. "Look"

She turns to look at me. Good girl.

"I don't want to hurt you," I said, my voice low and urgent. "But I need you to understand how serious this is."

Her eyes widened in fear, and I could see the fight within her, the determination to resist.

"Please," I pleaded, desperation creeping into my tone. "I'm not your enemy. I just wanted you to not interfere in my plans and from now you will not be a problem."

The tension crackled between us, a mix of anger and fear, as I took a cautious step closer, the syringe trembling slightly in my grip. The last thing I wanted was to force her, but I knew I was running out of time. With that, I don't let her process before I inject her.

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Vansh's POV:

I look at Riddhima, sitting in front of me. She looks worried. About me? I can't help but hope that. We came back to the VR Mansion an hour ago. Anu mom and everyone, came and checked on me. But Riddhima and I hadn't talked about the last night conversation again. About me kissing her.

That wasn't a kiss. Of course not, not the one I go with. But she needs time. A lot of time.

"Riddhima. What's wrong?" I ask, extending my hand to pull her closer. I need her. I need to feel that connection after everything that's happened between us in the past. I can't let her hate me forever.

"Nothing. I'm just worried about Sejal," she replies, her voice tinged with concern. As she moves closer, sitting directly in front of me, I can see the conflict in her eyes. Of course, she isn't worried about me. But I can't help but wish she'd let herself focus on us for a moment. The warmth between us is electric, and I desperately want to close the distance that still hangs between us.

"Why? Didn't you say she went back to Delhi?" She nods and looks at me. But we are interrupted by a knock. I look up at Angre standing there.

"Boss. We need to talk." Before I can refuse or do something, Riddhima nods and gets up.

"Angre, can't we do this later." I ask trying to make the point home.

"No boss, this is urgent and you have to see it now." No help from him. From the periphery of my vision, I see Riddhima tensed as she leaves. For the first time, I hate my right hand for being so punctual.

"What is it?" I ask, frustration creeping into my voice. I can feel my patience wearing thin as the distance between Riddhima and me keeps on increasing.

"The footage you asked for. I couldn't get it last night since you were sleeping." I nod and take the iPad from his him. I touch the play button, letting the video roll. "I only included the major parts, and it's fast-forwarded,"

The camera has a direct line to the hallway, and it's easy to see the expressions on their faces. As I watch, a sense of unease washes over me. Every detail matters now more than ever, and I can't afford to miss anything.

After a while, Riddhima enters the same room she told me about. About two minutes later, Armaan does. Then nothing. Nothing happens, no one comes in or goes out. What's happening? I wait and then Sanskar does. He enters the room, as if he knew she was there all while. But he doesn't concern me.

I glance at Angre also looking at the video. He just shrugs. Riddhima told me what went down with Armaan. But what role did Sanskar played in all this? Looking back at the screen, I see Armaan leaving, the door clicking shut behind him. For the next fifteen minutes, the footage is eerily still; no one else comes or goes, and the silence feels heavy. The timestamp on the recorded line ticks away, each second amplifying my unease.

Then tensed Riddhima comes out, I grip the iPad tighter, determined to uncover the truth and protect her, no matter the cost. She looks afraid, frightened and hiding. Sanskar is still inside. She might be worried about Armaan's behavior, but something in my gut tells me it's this Sanskar's doing. The way her eyes dart around before she leaves the corridor—it all points to something sinister.

"What went down in that room?" I ask and hand back the iPad to Angre. He just shakes his head.

"Boss, the waiter you told me about. We would need more detailing to catch him. Since, there was no camera in the storage area." I hear him say and try to recall his face.

"This was all planned. They knew where the camera was." I say lying my head on the bedpost.

"Could be. But we need to do this meeting. We can't delay it or someone else may grab this opportunity." I can't help but nod at his words.

"Fine then, after three days. We will do the meeting. We have three days to catch the waiter." He nods at my words. "Where is Sanskar?"

"I have no idea, we haven't seen him since last night you left for the party." Something feels wrong. Alarmingly wrong.

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Riddhima's POV:

I hope Sejal is fine. Neither she nor her sister seems to be picking up their phones, and the tension is eating at me. I'm dying to know she's okay, but I can't shake the worry about her mom either. Sanskar mentioned she was in the hospital—should I go check on her? The thought tugs at me, mixing my concern for them both. I need to do something, anything, to ease this anxiety.

But no, her parents already considers me a mishap in her life—a problem in their good girl's world. The last thing I want is to add to their worries or cause more tension between us. I know I care for her deeply, but how can I make them understand that?

Huffing in frustration, I enter the room allotted to me in this mansion. My clothes are strewn about from last evening, a chaotic reminder of how little time I've had to rest. I didn't even get a chance to put them back in the cupboard; I just rushed in an hour ago to change and head out again. I need to put them back.

Taking one of my shirts, I neatly fold it before turning toward the closet. That's when I see him, and a shriek escapes my lips. Sanskar. Why is he here? I can't help but meddle with that thought. My mind races through a thousand possibilities, each more unsettling than the last. Is he here to confront me? About our last conversation.

'No, I don't. I don't love her. I Love you.' His words from last night, makes me take a step back and recoil away from him.

"Riddhima, you said. We will talk." I look around for something, while he is still away from me.

"What are you doing here? How did you came inside?" I ask and watch him take a step back. I can scream for help but then tell them what? Everything from last night, no.

"Came inside? You didn't want me here?" I shake my head not believing I made him my friend, let Sejal date him.

"Don't you get it? Just leave me alone." I say and stumble back falling on the bed. "S...see I don't feel anything for you, Sanskar."

Within a flick of a second, he's back in my face. What the hell? Panic rises in my chest as I instinctively move backward on the bed, trying to create space between us. His presence feels overwhelming, and every instinct tells me to put distance between us. I can't let him intimidate me, but the urgency in the air is palpable, making it hard to think straight. "I can help with that. Just give me some time. Just let me."

He moves even closer, and I close my eyes before letting out a scream. Being afraid, I can't help but do anything else. He's sick, and God knows what else he's capable of right now.

"Riddhima..." I hear a calm voice speak, but I don't open my eyes. I can't.

"Riddhima. What's wrong?" I hear a feminine voice. Ishani, and then slowly open my eyes.

Aryan and Ishani are standing in front of me. Behind them Sia, and not after a minute, Vansh and Angre barges inside the room. My heart races as I glance around the room, but he nowhere. Sanskar is not here.

"Riddhima. Why did you screamed?" I watch as Vansh crosses the other side of the bed and comes closer to me. Out of instinct, I just hold his hand and move closer.

"He was here." I say still looking around. Panic grip my vocals as I try to force out the words.

"Who was here, Riddhima?" I hear Vansh ask as he turns me to look at him. Cupping my cheeks, he holds me at an eye contact.

"Sanskar." I answer in a low voice, only for him to here.

"There was no one when I came here." Aryan says from somewhere behind him.

"It's ok. You all can leave. I'm here." I hear a calm 'yes' and slow footsteps making it way further away from him.

"Why are you scared from him, Riddhima?" I hear him ask as he looks at my face. I just shake my head. Can I trust him? After everything that's happened? Maybe, or maybe not. Doubt lingers in my mind, but all I really want is to seek some solace from him.

So, I wrap my arms around his torso, pulling him closer. Her warmth seeps into me, a comforting presence that begins to melt away my panic. In that moment, I let myself relax, if only just a little, savoring the brief sense of safety he provides.

But I can't help but wonder was Sanskar just a fragment of my imagination? Because I was already scared?

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AFTER 3 DAYS;

Vansh's POV:

I glance at my reflection in the mirror, and then reach for the perfume and spray it all over myself, the familiar scent wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. I look at my suit for the meeting. Riddhima finally chose this for the meeting.

For the past three days, I have felt that Riddhima is hiding something from me. It definitely has to do with Sanskar, since she seems to be afraid of him, it's puzzling that he appears to be AWOL from the masquerade night. Where could he be? His absence raises even more questions about what's really going on and how it all connects to her fear.

But even though I can't help but thanks him in my head. Because of him, I was finally able to feel that Riddhima was coming closer to me. She takes her dinner by my side, constantly checking on my health. She makes sure I take my meds after dinner. If these are even simple signs of her feelings for me, then I can't help but thank my lucky stars for it.

"Boss. Car is ready." I hear Angre say. I have to do this meeting and come back home early.

It's about half an hour ride, from our mansion to the location Oberois decided for the meeting. They didn't choose any abandoned place; instead, they opted for their own familiar surroundings, the decision left me uneasy.

I watch as the black gates swing open, welcoming us inside. As we enter, I glance at the trees on either side. They remind me of the entrance to my mansion, but this isn't their mansion. All while, Angre made sure that the files for the meeting are updated.

We're directed toward the open area, our guards forming a protective circle around us. I glance up at the eldest heir of the Oberoi Clan, seated in a chair with his right hand man standing firmly by his side. We shake hands, and I feel a firm grip that speaks to his confidence. He signs for me to sit.

But I'm more here to confront about his youngest siblings' behavior towards my women than this meeting, it's Angre who was eager to crack this deal.

"Before we proceed, I would like to address an important matter." I feel Angre looking at me. 

 "What is it?" I hear him ask.

"During that masquerade party, your youngest siblings hurt my woman..."

I couldn't even finish my sentence when I heard a sudden, explosive bang, followed by a sharp crack as the bullet broke the sound barrier and struck flesh. The moment hung in the air, thick with shock and disbelief, as the reality of what had just happened sank in.

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Precap: "I can't help but worry about this whole scenario. What does our future together hold, and do we have what it takes to make it through?"

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Your writer
Krisha💚