Not everything happens according to our wishes,

We cannot predict our future,

When it was impossible to stop or change the past.

#lajawabattitude

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The last person, I wanted to see?

Cursed.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy when Karan decided to befriend Mahira and invite her to our party. There was something about her that gave me a bad vibe, but Karan insisted that she had a pure heart and could be a valuable asset in catching her brothers and helping us.

He believed that Mahira, being close to her brothers, might hold the key to finding out more about Romi and his activities. I understood that he was doing all of this for my safety, but I couldn't help but wonder why it had to be her.

To make matters more complicated, Karan had arranged for me to have a conversation with Mahira. I couldn't deny my discomfort with her presence in my life, but I hadn't yet confessed my reservations to Karan. While I appreciated his concern and effort to protect me, this particular decision didn't sit well with me.

A week had passed since the day Karan brought me to his house to meet his sister. His father had tasked us with gathering information about Romi, a task that seemed nearly impossible. Romi lived a secretive life and had expertly covered his tracks, leaving us with no leads to follow.

Two days ago, we had revealed our complicated lives and situations to our friends, seeking their support as we prepared to confront Romi. Karan's father had given us a mere ten days to gather information and formulate a plan before taking on Romi, whom he described in ominous terms.

"He came prepared to play a game," Karan's father had said, hinting at the dangerous nature of our adversary. "We must plan our moves carefully, as he will not be fighting us alone."

These words had sent shivers down my spine, and it was evident that Romi was not to be underestimated. Yet, my father assured me that I shouldn't be afraid, reminding me that I had already faced difficult circumstances. He believed that my past experiences had prepared me for this challenge.

Despite our rocky history, my relationship with my father has been improving since my return. He had even planned a special dinner for us this coming Saturday night, a clear indication that he wanted to get to know me better.

As Karan and I headed to school together in his car, my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Mahira. Her absence today had caught my attention, and I couldn't help but worry that something might be wrong. Had she deliberately avoided school for a reason?

"I have a feeling Mahira's absence today is significant," I confided to Tanya, my best friend, during a private conversation in the library during our free period. I had summoned her to share a secret, one that had weighed on me for far too long.

"Why? What's going on?" Tanya asked her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

I hesitated before finally revealing the truth. "I want to tell you a secret today. Please promise not to panic. I just feel you'll understand and support me when I need it."

Tanya assured me of her unwavering support and understanding, a promise that comforted me. With that, I divulged the truth about my past, my family's involvement in the mafia, my father's harsh treatment meant to toughen me up, my unexpected engagement to Karan, and, most importantly, the menacing presence of Romi and his obsession with me.

Tanya's reaction was a mix of shock and silence as she absorbed the information I had just shared. I knew that she had never imagined my life to be so complicated and dangerous.

"What the actual hell, Mish? How could you hide all of this from me?" Tanya finally whispered, her emotions raw.

"I couldn't. I only found out about all of this a few days ago myself. I wanted to escape from everything when I enrolled in this college far from home, but it seems like I've returned to a place where chaos follows me," I confessed, my voice trembling.

My heart had yearned to confide in someone who would listen and understand, and Tanya's presence had provided a sense of relief. I couldn't help but feel selfish for seeking her support, but I knew I needed it.

That night, I felt lighter, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. I decided to cook dinner for my family as a way to express my gratitude for their support. My father was out on urgent business, leaving Sahil and me at home. Sahil was busy preparing for his upcoming exams.

As I prepared dinner, my thoughts kept drifting to Mahira. Her absence had triggered my concern, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. It was unusual for her to miss school, especially considering her relentless determination to settle scores.

While cooking, I couldn't help but think of Karan and the challenges that lay ahead. I felt fortunate to have his love and support, despite the complexity of our lives. Even though he could appear fierce to others, to me, he was nothing short of endearing.

"Taakte rehte tujhko saanjh savere...Nainon Mein haye...Nainon Mein haye

Taakte rehte tujhko saanjh savere...Nainon mein bansiya jaise nain yeh tere

Nainon mein bansiya jaise nain yeh tere...Tere mast mast do nain

Mere dil ka le gaye chain...Mere dil ka le gaye chain

Tere mast mast do nain...Tere mast mast do nain...Mere dil ka le gaye chain

Mere dil ka le gaye chain...Tere mast mast do nain"

My thoughts were interrupted by the unexpected sound of my phone's ringtone. Karan had set it, and its melodious tune never failed to bring a smile to my face.

"Hello, my cutie," I greeted him, my tone playful.

But Karan's response was serious and stern. "Don't. Not now, Mish. This is serious."

I was taken aback by his abrupt change in demeanor. "Okay, but why are you so mad? Is everything okay?"

"No. Just listen, okay? You'll stay home for the next two days, and..."

Before he could finish his sentence, I interjected, my frustration getting the best of me. "Wait, pause. Why should I stay home? And why are you suddenly ordering me so rudely? Last I checked, I'm not your slave; I'm your fiancée and girlfriend."

There was a tense silence, and I quickly regretted my outburst. I knew that I had overreacted, and it wasn't like Karan to be rude. But I couldn't stand anyone giving me orders, no matter the circumstances.

"Sorry, Karan," I said, my voice softer. "I think I overreacted. It's just that I hate it when anyone gives me orders."

Karan's response was understanding. "I get it, Mish. I panicked because of the situation and reacted poorly."

"It's okay. What happened?" I asked, eager to understand the reason behind his unusual behavior.

Karan's next words sent a chill down my spine. "Romi." The name itself was enough to fill me with dread. My mind raced with questions. What had Romi done now? Was he threatening Karan? Was he getting closer to discovering our plan?

"Romi? What did he do?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"I saw him near our college today," Karan replied, his tone low and tense. "I followed him discreetly, and he was trying to get close to you. It's like he's always watching you."

My heart pounded in my chest. The realization that Romi was lurking nearby, observing my every move, sent a wave of fear through me.

"What should we do?" I whispered, feeling vulnerable and trapped.

"We need to be careful, Misha. He might try to approach you again or gather information about us. That's why I want you to stay home for the next few days. I'll take care of everything."

"But what about college?" I protested. "I can't just skip classes."

"I'll talk to the professors and make sure they understand the situation. You can catch up on your studies at home. Safety comes first," Karan insisted.

I understood his concern and nodded reluctantly. "Okay, I'll stay home. But please be careful, Karan."

"I will, Mish. I promise."

After we hung up, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The realization that Romi was so close, lurking in the shadows, filled me with a profound sense of vulnerability. I had thought I could escape my past by moving away from my family, but it seemed like Romi was determined to haunt me.

The next two days were agonizingly long. I stayed at home, going through my college notes and trying to distract myself from the looming threat of Romi. My dad, Dada, and Sahil were supportive, sensing that something was amiss, but I couldn't bring myself to tell them the full truth. I didn't want to involve them in this dangerous game.

On the third day, as I sat in the living room, my phone rang. It was Karan.

"Hey," I said, answering the call.

"Hi, Mish. I've been keeping an eye on Romi, but he's being careful. He hasn't made any moves yet, but I'm not letting my guard down," Karan said, his voice laced with concern.

"Thank you for doing this, Karan," I replied, grateful for his unwavering support.

"We're in this together, Mish. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Just then, Tanya's voice echoed in the background. "Misha, you won't believe what's happening at college right now!"

I frowned, wondering what could be so urgent. "What's going on, Tanya?"

"Mahira! She's making a huge scene in the cafeteria, and it's all about you," Tanya exclaimed.

My heart sank. Mahira causing a scene could only mean trouble.

"Stay right where you are, Misha. I'm coming to pick you up," Karan declared.

I could hear the urgency in his voice, and I knew he was right. I needed to leave the house immediately. Romi's presence and Mahira's actions had created a dangerous cocktail of threats that I couldn't ignore.

"Okay, I'll be ready," I replied, my mind racing with worry.

As I quickly gathered my things and prepared to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling that our peaceful life had been shattered, and we were being drawn deeper into a web of danger and deception. The battle against Romi was far from over, and Mahira's involvement only added another layer of complexity to the situation.

I prayed that Karan's plan would work, that we would uncover the truth about Romi, and that we could finally put an end to this cursed chapter of our lives.

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I've successfully updated all my previous chapters with essential edits. The next exciting chapters are in the works. Keep an eye out for updates!

Thanks for reading.

lots of love

xxx