𝔹𝕠𝕟𝕛𝕠𝕦𝕣, 𝕞𝕪 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤!

𝕀'𝕞 𝕕𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖 𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕒 𝕓𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕕-𝕟𝕖𝕨 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣!!

𝕀'𝕞 𝕒𝕝𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕨𝕖'𝕧𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕕 ⑥𝕜+ 𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 ②.⑤𝕜+ 𝕧𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤 - 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕤𝕦𝕡𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥!!!

ℕ𝕠𝕨, 𝕝𝕖𝕥'𝕤 𝕕𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕟𝕖𝕩𝕥 𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪. 𝔼𝕟𝕛𝕠𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕!!!! 𓆩♡𓆪

Ⓦⓞⓡⓓ ⓒⓞⓤⓝⓣ- ➐⓿➒➑
Ⓟⓤⓑⓛⓘⓢⓗⓔⓓ ⓞⓝ - ➋➏/➊➊/➋➍

___________________________________________

That evening, as office hours came to an end, Shreeja made her way to the parking lot to pick up her car. As she approached, she noticed Idhayan still sitting in his car.

She thought, 'Sir left before me, so why's he still here?' After a brief pause, she decided, 'Let me at least say goodbye before heading home.'

As she walked over, Idhayan got out and opened the bonnet of his car. She approached him, curiosity in her eyes. "Sir, is there something wrong with your car?"

Idhayan glanced at her, a small smile on his face. "Oh, Shreeja, you're done for the day?"

Shreeja nodded. "Yes, sir. I was about to head home, but then I saw you here, so I thought I'd say goodbye."

Idhayan smiled, glancing back at the engine. "I was about to leave when I remembered some project details I needed to check. After going over them, my car wouldn't start, so I'm trying to figure out the problem."

Shreeja tilted her head, placing one hand on her waist and the other on her chin. "Ohhh...hmmm... That's frustrating when your car decides to be stubborn."

(Author : yes that's right)

Then, crossing her arms confidently, she suggested, "Listen to me, you should let it starve; that'll teach it a lesson! Hmph!"

(Author : *Facepalming, trying hard controlling her laugh*)
(Editor : Ummm..I mean she just wanted too....*Embarrassed*)

The next moment, she sighed, lowering her hands. "But then again, starving it won't really get you anywhere. Sighh!"

Idhayan couldn't help but chuckle. "That's right! But where did you get these unique ideas from?"

She laughed, shrugging. "I got it from my mom. She tried it on me when I was younger."

He raised an eyebrow, a bit shocked. "What? Really?"

Proudly lifting her head and placing her hands on her waist, Shreeja grinned with her eyes closed. "But soon she gave up, since nothing could break the bond between me and food. Khi khi khi khi khi khi!"

(Author : Wahhh what a proud full lady) (Editor : *Flushed*)

Idhayan looked at her for a moment before laughing heartily. "I see! That bond is pretty unbreakable. Ah, I think I've found the issue."

Shreeja leaned in from his right side, peering at the engine. "Where? What's wrong?"

He pointed. "This wire's cut."

Not realizing how close she had gotten, Shreeja leaned in even closer, murmuring to herself, "Hmm, that's a problem... Can you fix it, or should you call the service center?"

Idhayan's heart raced as he glanced at her so near to him. 'Can she hear how fast my heart's beating?' he wondered.
'I want to tell her how much she affects me. I yearn to hold her, let her feel this heartbeat that races solely for her.'

(Editor : Sorry Author and Readers mein Idhayan ko kidnapped kar lungi) (I will kidnap Idhayan)

Realizing he'd been silent for too long, Shreeja turned to him, her expression curious. Their eyes met, his filled with a mix of emotions, hers with innocent confusion.

Tilting her head, she asked, "Umm... what happened?"

But Idhayan's mind was elsewhere, captivated by her sudden closeness and endearing nature. He wondered, 'What if she discovers my true feelings? Will she recoil, remain oblivious, or laugh at my vulnerability?'

Shreeja's louder voice broke his trance. "Sirrrr?"

Idhayan snapped back to reality, his cheeks warming slightly. "Ohh, yes," he said.

"What happened, sir? Is there something on my face?" She slowly wiped her face, trying to understand if there was really something there.

Idhayan smiled. "Um...no, nothing's on your face," he said, quickly. "I just got lost in some thoughts."

She nodded, seeming to understand. "Alright... So, what will you do now?"

Idhayan scratched his chin, thinking. "Hmmm...I guess I'll call a cab to get home and arrange for the service center to handle the car."

Shreeja's eyes widened. "Nooo wayyy, sir! Why call a cab when I can give you a lift? Let's go."

She started heading toward her car, but Idhayan stopped her. "No, Shreeja, I don't want to trouble you. I'll manage, really."

(Author : Aree yaar le lo, Achaa hi to hai ) (Hey bro, take it, it's good)

She turned around, pouting in protest. "Why not? You're always helping me and everyone else, but you never let anyone help you. Why's that? Today, I won't listen to you. You're coming with me, and that's final. Hmph!"

With a decisive nod, she turned back and got into her car.

Idhayan was speechless. Without further protest, he chuckled softly, shook his head, and followed, settling into the passenger seat beside her.

As Shreeja started the engine and began driving toward his house, Idhayan noticed the triumphant smile on her face.
In that moment, he couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and admiration for her persistence.

As they drove home, Idhayan and Shreeja chatted easily, but then Idhayan's phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was his mother. He answered, "Yes, Mom. What-"

Before he could finish, her voice broke through, tense and distressed. "Son, where are you right now?"

His concern grew. "I'm on my way home, Mom. What's wrong? Why do you sound like this?"

Mrs. Deshmukh's voice quivered with worry. "Son, don't go home. Go to your elder brother immediately. He's been in an accident and is hospitalized. I'm out of the country, so I couldn't be there right away. Please go there ASAP!"

A wave of concern washed over him as his mother continued, her voice laden with guilt. "I don't know what kind of mother I am. My son is suffering, and I'm not there. Deepti told me she hadn't been able to reach him for two days, but I brushed it off, thinking he was just busy or having network issues... If only I had taken this seriously, we would have known sooner...Shame on me!"

(Author : Kaha yese mom milte hai,*crying* jo dusre ke bête ko aapna sochti hai)
(Where do you meet that mother, *crying* who thinks of someone else's child as her own?)

Idhayan absorbed her words, a steady calm in his tone as he reassured her, "Mom, don't blame yourself. Just breathe and stay strong. He'll be okay. Can you give me the details? I'll go now."

Taking a shaky breath, she replied, "I got a call from his PA a short while ago. They had an accident two days ago while returning from a business trip. Locals admitted them to a nearby hospital."

"Alright," Idhayan responded, nodding as he processed this. "Please send me the location."

"Yes, I'll send it right now," she replied, regaining some composure. "Check if he can be moved to our hospital. I'm sure you'll handle everything. Just keep me updated, and I'll get there as soon as I can."

After exchanging a few more comforting words, Idhayan ended the call, his expression now serious and focused.

After Idhayan ended the call, Shreeja glanced at him, her voice filled with concern. "What happened, sir? Did something happen to someone?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the road as she drove.

Idhayan's expression was tense. "Yes, my elder brother had an accident; he's hospitalized. And I need to get there as soon as possible."

Shreeja's eyes widened. "What? Oh my god! How did that happen? Oh no! It's not time for this. This is serious. You should get there quickly."

Idhayan turned to her, trying to stay composed. "Just pull over. I'll get out here and catch a cab. You should go home."

But Shreeja shook her head firmly. "There's no way I'm letting you get down here. You don't have to worry; I'll take you there. That way, it'll be faster."

He countered, "But Shreeja, that hospital is far from here. It'll take time, and once we get there, I'll be busy handling many things. If my brother's condition is stable, I'll need to arrange a transfer to our hospital. You'll be late getting home, your parents will worry."

With a huff, Shreeja cut him off with a slightly angry voice, "There you go again, trying to handle everything alone. What's the harm in accepting help for once? The world won't collapse, right? Even if it does, just let it be. You always lecture me not to hesitate to ask for help from you, so why won't you..."

Idhayan tried to protest, "But Shreeja, I'm just worried that-"

She interrupted while pulling over the car, "Yeah, yeah, you'll always worry about everything and everyone. But no one's allowed to worry about you? Hmph!"

Before Idhayan could respond, Shreeja locked the car doors and continued, "Now you can't get out of the car; you have to go there with me."

Idhayan again opened his mouth to respond, but she stopped him, her voice wavering, "But if you really don't want me to go with you...If you don't like..." Her eyes filled with tears, catching him off guard.

His heart ached seeing her so upset, and his resolve softened instantly. "Relax, Shreeja; it's all my fault. I'll definitely go with you. If not you, I'm not going anywhere. I promise." He placed a gentle hand on her head, his tone warm. "Now, wipe your tears and smile for me, okay?"

She looked up at him, wiping her eyes, her voice quiet. "Really? You mean it?"

He nodded, smiling. "Absolutely." As he patted her head, he thought, 'How could I not go with you? The last thing I want is to see you hurt. Besides... I can spend more time with you. I simply wanted to take care of you, as your health just got better. Well, never mind.'

(Editor : Haan haan sab apne apne dhande mein hai) (Yes yes, everyone is in their own business)

Relieved, Shreeja's face lit up. "Alright then! Today, I'll take care of you," she declared with a grin.

His heart skipped a beat at her words, and he quickly looked away, setting the hospital location on the car's GPS. "Alright, alright."

Shreeja's eyes sparkled with determination. "We should hurry; big brother is waiting. You don't have to worry about trivial things; I know shortcuts to get there quickly.
I'll inform my parents later that I might not be returning home today. And since I'm all better now, I can stay up all night and be at your service!" She laughed as she hit the accelerator, her usual energy back in full force.

(Author : Soch samajh ke to bol behen ) (Speak thoughtfully, sister)

(Shreeja : Kya ? meine to thik hi kaha hai) (What ? I said it right)

(Author : *Murmur* Yes , at your service master)

(Editor : *Giggling*) (Shreeja : Whattt?) (Author & Editor : Nothing)

Idhayan's lips curved into a smile as they sped toward the hospital, feeling a newfound warmth despite the worry weighing on him.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Idhayan approached the reception desk and asked for information about his brother, Aamar Gaur Deshmukh, and Mr. Mudaliar, Aamar's personal assistant. After getting directions, he and Shreeja made their way to the room where both men were admitted.

Inside, they found Aamar and Mr. Mudaliar conversing from their beds. Mr. Mudaliar, his left hand encased in a plaster cast and body dotted with smaller bandages, attempted to get up to greet them, but Idhayan quickly gestured for him to stay put.

Idhayan then turned his attention to his brother, whose injuries appeared more severe.

Aamar's head was wrapped in a thick bandage, his right leg immobilized in a plaster cast, and various small dressings covered his bruised skin.

"How are you feeling now, brother?" Idhayan asked, his concern evident. "The doctor mentioned you insisted on not informing anyone about your condition. Why would you do that? Do you have any idea how worried Mom and Deepti are?"

Aamar managed a faint smile. "I'm doing better, Idhayan. I just didn't want them to see me like that... covered in blood and unconscious. I planned to let them know after regaining consciousness, but Mr. Mudaliar called Mother anyway."

Shreeja, standing quietly behind Idhayan, thought to herself, 'Wow, like sir, his elder brother is also kind and considerate. This family really is remarkable. But why do bad things always happen to good people?' A shadow crossed her face as memories of Neil surfaced.

Idhayan sighed, nodding at Aamar's explanation. "I'll speak to the doctor about transferring you to our hospital so you can get the best care."

Aamar started to protest, "But about the company-"

Idhayan cut him off with a reassuring smile. "I'll handle it. You two just focus on recovering. Don't worry about anything else, or..." he trailed off, casting a glance back at Shreeja with a playful glint in his eye, "...or Shreeja will scold you."

(Author : Heinnn *Laughed*)
(Editor : Handsome Uncle humesha shreeja ko tease karne ka tarikha nikal lete hai)
(Handsome uncle always finds a way to tease Shreeja)

Both Aamar and Mr. Mudaliar looked at Shreeja, visibly puzzled.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Shreeja noticed their gazes and stared back at Idhayan, confused.

Idhayan, clearly amused, continued, "Isn't that right? You'd scold them, wouldn't you? Just like you scolded me earlier."

Shreeja's cheeks flushed, and she stammered, "Umm... I mean... I... um... yes... no... why... aaa..."

Idhayan smirked, enjoying her flustered reaction, before turning back to his brother. Shreeja crossed her arms with a sulky pout, embarrassment evident on her face.

Then, Idhayan's tone grew serious. "Tell me what happened," he asked, his eyes steady. "Was this just an accident... or something more?"

Aamar's smile faded, and after a long, tense pause, he spoke in a grave voice. "I think... it was an attempt to murder." He began recounting the events.

°{𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 - 5 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙜𝙤}°
(𝐕𝐈𝐏 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞-𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥)

Aamar Gaur Deshmukh, CEO of 'Deshmukh Design Dynasty', sat across from Mr. Reddy, CEO of 'Reddy Corporation', in the luxurious VIP lounge.

Their PAs, Mr. Mudaliar and Mr. Jain, flanked them, accompanied by four additional Reddy Corporation employees.

The meeting was crucial, discussing a potential merger that would revolutionize the industry. The atmosphere was tense, with both sides negotiating fiercely.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and four assassins, dressed in black, stormed in. They had already taken out the guards posted outside.

Everyone scattered, seeking cover. Aamar's instincts kicked in; he swiftly pushed Mr. Reddy and Mr. Jain behind a nearby couch.

"Get down!" Aamar yelled, shielding them.

The assassins attacked, their movements swift and deadly. Without hesitation, Mr. Mudaliar, leapt into action, tackling one assassin.
The two companies' employees fought back, but they were no match for the trained killers.

Aamar sprang into action, using his agility to dodge attacks. He grabbed a nearby chair and swung it at an assassin, momentarily stunning him.
Mr. Mudaliar joined the fray, landing a solid punch on another assassin's jaw.

Another group of hotel guards rushed in, only to be taken down by the assassins. One of Reddy Corporation's employees lay motionless, a victim of the brutal attack, while three others were critically injured.

In the chaos, Aamar spotted an opportunity. With lightning-fast reflexes, he lunged at one of the assassins, managing to pin him to the ground.

"Who... wants... me... dead?" Aamar whispered, his voice barely audible, his eyes burning with intensity.

The assassin's eyes flashed with defiance, and he spit in Aamar's face.

Aamar's grip tightened, but the assassin's face twisted into a sly smile. With unexpected strength, he wrenched free from Aamar's grasp.

Aamar rose, his eyes scanning the room. Mr. Mudaliar struggled to stand, clutching his wounded hand.

Mr. Reddy and Mr. Jain were visibly shaken but alive, while Aamar himself also sustained minor injuries.

Just as the assassins seemed to gain the upper hand, two towering African men burst into the room.
In a matter of seconds, with their swift efficiency, they killed one assassin and captured the remaining three.

Without a word, the mysterious rescuers disappeared as quickly as they'd arrived, into the corridor, leaving the shaken CEOs and their teams to process the incident.

𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 '𝙑𝙄𝙋 𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙚' 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙠...

Aamar Gaur Deshmukh and his PA, Mr. Mudaliar, were traveling back from the business meeting.
They had spent the past three days in another hotel with heightened security due to Mr. Mudaliar's injuries.

Their car sped down the highway, the sun setting behind them.

Suddenly, a truck swerved into their lane, its tires screeching. Aamar's driver expertly swerved to avoid collision, but a second vehicle, hidden in the truck's blind spot, slammed into their car.

Metal crunched, glass shattered, and the world spun. Aamar instinctively covered Mr. Mudaliar, shielding him from the impact, mindful of his PA's fragile state.

The driver's lifeless body slumped over the wheel, a grim reminder of the tragedy.

Aamar's head struck the window, his vision blurring. Mr. Mudaliar groaned beside him, clutching his already injured hand.

Their car careened off the road, rolling down an embankment.

Mr. Mudaliar, panicked, tried to pull Aamar out, but his leg was stuck. "Mr. Deshmukh, no, no, no...!"

Aamar winced, pain searing through him. "Pratiksh, calm down...I'm okay..."

But Mr. Mudaliar wouldn't listen. With one hand, he desperately tried to free Aamar.

Aamar's vision began to blur. "Don't worry about me...everything will...be okay."

Aamar's mind raced, The VIP lounge attack and this "accident" seemed more than coincidental. His instincts screamed: someone was out there, trying to eliminate him eagerly.

Then Aamar's world went dark.

°{𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩}°

After recounting everything, Aamar let out a heavy sigh. "That's all that happened."

Idhayan and Shreeja, who had been quietly listening, sat in stunned silence, processing the series of events.

"Hmmm," Idhayan murmured, his expression unreadable as he furrowed his brow in deep thought.

After a moment, he added, "Those were some truly shocking and terrible incidents." His voice was calm, but the tension in his features betrayed the storm brewing in his mind.

Breaking the silence, Aamar continued, "I was afraid that if Mother and Deepti came to me, they might still be in danger. I don't know if the attackers are lurking nearby, which is why I opposed informing the family."

Idhayan abruptly rose from his seat, adjusting his suit with a decisive movement. "What's done is done. We can't change the past, but from now on, I'll handle everything. I'll do what needs to be done." His words were firm, resolute.

Turning to Shreeja, who had also stood up, he said, "I'll go talk to the doctors. Stay here with them for a while, alright?"

With an exaggerated salute and a playful gleam in her eye, Shreeja straightened her posture like a soldier. "Yes, Sir! I'll protect them with my life, Sir!"

(Author : Wah re humari soldier) (Wow our soldier)

The sudden shift in her demeanor broke the tension in the room. Aamar and Mr. Mudaliar exchanged glances before bursting into laughter. In unison, they chimed, "Thank you, ma'am, for your protection!"

Shreeja scratched the back of her head, her cheeks tinged with a hint of embarrassment, but her smile was warm and genuine.

Idhayan allowed himself a small smile before turning to leave. Shortly after, arrangements were made to transfer Aamar to their mother's hospital, ensuring his safety and better care.

From that point on, Idhayan became a whirlwind of activity-dealing with hospital formalities, coordinating with the police, managing not one but two companies, and addressing countless other responsibilities.

But through it all, by his side was his Shree, always there, quietly supporting him. Unbeknownst to her, she had become his greatest strength-a beacon of stability amidst the chaos.

I found myself in complete darkness. The kind that consumes everything, leaving no trace of light or hope.

Where am I? Why is it so dark? What is this place? Wasn't I just in my room?

Panic bubbled in my chest as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. My eyes darted frantically, searching for an exit, but there was nothing. Just an endless void.

"Akash! Akash! Akash!" I called out, my voice echoing into the abyss. No response.

The thought struck me-had someone kidnapped me? Were they trying to scare me?

Not a chance, I thought firmly. I wasn't one to frighten easily.

But then, I spotted someone. A silhouette in the distance, faint and flickering, like a mirage.

"Excuse me! Wait! Hello?" I shouted, my voice trembling slightly. She didn't respond. She didn't even flinch. Is she deaf?

I moved closer, each step hesitant yet determined. As I neared her, the figure stopped.

When I finally recognized her, my breath hitched.

"Mom?" I whispered, my voice breaking. "What are you doing here?"

She didn't answer. She didn't even turn to look at me. Her gaze remained fixed on something far ahead, as though I wasn't even there.

"Mom!" I called again, my emotions threatening to spill over. "Where have you been all these years? I remember seeing you when I was young. Did you... did you forget about us?"

Silence.

"You know we missed you terribly," I said, my voice quivering.

Tentatively, I reached out and took her hand. Her skin was cold-too cold. A shiver ran through me. My head bowed, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions.

Then she turned toward me.

And I froze.

Her face-it wasn't hers. It wasn't even human.

Where her eyes, nose, and lips should have been, there was nothing. Just smooth, blank skin, as if her features had been erased and painted over with black ink.

My stomach churned with fear, but I didn't move. I couldn't.

"Mom..." I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible.

She stepped closer and took my hand in hers. Her grip was firm, desperate.

"I am in immense pain," she said, her voice hollow, devoid of life. "Please... free me from this suffering."

I swallowed hard, my fear momentarily eclipsed by determination. "Of course, Mom. Whatever happened to you, whoever caused your pain-I swear I won't spare them. I'll make them pay."

She pulled me into a hug, her embrace cold yet strangely comforting. I held her tightly, vowing silently to keep my promise.

Then she whispered in my ear, her voice a chilling mix of urgency and warning.

"Don't trust anyone. No one deserves your trust. The people you know will be the first to betray you. Only trust yourself."

I nodded, her words carving themselves into my mind.

But suddenly, she was ripped from my arms.

I stumbled back, startled. A figure emerged from the darkness, shrouded in shadows so thick I couldn't see his face.

"No!" I shouted, reaching for her.

The figure's grip on her was unyielding. He dragged her away effortlessly, his evil laughter echoing through the void, a sound that made my skin crawl.

"Stop!" I screamed, running after them. But no matter how fast I moved, the distance between us only grew.

As I strained to catch up, a cold breath whispered in my ear, chilling me to the bone.

"Too slow to go loud."

The voice was gone as quickly as it came.

And then, out of nowhere, a deafening shout broke through the darkness.

"AKANSHAA!!!"

I jolted awake, gasping for air, my heart pounding like a drum. Akash's face loomed over me, his brows knitted with concern.

"Akash," I breathed, clutching his arm. "Mom... we have to save Mom!"

His confusion was evident. "Mom? Whose mom? What are you talking about?"

He paused, then added, "Are you alright? I came to check on you, but you were tossing and turning in your sleep. It looked like you were struggling, so I woke you up. I think you were having a nightmare."

His words settled in, and I took a shaky breath, smoothing back my hair as I glanced around the room. My mind tried to make sense of the dream-no, the nightmare. After all these years, why now?

"I'm sorry, Akash," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes softened as he sat down beside me. "Was it about our Mom?" he asked gently.

I nodded, and he pulled me into a comforting hug. "Maybe you've been thinking too much about her," he said, his tone careful yet firm.
His hand rested on mine, grounding me. "Or maybe," he continued, "We're getting closer to taking our revenge."

The word revenge ignited something within me. "Do you think we'll succeed?" I asked, a flicker of doubt creeping into my voice. "What if there are complications?"

Akash's reply was steady and reassuring. "We will. Don't worry."

But doubt wasn't something I could afford-not now. Shaking my head, I quickly said, "No. I won't let myself hesitate. We've come too far. Whoever did this to Mom, they'll pay. No one will be spared-regardless of being a loved one or family member."

Akash stood up, stretching. "Well, if you're so fired up, don't forget you have plans today," he said, smirking. "Breakfast is ready. Freshen up and come down. I'm going now, my game is calling me."

I couldn't help but smile as he walked away, already distracted by his obsession with gaming. "Him and his games," I muttered, shaking my head.

Pushing the lingering shadows of the nightmare aside, I got out of bed and pulled open the curtains.

Sunlight flooded the room, chasing away the remnants of darkness. I then went to freshen up.

[Author : While she's freshening up, let me take the opportunity to describe your Dear Akansha's room.

*The room exuded elegance and opulence, dominated by a bold red color scheme that spoke volumes of its occupant's taste.

At its heart, a large, tufted red headboard and matching bed frame served as the room's centerpiece, complemented by a combination of white and red bedding that added depth and contrast.

Flanking the bed were two pristine white nightstands, each adorned with vases of white flowers, adding a touch of freshness to the luxurious setting.

Above the bed, three framed pictures hung on the wall, creating a focal point that drew the eye.

The ceiling featured a recessed design with LED strip lighting, while a central chandelier with hanging crystal-like elements added a touch of glamour.

Red curtains framed the windows, enhancing the room's dramatic aesthetic, with a gray upholstered chair near the window offering a comfortable seating area.

A red textured rug tied the color scheme together, creating a space that was both warm and luxurious.

The adjacent bathroom continued the theme with glossy red tiles covering the walls and floor, creating a bold and vibrant atmosphere.

The shower area boasted both a handheld showerhead attached to a vertical bar and a rainfall showerhead mounted on the ceiling, separated by a glass partition.

On the right, a white sink with a modern faucet and a soap dispenser added to the sleek, contemporary design.

The bathroom featured a heart-shaped mirror with an ornate frame, adding a touch of romance and elegance, while a black wall-mounted telephone with a coiled cord introduced a unique nostalgic element.

The final touch of luxury was the heart-shaped, freestanding bathtub positioned to offer an unobstructed view of the city lights and distant mountains through floor-to-ceiling windows.

White towels neatly placed on the platform added a touch of elegance and cleanliness.

Red LED lighting integrated into the ceiling, under the bathtub, and along the edges of the countertops and shelves created a sophisticated and intimate atmosphere.

This room was a testament to bold design choices, luxury, and romance, perfect for someone who appreciated modern elegance and a touch of opulence.*]

∆[𝙰𝚔𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚊'𝚜 𝚁𝚘𝚘𝚖𝚜 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚛]∆

After a refreshing shower, I dressed, ate breakfast, and prepared to leave.

"I'm heading out now!" I called to Akash, who was sprawled on the couch, eyes glued to his game.

Predictably, he didn't respond. His focus was unshakable when it came to gaming. Sometimes I wondered if I should channel my inner Shree and smash his console to pieces. The thought amused me, but I sighed and let it go.

As I stepped outside, I pondered what to take for my ride. Lost in thought, I walked into our garage.

Halting in front of my car, I remembered that the car wasn't an option for today-it was out of petrol. What now? My gaze shifted to the other side, where my sleek black bike was parked.

Should I take it? Memories of how it was stolen-and later returned-flooded my mind. 'Raita'. The fucking audacity of that annoying thief still baffled me.

°{𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 : 𝘼 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙜𝙤}°

Akash and I had just returned home in my car. As we approached the driveway, he pointed ahead, his voice filled with surprise. "What's that?"

I squinted, recognizing the familiar outline. "Isn't that your bike?" Akash exclaimed, leaning forward. "The one that was stolen?"

"Yes," I replied, annoyance creeping into my tone. "And no surprise-it's that idiot 'Raita'. He probably got bored of it and left it here."

(Editor : Whattttttttttt he returned your bike, and.... what about my bicycle?)

(Akansha : How could I know? But wait.. your bicycle, wasn't that Author's? *looking at author*)

(Author : *Playing with fingers* Um...No.. that's not mine.. I borrowed that from my Editor.)

(Author : *I then looked back at the editor who was standing with her hands in her waist. She is currently standing on a Panzer Tank and in soldier dress.*)

(Editor : Soldiers lets go we have to Eliminate a bastard from this earth. *As the tank start to move and Author runs behind her to stop her*)

Akash hopped out of the car, his curiosity piqued. He circled the bike, inspecting it like it was a rare artifact.

"What's wrong?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Falling in love with my bike?"

He chuckled, clicking his tongue. "Not me," he said with a mischievous grin, "But maybe someone else."

Frowning, I got out of the car and walked over. That's when I saw it-Akash had picked up a medium-sized box perched on the bike's seat.

"What's this?" I asked, but before I could stop him, he opened the box.

"What the hell?!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the place.

Akash jumped, startled by my sudden outburst. "What happened?" he asked, wide-eyed.

I turned on him, anger simmering just beneath the surface. "What didn't happen, Akash? Are you crazy or something?"

His confusion deepened. "Huh? Why? I just opened it. I wasn't going to take it or anything."

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Seriously, bro? Someone leaves a mysterious box on my stolen bike, and you open it without a second thought? What if something dangerous was inside? Did you even consider the consequences? We could've been in serious trouble!"

Akash shrugged nonchalantly, a grin creeping onto his face. "Relax, nothing would've happened. My sixth sense is top-tier. I would've known if it was dangerous."

I shot him a withering glare. "Oh, save your sixth sense for your games, not real life. That box could've had a bomb in it-or worse! You could've gotten both of us hurt... or killed."

Crossing my arms, I added sharply, "Do you forget about what kind of work we do? We can't afford to be this careless, Akash. We need to stay cautious, always."

But my words seemed to bounce off his thick skull as he pulled something from the box and admired it. "By the way, these knives are pretty cool," he said, completely unfazed.

I sighed heavily, frustration bubbling up. It was like talking to a brick wall. The reckless idiot hadn't even heard me.

Before he could go any further, I swatted his hand away from the box.

"Ouch!" Akash yelped, rubbing his hand. "What was that for?"

I fixed him with a stern glare. "Don't touch anything until it's been properly inspected. You have no idea what could be in there."

Rolling his eyes, he replied, "Uff, there's no bomb in here. If there were, it would've been visible."

I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Visible?! Where are all your brain cells going these days? Are they on permanent vacation in your video games?"

(Author : Where does Akash's wisdom go? Straight into his games, of course. The game isn't just his hobby-it's his one true love.)

(Editor : *Teasing* Oh, Akash, how romantic! Do you whisper sweet nothings to your game wife? "Press X to win my heart," perhaps? Khi khi khi khi.)

"Don't think anything unnecessary, Just look at these knives; they're so beautiful. Your 'Raita' is quite skilled in this regard," Akash said, inspecting the box.

I scowled. "What do you mean by my 'Raita'? He's not my 'Raita.' What the hell is this nonsense?"

Akash smirked, clearly enjoying himself. "I mean, you're the one who always calls him 'Raita.' It's practically your nickname for him. So, technically, he's yours, right? Not mine."

I glared at him. "Seriously, Akash, don't start with this. You're testing my patience."

He added with a playful grin, "Well, if I don't say he's yours, who should I say he belongs to? You're the only one who bothers with that nickname."

"One more word and you'll end up six feet under. No one will ever be able to find your body," I growled, my frustration boiling over.

He raised an eyebrow, feigning mock sadness. "Oh no, how tragic! My own sister wants to bury me alive."

Then, with a chuckle, he added, "Do you really think I'd just stand there and let you do whatever you want? You're stuck with me, too, you know."

Crossing my arms, I challenged him. "Oh really? And what exactly will you do?"

He grinned mischievously. "Remember what you said that day? 'We're twins; one will die, and the other will stay with that one.' If you try anything, I'll haunt you forever."

That was the last straw. I smacked him on the head. "You're talking way too much these days. Have you been taking lessons in nonsense? Words are spilling out of your mouth like water."

Snatching the box from his hands, I teased, "Where's all this confidence when she's around, huh? Your words don't flow so freely in front of her, do they?"

Akash's face flushed slightly, and he stammered, "Oh, uh, I just remembered I have to-"

But I cut him off, raising an eyebrow. "Nope. You're not escaping this time. Go inside and bring me the detection device. Now."

He sighed dramatically, "Uff, my game..."

I didn't let him finish. "Either you go now, or I'll break your precious game into a million pieces. Then we'll see who ends up six feet under," I warned, smirking.

Grumbling under his breath, Akash shuffled away.

Akash went to retrieve the detection device while I stood there, lost in thought. What could that 'Raita' possibly want? First, he steals my bike during a critical moment, and now, after all these days, he returns it himself.

He knows where I live-that alone is suspicious. And these knives? They're even more suspicious. There's definitely something going on here.

When Akash returned, I gestured for him to start scanning. "Check for explosives. Thoroughly."

He sighed but complied, meticulously examining the knives and the bike. After a few minutes, he shook his head. "Tch! No explosives. All clear. I told you earlier, isn't I?"

I crossed my arms. "That's it? Can I trust your 'sixth sense' on this one?"

"Absolutely. Should I go now?" he asked, already inching toward the door.

"Yes, go and die," I replied sarcastically.

Akash chuckled, undeterred. "Aww, thank you so much for the blessing." He walked away humming a tune, leaving me shaking my head in exasperation.

I sighed, muttering to myself, "Uff, should I really kill him? It'd save me some trouble."

Shaking off the thought, I turned my attention back to the box. Retrieving a pair of gloves from my car, I put them on. My gaze flickered to the bike.

I'll have to do a full examination tomorrow morning. I don't trust that 'Raita'; anything could happen, even without explosives.

Carefully, I picked up the box and carried it to the adjacent room. Disabling the biometric lock, I stepped inside and placed the box on the table.

This room, my personal workspace, housed an array of equipment-mechanical devices, gadgets, and an impressive collection of weapons lining the walls.

I turned my attention back to the knives. As I examined them, I couldn't help but admire their craftsmanship.
The blades, made of a platinum and metal alloy, gleamed with intricate rose patterns and thorny details etched into the surface.

∆[𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙺𝚗𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜]∆

The knives stood out from the rest, not just for their lethality but for their artistic design. They were more like jewelry than weapons.

A delicate tassel adorned each knife, topped with a small white sphere filled with red glitter suspended in a gel-like substance. Attached to the tassel was a miniature rose, adding an elegant yet ominous touch.

I inspected the knives thoroughly but found no trace of poison or hidden mechanisms.

Why would he send me something like this? It didn't make sense. Could it all just be to annoy me? That sounded like him.

As I rummaged further in the box, my fingers brushed against a sleek black envelope with golden accents.

∆[𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙿𝚘𝚘𝚛 𝙼𝚊𝚗'𝚜 𝙴𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚘𝚙𝚎]∆

It seemed oddly familiar. My brows furrowed as I tried to recall where I'd seen it before.
Taking a quick photo, I searched for it online. When the results popped up, my eyes widened in disbelief.

"This envelope..." I muttered, staring at the screen. "It's worth millions? What the heck?"

Opening the envelope, I found a letter tucked inside, printed on a stunning red-and-black card.
The texture wasn't ordinary paper-it felt like premium cardstock, smooth and luxurious.

The design featured intricate golden graphics, with the letters 'D' and 'Ac encased in two elegant circular motifs.

I examined the card more closely, estimating its value. This alone must be worth millions. What is this about?

Curiosity overtook me, and I called Akash to come back. When he finally showed up, I handed him the card. "Scan this. Now."

Instead of following instructions, Akash raised an eyebrow, inspecting the card with a sly grin. "What's this?" he asked, holding it up. "Did your 'Raita' give it to you? How romantic!"

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Akash-"

He cut me off, laughing. "Look at this! D and A. Daksh and Akansha. Perfect match, no? Nice one, sis. Keep it up!"

"Shut up and scan it quickly," I snapped, irritation lacing my voice.

Akash obeyed, setting to work with his laptop. Moments later, his eyes widened, and he let out a dramatic, "Woooaaa!"

"What now?" I asked, crossing my arms.

He swiveled the laptop toward me, the screen revealing the card's value-billions.

"What the fuck?" I blurted, utterly stunned. "Seriously! What the hell is this 'Raita' up to?"

Akash picked up the letter from the envelope and began reading aloud, his face shifting between disbelief and amusement. Before he could get far, I snatched it from his hands and read it myself.

The contents were infuriating. Every word seemed calculated to mock me, and to top it off, the letter ended with a smug emoji that seemed to mock me further. My blood boiled.

∆[𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙿𝚘𝚘𝚛 𝙼𝚊𝚗'𝚜 𝙻𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛]∆

"That fucking dickhead," I muttered under my breath, crumpling the letter in my fist.

Akash, grinning like an idiot, chuckled. "Wow! What has he written? 'Your soon-to-be tormented man'? Girl, I'm telling you, he's totally into you!"

I fumed inwardly, "He has a liking for getting tortured, doesn't he? I'll show him exactly what torment looks like."

Before I could shred the letter, Akash lunged forward, rescuing it from my grip. "Whoa, whoa! Don't throw this away, sis! This is our money!"

(Author: *smirked* Yes, he's right, Akansha.)

(Akash nodded in agreement.)

(Akansha: *confused* What do you two mean?)

(Author: The letter and envelope, they're worth a fortune. Sell them, and you'll make a substantial amount.)

(Akansha: Hmmmm... I think you two are right.)

That's right. I smoothed the letter out and carefully placed it, along with the envelope, into a drawer. Someday, it might come in handy.

But as I thought about 'Raita' and his smug, smiling face, my blood heated up again. My lips curled into a smirk as I placed a hand on my forehead.

Well done, 'Ducksh Raita'. You've officially gotten under my skin. Enjoy the moment while it lasts-because my time will come.

(Author: Whatt?? 'Ducksh'?? Ye ladki to uska nam ka bhi dhajjiyan uda diya.) (This girl even ruined his name.)

(Editor: *she fell from her seat, trembling silently to suppress her laughter.*)

A low, evil laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it.

(Akash and the author exchanged bewildered glances. The editor, peeking in from the doorway, whispered for them to leave Akansha to her devices. Akash hesitated but eventually turned to leave.)

I caught Akash watching me, his expression unreadable. "What?" I asked.

He hummed noncommittally, which only irritated me more. "What does 'hmm' mean?" I demanded. "If you have something to say, say it outright!"

He turned back with a smirk. "I was just thinking... maybe your brain wires are completely fried."

A mischievous grin spread across my face. "Oh, I see. So you're asking for special treatment, aren't you?"

Before he could escape, I lunged, grabbing a handful of his hair and giving him a playful scratch with my nails.
As he yelped, I delivered a kick to his butt, then let him go.

He straightened his clothes, grumbling, "Fine, fine. I'll wait for my day." With that, he stormed off to the kitchen.

Minutes later, he reappeared. "Dinner's ready," he announced.

We sat down and ate together, the room settling into a rare moment of calm.

______________(ლ◉❥◉ ლ)______________

ᴀs ᴡᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴄʟᴜᴅᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ, ɪ'ᴅ ʙᴇ ғᴏʀᴇᴠᴇʀ ɢʀᴀᴛᴇғᴜʟ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴅ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴠᴏᴛᴇ, ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴅᴅ ᴛʜɪs sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʟɪsᴛ..

ʏᴏᴜʀ sᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛ ᴍᴇᴀɴs ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ!

sᴛᴀʏ ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ, ᴅᴇᴀʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀs, ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴇᴛ ʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ, ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ sᴏᴏɴ!!

ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴡᴇ ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ...♤