Rudy POV:

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in the room as I woke up, my mind racing with thoughts of the previous night. I had made a decision-a vow to reclaim my life and take revenge on the Roy family for the pain they had caused me, for stealing away the most precious person in my life, my grandpa.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, a flicker of relief washed over me; the truth had emerged just in time, before the engagement could bind me to a lie.

As I prepared for work, a nagging thought lingered in my mind: did this mean there was no longer a rift between Rai and me? I shook my head, trying to dispel the notion. No, Rudy, don't get ahead of yourself.

I made my way to the dining table, where the atmosphere felt heavy. My grandmother's face was pale, a stark contrast to the vibrant woman I knew. Rai was absent, perhaps still lost in her dreams. "Dadi, please don't be upset," I urged, hoping to lift her spirits.

"Kitni badi musibat ho sakti thi mere laparwahi ke wajah se. Aur tujhe bhi maine tere marji ke khilaf shaadi de rhi thi. Kaise shant rahi main?" Grandma lamented, her voice trembling with regret.

"It's not your fault, Grandma. You have nothing to feel guilty about," I reassured her, just as Rai entered the room, looking radiant and ready for her day. She took a seat beside Grandma, and I could see the warmth return to my grandmother's eyes as she brushed her fingers through Rai's hair.

"Tune hi to sab kuchh thhik kiya hai, meri gudiya. Warna pata nahi aur bhi kitne din hum sabko wo budhhu banati," Grandma said, her voice softening.

"Achha thhik hai, abhi aap ye sab bhul jao aur nashta karlo," Rai replied with a smile, her presence a balm to the tension in the room.

"Really, Rai di! How did you know about all this? You didn't say anything before yesterday, so how did you gather so much evidence in just one day?" my sister Devika asked, her curiosity piqued.

Rai paused, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "I have some strong connections, so yeah...!" she replied, her tone playful yet enigmatic.

"Woah! You are so cool, Rai dii!" Devika exclaimed her excitement infectious. Rai chuckled, the sound like music to my ears.

"Maa, mai soch rahi thi ghar me puja rakhte hai. Itni badi musibat tali hai, puja rakhenge to achha hoga," my mother suggested, her voice filled with hope.

"Ye tumne achhi baat kahi hai. Main aaj shaam ko pandit ji ko bulake ek achha din thhik karti hu," Grandma agreed, her spirits lifting.

Just then, my phone buzzed, breaking the moment. It was my driver, delivering unwelcome news. "Sir, your car's engine had some defects, so I took it to a mechanic shop. You'll need to find another way to get to the office."

"But that will take time! I'm already late!" I protested, frustration creeping in.

"I can drop you," Rai offered suddenly, her voice steady and reassuring.

"You sure?" I asked, surprised yet relieved. I had no objections; in fact, I was thrilled at the prospect.

"Yeah. I'm not in a hurry today anyways," she replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"Okay then," I said, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and nostalgia. For God's sake, I'm acting like a teenager.

After breakfast, we headed to her car. I noticed her driver was absent today. "You will drive today?" I asked, a teasing lilt in my voice.

"Hmmm. Why? Can't I?" she shot back playfully as she slid into the driver's seat.

"Well, I don't know if you still have that skill or not about driving. After all, we all are human, and humans need practice. Did you practice, The Mafia Queen?" I teased, knowing full well her love for driving. I wanted to see her free spirit shine through once more.

She chuckled, a smirk dancing on her lips. "Then let me show you, Mr. Singhaniya! May I?"

"Gladly!" I replied, a smile spreading across my face.

As she started the engine, she turned to me with a glint in her eye. "Buckle up, Mr. Singhaniya! The next twenty minutes will be a little messy."

With that, she accelerated, the car zooming forward. I barely had time to register the scenery as it blurred past us. How can she drive this fast and still see the road? I wondered, a mix of thrill and fear coursing through me. Yet, as I glanced at her, I saw her smiling, and I couldn't help but feel exhilarated.

In that moment, I realized I was ready to start anew. I wouldn't rush this time; I would take my time to make her fall for me. Deep down, I knew she had feelings for me too. This time, I will make her agree. I WILL MAKE YOU MINE, RAI. I SWEAR TO MYSELF! VERY SOON.

After exactly twenty minutes, we arrived at my company. "Well, this was fun. Thanks for the ride," I said, stepping out of the car.

She chuckled, her laughter a sweet melody. "Pleasure is mine. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Nisha is in my secret apartment. If you want, I can take you there tomorrow evening." Her tone shifted to serious, and I felt a rush of curiosity.

"I knew you would never hand her over to the police. Okay, we will go tomorrow. I have so many questions," I replied, my mind racing with possibilities. "But now I'm late. I have to go. Bye." I waved as I headed into the office. Rai left shortly after.

As I stepped into my cabin, the familiar scent of polished wood and fresh paper greeted me, but the comfort was fleeting. Om was already there, his voice low and urgent as he spoke into the phone. The moment he noticed my presence, he quickly ended the call, concern etched across his face.

"Is everything fine at your home? How is Grandma now?" he asked, his tone laced with genuine worry.

I sank into my chair, the weight of the past few days pressing heavily on my shoulders. "Everything is fine now," I replied, trying to sound more composed than I felt.

"Oh, thank God," Om exclaimed, relief flooding his features. "I just can't believe this. How could they do that?" His disbelief mirrored my own, a shared understanding of the chaos that had unfolded.

I clenched my fists, the anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "They have to pay for what they did. I won't forgive them," I said, my voice low and fierce, gritting my teeth as the memories of betrayal surged through me. The thought of the Roy family and their callous actions ignited a fire within me, a determination to seek justice for my grandpa and for the pain they had inflicted on my family.

Om leaned forward, his expression serious. "Rudy, I know how much your family means to you. But you have to be careful. Revenge can consume you if you let it."

I nodded, though the fire in my heart refused to be extinguished. "I know, but I can't just sit back and let them get away with this. They think they can walk all over us, but they're wrong."

The tension in the room was palpable, a silent agreement that we were both ready to fight back against the injustices we had faced. Om's eyes held a mixture of admiration and concern, and I could see he understood the depth of my resolve.

"Just promise me you'll think things through," he urged, his voice softening. "You're not alone in this. I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Om. I appreciate it," I replied, feeling a flicker of gratitude amidst the storm of emotions. I knew I had allies in this battle, and that thought gave me a small measure of comfort.

(to be continued)

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