After reaching the third floor, Priya approached the reception and inquired about Ram. The receptionist informed her that he hadn't arrived yet but suggested she could either wait or return later. Priya, however, couldn't bear to hold onto the gift any longer, so she chose to wait.

A few minutes passed before Ram finally appeared, accompanied by a young woman. After exchanging brief farewells with her, the woman walked off in another direction. As Ram entered, the atmosphere in the office shifted—especially among the women employees. They greeted him warmly, one even offering him a flower with a bashful smile. Priya watched the scene unfold, feeling a surge of irritation. She muttered under her breath, "Why is everyone so pleased with him? Is he a film star or something?" She huffed, her frustration growing as she waited for her moment with Ram.

The receptionist pointed towards Ram, directing his attention to Priya. Ram's face lit up with surprise as he spotted her standing there, her expression blunt and unreadable. Priya stood up, her gaze fixed on him, a mix of determination and discomfort in her eyes.

Ram walked over, his voice warm and welcoming. "What a pleasant surprise seeing you here," he said, his tone laced with curiosity.

"I came here for a reason," Priya replied, her voice steady but distant.

Ram didn't hesitate. "Let's talk inside," he said, reaching out to take her hand. Before she could protest, he gently pulled her along, guiding her towards his office. Priya, caught off guard, tried to resist, "What is this? Why are you holding me?" she asked, her irritation evident.

Ram didn't break his stride, glancing back at her with a playful smirk. "Let's go," he insisted, his grip firm but not forceful.

From a distance, the young woman who had accompanied Ram earlier noticed the exchange. Her eyes narrowed with irritation, jealousy sparking in her chest. She muttered under her breath, "Who is that old woman with sir? I hate it." Her gaze followed them, her mood soured by the sight of Ram's unexpected guest.

Once they stepped into Ram's office, he closed the door behind them, creating an air of privacy. His curiosity piqued, he asked, "What is it? Why are you here?"

Priya, her face a mix of determination and frustration, immediately responded, "I think I'm supposed to ask you what this is." She pulled out the jewelry box from her bag and thrust it towards him. "Why did you buy this for me? I can't keep it, and I know this isn't from Arjun. I accepted his card, but not this."

Ram leaned against his desk, feigning nonchalance. "Did I give that to you? It was from Arjun."

Priya pushed the box into his hand, her eyes narrowing. "Don't try to fool me. I know you bought this. Listen, I want to be clear—whatever happened between us earlier was a mistake. Don't take it otherwise, okay? And don't cross any boundaries."

Ram chuckled, a deep, almost amused sound that made Priya's confusion deepen. "You think I bought this because of any feelings? No, Priya. Haven't you seen my taste in women? Do you think you fit that?"

Priya's eyes widened in shock and anger. "What do you think of yourself, Mr?"

Ram smirked, leaning in slightly. "You know what I mean."

Priya huffed, her irritation boiling over. "Yes, I saw that girl—she's young enough to be your kid."

Ram stepped closer, closing the gap between them. Priya instinctively took a step back. "So, you noticed her?"

"Of course," Priya snapped, "you both were right in front of me. Anyway, I better get going."

As she turned to leave, Ram's voice stopped her in her tracks. "If Arjun finds out you didn't keep them, he'll be hurt. He'd expect you to wear them."

Priya spun around, her expression a mix of disbelief and anger. "Are you blackmailing me in the name of Arjun?"

Ram huffed, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, come on. I just stated a fact."

Completely exasperated, Priya stayed silent for a moment, her mind racing. Then, without another word, she snatched the box from his hand and stormed out of the room.

As she stepped into the hallway, she noticed the young woman from earlier standing nearby, likely having eavesdropped on their entire conversation. They exchanged a cold, blunt look, the tension between them palpable. Priya didn't linger—she walked away, leaving the office with a whirlwind of emotions, while the young woman watched her leave, her own thoughts unreadable.

That day, when Priya visited the Kapoor mansion, Arjun greeted her with a bright smile and eagerly asked about the gift. She smiled softly and said, "I'll wear them on a special occasion, Arjun. But you really shouldn't buy such expensive gifts for me."

Arjun, a touch of pride in his voice, replied, "It was Dad's idea. He bought them. Finally, he did something I wished for."

Priya raised an eyebrow, curious. "As you said, he never does anything you wish for?"

Arjun hesitated, his expression shifting to something more thoughtful. "Not really... He's bought me everything I ever wanted, but..." He trailed off, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.

"But?" Priya prompted gently.

Arjun looked down, his voice quieter now. "But it's not the same. Nevermind."

Sensing the deeper emotions he was trying to conceal, Priya asked softly, "Arjun, do you really want to go study abroad so soon?"

He shrugged, a mixture of resignation and longing in his eyes. "Not really, but I don't want to stay here either. I don't feel connected to this place anymore... not since Mom left."

The melancholy in his voice tugged at Priya's heartstrings. "Do you miss her?" she asked gently.

"Sometimes," Arjun admitted, his gaze distant. "But she never loved me the way I wanted. We weren't that close."

Priya felt a deep sadness for the young boy standing before her, a child who had everything yet longed for the one thing he couldn't have—his mother's love. She reached out, patting his shoulder in a comforting gesture. "I wish you all the best in your studies, Arjun. I know you'll do great things."

Arjun simply nodded, his expression unreadable, as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his young shoulders. For a moment, they stood in silence, a silent understanding passing between them—two people bonded by unspoken sorrows and shared resilience.

That night, time slipped away from Priya as she lost herself in conversation with Arjun. Realizing how late it had become, she finally bid him goodbye and made her way downstairs, her mind still heavy with thoughts. As she slipped into her car and turned the key, a frown creased her forehead—the engine refused to start. She tried again, and again, but nothing happened.

Frustrated, she glanced at her phone, hoping to book a cab, but fate seemed to be playing tricks on her as no rides were available. Sighing, she knew she had no choice but to walk to the main road, hoping to find some transportation there. The night was dark, the narrow lane stretching out before her, eerily quiet.

As she walked, her footsteps echoing in the silence, a strange unease settled in her chest. The night felt heavier than usual, the shadows longer and darker. Suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her. Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively glanced over her shoulder. A figure was following her—a man with a menacing aura, his face hidden in the dim light.

Fear gripped her, and she quickened her pace, her heart pounding in her chest. But the man matched her pace, his footsteps growing louder and closer. Panic surged through her veins, and without thinking, she broke into a run. Her breaths came in quick, ragged gasps as she darted down the darkened lane, her eyes desperately searching for an escape.

Just then, the sudden glare of headlights blinded her, and she heard the screech of tires as a car pulled to an abrupt stop. The blinding light disoriented her, and before she could react, she felt a sharp impact—she was thrown off balance and hit the ground hard, the world spinning around her.

The night air was filled with the sound of the car's engine idling nearby, and the footsteps that had haunted her ceased. As the fog of confusion lifted, Priya realized she had narrowly escaped something far worse, but now, she was at the mercy of whoever was behind the wheel. The car door creaked open, and she braced herself, unsure of what would come next.