Mumbai

SoVin Industries ltd.

Conference room

Vinay was patiently listening to the accusations put forward by the senior members of the board.

"How could you do this to us, Vinay? We trusted you!" One of the members barked at him, raising the blood of the young ones who were held back by the mighty Vinay.

After some time, they heard some distant noises from outside the room. Vinay signalled Dan to open the door and check.

But...

Bang! Bang!

Sanal saw his uncle fall back with a force and lie on the floor with closed eyes.

Dino marched at the person who had shot their Mafia don with so much courage.

Benisha then smacked the women's head twisting her hand behind her back and slammed her face on the table.

Sanal carried his uncle and drove off to the hospital to save their precious Vinay.

At the hospital

Sonia barged into the hospital ER and marched at Dan. She grabbed his collar and shouted

"You were supposed to protect him! You were his shield! How could you! You coward?!!" she then slapped the bodyguard who equally understood his madam's state.

Reena managed to separate the crying Sonia who was wailing her eyes out at the state of her Vinay.

The doctor came out and was approached by the family members. Vinod made sure to calmly ask the doctor about the condition of his little brother.

"He is out of danger. The bullet managed to only graze his rib bone and not cause serious injuries. But I will keep him here for few days, just for observations," the doctor explained them that their saviour was out of danger.

Sonia requested to meet her husband but was not let inside the room. The doctor advised her to see the patient only after the operation lag time i.e., after five hours. But she started to shout at the doctor for not letting her see him. Vinod came to get her out of the scene and made her sit on the bench, holding her hands.

"Nia, he needs to rest. Give him some time...our warrior will come back, hm?" Vinod cupped her crying face who saw the courage in Vinod who was trying to control his fear. But he needed to make her understand that...

"...He needs you right now. More than anyone else. So, Nia please. Gather yourself. Be his strength. Like he is...for us..." Vinod then hugged her to control her cries which were only getting worse.

After an hour,

The family members left to get the clothes and supplies for the other members who were staying back in the hospital. Sonia was sitting silently near the bench and watched the room, when she would be called to see her Vinay.

Soumya was clutching her hands tightly speaking courageous words to her. But Sonia only wanted to hear her Vinay's sweet call.

At night 9 pm

Sanal sat beside his Sonia aunt and caressed her hands trying to console her. Vinod was standing beside the special ward keeping Vinay and hoped that his brother would come out of the danger that the doctor told him.

The bullet seemed to graze his rib bone but managed to give him spondylitis which may worsen with age. As the impact with how he was jerked with the bullet shot made him suffer some spine injury, so the doctor advised for further treatment with the physiotherapist.

He kept the part away from the family members except Sanal who was shattered at the news.

"Does anybody want to see the patient?" the nurse came out calling out the family members.

Sonia jumped from her seat at the call and managed to tell her interest to see her husband. Vinod told Sanal to accompany Sonia as only two people were allowed in the special ward.

As she walked inside the room, she saw the way her warrior was lying on the bed helpless. She fell on the ground seeing him like this for the first time.

Sanal held her up, trying his best to be her support. Sonia lightly brushed her hands on Vinay's biceps and looked at his closed eyes.

She went near his ears whispering, "Please wake up, darling. I am lonely. I can't live without you. I will d..."

"No.." Vinay managed to open his eyes hearing his Reine and her sweet call. He then pulled her hand and removed the oxygen mask scolding,

"You are not going anywhere! Not in my clock, Reine! I will hunt you down! You know that!!" Sonia burst into flowing tears at his raspy command. She rested her aching head on his chest to listen to his beating heart. She climbed his bed and managed to roll on the little space near his buffed self - her safe haven.

Vinay hugged her shivering self to calm her with his strong arms, pinned with the medical wires. She managed to sleep off in his arms. Dan tried to move her but stopped at the glare given by his boss, who shaked his head telling him to move away from his Reine. Dan moved back knowing the power that his boss held even when he was down.

Sanal saw the scene of how his weak uncle was able to gain back his strength at the mere sound of his love. He took out her hand embroidered kerchief that she had made for him during their happy times. He always kept it with him as her memory.

He thought about his Prisha and remembered how she used to shield him with his care, love and respect.

He decided to leave the lovebirds alone and was thankful to the Almighty to save their saviour.

After few days,

Vinay was lovingly looking at his Reine who was feeding him the chicken soup. She wiped his face with the napkin and kissed his forehead. He pulled her waist, surprising her with his strength.

"Just the forehead, hm? That's unfair?" Sonia smacked his arms making him whine. She pulled back and caressed his arms, repeatedly muttering 'sorry' to which he laughed at her scared face.

He loved the pouty face she would make. He then took her lips, without warning and didn't leave her till he was satisfied.

They heard the door open and separated making Vinay angry at the unwanted intrusion.

Sanal walked towards his uncle and saw his aunt suddenly rushing outside confusing him.

Vinay understood her blush and told his nephew to tell the reason for his tension.

Sanal told about the missing woman who shot Vinay.

Vinay managed to sit on the bed with Sanal's help and spoke

"She should not reach Sydney. I don't want her to," Sanal was surprised at the mention of Sydney which was never conversed before.

Vinay then told him about Rupal and his mother who had planned to destroy the families.

Vinay knew about Rupal's mother's plan to kill Pradeep. So, he had knowingly spread the news of a merger between Pradeep and his firm to raise suspicion among the members. As he wanted to catch the mole in the firm and informed Pradeep to be vigilant.

When he read the message from Benisha at the intrusion done by Rupal's mother in the SoVin Industries ltd., he wanted to stop her.

But didn't expect her to shoot him. As he knew her target was Pradeep, whom he had sent to the safe house in Singapore.

Pradeep returned after hearing that Vinay had taken care of Rupal's mother just few days back when she had tried to escape the asylum. But alas.

Benisha had ordered the guards to shoot the woman if she tried to escape, which they obeyed but failed miserably at the hands of the trained assassins hired by Jyothi Rangaswamy.

But even though, Vinay was aware of the vicious circle that Rupal had managed to develop in his plan for revenge.

So, he required his best men to protect their family.

Since, Dan, Dino, Gaurav and Benisha were there to protect the family in India. One person was still the target who was away from them - Prisha.

Sanal was surprised that his uncle had sent his love to Sydney. He wanted to meet her, tell her the truth and ask her forgiveness for his stupidity.

Vinay granted his wish, telling him to protect his Prisha till Vinay is able to gather his strength.

Sanal was more than happy to involve in this protection program for a moment. But he didn't want to upset the one person with his mere presence.

"No, uncle. I can't. *gulps* you can send someone else...I mean...Benisha! She is perfect. Her bestie...and she can do a better job than me....so, no..." saying so he got up from the chair to hide his tears but Vinay was aware of his heart's earning to see her.

"...I need Benisha to take care of Veena here. You know that she needs more care now...so, you need to go...."

"..what about...Gaurav! He can do it...or Dino...you must have already sent someone to take care of her. Then why you need me, huh? *exhales deeply* they are ... the...best..." Sanal gave one after the other excuse to escape out of his uncle's trick to unite him with Prisha. As he knew the adverse effect that might happen with that.

"...I need Dino and Gaurav to take care of our family here. You know I can't in my condition. So, I need some strong men for the family's protection. *inhales deeply* understand Sanal ...someone assassinated Prisha's bodyguard...*sigh*. I would have gone myself. But...please you need to go...as no one can protect her the way you can..." Vinay made him realise the graveness of the situation which was going out of hand as the enemies were closing in slowly to destroy their family and friends. Vinay had informed Dan to arrange a new bodyguard for Prisha but by the time, Sanal needed to accompany her somewhere safe till the situation is settled.

Finally, after much refusal Sanal agreed with a disheartened stance as he didn't want to hurt her more. Internally he promised himself to not flow away with his feelings to make her regret his existence.

"Boy! I don't want her to know about the family condition here. and especially me. Coz *smirks* she loves me more than anyone else...even her own dad," Vinay was able to see the wrinkles forming on the Loverboy's forehead which was a cherry on top moment for him.

He immediately understood the hidden feelings that Sanal carried for Prisha on hearing Rupal's and his mother's confession.

"...And Son, no woman wants to see her man so miserable and downtrodden. Better built up your head alongwith your health. You need to be strong physically and mentally to protect her from the upcoming danger. She will need her Sanal," Vinay pointed out the naïve boy to make himself the warrior that would slay down the demons who would dare to harm his love.

Sanal nodded but corrected his uncle saying that 'he was no longer her man, her Sanal. As he had tarnished her image in the most unthinkable manner' which made Vinay understand the depth of hurt that Sanal was going through.

So, he gave him this opportunity to reconcile with his love and win her back. But Sanal only wanted to wash off his sins in front of her, for the last time. As he felt that she didn't deserves a sinner like him in her broken life. He would go to mend it but not harm her anymore.

Few days later

Sydney University

10 am

RM was searching for Prisha in the corridor and was puzzled as to why she had not come to class today.

Lisa was chatting with her girls and saw RM zoning out. She bid them bye and approached the confused RM.

RM was startled with her jolt on his arms and asked her about Prisha.

"I don't know. I left for my room at around 11 yesterday night. She complained of a headache and wanted to sleep early," Lisa then took her mobile and dialled Prisha's number which was moving to a voicemail.

RM then called Kookie who was in the gym room, alongwith Jimin and Suga. They were helping Kookie for the next week boxing championship with the rival university. They too were clueless about Prisha and her immediate absence from the university.

RM was already tensed with the mall incident and had instructed Lisa alongwith her girls group to always accompany Prisha all the time.

But her missing like this, was tensing him more.

After three months

Mumbai, Nair residence

It was time for Veena's baby shower. The whole family was happy to see their beloved daughter glowing with her motherly radiance.

Xavier was always around his Veena, making sure of keeping her as comfortable as possible.

Reena observed the way her daughter was being pampered by her Xavier.

He would always make her favourite food with the required nutrition in her diet. He was there for her mood swings, her weird demands and even her mental support as she needed them the most now.

The Menon's were a constant visitor in the Nair family to see their Veena and her smiling face.

Trishna decided to stay in the Nair house to pamper her Veena Chech till her delivery and post that too.

As Latha and Sonia conversed over the couch regarding the children, Rekha came to meet Veena to spend some time with her.

"Reh, it is good that you are here. I really need you to tell Xavier that it is ok for Veena to do some light work during her final trimester. That boy doesn't listen to anyone!!" Reena was getting frustrated with Xavier constantly babysitting her once independent Veena.

Rekha laughed and assured her that she would talk to the tensed father-to-be.

Sonia then asked her about Amritha to which Rekha got frustrated replying that her daughter had lost her senses.

At their pressure, Rekha told them that Amritha had a verbal fight with Shyam and had run off to New Zealand last month to cool off her head. Probably to escape from their constant nagging.

Sonia then remembered Vinay sending Sanal to Australia which was quite nearby to New Zealand. She just wondered if the friends would meet each other. But... what if they reconcile their feelings which would emerge with their present mental state of anger, sadness and heartbreak.

As they talked about Shyam and Amritha, they remembered their love birds who were currently in their angry bird state.

Prisha would always face time the family and inquire about their health and daily joys.

Sydney

In the afternoon, one day

"Ishu! How long I have been waiting for your call? What happened?!!" Dino was on a video call with Prisha who was sitting on the couch of a luxurious looking house?!

Prisha kept the laptop on the coffee table sitting on the couch with the misty window reflecting her glowing self. Dino could see only her and the part of the house which was fashioned in a more royal manner. There were small pots of peonies, money plants, small succulents and even a small bushy fern designed in a pot, near the window louver. Just how Prisha loved in her house, thought Trishna and looked at Dino.

She was brushing her hair smiling weirdly, rather breathless. Dino and Trishna looked at each other at her pose and brushed it aside thinking her to be out of her routine yoga session. Apart from that she was looking happier, healthier with a constant smile on her radiant face which was screaming love.

Dino asked her about the new setting, as he remembered her to be placed in the university dormitory.

Prisha was finding it difficult to explain her present dwelling. So, she excused saying that it was her friend's house.

'Honey! Do you need lemonade or sparkling lime with the pulav?!' Prisha got startled at the voice from behind her laptop. She eyed the person to keep quiet.

Dino got shocked hearing a similar voice but was soft and mild.

"Who is it? Prisha are you with someone, huh?!" Trishna asked her looking suspicious of the voice which suddenly got quietened at Prisha's command. Prisha tried to change the topic by saying that she was sending them the video of her friend's pet in the house.

Trishna's eye sparkled seeing the cute little kitten approaching Prisha at her sweet call, in the video. But Dino was not affected by it and asked her about her so-called friend to which she just blurted.

"...um...it's...my...my friend! She is...um...making us lunch...so, she can't come now, ok?" Prisha tried to hide the identity of the person.

Then suddenly both heard a chortle of a man in the video, murmuring 'you are so cute,' making both Dino and Trishna look at each other in shock at the voice which sounded quite familiar.

That's it.

"Let me see her. Call her out. Now!" Dino commanded her without straying his eyes from her scared ones.

"Dhananjay! She is shy. Um...I will talk to her to...meet you next time, hm? Ok, um...guys...its getting late. I will call you later, ok? au revoir*!!" Saying so, a rather sassy Prisha kept the call, with a wide smile.

(*au revoir - goodbye until we meet again in French)

Dino looked at Trishna muttering 'au revoir' and were puzzled at Prisha uttering French, with so much fluency.

As Prisha would always run away from learning any new language, French being her ark enemy. Dino and her besties including Trishna had tried their luck to make her learn at least one foreign language, but in vain.

"Since when did she started speaking French, huh?!" Trishna uttered her thought about the changed behaviour of their Prisha.

"Something is fishy, dude!" Dino rubbed his chin thinking of their conversation, with a rather happy and relaxed glowing Prisha.

Trishna went away at Sonia's call and told Dino that they would find out about Ms. Prisha's mystery man.

***Author's note : Its a very long chapter, with roughly around 3000 words! the longest chapter I have written so far!!! I promise to stick to only 2000 words per chapter...🫡

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