RUDRANSH' S POV

As I rushed out, only one thought circled my mind: Vanya. I had pushed her away, hurt her when she didn’t deserve it. In my anger, I’d been blinded to her own struggles, her pain.

Now, I had to set things right. If she could forgive me, I’d do anything. I’d find a tutor to help her regain her education and confidence, if that’s what she wanted. But first, I needed to bring her back.

Just as I reached my car, I heard a voice calling after me. Turning, I saw Tara running up, looking concerned.

“Bhaisa, where is Baisa? What happened to her?”

I said quickly, “I know where she is, Tara. I’m going to bring her home. Just don’t mention anything to anyone.”

A relieved smile spread over her face. “Thank god. Everyone’s been so worried about her. I’m sorry for the prank, too—sending you to the bathhouse that day. It was just to bring you closer. Oh god why I'm taking reckless it's only because I'm so happy. I'm sorry bhaisa please go and bring baisa back.”

She turned to leave, but her words made me freeze. I stopped her, confused. “Wait…what do you mean? What prank?”

Tara looked back at me with a sheepish grin. “I sent you to the bathhouse while Baisa was there. It was innocent, I swear.”

The realization hit me like a blow. That day...that woman...it had been Vanya? How had I not realized?

“Are you certain it was Vanya?” I asked, trying to wrap my mind around it.

She nodded, laughing. “Of course, bhaisa! Who else would I send you to?”

I was too stunned to respond. There were so many things I didn’t understand, but one thing was clear—none of it mattered as much as finding Vanya now.

Only one thought occupied my mind: I had to find Vanya and bring her back. The way I’d treated her gnawed at me, and I knew that I'd gone too far.

In my anger and grief, I’d failed to see her own pain. I was determined to make things right, and tonight was my chance.

Driving as fast as I could, I reached the place where I was supposed to meet Ishank. The dimly lit corridor was lined with guards, their hands on their guns, standing at attention on both sides. But I walked straight through, focused only on finding him.

"Ishank," I demanded as soon as I reached him, "where is she?"

He straightened, buttoning his coat with an easy smile. "Let’s enjoy tonight, Rudransh," he said, heading toward the exit.

I frowned but followed him, curiosity growing. Soon, we reached The Drunken Monkey, and I threw him a skeptical look.

With a grin, he patted my shoulder, leading me directly to the owner's cabin. The owner greeted us with eager politeness. "Welcome, sir! If I’d known you were coming, I would’ve been here to welcome you myself."

I glanced at Ishank, unsure of what to say. Ishank took over, instructing the owner, "Don’t worry. Just book two VVIP rooms for us. Two ladies will be arriving soon. I want them to have the best service. We’ll be here, but keep it low-key. Understand?"

The owner nodded and showed us to a room. I looked at Ishank, eyebrow raised, barely holding back my irritation. “Are you serious? You haven’t lost your mind after the last match, have you?”

He smirked. “Patience, brother.”

I waited, watching people dancing and drinking, my patience slipping by the minute. Just as I was about to slam Ishank for dragging me here, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight fell on the entrance.

My breath caught as I saw her. Vanya. She stepped inside with an air of grace, a black bodycon dress hugging her frame, her long hair swept back in a ponytail, eyes dark and mesmerizing. My heart skipped a beat. She looked breathtaking, but it was the darkness in her eyes that held me. Who was this Vanya, and what had I done to push her to this?

As she mingled with the crowd, she suddenly paused, her smile fading as she spotted someone. She took a drink, but I could see something was bothering her. I felt an urge to go to her, to talk to her, to make sure she was okay. Ishank, noticing my worry, said, “Let her have some fun, Rudransh.”

But I couldn’t hold back. I needed to confirm that this was Vanya. I stepped aside and called Aarush, asking him to send the picture he had of her. The moment I received it, the confirmation hit me hard. It was her. My Vanya.

I returned to where Ishank was sitting, watching her laugh and dance with her friends. Seeing her happy relieved me somewhat, but my gut told me something was wrong.

Just as I decided to approach her, my phone rang—it was Dadi sa. After a quick conversation, I returned only to find that Vanya was gone.

I followed my instincts, heading to the VIP room. There, I found her struggling in some guy’s grip, trying to push him away as he whispered something, trying to pull her away.

My blood boiled. Without a second thought, I stepped forward, throwing a punch that sent him reeling. I kept hitting him, unable to stop, until Ishank pulled me back.

“Rudransh, leave him! Go check on Vanya.”

I turned to see Vanya, slumped and unconscious, her friend desperately trying to wake her up. I picked her up in my arms and headed for the car, Ishank and the girl following.

At my penthouse, I laid Vanya down on the bed and called for the doctor. He examined her, explaining that she was simply exhausted from alcohol and stress. She’d be fine after rest and some prescribed meds.

With Vanya asleep, I finally had a chance to speak to her friend. "I’m sorry," I began. "I don’t think we’ve met. Who are you to Vanya?"

The girl, clearly annoyed, opened her mouth to respond, but Ishank interrupted, slipping his arm around her waist. "Aarahi Ishank Shikhawat. My wife, and Vanya’s childhood friend."

She glared at me. “I’m not leaving my friend with you. You don’t know what you’ve done to her.”

I understood her anger, and I apologized, hoping she’d believe me. “I’m truly sorry for what I did. It was a misunderstanding, but I promise, I’ll take care of her now more than my life.”

She looked at Ishank, who nodded, before she replied, “Fine, but this is your last chance.”

Ishank came forward and said ," Aaravi had informed me that she is going to club with her friends today. I recognised Vanya when she sent their pic and then rest of things".

He threw me a reassuring nod and I thanked him. And as I turned back to Vanya, I knew this was my moment to make things right.

******

I leaned against the doorway, watching her as she stirred awake, her eyes narrowing in confusion as they swept around the room.

There was a moment of silence, and then she sat up, brushing off the comforter with a look of pure suspicion.

I couldn’t help but chuckle under my breath. She was wondering how she ended up here, and by the look on her face, she’d figured out I had something to do with it.

The way she glanced down, realizing her clothes had been changed, and the shock that registered on her face—it was priceless. I had to hold back a laugh. Just as she opened her mouth to throw some accusation my way, I stepped forward, tray in hand.

"Relax, pouty lips," I said, smirking as I handed her a glass of lemonade. "Aaravi changed your clothes, not me."

She blinked, a hint of relief crossing her face, but it only lasted a second. Her expression shifted from shock to irritation, and she snapped the glass from my hand, chugging it down like it was some sort of contest.

But I couldn’t resist adding a little fuel to the fire.

I leaned in, letting my breath graze her ear. "But… I can help you with that if my wife insists," I whispered, watching her reaction closely.

And there it was—the cough, the flushed cheeks, and that deadly glare. She couldn’t hide it if she tried.

"Go slow," I said, smirking as I patted her back, feeling entirely amused by her flustered reaction. It was too easy, almost like a game at this point.

But before she could say anything more, she was out of bed and storming off to the bathroom. I chuckled to myself. She could pretend to be annoyed all she wanted, but I knew that fiery determination of hers was one of the things that drew me to her.

I got a call from home and I told them that Vanya is with me and most important she is safe and we would be home .

Once she’d gotten ready, she emerged from the bathroom, glancing around suspiciously. I gestured to the breakfast I’d set up for her—sandwiches, juice, a little chocolate on the side, and of course, medicine for her hangover.

But before she could bombard me with questions, I decided to get a little ahead of her.

"Relax, just sit down and eat," I said, keeping my tone light as I moved across the room. "It’s not like the food is going to fly away… you know, like someone sneaking out in the middle of the night."

She straightened her brows, a mix of annoyance and stubbornness in her eyes. I knew she was about to challenge me on that, so I cut her off with a grin.

"Finish up, Vanya. We’re heading home."