A/N: Hello, my Gems!
I'm back! I'm so sorry I took so long to give you a new update :"). I was not getting any inspiration these days, but now I finally have it hehehehe.

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Even after finishing cleaning Roop's wounds, Abhimanyu couldn't tear his gaze away from her. He stared intently for as long as he dared, until the sound of approaching footsteps in the school's backyard startled him. He moved away from her quickly, shoving all the unused cotton and the bottle of disinfectant back into the first-aid box in a hurried mess.

"What exactly happened here?" Rishabh inquired as he reached Roop and Abhimanyu. Roop, still partly consumed by anger, completely missed Abhimanyu's subtle shift in demeanor towards her.

"The police, as usual, are running behind schedule," Abhimanyu remarked sarcastically.

"Listen, you scum! I know you're behind all this!" Rishabh confronted Abhimanyu, his stance unwavering as he faced him. "I'll make sure you pay the price and rot in jail."

"Oh yeah?" Abhimanyu raised an eyebrow, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "And what concrete proof do you have that I caused all of this? You gonna point to some invisible fingerprints, hotshot?" He leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, the picture of nonchalance despite the tension thrumming in the air.

Rishabh glared at him, his face flushed with anger. "Don't play dumb with me, Abhimanyu!" he roared, his hands clenching into fists as he stopped just short of making contact. "We both know you orchestrated this whole mess!"

Roop watched the exchange, her heart caught in a vice. As much as she loathed Abhimanyu's arrogance and his constant jabs at Rishabh, a flicker of gratitude flickered within her. He had, undeniably, saved them from those thugs moments ago.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped between the two men, placing a hand on Rishabh's chest. "Rishabh," she said firmly, her voice surprisingly steady. "He wasn't the problem, Rishabh. Those thugs are gone, thanks to him."

Rishabh scoffed, his anger simmering down a notch at the sight. He couldn't deny it. Abhimanyu, for all his smugness, had gotten them out of a tight spot.

Across from them, Abhimanyu's smirk widened into a full-blown grin. He uncrossed his arms, a playful glint in his eyes. "Seems like someone owes me a thank you," he drawled, tilting his head towards Rishabh.

Rishabh glared, the words catching in his throat. He couldn't bring himself to utter a word of gratitude, not yet at least. But the fire in his eyes had dimmed, replaced by a grudging acknowledgment.

"You heard her, Little Gupta," Abhimanyu taunted, stepping forward with a smirk. "Be grateful I was here before you or else who would have known what would have happened to everyone here?" He faked a sigh, shaking his head dramatically as if picturing a gruesome alternate reality.

Of course, Abhimanyu wouldn't let a moment of heroism pass without milking it for all it was worth. He wasn't about to reveal the flicker of genuine concern that had sparked his intervention. He was, after all, in the throes of denial, still grappling with the unexpected urge to get involved. Brawls were his entertainment, not his territory. He couldn't pinpoint what had shifted within him.

"You little-" Rishabh growled, his fists clenching once more.

"Let's get going, Rishabh," Roop interjected swiftly, her voice laced with urgency. She knew another fight wouldn't solve anything, and the air crackled with a renewed tension that made her skin crawl.

Roop stormed off toward the front of the school, her face flushed with anger. Rishabh hesitated for a moment, throwing a withering glare at Abhimanyu before following after her. Abhimanyu couldn't help but let out a smug chuckle, the sound echoing slightly. He took a moment to bask in the unexpected gratitude, a feeling that sat strangely unfamiliar on him.

With a cocky swagger, he began to follow Roop and Rishabh, the idea of spending some time alone with Roop simmering in his mind. However, Rishabh's constant presence was a thorn in his side, a persistent reminder of the complications that always seemed to follow him. He gritted his teeth, annoyance flickering across his features.

As he rounded the corner, he spotted Sushila Devi approaching him, Sakhee diligently pushing her wheelchair. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.

"I cannot thank you enough for saving my kids today," Sushila Devi said, her voice thick with relief. Her eyes shone with genuine gratitude.

"Oh! It was nothing, really. I was just passing by when I heard the ruckus," Abhimanyu said casually, waving his hand dismissively. Of course, his words were laced with a lie. He hadn't been "passing by" when the commotion started, not by a long shot. But admitting his real motives, wasn't exactly on his agenda. He stole a glance at Roop and Rishabh, who were now out of sight.

"Still, I'm truly grateful we know a young, responsible man like you who is capable of taking a stand for my kids," Sushila Devi praised him, her voice brimming with sincerity. Abhimanyu shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. Praise wasn't exactly a common occurrence in his life, and it felt oddly unfamiliar. He fumbled for a response, rubbing the back of his neck self-consciously.

"Yeah, well..." he stammered, a dry laugh escaping his lips. He wasn't sure what had possessed him to intervene earlier, but the gratitude in Sushila Devi's eyes sparked a flicker of something warm within him - a feeling he couldn't quite identify.

"I'll get going then," he mumbled, deciding to make a hasty retreat before this unexpected emotional turmoil could overwhelm him. He started to turn away, only to have a small hand grip his arm. He looked down to see Chand gazing up at him with hopeful eyes. A small, involuntary smirk played on his lips.

"It's my birthday tomorrow, I want you to come celebrate it," Chand chirped, her voice filled with excitement.

Despite his usual reluctance to socialize, the sight of Chand's hopeful expression sent a pang of something akin to...obligation? He couldn't deny that the little girl had a way of worming her way under his defenses.

"No, kid," he began to decline, his voice softer than his usual gruff tone. Birthday parties weren't exactly his scene, filled with sugary treats and shrieking children. "I don't really go to those kinds of things, you know."

Chand's face fell, her lower lip trembling slightly. Abhimanyu winced internally. He hated seeing her disappointed.

Chand's lower lip trembled, and her hopeful eyes welled up with tears. "If you won't come to my birthday party, I won't celebrate or cut the cake," she whimpered, a tactic that usually melted hearts around her.

Abhimanyu, however, remained unfazed. He shrugged, a nonchalant mask back in place. "Do as you please," he mumbled, the words lacking any real conviction.

"I think it would be wonderful if you do become a part of Chand's birthday celebration, beta," Sushila Devi chimed in, her voice laced with a gentle persuasion. "Don't you think, Sakhee?"

Sakhee, ever the voice of reason, gave a small, knowing nod. Their genuine appreciation for his actions hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the suspicion and judgment he was accustomed to.

Chand's gaze remained fixed on him, her hope unwavering. Abhimanyu felt a tug-of-war erupt within him. A strange warmth bloomed in his chest, a flicker of something akin to...family? The thought sent a shiver down his spine. He had always prided himself on his independence, on pushing everyone away before they could get too close. Yet, these people, this unexpected encounter, had cracked open a part of him he didn't know existed.

Could he allow himself to experience this...connection? Or would his fear of vulnerability force him to retreat back into the isolation he knew so well? Abhimanyu stared at Chand's hopeful face, the weight of the decision heavy on his shoulders.

After a while of contemplating, he finally replied, his voice gruff but softer than usual, "I'll see if I can make it in time tomorrow."

Chand's face broke into a radiant grin, her earlier disappointment forgotten. "The party will begin at around six in the evening!" she chirped, practically bouncing.

Abhimanyu managed a small nod, a faint blush creeping up his neck under the scrutiny of Sushila Devi's grateful gaze. He mumbled a goodbye and turned to leave, the weight of his decision settling on him. He wasn't sure what had compelled him to agree, but the sight of Chand's hopeful smile lingered in his mind.

As he reached the school gate, a high-pitched yell pierced the air. He whipped around, expecting another confrontation, only to find Chand waving enthusiastically.

"I'll wait for you tomorrow, tall handsome man!" she shrieked, her voice filled with childish glee.

On his way back, Abhimanyu couldn't shake the memory of tending to Roop's wound. The way her eyes had fluttered shut, the vulnerability etched on her face - it had sparked a feeling within him unlike anything he'd ever known. It was as if, for a moment, the entire world had narrowed down to just her. But why Roop? Why did the woman in his dreams suddenly have a face, and why did it have to be hers? What was it about her that made him feel so...exposed?

These unfamiliar emotions were both exhilarating and terrifying. He craved the warmth they brought, yet the vulnerability they exposed was a frightening prospect. Lost in his thoughts, Abhimanyu barely registered the screeching sound of car wheels from behind him. He whipped around just in time to see a black van screech to a halt beside him. Before he could even process the situation, the van door slid open with a hiss. Three figures, their faces obscured by dark masks, materialized in the doorway. Adrenaline surged through Abhimanyu's veins. This wasn't a random encounter - this was deliberate. But who? And why?

In a blink, strong hands grabbed him, yanking him towards the open van door. Abhimanyu fought back with a surge of unexpected defiance. This wasn't how his day was supposed to end. A struggle ensued, a desperate fight for control.

Before Abhimanyu could react, a rough cloth was slammed over his face, plunging him into suffocating darkness. Panic clawed at his throat as his hands were yanked behind his back and bound with cruel efficiency. He struggled against the iron grip that held him steady on the van seat, but his efforts were futile.

These men were built like brick walls, their movements practiced and precise. Despite his own tall frame and reputation for toughness, Abhimanyu felt a cold dread creep in. Who were they? Why him? He had no money, no family, nothing of value that a kidnapper could exploit.

The van lurched to a halt, the engine cutting out with a final cough. Rough hands shoved him forward, the world a confusing blur of muffled sounds and shifting darkness. A sharp object jabbed into his lower back, urging him forward. He gritted his teeth, a surge of anger battling with his rising fear. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing him crumble.

"You dare make any dumb move and I'll make sure to stab you immediately," the kidnapper growled, the cold steel of a blade pressing into his back. Abhimanyu wasn't about to test that threat. Blindfolded and bound, escape was a ludicrous fantasy. He could only clench his fists and endure the journey.

They shuffled him towards an elevator, the metallic clanging echoing in the oppressive silence. One of the kidnappers jabbed a button, the numbers illuminating briefly before plunging them back into darkness. Abhimanyu's mind raced. Who were these men? What did they want with him? The possibilities were as endless as they were terrifying.

The elevator lurched to a halt with a mechanical groan. The doors slid open, revealing a brightly lit corridor. He was shoved forward, the kidnapper's grip unrelenting. They navigated a series of sterile, identical hallways before finally coming to a stop.

"Sit," a gruff voice commanded. Rough hands pushed him onto a plush chair, the feel of soft fabric a stark contrast to the rough floor of the van. The black cloth was yanked from his face, the sudden brightness stinging his eyes. He blinked rapidly, adjusting to the unnaturally white room.

It wasn't what he expected. Gone were the dingy back alleys and interrogation rooms of his imagination. This was a place of power, of wealth. At least ten men stood around him, clad in sharp black suits and dark glasses. They bore the air of elite bodyguards, their postures rigid and their expressions unreadable. A click of heels echoed on the polished floor.

"You are finally here, Mr. Raichand," a familiar, feminine voice purred. Abhimanyu's eyes widened beneath the harsh lights. He recognized that voice, that sharp, controlled tone. His breath caught in his throat when he heard her call him by his last name. How did she know?

Abhimanyu's fate was going down the path of someone he knows finally figuring out his real identity. It was a situation no less than a nightmare for him right now.

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