I usually get around 2k reads, but only around 400 votes, so I'm setting a target. If I get more than 800 votes and 70 comments, I will upload the chapter on Tuesday morning or else on Thursday. Pleaaasssssseeeeeee....Setting a target also pushes me to write and deliver on time; otherwise, I tend to slack off. So, it's up to you guys when you want the update.

I hope you will like the chapter. Do give your comments, I love them. ❤️❤️

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INAYAT'S POV:

As I opened my eyes, I realized how close we were. Our breaths mingled, and the warmth of his hands on my skin sent a shiver down my spine. 

The proximity between us was intoxicating, almost suffocating, and a rush of conflicting emotions surged within me.

His gaze held mine, and I saw the depth of his longing and desperation. My heart pounded, each beat echoing the chaos inside me.

 His eyes were windows to a soul tormented by pain and hope, and the intensity of his feelings was overwhelming.

 I could feel the heat of his breath against my lips, and it took everything in me not to close the distance between us.

It was too much. The intensity of the moment threatened to consume me. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of emotions, unable to find my footing. 

Tears welled up in my eyes, and my vision blurred. I took a step back, gently removing his hands from my face, breaking the physical connection that felt both comforting and suffocating.

As I stepped back, Shivansh's confusion and hurt were palpable. His eyes silently pleaded, asking why I had retreated. Blinking away my tears, I took a deep breath and said, "Shivansh, let's talk."

He looked hopeful, as if I might want to sort everything out. "Yeah," he said, grabbing my wrist and giving me a fragile smile. 

"Let's get inside, and we'll sort everything out." He tried to lead me inside, but I didn't move, staying rooted to the spot.

When he felt me not following, he turned back, looking confused and stepped towards me. "Kya hua, Ina? Come in, we'll sit and talk everything out." (What happened Ina?)

I saw the misunderstanding in his eyes, realizing he thought I had come to reconcile. Gently, I removed his hands from my wrist, and he watched me do so with confusion and hurt. 

His expression crumbled, and he looked down, pain etching deeper lines into his face. The vulnerability in his eyes made my heart ache even more.

"Shivansh," I breathed, trying to compose myself. "Neeche chalo, we'll talk and—" (Come down)

He cut me off, urgency in his voice. "I'll not go anywhere, we'll talk here, come." He tried to grab my hand again, but I stepped back, deepening the hurt in his eyes.

"Shivansh," I called out harshly, desperation creeping into my voice. "Vikrant is here."

At the mention of Vikrant's name, his features changed instantly. A mix of shock and anger flared within him, his eyes darkening and his jaw clenching tightly. "Vikrant!?" he asked, his voice deep, dark, and frightening.

I nodded, licking my lips nervously, trying to steady my trembling voice. "He called me and... and told me to come here. He wanted to talk and said he would explain why he is after us."

Shivansh's face contorted with a storm of emotions. The hope that had flickered in his eyes extinguished, replaced by a seething rage. 

He stepped back, processing what I had just said. The room seemed to close in around us, the air thick with tension and unspoken words.

"Vikrant?" he repeated, his voice barely audible, the name hanging between us, heavy with implications.

I could see the struggle within him, the battle between the desire to protect me and the fury towards Vikrant.

Without a word, Shivansh turned and walked to his drawer, his movements quick and purposeful. Confused, I watched him, my heart pounding. 

What is he doing? My eyes widened in horror as he pulled out a gun.

He turned to me, his face set in grim determination. "Let's go," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

"Shivansh, no!" I grabbed his wrist, my grip tight and desperate. "Don't do anything out of anger, okay?" My voice shook with urgency. 

The fire in his eyes made it clear that he was ready to erase Vikrant's existence, and it terrified me.

He nodded, but his expression didn't soften. The rage was still there, simmering beneath the surface. He turned and headed towards the stairs, the gun clutched tightly in his hand.

As we made our way down, the silence between us was deafening. Each of Shivansh's strides felt like a drumbeat in my chest, making my heart race faster. 

The tension was palpable, an electric charge in the air that seemed to thicken with each step.

I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on us, every unspoken word and unresolved emotion hanging heavily between us. 

Shivansh's anger was a tangible force, and I was caught in the storm of it, desperately trying to hold on to some semblance of control.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I felt a lump in my throat. The enormity of what we were about to face loomed over us, and I knew that the path ahead would be fraught with pain and difficult decisions.

As we stood there, in front of Vikrant, Shivansh struggled to contain his anger. His jaw clenched, and his fists tightened around the gun, the muscles in his arms visibly tensing. 

I could feel the heat radiating from him, his fury almost a tangible presence beside me.

Vikrant, on the other hand, seemed to take an unreasonable pleasure in the situation. He scoffed and smirked, his eyes flicking between Shivansh and me with a look of disdain. 

The smug expression on his face only served to fuel Shivansh's rage, each mocking glance a spark to the tinder of his anger.

"Well, well, look who finally showed up," Vikrant drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. 

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't come, Inayat. And you brought your knight in shining armor. How charming. But wait." 

He looked at Shivansh from head to toe, his smirk widening. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, what is this, Shivansh? Look at your state!"

The mockery in Vikrant's voice was palpable, his eyes alight with malicious glee. He seemed to revel in the sight of Shivansh's disheveled appearance, as if it gave him some twisted sense of superiority. 

Shivansh's anger intensified, his grip on the gun tightening as he took another step forward, shielding me with his body.

"You think this is a joke?" Shivansh spat, his voice a dangerous growl. "Keep mocking, Vikrant. It won't end well for you."

Vikrant chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound that grated on my nerves. "Oh, I'm not joking, Shivansh. I'm just amazed at how far you've fallen.

 You used to be so composed, so in control. And now look at you—barely holding it together."

Shivansh's eyes burned with fury, but he didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he kept his focus on the task at hand, the need for answers overriding his urge to lash out. "Vikrant, enough of the games. Why are you here? What do you want?"

Vikrant's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. "Fine. You want answers? I'll give you answers. But don't think for a second that I'm afraid of your threats, Shivansh. You took everything from me, and now it's my turn to take everything from you."

Shivansh took a deliberate step forward, positioning himself protectively in front of me, his stance radiating a fierce determination to shield me from any harm.

 The intensity in his eyes was unmistakable, a burning desire to keep me safe no matter the cost. 

His voice, low and menacing, carried the weight of his anger and protectiveness. "Vikrant, you better start talking," he growled, each word laced with a simmering fury. "Why are you here? What do you want from us?"

I could feel the tension emanating from Shivansh, his whole body taut with the effort of controlling his emotions. His protective nature was palpable.

Vikrant laughed, a cold, mirthless sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "Oh, come on, Shivansh. This is how you treat your guests?" His eyes flicked to me, and his smirk widened. "Isn't it wrong, Inayat?"

I felt a surge of fear and anger, my heart pounding in my chest. "Vikrant, enough. Just tell us what you want."

He shrugged nonchalantly, the smirk never leaving his face. "What I want? I want what was taken from me. I want to see him suffer as I have."

Shivansh's anger reached a boiling point, and he raised the gun, aiming it directly at Vikrant. "You think this is a game? You think you can just walk in here and make threats?"

"Shivansh, no!" I grabbed his arm, trying to pull it down.

Shivansh's eyes flicked to mine, with the fury.

Slowly, he lowered the gun, but the tension in his body remained. "Talk," he demanded, his voice shaking with restrained emotion. "Tell us why you're doing this."

Vikrant's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of something darker passing through his eyes. "Fine," he said, his tone suddenly serious. 

"You want the truth? Here it is. I'm here because of what you did to me. You took everything from me, and now it's my turn."

The weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. I felt a chill run down my spine, the reality of our situation sinking in deeper. 

This wasn't just about revenge. It was about something far more personal and destructive.

"Vikrant, just tell us what you're talking about and stop with these threats," I said, my voice tinged with anger. I needed him to understand that we were genuinely unaware of whatever he was accusing us of. 

Shivansh's protective stance beside me gave me the strength to confront Vikrant, but the confusion and frustration were still evident in my tone.

Vikrant's smirk faltered slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "Oh, come on, Inayat. Don't play innocent with me like you both don't know anything." he sneered, but there was an edge of doubt in his voice now.

"We don't," I insisted, taking a step forward despite Shivansh's protective grip on my arm. "Whatever it is you think we did, you need to explain. We're in the dark here, Vikrant."

Shivansh's gaze remained locked on Vikrant, his jaw clenched tightly.

Shivansh's gaze remained locked on Vikrant, his jaw clenched tightly. His voice was a low growl, each word dripping with barely restrained fury. 

"Vikrant, either you tell us what the fuck you want and what you're accusing us of, or with one fucking call, you'll be nothing but a corpse in the next minute."

The room seemed to freeze at Shivansh's threat. The menace in his tone was undeniable, and even Vikrant's smirk faltered as he realized the gravity of the situation. 

Shivansh's protectiveness over me was palpable, his anger a fierce, simmering storm ready to erupt.

For a moment, there was silence, the tension in the air so thick it was almost suffocating. Vikrant's eyes darted between us, the bravado fading as the reality of Shivansh's threat sank in. He took a step back, raising his hands slightly in a gesture of surrender.

"Alright, alright," Vikrant said, his voice wavering. "I'll tell you. But you need to understand, this isn't just about revenge. It's about justice, about getting back what was taken from me."

"Then start talking," Shivansh demanded, his grip on the gun unwavering. "And make it quick."

We waited for a few minutes, but Vikrant didn't say anything. He was just staring at the ground. Shivansh couldn't hold it in any longer and shouted, "Speak up, Vikrant!" And then Vikrant looked up, his eyes bloodshot red, and visible anger on his face. 

He angrily marched towards Shivansh, grabbed his collar, and shouted, "You bastard, you killed my father, and now you have the audacity to shout at me!" Listening to this, we all became silent. What did he just say?

Then Shivansh forcefully jerked Vikrant's hands away, punched him, and said, "How dare you lay your hands on me?" 

Vikrant's nose started bleeding, but before Shivansh could do anything further, Trisha came and stood between them and said, "First, listen to him, Shivansh, and then say anything. Before that, don't dare touch him." 

From Shivansh's face, it was clear that he was shocked to see Trisha taking Vikrant's side, but he reluctantly nodded and stepped back.

Trisha grabbed Vikrant's wrist, made him sit on the couch, caressed his back, and said, "Tell everything today, Vikrant." 

He took a deep sigh and said, "Shivansh, do you remember two years back when you were about to have an accident with a car, but someone saved you?" 

Shivansh, who was standing with his arms crossed, thought for a few minutes and then nodded. 

Vikrant continued, "Tell everyone what happened that day. Everyone deserves to know."

 Advay interrupted and said, "My brother doesn't need to explain anything to us, you..." 

But he couldn't finish his sentence as Trisha cut him off and said, "No one will say anything. This is a conversation between Vikrant and Shivansh. Everyone else will stay silent, and Shivansh, answer what Vikrant is asking."

 Shivansh looked really shocked by Trisha's reaction. But as Trisha was asking him to speak, he must have thought there was something important, so he started narrating.

"That day, I was very drunk and didn't have my car. I was walking back home alone, not in my proper senses, and everything was looking hazy. 

I didn't realize when I started walking in the middle of the road. Suddenly, a car came towards me, and it was about to hit me when a man pushed me out of the way. After that, I lost consciousness."

Then Vedant stood up from his place and shouted, "You were not just drunk, you were high on drugs too!" Hearing him, we all were shocked.

They were stunned, and Shivansh looked very embarrassed. Vikrant started walking towards Shivansh, but Trisha held his hand to stop him. He just blinked his eyes at her, and she let him go.

Vikrant came near Shivansh and asked, "Do you remember that man's face?" Shivansh nodded. Vikrant also nodded, took out his phone, and did something on it. 

Then he showed a picture of a man to Shivansh and asked, "He looked like this, right?" Shivansh was shocked to see the picture and reluctantly nodded.

Then Shivansh slowly asked, "But how do you know him?"

 This just ignited Vikrant's anger, and he threw his phone, startling all of us, and shouted, "Because that man was my father, and you killed him."

 Shivansh stumbled upon hearing this, and Advay ran towards him to support him.

Shivansh stammered, "But he wasn't dead, right? Dad said that he had saved him." 

Vikrant chuckled bitterly and said, "Your dad, right? The biggest liar in the whole world. That man ruined us. 

After Papa's death, I filed a complaint against you, and do you know what your dad did? He destroyed our business with lies just because he had more power. 

With my father gone, we lost everything and were left on the streets."

Shivansh shouted back, "My dad wouldn't do something like that! Stop this nonsense."

Vikrant yelled, "He wouldn't do that? He did! If you don't believe me, go ask him. He brought us to the streets, causing my mother to have a heart attack, and she left us too. 

My sister couldn't handle the trauma and became paralyzed from the shock. Do you even know how hard it was for me to rebuild everything, to stabilize the company, to save money for Vidhi's treatment? 

At least you had your siblings to understand you, your parents to support you when you fell, but you took everything from me. This is all your fault!"

Saying this, he completely broke down, and Trisha came running, hugging him to calm him down.

Whatever happened just now was really shocking. I could not just believe that Shivansh was into drugs and his father did such a heinous deed. 

The tears that had been threatening to spill finally escaped my eyes. For a moment, I was rooted to the spot, and the surroundings faded away. Everyone was in as much shock as I was.

"Vikrant," I said softly, trying to reach past the anger and find some common ground. Nine pairs of eyes turned towards me. 

Vikrant's eyes were glistening as if he was on the verge of a breakdown. "Whatever happened to you was wrong, beyond wrong, but it wasn't Shivansh's fault. He was not in his senses"

"Then whose fault was it? Huh?" Vikrant shouted, his voice echoing through the room. 

He continued, pointing a finger at Shivansh, his glare intensifying as he turned towards me. "It was his fault!"

He then turned his accusatory finger towards me. "And you! Who the fuck are you to justify Shivansh? Tum toh beech mein bolo hi mat. Tum isse zyada ghatiya ho."  (Don't you dare speak in between. You're even more despicable than him.)

I was stunned, my mind reeling. Why was he suddenly accusing me? I couldn't comprehend the sudden shift in his anger, the venom in his words leaving me speechless.

Shivansh stepped forward, his protective instincts flaring up once again. "Vikrant, enough! Mind your fucking language or this tongue of yours will be parted from your shitty mouth," he shouted, his voice shaking with rage.

 "Inayat has nothing to do with this. If you have a problem with me, then deal with me. Leave her out of it. I am ready to accept your punishments."

Vikrant's eyes widened slightly at Shivansh's outburst, but the anger in his expression only seemed to deepen. 

He opened his mouth to retort, but Shivansh continued, his voice unwavering. "I'm warning you, Vikrant. You don't get to insult her. Whatever your issues are, they're with me."

But Vikrant's eyes remained fixed on me, his expression twisted with a mixture of anger and pain. "No, Shivansh," he spat, his voice trembling. 

"She's just as guilty. But of course, she has nothing to do with my matter but someone else's."

Confusion and fear washed over me. "What are you talking about, Vikrant?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What do you mean?"

Vikrant's gaze hardened, and he took a step closer, his eyes boring into mine. "You think you're innocent? You think you can just stand there and act like you have no idea what I'm talking about?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, confusion and hurt overwhelming me. I took a shaky step back, my heart pounding in my chest. "Vikrant, please," I whispered, my voice breaking. 

"I don't understand why you're saying this."

"Oh, enough of your drama, Inayat," Vikrant sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. 

"Stop acting as if you are the most innocent one standing here. You are nothing but a woman only running behind money. 

Your father told me everything how you cheated in him just to get the properties of your mother that too to just waste it on your personal needs. 

And you even put your father behind the bar just to get those fucking properties?" The last part he said was an accusing question.

His words cut through me like a knife, the accusation stinging more than I could have imagined. I felt my breath catch in my throat, the tears streaming down my face now fueled by a mix of anger and hurt.

"Vikrant, that's enough!" Shivansh's voice was a growl, raw and fierce. "You don't get to talk to her like that."

But Vikrant was relentless, his eyes burning with a mixture of rage and pain. "Why shouldn't I? you both fucking deserve that."

"Fucking stop it!" screamed Shivansh. I was in utter disbelief and couldn't find any words to say anything to him. 

Rhea, after this whole conversation, walked towards Vikrant and grabbed his collar, screaming, "You bastard of a man! You don't even know what the truth is, and you're accusing Inayat? I'm gonna fucking kill you!"

Before she could do any harm to Vikrant, Advay bhaii stepped in, grabbing Rhea's waist and almost lifting her off the ground like a child. 

He made her stand beside him, trying to calm her down. "Rhea, calm down," he said gently, holding her firmly. "This isn't the way to handle this."

Rhea struggled for a moment, her fury evident, but eventually, she took a deep breath and stopped resisting.

 Her eyes were still blazing with anger as she glared at Vikrant. "How dare you," she hissed. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

Shivansh, still tense, took a deep breath and tried to steady his voice. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Vikrant. But you have to stop attacking Inayat. She had no idea about any of this."

Now this is getting out of hand. That man has completely brainwashed him. Right now I need to explain the complete truth to end this matter here and then need to see what do with my so called father after this.

 So I went near Vikrant, made him face me holding him by his shoulder.

"Now hear me out, Vikrant," I said firmly, stepping forward. "Whatever that man has told you is nothing but a lie. Now, hear the truth."

"When I was born, my mother died while delivering me. After that, my father took care of me with a lot of love, or at least I thought so. 

It was like my wish was his command. Before I could even ask for something, he would place it in front of me. 

He gave me everything—luxury, pampering, the right education—everything.

 We were living in Mumbai only and I had met Rhea in my school days. 

But when I was 10 years, we shifted to US as my father wanted to grow his business there which I came to know later that it was not his but my mother's company.

One day, when I was 17, I found a file belonging to my mother in the storeroom. It contained some pictures of her dancing, and there were some papers in it. 

Among those papers was a plan to open a dance academy.

I gave the paper to my father and told him about them. He took them from me and said he was going to fulfill my mother's dream. 

But one day, when I was 21, he told me to sign some papers. I trusted him, so I signed them without questioning. 

Later that day, I returned home from college earlier than usual to pick up a forgotten assignment. 

As I walked past my father's study, I heard muffled voices. The door was ajar, and curiosity compelled me to peek inside.

What I saw froze me in my tracks.

My father was entangled with my mother's best friend, a woman I had always regarded as my aunt. The sight was revolting, but it was their conversation that shattered my world.

"Did that girl sign the papers?" she asked, her voice dripping with malice.

"Yes," my father replied, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "I got her to do it. She signed them today. I was tired of searching for those papers, but Inayat herself brought me the document of her own downfall."

A chill ran down my spine. I wanted to scream, to confront them, but I was paralyzed by their betrayal.

She laughed softly, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Just like we killed her mother years ago, we'll get rid of her too. Then it will be nothing but luxury for us."

Their laughter echoed in my ears, a haunting melody of treachery and deceit. I stumbled away from the door, my mind reeling. Everything I had believed, everything I had trusted, was a lie.

I was their next victim.

I needed to know what those papers contained. Driven by a mix of fear and determination, I sneaked into my father's study that night. 

My hands trembled as I rifled through his desk, finally finding the stack of the same documents. I took photos of each page, sending them to my friend whose father was a lawyer. Within minutes, I received a response that shook me to my core.

The documents revealed that my late mother had named her entire estate to me upon turning 21. If I didn't want it, I could transfer it to anyone or if anything happens to me then the properties will be transferred to the orphanage. 

My father's intentions were now painfully clear. He wanted the property, and he would go to any lengths to get it.  He had said that he would transfer everything to his name after few days so I needed to do anything within that.

Desperation gnawed at me. I called, Rhea, and told her everything. Her response was immediate and resolute. "Inayat, I'm booking your tickets. You need to come to India. Stay with me." Her father was a renowned person so he booked the tickets really quick.

Without hesitation, I flew to India, leaving behind the remnants of my shattered trust. Rhea's family welcomed me with open arms, and her father, a kind and resourceful man, helped conceal my identity from my father. 

I didn't want to be a burden, so I found work in a bar, avoiding larger companies where my father might track me down.

With Rhea's dad's support, I returned to the United States to reclaim my mom's company. He got through his friend, someone who could assist me.

 I started working there, learning everything about how the company operated. It was challenging, especially dealing with all the legal issues and keeping my plans hidden from my dad.

But Rhea and her family stood by me, giving me the strength to keep pushing forward. Day by day, I uncovered more of my dad's lies and tricks.

 With the help of legal advice and my determination, I fought hard to set things right and to take back what rightfully belonged to me from my mom.

Slowly but surely, I made progress. Piece by piece, I untangled the mess my dad had created. With each legal battle won and each corner of the company I reclaimed. 

Eventually, after a long and hard-fought struggle, I succeeded. I regained control of my mom's company, fulfilling her wishes and securing her legacy.

After this I put him behind the bars and there he confessed that he had killed my mother and he had married her just for her money. My mother got to know about it but at that time she was pregnant with me. 

She even got away from him but she knew he would anyhow find her and then kill her so she transferred all the properties on my name. 

She made it 21 because she had faith on her daughter who was not even born at that moment that till that time she would be strong enough to protect herself.

 That was the reason my father didn't do anything to her until her delivery and kept me alive till I was 21. 

Vikrant's eyes narrowed further, his skepticism deepening as he processed the words. "And why should I believe you?" he retorted, his voice still tinged with bitterness. 

"What makes your version any different?"

"Listen, Vikrant," Shivansh began, his voice steady despite the tension in the room. 

"Whatever mistake I have committed, I accept it and I am ready for your punishment. But when it comes to Inayat, it's all a lie, and I will prove it to you."

He paused, his gaze unwavering. "I have evidence of her innocence. I've kept Inayat's father in Aryan's basement. And I have CCTV footage of him accepting his deeds proudly."

Vikrant's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and disbelief crossing his face.

Shivansh took a deep breath, the weight of the moment palpable in the air. His eyes, filled with a mix of determination and empathy, remained locked on Vikrant's.

"Vikrant," he began, his voice steady, "I know you've been through hell because of what happened. But accusing Inayat won't solve anything. 

Let's look at the evidence together. I want you to see for yourself that she's innocent. Let me prove you that. Then I am all ready to bear your punishment.

Right now he is in Pune. I will call him and he will be here tomorrow by morning. Without him his guards won't leave us there. 

Even if he calls they won't or else I would have taken you there right now. So tomorrow we'll go to Aryan's basement.

 You'll see the footage and we'll confront her father face-to-face, to call a spade a spade, and then you decide what to do and what not to." Shivansh stated firmly, his voice tinged with a mix of determination and reassurance. 

His eyes held Vikrant's, urging him to trust in the path they were about to take together.

"Okay, fine. I'm going now, but tomorrow, I will decide what will happen to both of you in the future. 

And I am living some of my men here to look at you or who knows you will run away somewhere." Vikrant replied sharply, his words laden with unresolved tension and a hint of skepticism.

 He turned to leave, Trisha silently falling into step beside him.

I stood there in silence, the weight of the day's events pressing heavily on my shoulders. The air in the room seemed charged with uncertainty and a simmering intensity that refused to dissipate. 

As Vikrant and Trisha headed towards the door, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled within me.

Then, I noticed something that caught me off guard—Trisha's fleeting glance towards Shivansh, who met her gaze with a nod that seemed urgent yet tinged with a plea for understanding. 

Their silent exchange spoke volumes, leaving me with a rush of questions and a sense of unease.

"What the fuck is going on between them?" I blurted out before I could stop myself, my voice betraying the confusion and turmoil swirling inside me.

"And why do you care, Inayat?" A whisper came from beside me, snapping my head towards the voice. 

There was Advay bhaiya, his usually calm demeanor now tinged with a hint of frustration and concern.

"I-I just..." I stuttered, my mind racing to find a coherent response. The weight of his question felt heavier than I anticipated, the truth of my feelings tangled in a web of uncertainty.

Advay bhaiya cocked an eyebrow, his gaze unwavering as he waited for my answer. I found myself lowering my head, unable to meet his probing eyes, feeling exposed and vulnerable.

"Inayat, tell me one thing," he pressed on, his voice gentle yet insistent, his eyes searching mine with a mix of concern and curiosity. 

"What do you want? You've made it clear you don't want a relationship with bhai, you don't want to talk to him, you don't want him in your life. 

Then why does it matter to you if bhai talks to Trisha? What if he tries to move on and find his happiness with her?"

His words hung heavy in the air, probing at the heart of my conflicted emotions. I struggled to find the right words, feeling the weight of my own indecision and the ache of unresolved feelings for Shivansh.

"Tell me, Inayat," he urged softly, a touch of urgency creeping into his voice. "Why does it matter to you?"

I swallowed hard, trying to compose myself amidst the swirl of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

 It wasn't just about Shivansh and Trisha—it was about my own sense of closure, my own journey towards acceptance and moving forward.

The mention of Shivansh moving on hit me like a sudden gust of wind, knocking the air out of my lungs. Could he really move on so easily? 

The pain from our recent turmoil still raw, the idea of him finding solace in someone else's company felt like a betrayal and a relief all at once.

I wasn't able to answer this question. Advay bhai shook his head and walked away, leaving me with a tumult of emotions. I glanced over at Shivansh, who was deeply engrossed in a conversation on his phone.

Suddenly, the interaction between Shivansh and Trisha flashed in my mind once more, and a wave of anger surged through me.

"Okay, he wants to move on, right? Let's do it." Without wasting another second, I stormed off from there and hurried upstairs to pack my remaining stuff.

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AUTHOR'S POV:

As Inayat angrily stormed off to pack her things, Shivansh noticed her leaving and thought she needed space to calm down after everything that had happened. 

He hoped she would stay with him instead of leaving. The uncertainty of their situation weighed heavily on his mind as he anxiously awaited Aryan's call, knowing the footage held answers that could clear Inayat's name.

While in conversation with Advay and Rhea, their attention was abruptly drawn to the staircase where Inayat appeared, carrying her bag. The sight left all three of them shocked and bewildered.

Shivansh's heart sank as confusion and concern washed over him. Had he misunderstood Inayat's intentions? Was she really leaving? He exchanged a quick glance with Advay and Rhea, both mirroring his own disbelief.

Without thinking twice, Shivansh ran towards Inayat and softly pleaded with her, "Ina, where are you going? You weren't leaving me, so why did you pack your bags?"

"Who told you I wasn't leaving?" Inayat replied curtly, her words cutting through Shivansh like a knife. Shock and hurt gripped him to the core as she continued walking towards the door.

"No, no, no, wait, please Inayat," Shivansh called out desperately from behind. "Let's talk, please don't leave."

His voice carried a mix of desperation and pleading, echoing the fear of losing her.

Shivansh called out her name repeatedly, his voice filled with desperation. Beside him, Rhea also tried to stop Inayat, her concern evident.

 Meanwhile, Advay stood nearby, silently observing his brother's anguish, his expression a mix of concern and contemplation.

As Inayat reached for the door, intent on leaving, Shivansh suddenly grabbed her elbow from behind and pulled her back. 

Startled, she stumbled slightly but managed to regain her balance and stepped back inside. Shivansh swiftly closed the door behind them and stood in front of it, blocking her path.

As Inayat took a moment to compose herself, she looked at Shivansh with a mix of frustration and resignation. He stood there, stubborn and determined, like a child refusing to let go.

Shivansh's expression was resolute, his eyes pleading silently for her to stay. Inayat felt torn, caught between her anger and the undeniable pull of his presence.

He shook his head vigorously, his eyes pleading with her. "You can't just leave me like this," Shivansh pleaded, his voice tinged with a mix of fear and desperation.

"Shivansh, yeh kya bachpana hai?" (Shivansh, what is this childishness?)

Inayat commanded sharply, her frustration clear in her tone. "Move."

"No, I won't," Shivansh said firmly, his voice filled with determination despite the hurt in his eyes.

Shivansh hurried towards her, his movements tense with urgency, and grabbed her bag firmly. Inayat resisted just as strongly, pulling back with frustration evident in her eyes. 

After several attempts, in frustration, she let go of her bag abruptly and shot Shivansh a glare that conveyed both anger and hurt.

"Keep it. I don't want any of this," she snapped, her voice edged with disappointment.

As she turned to leave once more, Shivansh seized her elbow again, his grip firm but tinged with desperation, and pulled her back. 

Inayat stumbled against his chest, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions—anger, sadness, and a deep sense of being trapped.

 She tried to wriggle free from Shivansh's hold, her voice pleading and on the verge of breaking.

"Shivansh, please let me go," she implored, her eyes searching his face for understanding amidst the turmoil.

"No, I won't let you go. You are mine. I will not let you go to that bastard Vednat," Shivansh declared, his voice strained with emotion.

Inayat gathered all her strength, frustration boiling over like a tempest within her. Her teeth gritted with pent-up emotion, she raised her hand swiftly, as if to deliver a resounding slap to Shivansh's cheek. 

The air around them crackled with tension as her palm hovered mere inches from his face, trembling with the weight of her indecision.

Behind her, Rhea's voice sliced through the moment like a knife. "Inayat!"

Advay gasped audibly, his eyes widening in shock.

Inayat's fingers curled into a tight fist, the force of her emotions channeled into that clenched hand. 

With a swift and decisive motion, she brought her fist down, the sound echoing in the tense silence of the room.

Feeling the weight of her emotional storm, Shivansh's grip on her elbow loosened. He knelt before her, his heart laid bare in a gesture of vulnerability.

 His hands reached out, grasping hers tightly, pleading with her desperately.

"Inaa," he whispered, his voice trembling with raw emotion. 

"If you want to slap me, slap me. If you want to hit me, do it. Give me any punishment you want, but please don't leave me."

Tears streamed down his cheeks, his anguish palpable in every word. "I beg you, please," he pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Main mar jaaunga aapke bina." (I will die without you.)

In a moment of emotional turmoil, Inayat absentmindedly replied, "Toh marr jao," (Die then) in a whisper.

Everything came to a standstill after Inayat's piercing words. The room was filled with a heavy silence, shattered only by Rhea's quiet sobs, a testament to how deeply Inayat's words had struck.

Advay stood frozen, his usually composed demeanor shattered by the shock of Inayat's unexpected cruelty. He struggled to find words, his throat tight with emotion.

Shivansh, sitting there like a broken man, felt his heart splinter at her command. "Let go of my hand," she had uttered, each word a dagger plunging into his soul.

 His grip on her hand slackened, fingers trembling as he slowly released her.

In that moment, the weight of her rejection crashed down on him, the pain unbearable. 

He couldn't bring himself to look at her, his gaze fixed on the floor as tears streamed down his cheeks, silently pleading for a chance to make things right.

Shivansh just sat there, numb and shattered, watching Inayat walk away. His world was collapsing, and he couldn't do anything to stop it. 

His chest felt tight, each breath a struggle as he fought against the tears that blurred his vision.

He wanted to call out to her, to beg her to stay, but the words were lodged in his throat, choked by the overwhelming hurt. 

The sight of her retreating figure left him feeling utterly helpless, like a part of him was being ripped away.

 The pain was unbearable, a deep, gnawing ache that resonated through every fiber of his being.

As Inayat's footsteps grew fainter, Shivansh felt his heart breaking piece by piece, the silence around him amplifying his despair. 

He couldn't do anything but sit there, drowning in a sea of emotions—regret, sorrow, and an unending love.

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6342 words.. Longest chapter till date. 

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