Aarya woke up the next morning with the sun shining the through the curtains, and greeted by the faces of the children including Pooja, which was a welcome sight; since she had spent the night worrying about her friend being shot.

Bhola is targeting Pooja, has his sights on her. He intended to abduct her and the shot could have been meant for her, but sadly ended up striking her innocent friend. But why?

Sitting up, she asked, "What's wrong?" Her voice sounded worried.

They wrap their arms around her, and squeeze her in a quick, tight hug, taking her breath away, "we love you,"

"I love you more than myself," She said, adorably.

Pooja, Nareen, and Priya said "We know," while Faras simply nodded.

"Aren't you supposed to be at school today?"

"The school gave us a week-long holiday because of the incident in my class, and today happens to be Saturday," Pooja replied.

"Pooja, I apologize for what happened to your friend," Aarya said.

Pooja revealed with a half smile that Anuj, her brother-in-law, and Pramitra, her sister, will accompany her to see her friend later.

"We will bring lots of gifts for her," Aarya said.

She informed them that they had house chores for today, then got off the bed with them still looking at her.

They say "no," together.

Thinking he wasn't among them, Nareen smiled wider as she declared, "Yes, all of you are," and made sure to point at him.

While they're all laughing, he looked sad.

She suggested that Kajal was done with breakfast and asked them to go to her while she headed to the bathroom.

Kajal was setting up breakfast on the dining table when they approached her. Pramitra emerged from the kitchen with plates to arrange them on the table.

Seeing them, Kajal asked, "What are you kids up to? Come and join us for food."

They quickly sat in their respective seats.

Aarav exited his room and greeted the children with a friendly wave and a smile, saying, "hello," as he did so.

"Hello Uncle," they say simultaneously while he sat beside Pooja.

Anuj came out and joined, sitting down.

Aarav and the children were served by Kajal, whereas Pramitra served Anuj.

"I have to go get some food ingredients from Samar's shop," Kajal excused herself, clutching her bag tightly to her shouler as she headed towards the door.

"Come back soon!" Pramitra shouted.

Kajal disappeared from their view as she walked out of the house.

They began eating and discussing, when the door suddenly flew open with a loud bang and six masked men barged in, dressed in plain clothes.

Getting up from their chairs in the dining room, they were shocked yet unsurprised, knowing full well that it was bound to happen; it was only a matter of time. The children trailed behind Aarav, Anuj, and Pramitra, being aware of their identities.

The man who walked in was muscular build, tall, and had two frightful scars on his face. He moved slowly, carrying a long stick in his hand.

'He must be Bhola' Aarav thought to himself.

With his men trailing behind, Bhola made his way towards them. "Well, well, look who are having fun," Bhola aimed his stick at the kids, and traced it to Pramitra, then Anuj and finally Aarav.

Curiosity etched on his face, wondering who Aarav was, he scrutinized Aarav's appearance, deducing that he was from the city due to his impeccable attire.

"You have some nerve coming back here, Bhola!" Anuj spoke, his eyes flashing with anger.  "What made you think you could come back?"

Pramitra was worried about what Bhola might do to her husband, she shook her head and gave Anuj a look that urged him to remain silent and be cautious infront of Bhola.

Bhola lifted his stick and directed it towards Anuj, pressing it against his left chest where his heart was positioned. Bhola's voice, as always hoarse and terrfying, said, "That might be useful somewhere,"

"What do you want?" Aarav asked, with a straight face and raised chin, making it clear to Bhola, he wasn't intimidated.

In a threatening manner, Bhola conveyed his dominance by cautioning Aarav that he wishes for him to be nothing more than friends with Aarya, or he would kill him if he crossed the line, as she's his."You must be a friend of Beauty Cream Pie's from the city, and I hope that's where it ends because I'll be forced to hurt you otherwise, as she belongs to me; she's mine,"

Bhola asked where she was, his gaze darting everywhere except towards the people in front of him. "Where is she?"

"What is it that you want? All you have to do is let them go and leave," Aarav said. "Do you want money? I will give you anything you want,"

Bhola gave a sidelong glance to the men stationed behind him and sarcastically remarked, "oh wow, Impressive, He's a rich kid who can afford us,"

The men burst into laughter, which reverberated throughout the entire house.

"Looks like you've got another admirer, Beauty Cream Pie. But if you want him to know you're mine, you'll have to come out," Bhola announced in a somewhat hoisterous, musical voice.

After a moment of silence, Aarya walked towards them and stood resolutely in front of Bhola, wiping away any fear from her face. She had been anticipating this moment and was scared but determined not to show it. "keep him out of it, Bhola, don't involve him in this," she said.

Bhola traced her face with his stick, causing Aarav to want to approach him, but Anuj stopped him by holding his hand and shaking his head.

Aarav glared at him with pursed lips.

Anuj whispered confidently, "She's capable. She knows exactly what she's doing."

Bhola used the stick to flip her hair while wearing a dirty smirk and complimented, "You look even more beautiful and mature than the last time I saw you."

"You made a deal with me, keep them out of it, including Ariv,"

"It's true that we made a deal, and now you must repay your debt to me,"

"Say it,"

"Private," he said, but it sounded more like if he was asking for confirmation.

"No! She isn't going anywhere," Pramitra stated, as she approached them, one of Bhola's men held her.

"Release my wife," Anuj demanded the release of his wife, his fist clenched and ready to strike the man who held her captive. Two men pinned him to the ground as he knelt.

Bhola commanded his men to hold all of them up and lock the kids. "Hold all of them and lock up the children,"

Two men had Aarav in their grasp and he was struggling to break free. Aarav threatened Bhola to release Aarya or face him, causing sweat to form on his forehead.

As Bhola walked up to him, he locked eyes with him; his gaze so intense it felt like he could destroy him. "If she doesn't comply, kill the guy," Bhola ordered, his voice void of emotion.

Aarav pleaded with Aarya as she immediately cast down her eyes, when they locked eyes. "Aarya, Please...,"

Pramitra cried out, with tears in her eyes. "Bhola, do not even think about touching her,"

"For this, Bhola, you will pay," Anuj declared.

Bhola grabbed Aarya's hand and forcefully pulled her towards her room.

Bhola's upcoming actions towards Aarya in the next chapter might surprise you! 😢

I've just wrapped up my exams and it's time for some relaxation.

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