4200+ words

Ishq ki gehraiyo mein khokar, 
Dil ki baate aakho se na kahe! 
Mahobbat ka safar ye anmol hai, 
Milte hai hum,
Magar rahe alag hai

=====================================

Author's pov:

Ashwin slowly regained consciousness, groaning as a throbbing pain pulsed at the back of his head. He blinked his eyes open, struggling to focus as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was the disarray in the room. His clothes, which he had neatly hung and folded, were now scattered all over the floor. His laptop bag was upturned, its contents strewn across the carpet.

"What the hell?" Ashwin muttered to himself, pushing himself up to a sitting position. He gingerly touched the back of his head, wincing at the tenderness he felt. Memories of the meeting with Charles and the subsequent walk back to the hotel room came rushing back. He remembered the unease he felt when he saw the photo on his phone, the image of Vikram's hands on Anshika's shoulders. His anger had been palpable, and in that moment of distraction, he had been attacked.

As he surveyed the chaos around him, his anger returned, but now it was mixed with confusion and a sense of violation. Who had done this, and why? He struggled to his feet, steadying himself against the bedpost. His head spun, and he took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts.

Ashwin's phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting him back to the present. He reached for it, hoping for some clarity. It was another message from the unknown number. His heart pounded as he opened it, half-expecting another disturbing photo of Anshika. Instead, it was a taunting message:

"How does it feel, Ashwin? The tables have turned. Watch your back."He clenched his fists, feeling a surge of anger and helplessness. He needed to get to the bottom of this. Whoever was behind this attack and these messages was playing a dangerous game. He couldn't afford to be careless. Ashwin quickly scanned the room, looking for anything that might give him a clue about his assailant. There was nothing immediately obvious, just the mess they had left behind.

Determined not to be intimidated, Ashwin began to gather his scattered belongings. As he did, he replayed the events in his mind, trying to piece together any details he might have missed. His mind kept returning to the photo of Vikram and Anshika. Why was Vikram with her? What was his endgame?

Once he had his belongings back in order, Ashwin decided he needed to reach out for help. He couldn't handle this alone. He picked up his phone and dialed Yuvan's number.

"Yuvan, it's me," Ashwin said when his friend answered. "Something's happened. I need you to come to my room. Now."

"On my way," Yuvan replied, his voice filled with concern.

While waiting for Yuvan, Ashwin tried to stay calm and think strategically. He couldn't let his emotions cloud his judgment. He needed to protect Anshika and find out what Vikram's true intentions were. This wasn't just about him anymore; it was about ensuring the safety of his family.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Ashwin opened it to find Yuvan standing there, worry etched across his face.

"What happened?" Yuvan asked, stepping into the room and taking in the disarray.

"I was attacked," Ashwin explained, giving Yuvan a brief rundown of the events. "And I've been getting these messages from an unknown number. Someone's targeting me, and they might be after Anshika too."

Yuvan frowned, his expression turning serious. "We need to figure out who's behind this and why. Have you called security?"

"Not yet," Ashwin admitted. "I wanted to talk to you first."

"Alright," Yuvan said, his tone decisive. "Let's get security involved and start investigating. We can't let whoever did this get away with it."

Ashwin nodded, feeling a sense of relief that Yuvan was there to help. Together, they called hotel security and explained the situation. The security team promised to review the surveillance footage and gather any evidence that might help identify the assailant.

As the hotel staff began their investigation, Ashwin and Yuvan sat down to strategize their next steps. Ashwin showed Yuvan the messages and the photo, explaining his concerns about Vikram.

"This Vikram guy seems to be at the center of all this," Yuvan said, studying the photo closely. 

"We need to find out what he's up to and why he's targeting you and Anshika."

"I agree," Ashwin said. "But first, I need to make sure Anshika is safe. I can't let anything happen to her."

Yuvan nodded. "We'll figure this out together. You're not alone in this."

Ashwin sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. Yuvan stood nearby, his arms crossed, concern etched across his face.

"Let's not jump to conclusions just yet," Ashwin said finally, looking up at his friend. "We need to be careful about how we approach this. Rushing into things could make the situation worse."

Yuvan nodded, his expression serious. "You're right. We need to take this one step at a time. First things first, let's figure out who sent that message."

Ashwin's phone buzzed again, and he hesitated before picking it up. It was another message from the unknown number. His heart pounded as he opened it, half-expecting another disturbing photo or a threatening message. Instead, it was a video. With a mix of curiosity and dread, he played it.

The video showed a dimly lit room. In the center was a figure tied to a chair. The camera zoomed in, revealing the person's face. It was a man Ashwin didn't recognize. The man's face was bruised and bloodied, and he looked terrified. A voice off-camera spoke.

"Watch closely, Ashwin. This is what happens to those who cross me."

The video cut off abruptly, leaving Ashwin staring at his phone in shock. His mind raced. Who was this man? What had he done to deserve such a fate? And more importantly, who was behind this threat?

"Did you see that?" Ashwin asked, showing the video to Yuvan.

Yuvan watched the video, his frown deepening. "This is serious. We need to figure out who sent this and why. But first, let's get you some security. You can't stay here alone."

Ashwin nodded, realizing that Yuvan was right. He couldn't afford to take any chances. He called the hotel front desk and requested additional security for his room. The hotel staff assured him that they would send someone up immediately.

As they waited, Ashwin's thoughts drifted back to the photo of Vikram with Anshika. His emotions were a jumble of anger, jealousy, and worry. He couldn't shake the feeling that Vikram was somehow involved in all of this. But why? What was his endgame?

Finally, there was a knock on the door. Ashwin opened it to find two security guards standing there. He explained the situation to them, showing them the messages and the video. The guards assured him that they would keep a close watch on his room and report any suspicious activity.

With the security in place, Ashwin and Yuvan sat down to discuss their next steps. They needed to gather more information before they could take any action.

"Let's start by finding out more about this Vikram Mehra," Yuvan suggested. "He seems to be at the center of all this. Maybe there's something in his past that can give us a clue."

Ashwin agreed. "I'll call some contacts back in Mumbai. Maybe they can dig up something useful. In the meantime, we need to keep a low profile and stay alert."

As Ashwin made his calls, Yuvan kept watch, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. The hours passed slowly, each minute filled with tension. Ashwin's contacts promised to look into Vikram's background and get back to him as soon as possible.

Just as Ashwin was about to take a break, his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a call from an unknown number. His heart raced as he answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Ashwin," a familiar voice said. It was Vikram. "Enjoying the little surprises I've been sending you?"

Ashwin's grip tightened on the phone. "What do you want, Vikram?"

Vikram laughed, a cold, sinister sound. "I just want to remind you who you're dealing with. You took something from me, Ashwin. Now it's my turn to take something from you."

"Stay away from Anshika," Ashwin said through gritted teeth. "If you harm her, I swear—"

"You swear what?" Vikram interrupted. "You're thousands of miles away, Ashwin. What can you possibly do? But don't worry, I'm not going to hurt her. Not yet, anyway. I just want you to know that I can."

Ashwin's blood ran cold. "Leave her out of this, Vikram. This is between you and me."

"Oh, but it stopped being just between us a long time ago," Vikram replied. "Keep an eye on your phone, Ashwin. I'll be in touch."

The line went dead, and Ashwin stared at his phone, his mind racing. Vikram's words echoed in his ears, a chilling reminder of the danger that Anshika was in.

Yuvan, who had been listening in, placed a hand on Ashwin's shoulder. "We'll figure this out, Ashwin. You're not alone in this."

Ashwin nodded, grateful for his friend's support. But as he looked at the scattered clothes and the disarray in his room, he couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come. He had to 

protect Anshika, no matter what.

***

Back in Mumbai, Anshika was wrapping up her day at the office. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the city. She glanced at her watch, realizing it was time to head home. As she gathered her things, her phone rang. It was Viyaan.

"Hey, Anshi Bhabhi," Viyaan's voice came through the line. "I'm outside your office. Let's go home together."

Anshika smiled. "Sure, Viyaan. I'll be down in a minute."

She made her way to the parking lot, where Viyaan was waiting in his car. She slid into the passenger seat, and they drove off, chatting about their day.

"By the way," Viyaan said, glancing at her. "Ashwin bhai called earlier. He seemed really worried about you."

Anshika frowned. "Worried about me? Why?"

"I don't know," Viyaan replied. "He just said to keep an eye on you. Something about Vikram Mehra being around."

Anshika's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Vikram. She hadn't thought much about the lunch earlier, but now she wondered if there was more to it than she realized.

"Vikram was just being friendly," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. "We had lunch, that's all."

"Still," Viyaan said, his tone serious. "Just be careful, okay? Bhabhi"

Anshika nodded, feeling a knot of worry in her stomach. She didn't want to believe that Vikram could be a threat, but Ashwin's concern was hard to ignore.

When they arrived home, Anshika tried to shake off her unease. She greeted her family and joined them for dinner, trying to focus on the present. But Ashwin's words kept replaying in her mind.

After dinner, she decided to call Ashwin. She needed to hear his voice, to reassure herself that everything was fine. She went to her room and dialed his number.

Ashwin answered on the second ring. "Anshika?"

"Hey," she said softly. "Just wanted to check in. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Ashwin replied, his voice sounding tired but relieved. "How about you? Is everything alright there?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," she said, though she couldn't hide the worry in her voice. "Viyaan mentioned that you were worried about Vikram."

"I just want you to be careful," Ashwin said. "There's something going on, and I don't want you to get caught up in it."

Anshika nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "I will. Thanks for looking out for me."

There was a pause, and then Ashwin said, "Anshika, if anything happens, call me immediately. Promise me."

"I promise," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

They said their goodbyes, and Anshika sat on her bed, feeling a mix of emotions. She was touched by Ashwin's concern, but also worried about what might be coming.

In London, Ashwin put his phone down and stared out the window, his mind racing. He had to find a way to protect Anshika and stop Vikram once and for all. But for now, all he could do was wait and hope that the pieces of the puzzle would start to come together.

As he lay down to sleep, his thoughts kept returning to the image of Vikram's hands on Anshika's shoulders. He couldn't let that stand. Tomorrow, he would take action. For now, he needed rest, because the battle was far from over.

Ashwin lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the image of Vikram's hands on Anshika's shoulders burned into his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness. But he knew he had to be strong, for Anshika's sake and for his own peace of mind.

The next morning, Ashwin woke early, determined to find a way to deal with Vikram. He got dressed quickly and made his way to the hotel's breakfast area. As he sipped his coffee, he mulled over his options. He needed more information about Vikram's activities and connections.

Yuvan joined him shortly after, looking equally determined. "Morning," Yuvan greeted, sitting down with a plate of food. "You look like you've been up all night."

"Couldn't sleep," Ashwin admitted. "I keep thinking about Anshika and how we can stop Vikram."

Yuvan nodded, taking a bite of his toast. "We'll figure it out. I've been doing some digging of my own. Vikram Mehra has quite a history. He's been involved in some shady dealings, but nothing concrete enough to put him away."

"Typical," Ashwin muttered. "We need something more."

"Exactly," Yuvan said. "I have a contact here in London who might be able to help. He's got connections in the underworld and might have some dirt on Vikram. I'll arrange a meeting for us."

"Good," Ashwin said, feeling a glimmer of hope. "The sooner we get something on Vikram, the better."

After breakfast, they returned to their rooms to gather their things. Ashwin's phone buzzed with another message from the unknown number. He hesitated before opening it, half-expecting another threat or disturbing image. Instead, it was a text:

"Meet me at the old warehouse by the docks. Come alone. - V."

Ashwin showed the message to Yuvan, who frowned. "This could be a trap."

"Could be," Ashwin agreed. "But it might also be our chance to confront Vikram and get some answers."

"We need a plan," Yuvan said. "I'll follow you discreetly. If anything goes wrong, I'll be there to back you up."

Ashwin nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and dread. "Let's do this."

After 2 hours

They made their way to the docks, the tension between them palpable. Ashwin parked a few blocks away from the warehouse and started walking towards it, while Yuvan hung back, keeping a safe distance. The warehouse loomed ahead, a dilapidated building that looked like it hadn't been used in years.

Ashwin entered cautiously, his eyes scanning the dimly lit interior. The smell of rust and decay filled the air. He spotted a figure standing in the shadows, and his heart raced.

"Vikram?" Ashwin called out, trying to keep his voice steady.

The figure stepped forward, revealing Vikram's smug face. "Ah, Ashwin. Right on time."

"What do you want, Vikram?" Ashwin demanded, keeping his distance.

"I wanted to see the look on your face when you realize how powerless you are," Vikram said, his voice dripping with malice. "You took something from me, and now I'm going to take everything from you."

"You're not going to get away with this," Ashwin said, trying to keep his anger in check. "I'll make sure of it."

Vikram laughed. "We'll see about that. For now, just know that I have eyes on Anshika. One wrong move, and she'll pay the price."

Ashwin's blood boiled. "Leave her out of this. Your fight is with me."

"It's too late for that," Vikram said, stepping closer. "She's already involved. And there's nothing you can do to change that."

Before Ashwin could respond, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned to see Yuvan entering the warehouse, his expression tense.

"Yuvan, get out of here," Ashwin said urgently.

"No, Ashwin," Yuvan said firmly. "I'm not leaving you alone with this psycho."

Vikram smirked. "How touching. But it won't make a difference. You're both too late."Ashwin's mind raced as he tried to come up with a plan. He needed to get Vikram to slip up, to reveal something that could be used against him.

"Why are you doing this, Vikram?" Ashwin asked, trying to buy time. "What do you hope to gain?"

"Revenge," Vikram said simply. "You ruined my life, Ashwin. Now I'm going to ruin yours."

"You're pathetic," Ashwin said, trying to goad him. "Hiding behind threats and games. You're nothing but a coward."

Vikram's eyes flashed with anger. "Careful, Ashwin. You're treading on dangerous ground.""Am I?" Ashwin said, stepping closer. "Or are you just afraid that I'll expose you for the fraud you are?"

Vikram's hand twitched, and Ashwin saw his chance. He lunged forward, grabbing Vikram's arm and twisting it behind his back. Vikram cried out in pain, and Ashwin tightened his grip.

"Now," Ashwin said through gritted teeth, "you're going to tell me everything. Who are you working with? What's your plan?"

Vikram struggled, but Ashwin held him firm. "You'll never stop us, Ashwin. We're everywhere. You can't trust anyone."

"We'll see about that," Ashwin said, giving Vikram's arm another twist. "Start talking."

Vikram groaned in pain.

"Hey Ash! That's not Vikram!" Yuvan shouted from the back.

The guy in disguised laughed. "I am sure he is done with the work!."

Ashwin's pulse raced as he watched the figure in front of him. The man who had claimed to be Vikram was now on his knees, his face twisted in fear and desperation. Ashwin's mind was a whirlwind of emotions: anger, betrayal, and a cold determination to protect Anshika and dismantle this web of deceit.

"Who sent you?" Ashwin demanded, pressing the gun against the imposter's temple. His voice was ice-cold, devoid of any compassion.

The imposter, shaking and sweating profusely, stammered, "I-I don't know! They just paid me to play the part!"

Ashwin's grip tightened on the gun. "Lies. Tell me the truth, or this ends now."

"I swear!" the imposter cried, tears streaming down his face. "I was hired through an anonymous source! I never saw their faces, just received instructions and payment!"

Ashwin's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. The imposter's trembling and desperate pleas seemed genuine, but Ashwin knew better than to trust appearances. He leaned in closer, his voice a low growl. "What were your instructions?"

The man gulped, glancing nervously at the gun. "To deliver the message, to make sure you saw those photos... and to provoke you. They wanted you off balance, distracted."

Ashwin's anger flared. Someone was playing a dangerous game, using Anshika to get to him. He couldn't afford to let his emotions cloud his judgment, but the thought of Anshika being used as a pawn was infuriating.

"Who is 'they'?" Ashwin pressed, his patience wearing thin.

"I don't know!" the imposter repeated, his voice cracking. "Please, I'm just a pawn in this too!"

Ashwin's finger twitched on the trigger, but he forced himself to take a deep breath. Killing this man wouldn't get him the answers he needed. Instead, he needed to think strategically. With a swift motion, he knocked the imposter unconscious, ensuring he couldn't escape or warn anyone.

Ashwin stood up, surveying the room. Clothes were scattered everywhere, evidence of a struggle. He needed to figure out who was behind this and why they were targeting him now. His thoughts turned to Anshika. He couldn't let her be caught in the crossfire of whatever scheme was unfolding.

Quickly, Ashwin secured the imposter and searched the room for any clues. He found a burner phone with a series of cryptic messages, but nothing that immediately revealed the mastermind behind the plot. Frustrated but determined, he knew he had to be cautious and methodical.

Leaving the room, Ashwin made his way back to his own hotel suite. He needed to plan his next steps carefully. First, he had to ensure Anshika's safety. He pulled out his phone and called 

Viyaan again, praying he would pick up this time.

The phone rang a few times before Viyann answered, his voice groggy. "Ashwin bhai? What's going on?"

"Viyaan, listen to me carefully," Ashwin said urgently. "Anshika might be in danger. There's someone after me, and they could use her to get to me. Keep an eye on her and don't let her out of your sight."

Viyann, now fully alert, responded, "Got it, Ashwin bhai. I'll make sure she's safe. But what's happening? Who's after you?"

Ashwin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't have all the details yet, but someone is orchestrating this from the shadows. They sent an imposter to provoke me and used photos of Anshika to get under my skin."

"Do you think it's Vikram?" Viyann asked, his tone serious.

"I thought it was, but the man I just confronted was a fake," Ashwin replied. "We need to be careful. I have to figure out who's behind this and why."

After hanging up, Ashwin paced the room, his mind racing. He needed more information, and he needed it fast. The imposter's burner phone might hold some clues, but he would need help deciphering the messages. Yuvan, with his connections and expertise, could be invaluable in this situation.

Deciding on his next move, Ashwin called Yuvan, who answered almost immediately. "Ashwin, what's going on? I saw the imposter. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but things are more complicated than we thought," Ashwin replied. "I need your help. There's a burner phone with some messages that might lead us to whoever is behind this. Can you help me track it?"

"Of course," Yuvan said without hesitation. "Bring it over, and we'll figure this out together."Ashwin gathered the phone and headed to Yuvan's room. As he walked, he couldn't shake the image of Vikram's hands on Anshika's shoulders. The anger and jealousy surged again, but he forced himself to stay focused. He couldn't afford to let his emotions take control. This was a battle of wits, and he needed to be at the top of his game to protect the people he cared about.

When Ashwin reached Yuvan's room, his friend greeted him with a grim expression. "Let's see what we're dealing with," Yuvan said, taking the burner phone.

Together, they started going through the messages, piecing together the fragments of the puzzle. As they worked, Ashwin's determination solidified. Whoever was behind this would pay dearly. No one threatened his family and got away with it.

***

Back in Mumbai, Anshika was in her office, trying to focus on her work. But her mind kept drifting back to Vikram and the strange lunch they had shared. Something about his behavior had unsettled her, and Ashwin's warnings were echoing in her mind.

Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was a message from Ashwin. She opened it, her heart skipping a beat as she read his words.

"Anshika, I need you to be careful. Vikram is dangerous. Stay close to Viyaan and don't go anywhere alone. I'll be home soon."

She sighed, feeling a mixture of frustration and concern. She didn't want to believe that Vikram could be a threat, but she trusted Ashwin's judgment. She decided to heed his advice and stay vigilant.

As the day went on, Anshika couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Every time she looked up, she felt as if someone was observing her from a distance. It was an unsettling sensation, and she found herself constantly glancing over her shoulder.

When it was time to leave the office, she texted Viyaan, asking him to meet her at the entrance. He arrived promptly, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a look of concern.

"Hey, Anshi Bhabhi," he greeted, giving her a quick hug. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah," she said, trying to smile. "Let's get out of here."

As they drove home, Anshika couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She glanced at Viyaan, who was focused on the road.

"Do you think Ashwin's right about Vikram?" she asked hesitantly.

Viyaan sighed. "Ashwin wouldn't say something like that without a good reason. If he thinks Vikram is dangerous, then we need to be careful."

Anshika nodded, feeling a knot of worry in her stomach. She hoped that Ashwin would be able to sort everything out and come home soon. For now, she just needed to stay safe and trust that he was doing everything he could to protect her.

When they arrived home, Anshika felt a sense of relief. She greeted her family, trying to push her worries to the back of her mind. But the feeling of unease lingered, a constant reminder that danger was lurking just out of sight.

She decided to call Ashwin again before going to bed. Hearing his voice always made her feel better, and she needed that reassurance now more than ever. She dialed his number and waited, her heart pounding in her chest.

Ashwin answered after a few rings. "Hey, Anshika. Everything okay?"

"Yeah," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Just wanted to hear your voice. How are things there?"

"Complicated," Ashwin admitted. "But we're making progress. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I will," Anshika said softly. "You too, okay? Come home soon."

"I will," Ashwin said, his voice filled with determination. "I promise."

As they said their goodbyes, Anshika felt a little better. She knew that Ashwin was doing everything he could to protect her. She just needed to stay strong and trust that he would find a way to stop Vikram.

That night, as she lay in bed, Anshika couldn't help but think about the future. She and Ashwin had been through so much already, and now they were facing yet another challenge. But she knew that they could get through it together.