2300+ words

Tumhara naam le le kar jee rahe hain hum, tumhara haath pakad ke chal rahe hain hum, agar tum saath ho toh zindagi jannat hai, nahi toh hum apne aap ko sambhal rahe hain hum.

Author's pov

When Vikram left Anshika's office, she slumped back into her chair, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on her. The images Vikram had shown her were burned into her mind, a relentless reminder of Ashwin's betrayal. She sat in silence for a few moments, the initial shock giving way to a deep, simmering anger.

"I can't keep crying over someone who was never truly mine," Anshika muttered to herself, her voice trembling with a mix of hurt and resolve. She wiped away the last of her tears, straightening her back and taking a deep breath. "I loved him, but it's clear he loves someone else now. I need to stop wasting my tears on something that isn't mine."

She stood up, her resolve hardening with each passing second. The love she had felt for Ashwin was now a painful memory, something she needed to let go of in order to move forward. Her heart ached, but she knew she couldn't let herself be consumed by sorrow. She had to be strong, for herself and for her own future.

Just then, there was a knock on her office door.

"Come in," she called, trying to steady her voice.

The door opened, and Mr. Kim, a prominent business associate known for his charisma and impeccable taste, stepped inside. He was dressed in a sharp suit, his expression friendly but professional.

"Good afternoon, Anshika," Mr. Kim greeted her warmly, his voice smooth and reassuring. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Not at all, Mr. Kim," Anshika replied, managing a polite smile. "Please, have a seat."

Mr. Kim sat down across from her, his eyes studying her face with a hint of concern. "You seem a bit stressed. Is everything alright?"

Anshika nodded quickly, not wanting to delve into her personal turmoil. "Just a lot on my plate today. What can I do for you?"

"I understand," Mr. Kim said with a sympathetic nod. "Actually, I came here to personally invite you to a grand party I'm organizing this weekend. It's going to be a spectacular event, and I'd love for you to be there."

Anshika's eyes widened in surprise. "A party?"

"Yes," Mr. Kim confirmed, his smile widening. "It's a celebration of our latest business successes and a chance for all of us to unwind and enjoy ourselves. There will be important guests from various industries, and it's a perfect opportunity for networking and building new connections."

Anshika hesitated for a moment, her mind still clouded by the recent events. "I appreciate the invitation, Mr. Kim. But with everything going on, I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend."

Mr. Kim leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Anshika, I know you're dealing with a lot, your company and your newly married life but sometimes it's important to take a break and step away from work. It can help clear your mind and give you a fresh perspective. Plus, your presence would mean a lot to everyone attending. You're a key figure in our community."

His words resonated with her, and she found herself considering the idea. Perhaps a change of environment and a chance to socialize could help her distract herself from her personal issues, at least for a little while.

"Alright," Anshika agreed, offering a genuine smile. "I'll be there. Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Kim."

"Excellent!" Mr. Kim exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. The party starts at 7 PM this Saturday at the Grand Hotel. I'll make sure to send you all the details."

"Thank you," Anshika said, feeling a small glimmer of anticipation amidst her emotional turmoil.

As Mr. Kim stood up to leave, he gave her a reassuring nod. "Take care, Anshika."

"Thank you, Mr. Kim," she replied, appreciating his kindness.

After he left, Anshika leaned back in her chair, her thoughts racing. The invitation to the party offered a temporary escape from her current situation, and she hoped it might help her regain some sense of normalcy.

As Anshika settled back into her work, her phone buzzed with a new message. She picked it up and saw that it was from Mr. Kim. The message read: "Oops, I forgot to tell you the date and time. Well, it is this evening around 7 PM. Don't get late!"

Anshika sighed, realizing she now had less time to prepare than she thought. Glancing at the clock, she noted it was already past 3 PM. She had a few hours to wrap up her work and get ready for the party.

"Alright, let's get through this," she muttered to herself, refocusing on her tasks. She powered through the remaining hours, her mind occasionally drifting back to the confrontation with Vikram and the painful images he had shown her. But she pushed those thoughts aside, determined not to let them ruin her evening.

As 5 PM approached, Anshika decided it was time to head home and prepare for the party. She gathered her things, making a mental checklist of what she needed to do. Arriving home, she quickly took a shower, hoping the warm water would help wash away some of her stress.

Stepping out of the shower, Anshika wrapped herself in a towel and stood in front of her closet, contemplating what to wear. She needed something that made her feel confident and poised. After a few moments of deliberation, she chose an elegant black dress that accentuated her figure while remaining classy and professional.

By 6:30 PM, Anshika was ready. She took a moment to look at herself in the mirror, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. "You can do this," she told herself. "It's just one evening."

Just then, her phone buzzed again with another message from Mr. Kim: "A car will be waiting outside your house at 6:45 PM to take you to the party. See you soon!"

Anshika smiled at the thoughtful gesture. She quickly gathered her things, double-checking that she had everything she needed for the evening. At exactly 6:45 PM, she stepped outside and saw a sleek black car waiting for her. The driver, a courteous man in a suit, greeted her and opened the door.

"Good evening, ma'am. Mr. Kim has arranged for your transportation," he said.

"Thank you," Anshika replied, stepping into the car. The ride to the party venue was smooth and uneventful, giving her a few moments of quiet to mentally prepare herself.

They arrived at an upscale hotel, the entrance bustling with elegantly dressed guests. Anshika stepped out of the car, took a deep breath, and walked inside. The grand ballroom was beautifully decorated, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and tables adorned with exquisite floral arrangements.

Mr. Kim spotted her from across the room and made his way over. "Anshika, so glad you could make it!" he exclaimed, shaking her hand warmly.

"Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Kim," Anshika replied with a polite smile.

"Please, call me Kim," he said. "Come, let me introduce you to some of the guests."

As they made their way through the crowd, Anshika felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. She was determined to make the most of the evening and put her personal troubles aside, at least for a few hours.

Mr. Kim led Anshika around the room, introducing her to several influential guests. She exchanged pleasantries and made small talk, all the while maintaining her poise and professionalism. Despite the turmoil inside, she managed to keep a smile on her face and engage in the conversations.

As the evening progressed, Anshika found herself actually enjoying the event. The distraction was a welcome relief from the thoughts that had been plaguing her all day. She mingled with business leaders, exchanged business cards, and even shared a few laughs.

At one point, Mr. Kim approached her with a glass of champagne. "You're doing great, Anshika," he said, handing her the drink. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Thank you, Kim. This has been a wonderful evening," she replied, accepting the glass.

"I'm glad to hear that. By the way, I wanted to discuss a potential collaboration with your company. I think we could do some amazing things together," Mr. Kim said, his tone becoming more serious.

Anshika nodded, intrigued. "I'd love to hear more about it. Why don't we find a quieter spot?"

They moved to a less crowded corner of the ballroom, where Mr. Kim outlined his ideas. Anshika listened intently, asking questions and offering insights. The conversation was engaging, and for a moment, she forgot about the pictures Vikram had shown her.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed again. She glanced at it and saw another message from Vikram: "Hope you're enjoying the party. Just remember who you're really dealing with." Attached was another picture of Ashwin, this time at what appeared to be a different location, with the same woman.

Anshika's heart sank. She excused herself from Mr. Kim, feeling a wave of anger and sadness wash over her. She needed some air. She stepped out onto the terrace, taking deep breaths to calm herself.

"Anshika, are you alright?" Mr. Kim had followed her, concern etched on his face.

"I'm fine," she lied, forcing a smile. "Just needed a moment."

Mr. Kim didn't press further, respecting her need for space. "Alright, but if you need anything, just let me know."

"Thank you, Kim. I appreciate it," she replied, grateful for his understanding.

After a few more minutes, Anshika composed herself and rejoined the party. She went through the motions, but her heart wasn't in it anymore. The pictures had shaken her resolve, and she found it hard to focus.

Anshika tried to rejoin the party, but her heart wasn't in it anymore. The pictures had shaken her resolve, and she found it hard to focus. Just as she was about to excuse herself to find some solace, a waiter approached her with a tray.

"This drink is from Mr. Kim," the waiter said, handing her a glass.

Anshika hesitated for a moment, but then decided to take it. She needed something to numb the thoughts swirling in her head. She took a sip and found the drink refreshing. Before she knew it, she had downed the entire glass. She signaled for another, and then another, trying to drown her sorrows in the alcohol.

By the time she finished her fifth glass, she was highly intoxicated. Her vision blurred, and the room started spinning. She tried to steady herself, but her legs felt like jelly. As she stumbled through the crowd, she saw a familiar face. Her heart skipped a beat, and she squinted, trying to focus.

"Ashwin!" she shouted, her voice slurred. She tried to walk towards the figure, but her steps were unsteady. When she finally reached him, she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace. "I loved you! Why?" she cried, her tears mixing with the remnants of her drink. "Why did you do that to me?"

The man she was hugging stiffened for a moment, then gently patted her back. "Anshika, it's alright. Calm down," he said, his voice soothing yet unfamiliar. It wasn't Ashwin's voice.

Anshika pulled back slightly, her drunken mind struggling to comprehend what was happening. She looked up and saw the face of Vikram, not Ashwin. Her eyes widened in confusion and shock, but her intoxicated state made it hard to react.

Vikram seized the opportunity. He tightened his hold on her, his expression a mixture of concern and satisfaction. "Let's get you out of here," he said softly, guiding her towards the exit.

Anshika nodded numbly, too drunk to resist. She let Vikram lead her out of the party and into the fresh air. Her mind was spinning, and she couldn't make sense of anything. All she knew was that she felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal and sadness.

Vikram called for his car, and within minutes, a sleek black Mercedes pulled up. He helped Anshika into the passenger seat and got in beside her. As the car started moving, Vikram glanced at her, a sly smile playing on his lips. His plan was working perfectly.

Anshika leaned her head against the window, her eyes half-closed. "Why, Ashwin?" she whispered, her voice filled with pain. She didn't notice Vikram's expression or the way he watched her with a predatory gleam in his eyes.

When they arrived at the hotel, Vikram gently helped her out of the car. He led her inside, up to a private suite. Anshika was barely aware of her surroundings. She just wanted to forget, to escape the hurt that was tearing her apart.

Once inside the suite, Vikram guided her to the couch. "You need to rest," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. Anshika nodded weakly, her eyes closing as she leaned back against the cushions.

Vikram stood up and pulled out his phone. He quickly took a few pictures of Anshika, making sure to capture her in her vulnerable state. Then he sent the photos to Ashwin, knowing it would ignite a firestorm of emotions.

As he watched Anshika drift into a troubled sleep, Vikram's smile widened.

As Anshika drifted into a troubled sleep, Vikram's smile turned into a sinister grin. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, opening the camera app. He positioned himself next to Anshika, who was sprawled out on the couch, her face flushed and her breathing uneven.

Vikram adjusted the camera to make sure both of them were in the frame. His grin widened as he pressed the record button. "Hey Ashwin," he began, his voice dripping with malice. "See your wife is here! With me." He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "And tonight, I'm going to have fun. Enjoy. I will send you the video and pictures soon. Bye."

He stopped recording and looked at the screen, pleased with his work. The expression on his face was nothing short of devilish. He knew that the video would hit Ashwin hard, shattering any remaining trust between him and Anshika.

Vikram carefully saved the video and sent it off to Ashwin, imagining the chaos it would unleash. He could almost see Ashwin's face contorting with rage and despair as he watched the footage. The thought made Vikram's grin grow even wider.

As he stood over Anshika, who was completely unaware of the darkness surrounding her, Vikram's satisfaction was palpable. This was more than just revenge for him; it was a game, and he was determined to win at any cost.