A week had passed, and it was finally the day for Naksh to return to college. Throughout the entire week, no one at home had found out that he had been suspended. The silence between him and Ahana, however, hadn't changed. 

In front of their parents, they spoke only when necessary, pretending that everything was normal, but the moment they were alone, neither of them said a word. Still, every single night, 

Ahana quietly prepared a chocolate shake for him and left it in his room before going to bed. Naksh's guilt only grew with each passing day. The more distant she became, the more he regretted the harsh words he had spoken that night. 

He wanted to apologize countless times, but every time he gathered the courage, the words got stuck in his throat. Her silent care hurt far more than any scolding could have.

That morning, Naksh stood in front of the mirror in his room, getting ready for college after an entire week. He was fixing his hair when a gentle knock echoed through the room.

"Come in," he replied absentmindedly.

The door opened, and Ahana stepped inside.

Naksh's hands froze mid-motion as he caught her reflection in the mirror. Slowly, he turned to face her. She was holding a paper bag in one hand. Without saying much, she walked over to the study table and placed it there.

"Here, Your video games" she said softly, her voice was calm. Naksh lowered his gaze, unable to meet her eyes. Shame and guilt settled heavily in his chest.

Ahana turned to leave.

"Di..."

Her footsteps stopped. She slowly turned around, raising an eyebrow as she looked at him. Naksh swallowed hard, his fingers nervously intertwining.

"I'm... sorry"

She remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"I'm sorry... for the way I spoke to you that night", his voice was barely above a whisper.

"I shouldn't have said those things. I know you were only trying to help me... and I..." He paused, guilt evident in his eyes. "I hurt you, I'm really sorry, Di".

Naksh finally looked up, hoping she would say something. Without saying a word, Ahana walked up to him. Before Naksh could say anything else, she wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug. He froze in surprise. 

"You're already forgiven," she whispered with a gentle smile. "The moment your punishment ended last night... I forgave you". She pulled back slightly and looked at him with pride in her eyes. 

"And you completed your punishment really well. I'm proud of you, Naksh" Those words shattered the guilt he had been carrying all week. His eyes instantly welled up with tears, and he hugged her even tighter, burying his face against her shoulder. 

"I'm sorry..." he sobbed, his voice breaking. "I'm really... really sorry, Di". Ahana gently caressed his hair and rubbed his back soothingly. "Shh... don't cry," she said softly. 

"You're going back to college today, so focus on your studies from now on... and stay away from those boys, okay?" Naksh nodded repeatedly. "I promise" A warm smile spread across Ahana's face as she affectionately ruffled his hair. "

That's my good boy." A faint smile finally appeared on Naksh's face after an entire week. "Now go... or you'll be late for college". 

"Bye, Di" 

"Bye" 

Picking up his bag, Naksh left the room with a much lighter heart than he had carried over the past week.

Kriti was getting ready in her room. Unlike an ordinary college day, there was excitement sparkling in her eyes because today was the Freshers' Party. Standing before the mirror, she admired her reflection in an elegant black sleeveless gown that hugged her waist before flowing gracefully to her ankles. She paired it with black heels, a delicate pendant necklace, matching earrings, and a sleek black handbag. Her long, softly curled hair cascaded over her shoulders, with a white satin bow that added a touch of elegance to her look. Giving herself one final glance in the mirror, she smiled softly.

"Perfect"

Kriti picked up her phone and called Vani. After four rings, Vani answered. "Hey, are you ready?" Kriti asked immediately. 

"Yep! I'm just curling my hair," Vani replied cheerfully. "Perfect. I'm coming over to your place, and we'll leave together". 

"Okay, come over," Vani said before ending the call.

Kriti stepped out of her room and walked into the hall, where Devika, Arvind, and Ahana were ready to leave for their respective destinations. "How do I look?" she asked with a bright smile, twirling around once. 

Devika and Arvind looked at her lovingly. "You look absolutely lovely. May no evil eye ever touch my daughter" Devika said affectionately, placing a tiny dot of kajal behind Kriti's ear. 

Arvind smiled and kissed her forehead. "My doll will always look like a doll". Kriti hugged him happily. 

Ahana smiled warmly at her younger sister. "He's right. You look beautiful, Kriti". Kriti's face lit up. "Thank you, Di"

A faint, almost dark glimmer flashed in Ahana's eyes, though no one noticed it. 

"Alright, I'm leaving now. I have to pick up Vani" Kriti said, grabbing her phone before waving goodbye. She left the mansion with the driver.

Malhotra Mansion

Vani was sitting in front of her vanity mirror while Avni carefully gave the final touch to her hair. Once she was done, Vani stood up and admired herself in the mirror with sparkling eyes. She looked stunning in a sleeveless wine-red gown with delicate straps and a pearl-trimmed neckline. 

The fitted bodice beautifully complemented her figure before flowing into a graceful ankle-length flared skirt. She paired it with matching heels, delicate earrings, a simple bracelet, and soft curls cascading over one shoulder, making her look effortlessly elegant. 

"Bhabhi!" Vani exclaimed excitedly, turning towards Avni. "Thank you! You've made me look amazing". Avni smiled affectionately. "You already looked beautiful. I only helped a little". 

Vani immediately hugged her. "No... you definitely deserve the credit".

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door before it opened, and Neil walked inside. Tall at nearly 6'2", with broad shoulders, a well-built physique, a sharp jawline, and deep chocolate-brown eyes that appeared almost black under the room's warm lighting, he carried an effortless charm that could easily make anyone turn for a second glance. 

Dressed in a perfectly tailored navy-blue three-piece suit, he looked every bit the successful businessman he was. The sternness on his face instantly melted into a warm smile the moment his eyes landed on Vani. 

"Princess," he said affectionately, "you look gorgeous." Vani's face lit up. "Thank you, Bhai!" she replied happily before pointing towards Avni. "Bhabhi got me ready". Neil's gaze shifted towards Avni. 

The moment their eyes met, she quickly lowered hers, suddenly finding the floor far more interesting. "Avni," he called gently, "could you come to our room for a minute? I can't seem to find an important file. Would you help me look for it?" Avni nodded immediately. 

"Okay" She quietly followed him out of Vani's room, and together they walked towards their bedroom.

"Which file are you looking for?" Avni asked as she stepped into the room.

"There should be a blue file with a sun symbol on the cover" Neil replied, loosening the buttons of his coat as he walked towards the table.

Avni nodded and opened the cupboard, carefully searching through the neatly arranged files. After looking for a few moments, she finally found the blue file tucked between several others. She pulled it out and turned around.

During that time, Neil hadn't taken his eyes off her. Today, she was dressed in an elegant saree instead of her usual office attire. The soft fabric draped gracefully around her, making her look effortlessly beautiful. A few loose strands of hair framed her face, and for a brief moment, he simply stood there.

"Here..." Avni said softly, extending the file towards him, her voice brought him back to reality.

"Oh... thank you," he replied, accepting the file with a small smile. She nodded politely and was about to leave when Neil spoke again.

"By the way, aaj aapne saari pehni hai office nhi jaa rahi kya", he asked, looking at her.

Avni shook her head.

"Nhi aaj hum papaji ke saath court jaa rahe hai, aaj unka case hai unhone kaha agar hum vaha jayenge to kuch cheeze sikhne ko milengi".

Neil nodded with an approving smile.

"That's good. Practical experience teaches far more than books ever can"

Avni smiled faintly.

"That's exactly what Papaji said."

For a brief moment, silence settled between them once again before voices from downstairs echoed through the house.

"Vani!" Kriti called from the living room. "Are you ready?"

Avni and Neil exchanged a quick glance before she smiled politely.

"I should go"

Neil nodded.

"Yeah... or she'll come upstairs looking for you" A small smile tugged at Avni's lips before she quietly left the room, while Neil stood there for another moment, watching the door close behind her.

Avni came downstairs to the hall, where Vani and Kriti were already ready to leave. Vikram Malhotra, Vani's father, and Kaviya Malhotra, her mother, were there as well. 

"Hi, Bhabhi! How are you?" Kriti greeted Avni warmly. 

"Hi, Kriti. I'm fine, and you are looking very beautiful today", Avni complimented her with a smile. 

"Thank you," Kriti replied happily. 

Vani picked up her bag and smiled at her parents. "Okay, we're leaving now. Bye, Mom, Dad, and Bhabhi." She waved goodbye, and Kriti did the same before the two girls stepped outside. 

They got into the car and left for college. After nearly an hour, they finally reached the college campus, as soon as they entered the college campus, they were greeted by loud music and excited chatter. 

The entire campus had been decorated for the Freshers' Party, with fairy lights, balloons, colorful ribbons, and a large banner welcoming the new students. 

Several seniors were busy making last-minute arrangements while groups of freshers stood around taking pictures and complimenting one another's outfits. 

"Wow, they really went all out this year," Kriti said, looking around in amazement. 

Vani smiled and adjusted her hair. "Of course they did. It's our first party, it has to be memorable." 

The two girls walked inside together, receiving a few curious glances from other students as they made their way towards the auditorium. 

"I'm actually nervous now," Vani admitted quietly. 

Kriti laughed and linked her arm with hers. "Relax. We're going to have fun, take lots of pictures, and embarrass ourselves on the dance floor. That's the whole point."

 Vani laughed, her nervousness easing slightly as they entered the decorated auditorium.

Akarsh arrived on time and made his way to his Department, where he settled at his desk and began organizing his things. He had barely started working when one of his colleagues approached him. 

"Akarsh, Mr. Kumar has called you to his cabin," the colleague informed him. 

Akarsh nodded and immediately got up. He walked to the department head's cabin and knocked twice before entering.

"Akarsh, come in. Have a seat," Mr. Ansh Kumar said politely, gesturing towards the chair opposite his desk. Akarsh sat down. 

"So, how was your first week at the company?" Mr. Kumar asked. 

"It was good, sir. I learned quite a few new things and got a better understanding of how the department works," Akarsh replied honestly. Mr. Kumar nodded approvingly. 

"That's good to hear. I want you to work on this file. It's related to one of our new projects. Go through it carefully, understand the details, and prepare a presentation based on it." He slid a file across the desk towards Akarsh. 

Akarsh picked it up and nodded. "Okay, sir. I'll get started on it." 

"Good. Take your time and make sure the presentation is well structured," Mr. Kumar added. 

"Yes, sir." Akarsh stood up, and left the cabin. He returned to his desk, placed the file in front of him, and immediately began going through the project details, determined to make a good impression on his first major assignment.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop of a building opposite Maheshwari Corporation, a woman stood silently, her gaze fixed on the company's name displayed prominently across the top of the building. 

The wind moved through her hair as she stared at the towering structure with an unreadable expression. Suddenly, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen before answering the call. 

"So, how is the work progressing?" the voice on the other end asked. 

A cold smile appeared on her lips. "It's going well. Very soon, all of this will be ours—from Maheshwari Corporation to their home. I'll drive every one of them onto the streets and make them suffer the same pain they once caused me." 

There was a brief silence before the other person replied, "You're on the right track. Just don't lose sight of your goal." 

"Hmm..." she murmured, her stormy blue eyes narrowing as she looked towards the top floor, where the CEO's cabin was located. 

"Arvind Maheshwari himself will come crawling to me on his knees, begging me to spare his life. And his father—the man responsible for everything will face a fate far worse than death." 

Her voice dropped into a chilling whisper. "But not yet. Everything will happen slowly... step by step. I want them to experience the fear, the helplessness, and the pain before they lose everything." 

Her eyes remained fixed on the CEO's cabin as a sinister smile curved across her lips. "This is only the beginning."

After the lunch break ended, Ahana made her way to Arvind's cabin and placed a file on his desk. 

"Dad, these are the designs for the upcoming show, and the presentation for tomorrow is ready too. Please take a look and let me know if any changes are needed," she said before adding, "Also, I'll be staying at my apartment tonight, so please look after Mom." 

There was a hopeful look in her eyes as she waited for his response. Arvind frowned slightly. 

"But why, Ahana? There isn't any urgent work right now." A thought crossed his mind, and he studied her face carefully. 

Ahana quickly composed herself. "It's nothing, Dad. I haven't been feeling quite right lately, and I thought I'd invite Rey and Tia over to my apartment. It would help pass the time." 

Arvind shook his head. "But what's the need to go there? Just invite them home. It's been a while since we've seen them too. We could all catch up." 

"But Dad..." she began, only to be interrupted. "Ahana, do as I said," he stated firmly. 

Her fingers curled into a tight fist, but she kept her expression composed and simply nodded. 

"Okay, Dad," she replied with a faint smile. Arvind's expression softened slightly. 

"That's my dear daughter." Still, a strange feeling lingered in his mind as he watched her leave. 

Ahana stepped out of the cabin, took a slow, deep breath, and headed towards her department's floor. She went straight to the break area and began making herself a cup of coffee, hoping to clear her thoughts. 

Just then, Akarsh walked in. "Oh, hi... Ahana D—" He immediately corrected himself. "Ma'am." 

Ahana smiled faintly. "Hi, Akarsh. How are you?" 

"I'm fine," he replied as he began preparing his own coffee. 

"So, anything new?" she asked, raising an eyebrow while taking a sip of hers. 

"Yeah. I've been asked to prepare a presentation for a new project today," he replied. 

"Oh, that's good," she said, leaning casually against the table. After a brief pause, she looked at him with curiosity. 

"We don't really get to talk much. Tell me something about yourself." Akarsh looked at her for a moment, slightly surprised by the question, before smiling. 

"About myself?" 

"Hmm," Ahana nodded. "Anything interesting." 

He chuckled softly. "Well... I'm not sure there's anything particularly interesting about me, but I'll try."

Ahana smiled. "Go ahead. I'm listening."

Akarsh took a sip of his coffee before leaning against the counter. "Well... I'm currently doing my internship here, and honestly, it's been a really good experience so far. Everyone has been supportive, and I'm learning something new every day." 

Ahana nodded, listening attentively. "And what about your family?" she asked.

Akarsh's expression softened. "Not much—it's just me and Armaan bhai. Mom and Dad passed away a long time ago, and bhai took care of me after that. 

He sacrificed his own dreams and future to shoulder the responsibility of raising me. Now, my only goal is to give him all the happiness he deserves one day," he said sincerely. 

Ahana smiled softly. "You love your brother very much, don't you?" 

"Yes, so much. He isn't just my brother; he's like a father to me," Akarsh replied. 

Ahana's smile deepened. "Hmm... he has a very pure heart. He knows how to stand up against what's wrong, and he cares deeply about you. He's a really good person." 

As she spoke, memories of the day she had first met Armaan and their last encounter at Rey's house briefly crossed her mind. 

Akarsh nodded before taking another sip of his coffee. "So, tell me about yourself too. Who all are there in your family? I know the basics—that you have three siblings and your mom and dad, but Naksh never mentioned what they do for a living. He never introduced me to them or invited me to your home. Is there a reason for that?" 

The question immediately made Ahana alert. Akarsh still had no idea that their family was the Maheshwari family, and she couldn't risk revealing the truth. 

She quickly composed herself and took another sip of coffee. "It's nothing special. Mom is a doctor, and Dad works in the corporate sector. As for inviting people over..." She paused briefly, carefully choosing her words.

"...Mom and Dad don't really like having guests at home." It was only a half-truth, but it was enough for now. 

Akarsh blinked before his lips formed a small "Oh..." and he nodded, accepting her explanation without questioning it further. 

Ahana silently exhaled, relieved that he hadn't asked anything else.

After finishing their coffee, Akarsh glanced at the time and realized he had been away from his desk longer than he had intended. "I should get back to work before Mr. Kumar comes looking for me," he said with a small laugh. 

Ahana smiled and nodded. "Yes, you should."

He smiled and walked towards his department, while Ahana watched him for a moment before picking up her file and heading back to the design department. 

Armaan was busy working in the café kitchen when his phone suddenly started ringing. He glanced at the screen, and the moment he saw the caller's name, his mood soured. 

He deliberately ignored the call, hoping it would stop, but when the phone continued ringing again and again, he finally let out a tired sigh and answered it. 

"Oye, haramkhor! Phone kyun nahi utha raha tha?" the person on the other end yelled the moment the call connected. 

Armaan lowered his voice and tried to remain calm. "Uncle, woh... main kaam mein busy tha." 

"Haan, pata hai kaunse kaam mein busy tha. Wahi ladkiyon wale kitchen ke kaam mein laga hoga. Aur kuch toh aata nahi hai tujhe, gawaar kahin ka," his uncle mocked viciously. 

Armaan's grip around the phone tightened, his jaw clenching as he tried to control his anger. "Aapne call kyun kiya?" he asked, his voice noticeably firmer. 

"Aur kisliye? Tere baap ne jo paise liye the, woh chahiye mujhe," his uncle replied venomously. 

Armaan closed his eyes for a moment. "Uncle, main har mahine thoda-thoda bhejta toh hoon. Paanch tareekh ko bhejta hoon, aur abhi toh do din baaki hain, bhej dunga... abhi salary bhi nahi mili hai." 

"Toh main kya karun?" his uncle snapped. "Mujhe zaroorat hai. Mujhe paise abhi chahiye." Armaan's expression hardened as he listened to him, the familiar frustration and helplessness slowly building inside him. 

He knew arguing wouldn't change anything, his uncle had never cared about his circumstances or how difficult it was for him to manage everything. 

Still, Armaan took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady. "Uncle, main samajhta hoon aapko zaroorat hai, lekin mere paas abhi itne paise nahi hain. Do din mein salary mil jayegi, uske baad main turant bhej dunga."

"Do din? Mujhe do din ka intezaar nahi karna," his uncle snapped impatiently. "Maine kaha na, mujhe paise abhi chahiye. Kahin se bhi arrange kar aur bhej." 

Armaan's jaw tightened. "Uncle, main koi extra paise nahi kama raha hoon. Jo kamata hoon, usmein ghar ka kharcha, Akarsh ki fees aur baaki zarooratein sab manage karni hoti hain. Main koshish kar raha hoon." 

His uncle scoffed. "Koshish? Tere baap ne paise liye the, aur ab tujhe chukane padenge. Mujhe tere ghar ke kharche se koi matlab nahi hai agar paise nahi bheje toh is baar dekh lena." 

Armaan's fingers tightened around the phone. "Dhamki dene ki zaroorat nahi hai, Uncle, maine kabhi paise dene se mana nahi kiya bas do din ka waqt maang raha hoon." 

"Mujhe waqt nahi chahiye, mujhe paise chahiye shaam tak," his uncle spat before abruptly ending the call. 

Armaan stared at the phone for a few seconds, anger and helplessness battling inside him. He slowly lowered it and let out a long breath, rubbing his forehead. 

"Har baar yahi..." he muttered under his breath. He knew he couldn't let Akarsh or anyone else see him worried, so he quickly composed himself, slipped the phone back into his pocket, and returned to work. 

But no matter how hard he tried to focus on the work in front of him, his uncle's words kept echoing in his mind.

He was still lost in his thoughts when the oven timer suddenly went off, pulling him back to reality. 

Without thinking, Armaan walked over to the oven, opened it, and reached inside for the hot baking tray without putting on his gloves. 

The moment his bare hand touched the scorching metal, a sharp burn shot through his palm. "Ahh!" he yelped, instantly dropping the tray onto the floor with a loud clang. 

The noise startled everyone nearby, and Rivaansh rushed into the kitchen, his eyes widening when he saw Armaan clutching his hand. 

"Armaan!" he exclaimed, hurrying towards him. He immediately grabbed Armaan's wrist and pulled him towards the sink, turning on the cold-water tap before carefully placing his injured hand underneath it. 

"Are you crazy? What were you thinking? How could you forget to wear your gloves?" Rivaansh scolded, his voice filled with worry. 

Armaan winced as the cold water ran over his burning palm. "I... I just wasn't paying attention," he muttered, still distracted by everything that had happened during the call. 

Rivaansh looked at him suspiciously. "You weren't paying attention? You've been working in this kitchen for years, Armaan. You never make mistakes like this." Armaan avoided his gaze. 

"I'm fine, yaar. It's just a small burn." 

"Small burn?" Rivaansh repeated incredulously. "You dropped a whole tray because you couldn't even feel how hot it was?" He shook his head and continued holding Armaan's hand under the water. 

"Something's clearly bothering you. What happened?" 

Armaan remained silent for a moment before forcing a faint smile. "Nothing... I'm just tired." 

Rivaansh studied his face but didn't look convinced. He knew Armaan well enough to recognize when he was hiding something.

Rivaansh could tell that something was bothering Armaan, but he didn't force him to talk. Instead, he simply stayed beside him until the burning sensation had eased a little. 

After a while, he guided Armaan out of the kitchen and towards the counter, making him sit on one of the chairs. 

"You stay here," he said firmly before walking away to grab the first-aid box. A moment later, he returned and sat beside him, carefully examining his hand before applying some ointment to the burn. 

Armaan hissed softly at the sudden coolness of the ointment, and Rivaansh's face immediately filled with concern. 

"Does it hurt a lot?" he asked worriedly. Armaan shook his head. "I'm fine." Rivaansh didn't argue, he simply continued treating the burn, gently wrapping a bandage around his hand once he was done. 

He then looked at Armaan sternly. "Ab tu bas yahi baitha rahio aur uthne ya kitchen mei vapas jaane ke baare mei sochio bhi mat, samjha" he warned. 

Armaan gave him a small nod, knowing there was no point arguing with him when he was in this protective mood.

Ahana arrived at the café in the evening and greeted Armaan and Rivaansh with a cheerful wave. "Hi!" she said, and both men waved back with a smile. 

As she approached the counter, she glanced around the café. "I wanted some pastries," she said. 

Rivaansh shook his head. "There are no pastries today."

Ahana furrowed her brows in confusion. "Why?" she asked. 

Rivaansh glanced at Armaan before replying, "Well... Armaan burned his hand today, so he couldn't make any." 

Ahana's expression immediately changed to concern as she turned towards Armaan. "Oh... are you okay, Armaan?" she asked softly. 

Armaan gave her a small nod. "Yup, I'm fine. It's nothing serious." Ahana's gaze fell to the bandage wrapped around his hand, and her brows knitted together. "It doesn't look like nothing." 

Armaan glanced at his injured hand before shrugging lightly. "I'll be fine. It's just a small burn." 

Rivaansh rolled his eyes. "That's exactly what he said to me too, and then I had to practically drag him out of the kitchen." 

Ahana looked at Armaan with concerned expression. "You really should be more careful." Armaan nodded obediently. "I will."

They were still talking when the café door suddenly opened, and two burly bodyguards stepped inside. 

The moment Ahana spotted them, her entire expression changed. She stiffened, her eyes narrowing as the men approached her. 

"Ma'am, Sir has summoned you. Please come with us," one of them said politely. 

Ahana clenched her jaw. "I already refused, and I'm not going to meet him." 

The guard remained patient. "Ma'am, please... don't force us to use coercion." 

Rivaansh immediately looked between them and Ahana. "Who are they, Ahana?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. Armaan also looked worried as he noticed the intimidating men standing around her. 

Ahana forced a calm expression. "It's nothing, Rivaansh. I'll go." She took a step forward, but before she could move any further, the second bodyguard grabbed her wrist. 

"Ma'am, Sir will be angry if you don't come with us." Ahana's eyes flashed with anger as she looked down at his hand. 

"And if you don't let go of my hand right now, I'll break it and hand it back to you." Her sharp warning made him immediately release her wrist, but he still stepped in front of her, blocking her way. "Get out of my way," she ordered coldly.

By then, several people inside the café had turned towards them, watching the confrontation with uneasy expressions, while a few customers quietly left after sensing the heated atmosphere. 

Armaan stepped forward, his expression turning serious. "Hey, man, you can't threaten someone like this. Leave her alone, or I'll call the police." He gestured towards Rivaansh, who immediately pulled out his phone. 

The first bodyguard scoffed. "It's no use. The police wouldn't even dare touch our Sir." The second guard tried once again to remain respectful. "Ma'am, please come along with us." 

Ahana rubbed her forehead with two fingers, her patience rapidly disappearing. Her blood was boiling, but after a long breath, she finally said, "Fine." 

Both guards visibly relaxed, thinking she had finally agreed to leave peacefully. But then a dangerous smirk appeared on Ahana's lips. "Then fight me. And if you manage to survive in one piece, you can take me with you." 

The two men exchanged an uneasy glance. "Ma'am, please don't do this. We can't even lay a hand on you, let alone fight you. Please just agree, otherwise Sir will fire us." 

Ahana's expression hardened. "Toh tumhare liye kya main khud us dard ke samandar mein kud jaaun, huh? Dafa ho jao!" she snapped, her voice echoing through the café. 

Even after everything that had happened, the two bodyguards still refused to move aside. Ahana's patience finally snapped. 

Without another warning, she stepped forward and punched the man standing in her way. The café fell silent as the confrontation escalated. 

The guards tried to restrain her without actually hurting her, but Ahana was furious, and within moments, she had managed to take both of them down. One lay on the floor clutching his side while the other groaned in pain, unable to get back up.

Armaan and Rivaansh stood frozen, completely stunned. They had seen the video of Ahana's confrontation at the hospital, but witnessing her actually strike someone in front of them was an entirely different experience. 

Neither of them had ever imagined the calm, composed woman they knew could become so fierce. Before either of them could say anything, the café door opened once again. 

An elderly man entered, accompanied by several bodyguards. His presence immediately changed the atmosphere. Without saying a word, his men moved through the café, quietly ushering the remaining customers outside until the place was completely empty. 

But Ahana, Armaan, and Rivaansh were so caught up in the confrontation that none of them noticed what was happening around them.

The elderly man's eyes remained fixed on Ahana, burning with anger. He walked towards her while she stood with her back turned to him, still glaring at the two injured bodyguards. 

Akarsh was heading straight to the café from the office when he noticed several unfamiliar cars parked outside. He slowed down, his brows furrowing in confusion as he approached the entrance. 

Before he could step inside, he heard a familiar voice behind him. "Hey, buddy." Akarsh turned around and found Naksh standing there, with Kriti right behind him. She was still wearing the same dress from the college fresher's party. 

For a moment, Akarsh simply stared at her. Her hair swayed gently in the evening breeze, and although her makeup was slightly smudged after the long day, it did nothing to diminish her beauty. 

Sensing his gaze, Kriti looked towards him, and the moment their eyes met, they both seemed to lose themselves in the other's gaze. A faint blush crept across Kriti's cheeks under his stare. 

"Hey, where are you lost?" Naksh asked, snapping Akarsh out of his thoughts. Akarsh immediately looked away, visibly flustered. 

Naksh raised an eyebrow. "Why has your face turned red?" 

"It's nothing," Akarsh replied quickly, clearing his throat. "Come on, let's go inside." Kriti glanced towards the cars parked outside. 

"Whose cars are these?" she asked curiously. 

Akarsh shrugged. "I don't know." 

Naksh looked at them for another moment. "I feel like I've seen these cars before somewhere." 

None of them thought much of it, however, and the three of them walked towards the entrance. But the moment they pushed the café door open, a loud, sound echoed through the room.

SMACK!

A hard slap landed across her face, turning her head sharply to the side. The force was enough to leave the corner of her lips bleeding.

Armaan and Rivaansh gasped in horror.

"Ahana!" Armaan instinctively stepped forward, his expression filled with shock and anger, while Rivaansh immediately moved beside him.

Ahana remained still for a moment, her hand slowly rising to the corner of her mouth. Her fingertips came away stained with blood. She stared at the red smear for a few seconds before slowly lifting her eyes towards the man standing before her.

The anger in her eyes was no longer hidden.

"How dare you raise a hand against her?" Armaan gritted through his teeth, his anger evident as he stepped forward. 

The elderly man narrowed his eyes at him, his expression filled with disgust. "Oh, so you have a lover now too, huh?" he sneered, looking at Armaan as though the very thought offended him. 

Before Armaan could respond, an angry voice rang out from the entrance. "Please be quiet, Dadu."

Everyone turned towards the doorway.

Naksh, Kriti, and Akarsh stood there, and the moment Armaan and Rivaansh saw Naksh's reaction, their confusion only deepened. 

The elderly man was none other than Rajendra Maheshwari, the patriarch of the Maheshwari family.

The moment Rajendra's eyes fell on Naksh, the anger in his expression softened. "Naksh, son... what are you doing here?" he asked gently. 

That sudden change did not escape Ahana's notice. Her fingers curled into a tight fist, and an old pang of hurt twisted through her chest. Even now, the difference in his treatment was impossible to ignore.

Naksh stepped further inside, his expression hard. "Why did you raise your hand against Di? And what nonsense were you saying about Armaan bhai and Di just now?" he demanded.

Rajendra's face hardened again as he glanced towards Ahana. "This girl has become very mannerless. I was merely teaching her some manners."

Kriti immediately rushed towards Ahana. "Di, are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling with concern as she saw Ahana's reddened cheek and the blood at the corner of her lips. Tears welled up in her eyes. 

Turning towards Rajendra, she said angrily, "Dadu, you shouldn't behave like this with Di!"

"Kriti, you're still young. You wouldn't understand. Stay out of this matter," Rajendra replied firmly, though the softness returned to his eyes as he looked at her.

A dry, humorless chuckle escaped Ahana's lips.

Everyone turned towards her.

"Wow..." she murmured, a sarcastic smile appearing on her face. "Isn't that something, Sir? So much love for your grandson and granddaughter... but a direct strike at me. Wow."

"Di..." Naksh began, taking a step towards her.

Ahana immediately raised her hand. "Stay right there. Don't take even a single step towards me, Naksh." Her voice was cold, her eyes filled with hurt. "Otherwise, who knows? Your grandfather might accuse me of turning his beloved grandson against him. So just stay away from me."

Naksh froze.

Ahana's gaze slowly shifted towards Rajendra, her voice trembling with restrained emotion. "And tell me today... why do you hate me so much, huh?"

Rajendra's stayed silent his expression remained hard, but there was something else hidden beneath his anger—something only Ahana could understand.

Armaan's eyes remained fixed on Ahana, his heart aching at the sight of her bleeding lip and the pain reflected in her eyes. Just moments ago, he had seen her as the strong, fearless woman who could take down two men without hesitation.

But now... For the first time, he saw the brokenness behind that strength.

Ahana didn't say another word after that, she simply turned around and walked out of the café, her face expressionless despite the pain burning across her cheek and the blood still staining the corner of her lips. Naksh and Kriti immediately followed her.

"Di, wait!" Naksh called desperately.

But Ahana didn't stop.

She reached her car, opened the door, and got inside before anyone could catch up with her. The engine roared to life, and within seconds, she sped away from the café.

"Di..." Naksh and Kriti cried out helplessly, watching the car disappear down the road.

For a few moments, no one spoke.

Akarsh stood frozen, trying to process everything he had just witnessed—the elderly man, the bodyguards.

Finally, he turned towards Naksh.

"Naksh... what is all this?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion. "And inside... your grandfather and so many bodyguards..." He swallowed hard. "Who exactly are you? Which family do you belong to?"

Naksh's heart sank.

He had always known this truth would eventually come out. He had wanted to tell Akarsh himself, properly, when the right moment came. But he had never imagined that Akarsh would discover it like this.

He looked at Akarsh with helpless, guilt-filled eyes.

"I..." His voice caught in his throat.

Akarsh waited silently. Naksh lowered his gaze before finally looking back at him.

"I'm... Naksh Maheshwari," he whispered.

For a few moments, Armaan, Rivaansh, and Akarsh simply stood there in stunned silence, staring at Naksh as though they couldn't believe what they had just heard. Their eyes widened, and none of them seemed able to process the revelation.

"Maheshwari...?" Akarsh finally repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "You mean... the Maheshwaris?"

Naksh lowered his eyes, unable to meet his friend's gaze. He gave a small, guilty nod.

Akarsh's expression immediately hardened with hurt. "How could you hide something this huge from me?" he accused, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"I wanted to tell you, but my family forbade me from sharing it with any outsider," Naksh tried to explain, his voice low and apologetic. 

"Seriously? An outsider?" Akarsh shot back, his voice rising. "For God's sake, Naksh, we've been best friends for two years! You know everything about me—even about my brother—and yet you kept something this big from me. How could you do this?" His eyes were filled with hurt rather than anger now. 

He had never imagined that the friend he had spent the last two years with, the one with whom he had shared countless conversations and memories, had been hiding such a massive part of his life from him. 

And the realization that Naksh's father owned the very company where he was currently interning only made everything feel even more complicated. 

Naksh stepped forward and gently reached for his arm, but Akarsh immediately stepped back. The movement made Naksh freeze, a painful pang tightening his chest. 

For the first time in his life, he had found a friend who treated him like an ordinary person, someone who had never cared about his money. Yet now, because of his own silence, he feared he was about to lose the very friendship he had treasured so deeply. 

Armaan and Rivaansh exchanged a worried glance, watching the two friends stand in front of each other, both hurt in completely different ways.

"Naksh, let's go home." Rajendra's voice boomed from behind them, cutting through the tense silence.

Naksh closed his eyes for a moment, trying to control the emotions building inside him. He turned around and looked at his grandfather. "Dadu, please... not now. I have to find Didi," he said, his voice strained but controlled.

Rajendra's expression hardened. "Where she'll go, she must have gone home. Now let's go."

Naksh clenched his fists. Every instinct inside him told him to refuse, to get into his car and search for Ahana himself, but the firm look in his grandfather's eyes made him hesitate. He knew arguing with Rajendra in front of everyone would only make things worse.

He slowly turned back towards Akarsh.

"I'm sorry... please," he said quietly, his eyes filled with guilt. "We'll talk tomorrow. I promise."

Akarsh didn't respond immediately. He simply looked at Naksh, still hurt, before slowly turning his gaze away.

Naksh swallowed the lump in his throat and reluctantly followed Rajendra towards the waiting car, but his mind remained with Ahana. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

And he desperately needed to find his sister.