It's hard to believe that three month has already passed since I started college. The early wake-up calls, long lectures, and endless assignments have become my new normal, and I've found a rhythm amidst the chaos.
After many discussions and some teasing session , Abhimaan and I reached a compromise. He agreed to have the security wait a bit farther from the college, while I promised to return with them and let them accompany me if I needed to go anywhere. At first, I was angry, but I understand the importance of safety, especially in my role.
Over the past months , our relationship has evolved in unexpected ways. We've become friends, maybe couples teasing each other and lending a hand when needed. Despite his occasional grumpiness, Iâve grown fond of his company.
Maa calls regularly to check on me and jokes that she loves me more than Abhimaan. His feigned anger at her teasing always comes with a hidden smile. My father-in-law, Papa, offers encouragement about my studies and asks how I'm doing.
at college, as I walked back to my locker to grab my books, I couldn't shake the growing sense of unease that had plagued me all day. I opened my locker, hoping to find comfort in my books, but instead, I found a black box on the top shelf.
My heart raced as I opened the box and a rose tumbled out, its petals soft and velvety. But it was the letter inside that made my hands tremble. The message, scrawled in red ink, sent chills down my spine:
"You'll be Mine soon."
Fear surged through me. Who could have written this? What did they mean by "snatch me" from Abhimaan? I tried to stay calm and avoid drawing attention to myself. I quickly closed my locker and headed towards the security team waiting outside.
On the drive back to the palace, the sense of dread didn't leave me. I felt exposed and vulnerable, wondering who was behind this ominous message. I resolved to tell Abhimaan about it as soon as possible.
Once home, I locked myself in my room, struggling to process the unsettling note. The fear of being watched, even in the safety of my room, was overwhelming. I had to remain strong, but the lingering sense of vulnerability was hard to shake.
Throughout the past months, college life has brought us closer. Weâve had many moments of bonding, like when Abhimaan called me during a break at college. He was his usual teasing self, and our playful exchange brought a smile to my face just before I found the note:
"Hey, Mayura, how's your day going? Keeping up with all those assignments?"
I laughed, rolling my eyes. "Yes, Abhimaan, I'm managing. I even have time to miss your annoying calls."
He chuckled. "Annoying, huh? Iâll have to work harder to keep you entertained."
Little did I know, this conversation would be calm before the storm. As I prepared for the rest of my day, I felt a new sense of urgency to discuss the note with Abhimaan and seek his reassurance.
As I walked into the palace, an unsettling feeling gripped me. When she was early ,she usually waiting for me, eager to share her day and enjoy dinner together. But today, she was missing. I immediately sought out a servant. "Where is Mayura?"
The servant hesitated, glancing nervously. "Sir , the madam returned from college but hasn't left her room since. She locked herself in and hasn't come out."
A wave of anxiety surged through me. Mayura never missed our dinners, and her absence was a troubling sign. I quickened my pace, every step fueled by growing concern.
Arriving at her door, I felt a deep unease. I knocked gently, "Jaana, are you okay? Please open the door."
Silence greeted me. I tried the handle, but it was locked from the inside. My instincts screamed that something was wrong. "Jaana, please open the door."
The silence persisted, and I knew I had to act decisively. I signaled the guards to stand by and attempted to force the door open. My heart pounded with urgency as I prayed for Mayura to be safe.
Just as I was about to break down the door, it swung open. Mayura stood before me, her face pale and devoid of its usual vibrancy. Her eyes, usually so expressive, were dull and lifeless. My concern deepened, and I rushed to her side.
"Jaana, what happened?" I asked urgently, but she remained silent. Her gaze fell to the corner of the bed, where a black box sat ominously. She gave a slight nod, as if directing me to examine it.
With a heavy heart, I approached the box. I lifted the lid, and my blood boiled with rage. Inside lay a rose . But it was the letter that ignited my fury. Scribbled in red ink, the words leaped off the page:
"You'll be Mine soon. I will snatch you from that Abhimaan."
A growl of anger escaped me as I crumpled the letter in my fist. How dare someone threaten Mayura?
"Who did this, Jaana? Tell me, and Iâll make sure they pay," I vowed, my voice a low, menacing growl. Mayuraâs eyes flashed with fear, but she remained silent.
As I confronted her, I was caught off guard by her reaction. She burst into tears, her body shaking uncontrollably. âIâm sorry, Abhimaan. I donât know anything, I swear!â
Her desperation was palpable. Her body language spoke volumesâshe seemed to be trying to escape from an invisible terror. Without hesitation, I wrapped her in a warm embrace, holding her tightly. Initially, she resisted, her arms flailing in a desperate bid to free herself, but I refused to let go. I whispered soothingly, âShh, Jaana. Itâs okay. Iâm here. I wonât let anyone hurt you.â
As the night wore on, Mayuraâs exhaustion overtook her, and she fell into a troubled sleep, her body still trembling with residual fear. I carefully lifted her into my arms, cradling her as one would a child. I laid her on the new, luxurious bed, its plush comfort offering her a reprieve from her distress. She was so consumed by her fear that she didn't even notice the change.
Sitting beside her, I stroked her hair gently, my fingers tracing soothing patterns on her scalp. Each touch was a balm to her frayed nerves. With every stroke, I felt her tension ease, her breathing becoming more even, and her body relaxing into the mattress.
Determined to find out how the note had found its way to Mayura, I utilized the full extent of my power and resources. As the king of the underworld, my influence extended far beyond the shadows. I summoned my most trusted associates and set them to work immediately.
In a private meeting with my top lieutenants, I laid out my plan. âFind out who sent this threat,â I commanded, my voice sharp and commanding. âI want every detailâwho wrote it, how it got to Mayura, and who is behind this. Leave no stone unturned.â
My lieutenants nodded, their faces steely with determination. They understood the gravity of the situation. âConsider it done, boss ,â one of them assured me.
I turned to my network of informants and operatives. My reach extended into every corner of the city, and I used this to my advantage. I made it clear that this matter was of utmost importance, and I expected swift and thorough results.
In the meantime, I utilized my connections in law enforcement and the intelligence community. I made discreet inquiries, pulling strings to gain access to security footage and records that might provide clues.
As I waited for information, I reviewed every detail of the threat. The red ink, the specific wordingâit was all carefully considered. It wasnât just a random act of intimidation; it was a calculated move designed to unsettle Mayura and test my resolve.
The power I wielded as the king of the underworld gave me an edge. It allowed me to access resources and information that others couldnât. I was determined to use every advantage at my disposal to protect Mayura and ensure that whoever was behind this would face the consequences of their actions.
In the end, I knew that nothing would stop me from safeguarding the one person who mattered most to me. I would uncover the truth, no matter how deep I had to dig, and ensure that Mayuraâs safety was secured.