12. WHO IS HE ?

Hello guys I am here with new chapter  !💝 i always think that i will post the chapter on schedule but because of  you all seing your curiosity and you love for this novel is mean a lot for me !🥹

That's why I can't disappoint you all pr keep you all for waiting for this novels that's why I am posting 5-6 chapters in a week so that story will be in a flow so I hope you all will support more so that I will also not disappoint.

I likee to see your daily rate on chapter lot of comments on the scene or just ok a story believe me i like it even i love to see it 🥹love you guys !

Location: A High-rise Penthouse, Rome, Italy

Naksh stood by the glass window of his penthouse, overlooking the vast city of Rome. The dim lighting in the room cast sharp shadows on his face, his fingers slowly tapping against the armrest of his chair. Kaden stood beside him, awaiting instructions.

Kaden: " Sir ? What about the Vardhan that man told previously? "

Without turning, Naksh spoke, his voice calm but filled with authority.

Naksh: "The man we lost was just a pawn kaden . We need the real player—the one who holds the leash. Find him."

Kaden nodded. "Already working on it, boss. But we still don’t have a name."

Naksha smirked slightly. "We don’t need a name. We need a shadow—someone who works in the dark but trembles when dragged into the light. And when we find him, we make sure he delivers a message."

Karen raised a brow. "To Vardhan?"

Naksha turned to face him, his expression unreadable but with smirk he said  "Not directly. But he should feel it. Like a whisper before the storm."

Kaden exhaled, understanding the weight of those words. "And if the second man doesn’t talk?"

Naksha’s gaze darkened. "Then we make him talk."

A storm raged outside, the sound of raindrops hitting the glass windows echoing through the silent room. Naksh sat in his study, the dim glow of his table lamp casting sharp shadows on his face. In one hand, he held his cigar, while his other hand traced the rim of a silver lighter—a habit he had whenever deep in thought.

Kaden stood across from him, both waiting. The tension in the room was thick, the air heavy with unspoken words.

Kadenn finally broke the silence. "So, have you thought about it?"

Naksha didn’t look up. "About what?"

Kadenn exhaled sharply, stepping forward. "Jaipur .. ? Tomorrow is the heritage night "

At this, Naksh let out a dry chuckle, "Jaipur, huh?" He leaned back in his chair. "Weren’t you the one insisting I should go weeks ago? And what did I say back then?"

Kadenn clenched his jaw. "That you’ll go when the time is right."

Naksh smirked, finally raising his gaze to meet Kaden’s. "And what makes you think the time has come?"

Kaden thinked something and He placed a file on the table and said in a firm voice, “You need to see this.”

Naksh raised an eyebrow but picked up the file anyway. The first few pages were nothing new—updates on Vardhan Roy’s movements, meetings, financial dealings. But then, his fingers paused on a particular page.

A picture of a girl.Kaden’s Revelation

Naksh expression didn’t change, but the air around him did. "What is this?"

Kaden folded his arms. “Vardhan Roy is going to Jaipur as you know But that’s not the real news. The real news is—he recently met someone he went to the same college where you went with rudra sir ”

Naksh fingers tightened around the paper. He knew that face.

The girl who had dared to argue with him. The girl who had unknowingly made him laugh for the first time in years. The girl he had dismissed as just another passing moment.

"Why was Vardhan meeting her And how he know her ?" Naksh’s voice was calm, but there was a dangerous undertone.

Kaden exhaled, watching him carefully. “That’s the interesting part. We don’t know — But Vardhan didn’t just meet her randomly. It happened at a party—Ahlawat’s son’s birthday celebration.”

Naksha asked with doubtfully “Kartik Ahlawat?”

Kaden nodded. “Yes. The same guy who, apparently, has been interested in Arvika for quite some time. And guess what? He proposed to her at the party"

Kaden’s smirk faded slightly, his tone dropping. “she rejected kartik and Vardhan was there. And he punched Kartik.”

Naksha’s head tilted slightly, interest flickering in his eyes. "He punched him? Why?"

Kaden shrugged. "No one knows. The moment Kartik proposed to Arvika, Vardhan lost his temper and hit him in front of everyone."

Naksha was silent for a few seconds, the information settling in. His father wasn’t the type to react emotionally—unless there was something personal at stake.

"Vardhan doesn’t do anything without a reason," Naksh murmured, more to himself. "So why does he care about her ?"

Kaden watched him carefully. “That’s the question, boss ..I think he is interested in her that why she got suddenly scholarship for trip "

Naksha attention drawn after listening this " scholarship?"

Kaden" college is having a trip for Rajasthan which include Jaipur , udaipur also and college is charging for it but aarvika got it for free " Kaden stood and watching his boss absorb the information.

Naksh : “So, Vardhan met Arvika. And now she suddenly gets a scholarship to Jaipur?” Naksha’s voice was low, thoughtful. “That’s too much of a coincidence, don’t you think?”

Kaden smirked. “I don’t believe in coincidences, and neither do you, boss.”

Naksh leaned back, rubbing his jaw, his sharp mind piecing the puzzle together. he said with devil smirk "I know how he is how he see a girl like toy for him then suddenly her ? It's may be another game of him with no rules !"

“He’s going to meet her again,” Naksh stated, his voice sure.

Kaden nodded. “Definitely. If she’s going to Jaipur, so is he.”

He stood up, with a soft clink. His eyes were sharper now, his mind set.

“If Vardhan is interested in Arvika, then I need to be there , He won’t expect me in Jaipur.”

Kaden tilted his head. “And what’s the next step?”

Naksha’s smirk was deadly. “We let him think he’s in control… ”

Kaden’s eyes gleamed. “And Arvika?”

Naksha’s jaw clenched slightly. “She’s a part of this game now, whether she knows it or not. But she’s not my concern. Vardhan is.”

Kaden raised an eyebrow. “Then why are we tracking her?”

Naksha shot him a look. “Because Vardhan is tracking her.”

Kaden chuckled, impressed. “So, you’re using his own plan against him?”

Naksha’s smirk deepened. “Exactly. You know i do everything for a reason and on a great time ”Orders to Kaden

He turned towards his assistant. “Set everything up. I want full surveillance on Arvika’s trip"

Kaden nodded. “Consider it done.”

“Also,” Naksha continued, his tone sharp, “I want Vardhan’s movements tracked in Jaipur everything!.”

Kaden, then  placed another file on Naksh’s desk. "And see this file !this just arrived."

Naksh raised a brow but didn’t touch the file. Instead, he studied Kaden. "Explain."

Kaden flipped it open, revealing pictures and documents. "Two more men connected to the Canada accident have been found dead. One in Delhi, the other in Kanpur. Both were killed the same way—clean, no traces. Whoever is behind this isn’t just covering their tracks. They’re sending a message."

Naksh’s fingers drummed against the desk. "And where does Jaipur fit into this?"

Kaden pulled out another sheet. "One of them was last seen making a call… to someone in Jaipur. And guess what? That call was traced to a number linked to Vardhan Roy."

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Naksh’s smirk faded, his expression hardening. He slowly set his cigar down, his mind calculating.

Kadenn crossed his arms. "Still think it’s not time boss ?"

Naksh leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. His voice was calm, but his eyes held a dangerous glint.

"I think ! ...The time has come May be a lot happens now ."

He stood up, reaching for his coat. "Book the jet. We will leave for Jaipur tomorrow I'll tell you the time "

Kaden exchanged a glance, both knowing that once Naksh set his foot in Jaipur, the game was about to change forever.

( But naksh is unaware about what is going to happen with him )

Don't forget to rate the chapter click on the star which is on the left side on corner and comment your fav part of the story 🤭🙌

Location: College Campus – Late Afternoon The cool breeze brushed against Arvika’s face as she walked out of the college building, but instead of feeling refreshed, she felt restless. Her phone buzzed with a notification, and she hesitated before unlocking the screen. Her heart skipped for a second.

《"Hey gorgeous, someone’s been craving you all day… oh wait, it’s just your pizza! 🍕😍 Order now before it gets jealous!》

She stopped in her tracks, reading the notification but it was from Zomato flirty message . She was scared . Her fingers gripped the phone tighter.

Then she just just blocked that account number who was sending messages  and she smiled fakely byt she wasn't able to forget those messages she was thinking in herself. Her thoughts were spiraling when a firm yet gentle hand touched her shoulder.

Divya: "Arvika? Why are you standing here like a statue? Bus nikal jayegi." Arvika turned to see Divya, her elder sister-like friend, watching her with narrowed eyes. She asked again " what happen aarvika ? Is there something?

She firstly enter in the bus with divya then after sitting with her she hesitated for a second before handing her the phone. "Read this." And then she explain all about messages and Vardhan.

Divya took the phone and scanned the message, her face instantly losing its usual calmness. "Who sent this ?"

Arvika shook her head. "No name, no number. Just this message."

Divya’s grip on the phone tightened. "Umm is it a joke who can be this ?"

Arvika exhaled sharply. "Di how can it be a joke? How does this person even know I might go to Jaipur? I haven't confirmed anything yet! And about abhir ? Goddd what's happening i dont know "

Divya thought for a moment before speaking in a serious tone. "It’s not just about knowing. Yeh message ek warning jaisa lag raha hai… ya phir invitation."

Arvika felt a shiver run down her spine. "Invitation?"

Divya nodded. " mm.. its like someone wants to see you you in jaipur ? And Abhir ... i also cant able to understand that how he knows about him and his private things ."

Arvika swallowed, suddenly feeling exposed. "But why? I have no connections in Jaipur… at least, none that I know of .. And i was with abhir from 2 years i was not able to catch his lies but this person ?"

Divya turned to her, her tone firm. "Listen, if someone is keeping tabs on you, it’s serious. You need to be careful. Any normal just can'tdo these all "

Arvika nodded but couldn’t shake off the unease. "Yeah ! I blocked this account for now ..but Do you think this has anything to do with that accident? The one that happened that day?"

Divya sighed. "No that was just normal fight  something bigger is going on."

Arvika rubbed her temples. "I don’t even know if I’m going yet. Dad will probably say no."

Divya gave her a pointed look. "Arvika, you should go ..already you were interested about this place and luckily you have chance  And you need to find out who sent this for that you need to go on a trip ."

Arvika took a deep breath. She knew Divya was right. Whoever had sent that message… they were waiting for her in Jaipur. And she needed to find out why.

Arvika’s Home – Night

The atmosphere at the dinner table was calm, just the clinking of plates and the occasional sound of the news on TV. But inside, Arvika was anything but calm. She kept glancing at her parents, waiting for the right moment to speak.

Finally, she cleared her throat and spoke in a hesitant yet determined tone. "Mumma daddy? , I have somethingto say .. i mean to take permission..."

Her mother, who was serving dal into a bowl, gave her a questioning look. "Haan say what is it? "

Her father, as usual, was buried in his TV and didn’t even glance up .

Taking a deep breath, Arvika decided to just say it. "Woh college trip ke baare mein… college is planning a trip for Rajasthan."

That got her father’s attention. The newspaper lowered slightly. "What ? Rajasthan? No way "

Arvika quickly jumped in, hoping to sound as casual as possible. "Everyone is going. The whole college is organizing this trip. It’s an educational tour—to explore Rajasthan’s heritage and architecture. Everyone has to pay for their expenses, but I got a sponsorship, so I don’t have to pay anything. And all my friends are going, so I want to go too. I have a chance to visit "

Her mother, as expected, frowned immediately. "itna door safar… ?"

Arvika sighed, "Mumma, please! Pichli baar bhi main kahin nahi gayi thi jab poora batch ghoomne gaya tha! Iss baar bhi mana kar doge toh kabhi bhi nahi jaa paaungi. Navya, Rushali, sab ja rahe hain. Mujhe bhi jaana hai!"

Her father placed the newspaper aside. His voice was firm. "It will be not safe then "

Arvika nodded quickly. "Daddy ! Professors bhi saath honge. Itna bada college hai, unhone sab kuch manage kiya hai!"

There was a tense silence. Her mother exchanged a glance with her father. Arvika felt frustration bubbling inside her. Why did she always have to fight for the smallest things?

"Agar Aarav hota na, toh ek second bhi sochne ki zaroorat nahi padti!" The words escaped her mouth before she could stop them.

Her mother’s eyes snapped to her in shock. "Again competition with him?  he is small ?"

Arvika clenched her fists under the table, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Then to mumma! Hamesha mujhe hi sab prove karna padta hai. Aarav jo bhi bole, uski har baat seedha maan li jaati hai! Main sirf  ek trip hi jaana chahti hoon toh hazaar sawaal pucho its ok but atleast jane tho do !"

Aarav, who had been quietly eating his food, looked up in confusion. He was too young to fully understand, but then he said   "Arey Mumma Let her Go naa "

Her father let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair. He studied her face for a long moment before finally speaking. "So its free for you?How "

Arvika nodded firmly,  " yes not only for me but for top 5 participants got scholarship and my name was first , i got the chance and i wantto go now dont so know without any reason ."

Shailesh : when you have to go and for how many days

Aarvika: " its for one week only in which  we will explore the things and day after tomorrow we will leave from here "

There was another silence, but this time, it was different. Her father exhaled and nodded. "Theek hai, jao."

Her mother looked at him in surprise. "itni jaldi maan liya?"

Her father shrugged. "Agar college sab kuch organize kar raha hai, aur sab ja rahe hain, toh theek hai. And if will say no then what you think she will agree on it ? She will make face and cry for whole day ."

Arvika’s breath hitched. And excitedlyshe asked to shailesh ji "Means  permission agreed ?"

Her father sighed dramatically. "Haan, mil gayi. Par dhyan rakhna."

A slow, relieved smile spread across her lips. "Thank you,! Thank you, daddy " She rushed over and ran to her room the tension slowly melting away.

As she sat back down, she felt her phone vibrate in her lap. She glanced at the screen and froze. Another anonymous message but from another account

" |come'on aarvika pack your bag ! Don't try to even block me again I would not stop by blocking by you "

Her heart pounded. She was not tensed more that today only she blocked the text and again it came and this time it seems like it was not more than a threat for her . Her fingers tightened around the phone.

What was happening?

She had fought so hard just to go on this trip, but now… something about this message made her uneasy.

She looked up at her in mirror, and then at her parents they were  still lost in their conversation, and made a decision.

After that she started to pack bags.

Meanwhile Kartik side !

The dining hall of the Ahlawat mansion was silent, except for the clinking of cutlery against fine china. But Kartik wasn't eating. His grip on the fork was tight, his mind replaying every second of what had happened at college. Vardhan Roy. His presence, his words to Arvika—it all felt wrong.

Finally, he couldn’t hold it in anymore. Pushing his chair back with a scrape, he exhaled sharply. “Where is Vardhan Roy? Where he is living now ” His voice was calm, but his eyes burned with something else entirely.

Mr. Ahlawat, who had been sipping his soup, didn’t even look up. “He left for Jaipur.”

Kartik’s fingers twitched. “Jaipur?”

Mr. Ahlawat nodded. “Aviraaj called him. There's a Singhania Royal Heritage Night happening. He was invited. It was important something ”

Kartik stilled. His mind clicked pieces together at an alarming speed. Jaipur. Vardhan Roy. And… Arvika.

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin. And saying to himself “Arvika is also going to Jaipur. Got scholarship also ...? How ? ” His voice was low, almost thoughtful.

Mr. Ahlawat, watching him carefully, raised an eyebrow. “why did you ask ”

Kartik let out a short, humorless laugh. “Nothing dad … suddenly i got something interesting.”

Mrs. Ahlawat glanced at him. “Kartik, what are you thinking?”

He leaned back, crossing his arms. “I just realized something, Mom.” His voice was casual, but his eyes gleamed with something sharper. “This trip to Jaipur… ummm.. nothing .”

Mrs Ahlawat set his glass down. " you wants to go on a trip ?”

Kartik let out a short laugh. “It’s too much of a coincidence. Arvika’s going. Vardhan Roy’s already ?” He scoffed, shaking his head. “I don’t believe in coincidences. Because its not ! ”

Mrs. Ahlawat sighed. “Beta, don’t overthink—”

“Oh, I’m not overthinking.” Kartik pushed back from the table and stood up. “I just don’t like something "

He pulled out his phone, scrolling through his schedule, then stopped. His fingers hovered for a moment before he looked up.

“I think it’s time I take a trip too.”

His father raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly will you do there?”

Kartik smirked, shoving his phone into his pocket. “just i will also have some fun…” He trailed off, eyes darkening with determination. “Chase something  too.”

With that, he turned on ,already making plans. Trip had just become his next battlefield.

(Oh godd it not a trip ! Trip se zyada mystery ho gya hai na guys 😂👀? I also too curious now ! Like you all )

You want next chapter ? Just comment yellow heart 💛  for next chapter !!

I know whuch part you all want 👀 coming days are bringing you to that chapter

All this for today see you in next part

Follow me on wattpad and Instagram

@author._.aarnvi