31. A PAWN OF THE GAME

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Darkness. That was the first thing Aarvika felt when she slowly regained consciousness. A dull ache throbbed at the back of her head, making it difficult to think straight. Her body felt heavy, her wrists bound together, rough ropes biting into her skin.

A muffled groan beside her made her snap her eyes open. Vaishali.

"Vaishali!" Aarvika's voice came out hoarse, her throat dry as if she had swallowed dust. She turned her head, trying to make sense of their surroundings.

It was dimly lit, a single flickering bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting shadows around them. They were in a warehouse-cold, abandoned, the kind of place people were taken to disappear.

Vaishali stirred weakly, her face pale with fear. "Didi... what's happening? Where are we?"

Aarvika tried to move, but the ropes held tight. She struggled against them, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. Think, Aarvika. Think!

"We were walking... that car... someone took us," she whispered, the memory rushing back. The strange feeling of being watched. The car. The masked figures who had grabbed them before they could even scream.

Vaishali whimpered, tears welling in her eyes. "Who... who can do this?"

Aarvika clenched her jaw. Who indeed?

Her mind raced through possibilities. Kartik? No-he was furious with her but not like this. Vardhan? He had no reason to do something so crude when he had already won.

Then-her breath hitched.

Could it be... someone else but who?

A slow creak echoed through the space as a door opened at the far end of the warehouse. Heavy footsteps approached. Measured. Unhurried. Almost... deliberate.

Aarvika's heart pounded against her ribs. She forced herself to lift her chin, her gaze sharp even as fear coiled in her stomach.

And then-she saw them.

Two figures stepped into the dim light. Both of them were wearing a mask .

But the second man-he was different it was looking like he was a leader.

Dressed in white shirt and his hair were messy his face entirely covered, he carried an air of authority, a silent dominance that sent chills down her spine. His posture was calm, but there was something dangerous about the way he stood.

Who was he?

Aarvika swallowed hard as the main masked man stepped forward. His head tilted slightly, his piercing eyes locked onto her.

Aarvika's breath came in short, panicked bursts as the dimly lit warehouse pressed around her. The ropes around her wrists burned into her skin, her muscles aching from the struggle. The air was thick with the metallic scent of rust and something darker-something suffocating.

Vaishali's soft sobs beside her made her heart clench. The girl was shaking uncontrollably, her body curled in on itself.

"Didi..." Vaishali's voice trembled. "Who are these people? Why are they doing this i want to go home ?"

Aarvika swallowed hard, her mind racing for answers she didn't have. The masked man standing before them didn't move, his posture unnervingly composed. Another man stood beside him-his sharp eyes watching them both closely.

Aarvika's gaze flickered between the two. One playing the ghost, the other a messenger.

"Let us go," Aarvika hissed, masking her fear with anger. " there is no benefit- paise nhi denge humare gharwale humare liye tho koi fayda nhi hai "

The second man -chuckled darkly, exchanging a glance with the masked one. "Kya isse hum paise chor lag rahe hai boss ?," he said in confusion to mask man

Mask man given dark gaze to him to make him silent

Aarvika's stomach twisted."fir kya chahiye ?" she demanded.

The masked man finally moved. He took slow, measured steps toward her, his boots clicking ominously against the cold concrete. Aarvika tensed as he crouched to her level, his head tilting slightly.

Even though she couldn't see his face, but her teary eyes met with his eyes she could feel his brown eyes

his voice was deep, low, and controlled. "How does it feel to have your entire life handed to you?"

She stiffened. "What?"

"Fifty percent shares of AS Corporation," he murmured, pulling something from his pocket. A phone. He turned it toward her, the glowing screen displaying a news article.

Aarvika's blood ran cold. Her breath caught. How did they have this? How did they know? Aarvika glared at him, ignoring the way her pulse pounded in her ears. "I didn't ask for this and i have nothing to do with it "

"But you have it now." His voice dropped lower. "And that makes why you are here you are a pawn of the game now ."

Aarvika's heart slammed against her ribs. A pawn ?

Vaishali whimpered beside her. "Please... please let us go," she begged. "We didn't do anything!"

The masked man ignored her, his attention fixed on Aarvika. "Tell me," he continued, his voice almost taunting now. "Are you ready for what comes next?"

Aarvika clenched her jaw. "I don't even know what this is about."

He let out a low chuckle. "You will."

The masked man remained silent. But then, with an air of quiet authority, he gave an order. To second man

"Take out the gun " he done it

Aarvika's breath caught. Vaishali stiffened beside her, her entire body going rigid.

Second one smirked, pulling out a sleek black gun from his waistband. He spun it in his hand lazily before gripping it firmly.

And then-he pulled out the gun.

The sharp click of the safety being turned off sent a shiver down her spine.

Vaishali screamed, her body jerking back. "No! No, please!"

Aarvika's entire body went rigid as the second masked man pointed the gun-not at her, but at Vaishali.

Cold terror washed over her.

"STOP!" Aarvika shouted, struggling harder against her restraints. "Leave her out of this!"

The masked man's voice remained calm. Too calm. "I don't think you understand,. You're the one who brought her into this. Gehu ke saath ghunn bhi tho pista hai "

And then-before she could react-man cocked the gun and pointed it again directly at Aarvika.

Vaishali let out a terrified scream and threw herself in front of Aarvika.

"NO! Don't do this! Please shoot me not her !" Vaishali sobbed, shielding Aarvika with her body.

Aarvika froze, her chest tightening with panic. "Vaishali, no move fom here "

Vaishali clung to her tightly, shaking her head violently. "I won't let them hurt you!"

Masked man raised an eyebrow. "Loyal ? Both are so curious about each other life's no ?" The man sighed, his voice eerily calm. "Step aside."

Vaishali shook her head. "Never!"

The masked man's patience seemed to run thin. He reached forward, grabbing Vaishali's arm roughly and ripping her away from Aarvika. She shrieked, struggling in his grasp.

"Stop! Please don't hurt her pleaseee ! ... " Aarvika cried, her voice raw.

Vaishali fought, but the masked man's grip was ironclad. He pulled her up roughly, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "You're testing my patience."

Aarvika's chest heaved, her nails digging into her palms. Her mind was racing. What did he want? What was the price to get out of this?

"Fine!" she snapped. "Whatever you want I will do it ! Just don't hurt her!"

The masked man tilted his head, as if considering her words. Then, slowly, he lowered the gun.

Aarvika sucked in a sharp breath. Relief was short-lived.

He leaned in, voice dangerously soft. "You will do anything for her life ?"

She nodded frantically. "Yes. I'll do whatever it takes."

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Silence. A long, stretched moment of nothingness.

Then, his next words shattered everything. "Then marry me."

Aarvika's breath caught.

She blinked, sure she had misheard him. "What...?"

His voice was unwavering. "You heard me."

Aarvika's hands curled into fists. " are You insane."

The masked man chuckled. "That's what everyone say."

She turned to second man desperation. "Who is he? What kind of sick joke is this?"

Man smirked, his arms crossed. "Not a joke ."

Aarvika turned back to the masked man, fury blazing in her eyes. "Why? Why would I marry a man I don't even know?"

He exhaled sharply, as if amused by her defiance. "Because if you don't..."

He lifted the gun again-this time, pressing it directly against Vaishali's head.

"She dies or ... any of your loved ones ."

Aarvika's world spun. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

Vaishali choked on a sob. "No... didi , don't- you cant ruin your life again ! "

Aarvika's voice came out in a whisper. "You wouldn't."

"Wouldn't I?" he challenged, his finger brushing the trigger. "You have three seconds to decide."

Her entire body shook. This couldn't be happening. This wasn't real.

"One."

Vaishali was sobbing.

"Two."

Aarvika's throat tightened.

"THREE."

"STOP!" Aarvika screamed.

Her entire body trembled as she looked at Vaishali's terrified face.

"I'll do it!" Aarvika choked out. "I'll will do it ! Just leave her! Please ! "

Silence.

The masked man finally let go of Vaishali, letting her slump onto the ground in shock.

Aarvika's chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. She had no choice.

The masked man stepped closer, crouching before her, his voice a whisper of triumph.

"Good girl."

Aarvika's breath came in sharp gasps as the masked man finally stepped back, his intense gaze never leaving hers. The moment felt stretched, suffocating, as if the air itself had thickened with tension.

Then, his voice, low and commanding, shattered the silence.

"take this girl home."

The order was simple, but it felt like a death sentence to both the girls.

Aarvika's eyes widened in shock. No.

Vaishali shook her head violently, clutching Aarvika's wrist as if letting go meant losing her forever. "No! I won't leave her alone here !"

Second man sighed, stepping forward. "It's not a choice, darling. Move."

Vaishali glared at him, her tear-filled eyes burning with defiance. "You think I'll just walk away while you take her? Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

Second man smirked, but there was something almost hesitant in his stance. "I do. And believe me, it's better for you if you just listen."

Aarvika tightened her grip on Vaishali's hand. "I'm not letting her go. If you think I'll trust you, you're mistaken."

The masked man exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. "This is not about trust, it's about survival."

His words sent a shiver down Aarvika's spine, but she refused to let fear control her.

Vaishali's grip on her only tightened. "I won't leave her! What if something happens? What if-"

She gasped as second man suddenly pulled out his gun and pressed it against her shoulder-not to shoot, but to make her feel the cold metal.

Aarvika's breath hitched. "Don't touch her!"

Masked man , unfazed, leaned in slightly. "You will go home otherwise she will die with you . And remember You will not tell anyone what happened here. And if you do..." His smirk disappeared, replaced by something far more dangerous. "Let's just say-there won't be a next time."

Vaishali's lips trembled. Fear clawed at her chest.

The masked man turned his attention back to Aarvika. "You said you'd do anything to keep her safe. Prove it."

Aarvika swallowed her fear and nodded stiffly. "Fine. Take her away. Vaishu please..go! "

Vaishali gasped, horrified. "didi-No! I won't leave you with them!"

Second man grabbed Vaishali's arm, but she thrashed wildly. "Let me go! Aarvika, don't let them-"

"Vaishali, please!" Aarvika's voice cracked. "Just go... please."

Tears streamed down Vaishali's face as she reluctantly let second man drag her toward the car. She looked over her shoulder, trying to memorize Aarvika's face, burning it into her mind as if this was the last time she'd see her.

The masked man stood there, unmoving, watching everything unfold without a single word.

The car door slammed shut.

Aarvika felt her knees weaken as she saw Vaishali being taken away.

Vaishali, inside the car, tried to fight the panic bubbling inside her. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't stop shaking.

Second man sat beside her in the driver's seat, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. "You need to calm down."

Vaishali turned her head sharply toward him, her eyes blazing with hatred. "Calm down? Are you insane? You just kidnapped my sister !"

Man exhaled, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel. "It's not as bad as you think."

Vaishali let out a bitter laugh. "Not as bad? She's been taken by a masked psycho, and you expect me to sit here quietly?"

Man didn't reply. For a moment, there was only the sound of the tires rolling over the road.

Vaishali wiped her tears roughly, her body trembling with silent sobs.

Man sighed. "Look, I get it. You're scared, angry-"

"I hate you," Vaishali whispered, her voice dripping with venom.

Man turned his head slightly, watching her from the corner of his eye. "You don't even know me."

"I don't need to," she snapped. "Anyone who stands by and lets this happen is a monster."

Man didn't argue. He just drove in silence.

But deep down, something twisted in his chest.

And he didn't like it.

The heavy silence in the dimly lit room was suffocating. The car carrying Vaishali was long gone, her cries now just an echo in Aarvika's mind. She stood still, her wrists aching from the ropes that had held her earlier, her body tense, waiting for whatever was to come next.

The masked man-her captor-stood a few feet away, unmoving. His presence alone sent a chill down her spine.

Finally, she found her voice, her tone laced with cold defiance. "Why you are doing this ?"

He chuckled darkly, taking slow steps toward her. "Now you ask?"

Aarvika's fingers curled into fists. "You're forcing me into a marriage. You won't even show me your face. What kind of twisted game is this?"

He stopped mere inches away, towering over her. "It's not a game." His voice was dangerously calm. "This is revenge."

Her breath caught in her throat. "Revenge?"

He tilted his head, as if amused by her confusion. "Yes. And you... will be useful to me."

Aarvika took a step back, but he didn't let her create distance. He closed the gap effortlessly.

"You think you can control me?" she spat. "You are forcing me at gun point -." she said with her tear drops " you are worse than a monster you are a beast ! Tumse shadi karne se acha mai mar jau "

His fingers traced the edge of his mask before he let out a slow, humorless laugh. "Oh, Aarvika. If you will die then there will be no fun ! You have to olay my role and you have no choice " His voice dropped lower.

Her stomach twisted at his words. "What do you mean?"

He leaned in slightly, his presence overwhelming. "You will follow my rules and instruction . You will stand beside me. And in return, you will be called my wife you will get my surname ."

She clenched her jaw, trying to keep her fear from showing. "and if i don't follow your rule ?"

His gaze darkened. "Then there will be Consequences like Vaishali's safety might just... slip from my hands."

Aarvika's heart slammed against her ribs. He was using her worst fear against her.

"You're a monster," she whispered.

He didn't flinch. "And you're my leverage."

She swallowed hard, hatred burning in her veins. "And this marriage?"

His lips curled beneath the mask. "It will be legally contracted But it will be on my terms."

Aarvika stared at him, her body shaking with a mix of rage and helplessness.

He had already taken her choices away.

And now, he was about to take her name, too.

Her voice was barely above a whisper. "You're forcing me into this... all for revenge?"

The masked man remained silent for a moment, as if considering how much he wanted to reveal. Then, he spoke, his tone unwavering. "yes You're not the one I want. You're just the weapon I need."

He exhaled, almost as if he found her naivety amusing. "You'll understand soon enough "

She felt her resolve breaking piece by piece. Every path led to destruction-either hers or the people she loved.

She bit the inside of her cheek, forcing back tears of frustration. "What do you want me to do?"

His lips curled beneath the mask. "First, we get married after that i will explain you everything."

Aarvika's head snapped up, panic flashing in her eyes. She taunted "you are goingto marry me atleast show your face i want to see from which bastardi am going to marry ?"

He chuckled darkly. "Trust me Camellia! You will not regret after seing me "

Her mind raced. There had to be a way out, a loophole, something. But she saw no escape. Her silence was enough of an answer for him.

"be a Good girl," he murmured, his voice laced with satisfaction. Aarvika hated how helpless she felt.

Hated that, in this moment, he had won.

This wasn't just a threat anymore. This was real. She was about to become the wife of a man whose name she didn't even know.

Seriously they are going to marry? A person whom she don't know the name also ? Who was the sceond man ? Is this vardhan or Kartik as aarvika thinked ?

Follow to know the answers in next chapter update 💖 guys i am writting chapters late then to posting it on time So sorry for that 🫠🤧.