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Krishiv was in the middle of an intense meeting, the discussion around the table growing heated as strategies and projections were debated. His eyes flicked to his watch, and for a moment, his heart sank. 'Bulbul.' He had promised to be at her school today.

Without a second thought, he stood up abruptly, cutting off the person speaking mid-sentence. "I need to leave," he said, his voice firm and decisive. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him, surprised.

"Mr. Malhotra, but the meeting-" one of his colleagues began.

"-will be handled by my assistant," Krishiv interjected. He turned to his assistant, who was seated at the corner of the room. "Please take over and ensure everything is covered. I'll be back as soon as I can."

His assistant nodded, though somewhat taken aback by the sudden responsibility. Without waiting for further questions, Krishiv grabbed his phone and keys, and rushed out of the room. His heart pounded as he headed to the parking lot, his thoughts solely focused on Saumya.

The drive to the school felt longer than usual, the traffic frustratingly slow. He drummed his fingers impatiently against the steering wheel, urging the car forward. Finally, he arrived at the school just as students were spilling out of the gates, the final bell having rung moments ago.

Krishiv's eyes scanned the crowd anxiously until he spotted a small group of senior girls gathered near the entrance. His heart clenched as he saw Saumya standing among them, her eyes filled with tears, fear written all over her face. One of the girls was holding Saumya's bag, swinging it tauntingly out of her reach. Saumya was desperately trying to get it back, but another girl reached out, her hand poised to grab Saumya's hair.

Before she could touch a single strand, Krishiv was there in an instant, rushing forward and placing himself between Saumya and the girls. He stood tall, his presence imposing as he shielded Saumya behind him. She looked up at him with wide eyes, relief washing over her.

"Cheatel uncle," she whispered, clutching the back of his shirt tightly, her small hands trembling.

Krishiv's eyes blazed with anger as he glared at the girls. "What do you think you're doing?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The girls froze, clearly taken aback by the sudden appearance of an adult, and one who was clearly not in the mood to tolerate their behavior. The girl holding Saumya's bag hastily let go, her confidence evaporating under Krishiv's furious gaze.

"Do you know who you're messing with?" Krishiv continued, his voice like steel. "This is my daughter, and if you think for a second that you can bully her or anyone else without facing consequences, you're gravely mistaken."

The girls shrank back, their bravado replaced by fear. "We were just... we didn't mean anything by it..." one of them stammered, trying to excuse their behavior.

But Krishiv wasn't having it. "You're coming with me," he said, his tone brooking no argument. He reached down, taking Saumya's hand gently in his, and led her towards the principal's office, the guilty girls trailing behind them with their heads hung low.

Inside the principal's office, Krishiv's anger was still simmering as he explained what had happened. The principal listened with a serious expression, nodding as she processed the situation.

"Mr. Malhotra, I assure you, these girls have already been reprimanded in front of the whole school," she said, attempting to placate him. "But given the severity of this incident, I will now be calling their parents immediately."

The girls' eyes widened in panic, realizing the gravity of the situation. One of them tried to protest, but Krishiv silenced her with a sharp look.

"Good," Krishiv said, his voice cold. "Make sure their parents know exactly what their children have been up to. And let this be a lesson to all of you," he added, turning his gaze to the girls. "If I ever hear about you or anyone else bullying my daughter again, you'll have far worse to deal with than just a call to your parents. Do you understand?"

The girls nodded quickly, their faces pale with fear.

Satisfied that the situation was being handled, Krishiv turned back to Saumya. He picked up her small pink bag and slung it over his shoulder, then bent down and lifted her into his arms. Saumya wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder as he carried her out of the office.

Krishiv gently placed Saumya on the bonnet of his car, her small frame perched securely as he wiped away her tears with the back of his hand. "Com'on, wipe these tears. Abse, no one would dare to trouble you," he reassured her, his voice soft but firm. She looked up at him with her big, tear-filled eyes before suddenly wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight hug.

"I like you," she said, her voice still a little shaky but full of warmth as she pulled back from the hug, her lips curling into a bright grin.

Krishiv chuckled, touched by her innocence. "Oh, I'm honored," he replied, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear. "Ice cream khana hai?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he tried to cheer her up.

Saumya's expression brightened for a second, but then she frowned, pouting slightly. "Van aa jayega," she said, her voice laced with concern.

Krishiv tilted his head, considering her words. "Toh I will drop you," he suggested with a smile, already thinking about how to spend a little more time with her.

She looked at him as if he were missing something obvious. "Buddhu uncle," she started, crossing her arms in mock seriousness, "mummy will again catch us. Phil toh she will pakka understand."

Krishiv couldn't help but laugh at her logic. Just then, the school van pulled up, and children began lining up to get inside. Saumya glanced at the van, then back at Krishiv, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

"Alright, little patakha... see you soon," Krishiv said as he lifted her from the bonnet and gently set her down on the ground, handing her the small pink bag that seemed almost too big for her.

Saumya took the bag and looked up at him, her voice dropping to a small, sad tone. "When?" she asked, her eyes filled with the kind of longing that only a child can express so purely.

Krishiv knelt down to her level, his heart softening at the sight of her. "Jab tum yaad karo," he said with a smile, the simple promise resonating deeply between them.

"Come hele," she said, her small hand gesturing for him to bend down further. Curious, he leaned in closer, lowering himself to his knees completely.

Without hesitation, Saumya planted a sweet, innocent kiss on his cheek, her gesture so pure and unexpected that it made Krishiv's heart swell with emotion. A wide smile spread across his face as she grinned at him. "Byy byy," she chirped, her voice full of happiness as she waved.

"Byy, Bulbul," Krishiv replied, his voice tender, watching as she skipped over to the van, her spirits lifted.

As he stood up, his hand unconsciously touched the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him, a smile still playing on his lips. He watched the van pull away, feeling a strong, inexplicable connection to the little girl he had met only a few days ago. It was as if, in those brief moments, Saumya had filled a space in his heart he hadn't even realised was empty.

*************************************

Two weeks had passed, but to Amrit, it felt like time had stood still. She sat in a dimly lit room in Bareilly, staring blankly at the floor. The past days had been a whirlwind of rituals, tears, and farewells as she laid her mother to rest. Her whole life had been shattered in just a few days. Since then, she had barely spoken to anyone, eating just enough to stay alive, and even that was only because she was forced to.

The door creaked open, and Sumitra entered the room, her face alight with excitement. "Amrit beta... you are so, so lucky! Teri puri duniya badalne wali hai!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with happiness.

Amrit looked up, confused, a frown creasing her forehead. "What do you mean, chachi?" she asked, her voice weary and detached.

Sumitra, grinning ear to ear, handed Amrit a bright red saree. "But first, get ready fast. Wo log aate hi honge," she urged, almost dancing on her toes with excitement.

Amrit's confusion deepened. "What do you mean, Chachi? Who's coming?"

"Aree, tu Virendra Thakur ko pasand aa gayi hai! Tujhse shaadi karna chahte hain wo. Teri kismat khul gayi, bacha!" Sumitra declared as if announcing the best news in the world.

Amrit's eyes widened in shock. She could barely process what she was hearing. "Wh...what? Are you serious, chachi? Wo mere papa ke age ka hai! How could you even think about this? Did you forget that he has two sons who are elder than me?" she stammered, her voice rising in disbelief.

Sumitra waved her concerns away as if they were trivial. "So what? His wife is no more. She died a few years ago, and ab tak unhone kisi aurat ko dekha bhi nahi. Par tujhe dekhte hi pasand kar liya. Tujhe toh unka ehsaan manna chahiye. Malikin ban ke rahegi," she said, her tone full of exaggerated enthusiasm.

Amrit felt a surge of anger and disgust rise within her. "What the hell are you saying? Dimag kharab ho gaya hai aapka?" she snapped, her voice trembling with rage. "First of all, I have to return to Mumbai. Meri padhai puri karni hai mujhe. I want to fulfill my dreams, my parents' dreams. And you know what? I can't stay here anymore."

Sumitra's face fell as Amrit's words sank in, but Amrit wasn't finished. "Do you really think I'd throw my life away like this? For what? To become some old man's second wife and stepmother to his grown sons? What kind of life is that?" she demanded, her voice cracking with a mix of anger and desperation.

Sumitra opened her mouth to protest, but Amrit held up a hand to stop her. "I've lost my mother. I've lost my world. But I won't lose myself," she said, her voice resolute. "I'm going back to Mumbai, Chachi. I'm going to finish my studies, I'm going to achieve everything my parents wanted for me, and I'm going to live the life they dreamed of for me."

Just then, Mahendra entered the room, his face stern and expressionless.

"Taiyar hui? Thakur sahab aa gaye hain, isse le jane," he said, his voice cold as ice.

Amrit turned to look at him, disbelief and betrayal flooding her heart. "Chacha ji... you... you agreed to this?" she asked, her voice trembling and barely above a whisper.

Sumitra, who had been standing nearby, jumped in before Mahendra could answer. "Aap hi sambhalo apni bhateeji ko, natak kar rahi hai. Bewkuf ladki, tujhe samajh mein nahi aa raha ki tere bhale ke liye hai ye sab," she snapped, her tone dripping with irritation.

"Bhale ke liye, my foot!" Amrit shouted, her voice breaking as she took a step back. "You both are disgusting. Abhi samajh mein aaya ki papa ne aap logon ko ghar se bahar kyun nikala tha! But poor him, he thought you had changed, that's why he accepted you and helped you in every possible way. And this is what you did in return?"

Her hands clenched into fists, she continued, "I am going to leave this place right now. Apne Thakur sahab ko kahiye, jaise aaye hain waise hi vapas chale jayen!"

Her defiance was met with a resounding slap across her face. The force of it sent her sprawling to the floor. The sting of the blow, combined with the shock, left her momentarily speechless.

Mahendra didn't stop there. He crouched down beside her, grabbing a fistful of her hair and pulling her head back to meet his gaze. His eyes were filled with cruelty. "Aise kaise wapas bhej den? Pure 20 crore mein becha hai tujhe hamne," he hissed.

Tears welled up in Amrit's eyes as she looked at him, her heart shattering into pieces. "Chacha... how could you? Did you forget my childhood days? Aap hi kehte the na ki sabse jyada aap mujhse pyaar karte ho? Kahan gaya wo pyaar ab?" she asked, her voice breaking with despair.

"Ladki, bakwas band kar!" Sumitra snapped, stepping closer with a sneer on her face. "Tere paas koi rasta nahi hai. Chup chap ye pehen ke bahar aa jaa varna wo tujhe jabardasti utha kar le jayenge, toh bhi hame koi problem nahi hai."

"In your dreams!" Amrit spat, summoning every ounce of courage she had left. She pushed herself off the floor, grabbed her suitcase, and made for the door. But before she could take more than a few steps, Mahendra yanked her back by her hair and threw her down again.

"Amrit, don't make me do anything wrong!" he snarled, his voice full of menace. "Shukar mana, Thakur sahab ne tujhse shaadi karne ka faisla le liya, varna hamara kaam toh bas tujhe unko dena tha. Wo tujhe apni rakhail bana ke bhi rakh sakte the. Itna bada ehsaan kar rahe hain wo!"

"Wahi toh!" Sumitra chimed in, her tone mocking. "Warna tere jaisi ladki se shaadi bhi kaun karta? Naa baap hai na maa. Chup chap se taiyar ho ke aa, varna accha nahi hoga."

With that, they both turned and walked out, slamming the door shut behind them and locking it from the outside. Amrit lay there, the reality of her situation crashing down on her like a tidal wave. She had known her uncle and aunt were selfish, but she had never imagined they could stoop this low, betraying her in such a vile manner.

Trembling with fear and heartbreak, she crawled to the corner of the room, clutching her mother's framed photo to her chest. Her tears soaked the frame as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"Mumma... wh... why did you leave me? This is the world for me without you, Mumma..." she whispered through her sobs, her voice filled with anguish and despair. She rocked back and forth, holding onto the only piece of her mother she had left, feeling utterly alone and trapped in a nightmare that she couldn't wake up from.

Amrit's heart raced as she heard muffled voices coming from the living room. Her entire body tensed as she crept toward the door, peering through a small hole in the wood. Her breath hitched when she saw a tall, elderly man standing there with a commanding presence, surrounded by his men. This was Virendra Thakur-the man her uncle and aunt were determined to sell her to.

Mahendra stood in front of him, a nervous, fake smile plastered on his face. "Thakur Sahab, wo bas thoda natak kar rahi thi... Aap jante hain na, aaj kal ki ladkiyon ko. Taiyar ho rahi hai ab," he said, trying to sound casual.

Virendra's deep, menacing voice cut through the air like a knife. "Nahi bhi hogi toh bhi ham konsa bina liye jayenge usse," he replied, his tone calm but filled with an underlying threat.

Panic surged through Amrit's veins. Her eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for an escape. "No, no, no, no! I have to escape from here," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with fear.

Her gaze landed on the small window in the corner of the room. Without wasting another second, she grabbed her purse and phone, and with trembling hands, managed to climb through the narrow opening. The moment her feet hit the ground outside, she broke into a sprint, her heart pounding in her chest.

Amrit ran as fast as her legs could carry her, the wind whipping through her hair. But suddenly, a large jeep screeched to a halt in front of her, blocking her path. She skidded to a stop, her eyes widening in horror as she saw Virendra Thakur stepping out of the vehicle, a sinister smile curling on his lips.

She turned to flee in the opposite direction, but her escape was cut off as more jeeps surrounded her from every side. Her heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst from her chest. Her body trembled uncontrollably as she realized there was no way out.

Before she could fully grasp what was happening, Virendra lunged at her, grabbing her by the hair and yanking her toward him. The pain shot through her scalp as she struggled to free herself, but he was too strong.

"Ek baar Virendra Thakur ne jis cheez pe nazar rakh di, usse haasil kar ke hi rehta hai!" he hissed, his grip tightening as he pulled her even closer. "Hamse bhagne ka koi fayda nahi hai, kyunki aisa ham kabhi hone nahi denge. You belong to me."

Amrit's eyes filled with tears as she tried to push him away, her hands desperately clawing at his arms, but it was futile. He was far too powerful for her to fight off. She felt utterly helpless, like a bird caught in a predator's claws, and the realization sent a shiver down her spine.

"Let me go!" she screamed, her voice filled with terror, but Virendra only smirked, enjoying her fear.

"You should have listened to your uncle and aunt. Ab yeh naatak band karo, and accept your fate," he said, his voice low and threatening.

Amrit felt a surge of desperation as she summoned every ounce of strength in her body. With a swift motion, she kneed Virendra Thakur in the groin, making him grunt in pain and loosen his grip momentarily. She turned to run once more, her heart pounding with a frantic need to escape. But before she could get far, his men swiftly closed in, grabbing her arms and pinning her down.

"Why are you doing this? Please, let me go!" Amrit cried, her voice trembling with fear and desperation as tears streamed down her face.

Virendra, recovering from the pain, strode toward her with a menacing glare. Without a word, he slapped her hard across the face, sending a sharp sting of pain through her cheek and causing her to stagger. Her head spun as she tasted blood in her mouth. He grabbed her hair again, jerking her head back so she was forced to look into his cold, ruthless eyes.

"Tu aise nahi manegi," he sneered, tightening his grip on her hair. "Chal, tujhe ek aisa nazara dikhate hain jisse tu khud mere saath chalegi."

Ignoring her pleas, he roughly shoved her into the backseat of the jeep, binding her hands to the seat so she couldn't move. Amrit struggled against the restraints, but they held firm, trapping her as the vehicle roared to life and sped off.

The ride back to her home felt like an eternity, her mind racing with fear and confusion. She knew whatever awaited her there would be far worse than what she'd already endured. As they approached her house, her heart sank. The once-familiar place now felt like a prison, a place where she would lose everything.

As the jeep came to a stop, Amrit's eyes went wide with horror. Thakur's men were dragging someone out of another car parked nearby-a woman with her hands bound behind her back, her face pale with fear.

"Vidya!" Amrit screamed, recognizing her best friend instantly.

Vidya's head snapped up at the sound of Amrit's voice, and a look of terror washed over her face as she saw the situation unfold. Thakur's men surrounded her, guns pointed at her head.

"Teri pakki saheli hai na? Tujhse milne hi aa rahi thi, par humne isse apne saath hi bula liya," Thakur said with a cruel smirk, clearly enjoying Amrit's anguish. 'Ab tujhe manane mein aasani hogi."

Amrit's heart shattered at the sight of her friend in such danger. "Please, leave her! Please, leave us! she cried, her voice breaking as she joined her hands in a desperate plea. Tears streamed down her face as she begged for mercy.

Vidya, despite the fear in her eyes, managed to look up defiantly. "Amrit, please don't join your hands in front of this asshole!" she spat, her voice trembling but filled with anger.

Thakur's eyes narrowed, his amusement fading as he regarded Vidya with a cold stare. "Lagta hai iski zubaan ko thoda kaatna padega," he muttered darkly.

Amrit's heart pounded as she stared at Vidya, her mind racing with fear and desperation. She knew that every second counted, and any decision she made would seal both their fates. Thakur's cold, calculating eyes bore into her, the threat of violence hanging heavily in the air.

"Ya toh tu chup chap se hamare saath chale aur hamse shadi karke apni dost ki jaan bacha le varna hame jabardasti karni bhi aati hai aur phir teri iss dost ki jaan bhi nahi rahegi," Thakur sneered, tightening his grip on her wrist.

Amrit's breath hitched as she heard Vidya's voice break through the fog of terror. "Amrit, no! Don't accept this... I will save myself, but please don't go with him!" Vidya pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation, yet filled with a fierce determination.

Amrit's heart twisted painfully as she looked at her friend, knowing that Vidya would fight for her life. But Amrit also knew the reality of their situation-one wrong move, and Vidya's life could be snuffed out in an instant. The weight of the decision pressed down on her like a vice, and she realized that going with Thakur was the only way to buy time, to keep Vidya alive.

With a deep, shaky breath, Amrit made her choice. "Fine... I will come with you. I will marry you without any protest. But please, leave her right now," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with resolve.

Thakur's lips curled into a twisted smile as he yanked her closer, his grip on her arm tightening. "Ek baar shadi ho jaye phir isse bhi chhor denge," he said, his tone laced with a sadistic pleasure. Without another word, he began dragging her toward his jeep, his men keeping a close watch on Vidya to ensure she didn't try to escape.

As Thakur pulled her away, Amrit's eyes locked with Vidya's, who was now shouting at the top of her lungs, begging her not to go. "Amrit, don't do this! Don't give in to him! We'll find a way out together!" Vidya's voice was raw with emotion, but Amrit could see the fear in her eyes.

Tears welled up in Amrit's eyes as she felt the guilt gnawing at her. She had dragged Vidya into this nightmare, and now her best friend was paying the price. Every step she took felt like a betrayal, not just to herself, but to Vidya as well. Yet, Amrit knew she had no other choice.

As they reached the jeep, Thakur roughly shoved Amrit inside, and she felt the cold metal of the seat beneath her. She watched helplessly as Vidya struggled against the men holding her, trying to break free, but it was no use.

As the jeep's engine roared to life, Amrit knew that she was walking into a trap, but for Vidya's sake, she couldn't let it end here. She would go with Thakur, endure whatever came next, but she vowed silently to herself that this wasn't over. She would find a way to fight back, to escape, and to save Vidya.

As the jeep came to a screeching halt outside the imposing gates of Thakur's haveli, Amrit's heart pounded in her chest. Thakur's men yanked her out of the jeep and dragged her up the steps of the mansion, her feet barely touching the ground. She struggled against their grip, but they were too strong, and the fear of what awaited her made her stomach churn.

Once inside, Thakur led the way through the grand hallways, his face twisted with a sickening anticipation. He flung open the door to a lavishly decorated room and threw Amrit onto the bed with a force that knocked the wind out of her. She gasped, clutching at the bedspread as she tried to steady herself.

Thakur loomed over her, his eyes raking over her body with a hunger that made her skin crawl. He licked his lips, stepping closer, his voice a low growl. "You should be grateful, Amrit. Not every woman gets the chance to marry a man of my stature. But don't worry, I'll make sure you enjoy every night here."

Amrit felt a wave of revulsion wash over her as she stared up at him, her heart hammering in her chest. The way he looked at her, the way he spoke-it was as if she was nothing more than a prize, a possession to be claimed. But she knew she couldn't let him break her. Not now, not ever.

As he leaned in closer, his breath hot against her skin, she could see the twisted desire in his eyes. "You're mine now, Amrit. Body and soul. And tomorrow, the whole world will know it," he hissed, his hand sliding up her arm, squeezing it tightly.

A fire ignited within Amrit, fueled by a mixture of fear, anger, and defiance. She met his gaze head-on, her voice cold and cutting. "You might force me to marry you, Thakur, but you'll never own me. You're nothing but a pathetic, power-hungry coward hiding behind your money and goons. You think you can buy everything and everyone, but you'll never have what truly matters-my respect, my love, or my will. I will rather die before surrendering myself to you."

Her words sliced through him like a knife, and she saw the flash of rage in his eyes. His grip on her arm tightened painfully, and he grabbed her chin harshly, forcing her to look directly into his furious eyes. "You dare speak to me like that?" he snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "You should be thanking me for even considering you worthy of being my wife. But if you think you can defy me, think again. I don't need a wedding to take what's mine. And if you don't surrender yourself completely, I'll make sure you regret it. Ham bina shadi kiye bhi tere sath suhagrat mana sakte hain par phir bhi shadi tak intezar kar rahe hain."

He shoved her back onto the bed, his breath ragged with anger, and turned to his men, barking orders. "Tie her up. Hands and feet. I want her ready for tomorrow. And you, don't make a sound or try anything foolish. If you did anything foolish or said anything to anyone tomorrow, it'll be the last day your friend breathes."

Amrit's heart sank as the men approached her with chains, their faces devoid of emotion. They tied her hands and legs to the bedposts, the cold metal biting into her skin.

With that, he stepped out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him. The sound of the lock turning echoed in the silent room, leaving Amrit alone, bound and trapped.

Amrit lay on the bed, her body aching from the chains that bound her wrists and ankles. The room was dark, save for a single flickering candle that cast shadows on the walls. Her eyes were drawn to the portrait of Lord Shiva hanging on the wall opposite her. The serene face of the deity, with his eyes half-closed in meditation, seemed to be looking straight into her soul.

A tear slipped down her cheek as she stared at the image, her heart heavy with despair. She had always believed in Lord Shiva, had always trusted that he would guide her through the darkest times. But now, with the weight of her situation pressing down on her, her faith was wavering. She felt as though she was standing on the edge of an abyss, her belief crumbling beneath her.

"Bholenath," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why? Why have you brought me to this point? I've always believed in you, always trusted that you would make everything right. But today... today, I feel like you've abandoned me."

Her voice broke as she continued, "I've always believed you would protect me, that you would give me the strength to face whatever comes my way. But now... I'm so tired. So, so tired. I don't see a way out. Please, Bholenath, if you're listening, show me a sign. Give me a reason to keep fighting. I don't want to die, but I can't live like this. If this is really my fate, then take me now. I'd rather die than be his."

She closed her eyes, her tears flowing freely now. "But I can't die either, can I? Not when Vidya's life is on the line. I have to save her, even if it means giving up everything. But how, Bholenath? How can I do it? Help me, please."

**********************************

Vihaan zipped up his suitcase, glancing at Anika from the corner of his eye. She stood by the window, her attention focused on a file in her hands, but he could see the tension in her posture. Her silence was unnerving, and he knew something was wrong.

"Anika, I'll be back in a week," he said softly, hoping to catch her eye.

"Hmm," she replied, not looking up from the file.

He frowned, setting the suitcase aside, and walked over to her. Standing in front of her, he tried to meet her gaze, but she kept her eyes on the pages in front of her.

"Anika, are you upset?" he asked, his voice gentle, searching her face for any clue.

"Nahi toh. Mai kon hun gussa karne vali," she replied, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. She turned to walk away, but Vihaan wasn't convinced. He reached out, gently grabbing her wrist and pulling her back towards him.

"Anika, I can see clearly that something is off. Ek baar bataiye toh," he urged, his voice filled with concern as he lifted her chin with his finger, forcing her to look into his eyes.

Anika's resolve crumbled as she met his gaze, and she finally spoke, her voice tinged with frustration. "What should I say, Vihaan? You're not understanding. You're always so busy with work. Last week, I was so excited when you asked me out on a date. I thought, finally, I'll get to spend some time with my husband. But then you canceled it at the last moment."

Her voice trembled slightly as she continued, "I didn't say anything at that time because I understand the importance of work. I'm a working woman too, Vihaan. But it's been more than two weeks since our wedding, and we haven't even had a normal conversation. Right after our wedding, you left for another business trip, and now you're leaving again."

She paused, looking down as she tried to control the emotions swirling inside her. "I just... I just feel like I'm losing you before I even got a chance to have you. Is that too much to ask? To want to spend some time with my husband?"

Vihaan's heart sank as he listened to her words. He hadn't realized how deeply his absence was affecting her. He gently cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had started to gather in her eyes.

"Anika, I'm so sorry," he began, his voice filled with regret. "You're right. I've been so caught up with work that I haven't given you the time and attention you deserve. It's just that our company is planning a big project, a collaboration with Krishiv's company. This project is so huge, and we've been working around the clock to make sure everything goes smoothly. I haven't even had time for myself, let alone for us."

He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers. "But that's no excuse. I should have made time for you, for us. I'm really sorry, Anika. Please understand, I didn't mean to make you feel like this."

Anika searched his eyes for sincerity and found it there. Her frustration began to melt away, replaced by a sense of understanding. She sighed, wiping away her tears.

"I'm sorry too" she said quietly. "I didn't mean to sound so demanding. I know how important this project is for you, for us."

Vihaan looked at Anika, his eyes filled with affection. "Yaad aayegi meri?" he asked with a playful tone.

She shook her head in the negative, but the way she clutched the pocket of his suit, her gaze fixed on the floor, told a different story. A small smile tugged at the corners of Vihaan's lips. He chuckled softly, stepping closer to her.

He gently cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing her skin, and then leaned in to place a long, lingering kiss on her forehead. Anika closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his touch, feeling a sense of calm wash over her.

"I'll call you as soon as I land," he whispered against her skin, his voice filled with tenderness.

Reluctantly, Vihaan took a few steps back, picking up his suitcase, ready to leave. But before he could take another step, he felt a gentle tug on his hand. He turned to see Anika standing there, her eyes meeting his with a softness that made his heart race.

She walked up to him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace, her head resting against his chest. The sudden closeness made his heart skip a beat, and he could feel her warmth seeping into him, grounding him in a way that nothing else could.

"I'll miss you," she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.

A wide smile spread across Vihaan's face as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in that moment.

"I'll miss you too," he replied softly, his voice full of sincerity.

Anika slowly pulled back, her cheeks flushed with shyness. "Apna khayal rakhna," she said, her eyes full of concern.

"Aap bhi," he promised, his gaze never leaving hers. They both stood there for a moment, the air thick with unspoken emotions, both feeling a bit shy after their exchange.

Finally, Vihaan reluctantly broke the embrace, his hand gently brushing against hers as he turned to leave.

As Vihaan and Anika stepped outside, they noticed Akshat waiting near the car. Vihaan had called him earlier to discuss something important. Akshat greeted them with a smile, but his expression turned curious as he saw the serious look on Vihaan's face.

"Akshat bhaiya, I need to talk to you about something before I leave," Vihaan said, reaching into his briefcase and pulling out a file. He handed it to Akshat, who took it with a puzzled look.

"This is about the land deal in Bareilly," Vihaan began. "I've been in talks with Virendra Thakur, and we're close to finalising the purchase. He specifically requested that I inspect the land personally before we sign the deal."

Akshat glanced at the file, then back at Vihaan. "Bareilly? I didn't know about this. When did all of this come up?"

Vihaan nodded, understanding Akshat's surprise. "It's been a bit sudden. But it's a significant deal for us. I was supposed to go there myself, but with this business trip, I won't be able to. That's where you come in."

Akshat's brow furrowed. "I..I don't even know anything about this deal Vihan."

"Bhaiya you don't have to do anything." Vihaan explained. "You'll go to Bareilly, meet with Thakur, and check out the land. Once you've confirmed everything's in order, you'll sign the deal and hand over the check. I trust your judgement on this."

Akshat nodded, his mind already shifting into gear. "I'll leave in a little while, after I've made some arrangements. You focus on your trip, and I'll take care of this."

Akshat returned the smile, giving Vihaan a firm hug. "You too. Khayal rakhna apna. Don't skip your meals," he said, patting his shoulder.

Akshat walked towards his room for making preparations to leave for Bareilly.

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