4

💖HAPPY READING💖

•••••••••••••••••♪•••••••••••••♪••••••••♪••••••••••••

The night had grown quieter.

The girl riding the scooter drove carefully through the silent streets while Sanju sat behind her, still trembling slightly. Sanju had wrapped her arms tightly around the girl's waist, holding her as if she were the only thing keeping her safe.

Before leaving the road where everything had happened, the girl had already asked Sanju for her address.

Now she followed the directions carefully.

Sanju didn't say anything during the ride. Her fingers clutched the girl's clothes tightly.

It felt as if letting go would bring the fear back again.

After a few minutes, they entered a peaceful residential area filled with beautiful houses.

Finally, the girl slowed the scooter and stopped in front of a large, elegant house.

Soft yellow lights illuminated the entrance gate.

Above the gate, written in golden letters, were the words:

"Kalyani Nivas."

The house looked warm and welcoming.

But outside the gate, two people were pacing back and forth anxiously.

A middle-aged man and a young boy.

Both were holding their phones, repeatedly checking them and looking down the street.

Their faces clearly showed worry.

The moment the man saw a scooter stopping near the gate and recognized Sanju sitting on it-

His heart skipped a beat.

Without thinking for a second, he ran toward her.

Seeing his father suddenly running somewhere, Rohan frowned in confusion.

But then his eyes followed his father's gaze.

And he saw Sanju.

Standing beside a girl.

Sanju was still holding the girl's hand tightly.

Rohan's eyes widened.

He immediately ran toward them too.

Just then Sanju looked up-

And saw her father running toward her.

That moment shattered the last piece of strength she had left.

"Papa...!"

She ran forward and threw herself into his arms.

Tears burst out uncontrollably.

She cried loudly, holding him tightly.

Her body was still trembling.

Inside her mind, only one thought kept repeating.

If that mysterious girl hadn't arrived on time...

What would have happened to me...?

Yash Ji froze in shock when he saw his daughter crying like that.

His heart filled with panic instantly.

He held her face gently.

But the moment he looked carefully-

His expression darkened.

There was a clear red slap mark on her cheek.

And near her lips was a cut where dried blood had formed.

Behind him, Rohan also noticed it.

His eyes filled with anger and fear.

He immediately pulled Sanju toward himself.

"What happened to you? Why are you crying? Where were you all this time? Do you have any idea how worried we were!"

But Sanju only hugged him tightly and started crying even harder.

Rohan immediately panicked.

He gently stroked her hair.

"Hey... hey... calm down. What happened to you? Why are you crying like this? Don't cry... I'm here now... don't be scared... look, Dad is here too."

Seeing her cry like that, even Rohan's eyes started filling with tears.

"Yes, beta... calm down... now tell us what happened... did someone hurt you? And how did you get these injuries?"

Then his eyes shifted toward the girl standing quietly nearby.

She was silently watching the entire scene.

Rohan frowned slightly.

"You... who are you?"

Before he could ask anything more, the girl spoke calmly.

"Can we talk inside...?"

She slightly gestured toward Sanju.

"She is very scared."

Yash Ji immediately understood the situation.

He nodded.

"Yes... let's go inside."

Everyone quickly moved toward the house.

The girl followed them quietly.

---

Inside Kalyani Nivas

As they entered the living room, the girl immediately noticed two women inside.

One elderly woman was sitting on the sofa.

Another woman was pacing around anxiously.

Her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying for a long time.

The moment she saw Sanju-

She rushed forward.

"Where were you?! And where is your phone?! It has been switched off for so long! Who stays out this late?!"

She held Sanju's arm tightly while scolding her.

But before Sanju could say anything-

Yash Ji spoke.

"Enough... first bring her some water. She's very scared."

The moment Malini Ji heard this, she looked carefully at Sanju's face.

And immediately gasped in shock.

"What happened to you?! How did you get these injuries?!"

Kalyani Ji also stood up in worry.

"What happened, beta? Are you alright?"

The moment Sanju saw her grandmother-

Her fear softened a little.

She held her grandmother's hand.

"Dadi... I'm fine... please don't stress... sit down."

Just then Aarti brought a glass of water.

Rohan helped Sanju drink it.

Slowly, sitting among her family, Sanju finally started feeling safe again.

But suddenly Malini Ji noticed the girl standing near the door.

She looked toward Yash Ji.

"Who is she?"

Yash Ji also realized he didn't know the answer.

But before anyone could speak-

Sanju said softly,

"I'll tell you."

Then slowly...

She told them everything.

Every detail.

The boys.

The road.

The mysterious girl.

The fight.

As everyone listened-

Malini Ji's eyes filled with tears.

Kalyani Ji pulled Sanju into a tight hug.

But Yash Ji and Rohan looked furious.

Their eyes burned with anger.

After a moment, Yash Ji gently placed his hand on Sanju's head.

"Everything is fine now, beta... don't be scared. I promise those men will be punished. They will spend their entire lives in prison."

Malini Ji then turned toward the girl standing nearby.

Emotion filled her voice.

"Beta... thank you so much... you saved my daughter at the right time."

Yash Ji also said sincerely,

"Yes, beta... we don't even know how to thank you."

Rohan added,

"You saved my sister... truly... thank you."

But the girl looked surprised.

She shook her head quickly.

"Oh no... you're misunderstanding... I didn't do anything... I only brought her home."

Everyone looked confused.

Because Sanju had clearly said a girl saved her.

Seeing their confused faces, the girl explained.

"Actually, my friend helped her. She called me there because she had somewhere urgent to go... and she couldn't leave Sanju alone in that condition."

She continued.

"She was also the one who called the police. The police already took those goons away."

Sanju nodded quickly.

"Yes Papa... another girl helped me..."

Then suddenly her eyes widened.

"And you know what? She was so beautiful! And the way she beat those goons! I was shocked!"

Everyone stared at her.

Just moments ago she had been crying.

Now she sounded amazed.

Realizing everyone was staring at her, Sanju awkwardly looked at the girl.

"Arey...Why are you still standing... please sit."

Malini Ji quickly said,

"Haan beta, come sit... I'll bring you some water."

The girl sat down quietly.

She then looked at Sanju.

"First go change your clothes... and apply medicine on your injuries."

Sanju suddenly realized she was still wearing the coat.

Memories of the incident flashed again.

Her face fell slightly.

Seeing this, Rohan hugged her again.

"Everything is fine... don't worry... we are all here with you."

Kalyani Ji then held her hand.

"Come... go take a bath."

She took Sanju to her room.

---

Meanwhile, Malini Ji looked at the girl again.

The girl's eyes briefly glanced at the tray of snacks on the table.

She looked slightly hungry.

But seeing the tense atmosphere, she didn't touch anything.

Finally Malini Ji asked gently,

"By the way beta... what is your name?"

The girl smiled softly.

"Oh aunty... how would you know... I haven't told you yet."

She continued.

"My name is Tahiri."

Malini Ji smiled warmly.

"That's a beautiful name."

Yash Ji then said,

"Please thank your friend for us... and tell her we would like to meet her someday."

"Yes uncle."

Malini Ji then introduced the family.

"The girl you brought is Sanjana... we all call her Sanju... I'm her mother... and he is her father."

She pointed toward the elderly woman.

"She is her grandmother."

Then she pointed toward Rohan.

"And he is my younger son-"

Before she could finish-

Rohan interrupted proudly.

"Hello... myself Rohan Singhaniya... cricketer... you must have heard my name."

Tahiri looked at him calmly.

"No... I haven't."

Rohan's face instantly fell.

Everyone tried not to laugh.

Then Yash Ji asked another question.

"Beta... where do you live? And what do you do?"

Tahiri replied honestly.

"Uncle... my friend and I are new in this city... we don't know anyone here."

Yash Ji looked surprised.

"You mean you both are alone here?"

Tahiri nodded.

"Yes... we got jobs here... for now we are staying in a small hotel."

Just then Kalyani Ji returned with Sanju.

Rohan made her sit beside him and carefully started applying medicine on her injuries.

But one question still remained in everyone's mind.

Why had Tahiri and her mysterious friend come to this city?

What was their real purpose?

And more importantly-

Who was the mysterious girl in black...?

---

The atmosphere inside Kalyani Nivas had slowly started calming down.

Sanju was finally safe.

But a new conversation was about to begin... one that would unknowingly change everything.

Malini Ji looked at Tahiri with concern and spoke gently,

"Arey beta... it's not safe to stay alone in a hotel like this."

Tahiri looked at her politely and nodded.

"Ji aunty... you're right... we are already looking for a place to stay."

Before the conversation could move further-

Kalyani Ji suddenly spoke.

"Why don't you and your friend stay with us?"

For a moment-

Silence.

Everyone turned to look at her in surprise.

Malini Ji, Yash Ji... even Rohan.

Kalyani Ji frowned slightly.

"What happened? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Then she continued firmly,

"They helped our Sanju... and they don't even know anyone in this city."

Tahiri was taken aback.

She quickly shook her head.

"Arey nahi nahi, dadi... how can we stay here... and as for helping... that was just humanity."

Malini Ji immediately added,

"Arey beta, you can stay here... what's the problem?"

Yash Ji, however, asked calmly,

"You said you came here for a job... what kind of job do you do?"

Tahiri replied,

"Uncle... I got selected in AR Company."

Yash Ji raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Oh... so you got a job in AR?"

Before Tahiri could say anything-

Sanju suddenly exclaimed excitedly,

"Wait! That's Dad's company! That means you're working in our company!"

Tahiri froze.

Confusion flashed across her face.

She slowly turned toward Yash Ji.

"What do you mean... your company...? You mean... you are the chairman of that company?"

Yash Ji simply nodded calmly.

"Yes."

Tahiri immediately got nervous.

"Sorry, sir! I didn't know..."

Yash Ji smiled lightly and stopped her.

"No, no... it's fine... no need to apologize."

Malini Ji smiled warmly.

"Now that you're working in our company... you can stay here comfortably."

She continued softly,

"And if you stay with family... you won't feel homesick."

Sanju quickly joined in, almost pleading,

"Yes di... please stay here..."

Tahiri hesitated.

"But... how can we-"

Before she could finish-

Kalyani Ji interrupted confidently,

"Arey beta, there will be no problem here... you'll be completely safe."

She added proudly,

"My elder grandson is a Major... you don't need to be afraid."

The moment Tahiri heard that-

Her heartbeat skipped.

Her mind went blank for a second.

A Major...?

For a moment, she stood frozen.

Kalyani Ji waved her hand in front of her.

"What happened, beta? Where are you lost?"

Tahiri snapped back quickly.

"No... nowhere, dadi..."

But inside her mind-

Panic.

I'm in a Major's house...?

What if he finds out about me...?

What if... he shoots me...?

She shook her head slightly.

No... that won't happen...

Just then-

Sanju made a cute pleading face.

"Please di... say yes..."

She added softly,

"I want to know about that other di..."

Tahiri sighed.

"But... you all will face trouble because of us..."

Yash Ji spoke firmly this time,

"Stay, child... this city is new for you... it's not safe for two girls to live alone."

He continued,

"Once you're settled here... you can leave anytime."

Tahiri fell silent.

She thought for a few moments.

Then finally-

"Okay, uncle... but I have one condition."

Everyone looked at her.

Yash Ji nodded.

"Tell us."

Tahiri spoke clearly,

"We will stay here... but we will pay rent... within our budget."

Malini Ji immediately protested,

"Arey beta-"

But Tahiri interrupted politely,

"No aunty please... I may agree... but my friend won't... she is independent... if we stay here, we will pay rent."

Yash Ji looked toward Kalyani Ji.

She nodded slightly.

Yash Ji smiled.

"Alright, child."

Tahiri smiled softly.

"Thank you, uncle... you thought so much for us in this unknown city..."

She added,

"I'll bring my belongings tomorrow."

---

Rohan, who had been silent till now, leaned slightly toward Yash Ji and spoke softly,

"Dad... are you sure... letting strangers stay here... we don't even know them..."

He whispered,

"I feel something is off..."

Yash Ji replied calmly,

"I don't think so... but I'll find out about them..."

He added,

"If something feels wrong, we'll see... for now, we helped out of humanity."

Rohan nodded slowly.

But Tahiri-

Had seen everything.

She couldn't hear them...

But she read their lips.

Her expression didn't change.

She simply continued talking to Malini Ji like nothing happened.

---

After some time, Tahiri stood up.

"Aunty, uncle... I should leave now... it's quite late."

Kalyani Ji immediately said,

"Arey beta, have dinner before leaving..."

Malini Ji added warmly,

"Yes child, eat first."

Inside her mind-

Tahiri almost smiled.

Finally... food...

I haven't eaten anything since morning...

But she said politely,

"Thik hai...aap itne pyar se keh rhi hai...toh kha leti hu."
(Okay... since you're insisting... I'll eat.)

Everyone moved to the dining table.

Aarti had already served the food.

As they sat down, Yash Ji asked,

"Is your friend also in our company?"

Tahiri, staring at the food hungrily, replied,

"No uncle... she is a professor in a college... teaches history."

Yash Ji nodded.

"That's good."

Rohan added,

"Your friend is very brave... Sanju told us..."

Tahiri smiled slightly.

"Yes... she knows judo-karate... she's a black belt..."

She added softly,

"We learned it for safety... and it helps."

Malini Ji smiled warmly.

"You are very sweet, child... your friend must be just like you."

Tahiri's smile faded slightly.

Inside her mind-

Sweet...?

Suddenly-

A memory flashed.

Her friend...

Standing in front of her.

Holding a gun.

Pointed directly at her.

"I told you... no mistakes."

A gunshot.

The bullet grazed her arm.

Blood.

Pain.

But she didn't even scream.

Back to reality-

Tahiri's hands started trembling slightly.

Kalyani Ji shook her gently.

"What happened? Where are you lost?"

Tahiri quickly recovered.

"Nothing dadi... just remembered my friend..."

Kalyani Ji smiled.

"You share a deep bond."

Tahiri nodded.

"Yes... we're not just friends... we're like sisters."

---

After dinner, Tahiri stood up.

"Thank you... for such delicious food."

Malini Ji smiled and placed her hand on her head.

"You'll get this kind of food every day now."

Sanju quickly said,

"Di... can I have your number?"

"Yes."

They exchanged numbers.

Tahiri picked up her scooter and left.

Malini Ji smiled softly.

"She's such a sweet girl..."

Yash Ji nodded.

Then he walked to Sanju and placed his hand on her head.

"Go... sleep now... you don't need to be scared anymore."

Sanju nodded.

Yash Ji then went to his room.

He took out his phone.

Dialed a number.

And spoke in a serious tone...

Something was already being investigated.

---
_🎶___________________________________________________________
🦋🎶

The next morning arrived with a strange mix of calm... and storm.

Before the sun had fully risen-

Ayaan had already reached home.

He had just returned from duty.

And the moment he heard about what happened to Sanju-from Rohan-

Something inside him snapped.

Anger.

Cold. Controlled. Dangerous.

He had already decided-

Those men... won't be spared.

Not by the law.

But by him.

Before coming home, he had already arranged tight security around Sanju.

Without wasting a second-

He walked straight to her.

The moment Sanju saw him-

She ran into his arms.

Ayaan immediately pulled her close, wrapping her safely against his chest.

"You're okay... right?"

Sanju nodded, holding him tighter.

"Yes, bhaiya..."

He gently pulled her back and looked at her carefully-checking for any injury.

Then in a firm tone, he said,

"From now on, you won't go anywhere alone... and the security I assigned will always stay with you."

He took her phone.

Did something in it-tracking, security settings, emergency access.

Everything.

But Sanju?

She was busy.

Excited.

Endlessly talking about-

That girl.

"Bhaiya, you know how that di beat those guys-"

She kept narrating everything.

Every detail.

Every moment.

And then-

She said it.

"And bhaiya... that di and her friend are going to stay here!"

Silence.

Ayaan froze.

For a second-

His expression darkened completely.

What...?

Without even changing his uniform-

He turned.

And walked straight toward Yash Ji's room.

---

Yash Ji was already inside.

And when Ayaan entered-

He wasn't surprised.

As if...

He was expecting this.

Ayaan walked straight up to him.

His voice-sharp, controlled, filled with authority.

"What am I hearing?"

He stepped closer.

"The one who saved Sanju... so she'll stay in our house?"

His eyes hardened.

"How can you allow strangers to stay in our house without knowing them?"

Yash Ji looked at him calmly.

He understood.

This wasn't anger-

This was a Major speaking.

Suspicion was natural.

Ayaan wasn't just a brother.

He was trained to detect threats.

Yash Ji spoke in a composed tone,

"Don't worry..."

"They are good girls... I've already checked their background."

Ayaan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Yash Ji continued,

"They are orphans... raised in an orphanage..."

"They're new in this city... don't know anyone..."

Then he added meaningfully,

"And most importantly... they helped Sanju."

He paused.

"If we help them... what's wrong in that?"

Silence filled the room.

Ayaan stared at him.

Long.

Sharp.

Unreadable.

But he said nothing.

Not a word.

He simply turned-

And walked out.

---

Yash Ji watched him leave.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I know..."

"He'll investigate them through his sources..."

He leaned back slightly.

"After all... he has a Major's mind."

Ayaan entered his room.

Pulled out his phone.

Typed a short message.

Sent.

Then threw the phone onto the bed-

And walked into the bathroom.

When he came out-

Fresh, composed-

His phone had already received two calls.

It rang again.

He picked it up.

"Yes."

His tone was low.

Serious.

He listened.

Spoke briefly.

Then disconnected.

Whatever he heard-

Was enough.

He stepped out of his room.

---

Downstairs-

Everyone was seated at the dining table.

Kalyani Ji looked around.

"That girl hasn't come yet?"

Malini Ji nodded,

"Yes... she said she'd come in the morning."

Kalyani Ji turned to her,

"You got the rooms cleaned, right?"

Before Malini could answer-

Sanju, practically glowing with excitement, bounced slightly.

Rohan smacked her lightly on the head.

"Tu itni khush kyu ho rhi hai, Shurpanakha ?"
(Why are you so excited, Shurpanakha?)

Sanju glared at him.

"Tujhe kya dikkat hai, Bandar!"
(What's your problem, monkey!)

Then she added proudly,

"Mai khush hu kyuki woh sundar wali di aane wali hai!"
(I'm happy because that beautiful di is coming!)

Rohan smirked.

"Haan haan...tu toh hai hi badsurat...tujhe unse tricks sikhni hai sundar banne ki! "
(Yeah right... you're ugly... you want to learn tricks from her to become pretty!)

Sanju's face instantly turned emotional.

She looked toward Ayaan, who had been silently watching everything.

"Bhaiya...dekho na...ye mujhe badsurat keh raha hai..."
(Bhaiya... see... he's calling me ugly...)

She wiped fake tears dramatically.

Rohan froze.

Slowly turned his head-

Toward Ayaan.

Big mistake.

Because Ayaan-

Was already staring at him.

With that deadly, warning glare.

The kind that didn't need words.

How dare you make her cry?

Rohan panicked instantly.

He grabbed his breakfast plate.

Started getting up-

Planning to escape.

But-

Ayaan's cold voice cut through the air.

"Be ready at 4 AM tomorrow."

Rohan froze mid-step.

He turned slowly.

"Bhai... that's unfair... she called me a monkey too..."

But Ayaan had already finished eating.

He placed his hand on Sanju's head and said calmly while walking away,

"She's younger than you."

And left.

Rohan collapsed back into his chair.

"This is unfair..."

He looked at Malini Ji.

"Mummy...aap samjao na..."
(Mom... please explain to him...)

Malini Ji stood up casually.

"I can't do anything..."

"Who told you to insult her in front of him?"

Rohan was speechless.

Meanwhile-

Sanju stood up dramatically.

Flipped her hair.

Adjusted her glasses like a queen-

And walked away in style.

Rohan stared at her.

Mouth open.

---

By afternoon-

Tahiri arrived with her luggage.

She was welcomed warmly.

But Malini Ji noticed something.

"Tahiri beta...tumhari dost nhi aayi? "
(Your friend didn't come?)

Tahiri replied calmly,

"Aunty... she'll come in a day or two... she's out of town for some work."

Everyone agreed.

No questions.

Ayaan, meanwhile-

Had already left for the army camp.

Rohan and Sanju helped Tahiri settle in.

And surprisingly-

Tahiri blended in quickly.

Almost... too smoothly.

---

At dinner-

Everyone sat together.

Tahiri leaned slightly toward Sanju and asked softly,

"Waise...tumhare dusre bhaiya nhi dikhe?"
(Your other brother isn't here?)

Sanju whispered back,

"He comes late... he's in the army..."

Then she smiled proudly,

"He loves me a lot..."

Tahiri nodded slowly.

"Oh..."

Then-

Sanju leaned closer.

Her expression suddenly serious.

"Di... I'm warning you in advance..."

Tahiri blinked.

"Why?"

Sanju widened her eyes dramatically.

"My brother is allergic to girls."

Tahiri choked slightly.

"What?"

Sanju continued,

"He doesn't like girls... especially the ones who flirt..."

Then she whispered dramatically,

"He gets so angry... that if it were up to him-"

She made a shooting gesture.

"Apni gun ki sari goliyan samne wali ladki mein utar de."
(He'd empty his gun into them.)

Tahiri froze.

"Arey baap re..."
(Oh God...)

"Tumhare bhaiya toh bahot khatarnaak hai..."
(Your brother is dangerous...)

Sanju nodded proudly.

"Yes."

---

After dinner-

Everyone sat in the living room.

Yash Ji looked at Tahiri.

"So, when are you joining the office?"

Tahiri smiled softly.

"Uncle... from tomorrow."

She added with quiet determination-

"I'll start from tomorrow itself."

---
_🎶___________________________________________________________
🦋🎶

Two days passed.

Quietly.

But not peacefully.

In those two days-

Tahiri and Ayaan...

Never crossed paths.

Ayaan remained on duty.

Didn't come home even once.

And Tahiri-

She had already started going to the office.

Blending in.

Smiling.

Talking.

Living like... everything was normal.

But beneath that calm-

Something was always... hidden.

Two days later-

At dinner time-

Everyone was seated at the table.

As usual-

Rohan and Sanju were busy fighting.

Kalyani Ji looked at Tahiri and asked gently,

"Beta... your friend hasn't come yet?"

Tahiri placed her spoon down and replied calmly,

"No dadi... her work is done..."

"I spoke to her... she might arrive tonight or by tomorrow morning..."

Then she added,

"I don't know her train timing..."

And just then-

Her eyes shifted toward the main gate.

And she froze.

Her lips parted slightly.

Her expression-

Changed completely.

Everyone noticed.

And followed her gaze.

---

At the gate-

Ayaan walked in.

Dressed in his uniform.

Sharp.

Commanding.

Dangerous.

There was something about him-

An aura.

A presence that didn't just enter a room...

It took control of it.

For a moment-

Even time seemed to slow.

Tahiri stared at him.

Unblinking.

Almost... stunned.

This man...

He's-

Before she could even complete her thought-

Sanju quickly covered her mouth.

"Arey bas karo di! Mere bhaiya ko nazar lagaogi kya?"
(Hey stop staring, di! You'll jinx my brother!)

But Tahiri didn't even react.

Her eyes followed Ayaan-

Until he disappeared into his room.

Only when the door shut-

Did she come back to her senses.

Sanju shook her slightly.

"Di...?"

Tahiri immediately grabbed the glass of water-

And drank it in one go.

Then looked at Sanju, eyes wide-

"Yeh...tumhare bhaiya hai?"
(This... is your brother?)

Sanju nodded.

"Yes di... what happened?"

Tahiri placed her hand on her chest dramatically.

"Yahan toh mujhe heart attack aane wala tha..."
(I almost had a heart attack...)

"Kya personality hai yaar..."
(What a personality...)

She touched her cheek softly.

"Haayeee..."

Sanju rolled her eyes.

"Di...khayali pulav banana band karo..."
(Di... stop daydreaming...)

"Woh nhi patne wale...bahut sakt mijaz hai..."
(He's not someone you can impress... he's very strict...)

---

Ayaan returned after changing.

Walked in calmly.

Sat down.

No expression.

No reaction.

Malini Ji served him food.

"How was your day, beta?"

Ayaan replied simply,

"It was fine, mom."

Kalyani Ji pointed toward Tahiri.

"Beta...yeh hai Tahiri...jisne sanju ko ghar chora tha..."
(Son... this is Tahiri... she brought Sanju home...)

"She works in our company."

Ayaan didn't even look at her.

Not once.

He simply continued eating.

Yash Ji stared at him.

Kalyani Ji too.

But no one said anything.

Tahiri understood.

This is normal... for him.

The entire dinner-

Was silent.

Unusually silent.

Even Rohan and Sanju-

Didn't argue.

And Tahiri knew exactly why.

---

Everyone finished eating.

Tahiri stood up to leave.

But-

Ayaan's cold voice stopped her.

"Was it you... who saved Sanju?"

The room froze.

Tahiri turned.

For a second-

That voice...

Shook her.

But she composed herself instantly.

"Ji nahi..."

She pointed toward Sanju.

"My friend saved her..."

"I only brought her home."

Ayaan stared at her.

Deep.

Piercing.

Then asked-

"Is that so..."

He folded his arms.

"You said the police took those boys..."

His gaze sharpened.

"Which police?"

For a moment-

Tahiri blanked out.

Inside her mind-

Chaos.

Police...?

There was no police...

Are they even alive...?

But her face-

Remained calm.

Expressionless.

"I don't know..."

"We informed the police... and they took them away."

Ayaan studied her face carefully.

As if-

Trying to read her.

Her truth.

Her lie.

But he said nothing.

He simply placed his hand on Sanju's head-

And walked away.

---

Tahiri immediately went to her room.

Locked the door.

Took out a second phone.

Dialed a number.

The call connected.

"What happened, ma'am?"

"Is everything okay?"

Tahiri spoke calmly,

"Everything is fine, Suraj..."

Then-

She gave him instructions.

Clear.

Precise.

After ending the call-

She sat silently.

Thinking.

---

Meanwhile-

Suraj sat in front of a laptop.

Working.

Fast.

The moment the call ended-

He dialed another number.

In a ruined, abandoned place-

A man was pacing restlessly.

His phone rang.

"Yes Suraj... speak..."

Suraj said something.

Short.

Direct.

The man disconnected.

And walked toward the basement.

Inside-

Two men sat in front of multiple systems.

Wires everywhere.

Screens glowing.

Something... illegal.

Something... dangerous.

He said something to them.

The three of them walked into a small inner room.

And what they saw-

Was horrifying.

Four men.

Hanging.

Barely alive.

Mutilated.

Broken.

One without a hand.

One... worse.

One covered in crawling scorpions.

Their screams-

Gone.

Their bodies-

Destroyed.

But they were alive.

Barely.

And those four men-

Were the same ones...

Who tried to harm Sanju.

The masked men exchanged glances.

Then-

Walked out.

---

Back at Kalyani Nivas-

It was 2 AM.

Ayaan was still awake.

Working on his laptop.

Giving instructions on call.

Sharp.

Focused.

Alert.

Outside the house-

A shadow stood.

Watching.

Observing.

Scanning.

Its face-

Hidden.

It looked around.

Jumped over the wall.

Entered the premises silently.

Step by step.

Carefully.

Searching for an entry.

It found a window.

Tried opening it.

Locked.

Inside-

Ayaan had just finished his work.

He stood up.

Feeling thirsty.

He went to the kitchen.

Picked up the jug.

Started filling water.

And then-

He heard it.

A sound.

Soft.

But clear.

Footsteps.

Ayaan froze.

His senses sharpened instantly.

He stepped out of the kitchen.

Looked around.

And then-

He saw it.

A shadow.

Moving.

His eyes darkened.

Intruder.

Without making a sound-

He moved.

Closer.

Closer.

And in one swift motion-

He grabbed the shadow from behind-

By the throat.

The figure jerked in shock.

But recovered instantly.

And the next second-

A powerful punch-

Landed on Ayaan's jaw.

His grip loosened.

The shadow broke free-

To be continued...

_🎶___________________________________________________________
🦋🎶

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬𝐬... 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰...

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲...

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 😉

𝐋𝐮𝐯 𝐲𝐨𝐮... 𝐔𝐦𝐚𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡💋💋🦋

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