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Shivansh's POV
The evening unfolded slowly, the chatter and laughter from earlier in the day now replaced by a subdued energy. After the tea and coffee were served, a butler approached, bowing slightly as he informed maa, "Rani maa, Dinner has been prepared and is ready to be served."
I watched as everyone began to rise, the usual hum of voices accompanying the shuffle of chairs. My eyes naturally gravitated toward Isha. She had been quiet ever since the movie, her vibrant personality replaced by a noticeable silence.
She wasn't laughing at Dhruv's jokes, wasn't teasing her brother, and-most telling of all-she wasn't even looking at me.
"Let's head to the dining area," maa announced, glancing toward Isha's parents with a polite smile. "Please, come."
The group moved to the dining area, where the table was already set with an array of dishes. It was similar to lunch, but the atmosphere felt different. People chatted, but the energy was softer, calmer, as if the weight of the evening had started to settle in.
This time, Isha sat quietly beside her father, her gaze fixed firmly on her plate. She spoke only when spoken to, her responses short and polite. She was avoiding everyone, but I knew better. She was avoiding me.
Isha.
She was quieter than usual, focusing too intently on her plate. Her usual quick wit and biting sarcasm seemed to have vanished. Ever since the movie earlier, she'd been avoiding my eyes, her nervous energy practically vibrating off her.
I watched her steal a glance at me when she thought no one was looking, only to quickly avert her gaze when our eyes met. My lips twitched into a smirk. She was terrible at hiding her embarrassment.
The meal ended, and everyone moved to the garden area to enjoy the cool night breeze. The stars were scattered across the sky, their light casting a serene glow over the neatly trimmed hedges and sprawling lawns.
I watched Isha from a distance as she stood with her family. She wasn't participating in the conversation, her hands clasped in front of her as she stared off into the distance. Something was bothering her.
Unable to stop myself, I approached maa. "maa, it's late," I said, keeping my voice low. "Their house is two hours away, and the roads won't be safe this time of night. Why don't we suggest they stay here?"
Ma glanced at me, a knowing look crossing her face. "You're concerned about their safety?"
I nodded. "Of course. It's a reasonable suggestion."
She didn't respond right away, but a small smile tugged at her lips as she turned to look at Isha's family. "You're right. It wouldn't be right to let them travel so far at this hour."
She walked over to my grandmother, Dadi sa, and whispered something to her. Dadi sa's expression softened, and she nodded. "I'll handle it," she said before stepping forward.
"Vikram, Devika," Dadi sa began, her voice warm and inviting, "the night has grown quite late, and it's a long journey back to your home. I'd like to insist that you all stay here for the night. We have more than enough space, and it would put my mind at ease knowing you're safe."
Isha's father hesitated. "That's very kind of you, but we don't want to impose."
"It's no imposition," Dadi sa said firmly. "It would be our pleasure. Isn't that right, Vikram?"
My father nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. Please, consider this your home for the night."
Isha's mother exchanged a glance with her husband before smiling. "Thank you. If it's truly no trouble, we'll stay."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Isha's lips twitch upward into a faint smile. She quickly turned away, pretending to adjust her shawl, but I caught it.
Preparations were made swiftly. Chote papa, walked through the hall, instructing the staff. "Make sure three rooms are cleaned and ready. Place fresh linens and water in each. Quickly now."
I stayed near the staircase, observing as everyone settled into the idea of staying the night. Isha stood by the doorway, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her kurta. Her silence was palpable, but her eyes were distant, lost in thought.
As the staff returned to confirm the rooms were ready, my uncle announced to the uncle, "The rooms are prepared. You can rest whenever you'd like."
Everyone wished good night to each other and began to disperse. Isha lingered for a moment, as if waiting for something, before quietly following her parents upstairs.
I stayed behind, leaning against the bannister as the house fell silent. My thoughts, however, were anything but.
I couldn't help but wonder what had changed in her today. Something was different-she was different. And though she was silent, her presence was loud enough to fill the room.
Arrangements were made quickly, and soon everyone retired to their rooms. I didn't feel like heading to mine right away, so I wandered through the quiet house.
The house was quieter now, the buzz of the evening fading as everyone retired to their rooms. I wasn't ready to sleep, so I wandered onto the terrace to get some air. The cool night breeze brushed against my face, carrying with it a strange sense of calm.
I heard the faint sound of footsteps behind me, and when I turned, I saw her.
Isha stood at the threshold of the balcony, looking uncertain. Her hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and she seemed smaller, more delicate under the pale moonlight. She hadn't noticed me yet.
"You can't avoid me forever," I said, my voice breaking the silence.
She startled, her hand flying to her chest. "You scared me!"
"Did I?" I asked, leaning back against the railing. "I thought you'd gotten used to being scared today."
Her cheeks flushed instantly. "That's funny, coming from someone who jumped during the movie."
I smirked. "I didn't jump. I was startled. Big difference."
She rolled her eyes and stepped closer, leaning against the railing beside me. The silence stretched between us, but it wasn't uncomfortable. I could feel her struggling with something, the words trapped behind her lips.
"You've been quiet tonight," I said, breaking the silence.
She turned sharply, startled. Her expression shifted quickly from surprise to irritation, and I couldn't help but smirk. "I wasn't aware you were keeping tabs on me," she shot back. And "I've had nothing to say," she replied curtly.
"I'm not," I said casually, moving to stand beside her. "But you've been avoiding me since the movie. Should I take offense?"
Her hands gripped the railing tighter, and she looked out into the garden. "I'm not avoiding you. You're imagining things." then She looked up at me, her eyes narrowing. "Why would I do that?"
I turned to face her fully, leaned against the railing, my arms crossed, studying her. "You tell me. You couldn't even look at me during dinner. Something's bothering you. You've avoided eye contact all evening, didn't laugh at your brother's jokes, and barely said a word. That's not like you."
She glanced at me, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Maybe I just don't have much to say to you."
"Or maybe," I said, lowering my voice, "you're embarrassed about holding onto me during the movie."
She opened her mouth to argue but stopped. Her hands gripped the railing tightly as she sighed. "Fine. Maybe I was... embarrassed. Happy?"
I tilted my head, studying her. "Embarrassed? Why?"
Her voice lowered. "Because of the movie, okay? I wasn't thinking, and-"
"You held onto me," I finished for her.
Her eyes widened, and her face turned crimson. "I wasn't holding onto you! I was just... I-"
"You were scared," I said simply, cutting off her excuses.
She turned away, her hair falling over her shoulder as she stared out at the garden. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"A little," I admitted, my tone softening. "But only because it was the first time you let your guard down around me."
She froze, her fingers tightening around the railing. I let the moment hang in the air, unsure if I'd said too much.
She stiffened, clearly caught off guard. I knew I shouldn't have said it, but the words had already escaped. The silence between us stretched, heavy and charged.
Before she could respond, I stepped back, giving her space. "Good night, Isha," I said, my voice quieter than before.
I left her there, under the moonlight, knowing she wouldn't be able to stop thinking about this conversation-just like I wouldn't.
I didn't look back, but I could feel her eyes on me, and for the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to hope.
The ringing of my phone shattered the silence of the night, its harsh tone making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I had just drifted off to sleep, my mind heavy with exhaustion, but the call from my headman jolted me awake.
"Sir, we have a lead," his voice crackled through the phone. " Elvo who ran from the warehouse-they're connected to someone. We need you here now."
I cursed under my breath, glancing at the clock. It was 2 AM. But this was no time for sleep. My mind clicked into gear.
"Understood. I'm coming," I replied, cutting the call before I even heard his response.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my body already in motion. Dhruv and Avi, who just came into my room , both stirred at the sound of my footsteps.
"What's going on?" Dhruv's voice was groggy, but he was already sitting up, his eyes sharp despite the early hour.
"We've got work to do," I said, pulling on my jacket and grabbing my keys from the bedside table. "Get dressed. We're heading to the warehouse."
Avi was already on his feet, his usual smirk playing on his lips. "Middle of the night? Something's always fun when it's this dark, isn't it?"
I didn't respond, just turned toward the door. The cold air of the night hit me as I stepped outside, the drive to the warehouse taking no time at all, but it felt like an eternity in the silence of the car. My thoughts raced as I wondered who could have caused the trouble this distance.
When we arrived, the warehouse was eerily quiet, save for the low murmur of voices in the distance.
The air inside the warehouse was thick with tension. My men circled the bound man like sharks, waiting for the moment I'd make my move. He was beaten, broken, but still conscious-just enough to talk. His lips quivered as he tried to keep his fear hidden, but his eyes couldn't mask the panic.
My men stood in a circle around a figure on the ground, a man bound and bloodied. I didn't need to ask what had happened. The clues were clear.
I approached, the familiar chill of the warehouse filling my lungs.
"Sir, he's the one," Aarya said, his voice low and cold as he nodded toward the man in the middle. "We got him to talk. He's the one who was going to attack you. He's connected to Elvi and someone else who is shaking his hand with Elvo".
I stepped forward, my eyes narrowing. The man on the ground raised his head slightly, his eyes flicking toward me with fear. It didn't take much to understand what he was saying. He wasn't just any street thug-he was sent by someone with a personal vendetta.
I crouched beside him, staring him down. "Who sent you?" I asked, my voice colder than the night air around us.
The man swallowed, blood dripping from his split lip. "It's not just him. There are others... they'll be coming for you soon. The boss... he knows everything."
I crouched down next to him, locking eyes with him as my voice cut through the cold air. "Why are you here? What's your purpose?"
The man took a shaky breath, his eyes darting around, scanning the room, searching for an escape that wouldn't come. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered, but it was clear he was lying. "I'm just... a delivery guy."
"Delivery guy?" Dhruv stepped forward, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Then why are you tied up, bleeding, and spilling information about an attack on Shivansh?"
I let Dhruv take the lead, his sharpness always a reminder that he wasn't just a friend-he was a weapon in his own right. I leaned in closer, keeping my voice cold. "You better start talking. Why did you come for me?"
The man's lip trembled as he looked up at me, his voice cracking under the pressure. "I... I was sent by him... the one you... you've been trying to bring down. He knew everything about you, your moves, your plans... He told me to wait for the right moment, and then..." His words faltered as his eyes locked with mine. "And then he said to kill you."
The air grew heavy as the truth settled in. This wasn't just a random attack. Someone had planned this-someone who knew too much about me. My hands clenched into fists as I stood up, feeling the anger bubble to the surface.
"And now that you're here," I said, turning to my men, "you'll be dealt with. We don't leave threats alive."
A dangerous silence settled between us. "You know what happens next," I muttered, the weight of my words hanging in the air.
Before I could stand up, Dhruv stepped forward, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Are we just going to let him talk? Or do we take care of him now?"
I shook my head, standing up. "No. We get what we need from him, and then he's dealt with. We don't leave loose ends." I turned to my men. "Make sure this doesn't go any further. He talks or he dies."
The man, terrified, looked up at me, but I wasn't looking for mercy. Not from him. Not from anyone who dared cross me.
The room felt heavier as my thoughts sharpened. This was just another game. But this time, it was personal.
Aarya nodded, his voice dark. "We'll make sure he doesn't speak again."
I turned on my heel, stepping away from the man as his terrified gaze followed me. Dhruv's sharp words echoed in the warehouse. "You know, Shivansh, they're all the same. When they get desperate, they start spilling the truth."
I didn't say anything in return. Instead, I gestured to my men. "Make sure nothing's left behind."
We left the warehouse, the night feeling colder now, as if the city itself was waiting for something. The drive back to the palace was silent, each of us lost in our thoughts, digesting the information that had just unfolded. As we pulled into the palace gates, the familiar sight of my home brought a sense of unease rather than comfort. The chaos was never far behind.
When we stepped inside, the grandeur of the palace felt more like a prison than a refuge.
Avi, who had been quiet through the whole ordeal, seemed eager to escape the tension. "I'm heading to my room," he muttered, his tone curt, before disappearing up the stairs.
Dhruv, always the strategist, turned to me. "You and I need to talk. In your room."
I nodded, and we walked in silence to my quarters. Once inside, I tossed my jacket onto the chair, my mind still racing with thoughts of the night's events.
Dhruv stood by the window, his gaze distant. "You know, this has become more than just a business rivalry. Whoever's behind this knows you too well."
I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe. "I'm aware. It's not just about the warehouse anymore. Someone's playing a dangerous game, and I intend to finish it."
Before Dhruv could respond, the door to my room swung open. Avi stormed in, his face pale but determined, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Stop this!" he burst out, his voice shaking with emotion. "You can't keep going like this, throwing yourself into danger without thinking about what's at stake!"
I stared at his, surprised by the sudden outburst. " Avi, I-"
"No! Bhaiya you listen to me." he took a step closer, pointing a trembling finger at me. "In one month, you're getting engaged. You have an engagement to plan, a life to focus on! And after that, there's going to be even more pressure-more responsibility. What if something happens to you before then? Have you thought about that?"
Dhruv exchanged a look with me but wisely stayed silent.
Then Dhruv's voice broke as he continued, "Why are you so stubborn? Why do you always think you have to shoulder everything alone? Do you even realize how much you matter to the people around you?"
he paused, taking a shaky breath before continuing. "I made her my sister, you know. I don't have a family, not really, but in these past few meets, she's become like a real sister to me. And now, because of you, I finally feel like I'm gaining a family. But if something happens to her..." Her voice faltered, and he clenched his fists.
"If something happens to you," he repeated, his tone softer but more pained, "you'll miss seeing me finally happy. You'll miss being the brother I never had. And I... I'll miss you at every step of my life, no matter how much I try not to."
His words hung in the air, heavy with raw emotion. Avi looked away, as if trying to give us privacy despite standing in the same room.
I stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Dhruv, Avi, I hear you. I understand. But I can't let this go. Not until I know it's over. Not until I know everyone I care about is safe."
He shook her head, tears spilling over now. "Fine. But you promise me this-you promise me you'll be careful. You'll stay alive, because we need you. I need you."
Her words settled in my chest like a stone, and I nodded, my voice low but firm. "I promise."
For the first time that night, the weight of everything lifted just slightly.
I nodded, rubbing my temples. "I'll handle it. But right now, you both need sleep. I'll deal with this in the morning."
We didn't speak more. Dhruv pulled back the covers of the bed and Avi climbed in, as I did the same. The bed was large enough for all of us, and though we had a lot to discuss, their both sleep came faster than expected.
'I know Dhruv doesn't have family, but we have him. I don't know when or how he made Isha, his sister. But I do know this-he always comes back for her. For us.
We aren't enough, and I understand that. I know why he's acting like this. He's already lost someone he loved deeply. He doesn't want to lose us. He doesn't want to lose me. And he can't lose Isha.
But I won't let that happen. Isha is my responsibility now. Before anyone dares to harm her, they'll have to get through me. No one is going to touch her. No matter what. Nothing will happen to her. Nothing will happen to us.
I know why they both behaving this way-because he knows. He knows pain. Have you ever thought about what happened to Veer? Veer lost someone close to him too in this. That's why he is keeping us at arm's length. Why he's trying to push us away. He doesn't want anything to happen to us. And avi doesn't want that what happened to Veer that happened to me again.
Do you know how much we missed Veer? I do. And I understand that whatever Veer is doing now, he's doing it for Avi. Veer doesn't want someone to die-not like her. That's why he's holding on so tightly. That's why he's breaking.
But nothing will happen to me. I promise you that. I am boundless, unshaken. Whoever is behind this, I will find them. I will destroy them. No one will mess with us-not with my family-not with Isha, she is my family now whether she accept me or not but is her and who ever is her family they are mine also. I will not let anything happen to anyone now.
With this thoughts i doesn't when i also slept with them.
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