The roaring sound of the airplane faded into the background as the black car cruised through the familiar streets of London. Bina sat in the backseat, eyes sharp and calculating. Beside her, Naina tapped on her phone, updating her social media, her lips curled in a pleased smirk. Aarohi sat quietly, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of her dupatta, her heart pounding as the surroundings grew familiar with every passing turn.
It had been years… too many years. But Aarohi could never forget these streets. These very lanes once held her childhood innocence, where she learned to laugh and love before her world was ripped apart.
Finally, the car halted in front of an old, two-story brick house. Aarohi's breath hitched, emotions flooding in as she stared at the broken nameplate hanging loosely—Nahim Mehta. Her vision blurred with tears. This was the house… her house, her first real home after adoption, before life turned cruel again.
Bina's sharp voice sliced through her emotions, "Get out. Don't stand there like a statue. Go inside and clean the mess."
Aarohi blinked away her tears, quickly opening the car door. She followed Bina and Naina inside, her steps slow and hesitant. The interior was dusty, covered in sheets, but every corner whispered memories of Nahim Ji's warmth and his wife's gentle affection.
As she removed the covers and started cleaning, her throat tightened. Every step inside this house reminded her of the man who once called her his daughter, who protected her when no one else did.
In a quiet whisper, she said, "Papa… your Chiku is back… but everything has changed…" She wiped her tears quickly before Bina could notice.
Bina glanced at Aarohi with disinterest. For her, this house was a temporary shelter, nothing more. She wanted to get rid of Aarohi, but Naina had whispered, "She can be useful… London is expensive… we'll make money using her." Bina agreed.
Meanwhile, across the city—
Inside a sleek skyscraper, Kabir entered the grand office of Ruhan Singhal. The atmosphere was charged, Ruhan seated behind his massive desk, swirling a glass of whiskey.
Kabir's voice broke the silence, "Boss… she's here."
Ruhan's hand paused mid-air, his jaw tightening, "Where?"
"London. Just arrived with Bina and Naina. They went straight to Nahim's old house."
Silence followed, but only for a moment.
Ruhan leaned forward, placing the glass down, his dark eyes gleaming, "Finally… after all these years."
Kabir continued, "Boss… Nahim Mehta is no more. He was shot… debt issues. Bina ran with Aarohi and Naina to escape. They had no option but to come back here."
Ruhan's hands curled into fists, his nostrils flared. His memories flashed back—of the little girl in purple, her shy smile, her innocent eyes. And then the brutal truth—she had been living like a slave, beaten and starved, while he sat in luxury.
Ruhan's fingers twitched, his breathing slow and controlled, but Kabir could sense the storm brewing inside him.
Without wasting another second, Ruhan stood up, grabbed his coat, and stormed towards the door. "Get the car ready. We are going there… now."
Kabir nodded and followed without question.
Ruhan's mind raced—after years of restless nights, empty mornings, and hollow victories, she was finally within reach. The little girl in purple was now a woman… but in his eyes, she would always be his… his lost possession.
As the sleek black car zipped through the London streets, Ruhan's grip tightened on the seat, his heart pumping fiercely. "This time, I will not let anyone steal you away again," he thought darkly.
Back at the house—
Aarohi finished cleaning, her hands aching but her mind preoccupied. She stood by the window, eyes lost in thought, remembering the few precious days of happiness she'd once lived here.
Then… the sudden shrill sound of the doorbell snapped her out of her thoughts.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Bina frowned, "Who's here now?"
But Aarohi… Aarohi stood frozen in place, her breathing hitched, an unknown fear curling in her chest.
Something inside her told her—nothing would ever be the same again.
And she was right.
Aarohi's trembling fingers hovered near the door handle, her breath uneven. The doorbell echoed again, louder this time—sharp enough to jolt her heart. Behind her, Bina shouted, "Open the door! Why are you standing there like a statue?"
But Aarohi's instincts whispered something different. A strange tension filled the air, heavier than before. She swallowed her nervousness, slowly turned the lock, and pulled the door open.
Her eyes widened.
Standing tall at the doorstep was a man she couldn't recognize… but his presence commanded attention. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his sharp jawline clenched, dark brown eyes fixated on her—eyes that held a storm of emotions, pain, anger… and something deeper.
Before she could process anything, his rich, husky voice spoke one word, "Aarohi."
The way he said her name sent chills down her spine. Her lips parted, but no words came out. She felt paralyzed, confused—who was this man and how did he know her?
Behind him stood Kabir, his intimidating posture enough to silence anyone.
Bina appeared from behind, her expression instantly changing from irritation to calculated sweetness. "Oh… Mr. Singhal… what a surprise."
Ruhan didn't respond. His entire focus remained on Aarohi, taking in her fragile figure, the innocence in her gaze, and the quiet fear in her posture.
After twelve long years… she was finally standing in front of him.
And this time, Ruhan Singh Singhal wasn't planning to let her go.
Not now.
Not ever.
In the next chapter… the real game begins. The past will collide with the present, and Aarohi's quiet world will shatter forever.
Thank you 💜