Aarohi sat alone in the large, quiet room, the stillness pressing down on her like a heavy, invisible weight.
Boredom gnawed at her, and there was no one to talk to, no tasks to occupy her restless mind.
She stared at the ornate ceiling, lost in thoughts that twisted like ivy around her heart. She felt suspended in time, trapped between curiosity and unease, unsure of what awaited her.
Every shadow on the walls seemed to move, whispering secrets she couldn't hear.
Then, the door to the room creaked open, and in walked an elderly woman, her posture dignified yet brisk, a sharpness in her eyes that immediately drew Aarohi's attention.
Aarohi's pupils narrowed slightly, suspicion flickering across her face as she studied the newcomer.
"Get ready. We have to go now," the woman commanded, her voice calm but firm. Without waiting for Aarohi's response, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving the young girl bewildered and anxious.
"Who… who was that?" Aarohi murmured to herself, her voice trembling slightly. "And where… where are we going?"
Her mind raced with questions, but no answers came. The uncertainty felt like a small, tight knot in her chest, and she hugged her knees closer, trying to steady herself.
Meanwhile, the elderly woman, who had been the head maid of the Singhal family for decades, walked swiftly toward her own quarters. She muttered under her breath, as though speaking to herself, "I must inform ma'am…"
Flashback
Earlier that day, the same woman had arrived at the Singhal Mansion with a sense of urgency. She moved through the vast halls with purpose, seating herself on a plush sofa in the parlor. Soon, a maid approached her with a tray carrying a glass of water.
The elder woman accepted it, taking a sip, and then looked around.
"Ruhan baba came here yesterday," she stated matter-of-factly.
The maid replied cautiously, "Boss B, Ruhan baba didn't come alone. He brought a girl… her name is Aarohi." She paused, lowering her voice as if afraid of eavesdroppers.
Boss B—Barkha—looked up sharply, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean? A girl? Tell me everything."
The maid hesitated briefly before answering, "She's very innocent… a sweet child. She's currently in Ruhan baba's room."
Boss B sat quietly for a moment, her mind racing, and then rose, heading upstairs as if guided by an invisible pull.
Flashback End,
Boss B quickly picked up her phone, dialing a number with a sense of urgency. After two rings, the call connected.
"Hello, ma'am! I have something very important to tell you," she said, her voice carrying both excitement and tension.
A commanding, deep voice came through the line, "Barkha, where have you been? I've been looking for you! I couldn't find peace without you."
Boss B's voice trembled slightly as she replied, "Ma'am, Ruhan baba has arrived at his apartment suddenly. I went to check… everything seemed fine, but I found something else entirely."
The voice on the other end demanded, "Tell me clearly! What happened?"
Barkha explained everything in detail. The voice paused for a moment, and then asked sharply, "Who is it? Is she… a foreign girl? Or someone like…"
Barkha quickly interrupted, "No, no! She's an innocent child. She was frightened even by me… truly adorable, like a little angel."
"Bring her to me immediately," the voice ordered.
Barkha's reply was swift, "I'm on my way, ma'am. I knew you'd want to meet her, so I prepared her beforehand."
The call ended abruptly, leaving Barkha with a sense of anticipation and slight nervousness.
Meanwhile, in his Ruhan's office, Ruhan sat behind his polished desk, eyes intense, when Sara appeared, walking in without warning. Her gaze pierced him.
"You're insane, you know that?" she demanded, her voice sharp but laced with concern.
Ruhan didn't even look at her. "Maybe I am. But what insanity are you talking about?"
Sara crossed her arms, stepping closer, her tone laced with frustration. "Ruhan, you should have spoken to her first! You should have asked if she even wanted to come with you! You dragged her along like she had no choice!"
Ruhan finally turned, his eyes locking onto hers with a cold intensity. "What's mine… I claim. Whether by love or force. But it's mine."
He rose from his chair and walked to the glass window, staring out at the sprawling estate. From his pocket, he drew a cigarette, lighting it with a sharp flick. The smoke curled upward like the tension in the room. "She has been apart long enough. Not a moment longer."
Sara sighed, moving closer to take the cigarette from him. "Yes, yes… I know you'd do anything for her, Ruhan. You'd give your life. But there's a limit. Fear isn't love. She's scared of you, not in love yet."
He snatched the cigarette from her, his gaze unwavering, "I will end her fear. I will protect her in every way. She will never be distant from me again."
Silence fell over the room, the weight of unspoken emotion settling heavily. Just then, his phone rang. The caller ID flashed "Mom." Ruhan answered sharply, "Yes, Mom."
After a brief exchange, the call ended.
Sara raised an eyebrow. "What was that about?"
"Nothing," he replied, settling back into his chair. "Devika Chauhan has requested a family dinner. She insisted I come."
Sara laughed softly, tapping his shoulder. "Stop calling her 'Dadi' like it's sweet. She's terrifying."
Ruhan's lips curved in a rare smile. "Not just terrifying… she's lethal. Haven't you seen how she handles people?"
Both of them laughed quietly, a moment of levity in the otherwise tense atmosphere.
Evening, Singhal villa,
Zaniya was overseeing the preparations for the dinner, giving instructions to the maids with precise, deliberate authority. The kitchen was a whirlwind of activity, and the scent of spices and roasting meat filled the air.
Ruhi walked in, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Mom, is something special happening tonight? Any party or celebration?" she asked, resting her hand on the dining table as she observed the bustling room.
Zaniya's face softened, her gaze filled with warmth. "Yes, tonight is a family dinner. It's been a long time since everyone gathered together."
Ruhi's brows furrowed. "Will Dad be there? He promises, but he never comes. He doesn't even meet me or my brother."
Zaniya nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yes, he will be there tonight. I've called him. Now go, get ready. I'll join you soon."
Aarohi's heart raced as she followed the elderly maid down the polished corridors of the Singhal villa. Each step echoed softly, a reminder that she was stepping into unknown territory. Her mind spun with a mix of fear and anticipation, wondering who awaited her at the dinner.
Boss B walked beside her, carrying a small bag and glancing around with a mixture of vigilance and concern. "Come along," she said softly, guiding Aarohi. The young girl nodded, her hands clenching her dress as they moved forward.
As they entered the room where Zaniya sat, Aarohi froze. The older woman's gaze was sharp yet welcoming, and for the first time, Aarohi felt a mixture of awe and fear..
"Aarohi, come closer," Zaniya said gently. Aarohi took hesitant steps, feeling the weight of Zaniya's eyes on her. She noticed the slight sternness but also the warmth in her tone.
"Look at you, in these clothes… how beautiful you look," Zaniya said, smiling softly. Aarohi's eyes widened. She had not expected such kindness and approval. Her lips parted slightly, lost for words.
Meanwhile, Ruhan entered the room, his eyes scanning quickly before settling on the empty space where he expected Aarohi to be.
His brow furrowed, his pulse quickening as he feared she had run off. His hands flexed at his sides, tension radiating off him in waves.
The night unfolded with a quiet, tense anticipation. Every glance, every movement carried weight. Aarohi, still learning the rhythms of this powerful family, felt both fear and fascination.
She sensed that every smile, every word, was layered with intentions she couldn't yet understand. And somewhere, deep in the heart of the villa, Ruhan's gaze was never far from her, protective, possessive, and quietly consuming.
The evening promised connections and revelations, a blend of fear, love, and the complex bonds that would define the coming days. Aarohi realized, even as she sat silently, that her life had changed forever—and she was stepping into a world where nothing would ever be the same again.