Zaniya was getting ready in her room. She looked breathtakingly beautiful today, draped in a saree. She wasn't Indian by blood, but she adored Indian traditional attire and always found joy in wearing it.
Standing in front of her dressing mirror, she admired her reflection—when suddenly, someone hugged her tightly from behind.
Her heartbeat raced uncontrollably. Breathless, she whispered, "So finally… you remembered me, hmm?"
A deep, husky voice answered softly, yet firmly, "Remember you? Impossible. Because you don't live in my memory… you live in my heart. Forgetting you is not even an option."
Before she could reply, he turned her towards him, pressed his lips to hers, and then pulled her into a warm, possessive embrace.
That man was Rudraksha Singhal—the King of the Underworld. His aura was so dangerous, so commanding, that the entire underworld feared him. Yet in the world's eyes, he was a powerful businessman. Age had caught up with him, and now he was preparing to pass his throne to his son—Ruhan. The new King in the making.
At that moment, their daughter Ruhi appeared at the doorway. Her eyes widened in shock. After almost a year, she was finally seeing her father again—he had been away in Russia all this time.
"Dad… you're back!" she cried, running to him and throwing her arms around his chest.
Rudraksha smiled faintly, stroking her hair with fatherly affection. "Hmm, jaan… I'm here. Did you miss me?"
"More than anything… even more than Mom! Dad, where were you? Why didn't you come home?" Ruhi's eyes brimmed with tears as she clung tighter to him.
The three of them—father, mother, and daughter—embraced together in a long-awaited moment of reunion.
Breaking the silence, Zaniya reminded them gently, "We're forgetting something. The team is waiting for us downstairs. Shall we?"
Rudraksha nodded. "You two go ahead. I'll join after I freshen up."
Zaniya and Ruhi descended the stairs… only to be stunned by the sight in front of them.
In the living hall stood Dadi, Ruhan… and with them, a young girl.
Ruhan's voice thundered, sharp with anger: "Dadi, stay out of my personal matters. What is she doing here?"
Dadi's tone matched his fury. "She is not a thing, Ruhan! She is a sweet child who belongs with her parents. Tell me, why were you keeping her here?"
Zaniya and Ruhi exchanged confused glances, unable to understand what was happening.
Flashback,
Ruhan had just returned to the mansion. Sitting down, he checked his emails when suddenly he heard a delicate, trembling voice:
"Ruhan…"
Before he could respond, someone threw herself into his arms. Startled, he looked down—and seeing her tears, he hugged her back tightly.
"Shhh… calm down, Purple. Nothing will happen. I'm here." His hands stroked her back, trying to comfort her.
And then came a sharp, authoritative voice from behind.
"Welcome back, Ruhan."
It was Dadi, entering the room with her piercing gaze.
End of Flashback.
Now, in the present, Zaniya walked closer—and her eyes fell upon the frightened, trembling girl.
It was Aarohi.
Tears streaked down her face, fear clear in her eyes. Without a thought, Zaniya bent down, wrapped her arms around her protectively, and whispered, "What's happening here? And why is Aarohi here?"
Hearing her mother speak Aarohi's name, Ruhan froze in shock.
"Mom… how do you know Aarohi?"
Zaniya's voice was firm but full of affection. "She's my sweet child. And why are you making her cry?"
Turning to Ruhi, she said, "Baby, take Aarohi to your room."
But Ruhan's furious voice cut through the air. "No! She won't go anywhere, Mom."
Zaniya faced him calmly. "Ruhan, she's scared. She's sensitive. I know her better than you. Let her go."
Reluctantly, Ruhan fell silent, watching Ruhi lead Aarohi away. His fists clenched with helpless anger.
He turned back to his mother. "Mom, tell me clearly. Why did Dadi bring Aarohi here? And how do you know her?
Zaniya sighed deeply, gathering her thoughts.
"I know everything about Aarohi."
Her voice softened as she continued, "When you left for New York years ago, I visited an orphanage. There, I saw older children troubling a little girl… this very Aarohi.
I couldn't bear it. I stopped them, protected her, and then spoke with the manager. Later, I asked my friends—Nahim and Nibha Mehta—to adopt her. They had no children of their own. Aarohi became theirs."
Her eyes grew misty. "She knew me well, we became close… almost friends. But after Nibha passed away, they left. I still tried to keep in touch, to care for her. But today, seeing her… I realize no one really took care of her."
Ruhan's voice shook with both anger and pain. "Mom… do you even know? I've been searching for her for twelve years. And when I finally found her… I couldn't control myself. I brought her here."
Before Zaniya could reply, a thunderous voice echoed through the hall.
"What's going on here? Why so much noise?"
Everyone turned.
"Dad…" Ruhan whispered under his breath.
Rudraksha Singhal was walking towards them, his presence as dominating as ever. Zaniya's heart raced nervously, unsure of what was about to happen between father and son.
Father and son now stood face to face—two powerful men, their expressions unreadable. The tension was thick in the air.
Then, Rudraksha raised his hand.
Zaniya instinctively shut her eyes, bracing for the worst.
But instead… Rudraksha pulled Ruhan into a tight embrace.
"Welcome back, my sher."
For a moment, Ruhan stood frozen. Then, slowly, he returned the hug with equal force, burying years of silence in his father's arms.
Zaniya's lips curved into a relieved smile.
The storm had passed… but the story was only just beginning.