Kolkata was loud, fast, and unforgiving.
Ravi gave them a tiny room above his printing shop in a crowded lane.
It wasn't much, but it was safe. For now.
Days passed.
Arjun worked extra hours helping Ravi. Meera stayed inside with Anya, afraid of being seen.
But the tension between Arjun and Meera only grew.
They were close in distance—
yet miles apart in heart.
One night, after Anya fell asleep, Meera stood on the rooftop staring at the city lights.
Arjun joined her.
"You should sleep," he said.
"I can't," she replied.
Neither moved.
Finally, Meera spoke.
"There's another truth."
Arjun's face hardened.
"More secrets?"
She nodded slowly.
"The day I disappeared… I was going to meet you."
Arjun looked at her sharply.
"What?"
"I had decided to run away with you."
His breath caught.
"But my father locked me inside the house. The next morning, they sent me away before sunrise. I begged them to let me say goodbye. They refused."
Tears rolled down her face.
"I never chose to leave you."
Arjun's anger cracked.
"Then why didn't you contact me later?"
"I tried," she whispered. "Every letter I wrote was destroyed. Every phone I touched was watched. After Anya was born, I only focused on keeping her alive."
Arjun stared at her.
Years of hurt. Years of silence.
And now the truth felt heavier than the lie.
"I hated you," he admitted.
Meera closed her eyes.
"I know."
"But I never stopped loving you either."
Meera looked up, stunned.
At that moment, footsteps rushed up the stairs.
Ravi burst onto the roof.
"Arjun!" he shouted. "You need to see this."
He held up a newspaper.
On the front page was a photo of Meera and Anya.
MISSING WIDOW AND CHILD – LARGE REWARD ANNOUNCED
Below it, in bold letters:
"Rajveer Malhotra promises 20 lakh rupees for information leading to their return."
Meera's face went pale.
Ravi swallowed hard.
"There's more," he said.
"What?" Arjun asked.
Ravi looked terrified.
"Someone downstairs is asking for you."
"Who?"
Ravi's voice dropped.
"Rajveer Malhotra himself."