Everyone froze in shock. Rajeev lowered the axe, his grip loosening as he stared at Rudra. Abhi and Sensei exchanged bewildered glances, their minds struggling to process what had just happened.
Gnapika’s face contorted with anger the moment she saw her mother lying unconscious on the bed inside. She rushed toward Rudra, her eyes blazing with fury. "What have you done to her?" she screamed, her voice echoing through the hall. "You promised to be her husband, her protector, but all you do is bring harm!" Rudra stood silently, his expression unreadable. He did not respond, his eyes fixed on Meera’s still form. He knew that explaining his hidden powers, his mystical abilities, would only complicate matters further and possibly instill more fear and distrust. "Answer me!" Gnapika demanded, her voice breaking with emotion. "Why is she unconscious? What did you do?" Rudra remained silenMeera opened her eyes gradually. The mellow glimmer of the evening peaked through the drapes, and the room was gloomy. Two sets of warm hands gripped hers strongly on each side of the bed, she could feel. Beside her, Gnapika and Rajeev were sleeping peacefully, their looks softened by fatigue and worry. Even while she slept, Gnapika's face wrinkled slightly, showing her concern for her mother. With his head resting on the bed's edge and his breathing deep and steady, Rajeev was holding her other hand on the opposite side. A gentle sadness filled her heart to see her children, so near and so worried. Sensei was slouched in a chair close by, his head cocked slightly to the side as he slept with his arms crossed over his chest. Seated in another chair, Abhi's posture revealed the pain he was in during his slumber. His head was rested on his back. Even in their sleep, they all had worn-out looks, their features etched with stress and fatigue. The silence
Suddenly, the shrill ring of Abhi’s phone shattered the tense silence that hung in the room. Abhi answered it quickly, and within moments, his face turned pale with shock. He looked at Rajeev with urgency in his eyes. "Rajeev, we need to go. Now," Abhi said, his voice trembling slightly. Rajeev, sensing the gravity of the situation, immediately stood up. "What's going on?" he asked, worry etched across his face. Ambika, her concern for Rudra momentarily overshadowed by the anxiety in the room, asked, "What happened? Is it Rudra?" Abhi shook his head, his expression grim. "It's Gowthami. Her condition is not well." Rajeev’s heart sank. Gowthami was not just his wife; she was his world, his love, his everything. The thought of losing her was unbearable. "Gowthami is my life," he said softly, his voice filled with desperation and fear. "I can't lose her."
As soon as Ambika stepped into the house, her gaze swept the room in search of Rudra. Sashi, catching the look in her eyes, anticipated her question. “Rudra is still out,” she said gently, trying to offer some reassurance. Just then, Rudra entered the room, his head bowed, lost in his own thoughts. He was so consumed by his reflections on Ambika that he failed to notice her presence immediately. As he walked in, his mind was a whirlwind of regret and hope, struggling to find the right words to make amends. When Ambika finally spotted him, a look of profound relief and joy crossed her face. Without hesitation, she rushed toward him, her arms outstretched. Rudra’s eyes widened in shock as Ambika enveloped him in a tight hug. For a moment, he stood motionless, processing the incredible reality that Ambika had returned. The embrace was warm and heartfelt, filled with the unspoken years of separation and longin
As the plane descended smoothly onto the tarmac at Delhi airport, anticipation filled the air. Rajeev’s heart raced with a mixture of anxiety and excitement. As the aircraft door opened, the warm Delhi air greeted them. Standing nearby, Nand's eyes widened with joy as he saw Rajeev emerge, followed by the rest of his family. His smile broadened, and his heart swelled with happiness. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing—Meera, Gnapika, Rajeev, and even Rudra, all together. The sight filled him with a sense of completion, as if the missing pieces of a long-separated puzzle had finally come together. He hurried over to them, his face beaming. "Rajeev! Everyone! This is wonderful!" Nand exclaimed. "I can't believe I missed this while I was away in Manali. Ram and Gowthami will be overjoyed to see you all here." But as quickly as his excitement had come, it faded into concern. The worry etched in everyone's faces reminded
Nirbhay's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a laugh, a low, unsettling sound that cut through his frustration. He turned sharply to see a masked man standing in the shadows of the alley, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, its ember glowing in the dim light. The man's presence was both unexpected and ominous. "What are you doing here?" Nirbhay snapped, his anger flaring. He had no patience for distractions, especially from those who were supposed to be his allies. The masked man took a slow drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling up into the air. His voice was calm, almost mocking, as he responded, "That’s not the point to ask right now." Nirbhay's irritation grew as he demanded, "What are you talking about?" The masked man took another drag before continuing. "It’s all part of Rudra’s plan. He’s the one who orchestrated this whole mess. While you wer
With a soft groan, Gowthami attempted to sit up, her movements slow and unsteady. Rajeev immediately moved to her side, gently supporting her back as she shifted into a sitting position. "Take it easy," he murmured, his voice filled with concern as he carefully adjusted the pillows behind her. Ambika, standing nearby, quickly poured a glass of water and handed it to Gowthami. "Here, drink this," she said softly. Gowthami took the glass, her hands trembling slightly, and sipped the cool water. As she drank, her eyes moved from Rajeev to Ambika, a puzzled expression crossing her face. Sensing her unspoken question, Rajeev smiled warmly. "You’re wondering how Amma is here, aren’t you?" he asked gently. Gowthami nodded, still looking a bit dazed. Rajeev continued, his voice filled with a mix of amazement and joy, "It's a miracle, really. Amma's memory has returned. She remembers everything, Gowthami. Our family is whole ag
Nirbhay paced back and forth in his dimly lit study, his mind racing with thoughts of Gowthami. The news that she had regained consciousness filled him with a mixture of desperation and determination. He had to find a way to see her, to remind her of their bond, and to bring her back to him. His heart pounded with a burning obsession, a relentless drive to reclaim what he believed was rightfully his. As he plotted his next move, the air in the room grew tense, thick with anticipation. The masked man, who had been silently observing from the shadows, stepped forward, his presence unsettling yet familiar. He could always read Nirbhay’s thoughts with eerie accuracy, as if he were a manifestation of Nirbhay’s own conscience. "You’re thinking that once Sakhi—Gowthami—remembers everything, she’ll leave Rajeev and come running back to you," the masked man said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Nirbhay’s eyes narr
Gowthami sat up in bed, her eyes distant as she mulled over the thoughts swirling in her mind. Rajeev noticed her expression and gently squeezed her hand. "What are you thinking about?" he asked softly, his voice filled with concern. Gowthami blinked, bringing herself back to the present. She looked at Rajeev, uncertainty clouding her features. "Did Ram and Nand explain why I lost consciousness?" she asked. Rajeev hesitated for a moment before answering. "They just said you felt unconscious. I was so worried about you that I didn’t press for details." Gowthami nodded, taking a deep breath as she prepared to share what had been haunting her. "I lost consciousness because I was trying to remember something... something important. I went into a secret room in our house, and there I saw a person in a photo frame. I can’t explain it, Rajeev, but seeing that face—it triggered something inside me. I felt this intense need to re