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
As they ascended the steps, Ambika’s gaze lingered on Gowthami, her worry evident in the way she furrowed her brow. She gently called out, “Gowthami, come with me, dear. You need to rest.” Her tone was full of maternal concern, a softness that only grew deeper as she watched her daughter-in-law’s tired face. Rajeev, already attuned to his wife’s needs, had his arm wrapped around Gowthami, offering her support as they made their way up the stairs. “I’ll help her, Amma,” he said, his voice filled with quiet determination. He had been watching Gowthami closely, noticing how she had grown weaker throughout the evening. He wasn’t going to let her push herself any further. Gnapika, still holding her mother’s hand, glanced back at Gowthami too, her earlier anger fading as concern took over. Though she had her own frustrations with the family, seeing her sister-in-law unwell softened her heart. She stepped aside to let Rajeev guide Gowthami closer t
As everyone settled into the hall, the air grew thick with tension. Gurdeep, who had been silently observing, finally turned his gaze toward Rudra, his voice steady but sharp. “Where have you been all these years, Rudra?” he asked, his tone carrying the weight of years of unanswered questions. “Did you ever stop to think about Rajeev? You had another child, but how could you leave your son behind? What kind of parents do that?” His words hung heavily in the room, and then Gurdeep’s focus shifted to Ambika. His eyes were filled with disbelief and hurt. “And you, Ambika,” he said, his voice tinged with accusation. “How could you leave Rajeev? What kind of mother abandons her own child? How could you have turned your back on him like that?” The room was silent, the weight of Gurdeep's words pressing on everyone. Before Ambika or Rudra could speak, Gnapika, who had been sitting quietly until then, suddenly stood up, her face flushed with anger.
Before Rudra could respond, Abhi stepped in again, sensing the tension in the air. "It’s a long story, Dad," he said gently but firmly. "Once we get inside, I promise we’ll explain everything. But right now, Gowthami needs some rest." The concern in Gurdeep’s eyes immediately shifted to Gowthami, who was still leaning heavily on Rajeev. The worry lines on his face deepened as he took in her pale complexion. His fatherly instincts kicked in, overriding all other emotions. "You’re right," he said, his voice softening. "She needs to rest." He turned to Uma, his expression one of urgency and care. "Take her inside, Uma," he instructed, his voice firm yet gentle. "Make sure she’s comfortable." Uma nodded, still teary-eyed but focused on the task at hand. She moved quickly to Gowthami’s side, taking her other arm to support her. "Come, dear," Uma said softly, guiding her toward the
Nand was still lost in his thoughts, distracted by Venya's unexpected reaction and the complex emotions swirling around him. He didn’t even notice Gurdeep and Uma standing nearby, their faces frozen in a mixture of shock and overwhelming joy. They had been rendered speechless by the sight of Rudra, a man they had thought dead for 15 long years. Their hearts raced with a thousand questions, desperate to know how he had survived, where he had been, and why he had stayed away for so long. Just as they were about to speak, another car pulled up to the mansion, drawing everyone's attention. Rajeev swiftly stepped out and rushed to open the door, helping Gowthami and Ambika out. The moment Uma and Gurdeep saw Ambika, their eyes widened in disbelief. It was as if time had stood still, freezing this moment in their memories forever. Tears welled up in their eyes and began to spill over as they struggled to comprehend what they were seeing. The woman they had mourned, be
As Gnapika stepped out of the car and caught sight of Venya, she leaned closer to Nand, her voice barely a whisper. "Is she the girl you mentioned? Is she Venya, your girlfriend?" Nand smiled softly, nodding. "Yes, that's Venya," he whispered back, his tone filled with affection. Gnapika smiled warmly, her eyes scanning Venya with genuine admiration. "She's beautiful," she remarked, her words carrying a sincere appreciation. But as Venya observed them from a distance, her happiness quickly morphed into suspicion and then to a simmering anger. The sight of Nand leaning in close to this unknown, beautiful girl, whispering and laughing together, gnawed at her. The way they seemed so familiar with each other felt like a betrayal, even though she didn’t know the context. Her heart ached, and her mind was flooded with irrational fears—fears that she might lose Nand to this mysterious girl who seemed so comfortable in his presence.
As the clock struck 7 PM, the Rajeev mansion sparkled in the glow of countless lights, its lavish decorations turning it into a palace of festivity. The air was filled with anticipation as three luxury cars pulled up to the grand entrance, each one gleaming under the soft evening lights. Abhi and Ram, standing near the gate, exchanged a satisfied glance. They knew their hard work had paid off, and the sight of the beautifully adorned mansion filled them with pride. Sashi, standing beside Abhi, smiled warmly at her husband. “You really did a great job, Abhi. Ambika and Gnapika will be thrilled when they see this.” Abhi, pleased with her praise, nodded. “Let’s hope they like the surprise. It’s all for them.” In the second car, Ambika cradled Gowthami in her arms, her eyes growing misty as she took in the sight of the home she had missed for so long. The mansion looked more beautiful than ever, and she felt a deep sense of
As they stepped into the hall, the scene before them was one of bustling activity. Veer was at the center of it all, energetically directing the workers as they adorned the mansion with an array of vibrant flowers, intricate lights, and elegant drapery. Every corner of the house seemed to come alive with color and warmth, transforming the space into a grand celebration. Uma and Gurdeep exchanged a look of bemusement, letting out deep breaths as they took in the flurry of preparations. It wasn’t hard to guess who was behind all this. With a small smile tugging at her lips, Uma remarked, “This has Abhi’s fingerprints all over it. What on earth is that boy planning now?” Gurdeep nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the extravagant decorations. “He only called us to say that the house needed to be decorated beautifully for when they return. And he mentioned something about a huge surprise waiting for us all.” There was a hint of curi
Gnapika, observing her mother in a way she had never seen before, felt a swell of joy. Ambika’s playful teasing with Rudra, a stark contrast to the somber woman she had grown accustomed to, was a heartwarming sight. The burdens of the past seemed to melt away as Ambika’s laughter and lightness returned, a sign of her rediscovered self. Gnapika realized that amidst their trials, the reunion with their family had rekindled her mother’s spirit. Rajeev, too, was filled with profound happiness. Watching his parents together, he felt a deep sense of fulfillment. His gaze drifted to Gowthami, and he reflected on how her presence had brought about this transformation. It was through her that he had found his father, Rudra, and subsequently, the path to his own family. Their honeymoon trip, initially intended as a simple getaway, had led them to the martial arts school where he discovered his sister. This journey, sparked by Gowthami’s insistence on exploring her in
Rajeev’s voice rang with unwavering determination as he stepped forward, his eyes blazing with resolve. “I will do everything in my power to find them, Gowthami. I will keep you safe, and I won’t rest until your family is reunited.” The weight of his words hung in the air, his promise as solid as the ground they stood on. Ram, who had been standing quietly beside him, felt a surge of protective instinct. He regarded Gowthami not just as his sister-in-law, but as a mother in his heart, someone he was bound to protect. With equal resolve, he declared, “If anyone tries to harm this family, they’ll have to go through me first. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep us all safe.” Gowthami felt a deep well of emotion rise within her. Ram had always been more than just a brother-in-law; she had come to see him as her eldest son, a role he embraced with the same love and respect. Hearing him speak with such fierce loyalty brought tears to her eyes, but she quickly b