𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬

The quiet of Saad's study was suffocating. Aisha sat rigidly in her chair, her hands gripping the armrests as if letting go would make her crumble. Across from her, Saad leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk, his fingers intertwined.

"Care to explain where you got those pills?" His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it.

Aisha averted her gaze, staring at the bookshelves lined with perfectly arranged spines. "Shouldn't we talk about last night first?" she deflected, her voice low.

Saad's jaw tightened, his expression hardening. "You love dodging questions, don't you?" He leaned back slightly, his lips curving into a humorless smile. "Fine. Let's talk about your punishment instead."

Her head shot up, panic flashing in her eyes. "Punishment?"

"You heard me," Saad said, his tone dangerously casual. "You're cleaning the cell in the warehouse." Her stomach dropped.

His smirk widening just enough to make her dread sink deeper. "And since I know that alone won't teach you a lesson—no chocolate. None of it, in any form, for a month."

Aisha's mouth fell open, her mind reeling. Cleaning the cell was bad enough—the mere thought of it made her nauseous—but no chocolate? No chocolate was a death sentence. Her voice shook as she managed, "You're joking."

Saad raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

She slumped in her chair, a groan escaping her lips. "You're a sadist," she muttered.

Saad ignored the remark, his demeanor turning serious again. "Now, answer my question. Where did you get the pills? The truth this time."

Her shoulders sagged as she exhaled heavily, the fight draining from her. "Fine," she said, her voice quiet. "When I was in Delhi for therapy, I went to another doctor. I was desperate. My nerves were always shot, I couldn't stop panicking, and I just... I just wanted to feel normal." She paused, her gaze fixed on the desk between them. "She told me to take the smallest dose and work through the rest in therapy, but it didn't work. Therapy never works for me."

Saad's stern expression faltered, his eyes softening as her words sank in. He hadn't realized how deep her struggles went—how much she craved normalcy, how broken she felt inside.

"Aisha..." His voice was softer now, but she didn't look up. He sighed, regaining his composure. "Do you know why it didn't work?". She avoiding his gaze.

"Because you don't open up," he said firmly. "You keep everything locked inside, like you're carrying the weight of the world on your own. But you can't keep doing this. If you don't let it out, Aisha, we can't help you. We can't save you."

Her breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling unevenly. "I can't," she whispered. "I can't, bhai. I don't want to burden anyone with this... mess. It's too much."

Before Saad could respond, the door burst open with a loud bang. Aisha jumped in her seat, her heart racing as her head whipped toward the source of the noise.

Vikram entered the room, his usual cold demeanor intact, with Neha trailing close behind.

Saad's eyes flicked to them, irritation evident on his face. "What?" he asked, his tone sharp.

Vikram ignored his tone, his eyes locking onto Aisha. "Aisha," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I think you should tell him what you told me on the clifftop when you got back from Lucknow."

Aisha froze, her body going rigid. Her eyes widened as she stared at Vikram in disbelief, her heart racing.

Saad's gaze snapped back to her, sharper than a blade. "What did you tell him?" he asked coldly.

Before Aisha could respond, Neha stepped forward. "I don't know what you told Vikram," she said gently but insistently, "but you should tell Saad what you told me when you came back from Lucknow."

Aisha's eyes darted to Neha, widening further. She could feel Saad's glare burning into her, his patience hanging by a thread.

She glanced between Vikram and Neha, her expression morphing from shock to fury as she realized everyone out was there staring and hearing everything.

"Really?" she snapped, glaring at them. "All of you? What, is this some intervention or something?"

Saad's voice cut through her scowl like ice. "Aisha," he said, his tone dangerously low, "what did you tell Vikram?"

Her throat tightened. She tried to form an excuse, but his glare left no room for lies.

"Don't," he warned, his voice dropping further. "Don't you dare lie to me."

Aisha exhaled heavily, defeated. Her gaze fell to the floor as she mumbled, "You remember I came home drunk after coming from Lucknow?" He nodded.

"I... I ran away from Joshis," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I found out the Joshis were planning to do that engagement thing that time. Basically they were going to... to sell me off to some old hag."

The room fell into a stunned silence. Everyone gasped except Vikram who remained stoic.

Saad closed his eyes, his breaths slow and deliberate as he tried to reign in the storm of anger building inside him. His knuckles were white, his hands trembling slightly as he clenched the desk.

"They were selling you?" he asked, his voice eerily calm.

Aisha nodded silently, her head hanging low.

After a long moment, Saad exhaled deeply, his voice regaining its usual cold edge. "And to Neha?" he asked. "What did you tell her?"

Aisha swallowed hard, her lips trembling as she gathered the courage to speak. Her voice was quiet when she finally answered. "I... I told her the truth." She paused, taking a shaky breath. "The Joshis aren't my biological family. I'm adopted or given up to them."

The revelation hit like a shockwave. Neha remained composed, already knowing the truth, but everyone else froze.

Arjun's eyes widened slightly, and Kavya gave him a knowing glance. He didn't speak, but something unspoken flickered in his gaze—a hope he hadn't allowed himself thinking when he came to know Aisha is Joshi which now he came to know she isn't.

Aisha kept her head down, her voice cracking as she continued, "That's all I know. My biological family... or whatever they were, gave me to the Joshis. I don't know why or how. I've been trying to find out, but... it's hard. I keep hitting dead ends."

The weight of her words lingered in the air. Saad finally leaned back, his expression unreadable as he processed everything. The room was silent, save for Aisha's shallow breaths.

The oppressive silence was shattered by the sound of Rivaan's voice as he stepping in the room with a storm in his eyes. "Then they have no right," he said, his tone sharp, each word like a blade. His gaze locked onto Aisha. "They can't force you into a marriage. Why didn't you say something? We could've ended this now."

Aisha straightened, her eyes burning with a mix of defiance and pain. "No, Rivaan," she said, her voice cutting through the tension like steel.

"We can't stop them. Not yet." She took a step forward, her fists clenched at her sides. "If they find out I know the truth, I'll lose everything—the one lead I have to my past. I need to find the people who handed me over to the Joshis first. Then we act."

Rivaan's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, she turned sharply toward Saad.

Her voice softened, but her resolve didn't waver. "Please, bhai. We have to wait. If they even get a hint that we're onto them, I'll never know the truth."

The air in the room felt thick, every pair of eyes locked onto Saad, who leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming against the desk. His expression was unreadable, but the fury in his eyes betrayed him. He exhaled slowly, the sound heavy with suppressed frustration.

"Fine," he said, his tone clipped. "You want to keep up this charade? Do it. But from now on, finding your bio family is my responsibility." His eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a warning. "And I swear, Aisha, if you hide anything from me again, there will be consequences."

Aisha swallowed hard, nodding reluctantly.

Saad's gaze shifted to Veer, who had been silently observing from the corner. "Veer, book her a full-body check-up. I want to make sure there's nothing we're missing."

Veer gave a curt nod. "Consider it done."

Then, Saad turned to Neha. "Neha, schedule her therapy sessions. Make sure she attends every single one." He paused, his tone growing colder. "And if she doesn't open up, call me."

Neha nodded, her expression resolute.

Finally, Saad turned back to Aisha, his glare enough to make her shrink slightly under its intensity. "You've got people around you now, Aisha. Start acting like it."

Aisha's throat tightened as she gave a small nod, her voice barely audible. "Okay."

After Aisha's revelation Dad called Div for a meeting with the Rastogis. He's cutting all ties with them through business—and why wouldn't he? They're behind his princess.

But this? This is only the beginning. The Rastogis won't know what hit them.

Dev left for the meeting, and of course, Aisha tagged along. Typical of her—she just wants to get under their skin, and honestly, I don't blame her.

Meanwhile, Veer returned to the hospital with Neha, and Radhika took Vikram with her. Good. He needs someone who can reach through that armor of his. He may not open up to us, but with her? He just might.

Kavya's gone to the office, handling things on my behalf, and here I am, back at the house, ready to have a long-overdue conversation with Dad.

Amid all of this, my mind keeps circling back to two people: Aisha and Saad. Aisha's resilience is admirable, but I can't ignore the cracks beneath her tough exterior.

And Saad... he's in pain. Why wouldn't he be? He loves her like his own blood, and finding out how much she's been suffering under his watch—it's a blow.

As I ascend the staircase, lost in thought, Dadi's voice pulls me back.

"Arjun, when did you get back?" she asks, her tone firm as ever.

"Just now, Dadi," I reply, noticing she's dressed to leave. "Are you going somewhere?"

She nods. "Yes, meeting an old friend."

I nod back, ready to move on, but she stops me. Her voice takes on that familiar, no-nonsense edge. "Beta, it's been a year. Marry Kavya now. And for God's sake, stop wasting your time with that girl."

I exhale slowly, the weight of her words pressing against my patience. "Yes, Dadi, I'll marry Kavya soon. And that girl has a name. It's Aisha. So, please, leave her to me."

Her lips press into a thin line, but I don't wait for a response. I turn and head upstairs, leaving her there.

It's not that I hate my Dadi—far from it. But her behavior? That's a different 온라인카지노게임. She's made it painfully clear she doesn't approve of Aisha. She never will. To her, Aisha isn't "elite" enough. She's an orphan, after all. And Aisha knows it, too.

Dadi didn't spare Neha from her judgment either. But Neha? She don't give a fuck, just like Aisha.

If Kavya's parents weren't elite, Dadi would've raised hell about her, too. I'm sure of it.

Reaching Dad's room, I knock.

"Come in," his voice calls from inside.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open. Dad sat on the bed, a file in his hands, but his focus shifted to me the second I entered. His eyes were filled with concern, his first words predictably about his princess.

"How is she? Is she okay? Did she cry? Did they hurt her? I swear, if they did, I'll kill them." His voice was low, dangerous, like a storm gathering strength.

I sighed, waiting for him to finish. But when he stopped, his intense gaze locked onto mine, I knew he was expecting answers.

"I think you should do a DNA test with her as soon as possible," I said firmly.

Dad's expression shifted. He closed his eyes briefly, shaking his head. "Arjun, you know she's a Joshi. There's no—"

"She isn't," I cut him off, my voice unwavering. "She's adopted. Or so she believes. We don't know the full truth, but there's hope, Dad. She could be your daughter. She could be Shya."

For a moment, the room was silent, heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions. Dad sighed deeply, his shoulders tense. "Tell me everything that happened last night," he said, his voice quieter but no less commanding.

I relayed each and every detail of what happened last night till today morning.

As I spoke, I watched his face darken with every word. By the time I finished, the air around him was practically vibrating with fury.

His jaw clenched, his hands fisting the bedsheets as he growled, "They're going to regret every second of their miserable lives. How dare they treat her like this?" His voice was a low, dangerous rumble, each word sharper than the last.

I could see it in his eyes—the same fire, the same rage he had years ago when we lost her. But this? This was worse. The thought of anyone hurting his princess fueled a wrath I hadn't seen in years.

He exhaled sharply, trying to steady his breathing. "I'll do the DNA test," he said finally, his tone leaving no room for argument. "But first, I need to talk to her."

I nodded, knowing there was no stopping him now. The Joshi family's reckoning had begun, and at the center of it all was Rajendra Singh Oberoi—a man who would burn the world down to protect what was his.

Divyansh leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he watched Aisha sip her coffee with an air of nonchalance. "You shouldn't have come," he said, his voice low but firm. "I could've handled those asses easily."

Aisha shrugged, a sly smirk curling on her lips. "I just wanted to annoy them. Besides, I'm not scared of those imbeciles. Remember how I told you that I twisted his finger and then hit him with my sandal?" She punctuated her words with a wicked grin.

Divyansh chuckled, pride evident in his eyes as he mirrored her smirk.

Their moment was interrupted by a knock at the door. Divyansh's assistant stepped in, her eyes flickering between them before she said, "Sir, the Rastogis are here."

His expression darkened instantly, jaw clenching as he gave a curt nod. "Let them in. And don't bother offering any refreshments."

The assistant nodded, her gaze lingering a moment too long on Aisha, who caught it and scowled.

After the revelations from last night, whispers about Aisha being the hidden daughter of the Joshi family had spread like wildfire. The shocked stares and unwanted attention she'd been getting—especially from the office staff—irritated her to no end. And the paparazzi? They were a whole other nightmare.

Mr. Rastogi, a man oozing smugness, entered in first. His eyes landed on Aisha, and a sly smirk stretched across his face.

Kartik followed, his usual disinterest giving way to something more unsettling. His eyes lit up the moment they met Aisha's, filled with admiration—or rather, obsession. He practically gave her heart eyes.

Divyansh's glare sharpened, his protective instincts kicking in as he watched Kartik's every move. Meanwhile, Aisha internally gagged, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She had no patience for this nonsense.

"Ah, Aisha," Mr. Rastogi drawled, his tone dripping with mock familiarity. "Lovely to see you here."

Aisha leaned back in her chair, her eyes glinting with disinterest as she coolly replied, "I can't say the same for imbeciles like you."

Divyansh hid his amusement behind a steely facade, though his eyes flicked to Kartik, who was still gazing at Aisha like she hung the stars, utterly ignoring the venom in her words.

Mr. Rastogi's smile faltered, his eyes darkening at the blatant disrespect. "Careful," he warned, his voice low and menacing. "I am your future father-in-law. Talk to me with respect."

Aisha's lips curled into a snarl, her voice cutting like ice. "We're engaged, not married. Don't delude yourself. Your son could drop dead tomorrow, and I wouldn't even have the burden of being a widow."

Divyansh let out a soft snicker, masking it with a cough.

Kartik, however, bristled at her words. "Aisha," he said, his voice sharper than usual, "control your mouth."

Aisha's eyes snapped to him, her tone dropping into a dangerous cold. "I dare you to order me, Kartik. Remember, there's no media here to protect you. I can snap your neck just as easily as I twisted your finger."

Kartik paled, the memory of that particular incident clearly flashing in his mind. He swallowed hard, his bravado crumbling under the weight of her unwavering glare.

Divyansh sighed, his patience already wearing thin. "Let's get this over with. I can't stand to be in the same room as people like you."

Both Rastogis took their seats opposite him and Aisha, the desk serving as a symbolic and literal barrier between them.

Mr. Rastogi leaned forward slightly, his smirk almost taunting. "What are we here for?"

Divyansh calmly slid a file across the desk. "Sign these papers. Oberois will no longer be associating with your company."

Kartik's eyes widened in disbelief. "You can't do this!"

Divyansh leaned back in his chair, his expression cold and detached. "Oh, I can—and I just did."

Mr. Rastogi's glare shifted to Aisha, his face contorting in fury. "Is this because of this girl?" He scoffed, shaking his head with mock disbelief. "Don't forget, Aisha, no matter what happens, you'll come crawling back to us."

Aisha rolled her eyes, her tone laced with pure disdain. "Stop being delusional. It's embarrassing."

Mr. Rastogi's smirk deepened, his voice dropping to a sinister tone. "Oh, little girl, you've got no idea. There's no escaping this. Didn't your father tell you? You were sold to me."

The room froze. Both Aisha's and Divyansh's fists clenched tightly, their jaws ticking with suppressed rage. Kartik's face turned pale as he whipped his head toward his father.

"What the fuck, Dad?!" he demanded, his voice shaking.

Aisha let out a dark, humorless chuckle, breaking the tense silence. "Looks like Daddy didn't tell his golden boy the full 온라인카지노게임," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Surprise, Kartik. I knew."

Kartik's shock turned into visible disgust as he stared at his father. "You bought her? What kind of—" His voice faltered, unable to complete the sentence.

Mr. Rastogi shot him a withering glare. "Stay in your lane, Kartik. You're too soft to understand."

He then turned his attention back to Aisha, his eyes glinting with malice. "Whatever you think you know, once you're under my roof, you'll learn your place."

Aisha's cold stare didn't waver as she leaned forward slightly, her voice deadly calm. "The only thing you'll be learning, old man, is how to beg for mercy."

Mr. Rastogi's sneer deepened as he turned to Divyansh. "I'm not signing anything. Not for this girl."

Divyansh's smile was cold, dangerous. "Fine," he said, his voice low. "Then I'll proceed with the lawsuit for the fraudulent deals you've been making with my company. Sneakiness doesn't suit you, Rastogi."

Mr. Rastogi's eyes widened, his composure slipping momentarily. "Cutting ties with us will be a monumental loss for Oberois," he snapped, attempting to regain control.

Divyansh leaned back, smirking. "Wrong. You'll lose 60 crores. Me? I'll only gain from this. Now sign the papers before I show you how we deal with assholes."

The older man hesitated, his anger palpable, but realizing he had no choice, he snatched the pen and signed the papers with sharp, angry strokes. As he shoved the file back across the desk, his expression darkened, but there was a glint of something else—something sinister.

"Well," Rastogi said, his tone suddenly smooth and dripping with fake sympathy, "it's been years, but I've never had the chance to offer my condolences for your loss."

Divyansh narrowed his eyes, his irritation turning to confusion. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Rastogi's smirk grew. "I won't pretend to understand your father's pain. My children are alive and well, after all. But losing your youngest child... that must've been devastating."

The room fell into an icy silence. Divyansh's brows furrowed, and Aisha's coffee cup stilled in her hand. Kartik's confusion mirrored theirs, but his unease was palpable.

Divyansh scoffed, his voice sharp. "You've lost your mind. I'm the youngest, Rastogi."

"Tsk, tsk," Rastogi replied, feigning pity. "It seems no one ever told you. There was another, younger than you. A child who died."

The weight of his words crashed down like a thunderclap. Divyansh's face drained of color as the shock hit him. 

"What?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Aisha froze, her breath caught in her throat, while Kartik's head snapped toward his father in disbelief.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kartik asked, his voice trembling.

Mr. Rastogi ignored his son's outburst, reveling in the chaos he had unleashed. Kartik, now fully comprehending the depths of his father's darkness, grabbed his arm.

"We're leaving. Now," he muttered through clenched teeth, dragging the older man toward the door.

As they exited, the room's atmosphere remained heavy. Divyansh sat motionless, his mind racing. Aisha finally placed her hand on his arm, her grip firm but reassuring.

✨

Rajendra was sitting at his desk, working through files, though his mind was distracted. After the revelations from Arjun earlier, he found it hard to focus. Suddenly, the door to his room banged open, and he looked up, startled.

Standing there was Divyansh, his youngest son, with Aisha beside him.

Divyansh's eyes were glassy, red-rimmed from crying. Aisha stood a step beside him, not wanting to intrude on what seemed to be a family matter, but Divyansh had insisted she come along.

Rajendra's heart clenched as he looked his son glassy eyes. He saw Aisha's sad, soft smile, and then his eyes back turned to Divyansh, whose usually cheerful demeanor was shattered.

"Div, bacha, what happened?" Rajendra asked, his voice filled with concern.

Divyansh swallowed hard, trying to compose himself, but the vulnerability was evident. "Dad," he said, his voice rough, "I need you to promise me something. Promise me you'll tell me the truth."

Rajendra sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Yes, ask me anything," he said, though his mind raced. "But first, tell me what's wrong. Who made you cry, beta?"

Divyansh's eyes darted to Aisha briefly before returning to his father, his voice shaking. "Dad... tell me, was there another youngest child in our family? Someone I didn't know about?"

The words hung in the air, and Rajendra froze, his heart hammering in his chest. The secret he had been keeping for so many years, the truth he had buried deep, was now out in the open. His mind reeled, and for a moment, he couldn't even form a coherent response.

His breath caught, and with a hesitant glance at Aisha, who stood silently behind Divyansh, he asked quietly, "Who said? Where did you hear this from?"

Divyansh's patience snapped. His frustration, his need for answers, took over. "Dad, just tell me!" he yelled, his voice cracking with emotion. "Was there a youngest sibling, or not? Yes or no, Dad?"

Rajendra's heart shattered as he finally met his son's pleading gaze. His chest tightened, the weight of the secret pressing down on him.

He lowered his head and whispered, "Yes... there was."

The words were like a thunderclap in the room. Divyansh stood motionless, the world around him falling away as he tried to process what he had just heard.

His grip on Aisha's hand loosened, his entire body going still as he absorbed the truth. Aisha's eyes widened in shock, her heart sinking with the weight of the revelation.

Rajendra, his heart aching as he looked at his son's devastated face, took a deep breath and slowly lifted his gaze to meet Divyansh's eyes. He never wanted this moment to come, never wanted to reveal the dark secret that had haunted him for so long, but now, seeing his son in this agony, he knew it was time.

"I had my youngest child," Rajendra began, his voice low and broken. "You had a youngest sibling... You... You had a little sister."

Aisha gasped, her hand instinctively flying to her mouth as the shock of the revelation hit her. She had no idea what this meant for Divyansh, for their family, for everything they thought they knew. But seeing Divyansh's face, pale and stricken, told her everything she needed to know.

Divyansh stood there, frozen, as his world crumbled around him. He had always felt there was something missing, some unspoken truth buried deep within his family's past.

He had never known he had a younger sibling, never once imagined that he had a baby sister. But hearing the words now, the truth of it, made his stomach churn with a mixture of disbelief and pain.

It wasn't just the fact that he had a sibling. It was the painful truth that she was no longer here. She's dead—the words reverberated in his mind, each syllable a crushing blow.

The grief hit him like a tidal wave, drowning him in sorrow for a sister he never got the chance to meet..

Divyansh, barely able to hold himself together, whispered, "She was my sister... and I never even knew her." His voice cracked, the weight of his words sinking deep into his chest, the reality of the lost sibling now haunting him in a way he could never have imagined.

He turned to Rajendra, desperation in his eyes, and asked, "How, Dad? What happened?"

Rajendra sighed, his own grief resurfacing as he looked at his son. He had kept the secret for so long, hidden the truth from all his children, but now he knew it was time to come clean. "Let's call all your brothers in. I think you all deserve to know the truth."

Aisha, sensing the gravity of the moment, took a step back, her presence no longer needed in the room. She knew this was a family matter—something Divyansh and his brothers needed to face together.

"I should go," she said softly, her voice filled with understanding.

Rajendra nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude for Aisha's support. "Aisha, Vikram is in his room. Can you please ask him to meet me in the study before you leave?"

She nodded, her heart heavy as she turned to leave the study, her mind racing with everything she had just learned. She had never expected to hear such a thing, and now she had to confront Vikram with the knowledge of the secret, unsure of how he would react.

Aisha made her way to Vikram's room, her footsteps echoing in the silent mansion. When she knocked, the door swung open, and Vikram stood there, surprise flickering across his face when he saw her.

Aisha raised her head, trying to keep her composure. "Uncle is calling you to the study," she said, her voice steady but laced with the tension of the moment.

Vikram raised an eyebrow, looking at her curiously. "What are you doing here? Did the meeting with the Rastogis go well? Should I do something?"

Aisha gulped, unsure of how to explain. "No... I... well... just go to the study, and you'll know everything."

Vikram gave her a nod, still looking perplexed, but before he could leave, she stopped him. "Can you give me that ring?" she asked, her voice casual, though the tension in her words was unmistakable.

Vikram scowled, eyeing her suspiciously. "Are you seriously going to wear that... ring? The one from that bastard?"

Aisha made a face of mock disgust. "No, not at all. It's just that the next time I see him—or his father—opening their useless mouths, I might need it to choke them to death." Her words were a strange mix of humor and deadly seriousness, and Vikram couldn't help but smirk at her fierce tone.

Raising an eyebrow, Vikram gave a low chuckle, reaching into his drawer to pull out the ring. He handed it to her without another word.

Aisha, feeling a strange sense of urgency, quickly left the mansion. She had to get out, to process everything she had learned, to give the family the space they needed. Vikram, meanwhile, made his way to Rajendra's study, his mind spinning with the uncertainty of what awaited him inside.

Aisha started her car, driving aimlessly, though she knew her destination was the warehouseand finding the truth about her past. She also needed to confront the fuckers who were rotting in cells.

But her thoughts were clouded by something else. She had recently learned that the Oberois had a lost sister, and the knowledge left her uneasy. The pain in their eyes weighed heavily on her.

Taking one of the more secluded routes, she cursed under her breath for not bringing security along. But she reassured herself—her car was equipped with a tracker, one that would alert Saad if anything went wrong. At least she had that much.

Lost in her thoughts, she barely registered the sudden roar of an engine behind her. Before she could react, a car sped past her and swerved sharply, blocking her path. Aisha slammed the brakes, the tires screeching in protest as her car came to a sudden halt.

Aisha was already teetering on the edge, frustration boiling beneath her calm facade. But this? This was the final straw. Her anger surged, reaching a dangerous peak.

Without a second thought, she grabbed the gun that was under the back seat and tucked it securely at the back of her waistband.

Slamming the car door shut, she stormed out, her eyes blazing with fury.

She marched closer to the car, her eyes narrowed with cold fury, and slapped the hood with a force that echoed through the empty road.

"Oye, ki sochda ae? Shahrukh Khan da scene karan aya si, gaadiyaan rok ke? Tera bhi na ekdum unique style hai! Pehli vaar vekh riha koi pinda da gunda meri raah ch ukda hoya!" Her voice dripped with sarcasm, but her rage was unmistakable.
( "Hey, what are you thinking? Came here to reenact a Shah Rukh Khan scene, stopping cars in the middle of the road? Your style is truly one of a kind! It's the first time I'm seeing a village thug standing in my way like this!")

The driver still sat unmoving, only enraging her further. She bent slightly, peering through the tinted glass with a menacing glare.

"Bahar nikal, oye hero! Ki sochda ae, tere maape da toll plaza chal riha hai? Main bhi sochdi haan, apne haath thalle karwa ke tera VIP entry karva do?" Her tone was sharp, mocking, but her fingers instinctively brushed over the gun at her waist.
( "Come out, hey hero! What do you think, you're running your parents' toll plaza here? Should I make it easier for you and personally arrange your VIP entry under my watch?")

Her voice dropped lower but carried an edge of deadly calm. "Nahi aa reya? Thik hai, dekhdi haan gaadiyan de vichon vi kise di akal kiven kheechi jandi hai!"
( "Not coming out? Alright then, watch how I pull some sense out of one of these cars too!")

The driver's door creaked open. Out stepped Kartik Rastogi, his face pale, his eyes fixed on the ground. He swallowed hard, clearly terrified. His hands trembled slightly as he tried to steady his breath.

All he wanted was to talk, but hearing Aisha's venomous words, he knew he'd caught her at the worst possible time. If she wanted, she could kill him right here and now.

Aisha's eyes narrowed as she recognized him. A dark, humorless laugh escaped her lips. "Sahi mein, Kartik Rastogi, aaj tu marna chahta hai, hai na?"
( "Seriously, Kartik Rastogi, you have a death wish today, don't you?")

Kartik quickly shook his head, too scared to utter a word.

Aisha placed her hand on her waist, her breathing heavy, her gaze fierce. "What the fuck do you want now? Hasn't your father caused enough pain to my best friend already?"

Kartik raised his hands slightly in surrender, his voice shaky. "Aisha, I just want to talk."

Aisha's expression darkened. She stepped forward fiercely, jabbing her finger in his direction. Kartik instinctively took a step back.

"And I just want to give you one last warning," she growled. "Tell your father that if he dares to open his useless mouth again, I will kill him. But not before I destroy everything he's greedy for and break him completely."

Kartik nodded quickly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know... I'm sorry, Aisha, for everything. But believe me, I didn't know. I didn't know our engagement was just a deal... that you were... sold to us."

Aisha inhaled deeply, trying to steady her fury. "Well, I don't care. And trust you? Never. How could I trust someone like you, someone who's been after me since college?"

Kartik looked at her with a pained expression. "Aisha, I was after you because I liked you. I still do. But believe me, this deal? Selling girls? That's not me. I have sisters, Aisha. I have a mother. I can't even think about something so disgusting."

Aisha's gaze hardened. "But you have a father who can."

Kartik sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I never knew he'd stoop this low. I know he's a terrible person—worse than terrible. But I'm not like him. I promise, I'll break this deal somehow."

Aisha stared at him, her eyes calculating. Internally, she smirked. Good. Let him think he's useful. But her tone remained ice-cold.

"Fine. Find a loophole, anything your father's hiding or anything related to me and this deal. Until then, we'll keep up the façade that there's no problem with this engagement."

Kartik exhaled in relief, nodding quickly. "Thank you, Aisha. I'll do everything I can."

But before he could feel too safe, Aisha's voice turned fiery, her tone laced with a deadly edge. She leaned in, her words a chilling whisper.

"If you even think about double-crossing me, Kartik, I'll rip every single hair off your head, one by one, until your scalp bleeds. Then, I'll watch as those bats tear out your eyes, leaving you blind and screaming in agony. I'll take pliers and break every fucking tooth in your mouth, making sure you can't beg for mercy. I'll peel your skin off in long, agonizing strips, watching you writhe as it comes off piece by piece. When you're begging to die, I'll break every bone in your body, one by one, until you're nothing but a pile of broken flesh. And just when you think it's over, I'll grind your dick into dust then toss you to the piranhas and let them have their way with you. The only thing left of you will be a lifeless husk, barely recognizable."

Kartik's face drained of all color as he trembled, the vivid horror of her words sinking in. He could hear the promise in her tone, and the cold certainty that she would carry out every terrifying detail if he dared to betray her.

Target 🎯 - 75 votes & 90 comments

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