Shadows of the past, Flames o...

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Raj sat in his office, his fingers drumming against the wooden desk as he read through the files Kartik had handed him. The information inside was concerning-Vikram was making calculated moves against him, attempting to break down his alliances, one by one.

Karthik stood in front of him, waiting for a response. When Raj didn't speak for a moment, Karthik leaned forward. "Raj, this is serious. We need to be more vigilant. The rivalry is escalating, and we can't afford any weaknesses."

Raj clenched his jaw, flipping through the pages before closing the file with a loud thud. "I understand. I'll handle it."

Karthik studied his face. "Raj, you seem... distracted."

Raj exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He was distracted. His thoughts were split between handling this brewing war and the chaos in his personal life. Rashi was pulling away, and though he told himself it didn't matter, he found himself noticing every little change in her behavior.

Karthik continued, his voice firm. "I know you've got personal matters going on, but right now, we can't afford to let emotions get in the way."

Raj's eyes hardened. Weakness. That's what people like Vikram preyed on. He couldn't afford to be weak-not in business, not in life, not with Rashi.

*"Maybe this is what I need at this time-to throw myself into business and forget everything else... Forget the way Rashi's eyes held disappointment. Forget the hurt in her voice. Forget the way she's slipping away from me."*

Little did he know, Rashi had made a decision of her own.

Raj sat in his private study, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. His mind was restless, and he had had enough of playing defense.

Grabbing his phone, he dialed the number of one of his most trusted men, Aryan.

The call connected instantly. "Boss?"

Raj's voice was sharp. "I need you to keep an eye on Vikram. Every move he makes, every person he meets-I want to know everything."

Aryan responded immediately. "Understood, sir. I already have my men keeping tabs on his known associates, but I'll double the surveillance."

Raj's fingers tightened around the glass. "Good. And I want you to be discreet. I don't want him knowing we're onto him."

"I'll handle it."

Raj ended the call, his expression unreadable. If Vikram was planning something, Raj would know. And he would strike first.

The next morning, Aryan sent him a brief but alarming message.

"Vikram is planning an attack-both professional and personal."

Raj read the text, his expression darkening.

"Personal?" His jaw clenched. He had no doubt that meant Rashi.

A cold rage filled him. If Vikram thought he could touch what was his, he was gravely mistaken.

But he couldn't let Rashi know. Not yet.

Rashi sat on the bed in her room, her phone pressed to her ear. The moment Samaira picked up, her voice was light and teasing.

"Hey, bhabhi! What's up?"

Rashi sighed. "Nothing much. Just... needed to talk to someone."

Samaira immediately caught on. "It's about Raj Bhai again, isn't it?"

Rashi hesitated before replying, "Yes."

Samaira exhaled. "I had a feeling. Look, bhabhi, I know my brother. He can be emotionally unavailable, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about you."

Rashi's fingers tightened around the bedsheet. "Then why does it feel like he's pushing me away?"

Samaira was silent for a moment before responding, "Maybe he's dealing with something he doesn't want you involved in."

"That's not fair," Rashi whispered. "I'm his wife."

Samaira sighed. "You're right. But Raj has never known how to deal with emotions. He fights, he protects, he builds an empire-but love? Vulnerability? That's something he's never had to handle."

Rashi felt her heart clench. "So, what do I do?"

Samaira's voice softened. "You can either wait for him or protect your heart. But whatever you choose, don't lose yourself in the process, bhabhi."

Later that evening, Rashi called her elder sister. She hadn't spoken to her properly since the wedding, and right now, she needed someone who knew her inside and out.

The moment her sister answered, her voice was warm. "Rashi! It's been so long! How are you, my little one?"

Rashi felt a lump form in her throat. "I'm okay... I think."

Her sister wasn't fooled. "Tell me, is this about Raj?"

Rashi hesitated before nodding, even though she knew her sister couldn't see her. "Yes di."

Her sister sighed. "I know you, Rashi. You've loved him for a long time, even when he never looked your way. But love isn't just about waiting and hoping. It's about knowing when to step back before you hurt yourself too much."

Rashi felt tears sting her eyes. "So, what do I do?"

"Keep your distance emotionally," her sister advised. "Let him come to you. Give him time. Marriage is a big thing, and men like Raj don't open up easily. Maybe he's dealing with something he can't tell you right now, but that doesn't mean he never will."

Rashi took a deep breath. *Distance. Give him time.*

She could do that. She had to.

That night, Rashi made a conscious decision to put some space between herself and Raj.

During dinner, instead of sitting beside him as she always did, she chose a seat further down the table. Raj noticed immediately.

When he walked into the dining room, his eyes instinctively searched for her. But instead of meeting his gaze like she usually did, she kept her focus on her plate.

When he called her name, she simply nodded and continued speaking to one of the house staff.

When dinner ended, she stood up before he could say anything and walked away.

Raj's grip on his glass tightened. *She's avoiding me.*

He shouldn't have cared. After all, wasn't this what he wanted?

Then why did it feel so wrong?

Rashi lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. She couldn't keep waiting for Raj to change. She needed something of her own.

The next morning, she pulled out her laptop and began searching for jobs.

She knew working in Raj's company wasn't an option. She needed something where she wouldn't be under his shadow, something that gave her a sense of independence.

By the afternoon, she had sent applications to several well-known companies.

By evening, she had applied for a job.
A smile spread across her face for the first time in days.

*This is for me. A step forward.*

But she had no idea how Raj would react when he found out.

On the other side , Raj sat in his private study, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. His mind was restless, and he had had enough of playing defense.

Grabbing his phone, he dialed the number of one of his most trusted men, Aryan.

The call connected instantly. "Boss?"

Raj's voice was sharp. "aryaan i want every move he makes, every person he meets-I want to know everything."

Aryan responded immediately. "Understood, sir. I already have my men keeping tabs on his known associates, but I'll double the surveillance."

Raj's fingers tightened around the glass. "Good. And I want you to be discreet. I don't want him knowing we're onto him."

"I'll handle it."

Raj ended the call, his expression unreadable. If Vikram was planning something, Raj would know. And he would strike first.

The next morning, Aryan sent him a brief but alarming message.

"Vikram is planning an attack- personally."

Raj read the text, his expression darkening.

"Personal?" His jaw clenched. He had no doubt that meant Rashi.

A cold rage filled him. If Vikram thought he could touch what was his, he was gravely mistaken.

But he couldn't let Rashi know. Not yet.

*
Hey guys yahi tak ka ue chapter tah i hope achaa laga hoga i know ki rashi rajj ke hi baare mein kyu soch rhi hai but abbb usne apne baare mein bhi sochna shuru kara hai vo bhi ek strong woman hai or banegi for sure !!!!
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