Roohi's POV

My head was already a mess, too full, too tired, and too angry to think straight. How could they even say something like that? They were women themselves, yet they spoke about another woman with such cruelty, without a hint of hesitation or shame. It honestly made my stomach twist.

I don't like answering back to elders. I never have. I believe respect should come naturally. But respect doesn't mean staying quiet when someone crosses the line. When they're wrong, silence feels like betrayal, to yourself.

I looked at both of them and gave them a sharp, warning glare. They stared back, their expressions stiff and offended. Let them. I didn't care anymore. Their opinions didn't matter to me in the slightest.

My eyes moved to Aarav, who was calmly eating his ice cream, watching everything unfold like a silent observer. I signaled him with my eyes, let's go. He understood immediately and gave a small nod.

We walked toward the car together. I was just about to open the door and get in when he suddenly stepped in front of me, leaning casually against the car door. His arms were folded, and that annoying, teasing smile rested on his face, the one he always wore when he knew he was about to irritate me. I rolled my eyes at him, letting out a slow, tired sigh, and finally asked

"What happened, Aarav?" I asked quietly, studying his face.

Instead of answering, he lifted one eyebrow, that familiar teasing glint in his eyes. "My Jassi ki Rani, you really should try staying calm once in a while."

I let out a slow breath, already tired, and replied, "You saw how they were blaming us, didn't you? What was I supposed to do, stand there silently and watch them turn it into a spectacle?"

A smile touched his lips. The sudden change in his expression caught me off guard, and I looked at him in confusion. He glanced down briefly, as if choosing his words, then met my gaze again. "You did the right thing by speaking up. But if we were actually a couple, no one would have dared to say a single word."

The way he said it made a slow grin spread across his face. I stared at him, fighting the very strong urge to punch him right then and there. Controlling myself, I forced a polite smile, though my patience had already worn thin. "IF YOUR POINTLESS DRAMA IS FINALLY OVER THEN LET'S LEAVE."

The moment my voice rose, he immediately stepped aside. Opening the car door, he bent slightly, extending his hand toward me in an exaggerated gesture. "At your service," he announced, "your loyal servant is always at your command."

I rolled my eyes at his theatrics, yet a faint smile betrayed me. Ignoring him completely, I slid into the car, pretending not to notice the quiet amusement lingering on his face.

I fastened my seatbelt quietly. He gently closed the car door, walked around, and settled into the driver's seat. The engine came to life, and the car began to move forward. I turned toward the window, letting my thoughts drift with the passing lights. Night drives always felt different. There was a calm hidden in the darkness, a kind of peace that reached places words never could. It wrapped around the heart softly and made everything feel lighter.

After a while, I shifted my gaze from the road outside to him. He was driving with complete focus, his hands firm on the steering wheel, his expression unreadable. A thought formed slowly in my mind, and before I could stop myself, I spoke. "Listen."

He glanced at me for a brief second and answered with a quiet "Hmm," then returned his attention to the road. "You know I do not like princess treatment. I am not a princess. I am the queen of my own world. I can take care of myself. I do my own work. I do not depend on anyone. I am the owner of my own choices."

As soon as I finished, he chuckled softly and shook his head. Then he looked at me again, a faint smile resting on his lips. "I know you are a queen," he said. "But as long as I am with you, I will treat you the best I can. No matter what you say, and stop calling yourself a queen so often. One day you might actually end up ruling a real kingdom.

He chuckled softly and turned his attention back to the road, continuing to drive as if nothing serious had been said. I stared at him with a clear what-is-wrong-with-you expression before letting my face fall into one of pure exhaustion. Looking straight at him, I muttered,

"Oh, shut up. At this hour, what kingdom are you even talking about? You really say whatever comes to your mind."

With an irritated scoff, I turned back toward the window, focusing on the passing lights outside. Behind the wheel, he laughed quietly, clearly enjoying my reaction. After a moment, he tilted his head slightly in my direction and said, "Who knows? What I said might actually come true one day."

He chuckled again and leaned back properly, eyes fixed on the road as he continued driving. I clenched my fist unconsciously and turned toward him once more, my patience finally snapping.

"Aarav, I swear I will hit you if you don't stop this nonsense right now," I warned. "My mind is already messed up, and you are not helping. Do not push me any further."

I pointed a finger at him as I spoke, my tone sharp and unmistakably serious. Instead of stopping, he laughed even harder. I shot him a deadly glare, holding it without blinking. The moment he glanced at me and caught that look in my eyes, his laughter vanished instantly. He straightened up, faced forward, and focused back on the road, suddenly very interested in driving properly.

I scoffed under my breath and turned away again, resting my gaze outside the window as the night continued to swallow the road ahead.

I slid the window down a little and leaned forward slightly. The cool night air brushed against my face, and the moment it touched my skin, a deep sense of calm settled within me. I closed my eyes and let myself breathe it in. That moment was quiet and peaceful in a way that felt rare, as if time had slowed down just for me.

Somewhere in that silence, Aarav crossed my mind. A soft smile appeared on my lips without my permission. He had been my best friend since school. Always there before I even had to ask. Even if I needed something in the middle of the night, he would show up without a single complaint.

He cared for me in ways that felt effortless. If I ever fought with someone, he would stand in front of them without hesitation. Completely reckless. Completely impossible. And yet, deeply dependable.

He was a businessman now, handling his father's company with a confidence that came from sheer brilliance. He had taken responsibility at a young age and was steadily taking the business forward on his own terms. He was busy most of the time, wrapped in meetings and decisions, yet somehow he always found time for me. Not once had he made me regret being his friend. Not even for a second.

Just two weeks ago, it had been his birthday. He had turned twenty-six. The thought lingered warmly in my mind as I stayed lost in my own reflections.The car suddenly came to a halt, pulling me back to reality. I opened my eyes and looked ahead. We had reached my house.

I turned my head toward him. He simply gestured toward my house with his eyes, silently telling me it was time to go. I let out a quiet sigh. I did not want to leave yet. The ride had been too peaceful, too comfortable. For a brief moment, I even wondered why he could not drive a little longer.

Still, I opened the car door and stepped out. After closing it behind me, I started walking toward my house. I had barely taken a few steps when his arrogant voice echoed from behind me. "Abee people ke ped se ulti latki hui bhootani good night kon bolega?"

I stopped instantly. Clenching my fist, I turned back slowly. He was leaning back in his seat, watching me with a smug smirk. I shot him a sharp glare and replied with a sarcastic smile, "Good. Night. Bastard." I emphasized every word deliberately. He burst out laughing at my reaction.

Rolling my eyes, I turned away and began walking again, choosing to ignore him completely. Just then, his voice rose once more, loud and dramatic. "Pardesi, pardesi, jaana nahi, jaana nahi. Mujhe chhod kar, mujhe chhod kar."

I shut my eyes tightly, already done with his nonsense. Turning around sharply, I glared at him again. The moment he saw my expression, he straightened up at once. "What?" he said innocently. "I was just singing."

With that, he looked straight ahead as if nothing had happened. I sighed, exhaustion written all over my face. I was truly done with this man. Without another word, I walked toward the gate and stepped inside. Just as I reached it, his voice called out one last time. "Oye... good night."

He chuckled softly, and before I could respond, the car drove away, leaving behind the quiet of the night and a faint smile I did not even try to hide.

His laughter faded into the distance, and a smile slowly found its way onto my face. Shaking my head to myself, I opened the gate and stepped inside. That was when my real mission began. A much more dangerous one. I had to make it to my room safely, no matter what. If my mother caught me, there would be no escape. Absolutely none.

It was already past midnight. Normally, even if I came home at one in the morning, whether because of work or because I was with Aarav, she knew about it. But tonight was different. I had gone to that mansion without telling her. As far as she knew, I was fast asleep in my room. If she found out, all hell would break loose.

I slipped my shoes off and held them in my hands, moving quietly into the living hall. Every step felt calculated, every sound dangerous. Just as I was about to head upstairs, a voice cut through the silence.

"Why are you sneaking in like a thief at this hour?" the voice said calmly. "Mom and Dad don't know you were out, right?" I closed my eyes in frustration and clenched my fist tightly. Slowly, I turned around to face the source of the voice. My blood instantly started boiling. Standing there, leaning casually against a pillar with a smug expression on his face, was my younger brother, Raghav.

He was smirking. Of course he was. I glared at him, already knowing how this was going to end. Blackmail was practically his part-time job. Letting out a tired sigh, I fixed him with a done expression and snapped,

"What do you want?" He stepped closer and stopped right in front of me, slipping his hands casually into his pockets. "You were out of the house this late without telling Mom and Dad," he said calmly. "And if they happen to find out about this..."

I closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them and looked at him again. All I wanted was to punch him straight in the face. But if he told Mom even a single word, I was done for. I was not afraid of anyone in this house, except her. Forcing a sweet smile onto my face, I said softly, "My dear brother, what exactly do you want?"

He smirked at that, and my blood instantly started boiling. Leaning in slightly, he spoke in a low voice. "I'll send you a list on your phone. Whatever I want, you'll get it for me."

With that, he turned and ran upstairs. I stared after him in pure disbelief before grabbing one of my shoes and throwing it in his direction. He dodged it easily, laughed out loud, and disappeared, still smirking like he had won. "Motherfu**ker I muttered under my breath, cutting myself off just in time.

Letting out a long sigh, I finally made my way to my room. The moment I stepped inside, exhaustion hit me all at once. It had been a long, draining day, and all I wanted now was rest. I picked up my clothes, changed into something comfortable, and sat down on the bed, feeling the tension slowly leave my body.

At last, I could breathe.

I placed both my hands behind me and tilted my face slightly to the side. A soft smile appeared on my lips as my eyes fell on the family photograph. My father stood at the center, his presence commanding yet comforting.

He was one of the most respected businessmen in Rajasthan, honest to the core. Everything he had built came from sheer hard work and dedication. He had created his empire from nothing.

Now, the responsibility of that empire rested on my elder brother, Shivam. He was incredibly kind and endlessly caring. Always protective of me, always stepping in to save me from Mom's scoldings. Yet when it came to the wrong things, he was strict without hesitation. Loving, but firm. Exactly the kind of brother one could rely on without a second thought.

My expression changed the moment my younger brother crossed my mind. Irritation settled in instantly. That annoying brat. What exactly did he think of himself? I shook the thought away, pushing him out of my head for now. I did not want to ruin my mood any further.

My father had once asked me to join the family business.

But my heart had never belonged there. I wanted to be a journalist. Business never interested me, and my family never forced me to choose a path I did not want. They trusted me enough to let me decide my own future.

And today, I was proud of that choice. I was known as one of the city's respected journalists. A name people recognized. A voice people listened to.

I had built my own identity.

I was someone who reported the truth exactly as it was. And whenever a woman was being oppressed or wronged, I did not stay silent. I might not be a lawyer, but I made sure those women reached good lawyers who could truly help them.

I stood by them through my words. I wrote stories in their support, loud enough for the world to hear. My family was proud of me for that.

I was not one of those women who studied only

to be sent off to their in-laws' house. Everyone eventually goes to their in-laws' home, yes. But if you go there as an independent woman, no one can ever crush you. When you can stand on your own strength, no one gets the power to silence you.

I had always been deeply interested in history. Old places fascinated me, ancient stories called out to me. I loved visiting forgotten locations and bringing the tales of old kings and lost eras to people through my work. Until I uncovered the truth behind such places, my mind never felt at peace.

And that was when the thought of the mansion surfaced again. Along with it came the image of that woman in the red attire. I knew, deep down, that it had not been my illusion. Someone had truly been there. Perhaps there was something illegal going on. Maybe that red-clad woman was only a distraction, a way to scare people away from the truth. That possibility existed.

But then why did that mansion appear in my dreams? That question refused to leave my mind. The mystery clung to me, heavy and unsettling, as if the past itself was waiting for me to uncover it.

What connection did I have with that mansion? That question refused to leave my mind. The biggest mistake I had made was telling my mother about all of this. Since then, she had started taking extra care of me, worry clouding her every expression. Maybe I was thinking too much about it. Maybe that was why those dreams kept returning.

Still, I knew one thing for sure. No matter what, I had to uncover the truth behind that mansion.

But how? Aarav would never let me go. He would catch me the moment he sensed something was off. I was lost in these thoughts when something suddenly clicked in my mind.

"Oh right," I murmured to myself. "Aarav is leaving tomorrow for a business trip, Two days.

A sudden wave of happiness washed over me, lighting up my face. Almost immediately, guilt followed. He had warned me so many times, and here I was, planning to go anyway. But what harm could it really do? It was not as if my entire world would collapse because of one visit.

He would leave in the morning. That meant I could go during the day. Alone, quietly, without raising suspicion.

My decision settled firmly in my heart. I walked over to the bed and lay down, staring at the ceiling. "Come on, Roohi," I whispered to myself. "Sleep now. You need to be ready for tomorrow's mission." With that thought lingering in my mind, my eyes slowly closed, and I drifted into sleep, unaware of how much that decision was about to change everything.

Aarav's pov

I walked into my room and let myself fall onto the bed. The day had been exhausting, both physically and mentally. Yet, despite the fatigue, a soft smile slowly appeared on my face as her thoughts took over my mind. The conversations we had shared replayed themselves effortlessly, bringing a calm that nothing else could.

I reached for my phone and unlocked it. Her photo filled the screen. I stared at it for a long moment, my smile deepening without my permission. Resting one hand beneath my head, I continued to look at her, as if memorizing every detail. She was beautiful, undeniably so. But she was also stubborn, impossible at times, and far too strong for her own good.

I whispered softly, almost to myself, "You have no idea what you have done to this poor heart of mine. I cannot even stay away from you for a few minutes. All I want is to keep you close to me. Always."

I smiled again, because in that moment, my entire world existed only in her. There was no one else. There never had been. I had liked her since our school days, since we were in twelfth grade. Somewhere along the way, that innocent crush had quietly turned into love.

I never even realized when it happened.

She had gone from being just another person in my life to becoming someone who owned my heart completely. And all I wanted now was a future with her. A lifetime, just her and me.

Nothing more felt necessary.

But until today, I had never found the courage to tell her how I truly felt. Somewhere deep inside, fear held me back. What if she did not feel the same? What if she rejected me? And even more than rejection, what terrified me was the thought of losing what we already had. If our bond broke, if distance grew between us, I knew I would survive, but I would never truly live again.

Still, tonight something felt different. I had finally made a decision. No matter what happened, after this business trip, I would take her to a special place and tell her everything. I would lay my heart bare in front of her. Whatever the outcome might be, I would face it then. At least I would no longer be a coward hiding behind silence.

A small, hopeful smile curved on my lips as the thought settled in my mind. I got up, changed into comfortable clothes, and turned off the lights. As I lay down to sleep, her face was the last thing on my mind.

Tomorrow would begin like any other day.

But after this trip, nothing would ever be the same.

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