ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi #5 link to next thread @ pg.1 - Page 13

Originally posted by: rulama

Looks like Manyata, Arnav, Anuj and Aman...

With Manyata gone it would shake Arnav, Anjali and Khushi...

With Arnav also gone it would shake both Anjali and Khushi and also Anuj , Akash and Shashi...

With Anuj too gone it would shake all the above and there would not be any one to plan the target...

With Aman gone the legal brain would not be there to add to Vikrant's woes and would shatter Khushi...

This is his thinking...😉

But he will not succeed as you have said that he will almost succeed, as somehow, though none of the above but someone else, would come to know the plan and foil it... and thats where Shyam comes into pic I guess...😆

ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi

Chapter 33

12^th August, 2014

A new day.

The moment light filters through the dark sky, painting it dark grey before switching to bright red and then finally taking a clear aqua blue, a new day arrives.

For a grown up, it means facing another day of his/her life and managing to survive through it at its end. Although at a few occasions, they might feel happy or sad pertaining to their own circumstances. But the basic truth is a grown up doesn't see a new day as anything other than just another day.

But the innocent world of a child never cedes to it.

For a child, a new day means a day more of living your life with happiness, excitement and wide eye awe. It means accepting more people into their life and giving them their unbound love and adoration.

In true sense, only a child manages to live every day before the complexities of life and world takes over. It's simple yet honest truth.

Manyata has always been one of those children.

Scrunching her face as bright sunshine knocked against her closed eyelids, she yawned groggily sitting up in the bed before rubbing her small palms over her eyes to wipe sleep from them.

Waking up had always been a big task for her as she never wished to leave the warmth of the comforter and safe cocoon of her parent's arms.

But she will. To smile and shine. To welcome the life with wide, open arms.

Curling her toes under the comforter and stretching her hands over her head, Manyata opened her eyes and a smile burst across her face, making it shine.

"Good morning, Daddy and Mumma." She chirped the moment her eyes landed on her parents, sitting together on the couch and looking down at her. As they smiled at her, her heart fluttered ready to burst open with happiness of living one more day with her parents, who clearly loved each other as much as they loved her.

And she is not assuming it anymore. Her father did tell her the same thing yesterday, right? Oh god, how stupid she could be. Of course they didn't lie to her.

Snapping out of her stupid doubts, Manyata smiled as her Mumma stood up and made her way towards her, still looking at her with a smile. As her Mumma drew closer, she secretly smiled watching her hands gently pry the comforter away from her body before sliding them under her armpits and picking her up in her arms.

Not holding herself back anymore, Manyata hid her face in her Mumma's neck breathing in her sweet scent and slid her hands from her shoulders to around her neck, hugging her tightly as she found the love and comfort that a mother's hug could bestow on any child. For years, her friends had told her about how special their mother's hug is to them but she never believed them being the daddy's princess that she is.

But today she realized how true it is. Her mother's hugs are special as it could be like her Daddy's warm, gentle and cuddly bear hugs.

"Let get you ready for the day." Her Mumma whispered making her nod, before looking up and meeting her Daddy's warm eyes. As she looked at him, she grinned showing how happy she is to be loved and pampered by her mother, knowing that she is going to enjoy every second of it.

And she did.

"Manyata, I have a gift for you." Her Mumma said as she dried her hairs and braided it loosely before clipping butterfly shaped clips to the strands falling around her face. As her hands tied the open bow at the front of her blue sundress, Manyata looked up at her in surprise.

"A gift?" She breathed.

Her Mumma grinned nodding her head eagerly. Sliding her feet into her favorite pair of flats with flowers carved on them, Manyata whirled around to flash a smile and ran out of the bedroom, picking up her Tweety on the way.

Holding her in front of her, she chirped "Tweety, Did you hear what Mumma said? She is going to give me a gift."

She grinned as Tweety nodded her head before her body slammed into something solid. Looking up, she found her Daddy standing there, smiling at her knowingly.

"Where is it?" She quizzed, looking around to see her Mumma standing beside her.

Together, her parents turned to the room across to hall and opened the door, giving her a glimpse of the most beautiful and amazing room she ever laid her eyes onto.

"Yay." Clapping her hands together, Manyata squeaked, running inside the room at once with Tweety clutched in her hands. Skidding to a stop in the middle, she ran her eyes around it, taking in the bright red Tom and Jerry study table, a Barbie sized wardrobe, a doraemon poster taking a whole side of the wall and a power puff girl designed bed nearby.

But what won her heart most was the small Tweety toys lying around everywhere along with a Tweety vanity table in which she could see her delighted, lit up face. Hugging her toy to her chest, Manyata looked more closely at the walls painted light caramel with streaks of different colors infused together like a rainbow.

Twirling around in a circle, she held her hands up and exclaimed, feeling very happy and excited "This is so beautiful."

As her parents didn't say anything in return, she looked back to see them standing together, their hands around each other's waist as her Mumma wiped happy tears from her eyes quietly while her Daddy looked at her affectionately.

Her brows knitting together in confusion, Manyata asked tentatively "It is my new room, right?"

The moment her parents shook their head in mutual agreement, she shrieked, turning back to face the room and then took off to examine each and every thing with her hands, unaware of her parents standing there, watching her and memorizing her every delighted response to their heart. After running around the room repeatedly, she hopped towards her parents, looking very smug and satisfied.

With a loud squeal, Manyata threw her hands around them and announced truthfully "Thank you Daddy and Mumma. You are the best parent in the world. I love you so, so much."

Holding her close with one hands around her head, Arnav wiped the corner of his eyes discreetly while Khushi cried openly, ruffling her daughter's loosely braided hairs in affection and love. They smiled, meeting each other's eye, looking proud.

"We love you too, sweetheart."

Empty.

The day Anjali Raizada set out to destroy the man responsible for ruining her life, all she could imagine about was how happy she would feel once she succeeds in it.

She thought about how her vengeance against him might heal her scars for once and all.

She hoped that she might be able to win her life back by doing this.

For once she wanted to feel triumphant. She wanted to taste the sweet victory.

But it was all a lie.

Buttoning her pale blue shirt, Anjali tried to focus on the feeling, knowing very well how today is going to be the day when she would be able to snatch everything from the man who married her for his own greed.

But she couldn't do it. She couldn't feel triumphant.

Running around the room in her haste to get ready, all she felt was cold detachment and emptiness to everything around her. She felt nothing different from what she experienced through all these years.

She didn't feel excited rather she wished for it to be over soon.

Going through the files to make sure that she is prepared for the meeting, Anjali left the room, strapping her Pierre Cardin watch on the wrist. Her feet stopped moving once her eyes fell on someone pacing outside her room.

"Hey." Calling out a greeting, Anjali smiled watching Akash stop in front of her, dressed to the perfection in a royal blue blazer with a silk white shirt tucked in, paired with black trousers.

Akash smiled "All ready for the big day?"

Nodding, Anjali replied nonchalantly "Of course, I waited for this day for a long time. I can hardly wait to execute my plan."

Shaking his head, Akash glanced down looking disappointed. Turning his head away, he said reluctantly "You need to stop this, Anjali."

"Stop what?" Anjali frowned.

Turning back to look in her eyes in pity, Akash answered honestly "These bitter feelings. You know your life has so much potential for something more. You can still start fresh and live happily."

Her face turned bleak as Anjali snarled "Are you saying that I shouldn't punish Vikrant for what he did to me?"

Taken aback, Akash raised his hands in surrender "Whoa. That's not what I mean and you know that. All I want to say is that you don't need to be so obsessed about it. You can move on and start fresh again. You can be happy and you damn well deserve it."

Titling her head back, Anjali said curiously "What do you want to say actually?"

Clamping his hands behind his back, Akash said firmly "I want you to move on in your life, Anjali. You aren't happy and you won't be until you stop focusing entirely on Vikrant. Everyone gets a second chance in life."

Laughing humorlessly, Anjali said sarcastically "Funny I didn't see it even once in the last six years of my life."

Akash chided "You need to look for it to find it, Anjali."

Sighing deeply, Anjali crossed her arms across her front, looking wary "Does this mean you won't support me today?"

"What? I will always support you Anjali. I just can't watch you throwing your life away anymore, okay? Tell me, do you feel happy while doing all this?" Akash asked defiantly.

Anjali looked away.

Waving a finger at her face, Akash murmured "That's what I thought. I am not your enemy here. Look around you Anjali, Arnav and I both have someone in our life. We have a family. Sorry if it hurts you but you don't have one despite the fact that among the three of us, you were the one who always wished for it."

Breaking her silence immediately, Anjali lashed out "And Vikrant is responsible for it. So forgive me brother for wanting to pay him back. I tried moving on in my life you know but I couldn't. That's when I realized that I can't start fresh until I have my revenge. I won't stop now. So the question here is, are you with me? Do I have your support?"

Gazing at her in respect, Akash said instantly "You I know I am with you. But you have to promise me something."

"What?" Anjali breathed looking exasperated.

"That you will think about what I said." Akash offered.

Noticing his determined stance, she relented "Okay. Now can we go?"

As Akash turned and started walking toward the front door, Anjali followed him quietly, her mind stuck on the words spoken by her brother.

With dismay, Anjali realized that her heart associated the word happiness with a person actually.

Shyam.

"Are you ready?" Running a hand over the pleated end of her bright yellow and orange benarasi saree, Khushi asked while staring at her reflection in the mirror, her ears picking the sound of approaching footsteps.

A large, rough hand settled on her bare stomach, applying slight pressure to pull her back against a hard chest, making her heart flutter. Her lips curving in a smile, Khushi stared as Arnav's reflection over her shoulder appeared in the mirror, his chin resting on her shoulder.

Pouting his lips, Arnav replied cockily "Naah. Let's just skip today's schedule and spend the entire day together."

Rolling her eyes, Khushi finally moved her eyes away from the mirror and turned to glare at her husband, refuting his attempts to pull her closer. Slapping his approaching hands away, she chided playfully "Arnav, behave."

Forcefully, Arnav turned her around, trapping her hands behind her back in one hand, ignoring her protests as he leaned forward and picked a small red bindi, sticking it on her forehead neatly. Placing a kiss against her cheek, he grinned at their reflection "There. Now you look beautiful."

Khushi blushed, looking down shyly.

Running his eyes over the tantalizing curve of her neck as her hairs were tied in a neat bun at the nape of her neck, Arnav traced it with his fingers slowly watching her shiver at the sensation.

"Arnav, stop it." Khushi said breathlessly, trying to not close her eyes.

"Why?" Arnav whispered back against her ear, making her squirm.

Looking up, Khushi met his eyes in the mirror, stammering her reply "Because...because...we...nneed... to...lea..ve."

Pressing his lips against the curve where her neck met her shoulder, Arnav didn't say anything holding her eyes in an intense stare. Khushi flinched watching him move to press another kiss.

Closing her eyes, Khushi said in a rush "We need to be there for your sister, remember?"

A silence fell in the room as no one moved or breathed. Snapping her eyes open, Khushi watched Arnav make a face at her before moving back and buttoning his coat briskly.

She watched helpless, knowing very well why he was reluctant to leave the house today. But they need to, as they both had never been one to ignore their responsibilities and commitments. Last night, they had spent most of the time kissing after having professed their love to each other, feeling as if the time was running out of their hands and the circumstances will soon bring many things to focus on rather than their feelings for each other.

Today, many things will change they knew. The momentary bliss in their life was over. They needed to face the world and reality as much as they wish not to.

Still they managed to make the most of it, Khushi mused remembering Manyata's happy face the moment she saw her room and as she went to attend a function in her school.

She wouldn't even dare to put what has transpired between her and Arnav in words, knowing that it was magical. True, they hadn't slept each other, choosing to take things slowly than rushing headlong into it but the feeling of falling in love was heady, clouding her mind.

Watching her handsome husband sulk around, Khushi smiled amusedly picking up her red clutch, before grabbing the back of his charcoal black suit and pulling him back.

Falling into his arms, she kissed him chastely and whispered, wiping her mussed lipstick from his lips "You know I love you, right?"

Grabbing her chin to pull her back for another kiss, Arnav grinned wickedly "I know."

As Khushi turned to apply lipstick once again, he wondered aloud "We really made our daughter happy today, didn't we?"

She smiled "Yes we did."

Once done, Khushi looped her hand through his and pulled him out of the room, saying in a stern voice "We need to leave now, Arnav."

Arnav sighed, walking along with her "I know."

Arrogant. Selfish. Cunning. Intelligent.

Whenever people and the media talked about Anuj Raizada, they always associated those qualities with his character and his alluring charisma. Everyone always said that he is the one of the (if not most) powerful man in Delhi because of these fine qualities.

They always called him Bade Sahab because of his wise yet smart moves and decision.

But what they never said, Anuj wondered while walking toward the entrance of his political party's headquarter building, was his qualities as a father or rather the lack of it. The media and public never pegged him as the affectionate, loving father.

It didn't matter to him till now. But as his son and daughter along with their security detail trailed behind him looking poised and alert, Anuj felt uncomfortable, aware of everyone's gaze on him, their thoughts focused on the mysterious Raizada family.

He wished he could have thought about it earlier.

Nodding his head as people started greeting him from every turn, corridor and room of the building, Anuj kept walking towards the conference room knowing that everyone will be present there.

Thoughts churned in his mind, making him feel nervous. This was a first for him as well. Anuj Raizada never felt nervous while leading people around but he was nervous today for his daughter.

Even though he believed in her abilities, he knew that the people inside the building are sharp, always ready to tear apart other peoples in pieces. They are merciless, opportunist bas***ds like him.

Turning swiftly to the last corridor, Anuj glimpsed at the conference room, estimating the climate inside it through the glass door.

It was unsettling, as expected.

Taking a deep breath, Anuj turned to his daughter and ordered firmly, looking in her eyes "No matter what happens in there don't let them get to you, okay?"

Considering his words, Anjali nodded. Satisfied, Anuj trailed his eyes behind her, looking at Arnav and Akash before turning to look at Khushi, determination and strength shining in their eyes putting his own heart at ease.

Composing his face devoid of any feeling or emotion, Anuj turned back, resting his hand on the doorknob and turning it downward to push the door open.

And all the hell broke loose.

Striding through the door opened by her father, Anjali noted immediately that there were three tables in the room, occupied with people from different parties. At the center table, politicians seated were arguing with each other, hurling curses and insults at each other from their seats, clearly belonging from her father's party. Papers flew around as some stood from their seat, waving their fingers in the air in threat.

At the table on her left side, Shashi Gupta was calmly seated, surrounded by his party members while at the table on her right side sat very few people, clearly representing Vikrant's political party, looking wary.

There were only few women in the room, staring at their phone, uninterested in the drama unfolding in front of their eyes.

With her feet stuck on the doorway, Anjali watched her father walk inside the room calmly. Aware of her siblings' faces peering inside the room curiously, she watched in utter fascination as her father stood at the head of the long, mahogany table in the center of the room and watched everyone with his brooding, furious gaze.

Slowly, everyone composed their behavior, sitting back in their seat with their mouth shut firmly. Everyone's eye was riveted on him in curiosity. A pulsing silence prevailed in the room.

Her father smiled as if nothing was wrong "Good morning, everyone. I called today's meeting so that I can introduce you all to the new head of my party personally. I knew with all the things going on, it should have happened long ago but it doesn't matter now."

Motioning at her to come forward, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and said in a booming voice "Everyone please meet Anjali Raizada, my daughter who is quite willing to take the reins of this party from my hands."

A few snorts rang in the air followed by muffled sarcastic laughs.

As her father stepped back letting her take the whole stage, Anjali pressed her hands at the head of the leather chair in front of her and smiled, showing her perfect white teeth. Everyone turned to look at her. While women tried to judge her overall appearance, men present in the room scanned her body stopping their eyes lower to leer at her inappropriately.

Clearing her throat loudly to drag their eyes up on her face, Anjali said smoothly "Hello everyone, it's very exciting meeting you all. My father has told me everything. I look forward to working with everyone."

An older man sitting on her right, leaned forward and sneered "Listen kid, this is not a children's play alright? So why don't you just go and busy yourself with some shopping or anything that you women do normally. Let the men handle this field alright."

Murmured agreement rose in the room, making Anjali stiffen.

A member from Vikrant's party piped in "Damn right. This is not your business or your marriage which by the way you ruined as well. This is politics. Stupid, pathetic woman like you doesn't deserve to be here let alone lead a party. Anuj Sir, you should really put your personal feelings aside and replace the girl with a strong and influential men like Vikrant. Your son could be a way better choice as well."

Arnav growled, walking inside the room to hit the man when Akash grabbed his hand stopping him quickly. Khushi slid in the room behind them, pressing a hand on her husband's back and staring ahead not saying anything. Together, they took their position near the door as Anuj looked on.

Encouraged, everyone in the room started speaking again, giving their two cents, their disgusting expressions and words hurled at the woman standing in front of them calmly.

Taking a deep breath, Anjali opened her mouth and ordered sharply "SHUT IT."

Everyone froze, words dying in their throat as their eyes collectively snapped back on her face. Knowing that she had their attention, Anjali dropped her polite demeanor as she scowled, running her eyes over everyone present in the room "I knew that f**king retards like you all would never accept a woman's leadership quietly. So listen to my words very carefully. I didn't beg for this position from my father. I damn well took it without his permission not to face your abusive words and taunts. I took it to push my way into this so called men's world. So like an intelligent man you all claim yourself to be, just suck up your male pride and pay attention. I am not here to make friends or attend nonsense get together with you all. I am here to win and I will. I want to actually change the society unlike you all while making the situation profitable for us. At the end, it's your call whether you want to stay in the party or get out of the party. Got it?"

Looking enraged, almost everyone stood up.

Watching them, Anjali smiled clasping her hands together as she said enthusiastically "Well done everyone. Just leave. I don't need any one of you. There are many rookie politicians who would love to be a member of this party. Even they have financial and public support. So just go ahead and leave. It'll be much easier for me to recruit new members in the party."

"But you won't have any popular face to back your ass up in the public." One member of her father's party sneered.

Shrugging her shoulders, Anjali answered nonchalantly "That's not a problem considering I have my father and Khushi Raizada. Anyway, people love them more than the support you all get together. Right, Khushi?"

Stepping ahead, Khushi smirked "Absolutely. I just can't wait to kick these assholes out of my own party. They are useless unlike us. I f**king hate them more than they do."

Flashing an approving smile, Anjali turned back to the others "There, then. Now just get the hell out of here you all."

Quickly, everyone sat back in their seats, knowing that they needed the party as much as it needed them.

"You have money?" One of them asked calmly.

Pointing at Arnav and Akash, Anjali answered "I have them."

"What about someone to guide you?" The member insisted.

Glaring at him, Anjali looked at her father and then at Shashi Gupta pointedly before saying aloud "I don't need to answer that."

She watched as everyone looked at each other, exchanging words and advices before nodding at her collectively, reluctant respect shining in their eyes. One of them announced "Okay then. We will support you."

Holding her index finger in the air, Anjali backtracked "No I am not quite done yet. I want your words that any of you will not go behind my back to shake hands with our enemies. You see, I hate when anyone cheats on me. So if you have any intention of doing it, just leave."

No one stood up.

Clasping her hands in front of her, Anjali spoke again "I am glad to see that no one is willing to leave. But I need to say this before dismissing everyone. I have dirt on you all. A copy of it is kept safely in front of you on the table. Go ahead and take a look at it."

Everyone rushed to open the single file kept in front of them, looking apprehensive. The moment they looked inside it, their faces paled, their necks moving collectively to swallow down their fear.

Smirking at them, Anjali dictated "So now you know I know a little too much about you all. Tax evasion, infidelity, murder, drugs, smuggling and connections to the high rank officers-I remember everything. So if anyone tried to double cross me, their career will be over before they even blink their eyes. Got it?"

Everyone nodded now looking frightened. Walking forward, Anjali took a file from Arnav and pulled three pages out, spreading each on one of the table before returning back to the middle of the room "I have placed a page on your table. Do sign and pledge your loyalty to me before leaving this room. Now see you all soon."

As Anjali turned to walk out leaving a room full of stunned, scared people behind, Anuj joined her, his head held high in pride and respect. Smirking at his sister's perfect speech, Arnav followed them out of the room with Khushi and Akash.

"See you all at the party." Anuj called out at the entrance of the building before striding in the opposite direction.

Part-B

"Wake him up." Rolling the sleeves of his white kurta up, Anuj ordered, jerking his head towards a very unconscious Vikrant, bound and tied to a chair. Satisfied, he watched as a bucket of cold water was dragged down before being thrown at his face.

Sputtering and coughing, Vikrant jerked his head up coming around, tugging at the ropes tying his wrist to the arms of the chair. Trying to blink the water out of his eyes, his gaze slid to Anuj before a smile tugged at his lips.

He rasped "It's you."

"Yeah it's me." Mocking him, Anuj drawled lazily before gripping his already bruised wrists to watch him wince in pain and leaned in his face "Now tell me."

Vikrant smirked "Tell you what?"

Anuj snarled "Everything. I know you have already made a plan to destroy my family Vikrant, but since you aren't going to be out of here for a long time, you might as well tell me what have you done till now about it."

Vikrant frowned "Now coming to think about it, where are we exactly?"

Cracking his knuckles, Anuj fisted his hand and punched his nose, a sickening crunch filling the air followed by an outraged, painful cry before he growled "Enough. Don't play with me, Vikrant. What was your plan?"

Crying out in pain, Vikrant glared back "You want to know my plan?"

Anuj nodded, his eyes wild in anger and frustration. Staring at him for a moment with blood spluttering down his face, Vikrant moved his gaze behind and nodded at someone.

Anuj's eyes widened. Oh...shit.

Before he could look back, an intense pain filled his head suddenly, making him scrunch his face and jerk up, his hand going behind his head. As his fingers buried in his hairs, he groaned before moving his hand back to look it.

Blood glistened on his fingers.

His knees buckled, strength draining from his body at once. With his arms going limp, he fell on the floor, trying to keep his eyes open as his vision suddenly started going dark.

He watched as his own men freed Vikrant and tried to open his mouth to shout at them for their stupidity. His mind raced, thinking about how he needed to warn his daughter and son. It was Vikrant's plan all along to get captured.

Clucking his tongue in his mouth, Vikrant looked down at him in mock sympathy "I tried to tell you Bade Sahab. You cannot stop me. See I managed to think beyond what you would have expected me to do. Buying off your men and then letting them kidnap me was something you wouldn't have suspected. But that's not the best part."

Taking a hockey stick from one of the men surrounding them, he started swinging it, his eyes focusing on his head as he said "The best part is I will hurt your family now. But then you don't have to feel guilty about it because you will be dead soon."

Sucking in a breath through the pain pounding in his head, Anuj spat out faintly "f**k..you..."

"With pleasure." Wiping the blood oozing from his nose against his shirt, Vikrant grinned, raising the hockey stick in the air before bringing it down as Anuj closed his eyes.

And darkness engulfed him.

Picking up the comb, Anjali started brushing her chin-length hair, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Dressed in a pristine white sleeveless floor length gown which hugged her body and outlined every curve, she smiled in approval at her appearance, flicking a glance towards the golden belt cinched around her waist before the skirt flared out, shimmying around her legs before curling around her feet perfectly, giving a glimpse of her bare foot. She blinked as the diamond golden loops dangling in her ears caught the fading light from outside and winked, shining brightly enough to crowd her vision.

She felt happy. Everything today went so well. She hadn't expected everyone to support her, despite of all the leverage she had managed to gather on them.

But they did. She did it.

With the sun starting to go down, she knew that only few hours are left before she needed to head out for the party along with Payal and Akash after they finally came home. As much as anxious she felt about it, she knew she had to be there, playing the perfect hostess to a bunch of arrogant, obnoxious politicians so that they can like her enough to support her for the upcoming elections.

She was almost there. Her revenge was almost complete but there was so much left for her to consider.

As her phone started ringing piercing the comfortable silence in her room, Anjali snapped out of her thoughts before looking down at it, the device vibrating in front of her on the vanity table.

Picking it up, Anjali froze the moment her eyes landed on the number and quickly answered it "Hello??"

"Madam, two cars are following Manyata Raizada's car since it exited from the school. I have noted the numbers just like you told me." A masculine voice informed her.

Shooting up from the stool, Anjali growled "Where are they heading?"

Disconnecting the call once the voice rattled off the address, Anjali moved quickly, running out of her room at once as she dialed a number "Arnav I need your help."

Closing the file in his hands, Aman stood up, stretching his body to remove stiffness from his limbs from sitting in the exact position for a long time. Sparing a glance on the clock at his desk, he stood up gathering everything to leave for home.

Tucking the files he needed to carry home under his arm, he picked up his briefcase and walked out of the room slowly, taking the keys out to lock his cabin.

Once outside, he turned to close the door and lock it when something moved in his peripheral vision, making his eyes snap up in awareness.

Whirling around, his eyes moved around every dark corner and spot, trying to see if anyone was standing there. A sick, creepy sensation crawled over him, telling him of the danger lurking around. Quickly turning back, he locked his cabin, looking over his shoulder now and then.

Sliding the key inside the pocket of his trouser, he hurried down the hall, alert and cautious of everything around the place.

As he turned left to head towards elevator, someone slammed into him, igniting pain in his body, stronger than anything making him cry out a guttural moan.

His eyes wide in horror, he glanced at the grinning stranger before following his raised arm and looking at the knife buried deep in his stomach. He gaped, his breath stuck in his throat.

As the stranger twisted the knife in his gut before pulling out, Aman groaned, hands going behind his back to grip the wall behind and support his body.

His leg gave out from under him, making him slide down the wall as the stranger disappeared in the shadows.

As blood started soaking his black coat, his eyes rolled back in his head, his body slumped in pain.

"f**k!!!"

Anjali cursed out, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as she maneuvered her car to the left lane forward, ignoring the cars around coming to a halt at the red light. Unaware of the traffic police officer waving his hands, silently ordering her to stop the car at the side, she speeded it forward.

"God, please don't let them hurt her. She is just a kid." Murmuring the words under her breathe frantically, Anjali prayed to her deity in utter despair and desperation, her feet glued down on the accelerator as she swiftly changed gears, racing the car down the road.

The moment her car slid behind the two black SUV's with familiar number plates, she scowled cutting past them through the minimal space around them in hurry, not caring about her life.

Staring into the rear view mirror, Anjali gasped as she realized a moment later that a car was sandwiched between the two, forcing it to slow down and drive slowly. Her eyes widened in horror as she glimpsed a mop of black hairs stuck to the back seat.

"Where the hell are her bodyguards?" Crying out in disbelief, Anjali tried to identify her daughter's security detail which was supposed to follow her. She cursed the moment her eyes spotted two black WagonR behind them, trying to overtake the SUV's but failing miserably.

This is so not good.

The SUV's stopped abruptly making the car between them slow down to a halt.

"NO...NO..NO..DAMMIT !!!!" Anjali bellowed in outrage as she shifted her feet to slam down on the breaks, stopping her own car with a screeching sound emanating from the tires, the sudden action propelling her forward, slamming her forehead against the steering wheel.

Moaning in pain, Anjali sat back, her fingers closing around the gun lying on the passenger seat. Sitting there, she kept watching as a dozen men climbed out of the SUV's, only to be surrounded by the her daughter's security detail as their car stopped around them, trapping them effectively.

Bullets started flying the air along with blood as both sides started firing, men falling down after being shot while other cars sped away to the other direction, people running away from the spot.

"f**k it." Anjali cursed, picking up the gun at last and climbing out from the safety of her own car. Crouching down, she hurried back to reach to her daughter while trying to not get in the middle of the blood bath.

She didn't care of her bare feet which oozed blood, glass shards stuck in the skin. She didn't blink as the gown stuck around her legs, tripping her. She just tried to hurry forward.

She sighed in relief as she reached the car, watching as no one approached it. Hurrying to the back door, she peeked inside to a small child lying on the floor along with the driver in front, completely safe.

As the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears suddenly, Anjali stiffened. Gripping the gun in her hands, she spun around pointing it at a huge man dressed in rags walking forward with his own gun pointed at her.

"Step back." Anjali warned.

The man sneered, his filthy fingers moving to the trigger to shoot at her. Not thinking at all, Anjali fired at him, knowing that if she didn't shoot him, he will. Watching nervously as the bullet hit the chest she aimed at taking him down, she relaxed her grip for a moment.

Looking through the corners of her eyes, she once again checked the car behind her, making sure no one approached it. The moment she shifted her gaze forward, she froze.

Standing in front of her, Vikrant smirked, not caring of the blood oozing from his broken nose as he mouthed "Got you."

The sound of a shot being fired echoed in the air followed by a gasp as it hit Anjali.

Pressing a hand against her chest, Anjali looked down watching as blood tainted the fabric of her gown, spreading quickly, soaking her fingers as it rushed down. Doubling over, she gasped, suddenly unable to breathe at all.

Her body shook, tremors of pain hitting her.

Still, the maternal instincts in her body didn't allow her to fall down, urging her to fight back and protect her kid. Her eyes flew open as she saw a pair of feet still standing in front of her. Moving her eyes as her vision flickered, she watched Vikrant standing there, waiting for someone else.

She groaned, the realization hitting her at once. He is waiting for Arnav and Khushi to arrive to save their daughter, so that he can shoot them as well.

Inhaling sharply, Anjali stood up on the trembling feet, raising her shivering hands once again to point her gun at Vikrant. As her fingers moved to press the trigger at once, Vikrant's eyes widened before he ran away, hiding inside the SUV. The bullet hit his car a moment later. It drove away quickly.

Anjali stood there, her eyes threatening to snap shut but she stood there, waiting.

For what?

As a car approached before stopping in front of her, her eyes narrowed. Arnav stormed out of it, looking panicked being closely followed by Khushi.

Dropping the gun in her hands on the floor, Anjali closed her eyes, her body heaving in sudden exhaustion, falling down.

"Anjali!!!" She heard her brother shout before strong arms grabbed her, cradling her close "Oh my god, what have you done?"

Opening her eyes, Anjali smiled whispering in a broken voice "I saved her. Tell her I always loved her the most. She is my life."

And then her body jerked to the side, her face peaceful and calm as it never had been.

"NO!!!!" Holding her close to his chest, Arnav sobbed, tears falling down his face in utter devastation. Throwing his head back, he looked at the sky.

And shouted, the voice dragged from the very soul of him, so painful and mourning.

Humming a melody under her breath, Payal smiled as she slid her feet into her silver heels. Moving her eyes to her husband sitting nearby already dressed, engrossed in reading a book, she shook her head.

As a strong smell of something burning hit her, she frowned looking at the gas stove. She hadn't even lighted them yet.

Looking around, she tried to point the source of fire but failed miserably. Sighing deeply, she looked out of the window and froze.

Her eyes still stuck outside, Payal whispered "Akash, our house is on fire."