The name Aryan liquidates the remorse from Nandana’s heart for what she was feeling for Aditya a couple of seconds before. Rather, an acerbity replaces it. Nandana gives Mini to Rishi’s lap and gestures to him to head to the dining area. As they left, she turns to Aditya, who was sipping on his energy drink after ordering the servant to escort Aryan here. He doesn’t want to face more conflicts in the morning.

“Now, why is he here? Aditya, I never stop you from meeting your friends. I know I shouldn’t. But please! Keep this particular friend of yours away from my house. Someday I will lose the decency of my words, and it won’t be respectful to your friend.”

Nandana hisses and closes the distance between her and Aditya. He meets her gaze, his eyes void of any joy.

“I think he doesn’t care about that. For now, just keep in mind that whatever I am doing is for you and my family’s safety only.”

He pauses for a nanosecond and adds,

“Putting you all at risk will be the last thing I will ever do. Before that, I would prefer to die.”

Nandana's breath catches as the last word is spoken. Quickly, she places her fingers over Aditya's lips. When will he understand her situation? She cannot imagine her world without him, but his reckless actions are dangerous for both of them. Loving someone with a dark side is never easy, as it means accepting the danger and uncertainty that comes with it. For a few moments, they gaze at each other, unable to express their feelings. Suddenly, a voice interrupts their thoughts.

“Ahem…Sorry to disturb you both, but Aditya, it’s important.”

Aryan calls from the open door. Nandana immediately puts her hands down and steps back a little. Aditya looks at Aryan and signals him to enter. Nandana gives Aryan a displeased glance before walking towards the door, as Aditya speaks to her.

“Nandana, please send my breakfast here and one cup of black coffee for Aryan. Close the door, and yes…today I will get Rishi to his speech therapist. You need not bother.”

With a flared nose, Nandana slams the door behind her. A nonchalant smile creeps onto Aditya’s lips. Aryan wobbles his head in disbelief.

“You just love to test her patience, right?”

Aryan utters comically. Aditya sits on a plank and lifts the dumbbells.

“Same goes with you. You like to annoy her, right? Why are you here? You know that she doesn’t like your face.”

Aditya mouths in a flat tone as if he knows the answer. Aryan occupies a stool and retorts.

“As if I care. Many people dislike my face, and I've proudly earned that reputation. She is no exception. Anyway…the reason I am here is...”

Aryan inhales sharply and continues,

“SP Bhosle came to my office. He was asking about us.”

“Us?”

Aditya speaks carefully while Aryan's hawk eyes remain fixed on his curious friend. Finally, he concludes,

“About all of us. Notorious 5. St Peter Convent School. Arjun Rathod and, most importantly, Mukti. Aditya, it’s not only about Nandana or our Mafia world. He is up to something big, and this time, we have no clue.”

.....................................

Today was a significant day for the Dhawan industry, as they had the opportunity to collaborate with some foreign investors. Navya was tasked with giving a persuasive presentation to win over the investors. She delivered her best effort, and the Dhawan company was able to gain some ground. For Navya, this type of challenge was not new, but she had some doubts about the presentation's success this time. It was not because of her talent or credibility, but because of a trust issue. After a problem with the pen drive, Navya was unsure if Aabir would trust her again. They barely interacted after that day, and Navya had tried several times to apologise, but Aabir seemed to avoid the topic on purpose. Navya couldn't help but wonder if he was enjoying her guilt-ridden state. She sighed, locked her drawer, grabbed her handbag, and headed to the parking lot. She had a long way to go home, and she had already had two cancelled cab bookings. As she was about to search for a new booking, a deep voice startled her.

“Come! I will drop you off.”

Navya looks at the person. Aabir unlocks his car.

“No thanks. I will manage.”

She politely refuses. Aabir throws his briefcase onto the passenger seat and opens the back seat door.

“It’s 1 am. Not safe for a girl to travel alone. And I think it’s about to rain.”

He tries to judge the condition of the sky. It’s really cloudy. Aabir again mutters,

“Sit in the back seat. I will drive carefully.”

Navya slides the mobile inside her bag and comes to the other side to open the passenger seat door. A retort comes out of her mouth,

“Being the driver is not a good way to return my favour, Mr Dhawan. Let me sit here instead.”

Saying this, Navya shifts the briefcase to the backseat and occupies the passenger seat. With a deep frown, Aabir takes the driver’s seat and starts the engine.

“Favour? Care to explain, Ms Mehta.”

He sounds curious and rigid at the same time. Navya observes him from the corner of her eye. She sneaks a mischievous smile.

“You wouldn’t have cracked the deal without my presentation…You are welcome.”

She mouths amusedly. Aabir increases the speed. The rain has started. He closes the windows and turns on the heater.

“I haven’t thanked you.”

He says stubbornly.

“You just did…by giving me the ride. Just like I said a sorry by giving an exceptional presentation.”

Navya retorts. Aabir clenches his jaw.

“You think I can’t do anything without you? You are the only saviour of Dhawan industry, and we are all a bunch of fools sitting over here?”

He almost screams. Suddenly, the car gets a jerk on a speed breaker. Navya cries in pain while holding her lower abdomen. Aabir immediately pushes the brake and pulls the car to the side of the road.

“Navya…Shit! Are you okay? I…I am sorry. I couldn’t see the speed breaker. Are you okay, Baby?”

Aabir immediately unfastens his seat belt and leans towards Navya. His hand automatically touches her belly. Despite having a numb pain in her stomach, Navya looks at him in surprise. She doesn’t know after how many days and how many months Aabir addressed her with such care and love. Tears well up in her eyes, but Aabir assumes it is a sign of her discomfort. He cups her face and asks once more.

“Are you in pain? Tell me. Let’s go to the doctor. You are expecting and I…I…HOW STUPID I AM!”

He chides. But his words get silenced as Navya places her quivering lips on him. It feels like after a prolonged drought, the parched soil gets drenched with rain. Initially, Aabir is taken aback by this gesture of Navya, but in the next moment, he holds her tightly and intensifies the kiss. Meanwhile, it’s pouring heavily outside. The warmth of love and vulnerability makes the ambience more poignant. Their lips lose contact for a while when Aabir whispers,

“Sorry.”

Navya murmurs,

“Thank you.”

...................................

It’s around 1 am. Aarav unlocks his apartment door with fatigued hands. It was a long, hectic day. However, it was a fruitful day too. Eventually, they cracked the deal with a foreign company. Frankly speaking, it wouldn’t have been possible without Aabir and Navya’s hard work. He hopes that after this, both of them will reconcile for a better future for the company. Stepping inside, he plops down on the sofa. All knackered. Suddenly his eyes fall on the closed door that Aliya was curious about in the morning. A sinister smile appears on his face. In a second, his flaccid muscles get tight and alert. He gets up and approaches the door with a slow, determined gait. Fishing out the key from his pocket, he opens the door with a click. The room is sunk in darkness, but still a soft sound of breathing is audible. Aarav steps in and calls with a hissing tone,

“Arjun… get up, brother! It’s time for some reminiscence. Wake up!”