Anay returned home and went straight to bed. In a few days, there was going to be an election for the MLA position, in which his father was a candidate, and Anay had to make sure he won. He was working day and night for it — whether it meant buying off existing MLAs or turning Ravindra Thakur into a god-like figure among the people.
The next morning, by the time Advika arrived, Anay had already left. She went to his room again, searching for something. Last night, she had seen Anay pick up a key and place another one in the drawer. She quickly opened the drawer, pulled out that key, and inserted it into the secret door — it opened.
A smile spread across Advika's face. She quickly checked inside and found exactly what she was looking for. She grabbed the papers, hid them in her dupatta, closed the door just as it was before, and quietly stepped out.
She told Moli she had a headache and needed to go home. Moli took permission from the Thakurain, and Advika confidently began walking toward her home. She hadn't gone far when a car stopped in front of her. She didn't pay much attention at first.
The window rolled down, and Anay called out, "Advika…"
Advika turned sharply, and seeing Anay in front of her, her heart skipped a beat. Had he not gone to the city? Had he seen her steal those papers from his room?
Anay asked, "What happened… where are you going?"
Advika stuttered, "My… my head hurts… so… I was going home…"
Anay asked with concern, "Is it serious… should we go to the doctor?"
"No… I'll just take some medicine…" she replied, avoiding his gaze.
Anay said, "Alright, get in, I'll drop you off…"
Turning her face away, Advika replied, "I'll manage…"
Anay insisted, "Look, I don't want to create a scene on the road. Get in yourself, or don't force me to come out and make you."
Reluctantly, Advika got into the car. Her heart was racing, and all she could think about were the stolen documents hidden under her dupatta. Without a word, Anay drove off and stopped near her house. As soon as the car halted, Advika quickly got out and almost ran. Behind her, Anay's car sped away, kicking up dust.
She stood there stunned, watching the direction his car had disappeared into. He hadn't even said goodbye or waited for her to enter the house.
Next morning...
A police jeep suddenly arrived at the Thakur haveli, leaving everyone shocked. The calm atmosphere of the mansion was shattered by the sound of the siren, spreading a tense energy. Servants and family members gathered, their faces filled with concern and questions.
Ravindra Thakur descended the stairs with his usual commanding stride and walked toward the inspector. "Inspector Sahab, what's the matter…? Today you've graced our haveli yourself?"
The inspector, who usually didn't dare stand straight in front of Thakur, stammered, "Sir… we've received a complaint against you… and we have orders to arrest you." His voice trembled. The shock was visible on every face in the courtyard.
Never before had police dared step into the Thakur mansion, and today they had come to arrest the head of the family?
Ravindra Thakur's eyes flared with anger. Twisting his mustache, he roared, "Who the hell has the guts for this?"
The inspector lowered his head, still trembling. "We only have the Commissioner's orders, Sir… no further details." He avoided eye contact, knowing he was putting his hand inside a lion's den. Thakur's face twisted with rage. A direct order from the Commissioner meant this was no small matter.
"What are the charges?" Thakur demanded.
The inspector hesitated, "You're alleged to be involved in drug trafficking…"
Thakur's temper exploded. "Are you out of your mind… smoking weed before coming here?!"
The inspector folded his hands, "Sir, this isn't my fault… powerful people are behind this… I'm only following orders…"
Just then, Anay stepped outside.
Thakur thundered, "You think you'll take me to the station?!"
The inspector looked helplessly toward Anay. "Sir, we have to take him to the station… my job's on the line…"
Anay snapped, "Inspector, speak with respect… Do you value your life, or not? He is the Sarpanch of Thakurpur… soon to be MLA of this district… don't make me put you on a funeral pyre."
The inspector looked pleadingly at Anay. "Young Thakur… our hands are tied… we can't do anything…"
Without saying a word, Anay dialed the Commissioner and stepped out of the haveli. After a while, he returned and silently went back to his room.
A tense silence filled the air — broken only by the inspector's ringing phone. "Yes, Sir… I'm leaving now… yes, Sir…"
He hung up and turned toward Ravindra Thakur, folding his hands, "Apologies, Sir… it was a misunderstanding by the Commissioner…"
Everyone watched in disbelief. The same inspector who had arrived with handcuffs was now apologizing.
Thakur gestured for him to leave. The inspector scurried away, tail between his legs.
After he left, Thakur walked into Anay's room, where he was writing something.
"Anay…" Thakur called lovingly.
Without looking up, Anay replied, "Yes…"
"Who did you call?" Thakur asked.
"A friend… quite a big name in business…"
Thakur pressed further, "Where is he from?"
"Lives in Mumbai."
"What's his name?" Thakur asked again.
Anay smiled faintly, "Just enjoy the mangoes, Sir… why count the seeds?"
Pride gleamed in Thakur's eyes. "I'm proud of you…"
Anay didn't respond, and went back to his work.
Elsewhere…
Rudransh was yelling on the phone, "How can you not arrest him?! You had solid proof!"
Someone on the other side said something, and Rudransh's face filled with shock and fury.
He ended the call. Lines of worry crossed his forehead — his plan had failed, and the sting of it was eating him alive.
Advika was hanging clothes on the terrace, but her mind was replaying the scene of the police coming to arrest Thakur, only to be stopped by Anay's one phone call. The commanding way Anay handled everything, turning the entire situation in a flash, echoed in her mind.
She muttered, "First, I need to deal with Thakur Sahab… as long as he's around, getting to the big Thakur is impossible…"
"Advika…" someone called her name.
Her heart pounded so hard, it felt like it would burst. She turned slowly — Anay was standing right behind her.
"You… how…" her voice was dry and weak. Her mind swirled with a thousand questions, but her lips stayed frozen.
Anay smiled and asked, "Did you go into my room after I left?"
Advika immediately denied it, "No… why would I go there?" Her face tried to appear innocent, but Anay's sharp gaze was seeing through her.
He raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "Hmm… just thought someone might have gone. We'll find out."
A tense silence followed. A strange unease filled the air. Advika stared at the ground, avoiding his eyes. Her entire body shivered. Then Anay broke the silence.
"So, what have you decided?"
Advika lifted her eyes and asked with feigned innocence, "About what?"
Anay smirked, "Don't play so innocent."
Advika gathered courage and said, "You've never even looked at me… I'm not even pretty. My face is covered in scars — you'll be terrified if you see me."
Anay stepped closer, "Who said I fell for your looks? I fell in love with your eyes… with your habits… your stubborn nature… I don't care how you look. You're mine, only mine." Every word dripped with truth.
Advika gave a crooked, bitter smile, "Will you say this in front of the world too… or just whisper sweet things in bed?"
Anay's face hardened with anger. He grabbed her arm and said firmly, "If you don't love me, say it — I'll spend my life convincing you… but don't insult my love. I am Anay Thakur… I might not say 'baby' or 'sweetheart', but I'll give you my name… and always stand as your shield."
Looking away, Advika said with hesitation, "I don't even know how to cook…"
Anay smiled — for the past two days she had been cooking for him and now denied it. "Did I open a roadside eatery? After marriage, you'll be my wife, not a chef."
"I don't know how to speak properly or be polite to people…" she said sharply, listing her flaws.
"I'll teach you. And even if you don't, it's fine — you'll be the Thakurain. People will respect you… whether you speak nicely or not," Anay replied warmly.
Frustrated, Advika shouted, "Why don't you understand? I have so many flaws — I can't even count them all!"
Anay stepped closer and said with conviction, "And I want to accept you with all those flaws."
"I'm not a rose, I'm its thorn… I'll keep pricking you all your life. Think again…"
"My heart didn't even let me think after seeing you…" Anay said, eyes filled with love. Advika fell silent for a moment.
Then she burst out in frustration, "What do you want from me?"
"You…" Anay said calmly.
Advika looked at him helplessly. In her eyes, a strange trust for Anay began to grow. But Anay stood firm in his love. There was no doubt in his eyes.
"You'll regret this decision…" she whispered.
"Not in this lifetime…" he replied instantly.
"This pride of yours will break…"
"Anay Thakur's pride isn't so fragile that someone's words could break it," he said with absolute confidence.
"You'll keep waiting your whole life…"
"I'm ready…" Anay took a deep breath.
Advika looked into his eyes. In them, she saw immeasurable love — not once had she felt this from any man before. She had experienced countless stares, but Anay's eyes never wandered. What she saw in Anay's eyes, she had never seen elsewhere — pure respect, boundless love… no lust, no desire… just love… deep, infinite love.
To be continued.....