Anaya sat on the wooden park bench, her peach summer dress flowing around her legs as the evening breeze rustled through the trees. Children laughed in the distance, the faint sound of water from a nearby fountain mixing with the chatter of tourists. Rudra had just kissed her forehead softly before leaving for the ice cream stall.
"Don't move, Velvet," he'd whispered, his voice low and warm against her skin. "Main tumhe sabse best ice cream laata hoon."
She had only smiled and nodded, watching him stride across the park with that confident walk that always drew stares. Her heart felt strangely full in that simple moment. Bas yahi chhoti chhoti cheezein... yeh hi toh chahti hoon main.
But her peace broke a second later when her phone buzzed on her lap.
Message received.
She frowned, unlocking the screen. A number she didn't recognize had sent the text.
"Hello, hello Mrs. Malhotra..."
Her breath hitched. Mrs. Malhotra? Her fingers trembled slightly as she scrolled. Another message popped up immediately.
"Are you enjoying your vacation away from India?"
Her throat went dry. She looked up instinctively, scanning the crowd — tourists, families, a couple of joggers. Nobody seemed out of place, but the words crawled under her skin like a shadow.
Is this some sick joke? Or... is someone really following us?
Almost on reflex, she opened a new chat window and quickly typed a message to Rudra.
Anaya → Rudra:
"Rudra, go back to your room. Someone's watching us. Don't let them see us together."
Her thumb hovered for a second before hitting send. Tension was written all over her face now, the earlier glow gone. She clutched her phone tightly, her pulse racing.
On the other side of the park, Rudra's phone vibrated. He stopped mid-step, ice cream cones in hand, and read her message. His jaw clenched, the warmth in his eyes turning sharp in an instant. Without wasting a moment, he pulled his phone to his ear and dialed.
"Aarav." His voice was rough, urgent.
Across the park, sitting on another bench with Janvi, Aarav's phone rang. At the same time, Janvi's screen lit up with a text from Anaya. Both looked at each other, understanding flashing in their eyes. Aarav answered.
"Bhai?"
"Listen carefully," Rudra's voice was like steel. "We don't panic. Act normal. Don't make them suspect. Bas seedha hotel. Meet me there."
At the same moment, Janvi read Anaya's message aloud softly, "We need to act normal... come to us. Don't let anyone guess."
Aarav muttered into his call, "Understood. Main tumhare saath coordinate kar raha hoon."
Janvi stood, slipping her phone into her bag, and crossed to Anaya with a calm smile plastered on her face, as if nothing was wrong. "Chalo, Anu. Taxi bulati hoon. We're going home."
Anaya nodded, her hand tightening around her phone. The words from the stranger still echoed in her head, burning into her nerves. Who knows I'm here? Who knows my name?
At the same time, Aarav walked to Rudra, casually taking one of the ice creams from his hand as if they were just brothers sharing a moment. But when Rudra leaned in, his tone was deadly low.
"Don't go the same route. Different taxi, different road. We'll regroup at Heaven Hotel. Safe house mode."
Aarav's jaw tightened. "Copy that."
Both men walked in opposite directions, keeping their faces neutral. But in Rudra's eyes, the storm was rising.
As the women's taxi pulled out from the curb, Janvi glanced at Anaya. She could see the tension etched on her best friend's face, the way her brows furrowed as she scrolled back to the unknown number.
"Anu... breathe," Janvi whispered, squeezing her hand.
Anaya finally murmured, her voice low, almost shaking. "It said 'Mrs. Malhotra.' Janvi... kaise? Who would—? They don't even know I'm married..."
Janvi stayed quiet, letting her vent, until another buzz shook Anaya's phone. She swallowed hard before looking at it.
"Birthday aa raha hai aapka... and yeh birthday special hone wala hai."
Her chest tightened. Birthday... special... It wasn't a wish. It was a threat.
Anaya's fingers shook as she showed it to Janvi. Her eyes glistened, not with tears, but with fear she was trying hard to mask. "Ye... ye koi mazaak nahin hai."
Janvi immediately pulled her phone out, pretending to type casually but actually forwarding the screenshot to Rudra.
In the other taxi, Rudra's phone vibrated again. He read the forwarded message, his knuckles whitening around the device. His voice was ice when he spoke.
"Main uss bastard ka naam jaan lunga... aur jaan lene mein der nahi karunga."
Aarav, seated beside him, placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. "Bhai... calm. That must be our rivals. Business mein enemies hote hain."
"Which one?" Rudra's tone was like a growl. "Kaun hai jo meri wife ko target kar raha hai?"
Aarav exhaled. "We'll know soon. Let's get to Heaven Hotel. Singhaniya security system is tight. Once inside, koi chhune bhi nahi paayega."
Rudra didn't reply, but his silence was more dangerous than words. His gaze was fixed on the city passing outside, the neon lights of Singapore reflecting in his cold eyes. His thoughts were singular, sharp as a blade — How dare someone threaten her? How dare someone ruin my time with her?
Back in the women's cab, Anaya leaned back, pressing her forehead against the glass, watching the blur of the city lights. Inside, her heart was pounding, her body trembling, but her mind... her mind was full of Rudra. If something happens... if they're after him because of me...
Janvi, watching her quietly, finally spoke. "Don't worry, Anu. Tumhari protection Singhaniya ke hotel mein hai. Wahan koi kuch nahi kar paayega."
Anaya gave a weak nod, still clutching her phone like a lifeline. But inside, one thought echoed louder than anything else — This is only the beginning.
.✦.━━━✦.━━━✦.━━━✦.💫.✦.━━━✦.━━━✦.━━━✦.✦.
The heavy glass doors of Heaven Hotel slid open with a hush, and Anaya and Janvi stepped inside. The marble lobby gleamed under soft golden light, but for Anaya the shine felt hollow. Her mind was still ringing with the echo of those strange messages. By the time they reached their suite on the 14th floor, her face was pale, her jaw tight.
As soon as the door shut behind them, she exhaled sharply and threw her phone on the bed.
"I don't know, Janvi... yeh kaun hai jo mujhe likh raha hai? Aur yeh 'Ghada'? Who is Ghada? Mujhe lagta hai... maine apni date spoil kar di Rudra ke saath," she muttered, her voice breaking between anger and guilt.
Janvi placed her bag on the side table, her usual calmness still intact. "Relax, Anu. We'll find out. Bas tension mat le." She reached for her laptop and held it out. "Here. You wanted to check?"
Anaya grabbed the laptop, her fingers trembling but determined. "Haan. Mujhe dekhna hai." She opened the browser quickly, typing furiously, tracing the number that had disturbed her peace. Within minutes, the location pinged back — Delhi.
Her eyes widened. "Oh my God... Delhi? Janvi... wohi city jahan hum rehte hain! Matlab..." Her voice turned cold, almost trembling with rage. "Main uss... main uss ko maar dungi. Whoever it is, woh khel khatam."
Janvi leaned forward, gripping her shoulder gently. "Anu—"
But before she could calm her, the door burst open with a loud click.
Rudra stormed in, his eyes blazing with something between fear and fury. Without a word, he crossed the room in three long strides and pulled Anaya into his arms, crushing her against his chest. The laptop almost slipped from her lap as she gasped softly at the sudden embrace.
"Tumhe himmat kaise hui, Velvet?" he whispered harshly into her hair, his arms like steel around her. His breath was heavy, his heartbeat pounding against her cheek. But his anger wasn't at her — it was at the world outside, at anyone who dared to touch what was his.
Behind him, Aarav entered quietly and shut the door firmly, locking it from inside. His sharp eyes scanned the room once, then rested on Janvi who was standing a little behind Anaya. For a moment their gazes met, and relief softened his features.
Janvi let out a short breath she had been holding and managed a half-smile. "Thank God hum safe hain. Koi rumour toh nahi uthega, right?"
Aarav's lips curved faintly. "Ja. At least not tonight."
Anaya pulled back slightly in Rudra's arms, her voice muffled. "Rudra... I just hope no one finds out we're a couple. Agar kisi ko pata chal gaya..."
Rudra tilted her chin up, his dark eyes boring into hers. But before he could answer, Aarav's voice cut the silence. "Bhai... maine slip kar diya. I called her 'Bhabhi'... not just couple, but married one."
The words hung heavy in the air. Janvi stiffened, her hand automatically covering her mouth as if sealing the secret again. Anaya's eyes darted to Rudra, searching his face.
Rudra's jaw worked as he finally released her from the suffocating hug, though his hand never left the small of her back, gripping her as if she might vanish. He looked at all three of them with that same commanding sharpness he used in boardrooms.
"Alright," he said, his voice deep and final. "Meetings... cancelled. We are going home. Now."
The word now wasn't just spoken. It landed like a command. His tone carried no room for debate.
Everyone froze for a second. The weight of his decision fell over the suite like a shadow. Aarav's usual calm eyes widened slightly, Janvi's lips parted as if to object, but she closed them again. Anaya stared at him, searching for any trace of softness in his gaze.
But Rudra was serious. Deadly serious.
"Yes," he repeated, his tone clipped. "I'm not risking anything. Not with her. We leave. Tonight."
Janvi and Aarav exchanged a quick glance before both nodded almost in unison. "Ohky... Bhai," Aarav said quietly, almost under his breath.
Anaya's heartbeat raced. She could feel his palm burning against the curve of her waist, the pressure unrelenting. He wasn't letting go — not physically, not emotionally. She swallowed and whispered, her voice meant only for him. "Rudra... please. Don't look so tense. Hum bas... kuch weeks aur. Just a few weeks... then we don't need to hide."
Her words slipped into the room like a fragile promise, but they carried the weight of their secret.
Rudra muttered under his breath, more to himself than to her. "Bas a few weeks. Just hold on. Fir... no one can stop me." (He said to himself as he tired of hide and seek game).
Janvi shifted awkwardly, looking down at her feet, trying to distract herself with the laptop still open on the bed. Aarav crossed his arms, leaning against the wall, his gaze steady on his elder brother. For once, none of them spoke.
The silence wasn't empty. It was thick — with fear, with love, with secrets that threatened to spill out.
Rudra tightened his arm protectively around Anaya's waist, his eyes scanning the room again as if invisible threats lurked in every corner. He knew the truth deep inside: this wasn't just about business rivals. This was personal. Someone was watching. Someone had dared.
And for Rudra Singhaniya ring to touch his wife was the biggest mistake they could ever make.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ── 💖 ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
The suite was quiet after Rudra's command, but the silence wasn't peaceful. It carried weight, like a storm waiting to break. Anaya could feel his arm heavy around her waist, pulling her closer as if the world outside was waiting to snatch her away.
Aarav, standing near the window, pulled out his phone. His fingers moved fast, sending a single coded message — one only the Singhaniya brothers used. Emergency.
Janvi, watching it all, shut her laptop softly and looked at her best friend. She could read Anaya like an open book; the calm on her face was fake, her racing heartbeat betrayed her.
Anaya finally broke the silence.
"Rudra... tumhe lagta hai yeh itna zaroori hai? Abhi toh hum yahan safe hain..."
Rudra turned his gaze to her. His eyes, sharp and intense, locked onto hers, silencing her doubts instantly.
"Safe?" he repeated, his voice low but unshakable. "Velvet... safe ka matlab tum ho. Agar koi mujhe threaten kare, mujhe fark nahi padta. But the moment it touches you—even as a joke—I don't care if it's Singapore or Delhi... main poori duniya jala dunga."
His words were calm, but the fire in them made Anaya's chest tighten. She clutched his shirt, whispering, "Par... rumours? If anyone finds out about us..."
Rudra's jaw flexed. His voice came out like steel.
"Let them. Tum meri wife ho. Period. Agar unko problem hai, toh main deal kar lunga. Tum bas mere saath raho."
Janvi exhaled, breaking the heavy air. "Okay, Rudra... toh ab plan kya hai?"
Before Rudra could reply, Aarav straightened. His voice was calm, practical.
"I'll handle logistics. Bhai, we can shift to Heaven Hotel's private suites. Jo board members ke liye design kiye the — soundproof, triple security, private elevators. Perfect for this situation."
Rudra gave a curt nod. "Arrange it. Tonight itself."
Anaya blinked, confused. "Private suites? Matlab... hum yahan se shift karenge?"
Aarav explained gently, "Yes, Bhabhi. Floor sixteen. Sirf Singhaniya family ke paas access codes hain. Even staff can't enter. Until we know kaun bhej raha hai yeh messages, aap security ke bina bahar nahi jayengi."
Janvi's eyes widened. "Security? Matlab bodyguards?"
"Haan," Rudra confirmed. He glanced at his buzzing phone. "Already called them. Within one hour, three of my most trusted men will be here. They'll stay invisible, but close enough."
Anaya stiffened. "Rudra... yeh thoda zyada ho raha hai. Mujhe police wali treatment mat do."
For the first time, Rudra's lips curved into a faint smile, though it never reached his eyes. He leaned down, his breath brushing her ear.
"Tum nahi samajh rahi, Velvet. Tum meri weak spot ho. Agar kisi ko yeh samajh aa gaya, main kuch bhi karne ko ready hoon. Police wali treatment deni hai toh theek hai. At least you'll be safe."
Her throat went dry. She wanted to argue, but she knew — once Rudra Singhaniya made up his mind, there was no moving him.
Aarav's phone buzzed again. He checked, then looked up. "Done. Suites ready. Lift cards activated. Staff cleared." His efficiency was precise, his tone calm — a perfect opposite to Rudra's burning protectiveness.
Janvi muttered under her breath, "Ab toh hum sach mein spy movie ke characters lag rahe hain. Bas secret code names reh gaye."
Anaya almost laughed, but the memory of the messages returned like a shadow. Her voice dropped. "Woh... text... usne likha tha 'Ms. Malhotra'. Not Mrs. Matlab... he doesn't know I'm married."
The line hit Rudra harder than the threat itself. His hand gripped her waist tighter.
"Good," he growled. "Let him stay blind. Utna hi easy hoga usko dhoondhna. Whoever it is... Delhi mein baitha hai. Bahut jaldi pakda jaayega."
Aarav's calm voice cut in. "Bhai, careful. Ho sakta hai rivals ho, ya koi aur. Hum impulsive step nahi lenge. Pehle security. Then investigation."
Rudra clenched his jaw, saying nothing. He hated patience, but Aarav was right.
Janvi stepped closer, her hand on Anaya's shoulder. "Anu, don't stress. Hum chaar hain saath. Nobody can touch you. Not in Heaven Hotel."
Anaya's eyes softened. "Pata hai... but still... I ruined everything. Rudra ke saath perfect day... aur phir..."
Rudra turned her to face him sharply. "Enough. Don't you dare blame yourself. Tumne kuch kharab nahi kiya. Jo bhi plans the... sab abhi bhi honge. Bas thoda wait. Main wada karta hoon, Velvet. This will end. Aur uske baad... no hiding."
His tone, final and absolute, made her chest ache. She just nodded, resting her head against him.
Aarav cleared his throat. "So, tonight we shift. I'll tell staff — Singhaniya family requires privacy. Kisi ko kuch samajh nahi aayega."
Janvi smirked, teasing, "Privacy... secret married couple privacy." She winked at Anaya, who blushed and pinched her arm.
For a moment, the heaviness cracked, and laughter slipped in. Even Rudra's lips twitched at the corner.
But his grip on Anaya never loosened. His eyes never lost their fire. Deep inside, Rudra Singhaniya was raging — someone dared to message her, dared to call her Ms. Malhotra, dared to ruin their day.
As he muttered to himself under his breath, the promise was sharp as steel:
"Just a few weeks, Velvet. Then no more hiding. Not from the world, not from anyone. Aur jo bhi hamare beech aayega... main usse khatam kar dunga."