"Anay!"
Shrey cried out in desperation, his voice cracking, words failing him.
Without a moment's hesitation, Anay grabbed him by the collar, shoved him forcefully, and threw him out of the room.The door slammed shut behind him.
"Anay! Listen to me… you're misunderstanding… please, just hear me out—!"Shrey kept banging on the door.
"What happened, Shrey? Is Anay okay?"Thakurain rushed over, visibly shaken, followed closely by the other staff members.
Shrey was a mess.His forehead rested against the door as he whispered—
"Anay, don't do this…I'll die…Can you hear me…?"His voice trembled with raw pain.
From a distance, Moli watched, her eyes welling with tears.
Inside the room, Anay sat leaning against the door.He could hear every word Shrey said—clearly.A searing pain rose in his chest, so sharp it felt like it would rip through him.He clutched his chest tightly with both hands.Eyes shut tight…but warm, salty tears had already made their way down his cheeks.His face bore the kind of agony that couldn't be screamed, nor hidden.
"Anay…!"Thakurain's voice echoed from outside.
Anay opened his eyes slowly—They weren't just red now; they were crimson, like blood.
He stood up abruptly and ran toward the bathroom.Turning on the tap, he splashed water over his face—again and again… again and again…
But…
That redness in his eyes refused to wash away.He stepped under the shower.
Cold water drenched him from head to toe—but the desert inside his heart remained untouched.
He just stood there… lifeless.The icy water streamed down his body, yet he stayed frozen in that storm of emotion.
After a while,he collected himself, changed his clothes, and put on dark sunglasses—so no one would see the redness in his eyes.
As soon as he stepped out of the room,he saw Thakurain and Shrey still standing there.She had already dismissed everyone else.
"Anay…"Thakurain started, but before she could say more—
"I'm fine, Amma.The guests must have arrived.Please go attend to them."He turned abruptly and headed straight for the Sarpanch's room.
He knocked on the door.
From inside, a frightened voice responded—"W-Who is it?"
"It's me… Anay."
"O-Oh… come in, son…"
The room was pitch-dark as Anay entered.He moved toward the window to open it, but—
"Leave it shut, son…"The Sarpanch's trembling voice echoed in the silence.
Anay turned around.
"How long do you plan to hide in this darkness?Guests have arrived—come out and meet them."
The Sarpanch stood slowly and bolted the window tighter,then sat down in his recliner.
"Son… that girl… she's far more dangerous than you think.You never know when, where, or how she might strike."
Looking him straight in the eyes, Anay said—"So you no longer trust my ability?"
The Sarpanch went completely silent.
Anay took a deep breath—"Every guest is being screened.Our men are posted in every corner of Thakurpur.She won't succeed.Come out and be fearless."
The Sarpanch tried to speak,but Anay cut him off without turning—
"If you trust me, then come out.If not… that's your choice."
With that, he turned, opened the door, and walked out.
Behind him, the Sarpanch's fists clenched tightly.He had tried everything to provoke Anay…but his principles—never shaken, never will be.
Anay was the first to reach the garden where the guests had gathered.He began personally greeting the prominent ones.
"Happy Holi, MLA sahib!"came Tiwari ji's voice from behind.
Anay turned and gave a faint smile, bowing slightly—"To you as well, Tiwari ji."
Tiwari ji stepped forward and applied a soft tilak of gulal on Anay's forehead.Anay returned the gesture politely.
"This is my sister,"Tiwari ji gestured to a woman standing beside him—Amrita,who folded her hands in a graceful greeting.
Anay nodded without much expression, then turned to Tiwari ji—"I hope your journey to Thakurpur was smooth."
"It was fine… just this heavy security…"Tiwari ji said with some surprise,"Is something going on?"
Anay simply nodded—"Just… necessary precautions.Please enjoy the Holi festivities."
He then moved on to the next group of guests.
Meanwhile, Shrey and Thakurain had also come outand, like the rest of the family, were busy welcoming everyone.
As Anay began to turn back toward the haveli—
"Thakur sahib…"a voice called from behind.
Anay's fists clenched instinctively.He turned slowly—Amrita stood there.
"Thakur sahib…"
"Don't say that name again,"Anay's voice was icy.
"But Thakur…"she whispered, placing her hand on his chest.
It was like pouring fire on a volcano.Anay immediately flung her hand away.
"I won't repeat myself.Stay away.I'm fire… you'll be reduced to ash."
Amrita smiled, eyes fearless.
"To lose oneself in love is an art too, you know."
Anay leaned in, eyes locked onto hers with a piercing intensity,and with a crooked smile said—
"You speak well…But when it comes time to prove it,neither your feet will follow you… nor your tongue."
"Try me.Every word you say cuts like poison,"Amrita responded boldly.
Anay dragged a finger across his brow,cracked his neck from side to side, and smirked—
"So you like playing with fire?Fine… let's play."
His eyes landed on a steaming kettle of tea nearby.Without a second thought,he strode toward it.
Amrita followed behind curiously.
In a single swift motion,Anay grabbed the kettle and poured the scalding tea straight onto Amrita's hands.
"Aaaahhh!"Amrita screamed in pain. Her hands turned red instantly, tears springing to her eyes.
"Are you insane?!"she yelled.
"Yes! I am insane!"Anay growled through clenched teeth."And obsessive too!So stay the hell away from me!"
With that, he turned and ran back inside the haveli.
He bolted the door behind him and tore off the kurta Amrita had touched—as if it were crawling with insects.
He rushed into the bathroom, stood under the shower.The water was harsh, but not enough to extinguish the fire inside him.
He grabbed a bar of soap and began scrubbing the spot on his chest where Amrita had touched—again and again… relentlessly.
That patch of skin had turned red,but Anay's expression remained tormented.
He looked at himself in the mirror.Then he smiled—bitterly.
"You had rights over me… you still do… and always will.Whether you stay or leave…neither this love will end,nor this lover.You were my obsession…But now, being yours is my devotion."
"If love meant surrender to you—Then I surrender.Whether or not I get you…Anay Thakur will always belong to Advika."
Tears from his eyes mingled with the water from the shower—both flowing silently.