After calming himself for a while, Anay stepped out of his room again.Amrita, maintaining her poise, had already told everyone that the tea was spilled accidentally.Even if she had told the truth, it wouldn't have made a difference—Anay wouldn't have cared.
Meanwhile in Banaras...
Advika stood in her room's balcony.The narrow lanes in front of her were drenched in color—people soaked in hues were lost in their own little world.Bursts from water guns, echoes of laughter, life dressed in gulal...There was brightness everywhere, a festival of joy.People were forgetting their grudges and smearing each other in colors of unity.
But in Advika's eyes, there was only darkness.Her face bore no color, no smile.A dense shadow veiled her, and her hollow gaze stretched into nothingness.
"Happy Holi…"Rudraksh approached her quietly.
"Same to you,"she replied, her eyes still fixed on the world outside.
"Thakur has tightened security a lot,"Rudraksh too looked out,"Getting inside now is nearly impossible.Reaching the Sarpanch… just a dream."
"But his illegal dealings are still going on,"Advika said softly,"Thakur isn't part of them… so how's everything still running?"
"Raka…"Rudraksh answered."He's a hired mafia handler… very well-connected—politicians, weapons, money… everything.He handles most of the Sarpanch's work now.But he's a coward… terrified of dying… rarely meets anyone."
"Any other way?"Advika asked, not turning toward him.
"I've arranged a meeting.My assistant will try talking to him next week."
"I told you, you're not going to face him directly."She turned to him sharply.
Rudraksh smiled—"Worried about me?"
"Hmm? Worried?"Now Advika looked directly into his eyes."If you die… who will finish my revenge?"
For a moment, they just stared into each other's eyes.
"My assistant will meet him," Rudraksh said confidently."We'll convince him to leave Ravindra's side."
"And he'll agree?"Advika asked blankly.
"He'll have to,"Rudraksh paused, lowering his voice—"His only sister is blindly in love with my assistant.He won't be able to say no, even if he wants to."
Advika looked at him.
Without hesitation, Rudraksh added—"To reach your goal, sometimes you must forget the limits.Even a lotus blossoms in the filth."
Advika didn't question his logic.
Since that day, Anay and Shrey hadn't spoken a word to each other.Shrey tried again and again, but Anay wouldn't respond.Sometimes, this cold silence frustrated Shrey.
"Yes, I betrayed him…But I'm still his childhood friend…Doesn't even one mistake deserve forgiveness?"He often muttered to himself.
"This is our friendship… this is our love.Now I won't talk either.If he wants to come, he will."
One Week Later
Shrey stormed into Anay's room, still sulking.He threw an invitation card right in front of Anay's face—
"There's a party at Mr. Rana's in two days.Convince your father to attend too…"And just as swiftly, he stormed out.
Anay stared at his back as he left—"Is there any respect left for friendship?"
He picked up the card.It was an invite to a social conference.He set it aside and got back to work.
Later, Anay dressed and left the haveli.Outside, Shrey was already sitting in the jeep, still sulking.
Seeing him, Anay muttered—"I'm the one who's angry, and look at this guy…"He shook his head and started the jeep.But neither of them bothered to talk.
That evening, after returning and eating,Anay headed toward the Sarpanch's room.He didn't intend to eavesdrop—but what he heard made him freeze right outside the door.
"We knew that girl would pull something like this…You did exactly what we told you, right?" the Sarpanch asked.
"Hmm… I did. But remember the deal—I want that girl in return."another man's voice answered.
"Of course. Don't worry.Once Anay is out of the way, we can do anything.He's the only hurdle…We'll get rid of him,then that girl won't be able to even lift a finger."
Anay's fists clenched.Even though no name was mentioned, he understood everything.The stress made his head throb violently, but he didn't move.
"What about that Rajvansh boy?Don't underestimate him… he's well-connected."
"That's the problem…Last time, we killed his brother, and nothing came of it.But this time, she came back with a blade.And she managed to stir up so much while staying right in our haveli.Anyway, we have her weakness…She won't be able to do anything now."
"Good. I'm leaving…"
The man walked toward the door.
"Raka—"The Sarpanch called out.
Raka turned, raising his eyebrows.
"Use the back door."
Raka nodded and left that way.
Anay turned back to his room.His head was pounding.
He remembered everything—but he hadn't known that his own father would stoop so low…that he would sell out his love like a commodity.
Back in his room, Anay frantically started opening every drawer.He was searching for medicine in a panic.
But he couldn't find anything.
Shrey usually handled the medications—Anay had never paid attention.
Just then, Shrey walked in for something and saw him in distress.
"What are you looking for?" he asked loudly.
Anay turned—his eyes bloodshot,the left side of his head bruised and discolored,his face twisted in unbearable pain.
Shrey's heart dropped—"Anay, what happened?!"
"It hurts… give me the medicine…!"Anay clutched his head.
Shrey didn't waste a second—he helped Anay to the bed,rushed to get water and pills.
Anay lay down immediately,massaging his head with trembling hands, but nothing helped.
Shrey was deeply disturbed watching his friend suffer.
He quickly called the doctor.
His voice trembled—"Doctor… please come quickly.Anay's in severe pain…"
Thakurain entered too.Anay had now rested his head on her lap, eyes closed from the medicine's effect.
The doctor arrived and examined him thoroughly.Outside the room, he explained to Shrey—
"He's under tremendous psychological stress.If this continues, his condition will deteriorate further.You must change his environment—help him feel lighter.Otherwise, mental strain will start destroying his body too."
He paused gravely—"Due to the blow to his left brain, he's suffered serious damage.Such damage is usually permanent.He may have to rely on medication for the rest of his life.And this constant stress is preventing the medicine from working.If it continues like this… there's a risk of brain hemorrhage."
Shrey listened quietly, then nodded.
"I'll take care of him, doctor."
"You must," the doctor said,"I'll write a few medications that will help with sudden pain.But be careful—they can be addictive. Don't use them too frequently."
"Yes, doctor…"Shrey lowered his eyes.
After the doctor left, Shrey sat silently on a chair.He held his head in his hands.
He wanted to cry—loudly.To shake Anay awake and scream: Why are you doing this to yourself?
"Everything was finally getting better…"he muttered to himself."And now this again…Why did I let him stay?If I hadn't supported Advika, maybe Anay would've left for London…At least he would've been okay… peaceful."
Just then, a soft voice came from behind—"Excuse me…"
Shrey looked up—Moli was standing there.
"I need to tell you something…"
"Go ahead," he replied, his voice heavy.
"A while ago, Chhote Thakur went to see Bade Malik…He reached the door but came back.Since then, he's been like this…"
Anger and concern flared across Shrey's face.He grabbed Moli's arm—
"Did that man say something to him?Tell me, Moli—what did he say?"
Moli panicked—"No, sir… I didn't hear anything.I only saw him from afar…"
She knew how much Anay meant to Shrey,so she didn't try to hide anything.
Shrey let go of her and rubbed his temples.
"Was anyone else there with the Sarpanch?"
Moli nodded.
**"Yes… one man…""What did he look like?"
"Tall… heavy gold chains around his neck…and… yes, a scar across one eye…"
Shrey's breath caught.
"Raka…"he whispered.
He stood up slowly, breathing deep.
Anay and Shrey had always known of the Sarpanch's dirty dealings—But they'd neither supported nor openly opposed him.
Shrey took a deep breath and gestured for Moli to leave.She left quietly.
"Raka…"he repeated under his breath."What was he doing here…?"
His eyes narrowed, brows furrowed.
"What's going on in the Sarpanch's mind?"he murmured, pacing back and forth, faster and faster.
"Is he planning to use Anay… as a pawn?"
A chill ran down his spine.
He looked toward Anay's room—his friend lay unconscious from the meds.
"What if he's trying to use Anay to pull off something big…?"
Sweat beaded on his forehead.
"No…"he said aloud,"If anything goes wrong this time… I won't stay silent.Anay is all that matters to me… only Anay."
His eyes lingered on the sleeping Anay.
Anay had turned slightly in his sleep,his face tired, breathing slow—but the dark circles under his eyes told a different story—a story of pain and torment.
Shrey's fists clenched on their own.He turned away slowly… and walked back to his room.