Rudraksh was declared guilty and arrested.The police twisted his arms and handcuffed him without listening to a word.
"I didn't do anything!"He kept shouting again and again,"I've been framed... Ayushi was like a sister to me! How could I kill her!"
But no one listened to him.The crowd was ready to pelt stones and hurl abuses, and the police dragged him toward the jeep.
Meanwhile, Advika, who had just returned with some belongings, saw the gathering crowd and stopped. She overheard whispers:"They say he did it…""He's caught now. Straight to jail…"
"Rudr…?"She pushed her way through the crowd.
"Leave him! He didn't do anything! How can you people act like this?" she cried, clutching Rudraksh's hand.
But the police pushed her back.
"Ma'am, please don't interfere… The evidence is clear — the knife was in his hand, the girl died in his house… and you say he didn't do it?"
"He can't do this… never… Do you understand?" Advika shouted.
"Ma'am, the law sees evidence, not emotions," said the officer.
The jeep door shut, and Rudraksh sat inside silently now.
Advika ran behind the jeep as it drove away, but couldn't catch up.
At the police station, her worst fears came true.The car that took Rudraksh to the hospital was seized.His house was sealed — locks were placed everywhere.
Rudraksh took a deep breath, grounding himself in the present.
Anay stormed into the police station like a tornado.A lawyer followed him briskly.
"Sir, you…"The inspector stood up as soon as he saw him, clearly nervous.
"Rudraksh Rajvansh... his case is under you, right?"
"Yes… Yes sir, it is under me."
"This is his lawyer. We're here for bail," Anay pointed to the man beside him.
The inspector stammered, "Sir, this isn't a petty theft or assault case… a girl has been murdered, and all the evidence points to him."
"He's being framed. And we'll soon present the proof." Anay's tone was firm.
"Sir, please understand… I have to report to my seniors. This case is high-profile. Even the media is watching…"
Anay silently turned his head, took a deep breath, and asked,"By when can we get bail?"
"Sir… once the autopsy is done and the report is clear, we'll be able to say something."
Anay clenched his jaw and then glared at the inspector:"Do whatever you have to — quickly. And most importantly… my name must not reach Rajvansh or his wife. If it does, consider your career over."
The inspector saw the fire in his eyes and just nodded silently.
On the ghats of Banaras, Anay stood amidst the howling winds.His white kurta and hair flowed with the breeze.The Ganga's waves crashed with restless rhythm, mirroring the turmoil in his mind.His arms were folded, but inside, a storm raged.
"MLA saab…" came Tiwari ji's voice from behind.
Without turning around, Anay asked in a calm voice,"Did she eat anything?"
"Yes… barely half a roti. In such a situation…" Tiwari ji hesitated.
Anay's eyes remained fixed on the waves."I understand… but one needs strength to fight…"
Tiwari ji tried to speak, then hesitantly asked,"This might be a personal question… but who is she… to you?"
Without blinking, Anay replied softly,"She is… my entire world."
Tiwari ji was stunned. He had nothing left to say.
"You… have you ever stood in front of her…?"
Anay's face hardened."I can't… Don't ask, Tiwari ji. I won't be able to answer."
After a long pause, Tiwari ji simply placed a hand on his shoulder."Don't worry… we'll take care of her…"
Anay only nodded, eyes still on the waves.
Late at night, Advika tossed and turned restlessly.Every time she laid her head on the pillow, Rudraksh's face appeared before her.
"Has he eaten? How is he doing in there…?"
Every thought, every question, felt like a hammer striking her skull.She had never liked Rudraksh — his attitude, his past, his need to control everyone.But she had never wished to see him destroyed either.
She got up again, went to the window.Outside, the night was deep, but her heart was drowning in an even darker abyss.
Meanwhile, on the same ghats of Banaras, Anay still stood.The moonlight bathed his face, yet the weight in his heart hadn't lightened.
He pressed his chest with his hands, trying to steady himself,But anxiety surrounded him like a fog.No matter how much he tried to reason with himself,His rebellious heart overpowered his mind.
Unable to bear it anymore, he began walking toward his peace…Even from a distance, just seeing her would soothe his unrest.He knew she belonged to someone else, but couldn't stop himself.
For the first time, someone had settled in his eyes —Was it so easy to erase her? To forget her?
There was a moment when he could have fought the whole world to make Advika his…But now, whom would he fight?
Once again, fate had defeated love and climbed the throne,crushing love under its feet.
Who else could feel the helplessness in his eyes?He burned, but the embers didn't touch others.
A year ago, when he regained consciousness,Seeing Shrey and Thakurain worried, he pretended to forget everything —So they'd never think he'd go after Advika again.But secretly, he had his men watch over her.
When he heard of her marriage,his shattered heart turned to shards of glass.
But he convinced himself — this is for the best…Staying away was better.
The first time he had come to Banaras,he had seen her from Tiwari ji's window — and ran after her like a madman.He had even climbed her balcony just to see her face.Yet his heart was never satisfied.
He had to leave…But now, returning to Banaras again,his rebellious heart longed once more for a glimpse of his beloved…And he couldn't stop himself.