Thakurain was sitting in her courtyard, knitting a sweater. The soft threads of wool moved gently through her fingers under the warm sunlight, when suddenly, the phone rang.
"Mauli, get the phone please..."She called out toward the kitchen without lifting her eyes.
"Yes, ma'am..."Mauli rushed out of the kitchen and handed her the phone.
"Hello...?"She said in a calm, composed voice.
There was silence on the other end for a few moments.
"Hello...? Say something... hello?"She repeated.
Then, after a pause, came a soft voice —
"Soundarya..."
The moment she heard the name, Thakurain froze. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Wh-who is this?"Her voice trembled slightly.
"It's me… Lakshmi..."Thakurain's fingers stopped moving. The rhythm of the yarn broke. Her breath caught in her throat. And in her mind, a faded picture from the past flickered...
The quiet corner of the ghat was bathed in soft sunlight. The gentle waves of the Ganga flowed like a serene melody.The stillness of the ghats, occasionally interrupted by the priest's chants or a distant temple bell, felt like a deep contemplation.Everyone here was seeking something — some were after salvation, others after peace, and some were trying to wash away the burden of their past in the sacred river.Each crack in the stone held an old memory, and every step bore the footprints of countless lives that had passed through.
Anay sat by the river.Tomorrow was Rudraksh's case hearing.He already knew the outcome — Mohan Pahariya's evidence was solid, and if something still went wrong, he had already bought the judge.So he was relaxed, ready to leave.He had already found his father and had him transferred to the Thakurpur hospital — no threat there.Had he stayed longer, there was a risk Shrey might discover the truth.
After watching the waves for a while in peace, he turned around — and was shocked to see Advika standing behind him, staring right at him.
Anay, pretending to be unaffected, walked past her as if he didn't recognize her.But deep inside, his heartstrings had begun to tremble. His mind was eager to turn and look again, but with discipline, he walked on.
"You're quite the actor, Thakur saheb... Why didn't you join the film industry?"Advika called out sarcastically from behind.
Anay stopped in his tracks. His shoulders tensed.He acted like he hadn't heard and kept walking, but his heartbeat was pounding.
Advika quickly walked ahead and blocked his path."Still pretending not to recognize me?"
"Who are you, girl?"Anay snapped, clearly agitated.The more he tried to avoid her, the more she confronted him.
"Oh... now you don't even know me..."She stepped closer, gazing deep into his eyes.
Her nearness made Anay uneasy. For a moment, he felt drawn toward her but quickly composed himself.He took a step back and replied coldly —"Hmm… maybe you're that Rajvansh guy's wife… I don't quite remember, I don't think I've seen you before..."
His tone carried deliberate indifference.
"Enough of this act, Thakur saheb... How long will you keep wearing this mask?"Advika shook his shoulders, frustrated."How long will you keep pretending?"
Her touch sent a jolt through Anay.A strange current ran through his veins — and yet, he stepped back again, sharply —
"Mind your manners, girl... I'm only silent because you're a woman, don't think I'll let you dance on my head... and keep your distance — it's not becoming of a good woman to come so close to a stranger..."
"And what if I do come close? What will you do?"She stepped in even closer.
"Stay away, or I swear I'll slap you — all your so-called bravery will disappear..."The more he tried to run, the more she approached.His hands were unconsciously forming fists.
"Oh right… you've raised your hand once before… why not again?""That's all you know, isn't it — go to any length to get your way... You came here just to save your father, right? You managed it, didn't you?"
"Tell me I'm wrong..."She stared deep into his eyes.
Anay said nothing.He had come only for her, but he let her misunderstanding linger.
"What happened? No words now?""You're just like your father — an emotionless beast!"
She ground her teeth in fury.
"Watch your tongue!"Anay growled.The woman he loved with all his heart was calling him heartless — what could burn more than that?"And lower your gaze when you speak to me!"
"I won't!""People avoid your eyes out of fear, but I wasn't afraid of you then, and I'm not afraid of you now..."Advika stepped toward him again.Anay backed away.
"I told you to stay away! Why are you climbing over my head, throwing shame and modesty to the wind... Your husband is in jail — that doesn't mean you start flirting with other men!"
He hadn't wanted to say that.But it felt like the only way to shield himself.The words burned his own ears.
"So that's it, Thakur saheb... You finally showed your true colors...""A wolf in sheep's clothing never becomes a sheep. How long did you think you could hide your real face?"
"Move! I need to go!"He brushed past her.
"Why? Afraid the truth might spill out if you stay?"
"Anay Thakur is afraid of no one... The sooner you get that in your head, the better!"He clenched his teeth, staring into her eyes.
"Then why pretend to forget?"
"Shut up!"Anay roared now."Just because I've been quiet doesn't mean you can say anything you want. Now move — I'm getting late."
"I'm not moving. Try and see..."Advika stood firm.
Anay stared at her for a moment, then tried to walk past her again.But she blocked his path.He changed direction, and again she stood in his way.
Every time he turned — she followed.
"What is this...? Let me go!"He was losing his patience.He needed to get back to the haveli — Shrey had already returned, and if Anay stayed gone much longer, Shrey would start searching in Muzaffarpur.
"Answer my questions first."Advika crossed her arms.
"I don't have time for this..."Anay turned his face away.
"Turning away won't change the truth, Thakur saheb..."She stepped forward again.
Anay took several steps back.Why was this girl pushing so hard today?As if his burning heart wasn't enough — now she was here to rip it wide open...
"Ask."When he saw no way out, Anay surrendered.
"How long will you pretend to forget?"She asked, eyes locked on his.
Anay turned his gaze away.It was impossible to lie while looking into her eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about... Yes, I lost a year of memory. If we met during that time, I don't remember... So let it go."
"Your eyes say otherwise, Thakur saheb. I still see the same emotions in them..."
"Weren't you the one calling me emotionless just now?"He threw her words back.
Advika was silent for a moment, then said,
"You know I'm right, and yet you side with your father. May I ask why?"
"I don't owe you any explanation... and I don't have time."Anay dismissed her again.
"You know, when you saved me, I thought maybe you could change...""That maybe you weren't like your father — that there was still some humanity left in you.""But after what you did yesterday, even that hope has faded."
"You planned to destroy a woman's honor... you threw her to the wolves...""Once, you claimed to love me... and yet this didn't shame you?"
Advika's eyes were red. Her voice trembled, laced with fury.
Anay stared at her in shock.He didn't understand —
He had risked everything to save her — and here she was, accusing him of this?
He stormed forward and grabbed her wrist, pulling her roughly toward him —
"Enough!""When you don't know the truth, don't stain someone's character!"
"So you're saying you weren't there?""I felt your presence...!"
"You felt me?"His voice grew heavy."Then ask your heart — could I ever do such a thing...?"
With that, he let go of her hand and shoved her back.
Advika stood there, stunned.Anay turned his back on her.His shoulders stiffened.His breaths grew heavy.