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“Bhaiya, please bring my mom back quickly… They hit her very hard on the head. She fainted… There was a lot of blood… Please, something bad will happen to her. Please bring her back…”

Vikrant immediately turns to Akhil, his expression fierce and urgent. Akhil has already finished a phone call and is speaking to the security team stationed at the basement. He turns to Vikrant with a confused frown.

“Sir, our men say there's no one there. They’ve searched the entire area thoroughly. There's no sign of Mr. Chandel either.”

“There’s a secret door down there.”

Riya’s voice is soft but firm. Vikrant’s head whips toward her, surprised, because even he didn’t know anything about a hidden door in that basement. He had visited that place several times during his childhood with Sonia and Ravindra, and yet he had never noticed anything like that. Since Sonia passed away, he has not returned to that place. That place had been Sonia’s favorite, and Ravindra had always kept it sealed and private, rarely letting anyone enter. Perhaps that’s why Vikrant neverpaid it much attention. But now, hearing this, something inside him clicks. Without wasting another second, Vikrant looks straight at Akhil and commands in a stern voice.

“Jhankar will take another five hours to regain consciousness. Her security must be impenetrable, no mistakes. Riya knows where her mother is being held, and she’s already injured. I need a copper-armored vehicle immediately, and I want to reach there without delay. Also, arrange for a medical helicopter. Her mother is wounded; she must receive immediate treatment.”

“Yes, sir.”

Akhil rushes out of the room without a moment's hesitation. Vikrant turns back to Riya, his voice softening as he speaks gently, reassuring her with every word.

“You don’t have to be afraid anymore. As long as I’m here, no one—absolutely no one—can harm you.”

“But… Why are we being punished like this?” She sobs, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. “What did we do wrong? Even Sonakshi didi didn’t do anything wrong… Then why are we all suffering like this?”

Watching her break down in front of him pierces Vikrant to his core. He cannot stop himself. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her into a comforting embrace, speaking to her with deep affection and sincerity.

“You’re right. Now I understand completely… None of you did anything wrong. And if there’s no fault, then no one deserves punishment. You don’t need to fear anything. I promise you, I will take you and your mother safely to your grandfather. After that, no one will ever be able to touch either of you again. That’s my word to you.”

“Please… never tell Papa where we are," Riya pleads, her voice cracking under the weight of trauma. “If he finds out, he’ll beat Mom again… and he’ll hurt both of us too.”

Her trembling voice and desperate request cut straight through Vikrant’s heart. He had met Chandel’s family several times, and each time, they had welcomed him with warm smiles. But only now does he realize the sorrow that lay hidden behind those smiles. He never looked beyond the surface… never wondered how deep their suffering ran. He gently strokes Riya’s hair, his voice steady and filled with emotion.

“He’ll never trouble you again. From now on, your only work is to smile. And if you ever need anything—anything at all—you just have to tell me. I promise you, your brother will always be there for you, no matter what.”

Soon, Akhil returns with all the necessary arrangements. Vikrant places a protective hand on Riya’s shoulder and begins to walk out with her. As they step into the hallway, his eyes fall on Jhankar, who is sleeping peacefully. He glances at the team standing with their leader, who gives him a slight nod with closed eyes, indicating that everything is under control.

Vikrant knows he must go, he must find out what lies hidden in that basement. What kind of place had his father concealed so carefully for all these years? Why had he never noticed it, even after visiting so many times? More than answers, he now carries a responsibility to rescue Riya’s mother and to ensure that no more shadows are cast over the innocent.

~~~~

As soon as Vikrant steps out of the helicopter, he gently helps Rhea out. The moment she takes in the chaotic scene before her, riddled with gunfire damage and bloodshed, she instinctivelygrabs onto his sleeve tightly. The devastation all around fills her with dread, but more than that, the only thought racing through her mind is about her mother. Overcome with fear and urgency, she abruptly lets go of Vikrant’s arm and starts running in one direction without a second thought.

Vikrant understands her situation and doesn't hesitate. He and Akhil immediately rush after her. Akhil glances behind them for a moment and notices that the second medical helicopter has already landed, which makes him smile with relief as he quickens his pace toward Riya. She reaches a large tree—an old, massive one that towers like a silent guardian. Vikrant stops just behind her, closely following. Without wasting a second, Riya opens a camouflaged door nestled within the tree’s bark. To Vikrant, it appears as though the tree had a hidden chamber all along, a secret he never knew about. The moment the door creaks open, a dim light flickers on, revealing a spiraling staircase that descends into the earth. Vikrant is utterly stunned. He had played near this tree countless times as a child with his mother, but never in his wildest imagination had he thought something like this was hidden beneath it. Before he can process it all, Riya starts rushing down the stairs, and Vikrant, without delay, follows her. She darts through a narrow corridor and pushes open a door, rushing into a room. The moment her eyes land on the woman lying motionless on the floor, she screams with all the pain in her heart:

“Mumma…”

Vikrant immediately hurries to the woman and kneels beside her, checking her vitals with urgent focus. Blood is oozing from a wound on her head, and it's evident that she’s been unconscious for a while. He quickly checks her pulse and then turns to Akhil with grim urgency.

“She’s been unconscious for quite some time. Her pulse is weakening. Call the doctors now, start treatment immediately.”

Without wasting another second, Akhil bolts from the room to bring the medical team. He knows how critical this moment is and that any delay could prove fatal. Soon, the team arrives and begins thoroughly examining the woman, administering the necessary treatment on the spot.

Riya sits beside her mother, tears streaming down her cheeks as she holds her hand tightly, refusing to let go. Vikrant stands beside her, trying his best to comfort her like a protective older brother. The doctors quickly secure the woman onto a stretcher, ready to transport her for further treatment. Riya doesn’t leave her mother’s side and walks with her, holding her hand all the while. Akhil stands next to Vikrant, quietly observing the entire place. His sharp eyes scan the hidden chamber, noting that it has always been kept in perfect condition, equipped with every essential facility. Then, he glances at Vikrant and speaks softly.

“You had no idea this place even existed, did you?”

Vikrant responds, his voice low and reflective.

“I used to come here often with my parents… But after a point, I just stopped. To be honest, I’ve grown used to staying away from everything that reminds me of my mother. Maybe that’s why Dad never told me about this place. And when I was a child, perhaps there was no point in telling me anyway. I don’t even know if Dad built all this or if it’s been here since my grandfather’s time.”

He pauses for a moment, glancing back toward the medical team.

“But right now, none of that matters. The only thing I care about is making sure both Riya and her mother are safe. Startthe process to shift Auntie to her father’s place as soon as she’s stable. And make sure Riya doesn’t face any more trouble from anyone. I want complete updates about everything concerning her.”