Page 18

Jhankar listens but can’t stop her eyes from scanning the unfamiliar room, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The last thing she remembers is being locked inside the dungeon. Thereafter, everything blurred together; he had returned, but she couldn't recall what transpired next. She suddenly looks down at herself. Her bridal clothes are gone. Not a single piece of jewelry remains on her body. In a state of panic, she starts touching herself frantically, searching for answers in her disheveled appearance. Understanding her distress, the nurse gently explains the situation.

“Madam, we had to change your clothes. They had become too dirty, and besides, those heavy garments might have caused you discomfort in your condition. That’s why we changed them.”

But Jhankar, still reeling with confusion and anger, abruptly gets up from the bed. In a swift motion, she pulls the drip out of her arm, causing the nurse to shriek in alarm.

“Madam, what are you doing?!”

“I have to leave this place right now… I don’t understand what kind of nonsense is going on here.”

Blood begins to ooze from her hand due to the sudden removal of the needle. The nurse rushes forward to stem the bleeding, trying to hold her hand, but Jhankar shoves her away and staggers toward the door. Just then, the door swings open, and standing there is Vikrant.

Without hesitation, Jhankar picks up a nearby statue and hurls it at him with all her strength. But before it hits, Vikrant strides forward, seizes her wrist mid-motion, and locks eyes with her. His voice is firm but not loud, loaded with a strange calmness.

"Your mom and dad are in the next room."

CHAPTER 11

THEIR FIRST CONVERSATION

"Your mom and dad are in the next room."

Jhankar simply stares at him, her eyes vacant, unreadable. She doesn't question him further, nor does she attempt to free her hand or attack him. She simply stands motionless, her silence echoing louder than words. Vikrant glances around at everyone else in the room, and with a mere flick of his eyes, they immediately bow their heads and leave the area, sensing that their presence is no longer welcome.

Once the individuals have exited, Vikrant retrieves the statue from her grasp, placing it carefully back in its original position on the table. He meticulously checks the statue, ensuring its correct position, as if restoring order to something symbolic. Then, finally releasing her wrist, he takes her hand in his and examines the wound, from which blood is still dripping. His jaw tightens slightly at the sight. Without wasting a second, he glances outside and dials the nurse, all the while keeping his intense gaze locked on Jhankar's stunned and silent expression.

“Nurse, there is blood flowing from her hand. Please treat her first. Bring food for madam... (Call house help.)”

His commanding voice breaks the silence like thunder. It distracts her, dragging her back from her thoughts. She mumbles something under her breath, still looking down, refusing to meet his eyes. She would rather not hear anythingfrom him. She turns slightly as if to speak, but Vikrant raises his index finger, pressing it firmly to his lips, gesturing for her to remain silent. He walks further inside and seats himself on the sofa, relaxed yet alert. Jhankar remains standing by the door, unwilling to move closer.

The nurse quietly enters the room, immediately sensing the tension in the air. She gently takes Jhankar’s injured hand, leading her to the bed with soft, careful movements. She begins to bandage her wound properly, all while maintaining respectful silence. After finishing the task, she bows her head and leaves swiftly. Vikrant watches all of her actions with caution, analyzing every reaction, every twitch of her face. Once the nurse leaves, Jhankar turns towards him, her eyes burning, and immediately speaks.

“Where are my mom and dad?”

“They’re both absolutely fine and are resting in the adjacent room. You’ll be allowed to meet them very soon. But before that, you need to eat something and get ready properly. You’re going out with me for the first time. We’re going somewhere, and it’s very important.”

Vikrant rises from the sofa and begins to explain, but Jhankar abruptly steps forward, standing firm, her eyes blazing.

“To hell with you—and to hell with wherever you want to go. I don’t want to go anywhere with you… I didn’t know you before today, and I don’t want to know you after today. You and I, there is nothing between us… Please keep the event clearly in mind. Whatever happened, however, I don’t want to be part of it. The only thing I know is that I need to take my parents and leave this place. Other than that, I don’t care about anything else. Now listen to me clearly, I want to meet my parents.”

Vikrant, expecting her defiance, stays calm and composed. He simply continues to look at her face, letting her rage pour out without interruption. When her voice finally falls silent, she looks away in frustration, unwilling to meet his gaze. But even then, he keeps his eyes locked on her, unmoving, unreadable. Her anger only intensifies as she notices him still staring.

“What’s wrong with your eyes? ... What do you think of yourself? ... You think you can keep people captive like this? ... That’s not going to happen. My parents and I, we’ll get out of this captivity. You’ll see.”

“And you think it will be that easy?” he says calmly.

Upon hearing his voice, Jhankar immediately turns her head and glares at him. Vikrant takes a slow step closer and gently bends toward her, his face now just inches from hers. She meets his eyes, but what she sees sends a chill down her spine, danger, dominance, and something else unspoken. He smirks, then speaks in a chilling tone.

“Hmm… Nice idea... And as soon as you step outside, the three of you conveniently meet with an accident. Then no one will even bother to ask how it happened... Or maybe... your brother, who is currently preparing to flee the country and is desperately searching for the right opportunity—he not only fails, but his dead body is sent home. How would you feel if you got just one chance to see him for the last time? Would that satisfy you?”

“You bastard… ”

In a rage, Jhankar strikes his neck with her palm. Vikrant dodges the blow effortlessly, but she immediately lifts her other hand to slap him again. This time, he catches both her wrists with swift precision and pins her tightly against the wall. Grasping both her wrists in one strong hand, he raises themabove her head and places his other palm flat against her flat belly, pressing her back against the wall. His eyes bore into hers, dark and deadly.

“I’m not in the habit of playing games. I’m only telling you the truth—the brutal, unfiltered truth. The entire media house has declared our marriage publicly. In the eyes of the world, you are my wife. If I act out of anger, I could do much worse. Your parents are just next door. You might get to see them. But if you say even one more word out of place, you will lose that chance forever.”

His voice hardens further as he leans in closer.

“Think carefully. Be wise. Viren Chandel is tracking your brother. If he reaches him before I do, your brother won’t survive. And not just die, he will be unrecognizable. But if you listen to me, if you cooperate, I still have the power to protect your entire family right now. I can even help your brother escape with his girlfriend, just like he’s planning.”