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Jhankar responds instantly, voice sharp and cold.

“Keep your car and your guards to yourself. I’m used to traveling by bus. I’m fine that way. I just want to go out. Let me go.”

Vikrant continues to look at her for another two minutes, silent. But he knows she isn’t going to listen to him. He finally gives a small signal with his hand, and the guard opens the gate.

Jhankar doesn’t waste a moment. She walks out, her head held high, her steps quick and decisive. Vikrant watches her disappear through the gate, a storm brewing in his heart. And then, almost as if he could feel her presence behind him, he senses Sharda. Without turning around, he knows she’s there; she must have arrived quietly, wheeled in by her maid. She didn’t hear anything, but he could feel her observing him silently. Vikrant calls a nearby guard and speaks in a low but firm tone.

“Make sure Madam never faces any kind of problem. There should always be at least five to ten guards around her. If there’s even the smallest issue, I want to be informed first. I want a full report of her entire day, where she goes, who she meets, everything.”

Vikrant notices Sharda's faint smile through the reflection in the security chief's black sunglasses, just before they wheel her back inside. The guard quickly gets to work, mobilizing the team, and Vikrant turns around and heads back to his room.

Once inside, he throws his gym t-shirt into the laundry basket and walks straight to the bathroom, but something tugs at his mind, Jhankar’s words echoing like a constant loop. As he passes the drying rack, his eyes fall on her freshly washed clothes, neatly folded. He pauses. His hand brushes one of her dupattas, and he closes his eyes. Inhaling deeply, he mutters to himself, barely above a whisper.

“Why am I only thinking about you? ... Suddenly, you're changing everything. And I’m not used to it.”

CHAPTER 20

GUILT AND REDEMPTION

Sharda is well aware that Jhankar is extremely hungry, which is why she is eating her food so quickly. Sitting nearby, Vikrant also observes Jhankar's ravenous and hurried consumption of her meal. Observing her in that state, Sharda gently comments.

“When I ask you to eat lunch, you always say that you don’t have enough time. And now look at yourself; see how hungry you actually are.”

Jhankar smiles faintly while continuing to eat but doesn’t pause or respond. Ravindra, who has been observing everything attentively, finally voices his disapproval.

“The women in our family have never worked outside the home… This is not appropriate at all...”

Hearing this, Jhankar’s hands abruptly freeze mid-air, her appetite halting. Sharda’s eyes shift to Ravindra, registering his words with visible discomfort. Her gaze then moves to Vikrant, who, though silent, listens to the conversation with intense attention. Then, breaking the momentary silence, Jhankar speaks. Her tone is calm but slightly raised—measured, yet assertive.

“I have worked very hard to secure a decent job, and I am doing everything in my capacity to succeed. Today, I gave interviews at almost ten different places, and tomorrow, I plan to appear for as many more. I am certain that I’ll get a job somewhere.You said the women of your house don’t work outside. But aren’t you a well-known politician? … Don’t you often speak about women’s empowerment in your speeches? … Then please reflect deeply before speaking or taking any action that contradicts those ideals. Times are changing, and mindsets must evolve too… That is the need of the hour.”

Ravindra’s jaw clenches, the muscles in his face tightening visibly. He glares at Vikrant, as if expecting him to intervene or rebuke her. But Vikrant remains silent, his eyes still fixed on Jhankar. Ravindra then shifts his gaze back to her, as if reevaluating this woman who dares to question him so directly. Suddenly, Ravindra changes the topic, perhaps in an attempt to diffuse the tension.

“As you all know, Sharda’s sudden health deterioration forced us to postpone the reception. Now that her condition has improved and she will certainly be able to attend, I am seeking your suggestions for a new date to hold the reception ceremony.”

While still eating, Jhankar glances first at Ravindra and then at Vikrant, trying to decipher the deeper implication behind the word "reception." A sense of unease rises within her. She feels deeply uncomfortable at the thought of publicly introducing herself as someone else's daughter. If this reception takes place, it would give Viren Chandel the opportunity to present himself as her father, a role he has never earned and which she firmly rejects.

But currently, outright refusal would be interpreted as defiance. So, instead of responding, she silently continues her meal, choosing her silence over confrontation. Vikrant, who has been closely monitoring her expression, immediately speaks up. His voice is calm, but his intention is clear.

“I don’t see the need for a formal reception right now. Jhankar is currently very busy with job interviews and preparations. Holding a reception would be unnecessary at this time, don’t you think so?”

Jhankar glances at Vikrant again, studying him carefully, as if trying to understand his motive. But she remains silent and returns to her work, letting his words deflect the pressure off her.

After dinner, both Vikrant and Jhankar spend some time with Sharda, sitting beside her quietly. Once a little time has passed, Jhankar excuses herself and walks back to the room.

The moment she enters, she switches on her laptop and starts organizing her books on the bed. It has become routine now; every evening she reviews vacancies and makes preparations. Vikrant knows this routine well, and as usual, when he notices there’s no space left for him on the bed, he silently makes his way to the couch to sleep.

However, today, Vikrant, who had followed her out of Sharda’s room, stood still for a few minutes, watching her with narrowed eyes from a distance. He has observed her meticulous preparation, leaving no detail unexplored in her job search. She checks even the smallest opportunities, collects every detail about the companies, and takes her future very seriously.

Eventually, Vikrant enters the room and closes the door behind him. Jhankar doesn't even lift her eyes from the laptop screen. He casually changes into more comfortable clothes and begins walking towards the couch but then abruptly pauses. Without saying a word, he strides over to the bed and starts gathering her books. Startled, Jhankar immediately shouts, her voice sharp and distressed,

“What are you doing? I need those… I’m working on something very important … Why are you moving my books?”

Vikrant replies, his tone cool and dismissive,

“I understand exactly how much importance you’re trying to extract from your old books. But I need to sleep on my bed. Keep that in mind.”

“I don’t want to sleep on the bed with you,” she replies bluntly.