Aarav walked barefoot on the road, his determined steps echoing his urgency to reach Manvi. Sharda followed him, her concern evident in her hurried pace. As they arrived at the apartment building, Aarav wasted no time and inquired about Manvi from the security guard.

"Excuse me, does Manvi live here?" he asked urgently.

The security guard nodded in affirmation, "Yes, she's in flat 405."

Aarav wasted no time, his urgency driving him to the lift, ascending to the fourth floor with a sense of purpose. Meanwhile, inside her apartment, Manvi meticulously packed her belongings, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Dhruv's looming presence.

"Yeh Dhruv waha bhi pahuch jayega, mujhe pareshan karne," she thought to herself, determined to find a way to rid herself of him.

As the doorbell chimed, Manvi assumed it was the van driver and opened the door without a second glance, already focused on her task. "Acha hua aap aa gaye, yeh sab samaan jayega," she uttered absentmindedly, expecting the usual acknowledgment.

But there was no response, and an eerie silence lingered in the air. Suddenly, a familiar presence enveloped the room, causing Manvi's heart to race. Slowly turning around, her eyes widened in shock as she beheld Aarav standing before her.

Her surprise deepened as she took in his appearance, once that of a powerful business tycoon, now resembling a mere shell of his former self. A pang of sadness washed over her as she surveyed his disheveled state.

"Aarav?" she uttered, her voice barely above a whisper, disbelief evident in her tone.

But Aarav remained silent, his eyes conveying a turmoil of emotions. Manvi felt a wave of dejection wash over her as she gazed upon him, her heart heavy with a mixture of empathy and sorrow.

He took hesitant steps towards her, his eyes darting around in desperation, searching for his daughter. His movements were shaky, and as his leg caught on a stool, he stumbled, nearly falling, but Manvi swiftly reached out and caught him, her grip firm yet gentle.

"Aarav ji, aap thik hai?" she questioned, her voice laced with concern as she steadied him.

Memories flooded Aarav's mind, particularly the regrettable moment he had lashed out at her in front of everyone. With a heavy heart, he freed himself from her grasp and folded his hands in front of her, his voice quivering with remorse. "I am sorry, maine tumpar haath uthaya, tum mujhe chahe jitne thappad marlo, par meri beti mujhe lauta do," he pleaded, his voice choked with emotion.

Manvi was left speechless, her mind struggling to process his words. "Aap kya kah rahe hai? Khushi lauta dun matlab?" she questioned, confusion evident in her tone.

But Aarav's desperation to find his daughter consumed him, his frantic search continuing unabated. "Khushi... Khushi," he called out, his voice trembling with anguish, yet receiving no response.

Manvi gently took his hand, trying to calm him with her touch. "Aarav ji, Khushi yahan nahi hai," she said softly, her words meant to offer reassurance.

"Jhooth! Tumhare liye usne apne baap se rishta tod liya, yahan nahi aayi toh kahan gayi haan?" he questioned, his voice filled with agony.

Manvi could see the pain of separation etched in his eyes. "Tumhe jo chahiye wo lelo... Mera ghar, office sabkuch, par meri beti mujhe wapas do... Please," he pleaded desperately.

"Aarav ji, aap please jayie, aapki Khushi mere paas nahi hai," Manvi said, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Toh kaha hai? Maya ke paas?" he said, his anxiety escalating. "Nahi... Nahi Maya ke paas nahi jaa sakti," Manvi replied firmly.

Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Aarav collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face. Manvi's heart shattered at the sight of his anguish, and she couldn't help but bend down to his level, pulling him into a gentle embrace.

"Aur seh nahi sakta main... Tum Maya nahi ho... Meri beti ke liye may tarsao mujhe please," he cried, his voice filled with torment, before finally succumbing to unconsciousness. Tears welled up in Manvi's eyes as she watched him break down before her, her own heart heavy with empathy for his pain.

Sharda entered the room, her presence bringing a sense of urgency. Manvi looked up at her, a plea evident in her eyes. "Kaki, meri madad kijiye inhe upar letane mein," she requested, her voice tinged with concern.

Without hesitation, Sharda stepped forward to assist, understanding the gravity of the situation. Together, they carefully lifted Aarav and placed him on the couch. Manvi's gaze shifted to Sharda, her brow furrowed with worry. "Khushi inke saath nahi rehti?" she inquired, her voice filled with concern.

Sharda shook her head solemnly, her eyes reflecting the weight of the situation. After a moment of silence, she began to explain to Manvi what had transpired between father and daughter. Shock washed over Manvi as she listened, her heart sinking as she realized the extent of Khushi's actions and the profound impact on her father.

"Ek tum hi ho jo usey dundhke samjha ke ghar wapas laa sakti ho...please beta usey le aao warna yeh marr jayega," Sharda implored, her gaze shifting to Aarav, whose condition seemed to worsen with each passing moment.

"I am sorry Kaki, main nahi jaanti Khushi kahan hai aur filhaal main khud itni muskilon se guzar rahi hun," Manvi responded, her voice heavy with emotion as she struggled to come to terms with the situation.

Sharda smiled sadly, her voice tinged with pain. "Samajh sakti hun, tumhara pati ab bhi tumhe tang krta hai.. Par shayad tum bhool gayi yeh wahi hai jisne ek baar tumhe tumhare pati se bachaya tha," she reminded Manvi, her words carrying a sense of nostalgia and longing for happier times.

"Aur phir mujhe sabke saamne thappad bhi maara tha," Manvi retorted, her voice quivering with hurt and resentment as she recalled the painful memory.

"Ek galti ki wajah se kya yeh bura ho gaya tumhari nazron mein?" Sharda questioned, her words piercing through the silence, challenging Manvi to reassess her perspective.

Manvi remained silent, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions as she grappled with the weight of her own guilt and resentment. Sharda called the driver, and together they carefully moved Aarav out of the house. Before leaving, Sharda glanced at Manvi, her expression holding a mixture of disappointment and understanding. "Ek mahine se kamre mein bejaan laash ki tarah tha, aaj tumhara zikar kia toh khud daudke aaya tumhare paas iss umeed pe ki tum uski beti se usey wapas milaogi," she remarked, her words carrying a weight of truth and wisdom.

Manvi stared back at her, her mind swirling with unanswered questions, her heart heavy with remorse and uncertainty. "Aap bhi mujhe galat maan rahi hai.. Maine nahi kaha tha Khushi se ki ghar chod de are baap beti ka rishta kamzor hai toh isme meri kya galti?" she defended herself, her voice tinged with frustration and defensiveness.

"Sahi kaha tumne, sab kasoor Aarav ka hai, jo usne saalon tak apni beti ko sach nahi bataya! Apne ateet ko daba ke rakha aur wo insaan ban gaya jo wo kabhi tha hi nahi.." Sharda said, her voice trailing off as she remembered the past, her words echoing with the weight of regret and longing for what once was.

With that, Sharda left the house, leaving Manvi to grapple with the weight of her own thoughts and emotions. Taking a deep breath, she braced herself for the challenges ahead as she prepared to shift, her heart heavy with uncertainty and remorse.

The van driver arrived and efficiently loaded Manvi's belongings into the vehicle. Manvi returned the flat key, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Aarav being unwell and Khushi's whereabouts over the past month. With a heavy heart, she headed towards her new apartment.

Reaching the new flat, the agent handed her the key, mentioning, "Mam, ek aur paying guest rahenge yahan."

"Thank you," Manvi expressed her gratitude for finding the flat on such short notice. She made the payment and entered the apartment, feeling a mix of exhaustion and anticipation.

After taking a moment to hydrate herself, she resolved, "Mujhe Khushi ko dundhna hoga.. Aarav ji ki haalat bahut kharab hai." With determination, she left a message on her student group before starting to unpack her belongings.

As she began arranging her things, she suddenly heard a voice that sent shivers down her spine. Rushing out, she was shocked to find Dhruv standing there. "Tum yahan?" she exclaimed in disbelief.

"Jahan tum wahan main," he replied with a sinister smirk, making himself at home by lounging on the couch and placing his feet on the table.

Manvi's throat went dry as she realized the gravity of the situation. Dhruv's presence meant trouble. He leaned in closer, his tone dripping with malice. "Janti ho tum har bharahat mein hamesha galti karti ho ab bhi wahi kia! Tenancy papers sign kiye par padhe nahi."

Manvi quickly picked up the papers and read them, her heart sinking as she realized the terms. She couldn't leave the house without giving two months' notice and would have to pay six months' rent if she did. Dhruv, now standing inches away from her, taunted, "Welcome roommate! Maza aayega phirse ek saath rehne mein."

Feeling trapped, Manvi tried calling the agent, but he didn't pick up. It dawned on her that she had been double-crossed; the agent had taken double the amount from Dhruv. She sighed in helplessness, feeling destiny once again conspiring against her.

Retreating to her room, she locked the door behind her, trying to gather her thoughts. She attempted to call Khushi, but her phone was unreachable. "Aakhir yeh ladki hai kahan..." she wondered, her mind racing with worry and uncertainty about her only close friend's whereabouts.

Manvi had made a promise to herself a month back that she wouldn't interfere in Aarav or Khushi's life again. But the bond she had developed with Khushi, almost like a motherly connection, compelled her to search for her and reunite her with her father. After all, Khushi was just a teenager who deserved love and care from a parent, not to suffer in pain. Manvi contacted a few people who could potentially help her find Khushi, and she remained seated inside the room, deep in thought about Khushi's possible whereabouts.

Suddenly, the loud music booming from the hall shattered her concentration. She instinctively covered her ears with her hands, the noise hitting her hard. It was clear to her that Dhruv was deliberately causing this disturbance to trouble her. Stepping out of the room, she shouted, "Awaaz kum karo!"

He didn't pay attention to her and increased the volume further. Manvi, frustrated by his disregard for her request, swiftly switched off the television and cut its wire in an act of defiance.

Dhruv smirked at her reaction and sauntered over to the music system. "Yeh tod dogi toh owner ko jawab tum hi dena!" he taunted, indicating that she would be responsible for explaining the damage to the owner.

Manvi glared at him with simmering anger as he approached her, coming dangerously close. She could feel her heart racing, but she refused to show any sign of fear. With a smile, Dhruv spoke softly, "I promise iss baar tumhe yahan wahan kahi chot nahi dunga.. Seedha yahan chot dunga," pointing towards her heart.

She jerked his hand away, her voice filled with defiance. "Chot toh tum mujhe kaafi de chuke ho Dhruv.. Ab mujhe dard nahi hota," she declared, her words revealing the strength she had gained from enduring pain over the past 15 years.

Manvi headed to the kitchen, her mind still troubled by Aarav's emotional breakdown and the name he had mentioned in front of her. "Maya... unhone aisa kyun kaha, main Maya nahi hun," she pondered aloud, her voice filled with confusion and curiosity.

As she busied herself with preparing food, her thoughts drifted back to the moment Aarav had desperately called out for someone named Maya. The mention of that name had stirred something within her, leaving her questioning her own identity and connection to it.

Lost in her thoughts, she continued with her task, each action in the kitchen a distraction from the unanswered questions swirling in her mind.

Will Manvi find Khushi? 

How will she get rid of Dhruv? Stay tuned.