At office

Tanya entered Maya's cabin and greeted her. Maya smiled, "Good morning, Tanya! How can I help you?" she asked.

"Mam, mujhe ispe Aarav sir ke signature chahiye. Kya main ghar jaake laa sakti hun?" Tanya asked.

Maya glanced at her doubtfully, then took the file and began to read it. Tanya explained, "Yeh Karan sir ka project tha, mam, aur bahut hi confidential tha isliye Aarav sir hi sign kar sakte hain."

Maya agreed, "Fine! Yaad rahe meri nazar tumpar rahegi aur uspe bhi! Toh, don't act smart," she said.

Tanya nodded, took back the file, and left the office. She took a deep breath and drove towards Malhotra Mansion. Within half an hour, she reached the place, parked her car, and walked into the hall.

Sharda glanced at her and asked, "Ji?"

"Woh Aarav sir," Tanya replied.

"Aao," Sharda said, leading her to the living room and making her sit on the couch. Tanya waited anxiously, her mind racing with thoughts. After a while, Aarav stepped out of his room, and Tanya was stunned to see him. He looked weak, the charm on his face was missing, and his body had scars that clearly revealed the cruelty he had endured at the hands of Sumitra and Maya.

Tanya's breath hitched as she saw Aarav. His once vibrant eyes were now clouded with pain and fatigue. The sight of the bruises and cuts on his arms and neck made her heart ache. She struggled to maintain her composure, her mind battling a mix of anger and sorrow.

She got up, apprehension evident in her demeanor as she faced Aarav, who greeted her with a stern expression. "Tanya, what brings you here?" he asked, his voice hoarse and tired.

"Mam ne kaha yeh sign karne ke liye," she said softly, handing him the file.

Aarav took the file and began to flip through the pages. Tanya couldn't help but notice the slight tremor in his hands. The silence in the room was thick with unspoken words and emotions. Aarav's gaze lifted to meet hers, and for a brief moment, she saw a flicker of the old Aarav—the strong, confident man who once commanded respect and admiration.

"Aarav Sir, mujhe tumse kuch important baat karni hai," Tanya began, her voice tinged with regret.

Aarav's eyes narrowed with distrust as he responded coldly, "Tanya, mujhe tumse koi baat nahi karni. Tumne aur sabne milke unn papers pe sign kiye jismein likha tha I am not mentally fit to work! Tumne Maya ka saath diya."

Tanya's shoulders sagged with guilt as she listened to Aarav's accusation. "Aarav Sir, main sach mein galat thi. Main uss waqt Maya ki baat mein aagayi, lekin ab maine sab samajh liya hai."

Aarav's anger simmered beneath the surface as he retorted, "Tumhari maafi se kuch nahi hoga. Office mein jo bhi ho raha hai, uska zimmedar Maya hai, aur tum bhi uske saath milkar kaam kar rahi ho."

Tanya took a deep breath, her resolve firm as she revealed the truth. "Aarav Sir, aapko sachai pata honi chahiye. Maya bahut zyada kathor hai, usse sirf apne aap ki fikr hai. Wo office ka nuksan kar rahi hai, saara paisa apne liye rakhti hai. Aur Sumitra bhi uske saath milke yeh sab kar rahi hai."

Aarav's expression softened slightly as he absorbed Tanya's words, a flicker of realization dawning in his eyes. "Kya? Company losses mein hai? Aur Sumitra bhi ismein shamil hai?"

Tanya nodded gravely, her gaze earnest. "Haan, Sir. Aapko apni position wapas lene ki zarurat hai. Office ki halat kharab ho rahi hai aur koi bhi isse rokne mein madad nahi kar raha hai."

Aarav's mind raced with the weight of Tanya's revelations. "Main kya karoon, Tanya? Maya aur Sumitra meri koi bhi baat nahi sunenge."

Tanya's comforting touch on Aarav's shoulder brought a moment of solace amidst the turmoil. Her words filled him with a renewed sense of determination, but as memories of past tragedies flooded his mind, a wave of apprehension washed over him.

"Aapko apne haq ki ladaai ladni hogi, Aarav. Hum saath milke inhe rok sakte hain. Apni jagah wapas lene ka samay aa gaya hai," Tanya's voice resonated with conviction, her eyes reflecting unwavering support.

Aarav managed a small smile, grateful for Tanya's unwavering faith in him. However, as he recalled the fate of his friend Ria, who had tried to assist him before meeting a tragic end at Maya's hands, a knot formed in his stomach. He couldn't bear the thought of Tanya facing a similar fate.

"Nahi, main kuch nahi karunga... sab Maya sambhal legi," Aarav's voice wavered with uncertainty as he denied Tanya's proposition.

Tanya's shock was evident as she processed Aarav's unexpected refusal. "Sir, aap yeh kya kah rahe hain?" Her disbelief mingled with concern, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Aarav bowed his head, a sense of guilt weighing heavily on him. Folding his hands in front of Tanya, he implored her, "Please jao yahan se... Maya ne dekh liya toh gusse mein tumhe kuch kar degi."

Tanya's heart sank at Aarav's plea, realizing the depth of his fear for her safety. With a heavy sigh, she reluctantly conceded, "Thik hai, main jaa rahi hun."

As she turned to leave, she stopped and looked back at him. "Sir, I am really sorry. Hum sabko laga ki aap Karan sir ki maut se bahut toot gaye hain aur kuch mahine aaram karenge toh wapas aa sakenge apni position sambhalne. Isliye humne Maya mam ka saath diya tha. Sir, hum sab sharminda hain apni galti pe. Main umeed karti hun jald aap apni jagah wapas le aur is company ko band hone se bachale." She placed the file on the table and left from there.

Aarav was on edge as Tanya left, unable to shake off the nagging worry that Maya's watchful eyes would still follow her. He felt the weight of his decision pressing heavily on his conscience.

With a deep breath, Aarav opened the file he had managed to secure. As he read through its contents, his heart sank. The documents detailed how Maya had been slowly transferring large sums of money into her accounts, manipulating the business's financial records to show losses. Her scheme was intricate and clever, designed to be undetectable to casual scrutiny. Aarav realized the true extent of her betrayal and the danger he was in.

That evening, Maya returned home, exuding her usual confidence. Aarav met her at the door, a glass of water in hand, trying to mask his turmoil with a forced smile.

"So sweet of you, darling!" Maya cooed, taking the glass and drinking the water. She placed the glass on the table and smiled at him, but Aarav could sense the underlying menace in her gaze.

Aarav approached Maya with trepidation, a glass of water in hand and a heavy heart. He knew the conversation he was about to initiate could change everything.

"Mujhe tumse kuch zaroori baat karni hai," he said hesitantly, trying to keep his voice steady.

Maya, lounging on the couch, looked up at him with a wide, affectionate smile. She got up and wrapped her arms around his neck, her demeanor deceptively sweet. "Kaho... aaj main bahut hi ache mood mein hun."

Aarav glanced at her, steeling himself. "Maya... office mein losses kyun ho rahe hai?" he questioned, his eyes boring into hers.

Maya's expression shifted to one of suspicion. "Yeh achanak tumhare mann mein yeh sawal kaise aaya?" she asked, her voice calm but with an edge of danger.

"Batao, Maya," he demanded, his tone firmer than before.

Realizing that Tanya must have told him everything, Maya's lips curled into a sly smile. She tapped his cheek lightly, her touch mocking. "Tumhara kaam hai sirf mujhe khush rakhna... baaki main sambhal lungi."

Aarav's frustration boiled over. "Maya, please. Tum sab barbaad kar rahi ho," he said angrily, unable to bear the thought of his father's hard work being destroyed.

Maya's expression darkened. She held his face between her fingers, glaring at him with cold fury. "Itni himmat ki tum Maya se sawal karo? Main jo kar rahi hun hamare liye kar rahi hun, samjhe tum?"

Aarav jerked her hands away, his patience snapping. "Nahi! Tum aur Sumitra business ka paisa apne matlab ke liye istemal karte ho," he shouted, his voice echoing in the room.

Maya's anger flared at his defiance. She pushed him away forcefully, her eyes blazing with rage. "How dare you??" she screamed. Her eyes darted around, and she grabbed a knife from the dining table.

In a swift motion, she pointed the knife towards her belly. Aarav's heart skipped a beat, and he lunged forward, grabbing her hand tightly. "Nahi, please..."

Maya's voice was cold and detached. "Mujhe yeh bacha chahiye hi nahi jo mujhe tumse door karde."

Aarav's voice cracked with desperation. "Maya, please... chodo chaku." But she didn't relent, pushing him away again.

With tears in his eyes, Aarav folded his hands in front of her, his voice breaking. "Nahi... I am sorry, I am sorry. Main aajke baad koi sawal nahi karunga tumse..."

Maya's smile returned, but it was sinister and triumphant. "Acha? Kaise yakeen karun tumhari baat pe, haan?"

"Batao kaise yakeen dilau tumhe?" Aarav asked helplessly, knowing her demands would be extreme.

Maya sat back down on the couch, her fingers tracing the edge of the knife thoughtfully. She called out for the servant, who promptly brought a tray with three bottles of whiskey and placed them on the table.

"Pata hai tumhari galti kya hai, Aarav? Tum baharwali ki baat sunke apni biwi pe shaq karte ho. Ab iski saza toh tumhe bhugatni padegi," she said coldly.

Aarav looked at the bottles, a sense of dread filling him. "Maya... main peeta nahi hun," he protested weakly.

"Yeh tumhe mujhse sawal karne se pehle sochna chahiye tha. Drink," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument, as she held the knife close to her womb again.

His hands trembling, Aarav picked up the first bottle. He hesitated, then took a sip, coughing as the liquid burned down his throat. Maya watched, unimpressed. "Mujhe maza nahi aaya, Aarav," she taunted, pressing the knife harder against her skin.

Desperate to save his unborn child and appease Maya, Aarav closed his eyes and forced himself to drink more. The whiskey made him dizzy and nauseous, but he continued, driven by fear. When he finished the first bottle, he grabbed the second, his vision blurring and his stomach churning.

Aarav stumbled to the washroom, the room spinning around him as he vomited. When he returned, he was completely intoxicated, his steps unsteady, and Maya's image blurred before his eyes. He collapsed onto the couch, his body heavy and unresponsive. Maya smiled with satisfaction and leaned on top of him, placing her head on his chest and hugging him tightly.

"Tum sirf mere ho, Aarav," she whispered possessively. "Aaj uss Tanya ki wajah se tumne mujhse sawal kiye! Ab dekho kaise use sabak sikhati hun main, aur yeh tumhare liye bhi ek sabak hoga."

The next day, Aarav woke with an extreme headache, his memory of the previous night hazy and disjointed. As the events slowly came back to him, a chill ran down his spine. He remembered he hadn't completed Maya's punishment.

He heard laughter and looked up to see Sumitra standing in front of him, a mocking smile on her face. "Ghabrao mat! Itni aasani se Maya tumhari hone waali santaan ko maregi nahi. Aakhir wahi toh tumhari kamzori hai," she taunted.

Aarav remained silent, knowing that any response would only bring him more pain and give them more power. His phone beeped, and his heart sank as he read the message. Tanya had been terminated from her job. Guilt gnawed at him for his inability to protect her. Maya's threat had come to fruition, eliminating anyone she perceived as a threat to her control over him.

Maya descended the stairs, her smile triumphant. "24 ghante tum behosh kya rahe, waha Tanya ki duniya hi palat di maine," she said with a smirk.

Rage simmered beneath Aarav's surface as he confronted Maya, his voice trembling with fury. "Maya, tumne Tanya ko kyun nikala? Usne tumhare kya bigada tha?"

Maya's eyes flashed with defiance. "Tumhe kya farq padta hai, Aarav? Tumhe toh sirf mujhse pyaar karna chahiye."

Aarav's resolve hardened. "Tanya ne kuch galat nahi kiya tha. Tumne uska career barbaad kar diya."

Maya's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "Tanya toh bas ek bekaar ki employee thi. Uski zarurat nahi thi office mein aur jo mere khilaf jayega usey uska anjaam toh bhugatna hi padega."

Aarav's anger flared. "Tumhara iss pagalpan ko main kab tak sahunga, Maya? Tumne Tanya ke saath itni zyada nainsaafi ki. Uski family ko bhi nahi chhoda."

Maya's eyes glittered with malice as she taunted Aarav, revelling in his anguish. "Tumhe kya lagta hai, Aarav? Ki main kisike liye rukungi? Tum sirf mera ho, aur kisi ke nahi. Uss Tanya ko kaam se zyada tumhare aage peeche bhaagna hota tha."

Aarav's heart shattered at Maya's callousness, the weight of her betrayal crushing him. With a heavy sigh, he turned to leave, his spirit broken by the realization that Maya's love was nothing but a twisted facade.

As Maya watched Aarav retreat, a triumphant smirk played on her lips. She knew she held all the power in their relationship, and she relished every opportunity to assert her dominance over him. 

Aarav sat inside the room, his mind consumed by thoughts of the baby who had yet to arrive. He was terrified that Maya's behaviour could harm the innocent child. The idea of their baby growing up in an environment filled with manipulation and emotional neglect haunted him. He didn't want their child to be raised in such a toxic atmosphere.

With a heavy heart, he glanced at Maya, who was sleeping on the couch, her hand lightly caressing her swollen belly. Aarav moved closer and gently placed his hand on her belly, feeling the warmth and the subtle movements of their unborn child. Maya was in her seventh month of pregnancy, and the reality of their impending parenthood weighed heavily on him.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he felt a tiny kick against his palm. The baby was real, and the responsibility to protect this new life overwhelmed him. He looked at Maya, his voice trembling with emotion as he whispered to the baby growing inside her.

"Main nahi janta tum ladki ho ya ladka lekin jo bhi ho tum yeh sab kabhi nahi sahoge... ek aanch bhi nahi aane dunga main tumpar. Mera yeh wada hai tumse," he vowed, his voice breaking with the weight of his promise.

The words were a solemn pledge to his unborn child. Aarav's heart ached with a mixture of love and determination. He resolved to shield the baby from the turmoil and ensure a life filled with love, respect, and kindness everything he felt was missing in their current world.

As he looked up at Maya, he silently hoped she would change, not just for him but for their child. But deep down, he knew the battle ahead would be a difficult one. Yet, for the sake of their baby, he was willing to face it head-on.

❤️❤️ you can guess what's gonna happen in the next chapter. Just 7 more chapters of flashback left.

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