Maya's house

Maya sat in her elegantly furnished living room, a space meticulously designed to reflect her taste opulent and warm, yet somehow cold in its perfection. As Khushi animatedly recounted the events of the Mehendi ceremony, Maya's gaze remained fixed on her daughter's glowing face. She nodded at appropriate moments, feigning interest. But beneath her carefully crafted smile, a storm of emotions churned. After all, Maya had already witnessed the entire ceremony through the hidden camera she had planted earlier. Every laugh, every touch between Aarav and Manvi had not gone unnoticed.

The soft evening light filtered through sheer curtains, casting a golden hue over the room, making everything appear calm and serene. Yet Maya's mind was anything but. Khushi's excitement, her joyous recounting of her father's romantic gestures, grated on her. Aarav had moved on, living a life she was no longer a part of a life he seemed to be thriving in.

"Tumhare dadda bahut romantic hai Manvi ke saath," Maya remarked, keeping her tone neutral, though a bitter edge slipped through. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, flicked over Khushi's face, gauging her response.

Khushi, oblivious to the tension beneath her mother's words, giggled, her face alight with happiness. "Haan Maa, wo toh hai! Mere dadda bahut romantic hai." The unbridled joy in Khushi's voice struck a nerve, deepening the bitterness that curled in Maya's gut.

For a brief moment, Maya's expression softened as she watched her daughter, but the tenderness was fleeting. Envy and resentment soon took its place. "Acha, yeh batao tumhari dost ko kabhi problem nahi hui Aarav ke womanizer past ki wajah se?" she asked, her voice deceptively casual, but her question was barbed, laden with a quiet malice.

Khushi, still lost in her admiration for her father, shook her head. "Nahi Maa, wo janti hai dadda aisa kyun they."

Maya gave a curt nod, as if in understanding, though her mind was elsewhere. "Acha... maine tumhare liye tumhari favourite Kheer banayi hai," she said, smiling with feigned affection. "Khaogi?"

Khushi's face lit up, her excitement growing. "Yummy! Jaldi se lao!" she exclaimed, her childlike enthusiasm filling the room.

Maya's smile widened, but it was an empty gesture, masking the darker thoughts swirling beneath. As she walked to the kitchen, her movements were swift and purposeful. The fragrance of cardamom and saffron filled the air as she carefully ladled the creamy dessert into a bowl. Her fingers moved deftly, retrieving a small vial from the cupboard, unscrewing the cap without hesitation. The liquid poured seamlessly into the Kheer, disappearing as she stirred it in with smooth, calculated motions.

Her voice, soft and sinister, barely a whisper, echoed in the quiet kitchen. "I am sorry, Khushi, lekin Aarav ko yahan bulane ke liye mere paas aur koi rasta nahi hai. Ek tum hi toh uski kamzori ho."

Returning to the living room, she wore her mask of maternal warmth, handing the bowl to Khushi, who accepted it eagerly, her trust in her mother unshakable. Khushi's smile widened as she took her first bite, completely unaware of the insidious plot woven around her.

"Maa, Dadda ne kaha wo mujhe aapse milne se kabhi nahi rokenge. Kitne understanding hai Dadda," Khushi said between mouthfuls, her voice filled with admiration for her father.

Maya's smile stretched wider, though her eyes glinted with cold malice. "Wo rokta bhi toh main tumse milti. Aakhir Maa jo hun tumhari," she replied, her voice oozing false affection.

Khushi continued to eat, her defences down, completely unaware of the danger she was in. The need for her mother's love and acceptance blinded her to Maya's true intentions. Each spoonful of the Kheer carried the weight of Maya's manipulations, and soon, Khushi's movements began to slow. Her eyelids fluttered, heavy with drowsiness, her once lively face slackening as the drug took effect.

"Kya hua?" Maya asked, her tone layered with feigned concern.

"Neend aa rahi hai, Maa... main ghar jaati hun," Khushi murmured, struggling to stay awake, her voice a mere whisper as her body grew limp.

Maya's voice was gentle, coaxing. "Nahi, itni raat ho rahi hai! Main tumhe bahar tak chodke aaungi. Aati hun main," she offered, though she had no intention of letting Khushi leave. As Khushi sank further into the couch, her body succumbing to the drug, Maya watched from the shadows, her expression dark with triumph.

Crossing her arms, Maya's lips curved into a malicious smile. Khushi, the only key to Aarav's heart, was now under her control. She reached for her phone, her fingers moving swiftly as she snapped a picture of her sleeping daughter. Then, with calculated precision, she typed out a message to Aarav: "Tumhari shaadi se zyada zaroori ab uski Maa hai, Aarav. You are going to lose her forever. Sirf ek call aur wo tumhari mehendi chodke mere paas aa gayi. Aarav ab Khushi tumhare paas kabhi nahi lautegi"

As she hit send, Maya's wicked smile deepened. She could already picture the panic on Aarav's face when he received her message. This time, she would win. The pieces of her twisted plan were falling perfectly into place.

Aarav read the text, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and anger. His gaze shifted from the phone to Manvi, who lay peacefully in her room, her face serene and beautiful in the soft moonlight. With a tender gesture, he kissed her forehead lightly, cherishing the moment of quiet intimacy even amidst the turmoil that now loomed ahead.

After gently placing Manvi back in her room, he left the house, a fierce promise echoing in his mind: he would not let Maya ruin their happiness this time. He would bring his daughter back and protect his family.

As Aarav reached Maya's house, his heart pounded in his chest. He glanced at the imposing front door, closed his eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath. He remembered Manvi's words: the best way to get rid of the pain was to face it. With renewed determination, he stepped out of the car, walked up to the door, and placed his hand on the doorbell. But before he could press it, the door swung open.

Maya stood there, a triumphant smile on her face. Her expression revealed she had been eagerly awaiting his arrival. "Aarav! Toh aakhir kar tum aa hi gaye Maya ke paas," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

Aarav stood frozen for a moment, the weight of Maya's words sinking into the pit of his stomach. The dim glow from the porch light cast long shadows on her face, highlighting the triumphant glint in her eyes. Her smile, sharp and predatory, was a stark contrast to the softness of Manvi's peaceful face he had left behind.

The night air was cool, but Aarav felt a surge of heat rush through him, fueled by a potent mix of dread and anger. His fists clenched by his sides as he fought the impulse to snap, reminding himself that he couldn't afford to lose control not now.

Maya stepped forward, her figure illuminated in the doorway. She wore a dark red dress that clung to her frame, the color striking against her pale skin. Everything about her exuded a dangerous allure, as if she had crafted this entire moment to ensnare him. She tilted her head, her eyes scanning him, soaking in the tension she had so clearly orchestrated.

"Tumhe lagta hai, tum mujhe rok sakte ho?" she continued, her voice low, but the malice in her tone was unmistakable. "Meri beti wapas lekar jaana chahte ho?" Her lips curled into a smirk as she gestured with a mocking flourish. "Aisa kabhi nahi hoga, Aarav." 

His heart pounded even harder, every beat a reminder of what was at stake. But instead of responding to her taunt, Aarav kept his gaze steady. His silence seemed to annoy her, but she quickly masked it with a laugh, stepping aside to invite him in.

"Toh... andar nahi aoge?" Maya asked, her voice sweet but laced with venom.

Aarav felt his breath catch, knowing he was walking into the lion's den. But Manvi's words echoed in his mind again face it. Taking another deep breath, he moved forward, his jaw clenched in grim determination.

Aarav's anger was palpable, his face flushed with fury as he stormed past Maya and into the house, his sharp movements betraying the storm brewing within him. His heart stopped when he saw Khushi, his beloved daughter, lying eerily still on the couch. The world seemed to tilt as panic surged through him, flooding his veins with terror. He crouched by her side, his hand trembling as he tapped her cheek softly, a desperate plea on his lips, "Khushi beta, utho."

But Khushi didn't stir.

Aarav's fear morphed into a fury so intense it threatened to consume him. He turned to face Maya, his eyes blazing with raw emotion, his voice a thunderous roar. "Maya! Tumhe sharam nahi aati hai? Jo mere saath kiya wahi meri beti ke saath kar rahi ho!" His words were sharp, cutting through the air, loaded with accusations from a past that still haunted him.

Maya, standing with an air of deceptive calm, responded with feigned innocence, her voice soft but filled with an underlying arrogance, "Maine kuch nahi kiya hai, Aarav"

But Aarav wasn't fooled. His temper boiled over as he advanced toward her, his voice growing louder with each step. "Band karo apna yeh natak! Kyun aayi ho tum wapas meri zindagi mein? Achi tarah se sunlo aur samajhlo, main apni beti ko phirse uss andhere mein nahi jaane dunga." His chest heaved with the weight of his words, the memories of past betrayals flashing in his mind.

Maya's mask of innocence dropped, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. Her eyes narrowed, the venom in her tone barely concealed. "Aarav, Khushi meri beti hai! Aur tum bhi sirf mere ho, samjhe?" Her words were laced with a danger.

But Aarav's response was filled with a bitterness that had been years in the making. "Yeh tumhara vehem hai, Maya. Main tumhara kabhi nahi tha. Tumne mujhe apna hone hi nahi diya, kabhi sirf dard diya hai. Aur Khushi deserves someone like Manvi jo uski parwah karti hai usko samjhti hai use sahi galat kya hai wo samjhati hai, not a manipulator and killer like you."

Maya's expression darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line as she tried to regain control of the situation. Her voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Awaaz neechi karo, Aarav! Shayad tum bhool gaye Maya kya kya kar sakti hai," she threatened, her words heavy with unspoken menace.

But Aarav was no longer the man who feared her threats. His eyes locked onto hers, filled with a steely resolve. His voice was low but dangerous, a promise of retribution. "Tum shayad nahi janti ki yeh Aarav Malhotra kya kya kar sakta hai. Main wo Aarav nahi hun jo tumhari dhamkiyon se dar jaya karta tha. Ek second nahi lagega mujhe, aur tum phirse jail ke andar hogi."

The room felt suffocating, the tension so thick it was nearly tangible, as the battle lines were drawn once more between them. Both Aarav and Maya stood their ground, neither willing to back down, the air between them charged with years of unresolved conflict.

Maya's laughter, cold and sinister, echoed through the space, sending a shiver down Aarav's spine. The malicious glee in her eyes, so familiar yet horrifying, made his skin crawl. She moved with a predatory grace, gliding over to where Khushi lay on the couch, her hand gently stroking the child's head. The tenderness of the gesture, coming from someone so dangerous, sent a wave of fear crashing over Aarav. He tried to remain strong, his expression hard, but inside, anxiety gnawed at him, threatening to unravel his carefully held composure.

Maya's eyes caught the slight falter in his gaze, sensing his internal struggle. She smirked, a cruel twist of her lips. "Ghabrao mat," she said, her voice oozing with venom. "Maya apni beti ke saath kabhi kuch nahi karegi. Lekin agar tumne uss Manvi se shaadi ki, toh Khushi ko tumhare paas bhi nahi rehne degi." Her words, laced with menace, hit Aarav like a punch to the gut.

His heart raced, the gravity of her threat sinking in. "Maya... meri bachi mere paas rahegi hamesha," he managed to say, his voice faltering. The thought of losing Khushi to Maya's twisted manipulations filled him with dread, but he tried to stay resolute.

Maya's eyes gleamed with triumph as she pressed forward. She could see the cracks in his armour. "Aarav, tum shayad bhool rahe ho Khushi mujhpar Manvi se zyada yakeen karti hai," she taunted, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "Tumne ek wada kiya tha ki tum kabhi apni beti ke liye sauteli maa nahi laoge. Ab tumne apna wada tod diya hai, toh Khushi apni maa ke paas rahegi." Her voice softened with false concern as she invoked painful memories of Aarav's own abusive stepmother. "Main nahi chahti meri bachi wo sab sahaye jo Sumitra ki wajah se tumhe sehna pada tha."

Aarav felt his stomach twist as his past came rushing back, the haunting memories of his childhood flooding his mind. Sumitra's cruel face, the helplessness he had felt, the years of torment—it was all too real. He clenched his fists, struggling to push the images away. "Manvi Khushi se tumse zyada pyaar karti hai!" he shouted, desperation creeping into his voice. "Wo meri bachi ki dost hai. Usne mujhe aur Khushi ko ek dusre ke qareeb kiya hai. Usey Sumitra se compare bhi mat karna!" He warned her, his voice shaking but filled with determination.

Maya's lips curled into a smirk, her eyes flashing with a predatory gleam. She had found his weak spot. "Aarav, main tumhe choice deti hun... Khushi ya Manvi," she said, her voice cold and calculating. Slowly, she reached for a knife on the nearby table, its blade glinting ominously in the dim light.

Aarav's heart skipped a beat, his pulse pounding in his ears as she laid out her cruel ultimatum. "Tumne agar Manvi ko chunna toh Khushi ko main apne paas rakhungi," she threatened, her voice steady, confident in her control over him. "Aur tum Maya ko nahi rok paoge."

He was frozen in place, his eyes flickering between the unconscious form of his daughter and the gleaming blade in Maya's hand. Despair gripped him, but so did an unyielding resolve. He couldn't lose either of them—Manvi or Khushi. The stakes were higher than they had ever been.

With a deep breath, Aarav's eyes locked onto Maya's. He walked towards her, his movements slow, deliberate. Her smirk widened, the confidence radiating off her in waves. She believed she had won, that he was about to bend to her will. The dim light cast dark shadows across her face, making her seem even more menacing, her malevolent satisfaction clear in every feature.

But just as Aarav reached her, everything changed. In a flash of movement, quicker than she could react, his hand shot out and seized the knife from her grip. Maya's eyes widened in shock, the smug confidence draining from her face. Aarav spun her around, pulling her arm behind her back, the cold blade now pressed firmly against her throat. A thin trickle of blood appeared where the edge made contact with her skin, and for the first time, fear flashed in Maya's eyes.

Aarav's breath was hot against her ear as he leaned in close, his voice cold and unyielding. "Maya, yeh Aarav Malhotra tumhara na toh ab pati hai, aur na hi kamzor." His words were laced with an iron determination, each one a declaration of his strength. "Tumne jitna dard diya hai, uss dard ne mujhe mazbut banaya hai. Main kisiki sunta nahi aur jo meri manta nahi, use main chodta nahi."

The pressure of the knife increased slightly, just enough to remind her of the control she no longer had. Maya winced, her breath catching in her throat. Still, even in her compromised position, a twisted smile played on her lips. "Ab tum hue na Maya ke kaabil," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with an unsettling mix of admiration and sadistic pleasure.

Aarav pushed her roughly against the wall, his face just inches from hers. His eyes burned with a fierce, unbreakable resolve. "Aaj ke baad meri beti se milne ki koshish bhi mat karna, Maya," he warned, his voice low, dangerous. There was no mistaking the deadly seriousness in his tone. He was done playing her games, done with her manipulation.

He tossed the knife to the floor, its metallic clatter ringing out through the room. Without another glance at Maya, he turned his full attention to Khushi, his expression softening as he gently lifted her in his arms. Cradling his unconscious daughter protectively against his chest, he walked out of the house, his steps purposeful, his mind focused only on keeping Khushi safe from the twisted influence of her mother.

Behind him, Maya remained pressed against the wall, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Anger and frustration coursed through her. Aarav had outmanoeuvred her, but she wasn't finished. As she wiped the small streak of blood from her neck, her eyes burned with renewed determination. She wouldn't let this be the end. She would find another way, another angle to destroy Aarav's happiness. Manvi would never have him, and she would make sure of it.

The night outside was still, the air thick with tension as Aarav carefully placed Khushi in the back seat of his car. He moved with purpose, his mind finally settling after the storm he had just faced inside. As he opened the driver's door, a fleeting smile tugged at his lips. Relief washed over him, a sense of accomplishment for standing up to Maya after years of torment. His thoughts shifted to Manvi, and with that came a renewed sense of hope. The idea of their future together, building a life full of love and peace, filled him with quiet resolve. He glanced back at Khushi, her innocent face resting peacefully. He vowed to show her the truth about Maya together, with Manvi, they would guide Khushi to a better life, free from manipulation and lies.

But just as he was about to slide into the driver's seat, everything changed.

A sharp, searing pain erupted at the back of his head, so sudden and intense that it stole his breath. The world spun violently out of focus, the edges of his vision closing in as darkness rushed to claim him. He heard, faintly, the sound of metal clattering against the ground, followed by Maya's triumphant, echoing laughter, chilling and victorious. It was the last thing his mind registered before everything went black, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Maya stood over his limp body, her silhouette looming ominously under the dim light of the streetlamp. The metal rod she had wielded lay discarded on the pavement, a sinister reminder of the violence she had just inflicted. As she crouched beside Aarav's unconscious form, a look of twisted satisfaction flickered in her eyes, the dim light casting sharp shadows across her face. The malevolent gleam in her gaze only heightened her dangerous allure.

She reached out, her fingers ghosting over Aarav's face with an eerie tenderness, a lover's caress turned grotesque by the malice behind it. The smirk on her lips was one of triumph, of power reclaimed. Her voice, a chilling murmur, broke the silence, "Pyaar se samjhaya tumne nahi suna Aarav," she whispered, the words dripping with venom, but delivered with an unsettling calmness. Her fingers trailed over his jawline as if savouring her victory, relishing the moment she had brought him to his knees literally and figuratively.

Maya leaned in closer, her breath warm and sickly sweet against his skin. Her voice, smooth and filled with dark delight, continued, "Kyun majbur karte ho har baar mujhe ki tumhe takleef dun main?" Her tone was disturbingly casual, as if she were reprimanding a child for misbehaving. "Ab dekhti hun kaise karte ho tum shaadi kal." The words fell from her lips with a cold finality, a threat that carried the weight of her unyielding obsession.

The smirk on her face widened, her expression a mask of cruel satisfaction. In that moment, she had all the power, and she revelled in it. The plan she had carefully laid out, the manipulation, the pain she had orchestrated it all came to fruition with Aarav lying helpless at her feet. She straightened, slowly, deliberately, her eyes never leaving him, as if savouring the sight of his vulnerability.

The night around them was eerily quiet, only the soft sound of Khushi's breathing from inside the car breaking the silence. Maya cast a final, disdainful glance at Aarav, her eyes gleaming with the knowledge that she had shattered his plans, his hopes, his peace. She turned, leaving him unconscious on the ground, the rod abandoned, as if it were a mere tool she no longer needed.

As she walked away, the shadows seemed to close in behind her, her footsteps fading into the distance. But the darkness she left behind lingered, deep and threatening, like a storm waiting to be unleashed. She had thrown his world into chaos, and the consequences of her actions would ripple far beyond this single night.

Will Manvi know about Khushi and Aarav being in danger?

Stay tuned.