A/N: A chapter dedicated to Akshit and Divya (Akya) as there are people who need more of them. Happy reading, enjoy! <3

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Drishti stirred awake, her eyes slowly adjusting to the light. She glanced over to see Rakshit already awake, his expression as unreadable as ever. The tension between them was palpable, a silent acknowledgment of the complicated emotions swirling beneath the surface.

Both of them rose from bed without a word, each lost in their thoughts. The quiet rustle of clothes and the soft clinking of Rakshit's watch as he fastened it around his wrist filled the room. Drishti, now dressed, took a deep breath and smoothed her sari, her hands trembling ever so slightly as she tried to shake off the lingering doubts and fears.

As they moved towards the dining table for breakfast, the tension followed them like a shadow. The clatter of cutlery and the low murmur of conversation filled the air as the family gathered around the table.

Drishti moved around the dining table with practiced ease, carefully placing dishes in front of everyone with a soft smile on her face. The aroma of freshly prepared parathas and chai filled the room, creating a cozy atmosphere that contrasted with the usual tension in the house.

As she approached Mahima, Drishti offered a gentle smile and served her with respect. "Good morning" she said softly, her tone warm and polite.

Mahima, taken slightly by surprise by the tenderness in Drishti's voice, looked up from her cup of tea. Her usual stern expression softened as she took in Drishti's demeanor. "Good morning, beta" she replied, her voice unusually warm.

Without a second thought, Drishti bent down to touch Mahima's feet, seeking her blessings as she had always been taught to do with elders. Mahima, momentarily caught off guard, felt a wave of unexpected affection. She gently placed her hand on Drishti's head, blessing her with a smile that reached her eyes.

"Jeeti rho" Mahima said, her voice filled with genuine warmth. As Drishti straightened up, Mahima looked at her with a rare softness. "Sit with us, Drishti. Have breakfast."

Drishti nodded with a smile and served herself, sitting with them for breakfast.

Akshit was already seated, munching on his toast with his usual cheerful demeanor. He looked up, flashing a bright smile at Drishti and Rakshit as they took their seats.

But before anyone could engage in the usual morning pleasantries, Divya entered the dining room, looking poised and polished. She was dressed in a sleek outfit that screamed professionalism, and in her hand, she carried a small suitcase. Her eyes flicked around the table, landing on each family member before settling on Mahima, who raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Divya, where are you off to this early?" Mahima asked, a hint of concern lacing her voice.

Divya offered a polite smile. "I have a client meeting in Indonesia. It's a last-minute trip, and I'll be gone for three days."

The announcement was met with a mix of reactions. Mahima nodded approvingly, impressed by Divya's dedication to her work, while Rakshit offered a curt nod, his mind already preoccupied. Drishti, always observant, noticed a flicker of something in Akshit's expression-a shadow of disappointment that quickly disappeared as he tried to mask it with a smile.

Akshit set down his toast, his earlier cheerfulness dimming as he looked at Divya. "Three days, huh?" His voice was light, but there was an undercurrent of something more.

Divya, busy making sure she had everything she needed, didn't catch the subtle shift in his tone. She finished her coffee and stood up, addressing the family with a bright smile. "I should get going. I don't want to miss my flight." She went around the table, hugging Mahima, Tejashri, Rakshit, and Drishti in turn. The hugs were warm and affectionate, but when she reached Akshit, she simply offered a casual, "Bye, Akshit."

Akshit's smile faltered, but he forced it to stay in place. "Bye, Divya. Safe travels" he replied, his voice a little softer now. Divya gave him a quick nod before turning towards the door, suitcase in hand.

The moment she stepped outside, Akshit felt a pang of unease. He glanced around at the family, who had already resumed their breakfast, and then back at the door where Divya had just exited. Something inside him snapped. He couldn't let her leave like this, not without saying more.

With a sudden burst of energy, Akshit bolted from his chair, nearly knocking it over in his haste. He ran outside, the cool morning air hitting him as he spotted Divya just about to get into the car. She turned around, a surprised smile forming on her lips as she saw him approach, slightly out of breath.

"Tussi ja rhe ho?" Akshit asked, his voice tinged with the barest hint of sadness, his usual playful demeanor stripped away.

Divya chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Kaam se ja rhi hu, Akshit. Aajaungi 3 din me." Her tone was light, but the warmth in her gaze was unmistakable.

Akshit nodded, trying to hide the disappointment that had settled in his chest. "Okay, bye then. Take care."

He turned to head back into the house, but something made him stop. He turned back around, meeting Divya's questioning gaze. Without thinking, he closed the distance between them and wrapped her in a tight hug, pulling her close as if afraid to let her go.

"Apna khayaal rakhna" he whispered into her ear, his voice low and sincere. "Time pe khana kha lena, text krte rehna, aur jaldi wapas aana."

Divya's breath hitched slightly, her surprise giving way to a soft smile as she hugged him back, resting her head against his shoulder. The warmth of his embrace and the earnest concern in his voice touched her in a way she hadn't expected.

Breaking the hug, Divya pulled back just enough to look up at him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Sure, sir. Ab jau?"

Akshit nodded, his usual playful smile returning as he tried to cover the vulnerability he had just shown. "Haan, jao. But remember, 3 din se zyada nahi."

Divya laughed softly, a sound that seemed to chase away the lingering tension in the air. "Promise. I'll be back before you know it."

With one last smile, she turned and got into the car. Akshit stood there, watching as the car pulled away from the driveway, his eyes following it until it disappeared from view. Even after it was gone, he stayed there for a moment longer, a thoughtful expression on his face, before finally turning to go back inside.

As Akshit re-entered the house, his mind was still on Divya, the warmth of their hug lingering like a comforting blanket. But as he took his seat at the table again, his cheerful demeanor slipped back into place, though his thoughts remained on her until the moment she would return.

━━༻❁༺━━

NIGHT TIME

The night had settled over the Shergill mansion, casting a serene calm across the house. After a modest dinner, Drishti and Rakshit retired to their bedroom, a space that, despite its opulence, had been a battleground for their emotions.

Drishti, wearing a comfortable yet elegant nightgown, sat on the edge of the bed, her mind still buzzing from the day's events. Rakshit, dressed in casual attire, sat beside her. They began to talk, their conversation drifting towards the ever-complicated family dynamics, particularly focusing on Tejashri and Rakshit's father.

"So" Drishti said thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on a point on the floor, "We need to figure out what role Tejashri chachi might have played in all this. And your father... his disappearance and the connection to my mother... It's all a tangled mess."

Rakshit nodded, his expression contemplative. "Hmm... Sochna padega"

Drishti stood up abruptly, folding her hands near her chest, her frustration apparent. "Ek second! Sab mai sochungi toh aap kya sochenge?!"

Rakshit, caught off guard by her sudden shift in tone, stuttered slightly. "A-arey woh..."

Drishti interrupted him, her voice a mix of irritation and resolve. "Aap idhar baithe rahiye! Mai sochti hu!" Without waiting for a response, she stood up and walked briskly inside the closet area, closing the door shut.

Rakshit watched her go, shaking his head in bewilderment. "Ajeeb hai yaar! Saans leta hu aur biwi naaraz hojati hai!" He muttered to himself, a hint of amusement in his voice. He sighed deeply, the stress of the day weighing on him.

After a few moments, Drishti returned to the room, now dressed in her cozy pajamas. Her expression was softer, though her earlier irritation was still evident. She approached the bed and, without further discussion, slipped under the covers.

Rakshit quickly composed his face, shifting from his previous state of mild exasperation to a neutral demeanor. He watched as Drishti settled into the bed, her eyes closing almost immediately.

Rakshit, unable to shake off the day's lingering tension, lay awake, staring up at the ceiling. His mind raced with thoughts of the ongoing mystery, but as he glanced over at Drishti, he noticed how peaceful she looked, her breathing steady and calm.

Unable to resist the urge to feel closer to her, Rakshit shifted his position, carefully moving closer to Drishti. With a gentle motion, he pulled her towards him, aligning her body against his chest. The warmth of her presence was comforting, and he rested his chin on her head, feeling a strange sense of tranquility wash over him.

As he gazed down at her, a tender smile touched his lips. The rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing lulled him, and despite the turmoil of the day, he felt a rare moment of peace. His heart, usually burdened with unspoken tensions, seemed to find solace in the closeness they shared.

Rakshit's eyes slowly drooped, and with a contented sigh, he drifted off to sleep, his mind finally quieting as he held Drishti close.

━━༻❁༺━━

NEXT MORNING

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, gently waking Drishti. She stirred, blinking sleepily as she noticed the empty space beside her. The bed felt cool where Rakshit had been, and she sat up, slightly disoriented.

As she got out of bed and began her morning routine, she noticed a faint, familiar scent on her pajamas-one that was unmistakably Rakshit's. She frowned, confused. "Huh... How's this possible?" she thought, sniffing her clothes. She shrugged it off, attributing it to the residual scent left on the sheets.

Unaware of the intimate moment they had shared, Drishti went about her day, the scent of Rakshit lingering as a subtle reminder of the unexpected closeness they had experienced the previous night.

2 DAYS LATER

For Akshit, the past three days without Divya felt like an eternity. The mansion, usually vibrant with her presence, was eerily quiet. Every corner of the house seemed to amplify his longing. His usual routine was disrupted; meals were bland, and conversations with staff were fleeting. The lack of Divya's laughter and chatter created a hollow feeling inside him. He often found himself staring at her empty chair at the dining table, wishing for her return.

"Please come back soon." He always whispered at night before falling asleep, with a hope that he might see her the next morning after he wakes up.

━━༻❁༺━━

EVENING

As the hours approached 7 pm, Akshit's anticipation grew. He had meticulously planned to be at the airport to welcome Divya back. He arrived early, his heart racing with excitement and relief. However, as the minutes ticked by, his excitement gave way to anxiety when her flight was delayed. He paced around the airport, checking his watch repeatedly and glancing at his phone, hoping for an update.

10:30 PM:

By 10:30 pm, Divya's flight had finally landed, but her troubles were far from over. She struggled to get a cab, only to find that the few available cars were too far away. Frustration mounted as she realized she would have to walk to the mansion.

The darkened streets seemed more menacing as she walked alone. Her suitcase trailed behind her, and the weight of her exhaustion and worry was palpable.

━━༻❁༺━━

Around 11 pm, Divya was halfway home when she noticed a group of drunk men loitering on the street. Her heart sank as they began to catcall and leer at her. She tried to ignore them, but one of them grabbed her hand.

In a swift, reflexive action, she punched him in the face. "Get off me!" she yelled. The men, however, were undeterred and moved in closer.

Another man tried to hit her, but she managed to kick him where it hurt, causing him to stagger. Despite her efforts, the remaining men closed in. As she tackled one, a fourth man struck her on the head with a rod. Pain exploded in her head, and she fell to the ground, clutching at her bleeding head.

Desperate to defend herself, she grabbed some sand from the road and threw it at them, creating a brief distraction that allowed her to escape. She fled, her suitcase left behind as she ran, tears streaming down her face.

In the midst of her fear, her eyes caught a familiar sight-Akshit, running toward her with a look of pure panic and determination. "Divya!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. She ran to him, her sobs escaping as she clung to him.

Akshit's embrace was firm, but his voice trembled with worry. "Are you alright?" he asked, his eyes searching her face.

He gazed at her state-- so broken, so scared, that it took his breath away. He clenched his hands into a fist as his eyes fell over her shoulder.

"Who did this to you?" He asked, his voice filled with extreme anger.

Divya, still hiccuping, pointed towards the road. "They... they attacked me" she managed to say between sobs.

Without a moment's hesitation, Akshit took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. "You're freezing. Come on, we need to get you to safety" he said, his voice laced with urgency.

He scooped her up in his arms, holding her close as he began walking back to the road where the attackers had fled. His eyes were dark with anger as he spotted the men in the distance, still stumbling around.

Akshit set Divya down on the side of the road. "Stay here" he instructed gently. "I'll be right back."

With a look of fierce determination, Akshit marched towards the men. His fists clenched tightly, and his expression was a mix of rage and resolve. "You think you can get away with this?" he growled, his voice a dangerous rumble.

One of the men tried to run, but Akshit grabbed him by the collar and delivered a powerful punch. "How dare you touch what's mine?" he roared, each word punctuated by a strike.

*Punch* "You think you can just-" *Punch* "Touch my woman?" *Punch* "I don't like it when someone even looks at my book, but you dared to harm her!"

Akshit's rage seemed boundless as he continued to beat them. The men, bruised and battered, could do nothing but cower under his wrath. Finally, satisfied that they had learned their lesson, Akshit left them lying on the road and returned to Divya.

He approached Divya, his expression softening as he saw her frightened face. "You're safe now" he said gently, cupping her face in his hands. "I'm here, Divya. You're not alone."

She hugged him tightly, her tears wetting his shirt. "Thank you" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Akshit patted her back soothingly. "You don't need to thank me. I'm just glad you're safe" he murmured.

MANSION

When they reached the mansion, he carefully laid her down on her bed. Divya reached out, grabbing his hand as she tried to sleep. "Don't go...." she said softly, her voice trembling.

Akshit sat beside her, his heart aching with a mix of relief and sadness. "I'm not going anywhere" he assured her. "I'm right here."

He continued to stroke her hair, his own exhaustion forgotten. As she fell asleep, still holding his hand, he whispered,

"No one will hurt you while I'm around. They'll have to get through me first." His voice was a low promise, filled with fierce protectiveness and a care which was about to evolve into something bigger and deeper--- and he knew it.

As the night wore on, Akshit remained by her side, watching over her as she slept peacefully. His resolve was unshakable: to protect her at all costs and ensure that no harm would ever come to her again. The mansion, though still and quiet, felt like a sanctuary for both of them, a place where healing and solace could began.

He would protect her at any cost, even if it meant risking his own life. One thing he was certain of was that, to reach Divya, they would have to go through Akshit Shergill first. And that was nearly impossible.