Sachin.

Amy turned to me as soon as her dad walked out of the room.

"Get out of here, now!" Amy started to pull her top down and I stared at her.

I really have no idea what happened.

"We need to talk," I sighed.

Amy turned to me.

"We will talk later, You need to leave first!" she whisper-yelled.

"But your dad-"

"Do you want to get murdered?" she thrust my clothes to me, almost throwing it to me, "Get out through the balcony-"

"Are you crazy-"

"Don't be a cry-baby and go to the balcony, reach the floor below and take the elevator down and go back," she explained.

"But Amy-"

"Sachin Dixit! I am already neck deep in trouble, thanks to you, but don't ever think about adding into it."

"Your dad is waiting-"

"I will manage it somehow, just get out of here first." she sounded pleading.

"But-"

"Do you want to get married to me then?" she raised her eyebrows.

"What?"

I am scared now.

"Then get the hell out of here, Sachin, if my dad ever gets his hands on you, He's going to chop your balls off-"

"I got it... stop right there," I shivered, "I will leave now, but we need to talk."

I pulled up my jeans and buttoned my shirt.

What the hell happened yesterday? Did I really sleep with... No... Don't think about it...

I looked at her and watched as she was correcting her hair into place.

"Sachin!" she turned to me.

"Yea... I am leaving!"

........................

Riya.

"Can I look now?" I asked.

"Sure," Kiran, our stylist smiled, satisfied.

"Tada!" Naina turned me around to the mirror.

"Whoa!" I exclaimed.

Kiran has turned me to an angel.

"Thank you so much for helping me Auntie, I don't know what I will do without you," I hugged Auntie Alice who laughed.

"It's time Neev is here to take you," Naina said and I smiled.

Neev said he wanted to take me for a date today, he told me to dress up too.

Auntie Alice was delighted at my request to help me and she called Kiran home.

The doorbell rang and Auntie Alice and Naina urged me to go and answer the door.

When I opened it, there was a big flower basket in front of me.

"I am supposed to deliver it to Mrs Riya Nivin Aldrick," The delivery boy said.

I took it from him, a bit surprised and opened the card that was attached to it.

"My dear beautiful wife, I love you."

"Ooo... That's sweet of him!" Naina said and I turned around.

I blushed as I realised that Auntie Alice and Naina read the card from behind.

"Whoa! I never expected this from Neev!"Auntie Alice said. "he's like a whole new person now!"

"But isn't he supposed to pick you up?" Naina asked me.

The doorbell rang again.

"It must be him," Auntie Alice said and I moved to the door again.

"Uncle Manoj?" I said.

"I am here to take you, sir is waiting for you," he said politely.

"Where's Neev?" I asked and Uncle smiled.

"I am told not to disclose anything," he said.

"Go on Riya; don't let him wait long,"

"Have a good time together," Naina smiled.

Neev.

I looked around the cute little restaurant. Everything was arranged nicely. The flowers, candles, and the soft music that was playing gave a romantic mood to the surrounding.

"Is everything ready?" I asked.

"Yes sir," Jijo said.

Yes, I arranged the same people who were with her in her last workplace, "soul mate".

I called her whole team together.

I hope she will like my gift.

I looked at the golden key with ribbon.

Her dream was to start her own event management firm and I am just helping her to fulfil it.

Riya.

The car screeched and came to a sudden stop.

My phone was thrown out of my hand and I looked up.

"What happened?"

"Ma'am, Are you alright?" Manoj asked looking behind.

"I am okay," I said, "but what-" I stopped as I saw the black car in the front, blocking us.

"Let me teach them a lesson!" Uncle Manoj said angrily.

The door opened and 4 men came out one by one from the black car.

"Uncle..." I said, "Something is wrong, let's... let's go back."

"They are blocking us deliberately; Try to escape while I handle them," he said.

"But-"

"Don't worry about me and drive away; I don't think they are after me."

Neev.

I looked at my watch impatiently.

It's time she's already here!

I was still waiting at the restaurant alone, Manoj has already gone to pick her but she's not here yet.

Should I call her?

I reached for my phone and it started to ring.

"Manoj?" I attended the call, "where are you-"

"Sir..." I heard his terrified tone. "I am... sorry... They took her... I couldn't protect her... they took Riya Ma'am..."

"What?"

I froze, my brain was repeating what he has said, but my heart refused to believe it.

"Who took her?" I asked thunderously.

It's impossible! Sebastian is already locked up!

"I... I dunno sir..." Manoj's voice trembled. "They attacked me and kidnapped her."

Kidnapped her?

Who kidnapped Riya!?

-----------

She's missing!

Riya is missing!

I have been searching for her the whole day, but I couldn't find her!

I slumped to the settee.

"Neev," I heard Sachin coming in.

"Did you find anything?" I asked as I get up.

They all were there.

Sachin, Rohan, Naina, even Uncle John.

They all look disappointed and my heart sank.

"Dad thinks we should report her missing," Sachin said.

No, I didn't report it. Even though I have arranged every private detective to find out about her, I did not inform the police. I am worried something bad will happen to her.

"If someone really kidnapped her, it might be dangerous," I said. "What if it's one of Sebastian's men?"

Sebastian is already taken care of, his PA as well, Dad is still busy making sure about it," Sachin said.

"But if someone else really took her away, its past time they would demand what they want, There's no news until now," Uncle John said.

"Okay, I will just recheck everywhere, the orphanages and all," I said; now walking back and turning my back to them.

I don't want them to see this weak and pathetic me, I can't seem to hide my emotions too.

I refuse to believe something happened to her.

"I hate to say this Neev, but every single place is already checked, Even Grandpa used his influence to find out, but it's a dead end everywhere," Rohan said.

"I know it's my fault, I couldn't even protect my own wife," I said, "but I can't stop here, I am going to recheck everywhere," I said, determined.

"It's not your fault, we all will split up again and search for her," Rohan said as he stepped forward and everyone nodded, "we need to inform your gang too, the more people, the better."

"We will wait one more hour before we file a missing case, we can't wait more than that," Uncle John said and I nodded.

"I will come with you," Sachin told me as I walked out.

I took my racing bike this time.

"Where are we starting from?" Sachin asked me.

"I need to meet him, Nikil Atharva."

"What! You can't possibly doubt him without-"

"Riya is missing, Sachin! She's literally disappeared; the kidnappers didn't even demand any ransom." I said deadly, "I would like to meet him and ask him if he has anything to do with her missing,"

I know it's farfetched, but I couldn't let go of it since he was suspicious from the first onwards.

I would like to know why he was following her around.

And Riya has told me about him.

It's high time I talk to him.

Nikil Atharva.

"Sir, someone is following us," My driver said and I looked up from my Mac book.

"What the hell is he doing?" my driver cursed and the car came to a halt.

"This guy, I think he's crazy!" He said again and my eyes met with him.

Nivin Rosh James Aldrick!

"He's here to see me, I will handle him," I told him.

"But-" he stopped as the back door was opened and I looked at an angry face.

"Where's Riya?" he demanded me as soon as I stepped out.

"Neev, tell him about-"

"He was following her Sachin, there's no need to tell him anything!"

"What? Riya is missing!?" I asked, really shocked now.

Neev took a threatening step forward.

"Don't act so surprised, Nikil Atharva, tell me why you were following her around!"

"It's none of your business, Aldrick, Riya is important to me too, what did you do this time?" I said angrily.

"You-" he raised his hand to hit me, but Sachin Dixit pulled him back.

"Why don't you ask your ex, Aldrick, She was blackmailing Riya all these time and she even tried to kidnap her before."

"What!"

"Riya didn't tell you?" I said as Nivin looked shocked. "Do you remember the masquerade ball? Who do you think arranged those people to drug Riya? It was your ex-girlfriend!"

"Do not lie, they were masked and no one could-" Sachin started.

"You didn't find anything because his Grandpa and Sebastian hide it from all of you at that time! They erased the CCTV footage too," I cut across him.

"And when Sebastian took her the last time, Nirosha saw her there, she knew Riya was kidnapped but did nothing to help her,"

"Who the hell are you!?" Nivin looked at me.

"How do you know all of these?" Sachin asked, "So Neev was right all along! You were the white masked guy!"

"Why don't you check with her first, Nivin, before you blame other people who have nothing to do with her missing," I said angrily.

I don't know who has taken her and it's making me worried too.

Nivin stepped forward and clutched my shirt in a tight angry grip.

"I will, Atharva, and if I feel that you are lying, I will come looking for you,"

Riya.

I slowly opened my eyes, I feel like I have been sleeping the whole day.

"Why did you sedate her? I clearly said to be careful!"

"But Madam, she was trying to escape and her driver was attacking us-"

"I don't want to hear anything, out of here, now!"

I heard the shout and winced slightly.

My focus came to the soft looking white net. I looked around slowly.

I was lying on a comfortable soft bed.

Where am I?

My mind was working very slowly.

Then it hit me.

"Neev!" I said, I tried to get up and somebody moved the net.

"Are you awake?" she asked me, smiling.

It was a noble-looking old woman, she looked around the sixties, and she was looking at me in warmth.

"Who... who are you? Why did you kidnap me?" I asked and her smile disappeared for a moment.

"I wasn't planning to kidnap you dear, but they somehow ended up doing it," she said.

"Who are you? why did you take me here?" I asked again.

"Oh sorry, how rude of me not to introduce first, I am Parvathi Atharva, I welcome you to the Atharva household," she smiled widely.

Atharva? Is it a trap again!? Oh my God-

"Gran!" I heard a male voice. "Is it true? did you really kidnap-you did!?" Nikil Atharva's eyes stopped on me.

Yes, it's him again!! Oh my God!

"Nonsense boy, I am just welcoming her home, why should I kidnap my own granddaughter?" she said.

My eyes widened.

"What... what's going on?" I looked in between them, "I... I want to leave!"

Nikil looked at me and sighed, "please calm down Riya, I will explain," he said.

"No... No, I want to see Nivin, I am going back now," I slipped out of the bed and stilled when I came face to face with the photo on the wall.

I can't believe it, I really can't. On the wall was a picture of a lady, who looks familiar.

Her smile was exactly like mine!

I have only one photo of my birth mother, my dad had gifted me that for my 18 birthday along with the pearl bracelet, But I would recognise her face anywhere.

"See, that's your Amma, Sneha, you are not going anywhere Riya, you belong here, you are my granddaughter," Parvathi said firmly.

My world started to revolve around me again.

"No... I... It's not, I can't believe this-"

"Here Riya, take a look at this." Parvathi handed me a file and I looked at it.

Another DNA report!

I turned to them, "how did you... my DNA..."

"Err... I am sorry but... It was...me... that party, I got your hair strand when you were drunk," Nikil looked uneasy.

"See, our DNA is a match! You are my granddaughter,"

"Gran, give her some time to accept everything," Nikil said quickly, probably worried to find me frozen in my spot.

"I can't! I was searching for her all these time, why should I give her more time?" Parvathi said.

"Gran, her husband is searching for her everywhere; He came to see me too,"

"Let him get worried,"

"You know it's a matter of time before he finds out, He's an Aldrick," Nikil warned.

"Let him suffer a little, he couldn't even protect his wife properly," Parvathi scowled.

I snapped back to the present.

Nivin!

He must be going crazy!

He must be searching for me everywhere!

"I... I want to call-"

"I can't let you do it, I don't approve him as your husband, if there's anyone I hate in this world, it's them, the Aldricks," she said firmly.

Nivin.

I tried hard to hold it. I watched the crying girl in front of me but I didn't feel any compassion.

Nirosha looked up at me, "I... It was just after your marriage, I... I was so angry, that's why I called her out,"

"So you did blackmail her!" Sachin exclaimed and I tightened my fist, trying not to burst out.

"She... said that she can't go... away, that's why I threatened her with the... DNA report, I... I didn't want to... use it... but she was... too... stubborn... I warn... warned her many times,"

I closed my eyes tightly for a moment. I wanted to shout at her, I wanted to ask her where she hid Riya, but I know I can't rush.

"They were married Nirosha! You knew it!" Sachin said.

"I... am not very proud of my actions," Nirosha said, "I was... furious... I felt alone... so..."

I had had enough, my anger reached its boiling point.

I don't know what in the world I saw in her before; I couldn't even look at her as my friend now!

"And where's she? Where did you hide her? Where's Riya?" I asked.

"I... I didn't do anything, I really don't know,"

"You tried it before, you drugged her and sent your people after her on that masquerade party, how can I believe you now?" I asked sternly and her eyes widened in shock.

"Yes, we know about that, and When Sebastian took Riya last time, you knew where she was, you even talked to her, but you didn't try to help her!" Sachin said.

"You can ask me anything Nirosha and I can do it for you, please tell me about her, I will do anything to get her back,"

"But I... I really don't know-"

"I swear, Nirosha  if you are planning something -"

"But it's the truth! I am leaving India! I can't even go back to college, everyone knows about my Papa!" she said. "I am really regretting everything Neev, I am sorry I was jealous and messed up, but this time, you have to believe me,"

My heart sank.

I think Nirosha is speaking the truth.

Sachin's phone started to ring and he attended it.

"Dad, any news-what? Are you sure?" he said and I looked up, "we have news," he told me and we hurried outside.

"Nivin..." I stopped as I heard Nirosha.

Why can't she understand it? I am actually controlling my maximum not to do anything against her and she has the nerve to call me!

"Nirosha Sebastian, I am letting you go now, you should sincerely hope for me to find my wife, or we will meet again, I promise you that and I won't stop at anything, you better pray for her," I said coldly without turning around.

Riya.

"I can't stay," I said.

I looked at Parvathi. We are still in the same room.

What she told me was still disturbing me, but I couldn't trust anyone completely, I know it after what Joseph Aldrick has done. I don't want to get my life to be twisted again.

Sure, I saw the DNA report, but I will think about it later.

I was also surprised to learn that only Parvathi and Nikil are staying in this huge mansion.

Yes, it was another one of those mansions and all the workers were staring at me, they all looked like they already know me.

Nikil said everyone was waiting for me to turn up but it was hard to believe until Parvathi take me to "my" room.

I still have Goosebumps from it, she decorated a huge room in princess style, yes, that's right; She furnished a huge room for me in light blue and white colour.

Thank God! At least it's not pink!

She introduced me to everyone proudly and they all welcomed me warmly.

Then she showed me the family tree too, all I could understand was that she has only two kids, one's my mom and the other one is Nikil's dad.

They were staying in Germany, taking care of business there and Nikil joined his dad's company in India recently.

All in all, I was completely shaken.

"I... I want to... go back," I said slowly, "I will think about-"

"What nonsense, you are not going anywhere Riya, this is your home!" Parvathi said firmly.

"I... need time to think, this is... all of a sudden and... I... I can't-" I stopped as I noticed her placing her hand against her heart.

"what... what happened!?" I was out of my seat in seconds.

She was breathing hard.

"Grandma," I cried. "Somebody help," I shouted, now panicked. "Ni... Nikil... Please, Grandma is not well,"

I shouted from the door, I couldn't leave her or call for help.

Nikil and house staffs ran to the room.

"Gran!" Nikil shouted as he opened a bottle and take out the pills, everyone was around her chair as Nikil gave her the medication.

I was watching shocked, still trembling from head to foot.

"I... I am alright," she calmed down and I let out a deep breath.

"Take it easy, Gran! I told you!" Nikil shouted now.

But she was looking at me; both of her eyes were filled. "Come here," she told me, outstretching her hands towards me.

I slowly reached her and she hugged me, "That's right... I am Grandmother, your Grandma!" she tightened her grip around me, "I wanted to hear it from you, I wanted to see you one last time, now I can die in peace-"

"Stop it, Gran! You are not going to die," Nikil said again.

She released me and wiped my tears, making me realise I have been crying.

"Don't cry my baby, you are home, I couldn't save my Sneha, but now I can save you," she said.

"I... am... so..rry, because of me-"

"Because of you I am ok now," she said.

"It's enough for today, take rest," Nikil nodded to the maids and they supported her to the wheelchair.

She grabbed my hand, "you can't leave..." she looked at me.

"I... won't, I promise you," I said, my heart was beating fast.

As soon as she was out, I slumped to the bed.

"Oh my God! I can't believe... because of me..."

"It's not you Riya," he said. "But don't talk to her about leaving, she's been searching and waiting for you all her life, she can't take it anymore,"

"I... don't know what to think... I... I actually belong to a family!"

"You don't just belong to any family, Riya, you belong to the Atharvas, and your life is going to change now, more than you think," Nikil said.

"Neev... he will be going crazy looking for me, I want to call him."

"Let him go crazy for some time, he couldn't even protect you!" he said darkly, "his ex-was blackmailing you!"

"How... how did you-"

"The moment I saw you first, I have been following you Riya,"

"It was not his fault! I hide it from him because he had had enough on the plate already,"

"It is his fault Riya, Gran is not going to be easy on him,"

"Why do you hate him so much?" I exclaimed.

"Because he's an Aldrick, Riya, Auntie Sneha left this house to live with your dad and he practically sacrificed his life for his best friend, he even send her back while she was seriously ill and take you away from this family, your dad didn't even attend the funeral Riya," Nikil said with hatred. "And he died because of them too," he stopped, "the Aldricks."

My heart wrenched in pain when I recalled that letter he wrote to me.

"He... was trying to protect my mom and me, he... he had no choice-" I started.

"He had a choice Riya, if he had stayed here in this house like grandmother wanted him to, he would not have died and you would have been brought up by the family, not some... orphanage!"

"You don't know what really happened Nikil, he was sure they will come after me, he wanted to change my identity completely-"

"Atharva would have protected your family, he could've brought you here-"

"You don't know Sebastian, he was someone so sick, he would have done anything to get what he wanted and my dad knew it! Look at Uncle James, he was an Aldrick, but still killed him and nobody knew it for the past twenty years! He locked up my Mamma for all these years; my dad was the one who really knew him!" I said firmly.

"And he chose to stand by his best friend; I don't think he was someone who would simply watch when his best friend was in danger,"

"And look where it got him!"

"Yes, he died," my eyes started to flow again. "but he saved my mom, me, Naina and he exposed Sebastian, he opened the heart of people who were blinded by hatred and I am so very proud of him," I cried.

"God... I... I am sorry," Nikil looked upset now, "I... I know I can't judge but you have to understand the situation here, If you ever mentioned Aldricks here, everyone will just explode, I don't think Grandma is... going to approve him; Nivin." Nikil said.

"I will talk to her, I will convince her-"

"She may look old," Nikil said, "but trust me when I say this, she's the most strong-willed and stubborn person you will ever know, you will be really surprised,"

God! No one is helping me! I don't have a phone too, how can I contact him?

Neev.

"Are you sure?" I am really furious now.

"Dad sounded positive, he thinks she's with Atharvas, He wanted to talk to you before you go there, and he said you should know about that family before you approach-"

I changed the gear.

"I don't f**king care about their family, if they have my wife, they are going to face me," I walked to the car.

"Dad wants to tell you about-"

"Everything else can wait; I need to see her now, Sachin."

Riya.

"I want to talk to my husband," I stated firmly. I was currently seated at the dinner table.

It was full of all varieties of food.

Grandma seemed not to hear me, but her lips were a thin line, I know she's not at all pleased.

"We will talk about it tomorrow, let's have dinner now," Nikil said.

"He will be worried, I can't do that to him," I said.

"I don't think that he deserves you," Grandma stated.

"But Gran-"

"He reminds me of your dad, Riya, abandoning his wife all alone when she was dying-"

"Stop it, he didn't abandon her!" I said.

"Let's talk it out tomorrow Riya,"

"I don't want to eat until I see him," I said firmly, I leaned back to my chair.

Yes, I couldn't get hold of any type of communication all day, but I am determined now.

"Then I won't eat anything until you eat," Grandma too pushed her plate away.

"You can't do that! You have medication to take," Nikil said, then he looked in between us, "you both are acting childish!" he said.

I looked at her, now I know what Nikil said is right, she's very stubborn!

I know I can't win her in this. I slowly took my fork up.

"Riya!"

My heart raced at that voice, the fork fell down.

"Neev!" I jumped out of my seat.

I could still hear shouting from outside.

"You can't do this sir,"

"You can't go in sir."

"Leave me!" I heard his sound again, "I am here to take back my wife!"

Nikil was already out of his seat and walking out, started to follow him, but Grandma grabbed my hand.

"You can't go, you can't leave me like Sneha, I... I can't take it," she said to me and I froze.

"You bloody..." I heard Neev's voice again.

He must've met Nikil!

"Neev! Wait," I heard Sachin too.

"I will come back now or the boys will kill each other," I said, looking at her.

She held me for a moment, and then nodded slowly, leaving me.

I ran out of there.

Neev.

I tried to punch him again, but Sachin was pulling me back and that bastard blocked me.

"Not again, Aldrick," Nikil said.

"Where's my wife you bloody-"

"Neev... No!" I heard her and stilled.

"Riya!"

I turned around to look at her; she was still running towards us.

Thank God! She's safe!

Everyone stilled as she reached me, I wrapped her up in my hands, in front of everyone.

I don't care anything anymore and Riya doesn't seem to notice anything too, because she was hugging me tightly back, her small body was trembling slightly.

She's crying!

"Are... are you hurt?" I asked, now murderous and she shook her head, still inside my hands.

We stayed like that, I didn't have the heart to let go of her.

Someone cleared their throat, probably Sachin, I don't care anyway.

But Riya does, because she was starting to untangle herself from me, she slowly takes a step back and I wiped her eyes.

"Are you okay? Did anyone hurt you?" I asked slowly. I have a million questions to ask her but she seemed shaken. "What's wrong?" I asked again.

"Neev... I... I... I am sorry, I made you worry-"

"It was not your fault," I said, pulling her to my side and wrapping my right hand around her.

I turned to Nikil; He had lied to me about taking her then!

"I will see you Nikil Atharva, not now, but I will definitely come back to see you," I said, warning him.

For some reason, he looked amused as he watched us.

"Let's go now," I told Riya and took her hand.

"You can't take my granddaughter,"

I looked at the old lady coming outside now, she looked firm, and then it hit me.

"What!" I looked at her in shock.

Granddaughter!? Surely I heard it wrong?

"That's right, that's my granddaughter, you can't take her."

--------------------------------------