After they exchanged their numbers, Jai warned her again. He was rightfully worried. If her family came to learn about their rendezvous, they could surely hamper Jai's livelihood. Ritu was just not understanding why and when did she become so concerned about this one person who came into her life as an adversary? But everything aside, even the kids weren't enough reason for her to feel captivated by a mediocre baker. She didn't really mean his baking skills, because she had already tasted his cupcakes, and well, she could literally eat a dozen of them in a single sitting. Moreover, she wasn't even exaggerating. By mediocre, she meant his cake shop wasn't that popular or huge, for it could help her extend her networking. So, there was literally no reason. And still, she couldn't help but think about him.

During the time she spent with him today, one of the realizations she'd had was Jai wasn't a bad person. He didn't intentionally blame Abhimanyu. He only wanted to find out about his grandfather's death, and there was nothing wrong with it. Even after talking with the kids, her belief only solidified. So she was determined she'd help him unearth the truth. She wasn't really sure how on earth she could be of help, but her innate nature was rebellious, and she was resolute in her belief to live up to this till the end.

As Jai turned his RE Meteor around, Ritu expressed her desire to be called in a discreet way. She informed him she stayed free from eight p.m. onwards. As a response, Jai shook his head and flashed a soft smile, melting her heart again. Then he drove off.

Ritu bit her bottom lip in order to prevent herself from displaying her shyness overtly and turned toward Ishani. She still wasn't sure how she was going to manage the situation, but she could place her faith in her confidence and deal with it.

When she was almost at twenty feet's distance from the villa, she saw Navneet coming out with Irfan.

Oh crap!

Before she could act, the men discovered her presence. They exchanged a quick glance with each other and came running toward her.

Before Ritu could come up with an excuse or even make a sound, Navneet grabbed her hand and turned her around. He gritted his teeth and instructed, "Don't say anything. Just follow me."

Ritu gulped and took a look at Irfan, who was frowning like a papa bear. She was definitely in a big trouble. Once they took the right turn, she saw a cab waiting there.

"Uhm, what's going on?" Ritu couldn't help but ask. Because she was actually palpitating about the situation. The setup actually looked like they were kidnapping her.

No one answered her, but Navneet urged her to sit inside the car and almost by force pushed her inside. Irfan took the seat beside the driver.

"What the hell is going on?" Ritu almost yelled now. "You're giving me creeps, Navi!" I turned ahead and glared at the back of Irfan's head. "Irfan!"

Now Irfan responded in his cold and firm voice, "You should be ashamed of your carelessness, Ritu. What were you thinking?"

Ritu leaned back into the car seat. She couldn't lie to him. It was his responsibility to keep her safe, and if anything happened to her, it was him answerable to her family. Of course, he would be pissed.

"I'm sorry. I had no choice. You wouldn't have let me go if you knew where I was going."

"And that didn't make your actions less offensive!" Irfan's voice was unyielding. "From now on, you're not allowed to leave your house without my permission. I've already talked to AR about this."

Ritu stared at the back of his head aghast. "You talked about this to Dadabhai? Oh my God! Irfan! Why?"

"You left me no other options."

Navneet piped in. "Ritz, that was actually very reckless of you. Anything could've happened if it wasn't for me to find out Pihu..."

Ritu interrupted, "You found her? How? When?" She fell from the sky.

"Pihu was in your room when I went there having something important to inform you. And I caught Pihu there...in your attire! Ritz! That was way beyond stupidity. Undoubtedly clever, but a damn stupidity!" He gave her a pointed look. Ritu couldn't help but feel mortified. "When I asked her, she explained everything and how you're having some issues with that cake guy. Are you mad?"

Ritu felt her ears turning hot. She blinked and averted her gaze down. "I- I don't know. I'm not sure... I just want to help them. The kids are in need..."

Before she could finish, Navneet interrupted her, "You can't fool me, Ritz. This is just not about that! There's definitely something going on inside your head...or heart!"

Ritu flinched and swiftly turned her head toward him. Her eyes pleading him to stop with an aghast look. "Navi...please!"

Navneet shook his head and closed his eyes. "Fine! We'll talk about that later. When Pihu told me you're about to return within three hours and your phone is also unreachable, I had to tell Irfan and then Manyu Da. I'm not sure though why Manyu Da said, you'll be fine." Ritu's brows curled in confusion as she heard what Abhimanyu said, but she remained quiet. "Then he told us to wait for you and take you to this place around 7."

"Where are we going? Is Dadabhai also there?"

"I don't know. Manyu Da instructed us not to inform others about your absence and let Pihu go."

"Pihu went home?"

"Yes."

Ritu felt guilty for including Pihu in her family matter all over again. In the future, she needed to stop accepting help from her. It was getting worse now.

"I'm sorry, really. I shouldn't have done that. Although I do not regret it, but I should've informed any one of you at least," she said the last sentence, looking at Irfan and receiving nothing but silence from him.

"But where are we going?" she asked again.

"You'll know soon."

So, the rest of the ride was silence as she was anticipating the place where they might be going. But there was this nagging thought at the back of her mind, why didn't Abhimanyu let them go after her, and why did he say she'd be fine? There was definitely something he was hiding. She'd have to find out.

After another ten minutes, they reached the airport area, and her heart started palpitating. Was it what she thought it was? She sat up straight, but she had no courage to ask any of them for the confirmation. She looked out the window as the busy street rolled by in the opposite direction until finally their cab entered the New Ways City Hotel's driveway. Her heart was currently beating a thousand drums.

As soon as the can halted, she got out of it and looked wildly at Navneet's way, who got out as well. Irfan instructed the driver something before getting out. Navneet rounded the car and reached her side, then took her hand in his and pulled her inside the hotel's reception area. It was a five-star hotel, so obviously the interior was classy and shiny. Navneet went straight to the receptionist and said, "Room B-305."

The receptionist looked at the screen and typed something on the keyboard before she glanced up and smiled at them. "Yes Sir. Please go this way."

Navneet nodded and walked toward the elevator at the left side of the lobby. He didn't let go of her hand the whole time. And Ritu knew if he did, she'd collapse for sure. Because she was already hyperventilating. Irfan joined them soon as they entered the elevator, and Navi pressed the second floor's button.

As soon as the door closed, Ritu clutched Navi's arm tightly with her free hand. "I- I-"

"Sshh. Don't talk. Just breath."

"Is he...here?" She choked out the words somehow.

As a response, Navi tightened his hold on her wrist.

Soon the elevator dinged and the automatic double doors opened sideways. They excited the elevator, and Irfan led the way. Ritu felt her lungs would burst because of the immense amount of excitement she was feeling currently. It had been months since she had seen him. Her heart was racing extra miles now. That uncanny sense of pull she was feeling since she stepped into the hotel, as she had long recognized what it was.

The moment they reached before the B-305, Navi let go of her hands and put his hand around her shoulders instead. She didn't notice when her hands went up and clutched her chest, and her vision turned hazy until the door opened and a familiar person stood there with an elbow crutch that held his left arm while supporting his weight.

Ritu couldn't hold back anymore. She crashed into him and hugged him tightly while fat tears continuously poured out of her eyes.

"Hey, hey! Dumbo! It's okay! Stop crying!"