❝A Second Chance Offered❞

Vansh's POV:

As soon as Riddhima shared the address for Sanya's place, I headed straight there through rental car. It's been three hours since I landed in London, and I can't wait to see her. Riddhima even shared Sejal's contact number with me, just in case I needed anything or got lost. It's reassuring to have that backup, especially in a new city.

I gaze up at the building where she lives, recalling the code for the floor that Sejal and Sanya used to occupy. Sejal, had sent it to me earlier, knowing I'd need it. Riddhima asked her understanding that I might need it since Sanya is neither picking her mom's call nor Sejal. 

With my heart racing from both excitement and worry over her words, I step into the elevator and enter the code. I can only hope that she's fine and would at least listen to me. I step into the apartment and, adopting a light and calm tone, gently call out her name, "Sanya." hoping to break the silence and let her know I'm here.

Receiving no answer, I move further into the apartment, noticing the two rooms with their doors ajar. I call her name again, but still, there's no response. I can't help but wonder—is she even home? 

I decide to call Riddhima, since she might know her location. Could she be staying with one of her friends? After a ring or two, Riddhima picks up and I immediately ask her the question. "Riddhima? Did she mention anything about staying with a friend?"

"No?" she replies, her voice tinged with surprise and uncertainty. "It's rare for her to stay with a friend, she's never stays with her friend, so I don't think that's the case."

"But she is not home!" I exclaim dropping my backpack on the floor. That's the only change of clothes I brought with me in my hurry.

"She mentioned getting a job," I say, trying to piece things together. "Wait, let me check in with Devika mom about it."

I look around while the call is on hold, I head towards the room in the left corner of the hallway. I open the door and am instantly enveloped by her familiar scent—the same one I recognized when Sanya stayed in one of the rooms at my place. It's both comforting and unsettling, reminding me of her presence even though she's not here right now. 

I recall the day, she left for home to change before coming back to take me to the doctor.

I step into the room where she stayed last night, limping on my safe leg. Just moments ago, her voice echoed in my mind as she called to say she left her laptop here. I look around, hoping to find it, and then spot it on the bed, connected to the charger.

As I move closer, I sit on the edge of the bed, giving my legs a moment to relax. The instant I sink into the soft fabric, I'm enveloped by her scent—a warm vanilla mixed with hints of coconut. It wraps around me, and I find myself breathing it in, craving the familiar comfort.

But then, like a wave crashing against the shore, memories flood in, pulling me under. I jerk my focus to the laptop screen, desperate to escape the whirlwind of thoughts.

"Vansh." I'm pulled out of my thoughts by my name being called—Riddhima. I realize I forgot about her on the call.

"Yes?" I reply, moving closer into the room. 

"I have the address of her workplace, but she gets off at 5." I glance at the clock, the minutes ticking by like molasses. It feels like an eternity until I can see her again. 

"I'll wait here for here." I say and disconnect the call.

Looking around, I reach the table where the laptop screen is open. 'She must have left it open.' i immediately answer to the question arising in my head. 

The glow illuminates the room, casting shadows that feel all too familiar. I catch a glimpse of her photo hanging on the headboard wall commands attention—her lying on her bed, hair in a messy bun with a smile, her hair catches the sunlight, creating a golden halo that frames her face perfectly. Her picture feels like a haunting reminder of what could have been if I had just told her everything beforehand.

I shift uncomfortably, the memories swirling in my mind like the ocean tide. I can still hear her laughter, feel the warmth of her presence, and it stirs something deep within me. I try to push the thoughts away. I move towards the bed and the lying teddy bear on the bed. 

As I reach for it, my fingers brush against the edge of the bed, and I pause. What if I lingered a moment longer? What if I let myself remember? The scent of vanilla and coconut wraps around me like a soft blanket, both comforting and bittersweet. I decide to step further into her room, but then I pause, uncertainty creeping in. What if she doesn't want me here?

The growl of my stomach pulls me back to reality, reminding me that I haven't eaten anything in the last three hours. I hadn't even thought about food in the midst of everything. A wave of hunger washes over me, sharp and insistent.

I catch a glimpse of the open closet from the periphery of my vision but again, she must have left that in hurry. I move into the kitchen.

"I hope she doesn't want me hungry," I say, half-joking to myself as I stand there. Moving further into the kitchen, I glance down at the spilled water pooling on the floor and the stack of unwashed dishes piled in the sink. 

An uneasy feeling grips my heart; this mess seems out of place, hinting at a hurried moment. I can't shake the thought that something is wrong. I look at the pan kept on the gas-stove. Then, I call her.

Only if I can hear her voice again will I feel a sense of calm wash over me. Just a simple exchange, a reminder that everything is okay—that she's okay. I wait, heart racing, anticipating that familiar sound that always brings me peace.

I dial her number, and my heart stops as I hear her phone's ringtone nearby. It's unexpected and sends a jolt of anxiety through me. But she isn't home. I try to find the phone. I hope she is okay. All the bad thoughts crosses through my mind. 

I spot her phone thrown carelessly under the table in the living room, my name flashing on the screen. Relief floods through me—she hasn't blocked my number. The sight makes my heart race, a mix of concern and hope swirling inside me. What does this mean? Is she okay?

I reach down to pick it up, wondering why she left it behind. "Where could she be?" I murmur to myself, feeling a sense of urgency to find her, to make sure she's okay. The ringing stops, and I can't help but feel that this moment is more than just a missed call; it's a signal to step in and help.

I set her phone down on the couch beside me, then start searching every nook and cranny for her. My heart races with each step as I scan the room, hoping to find her here. She can't be in such a hurry that she'd leave her phone behind; it feels so unlike her.

I check the bathroom, peek into the bedroom, and even look out onto the balcony, calling her name softly. The unease settles deeper in my chest—where could she possibly be? The thought gnaws at me as I search, hoping for any sign of her presence.

I return to her room and glance at the laptop sitting on her desk. With a mix of curiosity and concern, I switch it on, my fingers instinctively typing in the password I memorized two months ago—her father's name. The screen lights up, and to my relief, it opens, revealing her desktop.

My eyes dart over the open tabs and documents, searching for clues about what's been going on. I see a couple of unread messages in her email and a few unfinished projects scattered across the screen. Each detail feels like a piece of a puzzle, and I can't help but wonder if they hold answers to where she is and why she seemed so hurried.

All the unread messages are from her boss. I open one seeing the title of 'leave' but before I can check it, my phone starts ringing. No not mine, it's her. Someone is calling her. 'Office' name is flashing on her screen. 

Why would her Office call her? Isn't she at work? I pick it up.

"Ms. Sanya?" I her a feminine voice from the other side and decide to answer.

"Hello?" I say in a calm tone.

"Hello? Who is this?" The woman asks and before I could answer she continues, "Is she continuing her leave?"

"Sanya is not at work?" I ask without answering her first question.

"No, she took leave for three days. It's been a week since she's been gone, and her boss is getting angry." The realization hits me hard, tightening my chest. She is not at work too. 

I need to find her before things escalate further. My mind races with possibilities, but I know I can't just stand here. I have to keep looking. Sejal can help but then my eyes land on the open email, the woman is still blabbering something but I ignore her. 

The email reveals the approval of her three days' leave, dated the same day Riddhima delivered her child. My heart sinks as I connect the dots—the day her mom left. Anxiety and panic grips my heart as I realize that Sanya is missing. Or was Kidnapped. From her apartment.

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Riddhima's POV:

I look at Sejal and Rehaan sitting in front of me. We were so happy after we fixed the date of her and Sunil's wedding but Vansh just called Rehaan to inform about Sanya being missing. How do we tell about this to Devika mom? He said he checked through everything. He is still on call.

"How is this possible, Vansh?" Sejal says to him. "Our apartment has the best security. Arjun and Aditya had made sure about that."

"She's not here—neither at home nor at work. The kitchen is a mess, and her closet door is wide open." His voice sounds muffled even when the call is on speaker. "Where is she? If not here?"

"Maybe she had already planned to come here?" Sejal says glancing down at my daughter, "After getting the news about Riddhima."

"It's been more than a week since she hasn't contacted us. She doesn't know about her." Rehaan says and bring out his laptop.

"She could be with boyfriend. Yeah, that's possible." Sejal says immediately as if that thought just crossed her mind.

No one says anything neither from Vansh's side nor from us. I glance up at Rehaan, who, like me, is watching intently. She has a boyfriend? But we didn't knew about that? She said she loves Vansh. Then?

"But, no. They broke up." I hear her say and exhale a breath.

"Boyfriend?" Vansh says in a low tone, barely audible in the silence of the room, "Where is he?"

"Oh." Sejal says as Rehaan mumbles something in ear—perhaps informing her about Vansh and Sanya. "His name is James Alexander Carter. He was our friend in college, but then she and he started dating. For two years, they were in a relationship but then he cheated on her. So, they broke up."

"Does Aditya and Arjun knew about this?" Rehaan asks, his tone filled with anger. At least they could have told about this to Bani bhabhi or me.

"No. No one did. Not even Devika aunty." Sejal says in a sheepish tone looking at me.

"Did you both knew anything about his background?" Rehaan asks clenching his jaw. Sejal shakes her head. I need to tell this to everyone Devika mom, Bhai and Arjun. Everyone. "He could have been anyone? With wrong intention and you both..."

"Rehaan..." I say pointing towards our sleeping daughter. He needs to calm down.

"Sejal, you have his address? Or Contact number?" I hear Vansh asks interrupting the whole scenario here. I can't believe my sister had a boyfriend we didn't knew about. 

"Yes. I'll send it to you." He just says 'yes' in agreement and Sejal is about to disconnect the call, when Rehaan takes the phone from her.

"Vansh. Go to his location directly and don't call him. Sejal will send his photo to you." He says throwing her a glare. I get where his concern is coming from. He considered her as a sister. "Wait for him outside. He would definitely come out. Until then, I'll ask Sunil to run a background check on him. Arjun and Devika mom will come there as soon as they can. We need to find her."

He moves out of the room with that and I put our baby in the cot. I need to tell about this to Devika mom—but she is sick. Everyone else should know about this too.

"Riddhima? I'm sorry. I didn't knew he was..." Sejal says coming near me and standing.

"Calm down. We need to find Sanya first."  I say and ask her to take care of the baby.

Moving out, I spot everyone at the hall. No one left for Chauhan's Mansion since I was still weak. The pain in my abdomen has subsided thanks to the medication, but there are so many other challenges I'm facing. It's hard to shake the exhaustion and the overwhelming emotions that come with new motherhood. I can't help but wish I were stronger, ready to embrace the chaos and joy waiting for me at home.

"Riddhima? What are you doing here?" Papa asks concerned, as soon as I come out. Rehaan immediately glances up at me. He was going to tell them.

"I'm fine, papa. I just need to tell everyone something." My brothers looks up at me. Devika mom, bhabhi everyone sees the concern etched on my face. Rehaan comes to me and holding my hand brings me to the couch.

"What is it, Riddhima?" I hear Devika mom ask as soon looks between me and Rehaan. 

"I'm but..." Before I can say, I heard Sunil's voice.

"Bhai, you called me." He says to Rehaan perhaps sensing our tensed mood. Sejal comes inside the hall.

"Get the image and address sent to him now, and then give me the phone." Rehaan orders her to do it. She takes the phone from him and does as told. "Sunil,I need you to find out this guy's background—his address, his parents—everything you can."

"Who are you talking about?" Aditya Bhai asks and we watch Sejal hand over the phone to Sunil, who looks just as confused as others. "What's going on?"

"Sanya is missing." I say and after a second hear a low gasp. I shouldn't have been this direct but there was no other way to say the thing.

"What do you mean by Sanya is missing?" I hear Devika mom ask as soon stands up in shock.

"Vansh told us. He went to check on her." I hear Rehaan's harsh tone and watch as Sunil starts typing on his laptop in rush, while sending glances at Sejal.

"Vansh went to check? on our sister why?" Aditya bhai asks and looks at three of us.

And we do, we explain them everything from the moment Sanya came to the moment she left. To Vansh coming back and going for her, to her missing. And result is as expected—they all are shocked, angry and worried. 

'I'm sorry, but keeping your promise just couldn't be more important than you.' I say to my inner conscience hoping that Vansh could find her before something happens.

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Sanya's POV:

Through the blood spilled beneath me, I glance up at James. He just came back from somewhere, looking at his hand I can say grocery. He rushes inside the kitchen. My breathe has turned shallow. 

I haven't eaten anything since last night and looking outside I'm sure it's already night. He won't bother giving me something to eat, but I can't lose hope.

"Baby, look what I got for you?" He says taking a seat in front of me. My instantly falls on the plate in his hand. "Are you hungry?" 

I can't say yes or no; both options feel impossible. I see the patterns of his past actions, and they haunt me, making it hard to trust what might happen next. He will hurt me.

"I know you are. See, it would be simple." As expected, he will offer the same deal. "I'll take off the tape, and you'll look into my eyes and tell me you love me. If you do, I'll let you eat and if you don't I'll do worst." 

I won't say those words to him. Not again, not ever. I'd choose anything over watching him revel in my submission. So, I remain quiet.

He removes the duct tape with the ropes tying my legs. But not the hand ones. "Say it, Baby."

"Nope, I won't. I hate you. You are crazy and a psychopath." That's it, as soon as I say those words. Within a flash, his hands grabs my throat and he starts to strangle me.

"I'm trying to be patient here by not touching you. Don't you get it?" He leans closer, his intensity palpable, and then he abruptly throws back the chair. 

It crashes to the ground, sending us both tumbling, him landing on top of me. My head hits the tiled floor hard. My ears flush with heat, and I struggle to breathe due to his hands grip on me, the pressure overwhelming.

"Baby, Just say it. Then I'll let you eat and will take you off this chair as well." Should I? Should I just end the pain? Even for a moment to escape? "Tell me you love me."

"I...don...t" I try to say no. I won't. I hadn't even said those words to Vansh. It won't be for him. Definitely not. I don't say it. Since, the grip never lessens. The ringing morphs to blur vision and then I stop hearing him.

The pain takes a grip over my body. Every place I'm bleeding hurts now—wrist, back, thighs, knees, head. Everything. But then that pain feels relieving. I start to feel relieved. From the past pain, heartache.

They say that when you're about to die, your life flashes before your eyes in an instant—and it does. Memories swirl around me, vivid and overwhelming. I can hear everyone's laughter, feel their words wrap around me like a warm embrace, reminding me of all the moments I cherished.

My family crosses my mind, my mom, Riddhima di, Bhai, Rehaan, there soon-to- be-coming child. I was so excited to meet him or her. But it's Vansh who makes me feel regretful. I never even got to say I love you to him. I never experienced the warmth of his love, the way it could have transformed everything. Now, it feels like a finality I can't escape, a longing that will remain unfulfilled.

At an instant the pain is gone. One moment, I was mourning and then nothing. I think I'm dead cause now nothing hurts and I feel at peace.

Then I feel a hand gently near my head, pulling me up softly. My vision blurs as I glance up at the familiar figure. Vansh. Oh, I'm definitely dead. I feel something wet land on me as I watch him in tears. He is crying for me. Why?

"Don't cry, please." I say trying to wipe the tears from his face but my hands are kept put. My whole body is.

He looks up at you, eyes filled with a mix of pain and vulnerability. "I'm sorry," he whispers, his voice trembling. "I'm late."

My eyes are drooping close again, so I say it what I need to before he disappears. The Vansh In My Paradise, "I love you, Vansh. More than anything."

"I love you too, My Soulmate." At least, the vansh in my paradise one finally gave me peace.

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Rehaan's POV:

I can't even muster up the thought that the girl I considered as my sister is missing. She is kidnapped. She is somewhere so far away from me.

I never had any siblings. The moment I met Sanya, Sejal and Bani. I started considering them as my sister. I still remember how every year she would ask Bani to tie Rakhi on my hand from her and Sejal's side. 

After completing her college, she had promised that next year she would be here to do it. I hand lands on my shoulder and I instantly know it's Riddhima. Everything that's happened in the past months, especially this past week, makes me question whether I can keep my wife and daughter safe.

"Rehaan?" Riddhima says in a calm down while running her hand in my hairs. Removing the hand from my face, I look up at her trying to force a smile. She just came out of the hardest face of her life, I can't make her tense with my rising insecurity. "I know you are tensed, but don't be baby. Vansh will get her safely."

I know that Sunil hacked into the code of that guy's place and Vansh had went inside. Arjun and Devika mom left by the earliest flight. Everything happened in past two hours but the think that grips my heart is how confident she sounds about him. As if she is sure that he will get her out of there.

I guess he will, but the way she forgave him a week ago. Even she let him approach her sister knowing his past acts makes me insecure. "Don't say like that Riddhima. It hurts." I hadn't meant to say the words but they escape.

"What hurts? What did I say that hurts?" She says and I pull her down on my thighs to feel her closer to me. 

"Nothing. It's just I'm worried..." I say trying to distract her.

"No Rehaan, you are hiding something. What is it? I feel like there's something you're not telling me. I've been picking up on it for a while now, and it makes me wonder if I'm missing something important." I hear her ask and look up at her. Am I just overthinking? May be cause there is no one not even my phone who can pick up on my bad thoughts.

"I know I had asked you this before too. But, are you sure you won't leave me?" I ask. I know I'm asking a direct question in different ways but I can start a conflict between us.

"Rehaan," She releases a breath, and I don't expect what happens next. Her lips brush against mine, slowly at first, sending a wave of surprise through me. It's soft and tentative, yet there's an undeniable intensity in the moment. I find myself leaning in, my heart racing as I surrender to the unexpected connection.

As the kiss deepens, the world around me fades away. Sneaking my hand around her, I pull her closer to my chest making one of her hands wrap around my neck and other weave through my hairs. My past thoughts vanishes and in that instant, nothing else matters—just the two of us, lost in a fragile, beautiful encounter. 

 I can taste the sweetness of her breath, feel the softness of her skin against mine. Just as I sense her about to pull away, I grab a handful of her hair, pulling her closer to me. I don't want this moment to end and my mind to fill with those same thoughts. 

Putting a hand on my chest, she frees herself from me and looks down at me with a flustered face and a small smile. I forgot that my daughter was sleeping in the same room.

"Now, did that feel like. I'm willing to leave you." She says and joining our forehead comes closer to me. "Rehaan, I love you and just you. I knew you are getting insecure with Vansh coming back and me forgiving him. But Rehaan, I can't just keeping going in my life with my past lingering behind me. For me, you and our daughter is our world."

"I was being dumb. But you sounded so confident about him that..." I trail but relaxes when she still runs her hands through my hair.

"No you weren't. I sounded confident because I know that even if it was you and it was me in Sanya's place, you would do anything to save me." I wouldn't have let her end up in that situation. "Your love fills me with strength, and that unwavering belief ignites my hope. I have seen that love in Vansh eyes for him and he himself has the right to move-on."

"Yup, you are right." I say and pull her on the bed with her over me.

"Now, Is there anything else that's weighing on my husband's heart, causing him to feel so tense?" She asks running an index finger on my face. "Oh my god, Rehaan you distracted me. We need to call Vansh and ask him about Sanya."

I can't pinpoint where that sudden reaction came from. As she pulls away, her eyes searching mine, she asks softly, "Did I distract you?" When did I ever do that? "It was you who kissed me," I reply, a smile tugging at my lips.

Pulling her phone she dial's him.

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Vansh's POV:

Twenty Minutes Ago:

I hastily enter the code Sunil sended me by hacking through the security system of the building. But, nothing is more important than Sanya. Absolutely Nothing. I noticed that fucker leaving the building an hour ago and followed him but he just went to a mall to grab grocery and came back. I wanted to follow him in but decided against it to avoid involving the police.

The door opens to a darkened hallway. I take a deep breath and rush into the living area, not stopping for a second. The sight before me grips my heart in a fist and starts to clench. My Sanya is covered by a blood on the floor while she still sitting on the chair while he is on top of her strangling her. 

I run toward her and grab him by the nape, throwing him away with all my strength. She coughs, staring blankly at the space where he stood. She looks weak, hurt—an overwhelming vulnerability in her eyes that tears at my heart.

It's the way she's staring blankly at the ceiling, as if lost in a world I can't reach, that sends a chill down my spine. This fucker is going to die by my hands, but first Sanya. I bend beside her and untie her. 

Pulling her closer to me, I watch her trying to open her eyes. Tears fills my eyes, seeing her hurt and bleeding all because of me being late.

"Don't cry, please." she says mumbling and looks at me.

"I'm sorry," I say my voice trembling, from hurt. "I'm late."

"I love you, Vansh. More than anything."

"I love you too, My Soulmate." I say not wasting a second to be late this time. And then with that she loses conscious. 

I don't waste a moment, as I tie that bastard to the chair, making sure he can't escape. Will deal with him later. The ropes are loose in haste but I know how to keep him lock her. Sunil will hack and change the code later. Sanya is more important.

Present Moment:

I didn't wait for an ambulance and immediately drove her to the nearest hospital in the rental car. The doctors are currently inside assessing her condition. Given the circumstances, this will likely become a police matter, and we'll need assistance with the Sanya's statement. 

Riddhima just called and I informed her everything. She told me that Sanya's mom left and is on her way, expecting to arrive by midnight or early tomorrow. I can't help but feel the weight of uncertainty hanging over us.

Doctor's comes out and asks for me. Reaching up to them with Riddhima still being on the call, and my heart sank when they said she's been placed in an induced coma. It feels surreal—one moment she was with me, and now I'm left grappling with the fear of what's to come. 

❝Aϝƚҽɾ Tԋɾҽҽ Dαყʂ❞

Sanya's POV:

I got out of the coma two days ago and as told by Rehaan I didn't gave the correct statement to the cops. Since then, I've been in a state of disbelief and confusion. I can't wrap my head around everything that's happened. It feels surreal, like I'm caught in a nightmare that I can't escape. The weight of it all is overwhelming, and I'm struggling to come to terms with the reality of the situation. It's like my mind is racing to piece everything together, but nothing makes sense right now.

Mom and Arjun Bhai came here for me. But the one person who hasn't left my side is Vansh. He is here and as said by everyone he is the one who saved me but I can't get rid of one thought.

'I love you too, My Soulmate.' His words still echo in my head.

Was what I thought a dream or reality? Was his words truly there or just a figment of my imagination?

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Hey guys so that's all for today . Hope you guys liked it.

Your writer,

Krisha💚