Arjun.

It was 10:20 when I finally reached the dream land.

As soon as I reached home, Sanju came running out.

"How's suresh sir? Is he ok? Is he hurt?" She started asking me.

I turned to Shyam and Anjaly who were waiting for me to reach.

"um..sorry, You didn't come and we couldn't make her stay away from the news channels" Shyam explained. "she was worried sick"

"Doctor said he will be okay" I said.

"Arjun! I need to go back, Now" Sanju said.

"This is exactly why I wanted to keep it from you" I said and stepped inside.

"We will leave then"

So I waited until Shyam and Anjaly drive back.

"How is karthik?" She asked. "What about-"

"Everyone is okay now, Sanju" I said "Everything is taken care of already"

"I really need to-"

"no, I can't send you back" I said and turned to her, Then noticed her expression.

She looked tensed.

"sanju?"

"They will need me, I need to go-" She was cut off when I wrapped my hands around her.

"it's ok" I said gently. "Everyone is out of danger" I said. "The person who needs you the most is me, Sanjana, I need you more than your friends"

She stiffened slightly and I wrapped her in my hand more tightly.

"My friends will be tensed, They will need me-"

"What about me then?" I turned to her and asked a little more seriously.

"Wha...what?"

"What about me then? Your friends have each other, I don't have anyone" I said.

"Arjun, You are the heir of-"

"what difference does it make?" I asked back. "I promised myself that I will restore my dad's reputation and his hard work back, I can't leave palace group, All the people working there will be-"

"I am not asking you to give up your father's business!" She exclaimed. "I'm just telling you that we are way too different, We belong in two different worlds" She added.

"I don't understand why we cannot be together" I said. "Anything is possible if you put your mind to it, since we are already married-"

"Not this again, Arjun, please, Karthik and others will be very tensed now" she said

"You really want to go?" I asked her slowly.

"you brought me here without my permission, Arjun, It's time I go back to where I belong"

You belong to me...I will never let you compromise your safety again.

But I didn't say anything as I didn't want to scare her anymore.

"okay, I won't force you anymore" I said. "I will let you go once I see that it's safe" I said. "But not now" I added.

"you can't stop me" She looked angry.

"Sanju, Karthik's dad is attacked just now and I don't know how much time it will take for his Identity to get exposed, I don't want you to be there when that happens, It's not safe, So I have no choice but stop you"

"Then what about my friends? They are also in trouble,They are also-"

"I will try to help them" I said and touched her eyebrows and smoothened it slightly.

"I know you have a lot of questions to ask me, But can you give me until tomorrow?" I looked at her, "I promise that I will answer all of your questions tomorrow" I said.

"Just answer me two things" She stared straightback."Did SI Thomas really die today?" She asked and I nodded.

"I think he got what he deserved" I said coldly. "He was killed by narayan" I said. "What's the next thing you want to know?"

"priyanka" She said. "I saw in the news that Sanjay was arrested for attempted murder of one witness" She said. "Priyamka was moved away a long time before and I knew there were only two officers taking watch there, How come sanjay got trapped?" She asked.

"The nurse Abiram planted near Priyanka was actually hired by me, She mislead Abiram to believe that Priyanka was going to complain against him for kidnapping Shahid's daughter and hurting her, So he just tried to get rid of her when the situation was right and it backfired on him" I said.

"So you set that trap for him?" She asked me and I nodded.

"I still have a lot of things I need to ask you"

"Give me until tomorrow" He said. "You are still recovering from your fever, Take rest now" I said firmly.

"Arjun, I..I can't stay here..I will leave soon, You have to try and understand me too" She said.

I didn't answer her, I know I can't answer that, But it hurted me strangely.

"I understand your worries, We will discuss it another time" I said slowly. "Have you had your dinner?" I asked her.

She nodded. "Uncle made sure of that before he left" She said.

I nodded. "Then go to sleep early, You were not well yesterday" I said.

"what about you?" She looked at me.

"I have an emergency meeting now" I said and she looked at me.

"I..I..am not normally.
Worried, But I..haven't gotten used to living here-"

I smiled.

"I am not leaving you alone here, I have a meeting room here" I said.

Trisha.

I stared at him.

"You..You have a meeting here at dreamland?" I asked him again.

He nodded. "A meeting with palace group directors" I told her. "We use my meeting room when it's urgent" he said.

I nodded slowly.

"There's a different staircase from outside to the meeting room, Don't worry, No one will be inside the house" He said and I nodded again.

"come on, I will stay with you while-"

"no! I am not that...scared, I will go to sleep myself" I told him quickly, now feeling embarrassed that he's treating me like a baby.

He looked at me and I didn't back down.

"very well.." He still looked doubtful. "I will listen to you then" He said and I nodded.

So I walked to the guest room and went to bed.

Soon, I heard cars coming and I was restless.

At about 12 o'clock, I walked to the hall and moved the curtain.

There were five or six luxurious cars in the front yard and I watched as men in suits were walking towards the house.

I recognised the CEO gangadhar of palace group and I closed the window.

I vaguely remembered meeting him at the party.

So it was indeed him!

I heard that he's difficult to get along with, But Arjun can order them around and controls them, He's the chairman of palace group.

My heart started to beat painfully.

I am right, Arjun is the heir of palace group while I am an ordinary middle class working woman.

It doesn't matter that we are attracted to each other, we can't be together.

I am not discriminating our relationship on financial worth, It just is an addition to the list of reasons why we can't be together.

We belong in different worlds.

Arjun.

"You guessed right" Shyam said. "Abiram sent his killer after priyanka and got caught by our officers"

"That guy is still not opening his mouth" Another director said.

"He was hired by Abiram surya narayan and He thinks surya group will protect him" I said

"I will tell them to torture him and get a confession" CEO gangather said. "If he confessed, It will be a big blow to surya group" he added.

"Don't touch him" I said slowly. "Not yet"

"What are you planning?" Shyam asked me.

"The guy think Abiram will save him, Soon he will realise that Abiram have turned his back on him" I said. "Do let him know about SI Thomas mathew's death too" I said. "Then we will give him a chance, A desperate betrayed man will do anything to get out of the crisis" I said coldly. "I will use him to backstab his master" I added.

Silence filled the room.

"That's indeed a good strategy" my MD said.

"President, Surya narayan is trying to talk to you too, He is desperate now"

I laughed at that.

"That greedy old man is really stuck this time, But he can't still let go of latest" I said "Fine, I will give him what he want then"

"But sir-"

"There is an international Designer festival coming, spread word that the president of Palace group will be attending" I said.

"You really are attendimg sir?" Gangadher asked me.

"Let's decide after what narayan is planning to do" I said. "I am not going to expose myself, Not yet, I need a little more time for that"

"Everyone is already curious about you, All of our shareholders wants to meet you, sir"

"It will not take too long for me to come out now" I said.

The outside world thinks that the chairman of palace group is an old man who lives abroad, I myself have made the rumours spread and nobody doubted it as the chairman never turned up for any meetings or functions all this time.

I made sure that I am well hidden and carried out my orders through the ceo-Gangadhar and other few trusted directors through meetings like today.

Everything was planned meticulously and I never wanted to expose it before I destroy the surya corporation fully, But the situation has changed now and I'm no longer enjoying this.

What I want more is to take my rightful identity and protect the people I love.

"sir, If we rush like this, Narayan will start to suspect something" He said.

"I know" I said. "That's Why I am not planning to prolong this game anymore, It's time I take back what's mine and settle surya group for once and all" I said and they all looked surprised.

Sanju's face kept appearing in my mind and I somehow end the meeting and dismissed everyone.

"That's all for today, Rest of the things we will discuss during the video conference"

I raised up and everyone looked surprised.

It looks like they all were prepared for a all nighter like usual.

"I need to take care of my family" I said. "We will stop today"

Everyone looked frozen now.

Shyam's eyebrows raised up, looking half mocking, Half surprised.

So fibe minutes later, After shaking off an "irritaing" Shyam and making sure that everyone has left , I reached back at home.

Sanju is not in her room!

I walked back and stilled when I saw her on the living room settee, fast asleep.

Trisha.

I opened my eyes slowly and stared straight to the sleeping face of Arjun.

I blinked and opened my eyes again, Arjun was sleeping on the identical settee just opposite to mine, It looks like he was watching over me.

I got up slowly and I noticed the soft white pillow and the blanket that covered me.

Warmth filled me as I watched him.

I have had this thought a hundred times after meeting Arjun-That it would have been good if we met at different situation, If our identities were not this..

Arjun looked tired and I could see the faint dark circles around his eyes.

There's No wonder there, He's a workaholic.

He is the president of palace group and he also have to play the role of Arjun surya narayan..It will not be easy to live a double life like this.

Even though I had been chasing surya group after my dad's death, I opposed them openly and did every single thing to make things difficult for them.

But Arjun had to live with them instead, Suppressing his anger and hatred, A much more difficult thing to do than facing them squarely.

"M'n.g" Arjun muttered and I looked at him.

"Did I wake you?" I asked. "Sorry..I didn't-"

"Relax" He said as he sat up "I am a light sleeper" He said and raised my eyebrows.

"you were sleeping so deeply yesterday"

He nodded. "It happens once in awhile....when I am very tired and sleep deprived" He said and I nodded.

"you should have gone to the room and sleep properly there"

"I am supposed to share a room with my wife" He shrugged.

"Arjun!" I exclaimed, He's Starting With the stupid marriage thing again!

He chuckled.

"you are cute when you are all worked up like this" He winked and I closed my eyes.

"I will freshen up and come" I walked to the bedroom.

"I have a surprise for you" He called after me.

"Yea..yea..sure" I said off handedly.

Why can't he just understand that I am in no mood for fun or surprises today!

When I freshened up and came, Arjun was already in the kitchen, Working steadily and confidently.

I seated myself in the high stool near the counter.

"Whoa! You really are fast" I said. "But I don't think we can finish all of these!"

He just smiled.

Uh..why's my heart jumping like this!

It's Just a smile! Nothing else!

I blinked and looked away.

"um..let me help you" I said and moved to the other side of the counter.

"Open the refrigerator and take me the vegetable bowl" He said and I did so.

"Now look after this, Don't burn it" He said.

So I started working as his assistant.

"You really are a good cook" I said.

"I hated cooking but I forced myself to do it" He said and I looked at him strangely.

"I had had an accident before, I don't like anything to do with fire"

"Then why did you force yourself to do it?"

"To get stronger" he shrugged. "To get over my phobia, I push myself do it" he said.

"Did you get over your phobia then? I asked him and he looked at me for a second.

"I think I am improving" He muttered. "I started cooking right" he said, Now looking embarrassed.

Whoa! So Arjun has his weakness too, This is the first time I am seeing his weakness!

"I think it's great that you are still trying to get over your weakness" I smiled reassuringly. "Getting over your phobia is not a simple thing" I nodded.

"Is that why you are still hiding yourself inside the disguise while reporting?"

I was surprised at that.

"How..how do you know!?" I looked at him shocked. "I mean..no one knows it"

"I think I have been following you for a long time now" He said.

Silence filled the room for a moment.

"You are right" I said slowly. "My dad was a famous reporter and it was my dream to be one from my childhood itself, But along with the desire, There was the stress too, I think I was scared of being compared to him, I wanted to do my best, But that was also my phobia"

"it must've been stressful in the childhood"

I nodded my head.

"It was, I even messed up my first Reports, Then my dad came to me and told me the secret behind reporting, It doesn't matter who you are, All you have to do is to send the message you wish to convey to the second party clearly, It's The only way for the victims to survive" I said. "Nothing matters as long as you help them get their rights" I said.

"He sounds like a cool dad"

"He was" I smiled. "I was nervous and it was him who finally gifted me my first set of glasses to hide my identity, It worked well" I smiled. "People didn't see me as the daughter of famous reporter, They saw me as a real reporter and I was so happy" I smiled and caught Arjun looking at me intensely.

"um..Where you close to your dad?" I asked him back.

"Mm..I guess, He was busy most of the time" He said. "I was more to close to my mom" He said. "She loved cooking, Renuka and I used to help mom in the kitchen.." He said. "That's one of the reasons I started to cook"

Silence filled the room.

"I am sure that she was a great cook then" I said.

"She was" He smiled. "She invented a lot of dishes just to make me and Renu take vegetables" He said. "We helped her and it was fun" he stopped and look at me. "Just like we are together here, Isn't it great to do the normal things with the person close to you?" He asked and I stilled.

"I guess" I said and moved away quickly, Trying to ignore my heart.

So after a good fifteen minutes later, Arjun and I started to prepare the table.

"it's a banquet!" I exclaimed. "Is Shyam and Anjaly coming too?" I asked him as he started to put the plates.

"I told you that I have a surprise for you" He said.

"what's it?" I turned to him.

"It will not be a surprise if I tell you-" He stopped as the bell rang.

"let me get the door" He said as I continued arranging the table.

"Trisha!" I was shocked at the familiar sound and turned around.

"Varsha!" I dropped the spoon and ran to her.

Arjun.

I watched her as she hugged her friend, Varsha Abraham.

Then came the guys, Dr.Aditya and Shahid khan, Both of whom hugged her too, looking relieved to find that she's safe.

I wanted to roll my eyes at the dramatic reunion but held it in.

I especially was annoyed that she could hug her guy friends so freely while she was careful not come close to me all morning, Even while we were preparing food, She was careful to keep a distance from me.

"I missed you so much.." She wiped her eyes and got up.

One would think that I was going to kill her!

"We were scared too" Varsha said "Thank God, You are fine" She said.

"To be truthful, It was so peaceful without you" Dr.Aditya said and she glared at him.

"Yea right!" Varsha said. "They were planning to trespass to narayan's headquarters!" Varsha said.

"She started crying from the day you went missing, Trisha" Shahid added and it was her turn to glare at shahid now.

They looked totally unaware of me, I cleared my throat slightly and they turned to me.

Finally...

"so what did you decide?" I asked them.

"We..er..don't doubt you anymore" Dr.Aditya said. "I already called the others, They will bring Karan here too" He said.

I nodded, satisfied. "please be seated then, We were going to have breakfast" I invited them.

They all looked uneasy now.

"come on, I cooked it especially for you guys!" Sanju told them cheerfully and I raised my eyebrows at her.

"uh..I mean..um..Arjun did the cooking but I helped him!" She said, Unaware of the impact it brought around.

Her friends looked shocked and I could understand it well-She literally told them that we made breakfast together and Sanju was totally ignorant about the double meaning that her statement made.

I hide my smile as I watched her dragging her friends to the table, Seating them.

Varsha.

Everyone sat around the breakfast table and I watched Trisha, She looked really happy to see us all.

I turned to Arjun next, He was still giving Trisha "that" look, He looked as if he's very fond of her.

Trisha was talking with Aditya and Shahid nonstop and my eyes zeroed on her hand.

"what's this?" I asked her as I touched the ring on her ring finger.

She's someone who doesn't use any kind of accessories.

She looked startled at my question, She turned slightly away from Arjun and her face flushed.

Aditya and shahid looked at us doubtfully.

I looked at Trisha, Unable to confirm my theory, Then turned to Arjun and noticed the way he was watching her, Almost like he was listening to what she's going to say, And back to Trisha, Now confirming my theory.

"it's..It's..A promise ring" She said, Giving Arjun a pleading look.

"A promise ring? What for?" Aditya asked and shahid nodded.

"um..Safety, You know, I..I stayed here so...this ring has some..sort of protection for my safety..you know.." She stammered.

Arjun.

She was trying hard to explain, So I decided to help her, Sooner or later, Her friends have to know anyway.

"That's my ring" I said easily.

"That's-" I stopped as I felt her hand on thigh and I was surprised that she didn't even seem to be aware of it as she was pleading with me with her eyes.

I moved my left hand down the table and placed it on top of her hand, Still above my leg.

She looked startled and tried to move back, But I held it in place.

"why's your ring with her?" Shahid asked.

"It's true that guys are the dumbest creatures God created" Varsha muttered.

"your guests are here, Arjun?" Uncle Ravi walked to us and Dr.Aditya and Shahid looked even more troubled now.

"oh..hi..um..uncle..How have you been.." Dr.Aditya stammered a greeting and I remembered the last encounter they had with uncle at my house in the town.

They had attacked karan and kidnapped him while warning uncle at gunpoint.

They would never have expected to meet him here.

"I am fine" Uncle answered him sympathetically, It look like he took pity on Dr.Aditya's situation.

"Here drink"

Uncle poured the tea into his cup and They looked even more awkward.

"um..Thank you" He managed and took a sip of his drink, Then looked around the house.

"Is it your house? Are you staying here alone?" He looked keen on changing the topic.

"yea...This is my family house" I said. "But I am not planning to stay here alone anymore-" I stopped again as Sanju squeezed my hand.

"you are planning to bring someone here?" It was from Varsha, She asked rather challengingly.

I already have someone special here with me..

I wanted to tell her that, But I didn't want to put Sanju in a difficult spot, I will let her tell her friends about us.

"Enjoy your food" I told them. "uncle Ravi, others will reach now"

"I will prepare their breakfast now" He said and walked to the kitchen.

Sanju  finally looked relieved, Varsha was still giving us that confused look and shahid and Dr.Aditya was totally unaware of the situation.

Aditya and shahid started to ask me questions and I tried to answer them as best as I could.

"I will be in my study" I said once I was finished with breakfast, "Tell me once everyone has reached, we will have a discussion then" I said and they nodded.

"I will see you, Sanju" I told her and she nodded quickly, eager to dismiss me while Dr.Aditya and shahid khan looked at me, Noticing something off for the first time.

Trisha.

I released the breath I didn't know I was holding as Arjun walked inside.

As soon as he was gone, Everyone turned to me, Firing question after question at me.

"He don't talk much?"

"you said he was easy and friendly, But he looked quite the opposite"

"I will be see you sanju? Why do I feel that there was something in that sentence? No,Scratch that, why is he calling you that name? He already know your identity now"

I watched all the three of them with wide eyes, My mouth slightly open at their sudden attack.

"He don't look so friendly"

"Did he hurt you?"

The next round begin.

"what's this nonsense about promise ring-"

"guys! STOP!"

I said, Then looked at them.

"No, Arjun didn't hurt me, He actually saved me from the ice factory" I said.

"Ice factory!?"

"what the-"

"Guys! Let me talk first" I interrupted again.

"He is..um..not used to a lot of people or friends, But he's not that bad" I said and they stared at me.

"uh..I mean..I know I sound really weird now, So don't read too much to it" I said again.

"The ring, what about it?"varsha asked.

"He.. He said that it's the..er..engagement ring" I said and complete silence took over.

If I had used the wedding ring instead, I couldn't even imagine what their reaction would be.

"Engagement ring?..you mean you are engaged to him!?"

"What's going on?"

"what's his real identity? He knew all about us"

"How's he connected to the palace group? This is dreamland, A property of Palace group and he said it's his family house, What's going on?" Aditya asked.

"Yesterday a group of his body guards helped us, They were so powerful that they didn't even allow the police officers to come inside, They waited until the trustworthy officers were there and allowed us to slipout of there unnoticed" Shahid said.

"Uncle Prakash said that Sanjay was arrested from the hospital with the help of officers who were loyal to palace group" Varsha said.

They don't know who he really is!

"He is-" I stopped as I heard another car.

"The others are here" Shahid said and we moved to the door.

Karan came inside first.

His shirt was all torn and the wound on his lips was starting to heal.

He paused as he noted me.

He nodded his head.

"karan" I said in acknowledgement.

Then came karthik.

"Karthik!" I ran to him and took his hand.

"I am..I am so sorry about your father" I said and he smiled.

"He is okay, Trisha, Uncle prakash is providing the best treatment for him, He said that my dad will be okay" he said. "what about you? How are you?" He asked me.

"I am okay" I said

"Trisha" Aditi came inside and to my surprise, hugged me tightly, Her eyes were filled and she looked slightly different.

"Don't worry, She's been a crybaby since a couple of days" Karthik said, Trying to turn the situation lighter.

Aditi got up, wiped her eyes and glared at him for a moment.

I smiled and turned.

"Shweta!" I exclaimed, I was not expecting to see her and she smiled at me.

"I am glad that you are safe, Trisha" she said.

"Trichechi!" I heard a squeal and a tug at my hand and looked to see Izzy, She pulled me down by the hand and I lowered to her.

"Did the bad uncles kidnap you too?" She asked. "Everyone was worried" She said and kissed my cheek.

I laughed and kissed her back.

"who told you that, Izzy?" Shahid asked her, puzzled.

"I know it" She said matter of factly. "Everyone was waiting for Trichechi" She added.

"so everyone is here?" Arjun said from the stairs and all of us turned to him.

He was in his executive dress, Minus the blazer, His sleeves folded up to half of the forearms.

"hey Izzy" He greeted her next and Izzy was looking back at him, Looking surprised.

"Is it you who took my Trichechi, Uncle?" She demanded in her small voice.

"Do you still remember me?" He asked back, reaching the foot of stairs.

She nodded her head. "yes" She said. "You told the bad uncle to give me food" She said.

"You said you will bring my daddy if I eat the food" She said and everyone was stunned for a moment. "But you were lying uncle" She added.

Arjun had met Izzy when she was kidnapped from priyanka?

"I was not lying" He told her gently. "You found your daddy, right" He smiled, then turned to shweta, Who looked murderous.

"Hello shweta" He greeted her and her face turned sour.

"Do you know why I'm here?" She said. "I will expose you today-"

"we will talk from the meeting room, Everyone, This way" He said. "Uncle, Show Izzy our game room" He added.

"wow! Game room!" She was excited and followed uncle Ravi.

So five minutes later, All of us gathered in the meeting room.

“Who are you really?” Shahid asked as soon as everyone was seated. "How are you related to palace group?"

"How come you have a house at dreamland?"

"Why are you helping us?"

And so the interrogation started, Arjun waited until all of us settled down again.

“I am just like you, Someone who lost everything because of surya group” He answered simply.

“But you are one of them-You are a Surya narayan” Aditi said.

“I am not his son” He said and a shocked silence filled the room. "I am sidharth Rajnath, Son of the ex-chairman of palace group" He said.

A stunned silence filled the room while everyone looked shocked, Apparently trying to digest this new information.

"I am also the current president of palace group" He added.

Everyone stared at him now, looking speechless.

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