Aditya.

Dreamland is really nice.

We all are having a good time without worry now.

Shahid is still working on decrypting the datas and he's practically shut inside while Izzy is lighting up all of our lives.

Everyone warmed up to the little chatterbox and she's enjoying the attention.

Shweta is still trying her best, She visited Izzy twice with lots of gifts and chocolates and we are teasing her that she's trying to bribe shahid-who still don't sway at her attempts.

Then the most intelligent person in our group, Trisha is in a trance, It looks like she's a dumb one when it comes to feelings, Because everyone could see that she's in love with Arjun and she's the only one who's still overthinking things.

Karthik and my dear sister is still the same, Bickering and making up, but I can see that she's starting to care about karthik after what happened to his father.

And Varsha...

It's like I have never confessed to her at all and I could feel that she's always trying to push me away.

I will just wait for her to accept it.

It's been some days since our interrogation of Arjun and he had been busy after that, So it was a surprise when Karan visited.

"Boss wanted me to tell you to gather in the conference room" He told us. "He said he has something important to discuss, He cannot stay long, Abiram's men has started to tail him" Karan explained.

"Is something wrong?" Trisha asked.

"Boss is on his way, He said he will talk to you personally" Karan said, Ever the loyal PA.

Shortly after that, Anjali too visited us.

"Shyam needs to get some files from Arjun" She explained. "he said Arjun is coming today"

Trisha.

All of us including karan and Anjali were in Arjun's conference room while Arjun reached.

"I need to discuss a very important matter today" Arjun said and all of us listened.

"Narayan is suspicious about palace group helping ACP suresh kumar" He said "So they are investigating your Dad now, Karthik, He think your dad has some connection with palace group"

Karthik nodded.

"I was thinking about it, Eventually they will think that way"

"So it's a matter of time before your identity is revealed, Karthik" Aditya said. "What are we going to do now?"

"It's dangerous, Surya group already know your face, If they come to know that you are ACP suresh's son and a STO, They won't spare you" I said.

Shahid nodded. "Especially if there is a spy of narayan in the STO organisation, Karthik" Shahid said.

"But If they are investigating ACP suresh sir, They will know about his family, You will be exposed soon, Karthik" I said slowly.

"Yea, That's why I need to expose you, Karthik" Arjun said and everyone turned to him.

"Narayan is already aware that there's a spy in the office, He's already doubtful" Arjun said. "I need to make sure that he will never suspect me, It's the only way I can work inside until the very end" He added.

"Are you crazy, Arjun?" Anjali spoke up now. "How long are you planning to continue this? If you want to continue this, It's as good as asking for death!" She exclaimed. "we all know how ruthless Narayan and Abiram is, If you get exposed, You will be dead!" She said and my heart trembled.

I know what she said is true.

"But if he stop now, Then he will be dead too" Aditi pointed out the obvious. "Either way, He's too deep inside already" She added.

"How long are you planning to remain there?" Varsha asked him. "Do you think you can get away unscathed?" She asked and that question penetrated my heart.

Arjun smiled.

"I entered surya group when I was only 13 and managed to keep myself Alive" He said. "So no need to worry about my safety now" He said, His eyes briefly stopped on me. "All I want to know is your opinion in this matter, Karthik" He said.

"You are working for officer Ajith Roy sir who is my senior and mentor, Of course I am okay with this" He said and Arjun nodded.

"I understand what you said, But you do realise the consequences, Right?" Arjun asked. "If your identity is revealed, It's more dangerous than you think" He said "Because-"

"Because there is Narayan's spy in the STO organisation, They can do anything with me, I know" Karthik said and everyone stilled. "But as you said, It's a matter of time before narayan find about my identity, I would rather have it our way" He said.

Arjun nodded.

"Ajith sir has some idea about this spy, So he will try to expose him" Arjun said. "But He can only do that while the guy is on action"

"You mean to say..You want to put karthik as a means to lure him?" Aditya asked slowly. "But that's dangerous!"

"What's more dangerous is for a spy to continue in an organisation like us where we have complete power" Karthik said.

"Do you know that we can use our gun and still get away with that? If someone from Narayan's side is inside, It's really dangerous" He said.

Now I understand why Jacob sir was warning him about when they met at the car showroom, He had warned karthik well about continuing the project.

"Karthik!" I exclaimed. "You knew that it will come to this!? You still chose to do it!?" I asked.

"I knew it was one of the possibilities, It's not confirmed yet" He said. "Besides, think about it, All of us are in the same situation, We all are hanging by a fine thread"

"But you are practically asking for it" Aditi spoke up. "It was a bad idea, You should have returned instead of extending your leave"

Karthik looked straight at her.

"The people I care about is here, If I can't even protect them, What's the use of being a STO?"

"But it's like a suicide mission" Varsha said. "We are-"

"Guys!" Karthik look around. "It's one of the possibilities! Besides, If I don't stop this Spy now, He is going ro wipe out the entire Organisation, Which again, Puts myself and others in danger, either way, This was the least damaging thing I could do" He said like he wanted to end the conversation.

"I have never seen anyone like you" Anjali said. "Each one of you is crazier than the other, Do you know that?" She asked.

"I am thinking of working too, I can't simply sit here and watch-" I started.

"You cannot leave Dreamland now" Arjun said firmly. "I can't let you-"

"But-" I started.

"I will make it easier for you to collect informations instead" Arjun said. "You need to wait till the situation is clear" He said.

"What do you mean? How can she collect the informations without going out of here?" Shahid asked.

"I have already bugged the surya headquarters conference room" He said. "I will tell karan to make it available for you, So that you can know what's going on" He said. "I don't know if I can visit you often"

"You mean" Aditya said. "That you are not sure about what's going to happen from now onwards?" He said. "You can't even contact us?"

"So that's why you wanted to pass these documents to shyam? I heard you are being tailed by Abiram?" Anjali asked.

Arjun nodded.

"I can't take risks" He said. "Abiram is unusually sensitive now, Now that Sanjay is arrested, He has joined hands with Mahesh's private goon-Nakulan" He said and turned to us.

"When you first get started to get involved in surya group, It was a nuisance to my plans, But now, I think we make a great team, Working together with you will not be a bad idea after all" he said.

"We are not exactly working together now" I said. "Truth magazine is already destroyed-Thanks to someone who destroyed my source of informations- Anyway, You are the only one working against him now" I stopped.

Arjun looked at me.

"You still are holding a grudge against me, Sanju?" He said. "I told you that I will make it up to-"

"Leave that topic please" I said. "I won't forget that easily" I said. "Just tell us what's the next plan"

"Yea" Aditya said quickly, Trying to dissolve the angry air. "Varsha was planning to meet Palace group with her designs, So that she could start her company again" He said.

"Palace group is also planning to merge with latest" He said.

"Why?" Aditi asked now, "I did a brief study of this, Palace group is already well established firm, You have been launching your designs in the foreign market for a long time now, Why did you want to merge with Latest?" She asked, Everyone including varsha looked surprised at her statement. "Or Are you just trying to stop Surya group from getting their goal?" She asked.

"Whoa" Arjun looked at her. "Finally, Someone who knows about the business world" He smiled. "As for your question, It's true that I want to prevent Surya group from using Latest to reach outside-"

"Then-" Varsha started, But Arjun continued.

"But palace group Acknowledge Latest capability and admire their designs" He said. "You should as well know that I don't do charity work in business, Varsha, So Merging with latest have double the advantage for me" He said and varsha nodded slowly.

"But the situation is different now" Aditi said. "If you merge with her, Will your staffs work with her? Will she be treated differently?"

"What about the brand? can I keep my brand name with my designs?" Varsha asked eagerly. "frankly speaking, I don't care about how people treat me, Aditi, I will be happy as long as I can keep my dad's company alive" she said.

"I understand your concerns" Arjun said. "Every five years, There's an event to find out fresh creative designers-"

"I know, The fashion festival!" Varsha exclaimed. "I wanted to participate this time, My papa even agreed..." Varsha dragged off suddenly, Her excitement was gone and her face turned painful.

All of us felt her pain as the distressed look took over her face.

"Before..Before I was attacked, I..wanted to be acknowledged in my company and I was planning to participate" She said. "I was not very happy with the way my chief designer was hinting that I got in with my papa's connection" She added.

"That's good then" Arjun said. "It's a designer's festival, All the major fashion industries will be attending to recruit young designers, So will the palace group" He said and varsha nodded.

"I will try my best" She said and Everyone was relieved to hear it.

"Then I will leave today" Arjun said and All of us got up.

"I have something for you, Sanju" He told me and everyone turned to me.

"What!?" I asked, Feeling slightly embarrassed that He's still calling me that name, That too in front of my friends.

"Come on" He took hold of my hands and my eyes widened.

I turned to my friends, Sure enough, They were trying to hide their smiles!

"Arjun!" I hissed as soon as I was out with him. "How many times did I tell you! It's TRISHANA! T.R.I.S.H.A.N.A" I stressed each letter. "Stop calling me that nam-hey!" I exclaimed as I was pushed to the wall and he was standing in front of me.

What the heck happened! He was dragging me through the hallway! How come he closed the distanc-

"Sanjana" He looked into my eyes and I gulped. "Get used to it" He said "Because I would like to tell our children and grandchildren this story-"

"You! Arjun!" I tried to push him back. "Don't start with the nonsense again-" I stilled as I felt him closing the distance between us.

I was pressed to his frame and he leaned down slightly.

"My dear, You belong to me, Keep it clear" He said. "I already married you-"

"Without my knowledge!" I said. "Arjun..I..I am not even sure what I feel about-" I stopped again as I felt him wrapping his hands around me.

"I am trying to keep my distance from you because I need to go back now!" He said. "But don't provoke me too much Sanju" He warned and pecked me on the lips.

I shivered at the contact.

"Mm..." He raised up and watched my lips. "Now you will torture me all day long!" He said. "Raspberries huh?" He smiled and I turned red.

His phone beeped and he looked at the time.

"Argh..I need to go back, Come on" He started to move back, But I held his hand.

His eyebrows raised slightly, questioningly as I pointed to his lips.

"Lip..Lip gloss" I told him and he smiled.

"What!?" I said, now angry that he's teasing me.

"You are worried about your friends finding out that we kissed-"

"Wipe it!" I said.

"You do it for me"

"What! No!"

"Then let it stay there, I like raspberry-" He stopped as I grabbed his shirt and pulled him down to me in anger, But it had the opposite effect as his eyes turned dark and intense suddenly.

"Uh..don't misunderstand" I said as I raised up my thumb and wiped his left upper lip.

He was very obedient all the time and it made me nervous.

"Um..ok, you can ..go"

"Stay far away from me or I will cancel today's plans" He groaned while moving back.

"You sound like a caveman!"

"I don't feel ashamed to pursue what I need" He said as he took my hand and stared to walked again. "And you are my wife, So I have the rights" He said and I decided not to retort.

We stopped in front of a room in the second floor.

I don't come here much as Uncle has already informed me that his work related matters are dealt here.

Arjun pressed the password and it swung open.

"Come on" He guided me inside first before entering the room.

The light came on and I looked around in awe.

It was a workplace alright, But everything was so stylish and Sophisticated.

"Do you like it?" He asked me.

"Um..your workplace is quite impressive" I said "But I don't understand why you brought me here"

"This is our workplace, We will share it from now on" He said. "I have already redesigned it" He said and I looked around again.

I realised with shock that the settee, Chairs and other things were made for a couple.

"When the truth magazine is back on its feet, You can work here" He said. "I don't like you to stay in the office so late, This is safer and convenient" He said and I stared at him.

"I don't like other people to disturb me while i'm working" I said and he smiled.

"I know" He said and guided me again, Then stopped in front of the glass wall.

"This is your own space, Go on..open it" He said and I stayed there, Uneasy for some reason.

"Sanju?" He looked at me. "Open the door" He said again.

I turned to the glass door and opened it slowly, For some reason, My heart was beating too much.

Arjun moved forward and opened it wildly while I stepped inside.

I froze at the doorway as I looked around.

All the walls were covered with papercuts and flowcharts, Every inch of the room filled with informations.

My eyes blurred and I turned to Arjun who was watching me.

"You..You didn't..destroy it?" I stammered. "You..preserved everything in my secret room?" I asked him slowly.

I know that it will not be an easy task to do.

Arjun smiled and pulled me to him.

"I knew how important it was for you" He said. "I only wanted to prevent you from going to that meeting and save you from danger, Sanju" He said. "And the informations you had was invaluable, I was impressed" He added.

"How..How did you arrange it?" I asked, Looking around. "Most of the things are in the same way that was arranged by me, But some are different" I said.

"We were both following the same thing for years, Sanju" He said. "I had taken pictures of your room, But when I arranged, I made small changes that I thought will be useful to both of us" He said.

I nodded.

"T..Thank..you" I whispered, Now looking deep into his eyes. "Thank you..so much, Arjun" I said.

Arjun smiled and leaned down to my ear.

"You can thank me when I am back" He said and the tone and underlying meaning of it sent shivers down me. "Don't run away from me anymore" He added before getting back up.

"Arjun, Be safe, Take care of yourself, If you think the situation is dangerous, Don't do anything and stay put" I said. "I don't want to get back at Surya group at the expense of your life"

"Now, your wish is my command, Dear wife, Wait for me to come back" He hugged me gently.

I hugged him back and his phone started to ring.

"Karan!" Arjun said, Irritated "Sometimes I just want to knock him out"

I laughed and looked up at him.

"I pity him that he has to work for you" I said. "Go on, He will be worried about going to the company"

He kissed me on the forehead. "I love you, Sanjana" Arjun said. "Be good, Don't get in to trouble when I am away" He said. "Wait for me" He added again and I nodded.

As soon as he left, My gang started to "attack" me.

"He really know how to pursue you, Trisha!" Karthik chuckled, Looking around the room.

"I thought courting a girl means lots of flowers, Chocolates and jewels, But he took it to a whole new level" Aditya laughed.

"This would've taken a lot of time for him to build up, I like his persistence" Shahid said.

"I am dumbfounded guys!" Anjali was still looking shocked. "This is a whole new side of him!" She added. "Never in my wildest dream would have I thought of him capable of doing things like this for a girl!" She added. "And I have known him for a long time, Mind you"

"It was actually the other way around, Trisha" Aditi turned to me from the wall. "He was the one who was seducing you" She smiled pleasantly.

"I agree with you" Varsha said. "He followed you knowing everything about you, That's quite romantic" she said.

"Romantic! I feel like a complete idiot" I rolled my eyes. "I still want time to process all of this" I added and everyone just laughed at me.

"What!? I am serious guys!" I exclaimed.

"Trisha, He knew you from the very first time you asked to meet him, He knew that you don't like him, But that didn't stop him from pursuing you, It was not with your permission that he made you his girlfriend, He knew that you were deceiving him, And it was not with your permission that he took you to the party and announced that you are his fiancee, It was not with you permission he drugged you and It was not with your permission he kidnapped you to stop you from attending that meeting, It was not with your permission he rescued you from the ice factory and brought you here, And finally, It was not with your permission that he treated you like you are his wife!"He stopped while everyone was still processing the things that he just said. "Now, I don't think he will have a lot of patience if you ask him to wait again"

"Wow!" Karthik whistled. "That's a lot of things!"

That's right!

"He protected you all the time without you not even realising it, That's not easy" Shahid nodded.

"Even if he's serious and strict all the time, He's really different around you" Aditi said.

"That's right, His character towards you and others is totally different, He loves you" Varsha said.

"Alright, Let's drop the subject-"

"Sure" Karthik smiled. "What was that dialogue? Umm..yea! Arjun Surya Narayan, 28 years old, single and alone, I will seduce him! He need someone to-"

'Karthik, Shut up!" I shouted as everyone laughed at his imitation of my voice.

He wiggled his eyebrows.

"I have often warned you that your time will come dear" He said.

"That's right, We should have thought of this scenario when Trisha wanted to seduce him" Aditya laughed and he and Karthik gave high five.

"Shahid!" I turned to him and complained.

"Guys..stop it" He said dutifully, But his tone and the smile changed the whole thing.

What the heck! They all are laughing at me! Even Varsha and Aditi!

So They all accepted Arjun already!

Arjun.

"Sir, You look happy" karan said while we were driving back.

"I am happy" I nodded my head.

For the first time, Sanju didn't deny it when I addressed her as my wife.

"I hope everything will be okay in the conference today" Karan said.

I nodded.

"When Madam Trishana pointed that gun at us and escaped your apartment, I was really shocked, Then when I was captured, I understood it, The bond between them is strong, They will do anything to protect their friends" Karan said while driving.

"If it was not for their friendship, They would have been dead long before, Surya group would have killed them all by now"

Varsha.

Trisha was still looking in the mirror. The red color powder still pressed to her index finger.

Aditi and I looked at each other.

"Trisha?" I called her. "You wanted to get the sindoor and now you are frozen in front of the mirror"

"I...I..am scared" She whispered. "It's not easy for me.." She said.

"Do you love him?"

"Yes" She nodded. "I..I am in love with him"

"Do you trust him?" I asked again and she nodded her head.

"I know..that Arjun will risk his life for me" She said.

"Then what are you scared of?"

"I..never bothered about anything else before, I promised myself that I will get revenge, I promised myself that ..that I will never do anything that would make me weaker, Accepting a relationship means..Taking more responsibility"

"Trisha" I spoke up. "It's normal to get scared, But you guys love each other and want to be together, go ahead" I said. "I have never seen another person who's more responsible and clear headed than you, You deserve happiness"

Trisha nodded.

"The love I have for him is more than the fears I have, I will accept this relationship with all my heart" She said and brought the sindoor to the forehead and touched it.

She was still frozen in front of the mirror, Looking at her reflection.

"I..I am a married woman now" She whispered. "I am Arjun's wife" She added.

I hugged her from side.

"Congratulations Mrs. Arjun Rajnath" I said. "I wish you all the best" I said while Trisha wiped her eyes.

Aditi hugged her from the other side.

"I just want you to be happy" Aditi said. "And stop crying like a baby" Aditi teased her.

"I am..I am not crying" She wiped her eyes and shook us off.

"What about you two?" She turned to us. "What are you going to do?"

Aditi turned to me like she's been waiting for it.

"Do you really have no feelings for my brother?"  She asked. "He's not that bad, Varsha"

I smiled sadly.

"That's exactly it" I said. "He's too good for me, He deserves someone better" She added.

"The girl he want is you, Varsha" She said, "It was not your fault that..they attacked you, You are a victim for God's sake!"

"Aditya has taught me that each life is important, My life is invaluable too, I will never try to do something again, But I cannot be with him"

"Do you really not love him?" Trisha asked me.

"Anyone can love anyone, Trisha" I said. "I love him in my own way, Not everyone who loves each other end up being together" I said. "I am happy when he's happy and I wish only good things for him, I will always stand by him as a good friend, But that's the way I can love him"

"But that's not the way my brother want you to love him, He want you as a life partner and I don't see any reason why you should reject him when you actually have feelings for him" Aditi said.

"When everything is over, I hope that he will find someone good" I said firmly and both Trisha and Aditi stopped reasoning with me.

"What about Karthik and you?" Trisha asked Aditi now.

She just shrugged like she has expected it.

"When my family was wiped out, I promised myself that I won't get married or start a family" Aditi said.

"That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard" Trisha said.

"The more you get close to a person, the more you break when you lose them" Aditi explained. "The far away I am from committing to someone, the safer I am" She explained.

"You think relationships are going to hurt? Then why did you encourage me?" Trisha asked her.

She laughed at that.

"You are far more deep already, both Arjun and you already have feelings for each other"

"We could see the connection between you and karthik too" I said. "What about that?"

She was silent for a moment.

"Aditi?" Trisha called her.

"Karthik..He is...he's swaying me" Aditi said slowly. "I thought I was immune to emotions after I lost my family, But when I saw Karthik's dad covered in blood, I could actually feel his pain and suffering" Aditi Said.

I am shocked that Aditi is talking about her feelings openly, It's so unlike her.

It's true that the incident with Karthik's Dad has changed her.

"So, What are you saying, Aditi?" Trisha asked her.

"I don't want to start a relationship now, I don't want to get weaker, I need to hang on until the end" She said.

Trisha.

When I came out of the room, The guys were surprised to see the sindoor, But happy that I have finally came back to my "senses" -According to them.

So they all congratulated me.

"So have you told him yet?" Shahid asked me. "That you are finally ready to accept it?" He asked.

I shook my head.

"I don't want to distract him, I will tell him directly when he's back" I said.

"Well..I am glad that you are taking the right decision, Unlike some people
here" Aditya smiled.

"Now, I second that, Aditya" Karthik said.

I laughed at that.

Shahid nodded.

"If you love someone, I think you should express, No matter what's waiting for us, The time together will be the only thing that matters at the end" He nodded.

"I know" I nodded. "Thank you, Shahid" I said. "You did give me the courage to do this" I added.

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