Recap: Manasi finds someone to trap Sanjana

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Late at night, Manasi picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Daniel, I've sent you a mobile number," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Contact that person. She'll tell you what needs to be done next. Remember, use a new number to call her, and make sure it's completely confidential."

Daniel hesitated for a moment. "Who is this person?"

"You'll find out when you talk to her," Manasi replied cryptically.

"Alright, I'll take care of it."

Later that night, Daniel called the mysterious contact. The woman on the other end gave him precise instructions for the plan but never revealed her identity. He listened carefully, making mental notes, aware of the secrecy surrounding the operation.

The next morning, Sanjana got dressed and walked into the dining room for breakfast. Her face radiated happiness, something Aryan couldn't ignore. He observed her for a moment before sliding a credit card across the table toward her.

"Take this card. Use it for whatever you need," he said, his tone casual but authoritative.

She hesitated, unsure whether to accept it.

Aryan's expression hardened. "If you don't take the card, you'd better stay home."

Sanjana sighed and grabbed the card from his hand.

"Call me if you run into any problems," he added, sipping his coffee.

Sanjana smirked. "You are my problem. If you stayed home, I'd be safe for sure."

Aryan chuckled. "Darling, you talk too much."

Before she could fire back, her phone rang. It was Pavi. Sanjana answered the call, exchanged a few words, and soon left the house to meet her friend at the mall.

When she arrived, Pavi was already waiting for her at the entrance.

"Hi, Sanju!" Pavi greeted her excitedly.

"Hi, Pavi!"

"So, the plan is simple. Shopping first, then lunch, and finally a movie. Deal?"

Sanjana smiled. "Hmm... okay."

They wandered around the mall for a while, picking out dresses and accessories. After their shopping spree, they made their way to the pizza corner and settled down, eager to satisfy their hunger.

As they waited for their order, Pavi leaned in excitedly. "Sanju, I had a dream last night."

Sanjana raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What was it about?"

"A very handsome man hugged me and kissed my forehead," Pavi said, sighing dreamily.

Sanjana chuckled. "Just a forehead kiss, and you're this excited?"

Pavi huffed. "Hey! Do you even know the meaning of a forehead kiss?"

Sanjana rolled her eyes. "And what exactly does it mean?"

"A man kisses a woman's forehead only when he truly means to be with her through thick and thin. It's his silent way of saying she belongs to him and no one else. For the girl, it means she's safe with him, that he'll protect her at any cost."

Sanjana's smile faded as her mind drifted back to Aryan—the countless times he had kissed her forehead.

Was he really protecting me all this time? she wondered. Why does she have to mess with my mind like this?

Lost in thought, she barely noticed when their food arrived. They ate in comfortable silence before heading to the theater for their movie. During the interval, they bought some popcorn and enjoyed their time together. After the movie ended, they stepped out of the theater.

"Wow, I had such an amazing time today!" Pavi exclaimed, stretching her arms.

Sanjana smiled. "Yeah, me too. Thanks for making the plan."

Pavi gasped dramatically. "You better not thank me, or I won't make any plans in the future."

Sanjana laughed. "Fine, I take it back."

"That's more like it!" Pavi grinned. "Alright, I'll see you on Monday at the office. Call me once you reach home."

"Hmmm... okay."

Sanjana got into her car and instructed the driver to take her home. She leaned back, letting exhaustion take over. But after about thirty minutes, she noticed something unusual. The route was unfamiliar.

She frowned. "Driver, why are you taking a different route?"

There was no response.

Her heartbeat quickened. "Driver, I'm asking you something! Why is the route different?"

The car came to a sudden halt in a dark, deserted area. Before she could react, two men flung the doors open from either side. One of them clamped a cloth over her mouth while the other grabbed her arms, preventing her from struggling.

Panic surged through her as she twisted and fought against them, but the scent on the cloth was overpowering. Her vision blurred as dizziness took over.

Just before everything went dark, she saw the driver turn around. He wasn't her usual driver.

Fear clawed at her chest, but before she lost consciousness completely, a blinding light flooded the area from behind their car. A vehicle was approaching fast.

The car sped through the dark, deserted road, its tires screeching against the asphalt. Sanjana struggled, her muffled screams lost behind the cloth pressed tightly against her mouth. Her heart pounded in her chest as she realized she had no escape. The driver, an unfamiliar man, remained silent, his grip on the steering wheel firm, ignoring her pleas.

Just as her hope began to wane, bright headlights flashed in the rearview mirror, rapidly approaching. The sound of an engine roaring filled the air. The car chasing them overtook and came to a screeching halt, blocking their path. Panic spread among the kidnappers. The driver cursed under his breath and slammed on the brakes.

Two men stepped out of the car in front, their silhouettes cutting through the night. Sanjana's wide eyes filled with disbelief as she recognized them, Aryan and Ranjith.

"Hey! Who the hell are you? Get lost before I kill you both!" the driver barked, reaching for something inside his jacket.

The two men holding Sanjana flung the car doors open, ready to fight. But before they could make a move, Ranjith pulled out a gun and fired, two precise shots. The men collapsed instantly.

Aryan wasted no time. He stormed towards the driver's side, yanking the door open. Before the man could react, Aryan grabbed him by the collar and landed a powerful punch straight to his face. The driver groaned in pain, blood trickling from his lip.

"Do you want to know why I'm letting you live?" Aryan's voice was deadly calm, his dark eyes burning with fury.

The driver coughed, shaking his head. "I..I don't know."

Aryan leaned in, his grip tightening. "Go back and tell the man who sent you that if he dares to come near her again, I will not hesitate to kill him." His voice was low, dangerous. "Do you understand?"

A harsh slap landed across the man's face, marking it with Aryan's fingers. The driver stumbled back, nodding frantically before scrambling away.

Sanjana sat frozen in the backseat, her body trembling. Aryan turned to her, his expression softening. He climbed into the car and quickly untied her hands, pulling the cloth away from her mouth.

She gasped for air, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Without hesitation, Aryan wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He rubbed her back gently, whispering, "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here. You're safe now."

The warmth of his embrace melted her fear. As he pulled back, his hands cupped her face, and he pressed a lingering kiss on her forehead. It was different this time. For the first time, she truly felt the meaning behind a forehead kiss. Pavi's words echoed in her mind.....'A man kisses a woman's forehead only if he intends to protect her, to claim her as his one and only.'

Sanjana's heart skipped a beat. Was Aryan truly the one who would always protect her?

"Come, let's go home," he said, taking her hand.

She followed him silently, her thoughts still swirling. Ranjith approached them.

"Ranjith, get Sanjana's car home," Aryan instructed.

"Yes, sir," Ranjith nodded and took the keys.

Aryan led Sanjana to his car. She settled into the passenger seat while he got behind the wheel and started driving. The silence in the car was heavy.

"Are you okay?" Aryan finally asked, glancing at her.

She nodded. "Hmm."

"Good."

Sanjana hesitated before asking, "Who were they? How did you know?"

Aryan's jaw tightened. "They were sent by your uncle. As of now, don't overthink this. I will take care of everything."

She gasped in shock. Her own uncle had tried to harm her? She turned away, staring out the window, trying to process everything.

When they reached home, she hurried to her room to refresh. Aryan sat in the living room, his expression unreadable. His mind was consumed with the memory of the first time he had seen Sanjana this terrified.

Flashback:

The hospital corridors smelled of antiseptic. The beeping of machines and the hushed whispers of doctors filled the air. Aryan stood beside the hospital bed where Sanjana's father, Mr. Krishnan, lay, his body battered from the accident. The doctors had done their best, but they all knew the truth..he wouldn't survive.

Krishnan's weak, trembling hand reached out to Aryan. "Son... I know I don't have much time. But my only worry... is my daughter. Pradeep... he won't let her live in peace."

Aryan's fists clenched. He had always despised Pradeep.

"I believe in you, Aryan," Krishnan continued. "Promise me... promise me you'll protect her. Don't leave her alone."

Aryan's throat tightened. "I promise, sir. She will be my responsibility. No matter what happens, I will never leave her. She will be my everything."

A faint smile touched Krishnan's lips before his eyes closed forever.

Aryan clenched his jaw, swallowing the ache in his chest. He walked out of the room and instructed Ranjith, "Clear all formalities and ensure Sanjana doesn't suffer because of any legal issues regarding Krishnan's accident."

"Yes, sir," Ranjith nodded.

"Tell Keerthy to take care of Sanjana. Lock up her uncle until she recovers."

By the time Sanjana arrived at the hospital, she was too late. The news of her father's death shattered her, and she fainted. Aryan caught her before she hit the ground and carried her to a ward where she was treated.

When she regained consciousness, Pradeep was the first to approach her. "Now that your father is dead, you better come with me."

Her face turned white with fear. Aryan, watching from a distance, felt rage boil inside him. But before he could react, the police..whom Ranjith had called in advance..arrived and arrested Pradeep.

Sanjana cried endlessly. Aryan wanted to hold her, to comfort her, but he knew he couldn't. He chose to protect her from the shadows, making sure she never knew of his involvement.

Flashback Ends:

Aryan ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. His heart still ached from that day, from seeing her in so much pain. But he had made a promise..a promise he intended to keep at any cost.

" I will not let anyone hurt her. I know our life won't be a bed of roses, and there will be many hurdles ahead. But I will protect her, no matter what. I will stay with her.

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A/N: 

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