Recap: Ranjith finds the underground cell of Chanrasekar and calls Aryan on finding something.

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Aryan fell to his knees, his breath caught in his throat as his gaze locked onto the ragged figures before him—a man in his seventies and a woman in her fifties. Their hair was disheveled, their clothes torn and worn, and their bodies slouched in a way that screamed exhaustion. But Aryan knew immediately who they were.

"Amma... Appa..." he whispered in disbelief, his voice cracking. "You are here? Why don't you speak? Maa, please... talk to me..."

The old couple didn't respond. Their eyes, heavy and glassy, welled with silent tears, but no other reaction came. No movement, no flicker of life.

Ranjith came to Aryan's side and pressed a supportive hand on his shoulder. "Sir, looks like they're injected with some chemical to stop their movements. We need to get them from here."

Aryan, unable to speak, just nodded. Gently, he lifted his mother in his arms. Ranjith carried his father. They hurried out and drove straight to the hospital, Aryan clutching his mother protectively, his tears falling freely as he looked at her pale, limp form.

Upon arrival, the chief doctor rushed them into the ICU. Aryan remained outside, sitting in the hallway chair, hunched over, sobbing uncontrollably. His grief quickly turned to fury. He looked up at Ranjith, eyes blazing.

"Ranjith, where is Chandrasekar now?"

"He's with Maya," Ranjith answered.

"Inform Naren that you didn't find anything in his cell. Take all of Chandrasekar's men under our custody. None of them should be reachable to him."

"Okay, sir. As you say."

"I will be the death of Chandrasekar," Aryan growled. "Inform Naren to fix Maya's operation by this week."

Almost an hour later, the doctor finally emerged. Aryan shot to his feet.

"Doctor, what happened to them? How are they?"

"Sir," the doctor began carefully, "they've been drugged to stop their body mobility. They can hear what we say, but they can't respond. The drug levels in their blood are high—we've begun treatment, but it will take time for them to fully recover."

"Please... do your best to cure them," Aryan pleaded.

"Of course, sir. You can go and see them now."

Aryan stepped into the ICU, his steps hesitant. His parents lay unconscious, machines beeping softly around them. He walked to their sides, holding each of their hands in his.

"I'm sorry, Amma... Appa..." he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I've been a fool. I didn't even know you were alive, and all this while, you were living through hell. I can't forgive myself for this. I'm sorry..."

After what felt like hours, Aryan stepped out of the ICU and turned to Ranjith.

"Let's go to Rajesh."

They drove straight to the cell where Rajesh was held. As soon as Aryan entered, rage boiling over, he kicked Rajesh square in the chest. The man, still tied to a chair, crashed backward onto the floor. Aryan yanked him upright by the collar and punched him repeatedly.

"Don't dare to see the beast in me!" Aryan roared. "Just answer my question—why did he do that to my parents?!"

"Sir, I don't know!" Rajesh cried. "I promise—I've never seen them before!"

"Ranjith," Aryan barked, "get the same drug and immobilize him for the rest of his life."

"Sir, I swear, please believe me!" Rajesh pleaded, eyes wide with panic. "I know about the cell, but I've never gone inside it. Only he goes there at night. I don't know anything else!"

"Call your men—the ones searching for my wife. Tell them to stop the search now."

Ranjith untied Rajesh's hands and handed him his phone. Rajesh shakily made several calls, instructing his men to abort their mission and return to their posts. Afterward, Ranjith tied him back and locked the cell.

Just as they were about to leave, Rajesh's mobile rang. It was Chandrasekar.

Aryan turned to him. "Tell him you got a lead on Sanju's location and went to get her."

Rajesh nodded, and Ranjith put the call on speaker.

"Rajesh, where are you?" came Chandrasekar's voice.

"Sir, I got information on where Aryan has hidden Sanjana. I'm on my way there personally to get her."

"Is everything fine?"

"Yes, sir. All fine. I'll be back soon with Sanjana."

"Good. Then take her to my cell and call me once done."

"Sure, sir. I will do that. Maybe by morning, the work should be over."

With the call ended, Aryan and Ranjith exchanged looks and left the cell.

They contacted Naren, informing him that they hadn't found any evidence against his father yet, keeping the cover intact.

Meanwhile, in a serene corner of the house, Sanju sat quietly in the garden, her fingers gently caressing her growing baby bump. Her eyes were soft with warmth as she spoke to her unborn child, her voice soothing and full of love. It had become her safe space, a haven of calm.

Banu and Deepa approached quietly from behind, watching the peaceful sight before them.

Sanju was sitting in the garden, her palms gently circling her baby bump, her face serene as she spoke softly to her unborn child. The peace of the place had made it her favorite corner, a space where she felt closest to the little life growing within her.

Banu approached with a small smile, followed by Deepa.

"Are you done speaking to your baby?" Banu teased lightly.

Sanju smiled, her eyes still on her belly. "There's a lot more to tell our baby, which will not get over in days."

"Are you telling your love story to the baby?" Banu chuckled.

"I'm teaching about love to our baby," Sanju replied, her tone tender. "Love which only knows to give anything without expectations."

"I can understand," Banu said gently.

Sanju sighed, her eyes clouding. "If Maya had really loved Aryan, she would have not gone to such extremes. We wouldn't be suffering like this today... and she would have lived a better life too."

"Believe me, Sanju," Deepa said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Sir will come back very soon to take you with him. Who knows? He might even come tomorrow."

"If that happens," Sanju smiled faintly, "then I'll kidnap you with us."

"Oh no," Deepa laughed, "I'm used to living in this place. I'll come to see you when your baby is born."

Just then, Deepa's mobile rang. It was a video call from Bala. She answered it immediately, and Aryan's face appeared on the screen.

Deepa hesitated to speak, waiting for Aryan to initiate the conversation.

"Deepa aunty, you can speak. There's no problem," Aryan reassured her warmly.

"Sure, sir. I'll give the mobile to Sanju," she said and handed the phone over.

"Aryan... how are you?" Sanju asked, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Sanju, I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are things going on?"

"Everything is as I planned," he said with determination. "Now I need your help, okay?"

"I will do anything for you," she said instantly.

"Banu, Deepa aunty... tie up Sanju in a chair and let her appear like she's kept hostage. Click a pic and send it to me now."

"Sure, sir. I'll get everything ready immediately," Deepa replied promptly.

"Thanks, Deepa aunty."

Banu and Deepa handed the phone back to Sanju and went inside to prepare things. Sanju looked at Aryan on the screen with a soft smile.

"Wifey, soon I'll be there to take you with me. Don't worry, okay?" Aryan said.

"Hmm... you stay safe. I love you."

"I love you too. I'll end the call now. Take care."

He gave an air kiss, and Sanju returned it with a small gesture before the call ended.

Soon after, Deepa and Banu took Sanju to another room. They tied her to a chair, disheveled her hair, and sprinkled water on her face. Sanju closed her eyes, pretending to be unconscious. The lights were dimmed, and they captured the perfect photo and a short video of her appearing as a hostage. They immediately sent it to Aryan.

Back at the DC residence, Chandrasekar was pacing restlessly, glancing at his phone every few seconds. It had been over 24 hours since he'd last heard from Rajesh.

Naren entered and noticed his anxious state. "Did something happen?"

"Nothing," Chandrasekar replied curtly. "I'm waiting for a business call."

"You want me to believe that?" Naren asked, unconvinced.

Chandrasekar didn't respond and walked away silently.

As per the plan, Ranjith made Rajesh call Chandrasekar.

"Where are you, Rajesh?" Chandrasekar barked the moment the call connected. "Why the hell was your mobile switched off?"

"Sir, work done," Rajesh said. "Sanjana is under my custody in Bangalore. Aryan's men are searching for me, so it's safer to keep her here for another one or two days. I'll bring her to your cell later."

"I want to see her."

"Sure, sir. I'll send a video to you and switch off my phone. I'll call you from a different number later."

"That is fantastic. Send it to me then."

Rajesh forwarded the photo and video taken by Deepa. After sending, Ranjith switched off the phone.

Chandrasekar watched the video with a sinister smile and immediately called Aryan.

"Yes, tell me," Aryan answered.

"I have a business deal. How about a meeting?" Chandrasekar asked casually.

"What's the deal about? We can discuss it over the phone."

"Simple," Chandrasekar said, smugly. "I have Sanjana in my custody."

"That is not possible," Aryan said sharply. "Don't dare to touch my wife."

"Stay on the line. Let me send you the video of her under my custody."

Aryan watched the video, his fists clenching.

"Tell me what you want. Leave her," he said, his voice heavy with restrained rage.

"Hold on, Aryan. It's my turn to speak business."

"What do you want?"

"Fifty percent shares of the entire ARC," Chandrasekar listed. "And the precious blue diamond of your mother. And finally... marry my daughter."

Aryan gritted his teeth. "Why do you want the blue diamond when you already have many of your own?"

"Cool, man. I have a return gift for it," Chandrasekar chuckled. "So just give it without any questions. Tomorrow morning, I need all my demands fulfilled. You can take your wife and the return gift from me."

"I will give everything you have asked for. But I can't marry Maya."

"You have no options."

"I'm married to Sanju."

"Don't bother. I'll get papers to divorce her. I'll call you tomorrow morning. Come to the hospital, marry Maya, and hand over everything I asked for. Sanjana will be left safe in her uncle's home."

Aryan ended the call and turned to Ranjith, his face dark.

"Did he do all this for that diamond?" Ranjith asked. "But what could be behind that diamond for him to behave with so much animosity?"

"I don't know," Aryan said quietly. "If everything was for that diamond, then only my parents can answer that. Now it's time for our next step."

The next morning, Chandrasekar left his home, a smug smile plastered across his face. He had the divorce papers and Aryan's share documents ready, confident that his victory was finally within reach. He was on cloud nine as he headed to the hospital, his plans falling neatly into place.

Just as his car crossed a signal, a massive truck crashed into it with deadly force. The impact was instant and brutal. The car exploded into flames, engulfing both Chandrasekar and his driver. Within moments, everything—and everyone—inside was reduced to ashes.

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