𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬
"𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬."

Rohan's conversation with Avani was interrupted by a sudden voice."Ha! I knew it." Rohan turned to see Nitika standing in the doorway, a triumphant smile on her face.

"I knew you were a lawyer," she said, stepping inside. Rohan's expression darkened. "You shouldn't be eavesdropping, and you didn't knock. That's rude."

Nitika shrugged. "I wasn't snooping. I came to ask about lunch and your door was open. I overheard your conversation." "That's no excuse," Rohan countered, irritation creeping into his voice. "You still need to knock."

Nitika's smile never wavered. "Sorry, but you're avoiding my question. Why did you lie to Papa about being a businessman? Why didn't you tell him the truth?"

Rohan's eyes narrowed. "Nitika, this is none of your concern. Please respect my privacy."

Nitika's gaze lingered on Rohan's as she steps forward"okay, but I actually recognized you the moment I saw you. As a lawyer, I should know the top lawyers in the field." Rohan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"But that's not all," Nitika continued. "You came to our law college in Delhi about three or four months ago to teach a class. I was there too. I distinctly remember your face and the fact that you borrowed a pen from me."

Rohan's expression turned skeptical. "Huh? I visit numerous colleges for guest lectures. I don't recall seeing you or borrowing a pen. If you're here about the pen, sorry, I don't have it now. I'll buy you one tomorrow."

Nitika chuckled, unfazed by Rohan's sarcasm. "Hey, no need to be like that. I just shared what I remembered." Rohan's gaze lingered, curiosity sparking within him.

Nitika's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I remember it vividly. You walked in, confident and charismatic, and began lecturing on corporate law. I was impressed, not just by your knowledge but also by your teaching style."

Rohan's expression remained skeptical, but curiosity flickered in his eyes. "You borrowed a pen from me during the Q&A session," Nitika continued. "A black Parker pen, if I recall correctly. And when you returned it, you smiled and said, 'Thanks for saving my lecture.'"

Rohan's gaze narrowed, searching his memory. "I may not have made an impression on you," Nitika said with a grin, "but you certainly made one on me."

"Why are you telling me all this, Nitika?" Rohan asked, his curiosity piqued. She smiled softly. "No reason, just felt like sharing. And don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

Rohan raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. "I don't have any secrets. Feel free to share if you want." Nitika's smile lingered. " Oh I almost forgot what you want for lunch? Would you like something special?"

"Just whatever you guys usually have," Rohan replied, his tone dismissive. "Now go out." Nitika nodded and turned to leave. As soon as the door closed, Rohan locked it and flopped onto his bed, scrolling through his phone.

Outside, Nitika stood before the closed door, her gaze lingering. A gentle smile played on her lips.

"I said that because you were my inspiration from that day," she whispered to herself. "Day by day, it became a crush. And now...now, I think I might be in love?" Her voice trailed off, uncertainty etched in her tone.

"I'm in love? With him? I think I'm in love with him," Nitika whispered, her face radiating a warm smile. She floated downstairs, her happiness evident in every step.

Subarna, engrossed in drying containers for storing food items, looked up as Nitika passed by. "Nitu, help me with these." Nitika barely registered the request, her mind still lost in thoughts of Rohan. She continued walking, her smile unwavering.

Subarna raised an eyebrow. "Huh? What's gotten into that girl?" She shook her head and resumed drying the containers. "Oh god and now there are even more to do. Why it's not ending!." The scene fades with Subarna's complaints and the clinking of dishes.

---✧---

As the conversation ended, Avani tossed her phone onto the bed and collapsed beside it, her body surrendering to exhaustion. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she closed her eyes, letting the weight of her fatigue carry her into a much-needed sleep.

The soft creak of the door signaled the entrance of a stealthy figure. "Yes, sir, she's asleep," a low, gravelly voice whispered into the earpiece.

"Good. Make sure to keep quiet. Get the job done quickly and return. And remember, no cameras in the bedroom," the voice on the other end instructed before the line went dead.

The man swiftly and silently planted cameras throughout Avani's apartment, his trained eyes scanning every nook and corner. Once finished, he slipped out as quietly as he entered.

(𝐴𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒).

A man was sitting in his opulent study, laptop open before him. The screen displayed crystal-clear feeds from the cameras now installed in Avani's apartment. A sly smile spread across his face as he sipped from the glass in his hand.

"Sleep well, my cherine. I'll watch over you, keep you safe from everyone and everything," Siddharth whispered, his fingers tracing Avani's image on the screen.

"Who's going to save her from you, then? Seriously, Siddharth, you've become obsessed."Other male voice said while, lounging on the study's plush couch, with a raised an eyebrow.

Siddharth's gaze remained fixed on the laptop screen. "Maybe I am Ashvin but I can't help myself. She's captivating beautiful, feisty, and determined."

Ashvin shook his head, rolling his eyes. "Stop it you fvcker, you look like a creep, like a psychopath stalker. I feel bad for Avani she's caught your attention now. You won't leave her alone, will you?"

Siddharth's eyes gleamed with intensity as he chuckled. "You know me well, Ashvin. When I want something, I'll stop at nothing." His gaze drifted back to the laptop screen, Avani's image captivating him.

---✧---

Nitika burst into her room, beaming with joy. "Snowy, I'm in love!" She exclaimed, swooping up snowy in a tight hug.

"Rohan sir is really handsome, right, Snowy?" She asked dreamily, her eyes shining with excitement. Snowy gazed back at her with innocent eyes. "A tiny bit rude, maybe," Nitika continued, "but overall, he's a good person with a gorgeous face, don't you think?"
She snuggled Snowy closer, lost in thoughts of Rohan.

Nitika's daydreaming was interrupted by Snowy's soft bark. She flopped onto her bed, still clutching Snowy. "Why do I feel so happy, Snowy? Just thinking about Rohan sir makes me smile," Nitika confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Snowy listened silently, its glassy eyes sparkling in the dim light. Nitika's thoughts drifted to their last conversation. "He's so charming, even when he's being a bit rude. And those piercing eyes... oh, Snowy!" She giggle, feeling like a schoolgirl with a crush.

Nitika smiled at Snowy. "Am I being a little cringe? Nah, it's okay to be cringe while falling in love or being in love."

Just then, her phone buzzed, displaying Aditi's number. Nitika sat up, placing Snowy beside her. "Hello, Aditi?" Nitika answered.

"Nitu... he's back... I'm so scared..." Aditi's trembling voice making Nitika's eyes widened.

---✧---

"You remember how I met her?" Siddharth asked, his voice low and husky. Ashvin looked up from his phone. "The first court hearing, right?" Siddharth's smile twisted. "No, my dear friend. I saw her long before that."

He paused, nostalgia washing over his face. "Remember the charity gala last year? The one my father forced us to attend?"Ashvin's expression changed from curiosity to surprise. "Yes...the one we complained about nonstop."

Siddharth's eyes sparkled. "Exactly. But for the first time, I was grateful for Father's insistence. That's where I saw her stunning in red, her beauty mesmerizing. Not just her looks, but her talent, too. One of the top lawyers in our country..."

Ashvin's eyes widened. "Avani was there?" Siddharth's nod was almost imperceptible. "Yes, she was. At first, it was infatuation, but that curiosity drove me to learn more. Now, here we are."Siddharth's smile never wavered.

Ashvin's eyes widened in horror. "Damn, dude, you're beyond obsessed. Your expression is giving me chills. Stop it, freak."

Siddharth chuckled softly. "But I've only just begun, Ashvin." Ashvin realises that's his friend's red flags era began. "Oh God, I'll pray for her."

Siddharth leaned back, his gaze drifting to the ceiling as memories flooded his mind.

He recalled the charity gala where he first saw Avani confident, beautiful, and intelligent. Her presence had shaken his long-held beliefs about women.

Siddharth's gaze locked onto Ashvin, his voice low and intense. "Women are captivating, born to bring men to their knees. And she's the perfect example."

He paused, reflecting on his past beliefs. "I always thought no woman could stand on the same level as me. That's how I was raised and taught that women can never match a man's level."

A sly smile spread across his face. "But I was wrong. So were my ancestors. Women can bring any man to his knees."

"Also my cherine thinks" he whispered. "Our encounter at her house was a coincidence." Siddharth's gaze drifted into the past, a sly smile spreading across his face. Ashvin looks at him confused.

---✧---

Just then, her phone buzzed, displaying Aditi's number. Nitika sat up, placing Snowy beside her. "Hello, Aditi?" Nitika answered.

"Nitu... he's back... I'm so scared..." Aditi's trembling voice making Nitika's eyes widened. "What? How? Calm down, Aditi, please. Take deep breaths, okay?" Nitika coaxed, her voice soft.

"Now, tell me, where are you?" Nitika asked, already standing."I... I'm near the temple. I heard people saying he's back. I'm scared, Nitu..." Aditi sobbed.
"Hey, stay there, okay? I'll be right there." Nitika reassured.

Nitika rushed out of her room, phone still in hand. Rohan, standing on his balcony, noticed Nitika sprinting out of gate. "Huh? Where's she going in such a rush?" Rohan wondered. His curiosity piqued, Rohan watched Nitika disappear into the distance.

---✧---

"Also my cherine thinks" he whispered. "Our encounter at her house was a coincidence." Siddharth's gaze drifted into the past, a sly smile spreading across his face. Ashvin looks at him confused.

"Siddharth, beta, please it's maa's best friend's wedding anniversary celebration. I promised her you'd come," his mother, Sujata said.

"Maa, I'm busy. Too much to do here. You go ahead."Siddharth said while checking a file in this hand before signing it.

Sujata's tone turned melancholic. "Work, work, work... now your work is more important than your own mother?" Siddharth remained unmoved. "Maa, no emotional blackmail. I won't fall for that."

Sujata sighed, speaking to herself. "Okay, I'll go alone... I promised Nanlini I'd bring him... now what will I say?" The name "Nanlini" caught Siddharth's attention. He recalled Avani's connection to Nanlini.

"Wait, Maa, stop being dramatic. I'll attend with you. Happy now?" Siddharth asked. Sujata's laughter filled the line. "Of course, my dear son. Come home quickly, okay? Bye."
"Okay, Maa, bye."Siddharth said before cutting the call.

Siddharth's eyes gleamed. "I almost missed my chance to meet my cherine." He had attended the party intentionally, knowing Avani would be there. After the call, Siddharth realized he nearly missed his chance to meet Avani.

Ashvin's voice snapped him back to reality. "You did a full background check on her, right?" "Of course, the same day I saw her at the charity event. And today's restaurant meeting? Planned."

Ashvin's eyes widened. "But how did you know she'd be at that restaurant?" Siddharth smirked. "It's her favorite restaurant, and I have my ways. I know her schedule better than her assistant."

Ashvin shook his head. "Dude, you're 100% insane now." Siddharth's gaze locked onto Ashvin as he smirks. "When was I ever sane, Ash?" Ashvin's reply was barely above a whisper. "That's true."

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