Hey radiant souls!!! Hope you guys are doing really well! Idk why am I writin' so much, here's another update!! ❣️😗
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At Whitebuck Café, (Aashika's POV)

Aashika sat at a table, scanning the menu and trying to decide on her order. Just as she was about to text Ved, she spotted him walking through the entrance, a wide grin on his face.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Aashika teased, motioning for him to sit down.

"Missed our little lunch dates," Ved replied, plopping into the chair opposite her.

"Really? Because two years of silence says otherwise," she shot back playfully, raising an eyebrow.

Ved shrugged, looking unapologetic. "It was a mutual decision. But hey, how's everything?"

"Going well! Just trying to gather information without causing too much trouble," she said with a smirk, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Ved raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you're a spy now? Badi smart ban gayi ho, huh? (You've gotten quite smart, haven't you?)"

Aashika laughed, "Gotta keep them guessing. Plus, I'm not out to ruin the Bhardwajs. I just need a little intel. But yk what I'm going to confuse them so much that the hell out of them will never be able to guess what I really want!"

"Sure, and I'm sure no one suspects you're plotting," Ved teased, leaning back in his chair.

She rolled her eyes, a grin on her lips. "It's just business, bhaiya. You should be proud of me!"

"Proud, huh? You're playing with fire, Aashi," he replied, crossing his arms.

Aashika smirked. "If anyone can handle it, it's me. And let's not forget, you helped me get that stake in Bhardwaj Ltd."

Their conversation drifted into more personal life, as Aashika asked, "So, how's Vansh doing? I hope you haven't turned him into a serious guy!"

Ved chuckled, "Seriously! He's a bundle of enormous energy! You wouldn't believe how much he talks. It's like he has a nonstop commentary on life."

"Sounds like he takes after his father," Aashika teased, leaning forward.

"Hey! I'm not that chatty," Ved protested, laughing. "But seriously, he's amazing. I wish you could come over more often. He'd love to see you."

"I'll make it a point. He's at that age where everything is new and exciting. And I want to see what mischief he's up to just like his father. I remember till now when you legit ate chalk with Sprite and the rest you did was history!" she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Oh my god! I still couldn't make out, how the hell did I digest it!" Ved answered while laughing.

They continued to share stories, laughter, and the warmth of their friendship, the playful teasing reminding them of their bond, even after two years apart. Aashika felt lighter, the weight of her past easing as she connected with her brother again.

"Today feels normal again," she said, a soft smile on her face.

"Normal is good," Ved replied. "We've both come a long way."

"Yeah, and I'm ready for whatever comes next," she declared, her determination shining through.

With that, they both raised their coffee cups in a toast to new beginnings and the unbreakable bond they shared, making plans for the future.

At X-Guides, (Author's POV)

Aashika stood in front of the mirror, straightening the lapels of her tailored blazer. The sharp, formal look perfectly matched the occasion - the upcoming Indian Business Excellence Awards Gala in Mumbai. Rose sat at the desk, checking the final arrangements for the event.

"You've nailed the look, ma'am. The evening will be significant for the company," Rose remarked, not lifting her gaze from her screen.

"Thank you," Aashika replied with a smile, fixing the final button. "Let's hope everything goes smoothly tonight. Are we all set?"

Rose nodded, glancing at her phone. "Yes, everything's in place. The guest list is confirmed, the media's prepped, and the last-minute adjustments have been handled."

Just then, Rose's phone buzzed. Her relaxed expression shifted as she picked it up and answered quickly.

"Hello? Yes, speaking," Rose said, her voice turning serious.

Aashika noticed the change and paused, stepping closer, curious but silent.

Rose listened for a moment, her brow furrowing. "You're sure?" she asked quietly before glancing at Aashika. She ended the call after a few more moments and turned towards her.

"Ma'am, we've found them," Rose said, her voice steady but urgent.

"Found who?" Aashika asked, her tone shifting immediately.

"The truck agency responsible for the accident. They're operating just outside Mumbai. We need to act fast," Rose explained, her words precise.

Aashika's face hardened, though she remained composed. "How solid is this lead?"

"Very. The evidence checks out," Rose confirmed. "We should go now before they realize we're onto them."

Aashika exhaled slowly, her mind racing. "Alright. We need to approach this carefully. No unnecessary attention. I want this handled discreetly."

"Understood," Rose said, already gathering her things. "I've notified the legal team; they'll be on standby if we need them."

Aashika nodded, picking up her phone and slipping it into her handbag. "Let's not waste any time. The gala can wait."

Rose quickly stood, ready to move. "I've arranged transportation. We can be at their location in an hour."

"Good," Aashika replied, her tone firm. "Let's make sure this is dealt with efficiently. We've come too far to let it slip away now."

Together, both women left the office, prepared to confront the situation head-on, putting their business event aside to focus on uncovering the truth.

Do I still love him? (Aashika's POV)

Aashika pushed open the door to the truck agency's dingy office, her heartbeat drumming in her ears. The stale smell of old files and cigarette smoke hit her senses, but she didn't care. This was it-her chance to get closer to the truth. Her steps were firm, every part of her radiating a purpose, but inside, the storm was raging. She had to know what happened, who had been behind the wheel that night.

The owner, a man in his late 50s, looked up from behind a cluttered desk, startled by her sudden presence. His eyes lingered on her for a second, and Aashika wasted no time. She strode right up to him and grabbed the collar of his worn-out shirt, pulling him towards her.

"I need answers," she hissed, her voice shaking with anger, "Who drove that truck on 28th October before 2 years? Who ordered the hit on Sion Panvel Highway?"

The man stammered, wide-eyed, trying to pry her hands off his collar, "I don't know you, lady. I just run the place. I don't ask questions about the jobs."

"Then you better start asking now," she tightened her grip, leaning in, "or I swear I'll ruin everything you've built here."

He gulped, realizing she wasn't bluffing, and slowly nodded. "Alright, alright. I'll give you the driver's number. That's all I have, I swear."

Aashika released him with a shove, her breath coming in sharp bursts as the man scrambled to write the number down. Her hands trembled slightly as she took the slip of paper from him. Just then, Rose, who had been standing behind her, quietly observing the entire exchange, stepped forward.

"Ma'am," Rose's voice was soft but firm, "show him Rohit's picture. Let's confirm if he was involved."

The mere suggestion made Aashika's heart drop. Without thinking, she spun around and snapped, "No! I don't need to do that. I believe him."

Rose blinked in disbelief, her eyes wide. "You... do what? After everything? Aashika, do you still love him-"

"I said I believe him," Aashika cut her off again, her voice even more forceful this time.

But inside, her mind reeled at her own words. What had she just said? Did she... really believe him? The man who had betrayed her in the most unimaginable way? The man who had left her life in ruins?

Rose's words echoed in her mind. Do you still love him?

Aashika felt her chest tighten. She stood there, frozen, staring at the paper in her hand but no longer seeing it. Her thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind. She had been so sure of her hatred, so sure of her anger, but now, in this moment, her mind was betraying her.

Her fingers crumpled the paper slightly as she realized the truth gnawing at the corners of her heart. Maybe, just maybe, the love she thought had been destroyed was still there-buried deep, but unbroken. And that terrified her.

The chords of Tera Hua played faintly in her memory, the song that once marked their love. But suddenly those happy beats replaced the flickering beats of that destroyed stereo of her car that day. It still haunted her mind!

As of for now, she could only feel the weight of a question she was too afraid to answer: Do I still love him?

As she stood there, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill, Aashika realized that no matter how much she tried to escape it, Rohit had left a part of himself in her heart. And that part refused to let go.

But she knew her "Reason to Breathe" and for that she had to unbreakable and unstoppable. Nothing mattered except her goals, for which she could do anything even if it meant hating the love of her life! But will her heart accept that? Maybe never!

The Indian Business Excellence Awards Gala, (Rohit's POV)

The ballroom glittered in a golden haze, but for Rohit, everything seemed dulled, distant-except her. Aashika. She stood across the room, composed and regal in her black blazer, commanding the attention of everyone around her. There was a time when her presence would bring warmth, a light that softened the world. But now? She was colder than ice, sharper than any blade.

I couldn't stop staring.

She wasn't the Aashika I knew-the one I fell in love with, the one whose laughter could fill a room. This version of her was unbreakable, untouchable. A storm, dangerous and unstoppable, ready to crush anyone who dared stand in her way. I felt the distance between us like a chasm, growing wider with every second I stood there, invisible to her.

They called her name, announcing her as the winner of the International Quality Award of the Year. The applause around me felt muted, like a distant hum, as I watched her walk to the stage with the confidence of someone who had rebuilt herself from the ground up. My hands clapped mechanically, but my heart... my heart ached.

Then, as she accepted her award, our eyes met.

In that moment, time stopped. I searched her gaze, hoping-praying-for something familiar, something that reminded me of the Aashika I once knew. But all I found was coldness. And worse... hatred. Pure, searing hatred. It hit me harder than any punch ever could. Her eyes burned with it, and I felt myself unravel inside.

I thought I could handle it. Seeing her successful, strong, and independent-I wanted that for her, didn't I? But this? The way she looked at me, like I was nothing but a distant memory, a mistake-it was unbearable.

I couldn't breathe.

The moment became too much. Without thinking, I stood and left the room, pushing through the grand doors and out into the cold night. The applause, the chatter, the clinking glasses-all of it faded behind me. I needed air, space, anything to stop the suffocating pressure building in my chest.

Outside, I leaned against the hotel's wall, the cool breeze biting at my skin. My heart pounded, my mind racing with every painful thought of what had just happened. I had lost her. I knew that. But this... this was different. I could live with her not loving me anymore. But hating me?

I ran my hands through my hair, trying to steady myself.

"I can't let her hate me," I whispered, my voice breaking.

I felt a wave of emotions crash over me. How had we ended up here? How had I allowed things to fall apart so completely? I had ruined everything. Maybe she had moved on, maybe she didn't care about me anymore, but the one thing I couldn't bear was that look in her eyes-that hatred. It tore me apart.

I sank down onto a nearby bench, my head in my hands. Memories of her laughter, her warmth, flooded my mind, clashing with the coldness I had just seen in her gaze. I had done this. I had let this happen.

She could despise me, never speak to me again, never love me. But I couldn't live knowing she hated me. That hatred was worse than anything. It made everything else-the success, the power, the world I had built-seem meaningless.

I stared out at the night, wondering if I would ever be able to fix what I had broken. If she could ever see me as anything other than the man she now seemed to despise. The thought of her hatred gnawed at me, a pain deeper than I had ever known.

I had lost her love. But getting her hate? That was something I couldn't bear.

And as I sat there, alone in the cold, I realized that the distance between us wasn't just physical anymore. It was something far greater, something that no amount of time or words could easily heal. It was emotional!

I literally ended up turning her personality upside down, my chatterbox, once filled with excitement, love, care, kindness turned into a cold storm, with a biting gaze, a sharp passion, just like a composed queen of her own realm, her own world!

"But one thing hasn't still changed, I still remember the way I used to adore her like a lily, a white lily which embodied true love and kindness. And even today I can compare her to a lily, but a black lily, which embarked passion, desire and royalty in every sense!"🖤

The truck driver's truth, (Author's POV)

The garage was dimly lit, the sharp smell of gasoline lingering in the air as Aashika confronted the truck driver. Her patience had worn thin; she had tracked him down to get answers about the accident that had turned her life upside down.

"Tell me everything," she commanded, her tone firm yet laced with a simmering intensity.

The driver looked nervous, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen, ma'am. I was just doing my job."

"Your job?" Aashika's eyes narrowed. "Who hired you for this? Who made you think it was okay to put lives at risk?"

The man swallowed hard. "There was a woman, Mita. She came to me with an offer. Said she needed the job done to... to clear the way for her plans." He hesitated, glancing away.

"Mita?" Aashika repeated, feeling the name strike a chord deep within her. Rohit's second wife! A knot formed in her stomach. "What did she want?"

The driver fidgeted, his voice trembling. "I overheard her on the phone once. She was talking about how no one could stop her now, how she could take control of everything that belonged to her without any hurdles. I just caught a glimpse of her files when she stepped outside for a call. I saw her name 'Mita' on one of the papers."

Aashika's heart raced. What was Mita trying to control? The realization hit her like a cold wave-Mita was connected to the Bhardwaj family and all the chaos that had engulfed her life since the accident.

"What did she mean by 'no hurdles'? Was I in her way?" she whispered to herself, the confusion swirling in her mind. Why would she consider me an obstacle?

"I didn't hear much more," the driver said, his tone pleading. "I swear that's all I know. Please don't involve me any further."

Aashika's determination surged. "You've given me what I need. If I find out you're lying, I'll kill you!" she warned, dismissing him with a wave.

As he hurriedly left the garage, Aashika's mind raced with the new information. Rose walked in just then, curiosity written all over her face. "Did you get anything useful?"

Aashika handed her the truck driver's number. "Here's his contact. We'll need him again. But right now, I need you to focus on Mita. I want to know everything about her-her background, her connections, everything."

Rose nodded, pulling out her notepad. "What else?"

Aashika hesitated for a moment, feeling an unexpected tug at her heart. "I need you to dig into how Rohit and Mita got married."

Rose looked surprised. "The marriage? Are you sure?"

Aashika's pulse quickened at the question. Why am I asking about this? Yet, she couldn't ignore the urge to uncover the truth behind their union. "Yes, the judges, the lawyers, everything about that marriage. It feels important to me for some reason."

"Okay, I'll get on it," Rose replied, a look of concern crossing her face but understanding that Aashika had her reasons.

As Rose left to gather the information, Aashika stood alone, a wave of uncertainty washing over her. What was driving me to dig deeper into Rohit's past with Mita?

The questions echoed in her mind. Was I really just seeking the truth, or was there something more?

At Rohit's private flat, (Author's POV)

It was all quiet, save for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. The dim light from the lamps cast a warm glow over the modern furnishings, but the atmosphere felt tense. Rohit sat at his sleek glass table, sifting through a stack of files, his mind racing with thoughts of Aashika and the complexities of their situation.

Just then, Advait, his ever-vigilant assistant, stepped into the living area, his expression grave. "Sir, we need to talk."

Rohit looked up, sensing the urgency in Advait's tone. "What's going on?"

"There's been unusual activity on our server," Advait explained, leaning against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed. "I was monitoring it earlier, and I noticed a server trying to breach our security. It's called 'Bruised Veins.'"

Rohit felt a knot in his stomach. "What do you mean, trying to breach? How serious is this?"

Advait pushed away from the counter, pacing slightly. "They're attempting to extract personal data. We need to take this seriously."

Rohit felt a surge of adrenaline. "Have you traced the source?"

"I've tried it a million times, but it's so protected that none can invade it! " Advait replied, furrowing his brow. "Also there have been strange occurrences in the flat during the night. It's like someone is digging for information, but I can't determine who or what their motive is."

Rohit's pulse quickened. "Could it be a competitor? Or something more sinister?"

"I'm not sure," Advait said, his tone serious. "But I recommend we tighten our security protocols. We can't risk exposing any vulnerabilities, especially given everything that's been happening."

"Block all our servers for now," Rohit ordered, his mind racing. "I want a full investigation into this. We need to figure out what they want and how they got this far."

Advait nodded, ready to act. "Understood, Sir. I'll handle it immediately. And if you need to talk about anything else, I'm here for you."

Rohit appreciated the offer but felt the burden of responsibility weighing heavily on him. "Thanks, Advait. Just keep me updated. We need to protect our work-and everyone involved."

As Advait left to mobilize the team, Rohit turned back to the files on the table. Yet his mind was racing, filled with unease over the intrusion and the chaotic events unfolding around him. He couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was just the beginning.

Next morning, Bhardwaj Villa, (Rohit's POV)

The day seemed too quiet just in contrast with my mind. Mita was sleeping peacefully on the bed, making me even more angry. Just then, my phone's screen brimmed with a call. It was Advait. But why the hell is he calling me so early in the morning.

"Sir, someone got our servers hacked and took out many important pieces of information." Advait spat it all in one go.

"What the hell! I had all the servers blocked. How did it happen?" I asked him, I was really shocked.

"Sir, actually, I checked the hidden CCTV cameras and found that Ms. Aashika had all our employees at gunpoint and made them do this." Advait answered leaving me in utter shock!

"Aayein! Ye bacchi gangster kab ban gayi!!!!" I couldn't make out what was I blabbering. But yeah! I was blabbering!!!!
(Aayein! When the hell did this baby turn into a gangster!!!!)

I rushed down the stairs and without looking at anyone, I straighaway took my car's keys and headed out.

"Sir, you can't formally call her a gangster! She didn't kill anyone." Oh god! Now, this man has started blabbering.

"Are you fucking serious! Aashika came, she had our employees on gunpoint and she took our personal information. What if she gets to know something she shouldn't know!!! And still you're spitting nonsense. Pagal ho gya hai kya??" I remarked with my hands on the steering wheel. I headed towards the place ASAP.
(Had he turned dumb?)

But I'm still shocked, did she really do this? Okay fine, she did this but at gunpoint? And why??
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Answers coming in the next chapter!
I hope you all are enjoying the story!❤
But the number of readers is still increasing at a snail's pace, like a snail walking on a leaf!
Please guys share the story, no one will get to know about the story if you don't share!😓

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With regards,
Wings_Of_Passion
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