Hello there! The author is knocking your notification screen to inform you that here's another update! A hilarious or cute or maybe sad update!
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Dubai, (Author's POV)

A warm breeze swept across the balcony of their luxurious hotel suite, overlooking the glittering skyline of Dubai. Aashika leaned back in her lounge chair, sunglasses perched on her nose, while Rose paced back and forth, holding a tablet filled with the sensitive information they had acquired from Rohit's office-at gunpoint, no less. The air was a strange mix of tension and amusement as they both processed their bold move.

"I still can't believe we pulled that off," Rose muttered, scrolling through the files. "I mean, who knew threatening people with a gun could be so... efficient?"

Aashika smirked, adjusting her sunglasses. "Oh please, it wasn't even loaded. Just a prop to make them sweat a little."

Rose stopped pacing and stared at her in disbelief. "You're kidding me. We risked our lives for some blank shots?"

Aashika raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Would've ruined the fun if I told you, right?"

Rose groaned, flopping down onto the couch next to her. "You're insane, dude!"

"Maybe," Aashika replied, stretching her legs out lazily. "But now we have everything we need without giving Rohit a chance to intervene. He probably hasn't even noticed half his staff shaking in their boots yet."

Rose chuckled, but then her face grew serious as she glanced at the screen again. "So, what's the next step? I mean, we've got enough dirt here to ruin that Mita."

Aashika tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the armrest, her tone more serious now. "We'll still study everything. I want every last detail. But for now..." She grinned, glancing at the pool below. "How about we take a break? We're in Dubai after all."

Rose's eyes widened. "You want to relax? After all this? Shouldn't we be, I don't know, hiding out or something?"

Aashika shrugged. "We are already hiding out. Just... in style. Plus, do you really think Rohit's going to track us here? He's probably too busy figuring out how we got past his too precious security."

Rose finally laughed, throwing her hands up in surrender. "Okay, fine. But you owe me a drink. I think I earned it after nearly giving myself a heart attack last night."

Aashika laughed, standing up. "Deal. I'll even throw in a poolside view."

As they made their way to the pool, the tension of their heist seemed to fade away, replaced by the ridiculousness of their situation. Rose, still trying to grasp how casually Aashika was handling everything, couldn't help but shake her head.

"You know," she said, "only you could turn a heist into a vacation."

Aashika winked. "That's why you love working with me, gurll!"

Rose rolled her eyes but smiled, knowing she was right.

After spending some time by the poolside, they had a few drinks and retreated back to their room to study those documents in a freaking bad handwriting!(just those doctor's things, yk)😓

Mr. Hilarious, (Author's POV)

Rohit paced around the room, his mind spinning. Last night, Aashika and Rose had barged into his company like two action heroes straight out of a movie. And now, on top of that, the Bruised Veins breach was threatening his entire personal data system. His nerves were frayed, and his mind was firing in every direction.

Advait sat across from him, typing away furiously on his laptop. He looked calm, but his fingers were racing against time. "Sir, I'm still trying to trace the exact source of the breach," he said, without looking up.

Rohit was in a different mental state altogether. "Advait, do you think Aashika is Bruised Veins?" he asked suddenly, stopping mid-stride.

Advait froze for a moment and then looked up with a mix of confusion and disbelief. "Sir, Aashika?" he repeated, unsure if he'd heard right.

Rohit nodded, his mind connecting dots that made little sense. "Think about it. She broke into the office last night with Rose. She's got the guts. What if she's behind Bruised Veins too? Trying to dig into my personal data?"

Advait sighed, trying to keep his patience. "Sir, I don't think Aashika is behind Bruised Veins. She only owns one private server, and we already blocked that. It's not possible for her to have pulled off both things at the same time."

Rohit stopped, blinking as if trying to process what Advait had just said. "But... but what if she's working with someone else? I mean, she could have hackers or... or..." His voice trailed off as he realized how far-fetched it sounded, even to him.

Advait tried not to roll his eyes. "Sir, Aashika broke in last night with physical force, not digital. She's bold, yes, but Bruised Veins is an entirely different level of cyber-attack. These guys aren't interested in our client data or finances-they're targeting personal information. Whoever Bruised Veins is, they're working through highly sophisticated malware, not through break-ins with guns."

Rohit frowned, frustration bubbling up. "So what do we do now, huh? She's practically declared war on me, and now this cyber attack is threatening to blow everything open. I can't deal with both at once!"

Advait's fingers paused for a second as he analyzed the data. "We need to focus, sir. One problem at a time. I've blocked all our servers for the moment, but Bruised Veins made a strong attempt. If they get through again, we're in trouble." Rohit was about to say something, but just then Advait shouted, "FUCK!"

Rohit was taken aback, "What!? Did you girlfriend dump you..."

Advait frowned, "Har baat pe bandar insaan ke purvaj the ye prove krna jaruri nhi hota!!! Just look at the screen man!! It's all lost! Our personal data is all LOST!!"
(It's not necessary every time to prove that humans have evolved from monkeys!!! Just look at the screen man!! It's all lost! Our personal data is all LOST!!)

"What the hell, bro! You're girlfriend dumping you could've been better than this shock! God, it's.... it's all lost!" Rohit said while typing pacefully, trying to recover at least something!

Rohit threw his hands up. "It's sucking me bro! First this malicious server who drained up my everything in just one go and Aashika's out there, who knows where! and God knows what information she's stolen from my employees. She probably knows everything about me by now-my favorite midnight snacks, even my old AOL email address!"

Advait looked up with narrowed eyes. "Sir, she's not after your snack preferences. She's after control, leverage. But she's not connected to this Bruised Veins thing. We need to separate these two issues, or we're never going to solve either."

Rohit groaned, rubbing his temples. "Okay, okay, I get it. But what if I send her an apology letter? Like, 'Dear Aashika, I know you pointed a gun at my employees, but maybe we could talk this out like civilized people?' What do you think? Maybe throw in some of my impressive stats to impress her?"

Advait finally had enough. "Sir!" he exclaimed, standing up. "Sit down. Please."

Rohit blinked at him. "But I am sitting."

"Stay sitting then!" Advait snapped. "Let me focus on Bruised Veins, and we'll deal with Aashika's... 'daredevil' antics later."

Rohit, momentarily deflated, sat back down. "Fine, fine," he muttered. "But I'm telling you, Advait, she's got something up her sleeve. What if she-"

"Sir!" Advait interrupted, eyes blazing with frustration. "Let me work. And no, sending her your impressive stats report won't fix this."

Rohit slouched back into the couch, crossing his arms. "It was just a suggestion," he grumbled, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He wasn't sure what to be more concerned about-Bruised Veins stealing his data or Aashika stealing his peace of mind.

Advait looked skeptical but kept quiet. After a moment, he mumbled, "Right... Well, sir, let's focus on stopping this breach first. One step at a time."

Rohit nodded, though his mind was still racing, half-focused on the past and present. "Yeah, one step at a time..."

Advait muttered under his breath, barely audible, "And hopefully by taking that one step, we don't fall off the cliff."

Rohit glanced back. "What was that?"

"Nothing, sir," Advait replied quickly, burying himself back in his laptop.

Studying the freakiest information ever, (Author's POV)

Aashika and Rose sat in their hotel room, surrounded by the papers and files they'd gathered from Rohit's place. Aashika flipped through the pile with a slight smirk, already recognizing the handwriting. It was Rohit's - the handwriting of a doctor, but one that somehow managed to make even a signature look like abstract art.

Rose glanced over at her, trying to make sense of one of the messier notes. "Whoever wrote this... I don't even know how they passed school! Is this English? Hindi? Or... hieroglyphics?"

Aashika laughed, shaking her head. "It's Rohit's writing. He's a doctor, remember? Always in a rush." She paused for a moment, then added, "It's kind of ironic that someone who can operate on a human body can't even write legibly."

Rose grinned, picking up a random sheet. "Well, what gems do we have in here, Doctor Rohit?"

As Aashika scanned the file, her eyebrows shot up. "Oh... my... God. Rose, you have to see this."

Rose leaned in closer, curious. "What? Did we just uncover a big secret?"

Aashika laughed so hard that she almost dropped the file. "No, but it's freakishly funny. This guy has a wishlist in here, and you'll never guess what's on it. Mayonnaise."

Rose blinked in confusion. "Wait, what? Mayonnaise? Like the condiment?"

Aashika nodded, still giggling. "Yes! And not just that, he's got other bizarre stuff on here. A spiky belt..."

Rose's eyes widened. "A spiky belt? What, is he secretly a rock star in his free time?"

Aashika shrugged, flipping through the rest. "No idea, but this is like getting a peek into his secret life... And look, he even has a note about trying out new hairstyles. Like... seriously? Rohit and hair experiments?"

Rose burst into laughter, "He's probably making the patients in his hospital wonder if they've walked into a punk rock clinic."

Aashika grinned, still amused by the strange discoveries. "I always knew he was weird, but this takes it to a new level."

Rose leaned back, shaking her head in disbelief. "I never thought we'd be hacking his server and rummaging through files only to find out he's a mayo-loving, spiky-belt enthusiast."

Aashika sighed, closing the file with a smile. "It's kind of hilarious though. For all his serious business and medical personality, deep down, he's just a guy with bizarre tastes."

Rose smirked. "Well, at least we know he won't be able to figure out we hacked his files. He's too busy trying to get his hands on mayo and spiky belts."

Aashika leaned back, still chuckling. "Honestly, after seeing this, there's no way he'll suspect me. He'd never think I'd be behind all of this. You know what, I created the server, "Bruised Veins" just for fun with Abhi, Ahem and Kashvi in University and guess what it turned out to be a really strong one!"

They both shared a laugh before Aashika grew a bit more serious. "But, all jokes aside, there's something odd here. I found more information about Mita. Turns out, she and Rohit were childhood friends, but after university, her family moved abroad. They only met just twice or thrice after the wedding."

Rose frowned. "That doesn't sound like a true love marriage. What do you think's going on?"

Aashika shook her head, puzzled. "I'm not sure. But something's off, and I have a gut feeling Mita's father is also a victim here. He's a big businessman, yet he's living in some suburban area? It doesn't add up."

Rose nodded. "A businessman in the suburbs? Yeah, that's weird."

Aashika stood up, her expression firm. "We need to meet him. There's a good Chain of Lies here, and I'm going to unravel them one by one. It's not just about one thing anymore... It's about the whole picture."

Rose gave her an encouraging nod. "Let's do it. But first, how about we take a break from deciphering the madness and grab some lunch? Maybe we can get you some mayo for your fries - in honor of Rohit."

Aashika laughed again, shaking her head. "Aee...I think I've had enough of his odd tastes for today. Let's stick with ketchup, please."

The Love Letter Showdown: Ruhan & Siya (Author's POV)

It was a quiet evening at Bhardwaj Villa until the sound of a loud crash echoed from the living room. The unmistakable sound of something breaking reverberated through the walls, followed by a fierce voice.

"RUHAN!" Siya shouted at the top of her lungs, her face red with anger as she held a crumpled piece of paper in her hand. The vase that had hit the floor was now in pieces, but it was the least of her concerns.

Ruhan, who was lounging on the couch, lazily turned his head, confused. "What the- Siya, what's wrong with you?"

Siya's eyes blazed with fury as she shook the crumpled paper in front of him. "What is THIS?! A love note?! I found it in your cupboard, hidden behind your shirts. Explain yourself!"

Before Ruhan could respond, Ajay and Rishika rushed in, alarmed by the commotion. "What's going on here?" Ajay asked, looking from the broken vase to Siya's furious expression.

Rishika raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Wait, did you say a love note?" she asked, smirking slightly. "This just got interesting."

Siya, her hands trembling with the letter, didn't wait for an answer. She cleared her throat dramatically, glaring at Ruhan. "Let me read this out loud, for everyone to hear what a charmer you are, Ruhan!"

Ruhan blinked, utterly perplexed. "Siya, what-"

But Siya was already reading.

"'Dear Love of My Life, you are the sunshine that brightens my every day, the stars that twinkle in my sky. Your smile... oh, your smile makes my heart skip a beat. I can't wait to hold you in my arms, to kiss those soft lips and-'"

"WHOA!" Ajay cut in, his eyes wide in mock disbelief. "Ruhan, seriously?"

Rishika snorted, trying to hold back laughter. "Go on, Siya. This is getting good."

Siya's cheeks flushed as she continued, her voice shaking with anger, but also embarrassment. "'-I dream of you every night, and when I close my eyes, I imagine us together, forever. Yours truly, your secret admirer.'" She finished reading, glaring at Ruhan with a mixture of hurt and rage.

For a moment, there was complete silence.

Then, Ruhan burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?!" Siya snapped, even more furious now that he wasn't taking her seriously.

Ruhan held up his hand, trying to catch his breath between laughs. "Siya... Seriously, who wrote this? Whose handwriting is this?"

Siya froze. She hadn't even considered that.

Rishika, who had been quietly observing, suddenly squinted at the letter in Siya's hand. Then, with a smirk creeping across her face, she said, "Wait a second... That's YOUR handwriting, Siya."

Siya's eyes widened in horror. "W-What?"

Ajay clapped a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter, while Rishika nodded, grinning widely. "Yep, it's definitely yours. The terrible loops on the 's,' the uneven lines... Classic Siya!"

Ruhan's laughter doubled as realization dawned on Siya. Her face turned beet red as she stared at the letter in disbelief.

Ajay, thoroughly enjoying the moment, leaned back against the wall. "So, let me get this straight. Siya just found her own love letter to Ruhan... in Ruhan's cupboard... and read it aloud for all of us to enjoy?"

Rishika nodded, wiping away a tear from laughing too hard. "That's exactly what happened."

Siya wanted the ground to swallow her whole. How had she forgotten her own love note?! She groaned in embarrassment, slapping a hand over her face. "Oh my God... I can't believe I just did that."

Ruhan, finally able to catch his breath, grinned at her. "So, that's really cuteee! I mean, I'm flattered!"

Siya shot him a glare, though her cheeks were still bright red. "Don't you dare mock me right now, Ruhan!"

Ruhan raised his hands in surrender, but his teasing smile didn't fade. "Hey, you're the one who wrote the letter. I'm just the lucky guy it's addressed to."

Ajay chuckled, walking toward the door with Rishika. "Well, this has been entertaining, but I think it's time we leave you lovebirds alone."

Rishika winked at them, still smirking. "Yeah, you guys clearly need to sort out your 'romantic' misunderstandings. Good luck, Siya. And, Ruhan... enjoy your love letters."

As they both exited the room, Ajay called over his shoulder, "Goodnight, and have a really good night, you two!"

Siya groaned again, covering her face with both hands as she sank onto the couch. "This is the most embarrassing thing ever."

Ruhan, still smiling, sat next to her and leaned in. "Don't worry, Siya. I'll keep your secret safe. And hey, I still haven't received that kiss you promised me in the letter..."

Siya swatted him away, but there was no denying the small smile tugging at her lips.

Heading back to Mumbai, (Aashika's POV)

The Dubai skyline was slowly disappearing as the plane ascended, but my mind was already far ahead, back in Mumbai. Five days had passed since Rose and I fled here, and while the trip was supposed to be a getaway to study the information we gathered, I didn't waste time. After all, I don't believe in just sitting idle. Four business deals cracked, all while juggling a complex web of deceit that Mita had woven around Rohit. Multitasking at its finest.

Sitting by the window, I could still see the glimmering city of Dubai beneath the clouds. My laptop was in my lap, files scattered on the tray table, and Rose next to me, sipping her coffee, as if this was any other business trip. Except it wasn't.

"We're really heading back to Mumbai now, aren't we?" Rose asked, her eyes tired but sharp as she glanced at me from over the rim of her cup.

"Yes," I replied, closing my laptop and leaning back in my seat. "It's time to meet Mita's father. Something about him feels... off. A businessman, living in a suburban area? It doesn't add up."

Rose nodded, her expression serious. "What's the plan?"

I shrugged lightly, though my mind was already ticking with a thousand thoughts. "We go there, we talk to him. I want to see what he knows about all of this. It's clear that Mita and Rohit barely had any interaction after our marriage, but why was she so eager to bribe people to create a mess? There's something bigger going on, and I want to uncover every detail."

As I stared out the window again, I couldn't help but replay the discoveries we'd made. Mita and Rohit, childhood friends... studied together, then separated when her father had to relocate abroad. But why did her father move back to Mumbai, and why to a low-profile area when he could easily afford luxury? A string of questions circled my mind.

"Do you think Mita's father is involved in this, or is he just a pawn?" Rose asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"I'm not sure," I said, honestly. "But I don't trust coincidences. Not when people like them are involved."

Rose let out a small laugh. "You didn't even let Dubai slow you down. Four business deals closed in five days. Honestly, I don't know how you do it."

I smirked. "Well, there's no point in sitting around doing nothing. Besides, business is business. But this... this situation with Mita is personal now. I need answers."

Rose sipped her coffee again and nodded in agreement. "And what about Rohit? What do you think his next move will be?"

My chest tightened at the mention of Rohit. I hadn't spoken to him since we barged into his place, but I knew he'd be livid. I'd caught him off guard, and there was no way he'd let that slide. But this wasn't just about Rohit and me anymore. It was about Mita, her father, and something far bigger than I initially thought.

"He won't sit quietly," I said softly, my thoughts drifting to him. "But I'm not worried about that right now. First, we need to meet Mita's father. Only then can we connect the dots."

Rose shifted in her seat, setting her coffee down. "Do you think we have enough to corner him?"

I smiled, feeling the familiar fire of determination rise in my chest. "We'll find out soon enough. He can't hide behind lies forever."

Rose peeked into the notification which rang her phone, she said, "Ma'am it's Advait, Rohit's assistant. He says Rohit wants to meet you for some important meeting."

My mind fumbled first but then I thought to take it normally. I told her to give a positive reply of the message.

As the plane continued its journey back to Mumbai, I mentally prepared myself for what was to come. This wasn't going to be easy. There were still so many loose ends, but I was closer now. I could feel it. This chain of lies was about to unravel, and I'd be the one pulling at the strings.

One way or another, I was going to get to the truth. And Mita's father was the key to all of it.

The Unwanted Confrontation, (Author's POV)

Aashika walked into the room, her footsteps deliberate.

Rohit was already there, his expression thunderous. She could tell he was livid. Without wasting a moment, he snapped at her, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

"How dare you, Aashika! You broke into my place, interrogated my people! What the hell were you thinking?" Rohit's anger was palpable. "This isn't your fight. You need to stay out of it!"

Aashika didn't flinch. She had expected this. Instead, she raised her chin and replied, her voice steady but icy. "I don't need your permission to do anything. I'll make my own decisions. My life isn't any of your concern anymore."

Rohit's eyes darkened, frustration etched into every line of his face. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. This is not some business deal you can solve with a few smart moves, Aashika. You won't gain anything from this."

"And you think I care about your warnings?" Aashika shot back, her tone colder now. "I don't need to explain myself to you, Rohit. You've made it clear that whatever I do, it doesn't concern you anymore. So why don't you focus on your own life and leave mine alone?"

Rohit's fists clenched, his voice dropping but still laced with fury. "I'm telling you, stay out of this, or you'll regret it. You don't know how deep this goes."

Aashika held his gaze, unflinching. "You think I care? You think your warnings scare me? If there's something to uncover, I'll find it, with or without your approval."

His face tightened in frustration. "Why are you doing this? Just stay out of it, Aashika. You have no idea what you're up against."

Aashika took a step closer, her voice soft but biting. "You're right, I don't. But that's my decision to make. Not yours. You have no say in my life anymore, Rohit. Whatever happens next, it's my choice."

Rohit's frustration boiled over. "You think this is some game? You're going to get hurt. Just stop!"

Aashika's cold smile returned. "I've been hurt enough already. There's nothing left you can take from me."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked toward the door, not waiting for a response. Rohit stood there, watching her leave, his regret clashing violently inside him.

As the door clicked shut behind her, both of them were left in their own worlds-Aashika, her heart aching but resolute, and Rohit, filled with the pain of knowing he had pushed her even further away.

His harsh words echoed in her mind, and for a fleeting moment, Aashika's heart clenched. She wanted to believe, even for a second, that there was no reason to doubt him. But the way he shouted at her, the fierce determination to keep her out-his rudeness-only solidified her thoughts that the relationship between Rohit and Mita was real. Why else would he be so desperate to shield it?

Aashika, Rose, and Abhishek - The Trio (Author's POV)

Aashika sat on the plush sofa in her living room, her hands balled into fists, her mind whirling with frustration. Rose stood beside her, leaning against the table, while Abhishek had just returned from his business trip, his expression curious but concerned.

"So, what happened with Rohit?" Abhishek asked, noticing the tension in the room.

Aashika took a deep breath, her frustration boiling to the surface. "I confronted him about everything. He was furious, shouting at me, telling me to stay out of it. He practically screamed that I wouldn't gain anything by investigating their marriage."

Rose raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. "And you think that's the end of it?"

Aashika's frustration deepened. "I don't care anymore. I'm done with their drama. Let them live their life however they want. I'll sue Mita directly. I'm going to take her down for whatever she's planning, but I'm not wasting another minute on their marriage."

Abhishek frowned, leaning forward in his chair. "You're missing the point, Aashika. If Rohit was that angry, there's something much bigger at play here. Something you're not seeing."

Rose nodded in agreement, her gaze sharp. "Exactly. If it was just about Mita and their marriage, Rohit wouldn't have reacted the way he did. There's something deeper, something more sinister."

Aashika shook her head, her voice sharp. "I don't care. I've already seen enough. There's no point in digging further. I won't be a part of their mess."

Abhishek sighed, moving closer to Aashika. "I know you're frustrated, but you can't walk away from this yet. If Rohit reacted that way, it means there's something he's desperately trying to hide. And whatever it is, it could be the key to understanding this whole mess."

Aashika crossed her arms, her jaw clenched. "And what am I supposed to do? Keep playing detective?"

Abhishek's voice softened. "No. But you need to investigate further, especially about the lawyers who handled their marriage. There's something there. I can feel it."

Aashika looked at him, her resolve wavering. Rose chimed in, her voice steady. "If it were that simple, we wouldn't be here right now. Rohit's reaction tells us there's something bigger. Something we haven't considered yet."

Aashika sighed, rubbing her temples. "Fine. I'll look into the lawyers. But no more!"

Abhishek placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his voice firm but kind. "You're doing the right thing, Aashika. We'll figure this out together. But don't back down now."

She nodded reluctantly, her frustration slowly melting into determination. She suddenly Rose up and said with a dramatic pout, "Alright. I've got the nerve. And I'll go deep into it so much...so much that....that man gets frustrated even more and bangs his own head on the wall. I'll suck his nerves....h-his blood and..."

Abhishek chirped, "You're not a mosquito bro!"

Aashika threw a pillow in his direction but Abhishek escaped!

Rose smirked, "Ma'am I thought you would throw a vase at him!"

Abhishek complained like a kid, "Bad lady! Trying to kill me!"

Aashika chimed, "Okay, let's start with meeting Mita's father, first! I'll also instruct the team to find out the lawyers."

Rose smirked. "I was waiting for you to say that."

Rose went away to attend a call, Abhishek stood up and went towards Aashika, his gaze firmly meeting hers. "Answer me truthfully Aashi. Do you still love him?"

She felt a pang in her chest, she had no answers. She didn't want to accept it, but she couldn't deny it! "I don't know." Her voice was nothing more than a whisper. A lone tear escaped her eyes. Memories of their laughter and shared moments flooded her mind.

"I can't change how I feel," she admitted, her heart aching.

Abhishek stepped closer, his presence steadying her. "You deserve to be happy, Aashi. Remember that."

She nodded, feeling a mix of sadness and determination. Even if her heart was tangled in the past, she knew she had to move forward.

"Maybe yes, she still loved him! And she will always love him!"

Clues are scattered duh! (Abhishek's POV)

The room was dimly lit, the faint scent of old wood and dust in the air as we sat across from Alok.

The man in front of us had aged beyond his years, his posture slouched, his eyes hollow with the weight of what he'd lost. Aashika sat beside me, her usual calm and collected demeanor visibly strained. There was something in her eyes, a storm beneath the surface, but she held it together with remarkable restraint.

Rose was the first to break the silence. "Mr. Alok, we're not here to cause any trouble. We just need to know the truth. What happened with Mita... and Rohit?"

Alok sighed deeply, his fingers running through the thinning strands of his hair. "I... I don't know how things got this way." His voice trembled with old regret. "Mita was always strong-willed, ever since she was a child. She admired Rohit. They were best friends, inseparable at one point. But admiration soon grew into something else. Something I didn't foresee."

Aashika's jaw tightened. I could sense her holding back her emotions, wanting to hear every word without interruption.

"She was... possessive," Alok continued, shaking his head. "Mita was never dangerous, no. But she became obsessed with the idea that Rohit was hers, in a way that concerned me. I didn't think it was love... more like a fixation. But Rohit never saw it. He treated her with kindness, respect, but nothing more."

For a brief moment, I caught Aashika's eyes gleaming as Alok spoke. The mention that Rohit's feelings were never the same for Mita brought a flicker of relief to her face, like a glimpse of light in a dark tunnel. But just as quickly, that glimmer faded, and her cold exterior returned.

"I wanted to protect Mita from herself," Alok said quietly. "She was losing sight of everything. I thought a change of scenery might help, so I made plans to move the family abroad, to separate her from everything that fueled her... obsession. But she found out."

He paused, his eyes lowering to the floor as if the memory was too painful to meet head-on.

"What did she do?" Aashika finally asked, her voice low, but there was an urgency to it.

Alok looked up, sadness etched into his features. "She betrayed me. Sold the family business. All of it, for a fraction of its worth. It was her way of punishing me, I suppose. After that, she disappeared. She went to Paris, then returned to Mumbai. That's all I know."

Aashika's fists tightened slightly at her sides. I could tell she was processing every word, every detail. Her face remained impassive, but there was an inner turmoil brewing beneath. She had wanted answers-real answers-but all we got was more confusion. Still, Alok's story confirmed one thing: Mita was not someone easy to figure out, and Rohit's involvement in whatever was happening now felt even murkier.

Alok's weary eyes met Aashika's. "I'm sorry. I don't know much more. But Rohit... he was always kind to Mita. He never wanted to hurt her. But I don't know what's happened between them now."

Aashika stood up, her expression unreadable. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Alok. We'll take it from here."

I followed her out, Rose trailing behind, a mix of frustration and empathy for Aashika in her gaze. As we stepped out of the house, the weight of what we had just learned settled heavily on us.

Aashika didn't speak right away. Her face was hardened, her thoughts distant, but I could sense the turmoil inside her. The confrontation with Rohit, the revelations about Mita... it was a lot to take in. Yet she held herself together, her mind likely already racing with what to do next.

"We're not done yet," I said gently, trying to remind her that this was just one piece of the puzzle. She didn't respond, but the fire in her eyes told me she wasn't backing down anytime soon.

Dead? How? (Aashika's POV)

The phone call left a chill in the room that not even the warm Mumbai air could shake. I stood frozen, the words still ringing in my ears. "All the lawyers who were there during the court marriage are... dead."

Rose looked at me wide-eyed, her face pale. "How... how can they all be dead? All at once?"

Abhishek paced around, his hands running through his hair in disbelief. "This can't be a coincidence, Aashika. It's too convenient. The same lawyers we were about to approach for information?"

My mind raced, connecting the dots faster than I could process them. This wasn't just a strange twist of fate. No. This was planned, executed with precision. I clenched my fists, my heart pounding as the realization sank in.

"Mita," I whispered under my breath, the name carrying the weight of dread. "She's behind this."

Both Rose and Abhishek stared at me, stunned.

"But why now? Why kill the lawyers?" Rose asked, her voice trembling.

I bit my lip, my mind working furiously. "She's covering her tracks. She knows we're getting closer, and she's panicking. Those lawyers... they must've known something, something crucial."

Abhishek stopped pacing and looked at me with concern. "If she's willing to go this far, Aashika, you need to be more careful. She's not just playing games anymore."

I nodded, feeling a wave of anger rise within me. Mita wasn't just some troubled woman tangled in emotions. I had no choice but to execute it carefully. Every step from here on would be more perilous than the last. But I wasn't going to back down.

Not now. Not ever.
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A kind of long update, but not so long! (<5.87k words) I hope you people loved the chapter!
Don't worry, happy or maybe too much happy scenes are coming soon!
#Siyaan was just the starting, there's many more on the plate!✨
What do you think will Aashika be able to get any further information or will Mita block them as well?? 👀
Read Mita's POV in the next chapter!

Guys, the votes and reads are not at all progressing.... Like where are the readers?? Before the break, there were so many people engaged in it, but now there are none of them!!
Please don't just let go the story updates!🥺

With regards,
Wings_Of_Passion
🩵🩵