𝐑𝐚𝐨: 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥.

╰┈➤"𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥."

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

Parvika entered the bedroom to find Athrav removing his watch. She walked beside him, crossing her arms over her chest.

Athrav glanced at her over his shoulder. "Need anything?" he asked, placing his watch on the closet table.

Parvika's gaze never wavered. "Yes, freedom. Mind giving me some, sir?" Her tone was laced with sarcasm.

Athrav turned to face her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Freedom?"

Parvika's voice took on a determined edge. "Yes, freedom! Why did you and your brothers bring us back here? You're the one who told everyone 'I wouldn't tolerate betrayal, that I'd end it...' " Parvika said while mimicking Athrav voice.

Athrav's words cut off her tirade. "Yes, I do, Parvika...but for you, it's different. Only for you, though." His gaze intensified, and Parvika's heart skipped a beat. "Also, about this morning's incident..."

Parvika's eyes met Athrav's, a hint of defiance sparkling in their depths. She had intentionally spilled the sambar on his shirt that morning, knowing it would provoke a reaction.

Athrav's gaze narrowed. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" he asked, his voice low and even.

Parvika's expression remained neutral. "Yes," she replied, her voice dripping with innocence.

Athrav's eyes flashed with amusement, mixed with a hint of irritation. "Ohh so straightforwarded you are pearl," he said, his voice laced with a irritation.

Parvika took a step back as Athrav took a step closer, his eyes glinting with mischief.

She knew she had ignited a spark, and now she wondered what would happen next.

Athrav's eyes seemed to bore into Parvika's soul, as if daring her to defy him further. Parvika's heart racing, she stood her ground, refusing to back down.

Suddenly, Athrav's expression changed, and he burst out laughing. "You're a feisty one, aren't you?" he chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Parvika's face flushed, 'huh he's changing his expression faster than the bullet train' she thought at Athrav's laughter. "You already know the answer," she replied, her voice filled with sarcasm.

Athrav's laughter subsided, and he took another step closer, his eyes locked on Parvika's. "Yeah, I know pearl, that's the most thing I like about you," he said, his voice low and husky.

Parvika's heart skipped a beat. She felt a flutter in her chest, and for a moment, she forgot about the animosity between them.

"I'll let it slide for now," Athrav said, his voice firm but controlled, as he moves away from her and retrieved his towel from the closet. "But consider this your last warning. Also, tomorrow is our company's anniversary, and we're having a party. Be ready at 5 pm sharp."

Parvika's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by 'be ready'?" She crossed her arms over her chest, her expression skeptical.

Athrav raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "You're not familiar with your own language now?" He smirked, pushing open the bathroom door.

Parvika rolled her eyes. "I'm not going!" she declared, her voice firm.

Athrav's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes glinting with determination. "Oh, you're coming," he said, his voice low and authoritative.

Parvika's face flushed with indignation. "I am not—"

Her words were cut off by the sound of the bathroom door slamming shut. Parvika stomped her foot in frustration. "In your dreams, Athrav Rao!" she muttered under her breath.

The sound of the bathroom door closing still lingered in Parvika's mind, fueling her indignation.

She seethed with anger, her thoughts consumed by Athrav's audacity. Who did he think he was, ordering her around like that?

As she turned to leave, the persistent ping of Athrav's phone notifications halted her steps.

She glared at the phone on the bedside table, mesmerized by the incessant ding-ing.

"Wow, who's blowing up his phone like that?" Parvika wondered aloud, her curiosity piqued.

She shrugged, dismissing the thought. "Why bother? It's none of my business."

With a dismissive snort, Parvika turned and walked out of the room, leaving the still-ringing phone behind.

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

Parvika walked through the hallway,  cursing Athrav in her mind. Suddenly, a soft "shh shh" sound stopped her in her tracks.

She looked around, confused, and spotted Tejal hiding behind a pillar. Tejal beckoned her over with a discreet hand gesture.

Parvika approached, her curiosity piqued. As she drew closer, she saw Veda standing beside Tejal, also hidden behind the pillar.

"What's going on?" Parvika whispered, eyeing them both in confusion. "What are you guys doing behind the pillar?"

"Planning, didi! Planning..." Veda whispered back, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Parvika raised an eyebrow. "What planning?"

"To escape, of course. Did you forget, or did you fall in love with Athrav Bhai in the past two days and forget about our escape plan?" Veda asked dramatically.

Tejal rolled her eyes and smacked Veda's head. "Seriously, you buddu!"

Veda rubbed her head, pouting. "I was just asking!"

Tejal turned to Parvika. "We have a plan to escape. Tomorrow's company anniversary party is the perfect opportunity. We'll be going with them, and with all the crowds and guests, they'll be too busy to keep a close eye on us."

Veda chimed in, "But I don't want to go with that idiot Avyan!"

Tejal shot her a stern glance. "Shut up and listen! We'll go with them, and when they're distracted, we'll make our move."

Parvika nodded thoughtfully. "I see what you mean, but what about the guards? They'll never leave us unattended."

Tejal smiled confidently. "I've got a plan for that too. Don't worry, didi."

Veda nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, we've got this!"

Parvika nodded. "Alright, we're sticking to the plan. But we need a backup plan too, just in case."

Tejal grinned. "Already on it, didi."

Veda piped up, "And we have to be careful not to arouse their suspicions. If we act too eager, they'll get suspicious."

Parvika nodded. "Got it. Let's keep this on the down-low for now."

As they parted ways, they made sure to act nonchalant, as if they hadn't just hatched an escape plan.

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

The Rao brothers departed early for the office, leaving three seats vacant at the dining table. To everyone's surprise, Tejal appeared, taking her place beside the others.

Anamika poured coffee while Maya served breakfast to Reeva, who sat glaring at Veda and Parvika.

"Ma, Chachi, please sit. We'll serve," Veda said, guiding Anamika and Maya to their seats.

Maya opened her mouth to speak, but Anamika's gentle pat on her arm silenced her.

"Beware, Anamika, who knows what they're planning?" Reeva said, her gaze fixed on Tejal, who placed a cup of coffee in front of Jayaraj.

Tejal remained silent, as she pours another cup of coffee for Reyansh, who smiled at her. "Thanks, beta. Ma, don't talk while eating. You're the one who taught us that."

Reeva's glare intensified. "How can I be quiet when these girls are still in my house?"

Veda whispered, "Don't worry, Dadi, we'll escape today."

Parvika discreetly elbowed Veda, who let out a slight yelp making everyone look at her. "Ahhh... too hot... coffee, hehe."

Parvika mentally face-palmed.

Rishav intervened, "Be careful, beta. You guys sit; we'll eat breakfast together."

"No, chachu, we.." Tejal's words were interpreted by Reyansh "No, beta, sit down."

Tejal, Parvika, and Veda exchanged a look before taking their seats.

Reeva scoffed, "Look how shameless these girls are! Eating food from here even after doing everything."

Anamika softly reminded, "Ma, please don't say anything like that while eating."

Tejal served herself breakfast, saying, "It's okay, Ma, Dadi it's our house too. Remember, your grandsons are our husbands."

Reeva's eyes widened in disbelief, "you!" but Jayaraj's firm tone cut her off. "Reeva, keep silent and eat!"

The table fell silent, with only the sound of utensils on plates breaking the tension.

≻───── ⋆✩⋆ ─────≺

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