The next morning, Moli and Advika were removed from the farm work and assigned to work in the mansion. The reason given was a shortage of staff at the mansion—but the real reason was Anay.
Advika was in the kitchen straining tea, while Anay stood at his window, watching her. Advika had covered her face, showing only her eyes.
After straining the tea, Advika handed the cup to Moli and started cutting potatoes. Anay squinted—he had been waiting for Advika to bring the tea herself, but all his hopes were dashed when Moli came instead. When Moli approached to offer him the tea, he refused and walked toward the kitchen.
He leaned against the kitchen door.
Advika saw him but continued working, ignoring his presence.
"Feisty," Anay mumbled to himself and smiled. "Listen..."
"Yes, speak," Advika replied without looking at him.
"I'll only say something if you look at me," Anay said, still smiling.
Advika lifted her fiery black eyes and looked at him. Anay's heartbeat quickened, loud enough to echo in his ears. He stood frozen in place.
"Will you speak now?" Advika asked, bringing Anay back to his senses.
He replied, "One cup of coffee, please."
"Sure," she said and set milk on the stove to boil.
When Anay still didn't leave, Advika said, "You may go. I'll send it once it's ready."
"No, I'll take it myself," Anay said, looking at her.
Advika didn't question further and quietly went about her work.
Anay continued seeing his future wife in her—draped in a bright red saree, mangalsutra around her neck, vermillion streak in her parting, bangles clinking on her wrists, anklets ringing with every step…
Suddenly, a pang of jealousy snapped him out of his thoughts. Advika was standing in front of him, holding the cup and staring.
Startled, Anay took the cup and left, muttering to himself, "If this is how it is now, I wonder what it'll be like after marriage…"
While sipping coffee outside, he heard some commotion. He stepped out and saw Rajan's mother pleading with Bade Thakur to find her son.
Bade Thakur, too, had been worried about Rajan and Darshit since yesterday. Advika came out hearing the noise and looked at Anay, who stood there calmly, unaffected.
Later, when Anay went inside, Advika called out from behind, "Did you do this?"
"Do what?" Anay asked, turning around.
"What did you do to them?" Advika asked, staring into his eyes.
"Exactly what they deserved. And don't worry, your name won't be dragged into it… now go do your work," Anay said and turned away.
"Thakur Saheb…"
The moment she addressed him, Anay's heart skipped a beat.
"What did you just say?" he asked, stepping closer.
Realizing what she had said, Advika came to her senses.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—" she began, but Anay interrupted, "No, keep calling me Thakur Saheb. It sounds nice."
Handing her the empty cup, he added, "Make something nice for dinner tonight… I'm craving something good," and walked off, leaving Advika staring at him.
Anay stepped out happily. At the gate, Shrey was waiting.
"You're glowing like a firefly… what's the secret?" Shrey teased.
"Nothing," Anay brushed him off and got on his jeep.
"Where to?" Shrey asked.
"There's a meeting at the Mukhiya Bhavan. And how can there be a meeting without the Mukhiya?" Anay said with a confident smirk, adjusting his hair and checking his reflection in the jeep's mirror.
He had returned to his old self. Rolling up his sleeves, he strode into the building with authority. Everyone stood in respect. Shrey followed him like a bodyguard.
Meanwhile, Advika sneaked into a corner of the mansion, took out a phone, and made a call. After a brief conversation, she walked toward the back of the mansion.
A car stood at a short distance. Her face was covered, making her almost unrecognizable. She got into the car and looked at the man seated across from her.
Light brown eyes, thick lashes, sharp jawline—features that gave him a unique and striking presence. Dressed in a black three-piece suit, he sat in the backseat smoking a cigarette, exuding a cold charisma. His assistant sat in the front seat.
"I did what you asked. Anay is currently at the Mukhiya Bhavan and will soon agree to our project," the man said flatly.
"And what makes you so sure he'll agree?" Advika asked.
"You need a guarantee from Rudransh Rajvansh?" Rudransh raised an eyebrow.
Advika stared at him for a moment, then looked out the window and said, "Shouldn't that have been considered before payment, Mr. Rajvansh?"
"Rudransh. Call me Rudransh," he replied in a deep voice.
A silence fell in the car. After a while, Rudransh asked, "So, how far have you progressed in your mission?"
"Mind your own business," Advika said curtly and stepped out of the car, walking back toward the mansion.
After she left, Gaurav—the man in the driver's seat—asked, "Sir, can I ask you something?"
"Hm," Rudransh said, leaning back.
"Why do you tolerate Madam Advika's disrespect? She's not even related to you…"
"This is love, Gaurav… and love makes a person do the unthinkable," Rudransh replied, stubbing out his cigarette and signaling Gaurav to drive.
To be continued.....