The evening air was cool as Parineeti drove through the streets, her mind still lingering on her conversation with Vikram. Despite her best efforts to remain detached, the man had a way of digging beneath her skin, making her question things she hadn’t allowed herself to consider in years. She pushed those thoughts aside as she arrived at a nondescript café on the edge of the city—her meeting with Shaurya was set for now.
She stepped inside, scanning the dimly lit interior for the familiar face of the one person she could rely on in this twisted game. Shaurya was sitting in a corner booth, casually scrolling through his phone. She saw the slight twitch of his lips when he saw her, a smirk barely concealed beneath his calm demeanor.
“Paru,” he greeted her as she approached, standing up to offer her a seat. She acknowledged his gesture with a brief nod before sitting down, her gaze steady on his face.
“Shaurya,” she said, her voice even, but there was an edge to it. “You’ve been keeping busy.”
“You know me,” he replied nonchalantly, settling back into his seat. “Always busy, always watching. It’s what I do best.”
She crossed her arms, leaning back slightly. “What’s the deal with this case, Shaurya? I’ve been digging through the files, but there’s something missing. Something feels off. I need you to tell me everything.”
Shaurya leaned forward slightly, his face taking on a more serious expression. “It’s bigger than you think, Paru. A lot bigger. I’ve been getting some information from my sources. Raghav Mehta is the face of it, but there’s someone higher up pulling the strings. Mehta’s company isn’t just involved in fraud. It’s tied to more dangerous operations—money laundering, arms dealing, you name it. The thing is, Mehta isn’t the mastermind. He’s just the public figurehead.”
Parineeti narrowed her eyes. “So who’s behind this?”
Shaurya hesitated, clearly weighing his words. “That’s something I’m still trying to figure out. But I’ll get there. I’ve been digging through connections, and I’ll have more soon.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “There’s something else, though. You need to be careful. The deeper you get into this, the more dangerous it becomes. There are people in this world who don’t play by the rules. And you, Parineeti—you're in the crosshairs now.”
She took a deep breath, her mind racing with the implications of his words. “I’m not afraid of danger, Shaurya. I’ve been in this game long enough to know how to protect myself.”
He gave her a long look, his expression softening slightly. “I know you can handle yourself. But this isn’t just a legal battle. There are things at play here that are far more sinister than what you see on the surface. You’re not just fighting for your career—you’re fighting for your life.”
Parineeti’s gaze hardened, her resolve strengthening. “Then I’ll fight.”
Shaurya gave her a subtle nod. “I’ll keep you updated. Don’t trust anyone but yourself in this. And remember—what you’re dealing with isn’t just about the law. It’s about power.”
She stood up from the table, her mind already turning over everything he had said. “Thanks, Shaurya. I’ll be in touch.”
With that, she turned and walked out of the café, her mind focused on the fight ahead. She had the information she needed. But now, there was only one thing left to do: take down Raghav Mehta and whoever was pulling the strings behind him.
---
Back at Singhania Estate, the heavy doors of Vikram’s study creaked open as the night dragged on. The mansion was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of papers or the distant sound of the storm outside. Vikram sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on a set of documents in front of him. But his thoughts were elsewhere—on Parineeti, on the case, and, most importantly, on Shaurya.
Shaurya had been keeping his distance, but Vikram could feel something was off. His younger brother had been acting unusually secretive lately, avoiding his direct gaze and deflecting any questions about his activities. That wasn’t typical of Shaurya. And Vikram didn’t like it.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall, signaling Shaurya’s return. Vikram sat up straighter in his chair, steeling himself for the confrontation. He had been waiting for this moment.
The door to the study opened, and Shaurya stepped inside, his usual calm demeanor in place. He paused for a moment, his eyes meeting Vikram’s, but there was a flicker of hesitation behind them. It didn’t go unnoticed by Vikram.
“Shaurya,” Vikram’s voice was cold, commanding. “We need to talk.”
Shaurya froze for a split second before nodding, walking toward the chair across from Vikram’s desk. He sat down slowly, meeting his brother’s intense gaze. “What’s going on, bhai?”
“You’ve been avoiding me,” Vikram said bluntly. “And you’re getting too involved in things that you shouldn’t be.”
Shaurya leaned back in his chair, trying to appear nonchalant, but Vikram could see the tension in his shoulders. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Vikram’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t play games with me. I know what you’re up to. You’ve been in contact with Parineeti.”
There was a long silence before Shaurya spoke, his voice quieter than usual. “So what if I have? She’s working on the case, bhai. She’s helping you.”
“I don’t trust her, Shaurya,” Vikram growled, his voice dark with warning. “You’re not to get involved with her. You understand me?”
Shaurya’s eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and defiance. “You don’t control me, bhai. I do what I think is right.”
Vikram stood up, his anger rising. He wasn’t used to being challenged like this, not by anyone, least of all his own brother. “You’re treading dangerous ground, Shaurya. This case isn’t just about some shady businessman. It’s about power, and you’re getting too close to it. To her.”
Shaurya met his gaze with a hard stare. “She’s not like the others, bhai. And you’re wrong about her.”
Vikram took a step forward, his voice low, dangerous. “I don’t care who she is. Stay away from her. If you want to keep playing your games, you do it without involving me or my company.”
Shaurya’s expression shifted, his usual calm slipping for a moment. “And if I don’t?”
Vikram leaned in closer, his presence overwhelming. “Then you’ll find out exactly how much power I have, Shaurya. Don’t test me.”
There was a moment of tension between them, the air thick with unspoken words. But after a beat, Shaurya let out a slow breath, leaning back in his chair. “Fine. I’ll stay out of it. But remember, I’m not the one you should be worried about.”
Vikram stared at him, the weight of his words hanging in the air. “I’ll be watching you.”
As Shaurya stood up and left the room, Vikram stood motionless, his thoughts still clouded with doubt. Something was off. He could feel it in his bones. Shaurya’s involvement with Parineeti was just the beginning of something much darker.
And as the door clicked shut behind his brother, Vikram knew that the game had only just begun.
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