Aishwarya sat by the fire, inhaling the crisp night air. The silence wrapped around her like a familiar embrace. Solitude—this was what she loved.
Her phone buzzed.
Harvey: "Stupid! Camping alone at night isn't safe. At least take someone with you."
Aish: "You know I love adventures, and I prefer being alone. Stop worrying. TTYL."
She set her phone aside, exhaling. The world faded into peace—until the tent flap rustled.
A shadow loomed. A man staggered in, covered in blood. His sharp, predatory eyes locked onto her. Raahithya.
Aishwarya's breath hitched.
Aishwarya (shaken): "Who the hell are you?!"
Raahithya (panting, voice rough): "Help me."
Before she could react his bloody hand clamped over her mouth, pulling her close. His grip was unrelenting, his body burning with fever and something darker.
She struggled. Hard. But he was too strong.
Voices echoed.
"Find him! He couldn't have gone far!"
Aishwarya's heartbeat pounded in her ears. Who was after him? And why?
The men stopped near her tent.
"That tent belongs to a couple. Keep searching."
Silence followed. Then footsteps fading into the distance.
Raahithya exhaled and finally let her go. Aishwarya stumbled back, gasping for air.
Aishwarya (furious): "You…you used me as a cover?!"
Raahithya smirked, but his expression was laced with pain.
Raahithya: "You should be thanking me. Those men? They wouldn't have hesitated to slit your throat."
His gaze darkened as the adrenaline rush shifted into something else. Something dangerous.
His hands trembled slightly. His pupils were dilated.
Raahithya (gritting his teeth): "Shit… I've been drugged."
The words sent a chill down Aishwarya's spine.
His body tensed—like a predator about to lose control.
She turned to bolt, but he caught her wrist and yanked her back.
Aishwarya fought against him, but he was too strong, his mind clouded by whatever had been injected into him. His breathing was ragged, his fingers digging into her waist.
Aishwarya (voice shaking): "Get away from me!"
Raahithya stumbled back, panting, his chest rising and falling. The drug had taken over him completely. He tried to focus on her, but his vision blurred.
His rival's men had done this to him. A rival who had struck a deal with Freya.
His fists clenched.
He swayed on his feet, barely able to stay upright. Before he could say another word, darkness consumed him
She tried to push him away, but his lips crashed onto hers. It was desperate, raw, forceful.
She gasped against his mouth, her body frozen in shock. And yet—for a fleeting second—something in the way he kissed her pulled her under. The heat, the hunger, the sheer intensity—it was consuming.
Then reality hit
---
Next Morning –
Sunlight streamed through the tent, cruel and blinding.
Aishwarya woke up to a nightmare she couldn't escape. Her body ached. Her mind was fractured.
Across from her, Raahithya sat watching.
Raahithya (softly, almost amused): "Don't cry, babyl. It makes my heart hurt."
His words made her skin crawl.
Her hand curled into a fist. And then—she slapped him.
The sharp sound echoed in the silent morning.
Raahithya exhaled, touching his cheek where her palm had landed. Then—he smirked.
Raahithya (low, amused): "You know… you're the first person to slap me." His gaze turned sharp. "But it's okay. You can."
Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and slid a ring onto her finger.
Aishwarya stiffened.
Raahithya: "Whether you like it or not, you belong to me now. Keep the ring. It holds power."
He placed a black card in her hand.
Raahithya: "Ten crores. No password.
Im in hurry to leave so come to Blossom Residence tomorrow. I promise I'll take responsibility." Bye baby girl
And just like that—he was gone.
Aishwarya stared at the ring. The card.
Then at herself.
Her hands shook. Then—rage.
Pure, burning rage.
----
After collecting some strength
Aishwarya stormed into the police station.
She filed an FIR against Raahithya.
She placed the ring and the black card in front of the officer as evidence.
The officer nodded, scribbling in his notebook. Too slow. Too calm.
*She left
Then, he dialled a number on his phone.
His voice was casual, but his words sent an icy wave through her veins.
Officer (calmly, into the phone): "Sir. We have a situation."
He wasn't reporting a crime. He was reporting her.
To one of the Raahithya's men..