Chapter Five: The Blood on the Hands

Sameer marched toward Aditya’s quarters, his face flushed with the lingering sting of being abandoned at the Arena. In his haste, he nearly collided with Mahika.

"Where’s that idiot guy?" Sameer demanded, his voice harsh.

Mahika’s eyes narrowed, her face flushing with immediate offense. "How dare you say that to Aditya!"

Sameer didn't back down; instead, he let the words spill out, telling her everything that had happened at the Arena—the kidnapping, the chaos, and Aditya’s sudden departure. "He chose to pick up that girl instead of me," Sameer spat, his bitterness fueling Mahika’s rising agitation.

"Who is she?" Mahika asked, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Find out about her for me. Please."

"Of course I will," Sameer replied, a cruel glint in his eye. "Mahika, that girl could replace you in Aditya’s heart."

He left her standing there, the words echoing in her mind. Mahika retreated to her room, where her composure finally shattered. In a fit of tears and blind rage, she began throwing objects against the walls, the sound of breaking glass filling the air. She stopped before her mirror, her reflection wild and distorted. "No one will separate us," she hissed to herself. "No one!"

Back at the Jaykar dining table, a heavy silence followed Raju’s question. Anamika, Padma, and Rohan sat in a state of visible shock, their hearts hammering against their ribs.

"It’s Sat Clinic," Padma finally stammered, her voice high with nerves. "In the other society."

Raju gave a slow, deliberate nod of acknowledgment, while Mohini offered a warm, unsuspecting smile. "Padma, I have something for your mum to take when you’re leaving," Mohini said. Padma nodded and forced a smile back, but Anamika remained paralyzed by fear, the weight of Raju’s investigation pressing down on her.

"Ana, you’re not eating," Raju observed, his gaze fixing on her.

Anamika looked up at him, her eyes wide with apprehension. She forced a nervous smile. "Okay, Dad," she whispered, picking up her fork and continuing to eat. She could feel Raju’s suspicious eyes tracking her every move.

Later that night, the parking lot of the Rao estate was bathed in the pale glow of the streetlights. Vihaan pulled his car into its space, unaware that Aditya was standing in the shadows nearby, smoking a cigarette. When Vihaan stepped out of the vehicle, the light revealed his clothes—they were heavily stained with fresh blood. He was already on the phone.

"I think it’s best we hurt him first," Vihaan said into the receiver.

Aditya froze, his eyes widening in shock. Vihaan ended the call and turned, his own face mirroring the shock when he realized he was being watched.

"Who are you gonna hurt?" Aditya demanded, stepping forward. "Look, I don’t care about your thug life, but just don’t hurt my sister."

Vihaan didn't answer. He turned and left in a silent, simmering anger. As he walked away, Aditya glanced through the window of Vihaan’s car and spotted a discarded jacket on the seat. It was Dev Malhotra’s jacket.

In the quiet of Anamika’s room, the three friends huddled together to discuss the growing threat of Raju’s suspicion. Nearby, Priyanka was distracted, humming along to a song playing through her phone, seemingly oblivious to their plight.

"So I helped him, and Dev too was amazed," Anamika whispered, recounting the moment on stage.

"It’s good," Rohan admitted, his brow furrowed. "But I’m just worried about Uncle."

"Me too, Ro," Anamika sighed. "Why is he asking for the clinic name?"

Padma reached out, trying to offer some comfort despite her own nerves. "You are worrying for nothing. Uncle will not waste his time for this."

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