Episode 4:My Stranger

Nithya stood backstage, the thunderous roar of cheering fans still vibrating in the floorboards beneath her feet. Her heart hammered against her ribs—not from the lingering adrenaline of the stage, but from a soaring sense of triumph. She had given the audience every ounce of her soul. As she caught her breath and wiped the beads of sweat from her brow, she spotted two figures cutting through the shadows toward her: her boss, Mr. Anvish, and Jay.

What is he doing with Mr. Anvish? she wondered, her pulse skipping a beat.

Before she could process the sight, the men reached her. Jay stepped forward, his voice steady and commanding.

“She’s my friend, Anvish. I need you to feature her on the next tour,” he said, leaving no room for hesitation.

Nithya’s eyes widened in genuine shock. Was this really happening?

Anvish offered a respectful smile and a nod. “Anything for you, Mr. Jay.”

With a brief parting glance, the boss turned and vanished into the backstage bustle, leaving Jay and Nithya alone in the sudden quiet.

“Thank you,” Nithya stammered, her nerves returning as she struggled to find the right words. “But... I’m sorry about the video. You hurt Malishka.”

Jay’s hard expression softened at the mention of the name. “I know,” he replied quietly. “I apologized to her. That matters.”

Nithya gave a small, silent nod of acknowledgment.

Meanwhile, the soft hum of an engine filled the cabin of Shaina’s car as she drove Ranvijay home. His bike had broken down—or so he had claimed—and she had stepped in to offer him a ride. They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment before he broke it.

“I want to meet your family,” Ranvijay said suddenly.

Shaina blinked, caught off guard.

“Don’t get me wrong,” he added, a nervous smile playing on his lips. “But since you’ll be knowing my house, I think it’s only fair if I know yours too.”

Shaina let out a light chuckle. “Fair enough. Maybe another time.”

A few minutes later, following his directions, she pulled up in front of a modest apartment building.

“This is it,” he said, gesturing toward the structure. “That’s where I live—with my mum.”

Shaina looked at him, her heart warming at the simple honesty in his voice.

“Thank you, my superhero,” he said playfully.

She flashed him a wide smile as he stepped out of the car, and she watched him walk toward the entrance until he disappeared inside, a lingering grin tugging at her lips.

As the evening drew to a close, Arjun arrived at Shaina's residence. His eyes sparkled with an intensity that bordered on manic as he began to share the latest news regarding Neeks. Shaina’s expression shifted instantly from curiosity to incredulous indignation.

"Are you insane?" she demanded, her voice rising. "You used Mum's money to enroll that... that... bitch?"

Arjun's face fell, the light in his eyes replaced by a mixture of hurt and frustration. "Shaina, why can't you just like Neeks?" he asked, his voice thick with a blend of sadness and simmering anger. "Is she not beautiful enough or what?"

Shaina’s laughter was sharp and dismissive. "Beautiful? She's not even pretty! I can find you someone better than her any day."

Arjun’s lips curled into a hard smile. "I don't need someone else, Shaina," he said, his voice dropping to a low, determined growl. "Neeks is my true love."

Shaina's face darkened, her anger finally boiling over. Without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the room.

"Hey, little girl, come back here!" Arjun called after her, his voice loud and commanding as he gave chase.

Across town, Nithya was lost in the rhythm of her practice, the melody of her music filling her room. A sudden, sharp knock on the windowpane made her jump. She turned to find Jay standing outside the glass, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. Surprised, she rushed to throw the window open.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, trying and failing to maintain a stern tone. "Are you stalking me?"

Jay’s smile only widened. "No, no. Your boss sent me to give you your employment letter," he said, extending a crisp envelope toward her.

Nithya’s breath caught as she took it, her fingers trembling with a mix of fear and hope. She ripped it open, her eyes scanning the page before she let out a squeal of pure delight. "OMG, Dame Label is hiring me?"

Jay’s smirk returned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I know, right?" he teased.

Overjoyed, Nithya threw her arms around him in a tight, impulsive hug. "Thank you!"

Jay’s smirk softened into something more genuine as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close against the cool night air. "Anytime," he whispered.

As he watched her savor the moment, Jay couldn't help but let that knowing smirk return. "Enjoy your happy moment, girl," he said, his voice carrying a mysterious weight.

At the same time, Shaina was in the middle of a discussion about Rommy with Zoya when Tariq and Mahika walked in. Their presence immediately shifted the energy in the room. Shaina smoothed her expression into something sweet, greeting Tariq with a warm smile.

"Uncle, welcome back."

Tariq ignored her entirely, his eyes blazing with a cold, focused fury. Mahika, standing beside him, sneered openly. "Stop pretending to be a good girl," she spat, her voice laced with venom.

Zoya stepped in, her voice firm yet laced with concern. "Mahika, what are you doing? Tariq, what's going on?"

Tariq's anger finally broke the surface as he turned on Zoya. "Don't talk to me, Zoya!" he thundered, leaving her visibly shocked.

Shaina’s eyes widened, and she took a cautious step forward. "What did she tell you, Uncle?" she asked, her voice dripping with feigned concern.

Tariq’s gaze locked onto Shaina, his eyes burning with an unsettling intensity. "I need a favor from you, Shaina," he said, his voice low and urgent. "And if you do this, I will be forever grateful."

Shaina met his gaze, her expression turning curious. "Of course, Uncle," she said smoothly. "Tell me anything you need."

Tariq’s eyes seemed to bore into her soul. "Convince Amit to be with Mahika," he said.

The words dropped like a bombshell. Shaina’s eyes went wide with shock, and Zoya’s face paled in horror.

Back in her room, Nithya pulled back slightly, her eyes searching Jay’s face. "Why are you doing all of this for me, stranger?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Jay’s smile remained enigmatic. "There's a reason for everything, Nithya," he replied.

Nithya’s eyes narrowed as her curiosity peaked. "And what's your reason?"

Jay’s smile grew, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I will tell you tomorrow after the event," he said, his voice glinting with unspoken secrets.

Nithya leaned in closer, her voice barely audible as a dark thought crossed her mind. "Are you taking revenge?"

Jay’s expression instantly turned guarded, his entire posture stiffening at the weight of her question.

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