Vanshika’s expression remained unchanged as she stared at the threatening message. She quickly showed it to Ishana and locked her phone and placed it facedown on the nightstand. She looked up at her other friends, her voice calm and firm.

"You guys go and prepare for tonight's celebrations," she said, a small, strained smile on her face. "I'm going to take some rest. I'll see you all later."

Ishana looked at Navya, and Vihaan exchanged glances,to which they nooded as they knew better than to argue with Vanshika when she had that look in her eyes.

"Okay, but if you need anything at all, just call us," Ishana said.

"And don't worry, we'll find out who did this," Navya added, a determined look on her face.

Vihaan simply gave her a nod of reassurance. With that, they all quietly left the room, the door clicking shut behind them.

Once she was alone, Vanshika picked up her phone again, her thumb hovering over the ominous message. Her calm facade shattered, replaced by a fierce, icy rage. She sat up straight, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the screen.

"Whoever you are," she whispered into the empty room, her voice a low, dangerous growl, "I'm going to find you. And when I do, the consequences won't be fine for you."

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

The basement was a study in shadows and silence. Damp air clung to the stone walls, and a single, bare bulb hanging from a frayed wire cast a harsh, yellow light that barely reached the corners of the room. The air was thick with the scent of mildew and something metallic. A heavy iron chair stood in the center of the room, and tied to it was a man, his face a canvas of terror.

Raghav and Abhiman stood across from him, two imposing figures in the gloom.

Raghav's face was a mask of cold fury, his hands balled into fists at his sides. Abhiman, ever the calm one, simply leaned against a wall, his expression unreadable.

"I'll ask you one more time," Raghav's voice was a low growl, "who told you to spike her drink?"

The man, the same waiter who had served Vanshika, whimpered. "I... I don't know who it was, sir. He just messaged me. I swear!"

"A message?" Raghav scoffed, taking a step closer. "You expect me to believe that?"

"It's the truth!" the man cried, his voice breaking. "He just sent me a picture of her, and told me to put the powder in her drink. He didn't give me a name, I swear!"

Raghav's fist connected with the man's jaw, a sickening crunch echoing in the silent room. The man's head snapped back, a gasp of pain escaping his lips.

Raghav's eyes were like ice. "You think you can lie to me? You think I'm a fool?"

Abhiman pushed himself off the wall, walking over to Raghav and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Raghav, stop. We're not getting anything out of him like this."

Raghav took a deep, shaky breath, his eyes still fixed on the man. "You have one last chance. Give me a name."

Tears streamed down the man's face. "I really don't know! He just messaged me, I just did what he said! I don't know who he was, please, please leave me now!"

Raghav looked at Abhiman, a new resolve in his eyes. He knew they wouldn't get a name, but they had a new lead. A mysterious figure who worked in the shadows. He knew they'd have to dig deeper, and he was ready for a fight.

Raghav’s eyes, cold and merciless, stared at the waiter. He didn't say a word, just took out his gun. The shot echoed, a stark and final sound in the damp silence of the basement.

Abhiman watched the scene with a casual indifference, the kind that comes from years of knowing Raghav. He sighed and walked over to his friend.

"You say you're still not sure about your feelings for her," he said, his voice quiet. "But the way you act around her, it says otherwise. The way you risked everything to save her yesterday night, and now this... it's more than just friendship, man."

Raghav didn't respond immediately. He just stared at the spot where the waiter had been, a storm raging in his eyes. He knew Abhiman was right. Every time he was with Vanshika, every time he saw her smile, his carefully constructed walls seemed to crumble. It was a terrifying, exhilarating feeling that he couldn't quite define.

"I don't know, man," he finally said, his voice a low rumble. "I... I've never felt like this before. It's different. It's a different kind of feeling."

"Different is good, Raghav," Abhiman said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "This is not some business deal. This is your heart. And it's screaming for her."

Raghav sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe," he said, the word a hesitant whisper. "Maybe you're right. But... what if I mess it up?"

"You won't," Abhiman said, his voice firm. "You just need to trust yourself and trust her. Now, let's get out of here. We have a lot of work to do."

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Raghav and Abhiman returned to the hotel, the gravity of their actions still hanging in the air. The hotel lobby, however, was a stark contrast, bustling with energy as everyone celebrated Navya's birthday. The cheerful music and laughter felt alien after the darkness of the basement.

Raghav spotted Ishana and made his way over to her. "Where's Vanshika?" he asked, his voice low.

"In her room, resting," Ishana replied, her expression still a mix of worry and excitement. "She said she needed to be alone for a bit."

He nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. He headed back to his room, the image of Vanshika's pale, frightened face still burned into his mind. He needed to clear his head. He stepped into the bathroom, stripped his clothes turning on the shower and letting the hot water cascade over him. The steam filled the room, and he closed his eyes, allowing the water to wash away the grim reality of the last few hours. The tension in his shoulders began to ease, but the image of Vanshika's vulnerable state remained.

Emerging from the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist, he walked towards his closet. Just as he reached for a shirt, his phone lit up. He saw the caller ID and a smirk touched his lips. It was his father, Rajeev. He picked up the call, pulling a t-shirt over his head.

"Dad," he said, his voice calm.

"Raghav, beta, are you alright?" Rajeev's voice came through, a hint of concern. "Abhiman told me everything. What happened? and how's Vanshika?"

"I'm fine, Dad," Raghav said, pulling on a pair of jeans. "Vanshika... she's fine too. She's resting."

He heard Sanjeev, chuckle in the background. "My boy, you should have seen your father's face when he heard. You'd think he'd be more worried about your reputation, but no, all he could talk about was how 'our Vanshika' was doing."

Raghav chuckled. "Chachu, you know how he is."

Madhav, then spoke, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic seriousness. "Raghav, there's another problem."

"What is it, Dadu?" Raghav asked, a new tension gripping him.

Rajeev sighed. "Vineet..., he found out about what happened. He's furious."

"Now what?" Raghav said, a sigh escaping his lips. He knew how protective Vineet was of Vanshika.

"We'll handle him," Rajeev said firmly. "You just take care of her. And listen, though you have our full support, you must find out who did this."

"I will," Raghav said, his voice hardening with resolve.

A moment of silence passed before Rajeev spoke again. "So, any clues? What did you find?"

"Nothing yet," Raghav said, the anger returning to his voice. "The waiter said he doesn't know who ordered him to spike her drink. He just got a message."

"A message?" Sanjeev scoffed. "Cowards. Hiding behind technology."

Madhav’s voice, a warm, grandfatherly tone, then broke the tension. "Well, your Dadi and your mom have already started looking at wedding invitations, so you better not mess this up!"

Sanjeev chuckled. "He's right, your chachi and I have already considered her our future daughter-in-law."

Raghav laughed, a genuine, warm sound. "You know, Chachu, I'm still not even sure about my feelings."

Madhav’s voice turned serious again. "But the way you killed that waiter... that says something else, my boy."

Raghav went silent. The memory was still fresh, and he couldn't deny the truth in his grandfather's words.

Rajeev's voice then came through, soft and wise. "Son, you can say you're not sure, but I know you. My child, you are truly in love with her."

Raghav didn't respond, the silence on his end a clear acknowledgment of the truth. He'd always felt something for Vanshika, a deep-seated respect and admiration that is slowly, over the time, blooming into something more. He just hadn't been ready to admit it, even to himself.

"Well, listen to your father," Madhav said, his voice full of warmth. "He knows what he's talking about. Now, you get some rest. And let us know if you need anything at all. We'll handle Vineet."

"And don't forget to give her our love, beta," Sanjeev added.

"I will," Raghav said, a genuine smile on his face. He ended the call and sat on the edge of the bed, the weight of his family's support and understanding a heavy, yet comforting, presence. He knew he had to be there for Vanshika, not just as a friend, but as the man who love her (maybe).

"I love you."

The words echoed in his mind, a soft whisper of that night. He remembered the feel of her hands in his, the soft, slurred confession that had fallen from her lips. He knew she meant it.

But as he sat there, the weight of those three words settled on him. He knew she loved him, but the real question was, did he love her? The thought was a disquieting mix of fear and elation. He'd always been there for her, a fierce protector, a steadfast friend. He'd felt the surge of possessiveness, the bone-deep rage that had led him to do something he never thought he was capable of. Was that love? Was this all a result of his protective nature, or was it something more?

He had always told himself that their relationship was just a performance, a shield to protect her from Ajay. But somewhere along the way, the lines had blurred. He found himself thinking about her when she wasn't around, his heart a little lighter when she laughed, a little heavier when she was sad.

He looked at his reflection in the dark window, and he saw a man who was no longer sure of anything. He knew he couldn't hide from this forever. He had to figure out what was in his heart, not just for her sake, but for his own. He was standing at a precipice, and he knew that the next step he took would change everything.

Raghav stood up, a newfound resolve in his heart. He walked out of his room and made his way to Vanshika's door. He knocked once, softly, but there was no answer. A wave of panic rushed through him. He knocked again, harder this time, his heart pounding in his chest. He was just about to knock a third time, his mind racing with a hundred terrifying scenarios, when the door creaked open.

There stood Vanshika, her hair disheveled and her eyes half-closed, a sleepy frown on her face.

"Raghav?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. "What's wrong? Why are you knocking so loudly?"

A sigh of relief escaped his lips. He stepped inside, and pulled her into a tight hug. "I... I thought something had happened to you," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

Vanshika, still groggy, was taken aback by his sudden display of emotion. "Raghav, I'm fine. I was just sleeping." She pulled back, a soft smile gracing her lips. "I told you I needed some rest."

He looked at her, his eyes full of a love he was no longer trying to hide. "I know," he said softly, his hand gently stroking her cheek. "But I just... I needed to see you. I needed to know you were okay."

Raghav closed the door behind him and watched as Vanshika, still sleepy, reached for a glass of water on her nightstand. He stood there for a moment, a deep sigh escaping his lips.

"Vanshika, your dad found out about yesterday."

The words hit her like a punch. She choked on her water, a wild fit of coughing seizing her. Raghav's eyes widened, and he rushed to her side, gently rubbing her back. "Easy, easy."

Once her coughing subsided, she looked at him, her eyes wide with panic. "How? How did he find out?"

"I don't know," Raghav admitted, his brow furrowed. "I just got a call from my dad, and he told me."

"But... how does your dad know, and how does he know that my dad knows?" she asked, her mind racing.

Raghav's signature smirk returned. "Well,Don't forget,miss, we're Sharmas. We know everything," he said, the playful teasing a welcome change from the tension. "And as for how your father found out... they're friends."

Vanshika just stared at him, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Her father's protective nature was legendary, and she knew this wouldn't end well.

Vanshika stared at Raghav, her mind a whirlwind of panic. He simply raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk on his face. Her phone, lying on the nightstand, light up, its screen displaying a new message. She closed her eyes, a sigh of resignation escaping her lips. This was it. She took a deep breath, knowing the storm was about to break.

She took her phone, and as she suspected, the caller ID showed a picture of her father. She shot a glare at Raghav, who only smirked wider.

"Pick up the phone, Miss Sharma," he said, his voice laced with amusement.

Taking one last deep breath, she answered the call. "Hello, Dad."

"Vanshika," Vineet's voice boomed through the speaker, devoid of his usual warmth. "Get your bags. You're coming home."

"Dad, what are you talking about?" she said, her voice feigning confusion.

"Don't play innocent with me. I know what happened last night," he said, his voice hard as stone. "You're coming back to Hyderabad right now."

Vanshika's eyes narrowed. "Dad, how am I supposed to come back to Hyderabad this soon? I have classes, exams... I can't just leave everything behind."

"Your education is not more important than your safety, Vanshika," he said. "I'll handle the university. I want you on the next flight."

"No, Dad, I'm not coming," she said, her voice hardening. "I will face this by myself. I'll handle it. You don't have to worry."

"Vanshika, don't argue with me!" Vineet roared.

Just then, another voice joined the call. "Vanshika, listen to Dad. We'll handle this," Rishi, said. "You just need to come back."

"Bhai, no," Vanshika said, her inner "sherni" starting to surface. "I'm not a child anymore. I can take care of myself. I'm not running away from this. I'm going to find out who did this, and I will make them pay."

"Vanshika, it's not a negotiation," Vineet said, his voice a low growl. "You're getting on the next flight, and that's final."

"No, it's not," she snapped. "I'm not coming home. I'm not a little girl you need to protect anymore. I'm not running away from my problems, and I won't let you or anyone else tell me what to do."

Raghav watched as Vanshika argued with her father and brother, her voice getting louder with each sentence. Her face was flushed with a combination of anger and frustration, but her resolve was unwavering. He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. This was the Vanshika he knew, the fierce, independent woman who refused to back down.

"Dad, I'm not a child you can just order around," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "I'm staying here, and that's final."

A moment of silence stretched on the other end of the line, broken only by a muffled conversation between her father and brother. "Vanshika," Rishi's voice came through, a little softer this time. "We're not trying to order you around. We're just worried about you. You were in danger."

"I know," she said, her voice softening slightly. "And I'm grateful for your concern. But I'm not going to let this person win by running away. I'm going to face them."

"What if he tries to do something again?" her father asked, his voice filled with a fear he was trying to hide.

"He won't," she said, a determined glint in her eyes. "Because this time, I'll be ready."

Another long pause, and then her father's voice came through, a hint of defeat in it. "Fine. But you have to promise me you'll be careful. And you'll call me every day."

"I promise," Vanshika said, a sense of relief washing over her. "Thank you, Dad."

She hung up the phone and looked at Raghav, a small smile on her face. "Well,I handled it very well."

Raghav just looked at her, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and admiration. He walked over to her and gently took her hand. "You're a true lioness, Miss Sharma."

A small, genuine smile touched her lips. She held his gaze for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Raghav, there's something else."

His expression immediately turned serious. "What is it?"

She hesitated, her thumb nervously tracing a pattern on the back of her hand. "I got this message." She pulled her phone out and showed him the message from the unknown number.

Raghav's eyes scanned the screen, and his jaw tightened. The words—"Stay away from him, butterfly, or the consequences won't be fine,cause you are mine only MINE!!"—were like a poison seeping into his system.

"I'll get the number tracked, and we'll get the details." he said, his voice dangerously calm.

"You can take help from Ishana for this," Vanshika suggested. "She's good with this kind of stuff and hacking and all."

"I will," he confirmed, his mind already racing. "I'll inform Abhiman too. Both of them can work on it." He looked at her, his eyes full of resolve. "We'll find this person, Vanshika. I promise."

Just as a sense of peace settled over them, Raghav's phone buzzed with a notification. He picked it up and a small smile touched his lips. It was Navya. The message was simple:

"Party's starting in a moment! Where are you guys?"

Raghav looked at Vanshika, a playful smirk on his face. "Looks like the birthday girl is getting impatient," he said.

Vanshika smiled, the first genuine one since she woke up. "I guess we shouldn't keep her waiting."

Raghav took her hand and helped her up. "Are you sure you're up for this?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "We can stay here if you want."

"No," she said, her eyes shining with renewed determination. "I'm not going to let whoever did this ruin Navya's birthday. I'm going to go out there, and I'm going to have fun. I'm a lioness, remember?"

Raghav's heart swelled with pride. He gave her a gentle squeeze. "That's like OG Vanshika Sharma. Let's go then."

With a final glance at each other, they walked out of the room, ready to face the world together. The party was just a celebration, but to them, it was a symbol of their resilience and a promise of a future they would face side by side.

Raghav and Vanshika walked into the main hall, the music and laughter a welcome change from the quiet of the hotel room. The party was in full swing. Ishana and Navya were dancing with wild abandon, their faces flushed with joy. Vihaan and Abhiman were in a heated dance-off, their moves more comical than coordinated, much to the amusement of everyone around them.

Vanshika smiled, a genuine, happy smile that reached her eyes. It was a relief to see everyone so carefree. She found a quiet spot near the wall, content to just watch them all.

Raghav noticed her standing alone. He walked up to her, a concerned look on his face. "Hey, you're not dancing?"

"I'm good," she said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "I just want to watch you guys have fun."

"What's wrong, Vanshika?" he asked, his voice soft. "Don't tell me you're still upset about yesterday."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I'm not upset. I'm just... I don't know. It feels good to just be here, to watch everyone so happy. I'm just grateful that we're all safe."

Raghav took her hand. "Come on," he said, pulling her gently toward the dance floor. "Let's dance. Let's celebrate our happiness."

She looked at him, her eyes glistening. "But Raghav..."

"No buts," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "You're a lioness, remember? Lionesses don't hide in the shadows. They dance in the spotlight."

A slow smile spread across her face. "Alright," she said, her voice filled with a newfound determination. "Let's dance."

Raghav pulled Vanshika onto the dance floor, and with a gentle smile, twirled her into the center of their group. Before he could even begin to dance with her himself, Vihaan was there, taking her hands.

"Alright, Vanshika! Let's get that energy back!" he cheered, starting to make a series of hilariously bad dance moves. He spun around, did a little jig, and then a wobbly moonwalk that had Vanshika laughing so hard she had to hold her stomach.

"Vihaan, what are you even doing?" she managed to gasp out between giggles.

"This," he said, striking a ridiculous pose, "is the official 'get well soon' dance! You have to do it with me!"

Before she could even protest, Abhiman joined in, taking her other hand. "He's right, Vanshika. It's a scientifically proven fact that bad dancing cures hangovers." He started doing his own series of exaggerated, goofy moves.

Navya and Ishana, seeing the fun, joined their circle, and soon the entire group was dancing around Vanshika, their silly antics and infectious laughter slowly but surely washing away the last of her worries. For the first time since the night before, Vanshika felt truly free and completely safe, surrounded by the people who loved her.

Vihaan, ever the mischievous one, reached out and playfully tugged on Vanshika's hair, sticking out his tongue in a cheeky taunt.

Vanshika's eyes widened in mock offense. "Vihaan ke bacche, ruk tu abhi!" she shouted, her playful threat ringing out over the music.

A chase ensued, with Vihaan weaving through the dancing crowd, giggling like a maniac. Vanshika, her determination fueled by years of their friendly rivalry, was hot on his heels. Raghav watched, a wide smile spreading across his face as he saw the fire back in her eyes. This was the Vanshika he knew and loved, maybe.

Finally, she cornered him near the DJ booth. She grabbed his collar, pulling him close with a triumphant grin.

"Gotcha!" she said, her chest heaving slightly from the chase.

Vihaan, still laughing, just stuck out his tongue again. "You can't catch me!"

Vanshika, with a playful glint in her eyes, delivered a swift, theatrical punch to his stomach. "Take that, you menace!"

Vihaan doubled over in a fit of exaggerated groans and laughter. "Okay, okay, I give up! You win! But my pride has been mortally wounded!"

Vanshika just laughed, pulling him into a hug. "Oh, stop being so dramatic. You know you deserved it."

Raghav walked over, a soft smile on his face. "Looks like someone's back to her old self."

Vanshika looked at him, her eyes shining with happiness. "How can I not be, with a bunch of crazy people like you guys around?"

As the laughter subsided, Raghav pulled Vanshika aside, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Hey, you know, for a moment there, I thought you were going to break his ribs."

Vanshika laughed, a genuine, joyful sound that made his heart skip a beat. "He deserved it. He knows better than to mess with me."

"I know," Raghav said, his voice softening. "But seeing you like that... it was a relief. The real Vanshika is back."

Vanshika looked at him, her eyes filled with warmth and gratitude. "Thank you, Raghav. For everything. For not leaving me alone, for taking care of me, and for... for being you."

Raghav's hand found hers, his thumb gently stroking her knuckles. "You don't need to thank me, Vanshika. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat."

Their moment was interrupted by the rest of the group, who had just finished a boisterous rendition of a Bollywood song. "Alright, fake lovebirds! Enough of the mushy stuff!" Vihaan yelled, his voice full of teasing. "Let's cut the cake!"

Vanshika and Raghav just laughed, their hands intertwined, as they made their way back to the table where Navya was waiting, a massive smile on her face. The night was a celebration, not just of Navya's birthday, but of her love, their friendship, and their resilience.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

"Are we all set to go?" Abhiman asked, glancing at the group gathered outside the hotel. The morning air was cool, a stark contrast to the previous night's events.

"Yep, all set!" Vihaan responded, bouncing a little on his heels. "Just give us a minute to settle the little ones."

Navya smiled, her arm linked with Vihaan's. "I'll ride with Vihaan and the kids. You and Ishana can take your car, Abhi."

Abhiman nodded, turning to Ishana. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," she replied with a small sigh. The celebratory mood from last night had faded, replaced by the serious task at hand.

Meanwhile, Vanshika stood with Raghav, a determined look on her face. "Raghav, I'm riding with you."

"Of course," he said, opening the car door for her.

She looked at Abhiman and Ishana before getting in. Her voice was firm, carrying a sense of urgency. "I don't know what you guys will do, but I need the information about that guy as soon as possible."

Abhiman and Ishana exchanged a look and nodded in unison. "We're on it," Abhiman assured her. "We'll get started the moment we get home."

Raghav closed Vanshika's door and then turned to the group. "Alright, let's head back to our house. We'll decide over there what to do next."

With a final nod to everyone, they all went their separate ways, the cars pulling out of the hotel parking lot and heading toward their destination. The silence in Raghav's car was filled with a sense of purpose. They were no longer just friends on vacation; they were a team, united by a shared goal to uncover the truth.

The silence in the car was comfortable, but Vanshika's mind was still racing with a hundred different thoughts. She glanced over at Raghav, who was focused on the road, a slight frown on his face.

"Raghav, What are you thinking?" she asked softly.

He looked at her and smiled. "Nothing.Just thinking about."

"About...?" she prompted.

"About how we're going to handle everything,but" he replied, his eyes back on the road. "Don't worry, we'll figure it out. Together."

Just then, his phone buzzed with a notification. He glanced at the screen, and a soft sigh escaped his lips, a small smile touching his lips. "Well, that's perfect timing," he murmured.

Vanshika, her confusion evident, looked at him. "What is it?"

"A surprise," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "You'll know soon enough."

Before she could ask any more questions, he pulled into the long driveway of the Joshi Mansion. Abhiman and Vihaan's cars followed closely behind. The moment the cars stopped, the kids burst out, their laughter echoing as they raced towards the house.

Raghav got out and walked over to Vanshika's side, opening her door. "Come on," he said, extending a hand to her. "Let's go."

Vanshika, still confused, walked ahead with Ishana and Vihaan. The moment she entered the house, she froze. In front of her, standing in the middle of the living room, were her parents, along with Madhav,Rajeev and Sanjeev.

Vihaan and Ishana exchanged knowing looks. Vanshika’s eyes darted everywhere, desperately avoiding her parents' gaze. She finally landed on the wall beside her and turned to Anand.

"Uncle, ghar toh bahut accha hai aapka!!," she said, her voice a little too loud.

Anand chuckled, patting her shoulder. "Yeah, my baccha, I know."

A few more chuckles from the men in the room followed. Vanshika, still trying to avoid eye contact, slowly started moving toward the stairs.

"Aur ye sofa set bhi," she said, running a hand over the fabric. She was about to make a break for it when Vineet's firm voice stopped her.

"Vanshika," he said.

Vanshika squeezed her eyes shut and slowly turned to face her father. Vineet's stern expression softened as he walked over and pulled her into a warm embrace. In his arms, all the fear and anger from the night before seemed to melt away. She hugged him back tightly.

He pulled back, cupping her face. "Tu theek hai na mera baccha?"

"Ha papa,mai theek hu" she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Vineet let out a deep sigh. "That's a relief. Now, you're coming with us, back to Hyderabad."

Vanshika's eyes widened, and she stepped back. "Dad, we talked about this yesterday. You agreed. Why are you bringing this up again?"

"Because you were in danger, and I wasn't there to protect you," he said, his voice laced with concern.

"And what about now? We're surrounded by family," she argued, gesturing to everyone in the room. "And besides, this is not about me being in danger, this is about me fighting back."

Her voice rose with emotion. "Dad, is this the reason you taught me how to fight? So I would just turn my back and run away when things get tough? So I would get scared and hide behind you?"

Vineet's patience was wearing thin. "No, baccha, but..."

"But what, Dad? This isn't you. You never taught me to retreat. You always taught me to fight, and now you're telling me to step back? No, Dad, I won't. I will fight, and I will find out who the hell was behind what happened to me."

"You can, beta, but you're still coming with us," he insisted.

"No, Papa, I won't come," she said, her voice now dangerously calm. "Not unless I find out who was responsible. Aur jiss din mujhe pata chala na ki woh kon hai jiski wajah se meri ye halat Hui hai then Mark my words dad woh din Puri duniya ko Vanshika Sharma ka dusra chera dikhega and I... MEAN IT!!!"

With that, she turned and stormed up the stairs, leaving behind a stunned silence. Everyone in the room was in shock, not just by her anger, but by her unwavering resolve,while one of them was utterly impressed.They knew that no one can stop Vanshika now.

Vineet sighed and turned to his wife, Soni, who had witnessed the entire exchange. "I don't know where she gets this anger from," he said, shaking his head.

Soni chuckled softly. "Tumhari hi beti hai."

"But I was never like this!" Vineet insisted. "I was always calm and composed."

Soni's smile was gentle. "You were. But you never had to fight for something so personal, so deeply rooted in your own safety and dignity. She's not just angry, Vineet. She's hurt, and she's determined. And I, for one, am proud of her."

Vineet looked at his wife, a faint smile on his face. "I know, I am too. But she's still my little girl. I just want to protect her."

Soni took his hand in hers. "She's not so little anymore. Let her fight. We'll be here to support her."

Madhav, cleared his throat. "She's got spirit."

Rajeev,smiled. "She's a fighter, Vineet. Just like our Raghav."

Sanjeev,laughed. "Just like a match made in heaven, a little bit of fire and a little bit of ice. A perfect combination."

Anand nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Vineet, she's right. You taught her well. Let her be the warrior you raised her to be. We'll all be here to watch her back."

Vineet looked at the men who were not just his friends but his family. He let out a long breath, a sense of defeat mixed with pride washing over him.

"I guess you're right," he said, a small smile finally gracing his lips.

Raghav, who had been observing the whole scene quietly, finally spoke. "She’ll be fine, Uncle. We're all here for her. We'll make sure nothing happens to her."

The words, so simple yet full of genuine sincerity and promise, seemed to finally calm Vineet's fears. He nodded, a sense of peace settling over him. He knew Vanshika was in good hands.

Meanwhile, in her room, Vanshika was fuming. She paced back and forth, the anger and frustration from the confrontation with her father still swirling inside her. The phone call from yesterday had been hard enough, but seeing him here, trying to take her away, had been the final straw. It felt like a slap in the face. She felt like he didn't trust her, that he thought she was still a little girl who needed to be protected.

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Mujhe kisi se bhi baat nahi karni!!!" she snapped, not wanting to talk to anyone.

The door creaked open, and Soni, her mother, entered. "Vanshika, baccha, let me in. Please."

Vanshika sighed and sat on the bed, her arms crossed over her chest. "Hi, maa," she said, her voice softer now.

Soni sat beside her and gently took her hand. "Your father is just worried about you, my love. That's all."

"I know," Vanshika said, her voice cracking. "But I'm not a child anymore. I can handle myself. I don't want to run away from this. I want to fight."

Soni squeezed her hand. "And you will, my love. You will. We all know you will. Your father knows it too. He's just scared, scared that something might happen to you."

"But he doesn't trust me," Vanshika said, a tear rolling down her cheek. "He doesn't trust me to fight my own battles."

"He does, Vanshika. He trusts you completely," Soni said, wiping the tear away with her thumb. "But he’s a father, and that’s what fathers do. They worry. They just can't help it."

Vanshika looked at her mother, a new wave of emotion washing over her. "Thank you, Maa."

Soni pulled her into a hug. "Now, go and talk to him. He's worried sick about you."

Vanshika nodded, pulling away from the hug. "I will." She went downstairs, her resolve a little less fiery, but her determination just as strong.

She found her father sitting alone, a cup of coffee in his hands. He looked up as she approached, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and relief. "I'm sorry, Papa," she said softly.

Vineet immediately stood and pulled her into another hug. "No, my baccha, I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I know you're not a child anymore. I just… I can’t help it."

Vanshika hugged him tightly. "I know, Papa. But I promise, I'll be careful. I'll fight, but I'll be safe."

He pulled back, a genuine smile on his face. "I know you will. And I'll be here, right beside you."

The tension in the room dissipated, replaced by a feeling of family and solidarity. Vanshika finally felt at peace. She knew she wasn't alone in this fight; she had her family, and she had Raghav.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Vanshika lay on her bed, a Rubik's cube in her hands, its colors blurring as she turned the squares with practiced speed. Ishana and Vihaan sat beside her, both engrossed in their work—Ishana with her laptop, Vihaan with a stack of papers. Raghav and Abhiman were similarly focused on their screens, while Navya scrolled through her phone. The room was silent save for the quiet clicks of keyboards and the soft whir of the laptops.

Finally, Vanshika let out a frustrated sigh. "Saala ye chutiya hai kon jisne ye sab kand kiya," she muttered, the cube forgotten in her hands.

"Chutiya, hai toh bada shatir," Ishana replied, her gaze fixed on the screen. "I am unable to track his number. The signal is being routed through multiple fake servers."

Abhiman looked up from his laptop. "Neither am I. It's like the number doesn't even exist."

Vihaan, shuffling through the papers, looked at Vanshika with a questioning expression. "Are you sure we'll find something from this, Vanshika?"

"Possibility hai, yaar," she responded, her voice full of determination. "Jab Ajay mere peeche aa sakta hai toh ye log bhi aa sakte hai.Just check them. It's worth a shot." Vihaan nodded and returned his attention to the papers.

Navya, too, looked up from her phone, a frustrated expression on her face. "This is so challenging. There's literally no information about him."

Raghav closed his laptop, the soft click of the lid drawing everyone's attention. He leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "We're not giving up. We'll find this person, no matter how clever he is. He may be hiding, but he's not invisible."

Vanshika sighed and stood up from the bed, her mind seemingly made up. She walked over to the nightstand, picked up her phone, and dialed a number. The phone rang just twice before someone picked up.

"I need your help," she said, her voice low and firm. Without waiting for a response, she hung up.

Ishana, startled, looked at her. "Kisse phone kiya tune?"

Vanshika didn't answer. Instead, a small, knowing smirk touched her lips. She then walked toward the balcony, leaving her friends to their work. "I just need some fresh air," she said, before stepping outside.

A tense silence fell over the room. Navya and Abhiman looked at each other, confused by Vanshika's cryptic actions.

"Who do you think she called?" Navya whispered, breaking the silence.

Abhiman shook his head. "I have no idea. She hasn't mentioned anyone else who could help us with this."

Ishana's eyes were wide as she stared at the balcony door, a new thought dawning on her.

"Kahi...," she muttered to herself.

Vihaan, who had been quietly observing, looked up at Ishana, a similar expression of surprise on his face.

"Kahi woh toh nahi?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Ishana nodded slowly a smirk playing on her lips, the realization sinking in. "Woh hi hoga."

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

So guysss what do you think who would Vanshika had called??

And who is the guy who sent her that message???

Is it Ajay???

What do you guys think comment your opinion.

And ha vote karna mat bhoolna....