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What happened to Diya?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nLZmtbuSc
Why doesn’t she seem as happy and full of life as she usually does?
Just as I was lost in thought, my phone rang. It was Jaag.
Jaag: “You need to attend a meeting. Are you coming?”
Dhruv: “Yes, I’m on my way.”
Jaag: “By the way, we found the traitor who leaked your whereabouts to Gang K.”
Dhruv: “Finally. I’ll handle it personally.”
He hung up.
I booked a flight and flew out for the meeting.
Once I arrived, I wore a sleek black suit and entered the boardroom.
“Have you all forgotten who built AD into what it is today? Just because someone dangled a few short-term benefits, you want to take your shares back?”86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2j3GzpZII
I hurled the files across the table in anger.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7VVukWhWk
“Let me make this clear. If any of you try to undermine me again, you'll meet a side of me I’ve kept hidden for far too long. Understood?”
BANG — I slammed the table.
The room fell into fearful silence.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2nKM63Mc9
“Y-Yes, sir,” they stammered.
Without another word, I left the room and went straight to the warehouse where Jaag had detained the traitor.
As soon as he saw me, fear consumed his face. He tried to back away, but he knew he couldn’t run.
Dhruv: “Who was it?”
Traitor: “It... it was them. Gang K. They took my child and forced me to betray you. I had no other choice. I’m sorry... please.”
Dhruv: “If you had the courage to betray me, you should’ve had the courage to fight for your child. Pathetic.”
I turned to Jaag.
Dhruv: “Find his kid and bring them back. Give him a settlement—but strip him of his shares. I don’t want to see his face again.”
Jaag: “Understood.”
Dhruv: “I’m heading back to campus. It’s been five days. Diya might come visit anytime.”
Jaag: (grinning) “Just say it, man. You like her.”
Dhruv: “I’ll invite her as my prom night partner... and then I’ll say it.”
Jaag: “Finally. Good luck, bro.”
Dhruv: “Thanks. I’ll see you.”
Dhruv’s POV:
I returned to campus and waited. But she didn’t come.
No texts. No calls.
I scrolled through my phone and saw a headline:86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMfnirUYjy
“Is Anant Agarwal’s only daughter set to marry Rishabh Nehar’s eldest son? Private dinner raises speculation.”
I’ve been hearing this nonsense for three years now.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9snWkHfxtn
There’s no way Diya would marry him. He’s a scumbag.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa0pHISXlE
She wants someone who loves her, respects her, stays loyal—86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzixGHIHgo
In short, someone like me.
She must be caught up in business. She’ll come soon.
The Next Day:
As I expected, Diya came. But she didn’t look her usual self. Tired eyes, a forced smile.
Dhruv: “How was the journey?”
Diya: “It was alright. I’m free for three days, so... I’ll stay with you.”
My heart soared.
Dhruv: “Really? Okay, I’ll make arrangements.”
She smiled faintly and headed to my room to rest.
Later that evening, I brought her favorite snacks and quietly entered the room. She was still asleep—peaceful, beautiful. Her hair sprawled across her face, lips slightly parted. As she shifted, her shirt rode up slightly, revealing her waist.
I reached out to gently pull her shirt down—when she grabbed my wrist and pulled me down next to her. My breath hitched. I was so close, I could feel her warm breath, smell her perfume.
Her lashes fluttered. She opened her eyes and saw me.
Dhruv: “Sorry. I just wanted to fix your hair.”
Diya: “Let’s go out for a drink.”
I agreed.
At the bar:
She drank too much, too quickly.
Dhruv: “Diya... what’s going on?”
Diya: “I’m getting married.”
My world froze.
Dhruv: “To whom?”
Diya: “Ayush.”
Dhruv: “Rishabh Nehar’s son? He’s a womanizer! You deserve better.”
Diya: “I know. But our business is sinking. Dad says this is the only way out.”
Dhruv: “What about your happiness?”
Diya: “Sometimes... I wish I’d been born into a normal family. Then maybe I could marry someone who actually loves me.”
She drank more. Her eyes glazed. Her body swayed.
Diya: “I just want to be happy for a little while... before I have to go through with this.”
She collapsed into my arms.
Diya (slurring): “Who are you? You’re so handsome... do you like me?”
Dhruv (softly): “I love you.”
She kissed me. Soft. Sweet. Just as I was about to respond, she passed out.
I carried her back, gently laid her in bed, and called Jaag.
Dhruv: “Invest $100 million in her company. I don’t want anyone forcing her into something she doesn’t want.”
I kissed her forehead.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK0Tb4IQK5
“No one owns you. No one but your own heart.”
Next Morning:
She woke up groggy.
Diya: “Did you... bring me back?”
Dhruv: “Who else?”
Diya: “Thank you.”
Dhruv: “If you really want to thank me... go on a date with me.”
She choked on her breakfast.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgunFg3tzFL
“What?”
Dhruv (grinning): “Naziya’s been clinging to me like glue. Help me get rid of her... girlfriend.”
Diya: “Fine. Deal.”
She wore a stunning dress and accompanied me to college. I held her hand as we walked past everyone.
“This is my girlfriend,” I said proudly.
When Sammy invited us to a game, I declined.
“Sorry, we have plans.”
Later, at Diya’s office...
Riya (excited): “We actually got a $100 million investment from AD Group! But... they’re the biggest global enterprise. Why would they invest in us?”
Assistant: “I don’t know…”
Riya: “I want to thank them in person once I return.”
Diya looked happy. That made me happy too.
We went to a movie, and afterward, I finally gathered the courage.
Dhruv: “Diya... I like you.”
She smiled, but there was sadness in her eyes.
Diya: “Be serious.”
Dhruv: “I’m not joking.”
Diya: “I’m two years older. We’ve always been just friends.”
Dhruv: “But I’ve never seen you as a friend.”
Diya: “I’m sorry. You’re young. You don’t understand. Let’s just forget this happened.”
She picked up her luggage and left without another word.
Two Days Later:
No messages. No calls.
Did I come on too strong? Was I too impulsive?
I tried calling her. She didn’t answer.
Is it really going to end like this?
Then Jaag called.
Jaag: “Our investment reached them. I heard Diya broke off the engagement.”
Dhruv: “Good. How is she?”
Jaag: “Her PA says she’s been working non-stop. No rest. She seems... off. Did something happen?”
Dhruv: “I confessed.”
Jaag: “So... she rejected you?”
Dhruv: “She didn’t know how to react. She just left.”
Jaag: “I think she likes you. She just can’t admit it yet.”
Dhruv: “Then I need to go to her.”
Jaag: “Booking your flight now.”
Dhruv: “Thanks. I’m coming, Diya.”
Dhruv boards a flight to find Diya.
What will happen when they meet again?
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