Chapter 1
𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐯-
Sabar ke baad sab theek ho hi jata hai, lekin sabar karte karte aur uske anjaam tak pahuchne ke safar mein insaan Kai bar toot kar bikhar jata hai…
Sabar… such a small word, yet so difficult in its truest sense. We humans know what this word truly means, but we still fail to live by it.
We wait for many things, it could be an object, a person, or even a feeling.
Sometimes that wait lasts for a minute, an hour, a day, or even a year.
But for some, it stretches into an endless span of time… a wait with no known end.
That’s life…
Even the moon changes its shape every night; how can every life remain the same?
Some have what they want yet never value it, while others deeply value what they never receive.
Sometimes in life, we must leave behind our loved ones, our dearest things, and move forward carrying a heart full of sorrow and that, too, is life.
I’m one of those people who have walked ahead, leaving behind the people and things I once loved deeply.
There are so many things I once desired with all my heart but never received.
And now, I’ve even started letting go of the hope itself.
Oh!! I totally missed to introduce myself! I'm Rushika Singh, an ordinary girl like you who once had a lot of dreams.
However, life teaches things in a unique way. It showed me that having unrealistic expectations might make you unhappy, and it's best to just keep going.
Things don’t always turn out the way we imagine. Sometimes they go wrong, sometimes they surprise us in beautiful ways. In my case, it’s been both.
What went wrong… let’s just leave that untold. But what went right that’s easy. It’s them, my two best friends. And now I'm standing with them.
Today… a chapter of my life came to an end. I’m a nursing student, and today was my final exam of the semester.
As I stepped out of the classroom,
it felt like a heavy weight I’d been carrying for years. finally lifted off my shoulders like a breath I had been holding for far too long… finally set free.
Isha was the first to break the silence. “Bas! kitab ka muh ab do mahine tak nahi dekhungi. Even if someone’s dying, I’m not opening First Aid!”
( Enough! I’m not going to look at a book for the next two months.)
We all burst out laughing. Janhvi rolled her eyes but smiled, “You say that now. Wait till someone in your building sneezes, and you’re running with a thermometer and ORS.”
"Woh chhodo. Finally, exam over,” Isha groaned with a big yawn, stretching like she hadn’t slept in weeks.
I raised my arms too, muscles stiff from hours of writing. “Yeah, I finally feel alive again,” I said, letting out a relieved breath. “How was your exam?”
Isha smirked, flipping her hair,“Mera? I’ll pass for sure. I guarantee it.”
Janhvi, looking calm and a bit satisfied, added with her usual soft tone,“It was quite good. The questions were simple and easy. Rishu, what about you?”
But before I could even open my mouth, Isha cut in,“Rehne de bhai! Like every time, she’ll top again.”
I didn’t even try to argue. Arguing with Isha was like shouting into the wind loud and pointless. So, I just smiled and changed the subject.
“So, what’s the plan today? Movie? Outing? Let’s do something, at least. ”
Janhvi, half-asleep already, mumbled, “Mujhe toh sirf sona hai, behan.” ( I just want to sleep, girl.")
Isha rolled her eyes,“Are Kumbhkaran ki maa! How much do you sleep? You’ll sleep at night anyway. Come shopping with me, please! It’s been ages since I bought anything cute.”
Before they could start their usual back-and-forth, I jumped in,“Haan haan, kar lena shopping. But first, let’s go to the PG.” ( Yeah, yeah, go ahead and do your shopping. )
Isha widened her eyes in surprise, pointed a finger at me and said, "You're not taking the bike out today? If you do, mark my words, trouble is written all over your forehead."
I laughed and shook my head,“No yaar, today I’m not moving a single step without you two.”
And just like that, we started walking.
Elsewhere in the mansion, the faint creak of a bathroom door startled the early morning stillness. A man stepped out, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist.
Droplets of water traced the ridges of his toned abs, catching sunlight that flowed through the big windows and seeming like small diamonds on his skin.
He rubbed a second towel through his moist hair, allowing a few stray droplets to slide down the carved planes of his body before crossing to the wardrobe.
Without a moment’s pause, he opened it and pulled out a set of gray trousers, a black shirt, and a tailored gray coat. In minutes, he was dressed, each movement so smooth and assured it felt less like routine and more like instinct.
After fastening his watch, he stepped to the dressing table, running the towel through his hair one last time before styling it with a few quick, precise strokes.
Sliding into polished shoes, he gave his reflection a brief glance. A slight nod followed satisfied, composed.
Then, he made his way downstairs.
The tempting aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air. His mother, Nirika Ji, was already seated at the dining table, peaceful and regal, her gaze tranquil and her presence gently imposing.
Saransh took his seat at the dining table and softly said, "Good morning, Maa."
Nirika Ji smiled as she glanced up from her cup, "Good morning, Beta. Have you slept well?"
As a helper approached with breakfast, Saransh gave a modest nod."Yes, Maa," he responded, before quietly starting his breakfast.
The clinking of silverware and the gentle whisper of morning silence permeated the room. Saransh finished by gently wiping his hands and turning to her with a calm purpose.
"Maa, I'll be late today," he said softly. "Please eat on schedule, take your medications, and get some rest. Do not wait for me."
Nirika Ji offered a small nod.
Before leaving, Saransh leaned down, kissed her cheek, and smiled softly. Then, taking his coat and luggage, he moved towards the door.
After informing his mother, Saransh exited the mansion.
Outside, Driver stood beside the sleek black Car. Saransh went into the rear seat without saying anything, while the assistant quietly took over the driving position.
As the car drew away from the mansion, the PA began reading the day's schedule in a steady, practiced, and professional tone.
Saransh listened in silence, nodding periodically, his thoughts already turning to the hours ahead.
They arrived at Nirixx Enterprises, a towering glass building representing power and vision. The car came to a stop at the building's private rear entrance.
Saransh stepped out, straightened his coat with his typical ease, and entered without looking around. He stepped into the private lift, hit the button for the 12th floor, and leaned back as the doors closed with a faint hiss.
When Saransh entered his office, he slung his coat over the back of the sofa with ease. He came to his desk, took a seat, and got right to work. The space was silent, efficient, and neatly organised, exactly like him.
But the calm did not last long.
The door slammed open without warning or knocking. Saransh did not even raise his head. He did not need to.
Arnab Sharma .
His oldest friend. A friend who remains constant regardless of how much the world changes.
They were neighbours once. They went through kindergarden, High school, and college together. And now, co-creators of this empire.
Arnab had been there since the beginning, and while Saransh formally oversaw the company, Arnab held the title of CEO and handled day-to-day operations with equal weight.
He never asked for permission to enter and today was no different, just like always.
Saransh shot him a sharp glare, exhaling with restrained irritation, “Arnab, how many times do I have to tell you to knock before barging in?”
Arnab stood his ground, raising both hands in mock self-defense, his face wearing a playful pout, "Why do you always yell at me, bro? And why are you always so angry?"
Saransh rolled his eyes.
Arnab gasped, clutching his chest like a wounded hero in a stage play, “Wow. Just wow. The disrespect. And here I was, bringing you very important news.”
Saransh didn’t flinch, “Then say it. Quickly.”
Arnab’s grin faded, replaced by a more serious glint in his eyes. The shift in tone was subtle but unmistakable. “Yeah… the rat? We caught him. And you're not going to believe who it is.”
Saransh squinted his eyes, clearly confused. "What are you talking about?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
Arnab nodded, his usual flair giving way to focus. “We found the guy who’s been leaking company data.”
The air shifted.
Saransh leaned back slowly, his posture still but his jaw clenched. His eyes, cool and unreadable, locked onto Arnab’s with renewed intensity.
Arnab tilted his head, that familiar spark flickering back into his gaze, “So… what’s the move?”
A slow smirk curved Saransh’s lips. “You already know.”
Arnab lit up like a firecracker, hands rubbing together with childlike glee. “God, I live for this part.”
The room was suffocatingly black, and the stink of blood hung in the air. A man was sprawled on the cold, grimy floor, his body riddled in severe cuts, blood flowing from each one.
He was dressed in nothing but ragged pants, his flesh covered in bruises and wounds. His face, unrecognisable beneath the layers of dried and fresh blood, trembled slightly, somewhere between oblivion and misery.
Then…CREAK.
The iron door groaned open, faint, flickering light bled into the chamber, casting long, twisted shadows that danced across the walls. Two figures entered, their footsteps slow and deliberate carrying a weight far more terrifying than weapons. Behind them, armed guards followed, eyes blank, movements mechanical. They weren’t there to question. They were there to end.
One of the men his voice low, deadly gave a simple command,"Wake him up."
Without a moment’s pause, one of the guards stepped forward, raised a high-pressure hose, and unleashed a brutal torrent of ice-cold water. The jet slammed into the man’s broken body with merciless force, peeling him from the brink of unconsciousness. He screamed ,a hoarse, animalistic sound torn from deep within, echoing off the stained concrete walls. His limbs spasmed violently, the shock of cold slicing through torn flesh like shards of glass.
Gasping, choking on his own breath, he blinked against the water and blood dripping into his eyes. Slowly, they opened bloodshot, burning, wild with pain and fury. Through the haze, he saw them: two shadowed figures standing still, silent, like reapers in the dim light. Their faces remained hidden, but their presence spoke louder than any words.
And then crack a hand gripped his throat. No warning. No hesitation. Fingers like iron drove into his windpipe, crushing it slowly, deliberately. His body thrashed, heels scraping helplessly against the slick floor. Darkness crept in again,
"Speak," came the command , flat, emotionless, colder than steel in winter.
The man coughed, his voice shredded and thin. "I... I'm sorry, sir... ple...please..." He gasped between broken sobs. "I needed the money... I didn’t mean to... I swear I’ll never do it again. Just this once let me go... please..."
His bloodied eyes flicked up to the looming silhouettes, desperate for mercy, for a soul behind the shadows. But the only thing staring back was darkness.
The man’s voice trembled, barely escaping his bruised throat. "I... I am sorry, sir. Ple... please forgive me," he stammered, his breath ragged as his battered body shivered from pain and fear. "I did it for money... I needed it... I swear, I’ll never do it again. Please... just this once... let me go."
The grip on his throat tightened, enough to send panic rushing through every nerve. A low, cruel laugh echoed through the room like a death sentence.
“Last time?” The figure crouched slowly, voice dripping with venomous amusement. “Who told you... there’d be a last time?”
The man froze, realization dawning like ice cracking across his spine. The figure stood again. One sharp nod.
The bodyguard released him just long enough for him to suck in a strangled breath
CRACK!
A savage kick slammed into his ribs, folding him like paper. His scream was raw, animalistic, lost inside the room’s merciless silence.
Arnab stepped forward, his tone stripped of all playfulness,“Who told you to betray us?”
The traitor’s body shook, lips barely forming the words. “Ch-Chirag... Adhikari.”
Saransh didn’t move at first. Then, slowly, he looked up. His expression had changed. Gone was the restraint. In its place pure, cold resolve. His eyes locked on the man with chilling stillness.
Arnab’s tone darkened,“Do they even know who SK is?”
The man frantically shook his head. “N-No… they don’t.”
Saransh exhaled slowly, his voice as sharp as a blade,“Then it’s time they learn.”
His words sealed the man's fate. Without another glance, he turned and walked out, the sound of his footsteps echoing like an executioner’s drum.
The moment Saransh stepped into the car, a bloodcurdling scream tore through the heavy silence of the warehouse a sound soaked in torment, raw and primal. He didn’t flinch. The car door shut with a muted thud, sealing the chaos behind him. His face was stone, unreadable.
As the vehicle pulled away, the scream faded into the distance, swallowed by the hum of the engine and the weight of everything left unsaid. Saransh leaned back against the leather seat, his eyes fixed on the passing world outside the window, his fingers drumming a slow, deliberate rhythm on the armrest.
Then, his phone buzzed.
Arnab Calling….
Without hesitation, he answered.
“So... what’s the next move?” Arnab’s voice crackled through the line, laced with a twisted excitement.
Saransh didn’t blink. His voice came low, steady, lethal. “We’ll do what we haven’t done yet.”
A dark chuckle followed. “Ahh... Devil returns. I’ve missed this side of you, bro. My fingers have been itching for action.”
Saransh’s reply was dry,“Shut up, Arnab.”
Arnab laughed, unbothered,“Alright, alright. Just tell me what to do.”
Saransh’s tone dropped colder, calculated like a blade against a throat. “Leak the story to the press. It should be everywhere by tonight."
There was a beat of silence, then a low whistle from Arnab. “Damn... you're not a man. You're a storm in disguise.”
Click.
The line went dead. Saransh set the phone aside and closed his eyes, the faintest smirk curling at his lips.
Hello!! My Lovely Soul💖
Thank you so much for being here with me on this journey!
You've just finished the first chapter, and I truly hope it captured your heart as much as it did mine while writing it. 💖
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Thank you for reading, See you in the next chapter.❤️
