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Ranveer snatched the photo back, scrutinizing it again.
“Ma'am could be right,” Patel said. “We can't dismiss that.”
Ranveer rolled his eyes, still suspecting Adira. “Then get concrete proof it's not her. This has dragged on, Patel, I'm out of patience. I want the culprit jailed.”
“In that case, I'll need to follow Ms. Bajaj. Whoever she is, Adira must know her.”
Ranveer scowled, handing the photo back. “If there really is someone else, though I doubt it, you'll get all details you need on Adira from my team. Find proof within a week.”
Patel nodded and left after thanking them.
*****************
Maya retreated to her bedroom, upset by everything - the auction photo gift, Cindy's link to Ranveer, his deadly revenge wishes against Dev Malik, and now Patel and Ranveer suspecting Adira for her accident. Her head was pounding. She wanted to sleep but feared she wouldn't. Life was moving too fast to grasp or breathe normally. Just when she thought things with Ranveer were settling, she had proposed and they'd married in court. Not even 24 hours married and he was accusing her of not taking it seriously, catering to others over him - which was fair. Would it ever simplify? With swirling thoughts, she shut her eyes to try and sleep.
******************
An hour later, Ranveer was fast asleep in his room. He could've asked Maya to stay in his bedroom tonight since Daadi wasn't around to monitor them. He knew she wouldn't have denied. But he didn't want to pressure her more. She was stressed and needed rest. Just two more days until their traditional wedding ceremony and then she would always be in his room.
He opened the door and entered the dark room, his hand trembling as he tightly grasped his gun. The weight of the six bullets inside added to his unease. Stepping closer to the bed, he saw his target sleeping peacefully, which only fueled his anger. He had no rights to live, and today would be his final day. With determination, he aimed the gun at Dev Malik and pulled the trigger. All six bullets pierced through Dev Malik, causing blood to seep from his lifeless body.
As he turned to quietly leave the room, he unexpectedly encountered Maya standing in his path. Her expression conveyed pain and disappointment, as she had urged him not to take this course of action. He reached out to touch her, but the presence of the gun in his hand frightened her. Maya fled to the window, the same window through which he had entered the room to begin with. Desperate to catch up to her, he struggled to match her speed. Tragically, before he could reach her, Maya slipped and fell out of the window, her body growing cold and lifeless, much like his mother's had been on her deathbed.
Ranveer jerked awake, his heart racing. It was a nightmare. Seeing Dev Malik dead, even in his dreams, made him feel more powerful. For so many years, he had wished to see this happen, but couldn't. Now, it had become a recurring dream. Almost every time he thought about it during the daytime, he would have this dream. However, today's dream was different. Maya was in it, too, and she was in pain, witnessing him commit that horror. What happened afterwards almost killed him as well. He could never imagine Maya taking her own life. He needed her more than his own life.
He threw the quilt aside and got out of bed. The urgent need to see his wife and confirm that she was okay hit him hard.
“No. I don't belong here,” Maya cried. There were dangerous-looking men shamelessly striding towards her, trying to catch hold of her. It was the same auction place. How did she end up here? She had escaped before. She could escape again now. She ran away, as far as she could, on the deserted road for who knows how long. Her feet gave up, and she collapsed on the ground. She couldn't run any further. She was tired and exhausted. A strong beam of the car's flashlight drew her attention as it approached her on the same road. She wanted to get away, to let the car pass safely without hurting her, but she had no energy left to even move an inch. She cried for help. The speedy car kept moving in her direction, and she could see the person sitting inside, holding the steering wheel. It was Adira, her stepsister. Adira let out a triumphant laugh, and the car hit her body, throwing her off the road, closing her eyes forever.
“Maya…” Ranveer patted her cheek, trying to wake her up. When he entered her room hoping to see her and gain some strength to forget his pain, he found her trembling and sweating on the bed. She was weeping and begging for help. She too had a nightmare, and he could empathize with her condition.
Maya opened her eyes and saw him holding her. Fear, shock, and pain weakened her senses.
“The car... it hit me... I died.”
“No, you didn't,” he comforted her, cuddling her in his arms. “It was just a dream,” he began to rock her.
She gripped his T-shirt tightly. They remained in that position, half sitting, half lying on the bed, for who knows how long. But when she started to breathe normally, Ranveer decided to let her rest. He withdrew from her, but she held onto his hand.
“Don't leave me alone,” she pleaded.
Ranveer weakly smiled.
“I'm just in the other room.”
“Don't go,” she continued to plead.
Ranveer understood her reasons. She was too scared.
“Fine. I'll sleep on the couch.”
“I said don't leave me alone on the bed,” she snapped angrily this time.
His brow twitched at her tone, but then relaxed as he sensed her fear. He switched off the lamp and settled back on the bed. She took her side but kept her eyes fixed on Ranveer as he pulled the quilt over them.
“I'm here. Now close your eyes and go to sleep,” he murmured.
She obeyed him and closed her eyes. Her fingers automatically intertwined with his. She didn't want him to leave her alone; their handhold was the only connection and proof that he was there for her.
