chapter 65
Rudra and Ishni were sitting on the couch, the entire hall wrapped in a pin-drop silence that felt heavier with every passing second. Ishni sat composed beside him, but her eyes kept shifting between Vipul and Tara, sensing the storm that was about to break.
Vipul and Tara stood side by side, a small distance between them now as if trying to hide what had already been seen.
Rudra leaned back slightly, one arm resting on the couch, his gaze fixed on them. His face showed no emotion.
And that was the most dangerous part.
"What is happening?" he asked.
His tone was cold. Flat. Controlled.
Vipul swallowed, his throat going dry, while Tara glanced at him, then back at Rudra, trying to gather courage.
"I'm asking you something, Vipul!!" Rudra's voice cut through the silence, sharper this time, the control in it starting to crack.
Ishni immediately placed her hand over his, her grip firm yet calming. "Rudra... calm down," she said softly, her eyes meeting his for a second before she looked at Vipul and Tara.
Vipul took a deep breath, his hands slightly trembling. He glanced at Tara... then back at Rudra.
"Boss... ma'am..." his voice faltered for a moment. "I... I love Tara."
The words hung in the air.
Heavy.
Irreversible.
Tara looked at him, her eyes widening-
not out of fear, but because he finally said it.
Ishni stayed silent, her expression unreadable, but her hand still resting over Rudra's as if she already knew what kind of reaction was coming next.
Rudra didn't speak.
He just looked at Vipul.
And then slowly... his gaze shifted to Tara.
"And you, Tara?" Rudra asked, his voice low, controlled... but sharp enough to make her heart skip.
Tara looked at him, then at Vipul for a brief second. Her fingers curled together nervously, but this time... she didn't step back.
She took a small step forward instead.
"Yes," she said, her voice soft at first... then stronger, "I love him."
Silence.
Ishni's grip on Rudra's hand tightened slightly, sensing the shift in the air.
Tara continued, gathering courage now, "And I don't want to hide it anymore."
Vipul looked at her, surprised he hadn't expected her to say it so directly.
Rudra's gaze moved between the two of them, slow... calculating.
"And what if I don't agree to this?" Rudra said, his voice calm... but colder than before.
Vipul and Tara's eyes widened, fear flashing across their faces.
For a moment, Vipul just stood there, his throat tight, his hands clenching at his sides. Then he stepped forward slowly, but with determination.
"Boss... please..." his voice cracked, but he didn't stop. "I love her."
Rudra didn't move. Didn't react.
Vipul took a breath, his eyes unknowingly filling. "She... she's not just someone I like... she's everything to me now."
Tara looked at him, her own eyes softening, tears threatening to fall.
"When she's around... I feel... alive," he continued, his voice trembling but sincere. "All the noise in my head just... disappears. I don't know how she did it... but she became the reason I smile without even trying."
His words slowed, heavier now.
"I've spent my life being strong... being careful... but with her, I don't want to hold back anymore."
A tear slipped from Tara's eye.
Vipul looked at her for a second, then back at Rudra.
"I don't know what the future holds... but I know one thing," he said, his voice steady now, filled with quiet strength. "I can't imagine my life without her."
His hands tightened slightly.
"Without her... it doesn't even feel like living."
Silence.
Then softer, almost like a promise.
"I'll stand by her... till my last breath. Till my hair turns grey... till the very end."
The hall fell completely silent again.
A soft smile slowly appeared on Ishni's face as she looked at Rudra, then at the two of them standing nervously.
"Rudra... can you stop testing them now?" she said gently, her tone calm but knowing.
Vipul blinked, confused.
Tara looked between them, unsure.
Ishni turned her gaze toward them, her smile widening just a little.
"Tara... Vipul..." she said softly, "we already know about your relationship."
Vipul froze.
Tara's eyes widened in shock.
"What...?" Vipul whispered under his breath.
Ishni let out a small breath, leaning back slightly. "You both aren't as secretive as you think."
For the first time, Rudra's lips twitched slightly-almost like he was holding back a smirk.
"Vipul..." Rudra finally spoke, leaning back slightly, his tone now laced with dry amusement, "I've known you for years."
Vipul stiffened.
"Do you really think I would believe your nonsense?" Rudra continued, raising an eyebrow. "Bathing at 12 p.m...?"
Ishni looked down, trying to hide her smile.
"And that brilliant excuse," Rudra added, his lips twitching slightly, "about your friend being pregnant?"
Tara blinked, then slowly turned to look at Vipul.
Vipul froze.
Completely.
"Tara... I can explain-" he started nervously.
"Oh, I'm sure you can," she cut in, narrowing her eyes at him.
Rudra let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You're good at many things, Vipul. Lying... is not one of them."
Ishni finally smiled openly now, the tension completely gone.
Vipul ran a hand through his hair, embarrassed. "Boss... that situation was different..."
"Hmm," Rudra nodded, clearly not convinced. "Very creative though."
Tara crossed her arms, giving Vipul a look. "Pregnant friend?"
Vipul closed his eyes for a second.
He was definitely not surviving this interrogation.
Rudra's expression slowly shifted, the teasing fading as his tone turned serious again. He looked at both of them this time not as a boss, but as someone responsible.
"But..." he said calmly, his voice firm, "I'll only approve this marriage after Tara graduates."
Tara's smile faded slightly, listening carefully.
"And not just that," he continued, his gaze steady on her, "she should be independent... stand on her own feet... prove herself."
The room fell quiet again, but this silence wasn't heavy it was meaningful.
Rudra leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "Love is not enough," he added, his tone softer but still firm. "Responsibility matters more."
Vipul nodded immediately, without hesitation. "Yes, boss. I understand."
Tara looked at Rudra for a moment... then slowly nodded too. Not upset-just thoughtful.
Ishni glanced at Rudra, a small, proud smile forming on her lips.
"Thank you, jiju... and didi," Tara said, her voice filled with relief and happiness as she rushed forward and hugged Ishni tightly.
Ishni smiled softly, wrapping her arms around her, gently patting her back. "Pagal..." she whispered affectionately, "itna tension kyun le rahi thi?"
Tara laughed lightly, still holding onto her, like a weight had finally been lifted off her chest.
Rudra watched them for a moment, then looked at Vipul, who was still standing there, processing everything.
"Don't thank me yet," Rudra said calmly.
Vipul straightened immediately.
Rudra raised an eyebrow. "Conditions yaad hai na?"
Vipul nodded quickly. "Yes, boss."
Rudra smirked faintly. "Good."
Tara pulled back from Ishni, her eyes still shining, then turned toward Vipul with a small smile the kind that didn't need words anymore.
-------
After some time, Rudra, Ishni, and Vipul were in the study room. The atmosphere had shifted again lighter moments gone, replaced by tension and strategy.
Rudra stood near the desk, his posture straight, his expression sharp.
"Tell me," he said.
Vipul nodded, stepping forward slightly. "Boss... the last 24 hours, we traced everything. Every lead, every contact... but we still couldn't locate him. He keeps changing his location."
Rudra's jaw tightened slightly, his eyes darkening.
"Keep tracking," he said firmly. "We need to get him soon... and stop him from making the deal with Romano."
Vipul nodded. "Yes, boss."
Silence followed.
But Ishni hadn't said a word.
She was sitting there, lost in her thoughts, her fingers slightly clenched, her mind somewhere else entirely.
"Jaan... what happened?" Rudra asked, his voice softer now as he looked at her, noticing the shift in her expression.
Ishni took a slow breath, her fingers curling slightly as her thoughts finally settled into something clear.
"Rudra... vipul.." she said, her tone serious now, no hesitation left, "I think I know who can take us to them."
Both of them straightened instantly.
Vipul frowned. "Who?"
Rudra didn't ask. He just watched her-intently.
Ishni's eyes darkened slightly, her past flickering behind them.
"The one who's been hiding in plain sight..." she said slowly.
At night-
A man unlocked the door of his house and stepped inside, loosening his tie as he walked in. But the moment he switched on the light He froze.
His eyes widened in shock.
A man was sitting on the chair.
His hands stained with blood.
"Wh... who are you?" the man stammered, his voice trembling.
A low chuckle echoed in the room.
The man on the chair slowly leaned forward, his fingers lazily wiping the blood as if it meant nothing.
"Mr. Vijay..." he said, his tone smooth, almost polite. "Pleasure meeting you."
He stood up.
Step by step, he walked closer.And as the light fell on his face
It was Rudra.
Vijay's breath hitched.
Rudra stopped right in front of him, his eyes dark, unreadable, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"I believe..." Rudra said quietly, tilting his head slightly, "you have something that belongs to me."
The door behind Vijay clicked shut.
And just like that, There was no way out.
Basement
Vijay was dragged down the floor, his body struggling against the tight grip on his arms. Before he could even steady himself, one of the men shoved him forward.
He hit the cold floor hard.
A groan escaped his lips.
Around him, a few guards stood in a straight line, silent, unmoving like shadows waiting for a command.
Vipul walked in first, his expression serious, no trace of the earlier softness left.
Then Rudra entered and beside him... Ishni.
The air shifted instantly.
Rudra didn't look at Vijay first. Instead, he calmly pulled out a chair and placed it behind Ishni.
She sat down gracefully, crossing her legs, her face completely composed cold, unreadable.
Only then did Rudra step forward, his gaze finally falling on Vijay.
Vijay tried to push himself up slightly, panic rising in his chest as his eyes moved between them.
"Sir... ma'am... I-"
Rudra raised his hand.
Silence.
No permission to speak until he ask
Vipul stepped aside, giving Rudra space.
"Mrs. Rajput... what's happening? Why am I here?" Vijay asked, his voice shaking as he tried to sit up.
Ishni looked at him calm, cold, completely unaffected.
"Vijay," she said slowly, her gaze sharp, "drop this act. I know you're involved with Abhishek."
His eyes widened instantly. "No... I'm not-"
Before he could finish, Rudra moved.
"So..." Rudra said quietly, crouching down to his level, his voice dangerously calm, "you won't open your mouth, right?"
Vijay shook his head quickly. "Sir, I swear-"
Rudra's patience snapped.
A sharp punch landed, cutting him off mid-sentence.
Vijay gasped, collapsing back onto the floor, disoriented.
Rudra grabbed his collar, pulling him up again, his grip tight, unforgiving.
"Tell me," he said, his voice no longer calm-low, controlled rage slipping through, "how are you connected to Abhishek?"
"I'm not-!" Vijay cried out again.
Rudra stared at him for a second... then slowly let go.
Only to push him back down harder.
Silence filled the basement.
Rudra stepped closer again, towering over him now, his presence suffocating.
"I'm asking you for the last time," he said, each word slow, heavy, final.
He stamped on his fingers with his polished shoes "ah..ah.. please don't.. I'll say..." Vijay screamed.
"Abhishek was the person who sent me to you..." Vijay said.
Vipul frowned and looked at Ishni. "But ma'am... how did you know he was involved?"
Ishni looked at them calmly. "They acted very clean... but I got doubt on him when I met Abhishek in the basement. He signaled something to Vijay also the information..the abandoned mansion the invitation evrything was planned "
She paused.
"So I asked someone to investigate his profile... and I found out Vijay was not an officer."
Vipul's eyes widened.
"He was faking it... working with Abhishek," she continued. "And yesterday I got his file."
Her tone turned colder.
"He wasn't an officer... and money was transferred to his account. Ten lakhs."
"What's their plan?" Rudra asked, his eyes fixed on Vijay.
Vijay swallowed, fear evident on his face. "I... I don't know much... but tomorrow they're going to sign a deal."
Rudra's expression hardened.
"And Abhishek... he'll send the girls to Italy," Vijay continued, his voice shaking. "He's working with Alexander... the head of Romano."
Silence fell again.
"That's all I know..." Vijay added quickly, almost pleading.
"Boss... ab kya karenge?" Vipul asked, his voice tense, eyes fixed on Rudra.
Ishni turned to look at him too, her expression serious, waiting.
Rudra didn't answer immediately.
His jaw clenched, the muscles tightening as his gaze stayed on Vijay for a second... then shifted away, his mind already moving ahead.
Silence filled the basement again.
Next day-
The day had arrived.
Rudra stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie, his face cold, distant like he didn't feel anything at all.
The door opened.
Ishni walked in, adjusting her watch, her steps calm, calculated. She stopped a few feet away from him.
Their eyes met in the mirror.
"Today..." Ishni said, her voice sharp, controlled, "either everything will be destroyed... or one of us will fall."
Rudra's hands paused on his tie for a second.
Then he let out a faint, humorless chuckle.
"One of us?" he repeated, slowly turning to face her. "You really think you're standing against me?"
Ishni crossed her arms, her chin lifting slightly. "I'm not standing against you, Rudra."
A pause.
"I'm standing for what you refuse to see."
His eyes darkened.
"And what is that?" he asked, stepping closer, his presence heavy, intimidating.
"The truth," she said without hesitation. "Something you bury every time it doesn't go your way."
Rudra smirked slightly, but there was no amusement in it.
"Careful," he said, his voice dropping, "you're starting to sound like my enemy."
Ishni held his gaze, not backing down even an inch.
"Maybe I am," she replied.
Silence.Thick. Dangerous.
Rudra stepped even closer now, stopping just inches away from her.
"Then don't expect me to go easy on you," he murmured.
Ishni's lips curved into a faint, fearless smile.
"I never asked you to."
Their eyes locked in such a dangrous way.
------
The city stretched endlessly beyond the glass walls of Ishni's office alive, restless, unaware. Cars moved like veins carrying urgency, people like shadows chasing purpose. But inside her cabin, everything was still.
Ishni stood by the window, one hand wrapped around a cup of coffee, the other tucked into her pocket. Her reflection stared back at her sharp eyes, controlled expression, a woman who had trained herself to feel nothing when it mattered most.
After all... emotions were weaknesses.
And she had none left to afford.
The faint hum of the city was suddenly cut by the sharp vibration of her phone.
She didn't turn immediately.
Just took a slow sip.
Then answered.
"Yes?"
"Ma'am..." Vipul's voice came from the other side but something was wrong. It wasn't steady. It wasn't controlled. It was breaking. "Boss... boss-someone kidnapped him."
Time didn't slow.
It stopped.
The cup slipped from her fingers.
It shattered against the marble floor, the sound echoing through the silent room like a gunshot.
Ishni turned.
"What?" Her voice came out sharp, almost unrecognizable.
"What do you mean kidnapped?" she demanded, her grip tightening around the phone, her knuckles turning white.
Her heartbeat pounded violently in her chest.
Rudra.
The man who walked into danger like it belonged to him.
The man who controlled everything.
The man who couldn't be touched.
And yet Someone had taken him.
"Ma'am... we lost contact," Vipul's voice shook. "His car was found... abandoned. There was blood..."
Ishni closed her eyes for a second.
Just one second.
And when she opened them.
"Lock down everything," she said, her voice now cold, steady, lethal. "No one leaves. No one enters. I want every camera, every call, every movement tracked."
She started walking, fast, purposeful.
"And Vipul..."
A pause.
Her eyes darkened.
"Find out who did this."
Her heels echoed through the hallway like a countdown.
"Because whoever touched him...They've already signed their death sentence."