Chapter - 42
I sat in the car, my eyes fixed on the passing streets, but my mind was elsewhere. The roads, the buildings, the people—everything looked the same. But nothing felt the same.
One week.
It had been one week since Bhaiya and Bhabhi came to meet me.
And in just one week, so much has changed.
Changes that I don't like. But I understand them. I have to.
Aarav is busy.
He leaves early. He comes home late.
We don't drink our evening coffee together anymore. We don't have breakfast together. We don't even have dinner together.
The only time we get is in the morning—when he has his coffee, and I have my chai.
Just those few minutes. That's all we have now.
And even in that time, he only asks me about my day. He doesn't tell me about his. He doesn't have time.
I know he's trying. He even apologized.
"I'll make up for all the time I'm busy right now, Angel. I promise."
I had smiled at him, nodding. I understand. I really do.
But...
How do I make my heart understand?
The part of me that craves his attention. That waits for him. That feels restless when he isn't around.
I don't want to be a typical wife who complains. I don't want to disturb him when he's working.
But...
I miss him.
Every night, I try to wait for him in the living room. Hoping just once he will come home early. But every morning, I wake up in our room.
I don't need to ask how I get there. I already know.
He carries me.
A sigh left my lips as I looked down at my mustard yellow Anarkali suit, adjusting my dupatta carefully.
Maybe today would be different. Maybe tonight, he would come home early.
The car slowed as we reached my college. I stepped out, smoothing the fabric of my suit. Taking a deep breath, I turned towards the entrance.
And then—
"Siya!"
I froze for a second. My heart skipped a beat.
The voice sounded... familiar.
I turned around slowly, my fingers gripping my dupatta tightly. My breath felt stuck in my throat as my eyes landed on the person standing there.
Tauji.
My feet felt heavy, rooted to the ground. I didn't move. I couldn't.
What... what is he doing here?
Does he want something?
Or... is he here to take me back?
No. No. That can't happen. I don't want to go anywhere.
He took slow steps towards me, his face unreadable. My heart pounded harder with every step he took.
"I want to talk to you," he said, his voice calm but firm.
I swallowed, looking around nervously. My hands clenched the soft fabric of my suit. Why now? Why here?
For a second, I thought about refusing. But... would that even matter? If I didn't listen, they would make me listen anyway.
I nodded hesitantly. "Okay." My voice was quiet, unsure.
He glanced around, then said, "There's a cafe nearby. Let's talk there."
I bit my lip. I didn't want to go anywhere with him. But standing in the middle of my college entrance, with students passing by and staring, wasn't an option either.
So, I agreed.
The cafe wasn't far. Just a few minutes' walk. The whole way, my mind kept running in circles.
What does he want?
Why now?
Will he force me to go back?
No. Aarav won't let that happen.
But... what if?
I took a deep breath, shaking my head. Stop overthinking, Siya. Just listen first.
We reached the cafe, and he pulled out a chair, sitting down first. I hesitated before slowly taking the seat across from him.
My hands rested in my lap, fingers twisting together as I looked at him cautiously.
He didn't waste time. His voice was firm, cold.
"I want you to sign some documents."
I frowned, confused. Documents?
"I've already prepared them," he continued. "Come to the Rajput house today or tomorrow and sign them."
My breath hitched slightly. What kind of documents?
I took a deep breath, gathering the courage to ask, "What kind of documents, Tauji?"
His expression changed instantly. His jaw tightened, and his voice came out sharper.
"You don't need to use your brain. Just sign them. They're some FD papers. I need money urgently."
My hands clenched in my lap. FD papers? My heart started beating faster.
"But that money is for—" I started to say, but he cut me off, his voice laced with irritation.
"You are in a rich family now. You don't need that small amount, but I need it." He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "So come home and sign it."
I swallowed, my throat dry. No. This isn't right.
I shook my head. My voice was small but firm. "No, Tauji. I will not do it. That money is for—"
Before I could even finish my sentence, his hand shot forward, gripping my wrist tightly.
"What did you say?" His eyes burned into mine, his grip tightening. "I took care of you all these years. I paid for your expenses. And now, when it's your turn to return the favor, you're refusing me?"
I flinched. His voice was cold. I knew this tone.
"I'm telling you, Siya," he continued, his fingers digging into my skin, "if you don't sign the FD documents, I'll sell your father's house."
My breath hitched.
No. No. No.
Tears pricked my eyes. That house... my parents' house. The only thing left of them.
"No, Tauji," I whispered, shaking my head desperately. "Don't do that. Please."
He didn't respond. He just stared at me, waiting.
I felt my heart sink. I had no choice.
"I will sign it," I said softly, blinking back tears. "Wherever you say. But please... don't sell that house."
He leaned back, satisfied. "Okay. So come tomorrow and sign it."
I felt like the air had been knocked out of me. I nodded slowly, still trying to calm my racing heart.
But then, I forced myself to speak again. "No... not at that house. Bring the documents here. I-I will sign."
I held my breath, expecting him to get angry again.
But to my surprise, he agreed. "Fine. I'll come here tomorrow."
And just like that, he stood up and left.
I sat there, staring at the table, my hands still trembling.
What have I done?
Every night when I return to the palace, exhausted from work, the first thing I see is her—My Angel, curled up on the couch in the living room, waiting for me.
A small smile tugged at my lips. She waits for me. Even when she knows I won't come early. Even when she knows I won't wake her up.
She doesn't say anything, doesn't demand my time, but she waits.
Every night, I picked her up in my arms, held her close, and carried her to our room. She never woke up, but she sighed in her sleep, as if knowing it was me.
And every night, I whispered, "I'm sorry, Siya baby."
I promised her I'd make up for it. And I will.
But right now, I had no time to breathe.
First, The Rathore Alliance Project.
Second, My duties as a king.
The moment Mr. and Mrs. Rajput left after meeting Siya, my phone rang. Rathore Justice Center.
A place I created for my people. A place where those who couldn't reach me directly could seek justice. My men handle most matters, but when something serious happens, they call me.
And what I heard made my blood boil.
I reached Rathore Justice Center within minutes. My men were already waiting. The air in my office was tense.
"Where is the man who came for help?" I asked, my voice cold.
One of my men nodded and brought him in.An elderly man entered, his shoulders slumped, his eyes filled with worry and pain. He looked around hesitantly before folding his hands in respect.
"Ranasa..." he said, his voice shaking.
"Sit, Kaka." My tone was firm. "Tell me everything in detail."
His hands trembled as he spoke. "My name is Girdhari Lal, Ranasa.
I come from Sikarwadi. My daughter, Sunaina.
.. she went to Delhi for a household job through an agency.
It has been a month. She used to call me every alternate day from the house where she worked.
.. she doesn't have a phone of her own."
He swallowed hard, his eyes welling up.
"But it's been four days, Ranasa. No calls. Nothing. I tried calling the number, and they said she left four days ago."
I leaned forward, my jaw tightening. "And the agent?"
"I called him too, but he said he doesn't know anything.I even went to the police station to file a missing complaint... but they refused."
"Refused?" My voice dropped dangerously low.
He nodded, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "They said my daughter ran away with her lover. That I was wasting their time. That she will return when she wants—maybe after months or years." His voice broke. "Ranasa, I know my daughter. She would never do something like this. Please... help me."
Silence filled the room.
My patience snapped.
I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. The guards stiffened, my men lowered their heads.
"She didn't run away." My voice was deadly calm.
The air felt heavy.
"I don't care which police station refused you. I don't care who the agent is. I don't care who is behind this."
I exhaled sharply, my anger barely in control.
"Your daughter will be found, Kaka." I looked at my men, my voice cold and sharp as steel. "Call the commissioner. Now. If the officer who denied the complaint isn't at my feet by tomorrow, he'll regret taking his job."
One of my men immediately pulled out his phone.
"Send two of our best men to Delhi. Find out about the house she worked in, the agency, the man who took her there—and if someone is involved in this," my eyes darkened, "drag them here in chains."
Kaka's lips trembled as he folded his hands again. "Ranasa... I..."
"No need to thank me, Kaka," I said, my voice softer this time. "Your daughter is my responsibility now."
And I never fail my people.
It took me a week to end this mess.
Two days to find Sunaina.
And when I found her... I was just in time.
She was curled up in a dark, filthy room—a place that reeked of misery and hopelessness. Her arms were covered in bruises, her eyes red and swollen.
Not just her.
There were other girls too. Young. Helpless. Their spirits shattered.
Ages 16 to 20.
They weren't just missing. They were taken. Sold.
My blood boiled.
The police officer who refused to register Sunaina's missing complaint? Dismissed.
His excuse? "Most of these girls run away. It's a waste of time. Even when we find them, they refuse to go back with their parents... Some don't even recognize them."
I gritted my teeth. "So you ignore every case? You let them become victims of human trafficking?!"
He flinched at my voice but had no answer. Coward.
This is exactly why girls like Sunaina suffer. Because of men like him.
The man who took Sunaina?
The bastard who pretended to be a recruitment agent?
He was the mastermind behind this whole operation. He scouted poor girls, promising them jobs, and after one or two months, he sold them.
A perfectly planned crime. No one suspected him.
Not anymore.
Because now?
He is in my warehouse.
The man was tied to a chair, his face bloodied from my men's interrogation. His lips trembled as he looked up at me.
"R-Ranasa... please... I-I didn't do anything!" He begged.
I crouched in front of him, gripping his chin.
"Nothing?" My voice was dangerously calm.
His breath hitched. Fear settled in his eyes.
I leaned in. "Fifty-six girls."
He blinked. Confused.
I let go of his chin and stood up.
"Because of Sunaina, I saved fifty-six girls today. Fifty-six lives that you were planning to sell."
His face paled. He started shaking his head violently. "I swear, I—"
CRACK.
I didn't let him finish. My fist connected with his face, making him cry out in pain. Blood dripped from his nose.
I nodded to my men.
"Make sure he never forgets today."
They understood the command.
I turned around and walked away as his screams filled the air.
Justice wasn't just about law and order.
Sometimes, justice needed fear.
The house that employed Sunaina?
They hired another maid the next day.
They never even cared about her disappearance.
But they will care now.
Because by morning, their entire business will be shut down.
Every single person involved—blacklisted.
They will pay for their negligence.
Today, I am going home early.
I miss my angel.
And I know she misses me too.
Suresh Rajput entered the house and slumped onto the sofa in the living room. His face was tense, his brows furrowed in frustration.
Meenakshi walked in, carrying a glass of water. She placed it in front of him and sat down beside him.
"What happened, Suresh ji?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. "Did she agree to sign?"
Suresh scoffed, taking a sip of water. "Do you think she has a choice?"
A smirk formed on Meenakshi's lips. "That's true. She doesn't." She leaned forward. "So, when will she come to sign the papers?"
Suresh shook his head. "She won't come here. I'll go to her college and make her sign."
Meenakshi let out a sarcastic laugh. "Oh, so Maharani can't even come here now? Look at her! She's already showing her true colors."
Her tone turned sharper. "Listen to me carefully, Suresh ji. Make sure she signs every single document before she gets too bold and refuses. Otherwise, all our years of hard work will be wasted!"
Suresh exhaled heavily. "You know we can't do that right now. Her marriage isn't public, and we can't tell anyone she's married. Because of that, we can't make her sign everything just yet."
Meenakshi's eyes darkened with resentment. "That's exactly why I told you not to marry her off to Aarav! But you didn't listen to me. If we had gotten her married to someone of our choice, everything would be in our hands by now."
Suresh rubbed his forehead. "There's nothing we can do about it now. But I don't understand why the Rathores are keeping the marriage a secret."
Meenakshi scoffed. "Who would want to accept a queen like that girl? Because of her, my children are away from me! No one is talking to us anymore."
Her anger simmered, but she quickly changed the topic. "Anyway, I'm going to make chai. Do you want some?"
Suresh leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment. "Hmm. Make it strong."
Meenakshi walked away, gritting her teeth. Siya might have slipped through their control for now, but not for long.