CHAPTER 33
“Seriously?” Navya asked the next day, eyes wide with concern. “But who would stalk you and why?”
“I don’t know,” Aanya replied, sipping her coffee with a thoughtful frown. “Reyansh is looking into it.”
They had met again that afternoon at a quiet coffee shop, just hours after Navya’s shoot had wrapped.
“Well, you better be careful,” Navya warned. “That’s the problem with having a dangerously handsome husband. His exes, or all the girls who crushed on him never really back off. They just turn their claws on the poor wife.”
The comment made something click in Aanya’s mind.
Her expression faltered for a second. Could it be Shagufta? She was already in California for reasons even Reyansh hadn’t managed to uncover. Could she be behind the sudden threat?
“Anyway,” Aanya shifted gears, brushing the thought aside for now, “Di is expecting you for dinner tonight.”
“I know,” Navya beamed. “She called me herself. I’m so excited to see Ruhi too.”
“She’ll love you,” Aanya promised.
“Hope so.”
They finished their coffee and headed outside where Navya’s cab was already waiting.
As they walked, Aanya’s phone buzzed with an email notification. She instinctively opened it and froze mid-step.
Wife,
It is Vicky Bansal.
I know he’s the same guy who bullied you in college…the reason behind those nightmares that still haunt you. I swear to God, I won’t spare him. This time, I’m handling it personally. He’ll pay for everything he did.
This stays between us. I don’t want Di or anyone else to know and panic.
P.S. Don’t worry anymore. I won’t let anyone harm you ever.
Your protective husband,
Reyansh.
Aanya’s hands trembled slightly as she lowered the phone. Vicky?
Was he here? And more importantly, how did Reyansh even know about him? She had never told him. Not once. Not even hinted at the torment that man had caused her in college. And yet, Reyansh had found out.
She drew in a shaky breath, a strange blend of fear and relief tightening in her chest. He sounded so protective.
So fierce. So determined. She didn’t want to stop him, not when he was defending her from a past she had tried so hard to bury for too long.
That chapter needed to close once and for all, and this time Reyansh was standing in front of her like a shield.
She couldn’t wait to see him and thank him personally for it.
She was going to Cape Town.
No matter what it cost her.
She didn’t care if it meant missing the client party or forgoing her certificate presentation. Her incentive bonus was due tomorrow and it was enough to cover her travel and make the whole thing happen in secret.
She would be there when Reyansh accepted his award.
To cheer him.
As his wife.
Day 257
“I’m going to miss you,” Aanya said, hugging Navya tightly at the airport.
“I know,” Navya replied, squeezing her back. “But if you’re going to miss me so much, why not come to India instead of flying off to Cape Town?” she teased.
Aanya blushed. “That’s because I’m missing my husband more.”
Navya laughed aloud. “I knew it. I really hope you two get some good time together. And convey my wishes to Reyansh for the award, will you? I’ll drop him a message too.”
“I will. Now go before they announce final boarding and leave you behind.”
“God, no. I can’t afford to miss this flight. I’m dying to see Rohan. He’s coming to the Delhi airport to pick me up.”
“Lucky you,” Aanya pouted. She couldn’t even expect Reyansh to be there when she landed in Cape Town. After all, he had no clue she was coming.
“Life has changed a lot, hasn’t it?” Navya asked as she clutched the handle of her trolley bag, ready to leave.
“It has,” Aanya agreed, smiling gently. “And this time we have the right people beside us, to love and support us.”
“Bingo. Now bye!” Navya waved one last time before heading toward the departure gates, disappearing into the crowd of passengers.
Aanya stood still for a moment, soaking in the emotion.
Her heart was set. She was going to Cape Town.
But making that happen wasn’t going to be simple.
First, she’d need to get her boss’s permission for the sudden leave.
And then she had to pull off the more impossible task: slipping past the invisible eyes Reyansh had stationed around her for protection .
His men saw everything, heard everything, and reported back to him without fail.
Evading them felt impossible, but she knew exactly who might help her pull it off.
Sunny.
She headed back to the car and drove straight to the Negi villa, where she and Shikha were temporarily staying. The moment she reached, she called Sunny and told him everything but he clearly denied supporting it.
“Sunny, please,” she urged through the phone.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am,” Sunny replied, his tone steady. “What you’re asking for is unofficial, and Boss won’t like it.”
“I’ll deal with Reyansh once I reach there. But I can’t board that flight if his guards know where I’m going. They’ll report it, and I’ll lose the element of surprise. Please,” she added, her voice softening. “It has to be a surprise.”
“I understand,” Sunny sighed. “But your safety comes first. And with what Boss is handling regarding Vicky Bansal, I can’t take the risk of pulling the guards off you just so you can travel alone to Cape Town.”
Aanya’s shoulders slumped with disappointment.
“I really wish you could help me, Sunny,” she murmured, pouting slightly, hoping to sway him.
Sunny ran a hand down his face, gripping the phone tighter.
He hated going against his boss’s instructions but he had also seen firsthand how his Boss’s relationship with Aanya had taken this beautiful turn.
Something real was blooming between them, and if this trip could push them closer, it was worth bending the rules.
“Alright,” he said at last. “Here’s the plan. You’ll take the guards with you for safety. I’ll ensure they don’t inform Reyansh about your travel until you’re standing in front of him in Cape Town.”
Relief flooded her chest.
“That works for me. Thank you, Sunny!” she exclaimed, practically jumping in place.
“You’re welcome. Have a safe trip, Ma’am.”
“Wait—will I see you there too?” she asked, still grinning.
“Yes. I’ll be in Cape Town with the boss. And that’s exactly why I’m worried. If he finds out I helped you sneak in... I’ll be the one in trouble.”
Aanya chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle him and I’ll make sure you’re safe from his wrath. Happy now?”
“Very,” he admitted with a quiet laugh.
They spoke for another minute, agreeing on the details. Aanya told him she’d use her own money for her travel bookings. Sunny would use company funds to book tickets for the guards, keeping everything clean.
Once the call ended, Aanya sat back, a satisfied smile curving her lips.
Now it was time to pack.
And to inform Di, Jeeju, and Nani that she was flying to Cape Town for a few days. She didn’t plan to hide it from them, but she still didn’t mention her true intention: surprising her husband.
Yet, one thought nagged at her, refusing to be silenced.
Vicky!
What exactly was Reyansh planning to do with that man? Was it under control? Vicky was dangerous, a spoilt brat of a powerful politician. Reckless. Vicious. She couldn’t relax until she knew where things stood.
She opened her email and began typing.
Husband,
Any updates on Vicky’s situation?
I want the details, please.
When are you flying to Cape Town?
Your (nail-biting) wife,
Aanya.
Later that night, after dinner and a quiet evening with family, Aanya checked her phone again.
Reyansh had replied.
Wife,
Stop biting your nails. It’s a terrible habit.
Situation with Vicky is under control. And no—you don’t need the details. He’s tried to scare you before, and now he’s tried to stalk you. But I believe he’s not working alone this time. Someone tipped him off about your location.
Whoever that is, they’ll face the same consequences he will.
I don’t want to discuss this over call or email. These things can be tracked, monitored, and used against us. So, delete this message after you read it.
I’m flying to Cape Town in two days.
Honestly, I’d rather skip the award and come watch you receive that certificate from your client.
Your husband,
Reyansh.
Aanya exhaled, her fingers lingering over the screen before doing what he asked—deleting the email.
Husband,
DON’T SKIP YOUR AWARD FUNCTION.
I deleted your previous email like you asked. I’ve stopped biting my nails too, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still curious about what you’re going to do. Knowing you, I’ll get the full story out of you when we meet.
Do you think the helper could be Shagufta? If it’s her… this could get worse. Two ghosts from our past trying to ruin our present and our future.
Your sighing Wife,
Aanya.
*************
Aanya,
Stop using those names in your emails. We’re not communicating through a secure line. These days, anyone can hack into anything. Don’t mention it again. Not until I’ve cleaned this up.
But yes… I suspect it’s her. I haven’t confirmed it yet.
Also, your CAPS message felt like a threat. Don’t worry. I’ll attend the award function. I promise. Happy?
Your helpless husband,
Reyansh.
***********
Husband,
You always make me happy.
Your pouting wife,
Aanya.
Day 265
Aanya finally boarded her flight to Cape Town. The past few days had been exhausting. Convincing her boss to let her skip the certificate ceremony hadn’t been easy. But she’d managed it. She got four days of leave.
Radhika had been thrilled when Aanya told her she was flying to be with Reyansh, and even Nani hadn’t raised an eyebrow.
For the first time in months, Aanya had seen something close to satisfaction in Nani’s eyes.
No scepticism. Just quiet acceptance. Maybe she had finally started to believe that Reyansh and her happiness lay in each other.
“Ma’am, please switch off your phone. We’re ready for take-off,” the flight attendant reminded her gently.