Chapter 32
Author's POV:
The Khan Mansion was wrapped in silence. Midnight had long passed, and the vast marble halls were dim except for the faint golden glow spilling from the main living room.
Aayat sat alone on the grand sofa, her laptop balanced on her knees. The screen's light illuminated her calm yet determined face, her fingers moving with purpose. Files, spreadsheets, notes-everything aligned with her new mission. She was not merely working; she was preparing for war.
The grandfather clock struck twelve. The echo of its chime faded into stillness, and that's when the heavy door opened quietly.
Ayaan stepped in, his shoulders tired, his tie loose, his steps dragging slightly. His day had been long and merciless.
Aayat looked up, her brows knitting softly.
"Aj late ho gaye tum?"
Ayaan dropped onto the sofa opposite her, sighing deeply as he leaned back.
"Haan... thoda kaam tha." His voice carried exhaustion, but there was still a faint curve on his lips-habit, whenever he looked at her.
Aayat closed her laptop gently and tilted her head.
"Khana laga du tumhare liye?"
He shook his head, waving a hand.
"Nahi... mein kha kar aya hoon."
Silence fell for a moment. Ayaan rubbed his forehead while Aayat studied him with quiet concern. Finally, he broke it.
"Aur batao... kaisa gaya tumhara din?"
Aayat smiled faintly, that serene smile that always unsettled him.
"Bohut acha."
Ayaan nodded.
"Good." He stood up, stretching. "Chalo, ab mein chalta hoon. Mujhe bohut Neend aa rahi hai..."
He was just turning when her voice stopped him.
"Ayaan... mujhe tumse baat karni hai."
He turned, surprised. She rarely sounded so intent. He came back and sat down again, leaning forward this time.
"Haan bolo... kya hua?"
Aayat inhaled deeply, her hands clasped on her lap.
" actually baat ye hain kay, mein kuch waqt ke liye Malik Mansion wapas ja rahi hoon."
The words landed like a thunderclap. Ayaan's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face. He shot up, unable to contain his reaction.
"Tumhara dimagh theek hai? Pagal mat ho gaye ho?"
Her gaze didn't waver.
"Pehle meri baat puri suno."
Ayaan exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening, but he sat down again, restless, fists clenching on his knees.
Aayat's voice was steady, her eyes holding a fire that had been hidden for years.
"Mein us aadmi ko dhoondh rahi hoon jisne 8 saal pehle jhoot bola tha. Uski jhooti gawahi ki wajah se meri zindagi barbaad ho gaye thi. Mein apne naam par laga dhag ab saaf karna chahti hoon."
Ayaan frowned.
"Wo tum yahan reh kar bhi kar sakti ho. Uske liye waha janai ki kya zaroori hai?"
Aayat shook her head, a cold smile touching her lips.
"Zaroorat hai, Ayaan. Mein sirf apna naam saaf karke nahi jana chahti.
Unhe sach bata du aur nam saaf kar du, kya is se mera 8 saal ka dard kam ho jaye ga.
.. us se pehle mein unhe be taqleef dena chahti hoon , unhe meri shakal dekhna bardasht nahi hain na toh wo ab roz meri shakal dekhay gay.
.... mein unhe sach bata kr sirf unhe guilt mein nahi dalna chahti kay unho ne mere saath kya kiya.
.. Balkay us se pehle unhe khud be satana chahti hoon. "
Her words grew sharper, her tone edged with years of buried pain.
"ayaan, mein abhi naye dulhan thi. Meri shadi ko mahina be nahi hua tha..mere haathon ki mehndi bhi puri tarha nahi utri thi... aur unhone mera ghar ujhaar diya. Ab mein wahi dard unhe dena chahti hoon. Especially Ramsha ko."
Ayaan's chest tightened. He looked at her-this was not the soft, sweet Aayat the world remembered. This was a woman forged by betrayal.
"Kal tak toh tumhara mood nahi tha waha jaane ka. Badla laine ka , toh ab kya hua?" he muttered.
Her eyes darkened.
"Kal tak nahi tha. Lekin kal Ramsha ki dhamki ne sab badal diya.Usne mere purane zakham phir se taza kar diye. Ab uski saza sabko milegi."
Ayaan felt his breath hitch. He wanted to stop her, to shield her from this storm, but he knew no words would hold her back now.
"Tum jo bhi karogi... mein tumhare saath hoon." His voice was low, heavy. "Lekin... is baat se mein raazi nahi hoon ki tum waha jao."
And with that, before she could respond, he stood and walked out. His footsteps echoed through the mansion, leaving her sitting there-resolute, unshaken.
~
Ayaan sat in a quiet corner of a downtown café, his coffee untouched before him. The city buzzed outside, but inside his head, there was only one name.
Aayat.
He leaned forward, elbows on the table, hands tangled in his hair.
She deserves to clear her name. She deserves justice. Those people stole her innocence, painted her pure heart with stains that never belonged to her. She has every right to return there and face them.
But then his heart whispered back, louder than his logic:
Lekin mera dil nahi maanta. Mujhe khauf hai. Kya hoga jab wo wapas usi jahannum mein jayegi jahan uski zindagi kharab Hui thi? Kaise rok loon usay? Kaise bataoon tumhein tum mere liye kya ho, Aayat?
He closed his eyes, torn. For years he had buried his love beneath the layers of "friendship." And now, watching her walk into danger willingly was unbearable.
" Agar tumhari ladai, tumhare kisi rival se hoti mujhe koi dar nahi tha aayat... But ye tumhari family hain, tum kitni be nafrat karlo unse , per tum itni strong nahi ho kay apno se lad sako. Rayyan se ladh sako."
His phone buzzed on the table. A call. He answered briefly, nodding, and rose to step outside.
As he walked past the waiter,
"Sir, your coffee-"
Ayaan waved a hand. "I'll be back."
Outside, a familiar blonde woman approached him briskly-his PA, Ana. Dressed sharp, a file in her hands, her accent crisp.
"Sir, this is the complete information about Ramsha and her family." She handed the folder.
Ayaan flipped it open, scanning quickly. His jaw tightened.
"Good," he said, his tone clipped. Then he looked at her seriously. "Ana, you'll be flying to London tomorrow. There's work waiting for you there."
Ana adjusted her glasses, nodding. "Understood, sir. I'll make the arrangements." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving him with the file-and heavier thoughts.
When he returned to the café, his seat was no longer empty.
A girl had taken it.
Ayaan stopped in his tracks, irritation flickering. He approached.
"Excuse me. This is my table."
The girl finally looked up, her eyes sharp, her lips curving in challenge.
"Aur ab mera hai."
Ayaan blinked.
"What? Yahan aur koi seat khali nahi hai. Mein kaha jau?"
She shrugged.
"Toh mein kya karun? Dimagh kharab mat karo mera pehle hi kharab hai. Aur Waise bhi... akeli hoon mein. Beth jao yaha hi."
His brows shot up. And then, despite himself, he smirked faintly.
"Thank you... mere hi table pe mujhe bethne ki ijazat dene ke liye."
The waiter arrived with two steaming cups-one slid in front of the girl, the other before Ayaan.
For a few minutes, silence stretched between them. Ayaan stirred his coffee, eyes darting toward the stranger who had so confidently taken his place. She sat unfazed, sipping slowly, clearly lost in her own storm.
Finally, he spoke, his tone edged with curiosity.
"Tumhara dimagh kyu kharab hai waise?"
She looked up sharply.
"Tumse matlab?"
Ayaan raised an eyebrow, leaning back with that careless charm he often used to disarm people.
"Kabhi kabhi kisi gair ke saath gham baant lena chahiye. Jo jawab apno se na mile... gairo se mil jate hain."
For a second, her mask slipped. Her lips pressed together, eyes lowering.
Silence. Then, with a reluctant exhale, she answered.
"Actually... meri behan mujhse naraz hai.
Aur mujhe samajh nahi aa rahi... kaise maafi maangu.
Jab unhe meri zaroorat thi, mein unke liye kuch nahi kar payi. Ab unke samne kaise jaun..."
Her voice cracked slightly before she caught herself, hiding it with a sip.
Ayaan studied her quietly. Then leaned forward, his voice calm, almost firm.
"Toh behan naraz hai tumhari. Toh jao. Maafi maango. Agar yeh sochte rahi ke wo maaf karegi ya nahi... waqt chala jaayega. Aur phir poori zindagi yeh pachtawa rehega ke mauka tha... pr tum ne kuch nahi kiya."
She stilled, his words sinking in. For a moment, the world outside the café disappeared. Then, slowly, she stood, determination flickering in her eyes.
"Tum sahi keh rahe ho... thank you." She grabbed her bag.
Ayaan tilted his head, intrigued.
"Tumhara naam kya hai?"
She turned halfway, her lips curving slightly.
"Hayaat."
Ayaan smirked.
"Okay... bye, Hayati."
She froze mid-step, spinning around.
"Kya kaha tumne?"
He feigned innocence.
"Kya kaha?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"Mera naam Hayaat hai. Hayati nahi."
Ayaan's grin widened lazily.
"Ek hi baat hai."
She crossed her arms.
"Mujhe pasand nahi hain koi mujhe nickname de."
"Lekin mujhe pasand hai," he shot back smoothly.
Her eyes flared.
"Fine. Bolte raho. Waise bhi mujhe konsa tumse dubara milna hai."
She spun on her heel and stormed off, her presence like a whirlwind exiting as suddenly as it entered.
Ayaan leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with a half-smile.
The waiter returned with the bill.
"Sir, yeh aapka bill."
Ayaan opened it-and frowned.
"Do coffees ka bill? Maine toh ek hi pi hai."
The waiter scratched his head.
"Jo madam aapke saath thi, unhone bill pay nahi kiya. Humein laga aapke saath hi thi, isliye..."
Ayaan's lips parted, then a low chuckle escaped. He muttered under his breath, amused yet annoyed.
"Wah... advice be le gayi, baatein suna gayi, mere table pe kabza kar liya... aur ab ye bill.... In ladkiyon se toh sach mein bach kar rehna chahiye... bohot chalak hoti hain. Chorni."
Shaking his head, he paid and stepped out, the ghost of a smile still lingering.
~
The air in Aayat's private office was tense, filled with the soft hum of her laptop and the rustle of papers. She sat behind the large mahogany desk, eyes sharp, ready to dissect every detail of her enemies.
The door opened. Ayaan walked in, holding the file.
"Jo information tumne mangwayi thi... le aaya hoon."
He placed the file on her desk.
Aayat looked up, her lips quirking.
"Toh tum aa gaye. Mujhe laga next year aoge."
Ayaan smirked faintly, dropping into the chair opposite her.
"Ek scammer se mulaqat ho gayi thi aaj. Free Advice be le gaye, table pe kabza kr liya mere... aur last mein bill diye bagair bhaag gayi. Mujhe bharna pada."
Aayat chuckled, shaking her head.
"The Ayaan Khan got scammed? Ye toh headlines honi chahiye."
For a moment, the heaviness lifted. But when she opened the file, seriousness returned.
Ayaan's tone dropped.
"Ramsha ke father 5 saal pehle guzar gaye. Company ab uski maa aur ramsha khud chalate hai... aur haal bura hai."
Aayat's lips curved slowly, dark satisfaction glimmering.
"Toh aur bura haal kar do. Kuch be ho bankrupt ho janay chahiye wo log..."
Ayaan leaned back, smirking at her cold resolve.
"Samajh lo kaam ho gaya."
She flipped another page.
"Aur Arjun ne jo kaha tha? Us shaks ke bare mein... jis ne meri life barbad ki .. uska kya hua. "
Ayaan shook his head.
"Abhi tak kuch pata nahi chala. Lekin... bohot jald mil jaayega."
Aayat's eyes hardened, her grip tightening.
"Theek hai."
Ayaan watched her for a moment, silence stretching. Then he spoke quietly.
"Ek aur baat hai."
Her brows lifted.
"Haan bolo."
He hesitated, then leaned forward.
"Tumhare aur mere bare mein... Rayyan pata kar raha tha. Maine kaha jo information wo dhoond raha hai... de do usse."
Aayat's expression didn't change. She simply nodded.
"Bilkul sahi kiya tumne."
Ayaan exhaled, almost relieved. He stood, stretching slightly.
"Chalo... ab mein chalta hoon. Bohut thak gaya hoon, pr kam bohut zada hain."
He left the office, but his heart carried a weight words couldn't release.