A Night of Betrayal and Chaos
Morning: The Missing Shadow
Shristi searched the entire hotel, checking every possible place, but Wick was nowhere to be found. Frustration and unease crept into her mind. He had disappeared without a word, leaving her with nothing but unanswered questions.
As she wandered through the lobby, a familiar voice called out to her.
"Shristi!"
She turned to see Hamza approaching, a confident smile playing on his lips.
"Hello," he greeted, "I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I couldn't meet Wick in person. But here." He handed her an invitation card. "Give this to him, and please, make sure you all come to the party tonight."
Shristi hesitated before accepting the card. Something about this didn't sit right with her, but refusing outright didn't seem like an option. "I'll... let him know," she said cautiously.
As soon as Hamza left, she rushed to inform Nick.
Nick read the invitation, his brows furrowing. "This doesn't feel right," he admitted. "Hamza doesn't just invite people without a reason."
A few hours later, Wick returned. The moment he heard the news, his reaction was immediate and firm.
"Shristi isn't going," he stated coldly.
Shristi stiffened. "Wick, Hamza invited me personally. He said if I don't show up, there will be consequences."
Wick stepped closer, his eyes darkening. "Don't you dare go there. You hear me?"
Before Shristi could respond, Vivaan shoved Wick back.
"It's her choice," Vivaan snapped. "If she wants to go, she will."
Wick's jaw clenched. "No, she won't," he said, glaring at Vivaan before turning to Shristi. "Tell him."
Shristi hesitated, glancing between the two men. Tension filled the air, thick enough to cut through. Finally, she sighed. "Fine. Calm down, Vivaan. I won't go."
Wick's shoulders relaxed slightly. But then, his gaze hardened once more. "But if she's not going, neither are you."
Vivaan face darkened, but before he could argue, Shristi agreed.
As they walked away, Vivaan whispered, "Don't worry, babe. I'll always protect you."
---
The Party: A Dangerous Reunion
The night was alive with music and laughter as guests poured into the grand estate where Hamza's party was being hosted.
Nick arrived with Varsha, while Wick entered with Tara. Their presence alone commanded attention, but Wick's mind was elsewhere.
As soon as they stepped inside, Hamza greeted them with open arms.
"Welcome, my dearest friends," he announced, his grin widening. "But... where is the lovely Shristi?"
Wick opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Hamza's eyes flickered behind him.
"My bad," Hamza chuckled. "There she is."
Wick's entire body tensed as he turned.
Shristi and Vivaan had just walked in.
Anger flashed across Wick's face as he strode toward her, his voice low but firm.
"Did you get what you wanted?"
Shristi met his gaze without hesitation. "Actually, yes."
Wick inhaled sharply, his patience slipping. "Good. Tell me on the ride home. We're leaving." Without waiting, he reached for her hand.
Shristi pulled back. "No, Wick. Let go of me."
For a moment, he held on, but then he released her, exhaling through his nose.
"I'm sorry," she said, looking at him with regret. "I had to cut you out of the plan."
Wick's jaw tightened. "There shouldn't have been a plan, Shristi. You shouldn't be here."
"You think I wanted to go behind your back? I didn't," she defended. "But if I hadn't involved Vivaan, you would've tried to play the hero, and everything would've gone to hell."
Wick's eyes burned with fury. "My mistake was trying to keep you alive. Clearly, Vivaan doesn't give a damn."
Shristi narrowed her eyes. "Now you're mad because I included Vivaan?"
Wick shook his head. "No, I'm mad because I care about you."
She flinched at the raw emotion in his voice. "Maybe... that's the problem."
A flicker of hurt crossed Wick's face, but he masked it quickly. "No, I get it, Shristi. I care too much. I'm a liability. How ironic is that?"
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.
Shristi's heart clenched as she watched him disappear into the crowd.
---
Chaos Unleashed
Hours later, the party was disrupted by loud shouting.
Everyone rushed outside to see Wick, his fists bloodied, standing over Hamza's younger brother. The boy was barely conscious, groaning in pain.
Vivaan stormed forward. "Are you mad?!"
Wick cracked his knuckles, his breathing heavy. "Surely I am."
Dipanshu exhaled, stepping beside him. "Alright, so now we're playing the 'mad game.' If you've already started it, then there's no holding back."
Hamza and his brothers emerged from the estate, their eyes burning with fury.
But instead of retaliating, they simply stood there, unmoving.
Wick narrowed his eyes. Why weren't they attacking?
Sensing danger, Wick and his friends wasted no time. Grabbing Shristi, Varsha, and Tara, they bolted toward their car and sped away.
Something wasn't right.
Why didn't Hamza fight back?
---
The Truth Revealed
Back at the hotel, Wick turned to Shristi, his voice demanding. "What the hell happened in that room?"
Shristi hesitated before speaking. "They... they wanted to make a deal with me."
Wick's stomach twisted. "What kind of deal?"
Her hands trembled. "They want me to marry their son. They claim my ancestors are tied to something important, and only I can fulfill their demand. And after marriage... I won't be allowed to see anyone from my past life. Ever."
Wick's blood ran cold. "That's not a deal-that's a damn prison sentence." His fists clenched. "And if you refuse?"
Shristi swallowed hard. "Then my loved ones... my friends, my family... will be killed. One by one."
Before Wick could respond, his phone rang.
He stepped aside to answer, but when he turned back, Shristi was gone.
His heart slammed against his ribs.
---
The Final Confrontation
He found her in the hallway, heading for the door.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.
Shristi turned, her face set with determination. "I'm going back to Hamza."
"No," Wick stated firmly.
She took another step forward. "Get out of my way, Wick."
Before she could move past him, he grabbed her wrist.
"You're trying so hard to step out of this house," he muttered.
Tara, standing nearby, spoke up. "Wick, ease up."
He shot her a glare. "Stay out of this."
Vivaan stepped forward. "Let her go."
Wick's eyes burned into him. "Are you insane? We just got her back."
Vivaan grabbed Wick's wrist tightly, his voice sharp. "I said... let her go."
Wick's stare turned ice-cold. "That's the second time you've done that today. I won't tolerate a third."
Vivaan's grip didn't loosen. "You don't get to decide for her. Even if she wants to die." His voice cracked. "I love her, but I respect her choice."
Wick's patience snapped. His voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
"Kill me. Torture me. Break me. But I won't let her die."
Shristi suddenly spoke, her voice strained. "Wick, leave. I need to talk to Vivaan."
Vivaan, filled with rage, threw something against the wall. "You shouldn't have befriended him!" he shouted.
Wick stepped back into the room, his presence suffocating.
"I let you get away with talking to me like that," he said coldly. "But if you so much as touch her-then touch her and be ready to die. I don't care who you are, what you are. Even if Hamza tries anything... I'll make him suffer."
He turned to Shristi.
"And if you think you can escape... for now, that's not possible."
To be continued...