**The Next Day…**
Rihana woke up late in the morning. She had gone to bed very late the previous night, and her eyes were swollen… because she had cried a lot all night. The pain in her eyes and the exhaustion on her face were clearly visible. As soon as she got out of bed, she went straight to the washroom, washed her face, and tried to compose herself.
A while later, Rihana left for college.
Meanwhile, Nisha had already reached college. She was quite surprised because Rihana always arrived before her, and today she was late. Nisha immediately called Rihana, but she didn't answer the phone.
A few minutes later, Nisha saw Rihana arriving. As soon as she saw her, she rushed toward her.
"Rihana, why are you so late today?"
In a low voice, Rihana replied, "I couldn't sleep last night… so I went to bed late and couldn't wake up in time."
Nisha looked closely at her face.
"Rihana, what happened to your face? Why are your eyes so swollen? Did something happen?"
"No… it's nothing. Maybe something got into my eye," Rihana replied, avoiding eye contact.
Nisha didn't believe her.
"Rihana, don't lie to me… I can see everything. You've been crying, haven't you? Tell me the truth."
Rihana slowly nodded.
"What happened?"
Rihana told Nisha everything. Hearing it, Nisha got very angry.
"Rihana, don't be afraid of them. I tolerated what they did to me… but I won't let anything wrong happen to you now. I'll go talk to them today itself."
Rihana tried to stop her, but Nisha didn't listen.
"Leave all this for now, we're getting late for class."
The two headed to class.
After all the college classes ended, both were sitting in the canteen. Rihana looked downcast, her eyes kept welling up. The events of the previous night were still piercing her heart. Seeing her so upset made Nisha restless.
"Rihana, please don't be like this… I don't feel good seeing you like this."
After a brief silence, Rihana said, "Nisha, I want to go far away from here for a few days… please take me somewhere."
Nisha looked into her eyes, hearing the pain clearly in her voice.
"Okay, tell me where you want to go?"
It was the first time Rihana had asked Nisha for something. How could she refuse?
After thinking for a few moments, Rihana said, "I want to go to Goa. Since childhood, I've wanted to see the sea… up close, very close."
Nisha smiled and said, "Alright, let's go tomorrow itself. Go start packing right now."
For the first time, a big smile appeared on Rihana's face… but within seconds, it faded again.
"What happened now?" Nisha asked immediately.
"What if your dad doesn't let you go?"
"Don't worry, Rihana, we'll definitely go… I've already agreed to marry Varun as per his wish, so he'll have to agree to one of my wishes now. And if he doesn't, I'll make him. If it were just about me, I would've stayed quiet, but now it's about you—and your happiness is most important to me. Now go and pack, I'm booking the flight tickets."
Nisha dropped Rihana at home and headed to her own house.
When Nisha reached home, her mom, dad, and Aniket were sitting there. Seeing Aniket, Nisha's anger flared up. She went straight to him and stood in front of him.
"Where were you last night?"
Aniket stood up too and laughed meaninglessly, "Wherever I was, what's it to you?"
"You were at Rihana's house, right.
Aniket was a little shocked, the color drained from his face. He thought, "Looks like Rihana told her everything…"
Seeing Nisha angry, her dad asked, "What's going on, Nisha? How are you speaking to Aniket like that?"
"And how else should I talk to him, Dad? Do you know what he did last night?"
"What did he do?"
"He went to Rihana's house last night… and he tried to force himself on her!"
Kamini was shocked to hear this. "What nonsense is this? My son could never do something like that."
"I have proof. There was a CCTV camera at Rihana's house. Look at this, I'll show you."
Nisha took out her laptop and played the recording in front of everyone.
"Now say it… don't you believe your own eyes?"
Looking at her father, Nisha said,
"I can tolerate the way you people treat me, but I will not tolerate anyone doing this to Rihana. Stay away from her—that's best for everyone.
"We are going to Goa tomorrow… Rihana is very disturbed by what happened and she needs a break."
Saying this, Nisha walked away. No one said a word.
Yugveer glared angrily at Aniket, "Have you lost your mind? Couldn't you stay calm for just a few more days before the wedding? Once the marriage happens, you can do whatever you want with that girl… but not now. You know how possessive Nisha is about her. If she refuses the marriage now, everything will be ruined. Got it?"
Aniket nodded with his head down.
Meanwhile, Nisha went to her room and started booking Goa tickets. Soon, she found a flight for 9 AM. She called Rihana and shared all the details.
**Goa…**
Adhiraj was sitting in his cabin, working on something. He was so engrossed in his work that he didn't even notice anything happening around him.
Just then, a girl walked in wearing a very short dress. She went up to him and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
**"How are you, Adhiraj darling?"** she asked sweetly.
Hearing her voice, Adhiraj's eyes turned cold. Anger surged within him, but he somehow managed to control it.
**"What are you doing here, Priya? I told you not to come during my office hours. Whatever you want to talk about, do it after office.**
**I'll meet you at some restaurant in the evening. Talk then, now leave."**
Saying this, he got back to his work.
Hearing his words, Priya felt really hurt.
**"Why do you talk to me like this? What's your problem? I'm your fiancée, we're engaged—yet you've never let me come to your house. Even my visiting your office bothers you. Why do you treat me like a stranger?"**
Adhiraj, who had been controlling his anger till now, lost his patience. He stood up from his chair and looked at Priya furiously.
**"Let me make one thing clear to you. I'm not interested in you. You're forcing yourself on me, and I'm tolerating you out of compulsion. The day that compulsion ends, I'll throw you out of my life for good.**
**And stop flying high with this fake engagement of ours. Get out now. I don't have time for your nonsense. Will you leave on your own or should I call the guard?"**
Priya looked at him angrily, then stomped out of the cabin.
As soon as she stepped out, she bumped into Viruddh. Seeing Priya leave Adhiraj's office in such anger, Viruddh easily figured that Adhiraj must have said something harsh.
A crooked smile appeared on his face.
**"Hello, Miss Priya. How was your meeting with your dear fiancé? Had a good dose of humiliation again, did you?"**
Priya felt like strangling him right then and there, but she kept her calm.
In her mind, she thought:
*Laugh all you want, Viruddh. Just let me marry him once. Then you'll see what I do to you.*
She glared at him and walked away.
Meanwhile, Viruddh walked into Adhiraj's cabin, still smiling.
Adhiraj had a file in his hand and was reading it intently.
Viruddh went and sat beside him.
**"Hmm... what was she doing here?"**
Adhiraj closed the file and replied,
**"Nothing, just came to talk nonsense. I don't even like seeing that girl's face. I hate her."**
Viruddh laughed and said,
**"Well, I feel the same about her."**
Meanwhile, after leaving Adhiraj's office, Priya sat in her car, fuming with anger.
**"So much attitude, huh, Adhiraj Singh? Just let me marry you once. Then I'll make you dance to my fingers."**
After a while, Priya's car stopped in front of a grand mansion.
She got out and went inside directly.
She asked a servant working there,
**"Is Miss Rubina home right now?"**
The servant replied,
**"Yes ma'am, she's here."**
Priya asked,
**"Where is she?"**
**"In the study room."**
Priya walked into the study. There sat a woman, probably around 50, but with a youthful glow on her face. She was reading a newspaper.
Priya sat down on a chair near her.
Seeing Priya, the woman put the newspaper aside and asked,
**"What happened? Why are you so angry?"**
Priya replied,
**"How can I not be angry? Adhiraj keeps insulting me again and again. He even said today that he'll never marry me… and the moment he gets a chance, he'll throw me out of his life. You tell me, what should I do?"**
Rubina let out a deep breath and said,
**"Do nothing. I'll handle everything. Don't worry, you *will* marry Adhiraj. No matter what he says, don't pay attention. I know exactly how to control him."**
Hearing this, Priya felt a bit relaxed.
**"Alright, I trust you. I'll take your leave now,"** she said and walked out.
Just then, a man entered the room and came up to Rubina.
**"Ma'am, what was Priya doing here?"**
Rubina replied,
**"Nothing, Ravi. Just here to vent her insecurities. This girl is so irritating. Sometimes I feel like killing her before I deal with Adhiraj."**
Ravi laughed and said,
**"Do it, ma'am. Just wait until your job is done."**
**"Yeah… to make that happen, I have to endure all her nonsense.**
But something must be done about Adhiraj soon. He's growing more powerful every day, and it's getting hard to stop him."
Ravi said,
**"Don't worry, ma'am. We have his weakness. He can't do anything to us."**
**"I know, Ravi. But don't underestimate Adhiraj. You never know when the tables might turn…"**
Ravi is Rubina's assistant.
**How was today's episode? Let me know in the comments. ....
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