"But what's the use of destiny," Reha said, her voice trembling, "when you've reduced us, our entire relationship, to just fun?"
The moment those words left her lips, Ved pulled her into a desperate hug, holding her tightly like he might lose her forever.
"Never, Reha... I can never forget you," he whispered against her hair, voice breaking.
Then, he quietly walked to the door and shut it, almost fearfully, as if the walls had ears, as if someone might be listening. He turned back to her, eyes heavy with guilt and urgency.
"Mr. Khanna had his men following me, Reha... That's why I couldn't tell you anything," he confessed. "It wasn't safe. I thought... I thought keeping you at a distance would protect you. But I was wrong."
Reha's eyes welled up, her heart aching. "You saved me from Yash, Ved. You've cared for me every day, every night, only for me. And if loving you costs me my life, I swear I won't regret a thing."
Ved grabbed her face gently, shaking his head. "But I will regret it, Reha. I love you. And I can't afford to lose you."
Reha looked into his eyes and held his hand tightly. "Then take me somewhere, Ved. Anywhere. A place where no one can find us. Please."
He hesitated. "Reha... I'm scared..."
"You trust me, don't you?" she asked softly. "Nothing will happen to us. We'll make it out."
But before he could respond, there was a loud crash. The door burst open.
Mr. Khanna and his men had arrived. They were here to take Reha away.
Ved quickly pulled Reha behind him, heart pounding, as heavy footsteps echoed through the marble hallway of the mansion. He held her hand tightly and whispered, "We're not running out. We're hiding, come with me."
He led her through the secret corridor behind the library, a passage only he and a few trusted men knew existed. The walls were cold stone, the air thick with silence and fear. Reha clung to his arm, tears welling in her eyes, but her steps firm. She wasn't going to leave him, not again.
They reached a dimly lit room at the end of the passage. It was a hidden space, once meant for smuggling shipments. Ved bolted the door quietly, placed his hand on Reha's cheek, and whispered, "Just stay here. No matter what happens, don't come out."
But Reha grabbed his wrist. "I won't let you go alone."
Before Ved could respond, a sound froze them both.
Boots. Dozens of them.
Mr. Khanna's men had found the mansion. And they were inside.
Suddenly, a loud bang hit the wall near them. Someone had found the secret passage.
"Ved Kapoor! I told you not to play games with me," came Mr. Khanna's voice, cold and echoing like a death sentence. "You thought you could steal my plan, my revenge... and hide her from me? Hand her over before I take your life apart."
Ved's jaw clenched. He kissed Reha's forehead one last time and unbolted the door. "Lock this from inside. Don't come out unless I return. Promise me, Reha."
"No! Ved, please—"
But he was already gone.
In the hallway, Ved faced six of Khanna's armed men. He didn't wait; rage flooded his body as he threw the first punch, breaking the jaw of the one closest. The fight turned brutal fast, Ved against all odds, his shirt torn, blood on his knuckles, taking punches like he didn't feel pain.
He fought like a man who had nothing to lose, except her.
But it wasn't enough.
A hard blow from behind knocked him down. He hit the floor, dazed but still trying to rise. Another kick. A punch to the ribs. Then another.
And then...
Mr. Khanna stood above him.
"You really thought you'd win against me, Ved? You've gone soft. That girl made you weak, young man,"
Ved spat blood, still glaring. "Touch her, and I'll burn everything you've ever built."
Khanna didn't reply. He simply motioned toward his men.
"Bring the girl out."
From behind the shadows, Reha had seen it all. Every blow. Every fall.
She couldn't stay hidden anymore.
With tears running down her cheeks and heart burning in fury, she unlocked the door and ran toward them, screaming, "STOP! Don't touch him!"
Everyone turned. Ved's eyes widened. "Reha, no!"
But it was too late. They grabbed her.
Khanna smirked. "Love makes fools out of men."
And just like that, Ved and Reha were separated again, brutally, painfully.
She screamed his name as they dragged her away, while Ved, barely conscious, still tried to crawl toward her, bloodied hands reaching out, failing to protect the only person he ever loved.
As Ved stood there, blood still dripping from his knuckles, the police had surrounded Khanna and his men. Reha's father stormed in, eyes burning, looking from his daughter to Ved, confused, furious, and protective.
He marched toward Ved, grabbed his collar."YOU! You were the one who took her! You were Khanna's man!"
Ved didn't fight back.
He was about to speak, lips parting, breath shaky.
"Uncle, I—"
But before he could say anything, Reha jumped in between them, standing like a shield before Ved.
"No, Dad! Stop!"
Everyone froze.
"You've got it wrong. Ved… was kidnapped too. Khanna had him locked up for weeks. When he escaped, he found me and… he saved me!"
Her father blinked in disbelief. "What?"
"Yes," she said firmly, gripping Ved's wrist. "He fought them all alone tonight. He nearly died. He protected me every single moment."
Reha's voice cracked. She wasn't crying, but her eyes were glassy.
"You can hate him later, but today… he saved your daughter's life."
The air turned still.
Reha's father looked at Ved again, his eyes scanning the blood, the bruises… and then the way Ved gently held Reha's hand, as if it was the only thing anchoring him.
He didn't look like a kidnapper anymore.
He looked like a man who would die before letting go of the girl he loved.
The officers exchanged glances. One of them finally spoke."Sir, we've confirmed — Ved's name isn't in Khanna's active records anymore. He disappeared from their network a month ago. That matches what she's saying."
Her father hesitated.
And then… slowly, he released Ved's collar.
"If what my daughter says is true… then I owe you an apology."
Ved said nothing. He just gave a small nod, his eyes fixed only on Reha.
Her father turned to the inspector. "Take Khanna and his men. Charge them with attempted murder, abduction, and conspiracy."
Khanna shouted from the floor as the officers dragged him away, his face burning with rage."You'll regret this, Ved! You betrayed me—"
But his words disappeared into the night, sirens echoing into the distance.
Now, only silence was left in the mansion. Ved leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.
"Reha, let`s go..." her father said. "Papa, wait in the car, I`m coming," Reha said while she was feeling a bit dizzy.
Reha walked to him, brushing the blood from his brow. "You okay?"
He didn't answer.
He just looked at her — not understanding why she lied for him… or maybe understanding it too well.
"Why did you do that?" he finally whispered.
"Because I wasn't ready to lose you yet," she said softly, eyes meeting his.
He chuckled bitterly, looking down.
"You just made yourself an accomplice, Reha."
She smiled. "Then we're partners now… in love and in crime." He looked up again, and this time, he didn't hesitate.
He cupped her face, leaned in, and whispered, "You're insane."
"And you love me anyway," she whispered back.