BARSATEIN- Mausam Pyaar Ka

Chapter 5 | Defiance

I couldn't shake off the feeling of helplessness as I stepped through the front door of my home, my body feeling frail and weak. Reyansh's unexpected silence about the previous night's argument weighed heavily on my mind, adding to my sense of unease.

As I recounted the close proximity between me and Reyansh, I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. His sudden change in demeanor left me searching for my breath. But soon after that I vividly remembered how he had pulled away abruptly, his expression devoid of any warmth or humane emotion.

My mother, Bhakti, greeted me at the door with a worried expression, her words echoing my own concerns. "Aradhna! Where were you? We called so many times yesterday. You should have at least informed us if you were going out for field duty." Her worry was evident in her voice, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for causing my parents distress.

She guided me inside leading to our sofa. She ran frantically with a glass of water as she continued, recounting how my father had been on the verge of heading to my office before Vikram's call had reassured them. "Your father was so worried. He almost went to your office himself," mother explained, her concern palpable.

I nodded, my heart heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry, Mom. I'll make sure to keep you informed from now on," I promised, realizing the impact my actions had on my family. Thank God, Reyansh asked his chauffeur to bring me back home in his car, part of me thinks he did it out of concern. The other half firmly believes he was already in the office and didn't need his car on the go so it suited him, anyways a ride back home in metro or cab would have been last straw in my already miserable state.

Soon a line of questions about who was Vikram and what function he looked after in the office followed. I tried to answer mother's all Q&A as genuinely and fast as possible.

As I retreated to my room, I couldn't shake the feeling of exhaustion that weighed me down.

"You will not head for office straight away." her worry laced with annoyance was evident.

I couldn't share that I felt like lying on the bed and not getting from there for weeks but I was on the clock and if I really disclosed what happened and where I was last night, they'd not let me go today or ever back to office.

"Boss gave us day off for working late till night." I don't like lying to her. But my health worries them so much and on top of that they are doctors.

Aghhhh.

The events of the past few hours had taken a toll on me both physically and emotionally, and I knew I needed this day of rest to recharge and gather my thoughts.

The hours passed slowly as I spent the day resting, my mind unable to escape the revolving thoughts of the ongoing case. Despite my physical weakness, my determination to uncover the cover the story of Raju Hedge and his girlfriend remained steadfast.

---

The next morning brought a new wave of worry and anxiety as I realized I had only a day left to prove Muskan's innocence in the Raju Hedge's case. But my concerns deepened when I noticed Reyansh's absence from the office. After waking up in his penthouse the previous day, he hadn't mentioned the two-day challenge once. Did it still stand? Should I call and ask him? But...

Pushing aside my concerns for the moment, I focused on gathering more solid proof for my story and seeking out meaty evidence to back my claims irrespective of the challenge stands or not.

Vikram's unexpected appearance provided a brief distraction from my thoughts of Reyansh.

"Good morning, Aradhna! How are you feeling today?" Vikram's cheerful greeting cut through the tension in the air.