𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙

-09-

As Fiza and her team moved out to celebrate, they arrived at a restaurant where Raghav was already waiting for them. He had booked a table as a surprise for Fiza. Haris felt a bit jealous but kept quiet. Meanwhile, Fiza video-called Gurpreet to ask about the apprehension.

"Gigs, did you catch them?" Fiza asked eagerly.

Gurpreet replied, "Yes, they are caught, but Fiza, it's not your brother as you thought..."

Fiza interrupted, "Then who, Gigs? If it's not my brother, who did it?"

After a moment of hesitation, Gurpreet answered sadly, "It was your sister, Fiza. Your cousin, the one you trusted the most."

Fiza was shocked and nearly fell, but Haris caught her. Concerned, he asked, "What happened, Fiza?"

Struggling to process the news, Fiza spoke to Gurpreet again, "Gigs, move the phone to the worker."

Gurpreet complied, and Fiza shouted at the worker, "How could you do this to your own company? You're fired. Never show your face again."

Then, turning back to Gurpreet, Fiza instructed, "Don't file a case against the worker, but do file one against the man who tried to sabotage the designs. He hurt Anaya."

Gurpreet nodded. "Don't worry, Fiza. I will. Now, please, try to relax and enjoy your win. Congratulations again."

"Thanks, Gigs," Fiza replied, ending the call. Though they celebrated their win, Fiza couldn't shake off the betrayal she felt. She kept wondering why her cousin would do such a thing.

At the restaurant, Rhea and Anaya got completely drunk. The rest of the team managed to walk back to the hotel, which was nearby, but Rhea and Anaya were too inebriated to walk properly. Raghav and Adi had to carry them. Anaya, on Raghav's back, kept pulling his hair and acting like a playful child.

"Raghav, put me down!" she giggled, but he refused. "I can't, you're too drunk."

When she insisted and started hurting him more, he finally put her down. Anaya ran with her arms out like an airplane, while Raghav walked alongside, keeping an eye on her.

Raghav chuckled to himself, watching Anaya's antics. There was something endearing about her carefree nature, even in her drunken state. He had always seen her as a friend, but tonight, something changed. Seeing her so vulnerable and childlike stirred feelings in him he hadn't anticipated. As she ran ahead, he couldn't help but smile, feeling a warmth spread through his chest.

Meanwhile, Adi carried Rhea in his arms. She clung to him, her head resting against his chest. In her drunken state, she looked up at him with glassy eyes.