Underground Auction — Private Room

Palki ran straight into Miransh’s arms.

As if she had been holding herself together for too long…

And finally broke.

Her fingers clutched his clothes tightly.

Her face buried against his chest.

For the first time since everything began—

She felt safe.

Her tears, which she had been forcing back for so long, finally escaped. Quiet at first… then uncontrollable.

Her shoulders trembled.

Her breath shook.

She cried.

And didn’t stop.

Miransh stood still for a second.

Then slowly—

His arms wrapped around her.

Firm.

Protective.

Certain.

His hand moved gently to her head, patting it softly.

“Shhh…” he whispered near her ear.

“You’re safe… Eyelid.”

His voice was calm.

But there was something deeper beneath it.

Something unspoken.

Palki heard him.

And something inside her shifted.

All this time…

She had seen him as someone who controlled her.

Stopped her.

Restricted her.

But at this moment—

She realized something she had been ignoring.

He wasn’t controlling her.

He was protecting her.

From things she couldn’t even see.

Her grip slowly loosened.

She stepped back from his arms.

Her eyes dropped to the floor.

Guilt weighed heavily in her chest.

Tears continued to fall.

But now—

They carried regret.

She couldn’t even look at him.

Didn’t have the courage.

Miransh noticed.

He pulled down his veil.

Stepped closer.

And gently lifted her chin.

Forcing her to look at him.

Her eyes—

Red.

Wet.

Broken.

Without a word, he wiped her tears with his thumb.

“Stop crying, Cry Baby,” he said softly.

“I’m not going to scold you.”

His tone wasn’t harsh.

It wasn’t cold.

It was… gentle.

Unexpectedly gentle.

Palki’s lips trembled.

“But you should…” she whispered.

“Why are you here?”

Her voice broke.

“I didn’t listen to you…”

“I ran away…”

“You should have left me here…”

She looked around the room.

Her voice turned bitter.

“In this hell.”

A pause.

Then she whispered—

“I deserve this.”

Miransh’s expression changed.

Not anger.

Not frustration.

Something deeper.

“You deserve heaven,” he said quietly.

Palki looked up at him.

Surprised.

His eyes held something steady.

Certain.

“In a world where people abandon their parents…”

He paused.

“You are risking your life to find yours.”

His voice softened.

“You’re not wrong.”

Something inside Palki shattered again.

But this time—

It wasn’t pain.

It was being understood.

Her tears fell faster.

She stepped forward and hugged him again.

Tighter.

As if she needed to hold onto something real.

“But I failed, Ansh…” she cried.

“She’s not here…”

“All these years… I believed…”

“I thought I would find her in Cape Town…”

Her voice broke completely.

“But she isn’t here…”

Her grip tightened.

“Where do I find her…?”

Her words dissolved into sobs.

Miransh didn’t interrupt.

Didn’t correct.

Didn’t promise.

He just held her.

His hand slowly moving over her head.

A silent reassurance.

Just then—

The door opened.

Nayab and Kiaan entered quickly and shut it behind them.

The sudden presence broke the moment.

Palki immediately stepped back.

Wiping her tears.

Trying to compose herself.

Nayab looked at her—

And without thinking—

She walked forward and hugged her tightly.

Palki froze.

Her body stiffened.

She didn’t react.

Didn’t hug back.

Nayab realized it.

Slowly stepped away.

An awkward silence filled the room.

Kiaan cleared his throat.

Breaking it.

“So…” he said casually,

“We should probably discuss how we’re getting Palki out of here.”

Miransh’s expression turned serious again.

Cold.

Focused.

“Nayab will do it.”

Nayab looked at him.

Confused.

“How?” Kiaan asked.

Miransh spoke without hesitation.

“She’ll pretend that she has bought Eyelid.”

Silence.

Then—

Understanding.

Kiaan nodded slowly.

Miransh looked at Nayab and continued,

“Once she’s marked as sold, no one will question you taking her out.”

Nayab nodded.

Palki frowned.

“What about you?” she asked.

Her eyes moved between Miransh and Kiaan.

“You’re coming with us, right?”

Miransh didn’t answer.

Instead—

He pulled his veil back over his face.

Turning into that cold, unreadable man again.

Without another word—

He walked toward the door.

And stepped out.

Kiaan followed him.

Leaving Palki standing there.

Confused.

Uncertain.

A strange uneasiness settled in her chest.

“Where are they going?” she asked softly.

Nayab didn’t meet her eyes.

“I don’t know,” she replied.

“My duty is to get you out safely.”

She stepped closer and held Palki’s hand.

“Come. We need to leave. Now.”

Palki didn’t move immediately.

“This place is just as dangerous for them,” she said.

Her voice filled with concern.

“Why would they stay?”

Nayab tightened her grip slightly.

“We don’t have time for this.”

Her tone became firm.

“Trust him.”

A pause.

Then softly—

“Just come with me.”

This time—

Palki didn’t resist.

But as she walked out—

Her heart didn’t feel at peace anymore.

Because for the first time—

She wasn’t the one running into danger.

He was.

And she couldn’t stop him.

Underground Auction — Main Hall

Miransh and Kiaan stepped into the grand auction hall.

The air inside felt heavy.

Dangerous.

Kiaan leaned slightly toward him and said in a low voice,

“This diamond auction is important to him. If he’s anywhere… he’ll be here.”

Miransh’s gaze swept across the room—cold, calculating.

“Then let’s not watch,” he said quietly.

“Let’s participate.”

Without waiting, he walked forward and took a seat among the bidders.

Kiaan followed.

The auction was already in progress.

“Thirty million dirhams.”

“Thirty-five million dirhams.”

“Fourty million dirhams.”

The numbers climbed rapidly.

Tension built with every bid.

Then—

A voice cut through the hall.

“Fifty million dirhams.”

Silence.

All heads turned.

Miransh’s eyes locked onto the man who had placed the bid.

Sharp.

Focused.

Is he…?

The host smiled.

“Fifty million dirhams going once… going twice…”

Private Room

Sharad’s eyes snapped open.

Pain throbbed through his head.

Memory returned instantly.

That girl.

He sat up abruptly and looked at the locker.

Still there.

Still safe.

Relief flickered—but only for a second.

His men rushed in.

Sharad stood, handing over the locker.

“Keep it secure,” he ordered coldly.

“Soon, they’ll realize the diamonds are missing.”

His eyes darkened.

“And when they do… this place will turn into chaos.”

His voice dropped.

“We leave before that.”

The men nodded and left immediately.

Sharad pressed his temple, anger rising.

“That girl…” he muttered.

“She saw too much.”

His jaw tightened.

“I should have killed her.”

He picked up his gun.

Loaded it.

“She has to die.”

Exit Corridor

Nayab and Palki moved quickly toward the exit.

The door was just ahead.

Freedom.

“Once we cross this door, we’re safe,” Nayab said, tightening her grip on Palki’s hand.

Palki looked at the door.

But her heart—

Was somewhere else.

A single word escaped her lips.

“Ansh…”

Nayab turned sharply.

“Don’t start,” she said firmly.

“He knows what he’s doing.”

But Palki didn’t move.

Her eyes filled with worry.

“I can’t leave him,” she whispered.

Nayab’s patience snapped.

“Are you serious right now?” she said harshly.

“You’re the one in danger!”

Palki pulled her hand free.

“I’m not leaving without him.”

And before Nayab could stop her—

She ran back.

Straight into danger.

“Palki!” Nayab cursed under her breath.

And ran after her.

Auction Hall

“…SOLD!”

The host’s voice echoed.

“With fifty million dirhams, the diamonds belong to Mr. Malad!”

A man stood up slowly.

A creepy smile spread across his face as he walked toward the stage.

Miransh watched him closely.

Every step.

Every expression.

Something didn’t feel right.

Then—

A flicker.

A movement.

Miransh’s eyes shifted.

A man in the distance.

Gun aimed.

At Malad.

His focus sharpened instantly.

On stage, Malad opened the box.

Picked up a diamond.

Raised it under the light.

And then—

His smile vanished.

His expression twisted.

“These diamonds are fake.”

The words echoed.

The entire hall froze.

“What nonsense—” the host began.

Malad grabbed him by the collar.

“You think I can’t tell the difference?” he snapped.

“These are fake.”

Whispers spread.

Tension exploded.

Miransh’s eyes darkened.

“Shit.”

Kiaan looked at him. “What?”

“He’s smarter than we thought,” Miransh said coldly.

“He already stole the real diamonds… and replaced them.”

Kiaan’s eyes widened. “What?!”

Miransh clenched his jaw.

“He didn’t even need to show up.”

Frustration burned in his voice.

Then—

Kiaan’s gaze shifted.

And froze.

“Wait…” he whispered.

“What are they doing here?”

Miransh followed his line of sight—

And his heart dropped.

Palki.

And Nayab.

Right in the middle of chaos.

“Damn it.”

He stood up instantly.

And ran.

Kiaan followed.

Between Chaos.

Palki’s eyes scanned the hall desperately.

“Ansh…” she whispered.

But she couldn’t find him.

Nayab kept pulling her back.

“We need to leave!”

But Palki resisted.

Then—

A gunshot echoed.

LOUD.

SHARP.

Everything froze.

Palki’s heart stopped.

“Ansh…”

She turned toward the sound—

But suddenly—

A hand grabbed her.

Pulled her back.

Into a solid chest.

She looked up—

Miransh.

Relief crashed over her instantly.

But his face—

Was furious.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he snapped.

“I told you to leave!”

Before she could answer—

Her eyes instinctively shifted past him.

And froze.

Standing at a distance—

Sharad.

His posture rigid.

His expression cold.

A gun firmly raised…

And aimed directly at her.

For a second—

Time stopped.

Palki’s breath hitched.

Her body went still.

“Ansh…” she whispered faintly, her voice trembling with sudden fear.

But it was already too late.

Sharad’s finger tightened on the trigger.

The sound of the gunshot shattered the air.

A sharp, deafening crack.

The bullet tore through the space between them—

Fast.

Merciless.

Heading straight toward Palki.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Her body refused to move.

But in the next second—

Miransh moved.

He didn’t hesitate.

Not even for a second.

In one swift, instinctive motion—

He stepped forward.

Placing himself between her and the bullet.

Taking the shot.

The bullet hit his shoulder.

A sharp gasp escaped his lips.

“…Momma…”

The word slipped out unconsciously.

Palki froze.

Shock.

Fear.

Everything collapsed in that moment.

Sharad’s eyes widened.

Confused.

Then chaos exploded.

Gunshots rang through the hall.

Men shouted.

Chairs overturned.

People began running in all directions.

The calm, controlled auction turned into complete destruction within seconds.

Miransh staggered—

Then fell.

Palki caught him before he hit the ground.

“Ansh!” her voice broke.

Her hands trembled as she held him.

Her heart pounded violently against her chest.

With shaking fingers, she reached for his face—

And pulled off his veil.

The moment she saw him—

Her world shattered.

Blood.

So much blood.

Seeping through his clothes.

Staining everything.

Her eyes widened in horror.

Across the hall—

Manav stood still.

Watching.

His gaze locked onto Miransh’s face.

And something shifted in his expression.

Recognition.

Cold.

Deep.

Dangerous.

Nayab and Kiaan rushed toward them.

“Miransh!” Kiaan shouted.

But across the chaos—

Sharad still stood.

Frozen.

Confused.

Eyes fixed on Palki.

His confusion slowly faded.

Replaced by intent.

Dangerous intent.

Slowly—

He raised his gun again.

Aimed at Palki.

But before he could shoot—

A hand gripped his wrist.

Firm.

Unquestionable.

Sharad turned.

Manav.

Standing beside him.

His face had gone completely cold.

No emotion.

No hesitation.

Just control.

Authority.

Without saying a single word—

He slowly lowered Sharad’s gun.

His grip tightening just enough to make it clear—

This wasn’t a request.

It was an order.

Then—

He pulled Sharad back.

Away from the scene.

Away from Palki.

Away from Miransh.

And he didn’t look back.

Because in that moment—

The game had changed.

Something far more important than diamonds…

Had just entered his world.

Hospital — Dubai

The red light above the Operation Theatre glowed steadily.

Time felt heavier here.

Each second stretched painfully, pressing down on the silence that surrounded them.

Kiaan sat on a chair, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped tightly under his chin. His eyes were fixed on the OT door, unblinking… as if looking away might change something.

Nayab couldn’t sit still.

She paced back and forth, her footsteps echoing softly across the corridor. Every few seconds, her eyes flickered toward the door.

Waiting.

Hoping.

Fearing.

And then—

There was Palki.

She stood closest to the door.

Still.

Too still.

Her face had lost all color. The tears had stopped long ago, leaving behind a hollow quietness in her eyes.

But inside—

Everything was loud.

Memories replayed in fragments.

Moments she had ignored before… now hitting her with unbearable clarity.

Miransh avoiding conversations about Jharna.

His silence whenever Ivaan was mentioned.

The way he always said—

“I’ve moved on.”

Her lips trembled slightly.

“No…” she whispered under her breath.

He hadn’t moved on.

He had just learned how to hide it.

And today—

When pain stripped away control—

Only one word escaped him.

Momma.

A single tear rolled down her cheek.

That word carried years of longing.

Loss.

Unfinished pain.

And suddenly—

Every complaint Palki ever had against him…

Felt meaningless.

Small.

Unfair.

She closed her eyes for a second.

Guilt tightened around her chest.

Then—

The OT door opened.

All three of them reacted instantly.

Kiaan stood up.

Nayab rushed forward.

Palki didn’t move.

She just looked.

The doctor stepped out, removing his mask.

For a brief moment—

No one spoke.

Then—

“We have removed the bullet,” he said calmly.

“He’s out of danger now.”

Silence.

And then—

Relief.

It spread through the air like a quiet wave.

Kiaan exhaled deeply, his shoulders finally relaxing.

Nayab closed her eyes for a second, whispering a silent thank you.

And Palki—

Her knees almost gave in.

Relief flooded her eyes…

But it didn’t stay alone.

It twisted.

Turned.

Into something heavier.

Guilt.

Anger.

At herself.

At everything.

She clenched her fists.

This happened… because of me.

Hotel Room — Dubai

The atmosphere here was completely different.

Dark.

Cold.

Controlled.

Manav sat on a luxurious couch, a cigar burning slowly between his fingers. Smoke curled into the air, blurring the sharpness of his expression—but not hiding it.

Behind him, several men stood silently.

Waiting.

Watching.

Sharad stood near the table.

The locker lay in front of him.

Small.

Deceptive.

Important.

He tried opening it again.

Failed.

Again.

Failed.

Frustration flickered across his face.

His jaw tightened.

His fingers pressed harder against the lock.

But nothing worked.

Manav watched quietly.

Calm on the outside.

Calculating within.

Sharad paused.

His eyes narrowed as he replayed the events in his mind.

The room.

The locker.

The face code.

And—

Her.

That girl.

The moment she entered.

The exact second the code was being set.

Something clicked.

Hard.

His breath stilled.

“That means…” he whispered slowly,

“…that girl…”

He looked at the locker.

“…is the password now.”

Silence filled the room.

Then—

A slow smile appeared on Manav’s lips.

Cruel.

Knowing.

He stood up.

Walked toward Sharad.

Placed a hand on his shoulder.

Firm.

Heavy.

“Not surprising,” Manav said casually.

“You’ve always had this problem.”

A pause.

“You don’t understand women.”

His grip tightened slightly.

“That’s why they always outplay you.”

Sharad didn’t respond.

But the tension in his jaw deepened.

Manav leaned slightly closer.

His voice dropped—

Colder now.

“Be thankful she’s alive.”

A dangerous pause.

“Because if she had died…”

His fingers pressed harder into Sharad’s shoulder.

“…you would’ve spent the rest of your life wondering what you lost.”

Pain flashed across Sharad’s face—

But he didn’t react.

Didn’t move.

Instead—

His eyes darkened.

Filled with something dangerous.

“I will find her,” he said firmly.

“And I will open this locker.”

Manav stepped back slowly.

His expression unreadable.

“You have to.”

His voice was no longer casual.

It carried weight.

Power.

Threat.

“I don’t care how you bring her here.”

A pause.

“Alive…”

Another step back.

“…or dead.”

His eyes locked onto Sharad’s.

“I want those diamonds.”

Silence followed.

Heavy.

Unavoidable.

Sharad met his gaze.

And this time—

There was no hesitation in his eyes.

Only obsession.

Only determination.

Only hunger.

Because now—

This wasn’t just about diamonds anymore.

This was about the girl who had unknowingly stepped into their world…

And changed the game.

***

Sitara’s Note 

Sometimes…

love doesn’t confess itself in words.

It reveals itself in the moments where there is no time to think—

only to choose.

A step forward.

A body in front of danger.

A life placed between death and someone else.

In this chapter, no promises were made…

yet everything was proven.

While the world chased diamonds,

someone chose a person over everything.

And somewhere in the chaos—

a single word slipped out…

“Momma.”

A word that carried a past never healed,

a pain never spoken,

and a truth still waiting to unfold.

But not all eyes saw just blood that night.

Some saw recognition.

Some saw opportunity.

And some… saw the beginning of a war.

Because the game has changed now.

This is no longer about escape.

No longer about survival.

Now—

it’s personal.

— Sitara Chandria