Music Studio

The last note escaped Palki’s lips like a whisper of silk.

Silence filled the recording room for a second — thick, heavy, sacred.

Then applause burst outside the glass walls.

The director stood up, clapping loudly.

“Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant. Palki, your voice has magic. That’s exactly why I chose you as our company’s representative.”

Sira beamed with pride. “She doesn’t just sing, sir. She feels every word.”

Inside the booth, Palki removed her headphones slowly. Her breathing was still uneven. Singing always left her vulnerable — exposed — like she had handed her soul to strangers.

As she stepped out, the air outside felt different.

Cooler. Sharper.

Just then, a voice sliced through the praise.

“It was just a song.”

Everyone turned.

Neer stood near the corridor, arms folded, chin slightly raised. Her smile wasn’t warm. It was calculated.

“Why are you all praising her like she created history or something?” she added casually.

The room fell silent.

Neer walked closer, eyes fixed on the director.

“I’m far better than her. Still, you chose her as the company’s representative. If you had given me the chance—”

“If you were better,” Nayab interrupted calmly, stepping forward, “you would’ve been inside that studio singing. Not standing outside displaying your insecurity.”

The words were smooth. Direct.

Neer’s expression darkened instantly.

“Shut up, you bouncer,” she snapped. “You’re just a bodyguard. You don’t understand music. Don’t try to teach me.”

“Behave.”

The single word came from behind Nayab.

Palki had stepped out fully now.

All eyes shifted to her.

She walked forward with quiet grace, stopping just inches away from Neer.

“I’m your competitor,” Palki said evenly. “Talk to me.”

Neer looked her up and down — slowly, mockingly.

“Talk to you?” she scoffed. “Girl, you don’t even have control over your own life. You’re just a puppet — of your friend… or boyfriend… whatever he is.”

A few staff members shifted uncomfortably.

“And you think you’re my competitor?” Neer laughed softly. “The audacity.”

She brushed past Palki’s shoulder and walked away, heels echoing sharply against the marble floor.

Silence followed her.

Palki didn’t move.

Her jaw tightened. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides.

Because Neer wasn’t entirely wrong.

And that truth hurt more than the insult.

Nayab watched her carefully. She noticed the flicker — not of weakness — but of something more dangerous.

Helplessness turning into resolve.

Sira came closer and gently touched Palki’s arm.

“Leave her. She’s insecure. The world may not know you yet… but you do. Don’t let her words break you.”

Palki nodded.

But her eyes were still fixed on the corridor where Neer had disappeared. And a thought rose quietly in her mind.

If the world thinks I am a puppet…

Then I’ll show them how a puppet cuts its own strings. 

Her breathing steadied.

And this time… her eyes weren’t hurt.

They weren’t helpless.

They were calculating.

Not reacting.

Planning.

Her mind had already started weaving something — thread by thread, silently, carefully.

Something bigger than a competition.

Bigger than a song.

Bigger than Neer’s jealousy.

This wasn’t about proving her voice anymore.

This was about reclaiming control.

Vertigo Office

The door of Miransh’s cabin opened without a knock.

Kiaan stepped inside — and froze.

Files were scattered across the floor.

A laptop lay broken near the wall.

A chair slightly tilted.

Glass paperweight shattered.

And in the middle of that chaos —

Miransh.

He sat leaning back on his chair, head resting against it, eyes closed. One hand hung loosely at his side — blood slowly tracing down his fingers.

But he didn’t care.

His world wasn’t in this cabin right now.

It was inside the soft melody flowing through his phone.

Palki’s voice.

Calm. Pure. Untouched.

Kiaan exhaled slowly.

He walked forward, picked up the fallen chair properly, then stopped beside Miransh. Without a word, he took the phone from his hand and paused the music.

Silence.

Miransh’s eyes opened.

They were calm.

Too calm.

Kiaan gave a faint smile. “Palki doesn’t know she has a secret admirer. A very dedicated secret fan.”

No reaction.

Miransh simply closed his eyes again.

Kiaan’s smile faded.

He grabbed the first-aid box from the shelf and knelt beside him. Gently, he lifted Miransh’s injured hand and began cleaning the wound.

“You cannot achieve your goal by hurting yourself,” Kiaan said quietly.

Miransh’s voice came low. Steady.

“It’s my punishment.”

Kiaan paused.

“Every time I fail to find him,” Miransh continued, “I’ll punish myself. Until I find the person who killed my parents.”

The air in the cabin thickened.

Kiaan looked up at him. “I’m sure your parents wouldn’t want this.”

That made Miransh open his eyes.

Their gazes locked.

For a second — something vulnerable flickered there. Then it vanished.

Kiaan finished wrapping the bandage and stood up.

“Listen,” he said firmly. “I’m always with you. Always. But if you destroy yourself before reaching him… this revenge won’t make any sense.”

Miransh slowly stood from his chair.

The broken laptop on the floor reflected his distorted image.

“Any information?” he asked.

Kiaan nodded.

“There’s an underground auction happening in Dubai. High-level. Illegal weapons, rare assets, girls, drugs, diamonds. There’s a strong possibility he’ll attend.”

Miransh’s jaw tightened.

“But the problem remains the same,” Kiaan continued. “We don’t know his face. We don’t know his current identity. What if he comes with a changed appearance? He’s smart. That’s why we’ve failed every time.”

Miransh walked toward the window. 

“He can change his face,” he said coldly. “But he cannot change what he is.”

He turned slightly.

“A criminal will always carry the weight of his sins. Hands drenched in blood can’t hide behind a new identity.”

Kiaan studied him carefully.

“Okay then,” he said slowly. “Let’s go to Dubai.”

Silence fell between them.

Miransh looked at Kiaan.

This wasn’t just about a trip.

This was stepping deeper into fire.

Night — Maurya Mansion

The dining hall of Maurya Mansion glowed under the warm chandelier lights.

Everyone was already seated at the long dining table, plates half-filled, conversations flowing lightly.

Everyone… except Palki and Miransh.

Tia was serving food to Vihaan while Ivana scrolled through something on her phone. The atmosphere was calm — domestic, peaceful.

Just then, the main door opened.

Miransh entered.

His footsteps were calm but purposeful as he walked straight toward the dining area. He already knew where everyone would be at this hour.

As soon as he arrived, Ivana looked up.

“Bhai! Finally. Come sit, we were just starting dinner.”

Miransh gave a small nod but his eyes instinctively scanned the table.

One chair was empty.

Palki’s.

Before he could ask anything—

Soft footsteps echoed from the staircase.

Everyone turned.

Palki was coming downstairs.

But something about her felt… off.

Her shoulders looked heavy. Her face looked pale and distant, like someone carrying too many thoughts at once.

Miransh immediately noticed it.

Because he already knew what had happened at the music studio.

Nayab had informed him.

He stepped toward her.

“Are you okay?” he asked quietly.

Palki looked at him.

For a moment her eyes softened… then clouded again.

“I’m tired, Ansh,” she said softly. “I can’t handle all of this anymore.”

The dining hall fell silent.

Everyone’s attention shifted toward her.

Miransh didn’t interrupt. He simply watched her.

Palki took a slow breath.

“I feel like I’m losing myself in all this,” she continued. “And I don’t think it will ever end.”

Concern instantly filled Tia’s face. She stood up and walked toward her.

“What happened, beta?” she asked gently. “Did something happen today? Why are you talking like this? This doesn’t sound like you.”

Palki lowered her gaze.

“Aunty… you were right,” she said quietly.

Everyone listened carefully.

“I should move on from my past. I can’t live like this anymore. Every time I try to escape… Ansh brings me back.”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“And now I’m just tired. I feel helpless… like I can’t do anything.”

Shock spread across the table.

Because this… didn’t sound like the Palki they knew.

She was stubborn. Fiery. Always fighting.

But right now—

She looked defeated.

Vihaan immediately walked toward her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

“Don’t worry, beta,” he said softly, patting her head. “You’re not alone. We’re all here for you. We’ll help you move forward.”

Ivana joined them quickly.

“Yes bestie,” she said warmly. “You deserve happiness. Please don’t be sad.”

The warmth around her became overwhelming.

A single tear slipped from Palki’s eye.

Tia gently wiped it away.

“No more tears, my baby,” she said lovingly. “Come. Let’s have dinner.”

Palki nodded slowly.

Tia guided her to the chair beside her and began feeding her with her own hands like a mother would.

Ivana leaned forward with another spoon.

“Here, this one is from me.”

For the first time that night, a faint smile appeared on Palki’s face.

She took the bite.

For a moment, the family shared a soft, heartwarming moment.

But across the table—

Miransh watched everything silently.

His mind refused to accept what he was seeing.

Palki.

The same girl who had been like boiling fire just hours ago.

Now suddenly calm?

Too calm.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

He was still lost in thought when Ivana suddenly spoke.

“Bhai, you can relax now,” she said playfully. “Bestie isn’t going to run away anymore.”

Miransh slowly lifted his gaze toward Palki.

At that exact moment—

Palki looked at him.

And smiled.

A small, quiet smile.

Miransh raised one eyebrow.

That smile didn’t look defeated.

It looked… secretive.

Something was definitely fishy.

And Miransh Maurya hated not knowing the game someone was playing.

Next Morning — Maurya Mansion

Sunday morning at Maurya Mansion felt unusually peaceful.

Sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows, spreading a soft golden glow across the living room.

Vihaan stood near the center table, phone pressed to his ear. His tone was calm but authoritative as he gave instructions.

“Yes, make sure the lighting is perfect in the west gallery. And the new sculpture installation should be placed near the entrance.”

Today was important.

His art gallery was hosting a major exhibition.

Meanwhile, Ivana and Palki sat on the couch nearby, clearly waiting for him to finish his call.

Ivana bounced her leg impatiently.

Just then, Tia entered the living room. She paused at the doorway and smiled at the sight of the two girls sitting like restless children.

Both of them were clearly waiting for Vihaan to finish.

Finally, Vihaan ended the call.

Ivana immediately jumped up.

“Finally!” she exclaimed dramatically.

She grabbed Vihaan’s arm. “Now let’s go to the gallery. I’m dying to see all the new artworks.”

Vihaan chuckled. “Alright, alright. Let’s go.”

The three of them started walking toward the main door.

But suddenly—

They stopped.

Nayab was standing there.

Arms crossed. Expression neutral.

She stepped forward calmly.

“Why did you stop?” she asked. “Let’s go.”

Ivana frowned slightly. “Why are you coming with us today?”

Nayab replied simply, “It’s my job to follow Palki.”

Tia, who had just reached them, shook her head.

“That job is not needed anymore, Nayab.”

Vihaan nodded in agreement. “Yes. Palki isn’t running anywhere now. So there’s no need for all this control.”

Nayab’s eyes shifted toward Palki for a brief moment before she spoke again.

“Miransh sir asked me to accompany Palki to the art gallery today.”

She paused.

“If he tells me the same thing again in front of all of you, then I won’t go.”

Confusion spread among them.

Tia immediately called Miransh.

It didn’t take long.

A few seconds later, Miransh walked down the staircase.

His presence alone changed the atmosphere.

He looked at everyone gathered near the door.

“You’re still here?” he asked casually. “Won’t you get late for the exhibition?”

Tia crossed her arms.

“Why did you send Nayab with them?”

Miransh replied as if it was obvious.

“Chachi, don’t you know why Nayab is here?”

His gaze slowly shifted to Palki.

“For surveillance.”

Ivana frowned.

“But bhai, yesterday bestie clearly said she won’t try to run away anymore. Then why all this?”

Miransh shrugged slightly.

“That’s good then,” he said calmly. “Nayab’s presence shouldn’t bother her.”

Vihaan sighed.

“Miransh, listen,” he said patiently. “Yesterday Palki said she wants to move on from her past. If Nayab keeps following her everywhere, she’ll feel like she’s still trapped.”

He stepped closer.

“And if you’re worried about her escaping, don’t worry. Tia and I are with her. We’ll take care of Palki. She won’t run.”

He turned toward Palki.

“Right?”

Palki quickly nodded.

“Yes.”

Vihaan looked back at Miransh.

“See?”

Miransh opened his mouth to argue—

But Vihaan interrupted him.

“Does my word have any value for you?”

That question stopped him.

For a moment, Miransh said nothing.

Then he exhaled slowly.

“Fine.”

His voice carried a hint of frustration.

“Do whatever you want.”

Without another word, he turned and walked back upstairs.

A small victory.

Vihaan clapped his hands lightly. “Alright then. Let’s go.”

Ivana and Palki followed him outside.

Nayab remained standing near the door.

Tia walked up to her with a soft smile.

“Consider it a holiday,” she said kindly. “Enjoy it.”

For the first time, a faint smile appeared on Nayab’s face.

Then Tia followed the others outside.

The car was already waiting.

Everyone began taking their seats.

Palki was about to sit inside when something made her pause.

She slowly lifted her head.

Upstairs.

Miransh was standing at his bedroom window.

Watching.

Their eyes met.

For a brief moment, neither looked away.

Then—

Palki winked.

A small, mischievous smile curved on her lips.

And she slipped inside the car.

The car drove away.

But Miransh remained at the window.

His expression darkened slightly.

Because that wink…

Didn’t look like surrender.

It looked like a challenge.

And Miransh Maurya had just realized—

The game had already begun.

***

Sitara’s Note 

Sometimes the loudest battles are not fought with weapons.

They are fought with silence.

This chapter is about the moment when something inside a person changes — quietly, almost invisibly. When humiliation stops hurting and starts transforming into determination.

Palki was called a puppet.

But what the world often forgets is that even a puppet can learn how to cut its own strings.

At the same time, Miransh continues to walk on a path built from revenge and memories he cannot escape. His anger burns for the past, while his control tries to shape the present.

And somewhere between control and rebellion, between revenge and healing, the real game begins.

Because sometimes a smile is not surrender.

Sometimes it is the first move of a very dangerous plan.

— Sitara Chandria