The atmosphere inside Vidyut Suryavanshi's private office was suffocatingly silent. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, while the only sound in the room was the steady ticking of a luxurious clock.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, Vidyut stood with one hand in his pocket, his sharp green eyes fixed on the skyline. His expression remained unreadable, calm yet intimidating enough to make even seasoned men nervous.
His phone rested against his ear.
On the other end of the line, someone spoke in a trembling voice, trying to explain the delay.
Vidyut listened without interrupting.
When the man finally stopped, he spoke in a low, controlled tone.
Mr. Mehra's payment is overdue.
Silence followed.
I don't care about excuses. I deal in commitments, not stories.
His gaze shifted toward the city below.
If he needed more time, he should have asked before breaking his word.
The person on the call nervously informed him that Mr. Mehra was unable to arrange the money.
Vidyut's expression didn't change.
Then remind him of the agreement.
Another hesitant reply came from the other side.
They say he has nothing left, sir.
For the first time, a faint smirk appeared on Vidyut's face.No one has nothing left.
He ended the call and placed the phone on his desk with measured calm.
A few seconds later, his trusted aide entered the office.
Sir, Mr. Mehra has requested one final meeting.
Vidyut slowly turned around. Good.
His voice carried neither anger nor mercy.
Tell him to come today.The aide nodded.
And remind him,
Vidyut added, buttoning his coat, that every debt has a price. If not money... then something equally valuable.
The room fell silent once again as he walked toward the window, unaware that the decision
Scene: Mehra House
The Mehra household had long forgotten what peace felt like.
It was the kind of place where voices always carried a tone of irritation, and silence never felt comforting. In one corner of the small kitchen,
Aakriti stood washing dishes, her movements slow and careful, as if even the slightest mistake might invite punishment.
She was nineteen, though life had worn her down enough that she often looked younger. Thin, quiet, and perpetually exhausted, she moved through the house like someone trying not to be noticed.
From the living room, her aunt’s (Swarna’s) voice cut through the air.
Aakriti! Are you done with the dishes, or do you plan to stay there all day? Swarna shouted
Aakriti lowered her gaze. : I’m almost finished.
The door to the house opened suddenly.
Her uncle ( Vijay) entered wearing an unusually expensive suit, a detail that did not go unnoticed in a household where luxury was rare. His expression was controlled, but there was a strange stiffness in his demeanor.
Aakriti was doing her work
Swarna whisper to Vijay When you are going to make this girl out of this house her parents left and this burden left on us
I have made a solution for this don't worry today it's her last day in this house Vijay said glaring at Aakriti
Get ready Aakriti Vijay’s voice cold
Aakriti looks at him in surprise…Why what happened? Are we going somewhere
That is when Mansi (cousin of Aakriti and Daughter of Vijay and Swarna ) came.. Dad aren't you going to take me
Mansi go to your room go right now Swarna said firmly
Mansi tapped her foot and went
Go and get ready Aakriti Don't be late
Aakriti nodded Uncle atleast tell me where are we going
You will get to know later Vijay said not looking at her
Aakriti quietly walked into her small room, the only place in the house that she could call her own. It contained nothing more than an old wooden bed, a small cupboard, and a faded photograph of her parents placed carefully on the bedside table.
She picked up the frame and smiled faintly.
I wish you both were here today, she whispered, gently wiping away the layer of dust that had settled over it.
After placing it back, she opened the cupboard and took out a simple light blue salwar suit. It was one of the few decent clothes she owned. Looking at herself in the cracked mirror, she neatly tied her hair and adjusted her dupatta.
Outside, Vijay checked his watch impatiently.
Swarna, we're getting late.
Swarna nodded before looking towards Aakriti's room with visible annoyance.
She always takes forever.
A few moments later, Aakriti stepped out.
For a brief second, even Swarna was surprised. The simple dress and neatly tied hair gave the girl an innocent elegance that needed no ornaments.
Vijay said Coldly now let's go we are already late
Aakriti nodded final glance at her Aunty cousin and at her house
The drive began in complete silence.
Aakriti sat beside the window, watching the familiar streets disappear one after another. Something felt strange. Her uncle, who usually scolded her for the smallest things, hadn't spoken a single word since leaving the house.
After nearly half an hour, she gathered the courage to ask,
"Uncle... where are we going?"
To meet one of the the business partner's Vijay replied
Will aunty and Mansi join us later?
They'll come afterwards.
His answer was short and emotionless.
Aakriti simply nodded.
As the car moved farther away from the city, the roads became emptier. Tall buildings were replaced by vast private estates surrounded by high walls and armed security.
Her curiosity grew.
I've never been to this side of the city before."
Vijay remained silent.
Finally, an enormous black gate came into view.
Two armed guards stood outside while luxury cars entered and exited without interruption.
The gate slowly opened after the guards recognized the vehicle.
Aakriti's eyes widened.
Inside stood a magnificent mansion surrounded by fountains, perfectly trimmed gardens, and dozens of security personnel.
The place looked less like a home and more like the residence of someone who ruled an empire.
She looked around in amazement.
Uncle... whose house is this?
Vijay tightened his grip on the steering wheel before replying,
Vidyut Suryavanshi's.
The name meant nothing to Aakriti, but the respect and fear with which the guards stood made her instinctively nervous.
The car stopped in front of the grand entrance.
Vijay stepped out first and opened the door for her.
Come.
She obeyed quietly.
Standing before the gigantic mansion, she felt incredibly small.
She looked around but noticed something odd.
A crease formed on her forehead.
Uncle... ?
Vijay looked away.
Just wait here. I'll be back in a few minutes.
He turned around and walked back to the car.
Aakriti smiled softly.
Okay... I'll wait.
She stood near the marble staircase, nervously twisting the edge of her dupatta while admiring the beautiful fountains.
Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then fifteen.
Her smile slowly faded.
She looked around.
The mansion remained silent.
No one came to welcome her.
She glanced towards the driveway and suddenly noticed Vijay's car approaching the main gate.
Confused, she hurried forward.
"Uncle!"
The car slowed down.
Hope returned to her face.
But instead of stepping out, Vijay merely lowered the window.
His eyes never met hers.
Aakriti's heartbeat quickened.
Uncle... where are you going? You said we'd go inside together.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, in a cold voice, Vijay finally said,
I'm leaving.
The innocent smile on Aakriti's face disappeared.
What do you mean?
He took a deep breath.
I borrowed money from Vidyut Suryavanshi. More than I could ever repay.
She stared at him without understanding.
So... we'll pay him and go home?
Vijay slowly shook his head.
I have nothing left to give.
Silence hung between them.
Then came the words that shattered her world.
So I gave him to you.
Aakriti felt the ground beneath her disappear.
She blinked repeatedly, unable to process what she had heard.
What...?
You are the settlement for my debt.
Her eyes instantly filled with tears.
No... Uncle... you're joking, right?
But his expression remained unchanged.
The heavy gates behind him slowly began to close.
As reality settled in, Aakriti stumbled forward.
Please don't leave me! I have nowhere else to go... Please take me back!
Her desperate cries echoed across the silent estate, but Vijay looked away and pressed the accelerator.
The car disappeared beyond the gates.
Aakriti remained standing there, abandoned before a mansion that suddenly felt less like a palace and more like a prison.
Far above, from the floor-to-ceiling window of his private office, a tall figure stood with his hands behind his back, looking over the estate below completely unaware that fate had just brought a frightened girl to his doorstep.
Aakriti remained rooted to the spot, her eyes fixed on the now-closed gates. The tears streaming down her face blurred everything before her. Her legs felt weak, and for the first time in her life, she truly understood what it meant to be abandoned.
She slowly turned around and looked at the enormous mansion standing before her. Its towering pillars, marble staircase, and endless windows made her feel insignificant.
A few guards standing near the entrance exchanged glances. They had seen many people come to meet Vidyut Suryavanshi businessmen, politicians, foreign delegates, and powerful men but never someone who looked so fragile and lost.
One of the guards approached her.
Miss Aakriti?
She looked up with tear-filled eyes but couldn't answer.
That When Vidyut came his footsteps Echoes sharp his Green eyes fix on standing fragile figure Guards bowed their heads Vidyut gave them signal to left
So you are the payment of my debt your uncle sold you his voice sharp and Echoes through the room
Aakriti unable to meet his eyes a tall figure hover over her
Then, with a calm expression, Vidyut lifted his hand and gently placed a finger beneath her chin.
Without force or haste, he tilted her face upward.
Her watery brown eyes met his striking green ones.
Aakriti with quite sobs voice trembling he said he will come back
Vidyut smirked you still think that…I never knew if I do ask for a equal valuable thing for my money debt he will sell a girl like this
He said he is just coming to meet you he didn't said me this
Come inside Vidyut said Coldly still not the
hint of emotions
Please leave me I want to go home Aakriti said her eyes filled with tears
I don't like to repeat myself His Voice Sharp
To Be Continued
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