Gauri stared at Aryan, her heart pounding.

Gauri: “Who was that man?”

Aryan didn't answer.

Gauri: “Aryan, please. I need to know what's happening.”

Aryan looked at her seriously.

Aryan: “Gauri, promise me you won't tell anyone about what I told you tonight.”

Gauri shook her head.

Gauri: “How can I promise that? My entire life has been a lie!”

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Aryan stepped closer.

Aryan: “I know you're hurt. But whoever is behind this secret doesn't want you to discover the truth.”

Suddenly, Gauri's phone rang.

She looked at the screen.

It was her Dad.

Gauri hesitated before answering.

Gauri: “Hello?”

There was silence on the other end.

Then her father's trembling voice came through.

Dad: “Gauri… where are you?”

Gauri: “I'm with Aryan. Why?”

Her father became unusually quiet.

Dad: “Don't trust him.”

Gauri's eyes widened.

She looked at Aryan.

Gauri: “Why?”

Her father's voice cracked.

Dad: “Because Aryan's family is the reason your real father disappeared.”

The call suddenly ended.

Gauri slowly lowered the phone.

Aryan saw the fear in her eyes.

Aryan: “What did he say?”

Gauri stepped away from him.

Gauri: “He said… your family knows what happened to my real father.”

Aryan's face went pale.

Aryan: “Gauri, listen to me. I didn't know about this.”

Gauri looked at him through her tears.

Gauri: “Then find my father, Aryan.”

She wiped her tears.

Gauri: “And this time, don't hide anything from me.”

Aryan nodded.

Aryan: “I promise.”

But neither of them noticed the black car parked outside the house.

Someone inside was watching them.

And in his hand was an old photograph of Gauri's mother and Aryan's father.

To be continued…