The next morning, Gauri woke up with an uneasy feeling.

She walked into the living room and found Aryan speaking seriously with Rajiv.

Gauri: “What are you both hiding from me now?”

Aryan turned toward her.

Aryan: “Nothing. I just want you to stay inside today.”

Gauri frowned.

Gauri: “Why?”

Before Aryan could answer, Rajiv's phone rang.

It was an unknown number.

He answered cautiously.

A cold voice spoke from the other end.

Vikram: “You should have listened to me, Rajiv.”

Rajiv froze.

Rajiv: “Vikram…”

Gauri's eyes widened.

Vikram: “You found your daughter. I'm happy for you.”

Rajiv tightened his grip on the phone.

Rajiv: “Leave Gauri out of this.”

Vikram laughed.

Vikram: “It's too late.”

The call ended.

Gauri looked frightened.

Gauri: “He knows we're here.”

Aryan immediately moved closer to her.

Aryan: “Don't worry. I'll protect you.”

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Aryan signaled Rajiv to stay back.

He slowly opened it.

Nobody was there.

Only a small envelope lay on the doorstep.

Aryan picked it up and opened it.

Inside was a photograph of Gauri.

On the back, three words were written:

“Tonight. Eight o'clock.”

Gauri looked at the photograph.

Gauri: “What does he want?”

Aryan's expression hardened.

Aryan: “He wants me to come to him.”

Rajiv shook his head.

Rajiv: “It's a trap.”

Aryan nodded.

Aryan: “I know.”

Gauri grabbed his hand.

Gauri: “Then you're not going.”

Aryan looked into her eyes.

Aryan: “If I don't go, he'll come after you.”

Gauri shook her head.

Gauri: “I don't want you to risk your life for me.”

Aryan gently touched her face.

Aryan: “You're not just someone I'm protecting anymore, Gauri.”

He paused.

Aryan: “You're the person I can't lose.”

Gauri's eyes filled with tears.

But neither of them knew that Vikram had already put the next part of his plan into motion.

To be continued…