Radhe Radhe readers💙🦚✨,

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The doors to the large conference doors opened as Manish sat near the mahogany table stretching across the room. Two figures came into view-Yuvraj Singh Yaduvanshi, dressed in his casuals, and Adwait Rathore, dressed in his all black attire.

Manish straightened, a smile stretching across his face, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yuvraj, Rathore," he greeted, nodding towards them. "What a pleasant surprise to see you here!"

He stood up with Ekansh, who sat beside him glaring clearly at Yuvraj. He knew this guy and always held a resentment towards him.

"Pleasant?" Yuvraj repeated, his voice cool and laced with sarcasm. "I doubt that."

As Ekansh and Yuvraj shook hands, a cold flicker crossed their eyes as they remembered the last conversation they had,

Flashback

The afternoon sun filtered through the sheer curtains of the boys' playroom. Five-year-old Yuvraj sat cross-legged on the floor, excitement lighting up his chubby face.

Nine-year-old Ekansh was sprawled on the couch nearby, flipping through a comic book, his expression unreadable.
While Manish and Yuvraj's father sat in the next room discussing some business deals.

It was just another sunday when the Yaduvanshi's had visited their closest alliance and friends the Singhanias. Usually Ekansh would've played with Yuvraj-even after the age gap they were the closest.

But today something was off.
Ekansh was distant and the reason was unknown.

Yet little Yuvraj was too busy in his play to even focus on the fact.

Suddenly Yuvraj's eyes sparkled as he looked up at Ekansh, "We are gonna get a sister, Ansh Bhaiya!"He bounced a little in place, clearly overjoyed at the idea.

Ekansh's hold on the book tightened as his mind wandered back to a pink baby sock he'd found among the new things his mother had bought. His jaw clenched slightly as his mother's explanations rang in his ears.

He did not need a sister!
Not now, not ever!

Ekansh did not looking up, his tone sharpened by the edges of quiet jealousy,"So what? I have all my brothers. I don't need a sister."

He tossed the comic aside, the pages crumpling slightly as he stood up abruptly. There was a frown on his face a mix of hurt and resentment.

Yuvraj blinked, the smile fading just a little. He didn't understand the bitterness, Ekansh had never talked to him like this.

Yet he pouted, his small voice piped up again with stubborn innocence.

"But Bhaiya mom said it'll be fun to have a little sister. Someone smaller than me and Abhay... jisko hum protect karenge."

Ekansh turned away, jaw tight. He couldn't explain the strange knot rising in his chest. Even after his mother's explanations he knew that the little girl was his sister not Yuvraj's but he did not had the heart to say this to little boy.

He just walked out without another word, leaving Yuvraj sitting alone on the mat, still looking at him in question, awaiting for an answer.

Yet the answer never came.

Flashback over

Yuvraj smirked at Ekansh, his grip agonizingly tightening on the guy's hand. Now he knew the answer that never came twenty years ago. Ekansh too didn't back, his hand screaming in pain but he did not back.

Ekansh's expressions twisted in pain for a second before he pulled his hand out of Yuvraj's grip. The smirk never left Yuvraj's face as he saw the flicker of agony Ekansh's eyes-nothing compared to the pain these people gave to his princess.

"Nice to meet you after a long time... Ansh Bhaiya," Yuvraj said, the words dripping with restrained mockery as he let the last two hang in the air for a beat too long.

Ekansh didn't respond. His eyes shifted away almost instantly, deliberately avoiding Yuvraj's piercing gaze. Without a word, he silently took his previous seat, settling in quietly.

He had his sister now-his Mehu-and he wasn't about to let a petty confrontation ruin his fragile shot at being part of her life.

Yuvraj took his time, pulling out the chair across from Manish with deliberate slowness before settling in, crossing his arms over his chest.

Adwait leaned against the edge of the table, not bothering to sit, his gaze locked onto Manish with an almost predatory glint.

He had stayed too quiet during the last meeting, keeping his thoughts buried while Meher made her decisions. As much as he loathed them, he let the love of his life take charge of her own choices.

Deep down, he knew Yuvraj and Abhay would eventually uncover the truth-and when they did, they'd definitely act. But even if they didn't, it wouldn't change anything for him.

He wasn't going anywhere. He was staying by her side, even if she believed she didn't need him.

Manish clasped his hands together, leaning forward over the conference table, the fabric of his crisp black suit creasing slightly with the motion.

"Aaj itni achanak meeting... Meher ke liye hi hogi na?" His tone dripped with mockery, enough to make Yuvraj's jaw tighten.

Even the mere sound of his sister's name from the man's mouth sounded so despicable.

Yuvraj couldn't even reprimand, when Adwait scoffed, finally pushing off from the table to stand straight, his hands still tucked in his pockets.

"Cut the crap, Singhania," he said, his tone dripping with contempt, his eyes glaring daggers at the man,"You know why we're here. Let's not waste each other's time."

Manish let out a sigh - the fire in the young blood burned a little too fiercely for their own good.

Yuvraj's blood boiled at the man's demeanour as he restrained his fury, wearing a facade of calmness,"Tumhari himmat kaise hui Singhania, meri behen se contact krne ki"

"Aakhir kaar tum dono hi ho jisne usse humse, uske apne parivaar se itne saalon tak chupa ke rkha," Manish leaned back sensing Yuvraj's struggle against his burning rage.

The guy sitting infront of him was a walking carbon copy of his father - his best friend - so was his anger and protectiveness for Meher.

"Wahi kahu Dad Mehu ke itne contacts toh the hi nhi, phir uski help kisne ki itne dinn humse chupne me" Ekansh too joined in, clearly sharing in his father's satisfaction.

He looked into Yuvraj's eyes clearing mocking him,"Kitni Koshish ke baad bhi mil hi gyi tumhe humari Mehu?" he taunted, his tone laced with just enough bite to draw blood-aimed straight at the one spot he knew would sting.

Yuvraj was always fragile about the topic of their sister. The reason buried in the history of the relations between Singhanias and Yaduvanshi's

Yuvraj and Abhay had always longed for a sister. And the fact that the Singhanias had kept what was rightfully theirs hidden for eighteen years - Ekansh knew that even his mere words would ache the old wounds.

Yuvraj didn't react, but the slight tension in his posture didn't go unnoticed by Adwait, who cast a quick, concerned glance at his friend.

Anything concerning Meher naturally rattled both brothers, and the fact that the Singhanias currently held an upper hand only worsened the equation.

But the quiet smugness on the Singhanias' faces began to fade when Yuvraj suddenly smiled-a calm, composed expression that struck deeper than any outburst could.

"Humari behen humare paas wapas aani toh thi hi Singhania itne saal baad hi sahi. And trust me I am not letting you guys take her away again," he said, his voice firm and almost reassuring-to himself, and as a deliberate blow to the ego of certain people present.

"Hoga toh yahi Yuvraj," Manish replied, his expression shifting into something unreadable. The anger simmered beneath a surface of chilling calm. "Meher phir humare paas hi aayegi."

Yuvraj's smile didn't waver-he was far too certain that it wouldn't happen.

Manish didn't back down, he added intentionally,"Usne tumhe Samriddhi ki will ke baare me toh btaya hi hoga right?" Yuvraj didn't answer and this made Manish smirk.

"Isn't she too soft at heart? I don't think NGOs ke baare me sunn ke Meher tumlogon ke paas rukegi. The girl was quite attached to it you know." Manish deliberately added, clearing pressing the exact nerve that could bring Meher back to him.

Rage flickered in Yuvraj's eyes the moment those words landed. He had already sensed the Singhanias' true intentions behind the offer.

It was true that to the world, his sister appeared too soft-hearted-but what they failed to realize was that her elder brothers would never let that softness become her weakness. Not while they were still breathing.

"Toh tumne yeh sab jaan bujh ke kiya Singhania?" Yuvraj asked, voice low but thick with restrained fury. The conversation had remained too civil for someone like Yuvraj Singh Yaduvanshi, whose patience was already wearing thin.

Manish just continued to hold devilish smile, calculating that he had already reached the verge of victory"Trust me Yuvraj I know that girl's nerve better than you."

His words hit like a reality check at Yuvraj. His fists tightened by his sides as he held back an urge to reach for his gun - The eighteen years old and three year old relation couldn't be compared

Yet he still hated the fact that his sister was with these people for eighteen long years.

Manish'd eyes held a glint of superiority when Yuvraj didn't answer, as if watching a puppet dance to the strings he'd tied years ago. He exhaled, leaning back upon his chair.

"Tumse door usse maine 18 saal rkha tha," The words dropped like venom from Manish's throat, his tone brimming with pride rather than guilt. He had no remorse of what he did, it was all for revenge and his own good after all.

For him the world worked in the same way, the revenge wasn't from Meher, he couldn't do anything like this to the girl he considered his own daughter but the revenge was from Yaduvanshi's.

The people who ruined everything he had.

Yuvraj's jaw tensed, knuckles going white as his fists curled on the table. An evident indication that his patience was on edge by now. But Manish didn't seem to notice that, he wasn't done.
Manish's gaze didn't waver as he continued, "If it wasn't for the three years that she ran away, you guys wouldn't have ever found her out."

That was it. The calculated calm in Yuvraj snapped. He leaned forward, eyes sharp and voice laced with quiet fury.

"Dhundh toh mai tab bhi leta, Singhania... agar tumne Dad se jhooth na bola hota toh."

The room went momentarily silent, the words cutting deep. Manish's betrayal still renounced in every heart that had witnessed it. If it wasn't for his one lie, many lives would've been living peacefully.

Manish's lips curved into a smug smile as he met Yuvraj's gaze without a flicker of hesitation,"Don't forget that I am her father, her family."

That was it. Yuvraj bumped his fist upon the table, slightly cracking the glass over the wooden table, pushing back the chair and standing up. His face was stone cold, but his eyes were aflame. Manish paused, his eyes widened.

Yuvraj stood up in one swift movement, calm as a shadow but deadlier than a storm. The sound of his chair scraping against the floor was drowned out by the sudden click of a gun being drawn.

Before anyone could even process it, Yuvraj pulled the trigger. "Dad" Ekansh yelled in pure panic, both the father sons heart beat paused for a second as Manish out of instincts his under the table, while Ekansh tried to reach out for him.

The bullet tore through the air and embedded itself into the wall just inches from Manish's head. Plaster crumbled down onto the chair's headrest as Manish froze, stunned, that arrogant smile now erased from his face.

The room fell silent. Everyone frozen in their positions. The gunshot still rung through the room, the Singhanias not even daring to lift a head up.

The move was too unreadable, if it wasn't for Manish skills, his old heart would've suffered a heart attack by now.

Yuvraj who had deliberately missed the bullet, took one menacing step forward, his voice now filled with quiet rage.

"Dare you take my sister's name again."

His voice wasn't raised, but it echoed louder than the gunshot. It carried all the weight of a brother's rage, a protector's fury, and a warning that made his intentions clear.

He wouldn't back from committing a murder if that meant his sister's safety.

Ekansh instinctively stood up, ready to fight if the guy again decided to pounce upon his father or even take a bullet if the case was so.

He was about to call for security when Manish stopped him, shaking his head as they had a silent eye contact.

Adwait smirked knowing Manish had crossed a line today, his boss wasn't gonna spare the man even for his age today. He somewhere felt pity for the father-son duo for even meddling with the Yaduvanshis

Manish gulped unnoticed. He had just reached the hell - his abode - if it wasn't for the seconds of instincts that made a difference. He had underestimated Yuvraj's anger.

He must be look alike his best friend but his anger was worse, so was his morals.

Yuvraj's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with a dangerous glint, "Let's get one thing straight," he began, voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper.

Manish didn't dare move, not even breath wrong, he was roo stunned by the previous instict that he sat frozen in his seat. Not even moving an inch with his son shielding him.

"My Meher isn't your leverage. Not now, not ever. Whatever you've planned, whatever game you think you're playing-" he leaned forward, fingers splayed against the surface, his eyes glaring at the man"-it ends now."

Manish's pressed his lips just slightly perhaps in the silent realization that this wasn't the same boy he'd underestimated for years. But he didn't speak. Not this time.

He didn't wanted another bullet to aim his head - point blank. He had realised by now that Yuvraj wasn't the man whose patience could be tested but he was the fire that everyone warned not to play with.

The boy was once too innocent, just like his Meher but time changes everyone. Even the saint to devil and vice versa.

"Aur haan yaad rkhna," Yuvraj fumed as his eyes darkened a shade,"you have made my sister - Yuvraj Singh Yaduvanshi's sister - suffer for 18 years. Don't take me as a pawn Manish Singhania, I can be the threat to you and your family if you guys dare to harm mine."

Manish flinched, subtle but visible. Adwait, standing beside Yuvraj like a loyal shadow, crossed his arms, his expression one of amusement. It felt like cat had gotten Manish's tongue , but actually it was Yuvraj

More precisely his bullet.

Yuvraj's hands clenched into fists, "And my sister is off limits"

His fists continued to curl until his nails hit his white palm. He remembered the day clearly when three years ago, their sister had told them the truth. The fear in her eyes when she remembered them, and the way she had clung to Abhay like a lifeline as if seeking refuge from her past.

His sister was actually destined to live a beautiful life yet the man's one lie had turned everything upside down.

"Unn 18 saal hum nhi the yahan but ab mai aur mera bhai dono h" he declared, his voice heavy with the weight of words he just said.

Ekansh shifted at that, guilt flickering across his face. If he had stood by his sister all those years she might not've left them. This was the contrast between him and Yuvraj, a mere reason why Yuvraj deserved their sister more.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Yuvraj cut him off by turning deliberately to Adwait.

"Infact, if you see here," he said, smirking faintly, "Adwait Rathore is her fiancé. I don't guess you aren't aware of Adwait's job?"

Adwait didn't move, but the smirk he passed with the amusement clear on his face was enough of an answer. His presence alone was intimidating, but now, as he stepped half a pace forward, eyes narrowing at Manish, he looked every bit the storm he could be.

Another guy, Manish wouldn't dare upsetting. He had already seen Meher's fierce love for the guy and he wasn't gonna be in her bad books , if he wanted his daughter back.

"This bullet must have missed you," he pointed towards the bullet embedded in the wall, "But trust me, his bullets won't."Yuvraj added with chilling calm.

There was a silence after that-long and heavy. The power in the room had shifted entirely.

When Manish didn't speak Ekansh did, knowing that the situation was slipping from their hands,"Let's not make it into a fight guys, we can make a decision in peace as well."

He said trying to make peace. The confrontation was leading in the wrong direction and he couldn't afford to lose his sister.

"Dad, Yuvraj, let's just sit and find a way." He turned to his father, searching his eyes for restraint, and then to Yuvraj. Yuvraj took his seat back, so did Adwait this time.

Manish was about to say something but he didn't dare when Yuvraj released his grip from his gun and settled the shining black metal on the table. A clear warning to Manish to think before he spoke.

Manish leaned back in his chair, his composure cracking just a bit,"I think you misunderstand, Yuvraj," he said smoothly, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. "We're merely executing the terms laid out. It's business, nothing more."

Adwait snorted, rolling his eyes. "Business? Is that what you call blackmailing a girl into staying with you for three months?"

Yuvraj scoffed-low, bitter. His eyes no longer held just anger; they held disgust. Because in that moment, he realized just how far this man was willing to go under the guise of family. And he wasn't going to let him win.

Manish's eyes darkened, his jaw setting tightly. "Mind your words, Rathore," he warned. "You're standing in my place now."

"Lagta h ek aad goli khake hi manege aap, akad gyi nhi h aapki"Adwait jaw clenched but before he could do something, Yuvraj placed a hand on his.
Silently telling him not to do anything.

Manish gulped slightly but didn't address the topic further. He wasn't sure what the guys can do the next if he dared to even speak a word wrong. They were far too overprotective for Meher

"Ek baar 3 mahine khatam ho Meher is free to go... If she wants", Manish added the last part unsure, a part of him reassured him that once Meher is back, they'll treat her so well that she'll definitely choose to stay with them.

But Yuvraj was taking none of it.

"She doesn't needs to stay even near you guys until I am alive." He declared, his hand momentarily lingering upon his gun. Manish backed away a little, ready to go for his own gun if situation gets out of hand.

He raised his finger, apparently threatening the old man,"After 3 months transfer whatever is left in Meher's name to her. She isn't staying with you."

"I can't do that." Manish snapped immediately, he straightened slightly, glancing at Adwait once before landing back on Yuvraj,"Samriddhi ke lawyer ko sab pata chal chuka hai. He won't agree to all this."

Before Yuvraj could respond, Adwait scoffed from beside him, "Toh hum karwa dete hai. Ek goli lagti hai bas," stepping forward with his usual lazy menace, a smirk playing on his lips.

Manish visibly tensed at the statement but chose to ignore it, pretending the threat hadn't fazed him. Instead, he turned toward Yuvraj-hoping to talk to the more sane one amongst them.

"This is not how it works Yuvraj" He said seriously while Yuvraj sat the same way not even bothering to offer a nod. His gaze just remained fixed on Manish as if he noticed something. As if he had seen something through the false facade.

Manish didn't seem to see that and continued,"Listen to me carefully"

But Yuvraj wasn't in the mood for any of it. His eyes narrowed, tone sharp and cutting,"What are you getting by doing all this Singhania?"

Manish blinked, caught off guard.
"Huh?" he asked, clearly not registering the shift in tone.

Yuvraj didn't directly answer the question instead he crossed his arms to his chest in a more intimidating manner before he again reframed his question,"Mai maan hi nhi skta ki tum Meher ke baare me kuch accha soch skte ho. What's your profit in all this?"

Manish froze. The guy was too vigilant, enough to see through the truths he had hidden behind the veils of his false halo.

He couldn't think of an answer as he remained silent for a moment processing either to go with the truth or continue to lie not bothering about awaiting consequences.

"Speak up Singhania!" Adwait barked, no longer amused, his patience wearing thin. The question of his Meher's well being had started to unravel him now, making him grow more protective over her.

If it wasn't for Yuvraj's presence today, his gun would've talked to the two idiots sitting infront of him.

Manish took a breath, before confessing shamelessly,"All the assets and shares in Samriddhi's name" There was no hesitation in Manish's words-no shame either.

Yuvraj scoffed, shaking his head slowly, as if the confirmation of his suspicions was inevitable,"Laga hi tha" He had already assumed that under the thick skins of Manish Singhania layed a selfish motive that he was trying to reach by using his sister.

Yuvraj was about to refuse but just then Adwait asked, his eyes narrowed at the man he had came to despise even more,"What about those NGOs?"

"Meher can keep them all.
I don't need any," Manish exhaled calmly, waving a hand like it was nothing. Yuvraj felt disgusted once again, Meher had told him how much of a dream Manish's wife saw in the future of those NGOs.

What it actually meant to her, yet her husband did not even seemed to be bothered by the last remnants of it. Yuvraj wanted to refuse. Every cell in his body screamed to say no right then and there.

The thought of letting her go back into that house-into the presence of people who had failed her time and again-burned through his veins like fire. His jaw clenched, and he looked away for a moment, anything to stop himself from lashing out.

But then her face flashed before his eyes. That soft, pleading look that his sister gave him. His little sister. The only person in the world he just couldn't say no to.

She had asked him with such a innocent look that now he felt utterly helpless even at the thought of saying a no to her. Yuvraj hated himself for even considering saying no.

Her eyes were filled with concern for those children that he hated himself for even thinking about denying it. He exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair, his thoughts spiraling.

He would never want to meddle with her decisions, But to him-she wasn't just his sister.

She was his princess.

The light in a world he had long stopped believing in. The one person who deserved the world without ever having to fight for it. And here she was fighting for someone else again.

Yuvraj didn't answer immediately. His fingers drummed against the side of his arm as he contemplated. Finally, he looked up with determination.

"Fine, I'll talk to my sister. If she agrees then I and Abhay will be staying close by, we'll be keeping a check on you guys from time to time but Adwait will be accompanying her"

That drew an instant reaction from Ekansh. His jaw tightened, his face hardening with pure resentment as he looked at Adwait like he was poison.

"Why him?" he asked, voice laced with disdain.

Adwait grinned, never losing an opportunity to provoke the Singhanias.
"Because I'm her fiancé," he said with a wink, deliberately adding,"Her soon-to-be husband."

Ekansh tried hard to restrain himself from riling up yet the guy's smirk didn't help at all. He was about to say something disrespectful when Yuvraj backed his brother-in-law, "Whether you like it or not"

The finality in Yuvraj's voice was clear, a sharp warning for Ekansh. The latter clenched his fists, his lips pressed together in fury, but he said nothing more.

Content by his reaction, Yuvraj turned back to Manish, his stare unfaltering," He'll be staying with her, I don't trust you guys."

Manish glanced at Adwait once before returning his gaze back to Yuvraj, he was not a fool to let the chance into getting into Meher's good books slip from him.

"That's not a problem Yuvraj, it's just the matter of 3 months afterall." He agreed with a firm nod despite his son's protests.

"This isn't a negotiation, Manish. Meher's safety is non-negotiable. And if we even sense she's in trouble, you'll be praying for mercy before we're done." Yuvraj's eyes darkened as his held his gun, wanting nothing but to end everything with just two bullets.

But he knew this isn't that easy.

Adwait too leaned a little forward, his eyes never leaving Manish's, "Just remember," he whispered, his tone almost conversational. "We don't make threats, Singhania. We make promises."

"We won't harm her this time" Ekansh instantly reassured, not wanting to lose the chance coming his way. Yuvraj's sharp gaze snapped to him, not liking his words, "If you even dare that Singhania, don't expect me to spare you alive this time."

His words were cold, a threat that made Manish swallow and rethink if he was signing up for something right this time?

Was his selfish motive so important for him to play with fire? Because he had realised that this time Meher wasn't alone. She had people backing her up. People who wouldn't even think before killing for her.

But still even after this a question lingered in his mind continuously. Something that was nagging him from the start and he needed an answer to it. Gaining some courage he spoke,"We assure you Yuvraj we won't but I need an answer."

Yuvraj raised an eyebrow suspiciously,"What answer?"

"How did you find her after all these years?" Manish's eyes met his, a mix of curiosity and frustration now overtaking the arrogance. He actually wanted to know where he went wrong in hiding her for years.

Yuvraj's lips curled into a smirk, his tone drenched in irony and satisfaction."All your fault, Singhania."And with that, the room went silent again covered in thick with past sins and bitter memories that refused to die.

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