...----------------...

*Flashback*

Tears streamed down Ranvijay’s cheeks as he stood frozen, staring at his father's lifeless body. The room was filled with mourners, some whispering in hushed tones, others sobbing quietly. But all Ranvijay could hear was silence — the deafening silence of grief. His father, Hakeem, was gone. And with him, a part of Ranvijay’s soul.

*Present Day – Sharda University*

Inside a bright classroom at Sharda University, students were taking turns presenting heartfelt speeches about their fathers. Laughter and applause filled the air as memories were shared. It was Shaina’s turn.

She stood confidently and conclude, “The bottom line is—my father is the best in the world.”

The class clapped warmly for her. Everyone smiled—except Mahika, her adoptive sister figure, whose face held a shadow of envy.

“Thank you, Shaina,” Miss Riya said, marking her sheet. “Next, we have... Ranvijay Singh.”

Ranvijay stood up slowly, his heart pounding. A nervous sweat clung to his palms as painful memories stirred.

*Flashback*

Years earlier, before his father’s death, Ranvijay had confronted his mother.

“Mum, stop lying to me,” he said, voice trembling. “I saw Dad... I saw him kill someone last night—in the guest room.”

His mother stared at him, stunned into silence, her face drained of color.

*PRESENTLY*

Ranvijay stood before the class, his voice calm but filled with weight.

“My father,” he began, “was a notorious underworld figure.”

The room fell into a stunned silence. A few students exchanged uneasy glances; others stared at him, wide-eyed. Some looked at him with curiosity, others with quiet discomfort. But Ranvijay didn’t falter.

“My mum encouraged me never to be ashamed of my father. So I’m not. He’s the best man in my world.” He paused, then added gently, “Thank you.”

He walked out of the classroom with quiet dignity, leaving behind a class full of stunned faces and unspoken thoughts.

Meanwhile, at Khan’s mansion, tension brewed.

Tariq and Zoya were at it again—this time about the constant clashes between Mahika and Shaina.

“You and I are the only parents she knows!” Zoya snapped, clearly on edge.

“Zoya, stop defending her blindly,” Tariq replied, frustrated. “She’s always picking fights with Mahika.”

“So what?” Zoya shot back, her voice rising. “Shaina is my daughter. Her parents gave her to me—she’s under my care.”

Tariq clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing. “She’s not even your blood. Stop pushing Mahika aside for an outsider.”

Zoya’s face fell. The words cut deeper than he knew.

Tariq sighed, his tone firm but tired. “Stop dragging Mahika into your obsession with playing savior.”

With that, he turned and walked off, leaving Zoya stunned, hurt, and fighting the tears welling in her eyes.

*FLASHBACK*

It was Hakeem’s birthday, and Ranvijay had stayed up late at the mansion, waiting excitedly for his father. The house was dark and still, the clock ticking loudly in the background.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed.

Hakeem walked in.

“Happy birthday, Dad,” young Ranvijay said softly, approaching his father with hesitant eyes.

But Hakeem, already seething with anger, didn’t care for birthday wishes. He stormed into the room, glaring at his ten-year-old son.

“Where’s your mother? Why are you so stupid?” he snapped. “Go to your room—NOW!”

Ranvijay flinched. His heart raced, fear crawling up his spine. But instead of retreating, he stood his ground.

“Dad… yesterday, I saw you,” he whispered. “I saw you kill that man.”

Hakeem froze. For a split second, he looked stunned. But then, a slow, wicked smile crept across his face. He let out a low laugh, dark and proud.

“Really?” he said with a chilling calm. “That’s great. Do you know why I killed him?”

Ranvijay stood silent, confused and afraid.

“Because,” Hakeem said coldly, “I’m taking my revenge.”

Ranvijay nodded slowly, his young mind struggling to understand the weight of those words.

*Present Day – Sharda University*

Ranvijay stood outside the lecture hall, quietly tapping away on his phone. The October breeze rustled around him, but his mind was somewhere else—buried in the echoes of his past.

Suddenly, a group of boys from his class approached with smug grins.

“Hey Aryan, isn’t that the madman’s boy?” one of them laughed.

Aryan snatched the phone from Ranvijay’s hands. “You are the mad man’s son, right?”

Ranvijay’s heart dropped. “Please... give it back,” he said calmly, trying not to show fear.

Yug stepped forward, smirking. “Thug or what, huh?”

Ranvijay reached for his phone, but before he could, they shoved him back and began beating him.

From a distance, Shaina spotted the commotion while walking with her friend Nithya. Her expression turned fierce, and she rushed over without hesitation.

“Hey! Leave him alone!” she shouted, stepping between them.

Aryan sneered, backing off. “See you around, loser.”

He and Yug walked away, laughing.

Shaina turned to Ranvijay, gently helping him up. “You okay?”

Ranvijay nodded slowly, his eyes meeting hers. In that brief moment, amidst the pain, he felt something rare—comfort.

Meanwhile, at school

Amit leaned against the wall beside his locker, his voice low as he spoke to his close friend Avik. “Dude, at first I thought Shaina was just my rival,” he admitted, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “But now... it’s real. It’s true love.”

Avik chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “The arrogant queen of the school? That Shaina?”

Amit frowned, clearly defensive. “She’s not arrogant. She just doesn’t know you that well.”

Avik’s amused expression dropped into something more irritated. “No, Amit. She is arrogant. It’s in her blood—her dad’s rich, powerful... she walks around like the world owes her.”

Before Amit could respond, both of them noticed Shaina walking down the corridor. She was flanked by Nithya and a new boy—Ranvijay. Amit straightened slightly.

“What’s she doing with the new guy?” he muttered, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

At Khan’s Mansion

Zoya sat by the window, the sunlight casting a soft glow over her tired face. Across from her sat Ananya, her oldest friend, who had come to visit after sensing something was wrong.

Zoya sighed heavily. “It’s like… I’m starting to lose interest in Mahika,” she confessed, her voice laced with guilt.

Ananya looked shocked. “Zoya, she’s twenty. You’re the only mother she’s known. You adopted her when she was barely five. That’s nearly fifteen years.”

Zoya nodded slowly and took a sip of water. “Yeah, I know… I just can’t keep defending her. I find myself always siding with Shaina, and I hate that.”

Ananya looked at her with concern, unsure of how to respond. Zoya’s conflict ran deeper than a simple disagreement—it was about loyalty, motherhood, and the painful realities of divided affection.

Elsewhere…

Shaina and Nithya were deep in conversation, their steps falling in sync as they walked through the school gardens.

“I was like—what the hell are you doing?” Nithya exclaimed, reliving the moment she had witnessed Ranvijay’s confrontation earlier.

Shaina’s voice was soft, almost vulnerable. “I just feel really sorry for him… about his dad. Even though his father was a thug, he’s still holding himself together. That’s not easy.”

Nithya scoffed. “Dude, you literally just befriended him a few minutes ago.”

She suddenly stopped walking, grabbing Shaina gently by the wrist. Her eyes narrowed playfully. “Wait… are you in love with him? Don’t tell me yes!”

Shaina burst into laughter, shaking her head. “You silly girl, no! Of course not.”

Nithya held her chest dramatically. “Phew! You almost gave me a heart attack!”

But as they resumed walking, Shaina’s laughter faded into a quiet, nervous smile. Her thoughts drifted back to Ranvijay. She couldn't deny the strange pull she felt toward him—the pain in his eyes, the silence he wore like armor.

Arjun’s Car

Inside a sleek black car parked near the curb, Arjun gripped the steering wheel, his eyes darting toward Neekah—his girlfriend—who sat in the passenger seat scrolling through her phone.

“I just wanted to talk about your tuition fees,” he began gently.

Neekah rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “I don’t care how you spin it, Arjun. If you can’t even take care of me, what’s the point of being my boyfriend?”

Arjun looked at her, stunned by the sudden harshness in her tone. “Neeks… you know I love you. It’s just—Sharda University is ridiculously expensive. I’m trying, but I can’t afford to take you there right now.”

Neekah’s eyes welled up—not with sadness, but frustration. “Don’t ever talk to me again. Lose my number.”

She flung open the car door without another word and stormed off. Arjun sat frozen, his heart sinking as he watched her disappear into her residential building. He called after her once, twice… but she never looked back.

*Flashback*

Ranvijay stood in the dimly lit corridor of their home, fists clenched at his sides.

“Who killed my dad?” he asked, his voice trembling.

His father's guard didn’t answered "Raj Vikram "Ranvijay’s eyes were already filled with something between sorrow and rage.

Shaina walked toward her car in the parking lot and spotted Amit waiting beside it, hands in his pockets, eyes flicking nervously between his shoes and the passing cars.

“Well, well, well… if it isn’t the shy boy himself,” she teased playfully, striding up to him with a smirk.

Amit looked up, startled. “What??” he said, clearly confused.

“Don’t even pretend, man,” Shaina said, crossing her arms. “I have friends in your class. They told me how you froze up and couldn’t present your presentation.”

Amit chuckled sheepishly. “For the record, I let you go first. And second—who’s the new guy? Someone told me he’s your boyfriend.”

Shaina rolled her eyes and smiled. “Of course not! Why is everyone saying that?”

Amit exhaled in relief. “Thank God, I almost had a concussion from overthinking.”

They laughed together, the tension between them dissolving.

Shaina leaned closer, teasing. “Now tell me, how’s it going with your girlfriend Mahika?”

Amit groaned, gently squeezing his own face in mock frustration. “I’ve told you a million times—she’s not my girlfriend. Come on, I’m not even single!”

Shaina burst into laughter. “You’re such a clown!”

Meanwhile, in her room, Nithya was on her bed, re-editing a short, funny video. It featured a guy who had tried to stop his ex-girlfriend’s wedding while wearing a bright yellow smiley-face mask. Nithya had recreated the scene, mocking him without showing her own face.

She reviewed the clip one last time, smirking.

Without hesitation, she hit upload.

“Posted to Satgram.”

She watched the screen for a moment and whispered, “Let’s see how viral this one goes…”

KHAN'S MANSION

Mahika had just returned from school, her backpack swinging as she ran into the house.

“Mummy!” she beamed. “I presented so well today. I wish you were there… I know you’d have been proud.”

Zoya's face softened, pride twinkling in her eyes. “I am proud of you, baby.”

“Now go freshen up,” she said warmly. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

Mahika nodded and turned to leave, her smile wide. Zoya stood at the doorway, watching her with a quiet, distant look—her thoughts still lingering elsewhere… perhaps on Shaina.

*PARKING LOT*

"Wow, who's the lucky girl then?" Shaina teased.

"You," Amit said quietly.

Shaina blinked, thrown off. “What?” she asked, her voice uncertain.

Amit wasn’t smiling. “I like you, Shaina. And I’m tired of pretending.”

Shaina froze, caught completely off guard. Speechless, she stared at him for a moment before silently opening her car door, slipping inside, and driving away—leaving Amit standing there, anxious and regretful.

*MEANWHILE, AT ZAHIR’S RESIDENCE*

Zahir, a wealthy and influential politician, was pacing furiously in his mansion, fuming over something on his phone.

“That low-class girl is tagging us now?” he shouted.

Jay, his son, lounged nearby, sipping a drink, unfazed. “Who?”

“Nithya! Look at her username!” Zahir tossed the phone to Jay. “She’s mocking you with that video from last night!”

Jay glanced at the screen, then smirked. “Interesting…”

Zahir glared at him. “Clean this up before it turns into a scandal.

*Sharma’s Villa*

Arjun sat on the edge of his bed, his phone pressed to his ear as he audio-called his aunt, *Juwi*—Shaina’s mother. His voice trembled with urgency.

“Please, Aunt Juwi,” he pleaded, “you know I can’t ask Mum or Dad for that kind of money.”

On the other end, Juwi’s tone was calm but firm. “Exactly, Arjun. That’s why I need to know what you’re using the money for.”

He hesitated, glancing down. “It’s for Neeks,” he admitted quietly. “I don’t want to lose her.”

*Amit’s Car*

Amit sat silently in the driver’s seat, his fingers tapping the steering wheel while Avik listened. The weight of disappointment was heavy in his voice.

“I thought she actually liked me,” Amit said. “But it turns out I was just someone to pass time with.”

Avik scoffed. “I knew it, man. That arrogant girl was never serious. She used you.”

“What do I do now?” Amit asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Avik leaned back. “Forget her. Stay away. Mahika’s the one who’s been there for you. She actually gives a damn.”

Amit nodded, trying to fight the feeling of being played. The truth stung more than he expected.

*Khan’s Mansion – Dining Room

Shaina sat between Zoya and Mahika, barely touching her food. The tension at the table was thick.

“I don’t even know what to say, Aunt,” Shaina murmured.

Mahika’s voice was sharp. “You knew he was my boyfriend, Shaina. And still, you chose to betray me.”

Shaina looked up, shocked. “What? I don’t even love him, Mahika.”

But Mahika had heard enough. She stood, anger radiating off her.

“Go to hell, Shaina.”

Shaina slammed her palm on the table, her voice sharp and trembling.

"How dare you say that to me?"

Zoya stood quickly, her voice cutting through the tension.

"Both of you, that’s enough!" she said sternly, trying to calm the rising storm.

Shaina pushed her chair back and glared at Mahika.

"Enjoy your lunch, brat," she snapped, storming off in anger. Her footsteps faded down the hallway.

Mahika clenched her jaw, still fuming, while Zoya remained seated, eyes locked on Mahika—disappointed, hurt.

*ARJUN’S ROOM*

Arjun sat hunched on his bed, holding the phone tightly to his ear. His aunt, Juwi, spoke from the other end of the call.

“The truth is, Arjun, it’s better to accept it now. That girl doesn’t love you. She only wants your money.”

Arjun’s brows drew together. “No, Aunt Juwi… Neeks loves me. She really does.”

There was a long pause before Juwi finally sighed.

“Alright, I’ll transfer the money. But Arjun—you must be wise.”

Arjun smiled faintly, gratitude in his voice. “Thank you, Aunt. And don’t worry, I will.”

Then, with a playful tone, he added, “I’ll go check on your daughter soon.”

That made Juwi laugh. “Oh, you!”

They both chuckled together—a brief lightness in Arjun’s otherwise heavy day.

*KHAN’S MANSION – DINING ROOM*

Zoya’s voice cut through the silence.

“How could you say that to her?”

Mahika slammed her spoon down, rage flickering in her eyes.

“I knew you’d side with her!”

Without another word, she stood and left, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the stillness.

Zoya stared after her, upset and uncertain.

*MEANWHILE…*

Jay had been trailing Nithya since the afternoon. His curiosity sharpened as he watched her park near a huge stadium. She got out, blending into a crowd of excited fans.

Jay followed.

The stadium lights glowed in the distance, music pulsing through the air. Then it clicked.

He found out that Nithya is a musician.

The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains as Tariq, Zoya, Shaina, and Mahika gathered around the breakfast table. The atmosphere was tense, each bite of food weighed down by unspoken emotions.

Tariq’s voice broke the silence sharply. “Shaina, why did you snatch Mahika’s boyfriend?”

Mahika smiled confidently, but Shaina’s heart sank, her face twisted in hurt. “What?” she stammered. “Uncle, this girl is lying to you.”

Mahika laughed coldly. “You’re a boyfriend snatcher,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Zoya’s anger flared. “Mahika, keep quiet! Shaina didn’t do anything wrong. She doesn’t even like the boy.”

“That’s not true.” Tariq cut in, his voice firm. “Shaina,Apologize to your sister.”

Shaina’s eyes widened in shock. “Apologize? I will never apologize!” she shouted, grabbing her bag and storming out of the room. Tariq and Mahika exchanged worried glances, while Zoya followed after Shaina, concern etching her face.

Meanwhile, Ranvijay arrived at school on his bike. All the students pointed and laughed at him. Suddenly, Aryan and Yug bumped into him. Ranvijay almost lost control and crashed. Aryan and Yug laughed mockingly and ran away, leaving Ranvijay standing silently, upset.

---

*Flashback: Yesterday Night*

Ranvijay was deep in conversation with his father’s personal assistant, Gaurav, about Raj Vikram and Shaina. “That girl will lead me straight to Raj Vikram,” he muttered with a bitter edge, his eyes dark with determination.

---

In the parking lot, Zoya quickly caught up with Shaina, gently taking her hands in hers, concern etched across her face.

“Don’t worry, my baby girl,” Zoya whispered soothingly. “Mahika is just young and foolish. She doesn’t know what she’s doing.”

Shaina’s eyes remained clouded with hurt. “I know, Aunt. But why is he siding with her?”

Zoya shook her head softly, trying to ease the sadness. “He’s not, Shaina. Don’t go to school with that heavy heart. Smile, for me.” She pulled Shaina into a warm embrace, holding her tightly. Slowly, a faint smile broke through Shaina’s tears.

“I love you, Aunt,” Shaina murmured as she pulled away and walked off, while Zoya watched her go with a hopeful smile.

Later that afternoon, after class, Shaina found herself confiding in Nithya about Amit.

“I always knew he was in love with you,” Nithya said with a knowing smile.

“Really?” Shaina’s voice trembled with surprise, a flicker of hope igniting inside her.

“Of course. So why did you reject him?” Nithya asked gently.

Shaina looked down, ashamed. “I didn’t reject him. I just left without saying a word.”

Nithya sighed. “That’s the same as rejection.”

Their conversation was cut short by a raucous crowd nearby. Curious, they moved closer and saw a group of students gathered, laughing and jeering. In the middle, Aryan and Yug were pouring water on Ranvijay, who looked soaked and stunned.

Shaina’s protective instincts flared. Without hesitation, she pushed through the crowd and shouted, “Stop it!”

A girl from the crowd sneered, “Shaina, when did you become such a loser?”

Anger flared inside Shaina’s chest. “Hey! Watch your mouth!” she snapped, her voice sharp and unwavering.

Mahika, standing beside the crowd, smirked cruelly. “Is the loser your boyfriend now or what?”

Laughter erupted from the crowd, but Shaina didn’t back down. Instead, she helped Ranvijay to his feet, her eyes burning with quiet defiance.

....

Arjun stood at the doorstep of Neek’s house, a mix of determination and frustration tightening his chest. She had blocked his number, and now her mother, Rashi, was talking to him firmly through the door.

“Go already,” Rashi snapped, her voice sharp with disappointment. “Since you can’t take care of her properly, there’s no point in you being here.”

Arjun took a deep breath. “Aunt, I have the money. I promise, I will get her to Sharda,” he said, his voice steady despite the tension.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Neeks appeared, her eyes shining with excitement. She stepped forward, facing Arjun boldly. “Is that true?” she asked, hope flickering in her voice.

Meanwhile, far away from this confrontation, Shaina was sitting beside Ranvijay, offering him comfort. “Don’t worry about those bullies,” she said softly, her smile gentle yet reassuring.

Ranvijay looked at her, a mix of confusion and gratitude in his eyes. “Why are you defending me?” he asked quietly.

Shaina chuckled, her playful grin lighting up her face. “I’m a superhero,” she teased. “I save people.”

Ranvijay’s face lit up in admiration. “Wow. Can I be your fan?”

“Of course,” Shaina replied, laughing warmly. “I don’t have many fans, so you’re special.”

They shared a genuine moment of laughter. But across the empty classroom, Amit was approaching, his face clouded with pain. Seeing them together, he hesitated, then quietly turned away.

Later, tears streamed down Amit’s face as Mahika walked in. Her heart ached seeing him so vulnerable. “I’m sorry about Shaina,” she whispered, stepping closer.

Amit wiped his tears away quickly, trying to regain control. “I’m not crying because of her,” he said, voice cracking. “Just… please go.”

Mahika’s eyes shimmered with hope. “I can be yours, if you want,” she said softly.

A small, sad smile crossed Amit’s lips. “Really?” he asked, a flicker of something tender in his gaze.

Mahika nodded, but before she could say more, Amit shook his head. “Sorry, Mahika. You’re not my type.” Without another word, he walked away, leaving her standing there, crushed and alone.

---