CHHAVI'S POV
"Welcome to my universe, Miss Rosy."
He smirked.
As soon as the jeep came to a halt, Drishye jumped out, leaving me to process the situation with my mouth agape.
The wind was high, rushing at miles per hour, whipping through the coat of his tailored brown suit, tugging at the legs of his trousers and messing with his well combed hair as he marched towards Sister Wilson or at least, that's who I thought she was.
The nun, if that's even what I should call her, stood tall in a pristine crème overcoat paired with brown leather boots. Her hands were buried casually in her pockets with her blonde untied hair flowing in the air. Her eyes were under the shades of a dark brown sunglass but it could not hide her stance. Her demeanor made my chest tighten. She didn't look like that headmistress of the school, not even near.
She greeted Drishye with a nod when he reached her with his hands fixed his suit. Her red lips curled while she spoke, what seemed like giving him updates.
For a moment, she paused. I could feel her glance at me even though the shades covered her eyes perfectly. Drishye turned his head just enough to glance back at me while I was staring at him dumbstruck through the glass of the jeep.
Without a word, he pulled a pair of aviators from the pocket of his suit, slid them effortlessly over his nose, before turning back to Sister Wilson.
While my mind struggled to piece together what was happening, I heard sharp click that broke my daze as the jeep door on my side opened. I turned to see Noor standing there, holding a large rectangular bag in her left hand.
"Hop down, Chhavi."
She instructed and I obeyed without a choice, climbing out of the vehicle, utterly confused.
She kicked the door shut behind me and motioned for me to follow her. The wind was relentless, whipping at my clothes and hair. The sun blazed mercilessly. Its brightness blinding me. I squinted, my eyes watering from the glare causing a stinging sensation, making it nearly impossible to look straight ahead.
Noor walked ahead before stopping to stand at attention behind Sister Wilson. Unsure of where else to go, I found myself beside Drishye
Everyone was silent until Sister Wilson removed her glasses, revealing her sharp, piercing eyes and forwarded her hand.
"Jade for you, madam. Your daughter is safe and under close observation of our team there. We'll bring her back to you. It's a promise."
My heart raced as I took her hand in mine.
"Sister Wilson..."
"Not anymore, madam. I was assigned as your daughter's security cover. My direct responsibility was as your daughter's embedded security element within her school with a cover up of a headmistress. I reported directly to RD."
Her words barely registered in my brain. Security cover?
"Security? You...you're not the he-headmistress?"
Jade's crimson lips twitched while she shook her head.
"Not anymore, madam."
I stared at her, grasping for answers.
"I'll explain everything to you, Miss Rosy. Give me some more time."
Drishye said as if sensing the turmoil in my mind.
Turning towards them, he asked in that same calm, authoritative tone he'd been using ever since I saw him speak to Noor.
"Are we good to go?"
"We're good to go. Veda and Xysha are waiting for us."
Noor informed.
Who the hell are Veda and Xysha? Why do they keep talking about them?
Before I could voice my confusion, I felt Drishye's presence close behind me. His hand gripped my shoulder gently, nudging me slightly as if urging me to rely on him.
"I'm sorry you had to walk all the way here. I really needed Hana's updates, Miss Rosy."
He apologized for no reason because this little sprain this not a matter to worry about but he can't let it go.
"It's...it's okay Drishye...I can walk."
"You don't have to."
And just like that, I was in the air again, my body effortlessly hoisted into his arms. My limbs dangled for a moment before I instinctively clutched onto his neck.
This time, I didn't protest.
I need to trust him. He's got my baby covered. I've to give attention to details without freaking out!
He carried me up the airstairs with ease while Sister Wilson...um...Jade and Noor following us.
I felt shy to be carried around like a baby yet my overwhelming worry for my daughter drowned out any feelings of discomfort or self-consciousness.
Once inside the jet, Drishye gently settled me onto a plush, comfortable couch. I looked around, taking in the interior but my attention was quickly drawn to another woman seated across the cabin.
She was strikingly unique, quite different than Jade or Noor. Her hooded eyes were framed with thick and long eyelashes. And, her shoulder-length hair was streaked with bold green extensions which gave her an edgy appearance. She was dressed in black shorts and a loose- fitted tank top. Her right leg kept shaking as her fingers flew across the keys of a box- like laptop.
She didn't even glance up as we entered.
"They've moved her to a fucking print house."
She said while continuing the tapping on her keyboard.
"As per my sources, she's unharmed. Physically, at least."
She finally looked up, narrowing her eyes slightly. She took in my presence and for a moment, I felt like I knew her
"And yes, it's Vinesh Joshi. No surprises there."
Her voice carried a hint of sarcasm which made me feel a pang in my chest. My child is in danger and guess who is responsible? Her father!
"Veda," Drishye interjected calmly. "What's the layout?"
Veda's fingers flew over the head of the monitor and she quickly turned it towards Drishye, Noor and Jade. The screen reflected a map in blue outlines on a grey background, probably the layout of the print house. She angled the laptop slightly so everyone could see.
"The location is in a low-visibility area, surrounded by abandoned warehouses. High security on the perimeter. Cameras, guards- you name it, Drishye. That dick head ain't taking any chances."
She explained, tapping a highlighted section on the blueprint.
"Main entry here and secondary access through this alley. But both are monitored. There's a delivery dock at the rear, minimal coverage but it's a tight space. Clearly, no chance."
She stopped grazing her fingers on the touchpad and leaned back a little.
Drishye leaned forward, with his hands in his pockets, studying the blueprint intently.
"What about inside?"
"Two floors. Ground floor is mostly machinery and printing equipment. Second floor's more compartmentalized and kinda like a work space. Offices, storage rooms, cabins and everything. My source says she's likely being held on the second floor, west wing. In one of the VIP cabins. Probably, that motherfucker's. It's secluded enough to keep her out of sight but as I said he's a dick head. So, we're close enough for a quick exit if we go south."
"And Krisha?"
Noor asked.
Her voice was tensed. She was for sure worried about that 'Krisha' or whoever she was. But if she's the reason behind all this blunder, she's dead! I don't care.
I gritted my teeth.
Veda sighed.
"Krisha...is still off the radar."
Nobody dared to speak. I saw Jade and Noor steal glances from each other and recover within seconds. Veda kept staring at Drishye, anticipating his next instruction.
"Which means she has neared her end. Simple."
Drishye announced, pretty nonchalantly making me feel a little petrified. Does he kill people!?
"I've got people combing through every lead, Drishye."
Veda tried to pacify.
Drishye's jaw tightened.
I noticed she calls him by his name unlike others.
"Focus on getting us inside the print house, first. We'll deal with Joshi and Krisha later on. Veda, you stay active on the site and keep me informed about every single moment."
Veda nodded and drew her focus back on the screen.
"I'll run interference on their surveillance. When you guys take the south, yo-"
"Wait!"
All heads turned toward me. Veda's fingers froze mid-typing, her hooded eyes narrowing in irritation. Clearly, she didn't appreciate interruptions.
Drishye raised an eyebrow, silently prompting me to speak.
"You can't take the South," I said, quivering a little. "They've got a secret emergency exit there and I'm sure it's heavily guarded. If you enter through that route, they'll know you're coming."
For a moment, there was stunned silence. I could see the flicker of surprise on everyone's faces. Drishye tilted his head slightly, fixating his sharp gaze on me.
"And, how exactly do you know that?"
Veda finally asked in a skeptical tone.
I swallowed and squared my shoulders.
"It's my late father's print house. I've been there before...a long time ago. The South entrance leads to an underground tunnel that connects to a secondary warehouse about two blocks away. Vinesh is not stupid enough to use it without any security."
Drishye's lips quirked into an amused smile.
"I like you."
He announced with a smirk edging his lips, leaving me shocked.
The others chuckled softly while I rolled my eyes at him but deep down, I was relieved they were taking me seriously.
Drishye bobbed his head toward Veda, silently urging her to adjust the plan. She tapped a few keys, pulling up the schematic again.
"Alright," Veda said, clapping once to draw attention towards herself. "That rules out the South. The delivery dock at the rear is still our best bet for evacuation . Minimal coverage, tight space...but it's manageable! I'll disable the perimeter cameras for a ten-minute window. That's all the time you'll have to get in."
Drishye nodded, snapping his neck again. Somehow, the cracking sound it produces does something in me and I hate to feel that way amidst the situation at hand.
"Veda, you'll stay with Miss Rosy and keep us informed. If anything goes wrong, your priority is to get her out of there."
He explained.
Veda nodded, stealing a glance at me.
"Jade you'll cover me. Noor, you'll take care of the minions. Clear?"
"Clear."
Jade replied in a snap of a moment.
"Clear but Joshi?"
Noor asked.
Drishye lips curled into a cold smile and I felt like I saw a monster fantasizing his prey just before the hunt.
"He's mine."
I'm more evil.
I got flashback of his words he had said this afternoon and no doubt, he was serious. It was scary. It was not at all Drishye of him, at least the version which doesn't get improvised in my mind.
Veda leaned back in her chair, arms crossed.
"Once you're inside, head straight to the west wing on the second floor. That's where they're keeping Ahana. Anything else we should know about the layout, 'Miss Rosy?' "
"Hey! You don't get to call her that?!"
Drishye snapped.
Veda chuckled, not taking him seriously and urging me to think.
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to recall the place from memory.
"There's a staircase at the far end of the main floor. It's narrow but it's a shortcut to the second floor. If you use it, you'll avoid crossing paths with most of the guards. Now, I hope they didn't change the course..."
"Noted."
Veda said, verifying the structure once again.
"Nope, all same."
She assured and I took a deep breathe, trying to ground myself.
"Okay, so once you're inside, they won't even know you're there until you exchange pleasantries with the guards." She paused, her lips curling into a faint smirk. "But don't take too long. I can only hold their system down for ten minutes before they catch on."
"What about extraction?"
Noor asked.
"I've arranged a secondary vehicle to meet you two blocks from the site. Xysha will be the one driving."
Veda responded without missing a beat.
"If the situation escalates, we'll have aerial backup on standby. But let's avoid making this a spectacle. We need to get in, get out and stay under the radar."
Drishye nodded.
"Good but we have to make sure we don't need aerial back up coz Xysha will be under pressure. Noor and Jade, you're with me. Veda, keep us updated every now and then. I don't want any surprises. Clear?"
"Clear."
"Clear."
"Clear."
The three ladies responded consecutively.
"All we need right now is for that asshole to reach out to Chhavi."
Noor explained.
"Right."
Drishye nodded.
Veda's fingers resumed their tap across the keys.
"I've her phone tapped, Drishye. All we need right now is for him to contact her. You'll have everything you need, Drishye. Guys, just don't get yourselves killed out there."
I could feel the tension in that closed cabin while the jet began running down the runaway, slowly.
I kept sitting quietly on the couch bobbing my head from one face to another. Drishye and Veda kept discussing their plan. All I could do was to trust them and let them handle the matter, But the thought of my daughter in the hands of someone like Vinesh Joshi made my stomach churn.
Drishye turned to me and I saw his eyes soften and muscles relax slightly.
He gave me a gentle nod and walked towards me to buckle my seat belt. Like everytime...
But this time, he cupped my face, startling me for a moment as he pressed his lips on my forehead.
"Relax, Rose. It's okay. We won't let him put a single scratch on her."
I nodded, closing my eyes while he pressed his forehead to mine.
The jet took hardly an hour to reach Lucknow.
As soon as the jet landed, Drishye carried me down the airstairs. Behind us, the others followed.
Seeing him carry me, Veda couldn't contain her amusement and chuckled all the way down. I rolled my eyes, heat rushing to my cheeks as I clung to his neck.
Drishye, unbothered by the teasing simply kept walking.
I've noticed that Jade and Noor seem to be very mindful in Drishye's presence, speaking only when necessary and maintaining an air of discipline unlike Veda.
Veda, however, didn't seem to care for such formalities and acted far more casually.
There's something about the way Veda interacts with Drishye. It's playful, in a way that no one else dares to be. He tries to maintain the 'decorum,' but not entirely. He lets her into his space, tolerating her unprofessional behavior in a way he doesn't with Noor or Jade. Neither do they act so unprofessional!
But that's fine. I know my man. He would never look at anyone the way he looks at me. And no, I'm not jealous! Seriously, Chhavi, pull yourself together. There's a bigger challenges ahead.
Vinesh hasn't contacted me yet. I hope he does soon...we need to figure out his intentions.
Drishye's prediction about his motives feels spot-on.
"He's after the property papers, Miss Rosy."
He'd said earlier while we're still in the air.
And, I had suspected it way before he had brought it up.
"But why involve Aahana in this? Is he so inhumane that he'd mess with his own daughter for the sake of wealth? Isn't he her father?!"
I had responded, my frustration barely contained.
My voice had cracked then, giving way to tears.
What was I even thinking when I decided to marry him?
He walked toward a sleek black car with a faint purple sheen under the setting sun.
Two men in sharp formal suits and glasses, stood by the car. As soon as we approached, they bowed respectfully and opened the door.
Drishye gently placed me inside, securing the seatbelt. Before stepping back, he ruffled my hair softly.
"Be comfortable. You're about to bring your daughter back."
His words gave the confidence and hole I desperately needed.
The tension in my chest eased ever so slightly at his care. II nodded, managing a small, weary smile, though my insides churned.
As he closed the door, the faint scent of his cologne lingered, mixing with the leather interior of the car. I leaned back into the seat.
But then, from the corner of my vision, another figure emerged at the top of the airstairs. I leaned closer to the window, squinting as the fading sunlight framed her silhouette. She descended as i busied myself to figure out if she was someone I could recognise.
Another teammate?
As she came closer, her features becoming clearer. And then it hit me- the woman who had been selling flowers at the market!
I stared, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. Why was she here? Why was she descending from Drishye's private jet?
My stomach clenched as questions stormed my mind.
The group turned toward her as she approached and I caught the way Veda gave her a smirk. Even Jade, gave her a nod of acknowledgment.
Who was she? And why was no one questioning her presence?
Drishye looked over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of her while talking to those couple of men.
She responded with a curt nod and I saw her mouth part and her stating something to while the entire team of the women as well as Drishye respond.
I couldn't shake the sinking feeling in my chest. This wasn't just a coincidence.
What more do I need to know!
After a few minutes, Drishye slid into the seat beside me. I felt his presence beside me when the faint creak of leather reached my ears, drawing my attention towards him.
The 'flower lady' and Veda took the front seats. My gaze flickered between them but I remained silent, trying to process this bizarre dynamic.
As the woman gripped the steering wheel with a firm, Drishye began while buckling his seatbelt.
"Meet Xysha, Miss Rosy."
Oh! So she's Xysha!
"And, Xysha, she's Chhavi Sharma, the love of my life."
I felt the heat rush to my cheeks, my fingers curling into my lap. I avoided Drishye;s gaze as he kept staring at me while I heard Xysha laugh a bit.
"Uh, yes. Hello, madam. Myself Xysha."
I looked up, trying to acknowledge her greeting and saw her glance at me through the rearview mirror
I managed a small smile, unsure of how to respond.
She was a beautiful lady, probably of my age, as I assumed earlier when I first saw her in the outfit of a local woman. Even though she's still the same person but her look has completely changed.
She had her brownish- black hair tied up into a tight high-bun and was dressed up in similar outfits just like Noor.
Drishye leaned back in his seat, his arm casually resting along the back of mine.
"Xysha will escort your daughter and bring her back to you as soon as we rescue her. She's the pilot of the team. if required, she'll involve the jet."
He explained, his voice dropping low as he finished his sentence.
I nodded, taking in the information he was laying out in front of me.
"Wh- where are we going?"
I asked softly, breaking the heavy silence that had settled in the car as it kept advancing through the highway.
"To our safehouse. "For now, we'll wait for Vinesh's first move."
I nodded, though a pang of frustration bubbled within me. The idea of just waiting and sitting still while my daughter was out there, possibly scared and alone...it's...it's was unbearable. I clenched my fists but before I could voice my protest, Drishye's warm hand covered mine.
"I know what you're thinking. But we can't risk rushing in blindly. He'll expect that. We have to be smart about this."
He explained.
I looked into his eyes and saw the conviction in them. It eased some of my fears but not enough to stop the tight knot in my chest.
"You'll have her back. I promise."
He added, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.
"Have faith in us, ma'am."
Xysha intervened.
Beside her, Veda leaned against the door, scrolling through her phone.
"Safehouse doesn't mean we're sitting idle." She chimed in. "We'll regroup, go over every lead and tighten the noose around your motherfucker husband."
She glanced over her shoulder at me.
I swallowed hard and leaned back into the seat, staring out the tinted window as the city lights blurred past.
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||SPOILER||
"Did Vinesh get in touch with you?"
"No- not yet..."
I replied. The anxiety curling in my stomach.
"He's stalling, probably waiting for you to contact him first."
Noor explained, leaning back slightly.
Of course, he was. He wants me desperate. He wants me scared.
I inhaled sharply.
"I'll not reach out to him."
Drishye smirked.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Veda leaned back in her chair, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"How about we actually give him that satisfaction?"
She suggested, drumming her fingers against the table.
I narrowed my eyes.
"What do you mean? Your teammate has already deceived you and here you're! Suggesting me to fall in his trap and mess this situation even more."
"Think about it!" She continued, unfazed by my remark. "A normal human instinct would be to reach out to him for your daughter. Think! You're the helpless mother. No backup! It'll only ease him up, make him believe he has the upper hand. But in reality..."
She trailed off, waiting for me to catch on.
Drishye leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"We let him think he's in control while we use that window to track him."
Noor nodded.
"Exactly. If he believes you're desperate, he'll get careless. He'll make a move we can anticipate."
I chewed on my bottom lip.
"Trust us, madam. We've to take this chance."