Kashyap was attending a grand party with his wife, Nishtha. The venue was filled with elite personalities and party members. Nishtha wore a rose-pink silk saree, paired with heavy jewelry, subtle makeup, a neatly tied bun adorned with jasmine flowers, matching bangles, anklets, and expensive sandals—she looked every bit the graceful wife of a Chief Minister, which she indeed was. She radiated elegance amid the festive ambiance.
Kashyap looked dignified in a white kurta and black blazer. His face glowed with pride and authority.
People were congratulating him and complimenting his wife, to which he responded with a warm smile.
From a distance, Jagjeet Raj Chauhan, along with Mahendra and Pratap Chauhan, watched intently, glasses of liquor in their hands and their gaze fixed on Kashyap.
Suddenly, a few officers entered and approached Kashyap.
Officer: "Sir, we have orders to arrest you."
A wave of shock rippled through the crowd. Everyone turned to look.
Kashyap (angrily): "Why? What crime have I committed?"
Officer (showing a warrant): "You're being charged with murder, sir."
Kashyap (furious): "Murder? Are you joking? Do you even know who you're talking to? I'm the Chief Minister of this state!"
Officer (moving to handcuff him): "You could be CM or PM—the law is the same for everyone. And no, sir, I don't joke."
Kashyap, pulling his hands back: "What proof do you have? Who do you claim I murdered?"
Officer (with a sly smile): "Don't act innocent, sir. We know you murdered Nakul Bhardwaj, your wife's lover. His body was found at your farmhouse."
Hearing Nakul's name, Nishtha almost fainted but managed to compose herself.
Kashyap (staggering back): "What? Nakul's dead? No! That's a lie—I didn't kill him!"
The officer showed some photos.
Officer: "Still want to deny it, sir?"
The photos showed Nakul and Nishtha in a compromising, semi-nude state. Nishtha shut her eyes in shame.
Kashyap stared at the photos in disbelief.
Officer: "These were also found at your farmhouse. Now please come with us."
Kashyap: "Officer, this is a conspiracy to trap me. Please try to understand!"
Officer: "Please cooperate, sir. Otherwise, we'll have to use force."
Nishtha stepped forward.
Nishtha: "Officer, my husband did nothing. He is innocent!"
In a fit of rage, Kashyap grabbed Nishtha and slapped her hard.
Kashyap: "You are the root of all this mess! God knows what cursed moment I ever met you!"
Nishtha opened her mouth to say something, but Kashyap ignored her and walked away with the officers, glaring at her with burning eyes. Nishtha stood frozen, watching him go.
Now, all eyes were on Nishtha. Under their judgmental gazes, she stepped outside and asked the driver to take her home.
Driver: "This is a government vehicle. It's no longer at your service."
Without arguing, Nishtha walked away. The slap marks still visible on her cheeks, every step felt like climbing a mountain. Her heart told her the photos were fake—but who would believe her? Nakul's death had shattered her.
When she reached home, her mother-in-law was at the door. Nishtha tried to hug her, but she slapped Nishtha across the face.
Mother-in-law: "Why have you come back? After sending my son to jail, now you want to destroy our lives here too? What evil hour did Kashyap bring you home? My son never even got peace—just jail!"
She broke down, pounding her chest.
Nishtha (gathering courage): "Ma… the photos are fake… I did nothing wrong…"
This time, Dhanraj Yaduvanshi slapped her and flung a document in her face.
Dhanraj (shouting): "So this is fake too?"
Nishtha picked it up and read—an abortion report.
She was stunned. She had never been pregnant—how could there be an abortion report?
Just then, the family doctor stepped out with a smirk.
Doctor (to Dhanraj): "Brother, I got this report from the hospital just yesterday. I couldn't believe it at first, but everything matched. Who knew Kashyap would find out and kill someone? Poor man—how could he bear seeing his wife in another man's arms?"
Nishtha stood numb, watching them—this was the same family that once welcomed her with love. Now, they were branding her characterless and humiliating her.
Nishtha (screaming): "I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! IT'S ALL A LIE! I'M BEING FRAMED—WHY WON'T YOU BELIEVE ME?"
Dhanraj (furious): "Shut up! Get out of here—never show your face again!"
She stood frozen.
Mother-in-law (yelling): "What are you waiting for, shameless girl? Get out of my house!"
Nishtha looked at the house once, then walked away slowly, crushed.
A black SUV pulled up, and men in black stepped out. They kidnapped Nishtha and drove away.
Back in Auli
Next morning, everyone was at the airport, preparing to leave. Raghav, heavy-hearted, bid farewell. His eyes lingered on Siya, who was busy taking photos.
A painful ache stirred within him.
The flight was announced. As they all left, Anurag arrived at Auli airport with his sister Apoorva—was it fate or coincidence?
Anurag walked right between Raghav and Siya. Siya didn't notice him—but Raghav did. Raghav quietly turned and walked out of the airport.
As he was about to get into a taxi, Anurag got in first. Raghav sighed and took another taxi.
Raghav's Silent Breakdown
For the first time, Raghav felt like crying. But boys are not allowed to cry. His pain became a suffocating knot in his chest.
He opened Adit's cupboard and found a cigarette box—Adit used them occasionally for late-night projects or special events.
Raghav lit one. The first puff made him cough. He drank water, then took another drag—this one brought a strange calm.
He opened his laptop and checked Siya's profile.
She had uploaded his stage photo with the caption: "Congrats."
Raghav chuckled—not a happy laugh, but one filled with bitterness.
Raghav (to himself): "Wow… what a world! She didn't even look at me in person, but showers love online? People hide all their pain, but show the world how 'happy' they are. It's all a farce…"
He took one last drag of the cigarette, crushed it under his shoe, and slumped onto the sofa.
Meanwhile, Anurag asked Apoorva to go home and got off midway. He bought a cigarette and sat on the same lakeside bench where Raghav had sat the previous night.
The lake, once frozen, was now melting under the morning sun. Birds fluttered around.
Anurag lit a cigarette and muttered to himself:
Anurag: "Why do I even care why she came to Auli? Why do I want to know? Why does she keep appearing before me? Why… just why?"
Who has ever understood the chaos of the heart?
He stared silently at the lake, lost in conflict.