| Chapter 3 |

Hey my beautiful lovelies! 🌸🌹✨

I hope you all had an amazing time reading Chapter 2! The story is slowly unfolding, and trust me, there’s SO MUCH MORE to come! 🌟

As you all know, I’m still new here, so if you spot any grammatical mistakes, feel free to correct me. Your support and feedback mean the world to me! 💖

Now, without ANY further delay… let’s jump straight into Chapter 3! 🎉🔥

Get ready, because things are about to get even more exciting! 😍🚀

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Next morning

The sky was painted in hues of pink and orange as the first rays of sunlight kissed the earth. The entire Mehra Mansion buzzed with chaotic energy—doors creaked open, footsteps thundered through the hallways, and excited voices echoed from every corner.

Luggage trolleys rolled across the floor, zippers were being pulled up hurriedly, and last-minute panicked screams could be heard.

"Arreee! Mera charger kahaan hai?" someone yelled from one room.

[ Ughhh! Where’s my charger?! ]

"Oye! Koi mere sunglasses dhoondh do, warna mujhe aankhein bandh karke Lonavala jaana padega!" another cousin whined.

[ "Oye! Someone find my sunglasses, or I’ll have to go to Lonavala with my eyes shut! ]

"Agar tum sab itne hi irresponsible ho toh reh jao yahin! Trip pe sirf samajhdar log Jaayenge!" Nisha, Sanvi 's aunt taunted, making everyone groan.

[ If you all are this irresponsible, then stay back! Only responsible people are going on this trip! ]

Amidst the chaos, Saanvi stepped out of her room, stretching her arms with the laziest yet happiest smile. The morning breeze brushed against her skin, making her sigh in excitement. Today was the day.

Her eyes sparkled as she whispered to herself, "Ufff… ek poora hafta… sirf masti, adventure, aur unlimited drama! Yahaan tak aana kaafi tha, ab toh jee bhar ke enjoy karna hai!" She twirled on her heels before grabbing her phone. "Bus ab yeh log ready ho jaayein, warna kahin late na ho jaaye!"

[ Ufff… a whole week of pure fun, adventure, and unlimited drama! Just reaching here was enough, but now… it’s time to enjoy to the fullest! ]

[ Now these people just need to get ready, or else we might end up getting late! ]

Downstairs, the dining area was a battlefield. Some were gulping down breakfast in record time, while others were busy stuffing snacks into their bags as if they were packing for an apocalypse.

"Arey yaar, itni chocolates kyun le rahi hai? Wahan nahi milengi kya?" Siya asked, raising a brow.

"Milengi, par yahan wali alag taste karti hai!" Kaira came the serious reply.

"Haan toh wahan ki chocolates try karne ka koi plan nahi hai kya?" Siya asked.

"Arre yaar, taste test toh zaroori hai!" Kaira said with a smug grin, making everyone laugh.

Everyone was laughing and chatting when suddenly, Ruhaan and Rishabh walked in.

As soon as Saanvi spotted Rishabh, her eyes lit up, and without wasting a second, she ran straight to him, wrapping him in a tight hug.

"Yrr kitne time baad mile hai.. Kutte saale.. tujhe meri ek baar bhi yaad nhi aai..?? Haa??" she pouted, smacking his arm.

[ Yaar! We’re meeting after so long! You idiot, didn’t you miss me even once? Huh? ]

Rishabh chuckled, hugging her back. "Aree pagal mein toh yaad karta hi tha.. Tu bestie hai na yrr.. tujhe nhi karunga toh kise karunga.."

[ Arey pagal! Of course, I missed you! You’re my bestie, yaar! If not you, then who else? ]

Saanvi narrowed her eyes but then sighed dramatically. "acha thik hai.. chalo sab abb chalte hai.."

[ Fine, I’ll forgive you this time! Now come on, let’s go! The trip awaits! ]

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Meanwhile, at Oberoi Mansion…

Unlike the vibrant chaos at Mehra Mansion, Oberoi Mansion was quieter—calm, but only on the surface. Because amidst the luxury and silence, stood Kabir, near his sleek black car, arms crossed, his jaw clenched.

His night had been hell.

His mind had been a battlefield, and sleep? Nowhere in sight. No matter how much he tossed and turned, her face kept haunting him. Those damn eyes. That ridiculous smile. It was as if she had taken residence inside his head, and he had no way of kicking her out.

He exhaled sharply, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "Kya ho raha hai mujhe? Ek trip hai bass. Relax kar, Kabir. Yeh sirf tujhe lag raha hai ki woh har jagah dikh rahi hai... par aisa kuch nahi hai."

[ What’s happening to me? It’s just a trip. Relax, Kabir. You’re just imagining things… it’s not like she’s everywhere for real. ]

While Kabir was lost in his thoughts, a sudden loud voice snapped him back to reality.

Veer said, "Arey, jaldi chalo sab! Bhai kabse bahar khade hain, aur tum log ab tak tayaar nahi hue?"

[ Arey, hurry up, everyone! Bhai has been waiting outside for so long, and you guys are still not ready? ]

Rhea, Vaanya, Devansh, Abhi, and Veer rushed towards the car. As soon as they all got into the luxurious vehicle, Kabir took the driver’s seat without giving anyone else a chance.

The moment he started the engine, Rhea narrowed her eyes at him and said, "Aap sure hai na ki bina race lagaye normal speed mein chala sakte hai bhaiyaa??"

[Are you sure you can drive at a normal speed without turning this into a race Bhaiya??]

Kabir glanced at her through the rearview mirror with a smirk. "Aree baba.. mein slow hi chalaaungi kyunki mujhe pata hai ki mere paale hue jaanwar mere saath hai"

[ Relax, baba... I'll drive slow because I know I have my pet animals with me.]

Everyone burst into laughter as the car sped down the road. The speakers blasted loud music, and soon, Vaanya leaned forward, shaking Kabir’s shoulder.

Vaanya said, "Suno suno! Pehle ek coffee stop lena, warna yeh road trip incomplete lagega!"

[ Listen, listen! We need to make a coffee stop first; otherwise, this road trip will feel incomplete! ]

Devansh added, "Phir toh snacks bhi lenge, warna sirf coffee pe survive nahi kar sakte."

[ If we’re stopping, then we’re getting snacks too. No way I’m surviving on just coffee! ]

Kabir smoothly turned the steering wheel, guiding the car onto the highway. "Theek hai, but bas ek stop. Uske baad direct Lonavala!"

[ Alright, but just one stop. After that, straight to Lonavala! ]

A chorus of cheers erupted as the music got even louder. Excitement filled the air—this trip was about to become unforgettable.

On the other side of the city, Sanvi and her gang of chaos—her friends and sister—had also set off for Lonavala, completely unaware that fate was weaving a story they couldn’t escape.

Their car zoomed down the highway like a scene straight out of a Bollywood road-trip movie—windows rolled down, music blasting at full volume, wind whipping through their hair as they sang at the top of their lungs. The excitement in the air was almost electric, the kind of thrill that came with freedom, adventure, and a little bit of recklessness.

"Lonavala, get ready! The real stars are on their way!" Riya announced like a true diva, flicking her hair dramatically.

Sanvi laughed, shaking her head as she adjusted her bracelet. "Bass yahi chahti hu mein ki pehle ki tarah hum jungle mein na kho jaaye" she teased, remembering their last chaotic trip where they had to bribe a local uncle to guide them back to the highway.

[ I just hope we don’t end up lost in some random jungle like last time. ]

Anaya took a sip of her iced coffee, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Babes, chill! Yeh trip legendary hone waali hai. No drama, no distractions—bas full on fun!"

[ This trip is going to be legendary, babes. No drama, no distractions—just pure, unfiltered fun! ]

After an hour of non-stop singing, inside jokes, and near-death driving experiences thanks to Riya’s questionable navigation skills, they finally decided to take a break at a cozy, bustling coffee shop on the way.

Completely oblivious to the fact that at that exact same café… another group had just pulled in.

A luxurious ride screeched to a stop outside. Doors swung open. Loud music, wild laughter, and an aura of unstoppable energy spilled out as Kabir and his gang made their grand entry.

And the moment Sanvi and her friends stepped inside..

The café bustled with life—clinking cups, soft chatter, and the rich aroma of coffee filling the air. It was a cozy little stop, the perfect place to take a break before the long drive ahead.

Saanvi’s Side~~~

Saanvi stretched her arms as she stepped out of the car, letting the cool breeze brush against her face. “"Finally! Mujhe abhi ek strong wali coffee chahiye!"

[ Finally! I need coffee, like, right now. ]

Riya groaned, fixing her hair in the car window reflection.

"Aur mujhe is bekaar DJ se thodi chhutti chahiye." She shot a look at Anaya, who had been playing old-school Bollywood heartbreak songs.

[ And I need a break from this horrible DJ. ]

“Excuse me? Arijit Singh is a vibe,” Anaya defended, crossing her arms.

Saanvi laughed. "Chalo jaldi andar chalte hain, kahin tum dono yahin ek full-blown concert na shuru kar do."

[ Let’s just get inside before you two start a full-blown concert here. ]

The group walked into the café, the warmth instantly welcoming them. They found a cozy corner and settled in, ordering their drinks.

Kabir’s Side~~~

At the same time, in the far corner of the café, another group had made themselves comfortable. Kabir leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the coffee cup. “This place isn’t bad. Good coffee, good vibe.”

Veer smirked. “Aur ek aur plus point—door tak traffic nahi hai. Gaadi full speed pe daudayenge.”

[ And one more plus point—no traffic till far ahead. We’re gonna race this car at full speed! ]

Rhea rolled her eyes. “Speed kam rakhna, warna trip se pehle hospital trip ho jayega.”

[ Drive slow, unless you want a detour to the hospital before Lonavala! ]

Kabir chuckled, stirring his coffee lazily. “Relax, baba. Main koi race nahi laga raha. Bas ek smooth drive karni hai.”

[ Relax, baba. I’m not racing, just going for a smooth drive. ]

None of them noticed the other group sitting just a few tables away.

The two groups laughed, sipped their coffees, and enjoyed the pit stop, completely unaware that their paths were already intertwined.

As Saanvi sat in the cafe, she leaned closer to Ishika, lowering her voice as she murmured, "Yaar, those guys at the next table… mujhe accha nahi lag raha. They’re not looking at us weirdly, right?"

Ishika barely spared them a glance before rolling her eyes. "Arey, chhod na. Hum kisi ke dekhne par thodi kuch kar sakte hain. Aise log kabhi nahi sudhrenge, tu bas ignore kar."

[ Arey, let it go. We can’t really do anything about people staring. Guys like them never change—just ignore them. ]

Saanvi pursed her lips but didn’t argue. She simply nodded, pushing the thought away.

But then, something clicked in her mind.

Her phone.

It was still in the car.

Turning to Rishabh, she tapped his arm. "Rishabh, sun… mera phone car mein reh gaya hai. Toh tu mujhe keys de de, main le aati hoon."

[ Rishabh, listen… I left my phone in the car. Give me the keys, I’ll go get it. ]

Without much thought, Rishabh handed her the keys, and she quickly made her way outside.

The parking lot was dimly lit, the quiet contrasting the lively atmosphere inside the cafe. Saanvi unlocked the car and bent down to search for her phone, her fingers brushing against the cold screen.

Just as she grabbed it, she felt a sudden tug on her dupatta.

Her breath hitched.

Her grip tightened around the phone as she turned around.

And there they were.

The same guys.

Standing uncomfortably close, their faces unreadable, their eyes holding something dark.

A shiver ran down her spine.

The cafe wasn’t too far, but it wasn’t close enough either.

Her pulse spiked as a single thought rang in her mind—Run.

Yanking her dupatta free, she bolted.

Her legs burned as she ran towards the cafe, her heart hammering against her ribs. But within seconds, she heard them behind her—footsteps chasing her down.

Panic clawed at her throat as she tried to scream, but fear strangled her voice, making it come out weak, barely above a whisper.

No. I can’t stop. I have to reach the cafe.

Her breaths came out in ragged gasps, her vision blurring with terror. They were getting closer.

And all she could do was run...

Saanvi’s lungs burned as she ran, her legs threatening to give out beneath her. She could hear them—footsteps pounding behind her, closer, closer. She pushed forward, ignoring the sharp pain stabbing through her ribs, ignoring the fear clawing at her throat. Just a little more. Just a few more steps. The cafe lights flickered in the distance like a beacon, but the gap between her and safety felt endless.

Then—a hand.

Cold fingers curled around her wrist, yanking her back with brutal force. She choked on a gasp, her body stumbling, her heart hammering like a war drum.

No, no, no—

Her scream barely left her lips before—

A deafening crash.

Something heavy hit the ground. A grunt of pain. A deep, thunderous voice slicing through the night.

“Touch her again, and I’ll kill you.”

The grip on her wrist vanished. The suffocating fear shifted into something else—confusion. What just happened?

Saanvi blinked, trying to focus, but her vision blurred. She could barely make out the chaotic scene in front of her—a fight. A brutal, merciless fight.

Someone had come for her.

She swayed on her feet, the adrenaline fading, leaving behind only exhaustion. Her body felt too heavy, her breath too shallow. She tried to see, tried to understand, but her knees buckled.

And then—strong arms caught her before she could hit the ground..

Some time ago...

Kabir suddenly got a call, making him step out of the café. As he spoke, lost in conversation, he unknowingly walked past the café’s main gate, ending up near the parking area—just a little farther than where the cars were parked.

Then as he stepped ahead, he heard it—a scream.

Faint. Weak. But undeniably hers.

His gaze snapped toward the sound, his instincts kicking in before his brain even processed it. His body moved on autopilot, a deadly force of nature. He saw her—a girl running, terror etched in every frantic step. And behind her? Five men, hunting her like wolves.

A fire ignited in his chest, pure rage surging through his veins.

His first punch landed before the bastards even realized what was happening. A sickening crunch. One of them crumpled to the ground. Another turned, but Kabir was faster. One strike to the ribs—crack. The guy wheezed, stumbling back. The rest barely had time to react before Kabir’s men descended on them like shadows, reducing them to nothing more than broken, bloodied figures on the pavement.

Kabir didn’t even spare them a second glance.

His focus was solely on her.

She stood there, swaying, her breaths uneven. Shit. She was on the verge of collapse.

And then, her body gave out.

Kabir lunged forward, catching her before she could hit the ground. Too light. Too fragile. He barely had time to process the fact that she was in his arms before he got his first good look at her face.

His breath hitched.

Saanvi.

For a moment, the chaos disappeared.

Memories crashed into him like a tidal wave. The girl he never forgot. The one who had unknowingly walked into his life when she was just a college student, oblivious to the fact that he had been watching over her even then.

She was here. In his arms. and he meet her Again.

His jaw tightened as he cradled her against his chest. She didn’t recognize him. She didn’t even see him. Because she was unconscious.....

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Kabir carefully lifted Saanvi in his arms and carried her outside the café. His gaze then fell on her phone, which surprisingly had no password. Without wasting a second, he checked the last dialed number and called it, hoping someone would come to pick her up by tracking the location or any other means. After making the call, he quietly left the place.

The last call Saanvi had made was to Rishabh.

Inside the cafe, everyone was chatting when Ishika suddenly noticed Saanvi’s absence and said "Saanvi apna phone lene gayi thi, lekin ab tak wapas nahi aayi… Woh kaha chali gayi? Bohot der ho gayi hai."

[ Saanvi went to get her phone, but she hasn’t come back yet… Where is she? It’s been too long. ]

Just then, Rishabh checked his phone and saw a missed call from Saanvi. His expression turned serious, and without wasting another second, he and the others rushed outside to search for her. Rishabh tracked her location, and soon, they found Saanvi lying unconscious on a bench near the parking lot.

Panic spread among them as they hurried to her side.

Anaya gasped, her voice laced with worry. "Saanvi ka dupatta faata hua kyun hai…? Aur woh behosh kyun hai?"

[Why is Saanvi’s dupatta torn…? And why is she unconscious? ]

Kavya quickly brought a water bottle, while Siya sprinkled water on Saanvi’s face. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open.

Kaira leaned closer, her voice trembling. "Di, kya hua? Hum aapko yaha behosh paaye… aur aapka dupatta… yeh fataa hua hai."

[ Di, what happened? We found you unconscious here… And your dupatta… it’s torn. ]

Samaira asked anxiously, "Saanvi, tum thik ho? Tum apna phone lene gayi thi… itni der kyun lag gayi?"

[ Saanvi, are you okay? You went to get your phone… Why did it take so long? ]

Saanvi, still shaken, her voice barely above a whisper, said, "wohh.. wohh ladke.. ishika... meine kaha.. meine kahaa tha na.. woh ladke thik nhi lag rhe.. woh na mujhe chhed rhe the.. mera dupatta unhone pehle khincha... orr.. orr naa.. Fir mein bhaagi.. bohot der tak bhaagii.. fir.. fir...

[ Those… those guys… Ishika… I told you… I told you they seemed off. They… they were harassing me… One of them pulled my dupatta first… and… and then… ]

Rishabh’s fists clenched, anger burning in his eyes. "Haa Saanvi bolo fir kya hua.. unhone kuch kiyaa.. mein nhi chhodunga unhone.."

[ Then what, Saanvi? What did they do? I swear I won’t spare them.. ]

Saanvi swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she continued, "fir naa.. Koi aaya.. Koi toh aaya jisne unn sabhi ko bohot maara lekin mein usko dekh hi nhi paayi kyunki mujhe hosh hi nhi tha orr jab tak dekh paati tab tak mein bohosh gyi.. orr fir mein yaha kaise aayi woh bhi mujhe yaad nhi..."

[ Then… someone came… Someone fought them… He beat them up so badly… But… but I couldn’t see him… I had already lost consciousness. By the time I could even try, I had blacked out… And now, I don’t even know how I ended up here… ]

After that, Siya said to Samaira, "Samaira di.. Saanvi di ko abb waapis leke chalte hai.. fir lonavla bhi pohochna hai Hume.. "

[ Samaira di... we need to take Saanvi di back now... we still have to reach Lonavla... ]

After all of this, Samaira, Anaya, Kaira, Siya, and everyone else grab Saanvi and lead her into the café. After picking up their things from the café, they all get into their cars and head straight towards Lonavla.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Kabir is sitting, and now Kabir, along with his cousins and friends, also sets off for Lonavla.

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At Night 🌙

Saanvi and the others finally arrive in Lonavla and head straight to the reception to grab their room keys. Each of them has their own single room, so they all go off in different directions to their rooms.

On the other side, Kabir, along with his cousins and friends, also checks into the luxurious hotel in Lonavla. The receptionist hands them their room keys, and then Kabir and the others head off to their respective rooms.

Saanvi places her bag down in her room and sits on the bed, speaking to herself, "Aaj ka din.. the worst day.. thank you Krishna ji ki aapne uss bhale insaan ko bhej diya tha mujhe bachaane ke liye.. Chal abb saanvi jyada mat soch fresh ho le orr dress bhi change karna hai" Saying that, Saanvi quickly grabs her face wash and heads toward the washroom.

[ Today... the worst day. Thank you, Krishna ji, for sending that kind soul to save me... Alright, Saanvi, don't overthink it. Freshen up and change your dress. ]

Meanwhile, on the other side, Kabir, carrying his stuff and keys, checks the room number and walks towards the room. He mutters to himself, "Damn it... Mein kabhi na apna saamaan khud uthaata hu orr na hi ese room dhundhta hu.. This trip has completely changed me... Ah, here it is, room number 302..."

[ Damn it... I never carry my stuff myself, and I never look for rooms like this... This trip has completely changed me... Ah, here it is, room number 302... ]

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And that's a wrap fo this chapter! 🎉

Things are slowly falling into place, but there's so much more to come! What do you think will happen next? Drop your thoughts in the comments-I'd love to hear them! 💬

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Stay tuned for the next update!

SEE YAAHHHH!!! 👋😄