My jaw tightens. “We need eyes and ears on every single one of them. I want to know what they’re planning before they even think about making their first move.”
Haider nods immediately. With that, we head to the office cabin to decide our next course of action. Just like that, the husband disappears. And the mafia prince takes over once again.
SIYA
Same Night
A faint, broken whisper from beside me pulls me out of sleep. At first, I think I’m dreaming. I keep my eyes closed for a second longer, my mind too caught between sleep and wakefulness to make sense of the sound. But when it comes again, raw with pain...
“Maa...”
...every trace of sleep leaves my body.
Instinctively, I reach for the bedside lamp. As the warm glow spills across the room, every ounce of colour drains from my face at the sight before me. Those broken, pained whispers are from Raghav, who looks trapped in the grip of some nightmare. His brows are tightly drawn together, and his jaw is clenched. Beads of sweat glisten on his forehead despite the coolness of the room. His fingers are fisted so tightly around the bedsheet that his knuckles have turned stark white.
His breathing is frantic, as though he’s running for his life... yet he’s unable to escape.
I had seen him return to the villa almost an hour ago. Even then, one look at his face had been enough to tell me he was in a terrible mood. I’d been on a call with Meher at the time, and noticing his expression, I decided not to press him when he clearly wanted to be left alone. So I decided to talk to him later.
But seeing him like this now, trapped in distress with his entire body tense even in sleep... I realise this is far more than just a bad mood. Something is definitely wrong.
“Maa...”
Without thinking, I lean towards him, my hand instinctively settling on his shoulder.
“Raghav...” I call softly.
There’s no response. If anything, his breathing becomes even harsher, more desperate. His entire body trembles slightlybeneath the blanket, as though he’s fighting someone only he can see.
“Raghav...” I panic, gripping both his shoulders and shaking him properly.
His eyes fly open, and he jerks upright with such force that I instinctively stumble backwards on the bed.
For one terrifying moment, he doesn’t know where he is. His chest rises and falls violently as he looks around the room with wild, unfocused eyes, every muscle in his body rigid, every instinct still trapped inside whatever nightmare he has just escaped.
I remain exactly where I am, not daring to touch him again. I simply sit there, waiting, watching him struggle to steady his breathing. Slowly, his gaze lands on me and recognition returns. But the terror doesn’t leave his eyes.
“Raghav...” I whisper as gently as possible. “It’s okay. You’re awake now.”
Without saying a single word, he throws the blanket aside and swings his legs off the bed. I quickly climb down after him.
“Raghav...”
He begins walking towards the bathroom without looking back.
“Talk to me.”
His steps falter for barely a heartbeat.
“Go back to sleep, Siya.”
“No, not after seeing you like that.” I take another step towards him. “If something’s wrong... maybe I can help.”
Before I can stop him, he disappears into the bathroom. The door closes while I remain where I am, feeling unsettled.He’s definitely not okay.I hear the sound of running water from inside. He’s probably taking a shower, but something in me refuses to leave him alone. I walk towards the bathroom andturn the knob. The door opens easily. He must have forgotten to lock it.
Raghav is standing beneath the shower, still fully clothed, as icy water pours relentlessly over him, soaking every inch of his body. His palms are braced against the glass wall of the shower enclosure, his forehead resting heavily against it as though it’s the only thing keeping him upright. His shoulders continue to tremble, not from the cold, but because whatever haunted him in his sleep hasn’t loosened its grip yet.
He’s aware that I’m here, but he doesn’t move or ask me to leave. Not even when I step into the shower right beside him. The freezing water crashes over me, and within seconds, my nightclothes cling to my skin, but I barely notice it. Because all I can see ishim.
