COLLUSION: THE WEB OF COFFINED TRUTHS (PART1)

January 15, 2021

VR OFFICE – Rehansh & Vansh's Cabin – 12:30 PM

"Come in!" Rehansh said firmly.

"Hi, Rehan Bhai!" Arhaan greeted him as he entered.

"Is the work done?" Rehansh asked, his tone sharp.

"Not exactly," Arhaan admitted, drawing the attention of both Rehansh and Shivin.

"What do you mean?" Shivin asked.

"Well… I couldn't track his exact location yet, but I managed to get the blueprints of all his properties in Maharashtra," Arhaan blurted out quickly.

Rehansh chuckled lightly, while Shivin smiled, leaving Arhaan confused by their reactions.

"Good work, Arhaan!" Rehansh patted him on the back.

"Why don't we go out for lunch?" he suggested.

"Sure, Bhai! But it's your treat!" Arhaan teased.

"Haha, fine… Let's go," Rehansh agreed, and they left the office, leaving Shivin behind to review new business deals.

Divine Pizzeria – 1:30 PM

"I swear, Bhai! The pizza here is amazing! You have to try it!" Arhaan exclaimed excitedly as he stepped out of the car.

Rehansh chuckled, nodding as he followed him inside. He took a seat at the table while Arhaan went to place the order.

"Rehan!" A familiar voice called out.

A smile spread across Rehansh's face as he turned to see Arya approaching with her usual bright smile. He opened his arms for a hug, but instead, she did what she loved most—irritating him by pulling his cheeks as if he were a child.

"Arya, come on!" he groaned in annoyance, making her giggle. He couldn't help but admire her radiant smile.

Neither of them noticed Arhaan, who stood frozen in shock. His serious, composed brother—who never let anyone get too close—was whining like a child because of a small woman's playful teasing? Arhaan couldn't believe his eyes.

"Here for lunch?" Arya asked.

"Yes. Why don't you join us?" Rehansh invited warmly.

"Us? Who else is with you?" she asked curiously.

"My cousin brother… Uh, Arhaan," he said, pointing towards the stunned Arhaan. "Arhaan! Stop staring and come over!"

Snapping out of his trance, Arhaan walked up to them.

"Hi!" Arya greeted with a warm smile.

"Hello, Arya! I'm Arhaan… Arhaan Raisinghania." He extended his hand for a handshake, which she gladly accepted.

"Oh! The music producer?" she asked, intrigued.

"Yep! The one and only," Arhaan said, winking playfully.

Rehansh's eyes narrowed instantly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you in person, Mr. Raisinghania," Arya said politely.

"No, no! It's just Arhaan for you, beautiful," he smirked, making Rehansh glare at him.

"Alright, enough introductions! Let's eat," Rehansh interrupted, giving Arhaan a tight-lipped smile.

As the food arrived, Rehansh and Arya laughed and talked, completely engaged in their conversation. Arhaan, though feeling slightly left out, was happy—genuinely happy. His brother, who had never even had a crush before, was now completely smitten with this lively, talkative girl. Watching Rehansh laugh wholeheartedly for the first time in years was a relief. Arhaan could only hope they would end up together.

Amritsar – SG Office Building – 2:00 PM

"What the hell is wrong with you all?" a furious voice roared through the office.

The terrified men trembled as Rishaan slammed the table, his eyes burning with fury.

"I gave you one job. One damn job—to locate them! And you failed!" he seethed, his intimidating presence making them cower in fear.

"Rish, please calm down!" A soft, soothing voice echoed as Anaya placed a gentle hand on his arm, rubbing his back to ease his anger.

"Anu… How can I calm down?" Rishaan sighed, his voice laced with pain. "My siblings are missing… I have no idea what they're going through. And the case… Who the hell shut it down with such a pathetic excuse when it was clearly not an accident?"

"That idiot bodyguard, Abhimanyu, won't even answer our calls! It's been 21 days since the incident, and we still don't know their whereabouts," Zeeshaan added in frustration.

"We have to tell Mom and Dad," he sighed.

"No, Zee! We can't involve them," Anaya argued. "They're at the ashram for a spiritual retreat. They've cut off contact to find peace, and we can't shatter that peace—especially with Dad's health. It wouldn't be right."

"But Anu Bhabhi—"

"She's right," Rishaan interrupted. "Mom and Dad entrusted everything to me when they retired. Now I am the King of The Shergill Empire, I can't go running to them for everything."

Zeeshaan sighed. "Fine… But do we at least have any leads on Aishu?"

"No," Anaya said grimly.

"I have to find them. And I will," Rishaan declared, his determination unwavering.

Turning to his men, his voice was sharp and commanding. "Get back to work. No more mistakes, no more excuses. I want a way to contact my sister. Is that clear?"

The terrified men nodded quickly and rushed to their tasks.

"We'll find them, Rish. I promise," Anaya reassured him, wrapping her arms around him. Rishaan held her tightly, finding comfort in her presence.

Zeeshaan watched them, touched by their bond, but before he could step back, Rishaan pulled him into the hug as well. In that moment of distress, they found solace in each other.

January 17, 2021 – Sarvodaya Apartments – 8:30 AM

The doorbell rang loudly, waking Arya from her sleep. Groaning, she dragged herself to the door and opened it.

"Good morning, sunshine!" Rehansh greeted cheerfully.

"Hmm… Morning," she mumbled sleepily, rubbing her eyes as she let him in.

"You don't look fresh," he observed.

"I had a double shift last night… Covered Sri's shift too. I'm half dead right now," she muttered groggily.

"Oh… I'm sorry. But you needed to wake up for breakfast. Do you know how worried I was when you didn't answer my calls?" he complained, heading to the kitchen.

"The plates are in the top cabinet. Spoons are in the left drawer," she directed him as he struggled.

"I'll serve breakfast. You go freshen up," he ordered.

After 45 minutes, she returned, feeling refreshed.

"Thanks, Rehan! Today, idli tastes extra delicious," she sighed in delight.

"How about an ice cream treat after this?" he suggested.

"Oh? You're treating me? Something special happened?" she teased.

"Sort of…" he smirked.

"What do you mean?" she asked curiously.

"There was a deal… It didn't go as planned, but we've got bigger plans in motion. And I know we're going to win this one."

Arya didn't understand the business talk, but his happiness was infectious. "Well, good for you! Best of luck with your big plans and new deal!"

He thought about how to tell her the truth about his mafia ties but pushed the thought aside.

"Maybe one day, I'll explain," he said.

"You better give me a tour of your office then," she laughed.

"Of course! But for now, let's get that ice cream."

They stepped out, and instead of taking the car, Arya insisted they walk. As they reached the ice cream shop, they spotted a little girl—barefoot, crying, and begging for food.

Arya's heart ached. Without hesitation, she took the child home, bathed her, bought her new clothes, and fed her.

Watching Arya's kindness, Rehansh fell even deeper in love.

He used his influence to get the girl admitted into an orphanage with a school nearby. Arya was moved by his generosity.

As she looked at him with admiration, something shifted between them. She wasn't sure what it was, but in that moment, she knew—Rehansh was someone special. And Rehansh? He already knew she was the one he could never let go of.