Siya stepped inside the study room.

For a moment, she just stood there—then slowly walked toward her father’s desk.

Her fingers brushed over familiar things: papers neatly stacked, a pen he always used, the faint scent that still felt like him.

Then her eyes fell on an old newspaper lying in one corner.

She picked it up.

The headline caught her attention instantly.

“MITTAL”

Her jaw tightened.

She read further, her hands trembling as memories came crashing back—

How Raj mittal had dragged her to the mandap.

How Veer had shouted.

How the gunshot echoed.

How her father fell.

Her chest tightened.

She closed her eyes hard and whispered through clenched teeth,

“Mittals…”

Rajveer’s words echoed in her mind.

Their enmity is old.

Her eyes snapped open.

Without wasting another second, she began searching through her father’s things—files, drawers, old documents.

“Who are the Mittals?” she murmured to herself.She didn't know about the mittals

Her hands shook, but her resolve hardened.

She took out her phone and dialed a number.

“Raghav?” she said when the call connected.

“Oh—hi, Siya,” Raghav replied. “I heard about you…”

She went silent.

“I’m sorry,” Raghav added quickly. “I’m in America right now.”

“I need your help, Raghav,” she said, her voice firm.

There was no hesitation from his side.

“Tell me.”

Raghav paused for a second, then said,

“Fine. I’ll send you his number but be careful and take care.”

Siya let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

“Thank you, Raghav.”

He smiled softly on the other end.

“It’s okay. Fight, Siya. You’re brave.”

She smiled faintly and ended the call.

At the same time, a strange uneasiness settled in Aarav’s chest.

Without thinking, he dialed Siya’s number.

No answer.

His brows knitted together as he tried again—still nothing.

He immediately called Kavita.

“Where is Siya mom she is not picking up my phone?” he asked.

“She went to her house,” Kavita replied.

Aarav stiffened.

“Alone?”

“Yes,” Kavita said. “She was insisting. Paakhi was busy too.”

He exhaled sharply.

“Okay… fine. I’m going to Siya.”

Before Kavita could reply, he disconnected the call.

Aarav grabbed his blazer, his mind racing.

“Why would this girl go alone…” he muttered under his breath.

Sliding into his car, he started the engine, his grip tight on the steering wheel.

“Please be safe,” he whispered.

Within minutes, the Singhania mansion came into view.

He parked the car, stepped out, and walked inside—his heart pounding with a feeling he couldn’t ignore.

Siya stood inside her father’s study, staring at the old newspaper in her hands.

“Mittals growing up…”

Her jaw tightened. She turned her face away, her fingers clenching the paper. Slowly, she picked up the lighter.

Click.

The flame caught the edge of the newspaper. She watched it burn, her eyes cold, unblinking. When the fire rose higher, she threw it into the metal bin.

“Be ready, Mittals,” she said quietly.

Just then, footsteps echoed behind her.

Outside the study, Aarav had arrived. A maid stopped him and said,

“Sir, ma’am is in her father’s study.”

As he stepped forward, he saw Siya walking out.

Their eyes met.

He walked up to her, concern clear on his face.

“Why did you come here alone?”

Siya looked at him calmly.

“Aarav, this is my home I can come here whenever I want.”

He sighed, helpless.

“Yes… but—”

“Don’t worry. I’m okay. See?” siya said, forcing a small smile.

She turned to the maid.

“Bring my bag.”

The maid nodded.

“And clean father’s study too,” Siya added softly.

The maid nodded again and left.

When the bag arrived, Siya took it and said,

“I came to take my things… especially the ones Veer bhai gifted me.”

She smiled faintly.

Aarav swallowed hard.

You’re the strongest girl I know, he thought, turning his face away so she wouldn’t see his emotions.

“Let’s go, Aarav,” she said.

He nodded.

They walked out of the mansion together.

Before getting into the car, Siya turned back one last time and looked at her home—the place that once echoed with laughter, now wrapped in silence.

Then she sat inside the car.

And drove away.

Siya brought the bag into her room and started putting her things away. Just then, her phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen and typed a short reply.

Okay." Keep an eye on him."

She locked the phone and continued arranging her clothes when Paakhi walked in. She paused at the door, looking at Siya for a moment, then smiled and entered.

“Bhabhi, let me help you,” Paakhi said, already picking up a few clothes.

As they arranged the wardrobe together, Paakhi noticed a section of western outfits. She looked at Siya and smiled.

“Bhabhi… these?”

Siya nodded.

“Yes. I always wear western clothes. I love them. But now…” Her voice trailed off.

Paakhi smiled reassuringly.

“You can wear them here too.”

Siya looked at her in surprise.

“Really?”

Paakhi nodded without hesitation.

A genuine smile appeared on Siya’s face.

Paakhi then noticed a box placed carefully on the side. She opened it and her eyes widened.

“These bangles are all so beautiful.”

Siya looked at them and said softly,

“Veer gave me all of these.”

Paakhi looked at Siya, understanding the emotion behind her words. Siya gave a faint smile.

Paakhi changed the mood and said,

“Next month there’s a relative’s wedding. We all have to go.”

Siya nodded.

“Fine.”

“It will be fun,” Paakhi said excitedly. Then she added, “Bhabhi, let’s go shopping.”

Siya smiled tiredly.

“Tomorrow. Today I’m really tired.”

Paakhi laughed.

“Okay. Tomorrow it is.”