Rey’s manor, Ayaan’s villa and every property belonging to Rey and Mithun’s family were placed under tight security. Ayaan instructed everyone in the family to stay indoors and work from home for a while. With Hari’s help, he had arranged additional men to keep watch on Suryadev and his close associates.
Ayaan was gently massaging Zara’s back when his phone started ringing. Seeing Sameer’s name on the screen, Zara answered the call and turned on the speaker.
“Sir, please take a look at the breaking news,” Sameer said and his voice was laced with panic.
Sensing the urgency, Zara immediately turned on the news channel. The screen flashed BREAKING NEWS in bold and the reporter’s urgent voice filled the room.
“A violent clash has erupted between two major communities in the Varnapur district . What began as a small argument has escalated into a brutal riot, leaving 15 people dead and dozens injured.“
( Varnapur is just a imaginary place for the story and that doesn’t exist in our country )
Zara’s hand flew to her mouth. The reporter continued, standing before a screen that displayed the smoke-filled streets and burning vehicles.
“Police were forced to open breakout force to control the situation. Tear gas shells have been fired and additional battalions have been deployed. The situation is extremely tense.“
Another clip appeared, showing social activists from both communities addressing the media. One side accused the other of attacking their people, while the rival group fiercely defended their youth and demanded justice. The heated exchange on the screen made the room feel colder.
“Sweetheart, don’t watch the news. Please rest for a while or put on something that keeps you at peace,” Ayaan said, kissing her forehead before leaving the room.
He entered the study to find Sameer standing before the huge plasma screen, multiple news channels playing at once. Sameer held his iPad and his laptop was already open on Ayaan’s table.
“What’s happening, Sameer? Who are these people?” Ayaan asked and Sameer turned his laptop toward him. “Sir, this looks staged. A planned distraction.” he said.
Ayaan frowned. “Suryadev?”
Sameer nodded. “Yes, sir. The CBI was supposed to reveal the name of the senior official involved in your assassination attempt. This chaos seems engineered to divert attention. He has ordered the CBI to withhold any information that might escalate the situation. He’s using his power to stop them from revealing the name.”
Ayaan raked his fingers through his hair just as his phone rang. Seeing the CSO’s name, he answered immediately.
“Sir, Madam Vaishnavi wants to fly to Delhi right away.” he said and Ayaan let out a long breath.
“She’s right, she needs to be there in a crisis like this. But it’s not safe. This could be the trap Suryadev set, expecting my mother to step out. Prepare the jet. I’m flying with her. I want tight security.” Ayaan ordered and ended the call.
“Get to the bottom of this. Gather every detail about the people involved. The police won’t dig deep, but we will. Also inform the chief guard handling Advik to give him the best treatment. I want to know every dirty job he has done. I want him to confess willingly.” Ayaan said to Sameer and left the study.
He returned to the bedroom, where Zara was packing a small bag. He hugged her from behind and kissed her shoulder.
“What time will you leave?” she asked softly knowing the situation would sure need him and Vaishu at the capital.
“Let’s go to the manor first. I’ll discuss everything with Mom and Dad. I’ll be gone for only a day or two. The situation’s too unstable for Mom to travel alone. I’ll return as soon as I can,” he promised and Zara nodded, swallowing her fear.
They reached the manor and found Vaishu just returning after meeting officials from the state party.
“Mom, I’ll fly with you,” Ayaan said immediately but Vaishu interrupted him, “No, Ayaan. You stay back. Zara needs you right now. I trust our security system.”
Ayaan shook his head firmly. “Mom, the plan is simple. We fly to Delhi, you meet the party head, and I’ll arrange a controlled interaction with the press. But before that, I need to handle something important there. It’s just for a day and we shall return right after. Please pack only salwars. And you’re not stepping out without a bulletproof vest.” He said in a strict tone.
Before she could argue, he turned to Pari.
“Pari, please take care of Zara while I’m gone. Since Ishaan bro is in London, you shall sleep with Zara. I want pictures of her having all her meals and her tablets. No late-night chats or movies. She needs proper rest or her back might hurt again. Call the nurse to massage her feet if they swell. And you will call me immediately if she feels even the slightest discomfort.” he said.
Pari saluted playfully. “Yes, Captain.”
Ayaan nodded and glanced at his father. “Dad, you’ll be wearing bulletproof too.”
Then he gently took Zara’s hand and led her toward their room in the west wing of the manor. In their room, Ayaan cupped Zara’s face and pressed his forehead to hers.
“I’m so sorry, Zara. I never wanted to leave you now. But I swear, this will be the only time I go without you. I just need to handle a few things so Mom can travel safely for her campaigns.” he said and Zara nodded, though her eyes glistened.
“Please… wear the bulletproof vest,” she whispered and he felt her fear like it was his own.
“I’m far too greedy to live this life with you, sweetheart. I promised you, we would stay alive to see our grandchildren get married. I’ll be safe. I’ll come back to you, to love you forever. I love you, Zara.” he murmured, brushing his thumb over her cheek and kissed her deeply.
“I’ll make up for every second I’m gone,” he added with a soft smile and Zara hugged him tightly. Ayaan stroked her back with one hand while the other gently rested on her baby bump.
“Daddy will be back in a day or two and I want you two to behave, okay? Don’t trouble your mamma… take care of her for me.” he whispered to their unborn babies and kneeling down, he kissed her belly tenderly, a warm smile touching his lips.
Ayaan, Sameer, Vaishu and Reyansh arrived in Delhi and were immediately escorted to a waiting convoy. The cars moved swiftly through the secured route, heading straight to their private bungalow, where Hari and Leela stood ready to receive them.
On the way, Sameer contacted an intelligence officer and requested every detail of those involved in the riot, the cause of the outrage and every thread that could reveal who had orchestrated it.
“I knew this was coming. Suryadev always pulls something like this when he wants to distract the public from the truth that could expose him.” Hari muttered the moment Ayaan stepped inside.
Ayaan nodded grimly. “We need solid evidence against him. Something strong enough to keep him under control. Mom has to complete her campaign safely. And when the time is right, we’ll make Nafel and Suryadev turn on each other. They’ll fight, destroy one another, maybe even finish each other off… and we won’t lift a finger. We’ll simply watch.”
Reyansh stared at his son, stunned. “You really think it’ll be that easy? They’ve worked together for years. They’ve toppled people for money, for power.” he said and Ayaan let out a low chuckle.
“Exactly, Dad. Money and power make even the strongest alliances crumble. I’ll exploit that. But not yet. It’s too soon. Right now, all we need is one key, one piece of leverage strong enough to keep Suryadev far away from our family.” Ayaan said and Reyansh nodded, trusting his son without a shred of doubt.
Ayaan entered his room and immediately video-called Zara. She answered on the first ring.
“Miss you, sweetheart,” he said softly.
Zara narrowed her eyes at him. “Liar. I know you’ll be buried in work. Don’t pretend like you miss me already.” she said.
“You have no idea how badly I want to be beside you holding you in my arms. I’ll prove it when I’m back. Now tell me, did you have dinner?” he asked and she nodded her head.
“You look beautiful, Zara. Cute, chubby… and absolutely ravishing.” he said looking at her dreamily and her cheeks flared with color, though she tried her best to act unfazed. They talked for a while until Pari entered with a glass of milk. Ayaan cut the call reluctantly and headed to the study where Hari was waiting.
“Grandpa, we need a more strategic approach. Can you speak with the cabinet ministers? We must make sure they withdraw their support for Suryadev in the next election. I want them to align with Mom’s party.” Ayaan said and Hari chuckled.
“You’re a ruthless businessman and a merciless politician, Ayaan but do you think it’s that simple? They’ve spent their entire careers inside that party.” Hari replied.
Ayaan accepted the glass of whiskey Hari poured and shrugged. “Grandpa, everything has a price. We’ll pay it if that’s what they want. And if not… we’ll make them understand the consequences of refusing. For them, it’s either bend or break. I don’t want this to turn into a war. Try your way first. Anyone who doesn’t listen… I’ll handle my way” Ayaan said and Hari’s lips curved into a smirk as he nodded.
“We also need a strong propaganda plan for the election, not the usual scripted nonsense, but a real, people-centric vision. A team that can analyze the current government’s failures and outline what the nation truly needs. Choose capable people for that team,” Ayaan added.
Hari ruffled his hair thoughtfully. “Do you even know what authority the party head holds?”
Ayaan smirked. “He should be grateful we’re letting him sit in the hot seat. I doubt he even thinks twenty percent of what we plan for this country.”
Hari laughed under his breath. “Vaishu is the best person to lead the propaganda team. I’ll oversee it with her. Consider it done.” he said and Ayaan nodded, satisfied and returned to his room.
In the morning, Ayaan woke up and blindly reached for his phone with half-closed eyes. When he finally opened them, Zara’s photo filled his screen. He smiled, kissed the wallpaper gently and checked the time. He knew she would still be asleep so he got ready and stepped into the living room where Sameer sat with Reyansh and Hari, sipping coffee.
“Sir, we have the full details of the men behind last night’s riot. The police and intelligence have received everything too, but they won’t release a single word to the public because of Suryadev ‘s orders. All the men involved were volunteers from his party though they recently resigned. We also have footage showing how they initiated the clash and escalated it into a riot.” Sameer said opening his laptop.
Ayaan nodded once. “Good. What about Advik?” he asked.
Sameer clicked into another file and Ayaan’s jaw tightened as videos and statements unfolded.
Confessions from Advik’s friends revealing that he had raped and buried two girls in his farmhouse. A clip of Advik himself admitting his father’s involvement in Vaishnavi’s assassination attempt years ago. Evidence of Suryadev’s direct contact with a terrorist group.
“His friends even recorded him raping and killing a girl. I have the video,” Sameer added quietly and Ayaan leaned back, eyes narrowing as he planned his next move.
“Make copies of everything. Send them to Suryadev’s residence from an anonymous source. Add a note saying he’ll receive a call by evening ” Ayaan said and Sameer nodded.
Just then Vaishnavi entered with a cup of coffee.
“Mom, we have the full details of everyone involved in the riot. Sameer will release it all to PTI and across social media. You can face the press and expose how Suryadev orchestrated this chaos, pretending to be a peacemaker while his men burned the streets.” Ayaan said and Vaishu went through the documents and her expression turned steel-sharp.
Later, Ayaan, Vaishu and Sameer arrived at the party office. Ayaan instructed the party head to mobilize every member and volunteer to trend the videos exposing Suryadev’s crimes.
Vaishnavi and the party head then stepped before the cameras. The party head slammed Suryadev and his party and following him Vaishu took over addressing the press and media.
” Good morning. I extend my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in this unfortunate clash. May their families find strength and peace in this difficult time. Before I speak as a politician, I speak as a citizen of this nation that has suffered enough because of corruption, manipulation and power-hungry leaders who place their own ambition above the lives of ordinary people.
Yesterday, the country witnessed a violent clash that took the lives of innocent men and women. Families are grieving while the nation is shaken. And today, I stand here with evidence, that this riot was not a spontaneous outbreak, not a misunderstanding between communities, but a well-orchestrated distraction by the honorable prime minister and his close associates to distract people because the truth was closing in on them.
We now have verified documents and videos proving that the individuals who triggered this riot were former volunteers of the ruling party. We have proof that they were instructed and funded to disrupt peace, create chaos and shift the nation’s attention away from ongoing investigations.
This is not just corruption, this is criminal governance. A leader who uses violence to silence the truth has no moral right to hold public office. Therefore, on behalf of every citizen who deserves justice, safety and transparency, I demand that Mr. Suryadev immediately step down from his position and face investigation under the law. The seat of leadership is not a throne of immunity. It is a responsibility he has failed.
Our nation cannot progress when its peace is traded for political survival. Our people cannot move forward when their trust is betrayed. And our democracy cannot function when fear becomes a tool of governance.
Let this be a turning point.
We will not allow criminals to walk in white clothes. We will not allow silence to bury the truth.
And we will not allow our nation to be torn apart for the greed of one man.
Justice will prevail. The truth will rise. And so will the people of this country.
Thank you.” Vaishu said and looked at her assistant who gave files carrying evidence to everyone of them.
Ayaan presence in the party house sparked a lot of speculations that he might join politics. Ayaan held his mother’s hand and walked to the car surrounded by the tight security.
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