As Surendra looked at the monkey emoji, his eyes widen—no one dared to do this but she..

Kanak snatch her phone from him ran from there, and said while running," send me the pictures".

She was running, but collided with someone, her eyes widen, a chill ran down her spine ,soon the air was filled with the whispers of past—the past never stays dead, every flashback she tried to forget were coming in front of her.

With trembling Voice, kanak looked at that person," you".

" Where is Kanak and Surendra?" Everyone was waiting for them in the cafeteria.

" They both will come, I'm very hungry, so I'm eating", garv said and started eating.

As the scene shifted to kanak, she held the hand of that person and took him to the safe place where no one could see her.

That person hugged kanak tightly, " aap kaha thi, apko itne saalo baad—".

" What are you doing here?", kanak said her voice held something deep hidden or burried inside her.

" I had some work here that's why, but what are you doing here, and from now you will come with me", that person said, his voice filled with the final decision.

" It's my college, and I'm not going anywhere, leaving this place, and don't you dare to tell anyone about me being here", kanak said her voice strict.

" But why?", that person questioned her.

" There is no need for you to ask me why and where, I'm telling you something and you have to follow that", kanak commanded .

" Okay, but you have to meet me, I really missed you", that person spoke .

Kanak's eyes soften , she cupped his cheeks amd said, "I too missed you, but I can't come".

" Give me your number ", that person asked her.

After a brief pause, she finally gave him the number, that person with a final glance began to leave.

" Kanak what are you doing here?" Surendra asked her, his voice loud as they both were standing at a distance.

" Nothing, I'm coming you go", kanak said to which Surendra nodded and went from there.

Kanak too, left from there, Surendra was still standing there, " why are you standing here?"

" I was waiting for you", Surendra said, kanak with a smile nodded and they both Walk towards the cafeteria.

At night, they all were making list for the diwali.

" Finally!, diwali has come, and we even have holidays of few days", tej said excitedly as she has got bore from regular college.

" Yes, tomorrow we all will go for shopping", prachi said, to which they all nodded.

Rathod Mansion -

Surendra was in his study room doing his work, just then his mother enter and sat beside him on the nearby couch.

" What happened mom?", he asked .

' Surendra, you are changed ", his mother asked, making him look at her with questioning eyes.

" Yes I'm telling you the truth, look, in the starting you used to go to college only 1-2 days but now you are being regular to your college", his mother said with the playful glimpse.

"Hm, it's... It's just that now I'm very serious regarding my studies and you onle used to say to be regular so I am", Surendra said trying not to make his mother doubt on himself.

His mother laughed at his reaction and after some time she went from there.

Soon the door creaked open, madhvesh, Surendra's PA vipul, enter the room.

" Sir our team has tried best to find the fourth one but that person is not in the contact with any of the first three" his PA said presenting the file in front of him, madhvesh sits on the couch still in the thoughts.

" Why is it so important for you to find the fourth one?", madhvesh questioned coming out of his thoughts.

" Because the fourth one knows the key—", vipul said but get interrupted by Surendra.

" The fourth one don't know the key, that person is the key itself", Surendra told them.

The four major powers , all are behind that one thing — that makes them the most powerful in the whole damn world.

From shadowy corporations to clandestine societies, all were drawn to the promise of unimaginable power. Yet, none knew the true cost of claiming what was never meant to be found....

" Who are the major powers?", madhvesh questioned.

" The Raichand— Their gatherings were rare and held behind closed doors, with no guests ever seen entering or leaving. Those who claimed to have attended spoke in riddles, their faces pale and eyes wide with unspoken knowledge."

" The Oberoi —No one knew what the Oberoi truly wanted. Were they protectors, manipulators, or something far older and more dangerous? Their motives remained as elusive as the mist that clung to their mansion at dawn."

The Rathod— we are the one of the most powerful, no one enter our noun until I permit them, they are ruling under me, they are ruled by me.

" There were not only four major powers but total 8— The Rathod, The Raichand, The Oberoi, The Martin, The Richard, The Moreau , The Dubois, The Unknown ".

" So, where are the other four—", their topic was distracted by the entrance of garv, yash and naman.

" What are you all talking about?", naman asked them, as the surrounding was filled with tension.

" About the four major powers", vipul told them.

They all sat around the table, further discussing about the power.

" What about rest of the four power?", madhvesh continues his question.

" The rest four were killed by Raichand and Oberoi", vipul said.

" Who is that unknown?", yash inquired his voice tensed, as everyone wants to know about him— the world is finding him.

" He is the most powerful", vipul said.

" Powerful than Rathod ", madhvesh asked.

" More powerful than Rathod ", Surendra's voice thick, his jaw tightened at the remark of someone else more powerful than him.

After their discussion they all went to their house and slept.

Next day, everyone got ready to go for shopping , as they reached the mall— which speaks luxury and expensive.

" Aaj to lagta hai sari salary chali jaegi", kanak thought in her mind, as she is one who is self dependent.

As they step inside the mall, the manager personally came to attend them and take them towards the vip area.

As they all started looking at the clothes and deciding dress for each other.

Yash took tejeshvi to the other side and asked her," tum mere liye kuch pasand karogi".

" Mein", tej asked her.

" Yes you, please select whatever you like ", yash told her , tejeshvi started looking at the dress for him.

Naman brought a dress for prachi and asked her to pair with him, prachi looked at his childish act and started blushing.

Kanak was confused what to wear and what not do, she was very nervous looking at the price tag of the dresses. She has already drank 4 bottle of water and 5th was in her hand.

Surendra noticed her and came towards her, " don't be nervous, and take whatever you want".

" I'm not nervous ", kanak said diverting him.

" You are , whenever you are nervous, you drink a lot of water", Surendra told her.

Kanak got up from her place and started looking at the dress.

With the help of sapna, prachi, tej , and Surendra, kanak finally decided her dress, " thank god, finally the dress is decided, you all know I don't have any fashion sense".

A small chuckle left from the tejeshvi's mouth, " come lets go".

They all left from there, they all to the jewellery and shoes department.

They all were in shoes department, kanak held Surendra's hand and took him to jewellery store," they all are busy, so you come with me".

Surendra nodded and they made their way towards the jewellery department.

Kanak eyes were not able to leave the payal , which were simple, elegant and perfect for her dress.

She looked at the pair of payal and asked Surendra," meri pasand itni achi nhi hai , that's why you tell me are they looking beautiful?".

Surendra looked at kanak and said," yes, very beautiful ".

" Really, then I'm buying them"kanak said excitedly and went to other side of the store with the staff.

Surendra was sitting their, scrolling through his phone, just then his caught something— a waist chain.

" I want that waist chain", Surendra ordered to the staff , the staff brought the chain to the Surendra and packed it.

As kanak came back, they all went to the counter for the bill.

Naman , garv and yash has already paid the bill for their women.

" You all wait outside I'm coming", kanak said to them, as they exist the mall waiting for her near the car.

Kanak was paying her bill," what is the total bill?".

" It's 5000", the Shopkeeper said, making kanak shocked.

" Only 5000, means I have brought shoes, a dress, payal and it cost only this much, I think you should recheck it", kanak said.

" No, Ma'am it's an special discount to our new customer on special occasion of Diwali ", the shopkeeper explained her, kanak paid the bill and looked at Surendra if he has paid or not.

" You go, I'm coming in a min", kanak nodded and went outside.

" This is my card ", Surendra handed the shopkeeper his card and paid the bill.

" And thank you for telling the lie to her that her bill is only 5000, otherwise she would have not brought the things from here", Surendra told the shopkeeper, the actual bill of kanak was more and he knows she is facing and dealing with many problem alone, including the financial problems. He knows her very well that if he offers her to pay the bill, she will not take his money, that's why he made the shopkeeper lied .

Surendra came out of the mall, and saw kanak standing there,"why are you standing here , I told you to go?".

" I was waiting for you, c'mon let's go", kanak said and started walking, Surendra was looking at her with a bright smile, his heart fluttering.

As they all reached home, they all started decorating the house for diwali.

Kanak has called someone to complete the work of the broken wall, as it will not look good on festival to have such broken wall.

Kanak went to the boy's apartment to see if they all are done with the decoration or not, she was utterly shocked to see all of them, the house of a mess, all the things spreading here and there. " What you all are doing?", kanak asked them.

" We have to complete it today only", kanak reminded them, as the next day is of Diwali.

Kanak called prachi, tej and sapna to help them, so they can complete their work fast.

With just a single glare of prachi, naman Started working, looking at naman and his condition they all started laughing.

Kanak moved inside the room, only to see Surendra struggling with the wires and lights.

" Kanak you, I have thought that I will call electrician to do this work, he will complete it in 5 min", Surendra said to her .

" There is no need to call anyone, you move aside I will do this", kanak said moving him aside.

" Do you how to do you it?", Surendra asked her Being shock, with her new skill.

" Yes, little bit ", kanak said and started working with the wires, Surendra was standing near her looking at her with suprise.

After few moments kanak was done with her work and asked Surendra to switch on the lights, as the lights shattered their glow, kanak was very happy as she was able to do it.

" Won't you go to your house to meet your family?", kanak asked him.

" I will go early morning and then will celebrate diwali with you at night ", Surendra told her.

" Okay, then go and yes touch the feet of all the member Surendra Rathod ", kanak emphasis on his name reminding him , to bend in front of his elder.

Surendra with a smile told her, "yes ofcourse I will do it".

As they all completed their works , with the excitement of tomorrow they all went to sleep.

The diwali night, the city transforms into a glowing tapestry of lights and color. Streets sparkle with rows of diyas and electric fairy lights draped over homes, trees, and storefronts. Every corner buzzes with excitement — the air filled with the sweet aroma of fresh sweets, incense, and the occasional crackle of fireworks. Markets overflow with people dressed in vibrant traditional attire, shopping for gifts, sweets, and decorative items.

In the day all the college friends came to meet them, wishing a happy diwali with a lot of gifts.

Kanak was upstairs, as she forgets her phone, she came to take it, Surendra followed her.

Outside the house kanak was locking the door after taking the phone, Surendra came and leaned his shoulder against the wall.

Kanak was looking breathtaking, looks absolutely radiant in her maroon and golden lehenga. The rich maroon skirt flows elegantly with every step, adorned with intricate golden embroidery and shimmering sequins that catch the light of the diyas around her. Her golden choli (blouse) glows with delicate zari work, perfectly complementing the deep hue of the lehenga.

A soft, matching dupatta — sheer and sprinkled with tiny golden motifs — rests gracefully over her shoulder, adding a touch of grace to her look. Her ensemble is paired with traditional jewelry: glittering bangles, jhumkas, a maang tikka, and a small bindi on her forehead. Her hair is styled beautifully, and her hands are decorated with mehndi, completing her festive look.

With her glowing outfit and joyful smile, she looks like a living flame — elegant, graceful, and full of Diwali spirit.

The thoughts of kanak was not leaving Surendra's mind, his words were fallen less to describe kanak.

He moved towards her , took some Kohl and put it behind her ears,"Mom used to say , Kohl protect people from evil eye".

Kanak was shocked with his actions and words, Surendra took out jhumka's from his pocket and gave them to kanak.

" Tum yeh jhumke pehno or bhi achi lagogi", Surendra insisted her , these were the same jhumka that kanak liked in the market and was not able to buy them.

" This—", kanak pointed towards the jhumke.

" Right now don't talk and wear them", Surendra made her wear the jhumke.

Surendra took his steps backward and looked at kanak from head to toe and with his hand signed her that she is looking beautiful, raising his eyebrows.

This made kanak blush and chuckle at his action. They both went downstairs for the diwali celebration.

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