Bani had left the party and walked outside, tears streaming down her face. Seeing her like this, Vineet quickly followed and hugged her, but Bani couldn't stop crying.
Vineet gently took her hand, led her to the car, and they both got in. He drove straight to the cottage. As soon as the car stopped outside, Bani hurriedly got out and ran inside without waiting for Vineet.
She rushed straight into Kabir's arms. Kabir, who had come downstairs after hearing the car, was shocked by her sudden embrace. Stroking her hair, he asked, "What happened, Bani?"
Hearing Kabir's voice, Bani began to cry even harder. By then, Vineet had also entered the room. Seeing his worried expression, Kabir became even more concerned.
After calming her down a bit, Kabir helped Bani sit on the couch. Vineet came over with a glass of water. Bani took a sip, trying to regain her composure.
Looking at Kabir, she whispered, "He's back."
Kabir, confused, asked, "Who's back?"
With a heavy voice, Bani replied, "Reyansh Oberoi."
Kabir was even more shocked upon hearing this. He turned to look at Vineet, who nodded and said, "Yes, this party was organized to celebrate his return. For the last two years, Reyansh had been playing from the back foot, but now he's stepped forward again."
Looking at Bani, Vineet added, "And as soon as he returned, he started hurting Bani again."
Kabir, surprised but trying to stay composed, wiped Bani's tears and said, "Relax, Bani. You can't afford to break down now."
Angry, Bani replied, "What else should I do? He's the worst chapter of my life, and now he's back. He won't leave me alone, Kabir. He once told me that if he survived, he wouldn't let me go. He said he'd use my body again, and he also said..."
Bani suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
The sight of Reyansh alive had terrified Bani. She was about to reveal what Reyansh had told her but suddenly fell silent. Kabir, noticing her hesitation, asked with surprise, "What did he say?"
Avoiding his gaze, Bani replied, "Nothing."
Hearing this, Kabir shook his head. He knew Bani wouldn't tell him what Reyansh had really said. After a moment of thought, Kabir said, "Bani, this won't happen again. You don't have to go near him anymore. You completed that mission; he can't harm you now."
Vineet chimed in, "Do you really believe that? Do you think he can't do anything?"
Kabir looked at Vineet but didn't respond. He knew as well as anyone that Reyansh Oberoi despised betrayal.
Turning to Bani, Kabir said, "There's only one option now."
Bani asked, "What?"
Looking straight into her eyes, Kabir replied, "You have to face him, Bani. If you crumble before Reyansh Oberoi, you'll be destroyed. He's a heartless person with no goodness left in him. He'll go to any lengths for his benefit and satisfaction. You need to fight him now."
Bani responded firmly, "Right. I have to fight back. I can't give up. Bani Mehra isn't so weak that she'll break down just because someone's made a comeback. I'll fight him, and I'll teach him a lesson."
She thought to herself, *And I need to uncover the truth he told me two years ago.*
Standing up, Bani said, "I'm going home."
Vineet offered, "I'll drop you."
Nodding, Bani walked out. Kabir called out to Vineet, "Be careful."
Vineet nodded and followed her out.
Kabir sat down on the sofa, lost in thought. *Reyansh Oberoi isn't the kind of person who hides from anyone. So, why was he gone for two years? And why has he suddenly returned now? Something's not right here. The game is bigger than it seems, and only Bani can decode it. She's the only one capable.*
Meanwhile, back at the party hall, Aryan and Reyansh were sitting at the bar, sipping wine. Aryan said, "So, bro, you've finally shown yourself. Everything went just as planned."
With a deep smile, Reyansh replied, "This was all part of Reyansh Oberoi's plan, so of course it was successful. Things always go the way I want."
Aryan, taking another sip, added, "I know, bro. Everything was perfect, except for Bani shooting you. That was unexpected."
With a devilish smile, Reyansh said, "Hmmm, it was unexpected, but she's my choice after all. Something unexpected had to happen. Well, things were under my control before, and they still are. Now, I'm going to meet my baby."
As he got up to leave, he paused and, without turning back, said, "Aryan, no mistakes. And nothing against Bani—because the only person who has the right to do anything against her is me."
With that, Reyansh walked out.
As soon as he left, Aryan's eyes filled with hatred. He muttered, "Sorry, bro, but I won't let her go. She tried to kill you. She has to pay for this. If only I had..."
Aryan's mind drifted into the past.
Flashback
Two years ago, after Reyansh had fallen into the water, Kabir had taken Bani and left. A few moments later, Shera arrived, searching for Reyansh. As he looked around, his eyes fell on a gun lying on the ground.
Quickly picking up the gun, Shera muttered, "This means Bani attacked the boss. Shit! Where's the boss?"
He frantically searched the area, then moved toward the railing and looked down. In the water, he saw bubbles rising to the surface. Shera's heart sank. He understood immediately that Reyansh had fallen into the water. Having been in the underworld for so many years, it was easy for him to grasp the situation.
He quickly called Aryan and told him everything.
After talking to Aryan, Shera shut down the party and cleared the cruise. Only Reyansh's team remained onboard. Within minutes, Aryan arrived with a rescue team.
In the next ten minutes, the team pulled Reyansh out of the water. Aryan's heart sank when he saw Reyansh's condition—his shirt was soaked with blood.
They rushed Reyansh to a hospital in London. Fortunately, it was Reyansh's own hospital. Aryan had arrived in London earlier on some business.
Standing outside the operating theater, Aryan anxiously asked the doctor, "Is everything okay?"
The doctor replied, "No, he's critical. The bullet is just one centimeter away from his heart. We'll have to perform a complex surgery. You'll need to sign the papers for it."
Saying this, the doctor handed the papers to Aryan, who quickly signed them. Then he turned to Shera and angrily asked, "Where's Bani?"
Shera replied, "I don't know, Aryan. We haven't been able to find her."
In his mind, Aryan thought, *Where will you run, Bani? You've made a huge mistake.*
He sat on the bench outside the theater, waiting for hours. Four hours later, the doors finally opened, and Aryan immediately asked, "How is he?"
The doctor, now more relaxed, said, "Don't worry, Mr. Oberoi. He's out of danger now. We've moved him to the ICU. You can see him tomorrow."
Aryan nodded and watched the doctor leave.
The next day, Reyansh regained consciousness, and Aryan went to see him. From that day forward, Reyansh had operated from the back foot, with Aryan carrying out his orders.
Flashback End
Throwing his wine glass in anger, Aryan muttered, "Because of you, I almost lost my brother. You will be punished, Bani."
Meanwhile, Reyansh stopped his car outside Bani's house. Staring at her home, he gave a devilish smile and said, "Death can't even touch me without my permission. And you thought you could kill me. The biggest mistake of your life. It's payback time, baby."
With that, Reyansh stepped out of the car.