Ranjish

The first thing Kanak felt when she opened her eyes was the pounding headache. It felt like the world was spinning around her, and the only thing she could focus on was the aching in her head. She tried to move but was immediately aware of the tightness around her body. The saree was wrapped from her neck to her toes, and she was completely covered, almost cocooned in the fabric.

Confusion clouded her mind as she tried to recall what had happened the night before. The memories came rushing back in fragments—her restlessness, the alcohol, her odd behavior, and Vikram's calm, careful handling of the situation. He had wrapped her in the saree to keep her from doing something she would regret, but she hadn't realized just how exposed she had felt when she woke up like this.

She felt a rush of embarrassment as she recalled how she had acted. What had gotten into her? The way she had behaved toward him... it was beyond anything she would normally do. Her heart sank as she thought about how Vikram had taken care of her so patiently, never judging, never angry.

If it had been anyone else, she knew things would've been different. If it had been another man, he might have taken advantage of her vulnerable state. But Vikram—Vikram had shown nothing but care and concern, helping her through the night without any ulterior motive. She couldn't help but feel a deeper admiration and affection for him.

She glanced over at him, and her heart skipped a beat. Vikram was lying on the floor, his arms folded under his head, still asleep. The sight of him made her feel both a sense of safety and guilt. She had always admired his strength, but this side of him—the way he cared for her—made her heart swell. He was different.

As if sensing her gaze, Vikram stirred and slowly opened his eyes. His voice was hoarse but gentle when he spoke. "Are you okay, Kanak?" he asked, his concern evident in his tone.

Kanak didn't respond immediately. She was still too embarrassed, and the last thing she wanted to do was face him with the memories of her reckless actions from the night before. Without saying a word, she pulled the blanket closer around herself, trying to shield her face from his gaze.

Vikram, sensing the shift in her, immediately panicked. He pushed himself up, his eyes wide with concern. "Kanak, wait, trust me," he said, his voice full of urgency. "I didn't do anything to you, I swear. I didn't touch you inappropriately. I just... I just wrapped you in the saree. I was helping you. Please, trust me."

Kanak's heart softened at his words. She had known, deep down, that Vikram would never cross that line. His sincerity was written all over his face. With a small smile, she met his eyes, her voice quiet but steady. "I know, Vikram," she replied, her embarrassment easing a little. "I know."

Vikram let out a relieved sigh, his shoulders slumping as the tension in his body faded. He hadn't realized how much he had been dreading her reaction, but now, with her reassurance, the weight was lifted.

He sat up and looked at her with a softer expression. "You should freshen up," he suggested, his voice kind. "I'll get you something for your headache."

Kanak nodded, grateful for his understanding. She slowly got up, still feeling a little unsteady, 

As she walked toward the bathroom, her heart felt lighter. There was still so much she didn't understand about her feelings for him, but she knew one thing for sure—Vikram was someone she could rely on. And that, in itself, was a rare gift.

After Kanak finished her bath, feeling a bit more refreshed but still fragile from the previous night, she stepped out of the bathroom. As soon as she entered the living room, she noticed Vikram standing by the front door, his face contorted with anger. He was yelling at the gardener and the security guard, his voice sharp, but his words weren't completely clear.

Kanak's heart sank. She knew exactly why Vikram was upset. He was furious that the staff had make her to drink  knowingly the night before, unaware of how badly it had affected her behavior. She could tell by the look on his face that he felt responsible for not taking care her  But before she could step forward and calm him down, she heard her own voice speak up from the doorway.

"Leave them, Vikram," Kanak said, her voice low but firm. "It was my fault too."

Vikram froze, turning toward her. His expression softened, and for a moment, it looked as if he wanted to say something more, but he simply nodded, exhaling a long breath. He had been worried all morning, but hearing her words brought a sense of relief.

"I just don't want to see you hurt again, Kanak," he said quietly, his frustration now turning to concern for her well-being.

Kanak stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "I know, Vikram. I'm fine now." She gave him a small smile, but it was enough to ease the tension in the room.

After breakfast, the atmosphere felt a bit more relaxed, but the weight of the day still hung in the air. They needed to go to court. Kanak could feel her nerves getting the best of her as they drove toward the courthouse.

The jeep bumped along the road, but Kanak barely noticed. She was too focused on the anxiety that churned inside her. The closer they got to the courthouse, the more restless she became. Her fingers fidgeted with the seatbelt, and she shifted in her seat, glancing out the window as though looking for something to hold onto.

Vikram noticed her unease. His eyes flicked to her as he drove, concern flickering across his face. He reached over, his hand gently covering hers.

"Don't worry, Kanak," he said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. "They will get the punishment they deserve. I'm with you in the court. You're not alone in this."

he squeezed her hand gently to assure her he his  with her  She nodded, but the anxiety didn't leave her. She waiting for the moment when judge give chouhan and sagar father  punishment for their deeds—justice for her parents. But now that it was finally here, it felt like a weight too heavy to bear.

When they reached the courthouse, the tension in the air was palpable. Kanak could feel the eyes of the people around her as they entered the building. Her heart was racing, and she was doing everything she could to stay calm.

Inside the courtroom, Sagar was already there. He greeted them quietly, nodding his head as he handed over the final piece of evidence to the lawyer. Kanak's eyes were wide with anticipation. She knew that Sagar had worked tirelessly to gather the evidence against Chauhan and his father. And now, it was all about to come to a head.

As the proceedings began, Kanak held her breath. The lawyer presented the evidence: photographs, documents, and testimonies. The pieces of the puzzle that had been missing for years were now coming together. Chauhan and his father were being held accountable for the murder of Kanak's parents, a crime that had been buried for twenty-three years.

The courtroom grew silent as the judge passed the verdict. "We find the defendants guilty of the murder of Mr. and Mrs. shekhawat. The sentence is life imprisonment."

Kanak's breath caught in her throat. For a moment, the world seemed to stop. The overwhelming flood of emotions hit her all at once—relief, grief, and a sense of peace that she had never felt before. Tears began to fall, and she couldn't stop them. Her parents, who had been taken from her so cruelly, had finally gotten the justice they deserved.

Vikram stood beside her, his presence a silent comfort. He reached out, gently wiping away her tears. "You did it, Kanak," he said softly. "They're paying for what they did."

Kanak turned to him, her heart full of gratitude and love for the man who had been by her side through every step of this journey. "Thank you, Vikram," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I couldn't have done this without you."

He smiled, pulling her into a brief hug. "You're stronger than you know, Kanak," he said, his voice full of pride. "Your parents are at peace."

As Kanak stood there, surrounded by the evidence of justice, she knew that this was only the beginning of her healing. The past could never be fully erased, but today, she had taken a giant step toward finding peace. And with Vikram by her side, she knew she wasn't alone anymore.