Aarohi suddenly jolted awake.
Her mind felt strangely numb, as if she were trapped between a dream and reality. For a few seconds, she couldn't even recognize where she was. Something felt terribly off—as if she wasn't entirely herself.
The bedsheet beneath her fingers felt… expensive. Too smooth. Too luxurious.
This wasn't her room.
Even the light falling on her face wasn't the harsh glow of her usual cheap lamp. It was warm, soft, almost golden.
Her body ached.
Not just slightly—but deeply, painfully, like every muscle had been strained.
Frowning, she slowly raised her wrist.
Her breath hitched.
Purple and green bruises covered her skin.
Her heart began to pound.
This wasn't a dream.
Aarohi quickly covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming. Her hands trembled as she pulled the blanket down—and froze.
She wasn't wearing anything.
For a moment, the world around her seemed to collapse.
Her mind went blank.
"No… no… this can't be real…"
She blinked rapidly, trying to wake herself up, but nothing changed.
With shaking hands, she forced herself to move. She pushed the blanket aside and stepped down from the bed. Her legs felt weak, her body sore in places she didn't even want to think about.
Clothes were scattered across the floor.
Her clothes.
She quickly gathered them and wore them in a hurry, not caring how messy she looked. Her only goal was to leave.
To escape.
She didn't want to remember anything.
She didn't want to see anyone.
She just wanted to disappear.
But just as she reached the door—
A strong hand suddenly grabbed her from behind.
Aarohi gasped.
"Let me go—!"
Before she could react, the man pulled her back effortlessly and threw her onto the bed again.
Pain shot through her body.
Anger flared in her eyes as she looked up—
And froze.
The man standing before her was… breathtaking.
Tall, well-built, with sharp features and flawless skin. His presence was overwhelming. His eyes were dark and intense, filled with cold authority.
Anyone would have been mesmerized by him.
But Aarohi felt nothing but fear—and rage.
Because this man… was the one responsible.
"Who sent you here?" he asked coldly.
His voice was low, dangerous.
"How dare you drug me?"
Aarohi's eyes widened.
"What?!"
The accusation hit her like a slap.
"You think you can just walk away after doing something like this?" he continued, stepping closer. "Do you really believe you'll leave this place unharmed?"
For a moment, Aarohi was too stunned to speak.
Then anger exploded inside her.
"Are you insane?!" she snapped. "You think I'd still be here if I drugged you?! Use your brain!"
The man—Kunal—stared at her, his brows tightening.
Aarohi pushed herself up despite the pain.
"The one who's in trouble here is me. Got it?"
Her voice trembled slightly, but her eyes burned with defiance.
"I don't just go around messing with random men. I had a target."
Kunal's expression darkened.
"What did you just say?"
Aarohi crossed her arms, wincing slightly at the pain.
"I brought those drugs for someone else," she said bluntly. "A famous actor—Dev Malhotra. I heard he was staying here."
Kunal's jaw tightened.
"But looks like," she continued sarcastically, "I ended up wasting them on the wrong person."
Silence filled the room.
For a split second, something flickered in Kunal's eyes.
Tension. Realization.
Then anger.
"You're saying…" his voice dropped dangerously low, "…you drugged the wrong man?"
Aarohi glared at him.
"Yes. And now I want my money back for those drugs you wasted."
For a moment, Kunal said nothing.
But his clenched fists and sharp gaze said enough.
Fragments of the previous night flashed in his mind.
His control slipping.
His body reacting in ways it never had before.
His chest tightened.
Damn it.
He turned his face away, frustration clearly visible.
That moment of distraction was all Aarohi needed.
She jumped off the bed, pushed him away with all her strength, and ran.
Fast.
She didn't look back.
She didn't stop.
All Kunal could do was watch her disappear.
Just as he was about to go after her—
A strange sensation hit his body again.
His muscles tensed.
His breathing grew uneven.
"Damn it!" he shouted, clenching his fists.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
At that exact moment, the door opened.
Reyansh walked in—and froze.
The room was a mess.
The bed sheets were crumpled.
And just moments ago… a girl had run out.
Reyansh blinked, completely stunned.
"What… just happened here?"
He looked at Kunal, who stood there, furious and shaken.
"Sir… President called earlier," Reyansh said carefully, trying to act normal. "He asked if the room was comfortable. They said you came in last night and went straight to sleep, so no one disturbed you."
Kunal said nothing.
"Also, your schedule has been updated. They're waiting for you."
Still no response.
Reyansh swallowed his questions.
Some things… were better left unasked.
Meanwhile, inside the bathroom—
Kunal stood under the shower, scrubbing his skin harshly, as if trying to erase something.
But no matter how much he tried—
He couldn't forget.
When he finally looked at himself in the mirror, his expression darkened.
"Damn it!"
Just then—
"Sir… Madam is here," Reyansh's voice came from outside.
Kunal stiffened.
That was not good news.
He quickly put on a bathrobe and stepped out.
Standing there was a stylish, elegant woman—his mother, Meera.
Her sharp eyes immediately fell on the messy bed behind him.
Her expression changed.
"Kunal," she said slowly, "don't tell me… you were with a woman."
Kunal exhaled.
"I know what you're thinking, Mom," he said calmly. "But I don't have time for this. I'm busy."
But Meera didn't move.
"I already know," she said firmly. "You slept with someone."
Kunal remained silent.
"You must marry that girl."
His eyes darkened.
"Not happening."
Meera stepped closer.
"You know your condition better than anyone. For years, you haven't been able to touch a woman properly. And now suddenly…"
Her voice turned serious.
"You were with someone."
Kunal clenched his jaw.
"That means something."
"It means nothing," he said coldly.
Meera shook her head.
"No. It means she is the one."
Silence fell between them.
Kunal didn't respond.
But deep inside—
For the first time—
He wasn't completely sure anymore.