9:00 AM – At Anamika’s House
Saaniya was packing her office bag while Anamika was finishing her breakfast.
As Saaniya placed her files inside, she said, “So… you’re going out with Aditya today?”
Anamika took her last bite and replied, “Yeah… I needed to buy some drawing materials, so Aditya offered to come with me.”
“Oh, really? Okay then always be careful!” Saaniya said while swinging her bag over her shoulder. “Anyway, I’ll leave now. See you in the evening!”
Anamika smiled, “Yeah, see you!”
As Saaniya left for the office, silence filled the house.
A few moments later…There was a knock at the door.
Anamika opened it — and there stood Aditya.
With a soft smile, he asked, “Shall we go?”
Anamika’s eyes were quiet — that kind of silence which Aditya understood too well.
He said gently, “I know… you don’t like lying to Saaniya, right?”
Anamika lowered her gaze and sighed, “Yes… I don’t like lying to her, but if I tell her the truth, she won’t let me go.”
Aditya smiled and brushed his hand gently over her forehead.
“Don’t worry. Once you convince Dr. Niharika that you’re completely fine — and get permission to meet your father — we’ll make Saaniya understand too. She cares for you so much… but when she sees you stronger, she’ll trust you even more.”
Anamika smiled softly, “Yes… that’s exactly what I want. We’ll make it happen!”
“Good,” Aditya said, looking at her with a tender expression. “So, shall we?”
Anamika nodded lightly, smiling, “Yes, let’s go.”
They both left the house together.
Meanwhile – At Aniket’s Office
Aniket knocked on his dad’s cabin door.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Hearing “Come in!” from Mr. Shekhar, he entered and said, “Dad! Uh… I wanted to ask you something.”
Shekhar pushed his laptop aside and looked at him.
“Yes, go ahead.”
Aniket hesitated a little. “Can I take a half-day today?”
“Half-day? What for?”
Aniket replied, “One of my friends needs my help… so I thought I should be there.”
Shekhar thought for a moment, then said, “Alright. If you need a half-day, take it.”
“Thank you, Dad!” Aniket said happily and turned to leave, but Shekhar added, “And next time, don’t make up excuses just to get leave. You can just ask.”
Aniket turned around, flustered. “No, really! I’m telling the truth…”
But Shekhar only gave him a sharp look, so Aniket sighed, “Okay fine! It’s not exactly a lie… I just can’t tell you what it is.”
He made a childish face, and Shekhar couldn’t help smiling.
“Alright… I won’t ask. But remember — nothing stays hidden from your dad.”
Aniket grinned and whined, “Dad… please! Everyone deserves some secrets!”
Shekhar returned to his laptop with a faint smile. “Fine.”
“Fine? Promise?!” Aniket asked like a curious kid.
Shekhar exhaled deeply, “Yes, promise! Now go — before I cancel your leave and make you work overtime!”
“Nope, I’m going!” Aniket laughed and ran out of the cabin.
Once he left, Shekhar smiled faintly to himself and muttered, “Secrets, huh? My son still acts like a little boy… just like his mother.”
Later – At the Hospital
A few hours later, Aditya and Anamika reached the hospital.
Like before, Dr. Niharika asked Aditya to wait outside while she spoke privately with Anamika.
But unlike last time, Aditya didn’t pace nervously in the hallway — he didn’t want a repeat of that day.
He quietly sat in the hospital garden’s most peaceful corner, opened his laptop, and began working.
A few minutes later, his phone rang.
Aditya sighed before answering. “What is it?”
From the other end came Aniket’s voice, “Bro, I’ve reached the address you sent me. Where are you?”
Aditya’s voice was calm.
“I told you not to come! If Anamika finds out I told you, she’ll get upset — and maybe she’ll stop sharing things with me next time!”
Aniket replied, “Oh, come on! Stop overthinking. You’re always too positive about everything except your Gulabo! Just chill, man! I’m outside. Come out — I need to talk.”
Aditya took a deep breath, shaking his head in disbelief. “Fine… I’m coming.”
He walked toward the gate — where Aniket stood beside a sports bike, helmet in hand, looking effortlessly cool.
At least, until he spotted Aditya.
The moment he did, his whole energy changed — he waved his arm excitedly, shouting, “Hey! Over here! Come on, man!”
Aditya jogged toward him, half-smiling.
As soon as he reached, Aniket asked, “So… have you thought about our mission’s execution?”
“Mission?” Aditya looked confused.
Aniket groaned dramatically, “The mission, dude! We decided to find out about Anamika and Saaniya’s past! Did you forget?!”
Aditya sighed. “I didn’t forget. I just… don’t know how. If it were anyone else, I could easily get the info through my network — the informers and private detectives working under me. But with Anamika and Saaniya… I can’t risk anyone else digging into their past. After learning just a few things about Saaniya’s childhood, I’m honestly scared.”
Aniket took a deep breath.
“I know. I feel the same. That’s why I’m investigating this myself instead of using my team. Otherwise, this case would’ve been done already! Anyway, I think I can get some information from the hospital’s database.”
“What do you mean?” Aditya asked, a little alarmed.
Aniket leaned closer and whispered, “I mean… it’s time to hack the hospital!”
“Are you insane?! You’re doing it now?!”
“Of course not, idiot!” Aniket rolled his eyes.
“I’ll need some time and data access for that. For now, just send me photos of every area in this hospital. I’ll start digging from another lead.”
“Another lead?” Aditya blinked, confused.
Aniket smirked, “You’re so innocent sometimes! Come on, stop acting dumm.”
Aditya frowned. “And what exactly do you expect to find there?”
“Oh, plenty,” Aniket said with a confident grin.
Aditya sighed, “Fine. Do whatever you want…”
Aniket smiled, “You’ll see. At least I might get some info about Saaniya’s adoptive parents. And we already know about Anamika’s parents — that’s half the job done!”
Aditya nodded thoughtfully.
“Yeah, that’s true. Her mother used to visit our school once a year for health checkups — she was a doctor. Such a kind-hearted woman… People like her are rare.”
Aniket put his helmet on. “Of course you’d praise your Gulabo’s mom now! Anyway, I’ve got to go — Dad only gave me a half-day! Do your part properly, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Aditya muttered, smiling faintly.
Aniket smirked, waved goodbye, and sped off on his bike.
Meanwhile, Aditya got back to work on the task Aniket had given him — Because sometimes, finding the truth means stepping into the shadows together.
To be continued…
