03-02-2026, 11:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-02-2026, 10:12 AM by Harry Jordan. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
(CHAPTER CONTD)
THAT EVENING
At YOD Enterprise, Hemant sat by his office window, sipping coffee. A notification popped up. It was Sonarika’s post. Atlantic Water World. Karan laughing. Anjali splashing. Mouni smiling. Sonarika in a blue swimsuit, holding her son close. Happy. Alive. Present. He checked once. There was no Vikram. No Sagar either. He closed the app. No jealousy. No ache. Just acceptance. She was Karan’s mother after all. Nothing more. Nothing less. And that was enough.
Later that night , Hemant went to shortly attend a party hosted by Siddharth at The Mariott. The Marriott glittered that night. Crystal chandeliers. Soft jazz. Champagne flowing. Siddharth gave it a vintage feel and vibe. Siddharth Mehta greeted Hemant warmly.
"Just to let you know , that Yadav matter is buried" Siddharth said.
"Thanks. Means a lot" Hemant smiled.
"You are valuable partner to our business. And judging by Pranitha , very soon , you might be family!"
They shared a warm embrace as the party went on. Later, he met Kunal.
"Congratulations on the Mehta tie-up man , its a big move!" Kunal said.
They talked about other things after which Hemant brought the mutual subject between them.
"Sonarika posted some of the pics of their water park adventure today. Mouni was there too"
"Oh yeah , seen it. Turns out it was a compensation move from Sonarika considering she rejected the double date"
Hemant was startled hearing that.
"Rejected?"
"Yeah...you didn't know..Sonarika vehemently rejected Mouni's proposal for a double date and instead chosen to spend her time with her family. She even brought them at the concert which Mouni was expecting Sonarika will be coming along with Vikram"
"Interesting"
"Indeed , Mouni is pissed off her little adventure didn't work out so she is probably trying to find out why Sonarika made that decision which would explain her extended stay in Delhi. Plus Sagar suffered from food poisoning and was staying in a hotel room all week"
"Damn....that's.....unbelievable"
Hemant felt something loosen in his chest. Relief. But no revival. Too late. Too broken. Too much devastation in his life to ignore. He nodded.
"Good for her"
And he meant it. But then he wondered , why? Why did she reject the double date? Her recent confession went through his head over again. She might be really trying to fix herself. But Hemant is not willing to take that chance again. She has done this before , and she had also broke it as usual. He is too scared to have faith in her anymore. Hemant decided , it was better to move on from her, he does not want to risk it again for the sake of himself. With a reverred focus , Hemant stayed in the party , ignoring Sonarika's memory and staying with his drive to move away from her for good.
FEW DAYS LATER AT THE SILVER BEACH VILLA
A few days later, at home, Hemant sat on the floor of his bedroom. He had boxes around him. They were memories, photos, movie tickets, greeting cards. Fragments of a life. He carefully placed pictures of Sonarika inside a box. Their wedding moments. Their first holiday. Honeymoons. Coffee dates. Even the naughty video from the sex room. All of it now placed in this box. The wall where their wedding photo was meant to hang now held a guitar gifted to him by Dheeraj. Beside it—Large portraits of Karan and Anjali. Smiling. Growing. His new world. Only one photo of Sonarika remained. A small family picture. Placed quietly on the bedroom desk. Respectfully. He sealed the box.
He wrote on it "Sona" and proceeded to place it in the store room. Next to that box layed three more boxes , one named "Sanju" , other named "Kira" and the final one named "Ash". Now Sonarika joined his legacy. His legacy of heartbreak , legacy of destruction , the path of moving on again. He closed the door. Exhaled deeply. As id a lifetime of weight was finally lifted from his shoulders. Now he saw a new path before him , one that involved Karan and Anjali. And to give them peace , he must take out the AZRAEL Syndicate one by one. So that finally he can be Hemant and live his life of peace and closure and spend the rest of it with Karan and Anjali. And maybe perhaps a certain someone.
But right now , he needed a new beginning.
A New Journey. He picked up his phone.
"Raquel, book me a flight to Amsterdam. No rush!" he said,
A pause. A smile formed. A certain someone was waiting. She dreamed about a surprise , and he thinks its time to fullfill that. And maybe just maybe , Pranitha is probably the right answer for his life!
Then Hemant remembered that its been a while he talked to Karan. So he sat on the chair facing the sea. He tried video call but it wasn't answered. He tried again and still it wasn't answered. Wondering what's wrong , he tried a regular call.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
No answer. He tried again. Now a slight worry covering him. But this time, someone picked up.
"Hello?"
"Anju?" Hemant recognized her voice instantly.
"Bhaiya!" she replied, surprised.
"Where is everyone?" he asked gently.
“We’re not in Delhi Bhaiya , We’re in Nainital" Anjali said.
“Nainital? Nice choice for the vacation. So everyone gone there together!"
Hemant frowned slightly. He thought about the usual family fun at the hills. But her voice softened.
"No Bhaiya… this is not a leisure trip. We’re here for Samhita’s memorial"
His chest tightened. He remembered Sonarika telling him about the tragedy of her younger sister. Gone at a very young age. Samhita. Five years old. Passed away in a fall from a cliff. A name that still haunted Sonarika.
"I’m sorry Anju… I forgot the date" Hemant said quietly.
"It’s okay, Everyone’s… emotional. Especially Didi. She hasn’t come here in years" Anjali replied.
"And Karan?" Hemant asked.
"He’s trying to be strong. But he keeps asking why Mumma is so sad" she said.
Hemant closed his eyes.
"Take care of him, Don’t let him feel this too deeply" he said softly.
"I will" Anjali promised.
There was a pause.
"Bhaiya… Papa is also very shaken" she added.
"Why?" Hemant asked.
“He recieved a letter from an old friend. It was lost in some post office for years and reached him only now. Papa claims its the final letter meant for him from his long lost friend"
She said. Hemant’s brows knit.
"Who?"
"A businessman, From Azerbaijan" Anjali replied.
The word hit him like a gunshot. Azerbaijan. His mind fractured. Fire. Screams.
Charred house. Manush Rustom’s burned face. Rebecca’s hollow eyes. Sareen’s lifeless body. Nightmares he had buried under layers of violence and lies clawed their way back.
"H-His name?" Hemant asked, voice barely steady.
“He owned mines there....his name is..." Anjali continued casually.
Hemant’s breathing slowed. Too slow. Then she said it.
"Mr. Manush Rustom"
The world collapsed inward. Air vanished. Sound muted. The house blurred. His heart slammed against his ribs as if trying to escape. Manush Rustom. His mentor. His protector. His second father. The man whose family had been slaughtered. Because of him. Nineteen years ago.
"Bhaiya? Are you there?" Anjali’s voice came faintly.
Hemant couldn’t speak. His throat closed. His hands trembled.
"Bhaiya… is something wrong?"
He forced himself to breathe. Once. Twice. He swallowed.
“I’m… I’m fine...just worked up from the cleaning!!" he lied softly.
"Oh, Isn't Tara around?" she said.
"Tara is gone outside to get some house supplies" he replied.
"Okay Bhaiya , I have to go. I'll tell Didi you called. Take care. Bye"
Anjali smiled through the phone.
"Bye" Hemant whispered.
The call ended. Two worlds that was never supposed to meet has just interlapped with each other. How is this possible? How the hell does his father-in-law of all people know his mentor Rustom? What is the letter Rustom has sent to him? Inside Hemant, everything was breaking.
He leaned his head back against the chair, staring at nothing. If Jagjeet knew…If Sonarika ever knew…If they ever learn who Michael King really is…it will be over....over in many ways for Hemant. In an instant , he would be the ultimate betrayer to Sonarika , Michael King will be revived and turned into Hemant Kumar's legacy not his darker past. He would be exposed. And when that happened—His carefully built life would explode into chaos.
Surprisingly outside , it started to rain. The first rain of the coming season in Mumbai. But for Hemant this was a bad omen , a reminder that Michael King is not just his legacy , its also a ticking time bomb.
What happens when Sonarika finds out? What will her reaction be? Will she take Karan away from him? Will she take Anjali too?
Hemant collapsed on the floor realizing the deeper consequences. As the rain came cascaded down. It was a reminder , that whatever happens , there is a possibility that he will loose everything!
Hemant watched as the storm arrived in Mumbai. Hemant contemplated the future knowing that uncertainty awaited him. But for the first time he was scared , scared not of AZRAEL , not of Zarir , or even Lai Tong. He was scared of Sonarika , as she can either make him or break him with the truth!
And for the first time in a long time , Hemant Kumar was afraid once again!
END OF CHAPTER 30
At YOD Enterprise, Hemant sat by his office window, sipping coffee. A notification popped up. It was Sonarika’s post. Atlantic Water World. Karan laughing. Anjali splashing. Mouni smiling. Sonarika in a blue swimsuit, holding her son close. Happy. Alive. Present. He checked once. There was no Vikram. No Sagar either. He closed the app. No jealousy. No ache. Just acceptance. She was Karan’s mother after all. Nothing more. Nothing less. And that was enough.
Later that night , Hemant went to shortly attend a party hosted by Siddharth at The Mariott. The Marriott glittered that night. Crystal chandeliers. Soft jazz. Champagne flowing. Siddharth gave it a vintage feel and vibe. Siddharth Mehta greeted Hemant warmly.
"Just to let you know , that Yadav matter is buried" Siddharth said.
"Thanks. Means a lot" Hemant smiled.
"You are valuable partner to our business. And judging by Pranitha , very soon , you might be family!"
They shared a warm embrace as the party went on. Later, he met Kunal.
"Congratulations on the Mehta tie-up man , its a big move!" Kunal said.
They talked about other things after which Hemant brought the mutual subject between them.
"Sonarika posted some of the pics of their water park adventure today. Mouni was there too"
"Oh yeah , seen it. Turns out it was a compensation move from Sonarika considering she rejected the double date"
Hemant was startled hearing that.
"Rejected?"
"Yeah...you didn't know..Sonarika vehemently rejected Mouni's proposal for a double date and instead chosen to spend her time with her family. She even brought them at the concert which Mouni was expecting Sonarika will be coming along with Vikram"
"Interesting"
"Indeed , Mouni is pissed off her little adventure didn't work out so she is probably trying to find out why Sonarika made that decision which would explain her extended stay in Delhi. Plus Sagar suffered from food poisoning and was staying in a hotel room all week"
"Damn....that's.....unbelievable"
Hemant felt something loosen in his chest. Relief. But no revival. Too late. Too broken. Too much devastation in his life to ignore. He nodded.
"Good for her"
And he meant it. But then he wondered , why? Why did she reject the double date? Her recent confession went through his head over again. She might be really trying to fix herself. But Hemant is not willing to take that chance again. She has done this before , and she had also broke it as usual. He is too scared to have faith in her anymore. Hemant decided , it was better to move on from her, he does not want to risk it again for the sake of himself. With a reverred focus , Hemant stayed in the party , ignoring Sonarika's memory and staying with his drive to move away from her for good.
FEW DAYS LATER AT THE SILVER BEACH VILLA
A few days later, at home, Hemant sat on the floor of his bedroom. He had boxes around him. They were memories, photos, movie tickets, greeting cards. Fragments of a life. He carefully placed pictures of Sonarika inside a box. Their wedding moments. Their first holiday. Honeymoons. Coffee dates. Even the naughty video from the sex room. All of it now placed in this box. The wall where their wedding photo was meant to hang now held a guitar gifted to him by Dheeraj. Beside it—Large portraits of Karan and Anjali. Smiling. Growing. His new world. Only one photo of Sonarika remained. A small family picture. Placed quietly on the bedroom desk. Respectfully. He sealed the box.
He wrote on it "Sona" and proceeded to place it in the store room. Next to that box layed three more boxes , one named "Sanju" , other named "Kira" and the final one named "Ash". Now Sonarika joined his legacy. His legacy of heartbreak , legacy of destruction , the path of moving on again. He closed the door. Exhaled deeply. As id a lifetime of weight was finally lifted from his shoulders. Now he saw a new path before him , one that involved Karan and Anjali. And to give them peace , he must take out the AZRAEL Syndicate one by one. So that finally he can be Hemant and live his life of peace and closure and spend the rest of it with Karan and Anjali. And maybe perhaps a certain someone.
But right now , he needed a new beginning.
A New Journey. He picked up his phone.
"Raquel, book me a flight to Amsterdam. No rush!" he said,
A pause. A smile formed. A certain someone was waiting. She dreamed about a surprise , and he thinks its time to fullfill that. And maybe just maybe , Pranitha is probably the right answer for his life!
Then Hemant remembered that its been a while he talked to Karan. So he sat on the chair facing the sea. He tried video call but it wasn't answered. He tried again and still it wasn't answered. Wondering what's wrong , he tried a regular call.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
No answer. He tried again. Now a slight worry covering him. But this time, someone picked up.
"Hello?"
"Anju?" Hemant recognized her voice instantly.
"Bhaiya!" she replied, surprised.
"Where is everyone?" he asked gently.
“We’re not in Delhi Bhaiya , We’re in Nainital" Anjali said.
“Nainital? Nice choice for the vacation. So everyone gone there together!"
Hemant frowned slightly. He thought about the usual family fun at the hills. But her voice softened.
"No Bhaiya… this is not a leisure trip. We’re here for Samhita’s memorial"
His chest tightened. He remembered Sonarika telling him about the tragedy of her younger sister. Gone at a very young age. Samhita. Five years old. Passed away in a fall from a cliff. A name that still haunted Sonarika.
"I’m sorry Anju… I forgot the date" Hemant said quietly.
"It’s okay, Everyone’s… emotional. Especially Didi. She hasn’t come here in years" Anjali replied.
"And Karan?" Hemant asked.
"He’s trying to be strong. But he keeps asking why Mumma is so sad" she said.
Hemant closed his eyes.
"Take care of him, Don’t let him feel this too deeply" he said softly.
"I will" Anjali promised.
There was a pause.
"Bhaiya… Papa is also very shaken" she added.
"Why?" Hemant asked.
“He recieved a letter from an old friend. It was lost in some post office for years and reached him only now. Papa claims its the final letter meant for him from his long lost friend"
She said. Hemant’s brows knit.
"Who?"
"A businessman, From Azerbaijan" Anjali replied.
The word hit him like a gunshot. Azerbaijan. His mind fractured. Fire. Screams.
Charred house. Manush Rustom’s burned face. Rebecca’s hollow eyes. Sareen’s lifeless body. Nightmares he had buried under layers of violence and lies clawed their way back.
"H-His name?" Hemant asked, voice barely steady.
“He owned mines there....his name is..." Anjali continued casually.
Hemant’s breathing slowed. Too slow. Then she said it.
"Mr. Manush Rustom"
The world collapsed inward. Air vanished. Sound muted. The house blurred. His heart slammed against his ribs as if trying to escape. Manush Rustom. His mentor. His protector. His second father. The man whose family had been slaughtered. Because of him. Nineteen years ago.
"Bhaiya? Are you there?" Anjali’s voice came faintly.
Hemant couldn’t speak. His throat closed. His hands trembled.
"Bhaiya… is something wrong?"
He forced himself to breathe. Once. Twice. He swallowed.
“I’m… I’m fine...just worked up from the cleaning!!" he lied softly.
"Oh, Isn't Tara around?" she said.
"Tara is gone outside to get some house supplies" he replied.
"Okay Bhaiya , I have to go. I'll tell Didi you called. Take care. Bye"
Anjali smiled through the phone.
"Bye" Hemant whispered.
The call ended. Two worlds that was never supposed to meet has just interlapped with each other. How is this possible? How the hell does his father-in-law of all people know his mentor Rustom? What is the letter Rustom has sent to him? Inside Hemant, everything was breaking.
He leaned his head back against the chair, staring at nothing. If Jagjeet knew…If Sonarika ever knew…If they ever learn who Michael King really is…it will be over....over in many ways for Hemant. In an instant , he would be the ultimate betrayer to Sonarika , Michael King will be revived and turned into Hemant Kumar's legacy not his darker past. He would be exposed. And when that happened—His carefully built life would explode into chaos.
Surprisingly outside , it started to rain. The first rain of the coming season in Mumbai. But for Hemant this was a bad omen , a reminder that Michael King is not just his legacy , its also a ticking time bomb.
What happens when Sonarika finds out? What will her reaction be? Will she take Karan away from him? Will she take Anjali too?
Hemant collapsed on the floor realizing the deeper consequences. As the rain came cascaded down. It was a reminder , that whatever happens , there is a possibility that he will loose everything!
Hemant watched as the storm arrived in Mumbai. Hemant contemplated the future knowing that uncertainty awaited him. But for the first time he was scared , scared not of AZRAEL , not of Zarir , or even Lai Tong. He was scared of Sonarika , as she can either make him or break him with the truth!
And for the first time in a long time , Hemant Kumar was afraid once again!
END OF CHAPTER 30
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