They gently picked Maya up and laid her on the bed. By then, the doctors had arrived and began treating her.
Tara stood there, completely zoned out, lost in her thoughts.
"Hey… Tara," Vedh called.
She didn't respond.
Vedh shook her shoulder lightly. "Tara."
She blinked. "Huh? What?"
"What's wrong?" Vedh asked.
"Nothing… just random thoughts," she said and turned to leave. Vedh held her hand.
Vedh hesitated, then said softly, "You know… you can share anything with me. I won't judge."
Tara paused. "Mm… can I?"
"Yes. If you want to," he said gently.
For a moment, Tara looked into Vedh's eyes. Then her gaze slowly shifted to his hand—still holding hers.
Vedh immediately let go. "Sorry. I didn't notice."
They remained silent for a few seconds.
Then Tara broke the silence. "I was just thinking… what if Lav kidnapped Maya? I mean, they both went missing at the same time. "She sighed. "Anyway… I know it's a stupid thought."
Vedh shook his head. "No, it's not stupid. I thought about it too. But we both know Lav—he's not that kind of guy. He may be a playboy, but still…"
He looked at her. "And I'm pretty sure you know him better than I do. You have that so-called crush on him, right?"
Tara nodded slightly. "Yeah… I know."
Suddenly, Maya's mother screamed. Tara and Vedh rushed to the room. Maya had gotten changed. Bruises were visible on her arms. Everyone stood silently, waiting for Maya to speak up she wakes up.
Then someone knocked on the door. Tara went to open it. There was a bouquet, with a small note attached to it—and a letter.
The letter read
Hi, baby girl. Nice try. You thought you could escape — not bad. But you know me, right? You know what I'm capable of.
If I want something, I'll get it. No matter what. You get that?
I'm giving you two days to recover and come back to our palace by yourself. If you try to outsmart me again, you'll face the consequences — and I don't think my baby girl would want that.
So I'll send the van to the exact place where I saw you for the first time.
You'd better be there.
On the note it was written wishing you a fast recovery, see you soon hun!
Everyone was left speechless as they read the letter.
Tara broke the silence. "We should find Lav—ASAP."
Vedh shook his head. "No, it's not Lav."
Tara frowned. "I don't get you."
Vedh took a deep breath and explained everything—the man he saw, dressed in black, smoking near the car, and how he had driven off that night.
Tara paused, thinking. But… Lav could be involved too, right?"
Vedh shook his head firmly. "I don't think so."
Just then, Vedh's phone rang.
He answered quickly. "Hello?"
After a moment, his eyes widened."…Lav came to college," he said, hanging up.
"See? I told you, I knew it!" Tara exclaimed.
Vedh just sighed, shaking his head. "Alright, let's go to college."
When they reached, Lav was already there, moving quickly through the corridors, as if searching for someone. Tara hurried toward him, her heart racing. "Where were you? Where did you go? why didn't you answer? And… where was Maya?"
Before Lav could even answer, a girl suddenly stepped in beside him and grabbed his hand.
"Hello?" she snapped, glaring at Tara.
"Who do you think you are, huh?". "He's my boyfriend."
Tara felt the world tilt.
She froze.
For a moment, she couldn't hear anything else around her. Her chest tightened, and her throat burned. She tried to speak—but nothing came out.
Her eyes shimmered, tears threatening to spill, as she slowly lowered her gaze.
She hadn't expected this. Not like this.
Lav opened his mouth to say something, but Vedh stepped forward.
"Stop it already," Vedh said coldly. "I know you don't like Tara. But I thought you at least had genuine feelings for Maya."
Lav frowned. "What about Maya? What's wrong— is she okay?"
Tara laughed bitterly. "Why are you acting like you care?"
Lav turned to her. "Tara, I do care."
"Oh, please," Tara snapped. "Just stop already."
She took a step back, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "It was really nice meeting you… and your very cute girlfriend."
Then she turned away and walked off, Vedh following closely behind.
Vedh suddenly turned back."Lav… do you really not know where Maya is?"
Lav's expression shifted. "I know it's hard to believe me now, but the truth is—I don't know where she is. And I'm worried. What do you mean, where is she?"
Vedh didn't answer. He turned to leave.
Lav stepped in front of him. "Where is she?"
Vedh ignored him and walked past.
"Hey! What is this? You're seriously ignoring me now?" Lav called out. "Talk to me, Vedh! Hello?"
But Vedh didn't turn back. He went straight to Tara.
"Hey," Vedh said softly. "It's okay. You don't deserve him anyway. You know how much effort you put in—those feelings were precious.
The way your eyes shine when you see him.The way you cook for him, wait for him, worry about him.The way you put him before yourself, every single time.
And yet—none of it was enough for him.
Don't waste your efforts on someone who couldn't see your worth."
Tara only hummed softly.
After a pause, she asked, almost in a whisper, "Can I… hug you?"
Vedh blinked, confused, then nodded.
She hugged him tightly, breaking down like a child in his arms. Her sobs soaked into his shirt.
Vedh stood frozen at first—then slowly relaxed. His heart was racing.Did she really just hug me?His heart felt warm, and he silently cursed himself for blushing at a moment like this.
Through her tears, Tara spoke. "Why do all the worst things happen to me? Am I really that bad?"
"Hey—no," Vedh said quickly. "Don't say that
"Didn't I just list a bunch of things I like in you?" Vedh said without thinking.
Tara blinked. "Huh? What did you say?"
Vedh's heart started racing. Oh shit… what did I just say?
"I—I mean," he quickly added, forcing a laugh, "as a friend, obviously. Don't you like me too?"
Tara stared at him, confused… and just a little curious.
Tara pulled back slightly and looked up at him. You're the dream girl for so many guys.""Oh?" she said softly. "Then for you… I'm a—?"
Vedh froze. Why the hell am I spilling everything to her? he thought, embarrassed.
He had nothing to speak.
"Excuse me," he muttered suddenly. "I—I have a call."
He turned away, pretending to answer his phone.
From a distance, Lav stood watching the entire exchange, his expression unreadable.
Just then, Tara's phone rang.
She quickly wiped her tears and checked the screen.
Maya's Mom.
"Tara!" Maya's mother said breathlessly. "Maya woke up. She wants to tell all of us something. Please—come home fast!"
Tara's heart pounded."She's awake?"
"Yes. She's asking for everyone. Hurry."
Tara looked at Vedh, her eyes wide.
"She's awake," she said softly. "Maya wants to talk to all of us."
Vedh nodded instantly."Let's go. Now."
They rushed off—