The loud knock echoed through the house again.
Everyone in the room froze.
Anaya's heart started beating fast.
Her father slowly walked toward the door. His face had become pale.
"Aarav… stay here," he said quietly.
But Aarav stood up.
"No, sir. I'll come with you."
Anaya looked scared.
"Please be careful," she whispered.
Her father slowly opened the door.
Three men were standing outside.
They looked rough and serious. One of them was tall with a thick beard, and the other two stood behind him like bodyguards.
The tall man smiled coldly.
"Good evening, Mr. Sharma."
Anaya's father stiffened.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
The man laughed lightly.
"You know exactly why we are here."
Aarav immediately understood.
These were the people Anaya had talked about.
The man looked past her father and noticed Aarav.
"And who is this?" he asked.
"Just a guest," her father replied quickly.
The man stepped inside without asking permission.
His two companions followed him.
The room suddenly felt tense.
Anaya stood up nervously.
The man looked at her and smiled.
"So this is your daughter."
Anaya felt uncomfortable and stepped slightly closer to Aarav.
The man then looked back at her father.
"We've been very patient with you."
"I told you I need more time," her father replied.
The man's smile disappeared.
"You said that last month too."
He stepped closer.
"Our boss doesn't like waiting."
Aarav felt anger rising inside him.
The man looked around the house casually.
"Maybe we should start taking things from your house instead."
Anaya's mother looked frightened.
"Please… don't do that," she said.
The man ignored her.
Then he looked at Anaya again.
"Or maybe we take something more valuable."
Before he could say anything else—
Aarav stepped forward.
"That's enough."
Everyone looked at him.
The man laughed.
"And who are you supposed to be?"
Aarav's voice was calm but firm.
"Someone who won't let you threaten this family."
The two men behind the leader stepped forward aggressively.
But the leader raised his hand to stop them.
He looked at Aarav with interest.
"You've got courage."
Then he leaned closer.
"But courage can also get people hurt."
Aarav didn't move.
"I'm not scared of you."
The man smirked.
"We'll see."
He turned back to Anaya's father.
"You have one week."
"If the money isn't ready by then… things will get very unpleasant."
Then he looked at Aarav one last time.
"And next time, hero… try not to interfere."
The three men walked out of the house.
The door closed.
For a moment, no one spoke.
The room was silent except for the sound of everyone breathing.
Anaya suddenly ran to Aarav.
"Are you crazy?" she said, half worried, half angry.
"You shouldn't talk to them like that!"
Aarav smiled slightly.
"I couldn't just stand there."
Anaya looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"You don't understand… those people are dangerous."
Aarav gently held her hand.
"I told you before."
"I'm not leaving you alone in this."
But deep down…
Even Aarav knew that the situation had just become much more serious.
And the next week would decide everything.