The house was silent when Rahul stepped in. Midnight silence... the kind that makes every footstep echo a little louder. He pushed the door softly, careful not to disturb anyone. His shoulders were heavy, mind even heavier, but the first thing he did was check on his parents.

Both amma and nanna were sleeping peacefully. Next, he tiptoed into Anu's room. She had kicked half the blanket away, sleeping diagonally like a starfish, her hair all over her face. Rahul sighed with a smile, walked to her bed, gently pulled the blanket up and tucked her in.

Then he bent down, pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

For a second, everything felt normal. Warm. Calm.

But only for a second.

He quietly walked to his own room, shut the door, and exhaled hard.

His chest tightened.

"Inka melkoni untada... podukoni untada... okavela Nina incident vala bayapadutunte... shit anavasaranga okadane odilesa..."
"Is she still awake... or sleeping... what if she's scared because of that yesterday's incident... damn, I shouldn't have left her alone..."

He rubbed his face roughly.

His body was tired, but his mind was running restless like a mad dog.

He paced two steps toward the door, ready to go check on her—
But stopped.

He couldn't go now.
Late night.
Family awake.
Too many questions.

He dropped onto his bed and lay there, staring at the ceiling.

Restless. Frustrated. Worried.
But why the hell was he worried this much?

He turned, tossed, sighed, turned again—nothing worked.
His mind kept replaying Nidhi's face. Her tears. Her smile. The way she leaned on him when she was scared. The way she trusted him blindly.

Nidhi lay on her bed, hugging the pillow tight.
Her mind was equally restless.

She remembered the way Rahul covered her earlier, the way he scolded her, protected her, the way he stood in front of her like a shield.

Her face heated up.

"Oh god... I have only one heart... how many times will he win..."
She hid her face in the pillow, groaning like a teenage girl.

Just then—

Ping.
Her phone screen lit up.

"podukunava?"
"Did you sleep?"

Her heart did a somersault.

Before she could reply—
The phone rang.

She smiled unconsciously and picked up.

"Hello."

"Ha bava.."
"Yes brother-in-law.."

"Inka podukoleda..."
"Still didn't sleep..."

"Ledu bava nidra ravatla..."
"No... I'm not getting sleep..."

Rahul smirked softly.

"Kallu musko ade ostadi.."
"Close your eyes, then sleep will come.."

Nidhi rolled her eyes.

"Idi chepadaniki chesava."
"You called just to say this?"

Rahul cleared his throat, trying to sound casual.

"Ledu actually I was just checking if you slept or not orelse if you get dark circles then kavitha atha will scold me for not taking care of you.. so just for that..."

Nidhi chuckled quietly.

He heard it... and his heart flickered.

She didn't say it out loud, but she thought:

"U don't know to give a proper reason bava..."

Rahul suddenly became awkward.

"Ok go to sleep bye."

"Bye bava..."

But...

Neither cut the call.

They both stayed silent, listening to each other's breathing.

Slow... soft... comforting.

Rahul's eyes slowly closed, the sound of her breath strangely calming him.

Nidhi too drifted off, phone pressed to her cheek, his presence lingering in her heart.

They slept like that till morning —

Connected.
Unspoken.
Unaware.

When Rahul woke up and saw the call still on, his eyes widened.

"Shit—"
He cut the call quickly, heart beating fast for absolutely no reason he'd admit.

.

.

Breakfast table.
Steam rising from plates.
Normal morning.

But Rahul's thoughts? Far from normal.

As he reached for his plate, a random thought hit him.

"Did she eat??"

He froze.

"Arghh I am overthinking... she is in her home... obviously they will feed her... it's not like she is in her in-laws house that I should worry..."

He put a spoonful of food in his mouth but couldn't even taste it.

"...wait... her in-laws as in my house also she will be treated as a princess...to be honest my parents love nidhi more than me and anu. sometimes i feel like she is their own and we are adopted."

He frowned at himself.

"...but wait... why am I overthinking this much... am I falling for—"

Before that thought could complete,

"Good morning rahul"  lasya greeted.

he nodded "morning"

Lakshmi's voice broke in.

"Semiya upma is Nidhi's favourite... if it is like before na... she would have come first to me and demanded to make it..."

Her voice had a small emotional crack.

Rahul looked at her.
Looked at the food.

.

.

.

Rahul got a message "urgent... ippude raa..."

"Its urgent come fast"

His chest felt tight. Something big was coming.

He didn't even bother to knock. He rushed straight to Vedansh's room. The door was half-open, and inside Vedansh was sitting at his huge wooden desk, files scattered everywhere, eyes focused, sleeves rolled up, working on some political report.

Rahul paused at the door.

"You doing any work.."

Without lifting his eyes, Vedansh replied,
"Nah, it's just some regarding upcoming elections.."

Rahul nodded and stepped in.
His voice was already impatient.

"U called... it's urgent."

Vedansh finally looked up, his face serious... too serious.

"Ya, it's very urgent, Rahul... I have to tell you about Vaishnav."

Rahul's jaw clenched.

"Okay... tell me."

Vedansh took a deep breath.
His fingers tightened around the file.

"I got to know that he is involved in human trafficking. And he is planning something big. Dealer Dubai nunchi... so he is talking with him... and everything..."

For a moment Rahul couldn't breathe.

Then—
"What?! I will put him in jail right now!"

He stood up instantly, fists clenched, eyes burning in full rage.

But Vedansh jumped to his feet and grabbed Rahul's hand.

"What will you put him in jail? Eppudu velthav? Evidence ledu! Appude poyi matladithe alert aipothadu."

"we don't have evidence and if he gets to know about our plan then he will get alert and it would be difficult to follow him."

Rahul stared, heart pounding.

"lekapothe em chedam..gamuna kurcholem ga..that bastard is planning to marry my sister." 

"Otherwise what should we do... we can't just sit quietly, right?"

"I know and i will not let him success in his plan." vedansh said.

"Because we have to be very careful. Very coordinated. Oka mistake aina(even if one mistake)... we will lose him. We can't expose him. That's why I called Anu and Nidhi also."

"Why did you call them?!"
Rahul snapped before thinking.

Nidhi, who was standing near the wall, gave him a sharp glare.
A "how dare you?" glare.

Before Rahul could correct himself, Anu stepped forward.

"annaya you are so mean..." anu said.

"Brother, you are so mean..."

"i am saying for your safety ma.." rahul said.

"but we want to help you guys annaya.." anu said..

"no ammu it's ris-" rahul was about to say but vedansh cut him 

ammu is nick name in telugu

"ayyy only i should call her with that name..." he said and pulled her to sit beside him. anu wiggled.

"rey kochemana siggu unda annaya ni ra..."

"guys not infront of me.." said rahul.

Vedansh rubbed his forehead.

"okay coming to plan We have to catch his phone."

Anu immediately said,
"I will get somehow."

"No, Anu!" Rahul shouted.
" you can't go."

Even Vedansh agreed,
"Yeah Ammu, it's not at all safe for you. He knows you all will do something against him."

Everyone turned when Nidhi spoke.

"I can do that."

Rahul's eyes widened.

"Nidhi—"

But she cut him.

"Vaishnav ki me andharu thanaki against ani telusu... but he doesn't know that I am also involved. He still thinks I'm his little sister. So he can't doubt me." she said proudly like she cracked in google.

"cousin sister.." vedansh gritted.

"huh?" anu asked.

"ade sontha chelli kadu kada just cousin sister antuna.." vedansh clarified trying to push his jealousy when nidhi mentioned she is vaishnav's little sister.

She's not his own sister... she's just his cousin sister.

"ori devuda veedi jealousy dhumpadega." rahul muttered.

"Oh god... this fellow's jealousy is on another level, I swear,"

"No Nidhi idi chala risk... nenu or Rahul chestam. I don't want to involve you guys..." vedansh said.

Nidhi's voice cracked but stayed steady.

"Please, I will do annaya... I know he won't doubt me. If anything happens... you are there. You will be watching everything. Emi jaragadu."

Vedansh swallowed... his leader's mask slipping for a moment.
He knew she was right.
He hated it... but she was right.

Finally, he exhaled heavily.

"...Okay."

Rahul's heart dropped.

"No. No, Ved. No. She's not going—"

But anu hand touched Rahul's shoulder.

"We don't have another option annaya."

Rahul felt something crack in his chest.
He looked at Nidhi — so small, so brave, so stupidly fearless.

He didn't say a word.
But his eyes said everything.

"Please... don't go."

But she smiled softly.
The smile that always broke him.

.

.

Nidhi stood outside Vaishnav's room, gripping the tray so tightly her fingers hurt.

She pushed the door slightly.

"Anna... lunch time."

Vaishnav didn't even look up. He was sitting on the bed, scrolling on his phone — the phone they needed.
"Just keep it there and leave."

Nidhi swallowed.
"No...eat now. You didn't eat since morning..."

Her voice was soft, gentle — the way he always expected from her.

Vaishnav finally lifted his head, annoyed.
"Why are you forcing?"

"Please, Anna. One bite."

He sighed, irritated but gave in.
"Fine. Come."

She walked closer, every step heavy with fear. Her hand hovered near the tray — and near his phone lying beside him.

Focus, Nidhi... just breathe...

She held the bowl and spoon.
"Taste it. I made it."

He raised an eyebrow.
"You? Since when do you cook for me?"

Nidhi smiled lightly.
"Just taste..."

As he leaned forward, she purposely loosened her grip.

The entire curry spilled on his shirt.

The silence lasted only one heartbeat.

Then—

"NIDHI!" Vaishnav roared, standing up abruptly.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Are you out of your mind?! Look at my shirt!"

Nidhi took a step back, heart pounding so hard she felt dizzy.
"I-I'm sorry, Anna... it slipped..."

"Shut up"

His voice slammed into her like a punch. Every instinct in her screamed to run.

But she didn't.

Because while he yelled, she quietly reached the table behind him...
Her fingers trembled—but she didn't let it show.
She pulled out the duplicate phone hidden under the napkin on her tray.

Same model.
Same cover.
Same stickers.

She placed the duplicate exactly where his original had been.

And with her other hand, she slid his real phone under the edge of the tray cloth.

Her pulse hammered painfully.

One mistake... and he would kill her.

Vaishnav was still fuming, brushing his shirt angrily.

"Useless... can't even hold a bowl properly—"

Nidhi lowered her head.
"I'm sorry... it won't happen again. I'll clean it."

She didn't wait for permission.

She lifted the tray — hiding the phone beneath it — and backed toward the door.

Her legs felt like they would collapse.

Vaishnav didn't even look at her; he was too busy shouting at the stain.

The moment she stepped outside the room and closed the door quietly behind her...

She finally let out the breath she'd been choking on.

Her hands shook violently.

But she had done it.

She had the phone.

And she walked down the hallway, heart racing, praying he wouldn't realize the truth until she was far, far away.

And, phone hidden, legs trembling but face calm.

Outside, Rahul was pacing near the hallway, watching from a distance. The second Nidhi stepped toward Vaishnav's room, his chest tightened. His fists clenched.
No... she can't go alone...she is so naive that bastard will missuse.

His heart raced faster than hers, fear gripping him in a way he had never felt. What if something happens to her? I can't... I can't lose her...

He wanted to run in, grab her, stop her — but he froze, staring at the closed door.

Minutes felt like hours. Then the door opened. Nidhi stepped out, calm, smiling lightly as if nothing had happened.

Rahul's knees went weak. His hands dropped. His chest heaved, and for the first time, the truth hit him — I'm not just afraid for her. I... I love her.

Every fear, every heartbeat, every protective instinct condensed into one undeniable feeling. He had been blind until now. But seeing her risk everything for the plan... seeing her bravery... and thinking what could have happened...

Rahul realized that he couldn't imagine life without Nidhi.
She wasn't just someone he cared about... she was his everything.

atlast he realised "yes i love her..."

.

.

.

Anu was walking carefully toward the next room. Her heart raced. Every step felt heavier than the last. Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed her from behind, yanking her into the shadows.

"pedha bava" she screamed, trying to push him away.

He smirked, his face twisted with malice. "Shh... don't make a sound... I know what you're doing, anu. You think you can ruin me?"

Anu struggled violently. "Let me go! How dare you! I'll scream!"

"Shout no one will come to help you." he said touching her waist inappropriately.

Inside the hallway, Rahul, returning heard the commotion. His chest tightened, fists clenching automatically. The instant he saw Vaishnav's hands on Anu, fury exploded inside him.

"annaya"

"How dare you touch my sister?!" Rahul roared, charging forward like a storm.

Vaishnav sneered, thinking he could intimidate Rahul. But Rahul grabbed him and slammed him against the wall. Punches rained down, fueled by rage, fear, and pure protectiveness.

He hugged anu "shh anu shh see i came no need to worry hmm ok" he said.

Full family gathered and the maid informed kavitha, vedansh was also present. he ran to her home.

Before Vaishnav could react, Vedansh burst into the room, his presence commanding, his eyes burning with anger.

"Vaishnav... you bastard! You'll regret this!" Vedansh shouted. Without hesitation, he struck Vaishnav squarely, landing powerful blows, his entire "leader mode" unleashed.

Anu, trembling, threw herself at Vedansh and hugged him tightly, crying into his chest. "bava..."

Vedansh held her firmly for a moment, he hugged her. Then looked back at Vaishnav, voice cold and deadly "No one touches my people. No one. You're done."

Rahul, still furious, stood over Vaishnav, fists clenched. "You disgusting bastard... don't ever come near her again, do you hear me?!"

Vaishnav, battered and humiliated, struggled to rise but couldn't meet their eyes. His mother, Kalyani, ran forward, crying, begging Krishna. "Please Krishna anna... don't let them kill him... leave him..."

Krishna stood silently, his face expressionless, a calm but terrifying presence.

"He deserve this Kalyani. i thought she would be safe with him. but i was wrong. don't spare him today." krishna said.

Rahul was beating the shit out of him.

"rahul keep him in our den." vedansh said.

Vedansh, breathing heavily from the fight, glanced at Anu hugging him. He gently patted her back. "It's okay... you're safe now. We won't let him touch you again."

Anu clung tighter to Vedansh, tears flowing freely, finally feeling a sense of safety.

Rahul and Vedansh exchanged a quick, silent look — both aware they had protected their loved ones, but the anger still simmered, ready to ignite if Vaishnav ever tried anything again.

Vaishnav lay on the floor, defeated, bruised, and silent, while the hallway filled with the sound of Anu's sobs, Vedansh's deep breathing, and Rahul's still-fierce protective gaze.

sorry guys for making you wait this long...so how was the chapter ...next vote on 200 votes..please vote fast for steamy chapter from both couples....dont forget to comment