Siya's Raghav

Raghav brought Janvi home. Just as they reached the gate, Raghav got a call from Mr. Aman, so he stayed outside while Janvi went in. Inside, she quickly changed her clothes as she had been feeling uncomfortable in the ones she was wearing.

When Raghav came inside after the call, Adit was sitting on the sofa. As soon as he saw Raghav, he asked,"What happened? Why did the police take her away?"

Raghav set his bag aside and sat on the sofa."I don't know…" he replied.

Adit: "Didn't you ask her?"

Raghav, taking off his shoes: "She was already terrified. Asking her more would've only scared her further. I'll ask her properly during the day."

Adit: "And what if the police show up again?"

Raghav, getting up: "That's taken care of. Don't worry… Tell me, how's Aunty?"

Adit: "The doctor said she fainted because of the blow to her head. Nothing too serious."

Just then, Janvi came downstairs and waited for Raghav to ask her something. But Raghav, in his usual firm tone, said:"Adit, I'm feeling sleepy. Good night."

He began walking away when Janvi asked,"Don't you want to ask me anything, Raghav ji?"

Raghav looked at her and said,"Rest for now. We'll talk later."

As Raghav went into his room, Adit turned to Janvi:"Janvi, can I ask you something?"

Janvi, sitting on the sofa: "Yes, go ahead…"

Adit, resting his face on his hand thoughtfully: "As far as I know, Raghav is around your age. So why do you keep calling him ji? You're making him sound old."

Janvi: "I say ji out of respect. He's done so much for me — given me a place to live, a good job, respect in society… Who does that for a stranger?"

Adit, proudly: "That's our Raghav for you… big-hearted. That's why he's my friend."

Janvi: "You're right, but…"

Adit, interrupting: "Hey, please! Don't call me aap like I'm some elder. You can talk to me using tu if you want."

Janvi: "You're funny. You think aap is an insult and tu is respect? Anyway, I was saying — good people like Raghav are rare these days. Most people step on others to get ahead. Raghav ji is like a needle in a haystack…"

Adit, becoming serious: "Even I sometimes feel Raghav is too sensitive. He has a pure heart… And people like him often get hurt. They shatter like glass when betrayed."

Janvi, trying to lighten the mood: "But when you have a friend like you, what's there to fear?"

Adit, staring into space: "I don't know, Janvi… I have a feeling something bad is going to happen to Raghav. I don't think Siya is right for him. She's not like Raghav — not simple or grounded. She's the type to chase the glitz and glamour of the world, full of pride and ego… How can a girl like that guide Raghav's life the right way?"

Janvi: "You're overthinking it, Adit… Anyone who meets someone like Raghav ends up becoming like him. Siya's no exception."

Adit: "Maybe you're right. Who knows the future… Whatever is meant to happen, will happen. We can't stop fate. Anyway, I've been up all night too, I'm going to sleep. Take care of Aunty."

Janvi nodded, and Adit headed toward Raghav's room. But the door was locked, so he sulked and ended up sleeping in the hall.

Rishikesh

Shrayanshi was sitting on the school stairs, looking at something in her book, when someone poured water over her. She looked up and saw some senior students standing around her.

She tried to get up and leave, but two girls blocked her path. Another girl from behind pulled her hair, making her cry out in pain. Tears welled up and rolled down her face.

The seniors started laughing. Then one boy touched her face — it felt disgusting to her.

Just then, a teacher passed by, and the seniors quickly pulled Shrayanshi behind a wall. One of them covered her mouth, another held her hands. She tried to scream, but no sound came out — only tears flowed down her cheeks. After the teacher left, the group dispersed. Shrayanshi remained there, hiding her face in her knees.

Meanwhile, Siya was once again out looking for Anurag but couldn't find him. After asking around, she found out he had gone home. So she returned to her class.

9 AM

Sunlight hit Raghav's face, waking him up. Right in front of him was a photo of his grandfather. For a moment, Raghav felt as if Dadu was standing there. He quickly sat up, but no one was there. He looked sadly at the photo and then went downstairs.

Janvi was serving tea to her mother.Seeing Raghav, she asked,"Raghav ji, would you like some tea or green tea?"

Raghav, sitting on the sofa: "Green tea…"

Janvi went into the kitchen.Raghav (to Aunty): "How are you feeling, Aunty?"

Aunty, tearfully: "Beta, I'm sorry. Because of us, you've had to go through so much… I didn't want to call you here, but I had no choice…"

Raghav, placing his hand on hers: "What are you saying, Aunty? You cared for my Dadu like your own father. You've loved me like your own son — and now, when it's my turn to support you, you call it charity? That's not right, Aunty…"

Aunty wiped her tears, smiled, and lovingly blessed him."God bless you, son."

Just then, Janvi brought the green tea.Raghav, thinking for a moment, said:"Janvi, I have two or three clothes. Could you please give them for washing?"

Janvi nodded and went to do so.Raghav turned to Aunty,"Aunty, please tell me… what happened with Janvi? Why did the police take her?"

Aunty: "Beta, I don't know. She came home from college crying, wearing strange clothes. She wouldn't say a word — and then the police came and took her away…"

Raghav: "So something must have happened at her college… Okay. I'll find out."

Just then, Janvi returned with the clothes.Raghav: "Janvi, listen… sit down. I need to talk to you."

Janvi, who had been smiling until now, suddenly went pale.

Raghav noticed her expression change but ignored it, and said firmly,"Didn't you hear me, Janvi?"

Startled by his stern voice, Janvi sat on the sofa and nervously began biting her nails.

Raghav, even more sternly now, asked:"Why did the police take you yesterday? What did you do, Janvi?"

Janvi, trembling: "I didn't do anything, Raghav ji…"

Raghav stared at her face. He didn't like speaking to a frightened Janvi this way, but he knew that if he softened even a little, she wouldn't tell him the truth.

So he raised his voice even more:"Then what — the cops were bitten by a mad dog, is that it? Is that why they took you? Janvi, tell me the truth. Otherwise, I'll go to the police station myself — and if I find you were at fault, forget about this job!"

Janvi, now crying: "Please, Raghav ji! Don't fire me… how will I buy my mother's medicine…?"

Raghav, keeping his face stern: "If you want to keep this job, tell me the truth…"