(Jeevika, betrayed by Yash and abandoned despite their supposed marriage, vows to rebuild her life at a shelter and in college. But danger follows when she is kidnapped by men posing as police. Inspector Abhay, torn between duty and worry, tracks her location with precision. Inside a room set for a forced wedding, Jeevika resists her captors, determined not to be broken. Abhay bursts in, defeating the attackers and rescuing her. Exhausted but safe, Jeevika acknowledges his protection, yet insists this is their last meeting. Amid trauma and betrayal, hope glimmers as she clings to survival and strength. Now ahead)
Shadows of the Past
In the quiet corner of the house, a woman sobbed, her voice breaking as she screamed, “Why can’t you forgive your daughter? Jeevu is our daughter!”
A man sat on the sofa, his voice soft but resigned. “She chose Yash, not us, Sujata.”
Sujata tried to speak, choked by emotion. “But… Kostubh…”
He shook his head. “Say what you want. We mean nothing to her.”
Sujata’s tears flowed freely. “But… she is everything to us.”
Kostubh exhaled heavily. “Then what can we do?”
Sujata wiped her eyes and said firmly, “I accept that Yash is not good. But if something bad happens to our daughter, she won’t have anyone to support her. We have to go—go and be there for her.”
Kostubh asked quietly, “Do you even know where she is?”
Sujata paused, voice trembling. “Do you know what she’s doing? After eloping, she never called… never messaged. She cut off everything.”
Kostubh rose, determined, and walked toward the door. Sujata remained behind, crying loudly, her sobs echoing through the house.
Kostubh’s eyes shimmered with tears. “Where are you, my daughter? I’ll accept your Yash… just one call. Why does my heart feel you’re suffering?”
Meanwhile, inside the hospital, doctors worked swiftly to save Jeevika. Abhay sat outside, his hands clasped tightly, replaying the last glimpse of her smile in his mind.
He muttered to himself, voice heavy with guilt, “You knew, Abhay… her life was at stake. Why didn’t you protect her? You wanted to catch Gumna’s gang using her… you didn’t do the right thing.”
A doctor emerged from the operating room, calm but firm. “She’s stable now. The poison wasn’t strong, but she ingested a large quantity—that’s why she was close to death.”
Abhay exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. “Thank you, doctor.”
....
Jeevika’s eyes fluttered open. Abhay was sitting beside her bed.
She turned her face to the other side and said softly, “You’re so important to everyone… why waste your time and effort on me?”
Abhay’s voice was low but steady. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you before. But now you’re safe. All the gangsters are either dead or under arrest—thanks to you.”
A faint smile touched Jeevika’s lips.
“Oh, you smiled,” Abhay remarked, half-teasing.
Then, more seriously, he added, “I think you shouldn’t stay at that shelter anymore. You’ve been attacked too many times.”
“That’s my only home,” Jeevika replied quietly. “How can I leave it?”
“What about your house… your family?” he asked.
She stayed silent.
Abhay gave a small, understanding smile. “If you don’t want to answer, that’s fine. But never… never try to take your own life again. This—”
He glanced at her and stopped mid-sentence. She had already drifted back to sleep.
“All girls are the same,” he muttered under his breath with a faint smirk. “Serious talks put them to sleep.”
He stood, stepped out of the room, and told a constable, “Keep your eyes on her every second. If anything happens, inform me immediately.”
Without another word, Abhay left.
....
Abhay’s phone rang. He smiled and answered, “Hey! Beautiful! How are you?”
A concerned voice came from the other end. “Where are you?”
“Mom! I’m on duty,” Abhay replied.
“Shame on you! Today is your sister’s ring ceremony, and you’re not at home,” his mother scolded.
Abhay chuckled. “Mom! Don’t blame me without knowing the reason. I’m in the market buying a gift for Rakesh. After all, he’s my brother-in-law.”
His mother huffed. “Nobody is a bigger liar than you.”
“Exactly, Mom. I’m lying. Actually… I’m on a date,” Abhay admitted, feigning innocence.
“WHAT?!” his mother exclaimed, shocked.
Caught off guard, Abhay quickly acted sad. “Mom… she wants to break up.”
“I’ll call you later,” his mother said, tension in her voice.
“Son, don’t worry,” she added, before the line went dead.
Abhay muttered to himself, “If Mom knew I was really on duty, I’d be in danger.”
With lightning speed, he ran through the market like a cheetah, grabbing gifts as fast as he could. Minutes later, he arrived home and handed them over, breathless but triumphant.
....
Abhay was laughing heartily with his group. All his officers had shown up in casual clothes, blending perfectly into the celebration.
Spotting Rakesh, Abhay walked over, grinning mischievously. “Hey, boy! I’m feeling very sad for you.”
Rakesh frowned in confusion. “Why?”
Abhay leaned in with mock seriousness. “Because the most dangerous person in our family is about to join yours.”
The whole group burst into loud laughter, and Rakesh could only blush and look away.
The bride, Geeta, joined in the fun. “Bro, don’t forget—when you get married, I’ll…” She was about to tease him further when Abhay’s eyes froze.
Someone in the crowd had caught his attention.
Yash.
His smile vanished instantly, replaced by cold, focused anger. “What the hell is he doing here?” Abhay muttered under his breath.
Without thinking, he strode toward Yash, ready to pounce.
But before he could speak, Geeta stepped in. “Bro, this is Rakesh’s cousin’s husband… Yash, right?”
Abhay stopped dead. “What?” His voice was low and sharp.
Yash was visibly trembling now, his eyes darting anywhere but at Abhay.
Abhay’s lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. He extended his hand for a handshake—though his eyes promised anything but friendship.
....
1. Will Jeevika finally find peace and fully reconnect with her parents, or will her past with Yash continue to haunt her?
2. How will Abhay handle the tense confrontation with Yash—will he stay calm, or will old anger and betrayal take over?
3. With Yash back in the picture, could danger loom over Jeevika again, or has she finally escaped his shadow for good?
Want to know what happens next? Keep reading "Courage of Heart”
