Alia's sobbing subsided, but her voice remained heavy. Clutching Ivan's hand, she asked anxiously, "Bhaiya, please let's go home. How are Ammu and Abbu? Are they doing okay? Are they very worried about me?"
Ivan sat her down on the sofa and placed a hand on her shoulder with deep affection. He knew how much this answer would distress her. He let out a sigh and spoke gently:
"Alia, you know how worried they are. Ammu is constantly thinking about you, praying for your safety on her prayer mat. Abbu tries to stay strong, but I have seen the unshed tears in his eyes. They miss you dearly."
Ivan paused, then continued, "But going home is not safe at all right now. Ivanov and his men are tracking every move our family makes. If I take you home now, I will be exposing our weakest point to Ivanov. Do you realize the magnitude of the danger if you return with me?"
Viktor, standing nearby, his gaze grew even colder. He stepped forward and stood before Alia. His military presence and harsh authority made the atmosphere in the room heavy.
Viktor said in a grave tone:
"Listen to Ivan, Alia. It is natural to worry about your parents, but for their sake, you must stay away from them right now. If Ivanov learns you have returned home, he will not hesitate to hold your parents hostage to blackmail both you and your brother."
Viktor looked at Ivan and added firmly:
"We must do something that forces Ivanov to beg for mercy. To achieve that, Ivan, you must use your political power, and I, my underworld reach. Together, we will weave a web from which Ivanov will find no escape. Only then, Alia, will you be able to return to your parents with honor."
Alia realized that her desire to return home had morphed into a crisis far greater than just an emotion. She looked at her brother, awaiting his response.Alia's tears refused to stop. Clinging to her brother's hands like a child, her voice trembled with raw desperation. She didn't want to be a Lord or a Godmother; she just wanted the safety of her mother's embrace.
Sobbing uncontrollably, Alia cried, "Bhaiya, I can't do this anymore! This darkness, these guns, these conspiracies I'm exhausted. Please, take me to Ammu just once! I don't want anything else, I just want to rest my head on her lap and sleep. I'm just like a little child right now, I just want my mother!"
The air in the room grew thick with the sound of her weeping. Ivan tried to remain stone-faced, but his sister's helpless plea was shattering his heart. He turned away to hide his own tears.
Viktor, who had been standing like a statue, could no longer bear to watch her break down. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Alia tried to find comfort in the warmth of his chest.
Viktor said in a low, steady voice, "Alia, the mother you are longing for also wants to see you safe and healthy. Do you want them to suffer more because of you? If you go to them now, the danger that follows could cost them their lives. Is that what you want?"
Looking at Viktor through tear-filled eyes, Alia asked, "But how much longer must I live like this? I can't breathe!"
Ivan took her hands and said, "Just a few more days, Alia. Viktor and I are already tearing Ivanov's empire apart. The moment he is finished, you will return home with honor, without any fear. I promise you, I will take you there myself. But for tonight, please... don't take this risk."
Alia helplessly rested her head back on her brother's chest, but her deep, shuddering breaths revealed how shattered she felt. Viktor exchanged a meaningful look with Ivan it was time to crush Ivanov once and for all.Alia's voice calmed slightly, though the remnants of her tears still lingered. She wiped her eyes and asked Ivan, "Bhaiya, how is Bhabi? Does she know where I am? Is she worrying a lot about me?"
Ivan tried to smile gently, taking Alia's hand into his. There was a touch of relief in his expression, as he was certain about this one family member's state.
Ivan replied in a calm voice:
"Bhabi is doing well. But to be honest, she is deeply concerned. She doesn't know exactly where you are, but she has realized that our family is going through a major crisis. She keeps asking me where you are, and I've only told her that you are under my close protection and everything will be fine very soon."
Ivan paused and added:
"Bhabi is praying for you, Alia. You know how much she loves you. However, I haven't told her everything yet, because I don't want her to break down mentally or accidentally leak any information. Given the surveillance on our family right now, there is no room for anyone to make a mistake."
Viktor, who had been listening from the corner, stepped forward and placed a hand on Alia's shoulder. He knew that keeping the family in the dark was the safest course of action.
"Your Bhabi and your entire family they are safe because of the precautions we've taken. Ivan is right. The less your sister-in-law knows, the more natural she can remain. When enemies like Ivanov are watching the house, the more the truth remains hidden, the better it is for everyone."
Alia bowed her head, thinking of her sister-in-law. Her longing for her family made her restless, but she was slowly learning to accept the cruel reality of their situation.Ivan was preparing to leave, but Alia's words brought him to a sudden halt. A bittersweet smile touched his eyes, his stern Prime Ministerial mask softening into the face of a caring elder brother once again.
Alia said with a faint, hopeful smile, "Bhaiya, I knew you would come today. So, I spent a long time cooking your favorite biryani with my own hands. I don't know how busy you are, but you cannot leave without tasting it."
Ivan was deeply moved. Amidst the weight of state affairs and the threats of enemies like Ivanov, the fact that his sister still treated him with the same childhood affection touched him deeply. He glanced at Viktor, nodding as if to suggest they put aside their war-talk for a little while.
Ivan said with a warm smile, "Alia, you haven't changed a bit. Even in the middle of such a crisis, you haven't forgotten my favorite food! No hotel in the world can match the taste of the biryani you cook."
He turned to Viktor and said, "Viktor, let all wars and battles be set aside for today. Let us all share this biryani Alia has prepared. Perhaps this will be our last moment of peace before the massive storm of the coming battle."
Viktor agreed, his hard gaze softening slightly as he looked at Alia. She hurried toward the dining table, as if trying to bridge the gap between her brother and her husband through this simple meal. For a few brief moments inside the bungalow, the scent of gunpowder and political maneuvering was replaced by the inviting aroma of biryani.
Alia prayed silently that this tiny shard of happiness might endure.At Alia's signal, a trusted maid skillfully arranged the dishes of steaming biryani on the dining table. The room was soon filled with the rich aroma of fragrant basmati rice, spiced meat, and a hint of saffron.
Alia personally served a portion onto Ivan's plate. Ivan pulled up a chair, and Viktor joined them. Amidst such a tense situation, the scene at the table was strangely peaceful as if time itself had stood still.
Taking the first bite, Ivan let out a satisfied breath. He looked at Alia and said, "Extraordinary, Alia! It feels like the first proper meal I've had in ages. There is no comparison to the magic in your hands."
Viktor ate quietly, not saying much, but the interaction between Alia and Ivan had clearly softened the hardness within him. He offered Alia a small but meaningful smile.
Alia felt a sense of peace watching them eat. It felt as if the taste of the biryani was binding them together during these trying times. After the meal, Ivan washed his hands and looked at Viktor with profound gravity:
"Viktor, the meal is done. Now, let's talk business. We cannot just intimidate Ivanov; he must be dismantled so completely that he never dares to point a finger at any family ever again. I am starting to exert my full political power against him from tomorrow. Are you ready from your side?"
Viktor took a sip of water and replied in a rock-solid voice, "I am ready. The peace of this night might just be the last peace Ivanov ever knows."
Alia shivered slightly at these words, knowing all too well that there would be no true peace for them until this war was won. It was time for Ivan to leave. Outside the bungalow, the silence of the night was occasionally broken by the heavy tread of Viktor's guards. Ivan pulled on his overcoat and stood still for a moment, resting his hand on Alia's shoulder.
He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead and said, "Don't worry, darling. I'm leaving now. Everything will be alright very soon."
Then, he turned toward Viktor. The two men locked eyes—there were no pleasantries, only the silent pledge of two allies on a battlefield. Ivan clapped a firm hand on Viktor's shoulder without saying a word.
Ivan walked steadily toward the main gate. The headlights of his car cut through the darkness, moving forward. Alia stood on the porch, watching until his car disappeared from sight. A sudden sense of emptiness washed over her.
Viktor stepped up beside her. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close to his chest. Looking up at the sky, Viktor said in a cold, determined voice:
"He is gone, Alia. Now it is time for our next move. Ivanov won't be able to sleep tonight, for our war is about to begin."
Alia tried to feel safe in Viktor's strong embrace, even though she knew that every second from here on out would be a new test for them.Alia turned to face Viktor, placing her hand on his chest. "Viktor, who exactly is this Colonel Ivanov? Why is he your enemy? Where exactly does the roots of your enmity lie?"
Viktor let out a long sigh. His face looked mysterious in the dim light of the bungalow. He sat her down on a bench on the porch and sat beside her.
"Ivanov isn't just a police colonel, Alia. He is a dark chapter from my past," Viktor's voice dropped low. "Many years ago, when I was building my empire, he pretended to be one of my closest associates. But in reality, he was a government spy. He leaked crucial information and operations of mine, which cost many of my loyal men their lives."
Viktor paused and continued:
"He rose through the ranks to become a high-ranking officer, while I became a Mafia Lord but he never left my trail. He thinks he can put me behind bars to take over my empire and consolidate his position in the government. He doesn't just want me; he wants my entire world in his grip."
Alia shivered, "Then he is very dangerous."
Viktor gave a crooked smile, devoid of joy, filled only with intense hatred. "Dangerous? He is nothing. He is just a hungry wolf who doesn't realize who he is hunting now. He thinks I am just a mafia, but he has forgotten my military power. Ivanov is more than an enemy he is a personal insult. And I never forgive such insults."
Viktor gripped Alia's hand tightly. There was no hesitation in his eyes now. "He set his sights on you, Alia. And that is the biggest mistake of his life. There is no forgiveness for anyone who dares to insult my queen."