The moment Vanya finished speaking...

"Aunty, rukiye... main aapke liye snacks lekar aati hoon."

(Aunty, wait... I'll bring some snacks for you.)

Kalpana's smile instantly froze.

For a split second...

Panic flashed across her eyes.

Inside her mind...

'Snacks?!'

'What if she brings the same snacks?'

'Those snacks are contaminated!'

She immediately forced a smile onto her face.

She waved both her hands.

"Nahi beta..."

(No, dear...)

"Uski koi zarurat nahi hai."

(There's no need for that.)

"Main bilkul theek hoon."

(I'm perfectly fine.)

Without giving Vanya another chance to speak...

Kalpana hurried towards the door.

"Tum bas aaram karo."

(You just take some rest.)

Saying that...

She almost rushed out of the room.

Click...

The door closed.

For a couple of seconds...

Silence filled the room.

Then...

Vanya slowly looked at the closed door.

She covered her mouth with one hand.

A tiny giggle escaped.

Another followed.

Soon...

She burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha..."

She laughed so hard that tears formed in the corners of her eyes.

Holding her stomach...

She tried to calm herself.

But every time Kalpana's frightened expression appeared in her mind...

She laughed again.

"Oh my God..."

She wiped the corner of her eyes.

"Uska face dekhne layak tha!"

(Her face was worth seeing!)

She took a deep breath.

After laughing for almost a minute...

She finally calmed down.

Her cheerful smile slowly disappeared.

A determined expression replaced it.

She folded her arms.

Looking towards the closed door...

She spoke softly.

"Wait and see, Kalpana Aunty..."

"Ab asli game shuru hogi."

(Now the real game begins.)

The room fell silent again.

A cool breeze entered through the slightly open window.

Vanya slowly walked towards it.

She looked outside for a few moments.

Then whispered,

"Novel mein..."

"Vanya Rathore Mansion aane ke baad dheere-dheere badal gayi thi."

(In the novel... Vanya gradually changed after coming to the Rathore Mansion.)

She frowned slightly.

"Lekin author ne kabhi nahi bataya ki woh badli kaise."

(But the author never explained how she changed.)

She lowered her eyes in thought.

"Shuruaat se hi story tab shuru ho gayi thi jab Rudra aur Siya mile the."

(The story started directly when Rudra and Siya met.)

"Usse pehle kya hua..."

"Kisi ko kuch nahi pata."

(No one knows what happened before that.)

She slowly turned towards the door again.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

"Lekin ab..."

"Mujhe lag raha hai..."

"Uss badlav ke peeche tumhara hi haath tha."

(Now... I think you were the one behind that change.)

Her eyes became sharp.

"Main jaanti hoon..."

"Rudra Bhaiya aur Veeransh Bhaiya chahein toh kuch hi ghanton mein tumhare baare mein sab pata laga sakte hain."

(I know Rudra Bhaiya and Veeransh Bhaiya can find out everything about you within hours if they want.)

She slowly shook her head.

"Lekin nahi..."

"Main tumhe itni aasani se khatam nahi hone dungi."

(But no... I won't let you be exposed so easily.)

She folded her arms tighter.

"Main chahti hoon..."

"Tum dheere-dheere apne hi jaal mein phaso."

(I want you to slowly get trapped in your own web.)

"Aur jab tumhara sach sabke saamne aayega..."

"Tab tumhare paas bachne ka koi raasta nahi hoga."

(And when your truth comes out before everyone... there will be no way left for you to escape.)

She remained silent for a few seconds.

Then suddenly...

She blinked.

A grin spread across her face.

She pointed at herself dramatically.

"Wah, Lavanya!"

"Kya filmy dialogues maar rahi ho!"

(Wow, Lavanya! What movie-like dialogues you're delivering!)

She lightly slapped her own forehead.

"Lagta hai movies kuch zyada hi dekh li hain."

(Looks like I've watched too many movies.)

She chuckled.

The serious atmosphere instantly disappeared.

Stretching lazily...

She walked back towards the bed.

She pulled her drawing notebook out from beneath the blanket.

Her phone was still lying safely where she had hidden it.

Unlocking it...

She resumed the YouTube tutorial.

The instructor was now drawing the detailed feathers.

Vanya picked up her pencil again.

Completely focused...

She carefully copied every line.

Slowly...

The peacock became more beautiful.

She smiled proudly.

"Not bad..."

"Thoda aur practice karungi toh aur accha banega."

(With a little more practice, it'll become even better.)

She happily continued colouring the design.

Completely unaware...

Downstairs...

Kalpana was still trying to calm her racing heart after almost getting tricked into eating the contaminated snacks.

Meanwhile...

Inside the peaceful room...

Vanya quietly continued drawing...

While another plan slowly started taking shape inside her brilliant mind.

Meanwhile...

On the other side of the city...

Inside Rathore Enterprises...

The entire building was as busy as ever.

Employees hurried from one department to another.

Meetings were going on.

Phones continuously rang.

The sound of keyboards echoed throughout the office.

Inside the CEO's Office...

Rudra and Veeransh were busy with their work.

Several important files were spread across the large conference table.

Neither of them spoke.

Only the occasional sound of pages turning and keyboards clicking filled the room.

Almost two hours passed like that.

Soon...

It was lunchtime.

Rudra closed the file in front of him.

Veeransh also kept his laptop aside.

Within a few minutes...

Their lunch was served.

Both brothers quietly began eating.

For several minutes...

Neither of them spoke.

Finally...

Veeransh broke the silence.

He looked towards Rudra.

"Bhaiya..."

Rudra looked up.

"Hmm?"

Veeransh hesitated before asking,

"Kya hum sach mein Sona ke plan par depend kar rahe hain?"

(Are we really depending on Sona's plan?)

Without even taking a second to think...

Rudra calmly replied,

"No."

Veeransh frowned.

"Then?"

Rudra took another bite before answering.

His voice remained calm.

"Maine already instructions de diye hain."

(I've already given the instructions.)

Veeransh listened attentively.

Rudra continued,

"Kalpana ke baare mein jitni information mil sakti hai..."

(Whatever information can be gathered about Kalpana...)

"Uska background..."

"Woh kis-kis se milti hai..."

"Kisse baat karti hai..."

"Aur uska past..."

"Sab investigate kiya ja raha hai."

(Everything is being investigated.)

He picked up his glass of water.

Taking a sip...

He calmly added,

"Bahut jald report mere paas hogi."

(I'll receive the report very soon.)

Veeransh slowly nodded.

A few seconds later...

His expression turned cold.

His grip around the spoon tightened.

"Uske baad..."

He looked straight at Rudra.

"Usne meri Sona ko hurt karne ki koshish ki hai."

(She tried to hurt my Sona.)

His voice became dangerously calm.

"Usse seedha basement le jaayenge."

(We'll take her straight to the basement.)

Anyone else would have shivered hearing those words.

But Rudra simply looked at his younger brother.

Then calmly shook his head.

"No."

Veeransh looked confused.

"Why?"

Rudra placed his spoon down.

His sharp eyes met Veeransh's.

"Angel ko pehle se hi pata tha..."

(Angel already knew...)

"Ki hum Kalpana ki information aasani se nikalwa sakte hain."

(That we could easily get information about Kalpana.)

A faint smile appeared on his face.

One that rarely appeared.

"Lekin..."

"Usne humein rok diya."

(But she stopped us.)

Veeransh remembered yesterday's conversation.

Vanya's words echoed in his mind.

"We have to act like you both still don't like me."

"I want to deal with Kalpana myself."

He silently sighed.

Rudra continued,

"Angel uske saath khelna chahti hai."

(Angel wants to play with Kalpana.)

"Toh hum bhi uske plan ke saath chalenge."

(So we'll go along with her plan.)

For a few moments...

Silence filled the office again.

Finally...

Veeransh spoke.

"Lekin..."

His voice carried obvious concern.

"Iss process mein sona ko kuch ho gaya toh?"

(But what if sona gets hurt during this process?)

He lowered his gaze.

Ever since he had learned the truth...

The guilt inside him refused to disappear.

He couldn't bear the thought of Vanya suffering again.

Rudra understood exactly what his brother was thinking.

Without hesitation...

He replied,

"Hum dono kis liye hain?"

(What are we here for?)

Veeransh looked at him.

Rudra's expression became serious.

"Ab se..."

"Usse koi haath bhi nahi laga sakta."

(From now on... no one can even touch her.)

His voice carried absolute confidence.

"Jab tak hum dono uske saath hain..."

"Koi bhi Angel ko nuksaan nahi pahuncha sakta."

(As long as we're with her... no one can harm Angel.)

Veeransh slowly smiled.

His worries eased a little.

He nodded.

"Yeah."

Both brothers silently resumed eating.

Neither of them spoke again.

Each was lost in his own thoughts.

One was already making arrangements to uncover Kalpana's entire background.

The other was impatiently waiting for the day she would face the consequences of trying to harm his little sister.

Outside...

Employees continued working as if it were just another ordinary day.

No one knew...

That inside the CEO's office...

A silent battle had already begun.

Meanwhile...

At the Rathore Mansion...

Kalpana believed everything was going exactly according to her plan.

Completely unaware...

That every move she made...

Was now being watched.

Everyone had already started preparing their own plans.

Now...

Only time would tell...

Whose plan would succeed in the end.

The evening sun painted the sky with beautiful shades of orange and pink as another day came to an end.

One by one...

The Rathore brothers returned home after finishing their work.

The mansion, which had remained quiet during the afternoon, slowly became lively again.

After freshening up...

Everyone gathered in the living hall as they usually did every evening.

The servants served tea and light snacks before quietly leaving the family alone.

Meanwhile...

Upstairs...

Vanya had absolutely no intention of coming downstairs.

She had just settled comfortably in her room when...

The door suddenly opened.

Kabir walked in without waiting for permission.

The moment he saw her sitting comfortably...

He placed both hands on his waist.

"Cupcake!"

Vanya looked up.

The moment she saw Kabir's expression...

She knew she was in trouble.

"Kabir bhaiya..."

Kabir smiled.

"Sab neeche hall mein baithe hain."
(Everyone is sitting downstairs.)

"Chalo."
(Come.)

Vanya immediately shook her head.

"Main nahi aa rahi."
(I'm not coming.)

Kabir raised an eyebrow.

"Aur woh kyun?"
(And why?)

Vanya dramatically sighed.

"Bas... mann nahi hai."
(I just don't feel like it.)

Kabir wasn't convinced.

He slowly walked towards her.

Seeing him approach...

Vanya quickly got up from the bed.

"Kabir bhaiya..."

"Aap kya kar rahe ho?"
(What are you doing?)

Kabir grinned.

"Operation Cupcake Rescue."

Before she could run...

He caught her wrist.

"Chalo."
(Come on.)

Vanya immediately protested.

"Nahi!"

"Main room mein hi theek hoon."
(I'm perfectly fine in my room.)

Kabir ignored every excuse.

"Neeche sab wait kar rahe hain."
(Everyone is waiting downstairs.)

He gently dragged her outside the room.

Throughout the corridor...

Vanya continued complaining.

"Kabir bhaiya..."

"Please..."

"Main baad mein aa jaungi."
(I'll come later.)

Kabir simply laughed.

"Nahi."

"Tum baad mein kabhi nahi aati."
(You never come later.)

Unable to win against him...

Vanya finally gave up.

A few minutes later...

Both of them entered the living hall.

Kabir proudly declared,

"Mission complete!"

"Cupcake ko le aaya!"
(I brought Cupcake!)

Arjun chuckled.

Aarav smiled faintly.

Vanya, on the other hand...

Looked completely defeated.

Kabir made her sit on the sofa.

She folded her arms.

Closed her eyes.

And leaned back quietly.

Inside her mind...

Lavanya sighed.

"Shiva..."

"Sabke saath baithna aur unse baat na karna kitna mushkil hai."

(Sitting with everyone and not talking to them is so difficult.)

"Bas thoda aur acting..."

(Just a little more acting...)

A few moments passed.

Arjun noticed how unusually quiet she was.

Normally...

She would either be talking to Kabir...

Or teasing Aarav.

Today...

She hadn't spoken a single unnecessary word.

He smiled gently.

"Sunshine?"

There was no response.

He called again.

"Sunshine..."

Slowly...

Vanya opened her eyes.

Before answering...

She casually looked around the hall.

Her eyes immediately stopped on Kalpana.

The head maid was standing near the showcase.

She appeared to be arranging the decorative pieces.

But Vanya noticed something.

Every few seconds...

Kalpana secretly glanced in her direction.

Watching.

Observing.

Waiting.

Inside her mind...

Vanya couldn't help complaining.

"Seriously..."

"Iske paas aur koi kaam nahi hai kya?"

(Doesn't she have any other work?)

"Poora din irritating mosquito ki tarah mere aas-paas ghoomti rehti hai."

(She keeps buzzing around me like an irritating mosquito all day.)

"Aur isse head maid kisne bana diya?"

(And who made her the head maid?)

Just then...

Arjun called her once again.

"Sunshine?"

This time...

She looked towards him.

He smiled warmly.

"Kya hua?"
(What happened?)

"Aaj itni dull kyun lag rahi ho?"
(Why do you look so dull today?)

Vanya forced a small smile.

"Kuch nahi Ari bhaiya..."
(Nothing, Ari bhaiya...)

"Aaj baat karne ka mann nahi hai."
(I don't feel like talking today.)

Arjun looked worried.

Before he could ask anything else...

Kabir suddenly leaned forward.

His playful smile disappeared.

"Cupcake..."

"Kya hua?"
(What happened?)

"Tum aise behave kyun kar rahi ho?"
(Why are you behaving like this?)

He looked at her carefully.

Then asked,

"Kisi ne tumse kuch kaha?"
(Did someone say something to you?)

Vanya immediately shook her head.

"Nahi."
(No.)

Kabir still wasn't satisfied.

He continued,

"Rudra bhaiya ya Veeransh bhaiya ne kuch kaha?"
(Did Rudra bhaiya or Veeransh bhaiya say something?)

His expression became serious.

"Agar unhone phir se tumhe kuch bhi kaha na..."
(If they said anything to you again...)

He folded his arms.

"Is baar main Papa ko zaroor bataunga."
(This time I'll definitely tell Papa.)

The living hall suddenly became quiet.

A few seats away...

Rudra and Veeransh, who had been quietly sitting together...

Heard every single word.

Almost at the same time...

Both brothers looked towards Kabir.

Then...

Their eyes slowly shifted towards Vanya.

Neither of them spoke.

But both silently waited for her answer.

Vanya immediately shook her head.

"Nahi Kabir bhaiya, kisi ne kuch nahi kaha."
(No, Kabir bhaiya, no one said anything.)

Kabir looked at her for a few more seconds before finally nodding.

"Theek hai..."
(Alright...)

Although he accepted her answer, he still wasn't completely convinced.

Silence once again filled the living room.

The television continued playing in front of everyone.

An emotional family drama scene was running, but hardly anyone was paying attention to it.

Arjun quietly sipped his tea.

Aarav absent-mindedly flipped through a magazine.

Kabir continued munching on the snacks lying on the table.

Rudra and Veeransh sat a little farther away, maintaining their usual calm expressions.

Meanwhile...

Vanya slowly picked up her phone from beside her.

Making sure no one was watching...

She unlocked it.

A mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

"Operation Mosquito..."

She quickly opened WhatsApp.

Without making a sound...

She created a new group.

Members-

Vanya

Rudra

Veeransh

She stared at the blank group name for a second.

Then...

A grin spread across her face.

She typed-

Mission Mosquito - SA

Satisfied...

She pressed Create.

Within seconds...

Ping!

Rudra's phone vibrated.

A second later...

Ping!

Veeransh's phone vibrated too.

Both brothers discreetly took out their phones under the excuse of checking office notifications.

The first message appeared.

Vanya: Hi.

Veeransh looked confused.

He quickly typed.

Veeransh: Hi Sona... What is SA?

Almost immediately...

A reply came.

Vanya: Secret Agents.

Veeransh blinked.

Then...

He couldn't stop himself.

A laugh escaped his mouth.

"Khkh..."

It wasn't loud.

But in the completely silent living room...

It was enough.

Unfortunately for him...

At that exact moment...

The television was showing an extremely emotional scene.

The heroine was crying.

Sad background music echoed through the hall.

Everyone slowly turned towards Veeransh.

Arjun frowned.

Kabir looked confused.

Even Aarav lifted his eyes from the magazine.

Veeransh froze.

"Great..."

"Perfect timing."

He awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Ahem..."

Then he calmly looked at the television.

"Continue watching."

Everyone exchanged strange looks before returning their attention to the TV.

Only Rudra...

Quietly lowered his gaze towards his phone.

A tiny smile threatened to appear on his usually expressionless face.

Inside the group...

Another message appeared.

Vanya:

"Kalpana aunty told me something today."

Both brothers instantly became serious.

She continued typing.

"She told me to stay away from Ari bhaiya, Kabir bhaiya and Avi..."

"And she asked me to keep approaching only both of you."

Rudra's eyes narrowed.

Just as they had expected.

Kalpana really wanted to isolate Vanya from the people closest to her.

A few seconds later...

Rudra typed.

Rudra: So what now?

Vanya smiled while reading the message.

She had already thought about the next step.

Her fingers quickly danced across the keyboard.

Vanya:

"Simple."

"I'll start approaching both of you more often."

"Whenever I come to talk..."

"You both have to act irritated."

"Scold me a little."

"Or say something that makes it look like you still don't like me."

"Nothing too much."

"Just enough for Kalpana aunty to believe her plan is working."

Both brothers stared at the message.

Neither of them liked the idea.

Especially after everything that had happened.

Hurting Vanya-even if it was just acting-

Didn't feel right anymore.

Veeransh slowly typed.

Veeransh: Do we really have to?

Almost instantly...

A reply appeared.

Vanya: Yes.

"Otherwise she'll become suspicious."

"Trust me."

Rudra silently read every word.

He knew she was right.

If Kalpana noticed even a small change...

All their planning would be wasted.

After a long pause...

Rudra finally replied.

Rudra: Okay.

A few seconds later...

Veeransh unwillingly typed.

Veeransh: Okay...

Vanya smiled victoriously.

"Good Secret Agents."

"Mission Mosquito officially starts today."

Veeransh almost laughed again.

This time...

He controlled himself with great difficulty.

Meanwhile...

Kabir suddenly glanced towards Vanya.

She was staring at her phone while smiling to herself.

He frowned.

"Cupcake is definitely planning something..."

Arjun noticed it too.

"Sunshine?"

Vanya immediately locked her phone.

"Ji?"
(Yes?)

Arjun smiled.

"Kya dekh rahi ho phone mein?"
(What are you looking at on your phone?)

Without missing a beat...

She answered innocently.

"Memes."

Kabir raised an eyebrow.

"Achha?"

"Humein bhi dikhao."
(Really? Show us too.)

For one brief second...

Vanya's heart skipped.

If Kabir saw the group chat...

Mission Mosquito would end before it even started.

She quickly hugged the phone against herself.

"Private memes."

Kabir dramatically gasped.

"Private memes bhi hote hain?"
(There are private memes too?)

Vanya nodded seriously.

"Bilkul."
(Of course.)

"National Secret."

Aarav quietly hid his smile behind the magazine.

Even Arjun chuckled.

Kabir pouted.

"Cupcake..."

"Tum bahut suspicious ho."
(You're very suspicious.)

Vanya simply smiled sweetly.

"Thank you."

Kabir blinked.

"Arre..."

"Yeh compliment nahi tha!"
(Hey... that wasn't a compliment!)

The room filled with soft laughter.

Only one person...

Wasn't laughing.

Standing near the showcase...

Kalpana quietly observed everyone.

Her eyes briefly stopped on Rudra...

Then Veeransh...

Then Vanya.

Everything looked normal.

Exactly as she wanted.

She smiled to herself.

Unaware...

That the three people she believed were dancing according to her plan...

Had already formed their own.

And the very first mission...

Mission Mosquito - Secret Agents...

Had officially begun.

Rudra looked up from his phone.

His sharp eyes met Vanya's for a brief second.

Almost invisibly...

He gave a tiny nod.

Vanya understood immediately.

"Time to begin Mission Mosquito."

She put her phone away and stood up from the sofa.

Everyone's attention was still on the television.

She slowly walked towards Rudra and Veeransh.

Kalpana, standing near the showcase, noticed the movement from the corner of her eyes.

A victorious smile appeared on her lips.

"Good..."

"The medicine is finally working."

Vanya stopped beside Rudra.

With an innocent smile, she spoke,

"Rudra bhaiya..."

Before she could continue...

Rudra looked up with an expressionless face.

His voice was cold.

"Kuch kaam hai?" (Do you need something?)

Vanya almost smiled.

"His acting is actually good."

She pointed towards the empty seat beside him.

"Main yahan baith jaun?" (Can I sit here?)

Rudra didn't even spare her another glance.

"Jahan marzi baitho." (Sit wherever you want.)

His indifferent tone made it sound like he didn't care.

Vanya quietly sat beside him.

A few seconds later...

She looked towards Veeransh.

"Veeransh bhaiya..."

Veeransh remembered the plan.

Even though he felt guilty...

He sighed dramatically.

"Sona..."

He corrected himself before anyone noticed.

"Vanya..."

"Hum TV dekh rahe hain." (We're watching TV.)

"Thodi der baad baat karna." (Talk later.)

Vanya nodded obediently.

"Okay..."

She lowered her head slightly.

From a distance...

It looked as if she had been ignored.

Kabir frowned.

Arjun also noticed the interaction.

Aarav silently glanced towards them.

Near the showcase...

Kalpana's smile widened.

"Exactly..."

"That's how it should be."

"Slowly she'll stay away from the younger three... and only keep following Rudra sir and Veeransh sir."

Inside...

However...

Vanya almost burst into laughter.

She secretly took out her phone beneath the cushion and typed in the group.

Vanya: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Excellent acting."

Veeransh's phone vibrated.

He looked down.

The message made him bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing.

He quickly replied.

Veeransh: Don't give ratings. I'm trying not to laugh.

A second later...

Rudra's reply appeared.

Rudra: Focus on the mission.

Vanya smiled to herself.

Vanya: Yes, Boss.

Without lifting his head...

The corner of Rudra's lips twitched for barely a second.

No one noticed...

Except Veeransh.

He immediately looked away before he accidentally laughed again.

Meanwhile...

Kalpana watched everything from afar with complete satisfaction.

She had no idea...

That the "distance" she was happily witnessing...

Was nothing more than an act planned by the very three people she wanted to manipulate.

-----------

Author's Note 💜

Hello, my lovely readers! ❤️

I can't wait to read all your theories in the comments! I always enjoy reading them, even if I can't reply to every single one. ❤️

And as always...

If you're enjoying the story, please don't forget to like❤️, Comment 💬.

Your support means more than you can imagine and motivates me to keep writing.

See you all in the next chapter! 💜

Lots of love,
~ Author ✨