My Wrong Bride: The Unexpected Twist

Part 2: Shattered Innocence

Shreya's POV

Three years ago,

"Batman sucks."

Don't ask me why I'm in the living room with Anu sitting on the couch, a big tub of ice cream placed between us. We talk about superheroes and really enjoy watching them.

"Batman is the best superhero ever," I quickly replied.

"He doesn't have any superpowers," she argued, looking at me with confusion.

"That's why he is the best. He doesn't need superpowers to save lives," I explained, hoping to clear her confusion as she was only 8 years old.

"How is he 'super' then if he doesn't have any powers?" she said with a childish tone, making me laugh.

Let me tell you, I'm a fan of superheroes and enjoy watching them. Just like for me, my Papa was a superhero for 18 years of my life.

Oh, you all must be wondering where they are. My dad was a jeweler, while my mom was a jewelry designer. Together, they created beautiful and unique pieces of jewelry that we used to sell in our store. Although not a big store, it was enough for us as we came from an upper middle-class family, and my parents were famous as the Reddy couple.

As we watched and ate ice cream, chatting about Batman, we heard the honking of cars. In that moment, leaving everything behind, we raced to the door to see who would reach it first. Obviously, being older than her, I always won, which would annoy her, resulting in a cute pout on her lips as she complained about our dad hugging me right now.

"Didi (elder sister) always does that and never lets me win," she used her sulky face and teary eyes to melt me, which always worked. Dad picked her up, kissed her forehead, and wiped her tears. But that's not the case anymore, as they fell from her eyes.

At the same time, Mom also came in. She hugged the two of us, kissed our foreheads, and entered the house.

Anu and I exchanged wide-eyed glances, realizing our mistake. Then, we both turned to Dad, using our best puppy dog eyes, silently begging him to save us from Mom's wrath.

Anu and I looked at each other with wide eyes when we realized our mistake. Then, we both looked at Dad with puppy dog eyes, begging him to save us.

"No, no, Shreya, not this time," he told us, shaking his head in horror.

"One last time, Daddy," we made sad faces, and you know, every time we call Dad "Papa," he's bound to melt.

"Another night in the living room," he muttered, pouting to himself, which made us chuckle.

"Shreya, Anu!" then we heard Mom shout, and we hid behind Dad.

She rolled her eyes, seeing us hiding behind Dad angrily.

"Young lady," she called out angrily, "how many times have I asked you two not to eat ice cream during this time? And you both know well why."

We felt guilty for our actions and asked for her forgiveness, and she forgave us, though not without some additional reprimands.

Like that, the day passed by smoothly, unaware of the storm hovering over us.

It was midnight when I heard a noise that disturbed my sleep. I woke up, made sure Anu was sleeping soundly, and walked toward the door. What I saw before me was horrifying.

Armed men surrounded my parents with a man in the middle. I couldn't see their faces clearly because my eyes were still hazy from sleep, but the next thing shook the ground below me.

"No, you can't do this! It's all my hard work!" My dad yelled in panic, but the man laughed at him, pointed a gun at my dad's head, and then... "BOOM."

I saw my father lying motionless on the living room floor. The air in my body seemed to be sucked away, and I shivered, closing the door to avoid seeing any more. But soon, I heard another gunshot.

Trembling, I ran to the phone by my bed and called my father's best friend, the police commissioner, Anil Khatri. His daughter, Ananya Khatri, was my best friend and classmate as well.

As soon as he answered the call, without letting him speak, I started, "Hello Uncle, it's Shreya. Some people came into our house, and they shot Papa. Then I heard another gunshot. Please come quickly and save us, save Momma and Papa..."

A loud knock on the door startled me. The phone fell from my hand, breaking in the process, and I froze in place. Then I heard that they had also shot Mom, and now we were the only ones left. If they succeed, all the properties and designs would belong to them.

Another hard knock brought me back to reality. Right after that, I took out a small bag from my closet and put all the jewelry my dad had gifted us in it, along with some money and my mother's design book. I didn't want it to fall into the wrong hands. I also grabbed our ID cards. I put everything inside the bag and threw it out of the window.

Since we lived on the first floor, it wasn't difficult for us to jump off. Just as they started breaking down the door, my heart skipped a beat.

Thankfully, I found the keys still on the scooter. It's my bad habit that I always get scolded by my parents, but today it's the only thing that can get us to safety.

We rode our scooters around and left the house. We heard people running behind us, but luckily, it was already dark, and soon a police siren sounded, causing them to stop the pursuit. So, we were saved for the time being, until something flashed in our way.

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Present

Startled, I opened my eyes and found myself lying on a hospital bed, feeling confused. That night has always been a nightmare for me.

As reality hit me again, I clung to the person who needs me and the person I need the most.

"Priya..."

😔😔😔😞😞😞😬😬😬😒😒😒🥺🥺🥺

How's the chapter?

Take care and stay safe.

Best Regards,
Muskaan