Vidya's heart pounded against her ribcage as her eyes widened in horror, her child's motionless form sprawled before her on the cold floor, a pool of crimson spreading beneath him. The world around her seemed to distort, a surreal nightmare weaving its way into her reality. Time slowed, each heartbeat echoing in her ears as her breath caught in her throat.
With a surge of desperation, Vidya's feet carried her down the stairs, her mind a whirlwind of panic and disbelief. The steps blurred together, but she managed to find her footing, her determination pushing her forward. Kneeling beside ansh, her trembling hands reached out, fingers brushing against his pale forehead, her touch gentle yet urgent. She pressed her quivering palm against the wound, her heart aching with the need to staunch the flow of blood.
Sticky warmth seeped onto her clothes, the visceral reality of the situation hitting her with a gut-wrenching force. She drew ansh closer, his fragile form cradled against her chest, her grip a mixture of fierce protection and raw fear.
Amidst the turmoil, a distant sound reached her ears—the haunting, almost cruel laughter of Kaamna. Vidya's head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock.
Kaamna bent down to her level and asked in a cruel voice -"Are dekho toh kahin mar toh nahi gaya?" Kaamna's malevolent voice sliced through the air like a dagger, chilling Vidya to the bone. The cruelty in those words gnawed at her heart, igniting a rage and fear that intertwined in a bitter dance.
Vidya's chest rose and fell in erratic rhythm, her fingers trembling as she gently patted Ansh's cheek, her voice quivering with a mix of desperation and love. "Anshu, an...shu bacha, dekh meri taraf, aankhein khol... main..." Her voice faltered, emotion clogging her words, the weight of the moment threatening to crush her.
It was as if a vice had closed around her throat, suffocating her, as she struggled to convey her plea. She could feel the raw ache, the sheer vulnerability of this moment, as if someone was tearing the very essence of life from her being.
Vidya's tear-filled eyes lifted, a glimmer of determination shining through the haze of despair. Carefully, she lowered Ansh's head onto the floor. She darted towards her phone, her trembling fingers racing against time. Akaansh needed to know, and Ansh needed medical attention. Her fingers hovered over the device, poised to dial, when her world shattered once again.
Kaamna's hand swooped in like a vengeful storm, snatching the phone from Vidya's grasp and sending it crashing to the ground, a chorus of splintering glass and plastic. Vidya's horror-stricken expression mirrored the destruction before her.
The cruel sound of Kaamna's laughter echoed like a haunting melody, a twisted symphony that intensified Vidya's anguish. A sense of powerlessness threatened to overwhelm her, yet within that vulnerability, a spark of defiance ignited.
A surge of raw fury surged through Vidya's veins, an uncontainable blaze that erupted within her. With a primal force, she lunged forward, her hands propelling Kaamna off-balance and crashing onto the floor. The impact jarred Kaamna's body, the shock registering in her wide eyes as she found herself sprawled on the ground. In that intense moment, Vidya's desperation had transformed into an unrelenting force, a fierce mother's protectiveness that knew no bounds.
Vidya's form loomed over Kaamna, her eyes an amalgamation of fiery rage and tearful frustration. Her voice quivered with intensity as she spoke, a torrent of emotion breaking free. "Aap ne jo kiya hai na uski koi maafi nahi hai, aapko is gunah ki saza zaroor milegi Kaamna. Mere bache ko chot pahuchayi aapne, shak toh mujhe aap pe bohut pehle se tha par aaj..." Her voice trailed off, the gravity of the situation mingling with her words.
But in this moment, urgency took precedence. Kaamna's punishment could wait—what mattered was Ansh's life. With a heart heavy with worry, Vidya tore her gaze from Kaamna and turned towards the unconscious form of her child.
Every second was a precious thread slipping through her fingers, and Vidya knew that the race against time had begun. With the help of servants, she carefully cradled Ansh, their combined efforts propelling them towards the car. In the confines of the car, her fingers pressed against Ansh's clammy skin, her voice a mixture of desperation and determination as she tried to rouse him from his unconscious state.
"Anshu, beta, dekh meri taraf. Uth na bacha baat kar mujhse, kuch nahi hoga tujhe, kuch nahi hone dungi main" Vidya's words held a raw plea, a mother's unyielding love woven into each syllable. But the silence that met her efforts felt like an insurmountable barrier.
The journey to the hospital was a blur of anxiety and prayers, each passing second a stark reminder of the uncertainty that hung in the air. Vidya's gaze never wavered from Ansh's pale face, her fingers gripping his hand with a desperate hope, a silent promise that she would fight for him with every ounce of her being.
As the car raced through the streets, the cacophony of the world around them seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the urgent rhythm of Vidya's heartbeat and the fragile breaths of her child.
Vidya's prior call to Avinaash had triggered a swift response. As their car arrived at the hospital, Avinaash's heart raced in anticipation. With urgency in his eyes, he arranged a stretcher, carefully transferring Ansh onto it. Bloodstains served as a grim reminder of Ansh's critical state.
Suppressing his emotions, Avinaash led the stretcher into the emergency room. His medical instincts took over, guiding his movements as the team sprang into action. Amid the controlled chaos, Avinaash's focus remained unwavering.
Emerging from the emergency room, the doctor's words hung heavily in the air. "His condition is critical, Dr. Raizada. He has lost a lot of blood; we need blood." Avinaash's expression shifted from shock to concern, the weight of the situation pressing upon him.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Akaansh was immersed in a meeting. An unsettling unease had gripped him since morning, though its source eluded him. The client's question about finalizing the deal jolted him from his thoughts. Akaansh appeared distant, lost in a mental fog.
His PA's concerned voice tried to reach him, yet his trance persisted until her touch on his shoulder and a second call broke through. "Huh?"
Are you alright, sir?" his PA inquired, worry evident in her eyes. Akaansh nodded, regaining his focus just in time to finalize the deal, though a wave of unease still lingered. He downed another glass of water, the seventh of the day, attempting to quell the growing restlessness within him.
Akaansh's unease grew into a pressing concern. "Kya ho raha hai yeh, kyun aisa lag raha hai ke kuch galat hai, something's wrong par kyaa?" He reached a decision and promptly dialed Avinaash's number, needing answers.
Avinaash's voice trembled as he answered the call. "Hello, Avi."
The choked sob on the other end sent a wave of alarm through Akaansh. "Bhaiyaa."
Akaansh's heart skipped a beat. "Avinaash, kya hua hai, why are you crying? Avi, please say something. You are scaring me."
Amidst tears, Avinaash managed to speak. "Anshu bhaiya... he needs you. Please, aap jaldi se hospital aajao."
Akaansh felt his breath catch in his throat, his mind racing. "Ansh, kya hua usse?" The urgency in his voice mirrored the fear that gripped his heart.
Avinaash's attempt to hold back tears was evident in his voice. "Yeh sab baaton ka waqt nahi hai bhaiya please come to the hospital."
Akaansh hung up and rushed outside, a sense of urgency propelling him forward. The fear that gripped his heart was overwhelming—he couldn't bear the thought of losing his child.
In a mere 15 minutes, Akaansh arrived at the hospital. His heart ached as he saw Vidya, her expression numb and shattered. She sat there, a portrait of heartbreak. She hadn't shed tears, but the devastation in her eyes spoke volumes.
Avinaash's eyes locked onto Akaansh, and he rushed to embrace his brother. Tears streamed down his face as he spoke. "Thank God aap aagaye bhaiya please chaliye, Anshu ka bohut khoon beh gaya hai aur aapka aur uska blood group same hai jaldi chaliye, we cannot waste anymore time."
The doctor emerged from the room, his words heavy with concern. "Mr. Raizada, bache ki haalat bigadti ja rahi hai please aap chaliye humare saath, we need blood!" Akaansh's mind was a whirlwind of fear as he numbly nodded and followed the doctor.
Avinaash's gaze shifted to Vidya, her numbness palpable. He approached her, his embrace a comforting shield against the storm of emotions. Gently, he held her, his voice tender yet filled with conviction. "Anshu theek hojayega bhabhi, don't worry. Usse kuch nahi hoga."
His concern deepened as Vidya remained unresponsive, lost in her own world. He cradled her face, "Bhabhi?" he implored.
Vidya's gaze met his, her eyes a reflection of her shattered state. Avinaash's plea prompted a flood of sobs, and she finally released the emotions that had been building within her. How could she reveal the truth—that their mother had betrayed them, that she was a witch, a sinister force threatening their lives?
Avinaash's heart ached for Vidya's pain, his arms a shelter for her grief -"Bas bhabhi. Humara anshu itna kamzor nahi hai dekhna woh bilkul theek hojayega phir hum bohut daantenge usko.."His voice trailed off, realization dawning upon him—it was a question that demanded an answer. In the midst of the tense situation, he had forgotten to ask the crucial question: How did Anshu sustain such a serious injury?
"Yeh sab kaise hua bhabhi, Anshu ko itni chot kaise lagi?" Avinaash's voice held a mix of curiosity and concern, his gaze fixed on Vidya.
Vidya's tear-filled eyes locked onto Avinaash's, a reservoir of unspoken anguish and resolve passing between them. The truth was a heavy burden, one that needed to be shared, no matter how painful it might be. He deserved to uncover the darkness that had woven its tendrils around their lives. The woman he had regarded as his mother was far from deserving of that sacred title—she was a betrayer, a force of malevolence.
With a trembling voice that mirrored the tremors in her heart, Vidya began, "Avi yeh sab..." Her words, laden with emotion, hovered in the air. She was on the precipice of exposing a truth that could shatter their reality.
But her words were abruptly interrupted as Kaamna's orchestrated entrance shattered the fragile moment. Rushing forward, she wore a mask of distress, crocodile tears streaming down her cheeks. Her arms enveloped Avinaash in a tight embrace, a calculated maneuver to divert his attention from Vidya's impending confession.
"Yeh sab kaise hua bacha, mera baccha ko itni chot kaise lag gayi, agar usse kuch hogaya toh main jeeteji mar jaungi," Kaamna's voice trembled, a masterclass in feigned vulnerability. Her sobs were a symphony of manipulation, a performance aimed at eliciting sympathy.
Avinaash, ever the compassionate soul, reacted as expected. He offered her soothing words, his touch a balm to her apparent anguish. Guiding her to sit, he ensured she was comfortable, his care a stark contrast to the dark truth that loomed in the background.
Amidst this orchestrated s
cene, Kaamna's eyes flickered with a malicious glint, her gaze shifting to Vidya. A subtle, knowing smile played upon her lips, a chilling acknowledgment of the power play at hand. As their gazes locked, a silent battle of wills waged beneath the surface—a battle that could only be won by the revelation of the truth, a revelation that hung in the air, waiting to be acknowledged.
The doctor appeared, and everyone stood up, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Avinaash hurried over to him, his voice full of concern, "Doctor, woh kaisa hai?"
The doctor smiled kindly, reassuring them, -" "He's out of danger," the words carried a weight that lifted the heavy burden from their hearts. "He'll gain consciousness very soon. You can meet him, but only one person at a time."
A sense of relief washed over them as the doctor's words sank in. The worry that had gripped them began to ease, replaced by a glimmer of hope.
Akaansh sat there, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions, his fingers gently entwined with Ansh's. He stroked his child's hair with infinite tenderness, a soft caress that spoke of a bond stronger than any words. He had once cradled Ansh with a sense of invincibility, shielding him from any harm. Now, to see him lying on a hospital bed, vulnerable and hurt, was a torment he couldn't bear.
He closed his eyes, a silent moment of vulnerability, as tears welled up, threatening to escape. The weight of helplessness bore down on him, a crushing burden that felt insurmountable. He pressed a tender kiss to Ansh's forehead, a gesture of love and apology that carried the weight of a thousand words.
"I'm sorry, bacha," Akaansh's voice quivered with emotion, a confession of remorse that hung in the air. "Main janta hun tu mujhse naaraz hai par main yeh bhi janta hun tu mujhse kabhi nafrat nahi karega." His words carried a mixture of pain and conviction, a testament to the unbreakable bond they shared. "After what I did to you, you still love me. I can see it in your eyes."
Akaansh's voice softened, a plea for understanding and forgiveness. "Bhaiya is very sorry, Anshu. Main majboor hun bacha, har kadam soch samajh ke rakhna padta hai. Meri ek galti aur uski sazaa..." His voice caught, a lump forming in his throat, as he grappled with the weight of his own mistakes.
Gently, he continued to caress Ansh's hair, his touch an anchor amidst the storm of emotions. "I promise, bacha. Main bohut jald sab kuch theek kardunga. Tujhe diya har ghao main bharunga, teri zindagi khushiyon se bhardunga. Bas kuch waqt!" Akaansh's voice grew firmer, determination blazing in his eyes. "In sab ke peeche jo bhi hai, it's time I end it."
In the shrouded darkness of the room, a woman stood near the window, her features obscured by shadows. Despite the lack of visibility, her smile was chillingly apparent—a smile that held the power to unravel lives.
Akaansh cautiously entered the dimly lit space, his footsteps measured, his senses attuned to the eerie atmosphere. This room had become all too familiar to him, a realm of obscurity where the woman thrived in the dance of shadows. He positioned himself at a slight distance, his guarded stance a testament to the wary familiarity that had developed between them.
A malevolent chuckle emanated from the woman, her voice dripping with sinister allure. "Aaj yahan kaisa aana hua akaansh?" Her words slithered through the air, carrying a sense of foreboding that sent shivers down his spine.
Rage simmered within Akaansh, a tempest that threatened to consume him. "Kya mil raha hai tumhein yeh sab karke?" he spat, his voice laced with anger. "Kis hadh tak gir sakti ho tum?"
The woman's laughter, a twisted melody, filled the room. "Akaansh abhi tumne kuch dekha hi kahan hai. Yeh jo tumhare aas paas ho raha hai woh toh kuch bhi nahi hai," she taunted, her words a macabre dance. "Yun samajh lo ke khel ki shuruwaat toh abhi hui hi nahi hai."
Akaansh's efforts to control his fury were palpable, his voice steadying. "What do you want?"
The woman's gaze bore into him, her expression unyielding. "Rakam iss baar thodi bhaari hai akaansh," her tone grew grimmer, a sense of urgency underlying her words. "24 ghante ki mahulat hai tumhare pass. 24 ghante main paise nahi aaye toh tumhare dil se qareeb ek ki jaan jayegi. Yeh khel main tum hamesha se 10 kadam peeche hi rahe ho akaansh. Raftaar nahi badhai toh koi ek zindagi se haar bethega."
Akaansh clenched his fists, his frustration and desperation a palpable force. "Why are you doing this? I'm ready to give you all the money you want. Why are you torturing them?"
The woman's laughter echoed, a haunting refrain. "Woh khel hi kya jismein samne wale pratiyogi ko tadapya na jaye, hmm?" Her voice dripped with malevolence. "Khel main maza kaise aayega akaansh? Ek galti, ek cheekh. Sounds interesting, right?"
Akaansh's eyes squeezed shut as he battled against the memories that flooded his mind—the pain, the regret. He could still feel the weight of that fateful day, a burden that had become a permanent scar on his soul. If only he could turn back time, undo his actions, and rewrite the past.
The woman's gaze flicked to the clock, its ticking a taunting reminder of the time slipping away. "Waqt beeta ja raha hai akaansh," she mused, her voice dripping with amusement. "Umeed karti hun is baar tum koi hoshiyari nahi karoge. Aur agar ki toh..." Her laughter reverberated through the room, a chilling testament to her sadistic enjoyment of this tormenting game.
Author's note:
I hope you'll have a good time reading this update. I'm not sure how it turned out, but I really hope it resonates with you. Feel free to drop your thoughts and feedback in the comments below.
Target 50+ votes and comments.