Realisation And Nurture (BOOK #2) ✔

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

In the blink of an eye, the bullet exploded from the pistol, tracing the trajectory toward Sanchi. Ashna was consumed by the need to exact vengeance on Vihaan, even though it meant committing another crime before being taken into custody.

Ashna screamed, the fire of revenge still burning in her raven black gazes. "Vihaan, the price of your wife's demise will grant you a thousand deaths, repentance, and yearning on a regular basis, all of which I'd desired to see in your eyes for years. You don't deserve to be loved..."

Ashna flinched when she felt a tug on her leash, slipping a few steps beyond and into the depths of the dark ridge. She tried one more time, losing her footing and falling down the hill, tucking at the hand of the one who had pushed her, ruining her only opportunity.

"I cautioned you not to think about hurting Vanya in any way," Maahir warned her as he rolled down the altitude behind her in quick succession. "Leave my hand, Ashna. You're on the brink of welcoming death as a result of your own actions."

"I wouldn't; you're the one who's going to save me." With the other end of the handcuff fastened to her forearm, Ashna extended her other arm and locked Maahir's wrist. "Here, I bind us at once. We'll be together whether we live or die."

A smirking Ashna hung loosely below Maahir, clinging to their shackled hands, while Maahir clutched the uneven shoot of the elevated ledge of the rocks. "Pu-ll. . . me up. . .up now, Maa-hir."

"So that you devise yet another plot to rekindle the dispute between Vanya and Vihaan!" Maahir hissed, his hold on the ledge tightening. "I'm not going to let you do it this time."

"There is no other choice than to save me." Ashna shrieked in terror, her limbs shaking and her heart missing beats. "Do you perceive the deep waters hundreds of feet below us, and do you hear the rippling currents? Please, Maahir, I swear I'll never hurt Sanchi again."

"You're a serpent dressed as a sheep, Ashna. Your promises are almost as fake as yours!" Maahir cried and suddenly closed his eyes. "I know I've made bad decisions in my life and sided with the wrong, but I've never been the kind of person to hurt anyone precious to me. I opted not to do harm to my family and gave up on Vanya, which was very unjust. I wanted to work for you because of an ambiguous story you told me, and I presumed Vihaan was the bad guy."

Ashna shook her head vigorously. "I have no interest in hearing your rantings now."

"I'm not interested in telling you anything. I just want to say that breaking Vanya's heart was the greatest mistake I'd ever made and, that everything about my life since she left me was so meaningless and insignificant. I had never been happy with something that had come into my life before I realized. . ." Maahir drew a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I love her, and I've always loved her. She may never be mine in this birth, but after learning everything, I can't be the cause for ruining her life again."

"So you're not going to save me!"

"If this last choice will truly appease me, Ashna, I'm satisfied — even if it means risking my life. . ." As they glided downwards together, Maahir let go of the ledge and floated in the cool air. "Goodbye Ashna, wishing you luck for your next birth!"

*****

"Home Sw-eet Home—"

After a long time, Sanchi strolled around her bedroom with a smile on her lips, watching the weather outside their window. When they returned to Indore from Gwalior the next morning, all of the tumults had vanished in thin air.

Naina was arrested by the police, Ashna and Maahir were reported dead, and Ahaana would remain at the Bundela house until a proper decision is taken. The family was in a better mood, and everyone had reverted to their normal routines, with the exception of Sanchi and Vihaan, who still had a lot of unresolved discussions.