MR. RAISINGHANIA AND MS. SHAH

5.

Three weeks. 

It had been three weeks since Aahan's kidnapping incident and my life had gone back to normal. The starting days were very difficult for me. I was always attentive and used to get hyper at small things but now I was easing into my routine.

After spending my whole day with Vansh, on the project work, Aahan and then my NGO students, I was very exhausted. After eating and enjoying a peaceful bath, I laid down on my bed and looked at the clock. It was 9, which was far before my bedtime but I was unusually tired. I closed my eyes and darkness engulfed me in no time.

Some weird noises woke me up. I tried to move but my muscles felt like dead weights. I could not move them even if I willed my whole energy into it. My breaths quickened as I heard someone open the door to my apartment.

I did not give anyone my keys! Who is this person? Where did the person get my house keys?

I panicked as I desperately attempted to move but it was all in vain. I saw a hooded figure approach me. From the stature, it seemed like the figure was of a man. He stood near the end of my bed and stared at me.

This creeped me out.

He kept staring at me for five minutes which felt like hours. He steadily walked towards the side of the bed that was near the door and stood facing me. It was in this region, that the light from window fell on his face. A part of his face was hidden by the cloak but the lower part of his face was clearly visible. He had a small cut along his jaw and his lips were thin.

I wanted to shout for help but I could not. He leaned down until his face was close to my ears.

"Beautiful." His soft voice sent a dreadful wave of fear down my spine.

I stared at the hollow of his cloak where his eyes were. He chuckled and touched my cheek. I was repelled by his touch but I could not move my body. This was the most helpless I had ever been in my life.

"So beautiful and so helpless. At my mercy." He gave a deep sinister laugh that had me shaking in fear.

I prayed for god to send help. I was so terrified of what he might do that I regretted not accepting Mr. Rai Singhania's offer earlier. He took out a knife from his pocket and pressed the cold blade on my neck and applied enough force to draw blood.

My breath got caught in my throat as I waited for his next action.

I did not want to die so soon!

I wanted to live, complete my degree and go back to my parents, to their warmth and safety!

I cried as I thought about them. My chest ached painfully but I could do anything but wait for my inevitable death.

Just as he was about to press the knife deeper into my throat, he froze. I could feel something wet on my cheeks and arms but I could not see what it was due to the darkness. I heard him grunt and hold his arm which was holding the weapon. The knife was no longer in his hands.

I heard another sound from near the window and saw Vansh standing there, his face illuminated by the moonlight. I wanted to call him, get his attention, run to him but I remained in the bed like a lifeless body.

He stalked across the room towards the man who tried to attack me but the man started running. I heard Vansh whistle but he did not chase after the man. He rather searched for a switch and turned on the lights in my room. I closed my eyes shut at the immediate brightness.

I stayed put in my place until I felt a touch on my cheeks. I opened my eyes to see Vansh wiping something from my cheeks. More tears spilled out of my eyes as I thought about what would have happened if Vansh would not have been there on time.