Dons of Punjab: Fluke of Reality✔️

Chapter 27

Prabhneet Kaur

Sitting among my sisters and sisters-in-law, I felt an overwhelming mix of emotions. Their warm presence surrounded me, yet I couldn't shake off the weight pressing down on my heart. I had made a decision—a choice that took away my control over my own life. But strangely, I wasn't upset about it. If it meant my sisters could finally live in peace, then my sacrifice was a small price to pay.

Jashan Didi's voice broke the silence. "I'm really sorry, Prabh," she whimpered, her eyes filled with pain.

I frowned, concern tightening my chest. "Didi, what's wrong? What happened?" My voice was barely above a whisper, but inside, my heart was pounding. I was terrified of what she might say next.

Gunu Didi sighed heavily, rubbing her temple as if the words she was about to say pained her. "Aman has caused complete chaos in the house. He's... he's killed so many people, Prabh. Harry and Kanwar Jiju have been trying to handle it, but it's too much."

My breath caught in my throat. My body stiffened as my mind tried to process her words.

Aman... had killed people? Because of me?

It felt like the air had been knocked out of my lungs. My hands trembled as I gripped my lap, my fingers digging into the fabric of my dress. The Aman I had known—the one who had once been so kind, so full of warmth—was gone. Had I been blind this whole time? Had I missed the signs?

Memories of him flashed through my mind, each one now tainted with this horrifying truth. He had always been there for me, always watching out for me, always making sure I was safe. But now, that devotion had turned into something terrifying.

"What... what do you mean?" My voice was shaky. "Aman—he wouldn't do that. He's not a killer." I looked up at my sisters, silently begging them to tell me this was some horrible misunderstanding.

But they didn't.

Roop Didi sighed. "Prabh, his love for you is dangerous. He's so obsessed with you that he even threatened his own brothers."

"That's insane!" I gasped, my stomach twisting. My voice rose without me meaning to. "That's not love! That's madness!"

Gunu Didi nodded solemnly. "He's lost himself completely, Prabh. But somehow... you're the only one who can calm him down."

A heavy silence filled the room. The weight of her words settled deep into my bones.

I was the only one who could control Aman.

How was I supposed to process that? The responsibility of it crushed me. Was this my fault? Had my presence, my kindness, led him down this dark path? I felt sick thinking about it.

Before I could say anything else, one of the servants knocked on the door. "Prabh Bibi, your brothers are asking for you in their office."

I swallowed hard. My brothers. I already knew what they wanted to talk about.

As I stepped into the office, my three brothers stood waiting for me. The second I walked in, Deep Paji's sharp eyes locked onto mine."Prabh, what the hell are you thinking?" His voice was tight with frustration and concern. "Why are you throwing your life away?"I took a shaky breath, feeling like a child being scolded. But I wasn't a child. I needed to make them understand."Paji, did you see how Gunu and Jashan practically begged me to say yes?" My voice wavered, but I forced myself to keep speaking. "They're terrified. They think Aman will hurt their husbands and children. What was I supposed to do? Ignore them? Let them live in fear?" I looked at each of my brothers, my vision blurred with unshed tears. "I can't let my sisters suffer because of me."For a long moment, no one spoke. Then, all three of them moved at once, pulling me into a tight embrace.Their warmth, their presence—it made me feel safe for the first time in days. No matter what happened, I had them. I wasn't alone in this fight.Deep Paji's voice was softer this time. "Prabh, we will handle Aman. You don't need to sacrifice yourself."But what if they couldn't? What if things only got worse? I didn't say anything, just held onto them tighter, wishing things weren't so complicated.

My brothers had all found love in their lives. They were married now, and I had seen firsthand the journey it took to get there. It hadn't been easy. The women they loved had once despised them. They had to work hard to earn their trust, to break through the walls built around their hearts.

But they had done it the right way.

They had never resorted to violence, never harmed anyone to prove their love. They had been patient, kind, and understanding. They had let love grow naturally. That was the way it was supposed to be.

And that's why Aman's actions horrified me so much.

Love wasn't supposed to come with bloodshed. It wasn't supposed to be forced. It wasn't supposed to destroy people.

So why had Aman turned into someone who thought it was?

I didn't have the answers. And that terrified me.

That night, I found myself standing by my window, staring out into the quiet darkness. The moon cast a soft glow over the empty streets, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly alone. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, doubts creeping in at the edges.

A soft knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and Sunny stepped inside. Unlike the others, his face wasn't hardened with anger or frustration. Instead, there was only quiet concern.

"Prabh," he said gently, closing the door behind him. "You don't have to do this alone."

I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself. "I know, paji. But what choice do I have?"

He walked over, standing beside me by the window. "There's always a choice, Prabh. We just have to find another way."

I turned to him, searching his face. "Do you really think there's another way? That this won't end in more bloodshed?"

Sunny hesitated before nodding. "I don't know how, but I promise you—we'll figure it out together. You don't have to bear this burden alone."

His words, so simple yet so filled with conviction, made something in me crack. For the first time in days, I let myself believe that maybe—just maybe—there was another way.