Dons of Punjab: Fluke of Reality✔️

Chapter 46

Prabhneet Kaur Aulakh

As my mind slowly wakes up, a sharp pain spreads from my wrists. My eyelids feel heavy, but I force them open, only to be met with a confusing and terrifying sight. I am tied to a chair, thick ropes wrapped tightly around my wrists and ankles. The rough fibers dig into my skin, sending a burning sensation up my arms. My body is stiff, aching from being in this position for too long.

Panic rises in my chest as I struggle against the restraints, but they do not budge. My breathing quickens, and my heart pounds like a drum in my chest.

"Who did this?" I whisper, my voice hoarse. "Who in the world had the nerve to tie me up like this?"

I glance around the dimly lit room, my eyes darting to every corner. The air smells damp, mixed with the faint scent of cigarette smoke and something metallic—blood. A single bulb flickers overhead, casting eerie shadows on the cracked walls. A wooden table sits in the corner, cluttered with empty bottles and a half-smoked cigar. Whoever did this had been here recently.

A wave of anger crashes over me, burning hotter than my fear. How dare they? Did they not know who I was? Who my family was? My husband—

Aman. 

The thought of him sends a sharp pang through my chest. What would he do if he found out I had been kidnapped? The image of his furious face comes to my mind, his hands clenched into fists, his jaw tight. He would burn the whole world down to find me. But I am not one to sit around and wait to be rescued. No, I would get myself out of here.

I press my lips against the coarse rope around my wrists, feeling the rough fibers scrape against my skin. I bite down, my teeth sinking into the material. It is slow, painful work, but I refuse to stop. My brothers always taught me never to give up, never to show weakness. If they were here, they would tell me to fight.

Minutes pass, maybe more, but finally, I feel the rope weaken. With a final, desperate pull, the fibers snap apart, and my hands are free.

A shaky breath leaves my lips, but I have no time to rest. My fingers move quickly to untie the knots around my ankles, wincing as the circulation returns to my limbs. I stand slowly, my legs weak but steady enough to move.

I make my way to the door, my ears straining for any sound. The hallway beyond is eerily quiet. Too quiet. My gut tells me something is wrong, but I push forward.

I reach for the Glock Aman had given me, tucked securely under my waistband. A reassuring weight. If anyone tried to stop me, they would regret it.

Just as I take a step forward, a sharp yank on my hair sends a cry of pain from my lips.

"Where in the bloody hell do you think you're going?" a deep voice growls behind me. His grip tightens, pulling my head back painfully.

The thick German accent makes my blood boil.

A German. Again? Hadn't they learned their lesson the last time they messed with us?

Before I can react, he shoves me back into the room, making me stumble and fall to my knees. A heavy boot slams into my side, knocking the air from my lungs. Another hit lands on my shoulder, then my stomach.

Pain explodes through my body. I curl up, shielding my head as blow after blow rains down on me. The force of his strikes sends fresh tears rolling down my cheeks, but I refuse to scream again.

"Stupid girl," he spits, stepping back. "You think you can escape?"

I lift my head slowly, my vision swimming, but my glare is sharp. "You have no idea who you're dealing with."

The German chuckles darkly. "Is that so?"

I don't respond. I don't need to. Because I notice something he doesn't—the door is open. He must have forgotten to lock it in his arrogance.

The moment he turns slightly, I move. Summoning the last of my strength, I push myself up and lunge toward the window. The glass is old, covered in grime, but I don't hesitate. With a deep breath, I throw myself through it.

The sharp sting of glass slicing my arms and legs barely registers as I fall. The cold night air rushes past me before I hit the ground hard, pain jolting through my bones.

But I don't stop.

I force my legs to move, ignoring the agony shooting through my body. My bare feet pound against the pavement as I run. I don't look back. I don't need to. I know they will be coming after me soon.

The city streets blur as I sprint toward the one place I know is safe. The one place where I can find protection—home.

After what feels like an eternity, I finally reach the front steps. My legs give out, and I collapse, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My body shakes violently, the pain and exhaustion catching up to me.

Tears spill from my eyes, but I barely register them. The gunshots still echo in my ears, a reminder of how close I had come to losing everything.

I need him.

I need Aman.

My hands grip the cold ground beneath me, my body trembling. I have always been strong, always been able to stand on my own. But right now, all I want is his arms around me, holding me together.

A sob escapes my lips, my voice barely above a whisper. "Aman..."