Love Me If You Dare

76 - Chasing darkness

Writer's pov

After being discharged from the hospital, Dev and Lakshmi returned to the Rathore mansion. Silence hung heavily between them. Dev walked ahead, expression unreadable, lost in the labyrinth of his own thoughts after his father's visit. Lakshmi followed quietly, unsure what to say, as the tension between them stretched with every tick of the clock. She had failed to complete even a single one of Varun's tasks. Each unaccomplished duty weighing heavily on her.

Dev strode silently to his room, and Lakshmi trailed behind, her steps hesitant. Zahir was occupied with phone calls, seemingly unaware of the storm brewing between the two. As Dev passed Parvathy's room, he paused for a fraction of a second.

"You should at least see her room once," Lakshmi's soft voice came from behind.

Dev's jaw tightened, and without a word, he moved on. Lakshmi exhaled slowly, realizing there was nothing she could do against the wall of his ego. By the time she reached his room, he had already disappeared into his secret chamber, leaving her alone in the vast, quiet space.

She sat on the bed, hugging her knees. "What am I even doing here? Where is my life going?" she whispered to herself, her mind spinning with confusion and helplessness.

"Dev..."

"Dev beta..."

Before she could finish, Varada barged into the room, her presence as sharp as a whip. Her face twisted into a frown the instant she saw Lakshmi.

"Who told you to come here?" Varada barked, grabbing Lakshmi's hand tightly. "Everything that has happened is because of you! Misfortune follows you everywhere — first your mother, then your father, and now you think you can take my Dev away? I won't allow it!"

"Leave my hand, Aunty! It's hurting!" Lakshmi cried, trying to pull free.

"You will come with me!" Varada's grip didn't loosen.

"Where are you taking me? Aunty... please!" Lakshmi's voice quavered.

"To show you your proper place!" Varada yelled, dragging her forcefully. "I've been waiting for this day. And now that we've caught you red-handed, what if you try to harm Dev again?"

"What are you saying? What happened to you?" Lakshmi's panic rose with each step. She struggled to keep pace, but Varada's iron grip refused to relent.

"Maa ji... Maa ji!" Varada's voice rang through the hall, calling out for Dadi. But it wasn't just Dadi , it seemed as if she was summoning everyone in the house. Lakshmi's confusion deepened with every shout.

"What is happening here? Why is there so much noise? It was so peaceful for a few days..." 

Mr. Rathore appeared from his study, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

By the time Dadi emerged from the pooja room, Varada had shoved Lakshmi roughly to the floor at her feet.

"Varada!" Mr. Rathore's voice thundered across the hall, his eyes locking on her harsh actions.

"I knew something like this would happen one day!" Varada spat, her anger uncontained. "This is why I kept telling you to keep her away from Dev. She is nothing but misfortune for my son!"

Everyone froze, stunned by her words. Whispers and gasps filled the room as the tension thickened.

Lakshmi slowly got to her feet, trembling. Her gaze darted between Dadi and the others, confusion and fear etched across her face. She opened her mouth, trying to find words to explain, but no sound came out. It was as if the world had narrowed to just this one horrifying moment ,her helplessness in the grasp of Varada's wrath and the judgmental stares surrounding her.