Her Nightmare | 18+

|| Chapter 27 ||

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Parinidhi

I arrived at the hospital with Rahul, a wave of anguish overwhelmed me. My steps quickened towards the ward entrance, but I came to a sudden halt, the weight of my guilt pressing heavily on my chest.

Determined to avoid causing any more pain to someone already suffering, I wiped my tears with my pallu, bracing myself for what lay ahead.

With a deep breath, I pushed open the ward door. The sight inside hit me like a tidal wave.

I staggered slightly, but Rahul's steady hand kept me grounded. Standing beside the bed, I confronted the harsh reality of Ajit's condition, which was far worse than I had imagined.

His body was a mosaic of injuries, concealed beneath a patchwork of bandages and casts. The stiff brace around his neck spoke volumes about the severity of his condition.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I stepped closer. As I looked at Ajit's face, despair settled in. The familiar features were now marred by swelling and deep lacerations, a stark testament to his suffering.

The sight of Ajit, once so resilient, now reduced to such agony, was deeply unsettling. Tears blurred my vision, making it hard to reconcile the harsh reality before me. The contrast between his usual composure and his current state was a chilling reminder of the fragility of life.

"P...Pari..." Ajit's voice quivered, barely a whisper, as he reached out a trembling hand toward me. With determination, I took his hand in mine and settled beside his bed, the weight of the moment pressing down on me.

"I knew you'd come, Pari," Ajit's strained words cut through me, leaving a lump in my throat and rendering me speechless.

His grip tightened, and a single tear slid down his cheek, landing on the pillow beneath him. "I'm sorry, Pari. I wasn't there when you needed me."

Overcome with guilt and sorrow, I rested my head against our linked hands, tears flowing freely as I choked out, "I'm so sorry, Ajit. I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I feel responsible for your pain."

"No, Pari... don't carry this burden," Ajit pleaded, his voice filled with a quiet strength. I leaned in, pressing my forehead against his, and we closed our eyes together.

In that shared moment, I wished I could erase his suffering, but I knew I couldn't. "I'm so sorry, Ajit," I murmured, my voice heavy with regret.

Ajit's condition ignited a deep anger within me. No one should endure such cruelty. I vowed then and there that Devansh would never be forgiven by me.

The door to the ward creaked open, and I moved back in my seat, bracing for Rahul's arrival. He entered, holding a bowl of porridge.

"Di, please, make sure Ajit eats this. He hasn't eaten anything since yesterday, waiting to see you," Rahul said, his concern palpable.

I turned to Ajit, who managed a weak smile despite his agony. "I had no choice but to bring you here, even if it meant starving myself," he said.

"Ajit, how could you do this, especially in your condition?" I asked, my voice tinged with worry.

Ajit's smile remained a beacon of his strength amid his suffering. "What's going on?" I asked, struggling to understand.

"It's been so long since you've scolded me, Pari," Ajit said, his words cutting deep. Despite everything, his resilience stood in stark contrast to Devansh, whose actions had left me feeling shattered.

I shook my head firmly, pushing thoughts of Devansh aside. With determination, I took the bowl from Rahul and set it on the nearby table.

Rahul and I carefully lifted Ajit, propping him up in bed.

"Here, let me help you," I said softly, guiding a spoonful of porridge to Ajit's lips. Each movement was deliberate, aiming to make him as comfortable as possible before easing him back down.

Despite the agony etched on his face, Ajit fought to stay awake, clearly afraid that if he fell asleep, I might leave. I squeezed his hand reassuringly and whispered, "Rest now. I'll come back soon."

As Ajit finally drifted into sleep, his grip on my hand relaxed. I gently withdrew and started to leave the room.

But Rahul's grip tightened around my hand, halting me in my tracks.

Ajit lay quietly, his rest uninterrupted. I didn't want to disturb him. I swiftly guided Rahul out of the ward.

"Don't ever do that again," I said, my voice stern. "You can't pull me around like that. Do you really want to sink to Devansh's level? Is that what you're aiming for?"

"I'm sorry, Di. I couldn't let you go back. Please, don't get caught in that trap again," Rahul said, his voice trembling with emotion.

I gently pulled my hand from his and met his tearful eyes with firm resolve. "I need to go, Rahul," I said.

"Di, do you love him?" Rahul asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

I took a deep breath and met his gaze steadily. "No, I don't love him," I replied.

I couldn't bring myself to lie to Rahul, so I spoke with raw honesty, my voice trembling. "For a brief time, I allowed myself to believe that this marriage could foster feelings for Devansh, seeing him as a fellow human. But that illusion shattered when he forced....." My voice faltered, choked by the painful memory. Gathering my strength, I continued, "I cannot love such a despicable creature, not after witnessing Ajit's suffering."

"Then why, Di?" Rahul's voice cracked with emotion, echoing his deep concern and confusion.

Before I could respond, Rahul's voice trembled with urgency. "He'll only bring you more pain. Why go through that again?"

I met Rahul's gaze with unwavering resolve. "No, he won't," I said firmly. "He won't have that power over me anymore. I've endured in silence, knowing your life was at risk. But now, neither your safety nor mine is compromised."

Rahul's frustration was evident. "Then why stay with him, Di? Let's leave and start anew somewhere."

"Do you think he'd let us escape so easily?" I countered. "No, Rahul. He'd track us down, search every corner until he finds us."

"So, you'll remain with him?" Rahul's voice was sharp with anger.

"Only until I've dismantled him as thoroughly as he shattered me," I declared. "I will break him until he's nothing but a shadow of his former self, and he'll leave us, fading from our lives like a haunting memory."

"Today, I return not as Devansh Agnihotri's wife, but as a daughter to my parents, as your sister, Rahul, and as a friend to Ajit," I said resolutely. "I've seen everything fall apart, and now it's time to rebuild. Devansh Agnihotri will face Parinidhi Verma head-on."

I embraced Rahul tightly, whispering, "Rahul, you need to look after Mom and Ajit. Can I count on you?"

Rahul nodded, his eyes serious. "Yes, Di. I'll take care of everything."

As I left the room, a fierce determination burned within me. I would no longer be a pawn in Devansh's game of fear. He would face the consequences of his actions and pay for the suffering he caused.

Outside the hospital, Devansh stood by his car, his presence unmistakable. Our eyes met, and he straightened, anticipating what was to come.

I knew he had questions, but answering them was no longer my concern.

I climbed into the back of the car, brushing aside his attempts to speak. Devansh, momentarily taken aback, took his place beside me.

As the car drove away, I stared out the window, my thoughts focused on one thing, "Devansh, you've destroyed not one, not two, but three lives—mine, my brother's, and Ajit's. You will be held accountable."

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