Her Nightmare | 18+

|| Chapter 34 ||

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DEVANSH

The ground seemed to clutch at my feet, anchoring me in place as I watched her. Every instinct screamed at me to run after her, to stop her from leaving, but who was I to hold her back?

She glanced back once before slipping into the car, a fleeting spark of hope igniting within me, only to be snuffed out as she turned away and disappeared into the night.

Mukul was my friend, yet seeing him with Pari felt like a knife twisting in my chest. It was as if I were being tested, and I was failing miserably under Pari's cold, unyielding gaze.

I knew where she was going, who she was going to see, and despite my reluctance, just the thought of it sent a wave of rage coursing through me. But no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't bring myself to act.

One wrong move could push Pari even further from my grasp, to a point where I might lose her forever. I couldn't afford that risk. So, with a heavy heart, I let her go, knowing that chasing after her would only drive her farther away.

But I knew where I could find some comfort, even if just for a short while, because I needed to quell the storm brewing inside me. Otherwise, I feared I might do something reckless, something that would only make things worse.

When I arrived, I took a deep breath and knocked gently on the door.

I hoped for a warm reception, waiting for the door to open to her familiar smile.

And just as I expected, she greeted me with that comforting smile as soon as the door swung open.

I returned the smile and bent down to touch her feet, showing my respect.

"May you always be happy, Beta," she blessed me, her hand resting gently on my head.

"How are you?" I asked as I stepped inside and sank onto the sofa.

"I'm fine," she replied and without hesitation, headed towards the kitchen. I quickly stood up and gently stopped her. "I'm not here for anything, just to see you," I explained, guiding her back to the sofa and sitting on the floor, resting my head in her lap.

"What's troubling you, Devansh? Is everything alright?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice.

"Yes, everything's fine. I just needed to see you, to feel a little better," I assured her, feeling her gentle strokes soothe my troubled mind as I closed my eyes.

"Where's Pari? Why hasn't she come?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. "I've been wanting to visit your home and see both of you."

"Why didn't you come, then? You know you're always welcome," I replied, trying to mask the tension in my voice.

"Devansh, I can't just show up without asking Pari first," she said, her eyes showing a mix of hesitation and understanding.

"Who asks their own daughter for permission before visiting her, Maa?" I countered, standing up and straightening my coat. "I'll leave now."

She nodded, walking with me to the door. "Have you told Pari about that, Devansh?"

"Pari doesn't need to know about that, Maa. I don't think she'd like it. You know how protective she is," I tried to reassure her, even as guilt twisted in my stomach for deceiving Pari.

Even as I spoke, a deep sense of guilt gnawed at me. The warmth of her presence, like a mother's love, only heightened the weight of my betrayal. It was a struggle between the comfort I sought and the burden of my deception, leaving me torn and conflicted.