Abhimanyu, a runaway who fled the hellish environment his father created, has spent a decade navigating life's uncertainties through a world of gambling. Alone and drifting through the streets of Lucknow, everything changes when he encounters Roop...
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A/N - Hey! My Gems, My story is rich in detail and features deep character and plot development. This may make the pacing feel slower, but for those seeking a fast-paced story with a shallow plot, this might not be the best fit. However, if you enjoy slow burns and stories with depth, I love you and truly appreciate your support! ♡
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Roop, a force of nature in a floral-printed Patiala suit, stormed towards Abhimanyu. In a single, fluid motion, she snatched his collar in a grip that surprised even him. Her normally gentle eyes blazed with a fury that mirrored Maa Durga. "You!" she snarled, her voice tight with barely controlled rage. "What did you do to her?!"
Instinct took over as Abhimanyu reached up to pry her hands loose. He expected a fight, a struggle, but the unexpected strength in her grip caught him off guard. "Hold on a second, will ya?" he managed to force out, his voice strained. "Let me explain!"
He knew this was how she'd react. Chand, her little Chand, gone for an entire night, and not just anywhere - with a stranger, a gambler with a reputation that preceded him. A man rumored to associate with the thugs of the city's underbelly. The anger in her eyes was a storm he couldn't blame her for, but he wouldn't back down without a fight.
"You dare touch my kid! You scoundrel! She's just a little girl-"
"Woman! Calm down for a minute and let me explain the situation, alright?!" Abhimanyu raised his voice, but his grip on Roop's arm softened slightly. "I'm not a pedophile! Your "kid" ended up in the red light district last night, and I have no idea why. You should be thankful I was there. Otherwise, things could've gotten much worse." Abhimanyu explained, his voice still firm but less harsh. He spoke bluntly, but it seemed there was a hint of concern beneath his gruff exterior.
Roop's eyes widened, her pupils blown black. Her breath hitched in her throat, a stark contrast to the frantic gasps she might have let out if she truly feared losing Chand. This was a different kind of terror, a chilling realization that sent shivers down her spine. Abhimanyu recognized that look, the cold dread of the past resurfacing. It mirrored the fear that flickered in his own eyes whenever the name "Raichand" was uttered.
Rishabh, his jaw clenched and fists balled, stormed into the scene. His concerned expression for Roop morphed into one of annoyance as his gaze landed on Abhimanyu. "This man again! I knew you were trouble the first time I saw you! First you snatch Chand, and now you harass Roop! Listen here, you pathetic excuse for a human being, I'll-"
A firm but gentle voice cut through Rishabh's tirade. "I don't think the young man has done anything wrong," Sushila Devi declared. They all turned their heads in unison, finding the elderly woman perched in her wheelchair, propelled by Sakhee. Sushila Devi's gaze, sharp despite her age, swept over the tense scene.
"But Maa," Rishabh's voice tightened, a flicker of something more than protectiveness crossing his eyes, "Chand was with this thug the entire night! Who knows what he could have done to her?"
