TO THE STARS THAT LISTEN

CHAPTER 59: To the Stars that Listen

Ahaan

My entire life, I've tried to be the perfect son, perfect man, a perfect human, irrespective of what was happening inside of me. Even when my own world was falling apart, I never let it show. When mom died I didn't cry, instead, I focused all that anger and not let repeat, what happened to my mother to others. 

But even then I never had this serious urge to torture someone to a slow painfull death. Never have I ever wanted kill someone slowly, bring them back to life and then kill them even more closely.

When I held Ira in my arms, while she cried and told me what happened to her, all I wanted to do was rip the heads off those coward bastards who target small children. The thought of them hurting her, made my blood boil in a way I had never experienced before.

Ira, who had endured so much and yet continued to smile, to love, to live. The thought of her being hurt, of her suffering at the hands of those monsters, ignited a fire within me. A fire that demanded justice, that demanded retribution.

As she trembled in my arms, I vowed silently to protect her with everything I had. I would not let those demons haunt her any longer. I would stand by her, fight for her, and if it came to it, I would make sure they paid for what they had done.

"Ira," I whisper, my voice filled with a resolve I have never felt before. "I promise you, I will never let them hurt you again. I will be here for you, and we will get through this together."

She looks up at me, her eyes fill with a mixture of pain and hope. "Ahaan, I don't want revenge. I just want to be free from the past."

I nod, understanding her need for peace, for healing. "I know, Blossom. And I will help you find that peace. But know this—I will never let them near you again. You are safe with me." I hug her again. 

I know Ira is scared right now, specially after seeing the monsters that have haunted her nightmares and brutally murdered her dreams, but I swear on my dark soul, I will not let those bastards off the hook soo easy. The pot of their karma is overflowing now, and I will make sure to end them before they dirty this earth more than they already have.

We keep hugging each other till our hands from holding on too tight and our legs are numb from standing on them for soo long, only then do we let each other go.

"Do you wanna go home, now?" I speak to her softly.

"Yes, please." Her voice sounds meek. Losing all the usual conidence and I'm gonna torture those rascals some more for this.

I carry her to her side of the car and help her put on the seatbelt, before walking to my side and settling in, myself. The drive home is quiet, the silence filled with unspoken words and emotions.

As we pull into the driveway, I turn to her. "Blossom, we're going to get through this. Together. One step at a time."

She nods, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you, Ahaan. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," I assure her, squeezing her hand gently. "I'm here. Always."

We walk into the house, the familiar surroundings offering a sense of comfort and safety. I guide her to the living room, where we sit down on the couch. I hold her close, her head resting on my shoulder as we sit in silence, drawing strength from each other.

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(The same night)