His Brown Bride

14

Rajiv's POV







"Look at me, son," my mother said, her voice cracking as she grasped my face and turned it towards hers. I saw the faint lines of tears still glistening in her eyes.

"I will kill that woman, I swear," she vowed, her anger and desperation rising.

"We can't just sit here and do nothing. We've been to countless hospitals, and they all say the same thing: there's no trace of poison in your blood. What kind of sorcery is this that escapes all detection? I'm at my end. I'll go to her and choke the truth out of her if I have to. I can't bear the thought of watching you die before me; it's impossible."

"Mother," I said, embracing her to calm her down, my hand gently rubbing her back in a soothing motion.

"She's right," Divya's voice chimed.

"She's responsible for the deaths of my father and brother, victims of the same poison that's now coursing through your veins. It's time she paid for her sins. I once wanted her to suffer, to prolong her agony, but now I can't afford it. She must provide the antidote to save you, or I'll take matters into my own hands and ensure she meets her end."

My eyes locked onto hers as she spoke. She stood by the entrance, her gaze blazing with anger, before she turned and stormed out of the room.

"Mother, wait!" I exclaimed, trying to pull away from her grasp to chase after Divya before she acted impulsively. But my mother's firm grip on my hand held me back.

"Let her go," she whispered tiredly.

"If it comes down to it, let her kill Ms. Ahuja if that's what it takes to get the antidote. I can't lose you, my son."

"What are you talking about, Mother? Are we going to take the law into our own hands now? Her brother entrusted her to my care. If she kills Ms. Ahuja, she'll end up in jail for murder." I pulled my hand free from her grasp and rushed out, racing through the corridor until I caught up with her just as she was about to exit.

"Divya!" I called out, my voice halting her. She turned to face me, her expression apologetic.

"We're running out of time, Rajiv. We have less than a week to save your life. She's already proven she'll stop at nothing to get what she wants. She did the same to my father, thinking Brother was incapable of leading the company. But when he proved her wrong, she orchestrated his downfall and ultimately killed him. Now, you're the only one standing in her way. She won't think twice about killing you too."

"I know. That's why I plan to call her today to arrange a meeting."

"Will you sign the papers?" she asked, her eyes welling up with tears.

"I'm selfish, I know. But please, don't do it. If you do, my brother and father's souls will never rest in peace, and she'll get away with her evil deeds, living a happy life while we suffer." Tears began to stream down her face.

Did I mention that it took me days, but I have finally moved on and accepted that I am the person who replaced her brother in her life?

I smiled, having a plan to extract the truth from her.

••••

I invited her to dinner, telling her that I had decided to sign the papers.

We sat across from each other at the dining table, our food untouched.

I had intentionally arranged for a private setting, ensuring we were alone with no distractions.

I could sense her unease as we faced each other in silence.

"I'll sign the papers after dinner," I said, my tone casual.

"After you," she replied, her eyes locked on mine.

I smiled, taking a spoonful of food into my mouth. The remaining food on the plate was poisoned.

"Now it's your turn," I said as I gestured for her to take a bite.

"Do you think I'm a fool? I know you'll try to get the antidote from me! This plate is poisoned, isn't it?" She accused, her voice rising in anger.

"What...?" I started feigning surprise.

"Well, if you're not comfortable eating from it, let's just exchange plates," I suggested, pushing my plate towards her.

She hesitated for a moment before pushing her plate back towards me.

"Eat it," she dared.

"You eat first," I countered.

She fetched the food, swallowing a spoonful of it, her eyes never leaving mine.

"Now it's your turn," she ordered, her voice firm.

I complied, taking a bite from her plate as she watched me with suspicion.

"Dinner's done then. We've both eaten our fill," she said. She opened the file that had been lying on the table beside her, pushing it towards me.

"Shall we proceed to sign the papers, then?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"You've just consumed the same poison you gave me, your stepson, and your husband," I revealed, my voice cold.

"The only difference is that this version works much faster. You have mere minutes left, not weeks."

Her eyes widened in horror as she clutched her stomach, her body beginning to shake violently. "Ahhh!" she wailed, her grip on her stomach tightening as she doubled over in pain.

"I'm dying... I can't breathe," she gasped, her hand grasping her throat as her face contorted in agony, sweat pouring down her pale skin.

I watched her struggle but was unmoved because of all her cruel deeds.

"You're dying, just like you killed your husband and stepson. You're facing the same fate. It's sad that all this is for a piece of property. You've played your game, but it's time to pay the price."

"I told him to give me a share of the property," she sobbed.

"If only he had agreed, none of this would have happened. I wouldn't have killed his son or poisoned you or him." She struggled to speak, her strength to breathe fluctuating.

"Did you work for it? Do you deserve a share of his hard-earned success? No, it's just greed, expecting something that doesn't belong to you."

"I..." she gasped, clutching her chest, her eyes pleading. "Please, please save me," she begged, her voice barely audible.

"Don't worry, I'll join you soon. Just a week later." I said, my voice devoid of emotion.

Her eyes widened in desperation as she realised her fate was almost sealed.

"Fine, save me, and I'll give you the antidote, I promise!" She pleaded, her voice cracking while she collapsed to the floor.

"Ahhh! My head is spinning. It's spinning!" She wailed, her body writhing in agony, as she begged me for the antidote.

"Where is it?" I demanded, my eyes fixed on her.

Her trembling hands struggled to unzip her bag, which later revealed a small vial filled with a bright blue liquid.

I snatched it from her, downed the contents in one swift motion, and then turned to her. "Am I safe now?" I asked, my voice firm.

She nodded weakly, her eyes brimming with tears. "You won't die anymore. But it's my turn now. Please save me," she whispered.

A smile spread across my face as my mother, Divya, and the police officers burst into the room with recording devices in their hands that captured every moment of her confession.

I tossed her the antidote vial, and she grabbed it like a lifeline, gulping the contents in desperation.

"Are you this scared to die?" I taunted, my laughter echoing through the room as I revelled in her misery, her cruel mind now reduced to pure desperation.

"You'll pay for this! I swear, I'll make sure you pay!" She spat, her eyes blazing with anger, as the police closed the handcuffs around her wrists.

"You'll rot in prison for a long, long time. And considering your age, it's likely to be your tomb. Don't expect to walk out alive," I sneered as I watched her being led away, her schemes and lies finally brought to justice.

Don't forget to vote and comment