My Safe Haven

Chapter : 3: Facing the past

Warning: This story may contain emotional themes, mild descriptions of trauma, and references to abuse (as mentioned in previous chapters), emotional trauma and distress, mature themes and relationships, complex moral issues, dark past references, mature themes and relationships, intense confrontations and arguments, potential plot twists involving betrayal and revenge. Reader discretion advised.

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Thoughts are in italic....

Saras's POV

He was free. Saras couldn't believe he was finally free. He wanted to cry, not from the pain but from the overwhelming relief he felt. He was standing outside that very building where he was held captive for the longest f**king six years of his life. Bad, cursing is bad. Bad Saras. He scolded himself when a man approached him. He recognized him as one of the people who saved him. He saw him with the man in the black suit.

Oh no, I didn't even ask his name. How can you be so forgetful, Saras?! I need to ask his name as soon as we meet.

When he saw the man approaching him, he immediately backed away in reflex. He was not used to people approaching him so suddenly. And to make it worse, he had trust issues; he knew the man was not going to hurt him, but he couldn't help himself. It seemed like the man sensed his slight panic and halted in his steps, then slowly took a few steps back. But it was too late because Saras's breathing was already heavy; he tried to breathe normally but failed. Then it hit him - he was having a panic attack.

Oh god, no, please, not here, please not here.

That man noticed his heavy breathing and slowly came near, trying not to alarm him. The man made sure not to touch him and started saying soothing words to calm him down. "Son, calm down, I'm not going to hurt you, okay? Breathe, son, breathe." That man instructed him while demonstrating breathing exercises, and he did his best to follow. After a few minutes, he regained his breathing. "You good?" Saras simply nodded as an answer. "Good. I'm Manish, Bhavneet's business partner; no need to be afraid of me." Manish smiled.

To be honest, Saras felt uneasy around Manish. Initially, he attributed it to their first meeting, but then he realized his discomfort was unusual. After all, he hadn't felt this uneasy with the Man in Black. So, why Manish? Then it clicked - Manish had mentioned the Man in Black's name.

So his name is Bhavneet... why does it sound so familiar...

Saras snapped out of his thoughts when Manish spoke again. "Let's go; Bhavneet must be waiting for you, and we've got to treat your wounds too." Manish said worriedly, eyeing the many deep cuts on his arms.

Dammit, I should have worn a long-sleeved shirt.

Saras nodded and followed Manish to his car. There were two more cars for other team members; they followed them in those.

Saras was sitting in the passenger seat of Manish's car. All of a sudden, he felt nervous because he didn't know what to do after this. Sure, he was free from that hell, and Bhavneet told him about his family. So he was definitely going to meet his family after Bhavneet was finished with his work.

Will they accept me?

I can't even remember them; will they be angry?

"Son, calm down, do not overthink whatever you're overthinking; everything will be fine, and don't stress yourself too much; it's not good for your current mental state." Manish stated. Saras took a deep breath and nodded at him. Facing his family after six years, after what went down with him, will they be disgusted with him? - Breathe, Saras, breathe.

After 30 minutes, they arrived at a tall building. Saras stared at it in awe. "Follow me." Manish motioned him. Saras followed him inside the building; they reached the elevator, then stepped inside. They went to the highest floor. He was starting to feel a little nervous. He still didn't know what to do. He was basically lost. He was afraid of what would happen if Tamas found him. He shuddered at the thought.