Lotus among the Roses

Turmoil

Abeera's rants were incoherent, her mind a whirl of guilt and fear. "I did it for you, Devendra. I did it all for you... Padmini was in the way. She had to go..."
Devendra's already pale face twisted in sheer horror as he understood the gravity of Abeera's words.

These words were something he never wished to bee the day off light for once they came out, it would pierce right through all of his hypocritical talks of love and virtue. His eyes tunned red, while his jaws clenched hander at the thought of these  scandalous secrets being revealed.
Behind the foyer, Rasika spat on the ground lowly cursing," a bitch and her
man whore ! Truely deserving of Each other."
Atula, with her grim face didn't say anything, but her  disgust towards
the two reached its pinnacle. She slowly took two steps back, opened up hem belt and took out a small piece of paper and a small ink laden stick. She quickly Wrote a few words in it and threw the paper out where she knew Vyom's men were hidingto observe her. Rasika wanted to stop her, but after some thoughts, she did not at last.

Just as Kumud had intended, with some minor provocations along with the help from the opium previously Abeera was administered, She inadvertently started revealing her deepest and darkest secrets, holding nothing back.

  Abeera's voice grew louder, more desperate. "Padmini huh ! Acted as if the would was some glorious place and not some kind of hell where people just suffer! Stupid! She was so dumb, always trusting, always so naive. She thought she could befriend me, but I knew better........ I always did!" Her voice a mixture of jealousy, hurt and some unconcious guilt.

"I knew you deserved better, Devendra. You deserved me!"Her eyes glinted with a dangerous mix of rage and madness. She stated, her voice shaking with Emotions, as she gripped Deverdna's hand.

Suddenly. she looked into his eyes as She spoke, "I will make sure to remove anyone who comes between us. Padmini was just the start......." she evilly eyed the unconcious Ritu behind Devendra. Just when Devendra moved his body away, She held him in her arms closely as she
Whispered, " Even your son- and that bitch's son- that idiot Aarav...... he had to go because he was a reminder of her....... He was never ours!"
Devendra's eyes widened in horror as Abeera's confession hung in the air. The raw, explosive emotions filled the room, a stark contrast to the quiet elegant image of her, which he held dear in this heart.

Abeera's rant continued, her voice a manic crescendo. "I will do whatever it takes to be with you, Devendra! Padmini, that naive fool, thought she could keep you, but she was wrong! And now, anyone else who tries to come between us will face the same fate!" Her words were like a dagger, each one plunging deeper into the already fractured reality of their relationship. Devendra couldn't take at anymore , his mind reeling from the revelation of Abeera's true nature, tearing into shreds his so called love for her.

Devendra started shaking as the realization of the true nature of
his and Abeera's so called relation appeared before him. He lifted his hand and a heavy Slap landed on Abeera's face, making her fall to the ground her once proud figure looking completely pitiful.
Abeera seemed to wake up from her rampant madness.
"Aagh! " Devendra grunted in
pain, as his heart seemed to tearing apart. " Is this the love which you told me
about that night? Did you ever love me? Om, did
you just love the fact that I , like an idiot came running to your every beck and call, ignoring my child, my mother ... my ... My ... wife... " his voice despairing. " Who is the true Abeera? The you now? Or,the you then?" he demanded, his voice filled with disbelief and revulsion.

Abeera's eyes widened, a flicker of panic crossing her face. She swiftly got up
and hugged him tight "No, Devendra! Please! It's not what you think! trust me! " she stammered, reaching out to touch him. But the touch of her hand only deepened his disgust, and he swung his hand back, wanting to escape her grip.