Beyond the Beats

Chapter 54. Hungry for more

*Trigger warning*

The following chapter contains mentions of physical and sexual assault, domestic violence, and killing. Please proceed with caution.

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"Are you hungry?" I asked.

Shailesh snapped his head at me, raising an eyebrow in question. "What did you say?"

I looked at him straight in the eye. "I asked if you are still hungry for more."

He looked at his thugs and asked them if they understood what I was trying to say. He taunted that I must have fallen on my head very hard, making me lose my mind.

I let him mock me as I tried to keep my anger in control. I just wanted to lunge at him and poke his eyes out, but I was aware that even thinking about physically harming him was going to be a death sentence for all of my family.

He liked to talk a lot and boast about what he was capable of, so I decided to play mind games with him; I wasn't totally confident, but that was my only option anyways.

I took a deep breath and kept my voice calm. "I am asking if you are hungry for more ransom as you clearly look unsatisfied with what Mom had promised you."

I ignored my mother when she signalled me to keep my mouth shut.

Shailesh narrowed his eyes at me. "What exactly are you implying here? If you are talking about what my dear mother-in-law promised, then I was already not satisfied with it. You think that by giving me fifteen lakh rupees, you will be able to save yourselves? And that offer is too old now. Those seven lakhs your mother owed me were all wasted on my lawyer only. What are you going to do about my reputation that was ruined because of you all?!"

I nodded. "I will complete every demand of yours. You name it, and I will do it, but you have to leave my family out of it."

"Bhoomi, what are you doing?!" Mom yelled.

Shailesh moved and stepped closer to me. Srishti hugged me tightly and hid her face.

"And what exactly can a small girl like you do?" Shailesh laughed. "Are you trying to negotiate with me? with Shailesh Narane? the man who can swipe out your entire family line in one go? Bhoomi, don't play around with me, or I won't just kill you all but your entire village, got that?"

Don't get afraid, Bhoomi. Stay calm and try to stir the conversation in your favour. Shailesh is already hooked on what you are saying, so carefully choose your next words.

"Of course, I know who I am talking to, and that's why I am not stating any conditions myself. I am willing to agree to anything as long as you keep your end of the deal. As it is, what will you get after killing us off? You will end up losing out those remaining eight lakh rupees too," I cajoled. "And I also know that amount is nothing for you. You are doing all this not because of just money, but because you want to take revenge from my sister as she got you tied up in a domestic violence case. You are having trouble clearing your name, aren't you?"

Shailesh's face twitched. He kept staring at me, and I held my breath; I covered Srishti with my arms and prepared myself for the outcome of my words.

"You are right," Shailesh said. "Eight lakh rupees will vanish in a flash, and I can finish you guys too, but what after that...?"

He glanced at Dhara Di. "Isn't it weird, Dhara? I am so angry at you that I just want to snap your neck, but wouldn't it be too easy? You will die and happily leave all of your worries behind, but what will I get in return? My time, money, efforts, happiness, peace, and everything will be gone along with you!"