Beyond The Golden Skies

♛ Bonus Chapter Two! •

The air in the room felt like liquid iron. Udayveer took a deep breath. His eyes lingered on Ranveer like a vulture stalking a wounded animal.

"There's no way you killed that girl. You love her more than your life."

"I never wanted to hurt Sakshi. I aimed the gun at Ayush but... she came in between and took the bullet."

"Where did this happen?"

"By the river. Near the fishermen colony."

"How the hell did they get to the river?! Where were you?"

"When I...I was making the payment at the jewellery shop, Sakshi took the jewel boxes to keep it in the jeep. It was all a lie. She took the jewels and went away on a bike. Turns out that rascal Ayush was waiting nearby."

"That cunning piece of trash, just like his mother Damini! And then?"

"By the time I ran out and started the jeep, they were already going down the old mud road. I still drove fast and followed them. When Ayush saw me, he rode the bike near the river road, thinking I can't reach them by jeep. But I got off and chased after them by foot. That's when... it happened."

"Was there anyone else?"

"Some from the colony came hearing the gunshots, but I left before anyone saw me."

"You left the bodies for all to see?!"

"No... I was forced to push them into the river."

His father's eyes travelled to his shoes covered with wet mud and dripping with mossy river water.

The older man got up from his chair and walked toward him. Would he hurt him? Or kill him?

"Well done, my son. You saved our family honor."

Ranveer froze for a second. "R-really?"

"Absolutely. That foolish girl brought this on herself!"

"What about Hemant? And the wedding?"

"If Hemant knew that his fianceé ran away with that scum, he himself would have killed her."

Ranveer nodded, still reeling in shock. His father seemed satisfied rather than angry.

"I'll send our men to the spot to make sure everything is clear," Udayveer said.

"Okay, Babaji."

Ranveer pulled himself out of the room and sighed in relief. Blood rushed through his veins, making him dizzy with excitement. His plan actually worked.

As he stepped out, Lajo stood at the door, holding the empty gun with a tear-stained face.

"That boy loved Sakshi more than anything on earth. Why, just why, Ranveer?"

"Aunty, it's not what you think."

The door clicked open, cutting off his words. Udayveer stepped out of the office room, burning with rage.

"Remember your place, woman. A servant has no right to question our family matters."

Lajo's face flushed with shame. She threw the gun and darted to her room, slamming the door.

"I'll get rid of her," Udayveer said, clenching his fists.

"What?! No, Babaji, please."

"Don't be so kind, my son. She must die before she ruins our family name. Don't worry, I'll wait till Sakshi's issue is sorted out."

Ranveer's heart sank. The only people who truly cared about him were Sakshi and Lajo. He couldn't afford to lose her. His mind filled up with horrible thoughts of what his father could do to the elderly woman. He ambled to his room upstairs, thinking of a way to save Lajo before it got too late.