From ashes to crown: A Story of Redemption And Love

chapter 4

Maya's eyes flashed with anger. "You're always so cruel, Father," she said, her voice shaking. "Can't you just be kind for once?"

Vikram sneered. "Kindness is weakness, Maya. And I won't be weak."

Rajni stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "That's enough, Vikram. You've hurt Maya enough for one day."

Vikram turned on her, his face twisted in rage. "And you're always defending her, aren't you? You're always taking her side."

Maya saw the fear in her mother's eyes and knew she had to act. She stepped forward, her heart pounding. "Leave her alone, Father. If you can't be kind to me, at least be kind to Amma."

Vikram's expression turned ugly. "How dare you speak to me like that," he growled, raising his hand.

Maya flinched, expecting a blow. But Rajni pushed her behind her and faced Vikram alone. "Don't touch her," she said, her voice firm. "Don't ever touch her again."

The room was silent, the tension palpable. Maya held her breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

The silence was broken by the sound of Vikram's mocking laughter. "You think you can protect her from me?" he sneered at Rajni. "I am her father, and I will do what I want."

Rajni stood her ground, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Not if I have anything to say about it, Vikram. You will not hurt Maya again."

Vikram's face turned red with rage, and for a moment, Maya thought he would hit her mother. But then, he seemed to regain control of himself. "Fine," he spat. "But this isn't over."

He turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Maya and Rajni shaken.

Maya's mother turned to her and hugged her tightly. "I'm so sorry, Maya. I'm so sorry you have to go through this."

Maya hugged her back, feeling a mix of emotions: fear, anger, and sadness. She knew that her father's behavior was not going to change, and that she and her mother had to find a way to escape him.

As they hugged, Maya made a decision. She would find a way to protect herself and her mother from her father's cruelty, no matter what it took.

Rajni tried to calm Maya down, but she could see the fear in her daughter's eyes. She knew that Vikram's behavior was getting worse, and she was worried about what he might do next.

As they hugged, Rajni heard Vikram's footsteps coming back into the room. She tried to shield Maya from him, but he was too strong.

He grabbed Rajni's arm and pulled her away from Maya. "You think you can protect her from me?" he sneered. "I am her father, and I will do what I want."

Rajni tried to struggle, but Vikram was too powerful. He forced himself on her, despite her protests and struggles.

Maya was horrified. She had never seen her father behave like this before, and she didn't know what to do.

She tried to run to her mother's aid, but Vikram's grip was too strong. She was forced to watch as he hurt her mother, feeling helpless and scared.

Finally, Vikram released Rajni, who collapsed to the floor, sobbing. Maya rushed to her side, hugging her tightly.

"We have to get out of here, Amma," Maya whispered urgently. "We can't stay with him anymore."

Rajni nodded, still crying. "You're right, Maya. We have to leave."

But as they tried to stand up, Vikram's voice stopped them. "You're not going anywhere," he growled. "You're mine, and I won't let you go."

Maya and Rajni were trapped. Vikram's words hung in the air like a threat, and they knew they had to act fast.

Maya helped her mother to her feet, and they slowly backed away from Vikram. "We're leaving," Maya said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Vikram sneered. "You'll never leave me. I'll always find you."

Rajni's eyes met Maya's, and they knew they had to get out of there. They turned and ran, dashing out of the room and down the hallway.

Vikram's roar of anger echoed behind them, but they didn't look back. They kept running until they reached the front door, flinging it open and sprinting out into the night.

They didn't stop until they were blocks away, gasping for breath. Maya looked at her mother, seeing the fear and tears in her eyes.

"We're safe now, Amma," Maya said, hugging her tightly. "We'll never go back to him."

Rajni nodded, holding her daughter close. "We'll start a new life, Maya. Just us two."

But as they hugged, Maya knew that they weren't safe yet. Vikram would come after them, and they had to be ready.