The Royal Tatvas

Chapter 42

Nikhil released her hand and, in a moment of desperation, cradled her face. "I love you, Heer. I know all of this happened because of that scoundrel. We'll leave this city and disappear forever. Come on, let's go," he urged, grasping her hand and attempting to lead her away, but she remained motionless.

Heer's POV

My mind echoed with Yug's words from the night of our first encounter.

"If you so much as approach Nikhil, Heer, mark my words, I will destroy his life or even end it. You belong to me now."

I can't do it. How can I be so selfish as to endanger his life? He's a monster who could truly hurt him. I'm sorry, Nikhil.

A chill ran through me as I refused to accompany him. The pain was immense as I saw his eyes, once my adoration, now brimming with tears of anguish.

Suddenly, he gripped my neck and yanked me close.

Author's POV

Nikhil seized her neck and drew her close. "You're nothing but a gold digger. All you care about is money. I despise the fact that I loved you. I can't hate you, Heer, but I never want to see your face again."

Heer felt as if her world was crumbling, as if hundreds of arrows had pierced her heart. Nikhil released her neck with a shove, and she collapsed to the ground.

Clutching her sari in her fist, she began to weep. "How mad I was to love you, Heer. I would have sacrificed the world for you. But this is how you repay me. When I look into your eyes, I see innocence, but I failed to see your true self."

Heer sobbed uncontrollably. She had never imagined that the man who once couldn't stop praising her would now hurl words like arrows, straight into her heart.

She was utterly shattered.

__________************_____________

The week passed in mere moments. Aditi had devastated Yug to the fullest extent possible. Heer was too shattered to even notice him. She allowed Yug to do as he pleased with her, feeling nothing but numb, lifeless pain.

Yug vented all his frustration on her, and she endured it silently.

Aditi was contemplating how to extricate Heer from Yug's grasp. As she sat in the hall, lost in thought, a noise at the entrance caught her attention. Going to investigate, she saw Abhay entering the palace.

Aditi rushed to him and embraced him tightly. Abhay lifted her and spun her around joyfully.

"Congratulations, Hukum sa. You've secured the project," Aditi said, kissing Abhay's cheek. Just then, Karan entered, and Riya's face lit up with joy. She hugged him, nudging him back towards the palace exit.

Karan was initially unresponsive, his hands motionless. But gradually, he wrapped his arms around her. Riya beamed and embraced him even tighter.

Aditi guided him to the sofa. Vidhi emerged, yawning, and complained without looking, "Why all the noise? Can't you let me sleep?"

Vivaan had just arrived at the palace when he saw her in disarray. "This girl and her sleep," he muttered. Before she could fully emerge into the hall, Vivaan dashed inside and hoisted her onto his shoulder.

"Come, darling, let's sleep," he teased. Vidhi, frustrated, punched his back. "Hey, I'm awake. Put me down. You idiot, I'll kill you!"

Abhay, leaning on the sofa, inquired, "So, Princess, what chaos have you conjured up this week?"

Aditi began her tale, and Abhay listened intently.

Wrapping up, Aditi declared, "Now, I'm pondering how to rescue Heer from that fiend."