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 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.

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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."

Abhay caressed her cheek, reassuring her, "We'll accomplish this soon. Heer must be freed from him."

Heer sat in the garden, gazing skyward. Her broken spirit sought solace. The eyes that once sparkled were now hollow, devoid of pain, merely existing.

Suddenly, Heer felt strange and rushed to the washroom. Emerging later, coughing, her head spun wildly, and she collapsed onto the carpet.

After a while, she awoke to the sound of her phone ringing. With slow steps, she approached and answered it. Yug's voice came through, "Oh baby, how are you? I have a surprise for you; come to the location I'm sending you."

Feeling a surge of fear, Heer hesitated but felt she had no choice. She descended the stairs and exited the mansion to find a car waiting.

The vehicle brought Heer to a construction site, leaving her confused. She alighted and entered the building, checking her phone for the location, then hurried to the top floor.

She ascended to find Yug smiling at her. Approaching him with a shiver, her gaze suddenly shifted beyond him to see Nikhil bound to a chair, having been beaten savagely.

Heer cried out in terror, "Nikhil!" Nikhil raised his head, his eyes reflecting agony. Heer shoved Yug aside and exclaimed, "Why are you torturing him when I've done nothing? I followed your instructions; I never reached out to him again. Please stop, it's not his fault."

She begged crying. Nikhil was not able to see her this way. Yug held her waist and said, "He touched your beautiful neck right he held this wrist." saying that he caressed her neck and held her wrist.

Nikhil shouted, "Keep your filthy hands away from her." Yug shooted at Nikhil right foot leading a painful shout. Heer was trying to free herself. Yug looked at Nikhil and said, "Shut up. Can't you see I am busy with my wife."

Yug kissed Heer forcefully in front of Nikhil. Heer was struggling to get rid of his grip. Tears escaped her eyes. The rope binding the chair somehow came loose, and Nikhil rushed to Yug, freeing Heer.

Nikhil landed punches on him, and a fight ensued. With all his might, Nikhil pushed Yug off the building. Heer peered down to see Yug's body sprawled below.

Nikhil embraced her, remorseful. "Heer, I'm so sorry. I should've listened to you. I know my actions don't deserve your forgiveness, but I can't live without you, Heer."

"Every pain is over now. He's gone, and we'll live happily," Heer responded weakly. Suddenly, they heard two gunshots. Heer was torn from Nikhil's grasp and turned to see Yug propelled into the air.

His eyes were pitch black as he laughed malevolently. In a panic, Heer exclaimed, "We need to leave, Nikhil. Please, get up." But Nikhil remained motionless. He gazed at her, a pained smile on his face, whispering, "I love you, Heer. This is my fate for not... believing you."

With those words, he collapsed, his eyes shutting. Heer saw the blood seeping from his body.

She knelt down, gently touching his face. Lifting his head, she rested it on her knees. As she stroked his hair, tears began to flow from her eyes. The only sound was her heart-wrenching sobs.

"I love you too, Nikhil. How can I go on without you? Please, come back. Nikhil, wake up; this pain is becoming too much to bear," Heer murmured, pressing her forehead to his as she wept uncontrollably.

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Aditi was descending the stairs when suddenly everything went dark. As she nearly fell, Vivaan caught her. He steadied her and asked, "Are you ok?"

Aditi nodded. Riya, who was standing behind them, inquired, "What happened?" Clutching her head, Aditi replied, "I just... Suddenly, everything became blurry and my head started spinning terribly."

Riya crossed her arms and remarked, "This is the second time this has happened this week. Aditi, I really think you should see a doctor now."

Aditi grimaced and retorted, "No, not at all."

What will Heer's life look like now? What outcomes can be expected?

To know keep reading The Royal Tatvas.

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