Unwanted Love

Torn Loyalties

Sidharth's pov 

The cold, early morning air bites at my skin as I step through the front door, the dull sound of it closing behind me echoing through the empty house. My legs feel like lead, every step a reminder of the hours I've spent running, searching, praying—only to return with nothing but her necklace clutched in my hand. The necklace I gave her. The symbol of the promises I made, and the ones I've broken.

I drop down onto the sofa, unable to move any further. The house is silent, oppressive in its emptiness, a stark contrast to the chaos in my mind. My hands tremble as I stare at the delicate chain, the pendant resting in my palm, now tainted with the fear and uncertainty that have taken hold of my heart.

Where is she? The question rings through my head, over and over again, a tormenting mantra that offers no answers, only more dread. I can still hear her voice from that last call, so innocent, so unaware of the danger she was in—because of me. How did it come to this? How did I let it get this far?

My father's shadow looms large over everything, a suffocating presence that I can't seem to escape, no matter how hard I try. He set this all in motion, but it was me who followed through, who took those steps down this dark path. I was supposed to be strong enough to end this cycle of revenge, but instead, I became its willing pawn. And now, Tara is paying the price.

I squeeze the necklace tighter, the sharp edges digging into my skin, a small penance for the guilt gnawing at my insides. I should have protected her. I should have known my father wouldn't stop, couldn't stop, not when the secrets we've buried for so long were finally being unearthed.

My breath comes out in ragged gasps as I try to hold back the surge of emotions threatening to break free. I don't have time for this—for weakness. She's still out there, somewhere, and every second I waste here is another second she's in danger.

But the exhaustion is overwhelming, pressing down on me like a physical weight. I haven't slept in over 24 hours. The adrenaline that fueled my desperate search is fading, leaving behind a hollow emptiness that I can't fill. I'm so tired, but the thought of closing my eyes, even for a moment, terrifies me. What if I wake up and she's still gone? What if I never find her?

I can't lose her. Not now. Not after everything.

I force myself to stand, the world tilting slightly as my body protests. There's no time to rest. I have to keep going. I have to find her. She's all that matters now. If I have to turn this city upside down to bring her back, I will. Because without her, there's nothing left for me.

The necklace slips from my hand as I stagger towards the door, determined to continue the search. As it hits the floor, the sound resonates through the room—a final, silent plea for forgiveness, for another chance to make things right.

But time is running out, and so is my hope. And as the first light of dawn breaks through the windows, casting long shadows across the room, I realize that the darkness inside me might never fully lift until I find her—or die trying.

The sun is barely up, and the world is a blur as I push myself to keep going. Every corner, every alleyway feels like a dead end, but I can't stop. Not now, not ever. Tara's out there, and every moment that passes makes the knot in my chest tighten.

Dhruv is beside me, his footsteps a constant rhythm in the chaos of my thoughts. He's been with me through this nightmare, never questioning, never hesitating. But even he can see the desperation in my eyes, the exhaustion pulling me under like quicksand.

"Sidharth, man, it's going to be okay," Dhruv says for what feels like the hundredth time. His voice is calm, a steady anchor in the storm raging inside me. But his words only make the anxiety gnaw at me harder. How can it be okay when she's gone? When all I found was her necklace lying in the dirt like a discarded piece of jewelry?