Rathore's Vengeance

Twenty Four

Ekansh’s anger simmered beneath the surface as he watched Roohi cry in the arms of her Chachi and Chachu. Each tear she shed only fueled the frustration burning inside him.

The time for the vidhi had arrived, and Roohi would now have to leave with her husband.

Roohi turned to her Chachi and Chachu, her eyes brimming with tears. The mere thought of leaving them broke her heart, and the overwhelming pain was impossible to put into words. She had changed into a simple dress for the long journey ahead, but the weight of the moment made every step feel heavy. As she approached her Chachi, her tears spilled over, and her Chachi lovingly caressed her head, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. That small, tender gesture shattered Roohi’s fragile control, and she broke down, sobbing as she clung tightly to her Chachi.

When Roohi finally pulled away, she wiped her eyes and, with a trembling voice, said, "I’ll miss you, Chachi. Please don’t forget me."

Meera, unable to hold back her own tears, gently stroked Roohi’s cheek. "Roohi beta, how could I ever forget you? You are my daughter, always. Remember that," she said softly, her voice full of warmth and love.

Roohi nodded, though her heart ached, and turned toward her Chachu, who gave her a reassuring smile. But as soon as she saw him, the floodgates opened once more, and she rushed into his arms, sobbing quietly.

Harish held her close, trying not to show his own sorrow. He didn’t want to add to her pain. After a long moment, Roohi pulled back, and Harish quickly wiped away his tears, forcing a smile.

"I’m going to miss you and Chachi so much, Chachu," Roohi whispered, her voice trembling.

"We’ll miss you too, beta," Harish replied gently, his smile kind but tinged with sadness.

Then, with a heavy heart, Harish approached Ekansh. He took Roohi’s hand and placed it in Ekansh’s, the gesture startling him for a brief moment. Ekansh quickly masked his surprise, standing tall as he took her hand.

"Beta, our daughter is precious to us," Harish said, his voice filled with emotion. "Please, don’t let her cry. Treat her well, protect her." His words carried the weight of a father’s hopes and fears, pleading silently for Ekansh to understand.

Ekansh remained silent, his expression cold and unreadable, though something flickered briefly in his eyes before he quickly shut it away.

Meera stepped forward, her voice gentle but pleading. "Our Roohi is kind and innocent. She’s been through so much already. Please, keep her safe." Her words echoed the deep love she had for Roohi, a love Ekansh barely acknowledged.

After one final hug, Roohi’s tears flowed even more freely as she clung to her Chachi and Chachu. Mr. Raichand stood by, watching the scene with a faint smile, his eyes betraying no emotion.

Without a word, Ekansh climbed into the car, waiting impatiently for Roohi to follow. She hesitated, turning back one last time to look at her family, their faces blurred by her tears. Meera and Harish smiled at her, their expressions full of warmth and encouragement, but the pain behind their eyes was clear.

Reluctantly, Roohi got into the car, her sobs now quiet but relentless. As the car started to move, she looked out the window, her heart breaking with each passing second. She watched her family fade from view, her silent tears falling as Ekansh sat beside her, unmoved and indifferent. He didn’t offer her comfort, didn’t even glance in her direction. To him, this moment meant nothing.

Ekansh sat in the car, his expression blank as the night stretched on around them. The darkness had settled in, and the wind outside whispered ominously. Roohi, her earlier tears having dried, sat quietly, her face heavy with sadness and confusion.

Ekansh’s eyes burned with barely restrained anger, though his face remained unreadable. The tension in the car was thick, simmering beneath the surface.

"Stop the car," Ekansh’s voice broke the silence, cold and dangerous. The driver immediately complied, bringing the car to a sudden halt on the desolate road. Roohi glanced at him, startled and confused.

"Get out of the car," Ekansh ordered, his voice unnervingly calm, but his eyes held an icy glare.

Roohi frowned, unsure if she had heard him right.

"I said, get out of my car," he repeated, his tone even colder now, every word laced with quiet menace. Roohi swallowed hard, fear creeping into her chest. She still didn’t move, her mind too muddled with confusion.

"GET OUT OF MY CAR, DAMN IT!”" Ekansh suddenly roared, the car’s interior vibrating with the force of his anger. Roohi flinched, tears instantly filling her eyes. Her trembling hands fumbled with the door handle, barely managing to open it as panic gripped her. She stepped out of the car with shaky legs, clutching her belongings to her chest.

Ekansh remained in the car, his face void of any emotion as he let out a long, cold sigh. "Go," he said flatly, as if dismissing her entirely.

Without waiting for her to respond, the car sped off, leaving Roohi standing alone on the empty road.

She watched the car fade into the distance, the taillights disappearing into the night. The sudden shock left her frozen. Tears flowed down her cheeks silently, her chest tightening with fear. The vast emptiness of the road and the suffocating darkness surrounded her, amplifying her sense of abandonment.

Roohi clutched her belongings tighter, her tears falling faster. She felt completely lost, fear crawling up her spine. The night was eerily silent, save for the lonely howl of the wind. She stood in the middle of the road, utterly alone, her sobs growing louder as the reality of her situation sank in. The darkness crept closer, mirroring the hopelessness that now engulfed her, leaving her with nothing but her tears and the cold, unforgiving night.

Ekansh reached the mansion just as dawn began to break, the soft morning light creeping through the shadows. He walked straight to his room, his expression cold and detached, as if the events of the night hadn’t touched him at all.

Upon entering, he paused briefly, his face a blank canvas, giving away nothing. Without a second thought, he headed to the bathroom, washing away the remnants of the night with methodical precision. The cold water splashed against his face, but it failed to stir even a flicker of emotion.

After freshening up, Ekansh made his way to the closet, changing into clean clothes with the same mechanical indifference. Once ready, he lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind an empty void. No thoughts, no regrets, no remorse.

With the same detached calm, he closed his eyes and let sleep take over, shutting out the world as if nothing had happened.