Stolen The Mafia King's Heart - Mishbir FF

Chapter 38

MISHTI'S POV

I didn't know how far I had run or how long I'd been running, but my legs were giving out, my breath ragged, chest burning. The streets were dark and deserted, shadows closing around me, adding to my panic. I stumbled, nearly falling, but caught myself against a wall, gasping for air. I looked around frantically, searching for a way out, for a sign of safety. My mind was in chaos, the image of Abir drenched in blood repeating over and over like a horrifying reel I couldn't stop.

My hands shook as I flagged down a passing car, a woman behind the wheel eyeing me with concern. "Please... please, can you take me home?" I choked out, barely able to form the words through the tears that were still streaming down my face.

The woman nodded, her expression wary but kind. "Get in," she said, and I didn't think twice. I climbed into the car, my whole body trembling. As she drove, I kept looking behind, half-expecting to see Abir's men chasing after me. My heart didn't stop racing until we reached my house. I thanked the woman, my voice barely audible, and stumbled out of the car.

As I unlocked the door and slipped inside, the emptiness of my home washed over me like a cold wave. Mihir Bhai and Isha Bhahi left for Chennai yesterday. They weren't here. No one was. I was alone. Completely, terrifyingly alone. I dropped to the floor in the living area, my knees giving way as a sob tore from my throat.

How could I have been so blind? I had ignored every warning, every instinct that screamed at me to be cautious. My brother had warned me. "Mishti, he's not the right guy," he had said, but I didn't listen. I thought I knew better. I believed in Abir blindly. I was such a fool.

"Oh God, what have I done?" I whimpered, clutching my head in my hands, my body shaking uncontrollably. "How could I have been so stupid?" The guilt was suffocating, tightening around my chest like a vice. I wanted to scream, to tear out the pieces of my heart that still loved him despite everything I had seen.

And then, the smell of blood filled my nostrils again, and my vision started to blur. My past—the fear of blood, the darkness—came crashing down on me. My breathing became erratic, my chest heaving as I tried to suck in the air, but it wasn't working. My lungs felt like they were on fire. The room spun around me, growing darker with each breath I couldn't take.

"No, no, not now," I whispered to myself, but it was too late. My vision blacked out as my panic attack took hold. I collapsed onto the floor, curling up in a ball, and everything faded away.

The Next Morning

A loud banging jolted me awake. I lay on the cold floor, disoriented, my body aching all over. For a moment, I forgot where I was. Then it all came rushing back—the blood, Abir, the fear. My heart started pounding again.

"Mishti!" a familiar voice shouted from outside, banging on the door again. "Mishti, open the door, it's me, Ishita!"

I dragged myself up, stumbling to the door, my body heavy with exhaustion and the aftereffects of the panic attack. My hands fumbled with the lock as I finally managed to pull the door open. Ishita stood there, her face a mixture of panic and relief.

"God, Mishti!" she gasped, taking one look at me and stepping inside quickly. "What happened to you? You look like you've seen a ghost! Why are you so pale? What happened?"

I couldn't form the words; my throat felt dry and raw. Tears started welling up in my eyes again. "Abir... he... he's not who I thought he was..." I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible.

Ishita's eyes widened, and she immediately grabbed my arms. "Mishti, what do you mean? What did he do? Tell me everything, okay? You're scaring me." Her voice was firm but filled with concern. She gently guided me to the couch, sitting me down.