ENIGMA

No escape 2

"Bhaiyya..."

He leaned forward, his face mere inches from hers. “And you had the audacity to stand in front of me and lie. You think I don’t see through it? You think this will just go away with a simple apology?”

Inaya’s eyes were wide, filled with fear, but she couldn’t even muster the strength to move. She was rooted to the spot, feeling the full force of his fury.

“It means,” Advik continued, his tone colder than before, “that I’ve failed. I’ve failed to teach you a lesson. You think this is a game? His voice grew harsher, each word hitting like a hammer. "It means I’ve failed to show you the consequences of your actions. But don’t worry. I won’t make that mistake again."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Inaya could hear her own heartbeat, each thud echoing louder in her ears as Advik’s words sank in.

His gaze was unforgiving as he towered over her. “You think I’ll tolerate this? Standing there, lying to my face? Do you think you’re invincible? Because, trust me, if you keep this up, you’ll learn the hard way that you’re not.”

Inaya’s breath came out in shaky gasps, and she instinctively took a step back. But Advik wasn’t done.

“You have no idea what kind of trouble you’re in. Lying, hiding things, thinking you can get away with it? It stops now. You won’t have another chance to defy me like this. And you better believe, Inaya, I won’t hesitate to make sure you learn your lesson this time.”

Trembling from head to toe, Inaya had no choice but to obey. She slowly opened the door, her heart pounding wildly as she headed toward the stairs, knowing that every step would bring her closer to the inevitable.

Advik’s voice followed her like a shadow. “And don’t even think about holding anything back. I’ll be right there, watching. If you lie, even once, you’ll regret it.”

Inaya’s legs felt like they could give out at any moment, but she kept moving, her hands trembling as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She could hear their parents talking softly in the living room. Her heart raced with dread.

As they descended the stairs, Advik’s grip on Inaya’s hand remained firm but not gentle. Inaya’s heart pounded in her chest, her eyes red from the tears she had fought to hold back. Their parents, seated in the living room, looked up in surprise, sensing that something serious was about to unfold.

Mrs. Malhotra, always quick to notice when something was wrong, furrowed her brows in concern. "What happened?" she asked, her voice gentle but cautious, her eyes flicking between her children.

Advik didn’t hesitate, his voice calm but commanding. "She wants to talk," he said, glancing at Inaya with a firm look that offered no escape. He guided her forward, not allowing her the option to hide behind him. His grip on her hand was a reminder that there was no turning back now.

Inaya’s legs felt like jelly as she approached their parents, her breath hitching in her throat as the enormity of what she had to confess washed over her. Tears welled up again, spilling over as she sobbed quietly, but Advik wasn’t about to let her crumble.

He walked in front of her, his every movement deliberate and authoritative. His gaze locked on her with an intensity that made Inaya shrink in her place. Her parents looked more worried by the second.

Mrs. Malhotra leaned forward, worry etched across her face. “What’s the matter?” she asked gently.

Inaya opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Her throat was tight, her chest heaving with shallow breaths. She felt paralyzed, trapped under the weight of the lies she had told and the fear of what was to come.