Coimbatore
3:30AM
Adjacent to Vidhya's room, a distraught man in his 50s stood by the door, his eyes fixed on his orphaned niece, Aaradhya, through a small peephole. Just 18 years old, Aaradhya's life hung precariously in the balance.
Her head swathed in bandages, stained with blood, Aaradhya lay motionless, her face pale and serene. The monitors surrounding her beeped steadily, a stark reminder of the fragile thread between life and death.
The man's sobs were muffled, but his anguish was palpable. He clutched the doorframe, his knuckles white with tension, as he watched his sister's daughter – now an orphan – struggle for life. Aaradhya's mother had passed away, leaving her alone in the world.
"Aaradhya, my child, please come back to us," he whispered, his voice trembling. "You're all I have left of your mother."
Doctors and nurses flitted about, their faces etched with concern, as they worked tirelessly to rouse Aaradhya from her deep slumber. But with each passing moment, hope began to dwindle.
The man's thoughts raced with memories of his sister, Aaradhya's mother, and the vibrant laughter they shared as a family. He prayed fervently, pleading for Aaradhya's recovery.
"Aaradhya, don't leave me," he whispered, tears streaming down his face. "I'm all you have left."
As the medical team battled to revive Aaradhya, the man's heart hung in the balance, suspended between despair and hope.
Arya's life was forever scarred when, at just three years old, her parents perished in a tragic accident. The aftermath was equally devastating.
Her paternal grandparents, driven by superstition, abandoned her, deeming her a harbinger of bad luck. They took her seven-year-old brother, leaving Arya utterly alone.
Only her mother's brother, her uncle, stepped forward to care for her. His love and support became Arya's lifeline.
However, her aunt's cruelty tainted her life. Arya endured relentless torture, viewed as a constant reminder of misfortune.
Her uncle's son, her cousin Anagha (mama) was Arya's sole source of joy. Together, they shared laughter and happy moments.
But fate dealt another crushing blow. A single, devastating incident shattered Arya's fragile world, leaving her once again longing for love.
Now, Arya's only solace was Mama's unwavering presence. Her aunt's malice continued, but Mama's love remained Arya's beacon of hope.
A young man in his twenties stood before his father, tears streaming down his face.
"You're crying for her, but what about my mother and brother?" he exclaimed, anguish etched on his face. "She killed them, her own flesh and blood."
His voice cracked as he continued, "Why should she survive? She took everything from me – my brother, my mother. What did my mom do to deserve this?"
He glared at his father, his eyes blazing with anger and sorrow.
"You're worried about your niece, but she's not your daughter. She's a murderer. She destroyed our family."
Anagha words spilled out in a torrent of grief and rage.
"I've lost everything – my mother, my brother. And you're still concerned about her? She doesn't deserve your tears."
His father's silence only fueled his anger.
Anagha pain and anger hung in the air, a heartbreaking testament to the devastating loss he had endured.
Anagha grief and rage echoed through the silence.
"I'm alone now, Dad. An orphan. Because of her."
Anagha face contorted in anguish. "Dad, she deserves to die!" he shouted, tears streaming down his face.
His father's eyes filled with sorrow. "Son, stop. It wasn't Aradhya's mistake. Your brother tried to rape her, and your mother tortured her
Anagha bodyshook with rage. "No, it was not my brother's fault! She seduced my brother!"
His father's voice cracked. "Aradhya fought back to save herself. Your mother and brother's actions led to their fate. See the scars on her body, the struggles she's face
Anagha eyes welled up with tears. "I'll kill her myself!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the room.
His father grasped his shoulders, holding him tight. "You're wrong, son. Aradhya deserves to live, not die. She's innocent."
Anagha stormed off, carrying his mother's and brother's bodies, fueled by misinformation and a thirst for vengeance.
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