Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 35

As Rohit stood facing the armed men, his heart was a battlefield of conflicting emotions. The memories of his past, the betrayal, the pain of being abandoned by those he once considered family flooded his mind. The fire in his eyes was evident, but deep down, he knew he wouldn't forgive them easily. Not after everything they had put him and his family through.

The men approached slowly, weapons raised, ready to intimidate. "Rohit Sharma," one of them sneered, "the so-called Hitman of India. Did you think you could run forever?"

Rohit tightened his grip on the metal pipe, his stance firm. "You've got no idea who you're dealing with." His voice was steady, a mix of anger and resolve. He was ready to protect his family, even if it meant facing these threats head-on.

"Let's see how tough you really are," the leader taunted, gesturing for his men to advance.

Just as the first attacker lunged forward, Ashwin quickly stepped out of the car, ready to back Rohit up. "Get back!" he shouted, swinging a crowbar he had found in the trunk.

But Rohit was already moving. He dodged the first blow, countering with a swift strike of his pipe, catching the man off guard. The sound of metal hitting flesh echoed in the air as the attacker stumbled back. Adrenaline surged through Rohit as he fought, instinct taking over.

Meanwhile, back in the other car, Virat and Mahi raced against time, desperation evident in their faces. "We're close," Mahi urged, his foot pressed firmly on the gas pedal. "We have to get there before it's too late."

"Rohit needs us," Virat replied, his voice filled with determination. "We won't let him face this alone.Not this time."

As they approached the scene, they saw Rohit engaged in a fierce struggle with two of the attackers. Ashwin was holding his own, but the odds were against them. Virat's heart sank at the sight. He couldn't just stand by and watch his best friend get overwhelmed.

They parked hastily and jumped out of the car, their presence igniting a flicker of hope in Rohit's eyes. "Get the kids out of here!" Rohit shouted, but the urgency of the situation meant they couldn't afford to retreat.

"Not without you!" Virat yelled back, grabbing a nearby branch and joining the fight. Mahi followed suit, ready to defend his family.

Rohit felt a surge of mixed emotions seeing them jump into the fray. He had wanted to keep them safe, to protect them from the chaos that had become his life. But now, with Virat and Mahi by his side, he felt a renewed strength.

"Together," Mahi shouted, and the three of them coordinated their efforts, fighting back against the attackers. But even as they fought side by side, Rohit's heart was heavy with resentment. The very men he had once called family had abandoned him, leaving him to fend for himself in a world filled with danger.

As they battled, the attackers began to retreat, realizing they were outmatched. But the leader remained, his expression darkening. "You think this is over? You'll pay for this, Sharma."

Rohit felt the weight of those words settle deep within him. "You've already taken everything from me," he said, his voice cold. "I won't let you take anything more."

With one final swing of the pipe, Rohit knocked the leader off his feet. The man fell to the ground, dazed but seething with anger.

In the aftermath, as the dust began to settle, Rohit turned to face Virat and Mahi. The relief of their presence was overshadowed by the turmoil within him. "Why are you here?" he asked, his tone defensive. "I told you to stay away."

Virat stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and hurt. "We're family, Rohit. We couldn't just leave you like that."

"Family?" Rohit echoed bitterly. "You don't get to call yourselves that. Not after what you did to me."

Mahi interjected, trying to mediate. "Rohit, we made mistakes. But we've changed. We want to help you, to make things right."

"Make things right?" Rohit scoffed, shaking his head. "You think a few good intentions can erase years of betrayal? My family suffered because you turned your backs on me. You have no idea what it was like to lose everything."

The tension in the air was thick as everyone fell silent, absorbing Rohit's words. The pain in his voice was palpable, and it struck a chord with those present. They realized that their actions had caused irreparable damage.

"Rohit," Virat said softly, "we didn't know. We thought you were guilty, and we were wrong. But we want to be there for you now."

Rohit's gaze softened momentarily at the sincerity in Virat's voice, but the anger bubbled back to the surface. "You want to be there for me? Then leave me alone. I don't need you to fix my life. I can handle this on my own."

As he turned to walk away, Sammy's voice cut through the tension. "Dada!" she cried, her small hands reaching out to him. "Please don't leave us. We need you!"

The plea from his daughter brought Rohit to a halt, his heart twisting painfully. He turned to face her, seeing the fear in her eyes. It was a reminder of what he had fought for all along. But the conflict within him was too strong.

"Stay with me, Dada," Moksh added, his voice trembling. "We're scared."

Rohit sat down, pulling both kids into a tight embrace, his resolve beginning to waver. He whispered softly, "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

But the promise felt heavy. He couldn't shake off the bitterness that clouded his heart. He looked up at Virat and Mahi, seeing the hope in their eyes. But it was laced with guilt, a reminder of everything they had done to him.

"I can't forgive you," Rohit said finally, his voice low but firm. "Not yet. I need time."

The weight of his words hung in the air, and everyone felt the gravity of the moment. They knew that Rohit's healing wouldn't come overnight. Trust would take time to rebuild, and the scars of the past wouldn't vanish easily.

As the reality of their situation sank in, they all stood together, a fractured family grappling with the consequences of their past, and the hope of a future they all desperately wanted.
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