A light in the flame

Chapter 20 - Revenge

The soft hum of Abhimanyu's car engine did nothing to quell the storm raging within him. His hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white as he replayed the events of the past few days. His mother's betrayal, Arohi's manipulations—it was like living a nightmare. But the email, the one that had exposed the truth, still haunted him.

Who had sent it ?

As the car made its way to a secluded part of Udaipur, Abhimanyu's thoughts turned dark. He needed answers. The sender had promised him the truth, and Abhimanyu wasn't going to rest until he had it.

When he pulled up to a quiet estate at the edge of town, his heart skipped a beat. This was the place. He stepped out of the car, a cool breeze brushing against his face as he walked toward the door.

His father, Harshvardhan Birla, opened the door before he could knock. There was an eerie calm about him, his face stern but not without emotion. Abhimanyu hadn't seen him in months. Their relationship had always been strained—Harshvardhan had walked away from the Birla family years ago, leaving behind his wife, Manjiri, and their fractured family. But now, there was something different in his father's eyes. A quiet intensity.

"You came," Harshvardhan said simply, stepping aside to let his son in.

Abhimanyu entered the house cautiously, the tension between them palpable. He didn't trust his father, not completely. But the email, the truth it had exposed—it had come from him. And that changed everything.

"It was you, wasn't it?" Abhimanyu said, his voice thick with suspicion. "You sent the email."

Harshvardhan nodded, his face unreadable. "I did."

Abhimanyu's eyes flashed with anger. "Why now? After all these years of being absent, why come back into my life just to blow everything up?"

Harshvardhan sighed, gesturing for his son to sit. "I left, Abhi, because your mother made sure I had no place in that house. She controlled everything, from you to the hospital. And when Arohi entered the picture, I saw history repeating itself. I couldn't let her ruin your life the way your mother ruined mine."

Abhimanyu clenched his fists, his emotions a jumble of confusion and anger. "You didn't care when I lost Akshara the first time. You didn't care when I lost Neil, my children... Why now?"

Harshvardhan's eyes softened, though his voice remained firm. "I couldn't protect you then. But I can now. Arohi is dangerous, Abhi. And if you don't act now, you'll lose more than just your son. You'll lose Ruhi too."

The mention of Ruhi made Abhimanyu freeze. His heart pounded in his chest. "What do you mean?"

Harshvardhan leaned forward, his face grave. "Arohi is not fit to raise that child. She's been neglecting Ruhi for years, using her as a pawn in her twisted games with you and the family. She abuses her, emotionally and sometimes physically."

Abhimanyu's blood ran cold. His hands trembled with rage. "What are you saying? Ruhi... she adores her. I've seen them together—she loves her."

His father shook his head. "What you see is what Arohi wants you to see. Behind closed doors, she's a different person. I've seen the signs, Abhi. Ruhi is terrified of her. You don't know how far Arohi has gone to maintain control over you and this family."

The weight of his father's words hit Abhimanyu like a truck. Memories of Ruhi flashed through his mind—her quiet moments, the times she seemed withdrawn, her sudden bursts of anxiety that he had brushed off as childish tantrums. Could it be true? Could Arohi, the woman who had raised Ruhi, really be hurting her?

Abhimanyu stood abruptly, his mind reeling. "I need proof. I need to know the truth before I do anything."

Harshvardhan nodded. "I have people who can help. Investigators, lawyers—they'll gather everything you need. But you need to act fast. Arohi won't go down without a fight."

_

Days later, the proof came in like a flood. Investigators had uncovered hidden records, videos, and testimonies from Ruhi's school, doctors, and even neighbors who had noticed Arohi's erratic behavior. The evidence was undeniable.

One particular video shattered Abhimanyu's heart. In it, Ruhi could be seen cowering in a corner, tears streaming down her face as Arohi shouted at her, shaking her violently. "You're useless !" Arohi screamed in the video. "You think I care about you? You're nothing without me, Ruhi. Nothing !"

Abhimanyu watched the footage in stunned silence, his heart breaking as the little girl was reduced to a sobbing, trembling mess.

Neil.

A wave of guilt washed over him. How had he not seen this?

His fury burned hotter than ever. Arohi had crossed a line that could never be forgiven. She hadn't just manipulated him—she had abused her own daughter, used her as a pawn in her sick game for control.

It was time for revenge.

_

The legal battle that followed was swift and ruthless. Abhimanyu's lawyers, armed with the mountain of evidence, filed for full custody of Ruhi. The Goenkas, Kairav especially, were horrified when they learned of Arohi's abuse. They rallied behind Abhimanyu, offering their full support in taking Ruhi away from Arohi.

During the custody hearings, Arohi's façade crumbled. She tried to play the victim, but the evidence was damning. Witness after witness testified to her neglect and abuse. Her attempts to manipulate the court failed spectacularly, and the judge, seeing through her lies, ruled in Abhimanyu's favor.

Ruhi was to be taken from Arohi and placed under the guardianship of Kairav and the Goenka family. Abhimanyu had made sure of that. He knew Ruhi needed stability, and while he adored her, he understood that she needed a fresh start—a life away from the toxic environment Arohi had created.

_

The day Ruhi was taken to the Goenka house was bittersweet. Abhimanyu hugged her tightly, promising that he would always be there for her, no matter what. Ruhi, clinging to him, whispered through her tears, "Will I ever see you again ?"

He cupped her small face, his heart breaking as he kissed her forehead. "Of course, sweetheart. But you'll be happy with Kairav and everyone. They'll take care of you."

Ruhi sniffled, nodding as she wiped her tears. She was still too young to fully understand what had happened, but she knew that her life was about to change forever. She would no longer be in the shadow of her mother's cruelty.

As Kairav led her away, Abhimanyu stood at the doorway, watching her go. His heart ached, but he knew he had done the right thing. For Ruhi. For the family.

_

Later that evening, Abhimanyu sat in his living room, the weight of the past few weeks pressing down on him. The fight was over, but the damage was deep. Arohi had lost custody, her reputation in ruins, and she was likely to face criminal charges for child abuse.

His phone buzzed. It was Akshara, asking when he'd be home. Abhir missed him.

He smiled softly, knowing that despite the darkness, there was still light in his life. Akshara, Abhir. His family, his safe place. He would rebuild, piece by piece. The war with Arohi was over, but his life—his family—was just beginning anew.

As he looked out at the setting sun, Abhimanyu felt a strange sense of peace. Revenge had been served. But more importantly, justice had been done. And now, it was time to heal.

To be continued ...

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