ENIGMA

Defiance

“Take position,” he commanded, his voice like steel.

“Bhaiyya, please…” Her voice was small, trembling as she tried to negotiate. “I’m sorry, I… I didn’t mean… please don’t…”

Advik’s eyes held no sympathy. “If you had told the truth the first time, maybe things would be different. But you’ve been lying, hiding things, breaking every rule I set. Now take position.”

"Fast, Inaya Malhotra. I'm not going to repeat!"

Inaya’s entire body was shaking, her tears coming faster as she stammered out, “Please, Bhaiyya, I… I’m begging you… it… it wasn’t anything, I swear…”

“Nothing?” His voice cut through her words with an icy edge. “You think I don’t know what happened? You think you can downplay it now and make this go away?”

He took a step forward, belt in hand. “One last chance. Who was the boy?”

Her lips quivered, her mind racing as she struggled to say something, anything that could make him relent. “Bhaiyya, I… I can’t… I didn’t mean for any of this… please…”

Advik’s jaw clenched, his voice a low, dangerous whisper. “Then you leave me no choice.”

Advik positioned her firmly, his grip unyielding as he prepared for the questioning. "Every time you lie or try to
downplay the situation, there will be consequences," he said, his voice cold and steady.

"Bhaiyya, please, I'm sorry!" she cried, desperation spilling from her lips.

Without warning, he gripped her belt tightly, and the first lick struck her across the skin.

She cried out, the sharp pain igniting her senses. "No, please!" she pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.

"Ini, who was that boy?"

"Bhaiyya, please!" she whimpered, her heart racing as the second lick of the belt landed. Pain coursed through her body, and she squirmed beneath him, trying to escape the agony.

Advik's expression hardened as he leaned closer, his voice a low growl. "Who was the boy?"

She knew she had to withstand the pain,
she couldn't afford to betray him. The
thought of losing him paralyzed her.

"I...I. can't," she managed to choke out, her voice trembling.

Advik's eyes narrowed, his determination
palpable. "You think this will stop? I'll
keep going until you tell me the truth."
He raised the belt again, the leather
glinting ominously in the light.

Each strike felt like a test of her resolve, and she braced herself for what was to come.

He struck again, and with each blow, her
skin flushed with pain, but she clung to
her silence. She knew that no matter
what he did, she couldn't give up his
name. It was a battle of wills, and in her
heart, she silently vowed to protect him,
no matter the cost.

Inaya's resolve began to crumble under the relentless pressure. Each strike of the belt sent waves of pain coursing through her, making it harder to think, to hold on. She gasped, struggling to catch her breath as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Oww... Oh! please, Bhaiyya, please!” she cried out, desperation saturating her voice. “I’ll talk! Just… please stop!”

Seeing the shift in her demeanor, Advik’s expression softened slightly, but his eyes remained cold and unyielding. “Then speak,” he commanded, his tone demanding as he awaited her confession.

“Who is he?” Advik demanded, his voice unwavering.

“He’s a year senior to Me."

"And how are you so specific that I’m talking about that senior guy? What’s so special about him?”