His Bride

11 | He is Alive

Arushi's Pov

For the first time in six years, I felt tears streaming down my cheeks, warm and unrelenting. They carved a path I thought I'd long forgotten how to tread. With Aadhi cradled in my arms, her tiny frame trembling, I wept—deep, silent sobs that echoed the weight of my past.

Six years. Six long years of running, hiding, and pretending the shadows didn't follow me. I had built walls so high, so strong, but now, they were crumbling. They were here for me.
Aadhi's wails pierced through my haze, each sound tugging at my heart.

"Shh... Aadhi, it's fine. Mama is here," I whispered, trying to steady my trembling voice. My hand glided gently through her hair, her little body quivering against me. "Please don't cry, dear. You're safe now."

Her sobs softened into hiccups as she looked up at me, her big, tear-filled eyes breaking my heart all over again.

"Mama, I was scared," she murmured, her words fractured by her tears.

"I know," I said, my voice breaking despite my effort to stay strong. "I was too."

She nestled closer, her tiny arms wrapping around my neck. Within minutes, exhaustion took over, and she fell asleep, her tear-streaked face pressing against my chest. I carried her to my room, careful not to disturb her, and laid her down on the bed.

As I slid in beside her, I pulled her small body into mine, cuddling her close as if I could shield her from the world—our world. Her warmth grounded me, but my mind wandered to the cracks forming in the life I'd so painstakingly built.

I was scared. Scared of the memories clawing at the edges of my mind. Scared of the pain that once defined me. Scared of becoming that helpless, twenty-year-old girl again—the girl who had lost everything.

I tightened my hold on Aadhi, burying my face in her hair, letting her soft, rhythmic breathing calm the storm raging inside me. For her, I had to be strong. For her, I had to keep running. But tonight—just tonight—I let myself be weak.

Sleep eluded me. I needed to act. I carefully slid out of bed without waking Aadhi, grabbed my laptop, and began working. Within moments, I found what I needed. Closing the laptop, I turned to Aadhi, lifting her gently.
Walking to the hidden room I'd built for her, I placed her on the small bed, kissing her forehead softly.

"Good night, sweetie."

Locking the door behind me, I grabbed my car keys. Tonight would be a long night.

The GPS led me to a secluded cottage. The silence was deafening as I parked, my pulse thrumming with a mix of anxiety and resolve. Pushing the door open, I stepped into the dimly lit room.

"I was expecting you, Netra," came his voice—calm, familiar, and unwelcome.

"Don't test my patience, K," I snapped.

"I would've preferred 'Chief,' like old times," he replied, smirking.

"Fuck off," I shot back, the venom in my tone unmistakable.

"Lil N," he sighed, his expression softening, "I raised you like my own daughter. And then, one day, you disappeared. I thought I failed you."

Emotionless, I stood as he approached and hugged me.

"I'm sorry you had to go through it all alone," he murmured.

My gaze darted across the room. Dhruv Chauhan stood near the wall, accompanied by another man I didn't recognize.

"Why is he here, K?" I asked, pointing at Dhruv.

"He helped me find you," the Chief admitted, explaining the events that led to tonight.

The stranger stepped forward. "It was my idea. But we mean no harm to you or your daughter."

"And you are?" I asked warily.

"Arjun Singhania," he introduced himself.

"Arushi," I replied curtly, ignoring the Chief's probing look.

"Netra?" the Chief pressed.

"Netra Mehta," I corrected. "Or Arushi Mehara, now."

Dhruv's voice broke the tense silence. "I'm sorry for scaring your daughter. It wasn't my intention."

"Make sure it doesn't happen again," I warned him, my tone sharp.

The Chief stepped forward, his gaze earnest. "Lil N, I heard you have a daughter. I'd like to meet her."

My jaw tightened. "Why would I ever let you near her?"

The tension in the room thickened, each word exchanged like a sparring blow.

"Because, Lil N," the Chief said, his voice softening, "I've always thought of you as my own. And now that you have a family, I want to be part of it."

I crossed my arms, my stance rigid. "Aadhi is my only family. And after everything I've endured, trust doesn't come easy. Not even for you, K."

"I understand," he said, his tone heavy with regret. "But you don't have to face this alone anymore. Let us help you."

"Help me?" I scoffed. "You're the reason I've been running for six years."

Dhruv interjected calmly, "This isn't about dragging you back to that life. It's about ensuring your safety—and Aadhi's."

I studied him closely, searching for deception but finding none. Finally, I relented, my voice firm. "Fine. I'll consider it. But don't think for a second that I'm letting my guard down. Aadhi's safety comes first. Always."

The Chief gave a faint smile. "You've grown stronger, Lil N."

"I had to," I retorted, turning toward the door. "No one else was there to protect me."

"He is alive, Saif is alive." Chief told me. I turned around to look at him.

"He knows that you are alive too and he is currently in India. We don't have his exact location. Be careful Netra." He told me.

"I will." I told him.

The night swallowed me as I walked away, leaving behind the ghosts of my past and the men who thought they knew me.