The Charade

50| 𝕳𝖊 𝖐𝖓𝖔𝖜𝖘

Chapter 51 52 and 53 are available on Scrollstack and Patreon.

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AUTHOR'S POV

She glanced around the dungeon, quiet and cautious, before stepping inside. The air was damp, clinging to her skin. Her gaze landed on Dhir, his lifeless body slumped against the cold, stone wall. Yet, somehow, his hollow eyes found her, and a weak, almost ghostly smile curved his cracked lips.

"You came," he rasped, his voice barely above a whisper.

Her eyes flickering to the mottled, rotting flesh of the man. "Not for long," she murmured, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "I have to go."

Dhir's head lolled slightly, his neck struggling to support the weight. "Today is the end of Adhikrit," he said, his words fragile but resolute. "You learned how to use the gun, didn't you?"

His voice cracked, but there was something in it-hope, maybe.

Astonishing, she thought, that even now, this bastard dared to hope.

With a curt nod, she turned on her heel, leaving him behind. The heavy door groaned shut, sealing him in the suffocating darkness once more. Without hesitation, she slipped into the secret passage, her figure disappearing into the shadows like a ghost in the night.

༻❁༺

"Bhook lagi hai toh kuch kha lijiye, Kashi," Adhikrit's voice was soft, almost pleading as he followed her like a puppy. She stood before the mirror, sliding bangles onto her wrists, her movements deliberate and graceful. He had come home early today, and this was the sight that greeted him-a vision that stole his breath.

(If you are hungry, you can eat, Sweetheart.)

Kashi glanced at him through the mirror. "I am not hungry," she replied, pressing her lips into a thin line, fastening her necklace.

Adhikrit's gaze lingered, mesmerized by how ethereal she looked, unable to tear his eyes away. "Subah se kuch nahi khaya hai," he murmured with concern.

(You haven't eaten anything since morning.)

Finally, she turned to face him, her eyes sharp yet soft. "I have kept a fast for you, Mr. Agnihotri," she reminded him, her voice hiding the loving irritation. A kind of irritation she wants for the rest of her life.

Adhikrit's eyes darted around the room, landing on Reyaan, their son, who sat cross-legged on the bed. The little boy was busy pulling apart his teddy bear, cotton spilling out like fluffy clouds. When Reyaan caught his father staring, he scrunched up his nose defiantly and turned his back.

"Hmm," Adhikrit hummed, slowly making his way to the bed. He sat down beside his son, reaching out to ruffle his hair, but Reyaan swatted his hand away with a dramatic pout. Kashi shook her head tiredly at the behaviour of their son and the utmost caring father of her son.

"I ate early in the morning, the food that Mom sent," she clarified, adjusting her dupatta as she spoke.

"Par vo toh subah tha na, ab raat ho gayi hai," he countered, his brow furrowing as he watched Reyaan now trying to bury the shredded teddy under a pillow. He picked up the mangled teddy bear. Reyaan yanked it back, determined to continue his destruction.

(But it was in the morning.)

Kashi's gaze shifted to the dark sky visible through the window. "Chand aane wala hai, Mr. Agnihotri," she whispered softly.

(The moon is about to show up.)

Reyaan, curious, peeked over his shoulder at his mother. His little eyes widened as he saw her fully dressed, looking every bit like a bride.