A Web of Love and Deceit

Love's Cruel Game

Love is a merciless player in the grand theater of life. One moment, it crowns us as sovereigns of the universe, lifting us to celestial heights with its intoxicating euphoria. Yet, in its cruel duality, that very love will hurl us down into the abyss, dragging us to the very gates of hell and leaving us there—broken, hollow, and stripped of all feeling. And still, we return to love's treacherous embrace, chasing the same electrifying high, knowing full well we are bartering our souls for a darkness that will devour us whole. Love, relentless and ruthless, forever tempts us into its endless, consuming game.

Ram's POV

A sudden burst of light pierced through my eyelids, making me flinch. It felt as though I had been lost in darkness for an eternity. As my senses adjusted, I realized this wasn't home—the sterile scent, the white sheets, the steady beeping of machines all confirmed it.

And then, like a dam breaking, the memories rushed in. The mob. Their jeers and merciless cruelty. Aadhi's panicked voice, his desperate cries echoing in the chaos. The image of his tears burned into my mind—God, I never thought I'd see him cry.

A soft voice pulled me back to the present. "Hey, can you hear me? Are you okay?" It was a nurse, her eyes kind yet searching.

I managed a faint smile, but the truth loomed heavy in my chest—I didn't know what "okay" felt like anymore.

My voice, a fragile whisper, broke the silence. "Is Shiva here? Will he come to see me?"

A glimmer of hope stirred deep within me, fragile but insistent. Somewhere in my heart, I believed the answer would be yes. It had to be.

After some time, they moved me to a private room. My eyes scanned the space and landed on my parents. My father stood with hollow eyes, the weight of disgust barely concealed in his gaze. My mother, silent and weary, carried a tiredness that spoke volumes. 

Then, out of nowhere, a whirlwind burst into the room—Shivada. Her presence was like a beacon, and for the first time in what felt like forever, a small smile tugged at my lips. She ran straight to me and, without a moment's hesitation, slammed into me with a tight hug.

I winced, the pain shooting through my body. "It hurts, Shoebill," I managed to say, grinning weakly.

"Oh, shit! I'm sorry! How are you feeling? Can you hear me? Do you have pain anywhere?" she blurted out in rapid succession, her words tumbling over each other in panic.

I chuckled softly, raising a hand to cradle her face. "I'm okay, dude," I said, though the heaviness in her tear-swollen eyes made my chest ache.

Her voice dropped to a whisper, trembling with emotion. "I was scared," she admitted, her tears spilling onto my hospital gown again.

I smiled gently and kissed her forehead. Before I could say anything else, Aadhi came rushing into the room.

"Aadhi, take your girl—aka my sister—away from me," I teased, forcing a grin. "She's suffocating me."

Shivada gasped, feigning indignation, and hit my arm lightly, her tears replaced momentarily with mock anger.

Aadhi didn't respond to the banter. His eyes were locked on me, wide and filled with raw emotion. Suddenly, he stepped forward and hugged me, his grip firm but trembling. I felt the warmth of his tears on my neck.

"Hey, Aadhi... what's this, man? Don't cry. Are you really this soft?" I teased, though my voice wavered.

"Shut up, you bastard," he choked out. "I'm sorry, Ram. I should have been there. I should have never left you alone. This is my fault. I'm sorry..."