LOVE AND DHARMA

35. THE PRICE OF BLOOD

The sound of muffled sobs broke the quiet of the garden as Vrushali stepped out of her house, her bare feet sinking into the damp grass. Her trembling frame shimmered in the early morning sunlight, tears streaming down her face. She was entirely naked, her vulnerability laid bare before the world. 

The guards stationed around the estate exchanged stunned glances before grinning. Phones were quickly drawn, and the sound of shutters clicking filled the air as they shamelessly took pictures, their chuckles echoing across the garden. 

From the balconies and windows of the neighboring houses, familiar faces appeared, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion. Riya’s hand flew to her mouth in horror as she saw Vrushali, her tears glistening like shattered diamonds. Chitra stood frozen, her coffee cup slipping from her fingers and shattering against the tiles. Maya and Anjali exchanged anxious looks, unsure of what to do, while Smriti whispered a stunned prayer under her breath. 

Akash, Raj, and Sameer, from their windows, tried to process the scene. Raj muttered something under his breath, but no one heard him. Sameer, unable to look away, felt a pang of guilt as he saw her face, etched with grief. 

Without hesitation, Riya bolted from her house, grabbing a towel on her way down the stairs. Her heart pounded in her chest as she reached Vrushali, draping the towel over her ass. “Vrushali, what are you doing? Come inside! Please!” 

But Vrushali shook her head, her voice breaking as she pushed the towel away re-revealing her butt, boobs and cunt. "No, Riya! Don’t cover me. I won’t wear anything! I won’t hide! Not until Vijay comes back… Not until he’s here again!” 

Her voice cracked as she said his name, and she fell to her knees, clutching the grass as if trying to anchor herself to the earth. “He’s gone… he’s gone, Riya! What’s the point of anything anymore? Clothes? Shame? None of it matters without him!” 

Riya knelt beside her, her eyes brimming with tears. She held Vrushali’s trembling hands, her own heart breaking as she struggled to find the words. Around them, the guards hesitated, their phones now hanging by their sides. From the balconies and windows, the others watched in silence, unsure how to intervene. 

The garden felt heavy, the weight of Vrushali’s grief pressing down on everyone present. 

Vrushali stepped into Chitra’s room, her  naked body prickling from the lingering coolness of the air conditioning. The room was immaculate, every corner reflecting Chitra’s careful attention to detail. But Vrushali’s eyes fell on a single photograph on the bedside table, drawing her closer. 

It was a picture of Chitra and her late husband, Jishnu. They looked so happy, so alive. Chitra’s smile radiated joy as Jishnu held her close, his protective stance unmistakable. Vrushali froze, her heart sinking as a wave of guilt washed over her. 

Her trembling fingers hovered over the frame, but she didn’t dare touch it. Instead, her mind replayed the memories—their last moments together. If it hadn’t been for her, Vijay wouldn’t have stepped into that fight. And if Vijay hadn’t been there, Jishnu wouldn’t have made that ultimate sacrifice to protect him. 

“It’s my fault…” she whispered to herself, tears welling in her eyes. She felt the weight of her choices pressing down on her, suffocating her. Chitra must be carrying this pain every day, just like she was. Maybe worse. She clenched her fists, steeling herself against the onslaught of emotions.