𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒆

PART-18

Sanam's voice dripped with feigned innocence as she repeated, "What happened?" One arm was folded across her chest while the other danced through her hair, her fingertips grazing the silky strands. She paced between Karan and Rudraksh, a sly smile spreading across her face.

The crowd's curiosity piqued. Their faces tilted forward in unison, as if anticipating the final ball of a match where the team needed a six to win.

Siddharth's eyes darted between Karan, whose jaw was trembling, and Rudraksh, whose silence screamed one word - betrayal.

Karan's head jerked at the firm sound of footsteps. He took a few hasty steps forward. "Rudraksh!" he called out, desperation cracking through his voice as he stretched out a hand. "Rudraksh, listen to me. It's not what you think, Rudraksh! Please!"

But Rudraksh vanished into the night, leaving Karan's pleas hanging in the air.

Siddharth pushed Kabir aside and rushed forward. "Karan!"

"Rudraksh hates me now," Karan whispered, his words trembling.

Siddharth placed a steady hand on his shoulder and shook his head. "No, Karan. He will understand you."

"Ha-ha!" Sanam's mocking laughter sliced through the air, like music that was painfully out of tune. "Rudraksh hates liars and betrayers," she sneered. "He'll never listen to you."

Siddharth shot her a hateful glare, his eyes narrowing. "Just like he hates you?"

The words struck home. Sanam"s smile faltered, her face paling for an instant before she regained her composure.

Karan glared at her, then turned to Siddharth, his voice low and urgent. "Sid, go after Rudraksh. He's not in his right mind."

Siddharth nodded, locking eyes with him. "Control yourself, Karan," he murmured before turning and sprinting after Rudraksh, disappearing into the crowd.

Karan lunged forward.

But before he could reach Sanam, his head snapped violently to the side. His body stumbled, struggling to regain balance. A thin trickle of blood slid from the corner of his mouth, painting his lips crimson.

His eyelids fluttered, pupils shrinking as black dots swarmed his vision. He shook his head hard, dizziness crashing over him in waves. His knees threatened to buckle.

Then his gaze shot up, locking onto Kabir. Fury blazed in his eyes. His fists clenched. Jaw tightened. Chest heaved.

He took one step back. Then struck.

"You coward!" he roared, punching squarely on Kabir's chest.

The air whoosh out of Kabir. His eyes went wide, face draining of color.

"If you've got that much—" Karan's next punch cracked against Kabir's cheek, "—that much excitement for fights, then attack from the front!"

Sanam froze in her place, then her eyes went wide. She rushed forward, hands outstretched, trying to wedge herself between them.

"Stop!" she screamed, clawing at his arm. "Karan, you bloody animal! Leave him!"

Karan's fists rained down on Kabir - chest, face, shoulders - each blow sharp and relentless. His jaw remained locked, muscles taut, veins standing out in green and purple beneath his pale skin, flashing with every strike.

Sanam's face twisted, rage flaring through her tears. "This is why no girl ever wants to be with you, you monster!" she spat, her voice trembling with hatred.

Karan's head snapped toward her - blood still glistening on his lip, eyes burning with something darker than anger.

"You are an animal in the face of a human! And your dear friend is no different! You both are cruel monsters who know only one emotion - anger!" Tears streamed down her cheeks as she glared at Karan with a mixture of disgust and hate.