𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒆

PART-25

The little LED bulb above the ice cream parlor's counter cast a pale white light on the man's weathered face, illuminating the deep creases etched across his forehead. His eyes, heavy with exhaustion, scanned the flavors as he leaned in, head bent in concentration. As he searched for the specific flavor his customers had requested, his fingers trembled and his breath puffed out in a faint mist against the steel counter.

The chill night air seemed to seep into his bones, his body shivering slightly beneath his thin dark-purple shirt and worn blue pants. But the thought of his family's hopeful faces waiting for him at home lit a quiet fire within him, and he straightened his back. His eyes focused on the ice cream containers as he carefully scooped out the flavors, extending them toward the customers before his gaze drifted to some distant point in the dark surroundings.

"Bhaiya, one strawberry and one chocolate, family pack, please."

The vendor's gaze jerked up, focusing on Antara. He nodded briefly and turned back to the task at hand.

Antara turned to Rudraksh, her smile still in place, though her eyes searched his face with a hint of concern. "You okay, fireball?"

Rudraksh nodded, his eyes still red from the earlier storm of emotions.

Antara's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she nodded and turned away.

"One vanilla and one butterscotch!"

Rudraksh's eyebrows furrowed deeply, visible lines carving across his forehead. He snapped his head toward the familiar voice that suddenly sounded distant.

The hood of his white hoodie framed his face, shadowing his features from the pair of eyes he once desperately wanted fixed on him alone. The muscles in his jaw twitched, fists clenched tightly by his sides as he glared at her with fire blazing in his eyes. His chest heaved with each ragged breath as he struggled to contain the fury swelling inside him.

With firm, purposeful steps, he strode toward the counter, his palms slamming down on it with a sudden, jarring impact that made Antara's eyes widen in confusion. "How much?!" The words burst out harshly, echoing through the cold, silent air.

💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

"How much?!"

The mesmerizing voice, one she no longer had a right to call hers, made her heart skip a beat. She swiftly turned toward him.

"Rudraksh..." The name escaped her lips like a tender secret. Her eyes roamed over his back, desperate and searching, like a thirsty soul craving just one last glimpse of that familiar face. Her fingers clenched the fabric of her sweater, knuckles whitening with restraint.

As she lifted a foot to take a step forward, a hand curled tightly around her wrist, pulling her away from the onlookers.

"Where are you going?!" The raspy whisper scraped against her ear, sending a shiver coursing down her spine.

Exhaling shakily, she raised her head, meeting his furious expression. "Leave me, Kabir. I need to talk to him." Her whispered tone trembled beneath its firmness.

Kabir's face twisted, the muscles in his neck taut as his fingers tightened around her wrist. Narrowing his eyes into sharp slits, he hissed, "Have some shame, Sanam. You're pregnant with my child. We're getting married in a few months, and you still have the audacity to see your ex-boyfriend right in front of me?"

Sanam's face hardened, her lips pressing together before she spat out, "I made a mistake by trusting you!" Her jaw clenched, voice quivering. "If I'd had even the slightest idea about your true nature, I would never have given myself to you."