Healing each other

chapter 57

Rooh’s voice trembled, her hands clutched together in her lap as she sat beside Vihaan. The room was quiet, all eyes on her.

“One day…” she began, swallowing hard, “Kabir came to the café. He looked at Pihu and asked her if she’d go on a date with him.”

Arohi and Riya gasped softly.

“I was terrified. I held Pihu’s hand tightly, silently begging her to say no. And… she did. She said no.”Rooh gave a faint smile. “She was brave. But that rejection… it only made him worse.”

Her smile vanished as her voice broke.

“That day, he stormed out of the café, eyes filled with rage. I knew something would happen. I kept watching her every day, scared… but a week passed, and I didn’t see Kabir at home. I thought maybe… maybe he gave up.”

Rooh’s eyes welled up again, her fingers trembling.

“Then one day… Pihu didn’t come to the café. I waited. I tried calling her—her number was out of reach.”

She looked down, voice cracking.

“I ran home. My heart was pounding. And there he was—Kabir—just sitting on the sofa like nothing happened.”

Vihaan’s fists clenched at his side, his jaw tight.

“I asked him—*Where is she? Rooh whispered, her lips trembling.
“And he just smirked. That sick smile… "and said, ‘I got what I wanted.'’

Arohi covered her mouth in horror. Riya’s eyes were wide, tears brimming.

“I slapped him. I screamed at him to leave Pihu alone. But he just laughed.” Her voice dropped, barely audible.
“He said…‘Now let’s see how pretty she looks when no one comes to save her.’

She broke down, unable to speak further. Vihaan immediately pulled her into his arms, holding her as she sobbed.

“You tried, Rooh,”he whispered in her ear. “You tried. It’s not your fault.”

But Rooh only clutched his shirt tighter, guilt eating her alive.

Rooh’s body trembled as she continued, her voice growing softer… but more broken.

“I searched every inch of the house, every basement… desperate. I knew she was there somewhere. And then… "Kabir caught me.”

She touched her jaw lightly, as if still feeling the pain.

“He slapped me. Kicked me. Beat me until I could barely move. But I didn’t stop. I kept begging him—*Where is Pihu?!”

Tears now flowed freely down her cheeks.

“He smiled—like a demon—and said, ‘You want to meet her? I’ll take you.’

Vihaan’s arm tightened around her protectively. Riya’s hand found Reyansh’s. Arohi’s face turned pale.

“He dragged me—bleeding—across the hallway to his room. He pushed open a secret door behind the bookshelf… and there… there she was.”

Rooh choked on a sob.

“Pihu… tied to a chair, her body weak, covered in bruises. But her eyes…”
She closed her own as the memory hit her.
“Her eyes opened when she saw me… and she cried out—‘*Di… help me…’

A collective gasp escaped the room. Even Arnav looked away to hide the storm in his eyes.

“I ran to her. I screamed. But Kabir—he stopped me. He pulled out a gun… and placed it in my hand.”
She looked at Vihaan now, guilt overflowing.
“He told me… *‘End her misery. Shoot her. Save her.’