Blood trickled down Vidya’s arm, her body trembling as Mrityunjay cradled her tightly.
"Vidya! Look at me… stay with me," his voice cracked, desperation breaking through his usual steel.
Ayansh laughed, manic and unhinged. "Ahhh, dekha? Even your queen bleeds for you, Mrityunjay! What will you protect now?"
"SHUT UP!" Randhir roared, his gun still fixed on his father, but his eyes burning into Ayansh. "One more word and I’ll blow your head off."
The officers surged forward, surrounding Ayansh, yet his smirk didn’t fade. He raised the gun again—aiming not at Mrityunjay this time, but at Vidya, still in his arms.
"Let me go, or she dies right here."
Mrityunjay’s eyes flared with something dangerous. He eased Vidya gently against the wall and rose, but Vidya held his wrist, trying to say something. He kneeled down to listen.
Vidya’s fingers curled weakly into his shirt. Her lips trembled as she whispered, “Mrityunjay… I have to tell you something…”
Ayansh’s finger tightened on the trigger,
BANG!
A shot cracked the air. But it wasn’t Vidya. It wasn’t Mrityunjay.
Ayansh staggered, clutching his arm where the bullet had torn through. Randhir stood steady, smoke curling from his gun.
"I warned you," Randhir spat, his chest heaving.
The officers tackled Ayansh to the ground, wrenching the weapon from his grip. His screams of rage echoed through the walls, his plans collapsing in front of him.
Meanwhile, Mrityunjay dropped to his knees beside Vidya, bandaged her wound with his handkerchief to control the blood flow. His hazel eyes softened, trembling as he whispered, "Swan?"
Vidya fell unconscious.
The police dragged Ayansh away, his laughter echoing like a curse through the hall.
Randhir exhaled heavily, lowering his gun. His eyes flicked to his father, who stood silent in handcuffs, shame painted across his face. Randhir’s jaw tightened, but he turned away.
Mrityunjay, meanwhile, had no attention left for anyone else. His entire being was wrapped around Vidya, holding her close as if his grip could keep her alive. "Officer, call an ambulance—NOW!" he barked, his voice cracking under the urgency.
Her head fell against his chest, breaths shallow, as he carried her through the chaos.
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The sounds of sirens grew louder, blue and red lights flashing across the shattered hall like restless spirits. Officers pulled Ayansh in chains, his bloodied laughter cutting through the night like a curse. Randhir’s father hung his head in shame, dragged away in silence.
