Taken For Granted

Chapter 59

Sheetal's POV
Ignoring the photos, I climb onto the bed, pulling the blanket tightly around me. I need rest. I need to block out everything. Just sleep and forget this madness...

Anjali: I will come back soon, Sheetalji.

I watch as she leaves, and as soon as she's out of the room, the lights flicker and then cut out completely. My heart skips a beat. Who's trying to scare me now? I cover my face with the blanket, hoping to block out whatever's coming next. But then, the blanket is ripped off me.

I sit up, my heart pounding, ready to scream. But what I see leaves me frozen. No... no, this can't be real. It's Bhai—alive, standing right in front of me, with that anger in his eyes.

Bhai (angry, almost accusing): Why did you kill me?

What the hell?! Bhai starts coming closer. I scramble to the other side of the bed, panicking, looking for an escape. I reach for the door, but—it slams shut on its own.

Me (terrified, voice trembling): W...who are you?

Bhai (getting closer, his voice cold): I am Shyam, your brother.

What? No... My mind is spinning. This has to be a dream. Or some sick joke. I try to get away, but he's relentless, drawing nearer with every step. My legs won't move, panic choking me.

Me (screaming, voice cracking): Don't you dare come near me! I'll kill you, I—I... I spot a knife nearby, and in a burst of desperation, I scramble to grab it. I turn back, heart hammering in my chest... and he's gone. Just... gone. This... this is just a nightmare. The lights flicker back on, the door swings open, and there's no sign of Bhai. It's all just a trick. Someone's messing with me.

I don't have the courage to stay here. I bolt out of the room, heart racing, and run down the hallway toward the dining table. But then, out of nowhere—Bhai is there, blocking my path.

Me (angry, fists trembling): You may have survived last time, but this time, I'll make sure you die!

I grip the knife tightly, rage fueling me. With a yell, I charge at him, but the blade passes right through him.

Bhai (laughing, his voice mocking): I'm already dead. You can't kill me... Tell everyone your crimes, and I'll leave you be.

Me (shouting, hysterical): I WILL NEVER DO THAT! NEVER!!

Bhai (laughing, that same sick, eerie laugh): Then get ready to die...

I try to move, to run back to the room, but he's blocking me, every step I take, every direction I turn, he's there, taunting me. I don't know what to do anymore.

Me (desperate, almost pleading): Fine! Fine! I'll confess... just leave me alone!

Bhai (smirking, cruel): Confess here... right now. I won't fall for your tricks.

I look around, panic rising. There's no one else here, just him, just me. A twisted smile curls on my lips, a feeling of sick satisfaction flooding me. I stand tall, proud, my voice trembling with madness.

Me (grinning, voice dripping with evil): Yes! I killed you, Bhai. You were going to leave your stupid wife and daughter, and I couldn't let that happen. So I killed you. And honestly, when I found out you were adopted, I didn't feel a bit of guilt for what I did.

I laugh, the sound hollow and deranged. I can't stop. It's too easy. I have to tell him everything.

Me (gloating, sneering): And I manipulated your stupid wife into turning against Khushi and Payal. It was perfect. She was so easy to control. She never even saw it coming.