Beyond The Golden Skies

♛ 23: Wounds •

[WARNING: The following chapter contains domestic violence. Reader caution advised.]

•••

Gentle rain thumped on the window sill, dotting the glass panes with drops and squiggles. Leaning on a cane chair on the balcony, Sakshi sipped on a cup of tea from her smiley mug. Her room was still messed up. Her skull throbbed in pain from a splitting migraine. Lajo brought her a special cup of adrak chai to help 'clear her head'. Inhaling the aroma of freshly crushed ginger and tea refreshed her senses. Barfoo was huddled up in his bamboo basket in a corner.

Diminished voices from right below her room echoed in the downpour. Putting her cup aside, she paced lightly to the balcony and listened in.

"I can't believe that stray dog was leaking information about our party!" Ranveer said.

"Shoot him twice or thrice and make sure he's dead." Her skin crawled hearing the muffled words. The voice sounded very familiar, but she couldn't gauge who it belonged to.

"Bullets are costly these days, why should we waste three on him? He's not even worth one," Ranveer replied.

"That is a fact," The man said. It struck her that the owner of the voice was none other than Udayveer.

"I can even finish him off with my hands, Baba."

"Why risk leaving your fingerprints? Murder should be done as smooth as silk with no traces. That's why I'm handing this to you."

"You can trust me. Only thing is, I am concerned how finishing a powerful man like Jeetu will impact our party."

Sakshi gasped as horror-struck her features.

"We will blame the Ambar Sansar Party. People will feel sympathy support our party even more. Long live Sunehra Jeevan Dal!"

"Long live! You are such a fine statesman, Baba."

"You'll be one too when you're my age. When will do it?"

"Tonight."

"Fantastic! You're proving that the family blood is running in your veins. Your Kushwant Uncle will be proud of you."

"It's my pleasure to protect our honour, Baba. Those who go against our honour don't deserve to live."

Sakshi clung to the railing to stop herself from collapsing. Pressing her hand over her mouth, she let a strangled groan burn through her throat.

Ranveer emerged from the backyard clutching a black umbrella and flung a rifle into his jeep-the same one gifted by Kushwant, for which the police raided their home in the morning. His face glinted like wildfire.

"Bhaiyya!" She called out to him.

Squinting his eyes, he looked up.

"I saw what you took! Why?" She chose her words discreetly, as the servants and guards were present in the mansion.

"I- I need to get it repaired, Saash."

"Please don't do it!" she said.

Without a word, he hurried into his jeep and took off. A wave of raw fear swept her like a tornado. Footsteps closed her room.

"Sakshi!"

She flinched and turned around. "Babaji."

"Have you gone mad?! How dare you shout from the balcony!" His screams made Barfoo jump up and mew in fear.

"I merely spoke to Bhaiyya."

"Stop playing the fool just because I'm nice to you."

"I was careful not to mention any details."