Memories

31

Shivani

I was dragged back into the dim, suffocating room, my mind still reeling from the shocking truth. Manoj Uncle... the man I had trusted so completely, the man I had looked up to like family, had been the mastermind behind everything all along. I couldn't wrap my head around it. His calm, gentle demeanour had been a mask hiding one of the most sinister plots I had ever encountered. And now, he was standing right in front of me, a twisted satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.

He forced me onto a chair, my back scraping against the cold, hard surface. I tried to move my hands, only to feel the zip ties bite harder into my skin. Every small struggle made the bindings tighten painfully around my wrists.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an undercurrent of menace. "The more you struggle, the more the ties will dig into your skin. It's a very painful way to die, Shivani. And I need you alive... alive until your beloved boyfriend comes to save you from me."

I stared at him, disbelief mingling with anger. "Manoj Uncle... why? Why would you do this? I thought you loved Karthik like your own son. You said you'd do anything to protect him. But why... why would you betray him like this?"

He chuckled, a low, chilling sound that made my blood run cold. "Oh, Shivani, you are far too naive. Love, relationships, loyalty... they mean nothing when money and power are at stake. Everything I've done has been for one reason and one reason only: to claim what was always meant to be mine. Karthik's accident was meant to remove him from the picture entirely. But fate... fate had other plans. He survived. Barely. He lost his memory, which, surprisingly, worked in my favour for a while. One plan failed, yes, but I adapted. Another opportunity arose. Everything was going smoothly... until you appeared."

I felt my heart hammering in my chest, equal parts fear and determination. My mind raced, thinking about all the ways I could escape, all the strategies I could use. "Manoj Uncle... you underestimated me. You thought I was just a girl caught in your way. But you forgot one thing—I've always been ready to fight for what's right. And I'll stop at nothing to protect Karthik."

His smile faltered slightly, though he quickly masked it. "You think you've got the upper hand, Shivani? Don't get cocky. I have everything planned. Every move, every counter... I am always three steps ahead."

I could see the faintest hint of doubt flash across his eyes, the slightest crack in his armour. That gave me hope. That small opening was all I needed.

"Thank you, Manoj Uncle," I said softly, my tone calm but edged with steel. "I think... we've already gotten everything we needed."

He raised an eyebrow, suspicion flickering in his gaze. "What do you mean by that?"

I leaned slightly forward, my lips barely above a whisper. "I think... someone might have been listening. Someone who heard every single thing you just said."

His eyes narrowed. "Who are you talking about?"

"Come closer," I said, my voice steady. "And I'll tell you."

As he stepped toward me, I pulled back sharply and struck him square in the nose. The sound of impact echoed through the room, a mixture of satisfaction and relief flooding me as he stumbled backward, clutching his face. Pain and shock registered clearly in his movements, and I didn't give him a moment to recover.

I sprang to my feet, my legs aching but my resolve stronger than ever. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I raced toward the door, my mind focused solely on escape and finding Karthik. But I wasn't fast enough—Manoj Uncle had regained his balance and was hot on my heels.

The door loomed ahead, and with every ounce of strength left in me, I fumbled with the lock. My hands were raw from the zip ties, and my fingers trembled, but finally, with a satisfying click, the door opened. I flung it wide and almost ran straight into the two people I had been praying to see: Karthik and Bharat, trying frantically to break the door open.

"Karthik!" I cried, my voice breaking. Relief, fear, and exhaustion all collided into a single raw emotion. I threw myself into his arms, clinging to him as if I would never let go.

He enveloped me tightly, holding me closer than I thought possible. I could feel his heartbeat, strong and steady, grounding me in a world that had been spinning out of control. "Shivani... I thought I lost you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I... I was so worried. Please... don't ever do that again. Don't ever leave me like that."

Tears burned in my eyes as I buried my face into his chest. "I'm here, Kar. I'm here. I won't leave you... not now, not ever."

His arms tightened around me, protective and possessive, and I could feel the raw intensity of his relief and love. "I don't care about anything else... I just need you safe. That's all that matters to me," he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair.

The world outside seemed to disappear. All the fear, the danger, the pain—they were there, but in this moment, none of it mattered. I was safe in his arms. And for the first time since being kidnapped, I felt a flicker of hope.

Bharat, standing a few steps back, glanced at us with a small smile, but I could tell he was alert and ready for anything. The situation was far from over. Manoj Uncle was still out there, a dangerous threat who had betrayed our trust in the most horrifying way. But in this moment, with Karthik holding me, I felt the strength to face whatever came next.

Karthik pulled back slightly, cupping my face in his hands. His eyes searched mine, burning with intensity. "You hear me, Shivani? No one... and I mean no one... will ever hurt you like that again. I promise you. I will protect you, no matter what. You are mine."

I felt my chest swell with a mix of love, fear, and gratitude. "And I'll fight with you, Kar. Always," I said, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to breathe. The danger hadn't passed completely, but we had each other—and that was enough to face anything. Karthik's presence, his unwavering protection, and his fierce love reminded me that no matter how dark things got, we would survive. Together.

I buried my face against his chest again, letting the tears fall freely this time, and whispered, "I thought I'd never see you again. I... I can't ever let that happen."

"You won't," he said, pressing his forehead against mine. "I'll make sure of it. I won't let anything take you from me, Shivani. Never."

And for the first time in days, I felt a flicker of peace, even if just for a moment. The danger was still out there, but in this stolen moment, nothing else mattered but the warmth of his arms and the strength of our bond.