To Where It All Began ✔

11. THE END OF THE DEAD END

Amna sat upright on her bed, her injured leg stretched out carefully, her mind spiralling with anxiety as she recognized his voice instantly—deep and gravelly with a slight drawl that left no room for doubt in her mind. The man—Yadav, spoke to Shreekant, his tone was respectful, polished even, but the fear that gripped Amna's senses tightened, cutting off any words that might have formed. Her breath quickened as she watched him talk to Shreekant, the only barrier between her and HIM.

"Sorry sir, If you don't mind, I can please know what happened to Madam?" He asked Shreekant with a hint of concern and curiosity as he gazed at Amna's injured leg. Shreekant glanced back at Amna, then proceeded to casually introduce her. "Ah, Madam just sprained her ankle a bit. She's our guest who will be reviewing our chain of hotels," he explained.

The man turned to face her, his eyes meeting hers for a fleeting moment, his expression impassive. "Welcome to Mhatre Group, Madam," he said politely, inclining his head with a formal nod.

Amna could barely return his gaze. Her heart pounded violently, and her palms grew clammy. Her voice felt trapped, swallowed by the weight of her fear, so she managed only a small nod in response. She struggled to breathe normally, gripping the edge of the bed as he stepped back.

The man took his leave, and Shreekant walked with him to the door. But as he exited, Amna's blood ran cold at the unmistakable sound of his dragging footsteps—a sound she would never forget. It was the same sound she'd heard that terrifying night when she'd been attacked, pushed into the river, and left for dead. Her breath hitched, her vision narrowing as panic took hold but she waited for the footsteps to disappear completely.

"Shreekant!" she called out, her voice tight with fear, clutching the sheets beneath her fingers as if they could anchor her. She didn't care if she sounded hysterical. She needed him to believe her, to understand the danger she felt creeping back into her life. "He's the same man!" she whispered, eyes wide as she looked up at Shreekant.

Startled, Shreekant quickly came to her side, his face full of worry. "What are you saying, Amna? Which man?"

"He's the one who tried to kill me!" she whispered, her voice shaking as she spoke, barely holding herself together. "His voice... that sound... the way he drags his feet. I'll never forget it."

Shreekant sighed, visibly unsettled by her claim. He kneeled next to her, meeting her gaze steadily, even as she continued to tremble with unease. "Amna," he said softly, reaching out and gently cupping her elbow to ground her. His touch was steady and warm, anchoring her, but her thoughts remained tangled with fear. "You were in shock, drugged, and disoriented. It's possible that you're mistaken. Yadav has been working with our family for years. I've known him for years. If he had tried to kill you, do you really think he'd behave so nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened? How can he behave so normally seeing the person alive whom he tried killing just a few days ago?"

Shreekant's words sliced through her panic, forcing her to question herself. He made sense, she thought, yet the unease clung to her, making her doubt her own reasoning. She looked down, uncertainty creeping in. Could she truly be mistaken?

"I... I don't know," she murmured, still clutching the bedsheets with trembling fingers. "But his voice... and that sound..."

Shreekant lifted her chin, his voice calm and soothing. "Look at me. I know this is terrifying, but I'm here. If you're really so certain, I'll conduct a background check on him, all right? But for now, let's take a step back. Don't let this overwhelm you. I'm here." He patted her shoulder reassuringly, and despite her lingering fear, she felt her pulse begin to slow, her breathing steady.

After a few minutes, Amna managed to calm down, though her mind still replayed that dragging sound, the timbre of his voice. She couldn't even notice when Ramesh entered with a tray of food, placed it on the side table and left. Sensing her growing lingering discomfort, Shreekant decided to intervain.