Chapter 14 Matured

Trigger Warning: violence, death

Next Morning

Arjun knocked on Neha's bedroom door and peeped in, she was reading on her bed. Neha looked at him and nodded, he walked in.

“Good morning, Dollie!” He sat beside her. “How are you?”

She put the novel aside, “better,”

“I-” He paused to look at her, “do you remember who saved you during the raid?”

She pursed her lips, “It wasn't you? I think I saw you outside the OT.”

Arjun shook his head, “I was there but someone else had brought you, but, it's alright.” He looked at the breakfast on the table. “Didn't have your breakfast yet?”

“No, did you?”

Arjun shook his head, “Come on, let's eat.”

Neha thought of protesting but the solemn look on his face made her agree. She made her way to the couch where Arjun was plating upma.

She silently put a morsel of food in her mouth, observing Arjun who looked like he was fighting his demons. As they finished the breakfast, Neha asked “bhaiya, what is bothering you?”

Arjun put his plate aside, had a sip of water. “Did you know the consignments belonged to,” he tightened his fists, “Sikander?”

“I wasn't sure-” she looked away.

He glared at her and took a deep breath to calm himself, “what does that mean?”

“My information is always non-specific. We need to figure out the other details.” She added.

“So, when will you share the other details?”

“Ask the chief or commissioner sir, when they provide permission, I will share everything.” She said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Chief? Rathore?" Arjun tilted his head.

“Yup. He asked me to gather old cases based on particular MO. I don't have much info, though.”

Arjun nodded, knowing there won't be any other answers for now. “Fine, rest well.” He got up.

She held his hand. “Bhaiya, we will find him, I promise.”

“I hope it’s not too late. He already tried to hurt you.”

She chuckled. “So? I’m here, all fit and fine. Not even God wants me dead. Stop worrying.”

“Stop taking things so lightly.”

Neha sighed, hugging her brother, “Bhaiya, we got this. Everything will be alright. Trust me.”

He kissed her forehead, “I just want you to be safe, dollie.”

“I will be.” She smiled, assuringly.

~

Commissioner’s office

Sameer and Arjun were seated across Commissioner Coelho.

“Good morning sir,” Sameer began, “we are here for your permission to work of Sikander's case,”

Arjun put forth the chit found with the drugs consignment. “We have seized two containers full of drugs. They belong to him.”

Coelho nodded, “Yes, I know. Within two or three days, I will give you the official confirmation, wait for it.”

“Why wait, sir?” Arjun asked, getting impatient.

“Certain clearances from the head office and ministry are required.” Coelho replied. “How is Neha?”

“Better.” Arjun answered.

“Ask her to call me.” Coelho gave a small nod, “continue with the case you have, I will update you soon. Be prepared.”

“Jai Hind” The duo saluted before marching out.

~

Evening

Neha was sitting by the window of her penthouse, staring at the glittering lights against the pitter-patter of rain. The doorbell rang, pulling her out of her thoughts. She winced in pain as she made her way to the door. A hooded figure was waiting with a bouquet of roses. She opened the door and let him in. He pulled off his hood, revealing the charming face and a genuine smile.

She frowned. “Why are you here?”

“To apologise.” Sikander said. “What Azeem tried to pull off was stupid and I’ve punished him for it. I’m really sorry that you had to go through all this pain and suffering.”

“If you're done, then leave.” She dropped the bouquet on the floor.

Sikander looked at the bouquet, “I see, you're still angry. I am really sorry on behalf of my stupid Azeem. He will never hurt you again, I've made sure of it.”

She raised a brow, “you killed him?”

“What?” He chuckled, “no, a few punches and he's back in his senses, he won't try anything funny again.”

“Wow! A few punches for me getting shot. And you have the audacity to call yourself my lover.” She shook her head, “I don't believe you.

He smiled again. “You look really hot when you're angry.” He pulled away a strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear. She flicked away his hand.

“Don't touch me.” She hissed. “After everything you're people have done to me, I don't even wish to see you. You really are shameless, aren't you? Every single time you apologize for whatever happens to me and something worse comes up. First it was the torture in London, then the poisoning, then you sent trucks to crush us, then the sex tapes and now a gun shot. What else remains? You really love to play my saviour and forget that I know that I got here because of you.”

Sikander put her hands around her waist, “Calm down, my love, relax.” He felt her heavy breaths. “I know I am responsible for your suffering but trust me, I never wanted to hurt you. And I promise it won't happen again.” He stroked her cheek. She tried to free herself from his grip but he held on tight. Tears welled up her eyes.

“Hey, sweetheart, please don't cry. I can't see you like this.” He wiped off her tears. “I really love you and I can't see tears in your eyes. I love you.”

He pinned her to the wall. Tracing her face with the back of his hand. “You have made me fall in love with you. Your soft curves, sharp wits, these juicy lips, and the way you smile when you're happy. I am addicted to you, no drug is good enough, just you.”

He leaned in, “Do you have any clue how useless I become just at the thought of you. When I see your eyes, there's nothing else I want to get lost into. I don't know if I'm making sense but woman you have taken it all away, I can't think of anything but the time we spent together. I just can't keep my hands off you, I wish to keep you in my arms and show you the stars. Please let me have you one more time, I'm begging you.”

Her phone buzzed and she pushed him away. He picked her phone and switched it off. “Nope, no disturbances during our time. You are mine. Only mine.”

“In your dreams. Now get out of my house.” She picked up a knife from the table.

Sikander smiled, “oh no, darling,” he knocked the knife off her hand, “my love,” He kissed her lips. “I'm here and I'm not leaving before I do you once again.”

“If you really love me, you won't bother me today, please.” She sobbed.

“Why?”

She glanced at him, “Not today, my body is in too much pain because of the gun shot. Please, let me be.”

He wiped her tears, “See you next week, then. And no excuses, mi amore.” She nodded and he left.

Neha gulped a glass of water and turned on her phone, Arjun's missed calls. She called back. “Bhaiya?”

“Are you okay?” He sounded worried, “why was your phone switched off?”

“Its battery died. And I just woke up from a nap.”

“Had your dinner?”

“Serving myself.” She lied.

“Okay. Take your meds on time.”

“I will, bhaiya. Don't worry.”

~

That fateful day, three years ago.

Late afternoon.

Arjun's Apartment.

Arjun plopped on the bed after a long shower. Staring at the ceiling.

“Arjun, if you're done showering, shall I make-” Roshni stopped as she walked into the room, seeing Arjun mindlessly stare at the ceiling. For the past few days, he had been worried. She ran her fingers through his hair, sitting beside him.

He put his hands around her waist, laying his head on her lap, he snuggled. “Arj-” Roshni began. “Uhm” He voiced, closing his eyes. She sighed and continued caressing his hair. The faint smell of her rose and jasmine scent relaxed his senses.

After a few minutes of comforting silence, Arjun opened his eyes. Roshni was looking at him, with love and concern.

“Rosh, will you go to London?”

A slight crease in her forehead. “With you?”

“No. With your in-laws and Neha.”

“Neha has agreed to go?” She remembered that last week when they brought up the topic, she had vehemently denied.

“Not yet. Kaka asked me to convince her. When she comes today, I will talk to her, again.” His eyes fixed on the ceiling, once again.

“Is it important?” Roshni waited for an answer. “What is going on, Arjun? Why are you so worried?” She asked, softly.

He sighed. “You know, we have been busting some drug trade links, lately. Last month we had that factory destroyed. They have started retaliating. Last week, two of my inspector’s families met with an accident.”

“You think it was not an accident?”

“Yes, and I think you should,” Arjun paused.

She nodded. “What if I go to my parents house, to Nagpur?”

He replied thoughtfully. “I can arrange for security there.”

“Done, then.” She smiled as his face relaxed. “Now, what's the plan for the evening?”

He sat upright. “Nothing much, just me and my favourite wife.”

“What do you mean favourite?” Roshni feigned anger.

“You, my dearest, my favourite wife.” He placed his finger under her chin.

“And what about my kids?”

“They will enjoy their playdate.” He smiled.

Roshni pouted. “Arjun, they're nine months old. They are not supposed to have playdates, yet.”

“Don't worry, our in-house babysitter will take care of them.”

“Well if you've decided everything, tell me the menu.” She sighed.

“I don't want either of us to be busy in kitchen, so, how about Pulav and Kadhi?” He cupped her cheek.

“Works.” She pressed her forehead against his, closing her eyes. Arjun snaked his arms around her back, pulling her closer. Their breaths mingled and their hearts synced. The twins were busy taking their afternoon nap and our love birds finally had some peace.

Her hands moved to his hair, as she felt her lips against his. “Happy Anniversary, my love” he whispered. Roshni bit his lower lip before kissing him. He tasted her sweet lips and felt the time slow down. His hand traced her back, reaching to the zipper of her top. As he opened it, the doorbell rang.

Roshni chuckled. “My monster has the worst timing.” He cursed under his breath. Pulling up the barely opened zipper.

“To be continued.” She said, getting up.

Roshni opened the door. Neha grinned, unapologetic. "Hope I'm not disturbing you. And no apologies—I won't say sorry!"

Arjun smacked her head. "You're a menace, monster.”

Neha's eyes sparkled. "I heard that you missed me, bhaiya! But today, I'm here for Anu and Aru."

Roshni smiled. "They're still asleep."

Neha plopped on the couch. "No rush. Once they're up, we'll have a blast."

“You've been coming here for them since they're born. What about us?” Arjun crossed his arms.

“Alright, next time, I'll come for you two.” Neha put her hands in the air.

“What do you wanna eat?” Roshni asked.

“I had iced coffee on the way, I'm full right now.” She patted the couch, “Sit with me, sunshine.”

Roshni sat beside her. Arjun sat on the couch across from them. Neha alternatively looked at the two. “What is it?”

Arjun sighed. “You should go to London, Neha. It's good for your future prospects,”

“Not again, bhaiya. I told you, I-”

“You won't listen to me?” Arjun looked into her eyes. She looked at Roshni, who silently nodded.

“Bhaiya, I don't want to go. My friends are here, you guys are here. And what about my game, my classes, everything.” She reasoned.

Arjun stood up, walking over to her side. “None of that really matters, bachha. You told me you had applied to Cambridge, right. You've received the acceptance letter too. Join it. Not everyone gets the opportunity.”

They heard a faint cry. Roshni headed inside to check on the twins.

Arjun took her seat. He placed his hand on Neha's head. “If Bhau said this to you, you would listen, right?” He used the trump card.

She pouted. “Bhaiya.” She leaned on his shoulder, “I don't want to leave you all here.”

“It's just for a few years. Just study there and return to India. How about that?”

“I'll see.” She muttered. He hummed in response. She looked up, Arjun was lost in thoughts. "Something bothering you, bhaiya?"

He hesitated. "Nothing, just…thinking."

Neha's curiosity flared. "Come on, spill the beans. What's the surprise plan for bhabhi?"

“It's not for your ears or eyes.” Arjun rolled his eyes.

“Bhaiya?” She leaned on his chest. “I don't know what's bothering you but don't you worry. Everything's gonna be alright. Also, it's your special day. Make it fun. Worry later, live now.”

“Oh oh, granny?! Where are these wise words coming from?” He pulled her plaited hair.

She flicked his hand. “I've always been the wise one.” Arjun laughed it off. She pouted. “Anyway, as per the plan, I'll take the babies with me, we'll be back late at night?”

“Around 9pm.” Arjun said thoughtfully. “By the way, as it's the 7th day of Visarjan, there will be a lot of traffic, so plan accordingly.”

“It's there in your society as well, right? Bhabhi is not joining?”

“She wanted to, I asked her to finish her pooja in the morning because I'm not getting any offs for a while. Even today was difficult but managed a half-day, somehow.”

Sometime later, Neha left along with the babies.

~

Arjun meticulously arranged the candlelit dinner. Roshni had prepared their favourite dishes, and they sat down to share a quiet evening. The soft glow of the candles danced on their faces, casting shadows of warmth and intimacy.

Just as they were about to take their first bites, the doorbell rang, disturbing their peaceful moment. Arjun sighed, excusing himself to answer it.

"I'll check," he said, disappearing down the hallway. But when he returned, he wore a puzzled expression. "No one was there. Probably just a prank."

Roshni smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "No worries, Arjun. Maybe some mischievous kid. Let's start our dinner."

Before they could resume, the doorbell chimed again. Arjun raised an eyebrow, annoyance creeping in. "Go ahead, teacher ji," he teased Roshni. "Teach that naughty child a lesson."

Roshni stepped out, and Arjun settled back into his chair. But this time, when the door opened, it wasn't a child playing pranks—it was masked men. They dragged Roshni inside, her eyes wide with fear. They bound her hands and gagged her mouth, rendering her helpless.

Arjun leaped up, ready to fight, but a blow to his head sent him reeling. The leader of the group, Sikandar, held a knife to Roshni's throat.

"Don't try anything clever, ACP Arjun," Sikandar warned. "Your wife's life depends on your obedience."

Arjun kicked off the two men trying to hold him down. Sikander pressed the knife against her throat, a drop of blood trickled down. Arjun frozen at the sight, they chained him to a pillar, the cold iron biting into his skin. Desperation filled his eyes as he faced Sikandar.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Arjun's voice trembled.

"I am Sikandar," the man replied. "And you ignored my warning. Remember when I told you not to mess with my business and yet, you had the audacity to destroy my factory? Now, pay for it."

"Your business is illegal," Arjun retorted. "Your factory and men are involved in drug and human trafficking."

Sikandar's eyes narrowed. "Now, I won't spare you. Your punishment awaits. Kill her."

With chilling precision, Azeem drove the knife into Roshni's stomach. She screamed, her pain echoing through the room. Arjun's heart shattered as he watched helplessly.

"Roshni!" he cried out.

"Arjun," she gasped, her eyes pleading.

Sikandar grinned malevolently. "Your life won't end today. But every day, you'll long for death. Your punishment is to live, knowing you couldn't protect her." Azeem stabbed Roshni several more times, leaving her unconscious on the floor.

Arjun's anguished screams filled the room, but Roshni lay still, her life hanging by a thread. Shadows of trust shattered, replaced by the darkness of vengeance.

As Roshni lay there, her consciousness flickering like a fragile flame, a tempest of emotions raged within her. Pain, sharp and unyielding, clawed at her insides—the knife wounds etching their cruel testimony. Each breath was a battle, a desperate plea for survival.

Arjun stood there, chained to the pillar, his gaze never wavered from Roshni's crumpled form. His heart clenched, each beat echoing her pain. The room blurred around him as more punches and kicks were thrown at him.

Fear clung to her like a second skin. Fear for herself, yes, but more profoundly, fear for Arjun—the man she loved beyond reason. His anguished cries echoed in her ears, a haunting melody of despair. She wished she could reach out, reassure him, but her body betrayed her.

Fear clawed at Arjun—an icy grip threatening to suffocate. Fear for Roshni, for their shattered dreams, for the life slipping away before his eyes. He'd faced criminals, but this—this was his heart laid bare, vulnerable and raw.

The chains that bound him were more than iron links; they were his inability to shield her. His hands trembled, desperate to reach out, to hold her close. But he was powerless, a spectator to her suffering.

Roshni felt the time slipping through her fingers like sand. And love—undeniable, unwavering love—pulsated within her. She loved Arjun with a fierceness that defied pain and death. Her last thoughts were of him, of their shared dreams, of the future they might never see. She hoped he'd find solace, find a way to live beyond this room of shadows.

Love consumed him. Arjun loved her beyond reason, beyond life itself. Her pain was his, her fading breaths etched into his soul. He'd trade places willingly, bearing her wounds if it meant she'd survive.

And as Sikandar's blade struck again, Arjun's anguished scream echoed through the room. Roshni lay unconscious, her life hanging by a thread. Arjun's torment intensified—a heart in chains, torn between love and despair.

In that quiet hallway, as life ebbed away, Roshni clung to love—the one thing that could not be stolen from her. And as her eyelids fluttered shut, she whispered a silent prayer: “Protect the babies, Arjun. Live for us both.”

Sikandar's men untied the chains and left them to die, slowly. Arjun stretched his hand out, slowly dragging his body towards Roshni. “Roshni, please look at me,” his voice was barely above a whisper.

After what seemed like an eternity but was barely half an hour, the door opened again. Neha frowned as the door opened. Her eyes widened at the horrific sight in front of her. Her dearest brother and bhabhi lay in pools of their blood. She let out a scream and took a breath, quickly calling the ambulance and Sameer.

The time felt unpassable. The ambulance's wailing siren echoed Roshni's racing heart. Arni and Aryan lay still, their tiny hands intertwined. Roshni's whispered words hung in the air, a fragile promise she hoped they'd remember.

"Be strong, my darlings," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the chaos. "Take care of each other."

The paramedics worked frantically, but Roshni's gaze remained fixed on her twins. Their eyes, like Arjun's, held a mix of confusion and fear. She pressed her lips to their foreheads, imprinting her love.

"You're my heart," she whispered. "Always."

The hospital doors swung open, and Arjun was rushed inside, for a cranial surgery. Roshni's blood-soaked hands trembled as she reached for her children. The doctors pulled her away, their voices a distant hum. She fought against their grip, desperate to stay with her babies.

"Mumma loves you," she called, her voice breaking. "Forever."

But the world blurred, and darkness closed in. Roshni surrendered to the void, her final breath carrying her love—a fragile echo—for Arni and Aryan.

~

Arjun was comatose for a week. When he woke up, the pain of losing his wife, his lifeline consumed him.

“Neha, I need your help.” He whispered.

“Anything you need, bhaiya.”

“Go to London. Take Anu and Aru with you. You'll be safe there.”

“And what about you, bhaiya?”

“I have to find him. He-” Arjun's throat was dry. He gulped some water. “I know you will take care of my babies. Take care of everyone, Neha. Be safe.”

“Bhaiya,” Neha tried to protest but in vain.

He held his twins once before sending them to London, with Neha and their parents. It was far enough, it will keep them safe. He couldn't bear another loss. Vengeance, anger and pain defined him. He was barely a shadow of his past self, he pushed everyone away, including Sameer. Everyone close to you will suffer. They will pay for what you did.

But if there is no one close to me, nobody suffers. Only me. He reasoned.

His mind–a fractured mosaic of grief and fury. Roshni's absence gnawed at him—a phantom limb that refused to heal. Vengeance consumed him. He hunted shadows, traced threats back to their roots. His fists became weapons, his eyes mirrors reflecting the abyss.

“Arjun, stop this madness, please.” Sameer tried to reason. Sam, once a confidant, now faced Arjun's wrath.

"Leave me alone," Arjun spat, pushing him away.

But solitude was the cruellest punishment. Arjun's isolation echoed through empty rooms, ricocheting off memories. He reasoned: If there's no one close, no one suffers. Only me.

And so, he became a ghost of his past self—a sentinel of pain, haunted by love lost and broken promises. Arjun, who wouldn't stop smiling, now, couldn't move without a growl and anger. He became a loner, pushing everyone he once held close, away. Once a week he would call Neha, see the twins and try to find some solace, but it never came.

It has been three years since then. His quest for justice continues with renewed vigour, every day.

~ • ~

Next or the next to next chapter will have the finale. 🥰🤗