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The longest Chapter of Savage...Wohoo...
Chapter 17
~And Late it is~
"Stop touching me" Her words hurt me. Her words..the words she said when I tried helping her. She was in pain and I knew it but..
"You have no right to touch me. And stop with this fake concern..I don't know what exactly you want to achieve but...ARGH.."
She was trying so hard to be brave and I admired her for that. At that moment she..She reminded me of Tanya. The same fierce, the same anger in her eyes and the same pain. Everything reminded me of her and the night when father got her...killed.
By the time I had reached her house... I was late. They had left and I saw the red trail of blood going from the front towards the stairs. My breathing deepened looking at the blood. Never before I was scared of blood like I was that time. My body shook as I quickly followed it ...untill..
There she was lying at the centre of the room, helpless and in blood. Her white dress didn't have had an inch of white left. It was red. Her Blood. Her blood was colouring her white dress. It was the same dress I had gifted to her a day before. She wanted to wear it and meet Riddhima for the first time. And I was supposed to take her today. She wanted me to be with her. I hadn't seen her before. But the way she described me about her, I knew one thing for sure. She had to be just like HER, Like My Tanya. She had planned everything. We had bought another white dress for Riddhima. And she wanted to give it to her today. She was so excited for today. We had talked before me coming to her house and I knew how her face must have looked. She was finally getting to meet her kid sister. The sister she never knew about. The sister who wasn't aware of HER.
It was supposed to be the happiest day of HER life but Change took place. Her supposedly happiest day turned out to be her Last day. And it was all because of ME. If only I had not met her and I wasn't selfish, things would have turned out to be different.
If only... just two simple words. It's so simple to say but does it actually predict the Change. The change could have taken place but couldn't take place. It's like saying changing the Destiny. But is it that easy?
No, it's not.
What has to happen had already taken place than why do we use If only.
Because it's a way of trying to tell own self that things could have changed. If only..These words are like a release from the past.
If only helps in predicting the future that wasn't meant to be yours. That was never meant to be written for you. That was never meant to be experienced by you.
IF ONLY.. it was possible...But it wasn't and I know it.
I quickly reached and took her lifeless body in my arm. She was in pain. So much pain. Her breathing was shallow and for a moment I couldn't hear her breathing.
Dead. The word I was never scared; the word that was like a friend to me was ringing through my mind. No, she can't...She can't leave me alone.
"Tanya..." I called her name. It was a whisper but I knew she had heard me. Just like every time. She hated when I shouted her name. And I used to tease her by doing it.
That day I couldn't.
Few seconds passed and I heard nothing.
NO..GET UP.. You can't leave me alone..GET UP...
I felt some movement and looked at her face. She opened her eyes slowly and looked at me. "Hey.." She whispered. She was dying and I couldn't do anything to save her. I never felt this Helpless before. She had already lost a lot of blood and she was losing it with every second. And I was just holding her. I felt weak. I was the weakest person in the whole world. I couldn't do anything to save HER. I was losing her for...forever.
Her blood filled hand slowly moved to touched me.
"I was.. I was.. waiting... for you. I wanted to see you...LAST TIME" Gasping for breath she said with so much difficulty. And it tore my heart apart. She was in this situation because of me. I was responsible for her condition. I was responsible for her death. It was my Fault.
"Ssshhh...Don't speak" I told her. And she smiled hearing those words. The same beautiful smile that used to brightened my day.
"Why?"
We continued looking at the other. There was so much to say, so much to hear. There were so many things we had planned on doing together. But you can't get everything you wish for. All wishes are never fulfilled. And my most precious and only dream remained unfulfilled.
The spark in her eyes was slowly fading away. She was trying so hard to open her eyes. She was fighting death and she was fighting it bravely.
"I am sorry" I whispered. And I cried. I cried like never before. It was the first and last time. I wanted her to be angry. I wanted her to blame me. But she didn't.
"It's not your fault. It was never yours and it will never be. You are a good person Armaan and you'll always be" She said. I indicated a NO.
How could she say like this? I wasn't born to be good and I couldn't have been good for her. I was bad .. I was bad for her but she never agreed.
"You are.."Her hands touched my face and I closed my eyes as more tears came out of my eyes.
"I don't have much time.." She whispered. And my eyes snapped open. I looked at her and saw her tears filled eyes.
"Don't say this" I told her. We both knew she didn't had much time but hearing it from her mouth killed my soul.
"Armaan I want you to do something. Will you do it for me? Will you fulfil my Last Wish?" She asked. I had never said "NO" to her before and I wasn't going to say it now. I nodded weakly.
"Armaan..Don't let your father hurt her. She's too naive and she needs to live. She needs you..promise me..pro..mise...me" I nodded holding her close to me, holding her red blooded in my hand, kissing it.
"I promise.." I whispered with tear filled eyes. And she smiled. Like she was waiting for me to say those words. Her pained expression changed into the brightest smile. And it was the last time I saw her smiling.
SHE wasn't scared that night and she wasn't this night. I just wanted to help her. Was I wrong in helping her? She could have died. She was losing blood because her wound got opened. And she was in pain then WHY?
Because of the kind of the person you are. She despises you. And she hates you.
But it wasn't the time to pay heeds to her demands. She needed help and I had to help her. Even if it meant more despise. And I did just that. I helped her. I slowly lifted her body and helped her in a sitting position against the headboard.
I looked at the bandage that was slowly turning red. She was losing blood and I had to stop it. I looked up and her eyes were tightly closed.
"We have to change your bandage.." I told her.
She indicated a no with her head. And it hurt a little. Because I wanted to help and she wasn't ready to believe me.
You can't be serious about this. YOU..of all the people have hurt her the most and you want her to believe you.
"No...I don't want you to touch me" She was adamant in her statement. And I was in mine. She needed my help and I wasn't ready to hear NO.
I got up from the bed and moved out. For a second her eyes flickered towards mine when I got up. She thought I was leaving her alone. But it changed back to anger when she saw me coming back with the kit.
It wasn't possible to take her to the bathroom. I had to change it here.
"Riddhima I am going to change the dressing whether you LIKE IT OR NOT. I am going to help you" I had to be strict if it meant helping her. For a moment I felt like she was going to say NO. But she didn't. She sat straight and didn't protest after that. I was a bit surprised because I wasn't expecting her to agree this easily.
Slowly and making sure it hurt her minimum I removed the red bandage. She was nervous. Her body told me but she never said. After removing the bandage I looked at the wound. The cut was bleeding. Maybe because of stretching.
I had bandaged her before but she wasn't awake at any of those times. This was the first time for her. I was trying my best not to touch her skin more than required. Because I didn't want to scare her. I cleaned the wound and slowly bandaged it.
After finishing the work I smiled and looked at her. There wasn't any anger but she didn't smiled back either. I got up and moved to the bathroom. I kept the kit back and cleaned my hands. A smile formed on my lips remembering her expression. She had a pout when I had used that strict tone on her. But she let me help her and for the time being I was happy.
I walked out and entered the room. She was sitting on the bed. She wasn't looking at me but at her hands. I moved out and came back with a tray of food. She may not like it but she had to. It was for her health. And after losing so much blood she needed it more.
Forcing her wouldn't have helped and this time I wanted her to take the initiative. I knew she was hungry. So I kept the tray beside the table and giving her a last glance walked out of the room.
I was ready to wait for 2 hours. And if her food was still untouched I would have forced her. I needed to give her some time and that's what I did.
I came to my room and sat by the window. I had to plan for the next Step. It wouldn't take father much time to find about this place. I had to be one step ahead if I had to save her. I had to think and act before him. I had to leave this place before he comes and takes her away. Because one thing was for sure, this time he wouldn't wait for me to KILL her. He'll kill her as soon as he'll find her.
I had to take her away from this place and this city. I had to. But not for the next 2-3 days. She needed rest. Her body needed rest and I just hoped that Father would not come before that.
But I was never the lucky one to get my hopes fulfilled.
Because I heard voices. And it was familiar. There wasn't one but many...Many voices and I knew whose voices they were. One of them was Father.
He found us. And he wouldn't wait to kill her. I had to do something Quick. I had to save her and save myself. Getting up from the chair I moved to the cupboard and took out my weapons. Taking one revolver in the hand, I tuck the other on my back. Going through the main door wasn't possible. They could have seen me. I locked my room from inside and looked out from the balcony. The balcony wasn't connected to her room. And the only way left was Window. So I opened the window and looked around. There was no one out. So it meant everyone was inside. I crossed the window and balanced myself. There was a small passage that connected both the windows. Balancing myself I took slow steps and reached her room. I jumped inside and quickly locked her door from inside. She was on the bed sleeping. I saw the plate of food and it was empty.
She ate the food.
For others it wouldn't have meant a big deal. For me, it was. We didn't have had the perfect or normal start but this small gesture was enough for me. I wanted to thank her but it could have waited for some time. I had to save her first.
I covered her mouth with my hand and whispered her name.
"Riddhima.." I whispered, shaking her lightly. She moved a bit and slowly opened her eyes. Her small brown eyes widened looking at me as she saw the revolver in one hand. Her small hands came up to remove the hand from her mouth.
"Hmm..." she tried freeing herself.
"Sssh...Don't move. We have company." I pointed towards the door. Her eyes flickered to the door and I was sure like me she heard those voices too. Because her movement stopped."Now I am going to remove my hand but promise you won't shout or scream" I whispered and waited for her response.
She thought for a moment and nodded once. Her big eyes fixed on me. Very slowly I removed my hand. I eyes were on her and ears on the door. They were close and it was just a matter of time before they found us.
"We need to get away from this place before they come up" I told her. And took steps back when I was sure she wasn't going to scream. With quick steps I took out a bag from the cupboard and packed the items I had bought for her. Taking the medicines from the table I threw them in the bag and zipped it up.
She was sitting on the bed looking at me. And if we weren't in this situation I would have laughed at her expressions. Confusion was visible on her face and she was looking at me with wide eyes.
"Can you get up? Can you walk" I asked standing in front of her after I had packed all the necessities. She didn't reply. She was trying to understand my statements. Looking at her expressions I was sure she wasn't expecting this from me. Even I wasn't expecting it from myself.
"Riddhima..." I called her one more time. She came back from her reverie and nodded.
"Good...Now listen to me. We'll go back to my room and you'll leave from there. Don't ask any questions. I'll answer everything later...Okay... Are we okay" She again went silent.
"Riddhima...Are you even listening to me?" Her late response was testing my patience. We didn't have had time and she wasn't helping me either. How was I supposed to help her and help us like this?
"Ye..Yes..." She whispered. I sighed.
"Okay.. We don't have much time. And we can't go through the front door. So we'll have to use the window. Can you do this?"
Knowing her condition I knew it must be HARD. But we were running out of time and there wasn't any way left. She was not in the condition to run and I wasn't willing to take the chance. There was just this way and only way.
"I don't think..." she started and I had to stop her. No wasn't even the option for us.
"You can and you'll..Trust me" I said looking into her eyes. Hearing the footsteps coming up the floor I looked at the door.
Not Now...
"I don't trust you" Came her immediate and sharp reply. I turned and looked at her. There was no more confusion. Anger. It was back on her face and it didn't surprise me. Anybody in her face would have reacted the same way.
"As you wish. I am not going to force you to trust me. But we have to leave this room and we have to be quick.."
I grabbed the bag and held it on the shoulder. Removing the covers I held her wrist and helped her in getting up from the bed. Her wounds were fresh and I knew it pained her to move much. But my first priority was to save her.
Holding her as she put her weight on me I reached the window and looked out. Clear.
The biggest problem was to move her from this end to other. Her body was too weak to stand alone for a long time, let alone balance. It was impossible for her to cross this small passage without any support. And I have had to support her.
I'll be your support.
I told myself and dropped the bag from the shoulder. It wasn't heavy so I wrapped it around her back. Without putting much pressure, I brought her hands and wrapped it around my neck.
"Hold on to me tightly" I said. And she did. Her small hands that I had put around my neck were holding with grip.
"Close your eyes.." I whispered bringing her closer. For some moments her eyes were fixed on mine. She was looking for answers. She was trying to find the truth in them. And I was more than willing to give it to her.
She closed her eyes as her body touched mine. I'll not break this trust Riddima..I won't. I told myself looking at her.
"Now I am going to lift you. It will hurt but try not to scream..Can you do this?" I whispered in her ear. She nodded weakly. I looked at her eyes that were closed too tightly. Her lips were pressed together tightly. Like she was waiting for the hurt to come and get her.
Bringing both hands under her hips I lifted her body. And she wrapped her legs around my torso locking her legs. A low moan escaped her lips and I knew it hurt her.
Just few minutes Riddhima and you'll be fine.
With one hand supporting her hips and the other holding her from her waist I moved. Her face was in the crook of my neck and her breathing was touching my bare skin. Her body was pressed to mine. Her hands gripped me more tightly as I moved. It was difficult but I had to do it.
For Her, for HER and for the promise I had given to HER.
While moving I felt something wet on my skin and I noticed the shaking of her body. Tears. She was crying and somewhere I was the reason for these tears. I wanted to wipe it off her. Like I did it last night. I wanted to tell her it was over now. But was it?
I didn't know but for now I wouldn't have let anything happen to her. I held her more tightly making sure I wasn't hurting her in the process. I moved my hand up and down her back few times. It wasn't a BIG gesture. But for her and for me it was.
"We are almost there" I whispered in her ear. She didn't nodded or said anything. But she heard me. With only few steps left, I quickly covered it and reached the window. I looked around. They had not entered this room. And it was perfect for me.
Slowly I removed my hand from under her hips and helped her in standing. There wasn't much space to move and we had to move inside quickly. She unlocked her hands from around my neck. She was looking down wiping her tears from the face.
"Are you okay.." I asked and she nodded. I wasn't surprised at her answer. She wasn't okay and we both knew it. But she was trying to put a brave front. And I was proud..so proud of her.
Her eyes were fixed on our shoes. I wish we had time to talk because I wanted to. But like other things it could have waited.
I took the bag off her shoulders. Supporting her, I helped her in moving inside the room and jumped after her. It was time for action now.
She was standing at one corner looking at me. I moved to the door and pressed my ears to listen to any movement. This room was the farthest and it would have taken some time to reach here. But they were coming. I had to hide her quickly.
Grabbing her wrist I took her to the closet and opened it. This closet was the door to the small room that nobody was aware off except ME. And it was the perfect hiding place for her. The other side of this room had a secret passage and it ended outside this mansion. We had to use this way to save us.
"Riddhima..take this.." I put the revolver in her hand. Her eyes looked at it in shock and drifted towards mine. She wasn't expecting it and neither was I. But I had to give it to her. I couldn't let go of her empty handed. It was for her safety.
"Now listen to me...clearly. I want you to go through this way and wait at the other end. Don't come out. Just wait and I'll meet you there...okay..."
I wasn't ready to leave her alone but I had to. With me it would have been more risky. And I couldn't take the chance. They were almost too close and it would have been a matter of seconds before they opened the door.
"Now Go..." I said. I gave her the bag and pushed her towards the passage. I closed the door and came out of the closet locking it properly. Knowing her condition it would have taken her close to 15 minutes to reach the end. That meant I had 15 minutes in my hand. I just hoped she didn't stop in between. She was weak and alone. And it was the biggest concern for me.
One..Two..Three... I counted mentally and reached the window. Looking sideways I jumped out and reached her room, the same I came a while ago. I looked around and saw 2 of his men inside. I jumped inside and FIRED. Only two bullets and they were dead. I quickly entered the room and saw two more enter inside. Before they could have fired, I killed them.
I was a bit surprised to see Father sending them to kill her. He knew it wouldn't take time for me to kill these guys. Hearing no movements I looked out from the door and saw 4 more making their way to the room. Before they could have made any movement I killed them also. Now only three left and SH**.
The revolver was empty and I had to re-fill the bullets. The other revolver? I touched my back and remembered I had given it to her.
I quickly re-filled but not before one bullet touched my arm.
"F***"
I moved back and touched my arm. Blood started coming out but wasn't a big wound I haven't seen or felt before. I have been through this a couple of times. I saw them coming towards my hide out from the corner of my eyes. I hid behind the other wall and waited for them to come. The next moment they were dead like the others.
Father was nowhere to be seen and it was a matter of concern. Because I had heard his voice. And he couldn't have left before...
NO..He couldn't have...
I ran into my room and opened the closet. I ran through the passage to get back to her. My gut wasn't giving me a good feeling. I was late. I felt it. I reached the end of the passage but she was nowhere to be seen.
"Riddhima.." I shouted looking around. Even the bag was nowhere to be seen.
No response.
Frustrated I pulled my hair at my foolishness. How could I have not known this? Father got her before me and she was with him now.
I was late last time and he killed HER. Again I was late and he was going to kill her.
~And Late it is~
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Do read note on Page 125 about PM service. Thanks...😊 Edited by gypsy - 13 years ago
CID
80