36
RUDRAKSH
I see red.
I don't think I've ever felt this kind of rage. It's blinding. Consuming. The kind that makes you want to kill. And I will—two people, to be specific. Her so-called parents. They don’t deserve that title. Hell, they don’t even qualify to be called human. I don’t like humans in general, but they stooped to the lowest level possible.
They tortured her—physically, mentally, emotionally, and verbally.
Every way imaginable. Last night, when she told me everything, it all clicked.
Every behavior, every fear, every little hesitation—it all made sense.
I did suspect something, but this level of abuse by her own parents I never could have imagined.
I understand her so much better now, and it makes me fucking sick that she had to go through that.
That she didn’t have a safe place growing up. Not even one.
She never deserved it. None of it. She's pure. So pure, so beautiful—inside and out.
Right now, Aarav and I are on our way to pay those bastards a visit.
If they think they can mess with my wife and walk away unharmed, they’re dead wrong.
I’ve told everyone in the family. Because more than anything, she deserves a real family—a mother, a father, people who will love her without expecting anything in return.
She needs warmth. Safety. Unconditional love.
And I swear on everything, I’ll make sure she gets it.
She was scared that people would pity her, that they’d look at her differently. And it’s fair; it’s her trauma. But I reassured her, my family doesn’t do that. We don’t pity—we protect. We support each other. We show up in the bad times.
My eyes linger out of the window, my mind swarming with thoughts of revenge. There’s a sense of clarity in it. A purpose. A fire that won’t die until I make this right.
As we pull up to the familiar house, satisfaction rolls through me. This time, it’s not a social visit. This time, they’ll get what they deserve.
We step out of the car and walk towards that house. Every movement is charged with tension as we walk towards the front door, our footsteps hitting the pavement like a countdown.
I knock hard at the door. The sound of it echoes through the silence. My lips lift into a menacing smile as I hear footsteps, and then the door creaks open.
Before I enter the house, I tell the staff to inform Ranveer I’ll be waiting for him in his office. And then I step inside like I own the place—because soon, I will.
Ranveer’s office looks the same. Dark wood panels, a large desk in the center, and comfortable leather chairs. It reeks of false power, coward. I take a seat, fingers drumming on the armrest as I wait.
The door finally opens. Ranveer walks in, clearly irritated—until he sees me in his chair. His jaw tightens, and he charges towards me. “What are you doing here, Rudraksh?” he asks, trying to sound composed.
"Is that how you treat your son-in-law?" A smirk forms on my face. He sighs and gives me a bored look. A moment passes between us, but he says nothing. I stand up, facing him. “I think you messed with the wrong person,” I announce as a matter of fact. “You mess with my wife, you mess with me.”
Aarav steps into the study room and closes the door behind him.
Without waiting for another word, I punch Ranveer in the face, and he stumbles, not being able to take the impact.
Aarav shoves him into the chair and begins tying him up.
The air charges thick between us as anger blinds my vision.
Shivani’s cries echo in my head, and I know better than to back down.
The idiot actually tries to fight us. Aarav lands a solid punch to the back of his head, and the ropes come out. Ranveer struggles, but it’s pointless.
“You can’t do this to me,” he hisses. “Do you know who I am?”
I laugh darkly and sit on his desk. “I know exactly who you are. That’s why I’m not scared.”
“You’re a coward,” I continue, “a sad excuse for a man who gets off on hurting people weaker than him. Not that my wife is weak—she’s the strongest person I know, surviving all the shit you put her through.”
“You don’t know anything about me,” he growls, wriggling his body against the robe.
“Oh, but I do,” I reply, leaning closer. “You’re a waste of space. Of oxygen.”
“This is my house,” he hisses, eyes blazing with rage. But it's not comparable to mine; mine is more furious. It's full of thirst for revenge.
“Is it?” Aarav cuts in, pulls out his phone, and shoves it in Ranveer’s face. “Looks like we bought it. So now, it’s ours.”
"How—" Ranveer's eyes widen as he glares at me. Aarav slaps him hard, anger lining his eyes as he grips his hair in his fist.
“You better leave, or—” Ranveer starts, but I interrupt with a humorless laugh.
“Or what? You’ll hurt me? Try it. Let’s see how that works out for you.”
Aarav chuckles as he jerks his head and dusts them, as if he has touched dirt. “Nice one, bhai.” I give him a side-eye and roll my eyes. The man can’t be serious for two seconds. Ranveer glares at us, face red, veins bulging as he struggles but fails.
Aarav runs a hand across the desk. “Nice furniture." He comments, admiring the desk, and I almost roll my eyes.
"Bet you thought you were untouchable, huh?”
“You’re nothing but criminals,” Ranveer spits, furiously.
“SO ARE YOU!” I shout, grabbing his collar. “She was a fucking child!”
“A child!” My voice echoes in the air, and tension thickens the atmosphere.
“A stupid one,” he smirks. “My biggest mistake. Should’ve killed her when I had the chance.”
Something inside me snaps the moment he lets out the words, and my grip on his collar tightens. “Don’t you dare talk about her like that.”
“What are you going to do?” He smirks at me as he mocks me. “Kill me?”
I take a deep breath, trying to contain the beast clawing at my insides, and jerk him away. “You’ll regret it.” My words come out in a warning, but he stays clearly unaffected.
This useless piece of trash will know very soon who he is messing with.
“Oh please,” he scoffs, “you’re all bark.”
He falters slightly but still tries to hold his ground.
“We’re not here to scare you,” I say, my voice low, lethal, and calm. “We’re here to send a message.”
Air shifts around us, and Aarav backs away from the desk, waiting for me to complete my words.
I would have killed Ranveer, but no, Shivani deserves revenge, not grief.
She wasn't happy when I took her mother's share; she won't be happy about what I am about to do to her father.
But sooner or later she has to learn about this: that love goes beyond respect; it comes with protection, too.
“What message?”
“That I will do anything—anything—to protect what’s mine.” I yank his hair, forcing him to look at me. “The same fear you made her live in... I’ll make sure you experience it too.”
Aarav pulls out a knife and stabs it deep into Ranveer’s thigh. His scream fills the room—it’s a sound that weirdly soothes my soul as the blood splatters from the wounds, flowing down on the floor.
“You think you’re tough?” I whisper, leaning in. “Think about the child you hit.”
The door bursts open before I can do anything else. Meera steps in and freezes at the sight. Aarav smirks and slides a chair her way with his foot.
“Come, have a seat. We’re just having a friendly chat,” he says, a mocking smile forming on his way.
Meera gulps and enters slowly, eyes darting. Fear sits heavy on her shoulder; she is terrified. That's good for her. “Close the door,” I command, and she obeys, her steps shaky.
“You see, our mothers taught us not to raise our hands on women,” Aarav begins, circling her. “But you? You hurt my bhabhi. She’s like a sister to me.” He grabs Meera’s jaw; her eyes widen as she winces. “And I don’t spare people who hurt my family. I believe in revenge.”
“Please,” she whispers, voice trembling, as she tries to get out of his hold. He lets go of her face, then slaps her hard. Fear and disbelief shine in her eyes as she sobs.
“Look at you. Weak. Pathetic. But you pretend to be powerful,” I grin at them, a menacing smile forming on my face, while Aarav laughs coldly.
“I’m sorry. Please... you don’t understand—” Meera tries, trying to get unscathed, but she should know better than this.
“You’re mistaken, Meera. I’m not interested in your sorrys,” I hiss at her and glare at her.
“My wife? She’s been too kind. She begged me not to hurt you.
” Slowly, I pull the knife out of Ranveer’s leg.
Blood sprays onto my shirt. Fuck, that’s going to stain.
Shivani’s going to ask questions. But instead of worrying about that, I stab the blade back in.
Ranveer howls in pain. His cry— a satisfaction to my soul.
“I’m not doing anything,” I say, looking at Aarav. “ Am I right, Aarav? I’m just obeying my wife.” He better not snitch. I don't think he will, considering Shivani might be upset with all this, but I have to make sure.
“Now let’s tell them what’s next.” I gesture to Aarav, and he smiles as he tells me.
“Thanks for the honor, bhai, but I think you should do it. It’s the fun part,” he grins.
“Fair enough.” I grab Ranveer’s hair again. “We’re going to leave now. And this place is going to catch fire the moment I step out.” My voice comes out cold, with an edge.
Aarav ties Meera up, ignoring her flailing hands. She fights, but he punches her in the gut, and she crumples against the chair.
“I read somewhere that after childbirth, burning alive is the most painful,” I say casually, loud enough for them to hear. “This house was her personal hell. You made sure of it. So now, I’m going to make it yours.” A chuckle erupts from my mouth.
“You’re going to pay for your sins.”
Aarav nods as he comes to stand beside me. “Oh, and I’ll be taking over your company. You should thank me—clearly, you can’t run it properly.”
“And my wife? She’ll get everything. Love. Respect. She’ll eat what she wants. Gain whatever weight she wants. Read every book she wants. Be as loud, quiet, soft, or strong as she wants.”
“No, please—” Meera starts, but we don't let her finish the words.
“Let’s go, Aarav,” I call to him, cutting her off, and he follows me out. Their screams echo behind us. It's music to my ears.
As we step out, I look at my men, who are waiting for my order. “Burn it,” I command them, and they get to work.