His Angel

Chapter - 74

I wanted to turn back.

I wanted to run to him and ask why.

But I couldn't.

I felt like I couldn't breathe.

This place... the lights... the people... the laughter—everything felt fake.

I just... needed to get out.

I walked out of the hall, my steps shaky, my throat tight.

Outside, the cool air touched my skin, but even that didn't help.

I still couldn't breathe properly.

Just then, Driver Kaka saw me.

He came closer and asked, "Rani sa, are you alright? Do you need anything?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

I didn't even know what I needed.

I just wanted to run.

Far.

Away from everything and everyone.

But where?

Only one place came to my mind.

"Take me to the Rathore Palace," I whispered.

He hesitated for a moment, like he wanted to ask something—but then nodded.

Of course, why would he question me?

After all... I'm "Rani sa."

Not Siya. Not just a normal girl.

The drive felt long and short at the same time.

I stared outside the window, blinking back the tears that were already falling without my control.

When we reached, the palace was quiet. Everyone had gone to sleep.

Good.

I didn't want to see anyone.

I didn't want to answer questions.

I walked to my room slowly, like my body was too heavy to carry.

Once I was inside, I locked the door.

And went straight to the bathroom.

I turned on the shower.

Let the water fall over me.

But it didn't wash away the pain.

It didn't stop the ache in my chest.

I closed my eyes.

And whispered to no one...

No one wants me as Siya.

Everyone wants me as Rani Sa.

A part of the title. A piece of power. A symbol.

Not a person.

For once...

Just once...

I wanted something to be truly mine.

A love that was mine.

A family that was mine.

A moment that wasn't planned by someone else.

But everything...

Every person...

Every smile around me...

Feels like it was placed in my life for a reason I didn't choose.

Why does it hurt so much?

Why is it so hard to be just... me?

The water kept running.

And I sat there in the shower, hugging my knees.

Breathing became harder.

Like the air didn't want to come into my lungs.

I don't remember when my eyes closed...

Maybe from the cold.

Or maybe from the heaviness inside.

All I know is...

Everything around me faded.

And silence... was the only thing left.

After talking to Karan, I went back inside the party, scanning the crowd, looking for Siya.

But I couldn't see her.

Not her.

Not even Trisha.

My brows furrowed. Maybe they were somewhere taking selfies?

But then I saw Trisha coming alone from the other side of the hall.

I walked to her quickly. "Where is Siya?"

She looked confused. "Ra... I mean, Jiju... she was right here. I just went to use the washroom..."

I didn't wait to hear more. My heart had already started beating faster.

Something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

I called my men immediately and told them to find Siya—check the place, the roads, anywhere.

A few minutes later, I got a message.

"Rani Sa left for Rathore Palace with the driver."

My heart dropped.

I didn't waste another second.

I rushed out, got in my car, and drove like a madman.

So many thoughts were running in my mind.

Did she hear something?

Did she misunderstand?

Why didn't she tell me anything?

But more than anything else—fear.

That same fear which I had buried deep inside me.

What if something happens to her?

I reached the palace in fifteen minutes.

Stormed through the halls straight to our room.

The bathroom door was shut.

I knocked.

No response.

"Siya?" I said louder, knocking again. "Siya, I'm coming inside, okay?"

No reply.

That was it.

I kicked the door open—and what I saw made my world stop.

Siya was lying on the floor under the cold shower. Unmoving.

My heart felt like it shattered right there.

I rushed to her, kneeling beside her. "Baby... Siya... look at me. See, I'm here. Your Avi is here. Please... please open your eyes."

But she didn't move.

Didn't blink.

Didn't speak.

I picked her up immediately and took her to the bed.

Her body was freezing. My hands were shaking.

I called the doctor, shouting into the phone.

Then I looked at her, soaked and cold.

I had to change her clothes before the doctor came. She couldn't stay like this.

I swallowed hard, grabbed a soft cotton suit from the wardrobe. I sat beside her.

First, I removed her earrings, her necklace, her bangles.

Then slowly, gently, I removed her saree.

I closed my eyes. I swear I did.

And changed her clothes with my hands shaking, eyes tightly shut.

Because I didn't want to touch her like this.

Not like this.

When she was like this.

Broken.

Silent.

Just then, the doctor arrived.

He checked her quickly and turned to me. "Rana Sa, she had a panic attack. Her body gave up for a few minutes, but the medicine will help. She'll wake up by morning."

I just nodded, holding back the storm inside me.

The doctor gave the injection and left.

And I sat beside Siya... staring at her face.

Her breathing was soft now... steady.

But I wasn't.

I was anything but steady.

Even with her right in front of me...

It felt like I had already lost her.

And I don't know if I'll ever forgive myself for it.

Little Siya held her drawing close to her chest, a big smile on her face as she skipped toward the living room.

"Dadda! Mom! See what I made!" she shouted with excitement.

Jai and Priya were sitting on the sofa, sipping their evening tea and chatting softly. They both looked up as Siya ran in, holding out her paper.

Jai took the drawing from her little hands and smiled. "What do we have here?"

Priya leaned in to look. It was a crayon drawing—a happy family of four. There was a man, a woman, Siya herself in the middle... and a little baby boy holding Priya's hand.

Jai chuckled, "Is that a baby boy?"

Siya nodded excitedly, "Yes yes! I asked Shivji for a baby brother! Pandit ji told me if I ask with a big heart, Shivji will give it!"

Priya laughed and ruffled Siya's hair, "So you only want a baby brother, hmm?"

Siya grinned, "Yes! I will play with him and give him my teddy!"

While talking, Siya's eyes went to Jai's head. She noticed the white bandage.

She stepped closer and softly touched it with her little fingers, "Dadda... does it hurt?"

Jai quickly shook his head and smiled. "No, no, princess. It doesn't hurt now. Your Dadda is strong, right?"

Siya gave a proud nod. "Hmm! Very strong!"

Then, without missing a beat, she started talking about her day at school.

"Today teacher gave me a star for my coloring! And also, Meena fell while running, so I helped her! And then—"

Priya quietly went to the kitchen and came back with a small bowl of fruits. She handed it to Siya with a spoon.

"Here, baby, eat some fruits."

Siya nodded happily, sat between her parents, and started feeding her dad first.

"Say aah Dadda!"

Jai opened his mouth and let her feed him. Then he picked a piece and fed it to her too.

Priya giggled seeing both of them.

"Now Mom's turn!" Siya said and fed a small bite to Priya too.

They all laughed together, sitting close—just a small happy family with big love in their hearts.

And in that moment, nothing else mattered.

Just them. Just love.

After dinner, Jai, Priya, and little Siya went out together for an ice cream treat. It was one of their favorite family moments. Priya was three months pregnant, so she said she would wait in the car while Jai and Siya went inside the ice cream parlor.

Jai held Siya's tiny hand and asked, "Princess, tell me, which flavor do you want?"

Siya stood in front of the colorful glass counter, eyes wide open. There were so many flavors! Chocolate, strawberry, mango, vanilla, butterscotch... and more.

She put her small finger on her chin and thought hard.

"Hmm..." she said, her eyes moving from one tub to another. "Dadda, which flavor should we take for Mom? And for you?"

Jai laughed softly, already guessing why his little girl was asking that.

He bent down to her level and said, "I'll go with chocolate, and your Mumma loves vanilla, remember?"

Siya's eyes lit up. "Okay! Then I want both flavors!" she said with a big grin.

Jai chuckled, "Both? You sure?"

Siya nodded quickly. "Yes yes! One bite chocolate, one bite vanilla!"

He placed the order—three scoops in total. They walked back to the car where Priya was waiting with a soft smile. Jai gave her the vanilla, and Siya sat in the back seat with her two flavors like a queen.

They all started eating, and Siya — as always — began telling her stories.

"Today in school, my friend Amaira dropped her water bottle, and all the water went on the floor! And then we played ring-a-ring-a-roses..."

Jai and Priya listened with smiles, enjoying her excitement and innocence.

Then suddenly Siya said, "Dadda, my birthday is coming soon!"

Jai nodded, "Yes, Princess. What gift do you want this year?"

Siya looked at Priya's tummy and said seriously, "We will bring a gift for my baby brother too."

Priya laughed, "But he hasn't come yet, baby. You get your gift now. When he comes, we'll get something for him too."

Siya shook her head quickly, "No, no, Mumma! I'm going to be a big sister. I have to think for him too. We will bring his gift also. Right, Dadda?"

Jai looked at her with so much love in his eyes and said, "Yes, Princess. Whatever you say."

After finishing the ice cream, Jai started the car. Siya leaned on her dad's shoulder from the backseat and whispered, "I'll be the best big sister ever."

And both Jai and Priya smiled at each other, their hearts full of love.

Jai was driving carefully, but he noticed something unusual in the mirror—a black car was following them too closely. He narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

He pressed the accelerator, trying to increase the distance. Priya noticed the tension on Jai's face.

"Jai... what happened?" she asked softly.

"Someone's following us," Jai said in a low voice, trying not to scare Siya.

Then he turned slightly and said calmly but firmly, "Princess, hold your seatbelt tightly, okay?"

Siya obeyed instantly and held onto her seatbelt, not fully understanding, but sensing her father's serious tone.

They drove a little further, and suddenly—another car came from the front, blocking the road. Jai hit the brakes hard. The car stopped with a jolt.

Jai looked at Priya, his eyes filled with fear—but also a decision. The fear he had felt in his heart for months was now standing right in front of them.

He quickly turned around and said,

"Priya... take Siya and run. Run now."

"No, Jai... no! I won't leave you," Priya cried, clutching his arm.

"sweetheart, please... listen to me. We can't risk our children's lives. I'll stop them. You take Siya and run. Don't stop. Don't look back."

Tears rolled down Priya's face. Her hands shook as she opened the door. Jai leaned down and kissed Siya's forehead, his voice trembling,

"Be brave, Princess. Just go with Mumma."

Priya and Siya started running. It was dark, and their footsteps echoed in the silence.

Then, a loud sound tore the night.

A gunshot.

Followed by another.

And then—Jai's voice. "PRIYA!!"

Siya stopped running, her small body frozen.

"Mom... Dadda! Dadda! We have to go to him, Mom!"

She tried to turn back, but Priya grabbed her tightly.

"No, Siya! We can't! Dadda told us to run!"

"DADDDAA!!" Siya screamed with all her heart.

And suddenly—

Her eyes opened wide.

She wasn't in the car.

She wasn't running.

She was in her room.

She sat up with a jerk, her body shaking. Her breathing was fast, like she couldn't get enough air. Panic filled her face, and tears poured down her cheeks.

Aarav was already beside her, holding her carefully.

"Siya... baby... look at me. See? Your Avi is here," he said softly, cupping her face.

"Breathe in... and out with me. Just like that, jaan. Inhale... exhale."

But Siya wasn't fully awake. Her eyes were open, but she looked lost—like she was still in that night.

She spoke in a trembling voice, barely able to say the words.

"Avi... Dadda... Mom... g-gunshot... they... they killed them, Avi... they..."

Aarav's face went pale. His arms wrapped around her tighter.

"Shh... okay, okay... relax. Breathe with me first, please," he whispered, gently rocking her.

Siya did what he said. Her small body slowly started to calm down, though tears still fell.

Aarav wiped her cheeks with his thumb.

"Tell me, baby... what did you see?" he asked softly.

Siya sniffled, her voice shaking.

"Mom and Dad... ice cream... I was happy... then bad people came... loud sounds..."

Aarav didn't ask her more. He just hugged her close, pressing her head to his chest.

"Okay, okay... don't talk about it if you don't want to. You're safe now. I've got you, angel."

And then, as the panic slowly faded...

Siya blinked. Her hands were gripping Aarav's shirt tightly, her small fingers clutching it like she was holding on for life.

She finally whispered,

"Avi..."

Aarav kissed her forehead.

"I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. It's just a dream, baby."

But deep in her heart, Siya knew—

It wasn't just a dream.

It was real.

A memory.

The night her world shattered.

And even though she had only been five years old...

She remembered everything.

When I slowly came to my senses, I realised I was hugging him tightly. My fingers were clutching his shirt like I was holding onto life itself.

But then... everything hit me again.

The truth. The lies. The betrayal.

And all of it—from him.

I immediately pulled away and stepped back, climbing out of the bed.

My heart was still racing, but now it wasn't fear—it was pain.

He looked at me, confused. "What happened, jaan?" he asked softly.

I didn't answer.

He sat up, moving slightly, but I quickly said, "Don't... don't come near me."

The words left my lips before I could stop them.

And then I ran. Straight to the bathroom. I locked the door and leaned against it, sliding down to the floor.

I turned on the tap and splashed cold water on my face, but it didn't help.

Nothing helped.

Because now... I remembered everything.

I was five.

Five.

My dadda's voice telling Mumma to run... the gunshot... Mumma crying... me screaming for my dadda... and my baby brother too.

I lost them.

I lost myself that day.

I looked into the mirror and didn't recognise myself. Just a girl who was living a life full of lies. A girl who had been handed every good thing—but by a man who lied from the beginning.

What if none of it was mine? What if it was all just a game I didn't even know I was part of?

And then his voice came from outside the door.

"Siya... open the door, please baby. Talk to me."

"Siya, please... baby, open the door..."

But I couldn't.

I wouldn't.

Because who knows what new lie he might say to make me feel better?

I stayed silent.

My life... my name... even my marriage... everything was because he decided it should be that way. Not because I chose it. Not because someone chose me for me.

It was already morning.

I finally opened the door.

He looked worried. His eyes were red. Maybe he didn't sleep at all. He took a step forward and tried to hold my hand—but I stepped back.

He stopped.

"Siya... please tell me, baby. What happened? Won't you tell your Avi?" he whispered, almost begging.

My heart... wanted to fall into him again. To believe him again.

But my mind?

It was filled with voices. With doubts. With truths that weren't truths at all.

And then Maa entered the room with a tray of morning tea.

She saw me and rushed to me, "What happened, beta? Are you okay?"

I opened my mouth to say something... anything.

But then my heart whispered another question—

Is this love and care... even this moment... all part of his plan too?

And I just stood there, silent.

Lost between the heart that wanted to believe and the mind that refused to be fooled again. And for the first time... I didn't know who I was angry at more—him or myself.