The Sinister

29.

“You should ask your father to give you that file” Shaurya says, looking at me with hope shining clearly in his eyes. I slowly shake my head, my expression turning serious.

“I can’t do this because baba ke pass file nahi hai us commissioner ke pass hai” I say and sigh heavily.

(My father doesn’t have the file. That commissioner has it)

“Us commissioner ko paise khila de” Om says excitedly, suddenly sitting up straight as if he has just discovered the greatest idea in the world. He looks around at everyone in the room with bright eyes.

(Bribe that commissioner with money)

I blink slowly. Yuv and Shaurya blink the same way beside me, their faces just as confused as mine.

“Laksh bhai aap kuch jugaad lagao na bhai ko bachane ke liye” Yuv says, turning toward Laksh with urgency.

(Laksh bhai, please arrange something to save brother)

All our heads instantly turn toward Laksh.

My eyes narrow immediately when I see the scene in front of me.

I glare sharply at him and Ishi. Laksh is casually hugging Ishi from behind, his arms wrapped around her waist while he lazily plays with her hair between his fingers.

Ishi leans slightly toward him, whispering something softly into his ear.

“In dono ko room se bahar phenko koi. Kahi bhi shuru pad jate hai ye dono, na waqt dekh rahe hai na halat” I snap in frustration, jumping off the bed. I grab a pillow and throw it straight at them.

(Someone throw these two out of the room. They start anywhere and anytime. They are not even looking at the situation or the time)

Both of them startle instantly and sit properly. The other three also glare at them with irritated faces.

“Bhabhi chilllllll” Shaurya, Om and Yuv say together in a long dramatic tone.

I roll my eyes and drop back onto the bed again, sitting down with a tired sigh. My mind is a complete mess. Here I am trying desperately to find a way to save him. I call all of them here so they can help me think of something… and instead they are making things even harder for me.

“Par tumhe Zayran Hotti ko bachana hi kyun hai? Janta jawab chahti hai” my subconscious asks loudly. I ignore that voice immediately.

(But why do you even want to save Zayran Hotti? The readers wants answers)

“Par hame bachana kise hai?” Laksh suddenly asks, looking at all four of us.

(But who exactly are we trying to save?)

All four of us slowly turn our heads toward him with identical deadly expressions. The kind of expressions that clearly say "sir phod denge tera"

“Ishi ke sath rehna band karo aap. Dimag hil gaya hai aapka bhi” Shaurya says with annoyance, running a frustrated hand through his hair while glaring at Laksh.

(Stop staying with Ishi so much. Your mind has also gone crazy)

Ishi immediately glares at him with narrowed eyes.

“Don’t say things like this about my rainbow” Laksh says protectively, pulling Ishi closer and kissing the top of her head.

I slowly close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm building inside me. “Kanha mujhe shakti do ki mai apna gussa control kar saku aur in logo ki jaan na le lu” I whisper under my breath, pressing my fingers to my forehead.

(Kanha, give me the strength to control my anger so that I don’t end up killing these people)

“You are jealous of me because you are single” Ishi says dramatically, pointing her finger straight at Shaurya with a teasing smirk.

“Dard hua… dard hua… dil ko thoda dard hua” Om and Yuv suddenly start singing together in exaggerated pain while holding Shaurya’s hands as if he is a heartbroken lover. Shaurya groans.

“He already has someone in his life, it’s just not confirmed yet” Laksh says casually, a teasing smile spreading across his face as he looks at Shaurya.

Shaurya instantly lowers his gaze and smiles shyly, the tips of his ears turning red.

“Whatttt! Bhai, aapne hame bataya kyun nahi? Kon hai wo badnaseeb… I mean khushnaseeb ladki?” Yuv and Om shout together in excitement while grabbing Shaurya and shaking him so hard it feels like his soul is leaving his body.

(Why didn’t you tell us? Who is that unlucky… I mean lucky girl?)

“She is beautiful… she looks so pretty… and she is…” Shaurya starts speaking dreamily, his eyes shining with soft admiration. But his words stop midway.

Because at that exact moment, I slowly get up from the bed. My patience finally snaps. Without saying anything, I walk straight toward the door. The room instantly falls silent. I open the door wide and turn to look at all of them.

“Get the hell out of my room. Right now” I shout loudly, pointing at the door.

All of them gulp nervously at the same time.

“Bhabhi… aapke hair slay kar rahe hai” Ishi suddenly says with an innocent smile.

(Bhabhi, your hair are looking amazing)

My eyes instantly shine.

“Really? I used a new shampoo today” I say with sudden excitement, immediately fixing my hair again and smoothing it proudly with my fingers.

“Bhai ke to bhag khul gaye itni acchi biwi pa kar. Isliye to zameen par pair nahi padte hai unke” Yuv says while admiring me.

(Brother’s fate has truly opened after getting such a good wife. That’s why his feet don’t even touch the ground anymore)

A slow grin spreads across my face at his words. Feeling slightly proud, I walk back toward the bed and sit down comfortably.

“Sita ye bandar ke pichwade ki tarah laal mat ho” my subconscious suddenly interrupts, dragging me back to reality.

(Sita, don’t blush like a monkey’s backside)

I quickly shake my head to clear my thoughts and look at everyone again.

“How can we save him?” I ask once more, my voice serious now. All of them fall silent and start thinking deeply.

“Par hame Zayran ko bachana hi kyun hai?” Laksh suddenly says, looking confused.

(But why do we even have to save Zayran?)

My eyes widen instantly. “Kyunki pati hai wo mere. Aisa bol na ek baar Sita sab ke samne pweasssss” my subconscious beg.

(Because he is my husband. Just say it once in front of everyone, Sita, please)

I press my lips tightly together, refusing to say even a single word.

“Hame bhai nahi, commissioner ko bachane ke bare me sochna chahiye” Shaurya suddenly says thoughtfully.

(We shouldn’t think about saving bhai. We should think about saving the commissioner)

The others nod slowly in agreement. “Baat to sahi hai” Om, Yuv and Ishi say together, looking convinced.

(That’s actually true)

I stare at all of them in disbelief. “Didn’t he told you both anything about his plan?” Laksh asks, pointing toward Om and Yuv. I immediately turn my head toward them, waiting for them to say something useful.

“Nahi, bhai ab hame kuch nahi batate hai” both of them say sadly, their shoulders dropping.

(No, brother he doesn’t tell us anything now)

“And he even warned us by showing his gun that if we are seen doing anything other than the family business, he will kill us” they add innocently, looking completely serious.

My poor devars.

“Where is Grover? We should ask him to help us” I say hopefully, looking at all of them. But they all shake their heads together almost instantly.

“We can’t ask him to help us because he will inform bhai about this and bhai will scold us for interfering in his business” Ishi says seriously.

I slowly nod my head and look down at my hands, my thoughts growing heavier.

“I think we should let everything go the way it is going” Laksh says calmly. I slowly lift my head and look at him.

“But they will hang him to death because that file has every proof against him and details of all his illegal work” I say, my voice trembling slightly. My hands start shaking just from the thought of it.

“Don’t worry, Sita. This is not something new for him. And trust me, he will save himself” Laksh says confidently.

One by one, they all start getting up. “But where is bhai? It’s already late at night” Ishi asks, looking at the time on her phone.

“Must be in the club with the love of his life” Om says seriously.nMy eyes widen slightly. H… his love of life?!

“Bhabhi, take rest and don’t worry about anything” Ishi says softly. She walks toward me and hugs me gently before stepping out of the room.

I slowly nod my head and give them a faint smile as they all walk outside and the room becomes quiet again.

“Kya kisi se pyar karte hai wo? Is liye roz late aate hai drink kar ke us ladki ke sath…” I whisper slowly to myself while getting up from the bed.

(Does he love someone? Is that why he comes home late every day after drinking with that girl?)

Just the thought makes my heart ache painfully.

“Agar kisi aur se pyar tha to mujhse shadi kyun ki. Us ladki se hi shadi kar lete. Meri zindagi kyun barbad ki” I say in frustration while walking inside the closet to change my clothes.

(If he loved someone else, then why did he marry me? He should have married that girl. Why did he ruin my life?)

I grab my clothes and wear them quickly. My movements are rough and impatient. After changing, I slam the cupboard door shut harshly.

“Sakhi gussa kyun aa raha hai. Ye to acchi baat hai na ki wo kisi aur ko pasand karta hai aur tumhe jald hi us se chutkara mil jayega” Kanha’s calm voice echoes.

(Why are you getting angry, Sakhi? This is a good thing, isn’t it? If he likes someone else, you will soon be free from him)

My hands stop moving instantly. I slowly lift my eyes and stare at my reflection in the mirror.

“I don’t want to leave him, Kanha… pasand aa gaye hai wo mujhe” I whisper softly.

(I have started liking him)

Without realizing it, a tear slips down from my eye. I never want to like a man like him. But he… he is not what he shows to others.

Yes, I know he is a criminal. I know he marries me to make my life hell. But in this one month, he doesn’t even touch me… let alone try to do anything with me.

Isn’t that what I want in a partner?Someone who respects me. Someone who supports me. And he does both. There are many aspects in a relationship and somewhere deep inside, my heart keeps telling me that he will pass every one of them.

“Par wo mujhe pasand nahi karte” I say slowly to myself, my voice barely above a whisper. My heart sinks a little at that thought.

(But he doesn’t like me)

“But he has done so many things for me. It’s clear that he likes me” I argue with myself again, staring at my reflection intensely.

“But what if… all this is part of his plan?” I whisper again, doubt slowly crawling into my mind.

Frustration rises inside me. I grab my hair tightly and pull it lightly, completely lost in confusion.

“Kanha, mai sab aap ke bharose kar deti hu. Ya to mai khud ko unke pyar me barbaad kar lungi, ya mujhse zyada abaad pyar me koi nahi hoga” I say while looking directly into my own eyes in the mirror.

(Kanha, I leave everything in your hands. Either I will destroy myself in his love or no one will be more blessed in love than me)

Just then, I hear his voice coming from outside the room. I quickly fix my hair and take a deep breath before stepping out of the closet. The moment I come out, my eyes fall on him. He is standing there, talking to someone on the phone.

As if he feels my presence, he slowly looks up toward me. Our eyes meet.

For a moment, time feels still. Should I ask him if he is in love with someone? I think. But I instantly cancel the idea. He will think that everything about him matters to me… which clearly doesn’t.

I quickly look away from him and walk toward the bed. Without saying anything, I lie down and pull the blanket over myself.

Zayran cuts the call slowly. His eyes remain fixed on her face. He can clearly see that her eyes are slightly red and something about her looks different tonight.

Quietly, he walks inside the closet and changes his clothes. After a few minutes, he comes out and lies down on the couch. His eyes stay fixed on her.

Just one more day. Only one day more and his life will change… either in a good way or maybe in the worst way.

Suddenly, her phone starts ringing loudly, breaking the silence of the room. Her eyes open immediately. She quickly grabs the phone and receives the call, placing it near her ear.

“Di… few men have entered the house and they are throwing everything outside” Anu’s frightened voice comes from the other side. Sita instantly sits up with a jerk.

“I’m coming. Don’t worry” Sita says quickly. She jumps out of the bed in a hurry and cuts the call.

“What happened?” he asks, watching her panic.

“Few men have entered the house and they are throwing everything outside” she says slowly while looking at him.

He doesn’t wait even a second. His expression turns sharp immediately. He quickly grabs his car keys and phone from the table and rushes out of the room. Sita runs after him without wasting a moment.

“Where are they going?” Yuv asks the other three while they are walking toward their rooms after finishing dinner.

“Mujhe lagta hai date par jaa rahe hai” Shaurya replies confidently, nodding his head like he is completely sure.

(I think they are going on a date)

The other three stop walking and stare at him in disbelief.

“Pagal ho kya bhai? Date par bhagte hue nahi jate hai, acche se chal kar jate hai” Ishi says, rolling her eyes at him.

(Are you crazy, brother? People don’t run to go on a date. They walk properly)

Om and Yuv nod their heads in agreement.

“Chalo chal kar puchte hai unse” Yuv says suddenly. Without wasting another second, all four of them run after them.

(Come on, let’s go and ask them)

Outside, Zayran quickly sits inside the car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. Sita opens the passenger door and sits beside him hurriedly.

He is just about to start the car when suddenly the back door opens. One by one, all four of them jump inside and squeeze themselves into the back seat.

Zayran freezes for a second before turning his head sharply toward them.

“What the hell are you all doing here?” Zayran asks, glaring at them coldly. His voice is urgent.

“Where are you both going?” all four of them ask at the same time while looking at each other in confusion.

“Some men have entered our house and they are throwing our belongings outside” Sita says with a scared voice.

The moment they see the fear clearly visible on her face, the playful smiles on their faces disappear instantly. Worry slowly fills all four of their faces.

“Bhai, start the car. Why are you waiting?” Om says impatiently.

Zayran takes a deep breath, clearly annoyed but he doesn’t waste time arguing with them. He starts the car immediately and drives off.

“Bhabhi, don’t worry. We all are going with you. Nothing will happen to your family” Shaurya says gently, trying to give her strength.

Sita slowly nods her head but doesn’t say anything. She keeps looking outside the window, her mind racing with fear. Her foot keeps tapping continuously on the floor of the car, showing how anxious she feels.

Zayran presses the accelerator harder and speeds up the car. The sudden speed makes their eyes widen in shock but none of them say a single word. They all sit quietly, gripping their seats.

Within a few minutes, the car stops in front of Sita’s house. Sita jumps out of the car immediately and runs toward the house. Zayran steps out and walks quickly after her.

The other four slowly come out of the car, their heads spinning slightly because of how fast he drives.

“Bhai ne jaan bujh kar badla liya hai humse” Ishi mutters while holding her head.

(Brother has taken revenge on us on purpose)

She runs inside the house and the others quickly follow her.

“Maa!” Sita calls loudly the moment she enters inside.

Her mother stands in one corner of the room, crying helplessly. Adi and Anu are standing beside her, trying to calm her down.

“What is happening, Maa? And who are these people?” Sita asks anxiously as she looks around the house.

Her eyes fall on four or five bulky men who are throwing their things everywhere, turning the entire house upside down.

“Sita, they are saying that we have hidden drugs in the house and that’s why they are investigating” her mother says through tears.

Sita’s eyes widen in shock. Slowly, she turns her head toward one of the men.

“What proof do you have?” she asks, standing right in front of him, her voice firm despite the fear inside her.

But the man completely ignores Sita. Without even looking at her, he suddenly grabs the tea table and throws it hard on the floor. The table crashes loudly and breaks into pieces.

“That’s not the way you investigate!” she shouts angrily, watching how aggressive these men are.

“Tu sikhayegi hame kaise kaam karte hai?” the man shouts at Sita with a furious expression.

(You will teach us how to do our work?)

In anger, he suddenly throws a vase straight toward her. Sita’s eyes widen in shock. She quickly dodges it at the last second as the vase crashes behind her and shatters loudly.

“Wo nahi… tera baap sikhayega” a cold voice echoes inside the house.

(Not her… your father will teach you)

Zayran walks inside the house. Before anyone can even think or say a single word, he suddenly grabs the man and knocks him down hard on the floor. The man falls with a loud thud.

Without wasting a second, Zayran grabs a wooden chair from the side and slams it hard against the man’s head.

His face remains completely calm... like he is simply throwing a stone into water.

The man coughs blood immediately because of the heavy hit to his head. Sita’s eyes widen in shock as she watches him. He doesn’t hit the man repeatedly but each single hit is powerful enough to make the man groan in unbearable pain.

“You can’t do this. We are officials!” another man shouts while walking toward Zayran and quickly showing his ID card.

Zayran slowly turns his head and looks toward his wife. She stands there frozen, shock and fear clearly visible on her face. Sita’s family also stare at the scene in front of them with wide eyes.

“Sir, I think the drugs are here” Shaurya suddenly says, pointing toward a small cupboard placed right beside the door.

One of the officers quickly runs toward the cupboard. But before he can even open it, Shaurya suddenly grabs him and smashes his head hard against the table.

The loud impact makes the officer’s head start bleeding instantly and he falls to the ground.

“I’m sorry… I think it’s not here” Shaurya says innocently while looking around the room.

“Where is your father?” Zayran asks Sita, his voice low. Sita slowly turns toward her family.

“H… he has gone for an emergency and isn’t receiving our calls” her mother says nervously, her voice trembling.

Zayran doesn’t waste even a second after hearing that. His expression turns cold. Without saying anything more, he walks out of the house while dialing someone’s number on his phone.

“Why did you guys stop? Please continue” Om says casually, looking at the men.

The other men immediately take out their guns and point them toward Om, Yuv and Ishi.

“Maine to kuch kiya bhi nahi” Ishi mumbles quietly under her breath, slightly raising her hands.

(I didn’t even do anything)

“Let us go” one of the men says cautiously.

The three of them move slightly to the side, making space for the men to leave.

As the men start walking toward the door, thinking they are free to go, Yuv and Om suddenly move at the same time. With quick movements, both of them hit the men hard on the back of their heads using the handles of their guns. The men collapse on the ground instantly.

Sita stands there, staring at the entire scene with pure shock written all over her face. She already knows her husband is a monster… but she never realizes that her devars are no less than him.

“Why didn’t you complain about them?” Shaurya asks Adi while looking around the messy house.

“I called the police and they said they were coming… but they didn’t” Adi replies helplessly.

Sita slowly turns her head and looks outside toward Zayran. He is standing there, talking on the phone. Something feels wrong. Deep inside, she can clearly feel that something is not right.

“Aunty, calm down and don’t worry. We will set everything again” Ishi says softly while handing a glass of water to her mother.

Her mother’s trembling hands take the glass. She slowly takes a sip, trying to calm her racing heart.

Just then, Zayran’s guards enter the house. Without saying a word, they start dragging those men outside along with the broken furniture and scattered things lying all over the floor.

“Sita, what is happening? And where is your Baba?” her mother asks anxiously.

Sita gently rubs her back, trying to calm her down but inside she herself feels completely confused. Her mind is spinning. This is not something she can simply ignore.

“I’m coming, Maa” she says softly. She walks out of the house.

Outside, Zayran is standing a few steps away, talking on the phone. His voice is low and serious. Sita walks straight toward him and stops right in front of him.

Feeling her presence, he looks up at her. Their eyes meet for a moment. After saying a few last words on the call, he cuts it.

“Commissioner sent those men. And your Baba is with him, busy in work… serving his country” Zayran says calmly. Sita looks at him, confused, trying to process so many things at once.

“Commissioner sent those men because he wants your father to get stuck in all this mess. And the day after tomorrow in court, the commissioner himself will submit the file and take the credit for catching me” he says. Sita’s head starts spinning after hearing this.

“And why would I believe you? What if you are the one who sent those men so that you can scar my family and my father will return the file?” Sita says, her voice firm even though her heart is beating fast.

Zayran looks at her for a moment… then a slow smile spreads across his face. He nods his head slightly.

“Hmmm… yes, you are right” he says while looking deep into her eyes. For a moment, his dark gaze stays fixed on her face. He doesn’t say another word but somehow she understands that he is not the one behind this.

Without explaining anything further, he simply turns around and walks inside the house, leaving her standing alone outside.

Sita stays there for a few seconds, her mind racing. She tries to understand everything, slowly connecting every small detail and every dot in her head.

Zayran enters the house only to see that his siblings and hers have almost cleaned the entire place. The broken things are pushed to one side and the mess is slowly disappearing.

Her mother is sitting on the couch quietly, lost in deep thoughts. Zayran walks toward her slowly. Hearing his footsteps, she lifts her head and looks at him. The moment her eyes meet his face, a tear suddenly slips from her eyes. With slightly trembling hands, she gently holds Zayran’s hand.

“T… thank you for saving us. Thank you for coming here” she says softly.

More tears roll down her cheeks as she speaks.

“You are truly a blessing for us” she adds while looking deep into Zayran’s eyes.

Only she knows what he has done for her family, and she feels like no amount of thanks is enough for it.

“I’m not a blessing… I’m a curse” he says quietly. She immediately shakes her head. Wiping the tears from her face, she tightens her hold on Zayran’s hand.

“Never leave my daughter, please. She will never find anyone better than you” she says sincerely. Her words make Zayran look at her with a questioning gaze.

“What if she leaves me?” he asks slowly. The meaning behind his words… the intention behind them… and the darkness hidden in them… only Zayran truly understands.

“She will never leave you. Trust me” her mother says with full confidence. Hearing those words, Zayran smirks internally.

A few steps away, Sita tightly holds the fabric of her dress in her fists as she hears her mother talking to him. She can’t believe her mother is saying such words to a mafia man like him.

Deep inside, she feels strangely happy… but at the same time, a small fear also rises in her heart.

On the other side of the house, Anu carefully collects the broken pieces of glass from the floor. She bends down slowly, placing them one by one into a dustpan.

Shurya is quietly placing things back in their proper places. But his eyes keep drifting toward Anu again and again, stealing small glances at her whenever she isn’t looking. Finally, gathering a little courage, he speaks.

“You can call me if something like this happens again” he says. Anu looks up at him immediately. There are strange, unreadable emotions in her eyes.

“Hmm… I will. And thank you for today” she replies sincerely. Her words make a soft smile appear on Shurya’s face.

After the house is cleaned, Sita and the others say goodbye to her family and sit inside the car. Before the car moves, Sita looks back at her family one last time, her eyes lingering on them for a moment. Then the car slowly drives away.

As their car disappears from the street, Anil finally returns home.

They are all unaware that tomorrow their lives are going to change. Many unexpected things will happen, things some won't be able to tolerate and a few will see his darkest side.

Next chapter tomorrow??

????????????