Rudransh stood there, watching Shrey's pale face. For the first time, a sense of calm passed over Shrey. Without a word, Rudransh got up and walked away.
He hadn't gotten far from the ruins when he found Shrey lying on the jeep's bonnet, drawing on a cigarette.
"Just take the body home… for the funeral."
Shrey spoke briefly, then climbed into the driver's seat.
"Shrey..." Rudransh called.
Shrey raised an eyebrow.
"I need to talk."
"I don't want to." He started to drive off.
"Do you know Meera?" Rudransh's words made Shrey clench his fists.
Rudransh paused, then said softly,
"It was because of her…"
"Shut up." Shrey roared, his eyes burning red.
"Shrey… listen to me… you must… her death…" Rudransh's voice broke as Shrey punched him hard.
Rudransh lost balance and crashed to the ground, blood trickling from his lip. Shrey trembled.
As Shrey was about to drive away, he heard Rudransh's voice behind him:
"The accident happened with *my* car…"
Shrey froze. He turned back slowly and looked at Rudransh.
"Yes… that day, she suddenly stepped in front of my car… I couldn't control it… and she… she died… I tried to save her…" Rudransh's voice shook.
Shrey's eyes became wet, lips pressed tight.
"You only killed a body… I already killed her with my refusal." Shrey turned the jeep and drove off.
"Shrey, that's not all…" Rudransh called from behind.
"Look… I don't know what happened between you, but..."
"She loved me…" Shrey stopped, opened the jeep door:
"But I rejected her… she couldn't bear it… and she died…"
As he was about to get in, Rudransh grabbed his hand and pulled him down:
"It wasn't only that, Shrey…"
"It was only that!" Shrey stared deep into his eyes.
"It was fate… I can't change it, nor can you. Leave here."
Rudransh tried to speak, but no words came. Shrey got into the jeep and left, the weight of the past heavy on his back a burden long carried, now awakened again.
One by one, pages from his past were opening…..
Meera an unseen chapter of his life that only he and Anay had known.
---
Back at the ruins, Rudransh saw Ravindra standing there with a faint smile like someone who had just won an unfinished game. Advika stood before him, fury in her eyes.
"What happened?" Rudransh asked, pulling her toward him.
Advika glared at him, then slapped Ravindra two or three times with full force.
"What kind of father are you… you sold your own son… shame on you!" Her voice trembled, each word piercing like a blade.
"What did she say?" Rudransh asked.
"The Thakur sir is in Delhi, and he got a bomb placed in his car!" Advika met his gaze, her voice sharp.
"But… he's in London—"
"He missed his flight. He didn't go. Now, whatever it takes, stop him!"
Rudransh froze his heart seemed to stop.
"Shrey!" he shouted and ran toward the road.
---
Shrey was sitting on the sidewalk, lighting a cigarette. Smoke wrapped around him like the last few days of his life.
He had no desire to go home… who to go back to?
"Shrey..." a voice called from behind. He jumped.
"How many times will I tell you to just leave… don't you understand?" Shrey snarled.
"Thakur..."
"Anay…? What about Anay?"
"Ravindra has placed a bomb in his car…"
"What nonsense! He's on a flight from Delhi to London as we speak..."
"He missed his flight… call him—"
Shrey quickly pulled out his phone and rang Anay.
"How are you, Amma? Missing our good night's sleep?"
Anay teased as he answered.
"Where are you now?"
"In Delhi."
"Your flight?"
"I missed it."
"How…?" Shrey growled, then paused, noticing silence on Anay's end.
"Don't shout at me so much…" Anay's voice came softly.
"Any other flight?"
"In two days."
Shrey hit his head.
Rudransh took the phone and said,
"Hello, Thakur, this is Rudransh Rajvansh."
Anay was silent for a moment, then replied,
"Go ahead."
"Get out of that carthere's a bomb in it. Change your ride immediately."
"Are you crazy? That car belongs to my grandfather how could it have a bomb?" Anay's calm tone.
Shrey snatched the phone and said urgently,
"Anay, stay with grandfather… I'm on my way."
And hung up.
"But Shrey, the bomb—" Rudransh tried to stop him.
"The sarpanch lied!"
"What?"
"What do you think? He tricked you hoped you'd go back for him, save him. You're rushing in for revenge but you don't even know your enemy."
Shrey left for the airport. Rudransh stood motionless, drained. He had been gathering intel on the sarpanch for days, yet failed to sense his true intent.
Too be Continued.....