Chapter 14: Retribution

Ekansh’s POV

The room was dimly lit, the cold concrete walls echoing with the faint sound of dripping water. My men had done their job well, delivering Ajay Patel bound and bruised to the center of the room. He knelt on the floor, his head hung low, his face a mixture of defiance and fear.

I leaned back in my chair, the weight of the past month pressing down on me. Every moment Dia had suffered played in my mind like a broken record. Ajay was the architect of her pain, and now, it was time for him to answer for it.

“Tumhe laga main tumhe dhoondh nahi paunga?” I said coldly, my voice reverberating in the silence. (You thought I wouldn’t find you?)

Ajay flinched but didn’t respond, his defiance still intact. I motioned for one of my men, who delivered a sharp kick to his ribs. Ajay cried out, his bravado faltering.

“Speak,” I ordered, my tone leaving no room for argument. “Kyun kiya tumne ye sab? Kya mila tumhe is sab se?” (Why did you do all this? What did you gain from it?)

---

Ajay raised his head, his bloodshot eyes meeting mine. “Woh sirf ek ladki thi,” he spat, his voice trembling. “Maine socha tha tum uske liye itni mehnat nahi karoge.” (She was just a girl. I thought you wouldn’t go to so much trouble for her.)

Rage coursed through me, my hand tightening into a fist. I rose from my chair, taking slow, deliberate steps toward him. “Woh ladki meri duniya hai,” I said, my voice low and lethal. (That girl is my world.)

Ajay’s eyes widened, and I saw the realization dawn on him. “Ekansh… please… maaf kar do,” he stammered, his earlier bravado replaced with desperation. (Ekansh… please… forgive me.)

“Maafi?” I said, letting out a bitter laugh. “Tu sochta hai maafi se sab theek ho jayega?” (Forgiveness? Do you think everything will be fine with an apology?)

---

I signaled to Arjun, who handed me a knife. The cold steel felt heavy in my hand, a physical manifestation of the justice I was about to deliver.

“Tu samajhta kya hai apne aap ko?” I asked, crouching down to his level. “Ladki ko todne ki koshish ki, par uska himmat tod nahi paya.” (Who do you think you are? You tried to break her, but you couldn’t break her spirit.)

Ajay whimpered, his entire body trembling. “Mujhe chod do, please,” he begged, tears streaming down his face. (Let me go, please.)

I grabbed his collar, forcing him to look at me. “Main tujhe chhod dunga,” I said with a smirk, my tone mocking. “Par pehle, tu har us dard ke liye roye ga jo Dia ne saha.” (I’ll let you go… but first, you’ll cry for every pain Dia endured.)

---

I stepped back, allowing my men to drag him to his feet. “Chain le aao,” I ordered, my voice cutting through the room. (Bring the chains.)

The heavy iron chains were brought in, their clinking sound filling the tense silence. Ajay’s pleas grew louder, but they fell on deaf ears. He was strung up, his arms stretched above his head, his feet barely touching the ground.

“Ye sirf shuruaat hai,” I said, my eyes burning with fury. (This is just the beginning.) I turned to my men. “Ensure he feels every ounce of pain he inflicted on her. No more, no less.”

The room filled with the sound of Ajay’s screams as my men carried out my orders. I watched silently, my expression cold and unyielding. Justice was being served, but the hole in my chest where Dia’s laughter used to reside remained empty.

---

As Ajay’s cries began to fade, I walked out of the room, leaving my men to finish the job. The night air hit me like a slap, but it wasn’t enough to cool the fire inside me.

“Ekansh bhai,” Arjun called, catching up to me. “Sab kuch under control hai.” (Everything is under control.)

I nodded, my jaw clenched. “Dia ka khayal rakhna hai,” I said quietly. “Uske liye sab kuch sahi karna hoga.” (We need to take care of Dia. Everything has to be right for her.)

Arjun placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Woh ladki mazboot hai,” he said. “Lekin usse aapki zarurat hai.” (That girl is strong, but she needs you.)

I looked toward the horizon, determination settling in my chest. Ajay Patel’s chapter was over, but the battle to heal Dia’s wounds had just begun.

---

As I entered Dia’s room, my steps faltered when I saw her sitting on the bed, her knees drawn to her chest. Her eyes were swollen from crying, her face pale and fragile. The sight of her like this, so broken, tore at my very soul.

“Dia,” I called softly, my voice almost breaking. Her head snapped up at the sound of my voice, and for a moment, fear flashed in her eyes. She flinched, shrinking back slightly, as though bracing for something terrible.

My heart sank. This was what they had done to her—made her fear even me. I wanted to rage, to break everything in sight, but I held myself back. She didn’t need my anger right now; she needed me to be strong for her.

“Dia, it’s me,” I said gently, stepping closer. Her lips quivered, and suddenly, tears started streaming down her cheeks. Before I could say anything more, she let out a heartbreaking sob, her small frame shaking with the force of her pain.

Without thinking, I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around her. She didn’t resist, instead burying her face in my chest as her cries grew louder. “I… I thought you wouldn’t come,” she choked out between sobs.

---

I held her tightly, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other rested on her trembling shoulders. “I’ll always come for you, Dia,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “No matter what, I’ll find you.”

Her fingers clutched my shirt, as though afraid I might disappear. “They hurt me… they…” she couldn’t finish, her words dissolving into more tears. Each broken sentence was a knife to my heart.

“I know,” I murmured, my own voice unsteady. “But it’s over now. You’re safe with me, I promise.” My words felt inadequate, but I meant every one of them. I would spend the rest of my life proving it to her.

Her cries gradually quieted, replaced by soft hiccups. I pulled back slightly to look at her, brushing away the tears on her cheeks. “Dia, look at me,” I said softly. “No one will ever hurt you again. I won’t let them.”

She nodded, her tear-filled eyes meeting mine. For the first time in weeks, there was a flicker of trust in them, a fragile but hopeful light. I knew it would take time, but I vowed to be there for her every step of the way.

---

As I helped her lie down, I noticed the exhaustion etched on her face. “Rest, Dia. I’ll be right here,” I assured her, sitting by her side. She reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing against mine.

“Don’t leave,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“I won’t,” I promised, taking her hand in mine. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Her breathing evened out as she drifted off to sleep, her hand still clutching mine. Watching her peaceful face, I silently swore to myself: I would give her the life she deserved, filled with safety, love, and happiness. No matter the cost.