Chapter 30

Lakshmi opened the door to her house, her movements slow and heavy, as if every step drained what little strength she had left.

She was about to step inside when Rashi arrived, carrying Kittu in her arms after picking him up from school. Rashi's eyes widened with concern when she saw Lakshmi home so early. "Akka, is everything alright? You're home early today. Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

Lakshmi avoided her gaze, her eyes fixed on the floor. "I'm fine, Rashi. Just a little headache, that's why I came home early," she lied, her voice barely above a whisper. Rashi's brow furrowed, but she didn't press further, sensing Lakshmi's fragile state.

Together, they entered the house, the weight of unspoken pain hanging in the air.

Rashi quickly set Kittu down and went to the shop to buy milk and biscuits, taking him along with her. When they returned, she gently guided Kittu to sit beside Lakshmi, who was lying on the mat, her legs curled tightly to her chest. Rashi then hurried to the kitchen to make coffee for herself and Lakshmi and Horlicks for Kittu.

Kittu, sensing his mother's distress, crawled closer and gently tapped her cheek. Lakshmi opened her eyes, her vision blurred with tears, and forced a weak smile. If it weren't for you, I would have died long ago, she thought, her heart aching.

Kittu leaned closer, kissed her cheek, and wiped her tears with his tiny hands. "Amma, does it hurt here?" he asked innocently, placing his palm on her forehead. Lakshmi nodded, unable to speak. He then kissed her forehead softly, his small gesture filled with pure love.

Overwhelmed, Lakshmi broke into tears and pulled him into a tight embrace, her sobs echoing through the room. Hearing her cries, Rashi rushed from the kitchen, her face pale with worry. "Akka, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" she asked, kneeling beside her. Lakshmi couldn't respond, her body shaking with emotion.

"Akka, please. Tell me, Akka," Rashi pleaded, her voice breaking. Just then, Meena entered the house, calling out, "Is my baby home from school—" She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening at the sight of Lakshmi crying uncontrollably.

Worried, Meena hurried to Lakshmi's side, helping her sit up. "Lakshmi, what happened? Why are you crying like this?" she asked, her voice gentle but urgent. She glanced at Rashi, who shook her head helplessly. Meena turned back to Lakshmi, her hands gripping hers. "Lakshmi, please. You're scaring me. Tell me what's wrong."

Lakshmi tried to stifle her sobs, but the pain was too much to bear. After a few moments, she finally spoke, her voice trembling as she recounted everything—Vikram's arrival, Charan's harassment, and Vikram's torture. As she spoke, Meena's face darkened with anger.

"Those bastards!" Meena exclaimed, her voice shaking with fury. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier? If I had known, I would never have let you go back to that job. Enough, Lakshmi. None of this is your fault. Don't cry for those worthless men. They don't deserve your tears. Don't go back to that place tomorrow. I'll arrange something else for you, okay? If they don't pay your salary, let it go. It's a sin to exploit someone's hard work, and God will punish them. Forget about them," she said, her voice firm but comforting.

But Lakshmi was traumatized. The fear of encountering another Charan or Vikram haunted her. How long can I keep running? she thought, her heart heavy with despair. Seeing her like this, Meena's heart broke. God is too cruel. When will she find happiness? Even after ruining her life, that boy isn't satisfied. He's not even human, she thought bitterly.

With a deep sigh, Meena gently took Lakshmi's hand. "Lakshmi, come on. Don't cry and think about Kittu. Look at him—he's upset seeing you like this. At least for his sake, pull yourself together," she said, masking her own pain to comfort Lakshmi.

Rashi, who had been silently crying, wiped her tears and added, "Yes, Akka. Let's go to the park. If you stay here, you'll keep thinking about those awful things. Some fresh air will help you relax." Seeing their concern, Lakshmi felt a glimmer of hope. At least I have to be strong for these people, she thought, nodding as she wiped her tears.

Rashi forced a smile, though her heart burned with anger. She silently cursed the men who had hurt Lakshmi, wishing them nothing but suffering.

In her heart, she made a promise: after completing her studies, she would earn well and take care of Lakshmi and Kittu. She would raise Kittu to be strong and powerful, someone who could teach Vikram a lesson he would never forget.

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Lakshmi spent the day lost in a whirlwind of thoughts, her mind a battlefield of painful memories and unanswered questions. Rashi and Meena did their best to distract her, filling the hours with light conversation and small tasks. Even Kittu, perceptive beyond his years, seemed to sense his mother's distress. He clung to her side, refusing to leave her alone for even a moment.

After dinner, Lakshmi gently put Kittu to bed and lay down beside him, her body exhausted but her mind restless. Her thoughts inevitably drifted to Vikram—the man who had once been her everything.

She remembered the days they had spent together, the promises he had made, and the dreams they had shared. How naive and foolish I was to believe his sugar-coated words, she thought bitterly. Today, her suffering felt like a cruel punishment for her own gullibility.

She turned to look at Kittu's peaceful face as he slept. The resemblance to Vikram was undeniable, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She closed her eyes and prayed silently, Please, God, don't let him inherit any of his father's traits. Let him grow up to be kind, strong, and nothing like the man who abandoned us.

Her thoughts then shifted to the horrifying incident in the elevator. Just the memory of it made her stomach churn. She swallowed hard, trying to push the images away, but they lingered like a dark shadow. Suddenly, she remembered something—someone had been standing outside the elevator when she ran out. It was Vikram. What was he doing there? she wondered, her heart racing.

But she quickly pushed the thought aside. Whatever his reasons, she decided then and there to never look back—not at that office, not at Vikram, not at the life she had left behind. Exhausted, she finally drifted into a restless sleep.

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On the other side of the city, Vikram sat alone, his mind consumed by thoughts of Lakshmi. What is she doing now? Is she okay? he wondered, his chest tightening with guilt and worry. His mind raced with possibilities.

If she was married to Raghu, why was she working so hard? From what he had seen, she didn't seem to be doing well.

As far as he knew, Raghu was a responsible man. Would he really let his wife struggle like this? Am I missing something? he thought, his confusion growing.

Determined to uncover the truth, Vikram decided to dig deeper into Lakshmi's life. But as he closed his eyes, the image of her tear-streaked face haunted him. Her pain, her fear, her despair—it all replayed in his mind like a relentless loop.

Sleep eluded him, and he lay awake, tormented by the past and the role he had played in her suffering.

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The next day, Vikram entered his office, his eyes scanning the area in search of Lakshmi. He needed to see her, to confirm she was okay after the harrowing incident the day before. But she was nowhere to be found.

His heart sank as he searched every corner, his worry growing with each passing moment. Her absence left him restless, his mind unable to focus on anything. Every second without her felt like torture, a relentless ache that gnawed at his soul.

By 1:30 PM, the weight of her absence became unbearable. Unable to sit still, he left the office, his steps hurried and aimless. He didn't know where he was going, but he couldn't stay there—not without her.

He made his way to the parking lot, slid into his car, and pulled out his phone. With trembling hands, he dialed the number of a private investigator. After a brief conversation, he started the car and drove off, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

His gaze was fixed on the road, but his mind was elsewhere, replaying the image of Lakshmi's tear-streaked face. He felt a pang of guilt and longing, emotions he had tried to bury for years.

After a few minutes of aimless driving, his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure walking along the side of the road. His heart skipped a beat. He knew instantly who it was. His pulse quickened as he pulled the car over, stopping just ahead of her.

Without a second thought, he stepped out of the car, his eyes locked on her. The sight of her filled him with a mix of relief and anguish, and he felt an overwhelming urge to reach out, to make sure she was okay.

Lakshmi was stunned to see Vikram standing there on the road. She had decided to pick up Kittu from school herself, wanting to spend more time with him after the turmoil of the previous day.

The cold weather had prompted her to wrap a shawl around herself, its frayed edges and tiny holes a testament to the life she now lived. As she walked, her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of how to shield Kittu from the harsh realities of their world.

When she saw Vikram, her heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, she took a step back, her body tense with fear. He took a step toward her, and she immediately turned around, quickening her pace. She didn't want to face him—not now, not ever.

But to her dismay, she heard his voice calling out behind her. "Lakshmi, stop!" he shouted, his tone firm and commanding.

She ignored him, her steps growing faster, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She just wanted to get away, to disappear from his sight. But Vikram wasn't going to let her go that easily. Desperation crept into his voice as he warned, "Lakshmi, stop. I dare you to take another step forward."

His words froze her in place. She felt a wave of helplessness wash over her, her body trembling as tears streamed down her face. Why is he doing this to me? she thought, her heart breaking. Why can't he leave me alone? Am I just a plaything for him to torment with his cruel games? She stood there, frozen, her mind racing but her feet rooted to the ground.

Vikram approached her slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. He could see the fear in her eyes, the way her body shook with every breath. It pained him to see her like this, but he knew he had no other way to stop her.

When he finally stood in front of her, he took a moment to really look at her. He had only ever seen her in her staff coat, but now, in her faded saree and tattered shawl, she looked so different—so fragile, so worn.

His heart ached as he took in the sight. You left me just to live like this? he thought, a mix of anger and sorrow swirling within him. He couldn't understand how the innocent, vibrant woman he had once known had been reduced to this.

The sight of her struggling, of her living a life so far removed from the one they had once dreamed of, filled him with a deep, unshakable guilt.

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Hey guys!!!

Another update, as i promised.

So, what do you think about the chapter?, comment your thoughts.

Enjoy Reading!!!

Bi Bi!!!