CHAPTER 30 : " IN THE GRIP OF DANGER"

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Oberoi estate was an isolated mansion nestled in a town, strategically situated between Jhansi and Bundelkhand. The mansion loomed against the night, a foreboding presence that seemed to emanate an aura of secrecy and malice owned by Neel Oberoi. The journey to the estate felt like a descent into darkness, and for Kashi, it was a waking nightmare.

As the car pulled into the estate's towering, iron gates, lined with men in black uniforms whose stoic expressions sent chills down her spine, Kashi's heart hammered painfully in her chest. The ominous sight only intensified her dread, she could barely catch her breath, overwhelmed by the horror that had suddenly devoured her peaceful life.

Ravi tightened his grip around her arm with brutal force, yanking her out of the car without a second thought. His touch was cold and unyielding, and she felt a wave of revulsion wash over her, mingling with her rising fear. Tears blurred her vision, but no amount of weeping could mask the terror that had embedded itself deep within her.

Her mind reeled back to the morning, to the moment she had first encountered Ravi in her home. She had never expected to see him there. The shock had frozen her in place as she stepped out of her mother's room into the living room, only to find him seated casually on the sofa, legs crossed, as if he owned every inch of the space around him. His eyes held a cold, cruel gleam as they landed on her, a twisted smile playing at his lips.

"How are you, Kashi?" he drawled, his voice deceptively calm, yet laced with menace. "Seems like you and your mother have been enjoying life without me."

A chill ran through her at his words. She couldn't believe he was here, in her house, speaking to her with such poison. This man who had not only abandoned them but had always treated her and her mother as burdens, constantly finding ways to humiliate and belittle them. Her pulse quickened as memories of that terrible night resurfaced, flashing before her eyes with painful clarity. She remembered how he had struck her, leaving bruises that ached for days, and the fear that had gripped her heart as he sneered down at her with contempt.

"What....what are you doing here?" she stammered, trying to keep her voice steady, though it quivered with fear.

His smile darkened, his expression twisted with a blend of rage and satisfaction. "What do you mean, 'what am I doing here'?" he sneered, rising slowly to his feet. "This is my house. I can come here whenever I feel like it. You and your pathetic mother have lived in peace for too long, while i rotted in that filthy jail cell. If it weren't for you, none of this would have happened." His voice was a venomous whisper, dripping with contempt as he stood up moving towards her, his gaze hardening.

Desperation flared in Kashi as she could feel his rage, and her prime instinct was to escape, she turned to bolt for the door. Her fingers barely touched the handle when his hand shot out, clamping around her hair like iron, pulling her back with brutal force. She gasped, stumbling as he held her fast.The pain radiated through her scalp.

"Running away from me?" he sneered, his grip tightening. "You think you can escape me? His voice was laced with cruelty as he yanked her back, sending her sprawling onto the floor. Kashi heard a dull thud as her phone slipped from her grasp and clattered to the side. The pain radiated through her whole body, but it was the raw hatred in his voice that crushed her spirit.

"Do you think you can escape me, girl?" Ravi spat, his voice dripping with mockery. "You are nothing but a burden that I've carried for far too long. Do you realize that? Everything that's gone wrong in my life is because of you and your lame excuse of a mother."

Kashi's breathing was ragged as she struggled to get back up, fighting against the ache in her body and the terror in her heart. She managed to scramble to her feet and made a desperate dash for the door, the glimmer of freedom calling to her. she had to escape from here and reach him, her Veer ji, her silent protector, a figure of strength she looked up to, the one person who could make her feel safe, even in the bleakest moments.He would protect her and her mother & free them both from this relentless nightmare. She could almost feel the outside air on her skin, almost hear the sound of her own footsteps running far, far away.

But Ravi's evil mocking voice stopped her cold. "Go ahead, Kashi. Run as far as you want," But tell me, who's going to save your precious mother then?"

Kashi froze, her entire body going numb. She turned back slowly, dread pooling in her stomach as she stared at him. "What....what do you mean?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Maa is....she is safe, she is in the hospital. You can't hurt her."

Ravi's smile was cruel as he took a step closer. "Oh, she was in the hospital. But I've already taken care of that. She is with me now, and now if you don't come with me willingly, well...." He chuckled darkly. "Let's just say I will make sure you never see your mother again."

"No...." Kashi's voice cracked, her disbelief evident as she stared at the man before her, struggling to process his words. This was her father, her mother's husband, the man who was supposed to protect them, to be their safe haven. Yet here he stood, his eyes glinting with malice, his words drenched in venom. How could he speak of harming his own family? The weight of betrayal pressed down on her chest, leaving her feeling hollow and exposed.

"You're lying," she managed, her voice barely more than a whisper, trembling with desperation as her mind fought against his cruel intentions. "Maa.... she's in the hospital. You can't reach her, you can't do anything to her." A shaky defiance filled her words as she tried to push back against the darkness he was casting over her.

"Vishwanath ji..." she continued, her voice gaining a fraction of strength at the thought of him. "He will protect us. He won't let you get away with this. He....."

The mention of Vishwanath seemed to spark an even deeper fury within Ravi. His face contorted, twisting with a rage so fierce it sent a chill through Kashi's veins.

"Vishwanath?" he spat, his voice laced with bitter disdain. "That so-called 'king' you seem to worship?.He laughed coldly, the sound sharp and hollow. "He is no savior, Kashi. And if you think he's going to rescue you, you're even more foolish than I thought. "Do you really believe someone like him would go to such lengths for you? He will abandon you, just like everyone else. You are nothing to him."

Kashi's heart clenched painfully with each venomous word, but she fought to hold her ground, refusing to let him see the fear that surged within her. She couldn't believe his words, she wouldn't.

Just when she thought things couldn't get any worse, Ravi pulled out his phone, dialing a number. After a brief pause, he held the phone up, and a terrified scream echoed from the other end of the line, her mother's scream.

"Maa!" Kashi cried, reaching out, her eyes wide with horror. She lunged toward Ravi, trying to grab the phone, but he pulled it away and ended the call, leaving her stranded in silence.

"Now do you believe me?" Ravi said, his tone mockingly gentle. "Your mother is with me, Kashi. And if you want her to stay safe, you will come with me. Or...... well, you already know what I will do."

"No," Kashi's voice broke, her whole body trembling. " Maa..... Maa, please leave her she is innocent. She doesn't deserve this. Her health....it's fragile. You know that. She's been through enough. Please.....please let her go."

"Innocent?" Ravi scoffed, his expression darkening with disgust. "Innocent? Don't you get it, Kashi? Both of you are nothing but burdens. Do you know how much shame you have brought to me? I wanted a son, someone to carry my name with pride, not a worthless girl like you. "And regarding Anjali's health?" he scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Do you really think I care about that? You both mean nothing to me."

He stepped closer, glaring down at her. "If you want her to be free, then come with me, Kashi. No questions, no arguments. Or else...."

His laughter rang out, a sinister, grating sound that tore at Kashi's soul. Her heart felt as though it were being crushed under the weight of his words, each beat echoing with fear and helplessness. She looked at Ravi, her voice trembling. "Where are you taking me?" she asked, her eyes pleading for a mercy she knew he would never grant. "If.....if you think I'm such a burden, why not just leave us alone? Let me and Maa live in peace..."

She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. The word "Papa" felt foreign, revolting, when she thought of the man standing before her, who looked nothing like the father she had once dreamed of, the one she had wished would protect her and cherish her. She felt sick to her core, disgusted that she shared her blood with someone so cruel .

Ravi smirked, his gaze cold and unfeeling. "I've been burdened with you long enough," he said, his tone devoid of any affection. "And today, I will fulfill my final responsibility, to get rid of you once and for all."

A shiver ran down Kashi's spine as he gave her a twisted smile, a look that chilled her to the bone. Every fiber of her being screamed to run, to escape this nightmare and find safety in her Veer ji . She longed for his protective embrace , to hear his reassuring voice. But her mother's terrified scream echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of the danger she faced. She couldn't be selfish, not when her mother's safety depended on her.

Tears streamed down her face as she reluctantly lowered her head, nodding in agreement. "I will....I will come with you. Just....please don't hurt Maa," she whispered, her voice broken, each word a testament to her love and sacrifice.

Ravi grinned triumphantly, this was all part of his cruel plan. A master manipulator, Ravi knew Kashi's one vulnerability lay in her love and devotion to her mother. He had studied her emotions, understanding that any attempt to control her would mean first gaining a hold over Anjali. He knew that Kashi would never defy him if Anjali's life was at risk. It was the perfect snare, designed to trap her with no chance of escape.

Ravi's face twisted in satisfaction as he roughly grabbed her arm, his grip bruising as he dragged her out of the house and shoved her into a large, black car parked outside. The doors slammed shut with an ominous finality as Kashi sobbed quietly in the back seat, her heart heavy with fear and sorrow. She didn't know what fate awaited her. Her thoughts were consumed with dread, each mile taking her further away from everything she knew, everyone she loved. Yet even in her fear, she held on to a single, flickering hope that perhaps, somehow, her Veer ji would come for her before it was too late.

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The bitter chill of the Oberoi Estate's marble floors reached through Kashi's thin soles, biting with every step. Ravi's tight grip on her wrist dragged her further into the mansion, his harsh breathing matching her rapid heartbeat.

They finally stopped in the center of a grand, dimly lit hall, its shadows casting an ominous glow around them. Ravi abruptly turned to her, his gaze sharp and unfeeling, his voice cutting through her quiet sobs."Enough," he snapped, his tone laced with irritation. "Stop it Kashi. Your crying and all this drama. No one here is interested in your act." But Kashi kept sobbing, her thoughts raced, filled with dread and a longing to escape, but her father's hold was unrelenting.

Suddenly, a cold, menacing voice echoed through the grand hallway, making her blood run cold. "Neel Oberoi ki duniya mein, tumhara swaagat hai Kashi...." (Welcome to Neel Oberoi's world, Kashi.....)

Kashi froze, her eyes snapping up to see a shadowy figure step forward. From the dark recesses, a man emerged, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. As his face came into the light, her stomach churned with recognition and dread, he was the same man she had encountered at the party, the one whose presence had left her with an eerie discomfort. Who was he, and why was she brought here? Fear began to churn in her gut as questions swirled in her mind.

Ravi's reaction, however, was completely different. His face lit up with a look of greed and triumph, as if he had won something grand. He clasped his hands together, beaming at Neel with a servile eagerness. "Neel ji! How are you? I am so grateful that you managed to get me out on bail. I thought I would rot in that jail forever."

The entire time, Neel's piercing gaze remained fixed on Kashi, scrutinizing her with an unsettling intensity, as if he were savoring every moment of her discomfort. A sick feeling began to coil in her stomach, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand from Ravi's grasp.

But then Neel's voice broke the tension, his voice smooth yet laced with an underlying threat, "You know the deal, Ravi. Everything has a price." His gaze lingered on Kashi, who felt exposed and frightened under his intense scrutiny.

Ravi straightened up, nodding eagerly. "Of course, Neel ji. I brought her here, just as I promised." He then turned to Kashi with a look so void of emotion that it made her feel hollow. "This is why we are here, Kashi. I've arranged your marriage to Neel ji. "

The words hit Kashi like a hard blow, each one sharper than the last. Her mind struggled to grasp the horror of what he was saying, but the truth was unmistakable. Her heart pounded wildly as she took a step back, the room seeming to close in on her. Shaking her head, she looked up at her father and then at Neel and then again to her father, her voice breaking with desperation. "No... no, Papa! Please, I don't want to marry him. Don't make me do this. Let me and Maa go! We will leave forever, I swear. I will never ask you for anything, we will disappear from your life. Just....please, let us go."

But her pleas fell on deaf ears. Ravi's face remained stone-like, his eyes cold and unyielding. He didn't flinch, didn't react, as if her words were nothing but empty noise. A twisted satisfaction played on his face, as if he were relishing the power he held over her, the way he could bend her life to his will.

Neel stepped closer, his shadow falling over her as he tilted his head, studying her with a disturbing interest. "You are making this harder than it needs to be, Kashi. You should be grateful, a life with me will be better than anything you could have imagined. Isn't that right, father- in-law?"

Ravi nodded without hesitation, as his face twisted in disgust, his voice dripping with contempt. "Shut up, Kashi! You have been nothing but an embarrassment to me. It's Neel ji's generosity that he is even considering you. Do you think anyone else would ever marry a useless girl like you? You are nothing but a burden, one I'm finally getting rid of."

Tears blurred Kashi's vision as Ravi's cruel words cut deep into her heart. He spat each sentence with such a venom, as though every ounce of her existence revolted him.

Amid her silent pleading and desperate gaze, Neel's chilling voice rang out. "Father-in-law, don't make my future wife cry. I don't like it." His sinister smile widened as he stepped closer, his gaze trapping her in place.

Summoning all her courage, Kashi turned to Neel, her voice trembling as she joined her hands in desperate plea. "Please, let me go. My mother isn't well. I beg you, please let us go."

Neel's smile grew more sinister as he leaned closer. "Sweetheart, I can give you anything....except freedom. You are mine now. Once we are married, I will release your mother. But you will have to be my wife first." His words were a declaration, as if her fate was already sealed.

A chill ran down her spine as she absorbed his intentions, and her heart twisted in fear and disbelief. She barely found her voice as she whispered, "Why are you doing this? I don't want to marry you."

Neel's eyes glinted with a dark amusement, a twisted smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he looked down at her. "You see, Kashi," he drawled, each word dripping with calculated intent, "In life, there are rules that people like me don't follow."Everything is fair in love and war, my dear. And I want you. You are something I've set my eyes on, and Neel Oberoi always gets what he wants."

To be continued.......

Words : 3K

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Author's note 📖

I know this chapter was especially sad and heartbreaking. Kashi faces her darkest moments yet betrayed by her own father and trapped by Neel Oberoi's obsessive grip. Desperate to protect her mother and herself, Kashi's spirit is tested to its limits. But as she holds onto hope and her love for Vishwanath, the question remains, can he reach her in time, or is it too late? Stay tuned as their fate unfolds. Feel free to vent your thoughts and bash Ravi and Neel in the comments! I would love to see your reactions!😌

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