Contant warning : This chapter contains scenes of violence.

Author's POV

Aadir stood in his sunlit room, brush in hand, carefully applying strokes of color to his canvas. The serene atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by the shrill ring of his cellphone. He sighed, set his paintbrush down, and cleaned his hands before reaching for the phone. The caller ID displayed an unknown number.

"Hello?" he answered cautiously.

"You have given that girl a place in your house, haven't you?" The voice on the other end was gruff and unsettling.

Aadir's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly became alert. "Who is this? And who are you talking about?"

The caller let out a chilling, mocking laugh that sent shivers down Aadir's spine. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to maintain his composure.

"Let me jog your memory... Nisha. She's in your house right now, and she's pregnant."

Aadir's eyes widened in shock. How could this stranger know such intimate details? It meant the caller was nearby, watching.

"This mistake will cost you dearly. You'll see the consequences soon enough."

"Wait, listen to me!" Aadir shouted, but the line went dead. In a fit of rage, he hurled the phone across the room, watching as it shattered against the wall.

He immediately grabbed another phone and dialed home, his hands trembling.

---

At home, Nisha was sitting on the sofa, nibbling on fruit that Drishti had insisted she eat. She felt a wave of gratitude and emotion at their care and concern for her.

Just then, the phone rang. Nisha was about to get up to answer it when Siya walked over.

"I'll get it," Siya said, picking up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Maa..." Aadir's voice came through, strained and filled with distress.

"Badi maa, are you alright?"

"Yes, I am fine, Aadir, but what happened, son?" she replied calmly, sensing his agitation.

Aadir took a deep breath, closed his eyes, trying to calm his racing heart.

"Mom, listen to me carefully. Do not go out of the house today and do not let anyone else leave either. And-"

Just then, the doorbell rang, interrupting his urgent warning.

Aadir froze in his spot, his voice trembling.

"M-Mom..."

"Nisha, wait. I will answer the door," she said, placing the phone down and walking towards the door.

"Mom, wait, listen to me. This is really important. Mom, please!"

Before Siya could reach her, Nisha had already opened the door. Her eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively took a step back when she saw a man standing there, pointing a gun at her.

Siya's heart pounded as she took in the horrifying scene. The intruder stepped inside, his gun trained on Nisha, and Siya reacted on instinct.

"NISHA!"

She lunged forward, pushing the man away from Nisha. In the struggle, the intruder fired the gun, the bullet tearing through the air and embedding itself in Siya's chest.

Nisha stood frozen, her face pale, as she watched Siya collapse to the floor. The sound of the gunshot echoed in her ears, her mind unable to process the horror unfolding before her.

Siya's vision blurred, and she clutched at the wound, feeling the warmth of her blood seeping through her fingers. Her strength faded, and she fall unconscious, the last thing she saw being the look of terror on Nisha's face.

Aadir's heartbeat nearly stops when he hears the gunshot through the phone. The phone slips from his trembling hand and crashes to the floor. He pushes his chair aside and sprints out of the room, panic and dread driving his every step.

Hearing the sound of the gunshot, Drishti rushes out as well. She freezes momentarily, her eyes widening in horror at the sight before her. Overcoming her shock, she hurries to the fallen figure and gently cradles her head in her lap.

"Di..."

Tears stream down Drishti's face as she desperately pats her sister's cheeks, her voice choked with panic.

"Didi, please, open your eyes."

Mrs. Singhania emerges from her room and gasps, her face paling at the tragic scene. Siya lies limp in Drishti's lap, while Nisha sits nearby, paralyzed with fear and shock.

"Si-ya..." Mrs. Singhania whispers, her voice barely audible.

Her eyes then dart to the man still holding the gun, his face cold and determined. Rage boils within her as she sees the weapon still aimed at them. Desperate to protect her family, she grabs a heavy object from a nearby table and hurls it at the man with all her strength.

The man, realizing that security will arrive any moment, starts to make his escape. But before he can flee, the object strikes him hard on the head, eliciting a pained scream. He stumbles, momentarily disoriented by the blow.

He walks quickly towards the door, glancing back at the people behind him. He doesn't notice the figure standing in his path and collides with the person.

Slowly, he lifts his head and looks into the eyes of the man before him. His own eyes widen in fear as he meets the dangerous, cold stare of the man blocking his escape.

Mrs. Singhania breathes a sigh of relief and turns back to Siya. Tears well up in her eyes, but she composes herself and places a comforting hand on Drishti's shoulder.

"Ma-a..."

"Shhh... Nothing will happen to our Siya. We need to get her to the hospital right now, okay?"

Drishti nods, tears streaming down her face, but she cannot stop herself from trembling.

Mrs. Singhania quickly organizes for Siya to be taken to the hospital with Drishti and Nisha.

On the other hand, the man recalls his boss's assurance that this person would not be here. How did he end up here?

He watches the man advance towards him with emotionless, cold, dead eyes. Fear paralyzes him, and he can't even step back. He swallows hard, fear evident in his eyes.

The man grabs his hand, the one holding the gun, and forces it towards his chest, making him pull the trigger.

The man steps back, releasing his grip. He notices the fear in the other's eyes transforming into pain.

The man's last sight is of his own bloody eyes as he collapses, closing them in agony.

Mrs. Singhania watches his body fall, her eyes meeting his briefly (the front person) but she look away.

Just then, Aadir rushes inside, his eyes red with emotion. He stops in surprise at the sight of his grandfather.

He sees the man lying on the floor and tries to speak, but his words catch in his throat.

He looks at his grandfather for answers, but the old man is not looking at him.

Mrs. Singhania approaches Aadir and places a hand on his shoulder, "Child, we have to go to the hospital."

Aadir looks at his grandmother, tears welling in his eyes and spilling down his cheeks.

Mrs. Singhania grasps his hand and leads him out the door, knowing they must reach the hospital immediately.

As soon as they leave, Mr. Singhania's entire demeanor changes, his face hardening with barely suppressed rage. His jaw clenches tightly, and his eyes narrow menacingly as the head of security cautiously approaches, visibly trembling.

"S-Sir..." the head of security stutters, his voice quivering.

Mr. Singhania doesn't hesitate. He swiftly turns and delivers a resounding slap across the man's face. "I'll deal with you later," he growls, his voice dripping with fury.

The manager standing nearby is momentarily paralyzed with fear, his heart racing.

"Take him to that place," Mr. Singhania commands in a rough, unforgiving tone, pointing to the man lying on the ground. With a final glare, he strides away, his steps echoing with authority and anger.

                          ******

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