Chapter 121 Before Three Years
"Brother?" Karan's voice trembles softly, a mixture of fear and shock painted across his face.
But Samar's rage has crossed all limits. He roars, "Shut up, Karan! Don't utter a single word more!"
His voice echoes fiercely, shattering the silence of the hills.
Just then, Riya, her hands finally freed from the ropes, slowly rises from the chair. Her legs are still trembling, tears stream endlessly down her cheeks. Her heart carries only one fear, one thought: Shivi.
Shorya steps closer with concern in his eyes and asks gently, "Are you alright, Riya?"
With teary eyes, she nods a faint yes. But in the very next moment, her gaze darts frantically across the dim surroundings, as if searching only for her little daughter.
And then... her eyes widen in disbelief.
There is little Shivi, her tiny hands striking hard at Samar and Vihan's legs, her innocent face scrunched in anger. Her baby-like voice, filled with fury, pierces the night.
Both Samar and Vihan stare at her in astonishment. Confusion flashes across their faces. "Who is this adorable little girl? And what is she doing here?"
Even Shorya stands frozen, struck speechless, unable to comprehend what is unfolding.
Vihan, moved by some strange pull, slowly lowers himself to the ground. His eyes soften as he studies the girl's face closely. In a tender voice, he asks, "Who are you, little one? You look exactly... exactly like my Pihu."
Hearing those words, Riya's heartbeat skips violently. She rushes forward toward Shivi. But before she can reach, the little girl, in her broken toddler's speech, scolds Vihan as if reminding him that hurting her mother is the gravest sin.
Riya quickly catches Shivi's tiny hand and pulls her protectively into her arms. Her tears refuse to stop now.
At that moment, Samar and Vihan exchange a glance. Something unspoken passes between them—a strange realization, as if a hidden truth silently presses against their hearts.
But then, Karan's voice thunders again, breaking the moment. His face burns red with rage as he points at Riya, spitting venom with his words, "She's the daughter of this characterless woman! Who knows whose filthy blood she carries!"
His words drip like poison in the air, Before anyone can breathe, a resounding slap cracks through the night. Karan's face whips to the side, blood rushing to his cheek. He can barely register what has just happened.
Little Shivi's round eyes grow wide in shock. She covers her tiny mouth with her palms, frozen in disbelief.
And then she sees it, this time it is Samar who has struck Karan. His eyes blaze with fire, his voice erupts like thunder across the mountains, "She is your daughter! Do you understand? YOUR daughter!"
The ground beneath Karan seems to slip away. His face turns pale, emptiness hollowing his eyes.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Riya holds her daughter tighter against her chest.
She closes her eyes with all her strength, as if wishing this moment, this storm of pain and revelation, would simply dissolve into nothingness.
Shock fills Karan's eyes. His trembling voice breaks the silence, "No... no, this can't be true. She can't be my daughter. Riya left five years ago. And this child… she's only two years old."
Karan's heart pounds heavily; his words sound more like a desperate attempt to convince himself than anyone else.
Suddenly, Samar steps forward and grabs Karan by the collar. His eyes blaze with fury, burning red with rage. He drags Karan roughly to the other side and slams him hard against the wall.
"Enough, Karan! If you dare utter even one more word, I swear I'll shoot you right here!" Samar's teeth clench in fury, his voice carrying a terrifying edge that freezes the air around them.
Taking a deep breath, Samar's tone turns cold but firm, "Now you will only listen. Quietly. And you'll hear every word I say. Three years ago... everything changed. And it's time you know the truth."
Karan stands frozen, stunned into silence. His legs feel heavy, as though rooted into the ground. A dreadful feeling washes over him, whatever truth is about to unfold is powerful enough to shatter his entire world.
FLASHBACK START
Three years ago…!!
Riya is living under the crushing weight of her fate. She has left Drishti's house staying there is even more painful. At every turn, life throws her into new trials. No money, no home of her own, and not a single support to help her stand on her feet.
Without a degree, the doors to good jobs are closed for her. Out of sheer compulsion, she begins working as a waitress in a club. Every night she tries to hide herself in the sea of strangers. Behind the glasses, the trays, and the mask on her face, she keeps searching for her lost identity.
That night too, like always, she is serving drinks, burying the weight of her heart under a forced smile. Glasses in her hands. Loneliness in her soul.
And then… her eyes fall on the bar counter.
In that instant, her heartbeat freezes.
It is Karan.
He is drinking one glass after another, drowning himself in alcohol as if he wants to bury his pain in it. The moment Riya sees him, her eyes well up. A storm surges inside her. This is the same man for whom she has endured so much… the man who still lives in her heart.
After some time, Karan's condition begins to worsen. The alcohol is breaking down his senses, tearing him apart with every sip.
Riya grows nervous. Her heart fears, what if someone else notices him like this? What if something bad happens to him? Gathering courage, she quickly puts her mask back on and steps closer.
Her voice is low, disguised in the formal tone of a waitress: "Sir… may I help you to your room?"
Karan, drenched in alcohol, shakes his head weakly. His voice is heavy, broken: "No… not you. I'll only go when Riya comes."
At those words, Riya's legs tremble. A lump of tears rises in her throat. Her heart screams, "I am Riya…"
But she holds her courage. Choking on her voice, she says softly, "She will come… please, come with me."
Karan's eyes are blurred from intoxication. A faint smile touches his lips. "Fine… let's go."
With all her strength, Riya supports him. His weight leans on her shoulder, but the heavier burden is on her heart, years of silence, pain, and memories. Step by step, she takes him upstairs to a room.
Inside, she sits him down carefully on the bed. She catches her breath, wipes her tears quickly, and turns to leave.
But then… Karan's hand reaches out. In one swift move, he grabs hers. His drunken voice carries innocence and desperation, "Don't go… please. Stay until Riya comes."
Riya's heart shudders. She shuts her eyes tightly, as if that could protect her from the storm of emotions. She knows he is drunk, and in his brokenness, he is calling out only for Riya.
This moment is her hardest trial, hide her identity or answer the cry of her own heart.
And suddenly… Karan's hand pulls off the mask from her face.
In that instant, his eyes freeze, It is Riya. The same Riya he cannot live without. The same Riya whose departure has turned his soul into a living corpse.
His drunken face first shows shock… then tears. He doesn't speak a word; he just stares at her, as if afraid she might disappear again.
Riya's breath catches. She tries to hide her face with her hands, but it is useless. Karan has seen her. He has recognized her.
Terrified, Riya spins around and rushes toward the door. Her steps falter, tears spilling endlessly. But just as she reaches the gate, heavy footsteps follow.
Karan is right behind her.
With one fierce move, he slams the gate shut. His eyes burn with pain and fury. His voice cracks as he roars, "You… you are Riya, aren't you? Tell me! You are Riya?!"
Riya's eyes drop. The tears speak the truth she cannot say.
In the next moment, Karan pulls her into his arms. His sobs shake his chest. Pressing his face against her shoulder, he cries, "Where did you go? Why did you leave me? Do you even know I died without you! Every day, every night… I was dying, Riya…"
Riya's inner walls are breaking. Through her trembling throat, she whispers, "Let me go, Karan. Please… let me go."
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!