Chapter 98 A Brother’s Hatred
And then it happens.
A massive truck comes speeding toward her from behind. The moment Rohit’s eyes catch sight of it, his heartbeat stops. His voice roars through the air, “RUHI!!! Move away from there!!!”
In the very next instant, a violent jolt follows. Rohit uses all his strength and pulls Ruhi hard toward him. The truck speeds past them, so close that its gust of air brushes their faces. If there had been even a second’s delay… Ruhi would have been silenced forever.
Ruhi stands frozen in shock. Her breaths come in fast, uneven gasps, her long hair scattered wildly across her face. But Rohit’s anger burns higher than the sky. Grabbing her shoulders firmly, he shakes her and shouts, “Have you lost your mind, Ruhi?! Just because you got a call, you ran outside without thinking? If I had been a second late have you thought about what could have happened?!”
His eyes are filled with fear and fury, but beneath that fury lies a raw love he can never confess. His voice cracks, trembling, as if his heart’s pain breaks through every barrier.
Ruhi listens in silence. Her gaze remains lowered, never lifting to meet his eyes. Her face holds no answer—only emptiness, only exhaustion, as if every word is buried deep inside her.
Slowly, she turns away and begins to walk, as if nothing has happened. Her steps are steady and quiet as she heads back toward the house.
But for Rohit, her silence is unbearable. His heart screams for answers. He rushes forward, grips both her arms, and pins her gently but firmly against the cold wall.
Ruhi’s back presses against the stone. Rohit stands towering before her, his heavy breaths brushing her skin, his nearness burning through the silence. In a low, rough voice, he demands, “I’m asking you something, Ruhi! Answer me! Why doesn’t it matter to you? Why don’t you care about your own life?!”
His words carry anger, pain, and a torment that exists only because of her.
But Ruhi remains silent. Her gaze stays lowered. Rohit’s voice softens, breaking with tenderness. “Ruhi… say something, please.”
Ruhi slowly turns her face away, refusing to look at him. With quiet resistance, she pulls her hands free from his grip and walks inside without a word.
Everyone is asleep. Silence spreads into every corner of the house. Only the faint ticking of the clock and the soft whisper of the cool night breeze break the stillness. But inside Vihan’s heart, a storm rages. Sleep refuses to come his mind is consumed by only one face: Rimjhim’s.
He quietly opens his door and walks straight toward Rimjhim’s room. Each step is cautious, careful, as if he fears waking her or being heard.
When he opens the door, the sight pierces his heart. Rimjhim lies lifeless on the bed. Dark circles and dried tear marks rest beneath her eyes. Red and blue bruises cover her body cruel reminders of the pain he caused. Guilt floods his chest.
Vihan sits quietly on the edge of the bed, his breathing heavy and uneven. Sensing someone nearby, Rimjhim slowly lifts her head. The moment her eyes meet his, she shuts them again and turns her face away, as if even looking at him hurts.
Vihan’s eyes fill with sorrow. In a low, trembling voice, he says, “I know you’re angry with me. And I know what I did can never be forgiven.”
He stands, walks to the table, and picks up a tube of ointment. Returning, he gently tries to sit her up. Rimjhim doesn’t look at him her face remains stone-cold.
He applies the ointment to her collarbone. The cool touch against her wounded skin makes her wince, a faint gasp escaping her lips. The silence cracks.
Vihan closes his eyes. His voice trembles. “Sorry…”
Slowly, he continues over her shoulders and neck. With hesitation, he unhooks the chain at the back of her dress and treats the wounds on her back. Each mark cuts deeper into him than a blade. Rimjhim sits stiff, restless, trapped in silence.
When he reaches her waist, her breathing sharpens. Every part of her wants to stop him but her emotions are suffocated, leaving only silence.
When he finishes, Rimjhim finally speaks, her voice faint and exhausted, “I want divorce.”
The words shatter Vihan’s world. His breath catches. He stares at her in disbelief. “Are you out of your mind? Divorce?! Don’t you dare say that word again!”
He exhales sharply, then his tone softens possessive, stubborn. “Your anger is justified. I know what I took from you. But after everything between us… I will never let you go. You are mine now, Rimjhim. And from now on, you will stay with me..”
His voice breaks. The rest of the words die in his throat. He turns away, stands up, pauses briefly, and walks out of the room. Rimjhim watches him leave. Tears silently fill her eyes.
AFTER ONE WEEK
Seven days pass. The walls of Rajput Mansion are wrapped in a strange silence. The palace, which once echoes with laughter, chatter, and life, now carries nothing but stillness.
Mrs. Shobha and Mr. Ajay return, but the moment they step inside, the heavy atmosphere strikes their hearts like lightning. Rimjhim’s health improves a little, but her soul remains broken. She speaks to no one, no laughter, no tears just sits quietly by the window, lost in thought.
That day is Sunday and also Rakshabandhan. Everyone gathers in the garden. The evening sun filters softly through the branches, spreading a golden hue. Rimjhim and Ruhi sit quietly, along with Mr. Shekhawat, Ajay, and Shobha ji. Yet even in the open garden, the same suffocating silence lingers.
I walk in with a tray of steaming hot tea. Slowly, I serve everyone. But as I hand a cup to Shorya, my hand slips. Hot tea spills straight onto his hand.
“Aahhhh!” Shorya flinches, jumping up immediately.
Everyone panics. Neeti rushes forward. “Are you okay?”
But Shorya’s eyes blaze. He glares at me and shouts, “Don’t you understand?! How many times have I told you to stay away from me! Why do you keep forcing yourself into my life?!”
I freeze, trembling. Tears well up in my eyes. Neeti steps in, “Why are you speaking like this? She’s your sister!”
But Shorya snaps, “And how else should I talk?! This girl never wants to see me happy! She always takes away my peace!”
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!