Chapter Eighty Six.

Chapter Eighty Six.
The car rolled to a slow stop in front of a quiet apartment complex nestled between two similar buildings.

Veda stepped out slowly, her sandals brushing the cool pavement as she lifted her eyes to take it all in.

It wasn’t anything extravagant, a normal, modest-looking apartment with neighbors on either side, high fences wrapping it in privacy, and the occasional rustle of trees lining the narrow road.

Still, it was calm… safe… something about the stillness of the night air made her exhale with relief. It wasn’t home. But it would do.

A small smile touched her lips.

She turned around when she heard the soft thump of her luggage being lifted from the car’s trunk. Yusuf was already pulling them out with practiced ease.

“Thank you, Yusuf.” she said softly, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.

He looked up at her with a warm, familiar smile. “You were staring at the place like you don’t like it..” he teased gently. “If it’s not okay, your father already said we could–”

“No, no.” She shook her head, taking a few steps closer. “It’s fine, really. Besides, I haven’t even seen the inside yet.”

Yusuf gave a small chuckle and nodded. “Alright then.” He picked up one of the heavier bags while Veda rolled the second one beside her.

As they began walking toward the apartment entrance, he spoke again. “Your father said you’re here for your IT at VyomTech Innovation?”

Veda nodded. “Yes.”

“Wow..” he said, visibly impressed. “You must be very smart. It’s not easy to get into that place, especially as an intern. That’s a big deal, you know.”

Veda smiled at his encouragement, her fingers tightening slightly on the handle of her bag. “Thank you, Yusuf.”

The corridor lights buzzed faintly as they reached the door.

Yusuf pulled out a small silver key and unlocked it, then pushed the door open and stepped inside first, flicking the light switch.

Warm yellow light filled the small living room, revealing a space that was both simple and surprisingly cozy. The walls were plain but clean, the floor polished.

A compact kitchen sat just beyond a low counter, its tiled backsplash catching the soft glow of the overhead bulb.

There was a short hallway leading to what she assumed was the bedroom.

A couple of wooden stools, a worn-out couch, and a square coffee table stood in the living room, mismatched but not unpleasant.

“Some of the university students who lived here before left a few pieces of furniture behind..” Yusuf explained, glancing around. “They’re still in decent shape.”

Veda nodded slowly, walking in further and soaking it all in. It wasn’t grand, but it had character. It felt like a blank page.

“Are you sure you like it?” Yusuf asked again, watching her reaction.

She turned to him, her jade green eyes reflecting the soft light, and gave him a grateful smile. “Trust me… I like it.”

He smiled, reassured. “Alright then.”

He handed her the keys. “You can start settling in tonight or tomorrow, whenever you feel ready.”

Veda took the keys gently from his hand and nodded. “Okay.”

Yusuf began to turn to leave, but her voice called him back, hesitant yet hopeful.

“Yusuf?”

He paused and looked over his shoulder, waiting.

She bit her bottom lip, unsure why she suddenly felt so young again. “C-Can you please come with me tomorrow? I want to get a new phone… and I don’t really know my way around yet.”

Yusuf's smile deepened, gentle and paternal. “Of course, dear. I’ll pick you up in the morning. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” she murmured.

He stepped out and she closed the door behind him, quietly turning the key and locking it.

She stood there for a moment, alone in the unfamiliar silence, then turned back toward the living room.

Her eyes swept over the place again, her lips curving slowly.

It wasn’t perfect.

But it was hers…

And for the first time in a long while, Veda felt like she could finally breathe.

♤♤♤

Two days later...

Another punch landed hard on the young man’s face, followed by another, and then another. Blood smeared across his jaw, his lips already cracked and swelling, but the blows didn’t stop.

Varun's knuckles were bruised, dripping crimson, but he didn’t care. His eyes,red, wild, and filled with unrelenting rage, were locked onto the man beneath him as he continued to strike, each punch fueled by fury and frustration.

“You had ONE job!” Varun bellowed, the veins in his neck and arms bulging with fury.

“VARUN!” Amrit’s voice rang out as he and Yash stormed into the underground room, their faces twisting in panic at the scene.

“Bro, stop! You’ll kill him!” Amrit yelled, rushing to grab Varun’s arm.

Together, he and Yash struggled to pull Varun away from the bloody, barely conscious boy. The guy coughed and groaned weakly, his face a mess of pain.

Varun jerked out of their hold, his breath coming out in heavy bursts.

He shoved his bloodied hands through his hair in frustration, pacing like a wild animal.

“She left…” he growled under his breath, then shouted, “She FUCKING left! And he didn’t even know she was gone! I told him..! I told that bastard to keep an eye on her!”

His voice cracked with a dangerous intensity as he slammed his fist against the nearby wall. The sound echoed in the room.

Yash flinched, exchanging a tense look with Amrit. “Varun, listen, you need to calm down..Varun–”

But Varun wasn’t listening.

He stormed out of the room without another word. The door slammed shut behind him with a thunderous bang that rattled the walls.

Yash stood there, catching his breath, then turned slowly to Amrit.

“…How the hell did he even know she left?” he asked quietly, voice edged with disbelief.

Amrit didn’t answer immediately. His shoulders tensed, guilt shadowing his face.

Yash narrowed his eyes. “Amrit… don’t tell me–”

“I didn’t do it willingly!” Amrit snapped defensively, raising both hands.

“He cornered me, alright? He asked me to check the college’s CCTV footage from the last time Veda was on campus. I only did that much. That’s it. I swear.”

Yash stared at him in disbelief.

“I saw her leaving the HOD’s office.” Amrit continued.

“That’s all he needed. He figured the rest out himself. I didn’t know what he was planning, I swear to you.”

Yash exhaled heavily and ran a hand down his face. “Shit…”

There was a pause before realization dawned on his face.

“She went to Bangalore… Wait–doesn’t that company—”

Amrit nodded grimly before Yash could finish.

“Yeah..” he said. “That company. His.”

Yash’s eyes widened. “Oh, fuck…”

Silence hung thick in the air as they both processed what that meant.

They both glanced once at the battered, unmoving boy on the floor, forgotten and pitiful, before quietly walking out.