3100+ Words

Har pal tumhari yaadon mein kho jana hai,tumhare bina zindagi ek adhuri si lagti hai,tumhi ho meri zindagi ki khushbu,tumhi ho mere sapnon ki raahatein.

Author's pov:

Ashwin barely left his room, consumed by grief and an overwhelming fury that pulsed beneath the surface. Every corner of the house seemed suffocating, filled with whispers of loss and unspoken questions. He replayed the events over and over again in his mind—Anshika's pleading eyes, the blood, her final breath slipping away. And the name that gnawed at his very soul: Yuvan.

Ashwin knew there was no going back. He had crossed a line the moment Anshika's heart had stopped. Now, there was only one path forward, and it led straight to Yuvan's destruction.

Late one evening, Viyaan knocked on the heavy wooden door of Ashwin's room. The house had fallen into a fragile quiet, the kind that comes after too many tears have been shed and all hope feels lost. Viyaan pushed the door open, stepping into the dimly lit room. Ashwin sat at his desk, his eyes bloodshot but focused, staring at a sheet of paper littered with notes and sketches—a plan. A dark plan.

"You've been in here for days, Ashwin. It's time," Viyaan said softly, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. His own grief was masked by the worry for his brother. "We can't wait any longer. You need to tell us what's next."

Ashwin didn't look up, his fingers gripping the pen tightly as he continued to scribble. "We'll get him," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "But not through brute force. That's what he'll expect. No... we're going to hit him where he's weakest."

Vikram, who had been quietly listening in the hallway, stepped into the room as well. "And where exactly is Yuvan weakest?" he asked, his tone cautious. He knew Ashwin was spiraling deeper into his vengeance, and he feared for his friend. But at the same time, he too wanted justice—for Anshika, for the pain that Yuvan had caused.

Ashwin finally looked up, his eyes dark with determination. "There are only two people in this world that Yuvan fears—his parents. They're his Achilles' heel. The only ones who could truly make him vulnerable. And we're going to use them."

Vikram's brow furrowed in confusion. "His parents? What are you planning, Ashwin?"

A dangerous smile tugged at the corners of Ashwin's lips. "We're going to take them. We'll hold them, and Yuvan will come to us. We'll make him think he's lost control. That he's powerless. He craves control over everything and everyone—once he feels that slipping away, he'll break. And when he does, that's when I'll destroy him."

Viyaan's eyes widened. "Kidnap them? You're serious about this."

Ashwin nodded, standing up now, his posture rigid and determined. "But we won't hurt them. They'll be treated as guests in our mansion. Comfortable. Safe. Just... relocated, shall we say."

Vikram exchanged a glance with Viyaan. "That's a dangerous game, Ashwin. Yuvan's a madman—if he thinks we've harmed his parents—"

"We won't harm them," Ashwin interrupted, his voice cold. "We'll take care of them. But we need leverage. Yuvan won't come after me unless he thinks he's about to lose everything. His parents are the key to that. Once we have them, he'll have no choice but to face me."

For a moment, the room was filled with a tense silence as the weight of Ashwin's plan settled over them. It was risky, but it was their best shot. Yuvan was a master manipulator, but Ashwin had learned from the best. This time, it would be Yuvan who played into his trap.

Vikram sighed heavily. "When do we do this?"

"Tomorrow," Ashwin replied, his voice sharp with finality. "The sooner, the better. Yuvan won't expect us to move this quickly. He thinks we're too broken to fight back. He's wrong."

The Next Day

The sun had barely risen when Ashwin, Vikram, and Viyaan set their plan into motion. The streets were quiet, a dull mist hanging in the air as they arrived at Yuvan's parents' residence. It was a secluded estate, guarded, but not well enough for what they had planned. With Vikram's connections and Viyaan's meticulous planning, they knew exactly when to strike.

Within the hour, Yuvan's parents were safely transported to Ashwin's mansion, bewildered and frightened, but unharmed. Ashwin made sure they were treated with the utmost respect—luxurious rooms, meals prepared by personal chefs, every comfort possible.

When Yuvan's parents were first brought into the grand living room of Ashwin's mansion, confusion clouded their faces. His mother, a petite woman with silver hair, looked at Ashwin with pleading eyes. "What is this? Why are we here?"

Ashwin approached them with an air of calm, though his heart thundered in his chest. "I'm sorry for the sudden change in scenery," he began, his voice measured, "but your son has done something... unforgivable. I need you here to make sure he answers for it."

Yuvan's father, a stern man with piercing eyes, stood protectively in front of his wife. "Our son? What could Yuvan possibly have done to warrant this?"

Ashwin's gaze hardened. "He took someone from me. Someone I loved." His voice cracked slightly at the mention of Anshika. "And now, he's going to pay for it."

Before they could respond, Ashwin turned and left the room, leaving them in stunned silence. He could feel their eyes on his back, but there was no time for their protests. His focus was now fully on Yuvan.

By noon, Ashwin had sent word to Yuvan, a simple message delivered directly to him: Your parents are safe. But if you ever want to see them again, come to me. Alone.

Yuvan's reaction was swift and exactly as Ashwin had anticipated. Panic. Desperation. For a man who thrived on control, the sudden realization that he no longer held the strings sent him into a frenzy. Ashwin watched from a distance as Yuvan scrambled, his composure unraveling bit by bit.

"He's coming," Vikram said, walking into Ashwin's study, a grim expression on his face. "He's bringing everything he's got."

Ashwin nodded, his jaw tight. "Good. Let him. This ends today."

The Final Confrontation

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the mansion grounds, Yuvan arrived. Alone, just as Ashwin had demanded. His eyes were wild, his usually smug expression replaced with pure, unadulterated rage.

Ashwin stood waiting in the main hall, flanked by Viyaan and Vikram. Yuvan's footsteps echoed through the house as he entered, his face pale with fury.

"You think you've won," Yuvan spat, his voice shaking with anger. "You think this is over?"

Ashwin stepped forward, his expression cold and unwavering. "It is over, Yuvan. You've taken everything from me. Now, I'm taking everything from you."

Yuvan's eyes flickered, a brief flash of panic crossing his face. "You don't know what you're doing. My parents—"

"They're safe. But you won't be," Ashwin interrupted, his voice low but deadly. "This ends tonight."

And with that, the final war began.

The tension in the room was electric, the air heavy with unspoken threats. Ashwin's heart pounded, but his expression remained cold and focused. Yuvan stood just feet away, his eyes darting between Ashwin and the men beside him. He was outnumbered, and he knew it. But it wasn't the numbers that frightened him—it was the realization that Ashwin had turned the tables. The smug superiority Yuvan once exuded was gone, replaced by barely concealed panic.

"I'll make you regret this," Yuvan hissed through clenched teeth, his hands trembling slightly as he balled them into fists. "You think you can trap me? You don't know who you're dealing with."

Ashwin narrowed his eyes, taking a step closer. His voice was low, calm, but laced with the kind of anger that had been festering for too long. "No, Yuvan. You're the one who doesn't know. You underestimated me. You thought I was weak, blinded by everything you did to Anshika. But I see clearly now. And I'm going to make sure you feel every ounce of the pain you caused."

Vikram, standing to Ashwin's right, spoke up, his voice measured but firm. "You've been manipulating people your entire life, Yuvan. Twisting everything to suit your needs. But this is where it ends."

Yuvan laughed, though it was a hollow, desperate sound. "And what exactly do you think you can do to me, Ashwin? I still have power. You can't touch me. Not in any way that matters."

Ashwin's jaw clenched as he stepped even closer, his eyes burning with intensity. "That's where you're wrong. You don't have any power here. The only reason you're still standing is because I haven't decided how I'm going to ruin you yet."

Yuvan opened his mouth to retort, but before he could say a word, Dadu's voice rang out from behind them. The elderly man had been watching the exchange from a distance, his face etched with grief and anger. "You should be grateful, boy. If it weren't for Ashwin, you wouldn't be leaving this room alive."

Yuvan turned toward Dadu, a sneer forming on his lips. "You old fool. You really think this is going to work? You're all as pathetic as I remember."

But before Yuvan could say anything further, Viyaan stepped forward, his voice steely. "Enough, Yuvan. You've played your games for long enough. This isn't about power or manipulation anymore. This is about justice—for Anshika, for all the people you've hurt. You're not going to get away with this."

Yuvan's sneer faltered for a brief moment, and Ashwin caught the flicker of fear in his eyes. It was small, but it was there. He had him.

Yuvan's sneer twisted into a mask of rage, his fear quickly morphing into something more dangerous. Before Ashwin could react, Yuvan lunged at him, his hand swinging wildly, aiming for Ashwin's throat. Ashwin stepped back just in time, the blow missing him by inches, but Yuvan's intent was clear—this was no longer just about words. This was war.

The room erupted in chaos as Yuvan shoved Ashwin back, slamming him against the wall with all the force he could muster. Ashwin grunted, the impact reverberating through his body, but the pain only fueled the fire that had been burning inside him for weeks. His hands shot out, grabbing Yuvan by the collar, and in a swift motion, he twisted and slammed Yuvan down onto the floor.

"You think you can get away with what you've done?" Ashwin spat, his face inches from Yuvan's. His voice was venomous, filled with the kind of fury that only comes from loss. "This is for Anshika!"

Yuvan responded with a growl, pushing back with all his strength. He managed to roll Ashwin off him, and the two men scrambled to their feet, circling each other like caged animals. Yuvan's face was twisted in hatred, his eyes wild. "Anshika? You really think this is about her? She was just a pawn, Ashwin. A means to an end."

Ashwin's vision blurred with rage. He launched himself at Yuvan, throwing a punch that connected with Yuvan's jaw, the sickening thud of bone against flesh filling the air. Yuvan staggered back, wiping the blood from his split lip, but he came back swinging. His fist collided with Ashwin's side, sending a jolt of pain through his ribs, but Ashwin barely felt it through the haze of fury clouding his mind.

"You destroyed her!" Ashwin roared, grabbing Yuvan by the shoulders and throwing him against the side table, sending it crashing to the ground in splinters. "She's dead because of you!"

Yuvan laughed, a hollow, cruel sound that only enraged Ashwin more. "She's dead because she was weak. Just like you, Ashwin."

The words were like gasoline to a fire. Ashwin threw another punch, and this time, Yuvan was too slow to block it. His head snapped back as Ashwin's fist made contact again, blood spraying from his nose. Yuvan stumbled, barely catching himself before hitting the floor, but Ashwin was on him in an instant, grabbing him by the throat and shoving him into the wall.

Suddenly, Vikram was there, rushing between them, trying to pull Ashwin back. "Ashwin, stop! This isn't the way—"

But Ashwin pushed him aside, his eyes burning with the kind of grief and rage that couldn't be reasoned with. "This is for her, Vikram!" Ashwin's voice was almost unrecognizable, filled with so much raw emotion it sounded like a growl. "I need to end this!"

Vikram hesitated, seeing the fire in Ashwin's eyes, the desperate need for justice—or perhaps revenge—so overwhelming that there was no point in trying to stop it. Ashwin wanted to finish it himself. He wanted Yuvan to feel the pain he had inflicted, to know what it meant to lose everything.

Yuvan, gasping for breath, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and hatred, swung wildly again, this time catching Ashwin in the ribs with an elbow. Ashwin grunted, the air knocked out of him for a moment, but he didn't back down. His hand tightened around Yuvan's throat, squeezing as he pressed him harder against the wall.

"You've taken everything from me!" Ashwin's voice broke, his hand trembling as he held Yuvan there, pinned like a helpless animal. "You took my wife, my peace, my family's trust... and for what? For your sick, twisted game?"

Yuvan's face reddened as he struggled to breathe, but there was still defiance in his eyes. "You... were always... a fool," he choked out, spitting blood. "You didn't even... love her... until it was too late."

Ashwin's grip faltered for a moment, Yuvan's words hitting deeper than any punch could. For a split second, the weight of that truth sank into him—he hadn't loved Anshika the way she had deserved, not until she was gone. But the pain of that realization only made him angrier. He raised his fist again, ready to deliver the final blow.

"Enough!" Viyaan's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. He stepped into the room, his expression hard as steel. "This isn't the way, Ashwin. If you kill him now, you'll lose everything."

Ashwin's fist froze mid-air, his breathing ragged. He looked down at Yuvan, bloodied and gasping for breath, his face swollen and bruised. Ashwin's whole body trembled with the urge to end it, to finish what Yuvan had started and make him pay for every moment of suffering. But Viyaan's words echoed in his head—you'll lose everything.

Slowly, Ashwin lowered his fist, his chest heaving with emotion. He released his grip on Yuvan's throat, letting him slump to the floor. Yuvan coughed violently, sucking in deep breaths as he looked up at Ashwin with a mixture of fear and hatred.

"This isn't over," Yuvan rasped, wiping the blood from his mouth. "You think you've won?"

Ashwin glared down at him, his voice cold. "I've already won. You just don't know it yet."

Ashwin's voice dropped even lower as he spoke, every word precise. "I've already sent everything to the authorities. Your dealings, your betrayals, every crooked thing you've done. It's over. They'll be coming for you soon. But before that happens, I want to watch you fall."

Yuvan's face paled as the realization sank in. "You... you're lying."

"I'm not," Ashwin replied calmly. "Your parents are safe. They'll be returned as soon as this is over. But you? You're going to face the consequences of everything you've done."

Yuvan lunged toward Ashwin, his anger overtaking his rationality, but Viyaan and Vikram grabbed him before he could reach Ashwin. He struggled violently, spitting curses, his face twisted in rage. But no matter how hard he fought, it was clear—he had lost. The man who had always controlled everything was now utterly powerless.

"This isn't over!" Yuvan screamed, his voice cracking. "You'll regret this, Ashwin! I swear it!"

Ashwin stared at him, his face emotionless. "No, Yuvan. The only regret I have is that I didn't stop you sooner."

Yuvan sneered, but before he could say anything else, Vikram and Viyaan grabbed him by the arms, hauling him to his feet. "Get him out of here," Ashwin muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Before I change my mind."

As Yuvan was dragged out of the room, his curses fading into the distance, Ashwin stood alone in the wreckage. His body ached from the fight, but the pain inside him was far worse. His chest felt hollow, and the weight of Anshika's absence was heavier than ever.

Viyaan approached him cautiously. "You did the right thing, Ashwin. Ending him like that wouldn't have brought her back."

Ashwin nodded numbly, but his gaze remained fixed on the ground. "I just... I couldn't stop myself. I wanted him to suffer like I've been suffering."

Vikram stepped up beside Viyaan, his expression softening. "He'll get what's coming to him. One way or another. But we need to do it the right way."

Ashwin finally looked up at them, his eyes filled with exhaustion and regret. "And what is the right way? I don't even know anymore."

Viyaan placed a hand on Ashwin's shoulder. "We bring him down, piece by piece. We use the truth. His lies, his manipulations—they're all catching up to him. And when they do, he'll have nothing left."

Ashwin nodded, though the weight of everything still pressed down on him. The war wasn't over yet, but Yuvan's defeat had already begun. And this time, Ashwin wouldn't stop until Yuvan was completely destroyed—just like he had done to Anshika.

This was the final stage.

Ashwin stood alone in the center of the room, his hands clenched at his sides. The victory, though complete, felt hollow. Yuvan was gone, his reign of terror finally over, but the hole in Ashwin's heart remained. Anshika was still gone. Nothing could change that.

Viyaan returned to the room, wiping his hands on his jeans as if to rid himself of Yuvan's presence. "It's done," he said quietly, stepping up beside Ashwin. "He won't be hurting anyone else. We held him in high security prision"

Ashwin nodded but didn't respond. His mind was far away, consumed by thoughts of everything that had been lost.

Viyaan placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, his voice gentle. "Ashwin... you did what you had to do. For her. For everyone."

Ashwin swallowed hard, the weight of everything settling over him like a suffocating blanket. "It doesn't bring her back, Viyaan. It doesn't change what happened."

Viyaan sighed, his face softening. "No, it doesn't. But it means she didn't die for nothing. And it means Yuvan can't hurt anyone else."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The mansion felt quiet, almost too quiet after the chaos of the past few weeks. Ashwin's chest tightened with the finality of it all—the end of Yuvan's reign, the end of his quest for revenge. And yet, a part of him felt emptier than ever.

"I don't know what happens next," Ashwin whispered, his voice barely audible. "I don't know how to move on from this."

Viyaan looked at him, his gaze steady. "One step at a time, Ashwin. One step at a time."