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Moving on...

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 23 - The Game Changer

"Let go! Let go of me!" Ragini tried to pull her hand from his tight grasp.

Tears were brimming in her eyes. However, they were more from anger rather than pain. Ragini couldn't believe her misfortune. She was so close to freedom.

She was so close...so damn close to getting out of there. To be rescued by Laksh.

But at the end moment, Nikhil managed to cover her mouth and drag her away from there before she could alert Laksh. Once Nikhil was sure they were far enough, he warned her with the gun not to scream and started pulling her towards his residence in the middle of the forest.

Ragini glared at the back of his head as he kept marching on with her in his grasp.

"Quit glaring. My head isn't going to blow up just because you're staring that hard."

Ragini glared harder. "But I could always dream, can't I?"

Nikhil snorted. "Don't you even dare speak about dreams. It's your fault I've been getting the same dream over and over. They won't even leave me during my day's naps!"

"What dreams?"

Nikhil rolled his eyes. "Forget it."

"I will if you decide to let me go!" Ragini shouted. "I'll leave you alone if you just let me go home!"

Nikhil tightened his grip and started pulling her more forcefully. "I already told you. I'm sorry, but I must do this."

"Or you could go and tell Mishka the truth!"

"We already talked about this."

"Bu-"

"Sorry I am. Leave you, I can't."

Ragini stopped arguing with him, knowing it was fruitless. Instead, she went back to glaring at him.

#With Laksh#

Laksh turned to the sky and closed his eyes, letting the breeze sweep his hair. 'Ragini, where are you? I...I feel like you're so close. But you're not. Where are you? How are you? Are you okay? Nikhil hasn't done anything to you, has he?'

Laksh was broken out of his thoughts by his phone vibrating in his pocket. He tried to ignore it the first time. However, it became unbearable after the fifth time. "Hello?"

(Laksh? Oh thank goodness you're okay. You...you're okay, right?)

Laksh sighed. "Yes Maa, I'm fine."

(I'm glad. Where are you by the way? You left without a word...)

"I just wanted to spend some time alone. That's all."

(Oh...okay.)

"Don't worry Maa. I won't do anything wreck less. I'll be home soon."

(I know you won't Laksh. It's just that a mother's heart worries about their children all the time. And with what's happening with you I ju-)

"I'm okay." Laksh interrupted her. "I'll come home Maa. I promise I'll leave for home soon." saying so, he cut the call without waiting for a reply and shut his eyes in frustration.

Why did everyone assume that he was that much of a mess to do something to harm himself. He wouldn't! He still had hope that Ragini would come back to him safe and sound. She isn't hurt! She's okay! She has to be!

With great effort, he managed to bring himself to the car door and hold the handle to open it.

Suddenly, there was a rustle from nearby.

He thought of ignoring it, but it only grew louder and louder.

It kept growing louder until Laksh could spot it amidst the bushed nearby. It was as if something big was there.

He left the car handle and looked at the spot curiously. With slow and silent steps, he walked closer.

Laksh kept walking closer and closer until he was only a few steps away. "Wh-who's there?! I sai-aa!"

#Nikhil's Residence#

"I'm locking you in the room from now on. You ain't going anywhere outside."

"You can't do that to me!"

"I'm so-"

"Stop saying sorry when you are continuing doing the wrong thing!" Ragini shouted, completely pissed off.

"Sorry."

"Shut up! Yo-" Ragini stopped speaking when she saw a figure standing in front of Nikhil's doorstep. "Who's that?"

Nikhil turned to look her direction and stopped. "I don't remember having guests over." he narrowed his eyes at the figure and reached back to grab his gun.

With caution, Nikhil started walking towards the woman standing there, Ragini still in his grasp. "How did you get here?!"

The woman turned to look at him. Only her eyes were visible as she was wearing a veil. However, the way she was looking at them made them aware that she was indeed smirking, despite it being hidden.

"I'm here to have a chat with her!"

"Eh? Do I know you Miss? I really don't know you."

"Yes you do. Intact, you're the main cause of my misery you good for nothing imbecile!"

Ragini was shocked by her words. She didn't remember making any enemies in the past. Then who was this woman? "I think you're mistaking me for someone else Miss."

The woman scoffed and walked closer. She grabbed her free wrist and glared at Nikhil. "Let her go. She's coming with me. I have to share a few words with her." saying so, she pulled Ragini inside the room, closing the door behind her.

The gears in Nikhil's head were working at the familiarity of the tone of the voice. Finally, it clicked. 'Ah! So it's the bictchy queen herself who graced us with her presence. But why would she take the risk of exposing herself to Ragini? It's either because she's too sure, or too desperate.' narrowing his eyes, Nikhil walked towards he window and peeped from the tiny hole in the wall. 'This should be interesting.'

#With Laksh#

"Kid, you scared me to death!"

The said child looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I-I'm sorry Mister. Please don't hurt me!"

Hearing the words, Laksh's gaze softened. "I won't. You can relax. Why would you think I would hurt you?"

She silently pointed at her own cheek. "There's blood on your cheek. Do you get into fights often?"

Only then did Laksh notice the blood and quickly wiped it away. 'It must have been from one of the broken shards of the bottle.' Laksh shook his head. "It was a little accident. But what is a little kid like you doing here in the middle of this dense forest?"

She looked down, as if weighting her options about revealing the truth. Finally, she seemed to have made up her mind. "I live nearby with my Papa. But...but I got too far while playing hide and seek."

"I see. So you got lost?"

"No. I remember the way. It's just..."

"Just?"

She shifted from one leg to another. "I ran away this way because there was a big spider where I was hiding. And now I'm afraid there might be more."

Laksh, despite everything going on in his life, couldn't help but smile at the child's innocence. "So you're afraid to go back alone I see."

"Yes."

Laksh chuckled and extended his hand forward. "Okay then. I'll take you home. You lead the way. I'm Laksh by the way."

She smiled a toothy grin at him and grabbed his hand. "I'm Mishka! Nice to meet you!"

"Same here. So, which direction?"

"First we go left."

#With Ragini#

Ragini stared at the woman in confusion. She seemed like a ticking bomb waiting to blow. "Miss, whoever you are, I don't even know you!"

"Huh! It's so like you Ragini! Stealing everything and acting like you did nothing!"

"How do you know my name?!"

The woman rolled her eyes and reached towards her face to remove the cloth covering her face.

At once, a gasp escaped Ragini when she saw who it was. "Oh my! But...but what's the meaning of this?!" Ragini walked closer and hugged her. "Swara! I'm so glad you're alright. But you must leave please. Nikhil might have kidnapped me to trap you. Please leave! You shouldn't be here."

Outside, Nikhil 'tsked' in pity. 'Still thinking about her safety, eh Ragini? I wonder what would happen when you know the truth.'

Swara didn't hug her back. Instead she pushed her away with a glare. "Shut up! Don't act like you care after you took everything from me!"

"What are you saying I..." Ragini shook her head. "Forget this. We need to get you away from here first. Let's escape!"

"Why would I want to do that when I'm the one who got you here?!"

Ragini froze on her statement. "Wh-what?"

Swara sneered. "I planned your kidnap so you would stay away from Laksh, my family and my rights!"

Ragini glared back. "Swara, I know you like to joke. But this isn't funny. Let's go!" she tried to grab Swara's hand.

However, Swara snatched it away. "Oh, I ain't joking. It is me who asked Nikhil to kidnap you. I planned this!"

Ragini took a step back unconsciously. It was as if Swara's words had physical power to move her back. The blow was so harsh. "What are you saying Swara? Please tell me this is a joke."

"This isn't a joke. A joke is when you and Lash decided to patch up! A joke is what you two made of me when you made him fall for you! A joke is when everyone listened your confession about your and Laksh's lies and forgave you! And me? I should have been the person who got the guy, the family's attention and love!"

"You do. We all love you! You're my sister Swara!"

"Everyone loves me after you! It's always Ragini and then Swara! Why?! Why did you have to become like this?! Why did you have to change and act all bold and haughty?! You stole Laksh from me!"

"I didn't Swara! Believe me! You know I tried to make you realize him love. You know I did!" Ragini was close to tears. She couldn't believe her sister would do this to her. Kidnap her and accuse her of things she never meant to do.

"No you didn't! It was all a lie!" Swara shouted. "You always wanted him for yourself and finally you managed to manipulate him into believing he loves you and not me, didn't you?! Didn't you you bitch?!"

Ragini sucked in a deep breath at what her sister just called her. Tears were glowing freely from her eyes. "Swara I...I would never ev-"

"Oh shut up your drama! It's you who made me a shadow in everyone's eyes. It's. All. Your. Fault!"

Outside, Nikhil listened to the sisters argue and finally understood the purpose behind Swara's demand to kidnap Ragini. 'So the man she loves, loves Ragini. And it would seem Ragini indeed loves him back, but was giving him up so that he could be with Swara.'

Suddenly, he was distracted from his thoughts by a tug at his jacket. He turned to look at the intruder with a glare. However, it turned into surprise when he saw who it was. "Mishka? What are you doing here? I thought you were sleeping inside after Mina fed you."

Mishka shook her head. "No. I got lost in the forest. I know you told me not to go far and return. But I wanted to play more. So I asked Mina to tell you I went to sleep after we played. Sorry Papa. I know you're angry." Mishka said all in one breath, looking down.

Nikhil glared at the child. But after a moment, sighed and pulled her into a hug. "Alright, I'll forgive you this time. But don't scare me like this again! Or no more chocolates for you!"

Mishka shook her head with her eyes wide with fear. "I won't!"

Nikhil smiled and pinched her cheeks. "So fond of chocolates, aren't ya little bird? So, who got you back? One of the guards I bet."

"No. It was a good man. He brought me here!" she smiled excitedly. "Come on! He's waiting near the gate."

"Alright! Let's go meet this knight who saved my little girl." he jigged lightly behind her as she ran towards the gate. Reaching near, he walked closer to the man who had his back turned to him. "Hey mister. I can't thank you enough for bringing my life back to me."

"It's okay." the man uttered, slowly turning back with a smile to face him. "It wa-" his words froze on his tongue when he saw Nikhil's face.

Nikhil too could feel his blood turn cold when he saw Laksh's face. 'Well, fan-freaking-shitty-tastic!'

Mishka looked from one man to another. "Papa, this is Laksh. Laksh, this is my Papa, Nikhil."

Her words were the ones that broke Laksh out of his shock and made his face twist into one of fury. "YOU BASTARD!"

"Hello to you too?" Nikhil uttered nervously, taking a few steps back.

"Why you!" Laksh rrached forward to grab him, but he missed.

Nikhil took the chance to run away with Laksh shouting profanities and rushing behind him.

Mishka blinked as she watched them chase each other around the property. The guards that were there too were doing the same. They didn't know if Laksh was a friend or for since he helps Mishka and Nikhil didn't tell them to shoot him either.

"They must be long late friends and are playing chase now." Mishka reasoned in her childish mind. Nevertheless, she shrugged and walked towards her home. 'I hope there's ice-cream in the fridge. I want to share some with Laksh and Papa. Ragini too!'

#With Ragini#

"Please Swara. Believe me!"

"I don't believe in back stabbers. I don't want your pity either! I want you to suffer as I get back Laksh to like me back. We'll marry and you'll watch from here live in TV!"

"I'll be the happiest if you get Laksh, your love, Swara. Please, don't do this. What would Maa think if she finds out you kidnapped me?"

"You'll complain to her! I knew it!"

"No! I'm willing to forgive you Swa-"

"GET BACK HERE YOU RASCAL!" came a voice from outside. "YOU SCAM! STOP RIGHT THERE!"

"DO I LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT TO STOP?! YOU'LL CATCH ME!"

"THATS THE IDEA DUMBO!"

"YOU'RE THE DUMBHEAD!"

Both Ragini and Swara paused as they heard voices outside. One they recognized as Nikhil's. The other was one they recognized but didn't think was possible for him to be there.

"GET BACK I SAID!" shouted the first voice as he finally came into view of the girls through the window.

To say they were shocked would be an understatement.

"Laksh?!" they exclaimed in shock and surprise.

'Shit! I can't let him see me here. If he does, then there's no way I can escape the truth that I planned Ragini's kidnap. I must leave!' Swara at once, put back her disguise and ran towards the door.

By the time Ragini broke out of her shock an saw Swara's action, her sister had already walked out and locked the door behind her, trapping Ragini inside.

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To be continued...

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🌹 ~ Mona 🌹