2900+ Words

Har ek pal mein aapki yaad hai,
har ek saans mein aapki pyaas hai, 
aap bin zindagi viran hai, 
bas aap hi humari zindagi ki jaan hai.

Vikram's pov: 

After I cut the call, I turned to look at the man standing next to me. It was none other than Ashwin's Dadu. He was a proud man, but now he was broken, his shoulders slumped and his eyes cast downward. He couldn't bear to look at his daughter-in-law, Anshika, lying helpless on the floor, trying to protect him from my men.

"Why are you doing this?" he muttered, his voice barely audible.

I sneered. "Because your grandson needs to understand what it feels like to lose everything. He took everything from me, and now it's time for him to pay."

Anshika had tried to help Dadu, her courage admirable but foolish. My men had been rough, grabbing Dadu by the collar, their hands too close for comfort. Anshika had intervened, her eyes blazing with anger and fear. But I had put an end to her defiance quickly.

I had snatched her by the hair, her screams echoing in the cold, empty warehouse. The sound had been satisfying, a reminder of my control over her fate. I dragged her across the floor, her hands clawing at mine in a futile attempt to break free. With a swift motion, I threw her against the glass wall. The impact was brutal, the glass shattering around her as she crumpled to the floor, dazed and bleeding.

Dadu flinched at the sound, his hands trembling. "Please," he begged, "she's just a girl."

I walked over to him, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look at me. "She's more than just a girl," I hissed. "She's the key to breaking Ashwin."

I let go of him, turning my attention back to Anshika. She was trying to sit up, her body weak from the abuse. I crouched down beside her, lifting her chin so she had no choice but to meet my gaze.

"You see, Anshika," I said, my voice soft but menacing, "you're a pawn in a game much larger than you understand. But don't worry, your suffering won't be in vain. It will bring your beloved Ashwin to his knees."

She spat at me, defiance still burning in her eyes despite everything. I wiped the spit off my face, my expression darkening. "You still have fight left in you. Good. It will make breaking you all the more satisfying."

I stood up, signaling to my men. "Take her to the back room. Make sure she's comfortable. We wouldn't want her to miss the grand finale."

"Comfortable? you just almost killed my daughter-" Dadu said with disbelief. "And I-I couldn't do anything" He added.

They moved quickly, dragging her away. Dadu tried to move towards her, but one of my men held him back.

"Let him go," I ordered. "He can stay here and think about how all of this could have been avoided if only Ashwin hadn't been so stubborn."

As they took Anshika away, I walked over to a nearby table, pouring myself a glass of whiskey. I needed a moment to savor this victory, to relish the feeling of control. Ashwin had always been a thorn in my side, always coming out on top. But now, the tables had turned. He was the one scrambling, desperate, and afraid.

I took a sip of the whiskey, the burn a reminder of the fire that drove me. This was just the beginning. Ashwin thought he could beat me, but he had no idea what I was capable of. I would destroy everything he held dear, piece by piece, until there was nothing left but his broken spirit.

The warehouse was silent except for the occasional sobs from Dadu and the distant sounds of Anshika's struggles. I looked around, satisfied. This place, with its cold, concrete walls and dim lighting, was the perfect setting for the next phase of my plan. It was here that Ashwin's world would come crashing down.

I picked up my phone, dialing a number I knew by heart. "It's time," I said when the person on the other end answered. "Make sure everything is in place. I want no mistakes."

I hung up, my mind already racing ahead. Ashwin would come for Anshika, I knew that. But he wouldn't find her easily. He would have to navigate through a labyrinth of traps and dangers, each one designed to break him a little more.

This game was far from over. In fact, it was just getting started. And when it ended, Ashwin would finally understand what it meant to lose.

After I had savored my victory for a few moments, Ryana, my secretary, approached me with a curious look in her eyes. She had been loyal to me, following my every command without question, but the uncertainty of my motives seemed to be gnawing at her.

"Why are you doing this, Vikram?" she asked, her voice soft yet insistent. "You never told me the real reason for this war."

I took another sip of whiskey, the liquid fire burning down my throat. A smirk curled my lips as I beckoned her closer. "Come here, love," I said, patting my lap.

She hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and sitting on my lap. I could feel the warmth of her body against mine, her proximity stirring something primal within me. I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and kissed her roughly, my hand roaming to her buttocks and squeezing firmly. She gasped against my lips, her hands beginning to fumble with my shirt buttons, eager to undress me.

I grabbed her wrists, stopping her. "You want to know why I started all this?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.

She nodded, her breath coming in short, excited gasps. "Yes," she whispered, leaning in to kiss me again, her lips soft and hungry.

I pulled back slightly, studying her face. She was beautiful, loyal, and curious. I had always kept her in the dark, but perhaps it was time to share a piece of my twisted game with her. I ran my thumb along her lower lip, my gaze intense.

"Ashwin and I, we have a history," I began, my voice cold and calculated. "He took everything from me. My business, my reputation, my life. He thought he could crush me and walk away unscathed. But he was wrong."

Ryana's eyes widened, her interest piqued. "What did he do?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I chuckled darkly. "He betrayed me. He framed me for crimes I didn't commit, ruining my empire and leaving me to rot while he prospered. He tore my life apart, piece by piece, and now it's my turn to return the favor."

I tightened my grip on her waist, my fingers digging into her flesh. "Anshika is just the beginning. By taking her, I'm hitting him where it hurts the most. His heart. He thinks he can protect everyone he loves, but he's wrong. I'll make him watch as I dismantle his world, until there's nothing left but ashes."

Memories came in my brain! THE DARK AND UNWANTED MEMORIES.

# Flash Back!

6 Years Before

"Vikrammmmmmmmm..." A voice echoed down the hallway, and I instantly recognized it. Ashwin, my best friend, came sprinting towards me with his usual boundless energy. We were the shining stars of our college, the faces everyone recognized. Many wanted to befriend us, some wanted to be more than friends, but none of that mattered to us. We were enough for each other.

"Damn—we're both late!" Ashwin exclaimed, breathless as he skidded to a stop beside me. Being late was rare for us.

"I agree. Let's run!" I replied, matching his urgency.

He grabbed my hand, and we took off at full speed. Despite our wealthy backgrounds, we never wanted to flaunt our status. We lived as normally as we could, keeping our private lives hidden from everyone except the head of the college, a sweet old man who always trusted us.

As we sprinted through the campus, whispers and comments followed us like a trail:

"Damn, they look sexy when they are both together and sweating."
 "They are hot."
 "I wish I had one of them."
 "Be my boyfriend."

We ignored the chatter, as we always did, and focused on reaching our class. The college was our sanctuary, a place where we could be ourselves without the burdens of our family names. We burst into the classroom just as the bell rang, sliding into our seats with practiced ease.

Six Years Later...

I stared at the empty whiskey glass in my hand, the memories swirling around in my mind like dark clouds. The camaraderie, the laughter, the sense of belonging—it all felt like another lifetime. How had things changed so drastically?

# Flashback! continues

During our college days, Ashwin and I were inseparable. We were known for our pranks, our academic excellence, and our undeniable charisma. There wasn't a single person who didn't know our names or envy our friendship. We studied together, partied together, and confided in each other about everything.

One day, as we sat in an empty classroom, Ashwin walked in with his usual grin. "Vikram, what are you doing here all alone?" he asked, patting my shoulder.

I smiled, trying to mask my thoughts. "Uh, nothing. Just... nevermind," I mumbled, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

Ashwin's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Wait a second—someone's blushing! What's going on, Vikram?" he teased.

"N-No, why would I be blushing?" I stammered, trying to deflect his questions.

Ashwin leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "Who's she?" he asked, his tone straightforward.

I sighed, knowing I couldn't hide anything from him. "Her..." I pointed across the room at a girl with long, flowing hair and a radiant smile.

"Ah, Tanaya Mishra," Ashwin said, nodding in approval. "Good choice, my friend. She's beautiful."

"Yeah, she is. But I don't know if she'd ever notice me," I admitted, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Ashwin laughed, clapping me on the back. "Don't be ridiculous, Vikram. Of course she will. You're smart, funny, and, let's face it, pretty good-looking. Just go talk to her."

With his encouragement, I found the nerve to approach Tanaya. I walked up to her, my heart pounding in my chest. "Hi, Tanaya," I said, my voice shaking slightly.

She looked up at me, her eyes warm and inviting. "Hi, Vikram. What's up?"

"I... uh... I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me sometime," I stammered, my face burning with embarrassment.

To my surprise, she smiled. "I'd love to, Vikram. You're sweet."

We started talking, discovering that we had a lot in common. We both loved reading, enjoyed hiking, and shared a passion for music. Our conversations flowed easily, and I felt a deep connection growing between us.

One day, when our college days were nearing their end, we had a grand farewell party. It was our batch's last day, and everyone was in high spirits, celebrating and reminiscing about the good times. The music was loud, the drinks were flowing, and laughter filled the air. But something felt off.

I noticed that Ashwin and Tanaya were missing. Concerned, I began searching for them, checking every room and corner. As I passed by a dimly lit room, I saw them. Tanaya was hugging Ashwin, and his hands were on her chest. The sight made my blood boil.

I entered the room, my anger barely contained. Tanaya immediately stepped back and ran towards me, tears streaming down her face. "Ashwin was taking advantage of me, Vikram," she cried, clinging to me.

Ashwin tried to explain, his voice desperate. "Vikram, she is lying—"

I didn't let him finish. I slapped him hard, the sound echoing in the room. I grabbed Tanaya's hand and pulled her away from the party, ignoring the curious stares of our classmates. Everyone watched as I stormed out, taking Tanaya with me.

I didn't stop until we were far from the party. I looked at her, my heart aching. "Tanaya, are you okay?"

She nodded, still shaken. "Thank you, Vikram. I was so scared."

I held her close, my mind racing. The betrayal cut deep. Ashwin, my best friend, had crossed a line. From that moment, everything changed. The bond we had was shattered, and the path to vengeance was set.

Days later...

The farewell party incident had created a rift in our social circle. Rumors spread like wildfire, and people took sides. Most of them supported Ashwin, convinced that it was a misunderstanding. Maybe because he was rich and handsome enough that no one can ever think that a guy with such a face can do this!

One day, I found Ashwin waiting for me outside my mansion's gate. His face was a mixture of anger and desperation. "Vikram, we need to talk," he said, his voice strained.

I glared at him, my fists clenched at my sides. "There's nothing to talk about, Ashwin. You betrayed me. You betrayed Tanaya."

"She's lying, Vikram," he pleaded. "I would never do that to you. You have to believe me."

I shook my head, my resolve hardening. "I saw it with my own eyes, Ashwin. I don't need your excuses."

"Please-"

I left Ashwin standing there, his pleas fading into the background as I walked away, leaving him all by himself. The bond we had was irrevocably shattered, and I was too hurt and angry to listen to his excuses.

 That Day

Later that evening, as I tried to process everything that had happened, my phone rang. It was a call from Tanaya's number. Relief washed over me; maybe she wanted to explain, to reassure me. But when I answered, it wasn't her voice on the other end.

"Hello, sir. I am a police officer. A lady whose phone this is was found dead. Your number was the last missed call. Can you please come and identify her?"

At first, I thought it was a cruel prank, but something in the officer's tone told me it wasn't. My heart sank. The girl I loved the most, the one who had distanced herself after the incident with Ashwin, was gone.

I rushed to the police station, praying it was all a mistake. But it wasn't. Tanaya lay there, lifeless, a victim of a senseless crime. I knew who the culprit was. I knew it had to be Ashwin. But why? Why would he end up a criminal?

As I stood there in shock, my phone rang again. It was Uncle Bhatra. "Vikram, come to City Hospital," he said urgently.

"What happened, Uncle?" I asked, dread filling my voice.

"Beta, come fast."

I drove straight from the police station to the hospital, my mind racing with fear and confusion. When I arrived, I saw Uncle Bhatra standing outside the emergency room, his face pale and drawn.

"Uncle, what's going on?" I demanded.

"Beta, your mom and dad were in an accident," he said, his voice heavy with sorrow.

I felt like my whole world was collapsing. "How?" I inquired, my voice trembling.

"A truck hit their car," he replied.

I ran to the doctor, desperate for news. "How are my parents?" I asked, my heart pounding.

The doctor looked at me with pity. "We are sorry. We did everything we could."

I lost three people I loved the most that day. Tanaya, my parents—my whole world was torn apart. In my grief, I asked Uncle Bhatra who my parents had met before the accident. The answer was a name I knew all too well: "Singhania's family."

# Flashback ends

Present Day

I snapped back to the present, my grip tightening on Ryana's waist. She looked at me, her eyes wide with curiosity and concern. "That day, I lost everything," I said, my voice a low growl. "Tanaya was murdered, and my parents were killed. And I knew who was responsible. Ashwin and his family. They took everything from me. And became number 1 in business"

Ryana shivered, both from my touch and the dark intensity of my words. "And you're doing all this to make him suffer?"

I nodded, my eyes burning with a vengeful fire. "Yes. He needs to understand the pain of loss, the agony of watching everything you care about being torn away. And once he does, I'll finish him off, just like he tried to do to me."

She leaned in, pressing her lips to mine in a desperate, passionate kiss. I could feel her trembling, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through her. She was caught in my web, just like everyone else, a pawn in this grand game of vengeance.

"You're a part of this now," I murmured against her lips. "Stay by my side, and you'll see just how far I'm willing to go to bring Ashwin to his knees."

Ryana nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of devotion and anticipation. "I'll be with you, Vikram. Always."

I smiled, a dark satisfaction settling in my chest. With her loyalty secured, I had one more piece to play in this twisted game. And with each passing moment, Ashwin's world grew closer to crumbling.

"Good," I said, my voice a mere whisper. "Now, let's make sure our plans go perfectly. There can be no room for error."

I stood up from my chair, looking out over the cityscape through the large window of my office. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow across the buildings. The shadows grew longer, mirroring the darkness that had settled in my heart over the years. Ashwin's dadu was sitting quietly, his eyes downcast, filled with regret and sorrow. Anshika, now conscious, was trying to make sense of the situation, fear and confusion written across her face.

"But you never met him again?" Ryana said while laying on the chair.

"I did... On that day itself"

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And with this we complete our Chapter 40 with some twists and flashbacks.
Hope you liked it! not goin to lie but this is one of my favourite chapter.
Give love and support.
Yours 
Ashi~