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“You share this criminal blood, too. What about that?” Raghav taunts, attempting to come near and resume the fight.
Infuriated, I try to break free, but Dad holds me back.
“Stop it, Ayaan,” Dad shouts. “Don’t you dare hit him again. He’s bleeding.”
“I don’t mind making him bleed to death. Just move away,” I shout.
“Ayaan, you’ve lost your mind,” he continues to hold me back. “Enough is enough. You will stay away from him,” he warns me before turning to Raghav, whose nose is bleeding profusely, but he seems unconcerned.
“Bhaskar, bring the first aid,” Dad calls out to uncle, who hurries towards our car to retrieve the kit.
I’m taken aback. How could Dad consider tending to Raghav’s wounds? While I simmer with anger, Dad takes Raghav’s hand in his, surprising both Raghav and me.
“You have bruises all over your arm. You need medical attention before these wounds worsen.”
I clench my fists, struggling to understand Dad’s concern for our enemy. Yet, this is what makes him an exceptionally compassionate man. He wouldn’t hesitate to save his enemy’s life if the situation demanded.
Raghav pulls his arm away from Dad, giving him a stern yet bewildered look. It’s as if he, too, is grappling with conflicting emotions over the concern etched on Dad’s face for him. The man against whom his father seeks revenge is the same man who is concerned about his bruises and injuries. Giving me a steely glance, Raghav strides to his car. I try to pull him back, but Dad grips my arm.
“Let him go, Ayaan,” Dad insists.
“Dad, how could you let him go?” I retort. “He was here to harm all of you.”
“No, he wasn’t. And we are fine, aren’t we?” he asks. “Nothing went wrong in today’s campaign except you two fighting like mad dogs and trying to kill each other.”
I clench my jaw, unable to utter a word and watch Raghav get inside his car and drive away.
“Raghav is only threatening you, Ayaan. He wasn’t here to harm us. If he wanted to, he wouldn’t have waited until now. If he could orchestrate a blast in our homes by sitting miles away, he wouldn’t need to be personally here at this campaign to harm us. He could do that by sending his men. They are playing mind games. Either they want to provoke your reactions, or they are attempting to divert you from something significant. If you want to win over them, you have to do it the right way—through lawful means, not like this, through a physical fight.”
I fall silent, realising that Dad has a valid point. Raghav is provoking me to distract me, precisely what my instincts had been suggesting, but I ignored them, driven by the fear of safeguarding everyone I love. Raghav is attempting to threaten me by involving my family. He knows that’s the only way to divert my focus from the main goal – finding evidence against their crimes. Quickly, I pull out my phone to check on Meher’s safety. Three missed calls from Krish already, so I call him back.
“How’s Meher?” I ask.
“Meher is safe. We are heading back home,” he assures me.
I exhale in relief.
“She is with me and Trisha. Don’t worry,” he adds. “What about you? Did you find him?”
“I found him, physically fought with him, and then let him go! But that’s not something we should be concerned about anymore.”
“What?” he asks in confusion as I guide Dad and Bhaskar Uncle, who returns with the first aid kit, back toward my car.
“We are coming back home. Dad and Bhaskar Uncle are with me in my car. Can you call Dad’s driver and tell him to come home directly? Also, inform Vishnu and Aksh that we need to meet tomorrow at Shergill Mansion. It’s time we plan how to take down our enemies.”
I disconnect the call from Krish as we reach my car. Dad instructs me to sit in the backseat with him so that he can tend to my wounds, and Bhaskar uncle takes the driver’s seat. I comply without argument. Dad starts cleaning the bruises on my arms with antiseptic, and in disbelief, I speak up.
“I can’t believe you tried to tend to Raghav’s wounds too.”
He sighs and meets my gaze.
“He is your brother, Ayaan. I know he is on the wrong side, but I wish that wasn’t the case. That day when I saved you from the fire, had I saved Raghav too, I would have raised you two together. You would have bonded like real brothers, not fought like enemies, thirsty for each other’s blood, as you demonstrated today.”
I swallow painfully as I look outside the car window. The words weigh heavy on my chest, and the bitter reality sinks in. Although bound by blood, the circumstances never allowed for the development of a true brotherhood between Raghav and me. The past has already been written, and no amount of wishing or regret can change that.
PRATAP WALIA
Vishnu ushers me towards the waiting car, a sense of urgency evident in his movements. Aksh and the other guards have already been sent home, and I’m left wondering about the sudden change in plans. Something feels off. Vishnu is taking extra precautions, checking the car for potential threats before letting me in.
