[WARNING: The following chapter contains domestic violence, however in a purely negative light. Reader caution advised.]

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Gentle rain thumped on the window sill, dotting the glass panes with drops and squiggles. Leaning on a cane chair on the balcony, Sakshi sipped on a cup of tea from her smiley mug. Her room was still messed up. Her skull throbbed in pain from a splitting migraine. Lajo brought her a special cup of adrak chai to help 'clear her head'. Inhaling the aroma of freshly crushed ginger and tea refreshed her senses. Barfoo was huddled up in his bamboo basket in a corner.

Diminished voices from right below her room echoed in the downpour. Putting her cup aside, she paced lightly to the balcony and listened in.

"I can't believe that stray dog was leaking information about our party!" Ranveer said.

"Shoot him twice or thrice and make sure he's dead." Her skin crawled hearing the muffled words. The voice sounded very familiar, but she couldn't gauge who it belonged to.

"Bullets are costly these days, why should we waste three on him? He's not even worth one," Ranveer replied.

"That is a fact," The man said. It struck her that the owner of the voice was none other than Udayveer Rana.

"I can even finish him off with my hands, Baba."

"Why risk leaving your fingerprints? Murder should be done as smooth as silk with no traces. That's why I'm handing this to you."

"You can trust me. Only thing is, I am concerned how finishing a powerful man like Jeetu will impact our party."

Sakshi gasped as horror-struck her features.

"We will blame the Ambar Sansar Party. People will feel sympathy support our party even more. Long live Sunehra Jeevan Dal!"

"Long live! You are such a fine statesman, Baba."

"You'll be one too when you're my age. When will do it?"

"Tonight."

"Fantastic! You're proving that the Rana blood is running in your veins. Your Kushwant Uncle will be proud of you."

"It's my pleasure to protect our honour, Baba. Those who go against our honour don't deserve to live."

Sakshi clung to the railing to stop herself from collapsing. Pressing her hand over her mouth, she let a strangled groan burn through her throat.

Ranveer emerged from the backyard clutching a black umbrella and flung a rifle into his jeep-the same one gifted by Kushwant, for which the police raided their home in the morning. His face glinted like wildfire.

"Bhaiyya!" She called out to him.

Squinting his eyes, he looked up.

"I saw what you took! Why?" She chose her words discreetly, as the servants and guards were present in the mansion.

"I- I need to get it repaired, Saash."

"Please don't do it!" she said.

Without a word, he hurried into his jeep and took off. A wave of raw fear swept her like a tornado. Footsteps closed her room.

"Sakshi!"

She flinched and turned around. "Babaji."

"Have you gone mad?! How dare you shout from the balcony!" His screams made Barfoo jump up and mew in fear.

"I merely spoke to Bhaiyya."

"Stop playing the fool just because I'm nice to you."

"I was careful not to mention any details."

"Shut your mouth! Don't think I forgot about your misbehaviour."

She pursed her lips. "Misbehaviour?"

He pulled out Ayush's note from his pocket. "I sent my men to the post office. They said some young man sent this to you. Who is he?"

"So that you can treat him like Jeetu?" she said.

"Jeetu? I don't know what you're talking about."

Sakshi trudged closer to him, hands sweaty, heart pounding like a caged bird against its bars. She looked straight into his beast-like eyes.

"I heard everything you and Bhaiyya spoke. I beg you . . . please don't kill Jeetu!"

In the blink of an eye, Udayveer's stony hand choked her. It took a moment for her to realise what was happening. Snapping out of disbelief, she struggled to pry his hands away. She squirmed, eyes watering, breathless. Bursting with rage. he let her go with a jolt.

She collapsed on her bed, coughing and gasping in agony. Her skin stung and burned, salty tears streamed down her face.

"Look what you made me do!" His face was a blend of rage and guilt. He had never raised his hand on her before. "Don't come in my way, Sakshi. Don't force me to hurt you."

He strode out without a second glance.

Not a single tear slipped her eye. Her soul was a petrified mess- broken and disgusted with her family. Her ribs expanded beyond their capacity as she panted and drew severe breaths. Her quivering fingers caressed her neck.

With blurred vision, she stared at the ceiling and covered the blanket over her head. Later, Lajo entered the room to collect the empty teacup.

"How is your headache now, Beti?"

She didn't respond.

Lajo leaned close and patted her. "Beti? Beti, what happened?"

Sakshi's voice cracked. "He hurt me."

"Who?!"

"Babaji."

"Don't talk about your father like that. I know he might speak rudely, but he loves-"

Lajo's choked on her words as Sakshi took off the blanket.

"My child! What happened to you?" She shrieked seeing the ugly welts on Sakshi's neck. "Has Rana Sahab gone mad?!"

"Ssh, Aunty. He might hear you."

"Why did he do such a foolish thing?"

"I questioned his violent ways."

"That doesn't give him the right to behave like a monster! My poor child."

Lajo hugged Sakshi and stroked her hair. In the warmth of the woman's arms, her pent up tears exploded like a dam. She laid her head on her chest and whimpered. Lajo held her tight and kissed her forehead.

"Wait, I'll bring some ice," Lajo went out and fetched a tray of ice cubes from the refrigerator. She draped it in a thin cotton cloth and dabbed it on her skin. The cool sensation comforted her wounds and she closed her eyes.

Lajo's blood boiled seeing her beloved Sakshi. "I won't forgive him! He could've killed you."

"Wouldn't that be better than staying with animalistic people?-Ah!" she grimaced as waves of pain gnawed her.

"Don't strain your throat," Lajo said.

"The pain is too much, Aunty," Sakshi whispered in a raspy voice.

"I'm going to confront Ranaji! How dare he hurt you like this?"

Sakshi held her wrist. "Please don't ask him anything. He'll hurt you too."

"I must give him a piece of my mind."

"For my sake, I beg you."

Lajo sighed, tears and righteous rage clouding her eyes. "Alright."

"Can I please have a glass of water?"

"Sure." She brought her a glass of cold water.

She gulped it down and wiped her mouth. "Can you take care of Barfoo? I'm feeling very tired."

"Leave him to me and take some rest."

Taking Barfoo in her arms, Lajo drew the curtains over the window, turned on the fan, and locked the door.

Sakshi tossed and turned in her bed, soaking the sides of her pillow with tears. The nerves and chords in her neck hurt beyond measure. Overwhelmed with pain, both physical and mental, she shut her eyes and drifted into a shallow, dreamless sleep.

She woke up an hour later with a gnawing pain in her ears. The welts and her shoulder blades were sore and swollen. Ringing Lajo's number, she forced words out of her aching throat.

"Aunty, I'm feeling uneasy. Can you take me to the hospital?"

"How is the pain?"

"Worse, with swelling."

"Oh no! That's very dangerous. I'll talk to Rana Sahab," she said and hung up.

After a while, Udayveer came inside and turned on the light. Sakshi's heart sprang to her throat and she curled into a ball.

"Show me the hurt." He yanked her arm and lifted her chin. "Just light marks like mosquito bites."

Sakshi shivered in his grip.

"You are faking the pain. In the name of visiting the hospital, you want to inform someone about Jeetu."

"Such a thought didn't cross my mind."

"I know what's in your mind. I've given you everything you need, and you want to betray me. Unthankful child! All this is because of your Ranveer Bhaiyya. He spoiled you by giving too much freedom!"

"I'm finding it difficult to breathe! Let me go to the hospital."

"You want to let the doctor know that I choked you."

Sakshi pursed her lips, anger electrifying her veins. "Please, it hurts terribly!"

"If it's hurting so much, I'll tell my men to get some ointment. Don't make a scene."

"Or you can call a doctor home and let him treat me in your presence."

"What if Kushwant gets to know? The wedding is imminent. He won't accept a sickly daughter-in-law!"

He dashed out of the room and shut the door. Stark loneliness gripped her soul. She was surrounded by her family, servants, guards, Lajo, Barfoo- yet she felt all alone.

Black patches blocked her sight, some ink black, others blackish grey. Sinking into the pillow, she slipped into unconsciousness.

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