Scarred Love - Chapter 24

Amar’s eyes widened with shock as he heard Rudra but he was taken aback the moment he looked into his eyes. The hazel eyes had suddenly turned into blood thirsty avenging ones with cinders of pain lurking behind waiting to combust anyone who came in his path.

Within seconds the emotion disappeared as the inherent stony coldness enveloped the deep recesses of his iris.

Amar stepped back not believing his eyes as after a long time he had seen the same eyes that had scared the hell out of him on that ill-fated night.   

Rudra swung his leg to the floor and got up from the hospital bed. As he neared the door, his gaze fell on the nurse standing at the door and he gave her a menacing look.

“Amar, tell your staff not to patronise me, otherwise they will know what Rudraveer Sangawat is all about.”

Saying this, he strode out briskly followed by Manna.

Present time

Rudra entered the penthouse and straightaway went to the bedroom. His brain was still giving final touches to his plan. As Manna entered the room, he looked at him questioningly.

“I’ll meet her in 30 minutes,” he said checking his watch.

“Make that later. Reach there on time but don’t meet her. Wait till she loses patience and starts to leave the restaurant. Rest you know what to do,” Rudra instructed as he stretched his arm towards him.

Manna picked up one of the syringes from the box and tapped on it to check the quantity of the liquid. Being a mild tranquiliser, it should only render his body immobile for a couple of hours but, not his mind.

“As Amar Bhaiya said, this should start kick in about 10-15 minutes,” Manna informed him as he injected the sedative.

Pressing the cotton swab in place, Rudra nodded and got up from the bed. He picked up a bottle of water from the table and went out to the balcony.

The sky was coloured with the golden hues of the setting sun. However, it only reminded him of the flames slowly burning his insides turning them into ash; an ash so potent that it could stir up a roaring fire. He closed his eyes and instantly his vision collided with the images of the past. All he saw was the thick crimson liquid secreting from bodies all around. Petrified, he opened his eyes with a jerk.

As the image left him drained, Rudra opened the water bottle and thirstily took a sip but one was not enough. He gulped down the entire bottle and waited for the cool liquid to squash the rising agony in him. But, it only inflamed it more.

Clenching his hands into fists, he tried controlling his inner beasts that were straining to break the chains away.

Not now! He commanded his inner self, his temples creasing with effort.

Now is not the right time.

Somehow his inner self listened this time.

He moved away from the balcony and slipped into the bed.

Maybe finally, he has been able to tame his monstrous inner self.

Or maybe it was the tranquilisers.

Slowly, his vision started to become incoherent and his eyes started to close. Forcing them open, he looked around the room and found it empty.

“Ram Singh,” he croaked and immediately saw him rushing inside.

“Hukum?”

“St-Stay!”

Rudra’s energy gave away and his eyes closed shut as his body drifted to a dark abyss. But his brain still registered Ram placing his hand in his and Scar’s nuzzling in his chest. He wanted to raise his hand to pet her but couldn’t.

His inner self smiled slyly as it slowly started to unleash the monsters.

NO, you can’t do that. I don’t want to scare Ishani just now.

Shhhh! Rudra. Leave everything to me. You know how I love to play.

So, LET ME PLAY.

*********************

Ishani was about to open the car door when Manna opened it and stepped aside for her to get down. The apartment building was huge and as per Manna, Rudra lived on the top floor. She was escorted inside by Manna and couple of armed guards, which actually surprised her. But her surprise doubled when Manna guided her towards the private lift.

The armed guards entered first followed by him and Ishani. For a second, she had almost forgotten the reason for her being here with all this security. Suddenly her gaze caught something shining against the light as Manna stretched his arm. Her eyes widened with shock as they recognised the weapon.

He is carrying a gun, she inwardly exclaimed.

Before she could question him, the lift doors were opening at the small corridor outside the penthouse. Her shock increased manifolds as she stepped out and saw 4-5 armed guards outside the main door. They looked more like bouncers than security guards.

“This way, Ma’am,” Manna said gesturing towards a double door that was opened simultaneously by the guards.

She entered and stopped short; more guards.

What the hell!

Shaking her head, she followed Manna as he walked towards a door in front. The grim silence inside the room and the plunging darkness was enough to psyche her out. Gingerly, she entered but couldn’t see anything as her eyes were still getting accustomed to the blackness around.

She heard the click of the door behind her and then, someone brushed past her. Suddenly click of an electric switch flooded the room with muted light and her eyes fell on the bed.

Nervous sweat travelled down Ishani’s spine as her mind registered the image in front. She stood where she was for the dread and fear in her mind just paralysed her.

Rudra was lying absolutely motionless on the bed with his right palm and forehead heavily bandaged. For a second, her heart was about to collapse as she saw no sign of life in him but then the faint rising and falling of his chest sent a shot of relief through her.

Slowly she moved towards the bed and looked at his face. Although he was unconscious, something told her that he was aware of everything that was happening around him. She was about to sit down when her gaze fell on the man standing on the opposite side.

“Ram Singh?”

Copyright © Paromita Majumder. All Rights Reserved.