14."Hurting you is something I never want to do in this lifetime. "
The vehicle of the kidnappers races along the desolate highway, the atmosphere heavy with anxiety. In the rear seat, Aditi lies restrained, her hands bound and her mouth sealed with tape.
"I never wish to cause you pain in this lifetime." Her words echo in his mind.
In the distance, yet rapidly closing the gap, Arjun drives with unwavering determination. His grip on the steering wheel is tight, knuckles pale as he fixates on the glowing taillights of the car in front.
He is pushing his vehicle to its maximum capacity, the engine growling as it devours the space between them.
The scenery outside becomes a blur of shadows and light, but his sole focus remains on her—his beloved, held captive by those who have made the critical error of abducting her. Once more.
He maneuvers around a sluggish truck, tires screeching as he weaves through the lanes, drawing nearer to his objective.
He understands the urgency of the situation; he must act swiftly before they reach the isolated location where they intend to vanish with her.
The kidnappers' vehicle abruptly veers onto a twisting path that meanders through the forest, the tires kicking up dirt and debris as they navigate the treacherous terrain. He pursues them, expertly maneuvering through the bends, his gaze fixed with unwavering determination. The headlights of his car slice through the darkness, illuminating the shadows of the towering trees that loom on either side, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers.
As the trees encroach upon them, the road narrows and becomes increasingly perilous, yet he does not reduce his speed. On the contrary, he accelerates, acutely aware that this may be his sole opportunity to rescue her. The weight of urgency presses down on him, each second stretching into an eternity as he races against time.
With a rush of adrenaline surging through his veins, he presses the accelerator, his car lunging forward with newfound velocity. The engine roars in response, a fierce growl that echoes through the stillness of the night. He positions himself alongside the kidnappers' vehicle, their heads turning in astonishment as they realize they are no longer alone in this desperate chase.
In that fleeting moment, their eyes lock—filled with fear on their part, while his reflect unyielding resolve. He can see the panic etched on their faces, a flicker of doubt as they grasp the gravity of their situation. But there is no time for hesitation; he knows he must act decisively.
Without a moment's pause, he sharply swerves into their car, the collision jolting both vehicles. Metal crumples and glass shatters, the sound reverberating through the forest like a thunderclap. The impact sends shockwaves through him, but he remains focused, his instincts guiding him as he watches the kidnappers struggle to regain control.
Their car skids perilously close to the roadside, tires screeching in protest as they fight against the forces of physics. He can see the driver's frantic attempts to steer, but it's too late. Ultimately, their vehicle careens off the path, crashing into a tree with a resounding thud that echoes through the night, the sound mingling with the rustling leaves and the distant call of an owl.
He comes to a halt, his heart racing as he exits his car, the cool night air hitting him like a wave. The haunting silence envelops him, save for the sound of his footsteps as he rushes toward the wrecked vehicle, each step fueled by a mix of fear and hope.
"I have you, Aditi," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "You are safe now."
She quivers as he lifts her from the car, holding her close against him.
He carefully removes the tape from her mouth, feeling her heartbeat align with his, their breaths synchronizing as they stand together, oblivious to the world around them.
In that moment, nothing else holds significance for him—only the reality of their togetherness, that she is secure in his embrace.
He gently places her back into his car. Rohan arrives in a black sedan and hands the keys to Arjun.
"Ensure she reaches the hospital safely. Keep in mind, she has a heart condition," Arjun instructs.
Rohan nods slightly and takes his seat in the car that Arjun was driving, with Aditi in the passenger seat.
Arjun casts a fierce glare at the occupants of the damaged vehicle, who appear only slightly injured.
A surge of anger overwhelms him, prompting him to take the driver's seat of the sedan that Rohan had brought.
The sky loomed overhead, a deep, brooding gray, as heavy clouds gathered, hinting at impending rain.
The atmosphere was thick with tension, as if it could shatter at any moment.
A black sedan, its headlights glowing with a chilling intensity, surged forward with a screech of tires.
His expression was contorted with rage, eyes wide and unblinking, locked onto the car that had collided with the tree.
He pressed down hard on the accelerator, propelling the car forward with force.
The collision was immediate and savage.
Metal crunched against metal, and the parked car lurched forward, its rear crumpling under the impact.
Yet he did not relent. He reversed, the engine roaring like a trapped beast, then surged forward again, striking the car with even greater force this time.
The front bumper of his sedan crumpled inward, headlights shattering like fragile bones. The parked vehicle shook violently, its rear now a chaotic mass of twisted metal.
The sound reverberated through the street—a nauseating, jarring noise that sliced through the night.
"Tell your damn boss to stop interfering in her life."
With each impact, his frenzy intensified, his breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps.
air, drowning out the distant rumble of thunder that echoed ominously in the background.
Arjun's heart raced, a primal instinct driving him as he unleashed his fury upon the vehicle that had threatened Aditi's safety. Each impact felt like a cathartic release, a way to channel the pent-up fear and helplessness that had gripped him moments before. He could still feel the warmth of her body against his, the way her heartbeat had steadied in his arms, and he was determined to protect that fragile peace at all costs.
The occupants of the damaged vehicle, now jolted from their daze, scrambled to comprehend the chaos unfolding around them. Confusion morphed into panic as they realized the source of their impending doom was the very man they had wronged. Arjun's eyes, once filled with concern, now burned with a fierce intensity that sent shivers down their spines.
He could see their faces through the shattered glass, wide-eyed and terrified, and for a fleeting moment, he felt a flicker of doubt. Was this the man he wanted to be? But the thought was quickly drowned out by the roar of adrenaline coursing through his veins. They had hurt Aditi, and in that moment, they were nothing more than obstacles in his path.
With a final, bone-rattling crash, he slammed into the car once more, the sound echoing like a thunderclap in the stillness of the street. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burning rubber and gasoline, mingling with the metallic tang of blood that hung heavy in the atmosphere.
As he finally came to a halt, the engine sputtering in protest, Arjun's breath came in ragged gasps. He glanced at the wreckage before him, the twisted metal and shattered glass a testament to his fury. But even in the aftermath of his rage, his thoughts returned to Aditi.
He turned back to the sedan, where Rohan was already checking on her, his expression a mix of concern and urgency. Aditi sat in the passenger seat, her face pale but resolute, her eyes wide as she took in the scene.
"Arjun!" she called out, her voice trembling but steady. "Stop! You need to stop this!"
Her plea cut through the haze of anger that enveloped him, and he felt the weight of her words settle heavily on his chest. He took a deep breath, the reality of what he had done crashing down around him.
"Tell your damn boss he's got just a few days left to breathe."
His hands trembled as he jerked the wheel, slamming it into reverse again, tires screeching against the slick road.
He crashed into the car once more, a primal roar erupting from his throat, as if tearing things apart was the only way to let out his pent-up rage.
"Make sure you count your last days, 'D'!" he bellowed, hoping someone would hear him. That specific someone. D.
There stood a man by the roadside, an umbrella over his head and a ridiculous hat perched on top, smirking as he soaked in Arjun's fury.
A few onlookers peeked out from their doors, bewildered by the chaos unfolding, but Arjun was far beyond reason, consumed by his wrath.
His sedan was a wreck, smoke billowing from under the hood, but he couldn't care less. His focus had shrunk to a singular, obsessive drive to obliterate.
With one last, brutal impact, he sent the silver car careening sideways, tires shrieking against the asphalt before it crashed into the river.
His sedan jolted to a stop, the engine sputtering and dying. He sat there for a moment, chest heaving, hands still gripping the wheel like a lifeline.
Gradually, reality crept back in, the fury fading from his face, leaving a vacant look behind.
He stared blankly at the wreckage, the weight of his actions crashing down on him, but it was far too late to backtrack.
He realized he felt more for Aditi than just hatred.