The continuous scratch of pens signing papers and the constant chattering around the council table made his head dizzy. Ekagra's fingers tapped impatiently against the armrest before he finally grabbed the pen and threw it straight toward the wall.
"Ughh... I'm bored."
He leaned back into his chair, looking completely done with the meeting. He could feel the gazes of the council members shifting toward him, along with his brothers.
"I said I'm bored..." he groaned again, louder this time.
"Shut your whiny, attention-seeking ass," Kritarth snapped, glaring at him.
"Maan is carrying the entire council on his back. Kritarth is analyzing everything like a machine. Akshnav is observing everything and everyone in silence. Council members are discussing important matters. You behaved for approximately seven minutes. And then you're bored?"
Raghav slammed his palm against the table, frustration clear in his expression.
"Hey, could you please be nice to me?" Ekagra complained, his brows pulling together. He absolutely hated being scolded.
"Sometimes you have to use your brain, otherwise it'll stop working," Akshnav said calmly, his expression unchanged.
"I don't know what you guys are talking about. Can we just go and kill them instead of all this planning and plotting?"
Ekagra stood up, sliding his hands into his pockets before leaning against the round table.
"Absolutely not," Maan said without even looking up, continuing to sign the papers in front of him.
"Not even a lil?" Ekagra asked, tilting his head.
"What do you mean, absolutely not? Not even a little."
Maan finally looked up, his voice carrying clear frustration.
"You know what? Dealing with you is so hard. If you weren't our brother, I'd have fed you to my dogs long ago," Kritarth said, glaring at him.
"Ouch... That hurts." Ekagra pressed a hand against his chest dramatically. "Don't act like I'm not useful at all. I just hate meetings, gatherings, planning and plotting instead of a direct attack and kill."
"That's true. He's our killing machine. An insane maniac," Akshnav said, leaning back against his chair.
Ekagra's face immediately brightened.
"Did you just agree with me?"
Akshnav stared at him for a second.
"Oh, how I wish I could take it back..."
He shook his head, already regretting his words.
"Hey, don't compliment him. He already suffers from God syndrome," Kritarth muttered, looking at Akshnav.
Ekagra grinned.
"See? You all appreciate me."
"That's not what he said," Kritarth shot back.
"Okay, you guys continue. I'm heading outside for some fresh air."
Ekagra turned toward the exit.
"Hey, stop right there."
Maan stood up, glaring at him, his expression making it very clear that he was one second away from losing his patience.
"You can't abandon the council meeting just because you're bored."
Ekagra stopped and looked back at him.
"Ugh, fine, fine..."
He dragged himself back toward his chair, dropping into it with an annoyed expression.
"This bloody council meeting..."
The door was knocked five times.
Everyone's attention shifted toward it. No one was supposed to disturb the council meeting, especially not without permission, but five consecutive knocks meant urgency.
Ekagra's brows furrowed as he looked toward the door, already trying to figure out what could have happened.
"Come on in..."
The door opened and one of his close men stepped inside. He looked nervous, already sweating as he walked toward him.
"Boss... Can I speak to you for a second? It's urgent..."
"Speak."
Ekagra's voice came out firm as he walked toward him.
"Your father... Mr. Rajwardhan ordered his men. His men were here and they took the girl with them."
Ekagra stopped.
"Avyra?"
His voice changed instantly, his jaw clenching.
The man only nodded.
"Fuck off, bastard. I'll deal with you, later."
He shoved past him and walked straight out of the door.
"Ekagra, where the hell are you going?" Maan called after him.
He didn't stop. He didn't bother answering anyone.
And this time, no one dared to stop him.
His eyes said enough. He was a millisecond away from seeing red.
"Hand me over my fucking bike keys"
His roar echoed through the mansion as he stormed toward the main hall.
The moment the keys landed in his hand, he didn't waste another second.
His BMW roared to life.
He sped onto the empty road, pushing the bike far beyond the speed limit. The engine roared beneath him as he gripped the handles tighter, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
He could feel something warm slipping down his side.
His freshly healed wound had opened again.
"Fuck..."
He hissed through his teeth, ignoring the pain and pushing the bike even faster.
He'd fucking reach her before they could do anything to her.
His mind kept replaying the same thought.
How fucking dare they touch her?
They had taken her behind his back.
His jaw clenched harder.
He knew exactly where they'd taken her.
The dockyard.
[ End of flashback ]
"Ughh..."
He let out a groan as he slowly removed his arm from his eyes. The pain was unbearable, but the bandage had at least helped stop the bleeding.
His gaze shifted toward the backside doorway.
A slow smirk appeared on his face.
She's not here.
"I love fucking chasing you, lil poison..."
He pushed himself up from the stairs, his injured side protesting with every movement.
"I love hunting people. You want me to hunt you? Fine. I'll make you regret it when I catch you."
His hand slipped toward his belt. He pulled it free and wrapped it tightly around his hand before making his way outside.
"This is going to be fun."
The smirk returned.
Leaves cracked beneath his boots as he stepped into the forest. The darkness around him only made his expression more excited.
"You love running away, don't you, lil poison?"
His voice echoed through the trees.
"So cruel. You left an injured man for the second time."
He let out a low whistle, his eyes scanning the path ahead.
He knew she wouldn't go far. She already knew she couldn't escape the island, and with her terrible sense of direction, getting lost in the forest was almost guaranteed.
If she was wandering around trying to find a way out, he'd let her.
He wanted her to think she had a chance.
"Tell me, little poison..." His voice dropped, deep and mocking. "Are you scared?"
A rustle came from somewhere ahead.
Ekagra's smirk widened.
There you are.
"Y-you know what? I'm done! I'm done running! I'm done with this... I'm..."
Her frustrated voice came closer.
Ekagra didn't move.
He waited.
The rustling grew louder until Avyra finally emerged from between the trees.
The moment she saw him, she stormed straight toward him.
"No. Of course I'm not scared!"
She grabbed the collar of his unbuttoned shirt and yanked him closer, anger practically radiating from her face.
"I have this terrified look on my face because... because I'm having so much fun!"
Her fingers tightened around his collar.
"You fucking bastard!"
For once, Ekagra didn't smirk.
Her voice echoed through the forest as she shook him by his collar, completely done with him.
"Now you're fucking answering my questions."
Her voice dropped, but her grip only tightened.
Her eyes burned with anger as she stared directly into his.
"Who the hell are you, Ekagra?"
She didn't give him a chance to answer.
"Why am I here? Why did your father take me? Why are you protecting me? And what the hell is this island?"
Her breathing grew heavier with every question.
"I've had enough of your fucking riddles."
His eyes trailed over her slowly, head to toe, before his hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer against his chest. So close he could count her lashes.
She wriggled, trying to free herself.
"You want me to answer your questions, lil poison?" His voice dropped, dangerously calm.
He slammed her against the nearest tree. Avyra gasped at the sudden impact, her palms hitting the rough bark as she immediately twisted around, trying to break free.
Ekagra caught her wrist.
She jerked it back.
He tightened his grip, he brought her hands together as he wrapped the belt around her wrist...
Avyra's eyes widened.
As she glared at him, breathing hard, still trying to pull against the restraint.
"Brave of you, little poison, to think you can question Ekagra Rajwardhan." He spoke against her ear, his hot breath fanning over her skin.
His hand trailed down slowly, from her knee to her waist, gripping her firmly. The hem of her dress shifted slightly with his touch.
"Brave of you to run from me." His voice dropped. "Even after I saved you."
His teeth caught the edge of her dress at her shoulder, sliding it down slightly. Then his lips brushed against her bare shoulder, trailing up slowly, until he reached just behind her ear.
"Brave of you to question me, little poison."
"Brave of you to run from me."
His jaw clenched.
"Even after I saved you earlier."
Avyra glared at him, still fighting against his grip.
The buzzing sound kept ringing in his ears, making his head throb harder with every passing second. He couldn't remember the last time he'd taken his medicines. He hated taking them. Always had.
"Ughh... not today... not today..."
His fingers tightened into his hair as he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to push the noise away.
His eyes softened as he stared at the soul in front of him.
"Is that your ghost... or are you really here?"
His voice came out softer, almost unfamiliar even to himself. A tone he had forgotten how to use.
His eyes fixed on her face, his expression changing completely.
"D-don't go away, baby..."
His voice trembled.
"Please don't go away, Aashvi..."
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her into a tight hug, holding onto her as if letting go meant losing her all over again.
"Let... let go of me, you bastard..."
Her voice trembled with fury.
But Ekagra only tightened his hold, his eyes closing as his breathing grew uneven.
"Please..."
The word barely left his lips.
[ Flashback ]
"Ugh, I hate studying. And math especially. How come you're so good at it?" Aashvi leaned back against her study chair, staring at Ekagra.
"You're the one who wanted me to teach you. I thought you finally wanted to study."
"Me? Wanna study?" She rolled her eyes before getting up and walking toward him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
"I just wanted to spend time with you," she giggled, not even trying to hide it.
Ekagra rolled his eyes.
"One day, your brother is definitely going to kick me out because of you."
Aashvi giggled.
"Maan bhaiya? Kicking you out? Not happening. Aap mein unki jaan basti hai. He'd probably go insane if something happened to you."
"Yeah, yeah. Lil idiot. Now study. I have somewhere to go."
He smiled at her.
"Umm... my hands are cold," she whined.
Ekagra sighed before taking both her hands in his and rubbing them between his palms to warm them.
"Better?"
She smiled.
"Mm... you know what? My lips are-"
Before she could finish, Ekagra grabbed the pen from the table and lightly bonked it against her forehead.
"You're too young, Aashvi."
He smiled before pinching her nose.
She immediately frowned.
"You're so annoying."
"Now sit down and solve the equation."
Ekagra cupped Avyra's cheek, gently caressing it.
"Do your hands still feel cold, Aashvi?" His voice broke.
"What are you doing? Let go of me... Yoโ"
She stopped, staring at his face.
"Are you crying? Hey... are you crying?"
He slumped against her, resting his head on her shoulder.
A sob escaped him.
"I fucking beg you, Maan... Don't do it, pl-please..."
He got down on his knees, hands folded as a single tear rolled down his cheek.
"You... You aren't burning her picture. You're tearing my heart apart... Please, bhai... Bhai..."
He begged as his lips quivered, watching Maan burn Aashvi's photograph.
"My sister is dead... And I can't let you die every day."
Maan's strong voice broke him into pieces.
He stared at the burning ashes, feeling something inside him burn with them.
The flashbacks were back.
And he fucking hated them.
He hated seeing her. Hated hallucinating her.
But that was the only reason he was still breathing. Seeing her, even like this, made him forget all the pain he'd been carrying for years.
His body went numb against Avyra as she tried to hold him, but his knees gave out and he slipped to the ground.
His breathing turned rapid and uneven.
He couldn't catch his breath.
His chest tightened as he desperately tried to inhale, but every breath felt too shallow. His hands trembled uncontrollably, one clutching his chest while the other pressed against the ground for support.
Tears kept falling, his vision blurring as panic took over.
"I want you back, baby..."
His voice cracked.
"Come fucking back, baby..."
He shouted, struggling to breathe through the sobs.
"When I'll be back, you'll give me my first ever kiss, right?"
Her face brightened with excitement, a wide smile flashing across her face.
"Since it's my princess's birthday, how can I refuse her demand?"
Ekagra smiled as he gently took her hand and kissed the back of it.
"Please wait for me."
She waved goodbye before leaving, only to turn back once more with a smile.
"Are you really going to kiss Aashvi? She's really young. Aren't you a pervert?" Kritarth asked, making a disgusted face at Ekagra.
"Shut up, asshole. Yes, I'll kiss her, but it'll be a simple forehead kiss."
Ekagra rolled his eyes.
"And Maan is allowing it?" Akshnav asked, looking at Maan.
"Who am I to allow anything? She already thinks she owns him, and Ekagra clearly allows her."
Maan shook his head before walking away to welcome the guests arriving for Aashvi's grand birthday celebration.
Ekagra simply shrugged.
Ekagra repeatedly slammed both hands against the ground, his bandage already soaked through as fresh blood began to seep out.
"You were supposed to come back..."
His voice trembled.
"I was supposed to fulfil my promise to you..."
His voice grew louder, breaking apart with every word.
For a moment, his blurry eyes caught sight of Avyra bending down before someone grabbed her and pulled her away from him.
Raghav.
"Calm down, Ekagra."
Maan's familiar voice reached him as he crouched beside him, gripping his shoulder.
"Have you taken your medicine?"
"I'm hurt, Maan."
Ekagra's voice broke.
"I'm fucking hurt..."
His breathing shook.
"How long? How long will this continue? How long do I have to endure this pain?"
His eyes filled again.
"Fucking shoot me and end my life."
He broke down in front of his brothers like a child.
Kritarth looked away, his jaw clenched.
"Even when I was shot twice in the chest, it didn't hurt this much..."
He swallowed hard.
"Seeing this fucker like this again..."
His voice dropped.
Akshnav stood beside him, staring at Ekagra.
"I may be a bastard. A criminal. I have no heart..."
His voice remained firm, but his expression gave him away.
"But seeing him back in this condition..."
He looked away.
"Maan, make him stop before I lose my sanity."
"I always forgot to breathe when I saw her tears. When I saw her sad face..."
Ekagra's words came between broken breaths.
"I couldn't sleep. I couldn't breathe. Nightmares haunted me... Her last smile haunted me..."
"Shhh... listen to me."
Maan tightened his grip on his shoulder.
"Breathe. Just breathe."
"I'm... I'm tired..."
Ekagra's voice cracked
"I'm tired of seeing her. Hallucinating her just to forget my pain..."
His hands trembled.
"She wasn't supposed to come back dead..."
His voice broke completely.
"She wasn't supposed to be lying pale in my arms..."
He looked down at his hands.
"These arms... I was holding her body in these arms..."
"Ekagra."
Maan's voice hardened.
"Breathe."
Ekagra shook his head, struggling for air.
"I can't..."
"Look at me."
Ekagra didn't.
"Look at me, Ekagra."
His eyes finally lifted.
"You're here. You're with us."
Maan's voice softened.
"She's gone. You're not back there. You're here with your brothers."
Ekagra's breathing remained uneven.
"I know it hurts.
Maan swallowed.
"But you have to breathe through it."
Ekagra squeezed his eyes shut.
"Shhh... that's it."
Maan stayed beside him, one hand firm against his shoulder.
"You're not alone."
Ekagra's lips trembled.
"I can't do this anymore..."
"I know."
Maan's voice cracked.
"I know, brother."
Ekagra's breathing hitched again.
"Breathe."
"I said breathe."
Maan's voice rose when Ekagra couldn't steady himself.
Then his hand landed across Ekagra's cheek.
The sharp slap snapped him out of the spiral for a moment
Ekagra froze.
Maan immediately pulled him against his chest, wrapping both arms around him tightly, as if afraid that letting go would make him lose his brother all over again.
A soft whimper escaped Ekagra.
Maan shut his eyes, fighting the tears burning behind them.
"That's enough..."
His voice trembled.
"You're here."
His grip tightened.
"We've got you."
Kritarth looked away.
Akshnav lowered his head.
Neither of them said a word.
Because this time, there was nothing left to say.
The phone ringing broke the silence.
Kritarth gently reached into Ekagra's pocket and pulled out the phone before answering.
"You brat never receive my calls anymore," Tvesha's frustrated voice echoed from the other end.
Ekagra remained slumped against Maan's shoulder, barely reacting.
"It's me," Kritarth replied.
"Oh, another brat. Where's that idiot?"
"He's busy. We're busy too. What's the matter?"
Kritarth deliberately avoided the question.
"You brats are always in a hurry. Or do you just love avoiding me?" Tvesha scoffed. "Anyway... I found Rooh."
Kritarth's expression immediately changed.
"You what? How is she? Where has she been?"
"Easy, brat. I'm terrible at explaining things."
She paused.
"She's safe. She's with me, and she'll be staying with me for some time."
Kritarth finally let out the breath he'd been holding.
Before he could end the call, Tvesha spoke again.
"That idiot of my brother killed every man Dad sent for that girl he's keeping?"
Her voice carried a dangerous amusement.
"For her? Interesting. I think I need to meet her."
Before Kritarth could answer, Akshnav took the phone from his hand.
"Stay away from her."
His voice was cold and final.
"I won't repeat myself. You stay away from her."
He ended the call.
Kritarth stared at him.
"So... she's the girl he's hiding?"
His eyes shifted toward the direction where Raghav had taken Avyra.
Raghav walked toward them, one hand in his pocket, his gaze falling briefly on Ekagra's devastated state.
"She's Adhiraj Singhania's granddaughter."
Kritarth's expression hardened.
"You mean the Adhiraj Singhania?"
Raghav nodded.
"The same man who shot Maan's father in the leg during that secret mission involving human trafficking."
Kritarth slowly leaned back.
A faint, almost amused smile appeared on his face.
"Things are getting interesting."
He glanced at his brothers.
"Our father is going to love this."
๐หหณยทห ึดึถึธ โ๐นโ ึดึถึธหยทหณห๐ ึดึถึธ.
Hii everyone ๐
Chapter 12 is finally here and honestly. I cried writing this one. ๐ญ I hope this chapter helped you understand Ekagra a little more, especially everything he's been carrying all these years. This chapter was a rollercoaster for me, so I really want to know what you guys thought about it. Did you enjoy it? Did it hurt? Tell me everything.
And please don't forget to vote and comment. Your votes genuinely mean so much to me, but I really want to hear from you too. Tell me your theories, your favourite parts, what you liked or didn't like, and what you think is coming next.
Because trust me... the next chapters are going to get very interesting. More secrets, more revelations and definitely more chaos. ๐
See you in the next chapter ๐ฆ๐น
Vyanna โ๐ป
โขโโขโขโฆ ๐น โฆโขโขโโข
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