In the previous chapter, Riddhima forgave Zareena after discovering the truth about Armaan. But now, with her aunt's health deteriorating and no money left for medication, desperation sets in...
Panic seized Riddhima as she called out for her father.
"Sweetheart, I got paid for my tuition classes today," Shashank said, trying to reassure her. "I'll go get the medicine."
Riddhima glanced out the window, her brow furrowing with concern. "Papa, the rain has slowed down, but it hasn't stopped. I know how much pain you're in when you walk. Give me the money. I'll go."
"No, Riddhima," Shashank insisted, shaking his head. "You don't understand. This area isn't safe for a girl after dark."
"Papa, women can't just hide inside forever out of fear," she countered gently. "It's just the shop right across the street. I'll be quick."
"Fine then. I'm coming with you."
Riddhima glanced over at her ailing aunt. "Papa, someone needs to stay with Masi."
Sonu, who had been listening quietly from the corner, finally spoke up. "I'll go with Didi, Bade Papa. You stay here with Mumma."
Shashank's eyes filled with hesitation as he looked at Riddhima.
"Papa... if I need anything, I'll call you," she said, giving him a comforting nod. "The pharmacy is right there, don't worry so much. If the rain starts up again, we'll be stuck, and Masi needs these meds right now. I've got this."
Shashank reluctantly nodded. "Alright, sweetheart. Just... hurry back asap."
However, when they stepped outside, every single shop in the area was shut tight. Sonu's voice trembled, on the verge of tears. "What do we do now, Didi? Mumma is in so much pain without her pills. How are we going to help her?"
Riddhima offered him a reassuring smile, trying to mask her own rising panic. "There are a bunch of larger pharmacies a little further down, Sonu. Come on, let's head there."
"But if Uncle finds out, he'll scold us," Sonu hesitated.
"Then we won't tell him," Riddhima replied firmly. "If he calls, I'll just tell him the store is crowded. Don't worry."
Sonu nodded eagerly. "Okay, let's go get the medicine quickly."
Riddhima took an auto-rickshaw, but when they reached the main market area, her heart sank. It wasn't just the pharmacies! The entire market was completely deserted, every store locked down.
Suddenly, Sonu pointed down the street. "Didi, look!"
A small pharmacy was just about to close. The owner was pulling down the metal shutter. Riddhima sprinted over, out of breath. "Excuse me, bhaiya! Why is every shop closed today?"
"You don't know, ma'am?" the shopkeeper replied, wiping raindrops off his arms. "Some major clash broke out near the police station area in Thane."
Riddhima frowned. "But the Thane police station is miles away from here..."
"Tell that to the rioters," the man scoffed, locking his padlock. "Who knows when a mob might march down this street and trash our shops? Besides, with this heavy weather, it's better to head home early."
Desperate, Riddhima held out the prescription. "Please, bhaiya, just give me these medicines first."
"Come tomorrow, ma'am. I've already locked up for the night."
Sonu stepped forward, his eyes pleading. "Please, Uncle... my mumma is really sick. Please just give us the medicine."
"I'm sorry, kid," the man said with a sympathetic but firm sigh. "I can't open the shutters again tonight. Forgive me."
As the shopkeeper tried to get on his bicycle, Riddhima lunged forward and grabbed the handlebars, her eyes brimming with helpless tears. "Please, don't leave without giving us the medicine! My aunt needs it urgently!"
"What a brat!" the man snapped, trying to shake her off. "I can't open the shop now. If my boss finds out, he'll fire me! Let go of my bike!"
Desperation choked Riddhima, but before she could plead any further, a young voice cut through the rain. "Ayee, Sonu! What are you doing here?"
Sonu spun around and brightened instantly. "Raju Bhaiya!"
A teenager around seventeen years old coasted toward them on a bicycle. He pulled up, offered Riddhima a respectful smile, and said, "Namaste, Bhabhiji."
Riddhima froze. Bhabhiji? Who and why on earth was this boy calling her sister-in-law?
Before she could process it, Sonu chimed in. "Raju Bhaiya, this uncle won't give us the medicine, and Mumma is really sick..."
Without missing a millisecond, Raju grabbed the shopkeeper by the collar. "What's your problem, huh? Why aren't you giving them the medicine?"
"Hey, watch it!" the shopkeeper protested, shoving Raju's hand away. "It's my wish!"
In one swift motion, Raju took out a large flick-knife out of his pocket, flicking the blade open right under the man's chin. "Now it's my wish whether I slice you into pieces or not!"
The shopkeeper's face turned ghastly pale. He raised his hands in immediate surrender. "I'll get the medicine! I'm sorry, bro!"
Hands shaking, the man unlocked his shop and rushed back out with the prescription items. Sweating heavily, he mumbled to Raju, "You could have just asked nicely, bro. Was the knife really necessary?"
Raju slid the knife back into his pocket with a casual smirk. "Bhabhiji asked you nicely, and you didn't listen. True when they said laaton ke bhoot baaton se nahi maante."
Riddhima glared at Raju, appalled by the violent display. Turning to the trembling man, she reached into her purse. "Here, let me pay you-"
"Hold on!" Raju interrupted. "You're taking money from our Bhabhiji?"
"Not at all, bro! It's on the house!" the shopkeeper stammered frantically. Without waiting another second, he jumped onto his bicycle and pedaled away as if his life depended on it.
Once he was gone, Riddhima turned towards Raju, her tone laced with suspicion. "Who are you? And why do you keep calling me Bhabhiji?"
Sonu chimed in again. "Didi, this is Raju Bhaiya. He's Armaan Bhaiya's friend."
Raju bit his tongue playfully. "Not just a friend, Sonu! Armaan is like an older brother to me. That makes her my Bhabhiji!"
Riddhima's blood ran cold, her anger flaring higher. How did Sonu even know Armaan? Questions raced through her head, but this wasn't the time. She needed to get rid of this dangerous teenager first, then confront her brother.
Grabbing Sonu's hand, she turned and marched down the street. But Raju slowly trailed behind them on his cycle.
She whipped around, glaring at him. "Why are you following us? I know exactly who you people are and what you're capable of!"
Raju bit his lip apologetically. "A sister-in-law is like a mother, Bhabhiji. I just want to make sure you two get home safely, then I'll leave, I fucking promise."
"I can take care of myself. Stop following us!"
Raju stayed silent, but he didn't stop following them either. Riddhima scanned the dark street, praying for an auto-rickshaw to escape the situation. Time was slipping away, and anxiety for her aunt grew heavier by the minute. To make matters worse, the skies opened up, pouring heavy rain once more.
Just then, an auto-rickshaw pulled up right beside them. A young driver, around Raju's age, leaned out. "Where to, ma'am?"
Before Riddhima could answer, Raju shouted, "Hey, Mohanwa! Have you lost your mind? That's our Bhabhiji! Drop them home and don't you dare take a single rupee from her."
The driver quickly opened the door, looking flustered. "I'm so sorry, Bhabhiji. Please, get in."
Panic gripped Riddhima. She didn't know these street boys, and getting into a vehicle controlled by them felt terrifying. Where would they take her?
Tightening her grip on Sonu's hand, she backed away. "We're not getting in. We'll find another auto."
"Bhabhiji, the whole city is locked down tonight," Mohan explained urgently. "You won't find another ride out here. That's why Raju called me. Plus, this area gets very dangerous at night. You shouldn't be out here."
Before Riddhima could refuse again, Sonu tugged hard at her arm, his voice trembling. "Let's just go, Didi! Look, it's raining and I'm scared... I want to check on Mumma."
The mention of her sick masi shattered Riddhima's hesitation. She knew she couldn't afford to waste another minute.
Reluctantly, Riddhima climbed into the back of the auto. Mohan revved the engine, but before he could put it in gear, a motorcycle screeched to a halt right in front of them.
Two guys jumped off. One of them lunged forward, grabbing Mohan by his collar through the driver's frame. "Hey, you bastard boy! You blind or something? Everything's closed down tonight! Who told you to pick up passengers? That desperate to make quick money, huh?"
Mohan raised his hands, his voice trembling. "No, bro! She's my sister and that's my little brother. They aren't passengers, I swear!"
The two goons burst into a filthy laugh. The bigger one leaned closer, peering past Mohan into the back seat. "Let's see this sister of yours... Perfect for a cold night like this. Right, bhai?"
Riddhima's lungs seized up. Blood rushed to her ears as darkness edged her vision.
"Please, bro, let her go," Mohan pleaded, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. "She's my sister!"
"Your sister! Not ours! Bwahahahha!!" the goon cackled.
Mohan tried to step out, his jaw tight. "Leave them alone, or it won't end well for you!"
"You threatening me, piece of trash?" The goon whipped out a switchblade, the metal catching the faint street light. Before Mohan could even flinch, the blade plunged straight into his stomach.
Riddhima screamed as blood sprayed across the seats. Mohan collapsed onto the wet tarmac, groaning as his soul left his body.
Before she could process the terror, the second goon reached in, grabbed Sonu by his collar, and yanked him out onto the rain-soaked road. The guy caught sight of Riddhima's face and let out a sick whistle. "Damn... look what we caught tonight! A total goddess! Talk about pure luck!"
"Let go of us! Leave my sister alone!" Sonu shrieked, kicking wildly at the guy's legs.
"Shut up, you little bastard!" The goon smashed a heavy boot straight into Sonu's chest, sending him crashing onto the pavement, before snatching Riddhima's wrist and dragging her out into the open.
Riddhima fell to her knees beside her brother, her chest heaving with helpless sobs. "Please... I beg you... leave us alone!"
The goon grabbed Sonu by the hair, dragging his head up violently. "Love your sister so much? Then tell her to behave and come with us quietly, or I'll gut you right here."
"No! Didi, run!" Sonu screamed through his tears. "Don't go with them! Run!"
CRACK.
A vicious backhand sent Sonu spinning onto the wet road, motionless.
Riddhima's eyes frantically searched the shadows for Raju. She spotted him hiding behind a thick tree trunk down the street, completely frozen in fear. Her heart sank.
No one was coming to save them.
Engine roars tore through the heavy rain as two more bikes skidded into the alley. Three more rough-looking thugs hopped off, joining the chaos.
"Bro, you won't believe what we found out here!" the first goon yelled out, grinning like a predator.
Sonu whimpered from the ground, coughing. "Please... let us go..."
The goon laughed, kicking water into Sonu's face. "Oh, we'll let you go, kid. Right after we have a little romance with your sister. Keep your eyes open, you might learn something!"
Riddhima backed up, but she was completely surrounded.
Five men.
Nowhere to run.
Rain poured down her face, stinging her eyes as she prayed for a miracle. She spun around to run away into the dark alley, but a heavy hand grabbed the tail of her dupatta, yanking her backward.
Suddenly, high-beam headlights blinded the whole street.
A jet-black Mahindra Thar roared out of the darkness, its tires screaming as it slammed on the brakes, skidding sideways and stopping inches from the goons. The engine hummed like an angry beast in the silence of the storm.
The heavy door slammed open. A silhouette emerged from the vehicle, stepping straight into the rain, drenched.
A voice boomed through the rain - cold, sharp, and lethal enough to stop time itself:
"LET HER GO."