THIRD PERSON
Belgium -
Aastha's eyes opened, and she almost screamed as she sat up in bed. Her face was drenched in sweat, and she was breathing heavily. Just then, she sensed some people entering the room.
A person rushed over to Aastha and held her face in his hands, asking, "Aastha? Beta, are you okay? Huh?"
But Aastha seemed lost in another world. She had no awareness of how many people were around her or what they were saying. She was just breathing heavily, recalling that dark night that had shaken her to the core.
The person shook Aastha again and said, "Aastha, I'm saying something. Are you listening, beta?"
This time, Aastha came to her senses. She slowly turned her neck and, seeing the person in front of her, she directly leaned into his chest, saying anxiously, "Dad."
She tightened her grip on the person, who was none other than her father, Parag Sethi.
When Parag saw his daughter so distressed, his heart filled with fear. He immediately pulled Aastha back slightly, held her face in his hands, and asked worriedly, "What's the matter, Aastha? And why were you unconscious in your car? Are you okay or do you have any injuries?"
Aastha's face tensed up as the entire scene of that night replayed in her mind when suddenly gunfire erupted on deserted Road, and she got caught in the middle.
But out of nowhere, someone appeared and saved her. As she remembered that person, a strange feeling surged through her heart, something so unfamiliar that she couldn't understand why she was thinking so much about a stranger.
She took a deep breath and, holding Parag's hand, tried to calm his anxiety, saying, "Dad, as far as I can see, we're in a hospital. If I had been injured, the doctor would have told you first, right?"
Parag took a deep breath. He was extremely worried hearing that his daughter had been caught in gunfire.
He said, "But how could all this happen, and here of all places?"
Aastha replied, "That's what I don't understand, who those people were and why they were so intent on killing each other as if they were hungry for each other's lives."
Parag's face turned red with anger, "I will use every connection I have to find out who those people were. They could have hurt you, and I won't let them off easily."
Aastha immediately tried to calm Parag down, saying, "Dad, calm down. I'm completely fine."
"How can you be fine? Anything could have happened to you, Aastha. I won't take this lightly. How can there be a gunfight in openly here, and what the hell are the officials doing? So much happened last night, and anything could have happened to you. Oh god, my heart is panicking just thinking about it."
On this, Aastha was about to say something when a woman suddenly entered the ward, extremely anxious. She sat beside Aastha and immediately hugged her tightly, saying, "Aastha! You alright, beta?"
But Aastha didn't show much interest in the woman. She glanced at Parag, then forced a smile and gently pushed the woman away, saying, "I'm fine."
She averted her eyes from the woman. Meanwhile, the woman also looked at Aastha with strange eyes. It was clear from the way they looked at each other that they didn't get along well.
Meanwhile Parag was solely concerned about Aastha. He told her, "You rest, I'll be back in a moment."
Saying this, he started to leave, but Aastha grabbed his wrist and asked, "Dad, where are you going?"
Parag held Aastha's hand and said, "I won't let those people off easily. They tried to hurt my daughter, and they will have to pay for it."
With that, Parag left without a moment of second thought. Aastha watched him leave, took a deep breath, and leaned back. Just then, she heard the woman in front of her say, "Your dad loves you a lot, doesn't he, Aastha?"
A strange look of hatred appeared on Aastha's face as she looked at the woman and said, "Yes, extremely. So much that no one could love me as much as he does!"
Hearing this, the woman smiled and gently cupped Aastha's cheek, saying softly, "I also love you, dear."
Aastha gave the woman's hand, which was resting on her cheek, a strange look and then quickly pushed it away, saying, "Dad is gone, so there's no need for this act anymore."
As soon as she heard this, the woman smiled oddly and stood up, saying, "Amazing, Aastha. Why can't you see my love?"
"Because I don't want to see it, madam. Now, please lift your hips and leave, because your being here is making me feel extremely suffocated, and Dad wouldn't like seeing me suffocate. And if he doesn't like it, you know what that means, right?" Aastha smiled as she said this.
Seeing her smile, the woman's hands began to tremble, and she immediately pointed a finger at Aastha, saying, "Speak to me with respect. I am your dad's wife, and don't you forget that!"
"SECOND WIFE!" Aastha snapped back immediately.
"Second wife, hmm? And don't you forget that, Miss Tara Roy(36)!" Aastha said in a venomous tone.
"Correct your words Aastha, I'm Tara... SETHI. And learn to stay within your limits, it'll be in your best interest. Otherwise..."
"Otherwise, I'll kick your ass and throw you out of here if you say any more nonsense. So, just get out before I remind you of your real place." Aastha's behavior made Tara fill with rage.
"I wish you had died in that gunfire last night." Hearing these words from Tara, Aastha was shocked, but not because Tara wished her dead. Instead, it was because Aastha's eyes were fixed on something behind Tara. Perhaps she had seen something that made her face turn pale. She then whispered, "Dad?"
Tara's heart sank.
She felt like everything had just gone horribly wrong. Did Parag hear what she had just said to Aastha? The thought made Tara's heart race, and she slowly turned around, trembling at the thought that her entire act might be exposed.
But when she finally turned around, her shock was immeasurable-there was no one there. Before she could make sense of it, she heard Aastha laughing. Tara whipped around and saw Aastha laughing openly.
From her laughter, Tara immediately realized that Aastha had tricked her.
Aastha then controlled her laughter and said, "Now get out of here, Tara Roy. Because you're no match for me."
Tara clenched her fists. She wanted to strangle Aastha right then, but she knew she couldn't.
Gritting her teeth, she said, "You bi'tch!"
"Just like you," Aastha said with a wink and gave a flying kiss with a pout.
Seeing this, Tara was left spinning, and the next moment, she stormed off.
Watching her leave, Aastha shook her head and said, "Sick lady."
Well, that was Aastha's family. But there were still many characters in Aastha's family that had yet to be introduced.
For now, it was clear from Parag's words that he was a highly influential person with considerable sway in high society.
___________
Mumbai -
It was night. Kian was urgently heading somewhere. He wore a brown shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the veins in his arms. On one wrist, he had a sparkling expensive watch, and below he wore black jeans.
He had a Bluetooth headset in his ears and was talking while moving forward at a brisk pace, looking quite busy.
But suddenly, he heard a voice from behind.
"Kian? Are you alright, beta? You seem quite tense."
Kian turned around to see Payal standing there. She came close, cupped his face with one hand, and said, "Are you okay? I've noticed for the past two days that you've been very troubled."
Kian touched his Bluetooth and said, "I'll call you later," cutting off the call. He then looked at Payal and said, "I'm absolutely fine, please don't worry too much about me."
"I'm your mother, so of course, I will worry."
"You are indeed my mom, but I'm not a kid anymore. Hmm?" Saying this, Kian began to leave, but Payal suddenly asked, "How did you agree to this marriage, Kian?"
On Payal's unexpected question, Kian's steps froze. He turned slowly and, after taking a deep breath, looked at Payal and said, "Because I've changed my mind. And now, I will not marry that girl... but 'only' that girl. Got that? By hook or by crook."
Kian emphasized the word 'only.' There was a strange madness in his voice, which even Payal noticed. She wanted to ask him more questions, but Kian quickly added, "If your list of questions is over, can I leave now?"
Payal slowly nodded and said, "Yes, you can go. I'll ask whatever else I need to after you return, because you seem quite busy right now. Good night," she said, and then walked away.
Kian watched her for some moments and the next moment, a strange smile spread across his lips.
"This marriage will definitely happen. And... it will be with 'her'... ONLY HER." Saying this, Kian's face showed expressions that were difficult to read.
_____
KIAN
I was driving at a high speed, in quite a hurry. I had Bluetooth in my ears, and I was constantly talking to someone. The tension on my face was obvious, showing that I was in a serious rush.
Then I got another call. I answered it. On the other hand, a voice asked, "Kian, where are you?"
"I'm exactly where I need to be right now. Why did you call?" I replied directly.
The person on the other end spoke in a hurried and panicked voice, "Kian! There are goons behind you."
"What?"
"Yes! You need to be safe. The guards are with you, right?" he asked.
By then, my expression had changed because my eyes were fixed ahead, and I could see what was happening in front of me.
Two cars appeared, driving in the wrong direction.
"Hello, Kian? Are you listening?" the person asked again.
I hit the brakes and then heard another noise from behind. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw two more cars behind me.
"Kian? Are you listening to me? I'm trying to tell you something."
Yes, I was hearing everything, but I didn't reply. Instead, I cut off both the Bluetooth and the phone. A smile spread across my lips, and I said to myself, "Let the game begin."
Saying this, I unbuckled my seat belt and stepped out of the car. Walking slowly, I moved to the front of my car and leaned against the bonnet. I pulled a cigarette from my pocket, calmly placed it between my lips, lit it with a lighter, and took a deep drag.
I knew I was surrounded from all sides, but despite that, there wasn't even a crease on my forehead, and I stood silently. Now those men had come close to me, surrounding me from all directions. One of them stepped forward, pulled out a gun from his waist, and smirked, saying, "A rising leader of our country, who wanted to do so much for this nation, was shot down by some people due to enmity... That's what tomorrow's headlines will say, Kian Bedi."
He said this, and I took a drag from my cigarette while looking into his eyes.
Then that man pointed the gun at me and said, "Your death will be a tragedy. But what can we do, it's what your fate has in store."
He said this and placed his fingers on the trigger.
But...
That's when I started laughing.
And of course, my laugh made them surprised, lekin beta, abhi toh bss shuruwaat hai.
(this is just the beginning)
I calmly put one hand into my pant pocket and, holding the cigarette between the fingers of my other hand, began to count, "5...4...3..."
On my countdown, shock spread through all their eyes. Then, one of them said to his companion, "Hey, why are we just standing here listening to his nonsense... Shoot him."
The man snapped back to his senses and tightened his grip on the trigger.
That's when I looked into his eyes and said, "2... 1 and... BOOM!"
With that, the two cars behind them exploded.
The sound of the blast echoed through the deserted street, leaving all the men stunned.
"What, what is this?" one of them asked.
"I think he has something up his sleeve. Just shoot him quickly and finish the job. Shoot him."
"Y-yeah," replied the man who had pointed the gun at me.
Although he was shocked, he quickly composed himself and this time was fully prepared to shoot me. But as soon as he tried to pull the trigger, I smiled. Before he could understand the reason behind my smile...
BANG!!!!!
With that, a gunshot rang out 'from somewhere', and the man who had pointed his gun at me was shot right through the forehead.
He just stood there, gun still aimed at me, his eyes wide open. There was a hole right in the middle of his forehead, and the next moment, he collapsed to the ground.
Now, the remaining seven men were completely shocked, not understanding what had just happened.
But kid, as I said, this is just the beginning.
I once again trapped the cigarette between my fingers, placed it on my lips, and slowly started advancing forward.
As soon as I took the first step forward, another man's forehead was pierced by a bullet, and he fell to the ground.
My second step!
Another man was taken out.
Third step, another man out.
Fourth step!
Another man out, and now only three were left.
They were looking around like madmen, watching their comrades fall one by one, as if someone was knocking mangoes off a tree with stones.
They now began looking at me with fear in their eyes.
Fifth step!
Another man out.
Sixth step... Another out.
And now, I stood right in front of the last man left. By now, his pants were soaked. I looked at him and smiled, saying, "Saale, Khade-Khade Moot Liya."
(Bastard, did you just claim that spot with your own sprinkler system)
Saying this, I placed my hand on his shoulder, and with that, he shook so violently it was as if a heavy rock had been thrown at him.
He folded his hands in front of me and started crying, "S-sir! Please forgive me! Let me go, you know whose orders I was following. Let me go, I swear I won't even come near you again."
"I won't give you the chance, sweetheart," I said with a smile, and put my other hand in his pants pocket.
He couldn't understand what I was doing. Trembling, he started watching me as I pulled out a knife from 'his' pant pocket, and seeing this, he burst into tears.
"Sir, let me go! Please don't kill me, sir!"
"Let you go?" I know my demeanor was truly becoming terrifying.
"Y-Yes, sir, Let me go."
"Alright, GO." I said.
He looked at me in surprise.
"Go on, why are you still standing?"
He saw this as the perfect opportunity to save his life, and just as he turned to run, a hand came forward from behind and a sharp knife slashed through his throat, and that hand... was mine.
I slit the man's throat, causing blood to splatter onto my face as well. The man died on the spot, collapsing to the ground.
Then, I heard a voice in my ear, "Netaao ke haath khoon se range hue ache nahi lagte Mr. Bedi."
(Bloodstained hands don't suit politicians like you, Mr. Bedi)
This voice brought a sly smile to my lips.
I turned slowly, and my gaze fell on the man sitting on the bonnet of my car, blowing the smoke from the tip of his gun.
This was the same person who had caused the explosion a little while ago, shooting every man at my advancing steps.
I looked at him, took the last drag of my cigarette, and said, "I knew you would come."
"Yes, because you needed me." He lifted his gaze, and now his eyes met mine directly.
Just then, my phone rang.
I received the call, and immediately a voice came from the other side, "Sir, he's there."
"I know." I said, without taking my eyes off the man.
"Who? Do you know who I'm talking about?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
"Akshat Bedi," I said in one breath, and with that, both of us grinned.
After all, the man in front of me was none other than the 'AKSHAT BEDI' himself.
__________
Belgium -
__________
AASTHA
I arrived home. It would be more accurate to call it a mansion rather than just a house, given its size. But my heart never settled in this grand place. I only found peace in my small room, which again, was small only in name.
Anyway, as soon as I came inside, a girl immediately hugged me, "Aastha, you alright?"
This girl is my bua's daughter. My Bua is a divorcee, so she lives with us. She also has an older son who is the same age as me... And the girl hugging me is named Shravani, and she is 20 years old, two years younger than me.
I separated from Shravani and smiled as I said, "I'm fine, Vani!"
We used to call her Vani.
"I was really scared, after all, you got caught in a gunfire," Vani said.
"Yeah. I was scared too," I said, when suddenly I heard someone laughing.
I turned around and saw Dad coming in, accompanied by 'the leech of my life,' Tara. She had a smile on her lips as she walked inside, glaring at me.
We both exchanged sharp looks, and meanwhile, Dad, while talking on the phone, said, "Alright! We'll give you our final decision today. Although you already know what our decision is going to be, we still want to ask our daughter one last time! Yes... okay... Namaste!"
Saying this, Dad hung up the phone.
I, on the other hand, quietly sat down on the sofa in an uninterested manner. Dad then came and sat beside me and said, "Aastha, beta, I know what your decision is, but I still want to know if you're not compromising, right? Are you okay with this marriage?"
I knew Dad would say this! Ugh!!
"Yes, Dad. I'm telling you one last time, I have no problem with this marriage. And how many times do I have to say that I'm not compromising," I said, irritated.
"Didi, if that's the case, then why haven't you tried to learn anything about the man you are going to marry until now? Hmm?" This time, Shravani jumped into the conversation.
Oh god!!!!
"That's because I trust both Daadu and Dad's choice. And I don't want to know anything beyond this... You all need to proceed with the wedding preparations, so please go ahead and stop asking me the same question repeatedly." This time, my voice was sharp, and I stood up to leave.
Just then, Shravani asked Dad from behind, "Mama, what was the name of the man whom Dii is going to marry?"
I continued walking forward uninterested, without paying attention to their conversation.
"I'll tell you." Tara stepped in.
Bi'tch! Even her voice is irritating.
"His name is..." She paused.
"AKSHAT BEDI."
And just with that... my feet, which had been moving at lightning speed, slammed to a stop, and in an instant, and in a heartbeat, my entire body was paralyzed in terror.
____________________
𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐃...
____________________
• This book is not a 'love triangle'. Read the blurb again.
The leading lady will be snatched by the Villain 'aka' Akshat Bedi. So you're, definitely going to hate him for his acts so be prepared already or leave this book right here. Because He is not a hero-I repeat-HE IS NOT A HERO.
• And request time: Please add this book into your library.