WebNovels

Chapter 21 - Chapter 20

The tires screamed against the road as he chased me — his headlights blazing in the rearview mirror, closing in… closer… closer.

The whole night felt endless. I kept hiding, but no matter where I turned, he always found me again. By the time dawn broke, my body felt like it was falling apart. My throat burned for water, my legs ached, my arms trembled. When I finally glanced at the rearview mirror and saw no sign of his yellow car, I let out a shaky breath.

"If he finds me again, he'll kill me," I whispered, my heart pounding.

The memory of his furious eyes sent a chill crawling down my spine. My hands trembled on the steering wheel, my lips dry.

Suddenly, the car jerked. It rolled to a stop. I turned the key again, panic flaring.

"Come on… please," I gasped, twisting it again and again, but the engine refused to start. Then I saw it — the fuel gauge pointing to empty.

A wave of despair hit me. No. Not now.

Before he could find me, I flung the door open and ran.

I didn't know where to go, what to do — I just ran. My legs felt heavy, almost numb, like they weren't even mine anymore. My vision blurred from exhaustion, but then, through the haze, I saw it — Ravi Uncle's Sweet Shop.

Tears welled up. I stumbled toward it and burst through the door, panting.

Sarala Aunty turned, eyes wide. "Amrita? What happened? Why are you running like this?"

I could barely speak. My voice trembled as I forced the words out.

"Vaishank… he's trying to kill me," I gasped.

Her face froze in disbelief and horror. "What?"

But before I could explain, the sound of footsteps thundered behind me.

Vaishank appeared in the doorway, his eyes blazing with rage.

I stumbled back, pressing myself against the wall.

Sarala Aunty stepped in front of me, trembling. "Vaishank, what's wrong with you? What happened?"

"Move," he said, his voice deep and dangerous.

She tried to reason with him, gently reaching for his arm. But he grabbed her wrist and twisted it hard.

"Aah!" she screamed. He shoved her away, and she crashed against the counter.

He turned toward me, his steps echoing — slow, deliberate, deadly. My breath caught.

But before he could reach me — PAAK! — a pan slammed against his head.

Sarala Aunty stood behind him, shaking.

He growled and turned, but she quickly stuck out her leg. He slipped and fell hard to the floor.

"Run, Amrita!" she screamed.

Without wasting a second, I bolted toward the door — but suddenly, a rough grip seized my ankle. Vaishank's hand. His fingers dug into my skin like claws. I screamed as Sarala Aunty tried to pull me free.

"Leave her!" she shouted, kicking him.

I kicked too, with everything I had. My bare foot hit his face — he grunted and loosened his grip. I looked at Aunty through my tears. "Run! Please, run away from this monster!"

And I ran.

People watched as I dashed through the streets, barefoot, broken, terrified — but no one stopped me. No one asked. Maybe if they had, I would've screamed for help.

I just kept running until I reached a silent road. My chest heaved. My body begged to stop. And then I saw it — the yellow car speeding toward me.

I froze. My blood turned cold.

Is this it? Is this how I die?

Just then — a blue car swerved in front of me, blocking his path.

"Amrita! Get in!"

Sudesh.

My heart leapt. I ran to him, climbed in, and he hit the accelerator. Behind us, Vaishank's car roared back to life, chasing again.

I gulped down air as Sudesh handed me a bottle of water. "I'm sorry," he said, voice rough. "I was at work when you called. I didn't see your message."

Tears streamed down my cheeks. "I'm sorry for not trusting you," I whispered.

But the nightmare wasn't over. Vaishank's car rammed into ours. The vehicle spun violently, crashing against a tree. Sudesh's head slammed against the steering wheel.

"Sudesh!" I screamed.

He groaned, blood trickling down his forehead. Before I could move, a window shattered — Vaishank reached in, wrapping a rope around Sudesh's neck and yanking it tight.

"Let him go!" I shouted.

Sudesh gasped, struggling for breath. "No… no matter what happens… don't get out of the car," he choked out.

Tears blinded me. "I can't just watch!" I cried. "I'm sorry, Sudesh…"

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