Chapter 2: Aaghaaz Ek Qaid Ka…
(The Beginning of a Captivity)
Recap from the previous chapter:
"Sab chale gaye... aur ab aap bhi."
("Everyone left… and now you too.")
Arya had fallen asleep crying in her nani's statue's lap — surrounded by scattered emotions and incomplete words.
Now…
Her eyelids fluttered slightly. Her breath was heavy, and a drop of sweat slid coldly down her forehead. When her eyes fully opened, there was nothing but darkness.
The room was drowned in a strange, eerie stillness — no sound, no movement… only faint moonlight leaking through the cracks in the damp walls. Every corner was wrapped in a blanket of fear and mystery. A rotting smell lingered — like a blend of blood and rusted iron. And that rusty dampness in the air… it was beginning to settle in her lungs.
Arya's whole body trembled in pain. Every breath felt like someone was watching her.
She barely moved her fingers.
"Mere haath...?"
("My hands...?")
Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but the fear in her eyes was loud and clear.
And then — THUD!
A heavy door creaked open.
Arya's pupils shrank. A dark silhouette emerged in front of her — like a shadow, but very much human. Its footsteps echoed, slicing through the silence like a blade — slow, cold, deliberate.
That figure was approaching her.
Her breath started to catch. Her eyes filled not just with fear… but confusion.
"Kaun hai ye? Kahan hoon main?"
("Who is this? Where am I?")
The shadow finally spoke — its voice chilling, merciless… and strangely familiar.
"Bahut hairani ho rahi hai na?"
("Surprised, aren't you?")
"Thappad maarne ka shauk hai na tumhe? Ab uss haath ka koi mol nahi rahega."
("You like slapping people, don't you? That hand won't be worth anything now.")
"Har din tadpo... har pal pachtaaoo... poori zindagi ke liye!"
("Suffer every day… regret every second… for the rest of your life!")
Arya's heart stopped for a moment. These words… this tone… she'd heard them before. Somewhere... lost between a dream and reality.
And then… the shadow stepped into the light.
It was none other than Shivay Rathore.
His eyes held no kindness, no remorse… only the intent to punish.
Leaning in close, he gave a chilling command to his bodyguards:
"Aisi sazaa do... ke haath rahein, par kabhi kisi kaam ke laayak na ho."
("Give her a punishment so cruel… that her hands remain, but are never useful again.")
He smirked and turned away.
Arya's blood boiled. Despite the pain, she gathered every ounce of strength and stood up.
Her blue shirt was now soaked in deep red, her black jeans torn in several places — but her face… still innocent. And now, that innocence had turned into fire.
"Tum jo bhi ho, ek baat yaad rakhna..."
("Whoever you are, remember one thing...")
"Main Arya hoon... aur main kisi ka udhaar nahi rakhti."
("I'm Arya… and I never owe anyone anything.")
"Jo diya hai, wo sood samet wapas dungi. Ye mera vaada hai."
("Whatever you've given me, I'll return it with interest. That's my promise.")
Shivay stopped and looked back.
"Is haalat mein bhi sapne?"
("Dreaming… even in this condition?")
"Haqeeqat mein jago, Arya."
("Wake up to reality, Arya.")
"Sapne... sirf sote hue acche lagte hain, jaagte hue nahi."
("Dreams… are only beautiful when you're asleep, not awake.")
With that, he walked away.
Arya kept staring at his fading shadow — now, there was no fear in her eyes. Only a burning fire.
"Agar mera sharir mai itni chot nahi lagi hoti to..."
("If my body wasn't this broken…")
"Toh tumhare is ghamand ko abhi tod deti."
("I would've crushed that arrogance of yours right now.")
And the moment those words escaped her lips… her wounds started healing on their own. From her hands to her back, legs, and face — every wound seemed to vanish into thin air.
Arya was stunned.
She looked at herself again. Her eyes were no longer blue… they had turned a glowing shade of silver. Her hair, long and thick, radiated with the aura of a goddess. She could barely recognize herself.
"Yeh kya ho raha hai mujhe...?"
("What's happening to me...?")
Her voice echoed, trembling.
But there was no time to think.
Suddenly — the sound of heavy boots echoed across the floor. Sharp as words. Cold as fate.
Four to five massive figures — Shivay's bodyguards — entered the room.
Their eyes had only one thing — orders.
And their intention was clear — to break Arya.
Now the question remains…
Will Arya escape this captivity?
Will she uncover the truth — where she is, and why?
Is there a hidden meaning behind that golden glow in her nani's eyes?
To find out… stay tuned for Chapter 3.