Page 159 of The Redemption
Mom studies my face carefully. Then she says something that completely stuns me.
“You know I slapped Raghav the first night we were here.”
My head jerks upwards.
“What?” My jaw drops, convinced I must have misunderstood.
“I was furious, Siya. He had forced my daughter into a marriage. What did you expect me to do? Congratulate him?” Mom’s expression hardens. “When I found out he intended to keep you in his bedroom against your will, I couldn’t control myself. I would have done far worse if it meant protecting my children.”
I know she would, and that’s exactly why I love her. Then she goes into a thoughtful mode as she continues. “He didn’t say a word back.”
Really? Now I’m genuinely shocked. He didn’t?
“He just stood there and took it.” Mom’s voice softens. “Raghav was wrong. I’m not defending what he did, and I never will. But he’s not the only one responsible for this chaos.”
Her words hit me hard.
“You may not have meant for any of this to happen,” she continues gently. “But somewhere along the way, you messed things up too, Siya. If he’s at fault, you are as well.”
With that, Mom turns and goes back inside. I remain rooted to the spot, unable to move. For the first time, I saw disappointment in Mom’s eyes regarding me. And this is all because of Raghav Kundra.
CHAPTER 30
SIYA
Few minutes later
The moment Esha tells me Raghav is in the gym, I make my way there. I don’t realise how fast I’m walking until I push open the heavy glass doors leading to the boxing section.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
The unmistakable sound of leather striking a punching bag echoes through the otherwise empty gym. I glance around, and there he is. Dressed in a black sleeveless vest and charcoal joggers, he’s standing in front of the heavy bag, sweat glistening over the hard lines of his body. His gloved fists slam into the bag relentlessly… jabs, crosses, hooks, and uppercuts landing one after the other, each strike sending the bag swinging.
The chains holding the bag rattle violently with each blow. He doesn’t even seem to notice my entrance or maybe he simply doesn’t care. My pulse pounds louder than the bag as Mom’s words replay in my head.
“If he’s at fault, you are as well.”
No. Absolutely not.
Raghav lands one final vicious combination before sensing my presence, and he slowly turns to face me. The instant our eyes meet, he stops punching.
Without a word, I march straight towards him and shove him hard. His body barely moves. He simply absorbs the force, staring at me with narrowed eyes.
I shove him again. Harder this time.
“What the f*ck is your problem now?” he shouts.
“Youare my problem.” I shove him back again through gritted teeth. “Everyone around here believing that our marriage is normal is my problem.” Another shove. “The people of RK Estate having no idea what their favourite, respectable Boss did in Cape Town is my problem.” Another push. “And worst of all? Mom telling me that this isn’t just your fault… that I’m equally responsible for this entire mess too...thatis my problem.”
He simply keeps taking every shove without retaliating, which only makes me angrier. I curl my hand into a fist and punch him straight in the chest. The impact stings my knuckles far more than it hurts him. He exhales sharply.
“Siya.”
I swing again, this time aiming for his shoulder. He instinctively blocks it with his forearm. My eyes widen at his boxing reflexes, but I’m too angry to stop. I throw another punch. Then another. Raghav shifts sideways, and the punch slices through empty air. I then go for his ribs, but he catches my wrist just enough to stop it, then immediately lets go, as if reminding himself that he isn’t fighting an opponent.
