Page 261 of The Redemption
A muffled cry breaks through the gag covering her mouth as she fights violently against her restraints. Rage burns in her eyes, and Samarjeet finally reaches forward and yanks the gag away.
The moment it comes off, her scream shakes the room. “You killed her?” Tears instantly flood her eyes, but there is more fury in them than grief. “You killed your own father, and now you’ve killed your sister? How could you destroy your own family?”
Samarjeet rolls his eyes. But Aunty isn’t done. “I regret giving birth to you,” she snaps.
Something shifts in Samarjeet’s expression.
“The day you were born, I thanked God for giving me a son.” Tears stream down her cheeks as her voice cracks. “Today, I wish he had never answered that prayer.”
Samarjeet stiffens for a second. “You should be careful what you say, Mom.” His voice drops as he leans closer. “Because one day… I might stop remembering that you’re my mother.”
A shiver runs down my spine, but Aunty doesn’t flinch. She lifts her chin and looks straight into his eyes.
“You are a monster.”
The hatred in Samarjeet’s eyes turns murderous. For a second, I genuinely think he’s going to kill her.
“Your curses mean nothing to me,” he snarls. “But if you want to stay alive, stop talking. If you push me any further, it won’t take much for me to kill you too.”
The words should have intimidated her, but she meets his gaze head-on despite the ropes binding her to the chair. The disappointment in her eyes is somehow worse than hatred.
Then her gaze shifts to me. My stomach tightens instantly. “And you...” she snaps. “Do you seriously think any of this is going to get you what you want?” I freeze. “Do you think helping him will somehow give you my daughter’s place in Raghav’s life? You still don’t know him, do you?”
My throat goes dry.
“He isn’t going to look at you. And he certainly isn’t going to spare you once he finds out what you’ve done.” Aunty’s eyes glisten with tears. “You have absolutely no idea how far Raghav can go for his family.”
Then she slowly turns back to Samarjeet, directing her anger to him.
“And you... just pray Siya is alive, Samarjeet. Pray that nothing happens to her. Because if she’s not, then Raghav will come for you.” Her eyes shine with tears, but there’s no fear in them. “You have already committed sins that no mother should ever have to bear. Mark my words, you won’t make it out of Shivtara Valley. Raghav will come for you. I know my son.”
The words hit their mark.
“My son?” Samarjeet repeats, his face twisting with anger.“So he’s your son now?” He pulls away angrily. “Then who the f*ck am I?”
Aunty doesn’t hesitate to reply. “The day you killed Shamsher, you stopped being my son. You don’t deserve to be called anyone’s son.” She stares directly into his eyes. “You’re not human anymore. You are a monster, Samarjeet. A devil.”
Samarjeet is still glaring at her, when a distant gunshot suddenly cracks through the silence outside. Everyone freezes as the gunshots start getting closer. My heart starts hammering.Samarjeet’s head snaps towards the door. He knows exactly what those gunshots mean.They found us.
Aunty’s eyes shine triumphantly. “I told you. My son is here. This is your end, Samarjeet.”
Another explosion tears through the night outside, and the entire house seems to vibrate. Suddenly, I don’t feel nearly as safe inside this hideout anymore. Pure fury takes over Samarjeet’s face.
“Not my end.” He whirls back towards his mother. “It will behis.”
Both of us stare at him as he moves towards the window, listening to the gunfire raging outside. “Let him come.”
Another explosion echoes through the valley, closer this time. His fists tighten.
“Tonight...” He turns back towards us with murder in his eyes. “...Raghav dies.”
CHAPTER 48
RAGHAV
Few minutes ago – Night
I stand behind the dense row of trees, overlooking the abandoned house hidden deep within Shivtara Valley. From here, the house appears dilapidated, with crumbling walls, sections of the roof already collapsed, and dark, empty windows. The perfect place for a rat like Samarjeet to hide. Dozens of his armed men are guarding the area. It looks like Samarjeet has gathered every loyal dog he has left and brought themhere.
