3

My mind is a shrine of uncanny thoughts; just like right now, all I can think is what if I get into an accident and die? I won't have to go through the torment of living, I can sleep peacefully with no absurd notion hampering my head.

No, I am not suicidal, I am just a cynic trying to coexist with my vicious mind. I rolled the window to savour the night air of Udaipur. It's a mixture of warm and cold breezes combining. What a beautiful city this is! I wish I could stay longer, but the option Diya left me with let alone stay I don't think I will be able to set foot in this city ever again.

Chills ran down my spine erupting goose bumps all over my body making me realise how cold it is outside. I shut the window, focusing on driving.

My mind went back to Diya and her unusual behaviour. What is she trying to hide from me? Does she want out of this marriage because she ought to pursue her dreams or it's all a facade for an obnoxious truth hiding behind? I need to figure this out before getting trapped in the web of lies that Diya is building for me and her family. I looked outside the window thinking about what part of my mind thought this would be a good idea, I sighed turning on the radio to stop my thoughts catering for my whole head. This won't take me anywhere, I can't be a mess,  I need my mind to behave for god sake.

The road leading to Diya's mansion was getting eerily quiet as I was driving down the location which the map directed me to. Is this even the right way? I sighted questioning myself. This road looks so abandoned and unsafe I shouldn't be driving down this path or else Diya's sham of marriage would be replaced by my convivial funeral. I snorted a laugh pulling the car near a faint source of light. It seems like a secure place to stop for a while.

I clutched my phone in a tight grip judging my surroundings for a bit, seeing no car passing by or any sort of danger I sighed with a sense of relief washing all of my body. . I impel my way towards the map seeking for right direction, thrusting my finger on the keypad harshly I tried to come up with any result but the map reluctantly showed me the same way as before. I might be wrong but my instincts are never misleading, I always listen to the voice inside my head and my heart is itching to go back from this place and stay for a night in a hotel. Diya can handle her family for a night and I will reach her house before dawn but at this moment every cell in my body is screaming for me to run the hell away from this place which looks like it could be used to commit murders.

Pushing the car into reversed mode I switched the headlights on when suddenly the screech of brakes pierced the air, followed by a sickening crunch of metal. My heart dropped, stimulating my heartbeat to throb rapidly against my ribs. My hands Latched on turning the engine and headlight off, gathering some courage I looked to scope behind me. My vision blurred by a flash of light, a shattering of glass burst through the eery silence of the night sending chills down my spine.

A man screamed begging a bulky man behind him to let him go, the vision cleared and I gasped looking at the destruction I muffled down the scream threatening to echo. Two cars, now twisted remnants of their former selves, lay entwined like wounded beasts in the middle of the road. The first vehicle, a sleek black sedan, bore the brunt of the impact. Its front end crumpled inward, the hood folded like an accordion. Shards of glass sparkled on the asphalt around it, remnants of shattered windows. Smoke curled from the engine, mixing with the acrid smell of burnt rubber. Across from it lay a battered SUV, its once sturdy frame now a twisted mass of metal. The side had been ripped open, exposing torn upholstery and shattered belongings strewn across the road. One wheel spun lazily, detached from its axle, a grim testament to the violence of the collision.

The bulky man pushed the injured man inside the forest covered with a tapestry of green hues, where towering trees stood as ancient sentinels, their gnarled roots intertwining with the earth like the fingers of giants. Finally, both men disappeared after what felt like an eternity. Pushing my hair back I caressed my thumb, sweat covered my whole body ticking down my spine, my heart filled with dread and agony for that injured man.

"Will he kill him?"

"What will that bulky man do."

"Oh god, poor guy. He was so badly injured."

His face begging for mercy flashed in front of my mind. Oh lord, I need to help that man out. I stumbled out of the car running to hide behind a big tree, the branches hanging from it would work making me go invisible I thought sitting down. My hands trembled as I punched my screen continuously trying to contact police and Diya simultaneously.

When all of a sudden a shot rang amidst the quiet of the forest, a sharp crack shattered the serenity. It was the unmistakable sound of a gunshot. As the realisation washed over me, I froze, my heart leaping into my throat as adrenaline surged through my veins. My breath came in quick gasps. Another shot rang out, closer this time, followed by a distant shout. Instinctively, I turned toward the sound,  my mind racing through a flurry of thoughts and fears.

Fuck my eyes gauged out and I harshly pushed my phone inside my pocket. I can't wait for signals, I need to save that man's life or else at least try to look at his offenders so I can get him justice. My inquisitive mind surged me to go inside and just like the impulsive person I am, I listen to the voices in my head.

Branches whipped at my arms and face as I pushed deeper into the woods, guided by the echo of danger. Fear mingled with determination as I  pushed myself taking steady steps, driven by the urgency to understand what was happening, I picked up my pace when I approached a small clearing, my vision blurred by encroaching darkness, the scene unfolded before me and convulsion of fear contrasted my muscles: three figures, locked in a tense confrontation. A man in dark clothes stood over the injured man who lay crumpled on the ground, whereas the bulky man was holding some kind of gun.

His body was much leaner than the bulky man thought he was effortless the tallest one among them. The glint of a firearm in the man's hand sent a shiver down my spine. I shouldn't be here, I looked at the sky and cursed my fate.

"So gun or my fist." A powerful yet dark sinister voice echoed around the forest, because of darkness it was hard to recognise who was speaking but judging by the glint of smoothness yet slightly roughness around the edges, hinting at the motive of killing, it was him. He was effortlessly scary, he didn't abuse or even touch the injured man he simply questioned him sending waves of trembles and fear in his and my bones.

"Fast, I don't have all day." He calmly commanded, not once his voice losing the calmness.

I clenched my eyes shut, I can't watch this.

"Aadit-t I beg you please leave me, I swear on my wife, I won't ever try to betray you. Please leave me." The injured man begged sobbing. Aadit, what a good name wasted on this cruel man. My eyes teared up, fuck I can't let him die. I picked the stick near me and with all the power embedded in me I  threw it on the other side of the forest, it fell brushing down with some leaves. The bulky man's head whipped towards the soft sound. But the tall man not for a second removed his hard gaze from the injured man, he was just like an animal aiming for prey. A beast hunting for his prey.

The bulky man walked in that direction before the same dark ominous voice stopped him "No need to go there, Dev."

"But boss" He stammered looking down

The cruel beast gazed at the bulky man aka Dev for a second before turning his all attention to his dinner for the night.

I sighed wiping my tears and asking for forgiveness from every god that existed, I couldn't save him. I will witness a man getting brutally murdered tonight, and I won't be able to do anything about it. I clenched my eyes shut, putting my index finger inside my ear to avoid any kind of painful noise.

Simultaneously three shots rang piercing the bullets inside the man's chest. Oh lord, please please forgive me. I bit my palm to stop me from sobbing.

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Painful memories started blinding my vision, no no no. I hastily open my eyes to avoid those memories haunting me again. But another nightmare waited for me as soon as I opened my eyes I was startled when I saw a bulky man approaching me. Fuck they know I am here.

I am going to die...

I am going to die in the same painful manner, I Will die without knowing the truth.

I don't want to die without knowing the truth about her.

"Dev, go to the car and call the guards to take away his body."

My body relaxed a bit and I started thanking my lucky stars. Gee thanks you beast.

"Yes, boss," The bulky man changed the course of his direction and ran towards the other side of the dense forest. A sense of relief washed over me, but I think I celebrated a little too soon because the soft rustling of the tall man approaching my way could be heard clearly. So he wants to kill me alone or even worse. What if he wants to rape me and then he will leave me alone to die. My whole body stiffens with fear, I can't move or speak it's like I am paralysed.

My eyes widened as his footsteps grew near me. I am dying tonight and not even god can save me from this beast named Aadit.