Chapter 33

Recap: Vikram planned a surprise for Sam

*******************************

Vikram stepped forward with a chilling calm. “Surprise…” he said, a wry smile playing on his lips.

The room fell deathly silent as everyone’s eyes darted to the TV screen. The news was breaking flashing across every channel.

Sana’s smile slowly faded. Samrat’s smirk dropped.

Priyanka – She was shown being dragged out of a seedy hotel—hair disheveled, hands cuffed, clothes indecent. She looked nothing like the composed woman they all knew.

“24-year-old Priyanka arrested as the prime suspect in the planned murder of her parents. Sources confirm she was apprehended at XYZ Hotel on charges of prostitution.”

Sana’s hand flew to her mouth. Her knees buckled slightly, and Vikram immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close in a protective side hug. He felt her tremble in his embrace. “Easy, angel… I’m here,” he whispered.

Samrat’s face turned a dark red, but he didn’t say a word. He simply stared at the screen, jaw clenched.

Rakshat let out a scoff. “I have never seen such a cheap slut in my life. She’d sell her soul for a few rupees.”

Sana, still processing, muttered in disbelief, “How could she do this… to her own parents?”

Vikram answered grimly, “She wanted a luxurious life. But her parents were simple, middle-class. She knew you, Sana — your heart. If her parents were out of the picture, she’d count on your compassion to take her in. She played her game well.”

Sana’s voice cracked, “How did she even manage…?”

Pugazh replied coldly, “She hired goons to drive a lorry straight into the cab her parents were in. A perfect setup.”

Rakshat continued, “The case was initially marked as an accident. Someone powerful tampered with it… helped her walk free.”

Vikram looked into Sana’s teary eyes. “After that, she acted the orphan. Cried her way into your home. Into your heart.”

Sana pulled away slightly. “No… I wasn’t innocent. I was a fool. So dumb… I couldn’t even see her real face…”

She broke down, covering her face with both hands. Vikram gently held her wrists and moved her hands aside, wiping her tears with his thumbs.

“Sana… look at me,” he said softly but firmly. “You’re not dumb. You’re not a fool. You’re a pure, kind soul. You love without conditions. You care without limits. That’s your strength — not your weakness. They don’t deserve your blame.”

“You’re just trying to make me feel better,” she whispered.

“I’m showing you the truth,” he replied. “Don’t let their betrayal poison your heart.”

She narrowed her gaze. “You said they… You mean it’s not just her?”

Vikram sighed. “I wish I could say it was only her. But… there’s more.”

Sana stepped back. “No… No, I can’t handle this. Let’s just go home.”

She turned toward the main door—but froze. Her eyes widened.

Standing at the threshold were uniformed police officers.

She backed away instinctively, fear in her eyes, and clutched Vikram’s arm tightly.

The Inspector stepped inside and saluted Vikram.

“Good evening, sir.”

“Evening, officer,” Vikram said with cold authority. “You may proceed.”

Sana looked at Vikram, utterly confused.

The Inspector turned toward Samrat. “Mr. Samrat… we have a warrant for your arrest.”

Samrat jumped to his feet. “What the hell?! Why am I being arrested?! What’s going on?!”

Rakshat stepped forward with a smirk. “Room No. 555… Ring a bell, Sammy boy?”

Pugazh crossed his arms. “Let’s make it clearer. Priyanka’s loverboy. Sound familiar?”

Sana gasped. Her body went limp and her world spun out of control. Before she hit the floor, Vikram caught her and gently carried her to the bedroom. He placed her carefully on the bed, brushing the hair away from her damp forehead.

Then, fury surging again, he returned to the living room.

Samrat was still shouting. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Rakshat walked up and slapped him — hard. “You lying bastard.”

Vikram grabbed Sam by the collar and punched him. Sam staggered back, only to be hit again.

“You think I didn’t know?” Vikram growled. “I kept you close, let you roam free, just to expose the one behind you. But how dare you try to hurt Sana?!” He kicked him down, then pressed a knee to his chest. “You tried to touch my wife. You plotted to kill her. How dare you?!“

He grabbed Sam’s neck, ready to strangle him when Rakshat, Pugazh, and the Inspector pulled him back.

“Sir! Please!” the Inspector said urgently. “Let the law handle him.”

Vikram finally stepped back, his chest heaving.

“I’m only sparing you because I need the mastermind. But once I get him… your days are numbered.”

Samrat, bleeding and broken, chuckled darkly.

“You all think this is over?” He spat blood to the side. “You don’t even know who you’ve messed with. He’s a devil… and you’ve poked the wrong one.”

“What did you say?” Pugazh stepped closer, fists clenched.

Sam smirked, mad-eyed. “You said Priyanka’s my lover? Fools. She’s my wife. My darling, my obsession, my everything. If she asked me to… I’d kill Sana in a heartbeat.”

A sharp slap cracked through the room. Everyone turned — stunned. Sana stood there, pale but fiery-eyed. She had heard it all.

“You bastard…” she whispered. “I trusted you. Even after everything, I believed in you. But you”

Sam grabbed her wrist. “You idiot! I never asked you to trust me! You’re so easy to fool—”

She winced in pain. Before another second passed, Vikram’s gun was on Samrat’s forehead. His eyes were red with fury.

“Let. Her. Go.”

Sam let go instantly. Pugazh pulled Sana to his side.

Vikram was about to pull the trigger BANG! The bullet hit the vase beside them as the Inspector deflected the gun at the last moment.

“Sir! Please! Let us take it from here. We’ve got strict orders from the Commissioner.”

Vikram was still shaking in rage. “I swear, I’ll kill you with my bare hands if I ever see you again.”

Samrat looked up defiantly, blood smeared on his lips. “You’ve touched the wrong nerve. The next move is ours.”

He looked at Sana one last time and spat, “Enjoy your tears while they last.”

The Inspector and his team dragged him out. The moment the door closed, Vikram ran his hand through his hair in frustration. Sana sobbed into Pugazh’s shoulder.

Rakshat placed a steadying hand on Vikram’s back.

“Vikram… enough. Look at her. She’s broken. She needs you now. Not your anger. Your love.”

Vikram nodded, breathing hard. He turned to Sana, whose face was red and streaked with tears. The sight crushed him. He walked over silently, sat beside her, and gently cupped her face. She met his gaze—and broke. She threw her arms around him and cried against his chest.

He held her tight, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. “I’ve got you. I’m here. I’ll never let anything happen to you again…”

Pugazh gave him a look that said, Take her home. She needs peace.

Vikram nodded.

“Rakshat… I’m taking her home. Please handle the rest.”

Rakshat patted his back. “Go. We’ve got this.”

Vikram looked down at Sana, gently tucked her into his side, and walked her out.

******************

A/N:

How was the update?

Please like and comment