Anantha POV

I heard a noise. We all turned. We went there. And we saw her.

Riya

She was coming toward us. Smiling. Thank God. Thank you so much for keeping her safe. I was wishing.

She was jumping and running towards us. Like always. Her smiling face. 

“Nooooo” I heard. I flinched and turned towards the voice. It was Akaay. He was running in the direction where Riya was.

I turned again. And what I was seeing I couldn't believe. Riya was dirty and muddy , half naked. Walking like a zombie. There was water on the ground. 

She tried to yell but couldn't. She stumbled and fell on the ground. I'm looking at her frozen on my spot.

Then something happened and a small noise came. And riya caught fire. Now her screaming was piercing my ears.

“Noooooo” I yelled and ran towards her. I have to do something. I can't be like this again. I can't freeze again. I can't…..

Akaay reached first he took off his jacket and tried to extinguish the fire. That was not water, it was petrol.

My vision started to blur. Nihal and Maya were running towards her. When we reached there,

Akaay successfully extinguished the fire. He wrapped his jacket on her. He removed his t- shirt too to cover her more.

He took riya on his lap. He was hugging Riya. Holding her head. He wasn't looking at anyone. Just down at her.

Maya went to her. She tried to touch her cheeks, her eyes were full of tears. She wasn't hiding. She was crying. Nihal knelt down. His eyes also have tears.

I felt something on my cheeks. I widened my eyes. When I touched it. It was water. I'm crying. I don't cry that easily. I have full control over myself.

I heard a laugh. It was a low noise no one could hear. But I did. Akaay look up. He heard too. Someone is here.

Then we heard a loud car honk. They were driving towards us. Everything paused for a second. I don't know what to do? I have to do something.

Akaay gave Riya. Maya took hold of her. Akaay turned his back towards me. That's when I saw his back. That was what caught my eyes.

Gun

Not one. It's two. Why does he have a gun?

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Author Pov

He put his hands behind. he held the gun and pulled it out.

He aimed the gun towards the car. He didn't think twice he started to shoot. Shattering glass sounds came. The car's front glass broke.

Everyone saw their faces. That car came towards them and passed by them. The car drove away.

Anantha’s eyes widened. Akaay turned he looked at Anantha. Then he looked at Riya. He kneels down. Took riya in his arms.

He started to walk. Maya was crying. They were following Akaay. Akaay couldn't see but his eyes were moist too.

He put riya on the back seat. Maya took Riya’s head and took her lap. Akaay opened the gate for Anantha and she sat in the passenger seat. Nihal took backseat holding Riya's foot.

They all went to the hospital.

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Akaay Pov

We are waiting outside of Riya's room. I hope she make through it. I will kill them if what I'm thinking happens to her.

I couldn't look at Anantha right now. She saw me with a gun. She must be scared. She must have so many questions. Her friends saw that too. What am I supposed to do now?

I will tell her everything if she asks. If I have to beg her to stay. I will gladly do that.

The doctor came. We all stood up. Maya ran to the doctor. Anantha was behind her. Nihal went to the doctor too. I just lean to the nearest wall. I hear everything from here. 

I have to control my shit. Or I will beat that doctor too.

“I'm so sorry about her,” the doctor says. Please no. Don't say that doctor. Don't say that.

“She is alive. Thank God. But she has so much trauma she can't talk.” Doctor says.

“What happened to her doctor?” Maya asked. Please no. She is just a child.

“It was rape. She is brutally raped. Her body is burned 70%. I don't know if she can recover or not. "The doctor said the things I was scared to hear.

“Did you find any DNA?” I asked. The doctor and others turned towards me.

“We found DNA. It was given to the test. The patient said there were three men, "the doctor says. Okay three people to kill.

Maya fell to her knees. She started crying harder. Nihal holds her from the side. But Anantha kept looking at her. Her eyes were widened the whole time.

I think she had seen something like that. She looked scared. I wished I could hug her. She saw something like that that's why she fears being touched.

Realisation hit me hard. I widened my eyes in shock. I have to leave now or I’ll lose my patience.

I looked at Anantha again. She was kneeling near Maya patting her back. She doesn't know how to give comfort to others. My baby.

Then I turned and came out of the hospital. I came to my car. I kicked the tire hard and screamed. Why? She was just a child. I grabbed my head and looked down.

“Mr. Akaay” I heard her voice. Slowly lose my grip on my head. And turned. I saw she was running. She came and stood in front of me.

“You are leaving?” She said,

“Yes. I have some business to do” I said. I have some people to kill. I can't say anything to her for now at least.

“You mean business with guns,” she says, raising her eyebrows. It wasn't just words she was reminding me that she had questions.

“Uh mm yes. Kind of” I said. I can't say anything to her now. But can't keep her hanging like that.and can't lie to her too.

“Okay” she says. That's it no more questions. Such a good girl. I looked into her eyes. And her eyes changed. 

Her eyes don't look scared that much. She wanted something but couldn't say anything. And I understood.

I took her hands in mine.

Author pov

He took her hands in his hand for the first time. Everything paused. He can feel her breathing stopped. He didn't say anything.

 He took steps towards her slowly and deliberately. He came closer to Anantha. Anantha didn't say anything. 

He came closer. He looked into her eyes. He narrowed his eyes asking her for permission. She nodded her head. 

He holds her head and pulls towards his chest. He wrapped other hand around her shoulders. Patting her back lightly.

Anantha couldn't say anything. She needed this. She didn't know when was the last time she got hugs. She needed this and he had given it to her.

He was tracing her hair. Soothing her pain. And Anantha’s eyes couldn't control. Tears started to come. Akaay feel that. He pulled her closer. She hides her face in his chest. But she couldn't hug him back.

After a while Akaay took her head in both hands and made her look at him. He removed tears from his thumbs. He nodded his head.

“I'll be back soon okay. And don't worry about them. I’ll do everything to catch those people. Okay” he says with a soft voice.

Anantha didn't say anything. But Akaay understood everything. The way her eyes talk. She needed this and Akaay had given it to her. The warmth.

He started to leave when Anantha stopped him. She removed her shirt. She was wearing a long sleeve t-shirt under that shirt. She extended her hand towards Akaay.

Akaay got confused. Anantha gave him a sign with her eyes to look at his body. And Akaay looked down on himself. He covered himself with both hands. Akaay looked at her shirt then. He rubbed her hair like a child.

“It won't fit me,” he says. He was about to smile. But he couldn't.

“Still” Anantha says. Giving him her shirt.

Akaay took it and put it on. He didn't say anything further. He let the button open. He got inside the car. And start the engine.

He waved at her. She waved back.

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Anantha needed that hug and she didn't know. She needed help but she didn't tell anyone. But today Akaay had helped her somehow. He had given to her what she craved for years.

When she went inside the hospital and saw Maya she decided she would find those bastards and punish them for their sins.

Some people ruined me that day. And some people ruined Riya today. It's not stopping. Why should she stop herself now? I will avenge her too…..