Chapter 5
Morning - around 11:30 a.m.
Chaos filled the house.
Raj was clutching a knife tightly and was about to storm out when suddenly Romi staggered into the room.
Her eyes were bloodshot, her hands trembling, her steps barely able to hold her weight.
"What's going on here? Why so much noise?" Her voice was tired and broken.
Everyone turned to look at her.
Raj, furious, stormed toward her and snapped,
"You didn't take your injection again, did you? You had those nightmares again, right?"
Romi glared at him with burning eyes.
"That's none of your business! Mind your own life!"
"Mind my life? You'll die if you don't take it! Go take it right now!" Raj's voice was heavy and full of rage.
"Nothing will happen to me. Stay away from me!" Romi screamed.
Standing nearby, Rose taunted,
"Leave her, Raj. If she doesn't want it, don't force her. Let her die. That's all she deserves!"
Raj didn't waste another moment. He rushed straight into Romi's room, grabbed the small vial, and filled the syringe.
Romi panicked, stumbling back.
"No! Not again! I don't want it!"
"Hold her!" Raj roared.
Rose and Sonam grabbed her tightly.
"What are you doing?" Rahul shouted. "She doesn't want it, Raj! You can't force her!"
Tears streamed down Romi's face. She fought with all her might, but her body was far too weak.
Raj pushed forward and jabbed the needle in.
Romi screamed in pain.
Moments later, shaking with rage, she kicked Sonam hard and shoved Rose into a corner. She staggered back, leaning against the wall.
Rose spat angrily,
"Why bother saving her? She's worth nothing but death. Why the hell did we drag her out of that madhouse?"
Romi's lashes were wet with tears. She looked at Raj and cried out,
"Raj, you're going to hell for this."
Sonam gritted her teeth.
"Look at her-still so arrogant!"
Shaking, Romi stumbled out of the house.
Raj picked up the knife that had fallen on the floor.
Mohan raised his hand.
"Enough! That's enough for today, Raj. Stop this madness!"
Sonam added,
"Yeah, you've already pissed off Sonal, and now you've fought with Romi too. You're acting insane. Just calm down for once."
Rose warned,
"Raj, listen to us. This is the old man's house we're staying in. Don't push it-he might throw us all out."
Breathing heavily, Raj growled,
"You don't get it. That old man's dog gave me this sickness... and Rose too. I won't let you suffer like me. I'd rather end it!"
With that, he stormed out of the house.
Everyone shouted after him, trying to stop him.
Rahul dashed behind.
---
Outside
Romi was exhausted. The sun was sharp above her head. Her lips were cracked, bleeding slightly. She collapsed against the trunk of an old tree, breathing heavily, eyes closed.
In the distance, cicadas screeched in the hot afternoon air. The wind was dry, carrying dust instead of chill.
A little later, Joy appeared. He stood silently in front of her, then gently reached to touch the wound on her lip.
Romi's eyes flew open. She shoved him away.
"What are you doing?"
"Sorry," Joy said softly. "I just wanted to see... how badly you're hurt."
"It's none of your concern. Leave me alone!"
"Alright," Joy lowered his head. "I won't ask again. But you need treatment. Come with me."
"No! I'm fine. Just go away."
Joy didn't back down.
"If you won't go... then I'll sit right here, beside you."
Romi was about to snap at him when she suddenly noticed-Raj, knife in hand, storming furiously toward the old man's house. Mohan was chasing him from behind.
"Raj! Stop!" Mohan shouted.
Joy tensed.
"What the hell is going on? Who are these people?"
Romi answered quickly,
"That's my brother. I think... he's going to kill that old man's dog."
"What? You mean you think his condition is because of the dog's bite?" Joy was stunned.
"We have to stop him!" Romi cried.
Both of them ran after him.
---
The Old Man's House
Raj stood outside, bellowing,
"Hey, old man! Come out! Where's your damn dog?"
The door creaked open. The frail old man stepped out, trembling.
"What happened, sir? Why so much noise?"
Raj screamed,
"Your filthy mutt did this to me! Look at me!"
The old man's eyes widened in shock.
"What are you saying? I don't understand..."
Raj's face dripped with sweat, his eyes bloodshot, his expression twisted with madness.
"Ever since that dog bit me, my body's been tearing apart with this itch! I won't spare him today!"
Just then Romi and Joy arrived.
"Raj! It's not from the dog!" Joy shouted. "He's bitten me many times too. Look-I'm perfectly fine!"
"Yes, sir," the old man added quickly. "He speaks the truth."
But Raj was beyond reason.
Mohan pleaded,
"Tomorrow we'll go to the doctor. You'll be fine. Just calm down!"
Raj lunged at the old man with the knife.
"Tell me! Where's your dog? Or I'll kill you instead!"
The old man staggered back in fear.
"I... I don't know... he wandered off somewhere."
Romi cried out,
"Raj! Stop this! How much lower will you sink?"
Raj's eyes blazed with madness as he glared at her.
"First that dog... then you!"
Joy couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward to stop him-
But then, a dog's bark echoed from deep within the forest.
Raj shoved everyone aside and charged toward the sound, knife flashing in his hand.
The others shouted, running after him.
Countinue.....
By pooja kumari
