' playing with fire' 

Nia

Viraj's father had a crazy smirk plastered on his face. A cunning one.

I snickered at his arrogance. I can't believe a father can make his own son crumble down and watch him fall to the ground like it's nothing.

How can someone be so cruel?

Is power and prestige the only thing that matters in their life?

The hunger for power has consumed their minds to this level that they can't even tolerate seeing their own blood, their own flesh, being on top.

How ridiculous!

"Go on. I am all ears!"

"Nia.. what are you doing?" Viraj asked me gently as he turned me around to face him.

His eyes held so much sadness, grief and an unknown pain that I can't help but feel pity.  An urge to protect him instantly overflowed my emotions.
For some strange reason, I can't let him fall down.
I won't let him suffer. Like I did.

"Let her talk. Don't poke your nose in my business."
My father in law said gritting his teeth. Viraj snapped his head towards him and threw death glares at him.

"Don't worry about me. I can manage it." I whispered slowly at him. His focus was on me in less than a second. The once cold-dark eyes now flashed warmth and concern towards me. And, it was enough for my crazy self to save him.

"Nia.. you don't know him. He'll lure you into nonsense."

"Enough boy.. Get out now."
Again, he barked at Viraj but it wasn't enough for him to leave me alone. Not when he knows what this sick man can do. Being his own son, Viraj wasn't spared by his sick games then how can I survive.

"Don't sign it. Please."
The amount of helplessness in his voice cracked my shell, my heart melted like a candle. As my Grandma used to say, every person is someone's child. My only dream was to open an orphanage and save children.

I guess I've decided to save one.

"Well, then I don't have a choice." Uncle sighed out loud, his glare never leaving Viraj. It was of such intensity that if it was someone else in place of Viraj, they would be instantly on their knees.
"I guess we can play hide and seek. Your mother is hiding, go seek her."

"You didn't!" 

I jumped in my place when Viraj thundered at him. He swung his fist and slammed it on the table with such force that it shattered into pieces.

"It was my plan B in case it backfired. Well, it did but now I got my daughter in law's attention so.. shoo away now."

My mouth hung open at his nonchalant behaviour.
To what extent can a man fall in greed! He's betting on his own wife and making his own son's life so unfair and challenging. Money had gotten him so hard that he can't see anything other than that.

"If you dare hit her again. I swear I will come straight for your throat."
Viraj growled one last time before walking out the room hurriedly.

I stood too stunned to speak.

The word 'again' got stuck in my mind. He used to hit her?
Oh my god, he's so fucked up.
I took in a large breath ready to face the worst nightmare ever.

"So where were we?"

Let's gamble with all my might.

I shall win! I have to win.

_______

Viraj

I stride and run towards my mom's room. From the moment I entered this house, I didn't see her for once. Not even around him. It was a butler strolling him, and I should've known from that point.

Shit! I should've been careful. Fuck!

I can't lose her. I can't afford to lose her, after everything she's ever done for me. No son wants to see his mother suffering because of him. And I can turn the hell into heaven if it's needed. Only for my mother.

She deserves only happiness.

"It's your fault!"

I jumped on my seat when my father's voice thundered across the room. My 10th standard result came and it wasn't up to the par as my father wanted. My mother stood head down in nervousness or fear. I can't tell.

I didn't know when I lost my focus on studies. I thought I was doing fine on both studies and football. But apparently I was not. Instead,I was failing.

"I didn't-- kn-ew"

I gulped down the guilt that was settling in my heart. I didn't dare to look at her. I was a bad son. I caused her pain.

"Will you stop it? I didn't even hit you yet."

"Dad.. it's my fault. Please don't shout at Mom."

"Oh.. so you are now deciding too?"
My father growled in a menacing tone. I shook my head furiously. He clicked his tongue and swiftly took the trophy from the table.

The trophy that I won.

"If you ever touch that ball again. It'll be your mother's feet that'll break." He said with clenched jaws. "like this.."

He threw the trophy on the floor. In the moment when it shattered into pieces, and my heart did too. My vision blurred from unshed tears, I suppressed my sobs that were threatening to escape.

From that day...I became aware of my father's abuse towards my mom. And I, like a useless son, couldn't do anything about it.

But I used to meddle between them whenever he became violent at her. Then, the accident happened and tragically he was alive but lost his ability to walk. At least that stopped him from abusing mom but as years passed by I came to know that he gained control over her, emotionally.

"Mom?" I called for her, opening every damn room that exists in this whole mansion which is the size of a stadium.
But still I can't find her.

I walked upto the last door, and stood in silence. My palm was sweating profusely, I frowned and tried not to panic.
What if she's not here?
Where should I search for her?

All the questions were making my head heavy. I shut my eyes and pushed the door open.

"Viraj?"

Instantly my eyes flew open and I breathed a sigh of relief. I slid down the wall, as my legs gave up and I couldn't stand anymore. I guess I'm too tired from running around. With very little energy left, I stood on my feet again and walked up to her.

"Thank God you are safe." I caressed her face and buried into her arms, hugging her carefully.

"Mom. Did he do anything to you? Did he hurt you? What did he do-"

"Viraj, Clam down. I am fine. Don't worry." She said in her sweet voice as always. "What happened?"

"Did he lock you up here?"

"No.."
Lie. I knew she's lying. Even after all the trouble he's giving her, why does she tolerate it? Why standing up for him when he's literally just using her for his own goddam selfish motive.

"You'll move in with me...now. I can't tolerate it. Not anymore."

"But he doesn't hurt me anymore."

I cupped her face and made her look at me. Oh! He doesn't deserve her. Not even in millions of years. My vision blurred and I knew the tears were on the brink of falling.

"Pain isn't supposed to be always physical. Can't you see he's using you?"

"I can see more than you. But, do I have a choice?"

"Yes. You do. You can live with me. I am grown up now, I can take care of you. Trust me mom."

She passed me a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. With unshed tears in her eyes, she caressed my face with so much love.

"I can't see you suffering. Let my old body suffer as much as it can, but how can I let my child bear the burden?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Can a mother be a burden to her own son?" I sighed and looked down. " Leave him, stay with me."

"Did your father say something?"
She asked sniffling. Unbelievable! I groaned out loud when she changed the topic.

"No.. he didn't." After a long pause, I replied in a low voice.
She put her hand under my chin and made me look at her.

"Don't lie. He made me bait again, right?"

I stayed silent at that statement. How can I tell her the truth? For years, I always hid the fact that he uses her everytime he wants me to do something. Even when I got into business after the accident, he manipulated me into taking the CEO position. I never wanted to handle my father's business. I had dreamed about opening my own company that would be totally different from my father's.

I didn't want her to know that he uses her as my weakness. But, how long was I supposed to hide the fact?

"Viraj, now you should worry about your wife. She's so sweet and innocent, please don't you ever let her be me." Her voice cracked at the end, I suppressed a sob that was threatening to come out. I gulped down the painful lump in my throat. Mom extended her palm in front of me and added. "Promise me..."

I will protect her. But..will I be too late now?

****_____****

*Not Edited*

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