PART-4: 'The toxic truth'

Betrayal in the Shadows

Meghana's world shattered the moment she laid eyes on the suitcase. White packets of drugs were neatly stacked inside, and a gun rested beside them. It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck her. Tears welled up in her eyes as deep sorrow gripped her heart. She had dreamt of a peaceful and happy life, but now, regret weighed heavily on her chest.

Raju, however, remained calm. He carefully checked the contents of the suitcase, ensuring everything was in order. But then—his sharp gaze caught something. Someone was watching them from a distance. His instincts kicked in instantly.

Snapping the suitcase shut, he thrust it back into the hands of the man beside him. "Take this and leave—right now!" His voice was firm, urgent.

Then, without hesitation, he sprinted towards the shadowy figure lurking nearby.

Meghana, frozen in fear, watched him for a moment before panic took hold. She turned and ran—ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She didn't stop until she reached home.

With trembling hands, she locked the door behind her, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Her mind screamed at her, demanding answers. But right now, survival was the only thing that mattered. She rushed to the kitchen and crouched in the corner, heart hammering against her ribs.

A deafening silence filled the house. Then—footsteps.

Raju had followed her. He stormed into the apartment, his movements quick and purposeful. His hand reached for the bedroom door. Locked.

No hesitation. He pulled out a spare key, unlocked it, and stepped inside.

Click. The door locked behind him.

And then—laughter.

Not just any laughter. A strange, unsettling laugh that sent shivers down Meghana’s spine.

From her hiding place, she could hear everything. She pressed a hand over her mouth, trying to control her breathing.

Then, his voice rang out—low, chilling.

"Meghana… I know it was you. You were watching us. Stop this game and come out."

She didn't move. She held her breath.

Silence.

Then—footsteps. Slow, deliberate, unhurried. He was searching.

Meghana squeezed her eyes shut, praying he wouldn’t find her.

But fate wasn’t on her side.

The footsteps stopped—right outside the kitchen.

A moment later, a hand shot forward, grabbing her hair. She let out a sharp cry as she was yanked out of her hiding place.

Before she could struggle, he dragged her across the room and shoved her onto the cold, hard floor of the hall.

Raju pulled up a chair and sat in front of her, his eyes boring into hers.

"Where do you think you're running off to?" His voice was calm, but the threat in it was unmistakable.

Meghana trembled but forced herself to speak. "Tell me the truth!" she demanded. "Who are you? Everything you've told me has been a lie! No more games—just tell me the truth!"

Raju’s lips curled into a smirk. He stood up slowly, towering over her.

"You really want to know?" His voice was dangerously quiet. "Then listen carefully—I am a member of the most feared gang that once ruled this city… the ruthless Toxic Gang."

Meghana’s breath hitched. Her blood ran cold.

"Toxic Gang?!" she whispered. "But… but the police wiped them out in an encounter!"

Raju’s expression darkened. His hands clenched into fists.

"Yes," he hissed. "Because of a traitor. One of us leaked our secrets—gave the police evidence of our crimes. And once they had it, they came for us."

His voice dropped, thick with emotion. "That day… so many of our men died."

For a moment, his face reflected something—pain, regret, loss. But it disappeared just as quickly, replaced by cold fury.

"But we survived. Some of us escaped. We’ve been living in disguise ever since." His eyes burned with a terrifying determination. "Not for much longer. Soon, the Toxic Gang will rise again. Everything is in place. And those who brought us down… we will wipe them out."

Meghana sat frozen, her heart pounding. Tears slid down her cheeks. Slowly, she looked up at him.

"Then why?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "Why did you love me? Why did you marry me?"

Silence.

Then, Raju let out a cold, hollow laugh.

"Love?" he mocked. "You think I married you out of love?" He leaned down, his voice like ice. "I married you for one reason only—to avoid suspicion. A single man draws too much attention."

Meghana's world shattered. Her body went numb. A choked sob escaped her lips, and then, unable to hold it in, she broke down completely.

Raju watched her cry, his expression unreadable. Then, he crouched beside her, his voice disturbingly calm.

"Listen," he said. "I tried to keep all of this from you. But now that you know, you need to understand one thing—you cannot tell anyone."

His voice dropped lower, colder.

"Not the police. Not your friends. No one." His eyes darkened. "Because if you do… nothing will happen to me. I can escape easily. But before that, I will make sure your story ends first. So think carefully before you act."

With that final warning, he stood up and walked away, leaving her crumpled on the floor, broken beyond repair.

Alone in his room, Raju shut the door and leaned against it. His hands clenched into fists as he exhaled slowly.

He walked to the bed, lying down, staring at the ceiling.

And then… to his own surprise, a single tear slipped down his face of raju

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