Page 170 of Since You Stole My Heart

Her throat felt dry as she whispered, ‘Yes.’

Renewed energy entered his voice. ‘Your mother wants to punish me, but she doesn’t understand. I won’t survive without my girls. Do you want me to die a sad, lonely man?’

‘No, Papa,’ she said instantly, her chest aching at the thought.

‘Then why did you break your promise? Last night, you told me you wouldn’t let her leave, so why didn’t you stop her?’

‘I tried, Papa.’

‘You failed because you didn’t try hard enough,’ he scolded. ‘Why are you killing your poor father like this? Don’t you love me?’

The accusation hit her hard, and her tears came faster. ‘I do! I love you, Papa.’

Arohi’s strained voice cut through. ‘Are you done?’

‘Just a few more seconds, please,’ Kashvi begged hurriedly.

‘Listen to me,’ Karthik prompted. ‘Do you want to keep our family together?’

She nodded desperately. More than anything, she wanted a normal family like all her friends had. ‘That’s all I want.’

‘If your mother gets you to Neena’s place, you’ll never leave. Neena is a bad woman, and she’ll trap you in her bad home. You’ll never see me again. You don’t want that, do you, Kashu?’

‘No, no,’ she whispered frantically.

‘Then you have to do exactly what I tell you. Okay?’

Kashvi bit down on her lip, fear curling through her. ‘Okay.’

‘Close her eyes.’

She blinked in confusion. ‘Huh?’

Karthik’s voice sharpened. ‘If you don’t do what I say right now, I won’t come to meet you. Ever. Even if your mother allows it. Do you understand me?’

‘But...’

‘We don’t have time. This is the only way Arohi will stop the car. Close your mother’s eyes. Do it now!’ he shouted suddenly, making her flinch.

The phone slipped from her hand and clattered onto the floor mat. With a sob, Kashvi lunged forward and pressed both palms over Arohi’s eyes.

‘Kashu, no! What are you doing? Take your hands off!’ her mother screamed.

The car jerked violently, tyres screeching as Arohi fought to steady it. She grabbed Kashvi’s wrist with one hand, trying to yank it away, but when the car swerved sharply left, she cursed and slammed her hand back onto the wheel. ‘Take your hands off!’

‘I’m sorry, Maa,’ Kashvi cried, barely able to keep herself balanced. She pressed harder against Arohi’s face, clinging desperately. ‘Dad told me this is the only way. Please stop the car.’

‘Don’t listen to him. I need to see so I can stop. Take your hands off!’ Arohi shouted urgently.

Kashvi let go.

But it was too late.

The car lost control completely, screeching sideways as the brakes failed. Arohi screamed at Kashvi to hold on just before the car slammed into the tunnel wall.

The impact hurled Kashvi sideways into the door. Pain exploded through her skull, and a deafening ringing swallowed everything else.

Slowly, painfully, she blinked.