Ranjish

ch 21

As the sun began to set, Vikram took Kanak's hand, and they walked together, watching the stars twinkle to life in the night sky. Kanak felt a sense of peace and happiness wash over her, and she knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be.whete the people care for each other despite being poor they care for each other and support each other.

Vikram drop Kanak at home and move to the sarpanch house for the metting..

Meanwhile at home ...

Kanak get up to open the door.but shocked to see someone else here....

Leave frome here my husband is not home she yelled ..

But I have work from you janeman he seductively touched her forearm...
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Vikram returned home late, exhausted from his meeting with the sarpanch. As he entered the house, he was met with a scene that made his blood run cold.

The living room was filled with villagers, their faces twisted with anger and accusation. Kanak stood in the center of the room, her clothes disheveled and her eyes wide with fear. Randhawa's son, a sly grin spreading across his face, stood beside her, wearing only his pants.

The villagers began to shout and point at Kanak, their voices rising in a cacophony of accusation. "She's a cheater!" one of them spat. "She's been having an affair with Randhawa's son!" another villager shouted.

Vikram's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with confusion and anger. He looked at Kanak.

"Vikram, please listen to me," she begged, her voice trembling. "I didn't do anything. I swear."

But the villagers wouldn't listen. They continued to shout and accuse, their words cutting deep into Kanak's heart. Vikram's face darkened, his anger rising to the surface. He knew that something was terribly wrong, :

Vikram's eyes flashed with anger as he took in the scene before him. He quickly removed his shirt and wrapped it around Kanak's shoulders, covering her properly. But instead of gratitude, Kanak's eyes widened in fear.

She flinched, expecting Vikram to hit her or slap her. Her mind was racing with thoughts of how she would be punished for her supposed transgression. But Vikram's actions were gentle, not violent. He wrapped his shirt around her shoulders, his hands brushing against her skin.

"Kanak, look at me," Vikram said, his voice low and calm. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to know what's going on here."

But Kanak's fear was palpable. She trembled beneath his touch, her eyes fixed on his face as if searching for any sign of anger or aggression. Vikram's heart went out to her, and he felt a pang of regret for not being able to protect her from the villagers' accusations.

Kanak's voice trembled as she recounted the events of the evening. "I opened the gate, thinking it was you, but it was Neeraj, Randhawa's son. He said he wanted to meet you, but I told him you weren't home. He didn't listen, he just pushed his way inside..."

Kanak's words trailed off as she burst into tears. Vikram's face darkened with anger, but he quickly pulled Kanak into a tight hug. "Shh, it's okay. I'm here now. You're safe," he whispered, holding her close.

Kanak sobbed uncontrollably, her body shaking with fear and relief. Vikram held her, stroking her hair and whispering words of comfort. He felt a deep sense of regret for not being there to protect her, but he was determined to make it right.

As Kanak's tears slowly subsided, Vikram pulled back and looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. "0 I'll make sure Neeraj pays for what he did," he promised, his voice firm and resolute.

Neeraj's face twisted with malice as he addressed the villagers. "Vikram brought Kanak here against her will," he lied. "She was crying and begging for help, and I tried to assist her. But then she...she seduced me."

The villagers gasped in shock, their faces filled with disgust and outrage. Vikram's eyes widened in fury as he listened to Neeraj's lies. He took a step forward, his fists clenched, but Kanak grabbed his arm, holding him back.

"No, Vikram, don't," she whispered, her eyes pleading with him to stay calm. "

The neighbor women, who had always been friendly with Kanak, now turned against her. "Yes, we've seen Neeraj coming to the house when Vikram is away at the farm," one of them said, her voice dripping with malice.

Another woman chimed in, "We've seen Kanak talking to Neeraj, laughing with him. It's clear that she was having an affair with him."

The villagers began to murmur among themselves, their faces filled with disgust and outrage. Vikram's eyes narrowed, his anger rising to the surface.

"How can you believe these lies?" he demanded, his voice loud and clear. "Kanak is my wife, and I know she would never betray me like that."

But the villagers were not convinced. They had already made up their minds, and now they were determined to punish Kanak for her supposed transgression.

Kanak's sobs grew louder as she pleaded with Vikram to believe her. "He never came, Vikram, I swear! They're lying, trust me!"

Vikram's face turned red with rage as he turned to Neeraj. "You dare to speak rubbish about my wife, you bastard You dare to touch my wife?" he thundered, his fists flying as he punched Neeraj repeatedly.

Neeraj stumbled backward, his eyes wide with fear, as Vikram continued to beat him mercilessly. "I know my wife, she's pure like Ganga's water," Vikram declared, his voice dripping with venom. "You bastard, how dare you touch her?"

The villagers tried to intervene, but Vikram was unstoppable. He beat Neeraj until he was half-dead, his body battered and bruised.

Finally, the villagers managed to pull Vikram away and took Neeraj to the hospital.

Vikram carried Kanak in his arms to another room, where he gently laid her down on the bed. He brought her a glass of water and helped her drink it, his hands shaking with anger and concern.

"Stop crying, Kanak," he whispered, his voice soft and gentle. "I know you never did that. I trust you, my love."
:

As Vikram held Kanak close, she finally began to calm down, her sobs subsiding into gentle sniffles. Vikram stroked her hair, whispering softly into her ear, "I'm here, Kanak. I'll always be here to protect you."

As the warmth of his body and the gentle rhythm of his voice washed over her, Kanak's eyelids began to droop. She felt a deep sense of safety and security in Vikram's arms, and slowly, she drifted off to sleep.

Vikram held her close, feeling a mix of emotions: anger towards Neeraj, concern for Kanak's well-being, and a deep love for his wife. He gently rocked her back and forth, whispering softly into her ear, "I fell for you, Kanak. I'll always love you."