{THIRD PERSON}

2015

SOMEWHERE IN MUMBAI

"SHANVI!!" he cried out, cradling her lifeless body in his arms. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he continued to chant, as if his words could somehow reach her. "Maf karde mujhe bacha, please," tears streamed down his cheeks as he held her, not knowing if minutes, hours, or even days had passed.

"We have to take her now," another man approached, his voice firm yet gentle. "NO!" he screamed, his desperation palpable as he clutched her body tighter. "Please, let her rest in peace now, beta," the man sat beside him slowly, trying to offer comfort.

"She won’t be at peace until I bring her justice," he spoke softly, his gaze fixed on her serene face. "I won't find peace until I avenge her," he gritted his teeth, a storm of emotions swirling within him as he reluctantly placed her body back on the ground.

"Begin the rituals," he declared, rising and wiping his tears away. He walked over to her grieving mother and bowed deeply at her feet. "Maf kardijiye mujhe," he joined his hands in front of her as she wept, devastated by the loss of her daughter.

"I'm making a promise to you today: I'll hunt down everyone responsible for her death. I will make them pay, I will cut them open and burn them alive," the vengeance in his eyes burned bright. The mother looked down at him slowly, her expression a mix of pain and anger. "Your vengeance won’t bring back my daughter," she said, the spite, hate, and disgust evident in her voice.

"You’re just like him, a monster, nothing more! Because of people like you, I lost my daughter," she stood up, her voice trembling with fury as she walked toward the door.

He sat there on his knees, watching her retreating figure. Anger and anguish both crawling at his throat making it hard to breathe.

"I'LL BRING HER JUSTICE,"

He vowed to himself, his heart heavy with the weight of his promise.

A piece of him chipped away that day, and he knew he would never be the same again.