THE NIGHT BEFORE DEATH: TERROR STRIKES BACK

"Courage isn't having the strength to go on - it is going on when you don't have the strength."

- Napoleon Bonaparte

Rain damped the soil and the roads to the colony became waterlogged. The wheels of the jeep were almost buried in the wet soil and the rear tyre was spraying the water in its tireless attempt to get out of the hole. Karthik looked at the tyre "It is useless to burn fuel. Someone has to get down and push the jeep." He looked at me "You go and push the jeep."

I lowered the glass of the window and put my head outside "My clothes will get soiled. We have brought umbrellas. The colony is not that far. We can complete the rest of the journey on foot." Karthik sighed " That's why I don't like coming to such rural areas. They never care about development." He opened the door and unfurled his umbrella, getting out of the jeep. He looked at me and smirked "Bring my luggage. My hands are too busy handling the umbrella." He walked briskly towards the gate of the colony. I snarled "What a brat!" I pulled the luggage, both mine and his and got down from the jeep. The rain instantly drenched me and my shoes got soiled in the water. The water inside my shoes made walking slower and tiresome and with the weight of two large suitcases my pace slowed even further.

Karthik looked back at me and screamed "What's taking so long? Walk faster. We don't have all day." I ignored his words and walked as fast as I could. By the time I reached the gate of the colony, people gathered to welcome us and Mathur Uncle ran towards me with an umbrella. He took one of the suitcases and said "You could have given me a call. There was no need to soil your clothes and drench yourself in the rain. You might catch a cold." I smiled, "I had other thoughts in mind." Mathur understood my intentions and whispered, "Don't do anything foolish, Suraj. This time the game is not that easy." I smiled lightly and walked inside the house.

Karthik glared at me and barked, "Fool! You've drenched my expensive suitcase! Do you even have a brain? Bloody brute! Why does Sarla Uncle even bother with idiots like you?" He stormed past me, shoving me aside, and slammed the bathroom door shut.

I turned to Mathur Uncle, seething. "What an insolent bastard! Strutting around like he owns us."

Mathur Uncle chuckled softly. "Ignore him, Suraj. The boy still has a lot to learn about the world." His expression grew serious as he leaned closer. "Meera told me about your intentions regarding the deal. I'm warning you—any rash move will catch Sarla's attention. He's keeping a close eye on everything. The fact that he brought Karthik into such a minor deal isn't just coincidence. He's planning something—something dangerous."

I exhaled slowly. "Maybe he is, but that doesn't mean I'll let him sell innocent girls. Morality will always triumph over immorality. Sarla will face his reckoning soon enough."

Mathur Uncle hesitated, as if weighing his words, but before he could respond, Karthik burst out of the bathroom. "You two are still here? Don't you have a shred of urgency in your miserable lives? Go prepare my food!"

Mathur Uncle gave a placating smile. "The food is ready. We were just waiting for you."

Karthik sighed dramatically, waving a dismissive hand. "Then go. Can't you see I'm here?"

Mathur Uncle nodded and left the room without a word. Karthik, meanwhile, tossed his damp towel at my face. "Go take a bath. You stink like a pig."

I clenched the towel in my hands, my knuckles turning white, but kept my expression neutral. Smiling faintly, I asked, "Can I use your bathroom?"

He grunted in annoyance. "Do whatever you want. Just don't let your stench linger around me." He grabbed a bottle of perfume, flung it at me, and stormed out of the room.

I watched him leave, my grip tightening on the towel as I muttered to myself, "I'd be happier killing him."

With a resigned sigh, I stepped into the bathroom. As I turned on the shower, a rush of icy water hit me. "Bastard!" I yelled, shivering. "He didn't even leave any hot water!" Grumbling, I endured the freezing shower, knowing he was at least right about one thing—I really did stink.

Karthik perched himself on the highest chair in the room like a peacock in full display. His sharp eyes scanned the table laden with dishes, a smirk playing on his lips. Without a word, he grabbed a spoon, tasting each dish as if judging a competition. The ones he favored earned a place on his plate, while the rest were shoved toward me with a flick of his wrist.

I was too famished to challenge his arrogance. My stomach growled louder than my pride, so I focused on eating instead of wasting my energy on this insufferable brat.

Karthik turned his gaze to Mathur Uncle, leaning back with the air of a king addressing his court. "What do you think about Uncle Raju's murder?" he asked, his tone laced with mock authority.

I nearly choked on a bite of potato, hurriedly gulping water to clear my throat. Mathur Uncle smiled faintly, his eyes betraying nothing. "It was unfortunate," he said, his voice measured. "I regret not being there to save him. By the time I heard, Raju was already gone."

Karthik sighed theatrically. "Same here. I was in the swimming pool when my butler told me. At first, I thought it was a misunderstanding. But when I called Sarla Uncle, he confirmed it. I had to leave my exams midway to come here."

"What do you study?" I asked, keeping my eyes on my plate.

Karthik's head snapped toward me, his eyes narrowing. "That's none of your concern, servant. My uncle told you to obey me, not to question me. Don't irritate me with your nosiness."

I bit back a retort, lowering my gaze. It wasn't worth it. Not now.

He sneered and leaned closer. "I heard you were there the day Uncle Raju was murdered. Why didn't you save him?"

"I wasn't there," I said, keeping my voice steady. "An unfortunate incident had me tied to a tree in the middle of the forest. If I had been there, I'd have sacrificed my life to save him."

Karthik chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth. "Don't worry. You'll get your chance soon enough."

He turned to Mathur Uncle. "When are the buyers arriving?"

Mathur Uncle glanced toward the window, his expression calm. "They're expected Thursday. But with the weather, there might be delays."

"Damn weather!" Karthik muttered. "And the girls? Are they in proper condition? I won't tolerate any slip-ups. The buyers expect virgins. No man wants used goods."

My fists clenched under the table at his lewd words, but Mathur Uncle caught my eye, silently warning me to stay calm.

"Don't worry," Mathur Uncle assured, his voice cool. "They've all undergone thorough checks and passed with flying colors."

Karthik smirked. "Good." His gaze turned predatory. "It's cold tonight. Do we have any girls who aren't part of the deal?"

Mathur Uncle's smile didn't waver. "Why settle for the inexperienced? I know a few women who've mastered the art of pleasing young men like you."

Karthik laughed, the sound grating. "Then I'll take my dessert in the bedroom." He turned to me, his eyes gleaming with disdain. "Make yourself scarce tonight. Go die in a ditch or something. Just don't bother me."

Without waiting for a response, he strode out of the room, leaving an oppressive silence in his wake.

I turned to Mathur Uncle, fury simmering in my veins. But his calm expression didn't falter, and with a subtle gesture, he urged me to stay quiet. My jaw tightened, but I nodded, burying my anger for another time. For now, I had to endure.

I stepped outside the room and saw a girl standing in the rain, her only shield being her hands feebly placed over her head.

"Why are you standing in the rain? Go inside," I shouted, my voice cutting through the downpour.

She turned and glared at me, her eyes sharp and unyielding, as if trying to pierce through my soul. Ignoring her defiance, I walked toward her and pulled her inside. Shutting the door, I handed her a towel.

"What's wrong with you?" I demanded.

Her glare didn't waver, and she stayed silent. Taking a deep breath, I softened my tone. "Will you at least tell me what's going on? Please."

At last, she spoke, her voice laced with bitterness. "When I heard you killed that monster, I thought you were our savior. All of us did. But here you are, not saving us, but making deals to sell us like cattle."

She threw the towel at me, her gesture one of rejection. Picking it up, I walked closer to her, wiped the water from her face, and guided her to sit on the bed. I smiled faintly.

"Savior? It's so easy to make someone your savior in desperate times. But have you ever thought about becoming your own savior? Remember this: no one can save you better than yourself. The fight against oppression begins within the oppressed. If you wait for others to rescue you, you'll only end up falling into more despair."

She sighed, her voice trembling with anguish. "It's easy for you to say. You have courage and strength to fight them. We have nothing. We are born as slaves, live as slaves, and die as slaves. Bravery and self-esteem died long ago in this colony. Do you know even our own mothers are eager to sell us to secure the futures of their sons? They're ready to auction us off!"

"What do you want from me, then?" I asked quietly.

Without a word, she reached into her frock and pulled out a shard of glass. She held it out to me. "Slit my throat and free me from this misery. It's better to die than to live like this."

"Why don't you do it yourself?" I asked, my voice calm.

She let out a hollow laugh. "I've tried. For three days, I've tried to slit my wrists. But every time I bring the glass close, my parents' faces flash before my eyes. I can't do it. I don't even have the courage to die. Please, you do it for me."

"Will your death save the others?" I asked.

Her voice was barely above a whisper. "No. But it might give them the courage to end their misery too. Our lives mean nothing. Our deaths won't either."

I took the glass from her and made a small cut on her palm. She gasped, trying to stifle a scream, but it escaped nonetheless. Blood trickled down her hand.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" I said, my tone sharp. "Now imagine how much it will hurt when I slit your throat."

She stared at the blood, her voice trembling. "It will be less painful than this life."

She reached for the glass again, ready to stab herself, but I grabbed her wrist and threw the glass aside. Then, I slapped her hard across the face. The force left her lips bleeding, and she looked at me in shock, unable to believe what had just happened.

"YOU THINK IT'S BETTER TO DIE THAN TO FIGHT?" I shouted, my voice echoing in the room. "IF RAJU COULD DIE, WHY CAN'T SARLA OR THE MEN COMING TO BUY YOU?"

She began to shiver, whether from fear or the cold, I couldn't tell. Wrapping a blanket around her, I poured her a cup of hot coffee.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Payal," she whispered.

"Listen, Payal. Life is full of challenges. If you give up so easily, how will you ever overcome them? How will you find happiness? I can fight for you, but that won't solve all your problems. Even if I save you today, what will you do when a bigger problem comes tomorrow? Will you pray for another savior?"

She looked at the coffee in her hands but avoided my eyes. "I can't do anything alone," she murmured. "Not everyone can be brave like Aanchal and run away. She had no one to lose. But we do. If we try to escape, Sarla will kill our families without hesitation."

"Have you heard the stories of Ramayana or Mahabharata?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes."

"What do they teach us?"

"That no matter how strong or invincible evil seems, good always triumphs."

"Exactly. Now, who is the evil here?"

"Sarla."

"And who are the good?"

"The people of the colony."

"So who will win?"

"The good."

"And how will they win?"

"By standing up to evil and fighting back," she said, her voice gaining strength.

"Will you fight against the evil and free everyone from Sarla's tyranny?"

"What can I do alone?"

"Who said you're alone? God is with you. The people who love you are with you. Now is not the time to lament your fate. It's time to rise and march toward a future where you and your family are free from oppression."

"But how can I?"

"We'll start by dealing with the buyers who come to take you," I said, my voice firm.

Payal looked into my eyes, and I saw a flicker of determination mirrored in hers. Bowing, she touched my feet. "I'm sorry for the things I said. Please forgive me."

I smiled. "It's okay. I'm sorry for slapping you."

She hugged me tightly, then turned and walked out of the room. Her voice rang out, fiery and resolute.

"Sarla! Your countdown to destruction begins now!"...