Gauri's mind raced — this was her chance. Amidst the mayhem, she could slip away unnoticed and search for her sister. Her heart pounded as she stepped into the fray, weaving through stampeding patrons and darting past officers shouting orders.
Room after room, she searched desperately, fear clawing at her chest with every second that passed. Where is Charvi?
Turning a corner, Gauri spotted a door left slightly ajar. She rushed toward it, only to find it locked. Her breath hitched, but adrenaline surged through her veins. Her gaze darted around until it landed on a loose metal pipe on the floor. Without hesitation, she snatched it up and swung hard, the lock snapping with a sharp crack.
The door creaked open into a dim, suffocating room. Gauri's eyes strained against the darkness — and then she froze.
"Charvi…" her voice broke into a sob.
There, in the corner, her younger sister lay bound and unconscious. Gauri stumbled forward, falling to her knees as she frantically worked at the ropes cutting into Charvi's wrists. Tears blurred her vision, but she didn't stop until the last knot came free.
"Charvi, wake up… please wake up!" Gauri begged, her trembling hands cupping her sister's face.
Slowly, Charvi stirred, her lashes fluttering open as a weak moan escaped her lips. "D…di?" she whispered, her voice hoarse.
Gauri let out a sob of relief and pulled her sister into a fierce embrace. "I've got you, Charvi. You're safe now. I promise," she whispered into her hair, holding on as if she'd never let go again.
Meanwhile outside
Vihaan ducked behind a nearby pillar, returning fire as the dealers tried to pin him down. His sharp eyes swept the smoke-filled corridor, analyzing every corner for an opening.
Harsh crouched beside him, his grip tight on the gun, nerves evident but his respect for his senior unwavering. "Sir… we need to wrap this up quickly!" he shouted above the echoing gunfire. "Reinforcements are on the way!"
Vihaan's jaw clenched as he reloaded with calm precision. "Stay low, Harsh. Let me take the lead," he ordered firmly. Without hesitation, he leaned out from cover, firing controlled shots that pushed the dealers back.
Harsh nodded, obeying instantly, covering Vihaan's flank as the corridors rang with the thunder of bullets and desperate screams.
As Gauri navigated the chaotic corridors, her hand gripped tightly around Charvi's, pulling her sister along. Charvi stumbled behind her, still weak but determined to keep up, her eyes wide with fear.
Suddenly, their path was blocked. Dianaswari stepped out from the shadows, her face twisted in rage, eyes blazing with betrayal.
"You think you can just walk out after I paid your mother so much to bring you here?" Dianaswari spat, venom dripping from every word. "You're mine now, Gauri. Both of you! You'll dance and earn back every penny I spent."
Gauri's eyes narrowed, pulling Charvi protectively behind her. "Move out of my way, Dianaswari," she warned, her voice sharp and steady despite her racing heart. "I won't let you keep us here. I'm taking my sister, and we're leaving."
Dianaswari's fury boiled over. Snatching up a heavy wooden log from the floor, she lunged at Gauri. But Gauri's reflexes were quicker — she caught the log mid-swing, her grip unyielding.
With a burst of strength, Gauri shoved the log backward. Dianaswari stumbled, her jeweled saree tangling around her feet as she lost balance. Her head struck a nearby pillar with a sickening crack, and she let out a cry of pain, collapsing to the ground.
Gauri wasted no time. Tugging Charvi's trembling hand, she bolted forward, sprinting for the exit.
Behind them, Dianaswari's furious scream echoed through the corridors. "Catch them! Don't let them escape!"
Her men obeyed at once, rushing from every direction, their footsteps pounding closer.
As Gauri and Charvi burst out toward the brothel's front hall, their breaths ragged, they found themselves suddenly encircled. Dozens of Dianaswari's men loomed around them, forming a tightening ring.
Charvi clutched Gauri's arm, whispering fearfully, "Didi… what do we do now?"
Gauri's eyes blazed with defiance. Planting herself firmly in front of Charvi, she stared down the circle of men. "Whatever it takes," she muttered under her breath. "No one touches my sister."