After a while, Henry woke up. The earlier ferocity within him had transformed into a strange, obsessive tenderness. He sat up on the bed and, with extreme care, scooped Laboni up into his arms and settled her onto his lap.
Laboni remained motionless, her body drained of all strength. She was wearing a loose white shirt that looked oversized on her frame. Amidst Henry's powerful arms, she appeared as soft and helpless as a small child. Henry looked at her with a peculiar smile—like a predator sheltering his most precious prey.
Suddenly, Henry's gaze fell upon his expensive blue leather belt. He gently unbuckled it. Then, as if dressing a doll, he gathered Laboni's silky hair and tied it atop her head into a beautiful ribbon or top-knot using that blue belt.
Henry: (Caressing her forehead) "Look at you, how cute you look! Just like my little princess. If you stay this quiet and obedient, I will love you very much."
Laboni didn't stir; she simply stared at Henry with eyes as cold and still as stone. The blue ribbon on her head created a tragic contrast to her current reality. To an outsider, the scene might have looked sweet or endearing, but beneath that bond lay a profound agony and burning hatred. Henry began to hum a lullaby while rocking her in his arms, as if he were truly putting a small child to sleep.
Laboni kept her wide eyes fixed on Henry, her head resting on his chest. Despite the immense exhaustion and the pull of sleep, she couldn't look away. In her numb body, she could only feel his touch. Though her eyelids grew heavy, she remained captivated in a strange trance, staring incessantly at his face.
Henry pulled her closer against his chest. Seeing Laboni's innocent, child-like gaze, even Henry's heart of stone seemed to melt. Stroking her forehead, he said in a very soft, thin voice:
"It's late, close your eyes now. Don't be afraid, I am here. No one will bother you anymore."
Laboni continued to stare as if mesmerized. The blue belt ribbon on her head swayed slightly. Henry wiped the sweat from his own body and began tracing his fingers over Laboni's cheeks. Her breathing had become very slow. In her drowsy state, her pupils became fixed, as if she were drifting into a deep realm of shadows where there were no prisons, no police—only a strange, hollow silence.
Henry lay back on the bed while still holding her. In her half-sleep, Laboni subconsciously gripped a corner of Henry's shirt. The scene was so deceptively "cute" and enchanting that it was impossible to tell how violent this man had been just moments ago.
Gradually, Laboni's eyes closed. Henry lifted her chin slightly, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "Good night, my little doll."
The entire room fell silent. Only the chirping of crickets could be heard outside. Henry, holding the girl with the blue ribbon, eventually drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Outside the prison, the morning hustle had begun. The shouting of inmates, the thud of boots, and the clanging of iron doors filled the air. But inside Henry's private chamber, a magical silence still lingered.
Laboni was in a deep sleep, the blue belt ribbon still perched on her head. As a sliver of morning light pierced through the window and touched her calm face, her eyelids flickered. She slowly opened her eyes. For a few moments, she forgot where she was.
As she stretched and tried to fully wake up, she realized Henry was right beside her. He had been awake for a while, watching her sleep intently. As soon as she opened her eyes, Henry leaned in and, before she could say a word, kissed her deeply and passionately on the lips.
Laboni gasped, her body momentarily stiffening. But in Henry's touch now, there was no longer the wild ferocity of before; instead, there was a strange sense of obsession and possessiveness. Through that kiss, Henry signaled that Laboni now belonged entirely to him.
When the kiss ended, Henry looked into Laboni's eyes and gave a small smile. His voice was deep. "Good morning, my princess. Your day begins with me today."
Outside, a different kind of murmur had started. The guards glanced at each other as they walked through the corridors. Everyone knew that Super Henry had taken the lady doctor to his room last night and hadn't opened the door all night. Rumors flew among the prisoners—some said Laboni was dead, others said she had become the Super's "special" favorite.
At that moment, Henry's most trusted assistant, Deputy Jailer Bokkor, arrived at the door. He cleared his throat several times, hoping for a response. Receiving none, he knocked softly.
Inside, Henry was still very close to Laboni. Hearing the knock, a frown of irritation creased his forehead. He let go of Laboni and shouted harshly:
"Who is it? Why are you disturbing me now?"
Bokkor stammered from outside, his voice trembling. "Sir, it's Bokkor. There's a call from the Range DIG's office. They want to speak with you urgently. And... the prisoners are getting restless; they're asking about the lady doctor."
Hearing the name "Range DIG," Laboni became alert. A glimmer of hope sparked in her eyes. Henry noticed the change in her expression. He grabbed her chin firmly and said mockingly:
"Do you think you're saved just because the DIG called? Inside this prison, the sun rises on my command and sets by my will. Tell Bokkor I'm coming."
Henry stood up and straightened his shirt. Before leaving, he reached out and tightened the blue ribbon on Laboni's head once more. He whispered into her ear, "Stay right here on this bed. If you try to step outside, you will never see Rehan again."
Henry stepped out and locked the door from the outside. Laboni was now completely alone. She heard Bokkor and Henry's voices fading away as they walked down the hall. Laboni quickly got off the bed and ran to the window. She saw Saleha and other prisoners gathered in the courtyard, staring toward her room with terror in their eyes.
Laboni realized the news had spread. Everyone knew of her "unnatural" night with the Jail Super. Now, beyond the humiliation, there was a greater fear—if the DIG discovered this misconduct, Henry might plan to eliminate Laboni and Rehan forever to save himself.
Outside, Henry lit a cigar. The lingering trance of Laboni's sleep and the morning kiss still played on his mind. He entered his office and took the DIG's call.
Henry: (In a confident tone) "Yes sir, good morning. Is everything alright? A call so early?"
The DIG's grave voice came through. "Henry, what is going on in your prison? I'm getting reports from headquarters about rumors involving a female doctor inmate. It's being said you've illegally detained her in your private quarters. Is this true?"
Henry froze for a second but recovered quickly. He replied coolly, "Sir, rumors are bound to spread. The doctor's brother was caught in a drug case. She was repeatedly trying to use her influence to get him out. I've been strict with her for interrogation, and she's using that to stir up trouble. You know how many enemies we have in this profession!"
The DIG softened slightly but wasn't entirely convinced. "Listen Henry, I am coming for a prison inspection tomorrow morning. That girl should be seen with the regular inmates. I don't want to hear a single complaint. Remember, your career is on the line."
Henry slammed his hand on the desk after hanging up. His face twisted back into that demonic rage. He muttered, "All because of Laboni! Now I have to send her back to that filthy cell?"
He rushed back to his bedroom. Opening the door, he saw Laboni standing by the window. Henry strode over and, with one violent tug, ripped the blue ribbon from her head.
Henry: "You were happy to hear about the DIG, weren't you? Thought he would rescue you? Forget it. You're going back to the cell now. But remember..."
He grabbed her hair and pulled her close. "If a word of what happened last night or this morning reaches anyone's ears—Rehan will not see tomorrow's sun. Go, work outside like a common convict."
Laboni said nothing. She adjusted her oversized white shirt and walked out with her head bowed. As she entered the courtyard, all the prisoners stared at her with strange looks. Saleha ran over and grabbed her hand, tears in her eyes.
Laboni whispered simply, "Auntie, the battle has only just begun."
As Laboni moved through the crowd of prisoners, a mysterious smile played on her lips. Neither Saleha nor Henry understood what it meant. Henry thought he had shattered her, but Laboni had made a terrifying move on the chessboard of her mind.
Passing through the corridor, she signaled a guard whom she had secretly won over earlier. The guard discreetly led her to a small, dark room where Rehan was kept in isolation.
The moment she saw Rehan, Laboni embraced him. Rehan burst into tears seeing his sister's devastated state. But Laboni was still smiling that eerie smile. She whispered into his ear:
"Don't cry, Rehan. Do you know why I came to this prison? Everyone thinks I'm a criminal, but the truth is—I finished the man who tried to frame you with my own hands. I didn't hesitate to kill to save you. Coming to this prison was part of my plan."
Rehan looked at his sister in shock. Laboni whispered even lower:
"Henry thinks he's consuming me, that I'm weak. But he doesn't know I'm the daughter of a police officer who knows how to deliver a fatal blow. I entered this prison to find his drug syndicate. The DIG arrives tomorrow, and tomorrow will be Henry's last day. Just stay strong, brother."
Rehan said in a trembling voice, "Sister, you are taking a huge risk. Henry is dangerous."
Laboni gave that enchanting yet cold smile again. "I am the dangerous one, Rehan. A girl who can get blood on her hands to save her brother can also bury this Henry alive. Tomorrow morning, the game changes."
Suddenly, the sound of boots echoed. Laboni quickly let go of Rehan and tried to look normal. Her eyes held a mixture of hatred and the intoxication of victory. She realized that the blue belt ribbon would become her victory garland, for the more Henry trusted her, the faster he would walk into her trap.
The secret meeting didn't last long. The heavy thud of boots shook the floor as Henry kicked the door open. His eyes were filled with a mix of primal rage and possessiveness.
He gave a mocking laugh at Rehan, who was slumped against the wall, bound in heavy handcuffs and leg shackles. The iron chains clanked loudly at every movement. Seeing his sister's state and Henry's audacity, Rehan closed his eyes in agony.
Without a word, Henry walked straight to Laboni and arrogantly scooped her up into his arms right in front of Rehan.
Henry: (To Rehan) "Look, Rehan. See whose protection your sister is under now. You can only listen to the sounds from behind your chains; you can do nothing."
Laboni hung in Henry's arms, her mysterious smile still intact. She knew every step Henry took towards her was a step toward his own ruin. Rehan gritted his teeth, his chains rattling with his suppressed rage.
As Henry carried her out, he whispered, "I want to have you all dressed up in my room before the DIG arrives. I like it when you look 'cute'; it keeps my mood good."
Laboni whispered back, close to his neck, "I am yours, Mr. Henry. Will you dress me even more beautifully tonight?"
Henry roared with laughter, unaware that Laboni was elevating his ego to a height from which the fall would be fatal. As they moved down the corridor, the only sounds left were the clanking of Rehan's chains and the echo of Laboni's cold laughter.
When Rehan saw Henry carrying his sister away like that, his internal agony exploded like a volcano. Bound by his chains, he thrashed about, unable to control himself. In a fit of rage and despair, he began striking his own head with his heavy handcuffs.
Blood began to stream down his forehead, but he didn't care. He screamed and cried out hysterically:
"Curse you! I curse you, Henry! You won't even find peace in death! By laying a hand on my sister, you've dug your own grave. Cursed! You are cursed!"
His heart-wrenching screams echoed through the prison. Even the stone walls seemed to tremble at his pain. He kept banging his head, his face covered in blood, shouting, "Sister, don't just kill him—let him die a slow, agonizing death! My curse will find him!"
Henry paused while still holding Laboni. He glanced back at the blood-stained Rehan. He felt no pity; only a sadistic joy. He looked at Laboni and smiled.
Laboni remained calm in Henry's arms, but her pupils constricted at the word "curse." She thought to herself, "Rehan, your blood will not go in vain. His downfall is now only a matter of time."
Henry sneered at Rehan, "Keep your curses to yourself. When your sister is in my room again tonight, we'll see if your curse works."
With that, Henry hurried away with Laboni. Behind them, a bloody Rehan collapsed, his chains clashing against the floor as his curse lingered in the air.
Rehan's frenzy eventually turned into a hollow exhaustion. Blood continued to trickle down his forehead, but he remained slumped against the wall, whispering to himself.
His voice was broken. "If she actually gets married to him... if she falls for his charm... I will truly go mad. I can't bear it... I can't bear it!"
Exhausted by his own curses, his eyelids grew heavy. From the blood loss and the mental trauma, his body finally gave out. He collapsed onto the floor, still bound in his iron shackles—drifting into a deep, heavy slumber born of sheer agony.
Meanwhile, when Henry reached his room with Laboni, she remained silent. She had heard her brother's last words. Her heart was being torn apart. She knew there was no chance of what Rehan feared coming true, for her heart held nothing but fire and revenge.
Henry sat Laboni on the bed and adjusted the blue belt ribbon again. "See? Even your brother understands you belong to me now. He thinks he'll go mad, but I won't let him die. He'll stay alive to see you as my princess."
Laboni stared into Henry's eyes. Seeing that steady gaze, Henry believed she was beginning to accept him. He had no idea that Rehan's fear of "going mad" had given Laboni the strength for one final, fatal strike.
Laboni vowed silently, "Rehan, you won't have to go mad. Tomorrow morning, this hell ends."