Second Chance: A Dark Tale of Urban India-Chapter 73: Back To Home

It took one more hour before Rohit was finally discharged from the hospital.

The funny thing was his left hand was fully wrapped in bandages and placed in an arm sling. The doctor had advised him not to use it for a week. It wasn’t even a bone fracture, just a deep scar. Still, the moment he tried to lift his hand, his muscles burned with soreness, forcing him to readjust his stance. ’Okay, one week then,’ he sighed.

Now he was back in the car, seated in the corner of the rear seat.

Ideally he would have loved for his mother Ragini to sit beside him, but his unreasonable second sister had decided to be the thorn between them.

He gave her a glance and instantly cringed. Arya was leaning on Ragini as though it were her last day alive.

What worried Rohit more than Ragini’s silence was the faraway look in her eyes. Since returning from the doctor’s consultation, she seemed lost in thought. At first he feared she’d discovered his fake memory loss, but her eyes held no suspicion.

Whatever the doctor had said was likely something entirely new. It could be a problem, but not an immediate one.

Relieved, he let go of the tension and turned his focus to the scenery outside, just like Ragini was doing.

The police had taken Chanu in for further interrogation. She might remain in custody for a few more days. That left Balwinder doubling as both guard and driver.

The story they spun was that Chanu, as guard, confronted the hooligans first. After being beaten, they targeted Rohit as an easy mark, prompting Chanu to finally shoot them down. The stance was solid, so Chanu would be safe. The disappointing part was that the mastermind, Kasim, had managed to flee.

Only the bald guy and his brother died on the spot. Rohit was determined to track Kasim down — he still had his phone.

With little else to do, Rohit’s mind drifted back to the nightmare. Why was his past resurfacing in fragments? The loss of his wife in that other life — that was the moment that had broken him. It was the wound that turned him from a man with dreams of marriage and family into Riku, the mercenary who abandoned love and carved his name through violence, women, and money. He had told himself he never regretted it. So why were the memories clawing back now?

For a moment his mind slipped to his old comrades — the brothers-in-arms who stood with him after their captain was killed. Together they had bled, fought, and stolen billions from China and Japan.

It had been madness, but also glory. The mercenary companies they challenged were too massive to topple entirely, yet they still landed their blow. Their revenge was over.

After that, they split up. Surely, his friends were still out there, living out the rest of their lives in quiet, leisurely comfort. Retired in riches, hidden away somewhere.

The car finally rolled into the mansion gates. At that moment Ragini turned to him, flashing a warm smile. It was faint, perhaps forced, but it soothed his heart.

Sure, she was a pawn once... but now she’s different, she’s special. No harm will ever come to her, not while I’m here.

Before he could say anything, Arya yawned and sat up. The look she gave Rohit — half-annoyed, half-dismissive look, which made him oddly uncomfortable for reasons he couldn’t explain.

They all got out of the car together. Ragini was the first to speak. "I’ll arrange the meal. Everyone, rest up and get changed quickly." With that she walked off, leaving Arya to ignore him and head her own way.

Rohit stood still for a moment, sniffing his own clothes. "Oh shit. I stink," he muttered.

He rushed into the bathroom and stripped quickly. It was hard and uncomfortable with the bandages wrapped around him, but somehow he managed. Showering was even more tiresome — he was constantly worried about not wetting the bandages, yet he failed miserably.

Anyhow, he changed into a fresh pair of clothes: a T-shirt and loungewear shorts. He checked his phone, and as expected there were tons of messages. Most were from his friends.

Among them, Seo-yeon was the only sensible one — she had simply asked him to call when he was free, while the rest spammed him like curious kids. Akhil had left a short, dignified note last night saying he would arrive soon, which kept him in Rohit’s good books.

Keeping the phone back on the desk, Rohit returned to the hall. Downstairs at the dining table in the living room, Arya was already seated, scrolling through her phone.

Rohit paused on the stairs, eyes tracing her. She looked freshly showered, the loose sleeveless T-shirt and shorts clinging just enough. Tiny beads of water still gleamed along the curve of her cleavage, catching light like invitations. His throat went dry. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

He wanted to start some conversation but surely she had a grudge on him since last day. So he kept his mouth shut.

Soon Ragini entered in her usual gown, wet hair wrapped with a small towel. This time, though, it was longer and less revealing — something Rohit instantly noticed. Two maids followed her, carrying dishes.

Arya cheered, setting her phone aside. "Hey, mom — you’re back so soon?"

Ragini replied while serving food. "Didn’t want to keep you all waiting."

Rohit’s jaw nearly dropped when he saw the menu: vegan khichdi with pickles and fried nuts. Khichdi was an Indian dish where rice was cooked with lentils and vegetables. He knew the ingredients well, but the taste was questionable — his past self had never liked it.

Arya rolled her eyes. "You should’ve just let me help."

Ragini gave her a warm smile. "You’re on holiday, dear. It’s my duty to lessen your burden today."

Arya puckered her lips into a playful flying kiss. "Muah..My sweet mommy." She began digging in.

Rohit smiled faintly as he tasted the food. Even the khichdi tasted better than he expected: spicy and soft.

Then Ragini’s eyes fell on Rohit’s bandage. "Rohit, why is your bandage wet?"

He shrugged, speaking while half-chewing. "Changing it with one hand was tough."

Ragini’s tone softened. "Oh, I forgot. You should’ve told me earlier. Next time, I’ll help you."

Rohit chuckled at the thought and nodded. "Alright."

But Arya suddenly snapped, her voice sharp. "MOM! He’s an adult now. Why are you trying to help him?"

Ragini flustered instantly. She realized she had misspoken in front of Arya. The doctor’s harsh words had weighed heavily on her mind, and distracted by her thoughts, she had slipped.

She quickly corrected herself, her tone a little softer than usual. "Don’t be like this, dear. I’m talking about bandages. He’s a patient right now — how can he change them on his own?"

Rohit nodded along, pretending to agree. "Yes. Only the bandage change."

"Oh? Really?" Arya’s tone grew sharper with suspicion. "Then I’ll do it."

Both Ragini and Rohit were startled. "What?" they said almost in unison.

Rohit added subtly, "..your office?"

Arya glared at him with anger. "I already took a week off the moment I heard about you." She leaned forward with exaggerated emphasis. "Besides, I won’t just change the bandages — I’ll help you bathe too. Won’t that be more... interesting?"

Rohit felt Ragini’s burning gaze on him. He didn’t dare meet her eyes. Scratching his cheek, he muttered, "I think this is getting troublesome... I’ll manage."

Arya turned to Ragini and said mockingly, "See, mom? He doesn’t want it. But knowing your nature, I won’t back down." She then faced Rohit directly. "So tell me, dear brother, will it really be troublesome if I insist?"

Her tone made Rohit grit his teeth. Inside, he cursed: ’Damn girl. You think I don’t know what you’re up to?’

Outwardly he shrugged nonchalantly. "Let’s skip the talk. I’m hungry."

The silence returned, but the tension remained.

"Oh, you’re eating?"

It was from twins, Tanya and Aisha, who had just come in from school and padded down the stairs. Their uniforms were half replaced — one wore a fresh top, the other had changed into shorts.

"Cheapskate," Arya muttered. Rohit heard it.

The girls sat at the dining table and served themselves as usual. Aisha offered the polite line, "It smells nice, aunty — we thought we’d eat early..," and then both grimaced at the menu.. Khichdi. The health food was clearly beneath their tastes.

Tanya, who didn’t filter herself, leaned in and said low enough for most to hear, "Ugh. We should’ve just ordered in. I’m sick of this fitness-food nonsense."

Aisha nudged her sister, but Tanya pulled her tray anyway and began digging in with exaggerated disgust.

Arya tried to steer the moment. "Mom, I heard you got the tender from the Chambanis. That’ll raise our stake in the new projects."

Ragini’s face softened a little. "Yes. But Rohit’s the reason it went through. If he hadn’t won the chess match, things wouldn’t have been so smooth."

Rohit smiled as he looked at her, but his smile soon faltered when Tanya cut in.

"What’s so great about winning a chess game by luck?"

Everyone turned to look at her, and Tanya quickly clarified, "I’ve seen the news. Rohit himself admitted he won by luck when questioned."

Rohit kept his expression neutral and continued eating in silence. He didn’t like the way the conversation was turning, but meddling in felt beneath him.

Arya on the other hand, snapped openly. "That’s our family matter. Your opinion isn’t needed."

Tanya shrugged and wouldn’t let it drop. "Why are you all hyped for a loser? He’s just adopted."

Ragini’s face crumpled. After brief talks with the doctor she was already a bit sentimental. She’d worked hard to keep the adoption and Rohit’s recent memory loss — quiet, so they could build honest bonds. Now everything threatened to unravel.

Rohit, however, was frozen — not out of fear but uncertainty of reactions.

Tanya jabbed further. "What, you didn’t tell him? Keeping someone in the dark isn’t helping."

Something in Ragini broke. Her composure faltered and she ended up yelling out. "Shut up!"

Tears trembled at the corners of her eyes. The past few days had been a storm; this was the one thing she’d tried to avoid and failed.

She stood up and said with breaking voice, "I’m going to my room. I don’t feel well." And with that she left.

Arya erupted, standing too. "You fucking bitches — are you happy now?"

Tanya tried to reply coolly. "Language, lady. We live here because of the arrangement — not because we want to."

Aisha tried to nudge her again but she continued, "Wait, let me speak..."

"If you can’t stand it, complain to grandfather. Maybe that’ll make things easier for us." Arya scoffed, and unable to hold it in, stalked out after Ragini.

Rohit stood up once he was alone with the twins. "Was that necessary?"

Aisha scoffed. "What? Feeling sorry for your fake family now?"

Rohit’s gaze hardened, his voice turned cold. "I don’t care what you think of me," he added, while pointing his finger. "But Ragini matters to me and you certainly crossed a line."

He double-tapped his finger on the table, his tone measured. "Remember my words. I’ll make you pay for this"

Tanya mocked in a playful tone. "Aww, I’m so scared. Should I be regretting this?"

Rohit smirked, almost revealing a twisted grin. "Write it down — because you certainly will." Then he walked away.

Tanya opened her mouth to counter, but Aisha grabbed her arm. The younger girl’s face had gone pale in a way Tanya didn’t understand. She frowned, for the first time on edge.

But Rohit wasn’t there to witness it. In his mind, bringing tears to Ragini’s eyes was a crime — and now, they had to pay for it. Their arrogance needed to be broken, and even if they cried for mercy later, they wouldn’t get it.