Chapter 200
Nitish Reddy's life, both as an international cricket star and as a man haunted by past relationships, was under constant scrutiny. The days leading up to the T20 World Cup were supposed to be focused on training and strategizing, yet Nitish found himself distracted, not by an opponent on the field, but by someone from his past—Ayesha.
Ayesha had started texting him more frequently since their last meeting. Her messages often carried a flirty tone, a mix of charm and seduction that was hard to ignore.
"Hey Nitish, thinking of you," one message blinked across his screen one evening after a long practice session.
"Had a dream about us last night… 😏" came another, filling his phone with notifications that were hard to overlook.
Nitish was not entirely immune to the memories these messages evoked. There was a time when such texts from Ayesha would have brightened his day, sparked anticipation. But now, they only added layers of complexity to his already demanding life. He responded, but always hours later, his replies short and non-committal.
"Busy day, hope you're well," he would write back, trying to maintain a polite distance.
Despite his efforts, Ayesha's responses came swiftly, often filled with emojis and suggestions of meeting up. "Let's grab dinner soon? Miss our chats 😘," she'd text, pushing for more engagement.
The frequency of her messages increased as the World Cup approached, her invitations becoming more insistent. Finally, worn down by the constant barrage and a part of him curious if there might be closure in conversation, Nitish agreed to meet her for dinner.
The chosen evening found him at a well-known restaurant, an attempt by both to keep the meeting discreet. Ayesha texted him just as he was about to leave for the restaurant: "I've hurt my back 😢 Can you come to my apartment instead? Really need some help."
Concerned, Nitish changed his plans and headed to her apartment. When he arrived, the door was slightly ajar, which he pushed open cautiously. The scene inside was not what he expected. Ayesha was there, looking perfectly fine, sitting by a table elegantly set with wine and two glasses. The apartment was softly lit, a record playing low in the background, the ambiance deliberately romantic.
"Thought we'd have a more comfortable evening here," Ayesha smiled, her tone sultry.
Nitish, sensing a setup, felt a flush of irritation. "Ayesha, I thought you needed help? I'm really just here to talk."
As he turned to leave, declaring that it was best they stop seeing each other so he could focus on his career, Ayesha's arms wrapped around him from behind. "Don't leave, Nitish. Please stay."
He gently unwound her arms, stepping away, his voice firm. "This isn't right, Ayesha. I think I should leave."
But as he moved towards the door, Ayesha rushed ahead, locking it and starting to undress. "Don't you miss us? What we had?" she pleaded, her actions bordering on desperation.
"Stop this, Ayesha!" Nitish's voice was sharp, his hand raised in a stop signal which she mistook in her emotional state, leading to her stepping back abruptly, an act she later described differently. He turned, unlocked the door, and left, his mind racing with the implications of what had just transpired.
That night, Nitish tried to sleep but was restless, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and concern about how far Ayesha might go in her apparent obsession. The next morning, his fears materialized in the worst way possible. His hotel room door shook with urgent knocks. Groggy and disoriented, he opened it to find several police officers, their expressions grave and accusing.
"Nitish Reddy, you are under arrest for the assault and rape of Ayesha," one officer declared, the words hitting Nitish like a physical blow.
Handcuffed and led away, Nitish was in a state of shock. His reputation, his career, his very liberty were suddenly in jeopardy based on accusations he knew to be false. As he was taken into custody, the reality of his situation began to sink in. This was not just a personal betrayal; it was a crisis that could potentially ruin everything he had worked so hard to achieve.