DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, locations, organizations, businesses, events, dialogues, and incidents portrayed in this story are purely products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or deceased, places, organizations, or real-life events is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

This novel is created solely for entertainment and storytelling purposes. It does not intend to promote, glorify, justify, or encourage any form of crime, violence, illegal activities, abuse, or harmful behavior. The views and actions of the characters belong only to the fictional world of this story and should not be interpreted as moral guidance or real-life advice.

Certain themes, including crime, violence, emotional trauma, and morally complex characters, are included only to serve the narrative. Reader discretion is advised.

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE

© All Rights Reserved.

This story is an original work by [Author jia /@izelluvv_7] and is protected under applicable copyright laws.

No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, translated, distributed, republished, uploaded, recorded, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the author's prior written permission, except for brief quotations used in reviews or criticism.

Unauthorized copying, plagiarism, adaptation, AI training, reposting, or redistribution of this work, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.

Please support original creators by reading and sharing this story only through the platforms where it is officially published.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

Thank you for choosing to read my story.

Every chapter of this novel has been written with time, imagination, and dedication. If you enjoy the journey of these characters, your votes, comments, and support mean more than you know.

Please respect the effort behind this work by not copying, reposting, or claiming any part of it as your own.

Welcome to Ghungroo Aur Gunaah—a fictional world where devotion meets darkness, and every choice leaves a mark.

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The orphanage was unusually quiet that afternoon. The soft rustling of leaves and the distant laughter of children were the only sounds that filled the air. It was a place where abandoned children learned to smile despite the emptiness in their hearts.

The iron gate creaked open.

A middle-aged man walked inside, holding the hand of a boy who looked no older than twelve. The man's grip was firm, but the boy offered no resistance. He simply followed, his head lowered, his expression blank—as if his soul had been left somewhere far behind.

The man approached the orphanage headmaster.

"Please... take care of him," he said quietly, his voice carrying an exhaustion that words couldn't explain.

The headmaster nodded gently and tried speaking to the boy.

"What's your name, beta?"

No answer.

"Are you hungry?"

Silence.

The boy didn't even lift his head.

He stood there like a lifeless statue, staring at the ground, completely detached from the world around him.

After finishing the paperwork, the man looked at the child one last time. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

A few moments later...

He walked away.

The boy didn't stop him.

He didn't cry.

He didn't call out.

He didn't even look back.

It was as though he had already accepted that everyone eventually leaves.

The headmaster sighed before placing a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Come with me."

Without a word, the boy followed.

The playground was alive with children running, laughing, chasing one another, and arguing over tiny things that would be forgotten in minutes.

The headmaster smiled warmly.

"You can play with them."

With that, he walked away.

The boy remained exactly where he was.

Motionless.

Confused.

As if he didn't know what he was supposed to do anymore.

Or perhaps...

He no longer remembered how to be a child.

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I don't know why I kept looking at him.

Even while everyone else was busy playing, my eyes kept drifting back to the quiet boy standing all alone.

Why is he just standing there?

Without realizing it, my feet began moving on their own.

By the time I came to my senses, I was already standing in front of him.

I had to tilt my head up to look at him.

He's tall...

Or maybe...

I'm just too short.

For the first time, his eyes shifted.

Not to my face.

They rested on my tiny feet.

Slowly...

Very slowly...

His gaze traveled upward until it stopped at my outstretched hand.

A small piece of bread rested in my palm—the one I'd secretly saved from lunch.

Finally...

His eyes met mine.

He didn't say a word.

Neither did I.

For a few seconds.

Then I smiled awkwardly.

"Yeh le lo... mujhe bhookh nahi hai. Tum kha sakte ho."

(Here... you can have it. I'm not hungry.)

He continued staring at me.

His expression never changed.

Then...

Very slowly...

His hand reached forward.

He took the bread from my palm.

A smile appeared on my face without me even realizing it.

I opened my mouth, about to ask his name...

But before I could say anything—

He looked at the bread.

And dropped it onto the ground.

My smile froze.

For a second, I couldn't understand what had just happened.

My eyes widened.

Without thinking, I immediately bent down, picked up the piece of bread with trembling hands, and gently dusted the dirt off it...

Clutching it tightly against my chest, I looked back at the silent boy, unable to understand why someone who looked so empty... would throw away the only thing I had wanted to share.