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Inside a dark room where a dim light was also not even there rather than a few candles. The wax dripped slow and sticky, and the shadows clung to the corners like waiting things.
"She's fragile. Won't be able to fight with you all. Half of the money is transferred to your account. Half money after work. There should be no evidence left about her" a woman said, holding a photo between two fingers. Her eyes purred pure hatred, fixed on the face in the picture as if she could squeeze the life out of it.
"Don't worry you can stay relieved. Your work will be done" the person in front of her said with a smug smile.
"I know. That's why I trusted my money with you. But be very careful. She's protected from everywhere. More than a hundred bodyguards protect her; they stay hidden in the shadows. You have to deceive all of them. It will be risky" the woman warned, gritting her teeth.
"Of course. We have already decided on our plan, ma'am. Rest assured." the man said, scratching his beard.
"I'll be leaving now. I want the work to be done. Properly and neatly." the woman said before leaving that place.
Ahana
It's been a month since our first date. And since then we have had at least one date every week. Sometimes he prepared it alone as a surprise and sometimes we both planned it together. But on every date two things were common. His sincerity and efforts.
And like we promised. In most of the dates we used to cook together. This last month has been full of fun, romance and joy. I have been living my best days.
And ya I got some tea you all... Hehe. It's about jaanu. She got a crush on Bhuvan bhaiya. Can't believe it right? Same goes to me too. I was in shock at first too but somehow accepted it. Now I just hope everything ends well on their side too. It's the first time I heard the crush word from Jaanvi about a man. Her standards are so high. And when I say high I mean it. Let's see if Bhuvan Bhai can win or not.
Right now I'm at a bookstore. I love reading books as you all know. They always felt like an escape from this cruel world. But now God blessed me with a man who stepped out from a book itself.
I smiled at my own thoughts, hugged the stack of books close to my chest and finally chose ten of them.
After doing the billing, I was feeling a little hungry. While walking out, I saw a golgappa stall and my mouth watered immediately. The rats in my tummy started running even faster.
I went to the stall and asked for a plate. One by one bhaiya started serving and the moment the first golgappa burst in my mouth, I closed my eyes, savouring the taste.
"Bhaiya or thora tikha dijiye na" I requested with a pleading face. Like bro, golgappe without tikha is like momos without chutney.
He smiled and added some more chillis before handing it over. Hmm.. ye hui na baat.
I had twenty more pieces, my eyes watering in spiciness but my heart satisfied. After that I paid him and was about to leave.
Just then, a small hand tugged at my dupatta from behind. I turned and looked down to see a tiny girl holding a beautiful bouquet of roses and tulips was looking at me with big dow eyes.
The girl was so cute and hardly more than seven years old. The tulips in her hand made me feel nostalgic.
I crouched down to her height and asked softly, "kya naam hai aapka?"
(What is your name?)
"Reva" she said in the cutest voice ever, flashing an innocent smile.
"Reva? Ye to bohot pyara naam hai, bilkul aapki tarah" I said gently, cupping her face with one hand.
(Reva? It's such a beautiful name, like you)
"Didi… aap v bohot pyari ho… inn fulo ki tarah" she complimented, showing me her bunny tooth smile.
(Didi... You're also pretty... Like these flowers)
"Sachi? Thank you." I chuckled, my heart was melting at her cuteness.
(Really?)
"Didi aap ye phool kharidogi? Sirf 50 rupee ka hai" she asked, her eyes gleaming with hope.
(Sister will you buy this flower? It’s only for 50 rupees)
I leaned closer and pecked her forehead. "Kharid to lungi prr ek shart hai" I teased, raising my eyebrows.
(I will buy it, but on one condition)
"Kaisi shart?" she asked in pure curiosity.
(What condition?)
"Apko pehle thore golgappe khane parenge. Bhuk lagi hai na?" I asked, noticing her slim figure. She's hungry but due to poverty she couldn't eat properly.
(First, you’ll have to eat some golgappas. You’re hungry, right?)
"Sachii? Thank you didi. Bohot bhook lagi thi" she said, her excitement almost making me laugh. I ruffled her hair and ordered a plate for her. She seemed so happy while eating it. After she was done, I handed her a chocolate which I always carry with me for my own sweet cravings.
(Really? Thank you, sister. I was very hungry.)
Then I took the flowers from her and handed her two hundred rupees.
"No need to give change. Eat something with that" I said with a smile. She quickly gave me a peck on my cheek and ran away with her little feet.
I laughed at her cute behaviour and also started moving. "Din achaa tha ajka" I whispered to myself, sitting in my car. But my smile faded and I clicked my tongue when I suddenly remembered that I forgot my books near the golgappe stall.
I asked the driver to wait for me and ran back to the stall. Luckily, that golgappe bhaiya had kept the books safely, thinking I would come back. I thanked him and walked towards my car with relief but then my eyes frowned in confusion seeing something strange.
The car was nowhere.
"Huh? Driver bhaiya kaha chale gye ab?" I muttered to myself, scanning around.
(Huh? Where did the driver go now?)
I walked a little ahead, expecting he must have parked somewhere nearby. I looked left and right, but no… the car was nowhere.
"Bhaiya kya chale gaye kya?" I whispered to myself, quickly opening my purse and pulling out my phone to call him.
(Did he left without me?)
Just when I was about to hit the dial button, someone suddenly snatched my phone and threw it onto the road. My eyes went wide at this sudden action. I looked up, straight ahead only to feel my breath caught in my throat seeing 5–6 men circling me.
They looked terrifying—big, tall and dangerous. Their eyes disgusted me. It was as if they were undressing me with their gaze. I quickly covered myself with my dupatta, clutching it tight to my chest and tried to move away quietly when one of them caught my hand.
"Kaha chali madam, lift nahi chahiye kya?" he smirked.
(Where are you going, madam? Don’t you want a lift?)
My whole body shivered in disgust at his filthy touch. With a hateful glare and teeth clenched, I spat "Leave. my. hand."
"Aree aree… aag toh bohot hai tujhme" he laughed, sliding his hand up to my shoulder.
(Whoa...whoa… you’ve got a lot of fire inside you.)
"Don’t touch me. How dare you! Leave me, bastard!" I shouted, struggling to free myself. The bag of books fell from my hand while helping myself to from that man. But his grip tightened even more, biting into my skin painfully. I was sure it would leave ugly marks.
The others just stood there, laughing and enjoying my helplessness. My heartbeat raced in fear. I had to run. I had to get away from these animals… these monsters.
Desperately, I looked straight ahead, behind them and widened my eyes. "Aastik ji, aap?" I gasped.
(Aastik ji, you?)
They all instantly turned to look. Taking that chance, I kicked the man holding me right in his groin. His cry echoed in the air as his grip loosened and I freed myself. In a rush, I grabbed my phone from the road but by then they had already turned their heads back and started coming towards me. With all my strength, I ran. I had to run.
If they caught me, these animals… these monsters would… No, Ahana. Don’t think. Just run. Tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t stop. My legs moved as if my life depended on them—because it did. They chased me like hunters chasing their prey. But I swore I wouldn’t stop until my last breath. I wouldn’t surrender myself to them. I would kill myself rather than handing myself to them.
After almost half an hour of running, I finally managed to lose them. I stumbled into a jungle, hiding behind thick bushes. My breaths came out ragged, chest heaving. My hands trembled, sweat drenched my body and my heartbeat pounded in my ears.
But no, this wasn’t the time to rest. With trembling hands, I unlocked my phone, trying to dial Aastik ji’s number. Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed close by.
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Fear wrapped around me like chains. Scared… I was so scared of men like them.
"Kanha… please mujhe bachalo" I whispered brokenly.
(Kanha... Please save me)
I gulped down my fear, somehow wiped my tears with trembling fingers and called him. My heart hammered in my chest in fear as the sound of heavy footsteps grew closer and closer. "Please, Aastik ji, phone uthaiye…" I prayed desperately and luckily, he picked up.
"Hello, jaan. Is your shopping done?" his gentle voice came completely unaware of the storm around me.
I opened my mouth but nothing came out. My throat felt like it was locked, weighed down by fear. I forced a shaky breath and whispered, "Aastik ji…"
"Sweetheart, sweetheart, what happened? Why are you crying?" his worried voice broke through the phone in panic
"Mujhe bacha lijiye…" I whispered with a cry but before I could say more someone caught my hand, yanking me back. My eyes widened in terror. They found me.
(Please save me..)
A loud, cruel sound cracked the silence — slap. My head jerked to the side, my cheek burning with pain. I felt the warm taste of blood as my lip split.
"Sali… haramzadi… kya samajhti hai apne aapko? Bach jayegi?" one of them hissed before snatching my phone and smashing it against a rock. Pieces scattered on the ground like my last hope.
(You bitch… what do you think of yourself? You think you’ll escape?)
"Please… chhodo mujhe… please…" I begged as pools of tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. But I knew. I knew it would do nothing. These animals had no hearts, only lust burning in their eyes.
(Please… let me go… please)
Another man stepped forward, his face twisted with a cruel smile. He fisted a handful of my hair, yanking it so hard I cried out in pain. My scalp burned as he dragged me across the dirt. "Ahh… nhi...choro mujhe…mey kahi nhi jaungi... please! Is somebody there please help me" I screamed but my voice only seemed to amuse them. The others laughed, circling like vultures.
(Ahh… no… leave me… I won’t go anywhere… please...)
Before I could gather strength, someone pressed a cloth hard against my mouth and nose. A sharp chemical stung my senses, choking me. My hands clawed at the fabric desperately, my nails scraping his skin, but my strength drained too fast. My body grew weak, trembling violently as black dots flickered before my eyes.
Darkness spread quickly, swallowing everything. My legs gave out, my arms fell limp, and the last thing I felt was my tears sliding down my cheeks as my body gave up whispering only one name, "Aastik....."
Aastik
"What was that!" I murmured gripping my phone so tightly that my knuckles unknowingly turned white. Her words were still echoing in my ears, drilling straight into my head. My heartbeat was increasing in panic. A strange kind of uneasiness was spreading inside me.
"ARJUN!!!!" I shouted from my cabin, my voice thundering across the room.
My hand fumbled with the phone, dialing the number of the driver she took while shopping.
For the first time in years I was feeling scared. Scared of losing her.
"Yes sir" Arjun answered quickly stepping inside the cabin.
"Immediately call Avyan and Bhuvan. Ask them to come here as soon as possible" I barked, my tone sharp and clipped. Tension was crawling up my body like a venomous snake.
"Damn it, this motherfucker is not even picking up his call!" I hissed gripping my hair in frustration.
If something happens to her I could never forgive myself... No I need to first stop thinking this shits happening. Nothing will happen to her. Nothing.
Without wasting another second, I called the head bodyguard who was following her in the shadows. He picked up in just a ring. "Where is my wife!" I growled through the phone, clenching my jaw in anger.
"Sir, ma’am is in her car. We’re following the car" he replied in a normal tone.
"What!" I snapped in disbelief. My mind reeled back to her broken voice, that desperate call and her shaky breaths. Wait… how can she be in the car when she called me crying, asking for help? She was huffing so hard, like she was running from something. SOMEONE.
"She's not in the car, you bloody fucker! Stop the car right now and catch the driver. And immediately send guards to search for her. I swear if a scratch also comes on her, I'll bury you all under seven feet" I snapped at him before hanging up the call.
"Track. I have to track her." I whispered, running to my computer. There's a small chip I settled on her mangalsutra — I put it there because I thought she may try to run away from me at first but never in my wildest dream I thought I have to use that chip to save her.
I plugged my phone into the PC, quickly opened the tracking system and keyed in the ID.
"What!" I whispered in disbelief stumbling back into the chair.
"Aastik!" Bhuvan and Avyan came barreling in, grabbing me before I toppled.
"What... what's wrong, bro? What happened?" they shouted, panic bleeding into their voices. They must have already guessed what may have happened and my face must have said the rest.
"Ahana" I whispered, looking at them. "Something happened to her. Something big." My head throbbed; every vein in my neck pulsed. I was praying the same thing over and over. Please be safe, sweetheart. Your Aastik ji will find you.
"Bro, say it clearly or else we can't help you" Bhuvan said, shaking my shoulders.
"She called me half an hour ago. She was scared, crying and asking me to help her. Then the call just cut off. I tried calling back, but it switched off" As I was explaining everything them my own blood boiled and in a single furious motion, I grabbed the stack of papers on my desk and flung them to the floor.
All the papers and Files scattered across the floor. She's in danger and here... like a fucked up man is unable to do anything.
"I tried to track her mangalsutra but it's not showing her location. How can that be?" I shouted, kicking the chair so hard it skidded and clattered into the table. The tracking window on the screen blinked and showed nothing — no ping, no last-known point, just a blank where her dot should be.
Bhuvan slammed his palm on the desk, forcing himself to think. "Check the last ping, the timestamps maybe it's delayed. Maybe the signal's blocked."
"Blocked? No... it's not blocked. I'm one hundred percent sure. Because if it was blocked then my screen would turn black. Nothing would be seen. But now it's not the case. She may be somewhere with no signal. Some place far from the city" I said and both of them nodded agreeing with me.
"Wait. Tu shant ho pehele. Mey bhabhi phone ka last location track krta hu" Bhuvan said and I nodded silently. Her scared voice kept ringing in my ears, replaying on loop.
("Wait. First you calm down. I’ll track bhabhi’s phone’s last location)
Why did I trust her with those fools? I should have gone with her. Guilt slammed into my heart like a painful punch. Please be safe Sweetheart.
"Tune usko bataya Ahana bhabhi ke baare mein?" Avyan asked suddenly catching me off guard. I sighed and shook my head in a no.
"Don't you think he should know?" he pressed.
I closed my eyes for a second to calm myself and nodded. "Yeah. I forgot to Inform—"
Before I could finish, my phone rang. It was the bodyguard. "Call him, Avyan, and ask him to join us" I said, then picked up for the report. "Sir. You were right. Ma'am is not in the car. The driver is senseless and the car was driven by another man who just killed himself saying, 'Save her. I couldn't help her because of my family.'"
Frustration bubbled up and I flung my phone to the floor and it smashed with a sharp crack.
"Fools! Koi v kisi kaam ka nahi hai. Fucking bastards" I shouted through gritted teeth.
(Fools! Not a single one of them is worth anything. Fucking bastards.)
"Aastik. Chal. Bhabhi k phone ka last location mil gaya hai" Bhuvan said standing up and without wasting another second, the three of us ran out. Sweat slicked my face. I had to find her, now.
I couldn't bear the thought of losing you jaan. You came into my life as my last hope. Teaching me to live my life, something I’d forced myself not to learn. I can't imagine a life with no Ahana.
We reached the area shown by the last ping. It was a small forest pocket at the edge of town. As soon as we reached the location, I ran inside searching for her, or any clue. I could hear Bhuvan and Avyan calling for me to stop, but I didn't. Wasting even half a second could cost her life.
As I moved forward my eyes caught something familiar. I paused and Crouched down to look into it.
"Kya hua Aastik, kuch mila kya?" they asked in unison from behind but no words came out of me. I was looking down at something on the ground.
(What happened Aastik, did you find something?)
They followed my gaze, brows knitting. "It's a tulip and rose bouquet" Avyan said.
"It's hers" I whispered, picking it up gently removing its dirt.
"Dekh Aastik. Tu tension mat le. Hum sahi direction mein ja rahe hain. We'll find her in no time," Avyan tried to console clapping a hand on my shoulder.
(Look Aastik, don’t stress. We’re heading in the right direction. We’ll find her in no time.)
"Guys! I found a broken phone near the tree. Aastik dekh to bhabhi ka hai ki nhi" Bhuvan said and I immediately recognised the phone.
(Check if it's bhabhi's phone or not)
I nodded and quickly turned back toward the car. My mind was racing with ugly thoughts making my panic and fear increase by each second. But the moment I opened the door, something caught my eye.
Ahana
Smell of strong candle wax mixed with alcohol hit my nostrils, making me frown at the suffocating stench. My throat burned and my chest felt heavy. I immediately wanted to cover my mouth.
I tried to move my hands but surprisingly, they didn’t move. I tried a few more times but still nothing. I stopped. Something was wrong. It felt like my… my hands were tied. My whole body ached as if someone had beaten me badly.
I tried to open my eyes but they felt too heavy to open. It was as if every drop of energy had been drained from my body. My head throbbed in waves of pain, echoing in my ears.
After fighting with myself for nearly five to ten minutes, I managed to open my eyes slowly. It wasn’t even problematic to adjust to light because there was no light. Darkness swallowed the place whole. Only a few candles stood burning on an old wooden table throwing shaky shadows across the cracked walls.
I turned my face scanning the place but nothing looked familiar. Damp smell, broken furniture and empty alcohol bottles scattered the place. Where am I? Uff... I couldn't even remember anything due to this shitty throbbing pain.
Suddenly, loud laughter erupted in the room making me flinch. I slowly darted my eyes to the side only to find a few men sitting in a circle, playing cards and clinking glasses as they drank alcohol.
Fear crawled deep inside my chest, squeezing my lungs. All the lost memories before I became unconscious crashed into my head. Tears spilled out of my eyes silently, sliding down and burning my swollen cheeks.
"Kanha, mey kya kru abhi. Bohot drr lag rhaa hai. Inn janwaro se kaise bachau khudko." I whisperly thought to myself biting my lips to control my sobs.
(Kanha, what do I do now? I'm so scared. How do I protect myself from these animals?)
I again looked at them and took a deep breath, "Nhi iss brr sayad koi or nhi tujhe khud hi khud ko bachana parega ahana. Aurat hai tu prr kamzor shaks nhi. Inki ye galat fehemi tujhe hi dur Krna parega. Ek aurat jaise jaan de skti hai waise jaan le v skti hai. Jab baat izzat pe aaye to ek aurat maha kali v ban skti hai ye tujhe hi unhe sikhana parega." I clenched my jaw with determination and quickly began forming a plan in my head, shutting my eyes again to continue pretending I was unconscious.
(No, maybe there’s no one else this time; you’ll have to save yourself, Ahana. You’re a woman but not some weak person. You’ll have to drive away their wrong assumptions. If a woman can give life then she can also take it. When it’s a matter of honour, a woman can become Mahakali and you must teach them that.)
After almost ten minutes I heard a door screeching open, followed by footsteps. Not one… but two.
"Mam, iska kya karna hai?" a man's voice rang out.
(Mam, what should we do with her?)
Who is he talking to? Is this a planned kidnapping? Mam? A woman? Who?
Thousands of questions were swirling through my mind with no answer. My hands were getting sweaty with tension but I stayed silent, straining to catch their words.
"Let her wake up first" a muffled woman's voice replied.
It… this sounded familiar. Unable to hold myself back I slowly opened my eyes and in the next second I felt like I’d forgotten how to breath. My lips parted in shock and eyes widened so much that it felt like they might pop out of their sockets.
I couldn’t control myself and whispered loud enough for her to hear—
"Tum!"
(You)
______________
That's it for today roses 🌹
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