CHHAVI'S POV
Life is a peculiar game. The rules are unclear and the stakes keep going up, without your consent. You are given something valuable, something you start to love and then, one day, it is taken away from you abruptly, mercilessly.
It's like being handed a rare treasure in the middle of a Sylvan land. For a moment, you believe it's yours to keep. You revel in it, cherish it, let it become a part of you until, make it your home and, one day, life decides to shift the board. A trapdoor opens beneath your feet. You and what you believed was yours, start slipping away.
You try to pull yourself up and pull it back, clutching onto it, so tightly that...that your knuckles whiten. Yet, it keeps slipping away from your sweaty palm. You try to tighten your grip on it but it's determined to leave you shattered.
You finally let it go because you know the world above the trapdoor needs you. So you pull yourself up, stand on your feet on that cracked soil, only to look in front of you to see a land void of everything- void of the home that you built, the plants you planted, watered and took care of.
You scream, calling the name of the plants but they don't respond back. You keep screaming, running here and there, trying to trace them but then, your wounded steps halt and you realize- they can't speak for themselves. They're fragile, you were supposed to take care of them. But, you failed. You failed to help them tighten their roots to the soil. You're too busy to pull yourself up that you forgot the thing you let go had the roots of your plant tangled to itself. It carried your plants to the abyss where all you can see is darkness.
Now, the plant, the home, the thing and you- everyone is lost because you failed take care of any of them. You're a failure.
"Miss Rosy, we're here."
Drishye gave me a gentle nudge, pulling me out of my haze.
"Huh!"
"We've reached the safehouse."
He repeated, gently tapping my shoulder.
I blinked, realizing that the sun had set completely, leaving the world under the care of the moonlight.
A realization struck my mind. That unknown person didn't text me, anymore today. Is he not aware of this situation?
I mentally noted to send him a message. I hope he is someone who can help rather than harm my child and me...
I exhaled, steadying myself before looking out the window on his side.
A two- storied house, more like a bungalow stood before us. The area around it was filled with similar other bungalows but was eerily quiet.
The view felt familiar. Probably, because I lived here, in Lucknow, for a decade.
Drishye stepped out first, then rounded the car to my side. He opened the door, offering his hand for me.
I pushed aside my thoughts and stepped out of the car, placing my hand in his warm grasp.
"I can walk, Drishye."
I said. This time, firmly.
"Okay."
He gave in even though he didn't let go of my hand.
He walked me through the entrance and I immediately noticed the other girls had already secured their positions and resumed their work.
Noor was at the dining table, studying and occasionally marking a map laid out on the table. She barely spared us a glance and got back to what she was doing.
Veda had her laptop open in front of her, on the couch opposite to the one I was heading to. She was busy tapping the keys to even spare us a glance.
Jade was scanning the street outside, by the side of the window, using a binocular.
Maybe, we're staying a couple of steps away from the printhouse...maybe my daughter is somewhere here! Near me! I hope she...she's fine!
Just as I was a couple of steps away from the couch, a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. My vision gathered blurred black spots. I gasped, struggling to steady myself but instantly, I felt Drishye's palm on my back while his other hand tightened around mine.
"You're not well."
He mumbled softly, as he guided me to the couch.
I barely managed to land on the cushions, feeling out of breathe. A thin layer of sweat dampened my skin making me feel abnormally hot.
Xysha appeared from nowhere and pressed a glass of water into my trembling hands while Drishye adjusted the cushions behind my back.
"Drink some water."
He said, crouching beside me and adjusting the strands of hair behind my ear.
I took a sip of the cool liquid, letting it soothe my parched throat. I realised, I was thirty since morning. As the water slid down my chest, I felt it burn, making me more nauseous.
"Take her upstairs, RD."
Xysha suggested.
"Woah- woah! Everyone! Krisha's on radar!"
Veda suddenly screamed, making everyone freeze.
Drishye's grip on my arm tightened instinctively as he turned toward her. I could feel the tension rise in his body as the muscles of his arm clenched.
Everyone gathered around her, pausing their individual tasks.
"Damn! Girl disappeared just when Aahana got abducted. And, guess where was her last location. Lol!"
Veda questioned, smirking as she shook her head in disbelief while staring at the screen.
I caught the neon lights reflecting on her pupils, trying to figure out the entire situation.
"Don't say me that she was in Dehradun."
Jade questioned, in a cautious voice, tapping on the holster strapped to her thigh.
Veda's smirk deepened and everyone shook there heads in disbelief.
"She'll regret it. "
Drishye declared in a sharp voice, sending shivers down my spine. I bobbed my head towards him to see the vein of his neck pop and his eyes redden. And, it unsettled me, even more, setting my heart ablaze.
Xysha crossed her arms.
"Wait, I think we're concluding way too fast."
Veda's fingers flew in the air.
"Babe, she just popped up in the system. Her phone signal went live for exactly seven seconds before disappearing again. Just when Jade informed us about Aahana going missing. Still you think we're concluding way too fast?"
Drishye exhaled sharply through his nose, clenching his jaw.
Turning towards me, he asked.
"Did Vinesh get in touch with you?"
"No- not yet..."
I replied. The anxiety curling in my stomach.
"He's stalling, probably waiting for you to contact him first."
Noor explained, leaning back slightly.
Of course, he was. He wants me desperate. He wants me scared.
I inhaled sharply.
"I'll not reach out to him."
Drishye smirked.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Veda leaned back in her chair, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"How about we actually give him that satisfaction?"
She suggested, drumming her fingers against the table.
I narrowed my eyes.
"What do you mean? Your teammate has already deceived you and here you're! Suggesting me to fall in his trap and mess this situation even more."
"Think about it!" She continued, unfazed by my remark. "A normal human instinct would be to reach out to him for your daughter. Think! You're the helpless mother. No backup! It'll only ease him up, make him believe he has the upper hand. But in reality..."
She trailed off, waiting for me to catch on.
Drishye leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"We let him think he's in control while we use that window to track him."
Noor nodded.
"Exactly. If he believes you're desperate, he'll get careless. He'll make a move we can anticipate."
I chewed on my bottom lip.
"Trust us, madam. We've to take this chance."
I exhaled slowly, meeting Drishye's gaze. He gave me an understanding nod while everyone else had their eyes on me, anticipating my response.
"Okay!"
I agreed.
Before they could respond, a sharp knock echoed through the house.
Everyone froze.
Drishye shot up from his seat, his body going taut.
His hand instinctively reached for my shoulder, grabbing it as if trying to shield me while gripping the gun holstered at his waist by the other hand
Another knock. This time, heavier. Almost like a bang.
"Move. Now."
His voice was a low growl as he grabbed my wrist and yanked me up.
I looked around, seeing everyone take position.
"Jade, cover the back. Xysha, cover the front."
He ordered.
"Take her upstairs, Drishye."
Veda said, almost like a command.
He didn't waste another second, dragging me down the dimly lit hallway and through the stairs. My heart pounded against my ribs as the knocks grew louder.
I didn't utter a word to avoid any commotion because of me.
He shoved open a door at the far end of the corridor and pushed me inside with more force than necessary.
The room was strangely barren and metallic, with no windows.
The air was unnaturally still and an eerie silence swallowed the space as soon as the door shut behind me. I turned around, seeing Drishye lock the door using multiple huge latches attached to it.
"Lock it from inside when I'm gone."
He ordered.
My breathe hitched.
"No! Don't leave me alone, here."
"Miss Rosy, listen to me."
He hissed, grabbing my face between his hands. The cold metal of the gun touched my skin, making me shiver.
"You do not open this door for anyone except me. No matter what you hear, no matter what happens outside. Do you understand me?"
I stared at him, my pulse hammering.
"DO. YOU. UNDERSTAND?"
He repeated himself, this time louder.
"I-I won't open it."
I whispered, a tear trickling down my face.
His shoulders relaxed just a fraction. He exhaled, pressing his forehead against mine for a fleeting second. Then, he turned and yanked the heavy steel door shut.
The lock clicked into place.
A deafening silence followed until I heard him yell from the other side.
"Lock it!"
I hurriedly latched myself in and stumbled back, my legs hitting the cold floor as I crouched down, wrapping my arms around myself. My chest constricted painfully.
A loud crash from outside made me flinch.
I clasped my hands together, my fingers trembling as I shut my eyes.
"Please, God. Hear me this once...don't let anything happen to him. Please..."
I begged the Almighty, my voice breaking amidst my prayers.
Tears streamed down my face like a home- wreacking monsoon.
I wish I had confessed my feelings to him, already. I love him...love him way too much...he is my everything. He's the sole person who loved me for who I'm.
He's more than a blessing to me and I chose to think about everything else other than him. I hate myself.
"God, please do not make him suffer because of my wrongly taken decisions.
I...I won't be able to survive anymore, if...if something happens to him.
Please, God. You never fulfilled my wishes. Please! Please, this once!"
I was howling like anything.
"Don't snatch the only two reasons of my life, God. I beg you for your mercy! I've lost everything. Please not them! I beg you..."
The thought of loosing Aahana and Drishye tore through me like a blade.
What if Drishye doesn't come back? What if I never see Aahana again?
A sob wracked my body, my hands clenching into fists.
They were in danger because of me.
I buried my face into my palms. Everything came crashing down on me.
I love them. Drishye. Aahana.
More than anything else in the world.
I...I...I felt my chest tighten. I was suffocating.
My hands flailed against the wall, trying to seek something that could help me and then, my gaze fell on the ventilation panel near the ceiling.
Stumbling toward it, I pressed my face near the opening, inhaling the faint rush of cool air.
My head slowly stopped spinning and I tried to focus on what was happening outside.
I strained my ears, expecting gunshots, shouts, something. But there was nothing. No voices. No movement.
Silence.
A fresh wave of fear gripped me.
No! No! It can't be what I'm thinking.
Panic clawed at my throat and suddenly, a reckless thought struck me.
The unknown.
I've to do something to save my love!
Without thinking twice, I grabbed my phone and typed out.
ME: I need your help. Now.
I hit send.
Message failed to deliver.
My stomach dropped. I tried again.
Failed.
Again.
Failed.
Again.
Failed.
"No, no, no!"
I whispered shakily, my fingers trembling over the screen.
My gaze drew towards the top corner of the screen. No signal!
Minutes passed. Then more. Still nothing.
The silence outside intensified.
I dug my nails into my skin and in the snap of a moment, I made a decision.
Something's wrong. Something's definitely wrong.
Unlacing my shoes, I stepped out of them and left them behind to stay as quiet as possible. My bare feet padded softly against the cold floor as I carefully twisted the lock open along with the multiple latches, without making a noise and slipped out.
Pressing myself against the wall, I walked towards the stairs. My gaze wandered here and there, checking if anyone is hidden behind the curtains.
But my gaze fell on the balcony on the other side and I noticed the street. It felt oddly familiar. And, suddenly I realised that it was the same street that led to my in- laws!
What're we doing here?
I didn't let my flooding thoughts halt my steps. I climbed down the stairs without making a pin drop sound and hid myself behind the curtains of a huge window.
Peeking from behind the curtain, I saw a woman surrounded by Drishye and his team.
Seeing him alive and unharmed, I got my life back.
I took a deep sigh of relief and resumed studying them, trying to get a look of the lady.
As soon as I caught a glimpse, my breath hung on my throat.
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NEXT CHAPTER- THE CLIMAX
||SPOILER||
"You'll have to make her sign the property papers."