The quiet of the Raichand estate library was broken by the tense whispers of Diya and Aralyn. After hours of research, they had finally located Anaya Ahir, Avni's youngest daughter. The next step was delicate—contacting Avni without startling her or revealing too much too soon.
Aralyn's hands trembled slightly as she held the secure communication device.
"Diya… are you sure this is the right time?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Diya nodded. "We have to. She needs to know. And you… you're the one who can make it clear without alarming anyone. Trust me."
The Call
Diya initiated the connection, routing it through secure channels. After a few moments, Avni's calm yet commanding voice filled the room.
"Hello… who is this?"
Diya took a deep breath. "Aunty Avni… this is Diya Knight. I… I have information about Anaya."
A pause. Then Avni's voice, trembling slightly for the first time in years:"Anaya… my daughter?"
"Yes, aunty," Diya continued, her voice steady but gentle. "Your friend—Aralyn—has found her location. She is safe, and you can contact her carefully."
Avni's Emotions
Avni's hands shook as she clutched the edge of her desk. Her heart raced. Fifteen years of searching, sleepless nights, endless worry—all of it converged in that single moment. She could hardly breathe.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered, "Anaya… my little girl… alive…"
Memories of holding Anaya as a child, the pain of separation, and the nights spent crying into her pillow all surged back. For the first time in years, hope pierced through the veil of despair.
Aralyn's Emotions
Aralyn, standing beside Diya, felt a tremor of relief and awe. Seeing Avni's reaction—the mixture of overwhelming joy, disbelief, and lingering pain—made the mission feel real. She realized the gravity of their task: they were not just finding missing siblings; they were restoring lives torn apart by fate.
Her own eyes glistened with tears, but she remained composed. "Aunty Avni… we'll make sure every one of your children is found. One by one. You won't have to wait another day in fear."
A Moment of Connection
For a few silent minutes, Avni allowed herself to breathe. The connection to Anaya, long severed by time and circumstance, was now within reach. And Aralyn stood quietly, knowing that the journey had only just begun—but for the first time, the spark of reunion had been lit.
Avni's voice, trembling but steady now, broke the silence:"Thank you… thank you, Aralyn. Thank you, Diya. For bringing my daughter back to me—even if just a little closer."
Aralyn nodded, a lump forming in her throat. This was no longer a secret mission. This was the beginning of restoring a family.