Here's the 80th chapter.
Enjoy reading.
Shaurya was driving fast on his way to Sabharwal House.
Rage was coursing through his veins, but his heart was racing as he imagined what HER state would be right now.
He wanted to go back there and see if his Dad and SHE were still in the park, and if they were, what condition SHE was in.
He was well aware of his actions. He knew he'd done a lot of "harm" to HER and himself, but his mind had taken a U-turn and he couldn't drive straight home.
After bringing his car to a screeching halt, he decided what he needed to do. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, and he directed the car to make a U-turn, just like his mind, and began driving back towards where he had come from.
He couldn't get rid of his restlessness unless he saw HER once...
"Bebo... Kitty... Reema !!... Ab main kya karu ??..."
"Aastha Mam... Aashta Mam vha dango ke beech kaise pahunchi ??..." Anokhi yelled as she hung up the phone, bewildered and pacing around, her brain not working.
"Anokhi !... Anokhi calm down..." Kitty came up to her.
"Pehle btaao toh hua kya hai ??... Kisne phone uthaaya tha ??..." she inquired hastily.
"Voh... Maine... Maine phone kiya lekin Aastha Mam ne nhi uthhaya... Ek aadmi ne uthaaya tha aur usne btaaya ki Aastha Mam ka phone use neeche pada hua mila aur us jagah par dange ho rhe hain..."
"V... Vha log chilla rhe the Kitty... Agar Aastha Mam ko kuch ho gaya toh ??..." she cried out.
Everyone was gobsmacked to hear what had occurred. Their hearts began to race.
"Lekin Anokhi... Vo jagah hain kaha ??..." Bebo jumped right in.
"Vo... Himmat Singh Marg haina... Vha... Usi jagah ke aaspaas btaaya us aadmi ne..." Anokhi was terrified.
"Main... Main aur intezaar nhi kar sakti... Mujhe kuch karna hoga... Aastha Mam aur Shaurya Sir ke beech pta nhi kya hua ki vo asie... Kisiko bina btaaye vha kaise pahunch gayi..."
"Mujhe kuch samajh nhi aa rha main kya karu..." she sobbed.
"Anokhi !..." Reema spoke up, and her friends turned to look at her.
"Voh jo ACP Ahir the... Unko toh tu jaanti haina... Vo toh police hai... Kya pta vo humaari help kar paaye..." she suggested.
Anokhi's eyes widened as she realized why she hadn't considered it before.
"Haan Anokhi..."
"ACP Ahir ka number toh hoga tumhaare paas... Ek baar unse kehkar dekho naa..." Bebo asserted tensely.
"H.. Haan... Sahi kaha..." Anokhi gathered herself.
"M... Main abhi karti hoon unhe call..." she quickly grabbed her phone and dialled Ahir's number.
Mimi sat there quietly, blinking her eyes innocently, unable to comprehend what was going on.
Anokhi's heart thudded against her chest as she pressed the phone to her ear. The call was picked up almost immediately.
"Hello ACP Ahir !!..." she exclaimed.
"Hello Anokhi ji... I'm on duty right now... Main aapse baad mein baat karta hoon..." he said in hurried tone.
"ACP Ahir please !!!... Ek baar meri baat sun leejiye please..." she pleaded.
"Anokhi ji... Main yaha rescue operation mein hoon... Please aap jaldi btaaiye aapko jo kehna hai..." he replied, sensing her tense tone.
"Rescue operation ??..." she gasped in shock, "Kahi ye vha toh nhi jha Aastha Mam-..." her eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of hope.
"ACP Ahir ?!!... Aap... Aap abhi kha hain ??!!... Kya aap Himmat Singh Marg vale dango ki baat kar rhe hain ??..." she briskly inquired.
"Haanji Anokhi ji !!... Lekin aap... Aap kyun pooch rhi hain ??... Sab theek toh haina ??..." he inquired, concerned.
Her eyes welled up with tears, and she spoke up instantly, "ACP Ahir... Voh meri Aastha Mam vha un dango mein kahi kho gayi hain !!... Unhe maine phone kiya tha lekin kisi aur ne uthaaya tha jise unka phone kahi neeche pada hua mila..."
"Please ACP Ahir... Meri Aastha Mam ko dhoondne mein aap meri help kar sakte hain please... Mujhe bohot darr lag rha hain..." she cried out.
"Aastha Mam ??!!..." Ahir yelped in confusion. He didn't know who it was, and he didn't have time to ask for more information, so he hurriedly asked for a photo.
"Anokhi ji... Aap chinta mat keejiye... Aap bas mujhe unki photo bhej deejiye... Agar koi jaankaari milti hain to main aapko immediate inform kar doonga..." he said.
"Jee... Theek hain... Thank you ACP Ahir..." she said as she quickly hung up the phone and began sending Aastha Mam's photo to him.
She had sent the photo, but she couldn't keep her cool. Although she had informed Ahir about Aastha Mam, and he may have already begun his search, but she just couldn't sit there and wait.
And since ACP Ahir was on a rescue mission, so he was unlikely to attend to every detail, so she wanted to go there to find Aastha Mam herself. She knew it was risky, she couldn't let anything happen to her Aastha Maa.
But first, she needed to notify one more person. She began calling him...
Shaan had returned to his flat after searching Aastha's rented apartment. The door was locked indicating she wasn't there.
His heart was racing with every second that passed, and he couldn't even call Anokhi to inquire about Aastha because his phone's battery had died.
He dashed to his room, plugged the phone charger into it, and waited for it to open.
His throat had dried up in the midst of the panic, so he went to the kitchen to gulp down a glass of water. He drank the water and was on his way back to the room where he had left his phone when his gaze was drawn to something unexpected.
He was in the drawing room at the time, and he noticed the main door was half open, with someone's shadow visible. His brow furrowed, but his eyes widened for some reason, thinking that the shadow could be of the person he had been looking for desperately.
He ran towards the door and, clutching the handle, yanked it open hastily with teary eyes.
"Noor !!..." he exclaimed, but alas !
His face dropped the moment he saw who it was. It was none other than the person who was responsible for his Noor's disappearance.
"Tum yaha kya kar rhe ho Shaurya ? !!..." he scowled enragedly.
Shaurya was startled when he was caught. He had just returned from the park, where he couldn't find them, to see if they were both together or not, to at least get some satisfaction from eavesdropping that SHE was "safe" with his father, but now looking at his Dad, he was getting negative vibes.
He couldn't even utter anything as he himself didn't know what explanation to give to him after what he did in the park with HER.
"Aise chup-chaap khade kyun ho ??!!!..." Shaan rebuked him, his blood boiling with rage as he was worried about what would happen if something went wrong with Aastha.
"Voh... Main... Voh... Bas..." Shaurya stammered, his heart racing because he couldn't see anyone else who was supposed to be with his father.
"Agar Aastha ko kuch bhi hua naa Shaurya... Toh uske zimmedaar sirf tum hoge..." Shaan said, his voice heavy.
Shaurya's heart skipped a beat as he listened what his father said.
What did he mean when he said if something happened to HER ?
Where had SHE gone ?
"A... Aap kya keh rhe ho D... Dad ?..." his voice quivered and heart raced.
"Mujhe tumse koi baat nhi karni Shaurya !!... Chale jaao yaha se !..." he yelled, breaking his son's heart.
"Pta nhi kaha chali gayi hai Aastha... Kabse dhoond rha hoon... Koi ata-pta nhi hain... Sab tumhaari vajah se hua Shaurya !!!..."
"Tum agar us tarah se pesh nhi aate... Agar us tareeke se baat nhi karte toh vo aise kisiko bina btaaye kahi nhi jaati !!..."
Shaurya's eyes teared up witnessing his Dad's rude behavior.
"Mujhe jaldi pta lgaana hoga... Anokhi ko call karna hoga..." Shaan became concerned and hurried back to his room to retrieve his phone so he could call Anokhi, leaving behind his teary-eyed son.
Shaurya remained motionless, his heart thrumming in fear and sorrow against his chest. He couldn't leave and had no idea what to do. He only stepped inside with wobbly steps to reach his father, who said he would call Anokhi to ask about HER.
Shaan entered into the room and noticed that the phone had begun to charge. He then took notice of the numerous notifications of missed calls from Anokhi. Fear gripped his heart, and he couldn't wait any longer for the phone to charge. He immediately dialled her number, unaware that Shaurya had also entered the room to hear about HER.
The phone was immediately picked up, and Shaan briskly said, "Anokhi!!..."
"Anokhi beta ... Aastha ka kuch pta chala ?!!!... Vo sahi – salaamat haina tumhaare saath ?!!..." he asked in one go.
Shaurya's brow was dripping with sweat beads as he awaited the response when he was alarmed to hear his father yelling.
"What ?!!!!!..." Shaan screamed in terror.
"Anokhi... Noor dango mein kho gayi hain ?!!!... Kya keh rhi ho tum ?!!!..."
The ground slipped beneath Shaurya's feet as he listened to his father's words.
"Anokhi beta... Location btaao jaldi !!... Mujhe jaana hoga !!..." Shaan's throat tightened as he was overcome with fear.
Shaurya's world seemed to be spinning, and he could feel his knees weakening. His throat became parched. He blinked his eyes clearing away his tears.
"Nhi Anokhi tum samajh nhi rhi !!... Mujhe jaana hoga !!... Tum... Tum Ahir ko bolo ki please Aastha ko dhoondne ke poori koshish kare... Main bas abhi pohonch rha hoon vha..." Shaan yanked the phone away from his ear and hung up in a hurry, turning to leave without wasting another second, when he discovered his son standing there immobile at the doorstep.
Shaan was boiling with rage, but knew it wasn't the time to confront his son, so he ignored him and was about to leave the room when Shaurya grabbed his hand, bringing him to a halt.
"Dad !!..." he held his hand.
"Shaurya... Mera haath chodo !!... Tumse baat karne ka vakt nhi hai mere paas !!..."
"Yeh jo bhi ho rha haina... Sirf tumhaari vajah se ho rha hai !!..."
"AGAR NOOR KO KUCH HO GAYA NAA SHAURYA... TOH MAIN TUMHE KABHI MAAF NHI KARUNGA..." Shaan warned, his eyes ablaze with rage.
Shaurya's eyes welled up, but he couldn't let his father go to the rioting area.
He himself will go there when he was responsible.
"Main aapko kahi nhi jaane doonga Dad... Aap mujhe location btaaiye... MAIN JAAUNGA VHA..."
"Nhi !!!..." Shaan shot back.
"Tumhe kuch karne ki zaroorat nhi hain !!... Tum bas apne gusse par kaaboo paana seekh lo... Hum sabke liye vhi bohot badi baat hogi..."
A lone tear escaped Shaurya's eyes.
"Aur haath chodo mera !!... Main tumse baat karke aur vakt nhi barbaad kar sakta !!!..." Shaan uttered, jerking his hand away and exiting the room.
"Dad !!... Dad meri baat suniye please !!!..." Shaurya rushed behind him, weeping like a child.
He couldn't let anything bad happen to his Dad like it had before, and he didn't want anything bad to happen to HER either.
Shaan continued hurrying outwards, paying no attention to what his son was saying, and exited the flat.
Shaurya, who was about to leave the drawing room, realized he couldn't persuade his father any longer and would have to accompany him.
He looked around the room and found the key - lock set on the table. He dashed over, picked them up, and returned to the main door, where he began locking the door, ready to accompany his father.
Shaan was sprinting down the stairs. He was gasping for air. All of his negative thoughts were swirling around in his head, adding to his stress.
He rushed inside his car opening the door. After fastening his seat belt, he was about to ignite the engine, when he felt someone's presence on the passenger seat, prompting him to look to that side.
"Shaurya !!..." he yelped.
"Main bhi aapke saath jaa rha hoon Dad !... Main nhi utarne vaala..." Shaurya grumbled.
"Ab aap dekh leejiye aapko aur time waste karna hain yaa vha jaldi pohonchna hai..." he said, wearing the seat belt.
Shaan glared at him, knowing he couldn't persuade his obstinate son, nor did he have the time.
Ignoring him, he turned on the engine and shifted the gear and the car continued on its way to the place informed to him by Anokhi.
They had no idea that today's riots were going to be a "TURNING POINT" in their ongoing lives.
A turn that will start to bring Shaan closer to what he had been WAITING for all these years.
And for Shaurya, this turn would be the start of an UNEXPLAINABLE FEELING he had never experienced before...
"Ta – Ta Mumma..." Mimi waved goodbye to her mother.
"Peeshh jaldi aana..." she innocently added.
Anokhi gave her baby girl a lengthy forehead kiss and nodded through misty eyes.
They were unaware that it was their "last" sighting of each other for the day.
Despite her friends' best efforts to convince her not to go there in the riots, Anokhi refused and insisted on going there at all costs.
"Anokhi... Please apna dhyaan rakhna..." Reema asserted.
"Haan aur Mimi ki tension mat karna... Hum sab hain uske saath..." Bebo said.
"Thank you Bebo... Thank you tum sab ko..." Anokhi said, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Thank you ki zaroorat nhi hain Anokhi... We're friends yaar... Bas tum please pleas please apna dhyaan rakhna..." Kitty said, tense.
"Haan main apna dhyaan rakhungi... Bas Aastha Mam surakshit ho... Please Matarani unhe kuch mat hone dena..." she mumbled in fear.
After paying her farewell to all of the friends and to her baby girl, Anokhi left from there...
"HUMAARI MAANGE POORI KARO... POORI KARO !!!!... POORI KARO !!!!..."
"MAZDOOR EKTA ZINDABAAD... ZINDABAAD !!!... ZINDABAAD !!!..."
As part of their protest, the trade unions yelled the slogans. They were furious with their superior for failing to meet their "demands" and always making "false" promises.
Cops were erecting barricades to prevent crowds of people continue their strike.
Ahir and some other constables were stationed near the barricades, and Anokhi had joined them after contacting ACP Ahir upon her arrival.
"Anokhi ji... Aap yaha kyun aayi ??... Aap jaanti hai kitna risky hain ye ??..."
"Yaha hum logo ko bachaane mein lage hue hain aur aap hain ki khud hi jaan ko jokhim mein daal rhi hain..."
"Main aapse request kar rha hoon... Please aap vaapas chali jaaiye..." he pleaded.
"Nhi ACP Ahir... Aap please samajhne ki koshish keejiye..." Anokhi refused to listen.
"Main Aastha Mam ko liye bina kahi nhi jaaungi... Unka kuch ata-pta nhi hain... Main ghar pe shaant kaise baithi rehti..." she said, her eyes misty.
"Achcha toh fir meri ek baat dhyaan se suniye aap Anokhi ji..." Ahir stated sternly.
"Aap akele kahi mat jaaiyega... Please humaari team ke saath hi rahiyega aap... Agar aap bhi kho gayi toh aur badi mushkil ho jaayegi..." he said.
"Theek hai ACP Ahir... Main yahi hoon... Lekin please aap Aastha Mam ko dhoondna shuru keejiye..." she said.
"Jee aapne jo photo hume bheji thi... Mere team members ne kuch logo se poochhtaach ki thi... Aur kisi se pta chala tha ki vo factory side dikhi thi..." Ahir said taking Anokhi aback.
"Factory side ???..." Anokhi gasped.
"Jee haan... Mere constables gaye hain us taraf... Aap yahi par rahiye... Agar aapki Aastha Mam vha hongi toh khabar mil jaayegi... Lekin isse pehle mujhe aap yeh btaaiye ki Aastha Mam kaun hain ? ..." he asked out of nowhere.
"H... Haan ? ... Aastha Mam ?..." Anokhi, who had fallen into a trance, spoke up.
"Vo... Vo meri Mam hain... Meri teacher... Aur Shaurya Sir ko toh aap jaante honge... Unki MAA hain vo..." she said, her eyes teary.
"Mr. Sabharwal ki MAA ??..." Ahir looked on shock.
Batti, one of the constables, took an interest in the conversation as well.
"Haanji..." Anokhi replied.
"Lekin aakhir hua kya tha ??... Vo yaha kaise pahunch gayi ??..." Ahir asked.
"Mujhe nhi pta ACP Ahir... Mujhe bas itna pta hain ki Shaurya Sir ke saath unka jhagda ho gaya tha... A... Aur uske baad se unka kuch ata-pta nhi hain..." she revealed.
Ahir was mystified, wondering what issue Shaurya had with his parents that both of them ended up going missing after conflict with their son.
"Sir ji inka parivaar bada ajeeb hai... Har roz koi naa koi gaayab ho jaata hai..." Batti spoke up as a matter of fact.
Anokhi looked at him with teary eyes, and Ahir gave him a deathly glare, causing Batti to gulp his throat and zip his mouth shut.
They were all standing there, looking around for a way to proceed once the crowd moved away in a different direction, when suddenly, the crowd began moving towards them, defying the road blocks.
"Anokhi ji !!... Sambhal kar !!!..." Ahir shrieked.
Anokhi was startled and unable to react as she saw a large crowd approaching her when she was dragged by someone who had arrived just in time.
She was taken aback by the sudden pull, and as soon as her attention was drawn to the person who dragged her, anger rose up within her.
"Tum yaha kya kar rhi ho ??!!!..." he shouted.
She glared angrily at him, but before she could respond, she heard Shaan Sir's yell, "ACP !!... ACP Ahir... Aastha ka kuch pta chala ?!!..." Shaan huffed as he ran towards him.
Ahir was astounded to see the two new members, which added to his annoyance.
"Aap sab log yaha kya kar rhe hain ?!!!!... Kyun aaye hain yaha ?!!... Koi andaaza bhi hain ki yeh kitna jokhim bhara hai..."
"ACP Ahir please !!... Abhi yeh sab baatein karne ka time nhi hain... Hume jaldi Aastha ko dhoondna hoga... Kahi aisa naa ho jaaye ki bohot der ho jaaye..." Shaan's voice trembled.
Ahir shook his head in disbelief, having realized only recently that these Sabharwal men were born stubborn.
"Tum yaha kya kar rhi ho Anokhi ??... Aur Prince-... M... Mimi kaha hai ??!!!..." he howled, wondering why she put herself in danger in the riots, and he was also worried about where his Princess was.
"Aapko kya lagta hai main meri beti ko yaha lekar aaungi ??..." she wriggled out of his grip, furious.
"Mujhe kya lagta hai kya nhi uski chinta tum mat karo... Mujhe bas btaao ki Princess kaha hain ???..." he repeated again.
"Vo ghar par hain !!... Reema... Kitty aur Bebo hai uske saath..." she said, averting her eyes.
Hearing what she said, and knowing that his Princess was safe with Reema and his sisters, Shaurya got huge relief. He didn't go into detail about how they got there. But he was enraged that why Anokhi had come here.
"Lekin tum yaha kyun aayi ho Anokhi ??!!!... Koi idea bhi hai tumhe yeh kitna khatarnaak hai ??..."
She turned to look at him, and spoke rudely, "Aapko kya fark padta hain ?!..."
"Fark padta hain damn it !..."
"Agar tumhe kuch ho jaata hai toh socha bhi hai Princess ka kya hoga !!!!... Us par kya beetegi !!!..."
"Vo tumhaari raah dekhti reh jaayegi bas !!..." he yelled angrily, letting out his rage and frustration at why she put herself in jeopardy without even thinking about what could go wrong.
Anokhi looked at him with teary eyes, bile rising in her throat, and she couldn't say anything because she knew she had taken a huge risk, but she couldn't stay there in peace until she found out about her Aastha Maa.
The constables stared at the two of them, confused, getting vibes as if some family matter was being discussed there.
"Dekhiye aap sab log meri baat dhyaan se suniye !!..." Ahir gained attention of all.
"Yaha kabhi bhi kuch bhi ho sakta hain... Meri baat toh aap log sunne se rhe... Isliye main dobaara keh rha hoon ki please apni safety ka khyaal rakhiyega..."
"Yaha humaari medical team bhi hain... Aur police force bhi apni poori koshish kar rhi hain... Lekin aap logo ko patience rakhna hoga..." he said.
"Kab tak hum aise khade rahenge ACP Ahir ??... Aastha ka pta lgaana hain hume... Aur agar aise hi khade rahenge toh kuch nhi hone vaala... Isliye main jaa rha hoon..." Shaan said, as he turned to leave in other direction in search of his wife.
"Mr. Sabharwal !!... Wait !!!..." Ahir was becoming agitated because no one was obeying his commands.
"Dad rukiye aap !!..." Shaurya, too, approached him.
"Dekhiye Mr. Shaan... Aap please humaari baat ko samajhne ki koshish keejiye... Main aapko akele nhi jaane de sakta..." Ahir said as he approached him.
"Toh fir kya karu main ??!!... Aise hi haath pe haath dhare khada rahu ?? ...: Shaan was on the verge of breaking down.
Ahir realised that telling him was pointless and that he would have to let him do whatever he wanted. But he couldn't risk his life, so he decided to send some of his team members with him.
"Okay... Listen Mr. Sabharwal..."
"Main apne baaki ke team members ke saath apni search jaari rakhta hoon... Lekin Batti aur doosre constables aapke saath jaayenge..."
"Ok Sir !..." Batti replied obediently to his superior.
"Theek hain..." Shaan agreed to whatever he said and walked away in the opposite direction.
"Dad -..."
"ACP Ahir... Main us taraf jaa rhi hoon... Aapne btaaya naa vo factory side hain... Mujhe jaana hoga..." Anokhi spoke up, causing Shaurya, who was about to follow his father, to come to a halt.
"Anokhi ji... Bilkul nhi !!... Aap akeli aise nhi jaa sakti..." Ahir tried to persuade her.
"Lekin main yaha aur khadi nhi reh sakti aise... Mujhe jaana hoga !!..." she cried out.
Ahir was in a dilemma what to do. He couldn't convince her, nor did he have any other constables to send with her because the rest would be needed to manage the crowd. His gaze then fell on Shaurya who was exchanging glances at the retreating figure of his father and Anokhi, unsure where to go.
"Professor !... Aap Anokhi ji ke saath jaaiye please... Main is location ko chodke nhi jaa sakta... Yaha meri team hai aur mujhe unhe instruct karna hoga... Aur baaki jitney personnel bache hai unki yaha zaroorat padegi..."
"Aur mere constables toh gaye hai aapke Dad ke saath... Aise mein aap dono ka saath rehna hi abhi safest option hain... Please aap dono ek saath jaaiye..." he said, revealing all potential factors.
Anokhi and Shaurya exchanged glances, and they knew they would have to cooperate together. Shaurya realized that his father had safety with him because he was accompanied by two constables, but Anokhi didn't even have one, so he needed to be with her.
"M... Main us taraf jaa rhi hoon... Aapko aana hain toh aa sakte hain..." Anokhi said as she turned to leave, glancing at him.
"Professor... Main aur meri team yahi hain... Agar koi information milti hain toh main turant aapko inform kar doonga... Aap jaaiye Anokhi ji ke saath..." Ahir stated.
"Hmmm..." Shaurya listened to him and left the area to follow Anokhi, who was walking alone towards the group of people who were trying to flee for their lives.
Following that, they both began walking through the throngs of people, Shaurya keeping a close eye on her to ensure she wasn't lost, and she was asking people if they had seen the woman she was showing them on her phone screen.
"Sir... Yeh... Inko dekha hai aapne ?..." Anokhi asked a person.
"Nhi madam ji... Hume jaane deejiye..." the man ran away.
Anokhi moved onto the next person, "Sir ek baar achche se dekhiye inhe... Yeh meri teacher hai... Aapne dekha-..."
"Arre nhi dekha..." he, too, ran away, leaving behind a dejected Anokhi.
Shaurya, who was just following her behind, was becoming increasingly anxious with each passing second as all the responses they both received from the people were flat no.
Time passed gradually, and they both continued their search together, but their efforts were in vain because they were unable to obtain any information about Aastha.
Shaurya suddenly noticed that the strike had become ravenous again, erupting violently, and that the protestors were flouting the police forces, with many having already broken through the barriers and approaching them.
He turned to face Anokhi, who was completely unaware of what was going on, and hurriedly ran towards her.
"Anokhi !..."
"Yaha se chalo..."
"Nhi!!..." she resisted immediately.
"Aapko jaana hai toh jaaiye... Main Aastha Mam ko liye bina nhi jaaungi..." she strongly denied.
Shaurya became enraged that she was throwing a tantrum in such a life-threatening situation, so with no other options, he held her hand carefully enough not to hurt her and began moving away from the destructive mob.
"Mera haath chodiye !!... Maine bola na-..."
"Tumhe dikhaai nhi de rha !!!... Bheed humaari taraf aa rhi hai !!!..." he yelled as they both ran in the opposite direction.
She couldn't respond because she was huffing from the frantic running, and he was clutching her wrist tightly but securely as they made their way to a safe corner.
By this time, the crowd had completely destroyed all of the roadblocks and barricades; some were fighting with police officers, while others ran around carrying weapons.
They were both making their way through the crowd towards the corner when Shaurya noticed a man lying on the ground, struggling to stand up.
He quickly left her at the safe spot and ran back towards the man who was being crushed beneath the feet of escaping people.
Anokhi stood at the corner, her heart beat speeding up, and she kept staring at him, thinking about how passers-by who were running for their lives didn't help the injured man, but he chose to take the risk instead.
She saw him gripping the man's hand with great difficulty and assisting him in standing; after he succeeded, the man bolted away and he, too, began to return to her. She breathed a sigh of relief as she saw him safely approaching her.
"Yaha aao !!..." Shaurya reached her, took her hand, and led her behind a large barrel, where they both knelt to protect themselves from the ruination.
Shaurya was exhaling deeply when he said, "Ano... khi... Hume vaapas jaana chaahiye..."
"Yaha bohot khatra hai... Officer ke paas chalte hain..." he said, looking around for a safe route.
She became outraged and shrieked, "Aap samajh kyu nhi rhe hai !!... Hum bina Aastha Mam ke nhi jaa sakte yaha se... Please !!..."
This was too much for him to bear because she wasn't trying to understand that the situation was getting worse, and might even get severe, and that they needed to first reach ACP Ahir to save themselves, but she wasn't in the mood to listen to him.
"Anokhi police handle kar rhi haina yaha sab !!!... Factory strike haina !!!... Aage jaane ka raasta bhi nhi hai... Baat kyu nhi samajh rhi meri !!..." he exclaimed, frustrated.
"Dekhiye Shaurya Sir... Main police ke bharose nhi baithe reh sakti... Agar Aastha Mam ko kuch ho gaya toh ?!!!..." she chastised.
He looked at her in disbelief.
"Agar aap nhi jaana chaahte naa... Toh main khud hi jaa rhi hoon... Aap chale jaaiye vaapas..." she said, standing up and running away from him, only to return to the crowds from which he had led her to this safe place.
"Hey !..."
"Anokhi !!..."
"Kaha jaa rhi ho ?!!..." Shaurya jumped to his feet, and rushed behind her.
By the time he got close enough to the crowd, Anokhi had vanished, leaving him frightened.
"Yeh ladki meri baat kabhi sunti kyun nhi hai !!!!..." he yelled to himself.
He wiped away his sweat beads and blinked because it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to see due to the tear gas in the area. Furthermore, the dust from the ashes and burning stuffs were suffocating his lungs, and he was struggling to stay in that area, but he couldn't help himself and stayed there just to get her back safe.
"Anokhi !!!!..."
"Anokhi kaha ho tum ?!!!!..." he screamed like a crazy man.
"Aastha Mam !!!!..." after a while, he heard her screaming his mother's name.
"Anokhi mujhe tumhaari awaaz aa rhi hain lekin tum dikhaai nhi de rhi !!!..." he restlessly looked around.
Soon, the thick, dense smoke began to fade, and he could see the running figures more clearly. He cast his gaze around and walked over here and there until he came across her, who was standing there cluelessly, unsure of what to do or where to go.
His heart raced the next moment as he saw people in the crowd pushing her away and she was fighting to get past them.
He galloped towards her without further ado.
"Chalo yaha se !!!!!..." he clutched her hand tightly.
"Aastha Mam ko dhoondna zaroori hai Sir !!..." shouted Anokhi as he jerked his hand away.
"Shut up !!!..." he hollered angrily, as her petulance was getting on his nerves.
"Is bheed se bachna hai... Khudko bachaana hai... TOH HAATH PAKDE RAHO MERA !..."
"Ab chalo mere saath !!..."
He grabbed her hand again and dragged her out; this time she didn't object.
Anokhi was a crying mess by now, as she couldn't find her Aastha Mam despite a long search, and she was just running behind him, her hand tightly clasped in his secure grip.
They arrived at a location with pillars and a roof after overcoming many obstructions. He stormed inside without a second thought, looking for a safe hideaway.
He gripped her shoulders and ushered her inside first, then followed behind her.
"A... Aastha... Mam..." she sobbed, her voice trembling, and she was not in the mood to stay there.
He snatched her arms and encased her between him and the pillar, dangerously looking into her eyes, infuriated at her stupidity.
"JUST - SHUT - UP..." his anger had reached its peak; he couldn't tolerate her insaneness any longer.
"Bohot ho gaya tumhaara !!... Bohot sun li tumhaari baat !!!!..." he yelled harshly, and she stared at him tearfully.
"Mujhe koi shauk nhi hai tumhe is tarah TOUCH karne ka..." he clencehed his teeth, removing his hands from her shoulder, which had been holding her up until now.
She was crying as she looked at him.
"Agar tumhe kuch ho jaata hai... Toh log yeh nhi samjhenge ki tum kitni bahaadur ho..." his jaw clenched, "Log mujhpar ilzaam lagaayenge... Log mujhe blame karenge !!..."
"Samajh rhi ho tum ?!!..."
"Ki main apni student ko bacha nhi paaya..."
Suddenly, a bullet shot was heard, sending shivers through their bodies.
Anokhi pressed her eyes shut and let her tears fall. She was only concerned with the safety of her Aastha Maa, and nothing else made sense to her.
"Hey Matarani... Please... Please raksha karna..." she mumbled in fear, gaining his attention, who was equally terrified.
"Aastha Kashyap !..."
"Nhi mili vo..."
"Agar vo aayi bhi hoti naa... To yaha se chali gayi hoti !!... " Shaurya lambasted her.
"Lekin ACP Ahir ne btaaya tha ki isi side unko dekha gaya tha !!!..." this time, she answered back in a rude tone.
"Dekha gya THA !!!... Iska matlab yeh nhi ki abhi bhi vo yahi par hongi..." he snapped back.
"Tumhaara dimaag toh kaam kar rha haina ?... Jaanboojhkar kyu marna chaahti ho tum ?!!!..."
"Khud toh marogi hi... Mujhe bhi saath le marogi..." he retorted.
"Agar aapko aapki jaan ki itni hi fikar hai toh aap chale jaaiye... Main akeli hi Aastha Mam ko dhoond loongi..." she began to move away.
"Hey !!...", he pulled her back strongly.
He was flabbergasted at her dare to run away despite having been saved by danger numerous times.
"Itni – zidd – kyu – hai - tumhe ?..." he glared at her, his eyes bloodshot.
"Aap itne adhiyal kyu hai ??!!..." she screamed as she wriggled out of his hold in rage.
"Tum meri baat samajhne ki koshish kyu nhi kar rhi-..."
"Aapko unki koi parvaah hi nhi hai Sir !!!..." she cut him off.
"Agar mujhe parvaah nhi hoti... TOH YAHA PAR KYUN AATA MAIN ??!!..." he reprimanded.
"Lekin parvaah ke saath – saath akal bhi hai mujhe mein...", his jaw clenched, "Jab tumhe dikh rha hai ki situation bigadti jaa rhi hai... Out of control ho rhi hai... Toh yaha se nikalna hi akalmandi hai..."
"Agar khud zinda rahenge naa... Tabhi kisi ki madad kar paayenge !!..." he scowled.
"Aapko jo bhi karna hai kar leejiye... Lekin main Aastha Mam ko dhoonnd kar rahungi bas..."
"Tumhe kya lagta hai is bheed mein tumhe tumhaari Mam mil jaayengi ?!!..." he gritted his teeth.
"Aap ek hi baat baar – baar kyu repeat kar rhe hai ?!!..." she finally spoke up.
"Dhoondne se toh bhagvaan bhi mil jaate hai-..."
"Haan toh jaao fir !!!..." his patience had run out, " Jo karna hai karo !!!... Apne bhagwan ko dhoondo jaake..." his blood was boiling with resentment.
She glared angrily at him before walking away, leaving him alone behind.
"Jab pta chalega naa ki kitni mushkil mein pad rhi hai... Apne aap akal thikaane aa jaayegi..." he averted his eyes in wrath, fury surging through his veins.
He sighed heavily and ruffled his fingers through his hair.
He turned around to see if she was still there, only to find himself alone there.
"YEH TOH SACH MEIN CHALI GAYI !..." his heart pounded against his chest, "Kya paagal ladki hai !!..." he, too, bolted outside.
He stepped out of there right away and went outside to find her. He couldn't bear the thought of anything bad happening to her.
"Aastha Mam !!!..."
"Aastha Mam kya aap mujhe sun sakte ho ?!!!!... Aap kaha ho Mam ?!!!..." Anokhi was screaming and crying at the same time, unable to find any trace of her Aastha Maa.
The area had been completely wrecked by this point, and fire was scorching everywhere her eyes fell. Her heart was sprinting.
Despite the fact that she knew what she was doing was extremely dangerous, she couldn't stop herself from continuing her search.
"Aastha Mam !!..." she ran away from there, and her figure vanished in the thick smoke.
Shaurya had gone dead tired. He was desperately searching for her in the blaze-ravaged area like a "mad" man. He looked around every possible corner but couldn't find her.
He was so exhausted that he felt like collapsing on his knees and lying down on the ground.
His head throbbed, his heart thudded, because he had to find her at any cost. He couldn't leave her behind. He couldn't give up.
"Kaha chali gayi hai yeh ladki..." his voice quivered.
"Kaha dhoondu main use..." he blinked his tears away and continued to dash here and there.
He was terrified, as if he was about to lose something very IMPORTANT. He was restless, wondering what he would do if something happened to her. He himself didn't know why he was horrified at the idea of something going wrong with her. All he wanted was to get her back safe.
Suddenly his phone rang, and he hurriedly took it out of his pocket, his eyes widening at the caller ID. He answered the phone right away, not wasting a single second.
"Hello Professor !!!!... Aap log theek toh haina ?!!!..." Ahir exclaimed from the other end.
"Off... Officer !!... Kuch pta chala ??!!!..." he inquired hastily, only to become even more devastated.
"Dekhiye Professor... Aapki Maa ka pta chal chuka hain... UNHE AMBULANCE MEIN LE JAAYA GAYA HAIN..."
"AMBULANCE ??!!!..." Shaurya's heart skipped a beat as soon as he heard the heart-breaking news.
"Vo behosh padi hui mili thi... Kuch chotein aayi hai unhe aur aapke Dad bhi hain unke saath... Aap chinta mat keejiye Professor..." Ahir stated further.
Shaurya had been shattered. SHE was injured, and it was all because of him. His heart sank at the thought of what condition SHE and his Dad might have been in.
His eyes welled up, he just wanted to see HER, but his trance was broken when Ahir exclaimed from the other side, "Professor !!... Anokhi ji aur aap dono vaapas aa jaaiye jaldi... Vhi usi location par jha hum mile the !!!..."
Reality smacked Shaurya in the face, and he realized he'd been there to find Anokhi and hadn't yet.
"Professor !!... Aap sun rhe hain meri baat ??!!!..." Ahir yelled.
"H... Hello Officer... Voh Anokhi..." he gulped, "Anokhi kahi mil nhi rhi hain... Main use hi dhoond rha hoon..." he revealed.
"What ???!!!..." Ahir let out a shriek.
"Anokhi ji toh aapke saath thi naa !!..."
"Haan mere saath thi !... Lekin vo kisi ki sunti kaha hain !!!... Vo bhaag gayi akele hi apni Aastha Mam ko dhoondne ke liye..."
"Oh God !..." Ahir grew anxious.
"Theek hai aap mujhe btaaiye aap kaha hain... Main abhi aa rha hoon vha apni team ke saath... Fast !!..." Ahir said.
"M... Main..." Shaurya hurriedly looked around, catching sight of some noticeable things and informing Ahir of his location.
"Ok Professor !... Hum abhi aa rhe hain !!..."
Shaurya immediately hung up the phone, and he felt out of his mind.
One was found, but the other had gone missing.
He was embroiled up in a tangle of emotions.
On the one hand, he desperately wanted to get to HER, who was in an ambulance with his father, and on the other hand, he just wanted to get her back as soon as possible, whom he had been searching for like a maniac.
"Mujhe Anokhi ko jaldi dhoondna hoga..."
"Use kuch nhi hona chaahiye..." he ruffled his fingers through his hair, and left from there immediately towards the outer fringes of that area.
He got there, and was frantically running around like a lunatic, completely helpless. He was looking here and there, when he was startled all of a sudden by a loud blasting sound.
He came to a complete halt, and turned around only to see the burning car that had just exploded.
As soon as he saw unconscious bodies lying over there, his legs slowed and began to take wobbly steps.
His heart started racing as he imagined the worst-case scenario.
"Anokhi !!!..."
His heart was hammering against his chest in the fear of facing the worst. He just wanted her back safely.
His heart thudded as he glanced over at the lying unconscious bodies, wishing she SHOULD NOT be in any of them.
He couldn't seem to locate her. He had had enough of it. He had lost all of his stamina. He had spent a significant amount of time looking for her. He had lost all hope.
His knees gave out, and he collapsed in the midst of those unconscious bodies, tears streaming down his cheeks as he realised, he couldn't find her. He was in a state of complete powerlessness.
He moved his head around, looking here and there, and saw police officers running over there.
He had a remaining bud of strength that he couldn't allow himself to be helpless. He needed to find her.
He needed to find her fast !
He'd never been in such a vulnerable situation before. He was going through a lot, but he stood up with shaky legs, gathering strength.
He began walking again, wetting his throat and blinking back tears, desperate to catch a glimpse of her.
People pushed him away as they ran for their lives; he balanced himself and looked around through the smoke.
The next thing he knew, his attention was drawn to something that clogged him with dread.
His eyes landed on a familiar figure lying unconscious over there.
As soon as the smoke faded away, his stomach churned, his veins froze, his breath became trapped in his throat, and he got numb at his place.
"ANOKHI..." a shocking gasp left his lips.
The person he had been desperately looking for was lying there senseless, her body buried under a large tin can.
He stood there dumbfounded; it took him a few moments to realize what his eyes were seeing was REAL.
"Anokhi !!!!..." Without wasting another second more, he jumped into the area engulfed by flames, determined to reach her in any way he could.
Passing through the debris of destroyed things, the ashes, he finally reached there near her, and fell down on his knees, breaking down into tears.
Witnessing the heart wrenching sight of her crushed under the can, his entire body shuddered with excruciating pain.
"Ano... khi..." his voice trembled in as he moved his shaking hand closer to her, brushing the dusty hair strands away from her moon-like face, which was now covered in soot and blood traces.
Her silky black tresses were slathered with dust, her pink round cheeks were full of bruises, red liquid was oozing from the corner of her peach lips; she was there right in front of him in a state he could never have imagined in his wildest dreams.
His eyes teared up. His whole body was shivering in terror.
The horrendous sight made his heart BLEED.
His heart was palpitating, but he quickly stood up and moved towards the can, only to throw it away. He picked up the wooden logs and tossed them right away.
Wasting no more time, he rushed back to her, and picked up her frail body in his arms.
"Anokhi..." a shrill cry escaped his lips as he softly caressed her bruised cheek with his palm, his vision blurring.
He caressed her face so tenderly with his palm and tears continued to drip from his eyes. The blood spurting from her injured forehead was piercing his heart.
The lifeless frame in his arms had jabbed his heart.
He had no idea what was going on around him. His ears were not picking up on the screams of those around him. Time had stopped for him, and he was blindsided with emotions.
Exactly what he had been fearing had occurred.
Tears streamed down his cheeks as he stared at the limp body in front of him, feeling as if something very "crucial" was being snatched away from him.
He held himself responsible for the fact that he wouldn't have had to witness this if he hadn't let her go.
"An... Anokhi..."
"Anokhi please aankhein kholo..." he sobbed, caressing her face in an attempt to wake her up.
"Please Anokhi !!!!..."
"M... Main..."
"Anokhi Princess tumhe aise nhi dekh sakti !!!... Please aankehin kholo !!!... Main usko kya javaab doonga ?!!!..." his throat choked.
"Tum toh uski Mumma hona... Uski Anumaa hona... Please uske liye aankhein kholo do naa..." he wept like a child.
"Ple... ase..." he squeezed his eyes shut, tears streaming down his face.
When he opened his teary eyes the next second, his heart plunged with sudden joy at what he saw.
The woman in his arms was staring at him, her eyes misty and weakly blinking.
"Anokhi..." A subtle smile made its way on his lips as he saw his own figure shining in her deep hazel orbs.
Seeing her regain consciousness brought a huge sigh of relief to his heart. He couldn't let her return to her unconscious state again. He chose to get her and himself out of there as quickly as possible.
"Anokhi..."
"Anokhi please..." he said as he enveloped her closer to him.
"A... Aankhein band mat karna... Ple...ase..."
"Kuch nhi hoga tumhe..." he said, protectively scooping up her weak, petite frame in his arms and looking into her eyes.
Anokhi kept looking at him, her eyes foggy, her whole body aching with pain, her brain not registering what was going on around her, but just feeling comfort IN HIS ARMS despite the great discomfort.
"Jaanti ho..."
"Yaha aakar kitna bada paagalpan kiya hai tumne..." he was back in his angry mode, his voice was intense, and he was staring deeply into her eyes.
Anokhi kept staring at him silently, and only a few words came out of her mouth weakly before she fell unconscious again, "AAPNE BHI..."
"Anokhi !..." he shrieked as he saw her closing her eyes, her hazel orbs vanished under her closed eyelids again.
She didn't open her eyes, much to his huge shock.
His heart thumped faster and faster, frightening him to death.
All of the relief he had felt upon seeing her awake had evaporated, and his entire body trembled thinking that nothing bad should happen to her in any way.
"Professor !!!..." The next moment, Shaurya heard a voice that drew his attention and caused him to turn to look in that direction.
By this time, Ahir and his other team had arrived, and they were astounded to see both of them there in the midst of the flames.
Ahir and his fellows ran towards Shaurya, passing through the wreckage to reach him.
"Professor... Anokhi ji !!!..." he was shocked to see Anokhi in such a miserable state.
"Anokhi ji theek haina ?!!!..." he huffed.
Shaurya turned to face him, then back to the slender frame he was carrying in his arms.
"Aap ek kaam keejiye... Fataafat se inhe meri gaadi mein daaliye... Hospital leke chalte hain... Please !..." Ahir said hastily.
"Meri gaadi idhar hi hain..." Shaurya spoke up while heaving deeply.
"Professor !... Poore sheher mein naakabandi hain... Aapki gaadi ko aage nhi jaane diya jaayega... Please !... Please meri gaadi mein lekar chaliye... Main inhe hospital lekar chalta hoon... Try to understand Professor !!..." Ahir yelled anxiously.
"AB MAIN ISE KAHI NHI CHHODNE VAALA..." Shaurya gasped, his voice hushed, tears welling up in his eyes as he stared at her.
"Theek hai..." Ahir said, "Aap jaaiye... Aage jaaiye us taraf... Please !..." Ahir directed him.
Shaurya held her tighter and headed the way as indicated by Ahir.
"Batti !!... Yaha jitney bhi log haina... Agar kisiko bhi medical assistance ki zaroorat pade... Fataafat use hospital bhejna !..."
"Right Sir !..." Batti obeyed.
"Fast !!..." Ahir yelled.
Batti and the other members rushed away to fulfil their duties.
Ahir then walked away from the scene, heading in the direction where Shaurya had gone.
Ahir reached his car, opened the door hurriedly and helped Shaurya in trying to sit inside with Anokhi, whom he was carrying.
Ahir, too, got inside and the jeep went on its way...
"Constable !... Gaadi thoda jaldi chalaao..."
"Jaldi hospital pohonchna hai... Jaldi !..." Ahir, who was sitting in the back seat with Shaurya and Anokhi, said.
"Professor..." he then turned to Shaurya, "Please inhe hosh mein laane ki koshish keejiye..."
"Anokhi..." Shaurya spoke up, who had her body leaning against his.
"Anokhi please..." he said as he gently patted her cheek.
"Aankhein kholo apni..."
"Aankhein kholo Anokhi... Hum hospital jaa rhe hain... Okay ?... Kuch nhi hoga tumhe... MAIN KUCH NHI HONE DOONGA TUMHE..."
Ahir looked at Shaurya as he listened his shaking voice.
"Tum vaise toh mujhe bohot irritate karti rehti ho... Ab jab main bol rha hoon ki aankehein kholo a... aur irritate karo... Toh kyun nhi kar rhi ??..."
"Ab main agar gussa ho jaaunga naa tumhaare saath..." he continued to pat her cheek, "Toh tumhe achcha nhi lgega..." he said like a kid, gently caressing her cheek to make her conscious.
Ahir noticed the tears in Shaurya's eyes. He was seeing this side of the "angry man" for the first time. He was taken aback to see him reacting in that manner.
"Anokhi tumhaari Aastha Mam haina... Haina ? ... Unhe dekhna haina ? ..." he said spoke softly, knowing how much mad she had gone back then to find her Aastha Mam.
"Anokhi..."
"Anokhi... COME ON !..." Shaurya exclaimed when he noticed her eyelashes flapping.
"Anokhi ji... Main ACP Ahir... Aap meri awaaz sun rhi haina..." Ahir rubbed her palm to reawaken her.
"Please... Apni aankhein kholiye..." they both made efforts, but she didn't open her eyes, only her eyelashes fluttered for a short instant.
They knew that the only goal was to get her to the hospital as soon as possible, and they relied on their patience to do so.
The jeep kept driving to its destination...
"Doctor !!..." Ahir exclaimed.
They had arrived at the hospital, and Shaurya was carrying her inside.
Some nurses ran towards them with the stretcher, and Shaurya made her lie over there.
Her blood-streaked face slashed his heart, but all he cared about was getting her treated as soon as possible.
"Ye ladki irritating hai... Stupid hai... PAR ISE KUCH NHI HONA CHAAHIYE..."
"Get the best doctor now !..." he yelped.
The nurses maneuvered the stretcher to the ward where she would be medicated, and he ran alongside to be near to her.
"Professor-..." Ahir was about to stop him when he noticed Shaurya enter the ward.
"Aap please baahar rukiye... Please..." the nurse said, showing her palm to Shaurya.
He took a few wobbly steps back and noticed from outside that the nurses had already begun dressing her wounds and applying antiseptic to her bruises.
The doctor used her stethoscope to check her heartbeat and said something that scared him.
"Sister inki haalat bohot kharaab hai... Jaldi se inhe hosh nhi aaya to matter aur complicated ho jaayega..."
"FAST !!!!!..."
Shaurya moved away from the ward's glass door, stepping backwards with his shaky steps.
"It's really stupid of me... How could I be so stupid ?!..." he rebuked himself.
"Mujhe use chhodna hi nhi chaahiye tha... Aisi haalat mein use chodna hi nhi chaahiye tha..." he cursed himself.
"Lekin maine to use choda bhi nhi..." his eyes turned teary, "Maine use kaha tha mere saath mein rhe..."
"Par vo sunti kiski hai... Itni ziddi jo hai..." he blabbered in mind.
The scene of the exploding car, followed by finding her unconscious lying body under the tin, flashed across his mind, making his heart ache once more.
"Sirf do second ke liye door hue... Aur..."
"Aur yeh accident ho gaya..." a lone tear escaped his eyes.
"Agar use kuch ho gaya naa... MAIN KHUD KO KABHI MAAF NHI KAR PAAUNGA..." he started walking around, exhaling and inhaling deeply, contemplating on the happenings of the day.
Soon, he felt his eye blinking weakening, and everything began to fade away, reducing to only darkness...
Before the world went dark, he could only hear one word.
"Professor !!..."
How was it ? 🤧
Do tell me in comments.