As Mr. Raina drove towards the specified location, he connected his Bluetooth to his phone and called Abhirudra for the next set of orders. Despite ringing, Abhirudra didn't answer. Assuming his boss was occupied, Mr. Raina didn't redial, focusing on his driving.
The meeting point was just ten minutes away from the company. Approaching the destination, anxiety crept in as Abhirudra hadn't returned the call. Unable to proceed without instructions, Mr. Raina parked his car and dialed Abhirudra again.
"The number you are trying to reach is out of network coverage area, please try later. Thank you," echoed the robotic female voice.
Growing more concerned, Mr. Raina attempted to call Abhirudra on his other number, but the outcome remained the same. Speculating a network issue in that location, he decided to take the initiative and sent the leader of his men the location details before making the call.
"I've sent you the location; pass it on to the others and get there as soon as possible. We need to hurry," he ordered with determination.
The person on the other end responded, "Noted, senior."
After ending the call, Mr. Raina sped towards the location. His urgency was driven by the fear that something terrible might have already occurred. Unbeknownst to him, the unfortunate event had indeed taken place. Upon reaching the area, he hastily parked his car on the desolate ground, unbuckling his seat belt and rushing out. As he surveyed the surroundings, relief washed over him when he spotted his boss's car. Approaching it, he tried to check inside, but the car was empty. Another car, presumably Aisha's, was parked in front of Abhirudra's. He attempted to call Abhirudra, but his phone was still out of network coverage area, despite multiple attempts.
As he surveyed the area, the distant sound of multiple vehicles caught his attention. Turning his gaze, he saw his men approaching swiftly. The cars were neatly parked, transforming the empty ground into a makeshift parking area. All the vehicles were black, and the men, dressed in black bodyguard uniforms, filed out, standing before Mr. Raina with utmost respect.
Without acknowledging their greetings, Mr. Raina issued direct orders, "The boss came here for something important, but now I can't reach him. I've called him many times, but his phone is out of coverage. His car is parked here, so he must be nearby. Divide into ten groups and search for him in this area. Remember, don't leave a single spot unexplored. Search everywhere, especially in the forest. Got it?"
In unison, everyone present responded, "Yes, senior."
The twenty individuals split into ten groups, each consisting of two members, fanning out across the area to search. Mr. Raina, unwilling to sit idly, joined one of the groups in their quest to find Abhirudra.
Meanwhile, Mr. Oberoi found himself in the midst of a meeting when his wife, Meera, called repeatedly. Initially ignoring the calls and silencing his phone, the persistent vibrations forced him to step out of the meeting room and answer the call. Apologizing for the disruption, he listened to Meera's panicked voice on the other end.
"Vikram, Miss Sharma called me. Aisha didn't come to the academy today, and she's not responding to calls. I tried multiple times, but initially, it was out of coverage, and now it's switched off. Please, do something," Meera pleaded urgently.
Vikram's heart sank at this distressing news, dark thoughts crossing his mind. However, he steadied himself and reassured his worried wife, "Meera, relax! She's probably out with her friends. Maybe they made spontaneous plans and forgot to inform us. She'll be home soon, don't worry."
Meera, unconvinced, replied, "No, I called all her friends. They said she's not with them. Even if she planned to go out, she would've called me from someone's phone. This isn't like her. Please, I'm worried. What if she's in...?" Unable to finish her sentence, she choked on her tears, crying uncontrollably. With only one daughter, the thought of losing her was unbearable.
Concerned about Meera's fragile health, Vikram felt an urgency to reassure her. Attempting to sound composed, he gently said, "Shhh, Meera, please don't cry like this. I'll make a call and check on her. I'm sure she's fine. Let me scold that troublemaker for making my beautiful wife cry."
Vikram attempted to lighten the mood, but Meera, with tearful eyes, replied while sniffing, "No, don't scold her. It's okay. I'm fine now. Just ensure she's safe. Please, don't say anything harsh. I just need to know she's okay."
Vikram chuckled, "Okay, your highness. As you wish."
After reassuring Meera, he ended the call with a gentle reminder for her to stay calm. His expression turned serious as he dialed another number.
"Trace Aisha's number and let me know her location," he instructed.
A crisp voice from the other end replied, "Sure."
Worried about the numerous rivals he had been dealing with recently, Vikram feared that Aisha's sudden disappearance might be linked to them. Knowing his daughter well, he was certain she wouldn't vanish without a trace unless something was amiss. Realizing this could take time to resolve, he decided to call Meera and fabricate a story to prevent her from unnecessary worry.
Dialing Meera's number, he reassured her, "See, didn't I tell you? Aisha is probably having a great time with her friends. I just received a call from an unknown number, and it was Aisha. She mentioned that today was her classmate's birthday, and they spontaneously decided to go camping."
Taking a deep breath, he continued the tale, "The plan was so sudden that she couldn't inform anyone. Plus, there was no signal, and by the time they got one, her phone had died. So, your dear daughter is safe, and here you are, crying needlessly."
Relieved, Meera responded, "Oh, I was so worried. Thank God she is safe. Please ask her to call me."
Vikram felt a wave of tension, but he exhaled and reassured, "Come on, let her have some fun. She's alright, believe me, sweetheart. She mentioned there's a signal problem, and she can't talk much. She even told me to inform you that she's already eaten some snacks, so you don't have to worry."
Despite a lingering feeling in Meera's heart that something might be wrong, she chose to dismiss it and agreed with her husband. "Okay, if she calls you again, tell her to call me. I'm worried," Meera said with a pained expression.
Vikram smiled softly, "Okay, your highness."
After ending the call, Vikram briefed his subordinates, instructing them to be prepared for any potential action. However, until he obtained precise information, he needed to maintain a sense of normalcy. He returned to the meeting room, seamlessly resuming his work as if nothing had happened.
On the other side, Mr. Raina and the other men worked tirelessly to search for Abhirudra in the vast and dense forest. Recognizing the enormity of the task, Mr. Raina instructed his men to call for additional help, realizing that their numbers were insufficient for the extensive search required. Ron, the leader of the bodyguards, promptly contacted others, urging them to come fully prepared.
Despite their continuous efforts, the forest proved challenging to comb thoroughly in a single day. When rain started to pour, Mr. Raina insisted they persist, unwilling to halt the search. Abhirudra was not just his boss; he was like a younger brother, and regardless of Abhirudra's stern demeanor, Mr. Raina held a deep affection for him.
As more bodyguards joined the search, they collectively scoured the area. However, with a portion still unchecked and darkness setting in as the sun began its descent, Ron approached Mr. Raina with concern.
"Senior, I think we should stop now. The forest is deep and dangerous, making it challenging to search in the dark, and it's not safe," he said, wiping sweat from his forehead as he caught his breath.
Mr. Raina, his face marked with both sweat and concern, acknowledged Ron's observation. "Yeah, you're right."
Ron breathed a sigh of relief, but before he could inform the others, Mr. Raina issued new instructions. "We're not going home today. We'll stay near our cars, on the cliff. Boss's car is parked there, maybe he will come there himself. Ask some men to go back and fetch all the necessary items needed for the stay, including food."
Although Ron found the plan puzzling, he followed his senior's orders. After informing his colleagues, they began preparing for an overnight stay at the location.
Meanwhile, Mr. Oberoi, anxious and unable to locate Aisha, repeatedly checked his phone, hoping for a call or message from Aisha or his men. He felt a sense of dread, knowing he had only one daughter and fearing for her safety. Despite their efforts, the team couldn't find Aisha. Vikram, concerned about Meera's reaction, lied to her, stating that Aisha wouldn't be coming home as she informed him she was going somewhere with her friends. Although Meera harbored doubts, she had no choice but to trust her husband's words.
Amid the worry surrounding Aisha and Abhirudra, the two protagonists were oblivious, engrossed in collecting dry material for a fire. Aisha stood near her collection, contemplating how they could ignite the fire without a matchstick or any other ignition source. Meanwhile, Abhirudra returned with a bundle of dry sticks and leaves, arranging them alongside Aisha's finds. As he knelt down, he pulled out a black lighter from his pocket, catching Aisha's curious gaze.
Perplexed, she couldn't help but wonder, "He smokes?"
Sitting down beside him, she questioned, "You have a lighter?"
Abhirudra paused, giving her a blank look as he raised the lighter in his left hand, silently asking, "Are you blind?" before resuming his task. Aisha, carefully observing his actions, inquired, "Do you smoke?"
Abhirudra continued his task without stopping or looking at Aisha, responding with a simple "Hmm."
Aisha, feeling a bit disheartened, gathered her thoughts and expressed, "It's not good for health."
Abhirudra paused, glancing at her. "Do you care about me?" he questioned, his gaze intense.
Under the weight of his stare, Aisha shifted her eyes towards the fire, replying, "It's not like that. Dad said it's not good for health and can cause death."
Abhirudra's gaze softened as he looked at the girl he cared for deeply. In his usual deep voice, he explained, "I don't smoke much, only when I'm stressed or emotional."
As he turned his gaze away, Aisha fidgeted with her fingers, debating whether to say more but ultimately deciding to remain silent. She felt it wasn't her place to advise him given their distant relationship. As the flickering flame of the lighter ignited the dry material, a small spark accompanied by smoke emerged. The material burned, creating a warm glow and emitting black smoke. Abhirudra stood up, rubbing his hands to remove the dirt, and they both settled beside a nearby tree, leaning against its trunk.
As the sky darkened, the atmosphere turned gothic and chilly, adding an eerie touch to the surroundings. The symphony of bugs and night creatures blended with the warmth of the flickering fire, creating a mix of excitement and trepidation. Aisha observed her surroundings, surrounded by towering and broad trees. Glancing to her left, mist enveloped the forest, contributing to a spooky atmosphere. She swallowed nervously, feeling a blend of fear and hunger.
Looking at Abhirudra, seated with legs straight and one crossed over the other, hands crossed at his chest, and head reclined against the tree trunk with closed eyes, Aisha couldn't help but stare at his striking features. He resembled a handsome movie star with a sharp jaw, thin lips, and captivating features. A light smile played on Aisha's lips as she mimicked his pose, crossing her hands around her chest and straightening her legs with one crossed over the other.
However, her admiration was short-lived as bitter memories flashed through her mind, leading to a sense of irritation. She reminded herself not to be deceived by good appearances, as even the most vibrant apple could turn out bland.
"Grrr." Aisha's stomach rumbled, a clear signal that it was craving food.
Clutching her belly, Aisha realized she had only eaten a burger and drank coke at lunch, and now regretted not having more. Glancing at Abhirudra, who appeared relatively comfortable and unaffected by hunger, she wondered how he managed.
Looking to her left, she shivered at the mist-covered, eerie forest. To distract herself, Aisha decided to initiate a conversation.
"I forgot to thank you for saving me. Thank you, I will always remain indebted to you," she expressed with a gentle voice and a soft smile.
Abhirudra opened his eyes, his gaze warming at the sight of her soft smile and hearing her gentle voice. She looked cute and sweet when she was appreciative, but the memory of her stubborn and disobedient nature soured his thoughts.
Closing his eyes again, he leaned his head against the tree trunk and remarked, "Of course, I needed to save you. I can't let my money go to waste."
Aisha frowned in confusion and asked, "What do you mean?"
Abhirudra snorted and said, "I paid you to teach me piano. You can't die before you're done teaching me; I don't want to waste my money."
Aisha's eyes twitched at his response. She was dumbfounded! Words like money-minded, perverted old man, face-paralyzed beast, and more filled her thoughts. Externally, she remained calm and neutral, but the internal turmoil was intense. She decided to ignore him, choosing not to respond. She wondered if anything nice ever came out of his handsome mouth.
The moon shone brightly, casting its sparkling white light through the tall trees onto the forest. Minutes passed in silence. When Abhirudra didn't hear a reply, impatience got the better of him, and he slowly opened his eyes. Glancing in her direction, he saw Aisha peacefully sleeping, curled up a bit like a ball as she shivered. Despite the warmth from the fire, the cold and humid climate, along with the chilly wind, persisted.
Abhirudra observed her struggle against the cold in silence. A thought crossed his mind, prompting him to stand up and approach her. Bending down, he gazed at her peaceful face for a moment. Slowly, he positioned one hand beneath her knees and the other behind her upper back. With utmost care, he lifted her in a bridal style, making sure not to disturb her slumber. Leaning against the tree, he settled down, placing her gently on his lap. She stirred slightly but remained asleep, finding comfort in his warm embrace.
His protective grip held her tiny waist, while his other hand rested on her soft cheeks, his thumb stroking them tenderly. Her skin felt soft and warm to the touch, with a hint of redness. Gazing at her sleeping face, a peculiar emotion stirred within him. Every time he looked at her, a sense of bliss and warmth enveloped him. Her smiles and glances had a profound impact on him, brightening his day. With her face close to his chest, he frowned at the strands of hair obstructing his view. Removing his hand from her cheek, he gently tucked the loose strand behind her ear.
Her hair felt soft and silky to the touch, and without realizing it, he found himself lost in the faint fragrance of strawberries mixed with roses - a scent that felt strangely familiar. Gently, he pressed his lips on her smooth forehead, closing his eyes and savoring the fluttering sensations in his stomach. A warm feeling enveloped him, realizing he had someone who belonged to him. Reluctantly, he pulled away when she groaned in her sleep. As he attempted to look at her face, she hid it in his chest, continuing to sleep while clutching his shirt with her small hands. He chuckled at her cute antics, gently tightening his grip and placing his chin above her head, closing his eyes.
However, unbeknownst to him, the person in his arms felt incredibly embarrassed. Frustrated by his earlier response, she decided to take a nap. Her entire body was fatigued from walking on the rocky road with sandals, especially her aching feet. Even her breaths pained her muscles. Drifting towards deep slumber, she sensed being lifted in the air. Nervous and scared, she refrained from opening her eyes, recognizing the familiar and unique musky fragrance of Abhirudra's body. She was curious about his intentions but felt perplexed when he settled her on his lap.
Her body tensed as he lightly stroked her cheeks; his rough hands, though gentle, felt like torture on her delicate skin. His playful interaction with her hair made her feel like she was being treated like a doll. However, she froze when he unexpectedly pressed his lips on her forehead.
Harassment, she concluded silently.
Despite her desire to wake up and confront him, she couldn't bring herself to open her eyes. Her cheeks were hot, and she was certain they were as red as apples. The contact of his lips on her skin sent butterflies through her, his touch gentle and warm. Unlike the previous three assaults, this kiss held a different quality - tender and filled with unexplainable emotions.
Not wanting him to witness her embarrassment, she deliberately groaned and buried her head in his chest, as if accusing him of disrupting her sleep. His chuckle resonated above her, and he responded by hugging her tightly, making her feel like a chick in the clutches of a vulture.
The entire forest fell into silence as the fire slowly burned out, leaving behind black smoke.
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In the morning, Abhirudra was the first one to wake up. The initial thing he did was check on Aisha, who was still peacefully asleep in his arms. He felt relieved because if she had woken up in his arms, she would likely have created a scene. Carefully, he lifted her and placed her where he had been sitting. Not wanting her to sit on the cold ground, he put her in his spot, covered her with his coat, and stood up, stretching his tired and stiff body from sitting in the same position all night.
After stretching, he glanced at the time-it was 8:00 am. Despite going to bed early the previous night, they were so exhausted that they hadn't realized they slept in. Abhirudra usually woke up early, but today was an exception. Seeing that Aisha still showed no signs of waking up, he decided to explore the area while she slept. The surroundings seemed safe, and it was quiet. If anything happened, he could quickly return to assist her. With that in mind, he ventured further to inspect the surroundings.
Aisha's peaceful slumber was interrupted by the sharp and warm rays of the sun falling on her face. In her half-asleep state, she instinctively searched for a pillow to cover herself, only to realize the reality of the forest setting. Frustrated, she opened her eyes, recalling the events from the night before.
Glancing beside her, she saw Abhirudra sitting in the same position as the previous day, with his arms crossed and eyes closed. The vividness of the night's events made her wonder if it was a dream or reality, but the comfort around her confirmed that it was, indeed, real.
Stretching her arms widely, she yawned and covered her mouth with her hand. The space felt surprisingly comfortable.
"Awake?" Suddenly, Abhirudra's question caught her off guard. She thought he was sleeping, but he was always on guard.
He stood up, ignoring Aisha's confused gaze. Clearing the dust from his clothes, he looked at her with a neutral expression.
"I went ahead to inspect the area. We're almost there. If we hadn't wasted time yesterday because of you, we could have escaped this forest. Now get up; I don't have the whole day," he said with a hint of annoyance.
Aisha rolled her eyes inwardly but didn't say anything. She was accustomed to his mood swings and knew that they could kick in anytime.
By 9:00 am, they began walking through the forest, the leaves rustling under their feet. Fortunately, the weather was sunny with no signs of rain like the previous day. After fifteen minutes of walking, the forest area ended, and they reached an unconstructed road. It cut through the forest, surrounded by trees on both sides.
Silent and hungry, Aisha followed Abhirudra. He turned right onto the road, and they continued walking. After another twenty minutes, the unconstructed road transformed into a well-built one. While it was a relief to be out of the dense forest, there was still no sign of anything to lead them out of their predicament. The road stretched ahead, empty on both sides without any vehicles or buildings in sight.
It seemed like they had to continue walking until they found some help. However, when Abhirudra tried to call someone, he was annoyed to see that his phone had switched off. It was either out of battery or, worse, damaged. This incident had exhausted Aisha, who had never walked this much in a single day in her entire life. She decided she needed at least two days off to recover from this dangerous trip.
Thoughts of home crossed her mind, and she wondered how worried her parents, especially her mom, must be. Then she realized that her father might have made up some excuse to calm her mom's worry. Nevertheless, he would likely be tense and searching for her. She hoped to reach home before he could find her.
They resumed walking for almost twenty minutes until they spotted a small tea stall on the right side of the road. Aisha, panting and thirsty, couldn't endure the hot sun any longer. The sight of the tea stall was like finding an oasis in a desert. Excitedly, she ran towards the stall. Abhirudra shook his head at her childish behavior and followed her with long strides.
Inside the stall, a man in his late fifties was arranging some things on the table. He wore a turmeric-colored shirt with white trousers and a white cloth around his neck. He had a thick white mustache, and his head was bald. His facial expressions made him appear stern and reserved. However, as soon as he saw Aisha's innocent face smiling sweetly and greeting him respectfully, his heart melted in an instant.
Despite having many customers, including some of Aisha's age mates, most of them didn't greet him and directly placed their orders. Aisha's respectful greeting stood out, making him think, Such a good child.
His stern expression disappeared, replaced by a kind smile. However, he noticed a guy who came from behind and stood beside her. This guy looked rich and reserved, his blank expression contrasting with the pretty girl standing beside him. These were the thoughts going on inside the stall owner's mind.
But he snapped out of his trance when Abhirudra inquired, "We are lost. Can you lend us your phone so that we can contact our families?"
The man answered while putting a pan on the gas stove, "I'm sorry, I don't have a phone. But I live in a nearby village. You can come with me, and you can use my phone to call your family."
Abhirudra looked at Aisha, who nodded immediately, "Okay, thank you."
The man, Ramlal, explained that he was waiting for his son to handle the stall. Once his son arrived, he would guide them to his village. As they waited, Aisha engaged in conversation while Abhirudra stood by her side. Ramlal shared that he lived in a nearby village named Suryaganjh with his wife and son. After a while, a guy in a red shirt and grey trousers appeared, carrying two packets. Ramlal introduced him to Abhirisha and asked him to look after the stall until they were ready to leave.
With the guy handling the stall, they walked towards Suryaganjh. The village wasn't far, and they reached it after a ten-minute walk. As they entered the village gate, every eye turned towards them, filled with curiosity. Suryaganjh was a simple and normal village, with farming being the primary profession. Many people greeted Ramlal on their way, asking about Abhirisha, but he explained that they would meet later as they were running late.
After walking for a while, they reached a small house made of bamboo and mud, with walls and floors adorned with a mixture of dirt, grass, and cow dung. Seated on the stairs of the house was a slightly plump woman in her early fifties, sewing something. She wore a simple navy blue saree, with her head covered by the drape of the saree. Her forehead was adorned with vermilion, and she had a nuptial chain around her neck. Red bangles on her wrist made pleasing sounds as her hands moved.
The woman looked up, sensing someone's presence. Initially, she thought her husband might have forgotten something at home, but as her gaze shifted to the couple behind him, she understood that her husband had brought guests. Greeting everyone, she inquired about the two city people with him. Her husband explained they were lost and needed help.
When she looked at Aisha, her kind face softened as she remembered her daughter living in the city after getting married. She didn't dare to look too much at Abhirudra, who stood there with a neutral expression. Although he didn't seem angry, he didn't radiate kindness either, and she preferred to keep a distance from him. After that, the couple invited them inside.
To be continued.......
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Thank you, and take care!
Jai Siya Ram 🙏