Hello guys! I didn't want to keep you guys waiting, as there's a lot of drama coming soon (*evil grin*😈). I would have updated this chapter by the 7th-8th only, but I developed this very painful swelling in my lower lid of the left eye (which we call 'Bilni' in Hindi.) So I wasn't really able to use the phone or any other gadgets for quite some time but now it's healing, so I decided to update as much as I could. So without wasting anymore time, let's start!
P.S- The above picture is sourced from Google and all rights are with the real owner of this picture.

Pardon any mistakes please🙏
Enjoy reading!! ❤❤
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There was an eerie silence for a few seconds, only to be replaced by an intense, perpetual commotion. The pleasing silence that the beach had been offering coupled with the sound of the sea waves crashing on the sea shore a few moments ago was now taken over by the cacophony of the cries which escaped the lips of the people running helter skelter.
Apart from the heartwrenching cries of the people, the sound of the ambulances and the police jeeps and fire brigades could also be heard in the distance. Seriously wounded people were immediately sent to the nearest hospital, while the less injured were treated in the makeshift hospital tent erected at the beach only. As the night intensified, the death toll kept on increasing.

So gut wrenching was the sight...

In one such makeshift hospital~

Neil was lying unconscious on the stretcher, with one arm restricted in a sling, while Prakash was seated beside him, his eyes closed. He had a bruise on his forehead. Bebe and Shweta both of them were also unconscious, lying on separate stretchers, and Bebe's condition was somewhat critical. Her BP was high and she was in a state of shock. They had to go to Pune the next day and board the flight for Australia, and with Bebe in that condition, it seemed a bit difficult and he was obviously bothered about this fact. But what disturbed him more was the fact that Ayesha and Avni, both of them were missing. He didn't know what he would answer when everyone would wake up conscious. He was particularly worried for Avni. If anything happened to Ayesha, no one would be there to take care of the little girl.

Little did he know...

Neil opened his eyes and immediately groaned, his eyes still droopy but struggling hard to keep them open and looked at his wounds. He spotted his father sitting next to him, and his mother and grandmother a little further away. They were safe. He sighed in peace. But the next moment, his eyes shot open in realization. Where were Avni and Ayesha Ma!?
He sat up straight and ran his gaze frantically in a vain search of locating Avni and Ayesha. But he couldn't see them anywhere. Where were they? Had they gone home? But why would they go without them?
He looked at his father and asked him his question. He was already fearing the worse and with all this happening, his all fears were coming to be true.

Neil- Dad!.... Dad... Avni aur Ayesha Ma kahan hain?? (... Where's Avni and Ayesha Ma??)

But how could Prakash answer his son's question when he himself didn't know the answer? He chose to remain mum. Seeing Prakash not giving an answer to him, Neil once again asked his question, this time in a little scared voice.

Neil- Dad, Avni aur Ayesha Ma.... Woh dono kahan hain? (Dad, Avni and Ayesha Ma... Where are they?)

Just as he was asking about their whereabouts, a police officer came inside the tent with one constable on his either side. Seeing him, Prakash stood up, while Neil looked at them with a questionable look.

Officer- Kya aap ke yahan se koi family member gayab hai? Agar hai to aap mere in do constables ko bata dijiye. (Is there any member of your family missing? If yes, then tell these two constables of mine.)
Prakash- Ji... Humare yahan se do log gayab hain... (With a pause) Ayesha Haider aur Avni Ayesha. (Yes... There are two family members missing... Ayesha Haider and Avni Ayesha.)

And as soon as Neil heard the two names, he was beyond shocked. He couldn't process on how to react to this revelation. No this shouldn't happen. Nothing can happen to Avni or Ayesha Ma. Nothing.

But if everything happened according to our wishes, then what would life actually mean?

Neil was engrossed in his own thoughts that he didn't even pay attention to the conversation between the police officer and his father. It was only when the police officer and his constables were leaving when he came back to his senses.

Officer- Aap humein dono logon ki photos de dijiye (Prakash sends him their photos on Officer's phone)... Main turant apne aadmiyon ko kaam pe lagata hoon... Jaise hi koi khabar milegi main aapko bata dunga. Constables, chalo. (You give us their photos... I'll deploy my men in their search at this very moment... As soon as we get any news about them I'll let you know. Constables, come.)

Neil- Officer, main bhi chalunga. (Officer, I'll also accompany you.)
Prakash- Nahi, Neil. In logon ko apna kaam karne do... Aur yeh bhi to dekho tumhe bhi toh chotein aayi hain... Tum kahan Avni aur Ayesha ji ko khojne ja rahe ho? (No, Neil. Let the police do it's work... And see, you're also hurt... Where will you go and search for Avni and Ayesha ji in this condition?)
Neil- Par Dad-
Prakash (in a bit strict tone) - Neil. (Softens his tone) Neil, dekho meri baat suno. Tum apni haalat dekho abhi. Kitni chot aayi hai. Agar Avni tumhe dekhegi aise ki tum aaraam karne ki jagah usko dhoondhne nikal gaye, toh batao woh kitni pareshaan ho jaegi. Tum aaraam karo. Koi bhi news aayegi main sabse pehle tumko hi bataunga. But please beta, take some rest. (Neil, see, listen to me. Look at your condition. You've got so much hurt. If Avni will see you like this that you're not taking rest and searching for her, then think how much she'll get disturbed. You take rest. If I receive any news, you'll be the first person I'll tell....)
Neil (dejectedly) - Yes Dad...
Officer- I think we should leave now.

Prakash nodded while Neil looked at the trio longingly and mentally prayed for both Avni and Ayesha's safety.

Neil (in mind) - Bas himmat mat haarna Avni aur Ayesha Ma... Sab theek hoga... Bhagwaan ji, please take care of both of them. (Folds his hands in prayers)

Somewhere else~

The person who installed the bomb calls his boss.

Person 1- Sir... Kaam ho gaya. (Smirks).(Sir... Your work is done.)
Person 2- Good... Sab theek se hua na? Koi gadbad to nahi hui na? (Good... Everything happened according to the plan na? I hope there wasn't any lapse.)
Person 1- Nahi Sir... Sab kuch waise hi hua jaise aap chahte the... Woh Ayesha bhi mar gayi hai. (No Sir... Everything happened the way you wanted... That Ayesha is also dead
Person 2- Aur woh kahan hai, jiske liye hum yeh sab kar rahe hain? (And where's the person for whom we are doing all this?)
Person 1- Aapka khazana bhi ekdum surakshit hai sir. Ekdum safe... Aisi jagah pe hai jahan koi soch bhi nahi sakta. (Your treasure is also safe Sir... It's at such a place that nobody can even think about.)
Person 1- I'm proud of you Armaan... Bas khyaal rakhna... Zyada chot to nahi aayi hai na? (... Just take care... There's not much damage, right?)
Armaan- Nahi Sir... Bas sar pe halka sa zakhm hai... Uspe dawa laga di hai... Kuch hi dino mein theek ho jaegi (No Sir... There's just a little scratch on the forehead... I've applied ointment on it... It will get better in some days.)
Person 2- Hmmm... Acchi baat hai... I'll keep the call now... Sab sambhal lena. Koi zarurat ho to batana main apne baaki admiyon ko bhej dunga. (Hmmm... It's a good thing... Take care of everything. If you need any help, call me and I'll send my trusted men to your help.)
Armaan- Yes Sir. (Cuts the call)

Person 2- Bechari Ayesha... Meri Ashudi (wipes fake tears) I'm sorry mujhe tumhe maarna pada... Par main bhi kya karta? Majboor tha main bechara... Apne har maksad ko haasil karne ke liye mujhe jo kuch bhi karna padega main karunga... Ab us Prakash ki galti ki saza tum bhugtogi Avni... Galat kiya tumne Prakash, mujhse panga leke. Ab dekhna main kaise tadpaunga us ladki ko, and you'll be responsible for that (evil grins). (Poor Ayesha... My Ashudi (wipes fake tears) I'm sorry I had to kill you... But what could I also do? I was also forced to do this... I'll do whatever it takes to fulfill what I want... Now you'll bear the consequences of Prakash's mistake, Avni... You did wrong Prakash, by meddling with me. Now see how I'll make that girl suffer...)

At the same time, in the makeshift hospital, Neil somehow managed to get out from there. Shweta and Bebe were up by then, though Bebe was still not in the best of her health. Neil went towards the washroom, where Avni and Ayesha went the last time. He went towards the rubble and started searching for any clue, anything that had connection with Avni or Ayesha, something that proved that both of them were safe.
But he couldn't find anything. He couldn't lose hope, but what could he do when God wasn't helping him Himself? He was hoping against hope for their safety, and shunning off any negative thoughts that came to his mind. And that's when he saw something, or someone. He could see two ward boys carrying a stretcher. The person on the stretcher was wearing a black top and white capree pants. And he immediately knew who it was.

Ayesha Ma...

He ran towards the stretcher and looked at her in disbelief. Her body was dismembered. Her right hand was missing, while her face was smeared by her own blood. And as soon as Shweta and Bebe saw her, they left out a shrill cry.

Shweta/Bebe- Ayesha ji/Ayesha puttar!!

While they knelt down to touch her body, Prakash stood at the side, crying silent tears. Avni was still missing, and he didn't know what he would tell her once she is found and will ask for her mother.

Officer- Aap sure hain yeh Ayesha Haider ki hi body hai? Ek baar phir pehchan kar lijiye. (Are you sure this is Ayesha Haider's body? You can check once again.)
Prakash- Ji... Yeh Ayesha ji hi hain. (Yes... This is Ayesha ji only.)
Officer- Oh... I'm sorry. (Puts his hand on Prakash's shoulder). Take care. (Prakash nods). Main chalta hoon ab. (Leaves). (...... I'll leave now.)

Shweta- Hey Bhagwan! Khanna sahab dekhiye... A.. Ayesha... Ayesha ji... Ko kya ho gaya hai Prakash ji... Hum Av... Avni ko k-kya bolenge? (Cries) (Oh God! Khanna sahab see... A.. Ayesha... Ayesha ji... What happened to h-her... What will we tell A-Avni?)
Prakash- Shweta ji... Sambhaliye khud ko... Aap aise kamzor pad jaengi toh Avni ko kaise sambhalenge hum? (Shweta ji... Please control yourself... If you'll fall weak like this then how will we handle Avni?)

Listening to Prakash, Shweta hugged him and cried her heart out. But then there was Neil, all numb, not able to comprehend anything that was happening around him. And a lone tear escaped his eyes.

Neil (in mind) - Avu... Please be safe... (Closes his eyes). Himmat mat haarna Avni... Kuch nahi hoga tumhe... (Avu.... Don't lose your strength... Nothing will happen to you...)

But his reverie was broken as he heard some rescuers call out to the police officer and them.

Rescuer- Sir! Sir! Yahan dekhiye! (Sir! Sir! See here!)

Everyone started looking in the direction that the man had pointed at. And as they looked, they were left shocked.

It was something they feared the most...

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So how was it? Did I bore you or did you enjoy it? If you liked this chapter, then vote, comment, and recommend this story to your friends! And Silent readers, please vote guys🥺
And no no, yahan se skip mat kar jana story... Surprises are yet to come😉. The next two chapters are going to be dhamaakedaar and AvNeil separation is about to happen. So yahan tak story padhke skip mat karna.
Next thing, my dear friends, now my college is going to start in a few days time (online class), so I've decided one thing. I'll update 1-2 chapters each week... This way, you guys will also not have to wait for a whole month to read the updates and I also will have ample time to write the chapters and manage my studies. What do you guys think?

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Love,
Khushi ❤