Chapter : 6

The morning sun, usually a bearer of hope, cast long, melancholic shadows that stretched like fingers across the village square. A bittersweet symphony played in the air – the lingering warmth of shared laughter as, the echoes of stories spun under the starlit sky in the past few days, all clashing against the heavy, unspoken truth of departure. Daya, his heart full of the kindness he'd witnessed, and Shreya, her spirit touched by the genuine connections made, stood with the villagers, their bonds forged in this humble place a precious treasure. He had pledged to help them, to return in their time of need, a promise that now felt both a beacon and an anchor. Their departure, though abrupt and dictated by circumstance, was far from a final goodbye. It was a 'see you soon,' tinged with hope and responsibility.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧

Meanwhile, on the other side of the dense, sprawling jungle, tension hung heavy in the air. Abhijeet, his face etched with worry that belied his usual composure, led a determined search party deeper into the wild. Sachin, Nikhil, and Pankaj, their faces mirroring Abhijeet's concern, followed closely, guided by a local man whose eyes seemed to hold the ancient secrets of this daunting wilderness. The last information they had was that Shreya and Daya were in the vicinity but the jungle had swallowed them whole.

Nikhil, his voice trembling slightly, turned towards the guide.

Nikhil:Bhaisab(to guide with his voice trembling)iss jungle main kho gaye, I mean kitne chances hain iss jungle mein khone ke baad milne ke..

The guide, a wiry figure whose weathered face spoke of countless encounters with the wild, offered a grim, knowing smile.

Guide:yaha agar kho gaye to milna mushkil hain

Abhijeet's eyes, usually calm, now held a steely glint. His jaw clenched as he turned towards Nikhil.

Abhijeet: Sab log Daya aur Shreya ko dhundne mein ke baremein socho, khone ke bare mein nahi.

His tone, while firm, held a note of desperation that betrayed his internal turmoil.

Nikhil bit his lip, fear momentarily giving way to a sense of resolve inspired by Abhijeet's intensity. He mumbled, his gaze fixed on the tangled vegetation ahead,

Nikhil : yes sir.

Sachin, his brow furrowed with a mix of curiosity and worry, looked at Abhijeet

Sachin : Sir ek baat pucho..

Abhi remained silent, his face a mask of concern, prompting Sachin to press further.

Sachin : Sir, Ashish pakada gaaya, hume Shreya ke dada-dadi se baiyan bhi milgaya aur uske satiyo ke hisab se Daya sir aur Shreya iss jungle mein aaye hain lekin ye sab hone wala hain wo aapko kaise pata?

Abhi stopped abruptly, turning to face Sachin. A flicker of tension crossed his face, a silent acknowledgement of the uneasy puzzle pieces that were falling into place. They had caught Ashish, and the statements from Shreya's grandparents pointed towards Daya and Shreya entering the jungle, but a nagging doubt persisted. It felt too neat, too convenient. The absence of any concrete information about ACP Rana gnawed at him. It was like a missing piece in a jigsaw, making the whole picture feel incomplete.

Pankaj: Sir...

Pankaj's voice broke through his thoughts. Abhi shook his head, forcing himself back to focus on the immediate task. He turned away and started walking again,

Abhi : Sachin, case ki report aayegi tab puchlena.. iss waqt Daya aur Shreya ko dhundo.

Sachin sighed, his gaze lingering on Abhijeet's retreating back, then glancing back at Pankaj and Nikhil. The guide chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with an understanding that unsettled them. He moved ahead, followed towards the search.

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦ ✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Deep within the forest, Shreya and Daya walked hand in hand, a shared silence filled with unspoken anxieties. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, creating an ethereal yet unsettling atmosphere. The jungle, usually vibrant, felt heavy, its beauty replaced by an ominous stillness.

Daya:(reassuring) Hume jungle ke raste se jaana chahiye.

Shreya hesitated, her eyes darting nervously around the dense foliage. Her voice, barely a whisper, was laced with apprehension

Shreya(wishpered): Hum kho jayenge sir..

Her voice laced with apprehension. Daya turned to her, his gaze softening. Daya turned to her, his gaze softening. He gently cupped her face in his hands, his touch seeking to calm her fears.

Daya : Nahi Shreya, tum behosh thi, main tumhe yahin se leke aaya tha. Ye rasta jaldi se hume baki sab tak pahuncha dega... I am sure, Boss baki sabke saath hume dhun rahe honge.

A gentle smile spread across his face, hoping to inspire confidence,Shreya looked into his eyes and her fear warring with her trust in him. Daya's confident demeanor, the unwavering surety in his voice, won her over.

Shreya :Thik hai sir, jaise aap kahe,

They moved deeper into the woods, Daya's heart warmed by the feel of Shreya's hand in his, while Shreya felt a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. This route, these trees, the strangely shaped rock – it felt familiar, worryingly so. It felt like the past five times they had passed the exact same places. She finally stopped walking, pulling Daya to a halt.

Daya : Kya hua?

Daya's face showed his confusion, his brow furrowing ever so slightly.Shreya looked at him, her voice a mix of exasperation and disbelief.

Shreya : Sir,Aapko rasta yaad hai?

He laughed, confidently pointing in a direction. Shreya rolled her eyes in response.

Shreya :(sighing)Sir, hum abhi wahin se aye hain.

His eyes widened slightly. He looked around perplexed, then chuckles, pointing in another direction. Shreya shook her head, pointing towards a particularly gnarled, bare tree.

Shreya : Waha se hum pichli baar gaye the aur ghum phir ke yahin pahunche.

Shreya could not mask her exasperation. Daya laughed, trying to brush away her concerns.

Daya : Kya baat kar rahi ho? Ye jungle itna bhi gehra nahi hai ki hum ghum ghum...

His words trailed away as he took notice of the landscape before them. He rolled his eyes, glancing around in every direction, only to realize every path looked the same. He stammered, his confident persona giving way to a hint of panic.

Daya : Nahi...

Shreya : Maine kaha tha sir, highway lete hain,

Shreya said, a tinge of 'I told you so' in her tone. Daya scratched his head, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Daya :Mujhe yaad tha, main tumhe yahin se leke aaya tha.

A lightbulb of realization went off in his head, He let go of Shreya's hand and peeked behind different trees. Finding the same layout, he smacked his forehead, annoyed with his forgetfulness. He turned back to her, a sheepish smile spreading across his lips.

Daya : Ab kya kare? Hum toh raasta bhatak gaye hain.

Shreya (dejected) : Ab hum yahin phas jayenge.

Shreya, her face mirroring the hopelessness she felt while Daya looked at her. A small, playful smile crept over his face as an idea settled in his mind. He mumbled under his breath.

Daya :(mummered) Shreya ke sath aur time spend karne milega. Wow...wo bhi jungle mein.

He looked at her brightly as she was tensed glancing around the surroundings.

Daya : Yahi toh main chahata tha.

Shreya's eyes widened in disbelief, she glanced at him.

Shreya : Aapke paas mobile hai na? Abhijeet sir call kijiye.

Daya's smile faltered slightly as he reluctantly took his phone out of his pocket but, the smile returned quickly as he looked at Shreya.

Daya : Network nahi hain.

Shreya : Yaha bhi nahi hain, waha bhi nahi tha.. abh kya karenge.

Shreya, her face etched with frustration, smacked her forehead with the heel of her palm. Biting her lip, she ran a hand through her already disheveled hair, the reality of their predicament settling in like a thorny vine. They were lost. Deeply, hopelessly lost.

Daya, ever the steady presence, noticed her distress. Gently, he took her hand in his, his calloused fingers wrapping around hers in a grip that was both firm and reassuring. Turning to him, Shreya saw the familiar warmth in his eyes, a haven in this maddening green labyrinth.

Daya : Jab main tumhare saath hu to khoye raste bhi apne aap mil jayenge.

His voice was warm, a promise of safety and care. Shreya chuckled softly,she walked close to him, her forehead resting against his chest the solid beat of his heart a comforting rhythm against her ear.

Shreya : Mujhe nahi pata tha ke mere Daya sir itni shayari bhari baatein bhi kar sakte hain.

Daya wrapped his arms around her, a satisfied smile spreading across his lips.

Daya : Abhi toh tumne dekha kya hai?

Shreya pulled away abruptly, her eyes scanning the dense foliage around them. The suddenness of her action threw Daya off guard, his expression shifting from contented to a bewildered shock.

Shreya : Kaha hain?.

Daya : (bewildered)Kya?

Shreya:Kya nahi, Kaun?

Daya's confusion deepened as he looked from her to the trees and back again, trying to decipher the riddle in her words. Shreya, with a playful smirk, leaned in and rested her chin on his shoulder, her voice a soft whisper from behind.

Shreya : Apne kaha na, 'Abhi' toh mujhe laga 'Abhijeet sir' aagaye.

He turned to look at her, eyebrows raised in disbelief, while she bit her lip, holding back a giggle. She was clearly messing with him.

Shreya : Acha nahi tha?

She slight pout as Daya sighed shaking his head slowly.

Daya : Tum Freddy aur Pankaj ke sath zyada mat raho...please.(Shreya sulked at him)Sach mein, issse bura PJ maine aaj tak nahi suna.

Shreya :( retorted )Kaan band kar lete, kisne kaha tha sunne?

She turned away, her frustration momentarily eclipsing her playfulness, and began to scan the area for any sign of a path, a way out.

Daya : Shreya hua kya hai? Shreya suno toh...

Daya packed with his concern evident trailed after her.

  ───────── ౨ৎ ─────────  ───────── ౨ৎ ─────────  ───────── ౨ৎ

Meanwhile, on the other side of the jungle, Pankaj groaned, his breath ragged.

Pankaj: Mere pao dukh rahe hain ghum ghum ke...

The guide, his face a mask of stoic frustration, responded.

Guide: Sir, maine aap logo se kaha tha na agar iss jungle mein kho gaye toh rasta dhundhna mushkil hai.

Sachin:( concerned) Par Shreya aur Daya sir ko to pata nahi hogi na ye baat.

Guide: Jaldi jaldi dhundiye, Sham hone ke baad yahan rehna khatre se khali nahi hoga.

Abhijeet, his gaze resolute, placed a hand on Sachin's shoulder.

Abhi : Hum CID wale hain, khatron se khelna humara purana shauk hain.Aaj kuch bhi hojaye Daya aur Shreya ko dhund ke hi jaayenge.

      ˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹ ‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚

Back in their lost corner of the jungle, the tension of their situation was slowly dissipating, replaced by a lighter, more personal undertone. Daya was still wrestling with the ever-changing nature of their conversation when Shreya stopped again, turning to face him, her eyes narrowed and a strange fire burning in them.

Shreya:(her eyes narrowed)Aapki kabhi koi girlfriend nahi thi na, sir?

Daya blinked, taken aback by the sudden question, the confusion clear in his voice.

Daya : Kya?I mean, kyu?

Shreya looked at Daya changed expression as she continuously edge creeping into her tone.

Shreya : Matlabh aapki girlfriends thi?

Daya turned away, a hand going up to rub the back of his neck as he tried to process the sudden left turn in their conversation. Shreya, her gaze fixed on his back, could see the wheels turning in his mind.

Daya : Kya kahu tumse?

He finally turned back to her, his eyes meeting hers, and Shreya smiled, a soft, genuine smile that reached her eyes. She took another step closer, her hand reaching out to touch his arm lightly.

Shreya : Sir..

Daya took her hands, his thumb gently stroking her skin.

Daya : Shreya, woh meri zindagi mein tumse pehle..

Shreya(interrupted) :Sir (her voice warm and sincere)Aap mere liye uss duiniya se aaye hain jiss duniya ko maine dkehi hi nahi hain.

Daya looked at her, his eyes searching hers for the meaning behind her words.

Daya : Tum kya kehna chahti ho?

Shreya giggled, her hand moving to lightly tap his chest, his confusion clearly visible. She took another step into his personal space.

Shreya : Sir aapko ye samjhna hoga ki ladkiyon ko kaunsi baat se khushi milti hai aur kaunsi baat se(glare at him)gussa aata hai(Daya eyes narrowed)isliye aapko meri har buri baat ko appreciate karna hoga.

Daya:(scratching his head with completely lost) Matlabh?

Shreya (giggled again): Sir, case yuh suljha lete hain lekin jab bata ladkio ki aati hain, aapko kuch samjh nahi aata.

Daya : Abh aisa hi hu main.

Daya admitted with a shrug as she smiled.

Shreya:Acha simple mein samjhati hu,(thinks for a while then snap her fingers)Acha,aapko mujhe impress karne ki koshish karni chahiye, na ki meri galtio point out karna.

Daya : Maine kab galti nikali?

Shreya smacked her own forehead lightly.

Shreya : Sir...aapko meri har buri aadat ko andekha karna hoga.

Daya leaned down slightly, his expression softening.

Daya : Tumhe koi buri aadat hain hi nahi shreya.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the dense forest and their predicament seemed to fade away, leaving only the unspoken connection between them. The air crackled with an unsaid acknowledgment, a shared understanding that went beyond their roles as colleagues.

Shreya blushed, her heart skipping a beat as she looked away, hoping he didn't see the effect his words had on her. She shook her head and moved away, leaving Daya looking at her with a soft smile.

Shreya(trembelling a little): Sir, aisi baatein se main impress hone wali nahi hoon,

A flicker of amusement in his eyes as he noticed she shoot him a glance.

Daya : Toh phir kaise hogi aur ye impress karna zaruri hain kya?..I mean Haa bohut zaruri hain, tum jo kahogi main karunga...(stretching his hand with a twirl)jungle ghumunga, ped dekhunga, chidiya dekhunga aur tumhare liye yaha ek ghar bhi banuga.

Shreya(eyes widening):Yaha?

Daya (smiling): Haa maine hamesha socha tha, CID se retire hone ke baad kahi dur aise hi pahado pe apna ghar banuga.

Shreya : Toh apne banaya aise?

Daya stared at her for a moment as the corners of his lips tugging upwards.

Daya : CID se retire hi nahi hua abh tak.. future mein bhi..

Shreya smiled and looked around again, the vastness and wildness suddenly feeling a little spooky to her. She squeezed her eyes shut as Daya gently covered her eyes from behind, his palms soft against her lids. She was confused, momentarily, as he slowly directed her a few steps forward, then removed his hands, her eyes opening to a breathtaking view of a waterfall cascading into a clear pool. The breeze flowed gently, the sound of the water creating a serene ambiance.

Shreya : Aapne kab dekha ye?

She whispered, her voice filled with awe. Daya straightened, his chest puffed out with playful pride.

Daya : Madam, aise hi nahi Senior officer bane hain hum CID ke

Shreya laughed, raising her hand in a gesture of compliment, and Daya brushed his hand through his hair, a sheepish grin on his lips.

Daya : (eyes shining) Matlabh impress hogayi.

Shreya :(nodded slowly)Thodi bohut...

A small smile playing at the corners of her lips while Daya groaned, running a hand through his hair

Daya : Are yaar, thodi bohut.. aur kya karu..

Shreya tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Shreya :Aise hi nahi bane aap Senior officer CID ke.. sochiye sochiye...

She tapped his chest lightly, and smiling as her eyes met his. He scratched his head, completely at a loss. She walked towards the water, slowly dipping her hands, swirling the water with her fingers. The silence between them was now comfortable, filled with anticipation, a silent promise of a connection that seemed to be growing deeper with each passing moment.

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊ ₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

The quiet reverie was shattered by Abhijeet's frustrated shout from the edge of the jungle.

Abhi : Sachin, Aise nahi milne wale Daya aur Shreya.

Sachin's voice, laced with equal parts anxiety and confusion.

Sachin : Par sir, aapne kaha tha hum ACP Rana se milenge na? Wo mile na koi aur phir hum yaha jungle ke liye nikal gaye.

Abhijeet sighed heavily, raking a hand through his hair.

Abhi : Wahi toh... agar ACP Rana nahi mila matlab dal mein kuch to kala hain warna usse humse milna chahiye tha.

His voice was tight with worry, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. Nikhil, slumped against a tree, added his own weary tone, letting out a long sigh.

Nikhil: Sir... subha se dopahar ho gayi hain, na Shreya ka pata chala na Daya sir ka.

Pankaj, his stomach rumbling audibly, chimed in with a pained moan.

Pankaj:Aur bhook bhi itni lag rahi hain.

Sachin, despite the dire situation couldn't help but tease.

Sachin: Pankaj, subha sabse zyada nasta tumne kiya tha.

Pankaj's tone was defensive as he exchanged glance between Abhijeet and Sachin.

Pankaj: Sir, wo toh hajam hogaya itna ghum ghum ke..

Abhijeet's worries deepened, worry creasing his face.

Abhi: kahi wo log koi mushibat mein toh nahi hain.

Sachin:(suggested)Sir, hum bath jaate hain.

Abhijeet : Yahi sahi hoga, Sachin, tum aur Pankaj guide ke sath udhar jao. Main Nikhil ke sath yaha jaata hu.

With a grim nod, they agreed to split up, their movements mirroring the unease gripping them all.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Daya stood, soaked to the bone, amidst the spray of waterfall. The sound of the water was a constant, rhythmic roar, punctuated by Shreya's peals of laughter. The chuckles and giggles echoed in the misty air.

Shreya : Sir, aap toh CID officer the na? Aapko toh... hahaha... sab pata hota hain, phir kya hogaya?

Shreya teased, her voice dripping with playful mockery while Daya retorted, a mock-threatening glint in his eyes.

Daya : Shreya, ruko main batata hu tumhe abhi..

He lunged towards her, but she was quick, splashing him with a handful of water, her laughter echoing. He pursued her, a playful glint in his eyes. But she didn't stop; she continued to splash him. Suddenly, he quickly caught her hand and pulled her towards him. The force of his pull brought her chest to his, their bodies almost touching. Daya's hand tightened around her waist, his fingers pressing into her side as he moved closer, even closer, their breath mingling. Shreya's heart hammered against her ribs, a mix of shock and other complex emotions swirling within her. Unable to withstand the tension, she impulsively splashed water onto Daya's face, breaking the spell. Daya stepped back, sputtering.

Daya : Acha, to tumhe paani mein khelna hain.

The chase was on, they continued their childish game, splashing, laughing, the sound and sight of the waterfall almost masking the intensity of their unspoken emotions.

Finally, their energy spent, they stood side-by-side, chests heaving, the water dripping from their clothes. Daya turned to Shreya and with a calmer tone while she smiled.

Shreya :Sir, Chaliye bahar jate hain.

Daya, his eyes alight with a different kind of spark shook his head.

Daya :Yahi rukte hai na, kitna mazaa aa raha hain.

Shreya's smile wavered slightly as she reminded him.

Shreya : Sir, der ho rahi hai, phir hume iss jungle se bhi nikalna hoga, warna yahi reh jaaynge.

Daya simply responded, a hint of mischief coloring his voice.

Daya :Toh reh jate hain na, kya problem hain

Shreya (her voice softer, more hesitant): Sir..

Suddenly Daya jerked his head towards a sound that came their way, his playful demeanor vanished instantly. He stepped in front of Shreya, his body shielding her from whatever lay beyond the green curtain of vegetation with a thread of worry creeping into them.

Shreya : Sir, aap?

Daya : Shreya, yaha koi hain..

Daya's eyes darting around, his hand instinctively reaching for his gun.Shreya's eyes widened, a knot of fear tightening in her stomach. She followed Daya's gaze, her breath catching in her throat. Suddenly, a flash of metal caught their eye. Abhi with a gun in his hand appeared from behind the bushes.

A stunned silence descended, broken only by the rustling of leaves. Daya, Shreya, and Abhijeet stared at each other, disbelief warring with relief. The tension in Daya's shoulders melted away as a relieved smile spread across his face, he slowly lowered his gun.

Daya :( whispered) Boss...

Abhi cried, equally relieved with blinking his eyes.

Abhi: Yaar, tum theek ho?! (Buddy, are you okay?!)

Nikhil appeared behind Abhijeet, his face etched with worry.

Nikhil: Daya Sir, Shreya, aap log theek ho?

Shreya noticed that Daya was still holding her hand. She slowly withdrew her hand, while Abhijeet saw this gesture which made him raise his eyebrows. Abhijeet immediately hugged Daya, patting his shoulder, his voice choked with emotion.

Abhi:(broke the hug) Tum log itne gile kaise ho?

Daya, with a strange sense of urgency, requested.

Daya :Boss, apna jacket do..

Abhijeet strangely look at him with confusion prevailing as Nikhil slowly noticed them.

Abhi: kya?

Daya :( urged) Ofho.. Boss Jaldi..

Abhijeet, though puzzled, pulled off his jacket and handed it to Daya who wrapped the jacket around Shreya. Abhijeet and Nikhil exchanged bewildered glances. Shreya, holding his jacket with hesitation, looked at Daya.

Daya tried to explain it.

Daya :Wo, hum thoda rasta bhatak gaye thee phir paani mein gir gaye..

Abhi : (puzzled)Par tum log the kaha kal se?

Daya looked at Shreya then took a deep breathe.

Daya : Boss, wo bohut lambi kahaani hai...iss waqt bas ye jaan lo ki sab theek hain.

He shared a look with Shreya, and she nodded, a small smile gracing her face. Abhijeet's face grew serious.

Abhi : Daya, Ashish pakda gaya hai lekin ACP Rana ki koi khabar nahi mil rahi hain.

Daya(furrowed his brow) :ACP Rana ko toh aana chahiye tha..

Nikhil:(stated with confusion)Par sir, wo toh kayi mahino se chutti pe hain.

Abhijeet :(sighed)Haan Daya, ab yeh sab chod, bas tum log mil gaye isse zyada aur kya chahiye..

Daya nodded, his mind still churning, a new wave of unease washing over him. Abhijeet patted his shoulder, signaling to move as dusk approached.

Abhi: Chalo, yaha se chalte hai, kaafi der ho rahi hain.

Daya agreed, as they began to walk, Nikhil tried to inform the others and was getting annoyed due to the terrible signal. Daya and Abhi walked behind, Daya was still a little confused and kept glancing at Shreya who was walking ahead of him.

Abhi:(whispered)Shreya aur tere beech kuch hua hain?

Daya looked at him then at Shreya and slowly responded.

Daya : Wo... wo sab janti hai..

Abhi :Kya?

Abhi almost shouted in shock. Nikhil and Shreya turned around but Daya quickly covered Abhijeet's mouth with his hand.

Daya : Boss saap dekh ke dar gaya.

Nikhil was a whirlwind of frantic energy, his eyes darting wildly, scanning the dense undergrowth.

Nikhil : Saap kaha?

His voice tight with a fear that made his movements jerky. He was clearly searching for something, his unease palpable. Shreya watched him, a furrow forming between her brows.

Her hand reached out tentatively, wanting to calm him, but he didn't seem to notice and kept jumping around. Meanwhile, Abhi was caught in another kind of storm. Daya, his face an unreadable mask, had a firm grip on his arm. Abhi was struggling to break free, his eyes wide with a mixture of shock and dread. Daya leaned in close, his voice a low, urgent whisper,

Daya : Chilo mat, par Shreya sab janti hai aur hum saath hain.

The words hit Abhi like a physical blow. His heart pounded against his ribs. He jerked his arm away, taking a deep, ragged breath, as though trying to regain control of his body. Daya offered him a small, almost hesitant smile, as if reassuring a skittish animal. It only fueled Abhi's confusion and anger. He glared at Daya, a silent accusation in his eyes. He glanced at Daya as he thought to himself, passing glares at him.

Abhi : Main yahan pareshan ho raha tha aur ye yahan itne bade jungle mein khone ki tension ko chhod ke romance kar raha tha, pyaar ke paani mein dubki laga raha tha, Shreya ko impress kar raha tha. Is se toh main chhodunga nahi..

Shreya, who had been watching Nikhil's antics with growing concern, glanced at them, her confusion deepening. A silent question hung in the air, unspoken but heavy. Nikhil, oblivious to the undercurrents eddying around him, continued his nervous dance, his fear of snakes seemingly impossible to shake off.

Abhi, still reeling from Daya's words, slowly shifted his gaze. He saw Shreya, her expression one of tranquillity, her eyes holding that quiet peace he had always admired. A small smile touched his lips, a moment of solace amidst the turmoil. Then, his eyes fell on Daya. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Daya seemed at ease, his gaze fixed on Shreya, a soft adoration filling his features. Abhi was startled by the change, a change he hadn't seen since Daya's arrival, Daya, who had always seemed burdened with the future happening was desperately trying to fix things but now standing in place, at peace. It was all because of Shreya. It always was. A pang of longing twisted in Abhi's chest as he witnessed this tableau of quiet intimacy. He thought of their life, of the moments he had missed.

Abhi :  I wish Tarika hoti mere saath, kaam se kaam is jungle to acha lagta.

A wave of loneliness washed over him, a sharp reminder of the love he craved, a reminder of what he had missed most at this very moment.

While they all were caught in their own worlds, bound by the threads of time and consequence, oblivious to the dangers that were gathering. They had all forgotten the cardinal rule of time travel: to save something, you have to lose something. It was a transaction with the universe, a stark exchange of gains and losses. Daya and Shreya, basking in their shared moment, were blissfully unaware of the shadow that lurked, the eyes that were watching them with a chilling patience, waiting for their chance to strike, to repeat the very pain Daya was desperately trying to erase. The jungle seemed to hold its breath, the ancient trees silent witnesses to the drama unfolding beneath their canopy.

**************************************************************************************

Chapter 6 is officially done! I really hope you enjoyed this one. We're drawing closer to the finale, with just 2-4 parts left to go, so stick around! Please leave a like and comment – your interactions make my day!

A huge shoutout to everyone for the likes, comments, and messages. You are the best readers ever!

A Quick Message:

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing fantastic! I just wanted to let you know that updates might be a little sporadic for a while due to a demanding workload. I appreciate your patience more than you know – your support is what keeps me going! I am excited to share the rest of the story with you when I can.

Dareians rocks!