Hell has fallen from the Heavens

to burn my abode.

They tell me

they will find her.

But when...? I always ask.

※⁜※⁜

"Aadiya!" Ryhan shouted, grabbing her at the very last moment before she was hit by the glass door flying toward her.

Both were now hiding under one of the tables. Ryhan frantically searched for an emergency exit. All the windows of the café had iron bars. He looked around; everyone was either trying to save themselves or protect the ones they loved most. Desperation filled the room as they all sought escape, but the only escape awaiting them seemed to be death.

The entire café was on the brink of catastrophe. A small mishap in the kitchen had led everyone toward their demise. Death, inevitable and sudden, had the power to shock even the most aware individuals. Despite knowing that one day everyone must face it, and the cycle would begin anew, it remained a profound jolt.

In the cosmic design of Shiva and Shakti, the universe was created as a Nashvar—everything within it is destined to end so that new life forms can emerge, perpetuating the cycle until the end of time.

In this moment, however, Aadiya and Ryhan's fate was written with different ink. They were seated by a window whose glass, weakened by the explosion, could easily be shattered.

He noticed a window that, unlike the others, had no bars. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly took off his T-shirt and wrapped it around his right hand to break the glass. Just before he struck, he caught sight of something otherworldly—a black shadow emerging from the kitchen, advancing toward the eating area.

In a rush, he smashed the glass and pulled his daughter out of the café. Once at a safe distance, he turned back and saw the shadow engulfing the entire café. Panting heavily, he scanned the area, trying to see if anyone else had witnessed what he had seen. The expressions of the bystanders, however, told different stories, none mirroring his own.

He couldn't wait for the police. Things were growing stranger by the day. Ryhan picked up Aadiya, who was crying and clinging to him in sheer terror, seeing him as her savior, her superhero.

Aadiya hugged him tightly, her tears relentless, her cries loud and fearful. They hurriedly got into the black sedan and sped toward their home. Ryhan's mind was racing, replaying the last moments over and over. He couldn't shake off the image of that black shadow. It had a form, yet was too indistinct to identify clearly. It was smoky, but with a vaguely human shape.

The heat from the fire, the acrid smell of smoke, the cacophony of screams—all seemed to fade into a blur as he drove, focused solely on the road ahead and the safety of his daughter in his arms.

He hurried his actions and took her daughter out of the café. Once reaching at the safe distance, he looked back and still can see that shadow devouring the entire café.

Panting, he looked around, trying to observe anyone who was also seeing the same thing as he was.

But he expressions of every bystander was saying a different story.

He couldn't wait for the police. Things were getting weirder day-by day.

Ryhan, picked Aadiya, who was crying by the whole chaos and was too much afraid that she was not letting Ryhan's hand - her saviour, her superhero.

Aadiya tightly hugged him, her tears were not stopping, even her cries were load.

Both hurriedly sit inside the black sedan and drove off to their house.

Ryhan's mind was still playing the last event on a loop. He cannot wipe off the image of that black shadow. It had some physique but too vague to point that out. It was smokey yet it posses the human figurine.

While driving, Ryhan's mind wandered, and fear clawed its way toward his heart. The pain he had been hiding for so many years threatened to burst out like a volcano. But he couldn't afford to give in. He had to control his emotions and keep that fear far from his daughter's reach.

He had to stay strong for Aadiya. Only he knew how difficult it was to see his daughter in a situation where every passing second could bring death closer. He couldn't let fear overwhelm him; fathers were meant to protect.

Guilt still gnawed at him for not being able to save his wife. He couldn't let that same fate befall Aadiya. All the way back home, he tried to calm her down. He didn't even put her in the car's crib-chair. Instead, he let her sit on his lap, hugging him tightly. He needed to provide her with a sense of security, to shield her innocent heart from the chaos outside.

With each mile, he murmured soothing words, his hand gently stroking her hair. Aadiya's small body trembled against his, her tears soaking into his shirt. He whispered promises of safety and love, even as his own heart pounded with unresolved fear and grief. The image of the black shadow loomed large in his mind, but he pushed it aside, focusing solely on the fragile life in his arms.

As they neared their home, the familiar streets provided a semblance of comfort. Ryhan took a deep breath, resolved to face whatever came next with unwavering strength, for Aadiya's sake. He had to protect her from the storm that had uprooted their lives and ensure she felt nothing but love and safety in his arms.

|| ॐ ||

Aadiya had already fallen asleep in his arms. Ryhan carefully tucked her into bed, his movements slow and tender. He then settled into the armchair beside her, keeping one hand on her, gently stroking her hair now and then. The soft rise and fall of her chest brought him a momentary sense of calm.

His thoughts, however, were anything but calm. The memories of the day swirled in his mind, each more jarring than the last. As he sat there, deep in contemplation, the weight of his fears pressed down on him. The doorbell rang, snapping him back to reality. He quickly checked Aadiya—still sleeping soundly. Glancing at his wristwatch, he saw that it was already 2 in the afternoon.

Getting up, he moved toward the door, his heart still pounding. Relief washed over him when he saw Jane standing on the other side.

"Hey, come in," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to shake off the lingering tension.

"Ryhan, what happened? I saw the news. Are you okay?" Jane's eyes were wide with concern, her questions coming in a rapid burst.

"Let's sit with Aadiya. I don't want to leave her alone even for a moment." Jane nodded, her expression mirroring his own worry, and followed him back to the room where Aadiya lay peacefully asleep.

As they entered, Ryhan felt a pang of guilt. "Where are my manners? Can I get you some water?" he asked, feeling a flush of embarrassment for forgetting basic hospitality.

"Don't worry about that. Just sit down and tell me what happened," Jane urged, sensing his unease. She knew him well enough to recognize when he was in trouble.

Ryhan sank into his armchair, opposite Jane who was now sitting on Aadiya's bed, gently stroking her hair as if offering silent comfort.

"We were just following our usual routine," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "Waking her up, getting ready, making breakfast, feeding her, dressing her for play school... and her little dramas before leaving. We went to the café, and she was drawing Antra. Then, out of nowhere, the café caught fire," Ryhan recounted, his eyes glistening with tears that he fought to keep at bay. His voice wavered, reflecting the turmoil he felt.

"Jane, since I came out of that coma, strange things have been happening. I can't explain it, but I'm seeing things that shouldn't exist. It's like my grip on reality is slipping, and I'm terrified I might lose my sanity if this continues," he confessed, his voice breaking with the weight of his fears.

"Ryhan," Jane approached him, her steps hesitant yet determined. Her voice was gentle, trying to offer comfort amidst the chaos. "I don't know much about your situation, but stressing isn't a solution."

Ryhan sighed, his gaze drifting to Aadiya, who lay peacefully asleep despite the day's turmoil. "You're right, but today's event was outlandish. I haven't seen anything like that," he murmured, his eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and fear.

"What was it?" Jane's voice softened, sensing the gravity of what Ryhan had experienced.

Ryhan's expression tightened. "Do you remember, before Antra's disappearance, I started seeing strange entities everywhere I went? You encountered them once too."

Jane's face blanched, the color draining as though she had seen a ghost. Memories of three years ago resurfaced, sending shivers down her spine. Her hands trembled, turning cold, and her feet felt like ice blocks.

Ryhan noticed her growing silence and the faraway look in her eyes. Panic gripped him; he realized he had inadvertently forced her to relive a traumatic event. "Hey, Jane. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to," he said, his voice thick with remorse as he held her hands, feeling her body temperature plummet. Her stillness was eerie; even her eyes seemed frozen, as if her soul had momentarily left her body.

Frantically, Ryhan checked her pulse. It was weak but still there. He grabbed his phone and dialed the emergency number, 323.

"Hello, I need a medical emergency at Apartment 8 in Tiyona Luxe Building," he said urgently, not waiting for a response before hanging up. He dashed to the kitchen, grabbing a bowl of water, and hurried back to Jane, sprinkling the water on her face and rubbing her hands and feet. There was no reaction. Desperation mounting, he carried her to his bed and laid her down gently.

Minutes later, the ambulance arrived. The on-site medical team moved with precision and speed, their presence a small miracle amidst his chaos. Zack, one of the team members, quickly assessed Jane's condition. "She's in deep shock. We've given her a sedative. Recovery might take time, but she's stable," he explained, injecting calm into the storm.

For Ryhan, the world felt like it was spiraling out of control. He hadn't meant to put Jane in this state, and now, dealing with this on top of everything else was overwhelming. "Why? What's happening?" he kept asking himself, his mind a whirlwind of unanswered questions.

Zack continued speaking, trying to ensure Ryhan understood Jane's situation. "Sir, are you with me?" Zack shook Ryhan's shoulder to bring him back from his trance.

"Y-yeah. Sorry. Everything is happening so fast. I-I don't know what's actually going on," Ryhan stammered, trying to gather his thoughts.

"Sir, please sit down. Dave, bring some water," Zack instructed his colleague. Both men had the disciplined build of those with military training, their faces hardened by experience, but their eyes conveyed a readiness to help.

Zack handed Ryhan a glass of water. As Ryhan drank, his thoughts turned to Aadiya. Panic surged anew—his daughter wasn't a deep sleeper. Aadiya would wake at the softest rustle of blankets.

He returned the glass to Zack and rushed to check on Aadiya. Though she was still lying in bed, he noticed her breathing was slow and shallow. Her skin felt unnaturally cold.

Ryhan's heart lurched, a new wave of fear crashing over him. He gently shook her, calling her name softly, desperate for a response.

----

Word count - 1890