Bani's POV

Me and Veeranshu were on our way to reach the farmhouse that Mayuri went to.

It was her and uncle's favourite spot.
We soon reached the place.

I got in as the guard recognised me.
As we entered, we didn't hear anyone's voice.

"Aakesh! Mayuri! "

I shouted but no one answered.

"Aakesh!!! "

Veer shouted too but again we were met by silence.

"Upar chalke dekhte hein.. "

I said and Veer nodded.

We went up and saw that Mayuri's room was filled with darkness.

"Mayu.. "

I said again but no one answered.
My eyes finally landed on a figure standing in the balcony.

It was Mayuri. But it seemed as if she still couldn't decipher our presence. As if she was lost in her own world. As if her heart was wrenching with utmost pain.

"Mayu.. "

I said and touched her hand. She looked at me realising our presence.

Her sad expression suddenly turned into anger.

"What the hell are you doing here ??? "

She screamed at us.

"Mayuri main tumhara gunehgar hoon, please mujhe maaf kardo.. "

Veer said and Mayuri looked at him.

"Tum..? Ohhh toh dono pyar karne wale ek sath aaye hein.. "

She said sarcastically and laughed.

"Mayu please hear us out.. "

I said.

"DON'T DARE YOU CALL ME THAT! "

She shouted.

"Both of you played with my feelings. You knew what I went through par phir bhi tum dono ko mujhpar thodi bhi data nahi aayi. "

She started crying. Her eyes red with tears and anger.

"Kitni baar pucha Veer ki humare rishte main tumhe koi kami mehsus hoti hein kya? Par tumne humesha kaha ki sab thik hein. Aur tu? Bani Sharma.. Veer toh phir bhi paraya tha par tu toh apni thi na.. Meri behen jaisi thi... Meri Jaan thi toh tune kaise mujhe dhoka de diya.. "

She said and sat on the bed breaking down.

"Mayuri halat aise hogaye the ki humein woh sab karna pada. Humare bich galayfahamiyon ki deewar khadi hogayi thi isiliye hum galati karte chale gaye..I am really sorry"

I said vulnerably.

" Halat galat nahi.. Tumhare irade galat the. Kya plan banaya tha? Kahi kuch din baad meri jaan lekar, jaidad harapne ki sazish toh nahi thi tumhari? "

She asked and myy heart broke. I know she is hurt but her words were piercing my soul.

" Bas Mayuri... Tumhe humse jitni nafrat karni hein karlo. Par pehele ye batao Aakesh kahan hein? ".

Veer asked.

" Aakesh? "

Mayuri asked being confused.

" Haan it's his turn after you and he has to choose Dare. He really needs us. "

Veer said.

" But my turn is done"

Mayuri said and we got shocked.

"Where the hell is Aakesh then? "

I asked fearing the worst.

"Woh toh niche hi tha..! "

Mayuri said.

"Mayuri track Aakesh's location.. "

I said.

"But my laptop is in house, not here.. "

She said.

"Ohh shit.. "

I said being worried.

"Okay guys.. Main aur Bani hospital jakar check karte hein.. Maybe he went to meet uncle and Mayuri you go and track his location. "

Veer said and we nodded.

We immediately left from their. The hospital was near to the farmhouse in comparison to the house.

Me and Bani got off and Mayuri went to the house.

We entered inside the hospital and went to the reception.

"Hey, was there any emergency case of Mr Randhawa? "

I asked.

"Who has spread this fake news? ".

The receptionist asked.

" What do you mean? "

I asked.

"Mr Radhawa is absolutely fine. His son had also come and said that somebody called him from the hospital and said his Dad is critical but we didn't. "

She said and we knew what would have happened.

The devil lured him out.

Me and Veeranshu kept looking at each other. Fear evident on our face.

"So did he leave? "

Veer asked.

"Yes"

The receptionist said.

We came out and tears were forming in my eyes. I was really feeling scared.

"He didn't come back to us, that's means he got his dare..! "

I said weeping.

"Bani.. Kuch nahi hoga Aakesh ko. Hum hein na.. Mayuri will tell us his
location.. "

Veer said wiping my tears.

That's when my phone ringed. It was Mayuri.

"Bani, Aakesh is in Nilayam exhibition ground. "

She said.

"Okay Mayuri, let's meet there! "

I said and cut the call.

"Veer Aakesh is in Nilayam Exhibition Ground. "

I said and Veer got shocked.

"Wait! What is the date today? "

He asked.

"30th November"

I said .

"Oh shit! "

He said.

"What happened? "

I asked.

"Today Mr Balwant Singhania is starting his political career and he is giving a speech in that ground. I had planned to expose him today in the screening. As soon as his speech finishes, the video will play in front of all and he will get Karma of his illegal deals. "

He said.

"But why is Aakesh there? "

I asked.

"We have to find out"

He said and we left for the place.

Please be fine Aakesh!

I prayed.
~~~

Author's POV

The Nilayam exhibition Ground.

A man was walking on the ground. Every step that he took forward seemed very heavy. He knew that every step that he was taking forward was probably a step near to the destruction of his life. His eyes we're filled with agony and his heart was just not allowing what was going to happen today.

The man was Aakesh.

The ground was filled with crowd. There was security all around the stage that was set up for the chief guest - Mr Balwant Singhania.

But could he actually do, what was asked out of him. He was Veeranshu's Dad, that Veeranshu who helped his Dad so much when he wasn't well.

His heart was aching.

The game was going to shatter his life and dreams.

Flashback

Aakesh was in the farmhouse as Mayuri locked herself in her room.

He was looking outside the window and thinking about how life has changed so much since the past few days.

The game was haunting all of them.

His dad who didn't approve of his choices . Now finally nurtured all his love on him. And as he thought that he was going to get a happy ending, his Dad's health deteriorated. He was happy that his father was safe now but for a moment he felt that he had lost him.

And then comes the love of his life - Bani. The girl who he adored and loved from all his heart. Her smile would bring a smile on his face. Her caring nature would sooth his soul. Her entire entity he worshipped but he couldn't confess his feelings sooner. He feared that this would break their friendship but later he realized that may be he was too late. He could see the love between Veeranshu and Bani.

His heart did break but atleast she was happy was what he thought.

He was lost in his thought when his phone ringed.

"Hello."

He said picking up the call.

"Hello Mr Aakesh Randhaawa? "

A female voice came.

"Yes.. Whose this? "

He asked

"Sir, I am speaking from City hospital, your Dad's health has deteriorated. He is very critical. Please come here soon. "

She said and Aakesh's heart sank.

"I am coming! "

He said and immediately left for the hospital.

~~~

Aakesh entered the hospital and immediately went to the reception.

"Mujhe call aaya tha Mr Randhawa ke liye. Is he fine? "

He asked panicking. Tears forming in his eyes.

" Sorry sir but Mr Randhaawa is absolutely fine. I don't know what call you are talking about. "

She said.

"No I did get a call. I am sure. Wait I will show you the number. "

He said and opened his call log but what he saw sent a shiver through his spine.
There was no number being displayed. And now he realised what happened with him. He was lured out. It was his turn. A sweat rolled down his forehead.

" I will meet My dad and leave. "

He said and started leaving when he felt a hold on his hand.

"You seem in hurry sir "

He gulped as he heard a demonic voice. As he turned he slowly saw the receptionist girls face changing. Her skin turning pale as black veins popped out.
His heart was beating fast. He did a huge mistake.

"TRUTH OR DARE AAKESH? "

She asked.

"As if I have a choice Devon..! "

He said firmly calming down his heart.

"You do Aakesh.. "

She smirked.

"Dare or Death. I am very fair in my games. "

She said and Aakesh closed his eyes and gave the answer.

"DARE"

Flashback ends

~~~

And here he was, to do his dare.
The crowd settled and Mr Balwant Singhania soon graced the stage .

Aakesh's heart was beating even more fast as he moved near to the stage.
His hand travelled to his jacket as he touched the metallic frame and took out... A Gun.

He closed his eyes as his Dad and Bani's face flashed in his mind. A lone tear fell from his eyes. As he took a step forward.

" KNEEL DOWN MR BALWANT SINGHANIA "

He said pointing a gun at Balwant as the crowd immediately started panicking. The crowd started moving around and the security guards and few police officials present at the spot pointed a gun at Aakesh.

"STEP DOWN OR ELSE WE WILL
SHOOT! "

One of the police man said.

" I WILL NOT HURT HIM BUT HE HAS TO CONFESS HIS CRIMES.. !! "

Aakesh shouted.

" Listen.. Leave me.. "

Balwant said with fear.

"I SAID KNEEL DOWN AND CONFESS YOUR CRIMES !! "

Aakesh said again.

"WE WILL SHOOT BOY,LEAVE THE
GUN! "

Another policeman shouted.

"I AM TELLING IT FOR THE LAST TIME, KNEEL"

Aakesh shouted and finally Balwant kneeled on the stage.

"CONFESS YOUR TRUTH...! "

Aakesh said.

"I.. I.. "

Balwant stammered.

" TIME IS TICKING MR SINGHANIA! "

Aakesh said.

"I.. I was involved in the Money scam that happened recently. We scammed the people and got the cash. "

He said and the crowd gasped.

"TWO MORE SINS ARE LEFT MR SINGHANIA "

" I.. I... I have illegal businesses funding my business.. "

He said and the crowd was now agitated.

"TELL THE CROWD ! YOUR FINAL SIN!"

Aakesh said .

"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE!"

Balwant roared.

" THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE SINGHANIA SAHEB. SAY THE TRUTH OR DIE.. "

He said pointing the gun at his head.

" ONE.. "

Aakesh counted.

"I.. I.. "

Balwant was stammering.

"TWO.. "

Aakesh loaded the gun.

"THREE.. "

Aakesh said and his thumb went on the trigger.

As Balwant said aloud.

" I WANTED TO KILL MY SON.. "

He said and the crowd went silent.

But one sound was heard aloud.

The sound that changed everything.
~~~
Bani's POV

Me and Veer entered in the ground. We were already late because the place was far.

We rushed towards the ground as we saw Aakesh pointing a gun at Balwant Singhania.

We were shocked.

But the very next moment what we heard Balwant saying was even more shocking.

" I WANTED TO KILL MY SON.. "

He said and the crowd went silent.
I looked at Veeranshu who didn't have any expression on his face but I knew deep down that he was hurt.

I was about to talk to him as we heard a sound.

The sound that changed everything.
I turned to look at the stage.
And horror struck. My heart pained to even register the site.

It was Aakesh.

His body falling on the ground as a police officer shot him at his chest.

"AAAAAAAKESHHHHHHHHHH... "

I shouted as tears filled my eyes.
Me and Veeranshu immediately rushed to the stage.

"Aakesh.. Aa.. Aakesh... Keep you eyes open.. We are right here.. Kuch nahi hoga tumhe.. "

I said holding his shoulder.

"I am calling the ambulance.. "

Veer said equally pampering.

"Ba.. Bani.. "

He said with a little smile.

"I.. I .. I am.. Re.. Really.. Lucky.. "

He said.

"Why are you saying this? "

I asked crying.

"Because I am dying in the laps of The love of my life.. My sunshine.. "

He said smiling while suppressing his pain.

"YOU ARE NOT DYING! "

I said crying and shouting helplessly.

" I am but please don't cry, I don't like seeing tears in you eyes.. "

He said and I cried even more.

"I have called the ambulance. They are coming. Aakesh we will save you. "

Veeranshu said holding Aakesh's hand.

" Take care of her Veer.. I.. I.. I.. "

Aakesh took a deep breathe.

"Aakesh.. "

Me and Veeranshu said together. Even Veer's eyes were wet.

" I know.. You... Both really love each other. Take care of each other.. "

He said putting my and Veer's hand together.

" BA.. BANI.. "

He said as his eyes slowly started closing.

"Aakeshhh."

I said panicking.

"I LOVE YOU "

He said and closed his eyes forever.

"NOOOOOOOO.... "

I cried and Veeranshu held me in his arms.

"Bani.. "

Even he couldn't form words .

"He didn't deserve this Veer. He deserved to be equally loved and cherished. "

I said crying.

And Veer also wept.

But slowly we realised that the crowd was angry and agitated.

"BALWANT SINGHANIA HAYE! HAYE! "

"BALWANT SINGHANIA HAYE! HAYE! "

The crowd started chanting.

" Everyone lis..listen .. I said all that out of.. Out of fear... Its not true.. "

He said out of fear.

Veeranshu hurtful eyes now changed into angry ones.

"ENOUGH! ENOUGH MR SINGHANIA! "

Veeranshu roared.

" Now you can't hide your truth.. "

He said.

"Shut up you monster..! "

Balwant said furiously.

" Here is the truth... "

Veer said and his guy played the video on the big screen.

The video had all the proofs of his evil acts. One of them also had him beating Veeranshu badly. My heart was filled with disgust for this man.

"You Devil! You again destroyed my life! "

Balwant said holding Veeranshu's collar.

" No Balwant singhania.. You destroyed your own life and the monster you call me is actually you..! "

Veeranshu said putting off Balwant's hand from his collar.

"MR BALWANT SINGHANIA YOU ARE UNDER ARREST ! "

A police officer said.

Balwant eye turned red.

"When I will meet you Mother, I will tell her that better than having you, we should have been childless.. "

Balwant said.

"Bohot dukh ki baat hein Balwant par tum meri maa se maut ke baad bhi nahi mil paoge. Kyunki meri maa Jannat main hogi aur tum sidha jahanum jaoge.. "

Veeranshu said with equal fury.And the police took Balwant away.

Veeranshu soon came near me and Mayuri also reached the spot.

We all cried seeing Aakesh's state.

He left the world but he was never going to leave our hearts.

~~~

Few hours later

I was seated in the police inquiry room.
Officer Shivaay was seated in front of me.

"Ms Sharma one more friend of yours lost his life but you are still quite. Are you this unbothered? "

He said with accusing tone.

" Unbothered!???? You think I am freaking unbothered? Only I know how I am feeling from within. My heart is breaking. I feel like I can't breathe and you are saying I am unbothered? "

I screamed.

" Then why are you hiding your the truth? Why are you quite? "

He said.

"Khamoshi ko log aksar beparwahi samjh lete hein par asal main khamoshi se zyada parwah toh log bolkar bhi zaya nahi kar pate..

And what truth are you talking about. I don't know"

I said firmly.

" Really? "

He said arching his eyebrow.

"Then what is this? "

He said showing me a laptop which had the text message that Mayuri had sent from my phone to Chandni.

""We know you played the game. We are playing it too. Meet us soon or else we will go to your parents house and wait for the game to give us a dare to burn down your house like you burnt that woman.. "

He said reading the message.

"Kya hein iska matlab Ms Sharma? "

He asked.

" Th.. This..."

I stammered.

"Kehte hein zuban unki ladkharati hein jo jhuth bolte hein.. "

He said.

Calm down Bani! Think and answer.!
I told myself.

" When I got to know that my friends are dying, I came across a similar case. I don't know why but I felt there might be a connection. I saw a video tape of Chandani where she was talking about Dare.. So that is why to agitate her I sent this text .. "

I said.

" Do you realise Ms Bani that your foolish step to meet a mentally challenged girl led to your friend Mayuri's death?"

He said and I closed my eyes trying to calm down my emotions.

" Ms Sharma.. Main aapka dushman
nahi hu. Kuch toh chal raha hein.And I realise that. Ye jitne bhi Sare deaths huye hein they don't seem. Similar but they are similar somehow. Remember I told you I read their profiles? "

He said and took out a book with photographs.

" Ye photos..?"

I asked.

" It's of your and Chandani's friends"

He said.

"All of them died Bani.. Only four of you are left now.. "

He said and I looked at all the pictures.

This game destroyed so many lives.

But wait a second? Did he just say four? But we were three - me, Veer and Mayuri.

"Four? "

I asked.

"Yes you ,Veeranshu , Mayuri and.. "

He said.

"And? "

I asked.

"Karun "

He said and I paused for a moment.
Karun!! Karun !!That's means our hope is still there.

"Can I get some water.. "

I asked and Officer Shivaay looked at me for a moment and nodded.

He went to tell someone to get water as I immediately held the file in my hand.
I turned the page to look at all the photographer when One photo finally gained my attention.

"HE IS KARUN!!? "

I said within being shocked.

"Ms Sharma Pani.. "

Officer Shivaay said.

"Thank you. I think I should leave now. "
I said.

"Remember Bani. Your call leads to someone's life or death.. "

He said and I walked out.

~~~
As I came out I saw Veeranshu and Mayuri being seated.

" Guys.. "

I said.

" Are you alright sweetheart? "

Veer asked.

I nodded.

"It's all my fault. If I had taken care of Aakesh. He would have been between
us. "

Mayuri cried.

"Mayu.. "

I said moving towards her when she held her hand up and stopped me from touching her.

" I don't want anyone now. I just want Dad. My Dad.. "

She said crying.

"Mayuri don't say like this. It's not hour fault.Even I can't accept that Aakesh is no longer between us but we have to fight back.Thats what Aakesh would have wanted and now I have found the solution. "

I said.

"WHAT? "

Veeranshu asked.

" I found Karun.. "

I said

" Where is he? "

He asked.

" He lives in Pune. We have to go there. He is very smart so convincing him will take time and we don't have time. "

I said.

"What do you mean he is smart? How do you know him? "

Mayuri asked.

" Karun is nobody else but MICHAEL! "

I said and Mayuri and Veeranshu looked shocked.

"What? "

They said in unison.

" You remember when we met Chandani and asked her about Michael for a second she didn't understand who we were talking about. That's because there is no Michael. He was Karun. Chandani was trying to cover up for him but his name slipped from her mouth.. "

I said and they were still shocked with the revelation.

"We have to leave for Pune as soon as possible"

Veeranshu said.

"Yes.. "

Mayuri agreed.

"Let's go! "

I said and we started going off when I felt a hold over my hand.

I turned to see that it was Veeranshu's .
But as I looked as his features, it had changed. Devon had taken over him. It was my turn.

Mayuri also looked at us and got shocked.

" Veeranshu leave her hand.. "

Mayuri said but his hold was intact.

" TRUTH OR DARE BANI? "

He asked.

"DARE!"

I said in a heartbeat. The truth cannot come out.

He smirked.

"This is my game Bani and my game has no loopholes. "

He said in his demonic voice

" I DARE YOU TO TELL THE TRUTH YOU ARE HIDING FROM MAYURI! "

He said and I felt the world shattered.
Devon soon left his hold on Veer and he was back to normal.

"Wh.. What truth? "

Mayuri asked being completely shocked.

"There is more..? "

She asked almost at verge of breaking.

"TELL.BANI !!! "

She said holding my shoulder.

"Ma.. Mayu... I have to tell you something.. "

I said and Veer held my hand trying to give me some courage.

"The night Uncle died... I... I.. "

I said.

"You what??? "

She asked .

"I was there! "

I said and tear fell from my eyes and Mayuri looked shocked.

~~~~

Hey guys!

How was the chapter?

I am feeling so bad for AAKESH! What about you guys?😭😭

Balwant got what he deserved. Do you agree?

Karun is Michael! Did you expect that?

What is the actual truth? Why was Bani there ? How is she involved with Mayuri 's father death?

Aaj ka random question!

Which is the most heartbreaking movie that you have watched?

Mine are five - Me before you, Five feet apart, Fault in our star, Dil bechara and Kal ho na ho.

Stay tuned!

Love you all.