Nature is often regarded as the nurturing mother who impartially cares for all her children. It's believed that nature possesses a healing power, capable of offering solace and tranquility. Its scenic beauty can be profoundly comforting, providing a sense of renewal and inner peace. Places like these can work as healing sanctuaries, rejuvenating your spirit and allowing you to reconnect with your inner self.

Alibaug, a magnificent destination just a stone's throw away from the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, embodies this idyllic concept. Nestled on the picturesque Konkan coast, this coastal town boasts a treasure trove of stunning beaches, historic forts, and lush green landscapes. It beckons you to experience profound serenity, where the symphony of the sea waves becomes the backdrop for your soul's introspective conversations.

In Alibaug, nature's harmonious beauty and the soothing sounds of the ocean come together to create an environment that encourages self-reflection and inner peace. It's a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and find solace in the embrace of natural wonders.

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Nestled in this tranquil and enchanting location, there stands a residence surrounded by verdant scenery, with a front-row view of the mighty ocean. This expansive bungalow is a splendid example of craftsmanship, entirely constructed from wood. Upon passing through the main entrance, you are greeted by a sprawling garden adorned with a profusion of vibrant, multicolored flowers, creating a sight to behold. While the external surroundings exude quiet, the interior of the house buzzes with activity and energy.

Inside the house, you can see a touch of luxury. The rooms are decorated with great care and attention to detail, which tells you a lot about the person who lives here. This person is private, kind, and enjoys cherishing even the smallest moments in life. The house itself is a one-story building with five rooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a hall.

A young guy is pacing in the hall impatiently. He’s continuously gazing at a room situated in the extreme corner of the house. It seems like he’s waiting for someone and they’re taking a lot of time. He takes a deep sigh, trying to calm himself, when a feminine voice falls in his ears and as he turns around, a young lady of his age is glancing at him.

“Worrying won’t help you, bud! Relax!” The lady says.

“Until when do I need to wait? When will she come back to consciousness?” He asks worriedly.

“She has a brain injury; we need to take her to the hospital.” The lady tells him the truth.

“Can’t you do something here? Please, Tara.” The guy requests the lady.

“Ruhaan, jitna main kar sakti thi, maine kiya. Now, she needs intensive care. 2 din ho gaye hain, wo hosh mein nahi aayi hain. Hume toh ye bhi nahi pata wo kaun hai, please samjho, Ruhaan. Aise yahan is ghar mein kaise uska treatment hoga?” Tara looks at her buddy who is still unsure.

The guy is Ruhaan Randhawa, an ace business tycoon who’s into fashion and technology. This very place is his holiday retreat, and he makes sure to come here once a month to unwind and relax. This week, when he came here, he felt like having a walk in the dense woods, and at that time, he saw a young girl, running for her life. He tried to chase her, but she ran away past him and he also saw a few people chasing her. Two days later, when he went to visit the Patalganga River,  he found her near the banks, lying unconscious. He brought her to his home and started helping her. She’s the same girl whom Tarini is treating.

The other girl is Tarini Bisht, who is a doctor by profession, a trauma specialist, and Ruhaan’s best friend. He calls her Tara lovingly, and here, she’s been tending to the young girl for two days.

“Ruhaan, I am more concerned for her. I can’t let her lose her life sitting here. Mujhe usey hospital le ke jana hoga. Tum fikar mat karo, main uska pura dhyan rakhungi, trust me, Ruhaan.” Tarini says, trying to convince Ruhaan.

“Lekin uske peeche kayi log they, wo log wahan aa gaye toh? Hum risk nahi le sakte, Taara.” He says.

“Ruhaan, kya ho gaya hai tumhe? You’re the risk-taker, aren’t you? Tum aisa kyun keh rahe ho? Aur hospital mein usey kuch nahi hoga, trust me! Ya toh tum keh do ki tumhe mujhpe bharosa nahi hain, main chali jaati hoon, koi aur doctor dhoondh lo fir tum.” Tarini replies annoyingly and tends to leave when Ruhaan holds her wrist.

“I – I trust you, Tara! I’m scared for her. I am sure, kuch toh bura hua hain uske saath.” He shares his concerns.

“Isliye mujhe usko hospital le jaane do, Ruhaan, please. There’s a concussion in her head aur uska reason hospital jaake pata chalega, please, trust me.” Tarini says, holding his hands in hers.

Ruhaan is thoughtful but agrees. He also wants the lady to be fine, so that he can learn about her and send her to her home safely. He’s scared of the men because they didn’t look nice and he didn’t want them to find her again. Tarini assures him about the girl’s safety and soon, she calls for an ambulance and they shift her to the hospital.

*****

In a posh and rustic area of Mumbai city stands a warehouse. It’s like an old building that used to be a lavish house. It’s dark and everything is hard to see. Inside the house, there’s a hall where a man is sitting on a large, king-sized chair. A group of 20-25 men are standing before him. The man is angry; he’s holding a gun in hand and it seems like, he might shoot them if they offer the wrong answers to him.

“Kya kaha tha maine tum logon se? Usey mere paas laane ke liye kaha tha? Kahan hai wo?” The guy, who seems to be the leader, shouts at them.

“Saab, wo pata nahi jungle mein kahan gayab ho gayi...humne bahut dhundha— par….” One of the men says but he glares at them.

“Par? Mujhe samjhao mat, mujhe bas itna batao wo kahan hai? Aise kaise tumse chook ho sakti hai?” The man shouts.

“Vo nadi ke kinaare…” Another man speaks up, but he’s scared to complete his sentence.

“Nadi? Kya hua? Maine jo pucha uska jawab do!” He asks sternly.

“Saab, wo nadi mein kood gayi thi— hum—humne bahut dhundha par dhundh nahi paaye.” The man completes his statment in a rush and downs his gaze.

“Aur tum khaali haath laut aaye. Usey tairna nahi aata aur tum logon ne usey dhundha bhi nahi….” He is baffled by the revelation.

The man is baffled, the gun drops from his hand.  He’s looking for a young girl, who seems to be very dear to him. The men just stare at him while he sits on his chair with a thud, the pain excruciating in his heart trickling down his eyes. He’s stunned, and can’t believe that she’s away from him, and he fears that he won’t be able to meet her again.

To Be Continued.

Who's the girl Ruhaan found? What happened to her?

And who's the guy searching for her?

Are the two men talking about the same girl?

Stay tuned to find out.

KabirsAngel I hope you find this interesting and you like it  too. Let me know. ❤️❤️❤️❤️