Next evening...

After college, Navya and Ivana came home to meet Ruhi.

They sat in the living area with Ruhi, Mihika and Harsha. Others were yet to come home.

After some casual talks.

Harsha: Girls, you all sit in Ruhi's room with her.

With this, the three walked into Ruhi's room.

As they entered, Navya pulled her in a hug. Ivana immediately joined them.

Breaking the hug, they sat on the bed.

Navya (holding Ruhi's hand): Ruhi, I am really sorry. That day, I stepped back from helping you. Being the best friend, I was supposed to stand in front. Somewhere, whatever happened. This happened because of me. I am really sorry Ruhi.

She opened her heart, feeling the burden of guilt.

Ruhi (confused): How did this happen because of you?

Navya: Because I denied support. You felt more scared. He succeeded in building fear inside you. Honestly, I got scared of that picture. I was scared that Bhai or Papa would misunderstand me. But you know, yesterday, Papa and Bhai both were scolding me for not sharing this on time. They made me understand that if your friend is innocent and to save her, you have to lose your life. Then you should do it. I apologise for my mistake, and yes, I am always with you.

Ivana (rolling her eyes): It's not you, it's we!

She turned to Ruhi.

Ivana (with a sad smile): I'm also sorry, Ruhi. It was never like we didn't trust you. But we were scared. So, we became selfish. I am sorry, please.

Ruhi held both of their hands and smiled.

Ruhi: I can't blame you guys for this. I was also scared of my family. So, it's alright.

Both nodded with a small smile.

Ruhi: Navya, you informed Nayan about something serious that is going on?

Navya: Hmm... I thought maybe I can't help you but Nayan bhai can. So, I informed him, Ruhi is going through something. She needs support. She wants to talk with you. But she is scared.

Ruhi nodded.

Ivana (to change the topic): By the way! Navya for you Nayan is Nayan bhai but Ruhi for you, he is Nayan only? Have some manners. Call him Nayan Bhai...

Listening to Ivana's words, a pink hue spread on Ruhi's face. She blinked, trying to control her blush and lightly hit Ivana's arm.

Ivana (rubbing her arms, dramatically): Ouch! You violent lady. I should inform Nayan that your Ruhi Chuhi is so violent.

Ruhi (feeling proud of herself): That I am.

Ivana (smirk): You mean you are Nayan's?

Ruhi (shaking her head, slightly blushing): I am violent, you idiot.

Navya: But Ivana, Nayan bhai will dig you inside the earth in his imagination, if Ruhi calls him bhai. I will make sure to inform him, it's you who suggested this to Ruhi.

Ruhi (changing the topic): What did you learnt in college, today?

Navya and Ivana giggle, changing the topic.

After some time, they were ready to leave.

The trio entered the living area to find Ruhi's entire family.

After meetings and greetings, they sat for a few minutes to speak with them.

Vidyut: Navya, Thanks for being brave and informing us about everything. Aap agar inform nahi karte and Ruhi ki to condition hi nahi thi batane ki. In all this, the male principal was planning to run away as everything came under the college's name. Hum ache se usko track kar paye and pata chal gaya. Now, he is in custody. But many thanks for informing us.

Trio gasps.

Navya (with a small smile): Sir, this was not even the bare minimum.

Her cheeks turned light pink out of embarrassment.

Vidyut: If you both feel even a bit of uneasiness. Just ring me up immediately or your parents. Don't wait for something bad to happen; be proactive. Though, college is under security.

Both the girls nodded.

Ivana: Papa said if you need any help. Please let him know.

Anirudh nodded, mumbling Thank you.

Navya: We should leave now.

Vidyut: I will drop you both.

He said standing up.

Ivana gulped out of embarrassment.

Ivana: The driver is here. I will drop Navya first.

Saurav: Once you reach, ring up for safety.

Navya nodded. They both walked towards the exit. Ruhi followed them to see them off.

As they were away from family.

Ivana (dreamily): Vidyut Sir's aura is so intimidating.

Ruhi (narrowing her eyes): He is married.

Ivana blinked her eyelashes, dramatically dreamily.

Ruhi (rolling her eyes): Bhai and intimidating? He is all fun-loving and soft. All dramatic. Try to wake him on Sunday. You will know his real side.

Ivana: You are so boring... ufff!!!

She sighed dramatically.

Navya (shaking her head): Let's go.

Bidding bye to Ruhi, they both left.

Ruhi walked into the living area.

Saurav opened his arms. Ruhi immediately ran into his arms.

Saurav (caressing her hair): How's my my betu?

Ruhi (mumbling): I missed you.

Saurav (tightening his grip): I missed you more bacha.

Saurav looked at Anirudh then Harsha. Both nodded.

Saurav: We need to talk with you.

Ruhi nodded, breaking the hug.

He made Ruhi sit on the couch. Anirudh, Harsha, Saurav, Mihika, Vidyut and Adrita sat around her.

Ruhi raised her eyebrow.

Mihika: Ruhi, you felt unconscious and you don't know how, right?

Ruhi nodded.

Adrita: A drug named Nyx Gas was added to the air. And you intake it while breathing. Now, you are having later effects. As you told us in the morning about migraine, your hands shaking, and your breath not being stable.

Ruhi nodded nervously.

Anirudh (cupping her cheeks): Look at your Dada, you don't need to take stress. We will handle it.

Ruhi nodded.

Vidyut: As you were worried about the kids and us. I have arranged security. With kids, officers are around inside the school premises in civil dress. About your bhabhis. They will be surrounded by security once, they step out of this house. Same for us. Don't worry. Yesterday, when you and Nayan went to buy dinner. At that time, security was around you.

Ruhi (with a satisfied smile): Thank you bhai.

Mihika: Now, regarding your treatment for this effect, you need to undergo a check-up. Are you okay to visit the hospital, or should Adrita call the Dr. here?

Ruhi (whining): No hospital.

Harsha (chuckling): See, I told you already.

She said proudly.

Anirudh (rolling his eyes): Huh!! Fine!! You won.

Other giggles.

Niyati came out of her room. She stood in front of the elders, keeping her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes.

Niyati: Big people are so boring.

She grumpily said.

Mihika (raising her eyebrow): What do you want madam?

Niyati (Complaining): You are talking and talking and talking. The teacher says don't talk much. We should keep quiet.

Before anyone could have said.

Niyati (with sparkling eyes): We are playing hide and seek. You big play with us.

She ordered.

Saurav (with teasing smirk): We all will play. Only Vidyut won't. He has to cook dinner today.

Vidyut (smirking): I will order for today.

Anirudh (declaring): No! Yesterday, we had. Today, we are having a homemade dinner. If you don't want to prepare it. I will prepare it.

Ruhi and Niyati stared at him with wide eyes.

Ruhi (ordering): Bhai, go and prepare dinner for the day.

Niyati: Yes Chachu. I don't want to have capsicum. In the morning, Badi Papa said to Badi Mumma. Now, he will make capsicum.

Saurav: Go... you kids play with your Bua.

Niyati immediately nodded, holding Ruhi's hand and taking her into the room where her cousins were playing.

Once, Ruhi and Niyati left.

Harsha: How did the meeting go with the Lady Principal?

Monday, Yug scheduled a meeting with the Lady Principal. With Yug, all three of her brothers went to this meeting.

Adrita: Vidyut, as you said earlier, the male principal is under custody. How did you find out?

Vidyut: At the time of training. I learnt one thing. Whenever, in any case, the family is involved. Don't use emotional perspectives. So, I called Yug the moment, we got to know each other in college. But I always learnt one more thing. If your emotional side is doubtful. Do listen. Keep tracking. I doubted the Principal. So, I arranged my tracking behind him and came to know he was trying to run away.

He smirked, looking at nothing particular.

Adrita: Now, how did today's meeting go?

Anirudh: The Lady Principal don't have any idea about this. I don't know if it's the truth or a lie.

Vidyut: It's true. That's why, she was shocked when I told her about the male Principal. She said, " We don't know the culprit yet. That Male principal is the culprit's supporter.

Mihika: You got any or any clue?

Vidyut (shaking his head): No! Culprit is so smart. He is not able to track the location through the number, nor is the owner. He left no clue anywhere. I even sent Ruhi's bag which she took with her to the party, for a fingerprint check. Only Nayan and Ruhi's fingers are traceable. Nayan was carrying her bag while looking for Ruhi. Even Voice is not detecting from the chip that I got from Gramophone.

Others were silently trying to process this information.

Vidyut: Yug and I are working with the team. Will find a solution soon. Till then if you doubt anyone. Inform me immediately.

Everyone nodded.

To be continued....