Ira's eyebrows furrowed as she stared at the unfamiliar number on her screen. She deleted it with a dismissive swipe, chalking it up to a wrong number or some loafer. Shrugging, she turned to head downstairs when her phone jolted her with a sudden ring.

Her gaze narrowed, her eyebrows knitting together in annoyance. With a dismissive flick of her thumb, she deleted the number.

But the phone's insistent ringtone jarred her back to attention, the same pasky number flashing again. Ira's irritation simmered, her fingers moving with sharp precision as she answered.

"Who is this!?" she demanded, her voice low and crisp, a hint of exasperation creeping into its edges.

"Calm down, girl." A high-pitched voice cooed in her ear, sending a shiver of recognition down Ira's spine.

Her face twisted in confusion as the familiar tone stirred a forgotten memory. "Kanak... ?" she whispered, her word hanging in the air like a question.

"Yes, my love! Kanak at your service." The voice replied, its playful lilt stirring a mix of emotions within her.

Ira's smile softened, tinged with bittersweet reminiscence. "So, the queen has finally deigned to make an appearance, huh?" Her voice dripping with sarcasm and warmth.

"Really? It's me or you who forgot, huh? I tried to contact you, but you weren't there," Kanak complained, sorrow saturated her tone, leaving no room for doubt.

Ira's tone was a jagged blend of confusion and despair. "I'm sorry, I had no idea. But when did you call?"

A low laugh left Kanak's lips. "Let's not dig up the past. We're good now." Her gentle words brought comfort, a soothing respite.

Ira's eyes relaxed, and kindness illuminated their corners. "By the way... " Kanak's voice trailed off, piquing Ira's curiosity.

Suddenly, Kanak's tone shifted. Her words sparkled like fireworks on a celebratory night. "Happy birthday, my bestie!"

Ira's eyes widened in shock, her mind blank. Then, a laughter bubbled up, a cute, infectious sound that echoed across the rooftop.

"Ha! Thank you! You remembered?" Amusement claimed her face, painting it with a bright smile.

Kanak's cheerful tone infused the line. "Of course, I do. So, did you do anything special today?"

Ira's smile tinged with sadness, invisible to Kanak on the call. "Nothing out of ordinary," her voice was a whispered sigh, carrying the weight of memories. "Just another day."

Kanak's voice, familiar yet distant, resonated through the phone line. "It's always been an ordinary day for you," she said, a dry chuckle escaped her lips.

Ira's grip on her phone tightened, revisiting sorrowful moments from the past. She sadly smiled to herself, shaking off the underlying feelings.

The line fell silent, the only sound the gentle hum of the connection and the soothing serenade of crickets. Ira's thoughts began to wander, but she shook off the reverie, her tone brightening. "Ah, leave this! What about college? Did you make some new friends?"

Kanak's response was measured, but Ira detected a hint of a smile in her voice. "A few," she admitted.

Ira's playful jab came next. "Ah, I see. That's why you forgot about me, huh?" Her teasing tone was laced with amusement.

Kanak's laughter burst through the line, infectious and joyful. "You're still the same old Ira! I'm your partner in crime, not your better half."

Ira's playful retort came swiftly. "I don't need a better half when I have you. We can grow old together, just like we promised."

Kanak's laughter swelled again, this time accompanied by a hint of affection. "Ira, you're as dramatic as ever! But seriously, you'll always be my ride-or-die. I love you, bestie!"

As Ira leaned against the rooftop railing, the starry night sky twinkled above, mirroring the warmth in her heart. Kanak's laughter, a melodious sound, filled her ear, transporting her back to carefree days.

"I still can't believe you took the fall for locking that math teacher in the bathroom!" Ira's chuckles echoed through the line.

Kanak's laughter erupted, contagious and unstoppable. Ira struggled to get her words out, amusement dancing in her voice. "Actually... actually, you know what happened?"

Kanak inhaled deeply, attempting to compose herself, but stifled giggles betrayed her efforts. "I thought the bathroom was empty... so I locked it." Her voice trembled, laughter simmering just below the surface. "But... but..." Kanak's composure crumbled, and she dissolved into laughter.

Ira's eyes widened in shock. "What? You actually locked him." Their laughter intertwined, a joyful, nostalgic sound that echoed through the night.

As they reminisced, Ira's fingers gently traced the rough wall, the familiar texture evoking memories of countless nights spent under the stars.

Kanak's voice softened, her words infused with a deep longing. "Ira, I've really missed you."

Ira's reply was barely audible, a whispered promise. "Missed you too, Kanak."

The line fell silent, the only sound the distant serenade of crickets. With a content smile, Ira hung up, the stars twinkling above like a celestial reminder of their unbreakable bond.

Ira's gaze drifted over the town's twinkling tapestry, her face aglow with a serene smile. The moon's silvery light danced across her features, illuminating the peaceful contours of her expression.

"Sometimes," she whispered to the night, her voice barely audible over the crickets' gentle serenade. "There are people who remind us we're loved and remembered, even when we doubt ourselves."

The thought enveloped her like a warm embrace, filling her with gratitude. With a light heart, she descended the stairs, her footsteps whisper-soft on the steps. A gentle melody hummed on her lips, the tune intertwining with the night's silence.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

On the doorstep of Rudraksh's bedroom, Vardhamana was standing with a determined expression. He lightly rapped on the door, his knuckles barely grazing the wood. "Bhaiya, open the door. It's me, Vardhamana."

Aanand and Anusuiya exchanged anxious glances, their eyes locking in a shared concern. Anusuiya's hands were clasped together, her fingers intertwined in a nervous grip. Aanand's jaw was set, his lips pressed into a thin line.

The door remained shut, and the room was silent.

Vardhamana's knocks grew urgent, his voice laced with panic. "Bhaiya! Rudraksh Bhaiya! Open the door!" His fists pounded against the door, the sound resonating through the hallway.

Anusuiya's breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling with each rapid inhale. Her eyes, brimming with worry, fixed on the door as if willing it to open. Aanand's expression remained stern, but his fluttering eyelids betrayed his deep-seated unease.

The air was heavy with anticipation, and the silence between the knocks was oppressive.

Anusuiya's face contorted in anguish as she spun towards Aanand, her eyes blazing with desperation. "If anything happens to my son, I'll leave you!" Her voice cracked, weighed down by the threat of loss. Tears burst forth, streaming down her cheeks like rivulets of sorrow.

"Rudraksh! Beta, please open the door!" She pounded on the door, her fists trembling with each frantic bang. "Beta!" The cry tore from her throat, a heart-wrenching plea.

Aanand's stoic facade crumbled, his face ashen. He reached out, attempting to console Anusuiya, but she shook him off.

"Don't touch me!" she snapped, her voice laced with venom. "This is all happening because of you!"

Aanand's soft expression turned into disbelief. "Don't talk nonsense, Anusuiya! This is all happening because of your overpampering. Your too much affe-"

"Please!" Vardhamana's frustration boiled over, and he grasped his hair, tagging it in distress. "Please, stop you both! It's not time to fight!" his voice cracked, a desperate cry.

Aanand and Anusuiya paused, and their argument suspended by their son's anguish.

"Dad, we need to break this door!" Vardhamana urged, his words tumbling out in urgency. "We can't just stand here! Bhaiya might be... might be... " He couldn't finish the thoughts.

Aanand nodded curtly before shooting Anusuiya a stern warning glance. "Call the guards!" he bellowed, his voice reverberating of the bungalow's walls.

Moments later, two guards rushed in, their footsteps echoing through the hall. "Sir?" One of them inquired, bowing his head in respect.

Aanand gently pushed Anusuiya aside and pointed towards the door. "Break it down."

The guards nodded simultaneously and charged at the door. Their shoulders slammed into the wood, but it wouldn't budge, and they recoiled with equal force.

Undeterred, they tried again. This time, the door creaked open slightly. Sweat glistened on their foreheads, and others looked at them in anticipation.

With renewed determination, they mustered all their strength and attacked the door from the side. The hinges groaned, and the door swung open.

Anusuiya pushed everyone aside and stepped forward. As her gaze fell inside the room, horror spread across her face.

"Rudraksh!" She cried out, her voice trembling with anguish. Hearing her cry, Aanand and Vardhamana also came forward, their eyes widened in shock as well.

Rudraksh lay motionless on the cold floor by his stomach, his body battered and bruised. Shattered glass, broken ceramics, and torn photographs surrounded him, a chaotic reflection of the violence he had endured. His face was pale, with dried blood caking his lips and scratches across his beard cheeks, and forehead.

A gash above his left eyebrow dripped blood onto his eyes and down his face, which had dried now. His hands lay limp, right palm stained crimson from jagged glass shards embedded in his skin. His chest rose and fell with shallow breathes, the only sign of life in his otherwise still form.

Vardhamana was about to enter inside the room, but Aanand's firm grip halted him. The floor, once a warm and inviting space, was now treacherous, littered with glass shards that threatened the family's barefoot.

Aanand's subtle nod summoned the guard, who stepped cautiously into the room. He gently lifted Rudraksh's limp form, cradling his head and shoulders with reverence.

Anusuiya's hands fluttered towards her son's pale face, her eyes welling up with tears. "My son... " she whispered, her voice trembling.

Vardhamana enveloped his mother in a comforting embrace, trying to stem his own panic. His heart raced as he watched the guard carry Rudraksh out, his brother's body hanging limply.

Aanand's face was etched with worry. His eyes were red-rimmed from suppressed emotions. Yet, he maintained a resolute facade, his voice firm but laced with desperation.

"Get him to the hospital, now," he urged.

He turned to his wife and son, a flicker of vulnerability crossed his face, swiftly masked by determination.

"Vardhamana, stay with your mother." The order was gentle, but brooked - no arguments.

Anusuiya's pleas trailed after Aanand as he strode out of the house, his footsteps echoing with urgency.

💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

The car screeched to a halt outside the hospital, the tries' protest echoing through the night air. The guard rushed out following Aanand, Rudraksh's limp form cradled in his arms.

As they burst through the hospital door, the antiseptic scent and chaotic din enveloped them. Aanand's eyes scanned the reception area, locking onto the receptionist's calm demeanor.

"Excuse me!" His urgency boarded on desperation. "Where is Dr. Choudhary!? It is an emergency!"

The receptionist's gaze lifted from her paperwork, her expression a mask of professionalism. "Sorry, sir! He is on dinner break. Approximately two hours."

Aanand face fell, fear and despair etched on his features. His eyes, once bright with hope, now pleaded for a miracle.

With trembling fingers, he retrieved his phone from his kurta pocket. The screen blurred as he dialed, his mind racing with wrost-case scenarios.

Dr. Choudhary's warm voice answered on the fifth ring. "Oh, Maurya! What brings you to call today?"

Aanand's voice cracked, vulnerability spilling out. "Choudhary... sorry to disturb your break," he paused, struggling to contain his emotions.

"Rudraksh... he has been in an accident." His voice came out barely above a whisper. "Please, save him. I will always be grateful to you, Choudhary."

A pause hung in the air before Dr. Choudhary's urgent yet calm voice dispelled the tension. "Don't worry, Maurya! I am on my way! Till then, complete the formalities and have Rudraksh shifted to the emergency ward! Tell the staff it is my order!"

Aanand's grip on the phone tightened, clinging to the lifeline Dr. Choudhary offered.

"Everything will be fine, Maurya! Have faith in God!" His words infused Aanand with a semblance of hope, tempering his fear.

The line went silent, and with a renewed purpose, Aanand swiftly completed the formalities. His movements were fueled by Dr. Choudhary reassuring words. Within minutes, Rudraksh was whisked away to the emergency ward, the sounds of beeping machines and hushed conversations enveloping him.