The atmosphere at the house was frantic. Muffled cries, whispered talkings, few exagerrated expressions while talking assumptions etc. Some ladies were consoling the mother. Their grandparents and few relatives had also come hearing the news of their missing granddaughter.

Seetha was lying on the bed, half unconscious with no sound to cry or no more tears to come out. She was totally shattered visualising the happy moments and the smile of her daughter.

Jai and Vennela came in holding the babies who were awake now. Geetha, their neighbour came near spotting them.

"Vennu..."

"Where is Seetha ? When did this happen?"

"She is laying. She said she was waiting for Rinku in the school bus. When she didn't see, she called her husband as sometimes he picks her from the school. But today he was also at his office. That's when panic struck her. Both of them went to the school and checked. No trace of her was found. Also no other kids saw her in the evening too. They said they thought her father had picked her up"

"Did they check the CCTV footage there?"

"Yes. After that they informed the police and checked the footage. They didn't get any information from that footage. But they got another footage of market junction seeing a man walking with a girl who was seen wearing a frock"

Vennela gasped holding her baby closer. Her other hand squeezed Jai's.

We heard the news just few minutes ago. Seetha fainted hearing that.

"Did they track him down ? Must be a kidnapper"

"They are trying to. After that he disappeared into a remote area. That's all we know"

"He might not have travelled far within few hours"

"Jai is right" Reena came in eavesdropping their conversation

Vennela frowned momentarily. Jai ignored her as his mind was thinking fast about the possibilities.

They both went to console Seetha.

Vennela stopped in her tracks seeing her friend laying lifeless, mumbling incoherently.

Jai held the baby girl from her arms as she went forward and sat beside the bed taking her arms.

"Seetha...🥺"

She looked at Vennela and bursted into tears hugging her.

Jai watched them with empathy. He wanted to do whatever he could, to get the child back.

"Nothing will happen, Seetha. Don't worry. Police is checking her. Bava will join them too. She will return back safe"

Seetha glanced at Jai with pleading eyes.

"Don't worry, Seetha. We will try our best"
She nodded.

"Raj is in the police station right?"

"Yes"

"I'll join them. Bangaram hold the babies"

"Yeah..bava..." she wiped her tears and took them from his arms.

Vennela followed her husband to the portico where their car was parked.

"Bangaruu...get some sleep at night whenever you get time. Also, I might not be able to take phone calls in between. It might be switched off sometimes too. Don't worry. Ok"

He kissed babies and hugged all of them in his embrace.

"Bava...be safe. Don't put your life at risk. And...don't...kill him in anger too. We cannot lose you..🥺"

"Hey...baby...ssshh...nothing like that is going to happen ok?" He caressed her cheeks.

"Drive carefully"

He nodded and kissed babies.

"Nana will come back with your Rinku akka soon. Until then have milk and sleep like good babies. Don't trouble amma at night ok ?😘😘"

Babies giggled and lunged forward to be in their father's arms. But Vennela held them to her.

"Nana will come back buying toys for babies. Say Tata to him"

"Bye Nana...come fast.." she said imitating a baby voice making them wave their hands.

:Bye bye babies...😄"

As they saw their father getting in the car without them, they started crying.

"Ohh ohh...sssh shh... lets go ..Nana will be back real quick"

She distracted babies and went inside.

Lakshmi, another neighbour came then and asked for help with holding a baby.
Vennela smiled and passed the baby boy. He was not much cranky and had stopped crying as she gave him.

But the baby girl, a total dadda's girl couldn't accept that her dadda was going without playing and that irked her.

Vennela consoled the baby girl somehow and went to be with Seetha.
________________________________________

The scenario at the police station was very rushed. Many phone calls, police checking the CCTV footage and everything.
Jai spotted Raj, Seetha's husband sitting on a benched holding his head.

"Raj..."

He looked at Jai- pale face, red eyes, messy sweaty hair.

"Jai..."

"We will find her"  He assured him.

They discussed together with the police officers and planned for the execution.

Jai and Raj teamed up and went to search on one side while the police team searched in a different direction.

"Jai...do you think we can find her ?"

"We will try our best, Raj"

"Seetha...I don't know what I'd tell her😢"

"There is everyone at home. Vennela is also there. And we will find that bastard. Do you think anyone has some personal grudges towards you ?"

"No...nothing like that. Why would you ask ?"

"I mean...if it's a kidnapping case, someone would dare this way due to some personal reason"

"Yeah I get it"

"Hmm.."

"Jai...do you have some water?"

"Sure.." he indicated to the water bottle on the backseat.

He chugged down water in 3 gulps.

"Relax..ok ?"

He nodded but still was anxious inside.
_______________________________________

Vennela sat beside Seetha, caressing her hair.

"They will bring her in the best condition. We all are praying to God. Bava had messaged me before telling that they got some lead and are heading towards it"

Seetha's eyes turned hopeful and looked at her. Vennela nodded assuring her.

Babies were in some neighbours hands who were in the same room.

Reena came at sat on the chair beside the bed.

"Hey...Vennela...were you sleeping?"

"Me ? No. why would you ask ?"

"Just asked simply to know whether you came from sleep"

"No"

"Babies look exactly like you. I can't believe that there isn't any resemblance of Jai"

Vennela frowned hard.

"Who said that, Rishu looks like xerox copy of Jai ...and ammu also has some features similar to him"

Someone else who heard her passed the dialogue, which made Vennela smile.

"Ye..ah...maybe a little bit😏"

"Why didn't you both come to our home still ?"

"I'm busy with babies ...and bava has works....so..."

"You always say this. Can't believe Jai made babies keeping his busy schedule aside😂"

Vennela and Seetha glared at her.

"Let's not talk about all these atleast now, Reena. You know the situations here"

Another neighbour said.

"I know...I just tried to make the mood a little better"

Vennela didn't tell anything.

"Some husbands who go home in morning and return back late evening is suspicious. I heard there are few brothels in the city itself"

"Why don't you go and check your husband first, then ?" Vennela gritted her teeth seething in anger.

"Oh ! Why are you shouting now ? I was talking about a general scenario. I didn't mention anything about Jai. And coming to Arjun, I even feel he has any feelings towards women. He would never go there. He doesnt look anyone apart from me. During the initial days of our marriage, he was a lovesick puppy always around me. Now he is a workaholic. I do my work. So our life is of perfect balance and mutual respect.
And you see, after delivering their kids, men lose interest in their partners. They won't find the stretch marks and everything else really interesting. I'm not ready for a baby now. I just want to live my life carefree"

Vennela clenched her jaw where she wanted to shout about Arjun, wolf in sheep's attire. Just then, babies started to get cranky since their sleep was not completed.

"Seetha...I'll be upstairs. I hope the room is empty there?"

"Yeah..vennu... you can. Make babies sleep. And if Jai informs about anything, do let me know"

"Yes ..sure, Seetha. You don't worry ok"

Saying that Vennela took both her babies on either sides of her hips and went to the room.

"Why would you say all these shit, Reena ?🤨"
Geetha asked.

"What's shit? I talked all the important things we see nowadays"

"Not everyone is like some men out there. And why would you say all this to Vennela? It's like you're personally targeting her" 

"No. Not at all. Vennela seemed so naive. She is from village and all no. She doesn't know about manipulative men. I was just enlightening her about it"

Geetha rolled her eyes and chose to keep mum.
________________________________________

Jai and Raj parked the car feet metres away from the building. They slowly walked, taking soft steps without making any noise.
They entered the building easily since there was no door.

The whole space was dark filled with spiderwebs and stale air.

They both divided into two individuals and searched the place without any noise.

Jai found the sound of a fan working.
And the sounds of few men laughing and using swear words, their words slurred with alcohol.

Jai signaled Raj to keep low voices and they stepped closer to the room. That's when they heard it.

"Rei, is it true that organs of small kids will earn us this much money? Why couldnt we kidnap some elder person?"

"You buffoon... you don't know how much money it brings..."

Their breath hitched hearing it. Organ trafficking.

"Why on earth he chose this girl ? She is so stubborn and you don't know she kicked so hard on my knee ...little bastard😬"

"He doesn't have any particular reason. Any healthy kid is fine for him I guess"

Unable to bear it anymore, Jai kicked the door open and took in the surroundings in a flash of few seconds. There were 5 men sitting around a table with bottles of alcohol, drinking and eating.

They were caught off guard so they didn't have any time for backup.

Jai and Raj kicked and smashed their faces as they tried to resist him.
Few men were already on the ground due to overdrinking.

"WHERE IS MY CHILD ?😡" Raj grabbed one of their collar and shouted.

Jai frantically checked each corner of the room and the next room attached to it.

That men also went unconscious.

Raj kicked everyone in frustration and grabbed his hair feeling emotionally drained out and life seeping through his hands.

"Raj...." Jai whistled.

He rushed near. Jai asked him to keep quiet.

"I sense someone upstairs. I hear some sounds.Let's go there"

He nodded. They reached upstairs.

The room door was locked from inside.
Through a piece of a shattered glass of the window, Jai took in the surroundings. It was dark and creepy. He saw a small flicker of yellow sodium lamp from some corner of the room hidden from them.

With one kick on the door which was knocked down on the floor, Jai entered followed by Raj.

What they saw infront of them was something unbelievable.

There was dried blood stain all over the walls. And the man- a middle aged person with a butcher knife on the hand was standing infront of a table ready to chop something.

Behind him they saw Rinku- tied to the table and mouth sealed. Her eyes wide with terror.

"Raaaaa!!!!😡😡😡"  Raj lunged forward and tried to smash his face. But he just grabbed his hands and threw him to a side.

Jai advanced and got into a heated battle. He broke down the killer's knee, arms and was strangling him when he remembered his wife pleading him not to kill anyone.

As Jai was thinking the killer grabbed the opportunity and took his knife ready to plunge it deep into Jai. But he could only slice a little skin of his left arm. Blood oozed from the wound. But Jai didn't care and broke his other arm too until the killer collapsed onto the ground writhing in pain.

Meanwhile Raj took Rinku and was consoling the baby who was still shook taking in the view of her surroundings.

The police too had arrived at the spot and arrested the criminal.

"Rinku..is she alright, Raj?
Let's take her to the hospital?"

"Baby....😰"

"No..no..hospital...they injection me...😰" she tightly clinged  closer in her father's embrace.

"It's ok...Nana is here... don't worry.."

Jai also caressed her head.

"Don't worry baby. Everything is alright now😊"

She looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"Jai uncle....🥺" she opened her arms. Jai took her into his arms and carried her to the car with Raj beside.

"Do you want chocolates?😄"

She nodded.

"Let's buy some chocolates for you when we see a bakery ...alright ?" He patted her cheeks lovingly.

"Okay..😀"

She was exhausted and slept on her father's chest.

"Raj...did you inform to Seetha ?"

"I'm about to"

"Hmm. Give some space for Rinku. Don't ask anything regarding this and let her stay at home for few days. Distract her with what she like. Go for a picnic or something"

"Yes Jai. I'll make sure of those. I'm so thankful to you. Had you not been there then...😢"

"Hey...it's ok. That's what her dearest uncle is for, alright ?" Jai patted his shoulder.

Raj wiped his tears and nodded.

"Hey...you're bleeding, Jai😳"

That was when he got reminded of his own wound.

"Ohh...yeah...just a small scratch😉" He casually winked at him.

"Small scratch ah ? Are you serious?  Turn the car to the hospital.."

"I said it's alright no"

"No. I don't want Vennela to kill me"

He smiled imagining his wife panicking and stressing over a small wound.

"That's right. Let's get dressed this then😆"

"Hmm.. better..."

Raj took his phone to call Seetha.
_____________________________________

Vennela reached the room and locked the door from inside.

"Ohh ohh...it's alright ...Amma is here.. muah muah..😘😘 I'll feed you just now.."

She patted her cranky babies who were already rubbing their eyes. She adjusted on the bed and started feeding babies.
They latched on soon.

Vennela chuckled and caressed their heads swaying her body. She glanced around the room and found the clock.
12 AM.

She took her phone to see any updates from her husband. But there was nothing.

She continued massaging babies and singing a gentle lullaby.10 minutes passed.
Babies were almost asleep. Vennela made them unlatch and kept them on the bed softly.

She heard a knock on the door. Adjusting her clothes and wearing dupatta, she opened the door.

Her jaw clenched tight seeing Arjun infront of the door. She tried to close the door the moment she saw him, but he held the door in his grip not allowing her to close.

"Vennela..wait..I've something to talk to you:

"I have nothing to talk to you. I don't want to see you😬😑"

She tried to close the door again.

"Vennela..its...I came to apologize for whatever I did that day. I was a pervert"

"Look, Reena is downstairs ...and she believes you. I don't want to shout to call everyone here. Better you go now"

"I'm sorry Vennela...that day....After reaching home and thinking for a long while I understood that ... I...I still love you.. "

Her eyes widened.

"Are you insane ? Haven't you got enough from bava ? That day...had I not stopped bava, he would have killed you"

Arjun gritted his teeth thinking about the day he got beaten up.

"I have no time for your nonsense. You're crazy"

"Vennela...no one would know...atleast one kiss...." He held her wrist.

She jerked off his hands so hard and landed a tight slap across both sides of his cheeks.

"How dare you ?!! I wanted to kill you that day for touching me. I thought you have learned your lesson..but you haven't😡"

Arjun's eyes went into dangerous slits as he clutched her hair.

"I don't like girls over talking. When I need something, I'll get it my own way" He gritted his teeth.

Vennela gave a tight jab on his abdomen and knocked of his jaw with her elbow.
His lips broke and there was blood oozing from it. Arjun touched it and fumed seeing his own blood on his fingers.

She gave one final kick between his legs and looked at her babies who were sleeping sound.

Arjun writhed in the pain from the impact of the kick.

"You touch me, I'll kill you😡"  She adjusted her bangles.

"If you want, i can make a scene here and tell your beloved wife, how crazy you're going after married woman"

"Fuck off😤" She slammed the door infront of him and locked it from inside.

Arjun gathered himself from the floor, clenched his jaw and walked downstairs.

Vennela looked at herself in the mirror and smirked holding her chin high.

She combed her hair again and clipped it neatly once again. She used the washroom to wash her face and hands throughly with soap.

As she came out of the room, she heard her phone ringing. It was Jai.

"Bava ! Hello..."

"Bangaruu... "

"Tell me bava...any updates ? I wanted to call you😟" She sat on the bed anxious again.

"Got Rinku. In perfect condition☺️"

Jai heard her big sigh over the phone.

"I'm so glad😍 We were all praying to God"

"I know bangaruu... here talk to her"

"Hello baby...are you okay ?😍"

"Hai Vennu aunty...I'm eating ice ceam...Jai uncle bought for me😁"

"That's good😂You scared us so much baby. Wait did you talk to your amma ?"

"Yes. I just talked to amma. We are coming back. Is there ammu and rishu ?"

"Yes we are all here at your home. We are waiting for you"

"I'll be there soon 😀"

"Okay baby...now can you pass the phone to Jai uncle?"

"Bangaruu....babies must be sleeping ?"

"Yes..bava...since half an hour"

"Alright. 15 minutes and we will be there"
"Yes bava. Drive carefully" she disconnected the call.

Vennela wanted to go downstairs to be with Seetha. But babies were sleeping and she had to be with them. So she thought to give her a call.

"Seetha..."

Seetha was crying in happiness after getting her life back.

"I know...calm down..don't make me cry too" Vennela was already crying and sniffing.

"Listen.. I'm upstairs...babies are sleeping so..."

"It's fine Vennu...just be with babies"

"Hmm..."

"Wait Geetha is coming there"

"Alright"
_________________________________________

"Your amma will scold nana if she sees you eating ice cream at this time😂" Raj said fondly to his daughter.

"Hehehe... I love ice ceam...and I'll tell Jai uncle bought this for me😋"

"Ohho...so you want me to get the scolding from your amma ?😂" Jai chuckled while turning the steering wheel.

"Noo..she won't scold you. She will only scold nana..😚"

"Hey chup ...😂" Raj covered her little mouth and tickled her.

"Stopp...Nana....hahaha.... 🤣🤣🤣"

"Alright. Alright..I stopped ...now finish the ice cream before it melts and makes a puddle on your uniform🤭"

"Okay...🤤" she continued licking the ice cream.

Jai ruffled her hair fondly, smiling.
_______________________________________

"Geetha...can you watch my babies for a while ..."

"Sure, Vennu..I'm here" She assured her.

Vennela went downstairs and sat beside Seetha.

"I'm so so happy after hearing her voice, Vennu. I got my life back🫂❤️"

"I know...me too Seetha. Let's not ask about anything to her about the incident ok? Talk all nice things and distract her🫂"

Seetha nodded. That's when they heard sound of the car. Seetha got up and rushed to the portico.

The door opened revealing Raj carrying Rinku.

"Oh my god...my baby....🥺❤️❤️"  Seetha ran towards them and took her daughter in arms and smothered her with kisses.

Rinku giggled having a tickling feeling.

"Are you okay, baby ?🥺"

"I'm fine, amma. See...chokatsh...😀"

"Yes.. i saw .....🥹" Seetha wiped the tears uncontrollably falling down her eyes.

Vennela also patted her back and gave a loving kiss on her head.

"Hi Vennu aunty....Jai uncle bought these chokatsh for me😍"

"Oh really ? Did you like it ?😊"

"Yesh..sho much.. 😍"

"Aww that's good😄"

"Where is ammu and rishu ?😍"

"They are sleeping, Rinku...you can play with them tomorrow" Her mother told.

"Okay...😁" she chirped hugging her teddy.

"Let's eat some food now..."Seetha carried her inside. Her relatives and others joined around.

Vennela turned around and saw Jai. She frowned and gasped.

"Bava !!!😳😰" She took his bandaged hand and observed it. Her eyes welling up instantly.

"It's nothing bangaram...just a scratch.."
He held her hands trying to assure her.

"No..it's not. Oh god ! I've not told you to hurt yourself. And it's like you've hurt me🥺"

"No baby.. Raj was dramatic and told me to dress this in the hospital. Trust me"

She looked at his face as she drops of tears fell down her eyes.

"Hey...sshh..everyone else is here"
He hugged her from a side and rubbed her back.

"I have bought you chocolates too😉"

"Don't butter me now😑" She again took his arm and caressed there.

"Does it hurt ? Who dared to touch my husband ?😤"

"It's not hurting, baby. And some petty fella dared, but I've already dealt with him.
By the way ...lets go home ?"

"Yeah... lets take babies"

"Alright" He joined her and walked till the room.

"Geetha.. thank you so much for looking after them. We are going now"

"That's fine, vennu. Jai...what happened to your arm ?"

"Oh it's just a small scratch. You all don't take it as a big thing😂" He chuckled while Vennela glared at him.

They took each babies,  walked to Seetha and bid good bye.

"Rinku.. baby... aunty will come next day ok ? Sleep well and dream about more chocolates. I'll bring you cake tomorrow😘"

"Yaay!! Chocolate cake ?😍"

"Of course sweetheart😘"  She kissed her cheeks.

"Bye bye ammu rishu..😘😘" she kissed them softly of their cheeks.

"I'll bring them tomorrow ok?"

"Okay. Good night"

As Jai and Vennela were walking to the car, they saw Reena questioning Arjun about his split lips and the darkness around his chin.

"What happened to him ? Seems like he made an issue here or got beaten up by his wife? " Jai murmured while he opened the door for his wife.

She adjusted on the seat and Jai passed the next baby to her.

"I had a practical test today, bava"

"What ?" He glanced at her while turning curve towards their home.

"Yeah..."

"You mean ?"

She nodded.

He hit the steering wheel so hard.

"That bastard !😡"

"Don't worry bava. I've dealt with him😏"She narrated the whole story to him.

"He doesn't change it seems. I'll get the evidence about him from our colony itself. Then I'll put him in jail😡"

"He is just a petty person, bava. You don't waste your energy for him"

"No. I should waste some energy for that f****** bastard."

She shook her head smiling.

"You know what, I'm so proud of you bangaram❤️"

"And I'm so proud of you too, bava. It's you who taught me this almost everyday. And you had to bear my jabs, kicks and everything"

"Pleasure is all mine, baby. I don't mind getting kicks or slaps from you😉.I've understood your strength long before"

She grinned looking front.

"Bava...tell me what happened there"

He narrated the incident which shook him to the core. Jai wiped his face while sitting on the bed.

Vennela kept her head on his shoulder and hugged his waist.

"I don't know how Rinku went through all this. She will have trauma"

"I know. I'm scared. I don't want that little girl to go through any of that. I've asked Raj not to ask any such thing and distract her maximum"

"Hmm. I've asked Seetha too. I don't feel like sleeping, after hearing all this😰"

"Me too baby. I've seen it with my eyes.
Let's...let's keep babies between is for today?"

"Sure bava" She rubbed his shoulder.

He nodded and laid down on the bed with babies in the middle and Vennela opposite to him.

She intertwined his hand in hers.

"Sleep☺️😘" He nodded and closed his eyes, sleep consuming him in an instant even though he had told that he wasn't sleepy.

Vennela smiled and caressed his head softly, eventually falling asleep too.

Jai always took the problems of his colony as his own. He helped everyone in whatever way he can. And Vennela was supportive for him too. She always saw the strength in her husband which she was proud of. He was everyone's saviour. But Vennela was his saviour. She made his life lot more lovely, cheerful and filled with joy.
They were together as one for each other. And nothing would break them apart.
_________________________________________

Yours,
Aiswarya2018