Jayant

Shreya and I sat side by side on the hard wooden bench, waiting for the inspector to call us in. My legs wouldn't stop trembling-not from the cold, but from a gnawing mixture of fear and panic. Shreya must have noticed, because she gently placed her hand on my thigh, her touch warm and steady, grounding me for a moment.

The moment the inspector was free, we moved quickly to his desk. I leaned forward, my voice low but urgent.
"Sir... I need to file a complaint. A missing person complaint."

Without looking up, he gestured to the constable beside him. "Write it down. Take the details."

I rattled them off-the last location, where we'd found her phone, even showed him her picture. Then came the question:
"How long has she been missing?"

"About... one and a half, maybe two hours," I replied immediately.

Both the inspector and the constable paused, their eyes flicking up at me with a look I didn't like. My stomach knotted.
"Just write it down," I urged.

The inspector take step closer and leaned forward slightly, his voice softer now, almost patronizing.
"Son... I don't know how important that girl is to you, but this might not be a 'missing' case. Maybe she's just... out of reach for a while."

"She is missing," I snapped. My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn't care. I began speaking faster, almost in rhythm, my words tumbling over each other.
"I told her to wait outside. When I came back, she was gone. We found her phone on the roadside. Obviously, she's missing-no, wait, I think she's been kidnapped."

The inspector raised an eyebrow. "If she's kidnapped, did you get a call from the kidnappers? Usually, they contact you. That will make things clear."

"No. Not yet," I said quickly.

He shrugged. "Then maybe she just ran away."

That broke something inside me. My temper flared white-hot as I jabbed a finger toward him. "How dare you-"

Before I could finish, he caught my finger and pressed it down firmly.
"We can't file a report. Not until 24 hours have passed. So wait." He gave me a faint, almost mocking smile as he said it.

Something shifted inside me-anger hardening into defiance. I grabbed him by the collar, yanking him forward.
"You think I'll wait because you're flaunting your power? You expect me to wait 24 hours, No. No way. I'll find her without your help-and I'll do it before the sun comes up, not in 24 hours."

"Jayant what are doing... leave him" she said, while trying to make my hand free.

His lips curled into a half-smile. "You'll find her only if you walk out of here first. Do you even realize what you've done? You grabbed a government officer's collar-on duty. Think carefully about what that means." His tone was laced with quiet threat.

I wasn't afraid. But before I could answer, Shreya stepped between us.
"Sir, I apologize on his behalf," she said quickly. "He's just... distressed. Please don't file a complaint against him."

The inspector's gaze stayed fixed on me for a moment longer before he finally leaned back in his chair.
"Fine. Go. Look for her."

Shreya murmured a soft "Thank you, sir," she drag me out, my chest still tight with rage, my mind already racing with where to search next.

<•∆∆∆∆∆•>

Outside the police station, the fluorescent lights hummed above me, indifferent to my despair. I sank down onto the edge of the footpath, elbows braced on my knees, head bowed into my hands. My palms pressed against my temples as if I could squeeze clarity out of the chaos in my mind. But nothing came-only the hollow weight of helplessness.

Shreya lowered herself beside me, her presence quiet but steady. She placed a hand gently on my shoulder, her voice soft, almost careful.
"We'll find her, Jayant. I've told Appa-he'll do something I'm sure. Don't tear yourself apart with this."

Something in me shifted at her words-not towards comfort, but towards heat. My head snapped up, and before I could stop myself, I was on my feet, anger flaring sharp and raw.
"This... all of this... is happening because of you!"

The words hung in the air like a blade I couldn't pull back. Regret struck almost instantly, icy and suffocating. Shreya didn't move, didn't speak. She just looked at me-her eyes holding a quiet hurt that said more than anger ever could.

"I'm sorry," I blurted, my voice breaking, "I didn't mean that."

She still said nothing. I turned away, trying to gather the pieces of my composure, and started walking toward my car. "Go home, Shreya... it's late. I'll find her by myself alone."

But when I opened the driver's side door, the passenger door clicked open, and she slid in without hesitation.
"I'm not going anywhere," she said firmly. "Not until we find Alisha."

"You don't have to do this," I muttered, gripping the wheel.

"I do," she replied, her tone stripped of any softness. "You both came all the way to Bangalore for me-to fix things. If you hadn't... maybe she wouldn't have been kidnapped. I was part of the chain that led here, whether you like it or not. That makes me involved. So yes, I do have to help. So no one blame me for their own decisions."

Her words landed heavy, but I could hear the truth in them. I exhaled and tried again, quietly this time.
"Shreya... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that before. I was... angry."

"I know," she said flatly, glancing out the windshield. "Now stop wasting time."

And with that, we pulled away from the police station, the night pressing in around us.

<•∆∆∆∆∆•>

By the time Shreya and I reached the building where I had left her, the night felt heavier. We searched quietly, scanning for anything-an abandoned scarf, a broken clues, footprints in the dust-anything that could tell us where she had gone.

My phone buzzed sharply, shattering the silence. It was Vijay.
"I've got something," he said, his voice tight. "CCTV footage from a nearby building. Sending it now."

Within seconds, the video loaded on my screen. I played it, my heart pounding.

There she was-Alisha-walking along the roadside, phone pressed to her ear. She didn't seem frightened. A few moments later, two men approached her. My breath caught. But instead of panic... she spoke to them. Calmly. Almost casually. Then she fell into step beside them, walking away as though she'd known them all along.

I froze. No one forced her. No one grabbed her wrist or shoved her forward. She... went with them. Willingly. Leaving me behind.

In the footage, one of the men tossed something into side of road-her phone. Alisha didn't protest. She didn't try to run. She didn't even look back. A moment later, the three of them walked out of the camera's frame, vanishing into the unknown.

Had they taken her to a van? Had she been lured further away? I couldn't tell. The footage ended, and the questions multiplied, tearing through me like glass.

I started running, heading straight for the place where she'd last been seen. The road split into two. The left disappeared into a darker stretch, the right sloped toward the main street. I stood there for only a second, my pulse thundering in my ears.

Then I turned left. I didn't know if it would bring me closer to her or drag me further away. All I knew was that standing still would kill me faster than any danger waiting ahead.

It was already deep into the night, and Shreya and I were still wandering through the dimly lit streets, desperately searching for Alisha.
My chest felt tight, my breaths coming short and sharp, as if the air itself was turning against me.
Please, God... my mind kept whispering, just let me find her... show me where she is. Give me a hint.

Shreya was also doing everything she could-talking to people, making calls, scanning the dimly lit alleys. She had been speaking to someone on the phone when she suddenly approached me, her voice urgent.

"Appa told me about a local goon... someone who usually knows what's happening in these parts. We could ask him-he might have some information."

"Yes, let's go," I said instantly, my voice clipped with urgency. I couldn't waste a single minute. If I had to walk into hell itself to bring Alisha back, I would.

"Jayant," Shreya hesitated, "Appa told me not to go there."

"Fine," I replied quickly, "then just give me the address. You can go home."

Her eyes darkened with concern. "No. I'm not letting you go there alone. That place... it's not safe."

I took a step toward her, my voice low but unshakable. "Shreya, I don't care what that place is. For Alisha... I'd walk into hell itself."

Her eyes dropped for a moment, A flicker of disappointment crossed her face-whether at my words or at what they revealed, I couldn't tell. She cleared her throat, then said, "Still... you're not going alone. Gaurav will go with you."

"Seriously, Shreya? Gaurav? Why-" I didn't get to finish.

"There he is," she said flatly, her gaze shifting past me.

And then I saw him approaching. Of course. No more time to argue. My focus had to stay on Alisha.

Soon, Gaurav and I were in the car, heading toward that unknown part of the city. The streets slipped past in shadows when he suddenly broke the silence.

"You know, you didn't treat Shreya right," he began, his tone steady but laced with judgment. "If Alisha is so important to you, you shouldn't have been in a relationship with Shreya in the first place. When you are not sure about then At least don't make promises you can't keep... don't lie."

“Perhaps you don’t even realize what Shreya has done for you. She went against her own family, stood by your side, even gave up a promising career just to be with you. From the very beginning, her father, her family, and even I believed you were never the right choice for her. But Shreya trusted her love. And now, look—our fears were right. You were never right for her.”

His words struck like stones. My grip on the steering wheel tightened. Who the hell is he to lecture me about my relationship with Shreya?
But I couldn't lose my temper now-not tonight.

"You want to fight me over Shreya?" I said coldly, not taking my eyes off the road. "Fine. We'll fight tomorrow. I don't have the time tonight."

There was a pause. Then Gaurav replied with a quiet, cutting edge in his voice:
"Of course you don't. You never have time for Shreya."

His words lingered in the air like smoke, bitter and suffocating. But I didn't respond. My hands tightened on the steering wheel, my mind locked on a single thought-Alisha.

<•∆∆∆∆∆•>

The road narrowed into a dim, crumbling lane as our car rolled to a stop in front of an old, half-ruined haveli. Four men guarded the entrance, rifles casually resting in their hands. Their eyes followed us, sharp and unwelcoming, as though we were intruders trespassing into a world where mercy did not exist. I forced my legs to move, every step heavy, my pulse echoing in my ears.

We were told to wait.

Finally, he appeared. Sher Singh. The man was exactly as I had imagined from Gaurav's hushed descriptions-a hulking figure with a cold grin carved into his face. The kind of man who thrived on fear. People called him Sher Bhai, and I now understood why. He didn't walk into a room-he owned it.

Without wasting time, I slid Alisha's photo across the table, my voice tight. "Do you know her? Have you seen her?"

Sher Bhai leaned forward, studied it for a breath, then chuckled. "Never seen her. But tell me... what's the job? To kidnap her? That's easy. Ho jayega."

The laugh that followed was like nails scraping my nerves. Gaurav quickly cut in, "Not kidnapping.

"Want to kill"

" No Sher Bhai, She's already been taken. We need to know who did it."

Sher Bhai tilted his head, mocking. "We're not detectives, boy. We're gangsters."

My fists clenched. My patience was thinning, but I remembered Gaurav's warning-don't lose it, let me handle this. Gaurav leaned forward, calm but firm. "We know you do everything for money. Help us find her, and you'll get your share."

Sher Singh chuckled again, this time darker. "Money is the only reason we became what we are. Fine, show me something."

Gourav took my phone, played the video we had-the grainy clip of Alisha's kidnappers. The men leaned in, eyes narrowing as they studied it carefully. After a tense pause, Sher Singh handed the phone back, amusement glittering in his eyes.

"Interesting," he drawled. "So... you want us to kidnap the kidnappers. That's fun, isn't it, boys?"

His men laughed with him, a low, sinister chorus. My control snapped.
"This isn't a joke!" I shouted, my voice raw. "A life is at stake here. Someone's life-her life."

For a moment, silence. Then Sher Singh's eyes locked on mine. They weren't mocking anymore; they were colder, sharper, like steel pressed against skin.

"tumhare liye mazak nhi hoga yeh, par hamri Puri zindagi isi me hai, roj ka yhi kam hai hmera, hmari Khushi bhi isi me hai..Ladke, bhoolo mat kaha khade ho tum."

("It may not be a joke for you, but my whole life is in this, this is my daily work, Kidnapping, killing, blood. It's the air we breathe. Our joy, our survival..boy. Don't forget where you're standing.")

The threat was clear. Still, I didn't break eye contact.

He finally leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the armrest.
Before I could reply, he turned to his men.
"Send it out. Her picture. I want eyes on every street corner."

Then, looking back at me, he added with a smirk, "You'll have something in a few hours."

Relief flickered in me for just a second, until his hand rose, palm open.
"Now... pay."

I stiffened. "The job isn't done yet. First give me proof, then you'll have your money."

He leaned back slowly in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. His smirk twisted into something darker.
"Sher Singh se hoshiyari? Pachhataoge"
("No one plays clever with Sher Singh. You'll regret it.")

Before I could answer, Gaurav jumped in. "You'll get the money, Sher Bhai. No one's tricking you here."

But I snapped, cold and unwavering, "The second we have an update, you'll have your money-within thirty seconds. Not a second more."

Gourav shot me a warning look, whispering harshly, "Are you mad? Do you know what you're doing?"

I ignored him. My eyes stayed locked on Sher Singh.

For a long moment, silence stretched between us, thick and dangerous. Then, with a low chuckle, Sher Singh nodded.
"Fine. Ten minutes. You'll have your update. But remember this-if the money isn't in my account within thirty seconds after, you'll pay the price. And I don't mean in rupees."

It wasn't a warning. It was a death sentence waiting to be signed.

We sat back down, my heart pounding, every nerve on fire.

I kept glancing at my watch, then at Sher Singh. The minutes were crawling, each tick heavier than the last. Ten minutes were almost up when one of his men hurried into the room, sweat shining on his forehead.

"Bhai," he said, slightly breathless, "we found them. Their names are Ranjan Sahu and Kailash. They only target celebrities... always."

Sher Singh's eyes shifted toward me, sharp as blades. "Celebrity hai ladki? Famous?"

I forced myself to answer calmly. "No... she's an author."

For a moment, he looked genuinely puzzled, then let out a mocking laugh. "Author bhi celebrity hote hai kya?" His tone was dripping with sarcasm.
("Authors count as celebrities now?")

I clenched my jaw. "Stop this nonsense. Just tell me where they're keeping Alisha."

The smirk slid from his face. Slowly, deliberately, he lifted the barrel of his gun and pointed it at me. "You're in a hurry, aren't you Boy? Money first. Free me itna kar diya... that's enough."

His finger rested too comfortably on the trigger, but fear had no place inside me anymore. Not when Alisha's life was hanging in the balance. I pulled out my phone, dialed Vijay, and said through gritted teeth, "Transfer the money. Now."

Within thirty seconds, Sher Singh's phone buzzed. Payment confirmed. He glanced at the screen and smiled, teeth flashing like a predator.

"Good boy," he drawled. "Now my men will track them down and deliver her to you."

"No." My voice cut through the smoke-filled air. I leaned forward, unwavering. "Just give me the address. I'll bring her back myself."

His grin vanished. Irritation flared in his eyes, his face tightening as though he was fighting the urge to pull the trigger right then. "Tujhe pakka marane ka man kr rha hai....bahut irritating hai re tu, kaise jhelati hai tujhe Teri bandi?"

("I definitely feel like killing you....you are so irritating. How does your girl tolerate you?")

He turned sharply to one of his men. "Chintu. Take him with you. Nhi to meri jaan kha jayega."

The air was thick, choking, but I didn't flinch. I followed as we moved out, every nerve burning with the same thought-Ranjan Sahu. Kailash. If Alisha has even a scratch on her... I'll make sure they beg for death before I'm done with them.

<•∆∆∆∆∆•>

We were standing outside the abandoned godown when Chintu muttered, "They're only two people inside. Nothing to worry about."

My chest tightened. "Nothing to worry about? Alisha is in there. If anything happens to her-"

Before I could finish, Chintu snapped irritably, "Chup ho ja, Majnu Aashiq."

The insult hit me, but I ignored his words, but Gaurav repeated with a mocking grin, "Majnu Aashiq... all this for Alisha."

For a moment, his words struck me deep. Was I really acting like a desperate lover? My thoughts scattered, but before I could answer myself, I saw Shreya walking toward us. My heart sank. The instant I saw her, I grabbed her arm tightly. "What the hell are you doing here? Do you even know how dangerous this place is?"

Chintu waved dismissively. "Danger? Yahan koi khatra nahi. Khatra un do ko hai. We're more, they're less."

But I didn't care what he said. My eyes stayed locked on Shreya. "Who gave you this address?" I demanded.

She faltered, then her eyes flickered toward Gaurav. The truth struck me like lightning.

"You told her," I hissed at him. "Don't you dare call yourself her friend."

Gaurav's face hardened. "Tumse to achha hi hu, hazar guna jyda chinta rhta hai mujhe Shreya ki"
("I'm far better than you, I care about Shreya a thousand times more to you")

"Itna hi rahta hai to tum Shreya ko yaha nhi bulate, kharate me." I snapped.
("If you cared that much, you wouldn't have dragged her into danger!")

Before the argument could spiral, Shreya cut in, her voice sharp. "Enough! This isn't about us. Alisha's inside."

Chintu chuckled lightly, his gaze lingering on her. "Shreya ji... aap hi sabse samajhdaar lag rahi ho. Aap tino me."
("You seem to be the most sensible among the three of you.")

Flirting. At a time like this? Rage surged through me, and I glared at him. "Shut up. Just tell me the damn plan."

Unbothered, he continued, "I've got twenty men. We'll surround the godown from all sides and force them to surrender."

"And if they don't?" I asked sharply.

He didn't even blink. "Then we kill them."

"Kill them?" I asked
("Maar denge?")

"Marenge nhi to kya chuma lenge" he said.
("If we don't kill, will we kiss them?")

We began moving forward. My heart pounded as my eyes fell on her-Alisha. She was tied to a chair, her wrists bound tightly with rope. The men were taunting her, and then-one of them slapped her hard across the face.

Rage exploded inside me. I couldn't control it. "How dare you touch her!" I shouted, charging forward.

"Dhat teri ki!" Chintu cursed behind me. "This Majnu Aashiq just ruined the plan! Surround the building now!"

Shreya and Gaurav shouted after me, but I was already charging in. One of the men stepped forward, sneering. "Kaun hai be tu?"

We clashed. I wasn't a fighter, but some raw strength surged through me. My fists landed, once, twice, and the man staggered back. I pushed forward, desperate to reach her.

But before I could, the other man yanked Alisha up, holding her tight with a gun pressed against her temple. "Ruk ja!" he barked. "One more step, and she dies."

I stopped dead. My heart thundered in my chest as Alisha's terrified eyes met mine.

Behind me, Chintu's voice rang out. "Ranjan, bandook neeche kar. Warna tu gaya."
("Ranjan! Drop the gun or you're finished.")

But ranjan smirked, his grip tightening on her.

Chintu said in very voice "Agar ladki maari, to woh hamri galti nhi hogi, tumhari hogi. Manju Aashiq."
("If this girl dies, it won't be on me. It'll be on you-you Majnu Aashiq.")

My throat closed up. My fault. If anything happened to her because of me, I'd never forgive myself.

"No one moves!" I shouted, desperate. "Stay back. Don't risk her life!"

Ranjan barked, "Tell your men to clear the way. I know Chintu has the place surrounded. I want an exit, or she dies."

"Do it!" I pleaded, turning to Chintu.

Chintu shook his head. "No. He'll escape."

"If you don't, she'll die!" My voice cracked with desperation. "Don't you understand? He'll kill her!"

The tension was unbearable. Then, suddenly-a scream. Ranjan's.

I spun around just in time to see Shreya, a broken rod in her hands, striking him across the head. The gun clattered to the floor.

"Alisha!" I shouted, rushing forward. She broke free and ran to me, stumbling straight into my arms.

I caught her, pulling her tight against me. Her face was streaked with blood and tears. My hands trembled as I cupped her face, brushing away the strands of hair sticking to her wounds. For a brief moment, it felt like the world had stopped, like nothing else mattered.

And then... her lips parted, her voice weak.
"K..koun ho. Tum?"
("W..Who.. are you?")

The words cut through me like a blade. The words gutted me. My breath caught in my chest. What?

My world shattered. My breath caught in my chest. Did she... not recognize me?

It felt like the ground disappeared beneath my feet. My entire world collapsed in that instant.

"No... Alisha... it's me, Your Bhalu..Your Jayant." I whispered, my voice cracking. But before I could say another word, her body went limp.

"Alisha!" I cried, shaking her gently. "Wake up! Please-wake up!"

But she didn't. She lay unconscious in my arms, and I held her tighter, my heart breaking into a thousand silent pieces.

I didn't think. I couldn't. The moment Alisha collapsed in my arms, instinct took over. get her out, get her safe. I scooped her up against my chest, her weight frighteningly light, her body limp and unresponsive. My ears caught fragments of voices-Chintu shouting, Gaurav calling my name, Shreya begging me to wait-but they were nothing but noise. I wasn't listening. I couldn't afford to.

All I knew was that she needed help. Now.

I rushed outside, my pulse hammering like a war drum. My car keys nearly slipped from my trembling hands, but somehow I unlocked the door, slid inside, and placed her carefully on the passenger seat. Her head tilted, her body swayed lifelessly, and panic surged through me.

"Stay with me... please," I whispered, fumbling with the seatbelt, strapping her in as gently as I could. She looked so fragile, so breakable, like porcelain that might shatter with the slightest touch.

The engine roared to life, and I slammed my foot on the accelerator. The tires screeched against the gravel as the car leapt forward. I drove recklessly, my eyes darting between the road and her. Her head kept lolling sideways, her body slumping, and every time it happened, I shot my arm across her, holding her upright.

"Alisha... don't do this to me, don't dare to leave me ." I muttered, my voice breaking, tears burning at the edges of my eyes. "You'll be fine. You have to be fine."

The road blurred. I don't even remember the turns I took, or the traffic lights I ignored. All I remember is the hollow terror clawing at my chest, and the way her silence echoed louder than any scream.

By the time I skidded to a halt in front of the hospital, my breath was ragged, my hands shaking violently around the wheel. I didn't waste a second. Throwing the door open, I ran to her side, lifted her once again into my arms, and stormed through the sliding glass doors.

"Doctor!" I shouted, my voice raw. "Help! Somebody help us!"

Nurses turned, startled. A doctor rushed forward with a stretcher. I laid her down, my hands lingering on her as if letting go might mean losing her forever.

Not until they tore her from me and pushed her through the double doors, disappearing into a place where I couldn't follow.

And then-silence.

The corridor felt endless, suffocating. My chest heaved, my throat burned, my hands still carried the phantom weight of her body. My mind screamed questions-Why did she collapse? She wasn't bleeding, she wasn't shot. Then why? Why?

Every thought ended in the same terror.

What if I was too late? What if I never hear her voice again? What if she never wakes up?

___________________________________________

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