My vision blurs. My limbs grow heavy. The last thing I see is Madhav Uncle lying motionless on the ground, lips moving in what looks like a silent prayer, and Maa’s face twisted in horror as she screams my name.
Rudra—a half whisper escapes from me. And then—darkness engulfs me.
54
RUDRAKSH
I sit at the head of the table, surrounded by my employees, the sound of their voices blending into an indistinct buzz. The meeting is important, and I am trying to focus, I really am, but my mind keeps drifting back to Shivani. I can still feel the softness of her lips, the way her body molded against mine this morning. A small smile tugs at my lips just thinking about her.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glance at the screen, and a frown covers up my face—it’s Maa. A knot of worry forms in my stomach. She never calls during meetings unless it’s something urgent. I step out of the conference room, my chest tight with unease.
“Maa, what happened?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Raksh… Raksh…” Her voice is frantic, barely coherent. It just makes me worry more.
My heart pounds harder in my ribcage. “Maa, calm down and tell me what happened.”
“It’s Shivani…” she tells me frantically, her voice breaking. “T-They took Shivani.”
For a second, I can’t breathe. Ice floods my veins as my grip on the phone tightens. “Who took Shivani? What happened, Maa?”
“I don’t know, beta. They looked dangerous. We were at the jewelry store, and then—then there were gunshots. They took her, Raksh. You have to find her. Please, find her.”
Fear and rage swirl inside me, a toxic mix that makes my vision blur. “I’ll find her, Maa. I promise. Stay safe. I’m coming.” My voice comes out steady and firm.
I hang up and immediately dial Siddhant and Aryan. They pick up on the second ring, both instantly alert.
"Hey bro—" Aaryan chirps, but I interrupt him.
“Siddhant, Aryan— I need your help. Shivani’s been kidnapped.”
“What? When? How?” Siddhant’s voice echoes sharply, all business.
“Just now. They took her from Janki Jewelers. I need all the CCTV footage from the roads around the area. Every angle. Every camera. Can you get that for me?”
“We’re on it,” Aryan replies, and I hear shuffles in the background.
“Fast,” I snap. “I’ll find her, no matter what. Even if I have to search every damn atom in this city—I will find her. And I won’t spare the ones who took her.” I end the call and head back into the conference room. Everyone looks up. “I need to leave. There’s an emergency,” I announce, and they all quietly empty the office. No one questions me. They know better than to ask.
As I drive toward the jewelry store, my mind races with nonstop questions. Who would dare take Shivani? What do they want? My hands tighten around the steering wheel, knuckles white. The anger bubbling inside me feels like it's about to explode.
Then it clicks in my mind. It must be Ranveer. It has to be. And an ugly feeling crawls in my gut at his name. I will kill him.
I won’t rest until she’s back in my arms, safe and sound. I won’t let anyone take her away from me. I promise myself—and her—silently:I’m coming to you, baby. Just hold on.
When I reach the store, it’s chaotic. Police cars. Shattered glass. People crying and shouting. I wander my eyes around and spot Maa. My heart twists at the sight of her tear-streaked face. “Maa,” I call out, rushing to her.
She clings to me, sobbing uncontrollably.
“We’ll find her, Maa. I promise,” I whisper, my voice cracking as I hold her tightly.
“Madhav ji didn’t survive,” she sobs into my chest. “He took a bullet for Shivani…”
A surge of grief and gratitude hits me all at once. Shivani’s going to be devastated—he meant a lot to her. I pat her head trying to calm her down, but Maa is shaken up pretty badly.
“I’m sorry, beta. I couldn’t save her,” Maa cries, and I rub her back soothingly. It's not her fault; I should have known this was coming.
“Maa, you need to go home and rest. I promise I’ll find Shivani. I’ll do everything in my power to bring her back.” My voice is firm, but inside, I’m shaking.
