Nature's Comeback

24- An innocent mind

While Gyaan was busy with the twins, the researchers already took off to help others. Tej, Kriti and Abhinav went to look for the people who were still stuck, while Reyansh along with Tejas, Rewa and Sarah guided the people to leave the village without rushing.

Everyone was scared. Knowing fully well that the windstorm could return any minute. However, rushing would make matters worse. Running over each other would just injure themselves. The villagers were glad that there was someone who was taking a lead. At times like this, a small effort of being in front was enough to put everyone at ease.

Payal and her husband were still in a dilemma on what to do. They wanted to go and help. But they couldn't possibly leave Avan alone. Neither could they bring him along inside the chaos.

"What about those two?" Payal's husband asked as he pointed towards the twins.

Payal bit her lips, thinking over it, before rejecting the idea. "I have seen Ahana getting irritated by Avan multiple times today. We can't leave him with her. Let's just drop him off with Sarika and the other kids and come back."

"Gyaan," Payal called him to inform him about their whereabouts.

"The line of villagers is too long. I don't think you will be able to come back," Gyaan said, as he glanced at the crowd.

Looking at the tensed faces of the researchers, Gyaan assured them, "Go, taking Avan to safety is more important. We will manage here."

"Thank you and really sorry." Payal was feeling bad, but Avan was her first priority. Apologizing once more, she held Avan's hand to join the over growing crowd.

Gyaan looked at the twins expectantly, hoping that they had changed their minds.

"I am sure that you are ready to help now," Gyaan stated, hoping for a positive response. Alas! He was looking in the wrong place.

"You should have informed us beforehand that your treatment came with conditions." Ahana rolled her eyes, before moving to drag Neer away for the second time.

Gyaan puffed out some air in frustration. "They are a lost cause," he muttered under his breath, before turning away from them.

He stopped short when he saw Avan sitting in the middle of the road, throwing tantrums.

"I wanna help. I won't go," he kept chanting these lines, refusing to move an inch away from his spot.

Payal's face turned red with embarrassment when she noticed Gyaan staring at them.

Gyaan shook his head at the turn of events. Here Avan didn't want to leave without helping, whereas the twins didn't want to even think about staying here for more than a minute.

Gyaan blinked his eyes at Payal, reassuring her that it was nothing to be embarrassed about, before going on his way.

"Mom please....Dad tell mom. I want to he—," Avan's tantrums stopped abruptly, making his parents confused.

Avan suddenly stood up and ran with his full might towards the tree.

"Avan!" Payal and her husband yelled as their child ran for his life.

They too ran behind him and realized that Avan wasn't running towards the tree. It looked like that from afar because the tree blocked the view. In reality, Avan was after the twins who were too busy fighting with themselves to notice the impending doom that was about to fall upon them.

A loud creak was heard, which made Ahana and Neer stop in their tracks. However, the warning came too late. Before they could register what was happening, the tree fell off in their direction.

Not having any time to run, Ahana covered Neer's body to lessen the impact on him. She waited for the pain to come, but nothing sort of happened.

Neer and Ahana were pushed to the ground but the never ending pain was yet to come. Ahana opened her one eye, trying to gauge the situation. It didn't take long for the second eye to open as gaped, looking at Avan standing over them, taking the whole weight of the fallen tree.

"Roll away fast," Avan ordered with gritted teeth.

Ahana heard his voice but her shocked state couldn't register anything. Seeing her immobile form, Neer took charge. He clutched her body with one hand and used the other to roll away from the area.

The twins were away from the harm but still on the ground. The shock made them unable to get up.

Making sure that the twins were at the safe distance, Avan moved away from the tree, letting it fall with a thud.

"Avan!" His parents went on their knees to come to his height and started checking for any injuries.

Avan giggled suddenly, making Payal pause her search for wounds.

"My friend wouldn't hurt me," Avan said with a smile which soon turned into sadness as he noticed the condition of his friend.

He went to the place where half of the tree was still intact. Caressing the trunk, he pacified the tree, "Don't worry, you will grow up once again."

"Av..Avan," Ahana stuttered, not knowing how to thank him.

Avan gave out a toothed grin, happy that she was willingly talking to him now. For him that was better than a hundred thank you's.

Neer sat on his knees, coming to Avan's height before giving him a tight hug. "Thank you, little man. Thank you so much for saving my life."

"Your or Ahana Didi's life?" Avan asked with a giggle when he saw Neer looking at Ahana when he mentioned 'my life'.

"It is one and the same. If there's no Ahana then there's no Neer. So thank you for saving my life," Neer answered, while ruffling Avan's hair.

"Avan you completed your responsibility. You saved someone. So we can leave now, right?" Payal asked, knowing how her child's brain worked.

"Oh yes! I did it." Avan clapped happily.

In his innocent mind, he had already fulfilled the huge task Gyaan Bhaiya had given to other elements. And that too before them.

"Let's go then," Avan's father said, while picking up Avan and resting him on his shoulders.

"Bye bye Kiddo." Ahana waved, and this time her face held a smile rather than her usual scowl.

Avan waved happily to the twins, before tightly clutching his father for support.