A Night on a Highway (completed)

chapter-3

Quick note – I have immense respect for Nobel Laureates and no way mean to disrespect them. All mentions about the prize and inventions are imaginary and for this story's purpose. Also, all uses of chemicals mentioned are fictitious. You will know what I mean as you read further...

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When a team of police force reached that abandoned farmhouse where Guptas were held captive, they heaved a sigh of relief. Garima, Buaji and Payal hadn't slept a wink while Shashi was just closing his tired eyes. The goons were still under effect of sleeping pills and slightly waking up when Police arrested them.

Garima and Payal helped Shashi wrap the shawl around him, at the same time looking for Khushi amongst the police team. She had finally succeeded in reaching police station and saved them. And most importantly, even after Shyam managed to flee, he hadn't been able to stop her... that was enough for now. But where was Khushi?

One of the policeman called Manik in the meanwhile,

"Sirji, the alibi checks out. We have caught some semi-conscious armed men here along with 3 ladies and a paralytic man. There is also some ammunition found near these men so looks like they were indeed holding this family captive." one of the policeman informed Manik and he asked them to get Gupta family in police station.

"Hai re Nand kishor, you are all here finally. Our titaliya saved us after all. Where is she?" Buaji started asking one of the policeman who helped them climb in their van as well as seizing the farmhouse as a crime scene!

"She is in police station. Now, stay quiet." a constable informed her and wheeled in Shashi Gupta's chair in the van as well... he knew this man was a paralytic patient but for a moment he felt as if the man said a faint 'meri bitiya (my daughter)'. Shaking his head that he was probably overstressed and imagining things, he helped the wheelchair further into their van and signaled for his colleague to start the vehicle.

.

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"Nani, chote ka kuch call aaya (did chote call)?" Anjali asked Devyani early morning that day. Arnav hadn't returned home entire night and she was worried now.

"Nahi bitiya, chote hasn't called neither returned home since last night." Devyani said in a low tone, at the same refusing to take the teacup that hariprakash(HP) brought for her

"Hello Hi bye bye, sasuma, bhat (what) are you saying, our Arnav bituwa isn't home yet?" Mamiji asked in her usual high pitch tone

"Mano, you are saying as if you don't know. You have been waiting for him entire night and looking out from our room's window with those binoculars of yours" Mamaji said, he was irritated that he hadn't been able to have proper sleep last night. It wasn't that he was not worried for Arnav, but he knew, Arnav could take care of himself, he was a grown man. Besides, he often worked late.

Mamiji flustered hearing him catch her lie and nosiness, and tried to salvage the situation, "hum- hum toh ee dekh rahe the ki kahi wo Ms. kashyap ke sath (I was just checking if he isn't returning with Ms. Kashyap)-" she started explaining but got interrupted by a shrill ring of landline phone.

Aakash picked it up promptly, "Hello?"

"This is sub inspector Nandini Murthy speaking-" Nandini briefly talked about Arnav being in police station for an accident case and Shyam being dead in the same and asked him to inform that their family was summoned in police station

And the receiver dropped from his hand after hearing the news,

"Aakash! Kya hua (what happened)? Chote thik toh hai na (Is chote fine)?" Anjali asked, worried. Aakash looked as if he saw a ghost (or rather heard about a ghost!).