Species Of Life

23. From Silence to Storm ⚡(Updated)

After Abhisek left, Akshu sat beside the bed, curling into herself as her knees pressed close to her chest. Her body trembled with every sob as tears poured from her eyes. She couldn't understand why life had to be so complicated—why happiness always seemed so far out of reach. Her silent cries echoed in the still room for fifteen minutes until something within her snapped.

"No," she whispered to herself, wiping her cheeks. "Crying won't help. I need the truth... whatever it takes."

She looked at the clock. It was midnight in India—8:30 PM in Paris. Stablizing herself, she picked up her phone, took a deep breath, and dialed Siddharth's number.

In Paris

Siddharth was driving to pick up his friend for dinner, his phone connected to the car's Bluetooth system. When it rang, he answered without checking the screen.

"Hello..." he said casually, the faint sound of honking audible in the background.

Akshu's heart skipped a beat. She could tell he was driving.

"Ashu..." she whispered.

Siddharth's voice faltered. "Akshu? Is that you?" His eyes darted toward the car screen to confirm what he thought he'd just heard.

"I need to—" But before she could finish, a loud crashing sound cut through the line.

Her breath caught. "Ashu!" she screamed.

The line went dead.

She called again. The phone rang but no one answered.

Fear twisted in her chest. She could feel her heartbeat in her throat. Panic clawed its way into her mind as she imagined the worst. Clutching the phone tightly, she rushed to Faisu's room—but it was empty. She ran to the balcony, and there she found him.

"Faisu..." she gasped, breathless. He turned, immediately concerned at the sight of her tear-streaked face and heaving chest. Without a word, he walked to her, wiped her tears gently, and guided her to the nearby sofa. As he turned to fetch water, Akshu grabbed his hand.

"Please don't go... stay here."

"I was just getting water for you," he said softly.

"I don't want water," she whispered.

He sat beside her, holding her hand. "Now tell me what happened."

Fresh tears slid down her cheeks. "Please call Ashu... he is not picking up my call."

"Maybe be busy...," Faisu began, trying to comfort her, but she interrupted him.

"I was talking to him... and then... I heard a crash. A car crash."

Faisu froze. "What?!"

"I want my Ashu safe..." Her voice cracked under the weight of her fear.

He didn't reply at first. His mind raced, trying to comprehend what she'd said. She shook him gently. "Faisu!!"

Coming out of his thoughts, he dialed a number. His fingers trembled as he called Riyaz, a mutual friend in Paris. The first call went unanswered. On the second attempt, Riyaz picked up.

"Hello, Faisu," Riyaz answered, his voice tense.

"Is Siddharth with you?"

There was a pause. "Woh... actually..."