TANGLED SOULS

Broken bonds -3

Abhimanyu Birla woke up, startled, from his deep slumber by the loud ringtone of his phone. He never put his phone on vibrate or silent mode whenever he slept now, as he took his sleeping and anxiety pills before dozing off. He calmed his drumming heart and rubbed his aching eyes before glancing at his phone, which showed 4pm. Damn, I was out all day? He should maybe decrease his doses, but at the same time, he knew he won't be able to close his eyes if he does it. So, he shrugged and answered his sister's call.

"Nish—"

"Bhai!!"

Abhimanyu stood up suddenly as he threw the comforter away in process, registering the alarming tone of his sister.

"Nishita, what's it? Are you alright!? Are you in college? Where's Rooh!?" He fired his questions as his whole posture changed, his worse fear of losing another person, seeing them in danger, was coming to life in a matter of few seconds as his heart pounded against the column of his chest.

"Bhaiya! I'm in Roohi's school! Her tour bus haven't...retur-ned yet—and they're saying many things, Bhaiya...something about riots and political parties creating ruckus in the city...I don't understand anything Bhai..." Nishita spoke in one go between her muffled cries.

"Baccha, don't worry, I'm coming!" He was already storming out of his bedroom as he wore his shoes and took the first keys that came to his hand. "Stay safe and strong, Nishita. I'll be there in ten minutes! Just—just keep me updated..." He assured further, his sister or him? He didn't know.

He only knew that losing Roohi, his little princess, the thought of her in danger would kill him. He'll die then. For sure. Without any doubts.

"I'm waiting Bhai, come fast..." She whispered back before hanging up.

"Abhi! Abhi, what happened? Why're you like this?" Manjiri Birla asked as soon as she saw him sprinting down the stairs and almost picking himself up on the ground. She ran to his side as she tried to keep up with his rapid pace. "Where are you going, Beta!? What happened?"

"Maa, it's Rooh!" He mumbled in hurry as he continued his way to the door. Manjiri gasped in shock and fear.

"W-What...?" She stopped in the middle of the hall and asked in a trembling voice. Abhimanyu stopped in his tracks and turned around. "Nothing happened. And nothing will happen. I'll bring your grandchild safely, Maa." He swore with the fire of determination burning in his gaze.

And with that he drove off, not realising that in his hurry, he started his bike—one of his symbol of love, after six years. Manjiri Birla stood at the doorstep, stunned as she watched her son driving his bike, after six years and her grip on the door tightened as she thought back about that day, when he went to Jaipur, alone in bike to find the love of his life, with the same fire of furry and determination, in his gaze.

***

"What do you mean the bus got stuck in the riot!?" A worried and an angry Akshara roared, followed by the agreements of few other parents behind her as she faced one of heads who accompanied them in the trip.

"The kids were your responsibility! You brought them to this trip! How can you just say simply that the bus got stuck in a random riot!?" She fired as she felt all her anger and a strong wave of fear crashing her being at once.

"Ma'am, try to understand. We're not even from this city. We couldn't foresee a political riot. The cops are on spot. They'll tackle it down soon. Then,—"

"Tackle is down soon? What guarantee you've!? How can you be so calm, Mr.Vedant!?" A parent asked from the group, disappointment and worry clear on her features.

"Listen, as parents, you're all concerned, scared for your children. I understand. But I'm also scared for my students. And along with the kids, there're also the two teachers who accompanied them. They're all my responsibility. Please try to understand my stand as well. I'm doing my best to deal with all this. I've already talked to the AC who is on spot because not only our bus is stuck, but there's also another school bus, there." The school head, Mr. Vedant explained with finality, which didn't really calm down the parents but at least made some of them, more understanding about the whole issue.

However, it didn't ease Akshara's worry as her heart pounded against the column of her chest for her son. Her baby. Her only thread to life. Her savior. She's sure of one thing. If something happened to— No. Akshara. Don't be a pessimist. Be positive. Your Abhir is brave, clever.—She chided herself as she wiped the trail of tear from her eye, adamant.

She knew her son will fight for himself, as she'd learned him to. But she as a mother, can't sit quietly, arms crossed, knowing that he's in danger. Hence, Akshara headed out of the hotel they were staying in, hands balled in fists, mind set on her goal : Her Abhir. There's no way she's losing him. Not after everything she's lost.

Things were out of hand in the center city of Udaipur as it was a chaotic mess. Shattered storefronts, smashed vehicles, demolished public places...Though, the police forces managed to maintain order at most of the part, the crowd was still turbulent and unruly.

Akshara's heart wrenched at the sight of the devastated city as she took in the extinguishing tires, and some people who were stuck in the riot being rushed to hospitals. Her mind was repeating one thing like a mantra. 'Keep my Abhir safe. Please, my baby should be safe.' Her heart dropped with a loud pound when she saw Abhir's trip bus at the other end of the highway. The shout of his name left her mouth unconsciously, as her eyes filled with hot, thick tears. Her whole being shook as her trembling legs ran towards the bus, a panic attack already kicking in, despite her efforts to fight it.

"ABHIR!!" She shouted louder as she got close to the bus, only to find it empty. Only then, she noticed another school bus, equally empty, parked a few feet away from her son's school bus. Her eyes widened at the slight crack on its corner before they darted back to the front of his bus, to find a scratch as well.— "ABHIIIRRR!!!" She yelled out, raw pain laced in her voice as she began to cry harder running around the bus to check for anyone in there. There wasn't a soul there, the police was occupied with the crowd to pay attention to two empty school buses.

"ABHIR PLEASE!! MERA BACCHA!!" She shouted without restraint as she checked in the bus to see the kids' bags and school stuff intact but the kids were missing. "Please, No. Not again..." She panicked, breathing getting labored as sweat covered her forehead. She gripped the metallic handle of the bus for support and clutched it tightly to not lose her balance as she looked around, wiping her streaming tears. "ABHIR!! CAN YOU HEAR MUMMA!? COME BACK TO MUMMAA!! PLE-ASE!! ABHIR!! ABHI—" She gasped for breath as she fell down on her knees, sobbing through her strained inhales of breaths.

She felt her whole crumbling as her worst fear was coming true. Her baby, her Abhir, her only reason of life, her everything, was—-"AKSHARA!" Her foggy brain and moistened vision couldn't see nor register the sight or the voice of the person who called her name but that touch, warm, protective, comforting, all of these at once : she could recognize it anywhere.

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Tadaaaa! Cliffhanger, I told you the real story will start very soon.
I'm very curious for your thoughts about this chapter.

Were you guys expecting this?
Is it you know who it is or someone else?
What happened to Abhir, Roohi and other kids?

Leave your guesses in the comment section! Oh and don't forget to vote.

Till next one, guys.
Arya.