Species Of Life

40. Vanished Silence 🎵🕳️(Updated)

Sid was walking back to his room after making Abhi fall asleep when he suddenly bumped into someone in the hallway. Startled, he muttered, "Sorry..." but the response he got was anything but forgiving.

"For how many things are you going to say sorry?" came Jan's sharp reply, her voice trembling with suppressed rage.

Confused, Sid asked, "What do you mean?"

Before he could process anything further, Jan's fury exploded. She grabbed Sid by the collar and slammed him against the wall, her long nails digging into the skin of his throat. "You've ruined my life, Siddharth Nigam," she seethed. "Every time something good happens, you just show up and destroy everything. Why can't you let me be happy? First, you took everyone from me—and now Faisu? Just remember, you will pay for all your deeds. I will make sure of it."

She released him suddenly, her breathing ragged, leaving visible nail marks on his neck. The two stared at each other—her eyes burning with fury and hatred, while Sid's eyes reflected nothing but pain. Without another word, Jan turned and walked away, leaving Sid against the wall, eyes shut, as he tried to keep the storm inside him from breaking out.

Later, Sid stood outside a room he hadn't opened in a long time. He turned the lock slowly, and the door creaked open. The moment he stepped inside, memories rushed over him like a wave—some bitter, some sweet. Each item in the room had a story to tell, and tears streamed down his face as he scanned the room that once held so much life.

The next morning came late in the household. Everyone had slept past dawn, exhausted by the weight of the night before. Avi was still asleep when Khushi came to wake her.

"Mumma, wake up," she called softly. "You forgot—me and Abhinav Bhai have to go to Nani's house."

The mention of the trip snapped Avi into alertness. The children had a short school break after their exams, and Nani had invited them over.

"Oh, sorry bachha, I forgot," she said, brushing her hand through Khushi's hair. "Go and get ready, I'll make breakfast."

But Khushi shook her head. "Nani said not to eat anything. She's made lots of food for us."

Avi raised a brow. "How do you know?"

Khushi beamed. "Me and Bhai woke up early and were playing when Shanta Didi said there was a phone call. It was Nani!"

Smiling, Avi nodded. "Alright. So where's Abhinav?"

"He went to wake Chacha-Chachi."

Avi sat up fully, suddenly realizing that Sid wasn't next to her. Frowning, she told herself he must be in the washroom. But when Khushi checked, the room was empty and the door unlocked.

"Mumma, Dad's not in the washroom," Khushi reported.

Avi's unease grew. She checked her phone, expecting a message—but there was nothing. Her chest tightened.

"Maybe he just stepped out..." she muttered to herself, trying not to alarm Khushi.

"Hmm?" Khushi asked.

"Nothing, sweetheart. Go get ready. I'll call Papa and find out."

As Khushi ran off, Avi dialed Sid's number. Her heart dropped when the ringtone came from inside the room—Sid's phone was still here. Panic beginning to settle in, Avi checked the terrace, the garden, the balcony, and every possible corner of the house. Still, no sign of him. Finally, she decided to ask Abhi.

She knocked on Abhi and Vaish's door. Vaish was tidying up when she turned to see Avi standing at the doorway.

"Come in, Avi," she said, continuing her task.

Bhabhi... where's Bhai?" Avi asked urgently.

Abhi stepped out from the washroom just then. "I'm here. What's wrong?"

"Sid's missing," Avi said quickly. "He's not in the room. I've checked everywhere."

Vaish looked up sharply. "What?!"

"I even tried calling, but his phone's still in the room."

Abhi looked serious now. "Where could he have gone?"

"Maybe Faisu knows," Vaish suggested.

Without waiting another second, they hurried downstairs. Faisu was sitting in the living room, reading the newspaper. Jan sat across from him, sipping her coffee, the two of them silent and distant after their previous fight.

"Faisu!" Avi called out as she approached.

"Yes, Avni?"

"Do you know where Sid is?"

Faisu lowered the paper, concerned. "No. What happened?"

"He's nowhere to be found," Abhi added. "We've checked the whole house."

"Every room?" Faisu asked quickly.

"I think maybe not—" Avi began, but Faisu interrupted.

"Music room."

A beat passed, then all of them rushed to the music room. Faisu reached first and tried to open the door. It was locked from inside. He exchanged a worried look with Abhi. Both men began trying to force it open.

It took three or four solid attempts before the door finally gave way.

They burst into the room—what they saw inside froze them in place.

And in that suspended moment of silence, every heartbeat in that room screamed the same question: What had happened to Sid?

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