Love Story

Chapter 3

Pallavi went to her room on the first floor. She sat on her balcony and thought about the exhausting day she had. Dealing with customers and managing the store took a lot out of her.

But then her mind shifted to a troubling incident that had endangered her life. She wondered how someone could put another person's life at risk. What if it had been a child in her place? What if something terrible had happened to them? When Pallavi spoke to her shop attendants, they told her the person responsible was named Raghav, also known as Raghu Bhai. He was a small-time thug, but he helped those who were kind to him. Regardless, now that he was her neighbor, Pallavi was determined to teach him a lesson.

The moon shone brightly in the sky. Raghav headed to his room on the first floor, hoping to unwind and take it easy. Little did he know that an unexpected sight awaited him. As he entered his room, he noticed her sitting in the balcony, gazing at the moon above. The soft moonlight gently caressed her face, casting an ethereal glow upon her. Raghav found himself unable to look away, completely captivated by her presence. It was as if time stood still as he watched her lost in her own thoughts. The balcony became a sanctuary of tranquility, and Raghav felt a sense of peace wash over him.

As minutes turned into hours, Raghav remained absorbed in the moment, observing her in silence and wondering what could be occupying her mind so intensely. Eventually, fatigue began to weigh on Raghav, signaling that it was time to rest. Reluctantly, he tore his gaze away from her and made his way to his own room. As he settled into bed, he couldn't help but carry with him the image of her face illuminated by the moonlight and he drifted into a peaceful slumber.

Next day morning.

Raghav's phone rang, interrupting his sleep. He quickly answered the call and told the person on the other end, "I'll be there in an hour," before ending the conversation. He got ready, came outside, and hopped on his bike, setting off towards his destination.

He arrived at Krishna Rao's house, a large bungalow where important decisions were made. Raghav entered the hall, where Krishna Rao and his associates were gathered. To his surprise, the man who had threatened Pallavi with a knife was also present.

Pointing at him, Krishna Rao spoke up, "Mahesh informed me that you foiled his plan to kidnap Saketh's sister." Raghav replied, "Only a fool would come up with such a plan. He wanted to snatch her away in broad daylight, with people around and CCTV cameras nearby. He would have been easily caught, and you too." Raghav continued, "When I tried reasoning with him, he resorted to threats. So, I had to take action."

Mahesh seethed with anger and retorted, "If he's so smart, tell him to come up with a better plan." Krishna Rao intervened, saying, "Raghu, you understand how crucial this is for me. Saketh is causing my business to suffer. I won't rest until he gives up and hands over that shop." Raghav responded, "Anna, I know how important it is to you. My plan is already in motion. I need to gain their trust, so they won't suspect anything until after she's been kidnapped." "Okay, Raghu, I trust your judgment," Krishna said. Mahesh stormed out, burning with the desire to teach Raghav a lesson, sooner or later.

Raghav rode his bike back to the market to buy some items for his home. Unbeknownst to him, Mahesh was lurking nearby, pointing a gun in his direction, waiting for the right moment to shoot. Just as Mahesh was about to pull the trigger, someone threw a rock at his gun. Bang! The shot narrowly missed Raghav, catching his attention. Without wasting a moment, Raghav started chasing after Mahesh, and the person who had saved his life joined in the pursuit. They ran for a while until Mahesh managed to escape their grasp.

"That sneaky weasel!" Raghav yelled, catching his breath. The other man reassured him, saying, "It's alright. We'll find him another day." Curiosity piqued, Raghav asked, "By the way, who are you? And why did you save my life?" The man introduced himself as Farhad, a recent arrival in Kolhapur searching for a job. He had noticed someone aiming a gun at Raghav and attempted to intervene. Grateful for the rescue, Raghav said, "Thanks, Farhad! You can call me Raghav." Raghav then inquired about Farhad's living arrangements, to which Farhad replied that he was staying in a nearby hotel until he found work. Concerned, Raghav offered, "You can stay with me. I live alone anyway, and you saved my life. It's the least I can do." Farhad expressed his gratitude, worrying that it might be a burden. Raghav insisted, "No way! You can move in today. We can pick up your belongings on the way." Together, they headed towards Raghav's bike.

By the time they reached Raghav's home, evening had set in. Raghav showed Farhad his room and said, "You can stay here. I'll be upstairs. Let me know if you need anything." Farhad nodded in agreement. Just then, Farhad received a phone call and excused himself, explaining it was his mother. He stepped outside to answer the call, assuring her, "Ha Amma, everything is fine here. I'm keeping an eye on both of them, and I don't think they remember. You can leave everything to me. Take care of yourself and Keerti, and have a good night!"