The MasterMind

✯𝐶𝒉𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 16: 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

Aarav is carrying Shivani out of the factory.

Shivani:(continuously glancing at Aarav) [inner voice] "Why is he looking straight ahead?"

Shivani fidgets with her hands.

Aarav:(without looking at Shivani) "Put your arms around my neck."

Shivani:(defiant) "No, I’m fine."

Aarav looks at Shivani. She immediately wraps her arms around his neck.

Shivani: "Done."

Aarav: (softly) "Good girl."

On the other side,

Rudra, Smaira, and Arjun are searching aimlessly in the factory.

Rudra:(inner voice) "We're wandering around this side while they are on the other. I can't just take them directly; they'll get suspicious."

Rudra: (out loud) "You know, you could just phone call them."

Smaira and Arjun look at each other, realizing they hadn’t thought of that.

Smaira:(slightly embarrassed) "Ye Toh Humne Socha Hi Nahin."
    (We didn't even think of that.)

Rudra: (teasing) "Aap ko pata hai, Sochne ke liye dimag chahiye Hota Hai." (You know, you need a brain to think.)

Smaira: (rolling her eyes) "Don’t try to be smart."

Rudra: (smirking) "I’m already smart."

Smaira glares at Rudra but takes out her phone to call Aarav. He doesn't pick up, so she dials Kabir instead.

Kabir: (answering the call) "Hello, Smaira."

Smaira: "Kabir, where are you? We’ve been wandering all over this factory."

Kabir: "We’re just outside, near the car."

Smaira: (worried) "Is Aadhya okay?"

Kabir: (confused) "Why wouldn’t she be? She’s perfectly fine."

Smaira: (relieved) "We'll be coming out in a moment."

Smaira hangs up the phone and looks around, clearly unsure of the exit.

Smaira: "Which way is out of here?"

Rudra: (confidently) "I know the way."

Outside the Factory - Car Area

Smaira, Rudra, and Arjun finally make their way out and see Aadhya and Kabir by the car. Smaira runs to Aadhya and hugs her. Aadhya doesn’t hug back.

Smaira: (worried) "Aadhya, are you okay?"

Aadhya: "I’m fine."

Smaira steps back.

Smaira: "When I heard the gunshot, I was so scared. Whose voice was that?"

Kabir: "That was Shivani. She’s been shot."

Smaira: "What? Where is she?"

Kabir: "Aarav sir is bringing her."

Aadhya:(suspicious) "Rudra, what are you doing here?"

Before Rudra can respond, Smaira interrupts.

Smaira: "We need to get Shivani to the hospital first."

Smaira sees Aarav carrying Shivani towards them. She runs to them.

Smaira(worried): "Shivani, don’t worry. We’ll get you to the hospital. You’ll be fine."