𝓛𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓕𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓑𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓼 [*Complete*]

Ch. 39 ⭐

6 hours before Rajveer's death.

Shikhawat house,
Delhi.

The morning was bustling as Naina and Khushi ventured out to the sabzi mandi, their arms linked as they navigated through the vibrant marketplace. It was Khushi's day off, and she was delighted to show Naina around the local vegetable market, chatting enthusiastically as they picked through fresh produce, haggling with vendors and sharing laughter. 

Nandini and Manik had also headed out, tasked with finding furniture and clothes for Navya's baby. Lala and Madhumati were eager to set up a comfortable room where Dev, Navya, and little Daisy could all stay together. Since Dev and his family would soon be returning to Sydney, it was agreed that Navya would stay at the Gehlot house until she was ready to travel with her newborn. With the two houses side by side, everyone could help care for her and her baby.

At home, the rest of the youngsters were either at school or college, and the household was unusually quiet. Navya found herself hanging out with Shikha and Garima, sharing stories over cups of tea. They were laughing and reminiscing about their pregnancies, swapping tales of wild cravings and how they'd made their husbands dash out at odd hours to satisfy them. Though Navya joined in with the laughter, her mind kept wandering to the dull ache in her back, which had been bothering her since the morning. It was subtle at first, but as time passed, it began to spread towards her lower abdomen.

Navya took a deep breath, trying to brush off her worries. She'd experienced false labor pains before and assumed that this was more of the same, just another inconvenient part of the late pregnancy. Since she was only in the middle of her ninth month, she figured she still had time before the baby arrived. She didn't want to alarm anyone, so she kept quiet, choosing instead to focus on the stories Garima and Shikha were sharing.

.. .. - - - - .. .. 

As Naina and Khushi were heading back from the sabzi market, their arms were full of fresh vegetables. Naina, chatting with Khushi, was hardly paying attention to her handbag, which hung loosely over her shoulder. The market was crowded with people haggling, vendors shouting, and the air filled with the mingling scents of spices and fresh produce. Suddenly, Naina felt a sharp tug on her shoulder.

Turning around, she saw a man dashing away with her handbag in his grip, weaving through the crowd with practiced agility. The shock of the moment froze her for a second, but then she reacted instinctively.

"Hey! Stop! Thief!" she shouted, shoving her bags in Khushi's arms and taking off after him.

"Bhabhi!" Khushi called, startled by the sudden commotion, but Naina was already several steps ahead, chasing the thief as fast as she could through the dense crowd. She weaved around startled shoppers, ducking under vegetable carts and dodging stray children, her eyes fixed on the snatcher's retreating form.

The thief was quick, slipping through the crowded market with ease. Naina pushed herself, desperate to close the gap. But no matter how fast she ran, the crowd seemed to thicken, with people blocking her path, oblivious to the chase. Just when she thought she was gaining on him, he turned a corner, and she lost sight of him in the chaos.

Naina stopped, breathing heavily as she looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. But he was gone, vanished into the maze of stalls and people. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to calm herself as she realized her purse was gone for good.

Frustrated, Naina turned around and returned to Khushi.

Khushi's face was filled with concern. "Are you okay, Bhabhi? Did you get him?" she inquired.

Naina grimaced. "No, he got away. I couldn't run as fast in saree." she pouted looking down at her outfit. She shook her head, trying to push down the wave of anger.