Lost but Not Forgotten

PART 26

Rohit and Ritika pulled up to a secluded house on the outskirts of the city, a place that felt like a hidden sanctuary away from prying eyes and the chaos of their recent return. The sun was setting, casting long shadows that danced across the ground as they stepped out of the car. The tension that had been building since their arrival in India hung in the air, thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

As they entered the house, they were greeted by two familiar faces: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, affectionately known as Bhuvi, and Ravichandran Ashwin. The warmth of their presence immediately eased some of the weight on Rohit's shoulders.

"Thanks for meeting us here," Rohit said, his voice filled with gratitude as he clasped Bhuvi's shoulder firmly.

"Always, bhai," Bhuvi replied, his eyes scanning the room, ensuring it was safe. "We've been keeping an eye on things ever since... well, you know."

Ritika nodded, understanding the unspoken history between them. "We appreciate it. I can't believe you guys knew where we were and didn't say anything."

Ashwin chimed in, a hint of regret in his tone. "We didn't want to intrude or push you, Rohit. We thought you needed space. But when we heard about the call..." He paused, the gravity of the situation settling in. "We couldn't stay away any longer. We had to help."

Rohit felt a surge of warmth at their loyalty, even if it had been clouded by doubt in the past. "I understand. I made mistakes too. I should have reached out sooner. I thought I could protect everyone alone."

Bhuvi shook his head. "You were never alone in this. We should have trusted you. We've all been through a lot, and we can face this together."

As they settled into the living room, the atmosphere shifted from tense uncertainty to a focused determination. Rohit took a deep breath, ready to share the full extent of what he had been facing since he received that haunting call.

"I got a message today," he began, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "It was from someone I never expected. They told me to keep Moksh and Sammy away from India, or else..."

Ritika's hand instinctively went to his, grounding him. "They threatened the kids, Bhuvi. It's serious."

Ashwin leaned forward, his expression serious. "Did they say who it was?"

"No. Just a voice... one I recognize from my past. It haunts me." Rohit's gaze turned distant as memories flooded back—days filled with fear, loss, and the desperate need to protect his family.

"Whatever happened back then, we're not letting it repeat," Bhuvi assured him. "We're in this together. We'll figure out a plan to keep Moksh and Sammy safe."

Ritika felt a mix of relief and anxiety at their resolve. "We need to let them know we're back and that they might be in danger. But how do we do that without putting them at risk?"

Bhuvi pulled out his phone, scrolling through contacts. "I can reach out to Ajinkya. He's always had your back, and now he'll want to protect his family. If he knows what's at stake, he can help."

"Do you think he'll understand?" Ritika asked, worry etched on her face.

"He will," Ashwin said confidently. "He's smart. He'll put the pieces together. But we need to be careful about how we communicate. We don't want to raise any alarms."

Rohit nodded, feeling the weight of their plan settling on his shoulders. "Let's make sure we're ready for anything. If they know I'm back, they might try to get to me through the kids."

Bhuvi looked at Rohit, determination sparking in his eyes. "Then we'll protect them. Whatever it takes."

As they began to formulate a plan, Ritika stepped away momentarily, looking out the window into the darkening sky. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in her heart, but knowing they had allies by their side brought a sense of comfort.