The sun rose the next day, casting a warm glow over the world outside, but within Rohit, a storm brewed. The events of the previous night weighed heavily on his mind, and the cryptic message threatening Rahul and Athiya haunted him like a dark cloud. He couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen, and he couldn't afford to let anyone else get hurt—especially not his family.
As the day progressed, the atmosphere around the house was light. Laughter echoed through the hallways as the kids played, and the adults prepared for a small outing to celebrate Rahul and Athiya's recent engagement. It was meant to be a day of joy, but for Rohit, it was a countdown to disaster.
He kept his distance, observing everyone with a keen eye, particularly Rahul and Athiya. They were oblivious to the danger that lurked just beneath the surface. Every time Rohit looked at them, a knot tightened in his stomach. He had to protect them.
"Hey, bhai!" Rahul called, pulling Rohit back to reality. "You in there? We're leaving soon!"
"Yeah, just... I'll be right there," Rohit replied, forcing a smile, but inside, he was anything but okay. He knew he couldn't tell anyone about the threat; it would only worry them more. So he steeled himself, determined to shield them without revealing the truth.
As they piled into the cars, laughter and excitement filled the air. Rohit took a deep breath, willing himself to focus. "It's just a coincidence," he told himself. "Nothing's going to happen."
But as they arrived at the venue—a picturesque park bustling with life—Rohit felt a sense of unease wash over him. He scanned the area, looking for anything out of place. Mahi, Virat, and the others were distracted by the vibrant surroundings, but not Rohit; he was hyper-aware of every movement, every shadow.
While the group settled in and began to enjoy themselves, Rohit's instincts kicked in. He noticed a figure lingering near the entrance, his heart racing. It was too far away to identify, but something about the way the person stood, slightly hunched and darting glances toward Rahul and Athiya, set off alarm bells in Rohit's mind.
"Rohit! Come join us!" Anushka called, waving him over to the picnic setup. But he shook his head, eyes still fixed on the stranger. "I'll be there in a minute. Just... need some fresh air."
As he moved closer to the entrance, keeping a low profile, he could hear snippets of conversations, laughter echoing in the distance. Yet all he could focus on was the figure, who suddenly turned and headed toward Rahul and Athiya, who were now laughing and completely unaware of the impending danger.
Rohit's heart raced. "No, no, no..." he muttered under his breath. He needed to get to them, and fast. The threat he received from the previous night flashed through his mind, along with the words: "If not Rohit, then I will destroy the people important to him."
Just as the figure approached the couple, Rohit sprang into action. He dashed forward, adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Rahul! Athiya! Get down!" he yelled, lunging forward.
The couple turned, startled, just as the figure pulled out something shiny—a knife glinting in the sunlight. Time seemed to slow as Rohit collided with them, pushing them to the ground. The blade whizzed past them, narrowly missing.
Gasps erupted from the group, and Rohit quickly positioned himself between them and the attacker. "Stay back!" he shouted, glaring at the assailant. The figure hesitated, clearly caught off guard by Rohit's sudden appearance.
"Rohit, what's happening?" Athiya cried, wide-eyed, her voice trembling.
"Stay down," he urged, his voice firm. "It's not safe."
The assailant, realizing Rohit was a barrier between them and the couple, took a step back, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. Rohit could feel his heart pounding in his chest, anger and fear intertwining. "Who sent you?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.
But before the figure could respond, Rohit lunged forward, grabbing the person by the collar and shoving them away from Rahul and Athiya. "Get out of here!" he growled, adrenaline fueling his strength. The figure stumbled, momentarily disoriented, before bolting away.
"Rohit!" Rahul exclaimed, scrambling to his feet, eyes wide with shock. "What just happened?"
Rohit turned, still breathing heavily, taking in the scene. He saw the worry etched on their faces and felt the weight of what had just occurred settle on him like a heavy cloak. "I... I don't know," he replied, trying to catch his breath, but he knew it was a lie. The threat was real, and he had just narrowly saved them.
As others rushed over, concern flooded the area. "Are you guys okay?" Mahi asked, his voice tense, scanning the couple for injuries.
"Yeah, just a bit shaken," Rahul said, still trying to process what had just happened. Athiya was silent, staring at Rohit with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief.
"Rohit, what were you doing?" Virat questioned, voice tight with concern. "You could have gotten hurt!"
"I had a feeling something was wrong," Rohit replied, glancing at the direction the figure had fled. "I couldn't let anything happen to you."
Suddenly, the weight of his actions hit him. Rohit realized that he couldn't share the burden of his knowledge with them, not now, not ever. They would never understand the depths of his fears, the pressure of knowing someone was out to get them.
Tears brimmed in Athiya's eyes as she stepped forward, placing a hand on his arm. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You saved us."
Rohit offered a shaky smile, but deep inside, he was still shaken by the realization of just how close he had come to losing them. "Just... please be careful," he said, his voice cracking. "I can't lose anyone else."
Rahul and Athiya exchanged worried glances, and for a brief moment, Rohit felt the unspoken question hanging in the air: Why was he so protective?
But before they could voice their concerns, the others gathered around, relief evident on their faces as they realized everyone was safe. They began to ask questions, but Rohit stayed quiet, watching them with a heavy heart.
He knew he had to protect them, but at what cost? As the day wore on, Rohit felt the weight of his secret pressing down on him. He would carry this burden alone, shielding them from the shadows lurking just out of sight, even if it meant sacrificing his own peace.
*****
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