1945, My Love Story (Unedited & Raw Version)

Phase XVXV: A Bullet From Hate Gun

For a single heartbeat, the world around me froze. I stood motionless, eyes fixed on Palash. Moments later, he collapsed forward, landing face-first on the hard, dusty ground. The sound of his fall shattered the stunned silence, igniting a wave of chaos as bystanders screamed and scattered, their footsteps echoing into the distance.

My mouth fell open, and in that instant, every memory of his smile rushed through my mind—the warm grin that he always gave me. But now, that smile was gone. My only true friend was lost forever.

"Palash beta!" Bhavani's anguished cry pierced the air, rebounding off the stone walls around us. Avni turned, her wide eyes brimming with fear as they met her father's.

"Arre nirdayi log, hey bhagwan!" Bhavani's voice cracked as he sobbed, shaking Palash's lifeless body in a futile attempt to wake him. The sight clawed at my heart, but before he could do more, an angry policeman stepped forward and kicked him to the ground.I pressed my hand tighter over Avni's mouth, holding her trembling body close as silent tears seeped between my fingers. I was powerless, unable to protect her from the horror unfolding before us.

The thud of the rifle butt against Bhavani's back was brutal. "Where is your daughter?" The officer's voice, harsh and insistent, met Bhavani's defiance. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the sight, but the sounds painted vivid scenes behind my lids."Nahi bataunga!" Bhavani's voice, fierce with rebellion, startled me into opening my eyes. Avni's gaze, filled with awe and fear, met mine. His eyes shone with unwavering determination. "Mar jaunga tabhi bhi nahi bataunga. Tum log iss desh se zarur nikloge, main is mitti mein mil jaunga apne sine me goli khake, shahid ho jaunga, par apni beti ko tum goron ke niche dabne nahi dunga," he spat, his chest heaving as he glanced at Palash. "Hindustan swatantra desh banega, aur meri beti zarur dekhegi woh, khush rahegi woh. Main garv karta hoon har unn betiyon par aur iss jaise bete par, jinhone apne desh ke liye tum jaise logon ke khilaf awaz uthaya hai. Mar do mujhe, maro!" He tore open his shirt, baring his chest defiantly. "Maro! Thu!" The spit that landed on the officer's face made him tremble with rage. Without a moment's hesitation, he raised his gun and aimed it at Bhavani's forehead. The crack of the shot echoed, and blood splattered against the wall. Avni jolted at the sound, then slumped unconscious into my arms. I could only stare, numb, as Bhavani's body crumpled beside Palash's.

A shocking silence followed.

A silence that gnawed at the soul.

I released my hold on Avni's mouth and buried my face in my hands, pressing against the cold stone wall for support. Avni's head rested limply on my lap, her face pale and lifeless.

The policemen moved briskly, dragging the bodies away without a hint of empathy. In moments, they were gone, leaving only streaks of blood behind. I stared blankly, unable to summon words or tears. They had given their lives for us without a final goodbye. Minutes passed like hours.

"Mmm...ba..." A faint sound pulled me from my daze. I looked down to see Avni's eyes flickering open, glazed and unfocused.

"Avni..." I whispered, patting her cheeks. "Avni, wake up.

"She blinked slowly, panic flashing in her eyes. "Baba!""Shh..." I placed a trembling hand over her mouth. "We have to go. It's not safe." The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over. She clung to me, her sobs silent and fractured. I held her close, pressing a kiss to her fevered forehead.

"Avni, you're burning up," I realised with alarm, but she only wept into my shoulder, numb with grief. "We can't stay here. The bus is too dangerous. We'll head to the railway station," I urged, pulling her to her feet.

We moved cautiously, blending into the dim station's shadows, avoiding the blood-streaked ground. The market's bustle nearby was our only hope, a place to merge with the crowd and vanish.