Part 14: Through Fire and Shadows
The flames roared behind them, casting eerie shadows on the crumbling bridge as Ansh and Anvi raced toward the far end. The sound of gunfire and the relentless chopping of the helicopter’s blades filled the air, a haunting symphony of chaos.
“Faster!” Ansh urged, his voice cutting through the din as his hand gripped Anvi’s tightly.
Anvi’s legs burned with every step, her lungs gasping for air, but she didn’t slow down. She trusted Ansh with everything she had, and right now, his sheer determination was the only thing keeping her going.
Behind them, the wreckage of the explosion still crackled, but the helicopter had regained its focus. Its powerful spotlight swept over the scene, finally locking onto the fleeing pair.
“There!” the voice boomed from the loudspeaker, and the mounted gun whirred ominously as it aimed.
Ansh didn’t hesitate. He pulled Anvi behind a section of rusted railing, shielding her with his body as the first volley of bullets tore through the air. The deafening sound of gunfire made Anvi flinch, her hands clutching his arm tightly.
“Ansh,” she gasped, her voice trembling, “we’re trapped!”
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A Risky Plan
Ansh’s sharp eyes scanned their surroundings, his mind racing. The edge of the bridge loomed just a few meters away, but beyond it lay nothing but darkness and the roaring river below.
“They’re herding us,” he muttered, his jaw clenching. “They want us cornered.”
“Then what do we do?” Anvi asked, panic creeping into her voice.
Ansh turned to her, his expression fierce but resolute. “We fight smart.”
He quickly reached for the earpiece in his pocket, activating the secure line to Samar. “Status?”
Samar’s voice crackled through, strained but steady. “We’ve managed to pin down most of their ground units, but the helicopter is still active. I’ve got someone working on that.”
“Good,” Ansh replied, his voice firm. “Cover our retreat. We’re heading toward the river.”
“The river?” Samar sounded skeptical. “Sir, that’s—”
“Just do it,” Ansh snapped before turning his attention back to Anvi.
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A Leap of Faith
The helicopter’s gun roared again, sending another round of bullets ricocheting off the metal railing. Ansh pressed Anvi closer, shielding her from the onslaught.
“We have to jump,” he said suddenly, his voice steady despite the madness around them.
Anvi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Jump? Into that?” She gestured toward the raging river below.
“It’s our only chance,” he said, his hand cupping her face briefly, his thumb brushing against her cheek. “Trust me, Anvi. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Her heart pounded as she stared into his eyes, the intensity of his gaze melting away her fear. She nodded, her voice barely audible. “I trust you.”
Ansh gave her a small, reassuring smile before taking her hand again. “On my count. Three… two…”
The helicopter’s spotlight locked onto them again, and the gunner prepared to fire.
“One!”
Ansh pulled her with him as they leapt off the edge, the cold night air rushing past them as they plunged into the dark abyss below.
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The Fall
The river hit them like a shockwave, the icy water stealing the breath from Anvi’s lungs. She sank beneath the surface, disoriented and struggling to find her bearings. But then she felt Ansh’s arm wrap around her waist, pulling her upward.
When they broke the surface, she gasped for air, coughing as the current tugged at her.
“Hold onto me!” Ansh shouted over the roar of the water, his grip on her firm as he kicked toward the riverbank.
The current was strong, dragging them downstream with relentless force. Ansh’s muscles burned with effort, his wounds screaming in protest, but he refused to let go of her.
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A Moment of Safety
After what felt like an eternity, Ansh managed to drag them onto a rocky shore, collapsing onto the wet ground as the adrenaline began to fade. Anvi clung to him, her body trembling from the cold and shock.
“Ansh,” she whispered, her voice weak but filled with relief. “We made it.”
He pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her protectively. “We’re not safe yet,” he said, his voice low but resolute.
Anvi buried her face against his chest, her tears mixing with the rain that began to fall. “I thought… I thought I’d lose you.”
“You won’t,” he murmured, his hand stroking her hair gently. “Not now, not ever.”
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The Threat Remains
Their moment of respite was short-lived. The distant hum of engines reminded Ansh that the fight wasn’t over. The syndicate wouldn’t give up so easily.
He helped Anvi to her feet, his hand lingering on her arm as he steadied her. “We need to keep moving,” he said, his eyes scanning the dark forest ahead. “There’s a safe house nearby. We’ll regroup there.”
Anvi nodded, her trust in him unshaken despite the fear that lingered in her heart.
As they disappeared into the shadows of the forest, the sound of the helicopter faded, but the danger loomed closer than ever.
Unbeknownst to them, a figure emerged from the wreckage of the bridge, his face twisted with rage and determination.
“Raijyada,” the man muttered, his voice filled with venom. “You can’t run forever.”
The chase wasn’t over, and the stakes had never been higher.
Would Ansh and Anvi find safety, or was the darkness closing in for good?
To Be Continued...
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THE RAIJYADA PROPOSAL
RomanceWhen tradition and ambition collide, love becomes the ultimate test of destiny. Anvi Deshmukh, a young woman with dreams that extend far beyond her family's expectations, is independent, driven, and reluctant to be bound by marriage. However, her wo...
