My Safe Haven

Chapter: 22: He is Back

Warning:- Emotional distress, Guilt and regret, Violence (gunshot), Mature themes. ⚠

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Thoughts are in italic...

Shashin's POV

Shashin's mind went blank. What? What just happened? he thought, his brain struggling to process the events unfolding before him. Time seemed to slow down as he watched, frozen, and then somehow, he found himself by the side of the man who'd just been shot.

As he tentatively turned the man over, his eyes locked onto the familiar face, and reality hit him like a ton of bricks. His limbs turned cold, and he cradled the man's head onto his lap, desperation creeping into his voice.

"Adi! Adi! Don't close your eyes! Please!" he begged, his eyes welling up with tears.

Adarsh, despite being shot, remained eerily calm. A weak smile spread across his face as he shakily grasped Shashin's hand. His voice barely above a whisper, he warned, "Be alert... Don't trust the closest person."

With those final words, Adarsh's eyes drifted shut, leaving Shashin reeling in shock and grief.

Shashin never imagined his reunion with Adarsh after 30 years would be like this. As he struggled to process his emotions, he felt himself being dragged backward. He tried to break free, refusing to leave Adarsh in such a vulnerable state.

"Let go! No! Adi!"

"Papa, calm down! It's me, Vicky!"

Shashin's gaze snapped toward the voice, and he found himself in his eldest son's tight embrace. He grasped Saatvik's hand in a death grip.

"Vicky... that's-that's Adarsh..." Shashin's voice trailed off weakly as he registered the flicker of recognition in Saatvik's eyes. His son clearly remembered who Adarsh was, but then Saatvik shook his head, clearing the confusion, and pulled Shashin up with more force.

"I know, Papa, I know. But please calm down. We need to get out first, okay."

As Shashin stood up, he took in the chaos around him. The gunshot had sent people into a panic, and the sight of Adarsh being shot had worsened the situation. Something shifted inside Shashin as he watched the paramedics rush Adarsh away. He composed himself, took Saatvik's hand, and pulled him toward the bodyguards, who were trying to escort them safely outside.

Shashin noticed that, except for a few reporters, they were the only ones left. The others must have been taken out already... but he hadn't even noticed it happening. His grip on Saatvik's hand tightened, filled with guilt. As the elder of his household, it was his duty to ensure his family's safety the moment the gunfire erupted, but instead, he had frozen.

His jaw clenched as they stepped out into the cool night air. If something had happened to his family...

"Papa, let's go. They're in the parking lot." Shashin looked at his eldest son, whose worried expression only intensified his guilt. He released Saatvik's hand and grasped his shoulders, scanning him from top to bottom, searching for any signs of damage. Relief washed over him as he found none.

The bodyguards had escorted everyone out, but Saatvik must have stayed behind for him. Shashin wouldn't be surprised if Saras had tried to do the same. The thought sent a pang of guilt through his chest. What if his children had been injured because of his emotional lapse?

Shashin offered Saatvik a small, reassuring smile, trying to ease his son's concerns. They made their way to the parking lot, where the others were waiting. Shashin quickly scanned the group, searching for any injuries, and breathed a sigh of relief when he found none.