Silently...

Part: 40

The sound of the door unlocking jolts Arjun awake. He becomes alert instantly. Grabbing his service revolver, Arjun swiftly hides behind the door of Riya’s room and aims at the person entering through the main door.

Arjun: Hands up. Who are you?

Voice (softly): Arjun…

Riya’s voice?

The moment he realizes it, Arjun drops the gun and runs to hug Riya.

Arjun: Where did you go?

Riya (in a shaky voice): Sikandar…

The moment she says his name, Riya goes limp in his arms. Arjun holds her, but both of them fall to the ground. That’s when he notices a knife embedded in Riya’s back.
Terrified, he screams.

Arjun: Riyaaaaa… oh my God, what happened to you?

Riya: Arjun… I love you.

As soon as she says this, Riya breathes her last.

Arjun: Riyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Screaming, Arjun wakes up.

A nightmare.

Arjun (to himself): What a horrible dream… Riya must be fine, right?

Just then, he hears the main door unlocking — exactly like in the dream. Arjun, who usually relies on logic, forgets everything and runs toward the door.

Arjun: Riya?

Voice: Rawte?

Sameer is standing near the door.
Seeing Arjun, Sameer notices his pale face, beads of sweat on his forehead, and his breathing uneven with fear.

Sameer: Rawte, are you okay?

Arjun: Riya…

That’s all he can say.
Sameer hugs his old friend.

Sameer: We’ll find Riya, Arjun. Don’t worry.

Arjun hugs Sameer and starts crying. In a broken voice, he tells him about the terrifying dream and how scared he is for Riya. Sameer consoles him. Once Arjun calms down, Sameer tells him that he had come to check on him because he was very worried.

Sameer: While I was coming here, Ayesha called. One of her informers told her that he has found Sikandar’s hideout.

Hearing Sikandar’s name fills Arjun with rage and determination.

Arjun: Then what are we waiting for, Rathore? Let’s go to him. As long as he’s alive, he’ll keep trying to hurt Riya. This time, I’ll finish his game.

Sameer: We’ll go — but with restraint. First, keep yourself under control. Only then will you be able to control Sikandar.

Arjun and Sameer head toward the address given by Ayesha’s informer. Shree is with them too. However, even after calling multiple times, there is no response from Chhotu.

So much had happened in just two days.
First Sakshi went missing. While searching for her, Riya disappeared from the house. Then Ayesha was kidnapped. Then Raj and Sikandar met. Sikandar kidnapped Raj and his brother. He sent Arjun a threatening letter along with Sakshi’s dead body.

So much happened — yet there was no trace of Riya… and Chhotu either.

Shree and Ayesha tried calling him repeatedly, but every time the phone showed out of reach.