"Rao, drive quickly," said Prithvi, his voice brimming with excitement.

He could hardly contain his joy at the thought of reuniting with his family and celebrating the baby shower and 1st anniversary of his marriage to Tara.

The car came to a stop in front of a modest home. Prithvi stepped out and knocked on the door.

A man opened it, bowing slightly in respect. "Welcome, Thakur Sahab. Please, have a seat."

Prithvi's eyes scanned the room eagerly. "Did you keep those things ready?" he asked, his impatience palpable.

"Yes, Thakur Sahib. Please wait here, I'll bring them," the man replied, disappearing into another room.

A moment later, he returned, carefully carrying three velvet boxes.

"As you requested, I made them exactly to your specifications," he said, handing the boxes to Prithvi.

Prithvi opened the first box to reveal a stunning gold necklace.

The necklace gleamed under the light, its intricate design showcasing delicate craftsmanship.

Each link was meticulously crafted, creating an elegant and regal piece that would perfectly complement Tara's grace and beauty.

He then opened the second box, which contained a pair of heavily worked silver anklets.

The anklets were adorned with intricate patterns, shimmering with every subtle movement.

Tiny silver bells were attached to the payal, designed to tinkle softly with each step, adding a touch of musical charm to the exquisite jewelry.

"These are perfect," Prithvi murmured, a smile spreading across his face. "Thank you. She will love them."

Inspecting the gifts with a smile, Prithvi nodded in approval. Then, his gaze fell upon a smaller box within the velvet lining.

Opening it, he discovered a pendant featuring the sacred Om symbol, designed with meticulous detail.

"This is perfect," Prithvi remarked, a sense of reverence in his voice as he admired the symbolic pendant. He knew it would be a meaningful addition to the gifts, especially for Manik.

After paying the man and thanking him once more, Prithvi hurried back to the car.

"Rao, let's go," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

As the car sped towards the haveli, Prithvi's thoughts were filled with visions of Tara's surprise and happiness.

With the precious gifts in hand, Prithvi's heart swelled with anticipation as he embarked on the journey to reunite with his beloved family.

Little did he know the challenges that awaited them, or the perilous events unfolding back at the haveli.

As he set out, a sense of foreboding lingered in the air, hinting at the trials ahead and the uncertain fate that awaited Tara and Manik.

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Prithvi's car sped towards the haveli. The gentle hum of the engine was accompanied by Prithvi's thoughts, his mind racing with excitement and anticipation.

He couldn't help but glance down at the velvet boxes beside him, a smile tugging at his lips.

"She will love them," he thought, his heart filled with warmth. "I will personally put these on her."

The gold necklace, intricate and dazzling, seemed to catch every ray of light, shimmering with a promise of beauty and elegance.

The silver payal, with its delicate craftsmanship, jingled softly with the car's motion.

And then there was the small pendant with the Om symbol for Manik-a symbol of protection and divine blessing.

As the car drew closer to the haveli, Prithvi's excitement grew. The events of the past year played in his mind, a montage of moments that brought them to this day.

Despite the misunderstandings and the distance, his love for Tara had only deepened.

He could almost see her smile, the way her eyes would light up when she saw the gifts.

And little Manik, with his innocent face and bright eyes, would surely be delighted by the pendant.

Prithvi's thoughts were interrupted by the driver, Rao, who spoke up, "Thakur Sahib, we will be there shortly."

"Good," Prithvi replied, trying to keep his impatience in check. "Drive a bit faster if you can."

The car picked up speed, the haveli's silhouette now visible in the distance. Prithvi's heart beat faster, anticipation turning into a palpable excitement.

Soon, he would be with his family, celebrating their milestones and cherishing their togetherness.

Unbeknownst to him, the haveli was in turmoil, the echoes of gunshots and the chaos of the attack still lingering in the air.

As Prithvi's car approached, a sense of unease began to creep in, foreshadowing the storm that awaited him.

As the car drew closer to the haveli, Prithvi's excitement began to wane. The once festive decorations at the gates were now a disordered mess, a stark contrast to the joy he had anticipated.

The vibrant garlands hung limply, and the entrance, which should have been bustling with activity, was eerily silent.

Stepping out of the car with his bag and the velvet boxes, Prithvi felt a growing unease. As he entered the haveli, the sight that greeted him was chaotic.

The courtyard, once meticulously decorated for the celebration, was in disarray. Flowers were trampled, and the remnants of what should have been a joyous occasion lay scattered.

Prithvi's heart raced as his eyes fell on Kusum, his mother, sitting on the steps.

Suraj was beside her, carefully tending to a wound on her forehead. Prithvi's steps faltered, the weight of the bag and the boxes suddenly feeling unbearable. He stood there, paralyzed by a mix of dread and confusion.

Kusum looked up, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She saw Prithvi and a fresh wave of tears streamed down her face.

She rushed towards him, her arms outstretched, and enveloped him in a desperate embrace.

"Prithvi!" she sobbed, her voice breaking.

Prithvi's heart sank, a cold fear gripping him. His eyes scanned the courtyard, taking in the faces of his family members, but two were missing-Tara and Manik. A sickening realization began to dawn on him.

"I am sorry, Prithvi... I am sorry... I... I couldn't protect them." she sobbed.

He gently pushed Kusum back, holding her shoulders as he looked into her eyes. "What happened, Maa? Where are Tara and Manik?"

Kusum just shook her head, tears streaming down her face. Prithvi's panic rose. "Maa, I asked you something. Where are they?"

"They... They took both of them," Kusum finally managed to say, her voice trembling with fear and regret.

It felt as though the ground had been pulled out from under Prithvi. He stood there, numb, the reality of her words hitting him like a physical blow.

The joy and anticipation of reuniting with his family and celebrating his anniversary with Tara evaporated, replaced by a crushing sense of dread.

Suddenly, a sound broke through his shock-a crash, followed by a cry. Kusum look over Prithvi's shoulder to see Anita and Manish at the entrance.

The gifts Anita had brought for Tara lay scattered on the ground as she collapsed into Manish's arms, overwhelmed by grief.

Tears welled up in Prithvi's eyes, blurring his vision. The heavy necklace, the intricately worked silver payal, and the small pendant with the

Om symbol for Manik-gifts meant to celebrate their love and their future-now felt like cruel reminders of what had been taken from him.

His heart pounded with a mix of fear, grief, and a growing determination. He knew he had to act quickly to bring Tara and Manik back, no matter the cost.

The weight of the bag and the velvet boxes in his hands was nothing compared to the burden now pressing on his heart.

Prithvi clenched his fists and turned towards the door, his face set in grim resolve.

His eyes, usually filled with warmth and care, now burned with an intense determination.

"Prithvi, wait! You can't just go like this!" Kusum cried, her voice cracking with desperation as she reached out to stop him.

But Prithvi was already moving, his anger propelling him forward like an unstoppable force. He snatched the keys of the jeep from one of the man, his movements quick and deliberate.

Without a backward glance, he stormed out of the haveli, each step echoing his resolve.

"I will bring them back," he muttered through gritted teeth, more to himself than anyone else, as he climbed into the vehicle.

Kusum ran after him, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Prithvi, don't go alone! It's too dangerous!" she shouted, her voice filled with fear and urgency. But Prithvi ignored her, his mind singularly focused on rescuing his wife and son.

The engine roared to life, and the jeep sped off, leaving a cloud of dust and a trail of desperation in its wake.

Kusum watched helplessly as the jeep disappeared down the road. She turned to Suraj, her face pale and eyes wide with fear.

"Suraj, take some men and go after him. Don't let him do this alone," she implored, her voice trembling.

Suraj nodded, his expression mirroring his mother's determination.

"Yes, Maa. I'll bring him back, and Bhabhi and Manik too," he promised, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

He quickly gathered a group of men, their faces set with the same resolve. Armed and ready, they jumped into another vehicle, the urgency of their mission clear in their every movement.

The engine roared to life, and they sped off in pursuit of Prithvi, the tires kicking up gravel as they raced down the dusty road.

As the vehicles disappeared into the distance, the tension in the air was palpable.

The household left behind in the haveli could only wait and pray for their safe return, their hearts heavy with worry.

The once vibrant haveli now seemed overshadowed by a dark cloud of uncertainty and fear, each passing moment stretching into an eternity.

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Prithvi didn't know where to go or how he would find his family. His eyes were blind with anger, clouded with desperation and a fierce determination that drowned out all rational thought.

He drove the jeep recklessly, the vehicle roaring through the night as if propelled by his sheer willpower.

The headlights cut through the dense darkness, casting long, eerie shadows that danced in the moonlight, creating an otherworldly scene.

He barely noticed when the road beneath the jeep's tires changed from the familiar gravel to the uneven, rocky terrain of the forest.

Trees with gnarled branches loomed on either side, their leaves whispering secrets in the cool night breeze.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale, silvery glow that flickered through the canopy, illuminating patches of the path ahead.

Prithvi's grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white with tension. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a relentless reminder of the stakes.

He could hear his own ragged breaths, feel the sweat trickling down his back despite the coolness of the night.

The forest grew denser, the path narrower, but he pushed on, driven by an instinct he couldn't explain, a gut feeling that told him he was heading in the right direction.

Branches scraped against the sides of the jeep, the sound a harsh, grating noise that barely registered in his mind.

The headlights illuminated fleeting glimpses of the forest floor, revealing tangled roots and scattered leaves.

He swerved to avoid a large rock, barely keeping the jeep on the path as it bounced and jolted over the uneven ground. The sense of urgency was palpable, a tangible force that drove him onward.

Somewhere deep within, a voice whispered that he would find them here, in this dark, foreboding place.

It was a fragile thread of hope, but it was enough to keep him going, to keep the fear at bay.

The forest seemed to close in around him, the trees becoming a living barrier that both protected and threatened.

He pressed on, the jeep's engine a constant roar in the otherwise silent night, determined to rescue his family from whatever horrors awaited them.

Suddenly, everything changed in an instant. Prithvi didn't know what happened or how, but his jeep suddenly leaped into the air, flipping violently before crashing back down to the ground.

The world turned upside down, and he felt a searing pain as his head slammed against a stone.

The impact left him dazed, and blood began to seep from the wound on his head, trickling down his face.

He lay there, trapped under the wreckage of the jeep, the cold ground pressing against his back. His vision blurred, and darkness began to creep in at the edges.

He fought to stay conscious, his mind reeling from the shock and the pain. The cool night air was filled with the scent of gasoline and the metallic tang of blood.

As his awareness started to fade, he saw shadowy figures emerging from the darkness of the forest. They moved with purpose, their faces obscured by the night.

It was then that Prithvi realized: they had set this trap. They had strung a rope across the path, ensuring the jeep would flip and crash.

One of the figures stepped closer, peering down at Prithvi with cold eyes. "What should we do, Sarkaar? Kill him?" the man asked, his voice low and devoid of emotion.

A second figure, standing slightly back, shook his head.

"No," he replied with a cruel edge to his voice. "Let him be like this. After all, he need to survive, he needs to see what we've done to his wife and his son."

The words cut through Prithvi's fading consciousness like a blade. He tried to muster the strength to move, to fight, but his body wouldn't respond.

The pain was overwhelming, and the edges of his vision darkened further.

The last thing he saw before slipping into unconsciousness was the sneering face of the man standing over him, a twisted smile playing on his lips.

The forest fell silent once more, save for the faint rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl.

The shadows receded, leaving Prithvi alone and bleeding beneath the wreckage of his jeep, the ominous words echoing in his mind as he slipped into darkness.

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Amidst the darkness of the forest, Suraj's voice echoed through the trees, reverberating with urgency and concern.

"Bhaiyaa!" he called out, his tone laced with apprehension.

The flickering light of torches cast eerie shadows as Suraj and his men moved through the dense undergrowth, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet of fallen leaves.

The forest seemed to close in around them, enveloping them in a cloak of darkness as they pressed on in search of Prithvi.

With each step, the air grew heavier, pregnant with anticipation and dread. The glow of the torches danced like fireflies in the night, their feeble light barely penetrating the dense canopy above.

Suddenly, amidst the gloom, a voice cried out.

"Thakur sahab!" The words hung in the air, tinged with relief and urgency as another member of the search party spotted Prithvi's form amidst the shadows.

The flickering torchlight illuminated Prithvi's figure, casting long, distorted shadows that danced across the forest floor.

He lay motionless, his body crumpled and battered beneath the wreckage of the overturned jeep.

The sight sent a jolt of fear through Suraj's heart, his breath catching in his throat as he hurried towards his brother's prone form.

As they reached Prithvi, the forest seemed to hold its breath, the stillness broken only by the crackle of the torches and the distant rustle of leaves.

With trembling hands, Suraj and his men worked to free Prithvi from the twisted wreckage, their movements swift and determined as they fought against time and the encroaching darkness.

Each moment felt like an eternity as they struggled to pull him to safety, their muscles straining against the weight of the metal.

They tried to bring Prithvi out quickly because the fuel was leaking and the jeep was about to explode.

The pungent smell of gasoline permeated the air, mixing with the cold night breeze and filling the forest with a sense of impending doom.

Suraj and his men worked feverishly, their breaths coming in short, panicked bursts as they struggled to extricate Prithvi from the crumpled vehicle.

"Lift him, now!" Suraj shouted, his voice strained with urgency. The men gathered their strength, gripping Prithvi's limp body and heaving with all their might.

The metal of the jeep groaned in protest, sharp edges cutting into their hands as they maneuvered through the wreckage. Each second felt like an eternity, the pressure mounting with every passing moment.

The hissing sound of the leaking fuel grew louder, a deadly countdown ticking away in their ears.

With one final, desperate pull, they managed to free Prithvi, dragging him away from the twisted remains of the jeep.

The forest seemed to hold its breath, the flickering light of their torches casting eerie shadows on their faces.

"Move back! Now!" Suraj commanded, his voice raw with fear. They scrambled away from the jeep, their steps frantic and unsteady.

Just as they reached a safe distance, a deafening explosion tore through the night. The jeep erupted in a massive fireball, the force of the blast sending a shockwave that knocked them off their feet.

Flames shot up into the sky, illuminating the dark forest with a hellish glow.

Shards of metal flew through the air like deadly shrapnel, the heat from the explosion searing their skin even from a distance. They covered their faces, shielding themselves from the intense heat and debris.

As they lay on the ground, the sound of the roaring fire filled their ears, mingling with the ringing aftermath of the explosion.

They looked at each other, their eyes wide with shock and relief, knowing how close they had come to disaster.

The forest, once silent and foreboding, now echoed with the crackling of flames and the faint, distant sounds of the night, as the burning wreckage marked the end of one ordeal and the beginning of another.

As they lay on the ground, catching their breath from the harrowing escape, a sudden whistle sliced through the air.

Before anyone could react, an arrow shot out from the darkness, piercing the arm of one of the men.

He cried out in pain, clutching at the arrow protruding from his flesh. The others immediately surrounded him, their eyes scanning the shadowy forest for the unseen assailants.

"Hold still," Suraj commanded, his voice tense but controlled.

He carefully pulled the arrow out, revealing a small piece of paper wrapped around the shaft.

Under the flickering light of their mashals, they quickly unraveled the message.

The paper was rough, its edges frayed and stained with the man's blood.

Written in a hurried scrawl, the message read:

"Take your brother from here and don't try to get inside this forest otherwise next morning you will get to see the dead bodies of your Bhabhi and Manik."

The words sent a chill through them, the threat stark and unmistakable. Suraj's hands trembled as he held the note, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

The forest, once a silent witness to their struggle, now felt alive with unseen dangers lurking in every shadow.

Suraj was confused and didn't know what to do. The ominous message weighed heavily on his mind, its implications terrifying.

He glanced at Prithvi's unconscious form, noting the deep gash on his head and the blood soaking his clothes.

The sight of his injured brother filled him with a sense of urgency, yet the threat against Tara and Manik paralyzed him with fear.

His mind raced, torn between the desperate need to save his brother and the overwhelming desire to storm deeper into the forest to rescue Tara and Manik.

The conflicting emotions churned within him, leaving him feeling helpless and directionless.

"Bhaiya ji, what do we do?" one of the men asked, his voice shaky.

Suraj clenched his fists, his eyes darting around the dark forest.

"We... we have to get Bhaiya out of here," he finally said, the decision wrung out of him by sheer necessity. "His condition is too critical. We need to get him to safety first."

His words felt like a betrayal to his own heart. Every fiber of his being regretted the choice, but Prithvi's life hung in the balance. He couldn't risk losing his brother too.

"Let's move," Suraj commanded, his voice heavy with reluctant resolve.

They carefully lifted Prithvi, supporting his weight as they made their way out of the forest.

Each step away from the trees felt like a step away from hope.

The forest seemed to mock their retreat, its shadows whispering of the dangers they left behind.

Suraj's heart ached with every step, the regret gnawing at him. He looked back once, his eyes scanning the darkness, silently promising to return.

As they emerged from the forest, the weight of their failure pressed down on them, but the need to save Prithvi drove them forward.

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The leader pushed Tara onto the forest floor, Manik clinging desperately to her.

She winced in pain as she hit the ground, her pregnant belly making it impossible to rise.

Exhaustion washed over her, leaving her utterly drained. She lay there, unable to move, clutching Manik tightly to her chest.

The leader stood over her, his shadow looming menacingly in the moonlight. His eyes gleamed with a cruel satisfaction as he spoke.

"Your husband came here," he began, his voice dripping with malice.

"But don't worry, we took great care of him."

Tara's heart pounded in her chest, fear tightening its grip around her. "Please," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Please, leave us alone."

The leader's smile twisted into a sinister grin. "Not so easily," he sneered.

"I have to do worse to you than your husband did to my brother."

Tara felt a wave of terror wash over her. Manik whimpered, sensing her fear.

She tried to gather her strength, but her body refused to respond. The weight of her pregnancy and the sheer exhaustion left her powerless.

The leader stepped back, laughing coldly.

"Your husband will know what it feels like to lose everything," he said. "And you, you'll suffer for his sins."

Tara's mind raced, desperately searching for a way out. But the forest seemed to close in around them, dark and unforgiving.

The leader's men circled like predators, their faces hidden in the shadows.

"Why?" Tara managed to ask, her voice breaking.

The leader's eyes hardened.

"Because pain needs to be repaid with pain," he said.

"Your husband caused us great harm. Now it's your turn to suffer."

With that, he turned away, leaving Tara and Manik on the cold, hard ground.

Tara's tears flowed freely, her heart aching with a mixture of fear and helplessness.

She held Manik tighter, whispering a silent prayer for Prithvi to find them before it was too late.

As the night grew darker, the forest's silence was broken only by the distant sounds of the attackers retreating. Tara knew this was far from over.

The leader's parting words echoed in her mind, each syllable a dagger to her hope.

Suddenly, the leader paused, turning his head slightly as if sensing something. He glanced back at Tara, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

"Your husband's fate is sealed, just like yours," he said softly, almost to himself.

Before Tara could process his words, a deafening silence fell over the forest. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding louder than ever.

The leader raised his hand, signaling his men to stop.

"What's happening?" Tara whispered, her voice barely audible over the rushing fear.

The leader's smile widened. "You'll find out soon enough," he replied, his eyes gleaming with a dark promise.

And then, without another word, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Tara and Manik alone in the oppressive darkness.

The chapter ended with the chilling promise of the leader's return, leaving their fate hanging precariously in the balance.

The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if anticipating the horrors yet to come. Tara's silent prayer hung in the air, unanswered, as the night stretched on, cloaked in a shroud of uncertainty.

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𝙏𝙊 𝘽𝙀 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝙀𝘿....