I know these chapters are quite boring but thoda adjust Krna padhta hai starting hai abhi isliye.

Happy reading lilies 💗

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Abhayash Aryan's name was announced first, and then the turn slowly moved to the other kids. One by one, everyone performed beautifully, filling the auditorium with excitement and applause. And after all the performances, it was finally time for the most awaited moment the performance round where Aashvi's number came.

The teacher stepped forward, smiling proudly as she looked at the audience, and then called out to her with a bright voice, "So without any delay, let's invite our next performer. Yes, you heard it right the performer, Aashvi Rathor! Please welcome Aashvi Rathor with a huge round of claps!"

The stage lights slowly dimmed, plunging the entire hall into a gentle darkness. A hush spread through the audience as every spotlight shifted towards the tiny figure standing at the center. Little Aashvi, dressed in a perfect Kashmiri look, appeared angelic her innocence glowing under the soft lights. She stood with her back slightly turned to the audience, her tiny hands resting on her sides, waiting for her cue.

As the music finally began playing, she took a deep breath."Bhagwan ji, please main galti na karu..."

(God, please don't let me make a mistake...)

She whispered softly, almost like a secret prayer only she and the stage could hear.

A moment later, the teacher encouraged her from the side with a warm smile.

"Aashvi, hum sab tumhare saath hain beta."

(Aashvi, we all are with you.)

Aashvi straightened up a little, her tiny feet adjusting on the stage floor. She lifted her chin slightly as the intro of the song flowed through the speakers."Main kar lungi... I can do this..."

(I will do it... I can do this...)

With the first beat, the spotlight brightened, embracing her completely.

And just like that, her performance began.

("I'm sure you've seen the little girl dancing to the song Mera Deewanapan. You can consider that as Aashvi's dance performance.")

The moment the song ended, the entire hall burst into loud clapping. The sound echoed from every corner as the stage lights slowly returned to normal brightness. Abhay immediately stood up from his place, clapping enthusiastically for Aashvi and even trying to whistle loudly for her. Seeing him, a wide smile bloomed on Aashvi's tiny face pure, innocent, and full of joy.

Right beside him, little Abhayash tried to copy Abhay. He placed two fingers in his mouth and pretended to whistle too, but of course, no sound came out. He only managed the action, and the kids sitting nearby giggled softly at his cute attempt.

Aashvi spotted both boys cheering for her and her smile grew even bigger, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

Within moments, the teacher walked back onto the stage, her expression glowing with pride. She gently placed a hand on Aashvi's shoulder and leaned toward the mic."Aashvi, beta, iss dance se toh tumne yahan ka pura mahaul hi badal diya. Well done, haan!"

(Aashvi, dear, with this dance you completely changed the whole atmosphere here. Well done!)

She then lowered the mic slightly and smiled at her."Toh batao, apne baare mein kuch hamari audience ko."

(So tell us something about yourself to our audience.)

Aashvi stepped a little closer to the mic, her tiny fingers curled nervously around its edge as she began speaking with that innocent confidence only kids have. "Hello everyone... mera naam Aashvi Rathore hai..."And her sweet voice filled the hall.
"Main apni mumma papa ki princess hu... aur mujhe ek bahut acchi dancer banna hai," she said, her voice trembling yet filled with a dreamy spark. She blinked twice as if imagining it already spotlights, huge stages, loud claps and continued softly, "Aur main banungi... phir bahut saare shows karungi."

(I am my mumma-papa's princess... and I want to become a very good dancer. And I will become one... then I will do many shows.)

A shy smile spread across her little face as she looked at the audience, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Thank you so much aap log yaha aaye aur mera dance dekha," she added, her tone warm and grateful. Her eyes widened adorably as she whispered, "Aur kya kahu... main toh choti hu na... toh mujhe samajh nahi aa raha kya kahu. Thankyou."

(Thank you so much for coming here and watching my dance. And what else should I say... I'm small na... so I don't understand what else to say. Thank you.)

The teacher chuckled softly and took the mic from her tiny hands, her smile full of affection. "Aree koi baat nahi, choti si Aashvi," she said warmly, brushing her hand gently over the little girl's shoulder. "Aap jao aur apne mumma papa ke paas jaakar baith jao, okay?"

(Oh it's okay, little Aashvi. Go and sit next to your mumma and papa, okay?)

Aashvi nodded quickly, her ponytail bouncing as she turned around. She walked back with small hurried steps and sat beside Abhay, instantly leaning into him with relief as if the stage had been a huge world she just returned from. He smiled proudly while the teacher moved ahead, continuing the program with the same cheerful grace.

The moment Aashvi reached her parents, she tugged gently at her mumma's dupatta, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Mumma... papa... maine kaisa dance kiya?" she asked, her tiny voice full of hope.

(Mumma... papa... how did I dance?)

Aashi bent down instantly, cupping her daughter's cheeks with all the warmth in the world. "Bahut accha, baby... you are the best dancer," she whispered lovingly. Her words were enough to make Aashvi glow with pure joy, her happiness multiplying as Abhay leaned forward and praised her with the same softness and pride in his eyes.

(Very good, baby... you are the best dancer.)

Slowly, the rest of the function wrapped up, and the hall buzzed with anticipation as the winners were about to be announced. Aashvi stood between her parents, clutching Aashi's fingers, and when her name echoed through the mic first prize in dance her jaw dropped before breaking into the biggest smile. Right beside her, Aryan won first prize for his officer role play, while little Abhayash took home the second prize. The three kids were practically bouncing with excitement, running toward their parents as if carrying treasures in their hands.

By the time the crowd settled and the photos were clicked, it had already grown late. Families began gathering their belongings, stepping out into the cool night air one by one. Abhay and Aashi called for Abhayash to come along, but the little boy shook his head with a stubborn kind of sweetness. He wanted to play with Vihaan, and he wasn't ready to leave yet. So instead of going with his parents, Abhayash quickly got ready to leave with Rihaan and Jahanvi, his tiny bag swinging on his shoulder as he held their hands happily.

Aashi crouched down to Abhayash's level, smoothing his hair gently as she spoke in a patient, motherly tone. "Accha thik hai... jao. Lekin Vihaan ko zyada pareshan mat karna, samjhe? Aur jaldi so jana, bahut late ho chuka hai. Ok na?"

(Alright fine... you can go. But don't trouble Vihaan too much, understand? And sleep early, it's already very late. Okay?)

Abhayash nodded with a sweet smile. "Ok, mom."

Before he could turn away, Aashvi leaned forward with her tiny hands behind her back, trying to sound grown-up. "Good boy. Good night... jao."

(Good boy. Good night... go.)

"Good night mumma... good night papa," Abhayash said, waving with that innocent excitement only kids have.

Abhay ruffled his hair and chuckled softly. "Good night, mini Abhay."

And with that, Abhayash happily walked off with Rihan, Janhavi, and Vihaan, the small group heading toward their home together. Shanaya and Keshav also stepped out, moving towards their car as they prepared to leave.

Soon the parking area began clearing. Aryan sat with Ayaan and Rashi in their car, while Abhay drove with Aashi and little Aashvi in their own car. One by one, all the families slowly pulled out of the school premises, the night settling softly around them as they headed home.

**********

Rihaan was driving his car through the quiet late-night roads, but inside the vehicle nothing was quiet at all. Vihaan and Abhayash were seated in the back, laughing loudly and fighting over a toy, their little voices filling the entire space. It was almost impossible to sit peacefully with that much noise, and yet Janhavi still played along with them, trying to keep the boys entertained.

Just then, Rihan's phone lit up with an incoming call. He glanced at the screen, frowned slightly, and answered while keeping one hand on the steering wheel. Before he could speak, a voice from the other side said, "Hello Mr. Rihaan, do you remember me?"

The voice was distorted, almost unclear, blending in with the noise from the backseat. Rihaan pressed the phone closer to his ear. "Hello? Kon...? Aapki awaz nahi aa rahi," Hello...?" he said, his brows creasing.

(Hello? Who...? I can't hear your voice.)

A different tone came from the other side low, cold, unsettling. "Awaz nahi... bahut kuch aayega, Rihaan Kohli. Tu shayad bhool gaya... lekin ab jo hoga, woh tum mein se koi nahi bhulega."

(Not just a voice... a lot more will come, Rihan Kohli. Maybe you forgot... but what's coming now, none of you will ever forget.)

Rihaan's expression shifted instantly. His tone stiffened, seriousness replacing confusion. He slowly pulled the car toward the side of the road and parked it. Stepping out quietly so the kids wouldn't hear anything, he held the phone tighter. "Hello... kon bol raha hai?"

(Hello... who is speaking?)

The caller exhaled sharply. "Uff... tu toh meri awaz hi bhool gaya. Yaad hai? Teri biwi se shaadi karne ke liye ek ladka aaya tha... jispe tune uss time par car almost chadha hi di thi."

(Uff... you really forgot my voice. Remember? A boy who came to marry your wife... the one you almost ran over with your car that day.)

Rihaan's throat tightened, the memory hitting him instantly. "Anmol..." he said without even thinking.

Anmol laughed, the sound sharp and unsettling. "Toh yaad hoon main. Aur ab tum sabko hamesha yaad rahunga. Bahut khush ho na tum sab? Itne saal ho gaye... hum mile hi nahi. Toh ab milte hain."

(So you do remember me. And now all of you will remember me forever. Happy life, right? So many years... we didn't meet. So now, let's meet.)

Rihaan clenched his jaw. "Apna muh band kar. Tujhe chhod diya tha... isliye agar uss din chhoda nahi hota, toh tu aaj ye call karne layak nahi hota."

(Shut your mouth. I spared you that day... if I hadn't, you wouldn't even be alive to make this call.)

Anmol's reply was chillingly calm. "Bilkul sahi kaha tune. Uss din mujhe chhod kar bahut badi galti ki thi tum dono ne." His tone shifted, playful yet threatening. "Waise, teri car bilkul theek chal rahi hai na? Kuch problem toh nahi hui? Tune car check toh ki thi na?"

(You said it right. You two made a big mistake by sparing me that day. By the way, your car is running perfectly, right? No problems? Did you check the car properly?)

The words hung in the air like a warning, sharp enough to make Rihaan freeze for a second, the night suddenly feeling far heavier than before.

The moment Anmol's last words echoed in Rihan's ears, a cold shiver ran down his spine. Fear struck him so sharply that he didn't waste even a second he rushed back to the car where Abhayash, Vihaan, and Janhavi were still sitting inside, unaware of anything. His hands trembled as he opened the door and hurriedly pulled all three out, his breath uneven and fast.

Janhavi looked at him in confusion, holding Vihaan's hand tightly. "Rihaan... kya hua? Sab thik hai?" she asked softly, worry already spreading across her face.

(Rihaan... what happened? Is everything okay?)

But Rihaan didn't answer. He didn't even look at her. Instead, he ran to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and checked everything with frantic movements. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

On the call, Anmol burst into loud, mocking laughter, the sound cruel and echoing. "Kya hua? Dar gaya na? Kuch nahi mila?" His tone suddenly shifted, darker. "Chal, teri ek tension khatam karta hoon. Teri car mein kuch nahi hai."

(What happened? Got scared, right? Found nothing? Fine, let me end one of your worries. There's nothing in your car.)

A pause.
"Lekin ek car hai... jo aaj apne ghar nahi pahuchegi."

(But there is one car... that will not reach home tonight.)

Rihaan's heart stopped. His voice came out as a furious scream, raw with fear. "Agar meri family mein kisi ko kuch bhi hua na, toh Anmol ek baat yaad rakhna....iss baar main tujhe chhodunga nahi! Pichli baar toh Abhay bhai ko Aashi ne rok liya tha... iss baar koi nahi rok payega!"

(If anything happens to my family, Anmol, remember one thing this time I won't spare you! Last time Abhay bhai stopped because of Aashi... this time no one will stop me!)

Anmol chuckled darkly. "Rokne ke liye woh zinda bhi toh hone chahiye. Aur tujhe lagta hai... jiske car ke brakes fail ho... woh zinda bach payenge? Aur agar bach gaye... toh kitni der?"

(To stop someone, they must be alive first. And you really think someone with failed car brakes... will survive? And even if they do... for how long?)

His voice dripped with venom. "Abhay Singh Rathore... usne meri Aashi mujhse cheeni thi na? Toh usse toh zinda nahi chhodunga." A final knife-twisted whisper came through, "Chal... ab tu bacha paaye toh bacha le. Goodbye, Rihaan. Bachega toh tu bhi nahi."

(Abhay Singh Rathore... he took my Aashi from me, right? I won't let him live. Go on... save them if you can. Goodbye, Rihaan. You won't survive either.)

And the call disconnected.

Janhavi felt her legs weaken as she watched Rihaan's terrified expression. Fear spread to her instantly. But the kids were still with her, so she forced herself to stay composed. She quickly settled them back inside the car and then rushed to Rihaan, placing a trembling hand on his shoulder.

"Rihaan... kya hua? Kuch toh batao. Mujhe bahut dar lag raha hai... please chup mat raho. Kiska call tha? Kya keh raha tha?"

(Rihaan... what happened? Tell me something. I'm really scared... please don't stay silent. Whose call was it? What was he saying?)

Rihaan shook his head helplessly. "Mujhe... kuch samajh nahi aa raha..."

(I... I can't understand anything...)

Janhavi cupped his face firmly, making him look at her. "Kya samajh nahi aa raha? Bolo... batao mujhe. Chup mat raho please."

(What can't you understand? Tell me... don't stay quiet please.)

Rihaan finally placed his hand over hers, his eyes filling with tears he had been trying to hold back. Unable to hide it anymore, he told Janhavi everything Anmol had said every threat, every warning, every detail.

By the time he finished, Janhavi looked just as horrified as him. Her face lost all colour, and her breath hitched in fear. Rihaan immediately dialed Abhay, but the call didn't connect. Not even once.

Each second that passed without Abhay answering made Rihan's fear intensify, turning into a suffocating panic neither he nor Janhavi could hide anymore.

To be continued-

I couldn't write more than this because the readers who have been following the story from the beginning know the characters... and killing them off like this I just couldn't. It made me want to cry. 😭😭

And if you know what happened next then take tissue when you read the next chapter.