Overgrown forest, tall trees stands, dusty ground, dried leaves scattered.

Two individuals - - a guy and a girl, running over the dried leaves, producing sound under their feet. They were breathless, weak but determined.

They were Vineet and Manvi. Running to save their life, actually her life. Vineet doesn't care about him, he just wanted to kill both the brothers but Manvi became an obstacle. Though a stranger, he didn't dare to risk her life for his revenge. Also, his late wife and mother believed in helping people, even their enemies, so he had to save her.

While Manvi gave her last try to save herself. As Teja was busy threatening Vineet she kicked on his foot and pushed him hard, Teja lost his balance, taking advantage, Vineet escaped from there along with Manvi.

Now running in the forest clueless, Manvi feared the stranger holding her hand and dragging her with himself. She doesn't know him for sure, but was sure of one thing that he is trying to save her.

Manvi screams out loud hearing a gunshot, alerting their predator.

Another shot follows, she hears his scream this time. Their pace slowed down, it seemed the bullet hit him.

Vineet dragged her to bushes, to hide themselves. He can't run with the wounds anymore added to that another bullet just passed by his shoulder, giving him a fresh wound. His breaths were uneven, blood oozing out of the wounds.

He tore a part of his shirt and tie on the wound to stop the blood, excessive blood loss can take his life he knows it and for now he can't afford to die.

They remained seated at their place, Teja and his goons were searching for them in every corner of the jungle. Vineet was trying to keep an eye on their activity which is actually not possible for a single person to look after in every direction. So he asked Manvi to keep an eye on the goons who just passed by them.

Manvi sits rooted at her place, how can she notice their activity and keep themselves alarmed.

''What? Udhar dekho, humko yahan se nikalna hai toh jab tak hum unki chal pe nazar nahi rahenge ye nahi ho sakta!" He told her.

''Main...main dekh nahi sakti!'' She informs him.

Vineet was stunned to know the reality.

''Tum.. Tum dekh nahi sakti toh tumne Teja ko dhakka kaise diya!?" He questions her, trying to grasp the truth.

''Dekh nahi sakti iska ye matlab nahi ki kuch mehsus nahi kar sakti.'' She replied.

Vineet remained rooted at his place. She can't see and now it would be hard to save themselves. He didn't know what to do. He needs to save himself and this girl as well. Sensing his silence, Manvi begins to speak.

"Main dekh nahi sakti lekin sab samajhti hoon. Kash dekh sakti, toh inhe saza dilvati. Lekin meri baat maanega kaun, adaalat ko saboot chahiye." She says dejectedly.

"Jaanta hoon! Abhi tak toh main khud andhere mein tha." Vineet says, thinking how he was around the people who were responsible for the disaster in his life.

"Kya matlab?" Manvi is astonished.

Vineet shook his head,
"Kuch nahi. Ab hume is Teja se bachna hai. Tum mera haath pakad lo,aur chahe kuch ho jaye, mera haath mat chhodna." Vineet says.

He knows she's blind and to keep her safe, he needs to hold her hand and keep her close to himself. Manvi just turns towards him, stretching her hand, her hand shivering. He can tell that she is unsure, and it is right on her part because she is visually impaired. Why would she trust him? His act at Raghu's place can make anyone doubtful regarding his nature. But Vineet  holds her hand gently.

"Tum mujhpe bharosa kar sakti ho." he says, assuring her.

As the words leave his mouth, she tightens her grip on his hand while Vineet looks for Teja and his men. Still unsure, Manvi didn't know why she believed him but she did it.

Time passes, it's already dusk. Teja and his goons have begun to disappear disappointed. They can hear Teja roaring, shouting over his men for not being able to find Vineet and Manvi. They waited for a few more times, until their opponent left the place and they were sure of their safety.

They moved out from their hideout, Vineet was holding her hand firmly. They make their way in a certain direction. Manvi was clueless, she was just walking along with him while Vineet seemed to be aware of the area, it seems he knew how to get out of the jungle.

Walking for a distance, they reached the road.

''Hum road pe aa gaye hai, bas aab koi lift dede humein toh hum yahan se nikal jaayenge. Yahan jyada der rukna khatre se khali nahi, ye pura area unka hi hai kabhi bhi aa sakte hai yahan.'' He tells her, Manvi shook her head.

Luckily, a car passed by. Vineet stops it showing his gun, isn't it obvious that to this day people refuse to help the needy if it's dark. So forth, he came up with this idea.

The owner of the car applies the brake instantly.  He was the same person who helped Vineet a few hours ago.

''Hey bhagwan, jaane kis muhurat mei iss se pala pada mera. Fir mil gaya ye wo bhi iss baar toh ladki ke saath!" Rajesh growls.

Vineet asks him to lower the window which he did, Vineet recognises him in no time.

''Sir, aap khud ek car kyun nahi le lete? Aise baar baar lift mangna aacha lagta hai aapko? Aapki girlfriend kya sochegi?" He says, indicating to Manvi.

Vineet rolls his eyes, Rajesh shuts himself and obeys his command.

Vineet helped Manvi to settle in the car, he himself secured his seat beside Rajesh and asked him to take them to Mumbai. Rajesh almost had a heart attack.

''Mumbai!! Yahan se Mumbai jaane ko aaj ki puri raat aur kal ka aadha din nikal jaayega, aap lift mang rahe ho ya mujhe apna driver samajh liya hai aapne!" Rajesh scoffs.

It is not a joke to drive all long to Mumbai, why would he do that for a gangster like him.

''Main tumse puch nahi raha bata raha hun aur tumhe ye karna hai!" Vineet threatens him, showing his gun. Well, he knows it is wrong to threaten the guy but for now he doesn't have any other option.

Scared of the gun, Rajesh obeys him.

Their journey to Mumbai begins. Manvi was confused, why does Vineet want to go to Mumbai only? If he is trying to escape then they can even go to Punjab or Haryana or even UP but no, he takes a long journey to Mumbai, why?

…..

9 pm

Saumya was disturbed, she wanted to meet Vineet, see him, treat him as he's hurt, unfortunately he's not around. She wonders where he would be?

Jaiswal enters her cabin with a food plate.

''Dekho, tumhare itna sochne se kuch nahi hone wala hai! Itna stress leke tum apna tabiyat bigad logo.'' He says keeping the plate before her.

''Atleast main kissi ke baare mei toh soch rahi hoon, tumse toh koi wo umeed bhi nahi rakh sakta." She taunts him, taking a spoonful of rice for she knows how much her health is important for her, for the unborn baby and for Akshit.

Jaiswal shook his head and took a seat, he didn't want to argue with her.

Meanwhile his phone rang, it was from the Inspector. Jaiswal immediately picked up the call and put it on speaker.

The Inspector told them that Vineet and the other guy were seen on the highway, leaving the state. He also informs them that they are behind them and will let them know their exact destination.

Jaiswal thanked him and cut the call.

''Mujhe toh kuch samajh nahi aa raha wo kar kya rahe hai." Saumya spoke frustrated.

''Bas uski exact location pata chale ki wo jaa kahan raha tha toh kuch baat bane, tab tak toh aise hi rehna hoga humko!" Jaiswal said with a sigh and sat down on the chair.

They have to wait until they get any further information.

To be continued…