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" Real estate Union election results are out, Mr. Daksh Khurrana the only son of our respected CM Mr. Varun Khurrana has gained victory with majority. Celebrations seems to have already begun as the party's supporters are very much joyous on hearing the news. Mr. Daksh is mostly expected to take up his position as the chairman of the Union on 12 th of this month. "

Varun raised the volume up and kept changing to the next and next news channels to keep him engaged with the same happy news.

Daksh- dad!! Oh daddy finally I won !

Daksh came running inside the house spreading his arms for his father immediately joined to share a hug .

Varun- that's a great news Dk. Thank the gods !

Daksh frowned lightly and pulled back to look at his dad's face.

D- I thought you were so confident that I'd definitely win, but looking at your reactions , doesn't seem so. Did you think I'd loose?

For which Varun chuckled slowly and gave a nod.

V- past few months have been kind of tough and with the state elections coming by, I'm actually still worried. You know the whole infection fiasco and all, but, yeah your victory denotes that hope is always there, on our side.

He muttered the last few words with a cunning smile surrounding his face while Daksh too maintained same kind of reaction.

D- oh come on, still worried of it? We cleansed everything dad. People know what we want them to know, we own their minds dad so don't worry, everything is our's, will be our's ,always our's.

Varun's smile deviated back at once he heard his son say that. He shook his head immediately.

V- overconfidence is never good. We have sealed a big huge hole with lies and only lies, sure there are loopholes in it still. Hope none except us can get hold of it anytime ever. Cause in case if the otherwise happens , our whole empire we've built in all these years is going back to mud for sure.

He spoke seriously and Daksh listened to him fully focused.

D- like I already told, I was with the shadow squad throughout the process. 3 of our primary targets are already dead, Shivaay, Annika and Om, I personally checked the samples . And I myself finished the doctor ,one who worked at the department's medical center.Only one is left out, Rudra. I don't think he can be a problem, must be some scared little mouse hiding somewhere.

V - and the girls?

D- don't tell me you are feared of mere school going kids now.

Daksh told this and chuckled seeming hardly bothered just to receive a tight slap soon. His father looked completely enraged.

V- what do you know? You've just entered the domain so learn something instead of feeding your attitude all the time. I brought you into real estate business so that you learn something, with this attitude, you'll go down in no time. Power is everything, and we should always own it. Owning can be easy but sustaining with the heat of it, that's the difficult part. And to do that, we should hardly make mistakes. So go and find them. Do what's to be done and then show your careless smile to me, I won't slap then I promise.

He took a step back and gulped when Varun released Daksh's collar from his hold. He then ran from there immediately while Varun kept staring at his retreating figure straight. His sharp gaze said it all, he was devoid of emotions when it comes to his power and position. He never wanted to be this way , to do things this way, to kill so many, but he was pushed to do it, well, that's his claim actually. His chain of thoughts were broken when the news headlines overlapped it to take over his focus.

"Mr. Daksh is mostly expected to take up his position as the chairman of the Union on 12 th of this month. "

Rithi - yes 12th of this month, we've never missed it so we are going with or without you.

Rudra let his hands down which he had kept folded beneath his chest all this time, he seemed worried. Seems like the devils have started their next evil plotting .

R- we can't. Please try to understand!

Riya- no way. We already told you the reason, it's our late brother Veer's 14th death anniversary. Annika never misses it, we three always used to go together and... but now, we already can't digest the fact that we didn't get to see annika for one last time so don't stop us now. We are going, I know annika also would want only this. He's our brother.

Riya spoke up with a clear stern voice wiping those tiny tears off quickly which didn't seem to stop though. Rudra was tongue tied on seeing the child crying. Well he so wanted to make things happen for them and comfort them with everything they need but at the same time he was worried for their safety too. One thing made him smile though, they way annika had actually nutured them up. They know to fight for what's crucial , still, he denied.

R- I'm really sorry, no.

Riya and Rithi's reactions changed at once, they glared hard maintening that straight thorn like pricking sight just at him.

R - ok now come sit, we'll have to fill these forms for your new schools so please help me with the details.

He knew these two are never gonna listen , still, he pretended to behave like everything's ok. They're just kids, he wanted them to take time and move on with their life , so much is still ahead of them, awaiting. So all he could do was to stand behind and keep pushing them, even if they don't like him at the first place.

Rudra pouted showing his innocent face while the two still kept scowling at him.

R- look Rithi I can even enroll you in a music class here and Riya you both will definitely hey wai wai wait no!!

Before he could stop them, they had already got their hands on the application which was now torn down to pieces within seconds. Rudra gathered all the tiny sheets together and looked back at the girls helplessly. It wasn't very easy for him to get these forms to be certain, finding a good institution around this place, one hectic job. He had to finish all his work soon and go to places, one by one around all the surrounding towns and small nearby cities. He's been doing it for the past two weeks now and when he finally thought this school would be perfect for them, he approved. But all of his efforts were just thrown in bin now.

Riya- you don't realize what it actually means to us do you? If you don't listen to us why should we!

Rithi- exactly!

Both ran to the other room soon, not before showing their super angry faces once. That has become a mandatory face they make when Rudra's home. He didn't want to complain, actually, he was somewhere happy , atleast these both fight less nowadays because they always have got reasons to hold hands and stand against their common enemy, him.

He smiled faintly looking at the date on the calendar which hung the other side of the wall.

R- what should I do angel, should I take them ?12th of this month ?

P- 12th of this month...who said that? Did you, di did you receive any information from your department asking you to rejoin ?

Pinky was completely shocked after listening to what her son just said. She somehow took control over her shaking voice to not seem too much scared . She knew that's impossible, according to them he was already dead. She has kept him isolated from literally everything that could take him to the truth. They weren't actually afraid to fight against the wrong , but what scared her more was shivaay's current state. His mental and physical health, both were not in a very good condition. Annika's demise news would definitely tear him apart in and out. Their boy would go severely sick which they hardly wanted. So Pinky and Shakthi decided to play blind to all the bad things that has happened, and just take care of their dear son now. Him leading a happy peaceful life is all they ever want, so they were determined to keep him influenced.

But now, when he said that he's gonna return back to India and take up his job, everyone were thrilled .

Leena who on the other side was equally struck by shock stood there, staring at him worriedly.

S- no mom, it's been so many days . I am fine don't worry, it's high time I return back to work now. I've used all my earned leaves, and one major reason is that I've got some important work to be done so I have to go. So please don't stop me ok.

Saying this he casually ran upstairs and went to his room without realizing how big of a trouble he just threw on his parents. Pinky was in the verge of tears now, she walked straight to leena holding the same worried reaction.

P- talk him out of this, please!

Leena gulped in and gave a quick nod.

L- I will.

She knew exactly what's awaiting him there, the moment he steps back on that land anything can happen to him and she never wants it.

Shivaay here had started packing his stuffs by then, his work is what which keeps him going, he knew. That part of his life is more challenging to be certain, still , he preferred it. His mind is completely occupied atleast, no other thoughts, no other distractions, no nightmares.

He is familiar with the other two but nightmares have become his new unwelcomed guests nowadays. Random voices and flashes keeps running in his head making him go insane only. He hardly sleeps at night.

And his latest dream was totally different, can't be tagged as a nightmare . He was dressed in a hospital wear , standing by the window alongside her who suddenly grabbed his neck to start kissing his hard.

Shivaay was literally clueless of these crazy stuffs happenings in his head. They've been away for more than five years but why all this suddenly now? He sat there crushing the t shirt in his hand thinking all this and that's when Leena came in .

L- all set to go now, already?

He blinked out of his thoughts on hearing her loud words.

S- hmm, yeah.

She had this sense of extreme worry but concealed it and sat beside him.

L- don't you think it's too much, you hardly spend time with your parents this way.

Leena spoke insisting the point while he just shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

S- well it's been that way since I was small , not that I don't like to be with them but I think it's time to go back to where I belong.

She almost froze when he muttered these words with that calm smile on his face.

L- aunty is so displeased and she

S- I know, I've been through this like what... so many times actually.

He interrupted to state this and Leena grew curious suddenly.

L - what's that important work you mentioned?

She asked suddenly which she would've not done if her mind was in proper state. Cause so many things were going on in her head about this important thing of his. What could it be, is it about annika? She feared. Shivaay took a minute to stay quiet and then replied, he doesn't share these stuffs often with anyone but he knew he had started to believe Leena as his one good friend.

S- Veer's remembrance Day it is, so I have to be back in India on 12th , I never miss it.

L- who is that?

S- my close friend. You know I spoke about Annika the other day, remember? She's his sister actually.

Shivaay spoke while still being lost in his trance. She was not able to hold that causal reaction anymore. This is really getting serious now. She excused herself and went downstairs straight to meet pinky.

P- he agreed to stay?

L- this is getting more serious than we thought aunty, he won't approve no matter what.

Pinky sighed in defeat and kept shaking her head continuously, Leena was now engrossed in deep thoughts until she came up with something.

L- aunty, we can stop him.

P- how!

L- if you do as I say, we can stop him from leaving.

Pinky looked at her keenly while she spoke holding that determined reaction on her face.

Shivaay fell back on the ground breathing fast , alongside was Veer who too seemed much tired and worn out after their long never ending practise.

V - oh god I can't do this anymore!

S- my legs, I can't feel them at all .

V - this coach is one hell of a hitler, who practices like this man? 4 straight hours! I just hope we somehow get that trophy tomorrow.

S- don't worry, after all this. There's no way the other houses could get any near it. Where's your sister by the way?

V - studying in library obviously.

S- hmm.

He nodded while sipping some water , seeming desperate. Veer who was staring at him quietly all this time, suddenly spoke.

V - you like her don't you?

Shivaay choked immediately and spat over Veer's face .

S- are you crazy!

V - you don't?

S- veer come on man! Stop kidding now.

V - chill out brother, it's ok I just asked cause I thought so.

Shivaay rolled his eyes lazily and continued emptying the bottle. That's when they heard the whistle noise rolling in air again, their eyes grew big in horror at once.

' Students, assemble '

S- oh please!

V - I curse him to go through dysentery attack for atleast a week continuously.

Shivaay laughed out aloud and soon veer joined him.

Shivaay chuckled remembering Veer's weird yet justified curses . Running his palm over the trophy placed inside the cabinet, he let his fingers trace the embossed words on it.

"Relay Champions- Red House 12 -06 - 2009".

Somewhere in India

Om- 12 th of this month, are you sure?

V - yes that's when the pulmonologist is arriving they said.We need his help now more than ever, we can't approve any delay.

Om passed a slight nod and went to the other room where she was found getting ready .

Om- Annika .

She stopped combing her hair and looked back at him.

A- hmm?

Om- we're leaving here , on 12th of this month.

A- 12th you said ?

Om- yeah.

A- to where?

Om- important work , need your help.

A- oh... Ok let me ask shivaay if he's free to come.

Om looked away muttering something.

Om- ok.

Annika kept the comb back on the table and marched to the kitchen enthusiastically while Om remained still, rooted where he was, crushing his eyes tight. Vrushali who stood outside the room watching all this followed Annika .

A- you won't? I'm not going without you...some important work he said. But... wait, vrushali, vrushali tell him to come, he says he's busy !

Vrushali shook a bit when she heard Annika emphasizing her name aloud.

V- haan? Ok.You know she won't agree to go without you so please come ... Shivaay.

A- oh thank god you agreed finally ,good, now give me a hug .

Vrushali gulped down and stretched back her toe fingers tight in fear, sweat beads covered her face as she turned away immediately to hide her tears after seeing Annika standing there near the kitchen counter, hugging nothing but air.

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