A U T H O R

The car roared to life,moving with a steady speed.The music played in a low volume.

"Papa,I wanted to take more rides," the boy around 11 years said.He was wearing a casual t-shirt and blue jeans,sitting in the back seat,his lips forming a pout as he folded his arms across his chest.

His father was driving the car,chuckling slightly at his antics before saying, "That was enough,Dharv.We will take more rides,next time," he said softly,glancing at his reflection through the rear-view mirror.

His mother was sitting in the passenger seat beside his father,said, "Yes,Dharv.Your father has important work otherwise we would have spent a little more time there," her voice soft as she spun her head to look at her son.

He exasperated and said, "Fine," shrugging his shoulders, "but next time,I will take all the rides," he added,his voice firm.

His parents laughed a little and shared a brief eye contact.

His father shook his head in amusement and said, "Whatever my son says."

As those words tumbled out from his father's mouth,a wide smile crept across his lips, "Love you dad.You are the best," he said, blowing a flying kiss to his father.

His mother interjected, "So,you only love him,not me," she remarked dramatically.

He pulled from his seat slightly to hug his mother, "No mom.I love you the most," his voice was tender and sincere.

She placed her hand on his cheek and said, "I love you,beta."

His father arched a brow at her and said, "Only him,not me," his voice was laced with mischief as he shifted his focus back on the road.

She laughed a little but said nothing.Dharv also pulled back in his seat and began admiring the outer view.

The car was filled with comforting silence after their cute family banter.

But it didn't last long as something unexpected happened.

The truck rushed toward them with the full speed.Dharv's father had barely any chance to register,when the truck collided with their car.Tires screeched with the impact.The front of the car crumpled like paper.

Both his parents head were severely injured.Their breaths ragged and bodies drenched with a blood.

Dharv was sitting in the back seat,so he didn't get many injuries but his head was dripping with the blood due to hitting with the side glass and his arms were wounded.

He touched his head as it was paining.

He felt numb, unable to process what happened. He tried to steady himself.

As his gaze swept to the front of the car, his breath caught in his throat.His face contored with anguish.

He saw his parents,who were lying almost lifeless in the front seats - fighting for their last breaths.

Tears rolled down his cheeks uncontrollably as he said, "M...mom,D...dad," his lips quivered as he approached to touched his parents shoulders tenderly,his hands trembled.

Panic shot through his chest as he stood up,his head hitting the car's roof but he didn't care.His whole concern was his parents - who were soaked in a blood in front of him.

He called out again, "Mom,Dad," his voice grew louder with each sob.

His mother gasped as she tried to voice her thoughts, "Dh...Dharv," she choked out,her voice barely a whisper,blood dripped down her forehead,painting her whole face.She pulled her hand toward him.

"Y...Yes,mom.Don't worry," he choked out as he clutched her hand tightly, "I will not let anything happen to you both," he said,his voice shook with fear.

His mother spoke again, "Promise me,Baby.You will take care of yourself," her voice filled with concern.

He shook his head vigorously and muttered, "Why are you saying this mom?" his sobs echoed in the car as he continued, "Aap log ho naa...toh mujhe apna khyaal rakhne ki kya zarurat hai."

His face was red with panic, exhaustion and helplessness as he watched his parents struggling for each breath.

His father breathed heavily before saying, "Your mom is right,Dharv," he said,closing his eyes briefly to bear a searing pain shot through his body. "And Promise me,you will fulfill your dream," he swallowed hard and said, "You will become an IPS officer."

"I...I promise dad,I promise everything," he said hurriedly, "But you guys promise me,aap log mujhe chhod ke kahin nahin jaoge," his voice rough but reeked of desperation.

His chest tightened.His stomach churned.Sobs wracked his body as he watched his parents taking their last breaths in front of him.

"No...No...No," He screamed, his voice trembling with plea. "Somebody here,please help us," he shouted.

Nobody came.He kept calling and screaming but all his efforts went in vain.

At last,His vision blured and he went unconscious.

Dharv comes out of his reverie as his phone buzzes.

Taking a deep breath,he answers the call,his hands shaking slightly as he tries to shake off the dreadful memories and says, "Yes... What's the report?" his voice sharp but slightly quivering from the momeries he remembered moments back.

"Good morning,Sir," the person on the other end speaks.

He doesn't acknowledge his greeting,just shuts his eyes for a few moments to let those memories settle down.

The voice comes from other end, "Sir,he had transferred a huge money to few officers,taki woh uske saboot mita dein," his voice is laced with disbelief, "aur ab use lagta hai uska koi kuch nahin bigad sakta."

Dharv's lips curve into a smirk as he says, "Let him believe that," he ends the call without listening to the other person.

He lets out a sigh and holds a cup in his hand,begins taking slow sips of coffee.The scent of coffee fills his nostrils - anchoring him from the chaos of the world and somehow from his inner self too.

He is sitting on the roof top cafe bathed in morning sunlight,illuminating his devilish features.

This place is secluded from the city,near the highway.Whenever he is tensed or upset,he always goes there and that place works as a magic for him.He finds solace there.

The waiter approaches him,he pays the bill and leaves the place.

••••••••••

W I N G S O R P H A N A G E

A girl around 7 years went to the ice-cream stall, fisting a note of 20 rupees in her hand.The chain of the purse tucked at her shoulder,the purse hanging near her tiny waist.Her ponytail swirling with the air.

"Bhaiya...ek ice-cream dena," she said politely to the vendor.

As he was preparing a cone for her,she began playing with the paper note.Suddenly,the note slipped from her hand.She hurriedly tried to pick it up but it flew with the air.

She clenched her teeth in frustration and began chasing it.

Near the entrance,she was able to catch it and let out a triumphant sigh.

As she turned to move back to the ice-cream shop,the murmurs echoed in her ears.Her curiosity made her still to the spot as she tried to listen to them.

She spun her head to look from where those voices were coming and she found a man and a lady standing at few distance away, engrossed in a phone call.

Their faces were restless.Their movements were sharp and furtive as they spoke into the phone.

"Kuch bhi ho jaye,woh log bachne nahin chahiye," the man said,his voice was chilling.

"Bilkul accident lagna chahiye.Kisi ko kaano kaan khabar nahin honi chahiye ki yeh plannned murder tha," the woman said,her voice menacing.

That girl's hand instinctively rose to cover her mouth,her eyes widened,her pulse thundered in her chest as she listened to them.

She trembled in her place and took few steps back when that lady's gaze caught her.

Panic rose in her lungs as she ran - terrified and dread.

Their faces drained of colors as they watch her running.Without a word,they began pursuing her.

The girl pushed through the crowd,her mind went blank,her legs trembled as she ran for life.

The couple began searching her.They cursed each other in between to let her escape.

She hid near a shop.Her eyes squeezed shut.She hugged her knees tightly to her chest.Her body was shaking with fear.Her stomach churned as their conversation replayed in her mind.She mentally scolded herself for listening to their talk.Tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably.She cried endlessly.

After few moments,when she had no energy left,she fell unconscious.

Shivangi jolts awake from the nightmare.Her breathing frantic,her chest rising and falls rapidly.Her forehead drenches in sweat.She presses her hand to her chest to steady her racing pulse.

It had been years to that incident but it still haunts her through the nightmares.

When she starts feeling better,she gets out of the bed, slipping into her footwear and disappears into the washroom.

She turns on the shower,takes a warm bath, tries to divert her mind from the nightmare,seeking some relief from harsh memories.

After doing her morning routine,she slips into a light pink kurti and tugs her dupatta on her shoulder.Her movements slow and hesitant as the earlier torment still lingering in her mind. As she applies lipstick,lines a kohl on her eyes softly and let out her open hairs flow over her shoulders and back effortlessly.

One last glance at the mirror with a heavy heart.With a sharp sigh,she steps towards the bed and picks her phone. As she turns it on,one notification makes her heart swell.

A smile creeps on her face as she reads the message :

Hi Ms. Shivangi,You are being called for an interview today.

Tears blur her vision due to joy after getting an interview notice from one of the most desirable companies,she quickly storms towards the hall of her Orphanage where the other orphans whom she considers as her family and the owner of the orphanage,Dhanraj Singh,are gathered on the dining table for the morning breakfast.

Everyone's heads turn up as her feet echoed,noticing a warm glow and a bright smile on her face,Dhanraj asked her, "You seem so happy today,Shivangi," his voice,a blend of confusion and amusement.

She replies, "I got an appointment letter from the company,for which I was trying for last few months," her breaths shallow from running but unmistakable excitement tingling in her tone as she answers.

His lips curl into a soft smile as he glances at her,his heart full with happiness and pride,watching her chasing her dreams.He says, "All the best my child,I know you will rock it," giving her confidence.

She smiles softly, "Thank You Uncle."

The other children also congratulate her and wish her good luck.They are equally thrilled for their Shivangi didi's job.

She reciprocates with a blow of kisses to all of them,bids a goodbye and leaves for her interview,tucking her purse at her shoulder.

Her pulse thrumming with joy.

She sits in an auto and reaches the company.

She fidgets with her dupatta as her eyes sweep across the large building,nervousness coiled in her stomach.Taking a deep breath,she steps inside.

Approaching a receptionist,she asks about her interview place, "Excuse me I am shivangi,I have been called for an interview.Can you please tell me where and when my interview will take place ?"

The receptionist smiles, "That way mam," she says,gesturing towards the elevator, "Interviews are being taken on the fourth floor," she added softly.

Whispering a thank you,Shivangi slid into the elevator.Pressing the fourth floor,she moved through the narrow passages with glasses walls,her mind racing and palms clammy as her eyes scanned the whole floor.

Her heart is pounding inside her chest as she thinks about her interview.She sees many candidates sitting on the sofas outside the interview cabin and joins them quietly.

Evening strikes,

and after waiting for many hours,her name announces.Taking a deep breath,she walks towards the cabin,her steps slow - almost reverent.

She enters,greets every member of the panel,taking a seat before them.Her interview begins.She gives all the answers confidently,her voice slightly wavering in between but she manages to compose herself.

The panel seems to be impressed with her answers and asks her to wait outside for the results.

She nods meekly and walks towards the sofas where the other candidates are also waiting for their results desperately.

Some are talking and discussing,a few are cursing their fates and the panels for the typical questions but Shivangi remains quiet.

Her thoughts are consumed with the uncertainty as she internally prays to get this job.

After what feels like an eternity,the company's manager comes and selects the candidates name's list in his hands as he begins to announce the names.

Shivangi's happiness knows no boundaries when her name is announced,she wants to jump and scream right there but she controls herself.

After taking her joining letter from the reception as informed by the manager,she barges out of the company.

She mutters a "thank you," to the almighty under her breath for the job.

She decides to surprise her whole orphanage,a grin breaks out as she pictures their reactions.

She goes to the nearby market to buy some sweets and chocolates boxes for her Orphanage.

The sky was filled with an orange-yellow hue as the Sun was on the brink of setting.

Paying the shopkeeper,she holds the boxes in her hands and walks out to find a bus or an auto.

Her phone's battery was also dead and she cursed herself for not putting her phone on charging.Now,she can't inform them about her whereabouts,her heart lurched with worry.

As the night begins to fall,her blood ran cold due to the rising darkness.

She walks to find the auto.

She raises her hands to stop them but nobody does.

As she moves further,few men are leaning against the wall,their clothes shabby,grown beards hiding their faces,their eyes holding disgust,their appearance horrible.

Nausea hits her as she observes their despicable gaze, gnawing at her like predators watching their prey.

Her knees buckle,her chest tightened and her whole body shivered with terror as she hurried her steps.

They start moving behind her with deliberate and slow steps.Smirks flickering on their faces.A hollow gut-wrenching chuckles escape their lips.

She runs - runs to her life.They also begin chasing her.

Her mind goes blank,ears ringing with fear as her breath rags as she speeds her feet.

Her purse lost somewhere,the boxes she carried with her with so much love and affection,also slipped from her hand.

While running,she gets hit by a car.

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