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Saanvi's POV:

"Haa bhabhi, I have bought the medicines. I am going to meet Tara now, then I will be back home, " I told bhabhi.

"Okay come back soon" bhabhi replied.

It has been 2 days since bhai and Nikhil had gone to Bangalore. Bhabhi and I had so much fun in these 2 days that would definitely give both the boys a shock. 

We cooked random things, danced in the living room, binge-watched old movies, and even forced the butlers to join our silly games. It felt so good, laughing without any reason, living without any weight.

Bhabhi wasn't feeling well today; she was a little nauseous, so I came to buy the medicines, plus I also had to meet Tara. 

I exited the pharmacy and then I walked a little further for the metro station. I was looking in my phone when I saw a shadow just behind me. 

At first, I ignored it. Mumbai is full of people; someone walking behind isn't a big deal. But that feeling didn't go away. My stomach tightened and my instinct told me better. I didn't react just walked in my normal speed. 

I put my phone on my ear and acted like I was on a call. "Yes I am coming, just around the corner" I said a little louder, hoping whoever it was would hear.

I looked at the glass door of a shop as I passed. That's when I saw him - a man in a black hoodie and cap, walking close behind me.

I turned and saw that man had stopped, so I quickened my speed and went inside the nearest shop pretending to look at the clothes.

I feel my heart racing. Why the fuck is that man following me? Who is he?

My brain thinks of so many things and before I could call or do something I saw that man entering the shop. 

Luckily this shop has two entrance so I use the back one and slipped out. I move into a small alley taking a shortcut to the main road. 

Then I started walking fast, I just had to reach the main road and get an auto. Just a few more steps-

Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth.

Outof instinct I bite the man's hand as hard as I could. He groaned and his hold loosened around me. 

Taking that as a chance I pushed him hard and ran, not caring about where I am going. 

My heart is beating erratically, and my gut is telling me that if I don't get out of here something very bad would happen.

Just when I though I had escaped him, I saw him emerging from the other lane. I gasped and turned back but before I could do run, he again covered my mouth. I kicked and struggled, but the grip got tighter.

"Let go of me!" I tried to shout, but my voice came out muffled.

Then something sharp pricked my neck. i hissed, still trying to break free from his grip. But then I felt it, my body going limp and the world blurring around me. 

I heard the distant sound of a vehicle and someone dragging me away,  and I could hear the sound of a van door shutting.

"Nikhil" my heart screamed his name before everything went black.

_

Author's POV:

It is almost 6 in the evening.

Bhavika was pacing in the living room. Saanvi had called her around 12 and told her she'd be back soon but there is no sign of her.

"The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off, please try again later" she groaned.

At least until a few moments ago her phone was ringing but now..

She felt her heart racing. Saanvi never did like this, if her phone was low on battery, she would have informed her.

Without wasting any moment she called Tara, all the while praying god for them to be together. "Hello?"

"Hello Tara, is Saanvi with you?"

Tara's voice came confused "No bhabhi. She said that she is on the way, but she didn't come."

Bhavika froze. Her grip tightened around the phone "What do you mean she didn't come?"

"I though maybe she got busy or something. What happened, is she not home yet?" Tara asked concerned.

Bhavika didn't reply, her stomach twisted with unease. "No Tara she is not home, and now her phone is also switched off" 

"What!" Tara exclaimed "Don't worry bhabhi she must be on the way"

"No Tara, she called me last at 12, and now it's almost 6. I am having really bad feeling" Bhavika said.

"Bhabhi don't worry I am calling Mayank and Yash, we will go and look out for her okay. You relax" she hummed and hung up the call.

Bhavika sat on the couch but her mind was still racing from the thoughts. But her heart was feeling so restless.

"Rahul bhaiyaa" she called out the butler "Check the gate footage, see if there is any sign of Saanvi"

He left hurriedly. Within minutes, he returned shaking his head "No ma'am, no sign of her"

Something wasn't right.

She tried calling again. Nothing. The silence felt heavier. 

Without wasting another second she called Saurabh. 

"Hi baby" came his voice.

"Saurabh" her voice trembled "Saanvi hasn't come back yet"

Hearing his wife's voice, he straightened. Looking at him Nikhil also got alert. Nikhil took his phone and put it on speaker.

"Bhabhi what happened? Are yo alright?" he asked.

"Nikhil, Saanvi went out and she is not hoem yet" her voice came out with urgency.

Nikhil's hold around the phone tightened  "What do you mean bhabhi?"

"She went out in the afternoon to get medicines and to meet Tara. It's been hours. Now phone is switched off."

Nikhil's heart stopped beating for a second. He gulped and his body went still.

 "When did you talk to her last" Saurbah asked.

"Around 12, she told me she is leaving the pharmacy and would go to meet Tara" she said, sobbing

"Did you ask Tara baby?" he asked.

"Yes. She said Saanvi didn't come or call her either. She and her friends have gone out to search for her" 

Saurabh kept a hand on his brother's shoulder, assuring him.

"Baby we are leaving right now from here okay. Stay in touch with Tara and her friends, I am sure they would find her okay. You don't worry, Saanvi is fine okay." he said assuringly.

"Please find her. I have a bad feeling" she sobbed.

Hanging up the call, both the boys without wasting another second rushed to the airport. 

"She will be fine na bhai" Nikhil asked, his body shaking.

"Yes, she will be fine Nikhil. Tara, Mayank and Yash are finding her. I just got their message see" he showed him his phone.

But his heart.., his heart knew she was not fine. That she was in trouble. 

He cursed himself for not being there, for leaving them alone. Even when his heart said not to leave.

No he can't do anything but wait and pray for her to be safe.

"Kanhaji please keep my Saanvi safe" he prayed silently.

Meanwhile, Tara, Mayank and Yash romaed around teh area Saanvi was last known to be. Now they are also getting tensed as they can't find her.

Minutes turned into hours, still no sign of Saanvi.

Nikhil and Saurabh's flight has taken off but they won't be able to reach for another another 1 hour and so.

Bhavika has already called the chief commissioner and told him to find Saanvi. He assured her that his team would find her as soon as possible.

But no assurance or anything helped the panic in her heart. She kept pacing, staring at the main door, hoping to would reveal Saanvi with her usual grin. But nothing..

Her phone pinged and she rushed to the coffee table. Praying it to be any information related to Saanvi.

Unknown number. 

She unlocked her phone and saw the notification. A text. 

She opened it - and froze.

It was a location of somewhere on the outskirts of Mumbai. And below it an image.

Her hands trembled and bile rose in her stomach.

Tied to a chair. Hands bound. A piece of cloth around mouth. Clothes torn in places. Face lost of all it's colour.

Saanvi

Bhavika felt the ground beneath her shift. Her knees gave out. 

To be continued...