Certainly, getting kidnapped, on the trip was not in agenda for Shivani but here she was, in a tiny confined space with a stranger she had a row with the other day.
Now this brat suit guy from the luxury car seem the only and the best company considering the situation.
The ray of sunlight disappeared slowly as they went through a deep slope road through a dark tunnel.
Shivani and Ray realized that the tunnel goes through somewhere below the mountains.
Everything went dark for good 10 minutes, the only sound came from their ragged breathing.
Shivani had hopes to survive in her mind but the thoughts were not reciprocated by something deep inside her at the moment. They needed a plan, a way to escape.
"I know what you are thinking." Ray said pulling Shivani out of her thoughts.
"Tell me. I can have some help with my thoughts right now."
"Look Shivani, we cannot get out of this box but we might be able to escape once we get out. So just wait and calm down."
"I'm trying but look around, this is the most ideal situation to freak out."
Ray smiled and shook his head at the humor exhibited by Shivani even in those circumstances.
Sunlight through the hole was back but a bit dim this time, they predicted the time of the day by that but there was no other clue as to where they were.
The truck slowed down and along with that Shivani felt farther and farther from the world she's been part of till now. It was as if she was transported to another world along with a companion who was still wincing at every move he made.
"Are you alright?" Shivani asked, concern evident in her words.
"Yes I'll be fine. Just need to straighten up." Ray said and tried to streatch his body in the confined space that they were put into.
Now they were completely still, waiting to be taken to the queen Martha. No movement and sound made it impossible for them to predict the situation outside.
Shivani and Ray were huddled closer without realising as the uncertainty of the upcoming moment was becoming heavier by the second.
Sweat dripping from both of theirs forehead and shiver within was enough to reflect their feelings at the moment.
Suddenly the top of the box was opened and dropped on the other side with a bang, Shivani and Ray stared at the four figures staring right at them from the four sides of the box.
With the big masculine body of four figures it wasn't hard to decide whether or not to follow their orders.
One of the man helped Shivani climb out of the box and other two lifted Ray and supported him from either side while the fourth one was standing on the doors waiting for all of them to get out.
The one standing outside the truck, probably driver just stood there with a smug smile on his face.
"Welcome to the town, Ratri." He said as Shivani climbed down the truck and fought and unwanted urge to give a piercing reply.
"I don't know why you are doing this, just let us go and you won't have to deal with the consequences." Ray said as he climbed down with the help of the three men behind.
The greeter moved closer with threatening eyes and predatory steps, stood right in front of Ray.
Shivani mentally prayed for Ray as she didn't wanted him to be hurt anymore than he already was.
"Please don't hurt him." Shivani couldn't stop herself, her intuitive abilities were kicking in as she realized these goon men were merely pawns to a big game.
Before further scenarios could unfold and they proceed towards what waits ahead, the man left the direct sight of Ray and came closer to Shivani, without any warning he fisted her in the face. Shivani fell to the ground wincing in pain as Ray came forward to help her but was pushed back to the ground by others.
Shivani wiped the blood on her cheek and stood up to stop those sadist, or at least try in that case when her mind went blank and body stiffened.
Flashes of dark red spot in the night dust.
Blue crown. Green sash. Black gown. Red spot. Red spot.
Red spot getting bigger.
A lady. Lady with the red eyes, black gown, green sash, blue crown. Who is she?
Shivani stared intently into the red eyes and clouded hushed voice filled her head.
"Night never leaves the purpose it serves"
Shivani's eyes snapped open, what was that? Gasping for air she looked around.
The blood on floor was now proof of the suffering Ray faced for standing up against those sadistic men. Now smoking something similar to cigarettes but not exactly it, all the five men were silently standing far apart from each other in that garage like area.
Shivani sat beside Ray who was awake but unable to move.
Clutching his hand in her's Shivani moved closer to him and rubbed his shoulders to at least provide some warmth if not more.
Neither of them had any idea of what was about to come nor had the expectation to have better luck with whatever this place Ratri had to offer.
In Shivani's village -
"Dadi, we'll find Shivani, please don't stress much." Diya was sitting beside Shivani's grandmother, consoling her.
"I don't know why they haven't found her yet. How is she doing? I'm going kill whoever's tried to harm my girl."
"Dadi, Diya they've found a mobile phone near the the petrol station and it could be Shivani's, we need to go to Pune and confirm." Zoya came running and took a deep breadth to compose herself after speaking.
"Really? Let's go then. Call Dandi. Tell him to arrange a vehicle. " Dadi stood up in a blink and they all started preparing for the trip to Pune but this time for totally different reasons.
"This is Shivani's mobile. It's smashed so bad with a piercing object." Diya was saying as she tried not to sob at the thought of her friend being hurt.
"And there's more. Our team found some traces of blood near the phone, we don't know who they belong to but it seems like there were close to five or six men and a truck. We are pretty sure that Shivani has been abducted and taken via that truck.
"Sir, I told you Shivani sounded panicked on the phone but away from whatever she was scared of, maybe she saw someone else in danger and called me to get help. Isn't there anyone else missing from around here?
"Yes we checked that too but there is not other complaint of missing in last week and your friend had been missing for 22 hours now. But we'll keep a lookout if anything comes and our team is still trying to trace the tyres of the truck." The police officer said.
After thanking the officer Zoya, Diya, Dadi and Dandi left the police station.
None of them dared to speak a word on the way, afraid to break down anytime. This was a difficult time for all of them and there was nothing any of them could do to help.
Diya's phone vibrated in her hand, it was Mikesh.
"Mik?" Diya spoke in the phone.
"Diya, what did they find?" Mikesh said instantly.
"Mik, they found her phone and some tyre marks and blood." Diya's voice gave up at the end as she struggled to speak another word between the sobs. Zoya kept a consoling hand on her shoulder but herself struggled to stay calm.
"Diya, we'll find her." Mikesh sounded as broken as them.
Dadi was just sitting there, without and expressions, probably in shock of assumption that she might not be able to see her granddaughter ever.
Zoya hugged Dadi tight to take away some pain and fear and kept holding Diya on other side while she herself felt the sorrow consuming her mind as her body felt weak.
'Shivani where are you' she thought to herself.