~~
When their drive started, the little raindrops started pouring down. But since, it was normal in this weather. So, no one gives it a second thought.
The driver ignited the engine and with the blow of the horn, he began the journey. Ashutosh was resting on the comfy seat, his eyes closed, his hand holding his head.
While Yuvika and Vivek were sitting parallel to him, their faces facing him. They were busy with their communication. But whenever Vivek's voice gets a little louder, then Yuvika has to calm him down, to ensure that their boss would get the appropriate rest he deserves.
Vivek has many questions to ask from Yuvika, but how could he dare say anything that she won't like in their boss's presence, for whom Vivek can tell, he is just meditating not sleeping.
Thus, they talk about many things. The journey was becoming more and more exciting for Vivek and Yuvika, who was busy pulling each other's leg. Unknown to the fact, the little, mild rain had turned into a heavy downpour. The sky was filled with clouds and the thunder and lightning were striking the surface every now and then.
The rainfall became so heavy that it started rising the flood in the water of river Yamuna. The Yamuna, who has been raising Delhi and its citizens as a loving, caring mother, turned into a massive form of destruction within minutes.
But the aim of this massive destruction wasn't to harm someone or anyone but to fulfill one of the major purposes. Soon, one of its tributaries reached the place from where 'The Van' was supposed to pass to reach the marked destination.
There it started creating destruction. It broke the bridge, uprooted the trees, and even washed away many lives, including humans and animals. Many houses get destroyed, many things get destroyed. People were struggling for their lives. That's when the trio's van reached that place.
Before the driver could either warn others or stop the car, it was already skipping past the edge where once the bridge was. He pulled the handbrake. But it was a little too late, as the van was already hung at the edge of the cliff.
[Is that what a cliffhanger truly means? I mean, hanging at the edge of the cliff. So, here's the cliffhanger of the novel, with the cliff-hanging scenario. Lol.]
Ashutosh, Viveka, and Yuvika become alert too. After hearing the loud screech of brakes, luckily they had their seatbelts on. Vivek knocks on the glass window, to ask the driver what happened. While Ashutosh had already pulled Yuvika to his side, in order to protect her from any danger or threat, they might meet.
Creating the ripples of warmth and happiness in Yuvika's heart. After all, she had analyzed and noticed how he had started putting her above himself. See, once again.
Vivek was shocked to see the sight in front of him, but when he returned to tell the duo, he got another shock.
'What happened?' Ashutosh asked, clearly not pleased at being watched like this.
'Boss, we are in big trouble.' Vivek said, making the duo frown.
'I don't know exactly what happened, but the van is already hanging at the edge of the cliff.' Vivek said with utmost seriousness, the hint of urgency in his voice.
'What?' The duo asked in unison. Vivek ducked a little to give the duo, but with his little moment, the car moved, making Ashutosh shout; 'Don't move, you idiot.'
Vivek froze in his place. After all, who doesn't love his life? Besides, he knows his boss has every right to get angry at him for his foolishness. After all, if anyone can save them in this situation then it has to do with the genius brain of Ashutosh.
'Miss Chauhan, can you reach till the door?' Ashutosh asked, making Yuvika stare at the door, then without moving an inch from her pace, she tried.
Luckily, the door was up to her hand length.
'Yes, I can.' She replied. Making Ashutosh nod.
'Cool, then try to shift slightly to the right, one step at a time as I will do the same towards the left. Remember we must be in sync. Vivek, Mr. Das hold your positions tightly.
The moment the doors will be opened. We all will be jumping towards the green grass, on the count of three. Is that clear?' Ashutosh patiently gave instructions patiently to each and every person, who nodded in return.
Everyone unbuckled their seats. Driver and Vivek didn't move. While Ashutosh and Yuvika move slowly, one step at a time.
Soon, they reach near the door. They open it as slowly as possible.
'Alright, on the count of three, we all will jump. One. Two. Three. Jump.' Ashutosh shouted and then jumped to the nearest safe place. Yuvika did the same.
While the startled Vivek and driver remain rooted to their seats. Ashutosh and Yuvika check each other and then at the two idiots in the car.
'Jump. Now.' Ashutosh roared at the duo. But, before either of them could jump, the land beneath the van fall down, bringing the van with Vivek and Mr. Das in it, down toward the almighty river.
'VIVEK!!! MR. DAS!!!' Ashutosh shouted on top of his lungs, while Yuvika froze in her spot at the sudden turn of events. Just like a soulless body. Ashutosh ran after them but halted at the place which was differentiating the eight-hundred feet high hill from the river.
He watched how the van kept rolling down and down with all the stones, trees, and debris, Vivek and Mr. Das's screams filled the area, but he couldn't do anything, he found himself completely helpless.
Well, what can a normal human do against the forces of nature? He isn't a hulk.
But as if the heavens doesn't want to make it easy for Vivek and Mr. Das, the car suddenly caught fire and within minutes exploded out.
Shunning the silent place with the bang sound. Yuvika fell on her knees, tears started to roll down. She doesn't have to go down the edge to know what has happened.
Ashutosh felt all his energy getting sucked as he too fell down on the ground, his eyes fixed at the still-burning van. His mind processing what happened, while his heart denies what just happened?
'NO!' He roared for the last time, after which he turned silent, gravely silent. His eyes were not living the spot where the now burnt van was. Yuvika's eyes fell on him and she didn't even need to know what was wrong with him.
Since Vivek was the friend, well-wisher, the source of happiness and entertainment to both Yuvika and Ashutosh. He was like a family to them. Their The Raj family.
~~
Time passed and she kept stealing glances at Ashutosh from time to time. It's like he has been covered in a shell. Not doing anything. Not saying anything. Not knowing anything. Nothing. Just sitting there like a statue.
~~
It was already past the twilight period and they were still sitting there like a statue. When, she couldn't take it any longer. She calls out to him; ' B-Boss.'
'Boss.' She called him again, as gently and softly as possible.
After gaining some strength she reached him out. His broken state was breaking her too. It was really very painful for her to see the person in front of her like this, especially when she had lost Vivek forever.
She placed her hand on Ashutosh's shoulder and gently called him out once again; ' Boss.'
Ashutosh finally stares at her, his eyes finally getting the focus, the clarity in them. He hugged her tightly and cried while placing his head on her bosom. She could feel his grief, his sadness, his loss. So, she didn't say anything, just kept patting him, while silently crying herself.
They really lost a great friend today.
~~
After crying for several minutes, he finally raises his head and stares at the silently crying girl. He wiped her tears away and kissed her gently on her forehead, then cheeks and lips.
Firstly, it was just a peck, but then he stared at her trying to know what she wanted but when she closed her eyes in return, then kissed her hard, till they ran out of breath.
Well, she knows the loss was huge and her husband might need a distraction to think about the future again. So, she let him do what he has every right to do. As she wanted to save her first time for someone, to whom she can love wholeheartedly and although she admits, it's quite early for them to proceed to this stage, but then again, she had said she will give it, give them a chance.
He placed her forehead on hers while letting her grasp some breath in. After which, once again his lips found hers.
The night was long, where the world was dealing with the loss, the grief. Somewhere out there in the ruined site, two hearts were finding solace in each other's warmth, forgetting about everything and everyone, remembering only the passion, the lust, and love they carried for each other.