The night sky was filled with thundering clouds. Avinash Kaul was pacing infront of the fireplace. His wife was in labour but they couldn't get to the hospital as half of Doda was drown. And this forced them to call upon a midwife to help with the birth of the child.

The rambling outside was making the soon to be father a little worried about his brother, who was returning today. The footsteps brought him out of his thoughts.

A very out of breath midwife came rushing towards him and said, "Sahab(Sir), your wife is in a very critical condition. If this continues then either the mother will survive or the child."

Avinash was stunned into silence. He cannot think of anything, that was no option at all. He loved both his wife and his unborn child dearly. He cannot, no he will not make this kind of choice.

"Amma(midwife), please do something. I cannot loose either of them, please." He said.

The midwife looked at the man, who was at the edge of breaking down, and suddenly her eyes changed there colour and shined a bright gold. Avinash took a step back by the sudden change in the midwife and the atmosphere, both in and out of the house. Then the midwife said in a strong and powerful voice which shook Avinash to his core.

"Avinash, the child that will come, will bring a fortune with her. She is the first girl child your family will have after almost a thousand years. Protect her, for she is the fruit of someone's soulful wait. Until they arrive keep her away from harm. If anything must happen to her, remember the outcome will be disastrous, not only for your family but for the world itself."

Saying that the midwife returned to her normal state and said, "Don't worry, Sahab(Sir). I will do whatever it is that I can do."

She hurried up the stairs after saying that leaving Avinash fixated on his spot. Avinash couldn't fathom what just happened but whatever it was his instincts were screaming at him to listen to it and do exactly as it said.

Avinash took out his phone and called his brother.

"Bhai(brother), Don't worry. I'll be reaching home in sometime." His brother Randhir said.

The tingling on his back made him stiffened and he turned slightly towards the floor to ceiling window. The lightning strike again lighting up the whole area and Avinash saw something moving in the bushes that surrounds his house.

"Randhir, listen to me carefully. Whatever happens, take care of her. Remember nothing can happen to her. Absolutely NOTHING." He said in a strong voice.

"What are you talking about Bhai(brother)?" Randhir said confused by his brother's sudden change in tone.

"Always Remember what i just told you." After saying that Avinash disconnected the call.

He can still feel eyes on him and he knew something was not right. And whatever it was, it was related to his child. He went towards his office and sat down in his chair. He took out his dairy and began to write in it. Soon the midwife came rushing towards him as he was leaving his office.

"Sahab(Sir), I'm really sorry but i wasn't able to save your wife. She was too weak to carry on." She said in a mournful voice.

Avinash looked at the little bundle in Amma's(midwife) arms and took it into his own arms. He looked at his daughter lovingly then looked towards Amma(midwife) and said in a very solemn voice.

"Thank you, Amma(midwife). For bringing my daughter into this world. I will be forever indebted to you."

He gave some money to Amma(midwife) and told her she can leave. After she left, Avinash took his daughter into his hands and looked at his home one last time.

"Rohini, I will take our daughter to a save place. I'm sorry that i cannot stay with you right now." Saying this he rushed towards his car feeling eyes on him at every step.

He didn't knew what exactly was happening or what was that thing that appeared in his living room. He just knew one thing, he had to save his daughter at any cost.

He started the car and raced it towards the highway which lead into the town as he lived in the outskirts. After driving for sometime, he felt something fell on the roof of the car. He started to speed the car more but had to stop as something suddenly jumped infront of the car or rather someone.

The car drifted to the side and collided with a big tree down the road. Avinash was disheveled and hurt but he was only worried about his daughter, who by God's grace was absolutely alright. He got out of the car while carrying his daughter in his arms. He didn't wait or looked back at the figure standing in the middle of the road, he just dashed towards the town but fell down after two steps.

"You think you can outrun me, human. Well, think again." The figure, whoever it was said in a rough voice.

As the figure started to advance towards Avinash, it suddenly stopped and grunted in pain. Avinash saw blood gushing out from his mouth and then the figure fell down, dead. That is when he noticed the two hooded figure standing at the other side of the road, unmoving.

"Go, we will take care of the rest. Protect the child. And don't look back." Saying this the figures disappeared before him leaving him gapping at the spot they were standing. But Avinash didn't dwell on that for long, he had his daughter to safe.

He got up and headed towards town. After what seemed like hours he reached outside a house, which was of his good friend, Kesav's. He went to the front door knocking hysterically.

Kesav opened the door and Avinash came inside shocking Kesav with his behaviour and his state. Avinash was fully covered in blood and was also heaving uncontrollably.

"Aavi, what is this? And whose child is it? What is going on?" Kesav asked altogether.

"Kesav, this is my daughter. Please, keep her save until Randhir arrives. Please, he will come soon." He said loosing his breath little by little.

"Aavi Bhai(brother) what are you saying and where is Rohini?" Avni, Kesav's wife asked taking the child into her arms.

"Avni, please she is someone else's grace. We have to keep her save until they arrive. So, please dear sister please..." Avinash breath his last in his friends arms.

Leaving behind a daughter whose faith was paved with thorns and destination unknown.