It was a bright day until the news of an explosion in Lavina City, the Capital of State Oma, was reported. The tallest building in the city had been blasted to pieces. The government had issued warnings to stay alert and declared a holiday for all workers due to the rising tensions between the countries of Himsuta and Cingang. Despite the warnings, the negotiation talks with Cingang had collapsed, and now the enemy forces had struck the heart of Oma with devastating force.
At the Rajput household, the mood had shifted drastically. Meera Rajput, Raghav's mother, had just finished preparing lunch when the news of the blast was broadcasted on the television. Her eyes widened in shock, and she hurriedly turned off the stove. Raghav, who was upstairs in his room, rushed down to see his mother standing frozen in front of the screen. Anika, his younger sister, was also watching, her face pale as the gravity of the situation sank in. Raghav could feel the tension in the air as their home, once filled with routine sounds, became eerily quiet.
"Mom, what's happening?" Anika asked, her voice trembling.
"This... this isn't a coincidence," Meera replied quietly, glancing towards Raghav. "Something's coming, Raghav. I can feel it."
Raghav didn't respond. He knew exactly what she meant.
Raghav quickly picked up his phone, dialing Anuman Singh number. The phone rang twice before Sameer answered.
Raghav: "Sameer, have you seen the news?"
Anuman: "Yeah, I just saw it. I can't believe it. The tallest building in Lavina... What the hell is going on? They said it was going to happen, but no one actually expected it today!"
Raghav: "I knew something was off. The talks failed, and now this. It's only going to get worse."
Anuman: "I don't know, man. This is insane. What are we supposed to do now? Are you okay over there?"
Raghav: "Yeah, we're fine for now. Just... it's all starting. You feel it too, don't you? Like everything's on the edge?"
Anuman: "I do. It's like we're standing on the edge of something we can't control anymore. The government's been quiet, but now this—it's only a matter of time before things get worse."
Raghav: "It's already happening. Stay alert, Sameer. I'm not sure how much longer we'll be safe here."
Anuman: "I hear you. I'll stay close to my family. Let's keep in touch."
Raghav: "Yeah. Stay safe, Sameer."
As Raghav ended the call, he looked at his family, his heart racing. This was just the beginning. The first explosion had shattered the illusion of safety, and now, the countdown to something much worse had begun.
Raghav's father, Rajan Rajput, stepped into the house as the Rajput family absorbed the terrible news about the blast. He had had a meeting with other society residents, contemplating the ramifications if the situation escalated. There was a sense of anticipation when he entered the house and found his family waiting near the television.
Rajan: "What happened? What are those faces for?"
Meera: "There was an explosion in Lavina City the tallest of the buildings, the enemy forces breached and attacked just the way we had feared."
Rajan: "This . . . it has actually begun. The center of power is no longer safe. I was talking to a couple of neighbors, and everybody is in a rush. They are scared we may get holed up if conditions continue to deteriorate."
Raghav: "Dad, we have to do something. We cannot sit here and watch the situation get worse."
Rajan was certain about his response and felt the heaviness of the choice. He opened his phone and called his two brothers, Vikram and Arjun, who resided close to him.
Rajan: "Vikram, Arjun, how about you, are you watching any news?"
Vikram: "Yes, just saw it. Lavina. What? I can't believe this is happening!"
Arjun: "Agreed. It's not a full escape, but it's a better position than where we are now. Let's get everything ready and meet there."
Rajan: "Then it's settled. Start preparing. I'll have my family get everything we need, and we'll leave at dawn."
---
After the call ended, Rajan turned to his family, his face set with a grim resolve.
Rajan: "We're going to the village. It's safer than here, and we'll be with your uncles' families. We don't know how long this will go on, so we'll take everything we can for now. I want each of you to start packing the essentials. We leave at dawn."
Meera: "I'll pack the kitchen supplies, food, and any medicine we might need."
Anika: "I'll help, Mom. Should we take blankets and clothes too?"
Raghav: "Dad, I'll get the trolley connected to the car and make sure everything's in position for loading up."
Rajan: "Good. Just focus on things we'll need to survive comfortably. Food, blankets, clothes, anything that could be difficult to get later."
With that, the Rajput household was transformed into a hive of frantic preparation. Meera and Anika hurried to the kitchen, sorting through supplies, filling bags with rice, lentils, canned goods, and any non-perishable food they could find. Meera packed bottles of water and first-aid kits, while Anika gathered blankets, warm clothes, and extra shoes. The urgency was evident in the way they moved, their faces etched with concern but driven by purpose.
Meanwhile, Raghav worked outside, hauling the trolley to the back of their SUV, ensuring it was securely connected. He tested the brakes, checked the tires, and loaded anything his mother handed to him in a steady stream. The family was moving as a unit, each one aware of the gravity of the moment, each realizing they might not see this house again for a long time—or perhaps never.
Rajan coordinated from room to room, checking everyone's progress, occasionally pausing to reassure them. He could see the tension in his daughter's face, the worry in his wife's eyes. But this was not the time for words of comfort. There was only action now, a race against an uncertain dawn.
By the early morning, the house was bare of essentials, with only the heavy silence left behind. As the first light crept over the horizon, Rajan gave the final nod. Their journey to the village—and away from the looming chaos—was about to begin.
As the first light of dawn broke, Vikram, the eldest of the three brothers, stood outside his home, his car loaded and ready. His son, Karan, double-checked their bags and supplies, while his daughter, Preeti, brought a small blanket. His wife, Rekha, stepped outside with a packed container of food, her face lined with worry but steady with purpose as she handed Vikram a bag filled with chapatis, curry, and fruits for the journey.
Rekha: "Here, Vikram. This should be enough for all of us during the drive. Let's keep moving and stay alert."
Vikram: "Thank you, Rekha. You've kept us prepared and calm through all this. We'll make it to the village together and find safety there."
Karan: "Dad, I checked the tires and the brakes again. Everything's good."
Preeti: "Are we really going to be safer in the village, Papa?"
Vikram: "Yes, Preeti. It's safer there, surrounded by family. We just have to keep to the plan."
With one last look around, he signaled his family to get in the car, his hand resting firmly on the wheel as they pulled away toward the Fourway, where they would meet Rajan and Arjun.
---
Arjun, the youngest brother, stood outside his house, breathing in the cool morning air and taking stock of the supplies they'd packed. He glanced back at his wife, Shanti, who had been ill recently but handed him a small bag of snacks she'd prepared. Their son, Amit, was busy checking the rear doors of the car to make sure everything was secure.
Shanti: "Arjun, take breaks if you need to. Let's not rush too fast, alright?"
Arjun: "I'll keep an eye on everything. You've done enough, Shanti, especially with your health. Just rest in the car."
Amit: "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be looking out for Dad and everything else too."
Shanti: "Thank you, Amit. Both of you—just stay focused and stay close."
With that, they got in the car, Arjun taking one last glance around before they joined the road, heading toward the Fourway where they'd meet Vikram and Rajan.
---
Rajan, the middle brother, stood beside his car, helping his wife Meera secure their belongings. The sun was barely visible, casting a faint red hue across the sky. Anika clutched a small bag with her favorite belongings, and Raghav, as the eldest, made sure everything was in order. Meera held Rajan's hand briefly, nodding to him with a look that said everything.
Meera: "We're ready, Rajan. The essentials are all here."
Rajan: "Good. This journey isn't long, but we need to stay sharp and calm. Soon, we'll be with your uncles and have some peace."
Raghav: "Dad, I'll keep an eye on the road and help with anything we need. We're ready."
Anika: "Will it really be safe in the village, Papa?"
Rajan: "Yes, Anika. We'll be together, and we'll be prepared. That's all we need to make it through this."
With a final check around, he got into the driver's seat, and they began their journey away from Ashtaam City, each mile taking them closer to their refuge with family.
To be Continued...