As the party wound down, laughter and chatter gradually gave way to a gentle hum of contentment. I stood by the door, thanking each guest for coming as they made their way out. My mom was glowing, the pride radiating from her being while she waved goodbye to our friends.
When Uncle Ben approached, I felt a sense of warmth. He had been one of the few who remained steadfast after my father's disappearance, a rock amidst the storm. "Thank you for the lovely evening, Aryan. It was nice to see everyone come together!" he said, a soft smile on his face.
"Thanks, Uncle Ben! I'm really glad you could make it," I replied sincerely. Between him and a few others who hadn't distanced themselves, I felt a strong sense of gratitude for the bonds that still held.
My mom chimed in from behind, "We'll drop you home, Uncle Ben! No need for you to travel alone so late."
"That would be wonderful, Mahima. Thank you!" he said graciously.
As I gathered my belongings and Aladdin from the living room, Mukund and I exchanged glances, understanding that it was only respectful to ensure Uncle Ben made it home safely. We hopped into the car Mukund bought with his share of profit's, and I secured Aladdin in his carrier next to me, who now seemed to enjoy the afterglow of excitement coursing through his tiny body.
The drive was comfortable, with soft music playing in the background, and Uncle Ben sharing stories from his own youth that made everyone chuckle. His tales felt somehow timeless, bridging past and present in a way that made the journey feel shorter.
When we reached Uncle Ben's house, he turned to me with a thoughtful expression. "Oh! I almost forgot! I have something for you, Aryan." He fished out a small, intricately designed watch from his pocket. "This was your father's, Abbas. He accidentally left it in my car a while ago. I couldn't bring myself to return it until now."
I took the watch with both hands, feeling its weight and significance. It was an unmistakable piece of my father that linked me to his past. "Thank you, Uncle Ben," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "It means a lot to me."
"I know it must be difficult for you, but don't lose sight of the good memories," he said gently, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Your father was a remarkable man."
With a warm smile, I nodded, appreciating his kind words. "I'll cherish it, Uncle Ben. It'll remind me of the good times and the lessons he left me."
As we stepped out of the car, I glanced down at the watch resting in my palm. It had a classic design, gleaming silver with a hint of wear, each tick whispering stories of moments shared. It filled me with both nostalgia and hope.
Uncle Ben gave me an encouraging pat on the back before waving us goodbye, and as he disappeared into his home, I turned to Mukund and said, "Let's head back. I'm eager to get some rest before we tackle tomorrow."
"Absolutely! The success we've had today is just the beginning," Mukund replied, the fire of ambition in his eyes reflecting my own sentiments.
We drove back in contemplative silence, with Aladdin comfortably nestled beside me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of peace surrounding me. The new house, the warm gathering of loved ones, and the watch—a piece of my father's memory—marked the beginning of a new era.
Reaching home, I carried Aladdin inside, taking a moment to admire the twinkling stars visible through the high living room windows. The laughter from the party still echoed softly in my ears, mingling with dreams of what our lives could become.
"Thank you, Aladdin," I said, nudging him lightly as we settled down on the couch. "This has been an unforgettable day, and it wouldn't have been possible without you buddy."
His purring filled the silence, resonating comfortingly against my thoughts, and as my eyelids grew heavy with weightlessness, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they were no match for the adventures waiting to unfold.
As the journey took long enough it was already near Midnight. But the light's of the house were off, i thought was there a power cut
The eerie silence of the house enveloped us like a shroud, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy of the party we had just hosted. As I stepped inside with Aladdin in my arms, a hard truth hit me—the lights flickering off signaled more than just a power cut as the neighbour's house were lit. The distinct odor of gas wafted through the air, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up instantly, instincts kicking into high gear.
"Mukund, wait!" I called, my voice sharp with urgency. He was about to reach for the light switch, and I knew that could ignite disaster. My heart raced as I hurried towards the main power supply, swiftly disconnecting everything.
"Stay put! I'll check it out!" I shouted back, adrenaline surging as I bolted toward the source of the smell. I could see the concern etched on Mukund's face, but there was no time for panic—the situation required calm action.
"I will come back in a minute, till then don't move" Then i ran towards the main power of the house and turned off all the power supply of the house.
Then i shouted back to Mukund " Mukund there is gas leaking search for it, use only mobile for light".
Mukund understanding the situation and the smell of gas quickly found out the leakage of gas and turned off the gas cylinder and shouted " I have turned off the gas" and then also hurried to open the windows of the house.
With my heart pounding in my chest, I raced through the house, my senses heightened. I could hear the faint sounds of Aladdin's " What could have happened in the house between the time we were out" but my mind was only focused on finding my mom.
"MOM!" I yelled, my voice echoing in the stillness, desperation creeping in as silence answered me like a nightmare materializing before my eyes. I dashed into each room, throwing doors open, each creak more unnerving than the last.
When I finally burst into the kitchen, the sight of disarray struck me—a few utensils lay scattered, and the air felt thick with tension. Anxiety gnawed at my insides; where was she? "Mom!" I shouted again, but this time I held my breath, listening intently.
Then, a movement caught my eye in the dim light filtering through the window—the garden door swung ajar. I hurried outside, fear clawing at my throat like a dry husk.
"Mom!" I shouted again, and this time something terrible tugged at my heart, a sense that something was very wrong.
As I rushed into the garden, I stumbled upon her lying on the ground, her face pale, and blood pooling beneath her. Panic surged through me as I knelt beside her, cradling her head gently in my hands. "Mom! Can you hear me? Please, stay with me!"
The sight broke me. Her eyes fluttered open, but they were filled with confusion and pain.
Mukund hurriedly got a first aid kit and a cloth and some cotton.
We did some first aid on her but due to high blood loss we had to take her to hospital.
we picked her up on our shoulder's and reached the door where a man in black clothes and hood was with a knife smiling at us.