Pakhi sat curled up in the corner of her room, her knees pulled tightly against her chest. Her eyes were swollen and red, her cheeks damp with tears she had wiped away countless times.

The room was silent except for the uneven sound of her breathing.

"No..." she whispered to herself.

But the memories didn't listen.

A loud bang echoed through her mind.

The door flew open.

A man stormed inside, his face twisted with anger. His harsh voice filled the room as he shouted insults.

Pakhi's entire body froze.

Her breathing stopped.

Instinctively, she backed herself further into the corner, trembling.

"Get up!" the man barked.

She wanted to speak.

Wanted to scream.

Wanted to run.

But no words came out.

Her throat felt locked.

As the man stepped closer and reached toward her-

"Nahin!"

Pakhi suddenly screamed.

The room lights flickered on.

"Pakhi! Pakhi! Aankhen kholo!"

A familiar voice broke through the nightmare.

"Dekho... yahan koi nahi hai. Tum safe ho. Pakhi, look at me. It's me."

Pakhi's eyes flew open.

Her chest heaved as she struggled to breathe.

For a moment she couldn't understand where she was.

Then she saw Ruhi sitting beside her, holding her shoulders.

Reality slowly returned.

The tears she had been holding back finally escaped.

Without a word, she threw herself into Ruhi's arms and broke down completely.

Ruhi immediately wrapped her arms around her friend.

"It's okay," she whispered softly, gently stroking her hair. "You're safe."

Pakhi cried like a child, her entire body shaking.

"Ruhi..." Her voice cracked.

Ruhi patiently waited.

She knew rushing Pakhi never helped.

After several minutes, Pakhi finally managed to speak.

"Woh... woh kamra nahi tha na?" she asked fearfully.

Ruhi's heart clenched.

"Nahi."

"Woh aadmi bhi nahi tha?"

"Nahi."

Pakhi closed her eyes.

"Mujhe phir wahi sapna aaya..."

Ruhi tightened her hold on her.

"Kuch nahi hoga tumhe," she said firmly. "Main hoon na."

Slowly, Pakhi's sobs quieted.

Exhaustion took over.

Within minutes she had fallen asleep against Ruhi's shoulder.

Ruhi carefully laid her down and covered her with a blanket.

Then she sat beside her.

Watching.

Protecting.

Her eyes slowly filled with anger.

A dangerous anger.

The kind that only came when someone hurt the people she loved.

She looked at Pakhi's sleeping face.

The tear stains.

The fear that still lingered even in sleep.

And silently made herself a promise.

Whoever was responsible for this...

They would pay.

---

The next morning sunlight streamed through the curtains.

Ruhi lazily stretched before turning toward Pakhi's bed.

Empty.

Her eyes instantly widened.

"Pakhi?"

No response.

She sat up.

"Pakhi!"

Still nothing.

A wave of panic rushed through her.

Throwing the blanket aside, she hurried out of the room.

Then she heard the sound of utensils from the kitchen.

Relief immediately flooded her body.

She practically ran there.

And froze.

Pakhi stood near the stove, quietly making breakfast as if nothing had happened.

A soft smile appeared on Ruhi's lips.

Without warning, she walked over and hugged her from behind.

"Ahh!"

Pakhi nearly jumped.

She quickly turned around.

"Kya hai!" she complained with fake anger.

Ruhi laughed.

"Yaar, itna dar gayi? Batao, kal ko tumhara pati aise peeche se hug karega toh kya aise hi cheekhogi?"

Pakhi's eyes widened.

"Ruhi!"

She smacked her arm.

"Shut up!"

Ruhi dramatically rubbed her arm.

"Aye! Violence!"

"Tum na bilkul pagal ho."

"Haan hoon."

Pakhi shook her head.

"Shaadi-vadi kuch nahi. Main toh tere sir pe baith ke nachungi zindagi bhar."

Ruhi gasped dramatically.

"Achha ji? Dekh lena. Future mein meri hi yaad nh aayegi."

Pakhi simply stared at her.

Ruhi immediately raised both hands.

"Okay, okay. Sorry."

Then her attention shifted to the pan.

Her eyes sparkled.

"Waise... kya bana rahi ho?"

Pakhi smiled.

"Aloo paratha."

Ruhi almost cried.

"Pakhi Ardhana, I love you."

"Bas karo."

"Sach mein."

Pakhi pointed toward the washroom.

"Fresh ho jao."

Ruhi saluted dramatically.

"Ji, ma'am."

And before Pakhi could throw a spoon at her, Ruhi ran toward the washroom laughing.

For the first time since the nightmare, a genuine smile appeared on Pakhi's face.

After breakfast, the small apartment slowly filled with the usual morning rush.

Pakhi quietly packed two lunch boxes while Ruhi sat at the dining table, happily finishing the last bite of her aloo paratha.

Just then, Ruhi's phone rang.

Still chewing, she picked up the call.

"Hmm"

A few seconds passed.

"Hmm... thik hai"

She listened again before suddenly sitting straighter.

"Par aapko pata hai na main akele bilkul nahi aaungi"

Pakhi smiled faintly at the familiar stubbornness in her voice.

"Ji... okay"

The call ended.

Ruhi tossed the phone onto the table and reached for her water bottle.

Pakhi zipped up one of the lunch boxes before speaking.

"Actually Ruhi, main tumhe batana bhool gayi"

"Hmm"

"School ki taraf se trip ja rahi hai"

Ruhi almost choked on her water.

"What"

She stared at Pakhi.

"When were you planning to tell me this"

Pakhi winced.

"I forgot"

"You forgot"

Ruhi repeated dramatically.

"Pakhi Ardhana, people forget keys, not entire trips"

A small smile appeared on Pakhi's lips.

Ruhi folded her arms.

"And how sudden is this"

"Kal raat principal ma'am ne final list bheji"

Ruhi immediately shook her head.

"Cancel it"

Pakhi blinked.

"What"

"Cancel it"

Ruhi pointed at her.

"We both are going home for the holidays"

Pakhi sighed.

"Ruhi..."

"No arguments"

Ruhi stood up from her chair.

"Dad just called for this"

She grabbed her bag from the sofa.

"He specifically said both of us are coming"

Pakhi looked away.

"But Ruhi, I can't"

"You can"

"My school trip is important"

"And my family is important"

The room fell silent.

Pakhi quietly packed the second lunch box.

"You know na mera mann nahi hai"

Ruhi's expression softened for a second.

Of course she knew.

She knew better than anyone.

Pakhi wasn't avoiding the trip home because she was busy.

She was avoiding the emotions attached to it.

The attachment.

The belonging.

The fear of losing it.

Ruhi narrowed her eyes.

"I know exactly why you don't want to come"

Pakhi immediately looked at her.

"Ruhi"

"For you, we're still not family, right"

Pakhi's eyes widened.

"Shut up, pagal"

"Then what"

Ruhi challenged.

"Mummy se dar lag raha hai"

Pakhi groaned.

"Ruhi"

"Answer me"

A reluctant smile tugged at Pakhi's lips.

"Teri mummy se poori duniya darti hai"

"Excuse me"

"She's scary"

"She's adorable"

"She's terrifying"

Ruhi gasped dramatically.

"My poor innocent mother"

Pakhi laughed softly.

For a brief moment, the heaviness disappeared.

Then Pakhi spoke again.

"Seriously, Ruhi"

Her voice became gentle.

"Everyone is waiting for you"

"You should go"

"And the trip is important too"

"I'll come after returning"

Ruhi stared at her.

She knew that look.

The calm voice.

The stubborn eyes.

Once Pakhi decided something, even a bulldozer couldn't move her.

Ruhi huffed.

"Fine"

The single word carried enough annoyance to shake the walls.

She picked up her bag.

"Go"

Pakhi smiled.

Ruhi glared.

"Don't smile"

The smile immediately grew wider.

"Pakhi"

"Okay okay"

Ruhi shook her head dramatically and walked toward the door.

"Unbelievable"

"Absolutely impossible"

"God really gave me the most stubborn best friend in existence"

The door shut behind her.

Silence returned.

Pakhi stood there for a few moments before letting out a long sigh.

"Phir naraz ho gayi"

A small chuckle escaped her lips.

"Sach mein iska gussa naak par hi rehta hai"

But despite the complaint, warmth filled her eyes.

Because she knew something very well.

No matter how angry Ruhi became...

She always came back.

......

The educational trip had turned into complete chaos.

At least according to Pakhi.

One moment she was making sure every student stayed in line, and the next moment half of them seemed determined to test her patience.

"Ma'am, can I go to the washroom"

"Ma'am, can I buy chips"

"Ma'am, he pushed me"

"Ma'am, she took my water bottle"

"Ma'am"

"Ma'am"

"Ma'am"

Pakhi closed her eyes for two seconds.

Just two.

Then took a deep breath.

The trip had been organized after the school received special permission for students to visit the Parliament House. The purpose was educational-to help children understand how the country's democratic system worked, how laws were discussed, and how important decisions affecting millions of citizens were made.

For many students, this was their first visit to such a significant place.

Their excitement was understandable.

Their ability to stay quiet was not.

"Everyone, please stay in line," Pakhi said patiently.

"Look around carefully. This is an important learning experience."

A few students nodded obediently.

The rest were busy taking pictures.

Pakhi sighed.

Beside her, other teachers looked equally exhausted.

Hours later, after the guided tour ended, the students were finally gathered near the buses.

Attendance time.

Pakhi stood with the register in her hands.

"Arjun"

"Present ma'am"

"Riya"

"Present ma'am"

"Nandini"

"Present ma'am"

One by one the students responded.

Everything was going smoothly.

Until-

"Nishant"

Silence.

Pakhi frowned.

"Nishant"

Still no response.

A bad feeling settled in her stomach.

She checked again.

Then again.

No Nishant.

The students immediately started whispering.

"Ma'am, Nishant missing hai"

"Ma'am, woh chips lene gaya tha"

"Ma'am, maine use udhar dekha tha"

The noise grew louder.

Pakhi immediately raised her voice.

"Quiet"

The students instantly fell silent.

"No one is moving from here"

She looked at another teacher.

"Please stay with them"

The teacher nodded.

Pakhi forced herself to remain calm despite the panic building inside her chest.

Nishant was one of the most mischievous students in the entire school.

Losing him was unfortunately very believable.

Taking a deep breath, she hurried away.

---

Meanwhile, the missing child was having the time of his life.

Nishant wandered through a nearby corridor, completely fascinated by everything around him.

His eyes sparkled with excitement.

This trip was amazing.

Suddenly he spotted something interesting.

Without thinking, he started running.

A giggle escaped him.

He looked behind for a second.

Big mistake.

His foot slipped.

Ahhhhhh"

Before he could fall, a strong arm wrapped around him from behind and steadied him.

The boy blinked.

Then slowly looked up.

A tall man stood there wearing a neatly pressed khaki police uniform.

"Naughty boy," the man said calmly.

"This isn't a playground."

He bent slightly to meet Nishant's height.

A faint smile rested on his face.

Unlike the strict police officers shown in movies, this one looked surprisingly approachable.

Nishant wasn't scared at all.

Instead, his eyes lit up.

"Aap police wale ho"

The officer chuckled.

"Haan"

"Wow"

Nishant looked genuinely impressed.

"You know, main bhi bada hokar aapke jaisa banunga"

The man's smile widened slightly.

"Achha"

"Haan"

Nishant nodded proudly.

"Meri ma'am kehti hain police wale strong hote hain aur sabko safe rakhte hain"

Something softened in the officer's eyes.

"Your ma'am sounds smart"

"Bilkul"

Nishant declared without hesitation.

The officer lightly patted his head.

"Waise tumhara naam kya hai"

"Nishant"

"And yours"

"Nil Sharma"

Nishant's mouth formed a small O.

"Achha naam hai"

"Thank you"

A few seconds passed.

Then Nishant suddenly asked,

"Aapki shaadi ho gayi"

Nil nearly laughed.

"Nahi"

"Kyun"

Nil folded his arms.

"Tumhe kya lagta hai"

Nishant leaned closer as if sharing a state secret.

"Meri ma'am ki bhi nahi hui"

Nil raised an eyebrow.

"Achha"

"Haan"

The boy nodded seriously.

"Woh bahut pretty bhi hain"

This time Nil actually laughed.

"And"

Nishant dramatically held his forehead.

"Arey"

"Aap toh buddhu ho"

Before Nil could ask what exactly that meant-

"Nishant"

A familiar voice echoed through the corridor.

The boy immediately brightened.

"Ma'am"

Pakhi came rushing toward them.

Relief flooded her face the moment she spotted him.

For the past fifteen minutes she had imagined every possible disaster.

"Nishant"

The boy ran straight to her and hugged her.

"Ma'am"

Pakhi immediately held his shoulders.

Her relief quickly turned into annoyance.

"Tum yahan kya kar rahe the"

Nishant looked guilty.

"Aise hi"

"Aise hi"

Pakhi repeated.

"Do you have any idea how worried everyone was"

The boy lowered his head.

"I told everyone not to go anywhere alone"

"Sorry ma'am"

The apology was so small that most of her anger disappeared instantly.

Pakhi sighed.

"Bas"

"No more disappearing"

Nishant nodded rapidly.

Then Pakhi finally looked toward the man standing beside him.

For a moment, her words paused.

The officer stood tall and composed, his uniform perfectly pressed.

There was something calm about him.

Something steady.

Quickly collecting herself, she folded her hands politely.

"I'm really sorry, sir"

"If he troubled you"

Nil looked at the little culprit beside her.

"Nahi"

"He didn't trouble me"

His gaze briefly shifted

to Pakhi.

"Just make sure he stays safe"

Pakhi nodded.

"Thank you for helping him"

A small smile appeared on Nil's face.

"You're welcome"

For a second, neither spoke.

Then Pakhi gently took Nishant's hand.

"We should go"

Nishant waved enthusiastically.

"Bye police uncle"

Nil chuckled.

"Bye"

Pakhi offered one final polite nod before walking away.

Nil remained standing there.

Watching.

The pink saree moved gently with the breeze as she guided the child back toward the group.

Her voice floated faintly through the corridor as she continued lecturing Nishant.

Firm.

Patient.

Warm.

A strange feeling settled inside him.

One he couldn't quite explain.

And for the first time that day, IPS Officer Nil Sharma found himself watching someone long after they had disappeared from sight.