Ranbir sits on the bed in the bridal suite, his hands trembling as he pulls out his wallet. Inside, there's a picture of Prachi, smiling brightly, dressed in one of her simplest outfits. He runs his fingers over the photo, his eyes glistening with tears.

Ranbir (whispering to himself):

"Prachi... tum meri zindagi ho. Tum bina sab khatam hai. Tumne mujhe jeene ki wajah di... aur ab tum yahan nahi ho(Prachi...you are my life. Everything is over without you. You gave me a reason to live... and now you're not here.)"

He clutches the photo to his chest and begins to sob uncontrollably, his shoulders shaking.

Ranbir (crying):

"Mujhe maaf kar do, Prachi. Main tumhe safe nahi rakh paaya. Tumhara Ranbir tumhara khayal rakhne mein fail ho gaya(Forgive me, Prachi. I couldn't keep you safe. Your Ranbir has failed to take care of you.)"

 He hugs the wallet close, almost as if he's holding Prachi herself.

Aryan stands near the door, leaning against the frame, his face pale with worry. He's been pacing back and forth for hours, running his hands through his hair.

Aryan (to himself):

"Prachi bhabhi ko kuch ho gaya toh? Nahi, nahi Aryan, aisa mat soch. Woh safe hogi... woh zaroor safe hogi (What happens to Prachi sister-in-law? No, no Aryan, don't think like that. She will be safe...she will definitely be safe.)"

He glances at Ranbir, who looks utterly broken, and feels his own fear doubling.

Aryan (mutters):

"Bhabhi toh meri behen jaise hai. Agar unka kuch ho gaya... main kya jawab doonga Ranbir bhai ko? Kaise jeeenge hum(Sister-in-law is like my sister. If something happens to her... what answer will I give to Ranbir Brother? How will we live?)"

Aryan's phone buzzes, and he scrambles to answer, hoping it's the police.

Aryan:

"Hello? Kya police ko koi lead mili hai? Haan... haan license plate ka kya(Hi? Have the police got any leads? Yes...yes what about the license plate?) (pauses, listening) Kya? Abhi tak kuch nahi(What? Nothing yet?)"

His shoulders slump as he disconnects the call.

Aryan (frustrated):

"Yeh sab itna slow kyun chal raha hai? Police se kuch ho nahi raha, aur idhar Ranbir bhai ek-ek pal toot rahe hain (Why is all this going so slowly? Nothing is being done by the police, and here Ranbir Brother is breaking down every moment.)"

Ranbir wipes his tears and looks up suddenly, a memory flashing in his mind. He remembers a conversation he once had with Prachi.

Flashback:

"Yah kuch saal pahale ki baat hai(It was a few years ago)," she said in a quiet but melancholic voice. "Atharv aur jab ham pahali baar college mein mile to maine turant click kiya. Yah aisa tha jaise hum ek saath rahane ke liye hi bane the(Atharv and I clicked right away when we first met in college. It was like we were meant to be together.)"

With his eyes fixed on her face, Ranbir listened carefully, hanging on to every word, curious to know the extent of her suffering.

"Hum avibhaajy the(We were inseparable)," Prachi said, her lips quivering in a bittersweet smile. "Hamari sabhi aashayein, chintaen aur sapne hamare dwara saajha kie gae the. Tumhe pata hai, mujhe lag raha tha ki vah vahi tha. Jisake saath mujhe apne baaki din gujaarane ki niyati thi(All of our hopes, concerns, and dreams were shared by us. You know, I had the feeling that he was the one. The one I was destined to live out the rest of my days with.)"

Her voice took on a note of nostalgia as she spoke about the times they had spent together, the tears and laughter that had bonded them.

"But then..." Prachi's expression darkened with grief as her voice faded. "Lekin phir cheejen badalane lageen. Vah door ho gaya, peechhe hat gaya. Jis aadami se mujhe pyaar hua tha, vah ab usamen maujood nahi tha(But then things began to change. He became distant, withdrawn. The man I fell in love with no longer existed in him.)"

Ranbir reached out, his hand finding hers as he squeezed it gently, offering her a silent gesture of comfort and support.

Prachi said, "Maine pakadne ki koshish ki(I tried to hold on)," her voice trembling with sorrow. "Maine cheejon ko vyavasthit karane ki koshish ki, lekin... lekin aisa lag raha tha jaise vah mujhse door ja raha tha, chaahe maine use pakadane ki kitni bhi koshish ki ho(I tried to make things work, but... but it was like he was slipping away from me, no matter how hard I tried to hold on.)"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke, memories of heartache and betrayal flooding her mind.

"Aur phir ek din, vah bas... vah chala gaya(And then one day, he just... he just walked away)," Prachi muttered, her voice just above a whisper. "Bina alavida kahe ya ek shabd bhi kahe. Usane mujhe chod diya, mujhe lakhon tukdon mein tod diya(Without saying goodbye or even a word. He abandoned me, shattered me into a million pieces.)"

Back to Present

Ranbir snaps back to reality, the name Atharv ringing in his ears. He turns to Aryan.

Ranbir (urgently):

"Aryan, mujhe lagta hai mujhe pata hai yeh sab kisne kiya. Atharv(Aryan, I think I know who did all this. Atharv!)"

Aryan (confused):

"Atharv? Yeh kaun hai(Atharv? Who is this?)"

Ranbir (explains):

"Prachi ka ex-boyfriend. Usne Prachi ko college ke time pe cheat kiya tha. Uske baare mein mujhe Prachi ne kabhi detail mein nahi bataya, lekin uska naam kabhi bhool nahi sakta(Prachi's ex-boyfriend. He cheated on Prachi during his college days. Prachi never told me in detail about him, but I can never forget his name.)"

Aryan (piecing it together):

"Atharv... Prachi bhabhi ka past? Bhai, agar yeh wahi hai, toh yeh personal vendetta hai. Yeh usi ka kaam ho sakta hai(Atharva...Prachi sister-in-law's past? Brother, if it is him, then it is a personal vendetta. This could be his work!)"

Ranbir (determined):

"Haan, Aryan. Aur mujhe pata hai, main apni Prachi ko uske chhote dimaag wale Atharv ke kabze se bacha ke rahunga. Police ko inform karte hain(Yes, Aryan. And I know, I will protect my Prachi from the clutches of this small minded Atharv. Inform the police!)"

The police enter the bridal suite, briefing Ranbir and Aryan.

Inspector:

"Hum license plate trace kar rahe hain, lekin abhi tak exact location nahi mili. Lekin hum har possible angle se investigate kar rahe hain(We are tracing the license plate, but have not found the exact location yet. But we are investigating from every possible angle.)"

Ranbir (desperately):

"Inspector sahab, Atharv naam ka ek aadmi ho sakta hai iske peeche. Use pakadne ke liye jitni jaldi ho sake kaam kijiye (Inspector sir, a man named Atharv could be behind this. Work as quickly as possible to catch him!)" 

Inspector (nodding):

"Hum uske background aur connections check karenge. Aap tension mat lijiye(We will check his background and connections. Don't worry.)" 

As the police leave to continue their search, Aryan blurts out.

Aryan (frustrated):

"Ranbir bhai, yeh sab hone hi kyun diya? Agar maine pehle hi us van ko suspect kiya hota, toh shayad ab tak Prachi bhabhi safe hoti (Ranbir brother, why did all this happen? If I had suspected that van earlier, then perhaps Prachi sister-in-law would have been safe by now.)" 

Ranbir grabs Aryan's shoulders, shaking him lightly.

Ranbir (firmly):

"Aryan, ab self-blame ka waqt nahi hai. Hume Prachi ko dhoondhna hai. Tum mere saath ho, bas yeh kaafi hai (Aryan, now is not the time for self-blame. We have to find Prachi. You're with me, that's enough.)" 

Aryan (tearing up):

"Bhabhi meri behen jaise hai, bhai. Main usse kuch hone nahi dunga(Sister-in-law is like my sister, brother. I won't let anything happen to her.)" 

Ranbir pulls Aryan into a brief hug, both of them silently vowing to bring Prachi back safely.

Ranbir and Aryan arrive at the outskirts of an abandoned warehouse on the edge of the city, having traced the van through their own investigation. The area is eerily silent, with faint lights flickering through broken windows.

Ranbir (whispering):

"Aryan, yeh wahi jagah hai. Mujhe andar tak Prachi ki saans ki awaaz tak sunai deni chahiye (Aryan, this is the same place. I should even hear Prachi's breathing inside.)" 

Aryan (nodding, checking his pocket for a makeshift weapon):

"Bhai, andar jaana bohot dangerous hoga. Yeh sirf Arthav ka kaam nahi lagta, koi aur bhi hai(Brother, it will be very dangerous to go inside. It doesn't seem to be just Atharv's work, there is someone else too.)" 

Ranbir (gritting his teeth):

"Mujhe farq nahi padta. Prachi wahaan hai, aur main usse wapas leke aaunga. Tum ready ho(I don't care. Prachi is there, and I will bring her back. Are you ready?)" 

Aryan:

"Hamesha. Tum chalo aage, main tumhare pichhe hoon(Always. You go ahead, I follow you.)" 

The two silently approach the building, stepping over broken glass and discarded debris. They peek through a crack in the large metal door and see several armed men guarding the interior.

Ranbir and Aryan find a side entrance and sneak in. The air is thick with tension, and muffled voices can be heard.

Aryan (whispering):

"Yeh log skilled lagte hain, bhai. Yeh terrorist ya gang ke log lag rahe hain. Kya plan hai(These people seem skilled, brother. They seem to be terrorists and gang members. What is the plan?)" 

Ranbir (determined):

"Plan simple hai. Prachi tak pahunchna(The plan is simple. Reaching Prachi.)" 

They split up to take out the guards quietly. Ranbir sneaks up behind one man and knocks him unconscious with a sharp blow. Aryan tackles another, barely avoiding a knife strike.

Aryan (smirking, whispering):

"Dekha, bhai? Abhi tak toh form mein hoon(See, brother? I am still in form.)" 

Ranbir (smiling faintly):

"Bas, zyada hero banne ki zarurat nahi hai. Chup chaap chalo(Well, there is no need to be too much of a hero. Walk quietly.)" 

As they move deeper, they are spotted by a group of armed men. A loud alarm blares, and chaos erupts.

Ranbir (yelling):

"Aryan, sambhal ke! Ye log ready hain(Aryan, be careful! These people are ready!)" 

Gunfire echoes through the warehouse as Ranbir and Aryan use whatever they can for cover. Ranbir fights with sheer determination, knocking out enemies with swift punches and improvised weapons.

Aryan (wincing, after being grazed by a bullet):

"Bhai, yeh toh zyada skilled nikle. Humme jaldi karni hogi(Brother, he turned out to be very skilled. We have to hurry!)" 

Ranbir (gritting his teeth)

"Pehle inko hatana hoga. Prachi bas ek room door hai(These have to be destroyed first. Prachi is just one room away.)" 

As they make their way closer to the central room, one of the men lunges at Aryan with a metal rod, striking him hard in the side. Aryan lets out a groan of pain as he collapses to the floor.

Ranbir (shouting):

"Aryan! Tum theek ho(Aryan! You are ok?)" 

Aryan (struggling to speak):

"Main... main theek hoon, bhai. Tum jao... Prachi ko bacha lo(I... I'm fine, brother. You go... save Prachi.)" 

Ranbir kneels beside him, trying to help him up.

Ranbir (angrily):

"Main tumhe yahan chhod kar nahi jaa raha. Tum mere bhai ho(I am not leaving you here. you are my brother!)"

Aryan (grabbing Ranbir's collar):

"Bhai, abhi mera mat socho. Prachi bhabhi ko bachana zyada zaroori hai. Main sambhal lunga(Brother, don't think about me right now. It is more important to save Prachi sister-in-law. I will handle it!)"

Ranbir hesitates, his emotions tearing him apart, but Aryan pushes him away.

Aryan (shouting):

"Ranbir! Jaao! Agar tum rukoge toh unka plan successful ho jayega(Ranbir! Go! If you wait, their plan will be successful!)" 

Ranbir finally nods, his eyes welling up.

Ranbir (hoarsely):

"Main waapas aake tumhe le jaaunga, Aryan. Tum bas yeh socho mat ki tum akela ho (I will come back and take you, Aryan. Just don't think you're alone.)" 

He leaves Aryan behind and moves toward the final room.

Ranbir reaches the door to the room where he believes Prachi is being held. A tall, masked figure stands in front of it, surrounded by two more guards.

Ranbir (shouting):

"Tum log hato. Prachi ko yahan se leke jaana impossible hai(You guys move away. It is impossible to take Prachi from here.)" 

The masked figure signals the guards, who rush at Ranbir. Ranbir, fueled by sheer rage and desperation, fights them off with everything he has. After a brutal struggle, he finally faces the leader.

Ranbir (breathing heavily):

"Tu hi hai na Atharv? Yeh sab tumne Prachi ke saath kyun kiya(You are the one, Atharv? Why did you do all this with Prachi?)" 

The leader doesn't respond, instead stepping forward with a menacing aura.

Ranbir (yelling):

"Mask utaar! Main dekhna chahta hoon ki kaun hai jo meri zindagi ki itni badi dushman hai(Take off the mask! I want to see who is the biggest enemy of my life.)" 

Ranbir lunges forward and pulls off the mask. His face changes instantly—shock, betrayal, and confusion all flashing across his features.

Ranbir (stunned):

"Yeh... tu(This...you?!)"

The scene cuts abruptly, leaving the audience in suspense about the identity of the masked figure.

Who do you think is Atharv according to your thoughts? Please comment below! 😰