So let’s begin,

VANSHU’S POV – POLICE AID POST | LATE NIGHT

The metal bench was cold.

Too cold.

I sat there with my hands clenched tightly in my lap, knees bouncing without permission. The yellow tube light above flickered every few seconds, making the small police aid post feel even more unfamiliar, even more isolating.

I’d already explained everything once.

Again.

And again.

Still—waiting.

The constable inside spoke on the phone in a low voice, throwing occasional glances at me. Not suspicious. Just assessing. Like he was trying to figure out how a girl like me ended up here at this hour.

Lost. No phone. No idea how to get home.

My throat felt dry.

I hugged my jacket closer, suddenly very aware of how late it was.

Khushi…

Akshu…

The house flashed in my mind without warning.

Ma’am’s strict voice.

The kids’ noise.

And me—

Walking out.

Angry. Hurt. Stupid.

My jaw clenched.

Why didn’t I just stop? Why didn’t I cool down first?

A familiar ache spread in my chest—part guilt, part regret.

Khushi’s words replayed again, softer now, stripped of frustration.

I exhaled shakily.

She wasn’t trying to hurt me.

She was scared.

And I had walked away… exactly when she needed reassurance the most.

The irony stung.

The constable finally looked up.

“Beta, Sehgal Mansion confirm hai na?” he asked.

I nodded quickly.

“Haan. Wahin rehti hoon.”

“Do patrol ko message bhej diya hai,” he said. “Area check kar rahe hain. Tum yahin baitho.”

Relief washed over me—small, fragile, but real.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Time crawled.

Every sound outside—the passing of a bike, distant horns, someone laughing—made my heart jump.

What if Ma’am is worried? What if Khushi is panicking? What if—

Stop.

I pressed my fingers to my temple.

Panicking won’t help.

I leaned back against the wall, eyes closing for just a second.

And that’s when it hit me fully—

I was scared.

Not of being lost.

But of what I’d left behind.

Of the silence I’d created. Of the distance my anger had carved.

I opened my eyes again, blinking hard.

“I’ll go back,” I murmured to myself. “As soon as I can.”

Not to fight. Not to defend.

But to fix.

Because some relationships don’t break loudly.

They crack quietly.

And standing there, alone in a dimly lit aid post, I realised—

I didn’t want to be right.

I just wanted to go home.

---

INSIDE – BELA’S CAR | NIGHT | MOVING

The car cut through the empty streets, headlights slicing into darkness.

Bela sat rigid behind the wheel.

Khushi in the back seat, fingers twisted together, eyes glued to the window.

Akshu beside her, jacket zipped up, fever dulled but worry wide awake.

No one spoke.

The silence was loud.

Bela broke it.

Bela (into phone, clipped, professional): “Cyber cell connect karo. Abhi.”

The call went through. A familiar voice answered—alert, efficient.

“Madam.”

Bela: “Ek ladki missing hai. Naam Vanshika.Last known location—ghar se walk pe nikli. Phone track chahiye. Abhi.”

There was a pause on the other end. Keys clicked. Systems hummed.

Then—

“Madam… uske phone ka signal nahi mil raha.”

Bela’s grip tightened on the steering wheel.

Bela: “Matlab?”

Another pause.

“Madam… phone uske paas nahi hai.Without phone—tracking possible nahi hai.”

The words landed like a blow.

Bela didn’t respond immediately.

Her jaw clenched. Her eyes stayed on the road.

Inside her chest, something twisted painfully.

Bela (thought):

Phone…

Maine hi liya tha.

Punishment ke liye.

Discipline ke liye.

Guilt crept in—slow, cold, merciless.

For the first time that night, Bela cursed herself.

Zyada sakhti…

Zyada control…

Khushi felt it instantly.

Khushi (panicked, breaking silence): “Ma’am… phone—” Her voice cracked. “Uske paas phone hota toh—”

Bela lifted her hand slightly.

Bela (low, strained): “Abhi nahi, Khushi.”

She inhaled sharply, forcing herself back into command mode.

Bela: “Cyber tracking band. Manual search shuru karo… Police aid posts…Nearby clinics.. Local logo se puch tach karo..Hospitals. Bus stops.. Everywhere.”

“Yes, madam,” the voice replied immediately.

The call ended.

Akshu leaned forward slightly, pale but determined.

Akshu: “Wo… wo zyada door nahi jaayegi. Vanshu aisi nahi hai.”

Bela nodded once.

Bela: “Isliye har minute important hai.”

She reached for the walkie on the dashboard.

Bela: “All units, listen carefully.” “Ek young girl—teenager—lost.” “No phone.” “Area patrol double karo.” “Police aid posts se updates chahiye.” “Immediate.”

Her voice didn’t shake.

But her hands did—just a little.

Khushi watched her from the back seat.

For the first time—

Bela didn’t look like an officer.

She looked like a guardian terrified she’d made a mistake too big to undo.

Khushi pressed her palms together silently.

Bhagwaan ji… please…

The car slowed near a signal.

Then—

Bela’s phone rang.

Sharp. Sudden.

Every heartbeat in the car stopped.

Bela answered instantly.

Bela: “Haan. Bela bol rahi hoon.”

The voice on the other end was calm, official.

“Madam, police aid post se call hai.” “Ek missing girl report hui hai.” “No phone.” “Naam Vanshika bataya hai.” “Location—near veterinary clinic.”

For a split second—

Bela couldn’t breathe.

Then—

Bela (firm, urgent): “Haan.” “Wahi hai.” “Main aa rahi hoon.” “Usko wahi rakho.” “Main bas do minute mein pahunch rahi hoon.”

Call disconnected.

Bela slammed the indicator on, turning the car sharply.

Bela: “Mil gayi.”

Khushi gasped, hands flying to her mouth.

Khushi: “Sach?” “Wo theek hai na?”

Bela didn’t look back.

Bela: “Hmm.. Safe—for now.”

Akshu closed her eyes, a shaky breath escaping her.

Akshu (whisper): “Thank God…”

Bela pressed the accelerator.

But even as relief rushed in—

The guilt didn’t leave.

Because finding Vanshu was only the first step.

Facing her—

That was going to be harder.

OUTSIDE – POLICE AID POST | NIGHT

The car screeched to a stop.

Before it had fully halted, Bela was already unbuckling her seatbelt.

“Stay in the car,” she ordered instinctively—then stopped herself.

No.

She looked back.

Bela: “Akshu, dheere se aana.” “Khushi— uske saath rehn.”

They stepped out into the cold night.

The police aid post stood under a flickering tube light, small and unassuming. Two constables stood near the entrance. One of them straightened the moment he saw Bela.

“Madam—”

Bela didn’t wait.

Bela: “Vanshika kahan hai?”

The constable pointed inside.

“Yahin hai, madam. Safe hai.”

Safe.

That word loosened something in Bela’s chest—but only slightly.

She walked in.

INSIDE – POLICE AID POST

Vanshu sat on the metal bench, shoulders hunched, jacket pulled tight around herself.

Lost. Tired. Eyes rimmed red—but dry.

She looked up at the sound of footsteps.

For half a second—

Nothing registered.

Then—

“Ma’am?”

Her voice cracked on the word.

Bela stopped.

Every strict line on her face broke at once.

She crossed the distance in three quick steps and pulled Vanshu into her arms.

Tight. Protective. Unapologetic. Her eyes glistening with fear something she couldn’t name herself.

Bela (low, shaking despite herself): “Pagal ladki…Jaan nikal di thi tumne.. Aise kaun jata h ghar se bahar.. Jag gha tumse ghar pe rehne ke liye.. Mujhe bina bataye aaj ke bad kahi nhi jaogi.. Kuch ho jaata tumhe toh? Agli baar aisa kiya na mujhse bura koi nhi hoga.”

Vanshu froze for a heartbeat—

Then melted.

She clutched Bela’s jacket, breathing unevenly.

Vanshu (muffled): “Sorry ma’am.. Mai pareshaan ho gayi thi bas kuch samajh nhi aa raha tha is liye bahar aa gayi.. Phir raaste mai ek puupy mila injured tha wo bohot.. Mujhse raha nhi gaya toh mai use clinic le gayi thi par ghar aane ke liye raasta nahi mil raha tha mujhe…Phone bhi nahi tha…”

Bela closed her eyes hard.

Guilt stabbed deep.

Bela: “I know.. I know.. Koi nhi mai aa gayi hoon na ab darne ki koi baat nhi h.. You are safe.. Kuch nhi hone dungi mai tumhe. Bas aaj ke baad aise bina bataye kahi mat Jaana kabhi.”

She pulled back just enough to cup Vanshu’s face, checking her like she used to when they were little.

Bela: “Koi chot?”Kisi ne kuch kaha”

She noticed the blood stains on her clothes and her expression changed, but before Bela could assume anything.

Vanshu shook her head quickly.

“Nahi. Chot nhi h Ma’am.. Bas darr lag gaya tha.”

Bela nodded once, swallowing.

Behind her—

Khushi stood frozen at the doorway.

This was the moment she’d been dreading.

And wanting.

Vanshu’s eyes shifted.

They landed on Khushi.

Everything stilled.

The room. The air. Time.

Khushi took a hesitant step forward.

Khushi (voice barely steady): “Vanshu…”

Vanshu didn’t look away.

Didn’t smile. Didn’t glare.

Just… looked.

Akshu entered quietly then, stopping beside Khushi. She didn’t speak—just placed a hand lightly on Khushi’s back.

Grounding.

Bela straightened, sensing it.

She glanced between the two girls.

Bela (firm, gentle): “Main bahar hoon.. Formalities puri katni h kuch.. Tum dono aa jaana.”

Vanshu looked startled.

“Ma’am—”

Bela cut her off softly.

Bela: “Don’t worry.. Mai yahi hoon bahar.”

She turned to the constables.

Bela: “Thank you.. Main sign kar deti hoon.”

And with that, she stepped aside—giving space.

INSIDE – POLICE AID POST | CORNER

Khushi swallowed hard.

Khushi: “Main…” She exhaled. “Main galat thi.”

Vanshu’s jaw tightened.

Vanshu: “Pata hai.”

That hurt.

But Khushi nodded.

Khushi: “Mujhe bolna nahi chahiye tha.” “Par darr—” Her voice broke. “Darr sach mein lag raha tha. I am sorry.. Please aise gussa mat ho.”

Vanshu looked away.

Vanshu: “Darr lagna galat nahi hai.” “Par humpe doubt…” She shook her head. “Wo galat h.”

Khushi’s eyes filled.

Khushi: “Maine tum dono pe doubt nahi kiya.. Maine khud ko kam samjha.. Tum dono ko nahi…”

Silence.

Akshu finally spoke, quiet but solid.

Akshu: “Hum kahin jaa rahe honge toh tum saath hi hogi. Busy hone ka matlab gayab hona nahi hota.. Hum ek dusre se dur ho sakte h par kabhi bhul nhi sakte..”

Vanshu looked at her.

Something in her eyes softened.

Then she looked back at Khushi.

A long moment passed.

Finally—

Vanshu (low): “Next time… chip mat rehna.”

Khushi nodded fiercely.

Khushi: “Promise.”

Vanshu sighed, tiredness winning.

Vanshu: “Chalo ghar.. Mujhe thand lag rahi hai.. Baaki baatein ghar pe karenge.. Maine abhi maaf nhi kiya h tumhe.”

Relief crashed through Khushi so hard her knees nearly buckled. She was not forgiven yet but her Vanshu was standing safe, in front of her that was more than enough for now.

She smiled through tears.

Khushi: “Chalo.”

OUTSIDE – POLICE AID POST

Bela turned as they walked out together.

One look at their faces told her enough.

She didn’t ask questions.

She just said—

Bela: “Chalo Ghar.”

And for the first time that night—

The word felt right again.

INSIDE – BELA’S CAR | NIGHT | ON THE WAY HOME

The car moved smoothly through the quiet streets, tyres humming against the road.

No one spoke.

Yet—everything was being said.

---

BELA

Bela’s eyes stayed fixed on the road, posture straight, hands firm on the steering wheel.

Officer mode—on.

But inside?

Her chest still felt tight.

Too tight.

The image replayed again and again—

Vanshu on that cold metal bench.

No phone.

Lost.

Scared.

And the reason burned like acid.

Maine phone le liya tha.

Punishment.

Discipline.

Control.

She had believed she was teaching responsibility.

Instead—

She had almost lost her.

Bela exhaled slowly, carefully—making sure her voice didn’t betray her thoughts.

Bela (thought):

Main strict ho sakti hoon…

Par aaj… shayad mai galat thi.

She glanced once in the rear-view mirror to Akshu and Khushi. Then at the paseenger seat beside her. Vanshu sat still shaken from the incident, but somehow calm.

All three of them lost in their own thoughts.

Her jaw clenched.

Dobara nahi.

Kabhi nhi.

Not on her watch.

Not ever.

---

KHUSHI

Khushi sat with her hands folded tightly in her lap.

Still.

Too still.

Her eyes kept flicking—

To Vanshu.

To Akshu.

Back to Vanshu again.

Meri Vanshu.

Safe hai.

Yahin hai. Mere pass

Yet the guilt refused to leave.

Her own words echoed again.

“Tumhe lagta hai hum tumhe chhod denge?”

She closed her eyes briefly.

Khushi (thought):

Mai sirf darr rahi thi…

Par darr ne mujhe hi galat bana diya.

She wanted to apologise again.

To say it a hundred times more.

But Vanshu’s words stopped her.

“Maine abhi maaf nahi kiya h.”

Khushi swallowed.

That was fair.

She turned slightly and whispered—so softly it was barely sound.

Khushi (thought, a vow):

Main dobara chup nahi rahungi.

Aur dobara tumhe akele jaane nahi dungi.

---

AKSHU

Akshu leaned back against the seat, blanket still wrapped around her shoulders, fever dull but present.

Her head throbbed.

But not as much as her heart.

She looked at Vanshu—really looked.

Red eyes.

Tired shoulders.

Hands clenched together.

All because of a fight.

A stupid, avoidable fight.

Akshu (thought):

Hum teen itne saalon se ek doosre ki dhaal rahe hain…

Aur aaj… Yeh sab kab ho gaya? mujhe pata hi nhi chala.

She shifted slightly closer to Vanshu without thinking.

Didn’t speak.

Just stayed.

Because sometimes presence was the only apology needed.

---

VANSHU

Vanshu sat in the paseenger seat beside Bela, forehead resting lightly against the cold glass.

Streetlights blurred past.

Her body felt heavy now that the adrenaline was gone.

But her mind?

Wide awake.

Khushi’s face flashed again—

Tearful.

Broken.

Scared.

Not accusing.

Scared.

Vanshu (thought):

Shayad… maine bhi zyada react kar diya.

She had wanted space.

But she hadn’t meant this.

Lost streets.

Police aid post.

Fear crawling under her skin.

She glanced backward a little.

Khushi was watching her again—careful, guilty, hopeful.

Vanshu looked away quickly.

Not ready.

But not angry either.

Just… hurt.

And tired.

Vanshu (thought):

Maaf kar dungi.

Par thoda waqt chahiye.

Her fingers brushed Bela’s hand unconsciously.

Grounding.

Home was close now.

---

The car slowed as familiar streets appeared.

Sehgal House.

Lights glowing.

Safe.

Bela parked the car.

For a moment, no one moved.

Then—

Bela spoke.

Not as an officer.

Not as a teacher.

But as someone who had almost lost control tonight.

Bela (quiet, firm):

“Ghar aa gaye.”

Doors opened.

Cold air rushed in.

INSIDE – SEHGAL HOUSE | LATE NIGHT

The front door opened softly.

Warm light spilled out, chasing away the cold they’d carried back with them.

Mahir stood in the living room.

Changed into lounge trousers and a hoodie, sleeves pushed up, hair slightly messy—like he’d been pacing for a while. The TV was off. The house unusually quiet.

The moment he saw them—

All of them together—

Relief hit his face first.

Then confusion.

Then worry.

Mahir (rushing forward): “Thank God… tum aa gayi” (looking at Bela) “Kya hua h tumne kuch bataya hi nhi bas nikal gayi? Sab thik h na.. Bela, batao… itni der se mai wait kar raha hoon—”

Bela shut the door behind them and took a breath.

Bela (controlled, tired): “Vanshu kho gayi thi.. Phone nahi tha uske paas. Police aid post pe mili.”

Mahir froze.

“What?”

He looked at Vanshu.

Really looked at her.

Pale. Tired. Eyes red.

For the first time that night—

Fear crossed his face openly.

Mahir ran a hand through his hair roughly.

Mahir: “Tum log mujhe heart attack dene pe tule ho kya…”

He didn’t scold.

Didn’t raise his voice.

He walked straight to Vanshu.

Stopped right in front of her.

Bent a little so he was at her eye level.

Mahir (soft, almost breaking): “Vanshu tum… theek ho? Koi chot?Kisi ne kuch kaha toh nahi? Kisi ne koi badtameezi toh nhi ki na tumhare saath?”

Vanshu shook her head slowly.

Vanshu: “Nahi… main theek hoon Sir.”

That was enough.

Mahir lifted his hand and gently placed it on her head.

Not authority.

Not discipline.

A blessing.

Mahir: “Dobara aisa kabhi mat karna.. Baaki sab handle hum sambhal sakte h par tum teeno an humari responsibility ho.. Kisi ko kuch bhi ho—” He swallowed. “Yeh hum handle nahi kar sakte. Tum log akele nhi ho bilkul bhi.. Hum dono h humesha is liye koi bhi help chahiye please bolo.. ”

Vanshu nodded, eyes downcast.

Vanshu: “Sorry…”

Mahir sighed and ruffled her hair lightly, trying to soften the heaviness.

Mahir (attempting a smile): “Arre chill.. Isme sorry kya.. Ab tum ghar mai ho apne safe ekdum.. Aur suno—” He leaned in a little, conspiratorial. “Agar ma’am se kabhi zyada darr lagne lage na—”

He winked.

Mahir: “Toh mujhe bata dena.. Mai hoon na.. Full-time buddy.. Mujhe kuch bhi bata sakti ho.”

That finally cracked something.

A small, shaky smile tugged at Vanshu’s lips.

Vanshu: “Okay…”

Khushi watched the exchange from the side, throat tight.

Akshu exhaled slowly, some tension leaving her shoulders.

Bela stood there, arms folded, watching Mahir and Vanshu.

Her expression softened.

Just a little.

----

To be continued..