📅 Mid-December — Nandanpur, Night
The funeral had ended.
Candles flickered, incense smoldered, and the sky had turned a deep winter gray.
But a new panic gripped the family.
Meera was gone.
---
Raghav's Guilt Consumes Him
Raghav's stomach twisted.
This is my fault. I snapped at her. I shouldn't have…
His fists clenched, knuckles white in the dim light.
"Where is she?" he muttered to himself, voice cracking.
Vaidehi grabbed his arm.
"Raghav! Calm down! We need to—"
But he shook her off.
If only I hadn't yelled…
Every step felt heavier. Every heartbeat sharper.
---
Abhay's Anger Ignites
Abhay had been standing nearby, noticing the frantic whispers and the lack of Meera's presence.
When he realized what had happened, and that Raghav had snapped at her earlier, his jaw tightened.
Because of him… my sister is missing!
He clenched his fists, water in the canal near the house rippling faintly as if echoing his frustration.
"I can't believe this!" he muttered, voice low but tense.
Ishanvi stepped beside him, placing a hand on his arm.
"Abhay, calm down," she said softly, her eyes glowing faintly in the dark.
"We need to find her, not let anger make this worse."
He exhaled, trying to steady himself. The water near the edge of the canal settled.
---
The Search Begins
The cold winter night wrapped around them. Fog clung to the fields, and the moon barely pierced the clouds.
"I'll check the northern fields," Abhay said, gripping his jacket tight.
"I'll search the riverbank," Ishanvi replied, eyes scanning the mist.
Raghav stumbled beside them, guilt and fear battling inside him.
Vaidehi and Aariv followed, while Vivaan and Vrinda stayed closer to the house, trying to help where they could.
---
Night's Unease
Every rustle of leaves made them jump.
Every shadow seemed alive.
The Sudarshini river gurgled in the distance — deceptively calm, its surface reflecting the faint moonlight.
Meera's small cries were nowhere to be heard.
And the cold bit through layers of clothing.
Abhay's water instinctively pulsed near the riverbank, tiny ripples forming where the ice should have been.
Ishanvi's hands grew warm for a second, her fingertips tingling — as if fire wanted to guide them.
---
Raghav's Silent Plea
Raghav walked in front of the group, muttering apologies to himself.
"I shouldn't have… snapped at you, Meera… I'm so sorry…"
Every word made Abhay's jaw tighten.
We have to find her. Now.
Ishanvi gently held Abhay's shoulder.
"We will. Together. Let's stay calm — she'll follow our voices if we keep them steady."
Abhay nodded, eyes sharp, scanning the fog.
His water stirred faintly, sensing the fear, the urgency, the small presence of someone lost nearby.
---
The Hunt Under Winter Sky
The night stretched long.
Shadows lengthened.
Wind whispered through the fields.
And the siblings — small, scared, but determined — moved as one, guided by Abhay and Ishanvi.
Every step carried fear, guilt, hope, and the faint pulse of powers they couldn't yet fully understand.
Somewhere in the dark, Meera was out there.
And they wouldn't stop until she was found.