A thin ribbon of sunlight slipped through the curtains, brushing the room awake. The silence shattered as the alarm buzzed in the room. The stirred awake and rubbed her eyes and sitting up slowly as the morning settled around her. With the alarm silenced, the room fell quiet again.
She blinked at the clock. 7:00 a.m.
But then- the girl shout "oh no! It's already seven-no no no!".
Today wasn't just any day. Today was different. She was flying to Bangalore, admitted into the prestigious National Law School of India University — her dream come true.
Her name was Samira Rathore. Twenty-one years old, a girl with quiet strength behind her graceful appearance, and a dream that burned bright: to become the best lawyer in the country.
Suddenly, she shot out of bed, racing toward bathroom for a refreshing bath. After few minutes, She stepped out, slipping into a simple kurta and jeans,wore a pair of sneakers. Slinging her small purse over her shoulder, she had already packed her luggage last night. she made sure to tuck in every essential things- even her small teddy bear- Mr.Grizz .
She hurried down the stairs, her steps quick and eager.
Then she yelled,her voice was like sunlight for the whole house "mumma , khana mein kya hai?"
[She yelled "mom, what's in breakfast?"]
Her mother- mrs. Isha rathore- stood in the kitchen, busy with the morning routine. Her mother caught the sound of her daughter's voice and replied warmly while making tea,"beta khane mein toh daal hai", suddenly Samira's smile fall into a pout when she heard that there were lentils in breakfast.
Her words came out in a whiny tone,"phir se dal?"
["Again lentils?"]
Her mother said "ha, khana ho toh khalo, Verna fek dungi. Bilkul apne papa pe gyi ho"
["Yes, eat it or I will throw it away. You are just like your father"]
From the living room, Mr. Harish Rathore lowered his newspaper. "Abh kya ho gaya?" he called out.
[Her father yelled from living room "what happened now!"]
"Nothing, Papa, focus on your newspaper," Samira said quickly, carrying a tray with tea and cookies to the table.
"Sab le liya na?" her father asked.
[Her father said,"you took everything na?"]
"yes papa".
Her mother then call out ,"beta,beta jaldi se khalo verna late ho jaogi airport ke liye.. vase bhi rudra wait kar raha hoga~".
"mumma!",Samira blushed, but her mother only chuckled.
Her mother just chuckled.
One glance at the clock sent panic rushing through her again. She darted into the kitchen, grabbed a roll of roti, and, without pausing, called out, "Bye Papa! Bye Mumma! Love you!"
Her mother called out,"dhyan se jana beta".
[Her mother called out,"have safe journey my daughter"]
Samira dashed outside, flagging down an auto.
Auto driver said,"madam khana Jana hai?".
[Auto driver said,"madam,where do you want to go?"]
Samira said,"uncle, airport Jana hai"
[Samira said,"uncle,I want to go to airport"]
As the auto rattled down the street, her phone buzzed.
Rudra Singhaniya: Where are you? I already reached the airport.
Samira: On the way, in the auto. Don't worry.
Her father had asked Rudra to escort her to Bangalore. Rudra had agreed without hesitation — after all, his family was also settled there.
--at airport--
The auto dropped her off, and Samira thanked the driver before rushing inside. She scanned the crowd, searching for him.
And then — two arms wrapped gently around her waist. Warm. Familiar. Safe. Her heart skipped; she didn't need to turn.
"did you show your documents to the security, darling?" she asked softly.
A deep whisper brushed her ear. "Yes."
It was Rudra.
Samira nodded and took his laptop bag gently,"let me hold this for you".
Rudra started to protest, but her look silenced him instantly. She held the bag confidently as they headed for security, Rudra trailing behind her.
She holded the bag and she went to go the arrangements and rudra just following her.
Samira slid her bag through the scanner.
The bag hadn't even touched the conveyor belt when Rudra suddenly stiffened-
Warm breath brushed his neck from behind, so close it made the hairs on his skin rise.
A voice — low, almost submissive yet chilling — whispered into his ear:
"There is a gun in the bag, sir."
Rudra froze, his eyes darting toward Samira, who was still chatting with the security staff, completely unaware. His pulse quickened. He hadn't even opened the bag that morning. Gun? What gun?!