Chapter 22

                                    

                                          

Shadows and Scars
The next morning, Anubhav arrived at the station only to find the team in utter chaos. He saw everyone running around the station, their faces of worry and uncertainty. He rushed inside, the storm in him brewing louder as he noted the team.
"What's happening here?" he asked.
Everyone stopped as they saluted him, a moment of tranquility before the chaos settled in again.
"Sir....Haseena madam is missing" Jhaanvi reported, her usual calm demeanor wavering.
Horror splashed in Anubhav's eyes. "What?" he screamed.
"Haan sir, she has not gone home since yesterday and her phone is switched off."
An unsettling anger bridled to the surface as Anubhav desperately managed to keep himself composed. He quickly took out his phone and called Haseena yet it was switched off. A faint curse escaped his lips as she saw the message from Haseena.
His hands shivered, his eyes squinting. It was a location.
"Aliya..." he called out, a tremor in his voice. "Trace this location quickly" he ordered giving her the phone.
Aliya and Jhaanvi hastened to track the location while Anubhav sagged, his heart thumping against himself. He turned around, the dam of tears breaking out. His breath was ragged. He felt a suffocating pain rising in his chest as all his thoughts rose to Haseena. He clenched his fists composing himself. Within minutes he had informed the Commissioner and assembled a task force to search for her.
After what felt like an eternity, Anubhav heard Aliya's voice. "Sir, the location is near the abandoned Sham factory."
A brief hope flickered in his eyes. "Aliya, are there any CCTV cameras around?"
"Haan sir but there's nothing useful."
"Good work Aliya" he commented clenching his fists at his side. "Any updates about the case?"
"Haan sir....my sources informed me of some suspicious activity inside the Lucknow mall. They have seen people entering the mall with large bags."
Pure horror spread through Anubhav. If the terrorists managed to bomb the mall, the entire city of Lucknow will be obliterated. He focused on his breathing as he relayed the information to the Commissioner simultaneously formulating a plan to rescue Haseena and secure the building.
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KS sat on her bed cross-legged as she stared at her phone. She had texted Haseena hours ago and she still hadn't replied. KS desperately held the phone, her hands shivering as Haseena's phone repeatedly informed that it was switched off.
KS got up and walked around the room, her heart hammering in her chest. She kept her hand on her forehead biting down on her lower lip. She held her phone with trembling hands as she called Anubhav.
"Anu Bhaiya..." she almost yelled. "Is madam sir at the station?" she asked, crossing her fingers in hope.
She heard Anubhav stiffening in his seat as he exhaled a deep breath. "Anu..." she urged him, her voice shaking.
"Karishma please calm down. Haseena is missing." He said in one breath, releasing the guilt that overwhelmed him.
"What?" KS shouted, her lungs screaming at the increased tempo. "Where is she?"
"Her phone was found near the old Sham factory. We are plotting her rescue now."
"Aarey Bhaiya why are you waiting? Hurry up before...." She collapsed into silence, tears streaming her face.