The Sacred Alliance

• Chapter 12 •

~ Past ~

After a joyous time at their friend's wedding, Jaanvi and Chhavi headed home. Despite being dropped off by Abhimaan and his dadu, the clock had already struck half past twelve by the time they reached home, leaving Jaanvi apprehensive about facing scolding from her uncle & aunt

Jaanvi: Aaj toh pakka mujhe daant padegi !

She muttered while anxiously nibbling her nails, standing by the gate of her house

Chhavi: Tu daar kyu rahi hai, koi bhi kuch nhi kahega tujhe. Aur phir dadaji hai na agar kisine kuch kaha toh

Jaanvi: Arey par nanu toh soh rahe hongey na toh mujhe bachane wala kon hoga

Chhavi: Tu na bekaar mein hi tension le rahi hai. Chup chap ander jaa aur jakey soh jaa. Ab tak toh chacha-chachi bhi soh gaye honge

Jaanvi: Haa jati hu, good night

Chhavi: Good night aur don't forget to dream about jiju

Ignoring her friend's teasing remark, Jaanvi silently slipped inside the house. As she passed through her nanu's room, she contemplated going in to check on him, wondering whether he was sleeping peacefully or awake, engrossed in reading some books

However, as she was about to enter the room, her elder aunt, Sakshi, intercepted her from behind

Sakshi: Yeha kya kar rahi ho tum Jaanvi ?

Jaanvi: Mami, mai woh nanu se milne jaa rahi thi

Sakshi: Tumhare nanu soh rahe hai toh soney do unhe. Tum unhe kal bhi mil sakti ho, kahi nhi jaa rahe hai woh

Jaanvi nodded meekly in response to her mami

Sakshi: Ab yeha kyu khadi ho, jao aur chup chap soh jao

Jaanvi: Jii

As Sakshi moved away from there, Jaanvi spoke to herself

Jaanvi: Log toh chup chap hi sotey hai, kaha shor macha ke sote hai. Khair, mujhe kya!

Chal Jaanu, ab soh jaa. Nanu se kal mil lena, waise bhi nanu kaha bhagey jaa rahe hai

_____

Next day morning

After completing her morning chores, Jaanvi descendent to the hall. Noticing everyone present except for her nanu, she headed straight to his room and found him still sleeping

Jaanvi: Hey bhagwaan ! Yeh toh abhi bhi soh rahe. Pakka der raat tak koi book padh rahe honge. Kab badey honge yeh, uff !

Shaking her head in displeasure, she attempted to wake him up by calling his name. Despite several attempts, Abhay remained unresponsive, leaving Jaanvi increasingly anxious. Without wasting any time, she promptly called both her uncles, who came running upon hearing her call

Anish: Kya huwa Jaanvi ?

Jaanvi: Dekhiye na mama, mai nanu ko kab se bula rahi hu, pa...par woh ut...uth hi nhi rah..e

Listening to his niece, Anish rushed to his father's side and tried to wake him up but he didn't respond to his calls as well. Worried, he quickly instructed his brother, Rajeev to call the doctor

Jaanvi: Nanu, thik toh hai na ?

With a shaky voice and fear clearly visible in her eyes, she asked both her uncles. However, in return, Anish yelled at her