दिल के दर्द को छुपाना सीखा है मैंने,

हंसी के पीछे कई राज़ छुपा रखे हैं मैंने।

खुद को बिखरने से बचाने की कोशिश में,

हर जख्म को मुस्कान में छिपा रखा है मैंने।

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Author Pov

The sun shone brightly at the zoo, casting a warm glow over the playful scene unfolding in front of me. Laughter echoed as families roamed around, taking in the sights and sounds of the vibrant day.

Avantika, usually so reserved, was surprisingly animated, holding hands with Devika while clutching a giant lollipop that seemed almost comical in size compared to her petite frame.

The lollipop had been a gift from her father-in-law, a playful gesture to coax her out of her usual shell.

"Yai lo aur ab thoda bachon jaisa behave karo," he had said, encouraging her to indulge in the carefree spirit of the day.

It was a rare sight to see her enjoying something so childlike, though the edges of her mouth were barely turned up in a smile.

Devika, beside her, was happily devouring an ice cream cone, her laughter ringing out as she teased Avantika.

"Bhabhi, look at that hippo!" she nudged, pointing towards a large hippopotamus lounging in the water.

Avantika glanced over, her expression a mix of mild curiosity and reluctance.

"Huh?" she muttered, trying to suppress a smile as she focused on the massive creature. Despite her cool demeanor, a flicker of amusement danced in her eyes, though she quickly masked it.

Dev caught the moment, snapping pictures of everyone enjoying the day.

His camera clicked incessantly, capturing the joy that surrounded them. Pakhi and Anjali, with their husbands, were also in the mix, laughing and sharing stories as they moved from one exhibit to another.

"Bhabhi, come on! Just one bite," Devika urged, teasing her to take a lick from her ice cream. But Avantika shook her head, still clutching the lollipop tightly, as if it were her lifeline.

"Bachpan ki yaadein taza kar lijiye, Bhabhi" Dev teased, joining in the playful banter, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Avantika shot him a glare, but it lacked the usual coldness; today, it felt more like playful annoyance.

As they continued their tour, Avantika felt a warmth spreading inside her, something unfamiliar yet comforting. Maybe, just maybe, today was a chance to let her guard down, if only a little.

As they wandered through the zoo, the group marveled at the variety of animals on display, each more fascinating than the last.

The air was filled with excitement, and the sounds of children laughing blended harmoniously with the calls of exotic birds.

"Look at the gorilla!" Dev exclaimed, pointing toward a large, muscular creature beating its chest in a display of dominance.

Avantika, glancing over, couldn't help but notice the six-pack abs of the gorilla, a mix of surprise and amusement on her face.

"Bilkul apke bhai ki tarah!" she blurted out, her voice carrying over the chatter.

Immediately, the laughter in the group came to a halt, and all eyes turned toward her.

Pakhi, Anjali, Vijay, Ajay, and Devika exchanged incredulous looks, their expressions a blend of shock and amusement.

"Mere kehne ka matlab wo nahi tha!" Avantika quickly defended herself, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink as she realized how her words could be interpreted.

But it was too late; the group burst into laughter, the sound ringing through the air like music. Dev's laughter was the loudest as he clutched his stomach, nearly doubling over. "Bhabhi, you've got a point there!" he teased, winking at Avantika.

Even Avantika couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of the situation, a rare moment of lightness washing over her.

The laughter was contagious, and despite her usual introverted nature, she felt a flutter of warmth in her chest, enjoying this unexpected connection with her family.

As they moved on, the laughter lingered, and Avantika realized that maybe today wasn't so bad after all.

The group finally settled into a cozy restaurant within the zoo, the atmosphere buzzing with the chatter of families and the aroma of delicious snacks wafting through the air.

"Haash, I was so hungry!" Dev exclaimed, rubbing his hands together eagerly as he scanned the menu.

"Tu humesha toh bhooka hi rehta hai, hapsi kahin ka!" Devika shot back playfully, rolling her eyes at her brother.

"Chup kar," Dev retorted, smirking as he tried to silence her.

"Shh," Avantika interjected, a hint of annoyance in her voice as she tried to focus on the menu.

Everyone placed their orders, the excitement in the air palpable as they looked forward to enjoying a feast together. But just as the food arrived, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted in the restaurant. The crowd began to bustle and shout, panic evident on their faces.

All heads turned as a group of men entered the establishment, brandishing guns and barking orders.

"Don't move! Sab jaha baithe ho wahi raho! Koi bhi apni jagah se hilega, toh usse maut ke ghat suladenge hum!" one of the men shouted, his voice booming and menacing.

The playful banter instantly faded, replaced by a chilling silence. Avantika's heart raced as her gaze darted around the room, taking in the frightened expressions of those around her. She felt a wave of dread wash over her, the reality of the situation sinking in.

"Stay calm," Dev whispered, his voice low as he instinctively moved closer to Avantika and Devika, creating a protective barrier around them.

The restaurant was thrown into chaos, the smell of fear mingling with the aroma of food, as everyone remained frozen in their seats, unsure of what would happen next.

Avyansh's POV

I had just finished my work when my phone rang, jolting me from my thoughts.

"Hello?" I answered, a hint of irritation in my voice, expecting it to be a telemarketer.

"Sir! Sir!" It was the driver, his voice frantic.

"What happened?" I asked, immediately on high alert.

"Sir, the zoo! The zoo!" he exclaimed, barely able to contain his panic.

"What are you talking about?" I demanded, my heart beginning to race. "Just explain."

""Sir, I don't know exactly what's going on. The police are here, and the restaurant at the zoo is in the middle of a hostage crisis or something! I'm outside, but Bade Sahab ji and everyone else are still inside!"

Panic surged through me as his words sunk in. "What?!" My mind raced. "Are they safe? What do you mean hostage crisis?How?"

"I-I don't know, Sir! I just got to know this now only.I thought I should inform you immediately!" the driver stammered, his voice shaky.

"Stay put. I'll be there in a minute!" I instructed, my heart pounding as I hung up the call, my heart racing. I couldn't afford to waste time.

I quickly dialed my personal security team, a group of men trained for situations like this.

"Get me a team to the zoo. I want eyes everywhere," I ordered, my voice steady but laced with urgency. "I need a full assessment of the situation. No mistakes."

"Understood, sir," one of the men replied, ready to follow orders.

I took a deep breath, keeping my cool despite the tension brewing inside me. I couldn't let fear cloud my judgment; not now. I shot a quick text to my assistant, giving her a heads-up and instructing her to start gathering intel.

As I made my way to the car, I thought about Avantika. She was supposed to be enjoying a day out, not caught in the middle of chaos. I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I drove, my mind racing through all the possible scenarios.

They were just a bunch of idiots thinking they could threaten people. But they had no idea who they were dealing with.

"Don't worry, Mishti. I'm coming," I muttered under my breath, determined to get her out of this mess.

I should go with everyone, fuck, I said, my jaw clenched tight. This was no time to play it safe; my wife was inside, and that was all that mattered. I gritted my teeth, pushing the accelerator to the floor as I raced toward the zoo.

Thoughts of her flooded my mind-her serious expressions, those innocent doe-like eyes, the way she'd smiled when I'd taken care of her. I couldn't let anything happen to her. The idea of her being scared or hurt ignited a fire in me.

As I neared the entrance, I noticed a crowd gathering outside, panic evident in their eyes. I pulled up close and instructed my driver to stay put. I needed to assess the situation first, to understand the extent of the chaos inside.

I stepped out of the car, scanning the area for any familiar faces. My men were already positioned around the zoo, gathering intel. I spotted one of my security team members, signaling him to come over.

"What do we know?" I demanded, urgency lacing my voice.

"Several armed men are inside the restaurant. They've taken hostages, including your family. We're working on a plan to get them out without escalating the situation," he replied, eyes serious.

I felt my heart drop but kept my composure. "We need a distraction. Something that'll pull their attention away. I want those hostages out safely," I commanded, my mind racing.

"Yes, sir. We can create a diversion near the entrance. It'll give us a window to extract them," he suggested.

"Do it," I said, my voice cold and determined. "And keep me updated. I need to know the moment they're clear."

I took a deep breath, focusing on the task ahead. It was time to show these fools that they had no idea who they were messing with. I wouldn't let anything happen to Avantika. Not on my watch.

Avantika Pov

My heart dropped as another man appeared, grabbing Devika and yanking her away from my grasp. "Leave her!" I shouted, my voice breaking as I reached out, trying to pull her back.

"Bhabhi!" Devika cried, terror evident in her eyes as she was dragged away.

"Let her go!" Dev shouted, struggling against the restraints that held him on the ground. His voice was filled with rage, but the fear in his eyes mirrored my own.

Before I could process what was happening, I saw a guy around our age bolt for the exit.

The sudden movement sent shockwaves through the crowd, and I instinctively held my breath, hoping he'd make it. But before he could get far, the man holding Devika turned with lightning speed, leveling his gun at the fleeing guy.

"Don't!" I screamed, but it was too late.

The loud bang of the gun echoed through the restaurant, drowning out the screams that erupted from our group.

I froze, horror coursing through my veins as I watched the young man fall to the ground, his body lifeless, blood pooling around him.

"Oh my God!" someone screamed from the back, and the collective gasp of the crowd sent chills down my spine. My eyes widened in disbelief, my mind struggling to comprehend the brutality unfolding before us.

Panic surged, and I felt the urge to run, but my body remained frozen, rooted to the spot in sheer terror. The reality of our situation hit me like a freight train: we were in the middle of a nightmare, and there was nothing I could do to save Devika or anyone else.

The man holding Devika sneered, his expression devoid of humanity. "Anyone else want to try running?" he taunted, scanning the crowd with cold, calculating eyes.

"Please," I whispered, feeling helpless. The weight of the moment crushed down on me, and I realized we were at the mercy of these men. All I could do was pray for someone to come and rescue us before it was too late.

My thoughts were consumed by Avyansh ji, desperately wishing he would arrive and save us from this nightmare. Please, Avyansh ji, come soon, I silently pleaded, my heart racing in fear and frustration.

But then, in an instant, I felt a rough hand grab my hair, yanking me back and pulling me to my feet. Pain shot through my scalp, and my instincts kicked in. The anger bubbling beneath my fear surged forth as I glared at the man who dared to touch me.

With a swift movement, I twisted my body, using the momentum to break free from his grip. I spun around, facing him head-on. He was taken aback, momentarily stunned by my sudden resistance.

"Don't underestimate me," I hissed, channeling the years of martial arts training that had become second nature. I quickly assessed his stance, calculating my next move.

Before he could react, I launched into action. I kicked high, my foot connecting with his abdomen, sending him stumbling backward. He gasped, shock replacing the arrogance in his eyes.

Taking advantage of his momentary loss of balance, I followed up with a quick jab to his jaw, feeling the satisfying impact as he staggered to the side. The other henchmen turned their attention toward me, expressions of disbelief mixed with anger.

"Get her!" one shouted, and just like that, the atmosphere shifted from one of chaos to heightened danger. I felt a surge of adrenaline, realizing I was outnumbered, but I refused to back down.

"Leave her alone!" Dev shouted, his voice breaking through the din as he struggled against his captor.

I glanced at Devika, who was still held tightly by another man, her eyes wide with fear. "Hold on, Devika!" I called out, determination fueling my next move.

Using my agility, I ducked under the arm of the man lunging at me and quickly dashed toward Devika. I grabbed a nearby chair and swung it around, using it as a barrier between us and the henchmen.

"Get away from her!" I shouted, my voice fierce, standing my ground.

For a brief moment, it seemed like I had created a small pocket of safety amidst the chaos. My mind raced as I searched for a way to get Devika and everyone else out of this mess, hoping against hope that Avyansh ji would come through.

Suddenly The world around me blurred as the man hit my head from behind with a sickening thud. A wave of pain shot through me, and I felt the ground rush up to meet me. Pakhi Maa I heard her shout my name, her voice laced with panic.

"Avantika!" I could hear the desperation in Chote Papa's voice as he tried to reach me, but I was too disoriented to see what was happening. I stumbled and fell to the floor, my vision swimming, blood trickling down from my scalp.

"Interesting, huh?" one of the men sneered, crouching down in front of me, a twisted smirk on his face as he reveled in my pain. His eyes glinted with a sadistic delight that made my stomach churn.

I tried to muster the strength to fight back, but before I could gather my thoughts, another man came up behind me and yanked my hands together, tying them tightly. Panic surged within me as I realized I was completely vulnerable.

"Let her go!" Dev shouted, struggling against the grip of his captors. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, the burning desire to protect my family fueling my anger despite the pain radiating from my head.

"Don't touch her!" I yelled, trying to sound defiant, even as fear coiled around my heart. But the man just laughed, ignoring my words as he tightened the ropes around my wrists.

"Looks like you're not in any position to make demands, sweetheart," he taunted, standing up and stepping back to allow his comrades to get a better view of my humiliation.

I gritted my teeth, refusing to let them see my fear. I would not break easily. My mind raced as I scanned the room for any potential escape routes or anything I could use as a weapon.

Avyansh's POV

It had been three agonizing hours since I last saw my family, and with each passing moment, the weight of dread settled heavier on my chest.

Maa has always been scared of this kind of chaos, I thought bitterly. How could I have let them come here?

I stood outside the zoo, my fists clenched at my sides, staring at the entrance like it was the source of all my problems.

The flashing lights of police cars illuminated the area, casting eerie shadows as officers and negotiators surrounded the premises. They were doing their best to manage the situation, but their hesitance only fueled my frustration.

"Mr. Raghuvanshi, we need you to stay back. We have to control the situation," one of the officers said, his voice steady but firm. I glared at him, the coldness of my expression making him take a small step back.

"I can't just stand here while my family is inside!" I snapped, my voice low but filled with an intensity that made the officer hesitate. "They need me."

"I understand your concern, sir, but we can't have anyone getting in the way. It's dangerous," he insisted, trying to maintain his composure in front of me.

I scoffed, my mind racing with thoughts of everyone trapped inside. Papa and Chote Papa are there; Dev and Devika are there; but most importantly-Avantika. My wife.

She's in there. The idea of her being scared, vulnerable, filled me with an anger I could barely contain. I paced back and forth, trying to find a way to channel my frustration.

Every time I closed my eyes, I imagined her doe-like eyes filled with fear. What if they had hurt her? What if she was scared? I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay focused. I couldn't let my emotions take over.

I could see a group of reporters gathering at the edge of the police line, their cameras flashing as they captured the unfolding chaos. I felt a surge of anger; they had no idea what we were going through. This wasn't just a story for them; this was my life, my family.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, breaking me from my thoughts. I pulled it out, noticing a message from one of my men inside the zoo.

We're trying to gather intel, sir. The situation is tense, but we're monitoring everything closely. Stay alert.

I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to remain calm. I could hear the distant shouts from inside the zoo, the unmistakable sound of fear echoing through the air. I clenched my jaw again, frustration boiling within me.

"Just hold on, Avantika," I whispered under my breath, my voice barely audible. "I'm coming for you."

No more waiting. I needed to take matters into my own hands. It was time to act, to do whatever it took to get my family out of that hellhole.

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Dear readers, my loyal supporters, please don’t stress about that note I wrote in anger.

But don’t worry, I really don’t think I would do something like that. And to my loyal readers, you don’t need to comment or ask for the fake readers to vote and comment. Your support means the world to me! Love you all!