At night, around 9 pm a boy around his 20s standing on a tall building in the city. He is looking miserable. His hairs are messy, eyes are swollen because of crying and is walking forward to the edge of terrace . When he finally reached his destination. He roams his eyes at the beautiful view of the night city. He always liked this view but today its different, his heart is feeling heavy like there is no feeling left. He is feeling like there is no meaning of his life. He just wants to end this miserable Life.

Rain starts pouring.

And he closes his eyes and jumped from the building......

One year ago -

A 22 years old boy sitting infront of computer. He is doing his work then suddenly his colleague said

"Shatak it's already 9 p.m don't you want to go to home."

Shatak said "I am almost done my work, Rishi"

Rishi said "ohh good, then I am going home, Good night. See you tomorrow. "

Shatak said "Good night" and started doing his work. After 10 minutes he is at the parking area of his office and putting his helmet on head and starts his bike to go home.

He is 22 years old software developer who got this job recently and living in rent with his only 7 years old sister Riya. Riya is his only family. His parents died in an accident when he was 18 years old.

Few minutes later Shatak reached his apartment building. He park his bike in and thinking about Riya.

Shatak's thinking "Did she ate her dinner which I put in fridge. I hope she ate and isn't waiting for me."

After few minutes he enters his apartment by spare key. He started to go to his room then he heard some weird noises from the kitchen. He is worridly thinking about Riya "where is Riya? and who is in the kitchen?"

He takes a flower pot from the table and goes to the kitchen and saw that Riya is clutching her stomach, while lying in kitchen floor and crying. He quickly goes near Riya and asked "Riya what happened."

Riya said "I don't know brother. I came for drinking water then suddenly I felt this unbearable stomachache. Brother it hurts."

Shatak said "Did you ate anything"

Riya said "Yes brother"

Shatak said "Maybe because of food poisoning you are having this stomachache. It's all my fault I made you eat this food which I made morning" and started crying.

Riya said "Dont say like this brother" while crying.

Shatak said "We have to go to hospital right now."

Shatak takes Riya to the hospital.

Half an hour later a doctor examines Riya and said

"I gave medicines for now and did some tests. We will get The reports in the morning."

Shatak said "Ok doctor, thank you very much"

Doctor said "It's our duty."

Shatak said "Can I take Riya home now ?"

Doctor said "No , tonight she have to stay here for under observation."

Shatak said "Ok doctor."

He then goes to Riya's room. Riya is sleeping peacefully, this makes a faint smile on shatak's face. He caress her hair softly and said "I am sorry mom and dad. I am not taking care of Riya properly, that's why this is happened. But I promise I will take care of you now on. You are first priority nothing is more important than you. I will work hard and do everything for you." He said while looking at her. The determination can be seen in his eyes. Sometimes later he also fell asleep at sitting on a chair, near Riya .

At morning a doctor is checking on Riya and said "How are you feeling now? Did you feel any pain?

Riya said "I am feeling good Doctor Uncle and also I didn't feel any pain."

Doctor said "That's good."

Shatak said "Dr. What about Riya's report."

Dr. said "Yes, Mr Shatak I have something to discuss about this. So I am waiting for you in my cabin.

Shatak said "Ok Doctor"

Shatak said to Riya "Riya, I am going to meet Dr. uncle, so wait for me here and don't go anywhere."

Riya said "Ok brother"

Shatak said "Good girl" while ruffled her hair.

A few minutes later in dr.s cabin shatak's is sitting in a chair and some papers are in his hands and his eyes are wide open.

What Shatak saw in those reports? What happened to Riya? Why Shatak is shocked? Do you have any idea?

If you want to know please vote and support this story.

Byebyee ~ Peony J

Shatak went to Dr cabin to know about Riya's test report. Then his phone start ringing. He took out his phone from his pant pocket and saw an unknown number. He didn't want to received this call at this time so he declined the number and starts walking. Again his phone start ringing and he cut the call again.

In the hospital, Shatak is angry on unknown caller but he calm himself down and went to doctor's cabin. When doctor saw him and said "Sit down Mr Shatak " . Shatak sat down.

Doctor said "Mr. Shatak we did some tests on Riya and Riya's test reports are not good ".

Shatak said "What do you mean Doctor ".

Doctor said "Riya is diagnosis of gall bladder cancer". Doctor handed him the medical reports. Shatak eyes are wide open and he asked " How is this possible doctor she is just a child?".

Dr.said "I know this news is shocking for you but right now Riya need immediate treatment or else health condition will get worse ".

Hearing this news from doctor Shatak eyes became moist and he asked "Doctor she will be fine after the treatment right ? "

Doctor sighs and said "According to her reports her condition is not worse yet so I hope so after treatment she will be fine. I already discussed with best oncologist ( Cancer specialist ) in the city about Riya's case, so it's better if you talk with him personally."

Shatak said " Thank you doctor. And When can I meet him?"

Doctor said " I know you would ask for it so I have already take appointment for today 5 pm. You can take the appointment letter from the reception."

Shatak said "Thank you very much doctor. Can I take Riya home?"

Doctor said " Yes you can. I am prescribing some medicine for her . You should take care of her diet that she eat healthy and light food . And be careful that she doesn't eat any junk food."

Shatak said "I will take care of it."

Shatak said and bid good bye to doctor and went to Riya's room.

In Riya's room

When he entered the room he saw Riya is talking with a nurse and he remembered the conversation between him and doctor. He eyes got teary, thinking ‘just yesterday Riya was absolutely fine but now she is a cancer patient. How will react if she knows about this news. No she doesn't have to know . I will try to keep this secret from her and lie about her health.’

Riya saw him standing near the door staring at her so she asked " Big bro , what doctor uncle said? Can I go to home?"

Shatak smile at her and said " Yes , we are going home." Hearing this Riya got excited and started jumping on bed. Watching Riya's smiling face Shatak felt relieved and starting to going near her and said "Don't jump like kangaroo. You will get hurt." And patted her head.

After some time Riya got discharged from the hospital and Shatak book a cab for them. They are sitting in the cab then suddenly his phone start ringing he saw the unknown number from morning. He is going to pick up the call but intrupped him by saying " Brother I want to eat ice cream." He almost say yes to her but rememberd doctor's instructions so he said " No dear Doctor said you will get stomachache if you eat ice cream, chocolate , chips . So no junk food from today." Riya felt upset but she knows her brother never say no to her if he telling something that's must be good her. She nodded her brother and said " Okay brother but I want to eat something yummy. Hospital food not tasteless. I barely ate ."

Shatak said " I will make something tasty for you when we go to home." At the middle of their conversation he forgot about the call and put his phone on his pocket.

After some time they went to home. They are sitting in their hall .

Shatak said to Riya " At the evening we have to go somewhere. So be ready at 3 pm."

Riya said "Okay brother but where are we going?"

Shatak said " For your appointment with another doctor."

Riya said " But I am fine brother, why we have to go to see another doctor." She asks curiously.

Shatak said " I know you are fine but at future I don't want something like this not happen to you that's why we are going to see another doctor . Did you understand?" Riya not satisfied with his words but still agree with him ."

After few moments of silence Riya asked " Brother don't you have to go to office today."

Shatak said "I took leave for today. And you said you want to eat something. I am going to make something then we will watch a movie together ".

Riya said "Okay brother but we will watch Barbie ."

Shatak get up from his seat while smiling and said "As you wish my Barbie doll." And went to the kitchen.

They spent their day eating and watching movies happily without any worry about their problems which are waiting for them.

At evening Shatak and Riya waiting outside the doctor's cabin for their turn. After some time they went inside the doctor cabin.

Doctor is checking Riya's reports and calls a nurse. In few minutes later a nurse came to the cabin and doctor said " Sister take this little girl with you for sometime."

That nurse want to near Riya and said " Come baby we are going outside for fun ."

Riya said "I don't want to go with you." And look at Shatak worridly.

Then Shatak said "It's okay Riya she is a good aunty . She will not harm you "

Hearing Shatak words Riya nodded and go outside with the nurse.

When Riya outside of magic cabin then Doctor start conversation and said "I was already informed about Riya's health by Dr. Mehta . And seeing her reports it's clear that she is diagnosed with gall bladder cancer . But still we have to do some other tests on her body . So bring her tomorrow I will write down tests name that we have to do ."

Shatak said " Okay doctor. But doctor I want to ask something ."

Doctor said " Yes sure."

Shatak said " How much cost will take for treatment."

Dr. said" It's cost around minimum 5 lakhs ."

Shatak got a little startled when he hears the amount.

Shatak thinks in mind, “5 Lakhs. Will I be able to arrange the money on time?... I have to do it anyhow. I can’t lose Riya.”

And then Shatak said to doctor, “Money won’t be an issue doctor. You Please cure my little sister.”

Doctor said “Don’t worry, Mr Shatak. She will be absolutely fine.”

Shatak said "Okay doctor. So can I leave now."

Doctor said "Yes , see you tomorrow Mr Shatak.”

“This my visiting card . As Riya's case is a little sensitive so you might need my help anytime ."

Shatak said "Thank you " while taking visiting card from the doctor. And leaves doctor's cabin and find Riya coming towards him with a nurse.

When reached Shatak side she said excitement "Brother I had fun with this aunty she is really nice" .

Shatak smiles at her and thanks the nurse and went home.

Half an hour later they reached their apartments parking yard .

Shatak stands his bike then someone called his name and said "Shatak you didn't pick up my call so I have to come here to see you."

Who is this person? How does they know Shatak’s name? What will happen next?

Any idea…readers ???

~ Peony J

Shatak parks his bike and then he hears someone calling his name and said "Shatak you didn't pick up my call , so I have to come here to see you".

Shatak saw a man in his mid 40s wearing black suit standing near a black car. Two man are standing next to him. One seems to be his bodyguard and other his secretary.

The man approaches him and said "How are you Shatak.?"

Shatak thinks in his mind "Who is this man and how does he know my name? I never saw him before or heard about him ?" Many questions are running on his head but his thoughts were intrupped by the voice of that unknown man "I know what are you thinking Shatak. You never saw me before but I already know about you ."

Shatak asked curiously "You know me but how? I didn't remember meeting you before."

That man said " I am your father Kabir Verma's college friend .My name is Kaali Raj Kumar. I went to abroad after my graduation and we lost our contact eventually. Few days back I came home and searched about him and found out that he got into an accident 5 years ago. I was totally devastated by the news . Later I found out about his kids . So I start searching for you and found your contact number through some sources. I caledl you few times but you didn't pick up my call so today I came here to meet you. "

Hearing this story stranger from a stranger Shatak don't know how to react . This is first time after his parents death someone approaching him . He have many relatives and close friends of his parents but they never cared about him. Sometimes they call him but only for their own benefits . That's why he also made distance from them. He somehow learnt that they are just snake in human disguise. He decided that he would never trust anyone.

Shatak said to the man "Hello Mr. Kumar, nice to meet to you and sorry for not picking up your call I was really busy so I didn't give attention to an unknown number."

Kaali Raj said "It's okay son , and call me Uncle."

Shatak said " Okay uncle and here she is my sister Riya." Pointing at Riya "Riya say hello to uncle ."

Riya said " Hello uncle."

Kali Raj said "Riya hello Riya I don't know about you if I know I will definitely something for you but right now here take some money ." He said while giving thousand rupees to her.

Riya was hesitate to take money from stranger so she saw Shatak way . Shatak understood so he said "Thank you uncle, but there is no need for anything. You came here to just meet us is a very big deal ."

Kaali Raj said while smiling " You are really humble like your Father. But if you don't take this money I would think you didn't trust my words."

Shatak don't know what to do so he nodded to Riya for take the money. Riya takes money and say thank you. After that, Shatak invited Mr.Kumar for coming to their apartment but he declined the offer by saying he have some urgent meeting. He also promised that he would definitely come next time. Shatak feels guilty for saying goodbye from outside. He decided that he will definitely treat him better at their next meeting. While thinking of this they went to inside their apartment.

At 11 pm after their dinner, Riya went to her room . Shatak also went to his room but he didn't feel like sleeping although his body is exhausted but in his mind running all the incidents happened today. He is worried about Riya's treatment, does Riya will be fine after the treatment or not, how will he arrange huge amount of money in short period of time.

Shatak POV-

I have some savings in my account around 2 lakhs which was not enough but still I can continue her treatment while arranging rest of the money. I got my job 6 months ago and my salary is good. I can also take some advance too. I Hope they give me.

And today I met a stranger who claimed he is my father's friend. It's really hard to believe him but how he how he talks with sincerity I want to believe him. My father was a advocate, a very well known advocate and my mother was a doctor. I know all my father's friend and he also talked about his college friends including school friends but I don't remember any Kaali Raj Kumar. Maybe he forgot to mention him like Mr.kumar said he is living in abroad from many years and they are no longer in contact.

It's getting late I have to sleep now nor I will be late for office tomorrow. Riya have to go to school tomorrow.

In a forest,

cloudy night...howls of wolves, amidst the darkness of woods, a boy is running with all the might he has and calling someone's name. He is tired from running, wants to rest but he thinks if he stop he will lost that person forever. Someone who is precious to him. He don't know how he got there. He don't even know how to get out this place. Then he suddenly sees an abandoned building. And hears cry of a little girl. In the silence of the night...the cry can be heard clearly. Stops for a second and with a sudden thought starts running towards the building and screams "RIYAAAAAA......."

What do you think what happened to Riya? Shatak will save her or not?

What will happen next?

Byebyee ~ Pyeony J