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Love & Shadows

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Uma felt someone's presence

The Commissioner angrily questions all the inspectors and constables present there,

“What is happening in this city? And why aren’t you people doing anything? Tell me, Mr. Shakti.”

Shakti replies confidently,

“Sir, the investigation is ongoing.”

The Commissioner asks again in anger,

“Will the investigation just keep going on, or will there be some result too? Do you have any idea how much pressure I’m facing from higher authorities? Inspector Shakti, you are leading this case, right? If I don’t see any results within ten days, you will be suspended… and a new investigation team will handle this case.”

Shakti, slightly saddened, replies,

“Yes, sir. I’ll give my best.”

The Commissioner responds with a simple “Hmm” and leaves. As soon as he leaves, Shakti takes a deep breath and says to Ravi,

“Ravi, bring all the files of the previous incidents.”

“Yes, sir,” Ravi replies.

---

At Uma’s house, it was 7 in the evening. Uma was having her meal when she suddenly felt someone’s presence near her. Her heart began to pound. She turned around but saw no one. She started eating again.

This time, she felt as if someone was sitting behind her and had placed a hand on her shoulder. Uma got scared. Gathering courage, she turned around and looked everywhere, but again, no one was there. Still, fear crept into her mind.

She thought to herself,

“Could it be Arnav? Maybe he’s joking around like he did in the morning.”

Thinking this, Uma shouted irritably,

“Arnav, is that you? Stop it if it is! I don’t like this joke at all!”

There was no reply. She called out again,

“Arnav, tell me, is it you? If you don’t answer, I’ll complain to your brother!”

When there was still no response, Uma convinced herself that it was just her imagination. Thinking this, she went into her room, though she was still shaken somewhere deep inside.

---

It was now 9 at night. Uma was sitting near the gate, waiting for Shakti. While waiting, she fell asleep there. Suddenly, a sound woke her up. When she opened her eyes, she saw a ball near her and wondered,

“Where did this ball come from?”

Her confusion was natural because there were no houses nearby—only Shakti’s uncle’s house, where his uncle, aunt, and Arnav lived.

As she wondered whose ball it could be, another ball came rolling in, followed by many more balls entering the house. Seeing this, Uma was shocked.

When she turned around and looked at her house, it looked nothing less than a ruined building. Terrified, Uma screamed. Just then, a girl stepped out of the house. Seeing her, Uma screamed even louder—

—and suddenly, her eyes opened.

Uma found herself sitting at the gate again. Taking a deep breath, she said,

“Thank God, it was just a dream… Who was that girl in my dream? I don’t know who she was, but she was terrifying.”

---

After some time, Shakti arrived home. He looked disturbed. Uma asked him,

“What happened? You look worried. Did something happen?”

“Nothing,” Shakti replied.

“Okay, then sit down. I’ll serve you food,” Uma said. Shakti nodded.

Uma thought she would tell him about today’s incident, but even while sitting at the table, Shakti looked as tense as when he arrived.

Seeing this, Uma asked again,

“What’s wrong? You look really worried. Please tell me.”

After her insistence, Shakti finally said,

“I’ve been warned. If I don’t produce good results in this case within ten days, I’ll be suspended, and a new investigation team will be formed.”

Uma felt sad hearing this, but encouraging him, she said,

“It’s okay. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Have your dinner and go to sleep. Your tension will reduce.”

“You’re right. I should rest,” Shakti said and went to the bedroom to sleep.

Uma felt sad thinking that she wanted to tell Shakti about the incident she experienced today, but since he was already so stressed, she didn’t want to trouble him further. Thinking this, she too went to sleep.

---

At 6 in the morning, Uma woke up and started preparing food for Shakti. Soon, Shakti also woke up, got ready, had breakfast, and left for the police station. Today, he went earlier than usual.

After he left, Uma got busy with her household work. Three hours later, while she was working, her phone rang. It was Shakti calling.

“Hello, Uma.”

“Yes, tell me.”

“Listen carefully. Stay inside the house, and don’t open the door for anyone unless you’re sure it’s someone you know. Okay?”

Hearing this, Uma asked,

“What happened?”

“The thieves we had arrested have escaped. Since then, five people have been killed,” Shakti told her.

Frightened, Uma replied,

“Okay, I won’t open the door. You don’t worry—and please be careful too.”

Shakti agreed, and the call disconnected.

Just then, there was a loud knock on Uma’s door. Hearing it, she got scared. Remembering Shakti’s words, she didn’t open the door. She ran upstairs and looked down from the terrace to see who was knocking at the gate—but she couldn’t see anyone.

After trying hard, she came back downstairs and started closing all the windows. As soon as the windows were shut, the knocking stopped.

Taking a deep breath, Uma said,

“Thank God, the noises stopped. Good thing I answered Shakti’s call in time, or today I would’ve been dead.”

Thinking the danger had passed, Uma turned around—and the noises started again. They were so loud that her ears hurt. She just wanted them to stop.

Unable to tolerate it anymore, she ran and opened the door.

The moment Uma opened the door, she fainted.

---

Who was it whose presence Uma kept feeling?

Whom did she see that made her faint?

Will Shakti be able to save his job?

Who came to Uma’s door—the thief, or someone else?

To find the answers, keep reading — “Khwaab!”