Too much traffic between us

Under the Ashes

The next morning arrived too quickly, bringing with it an uneasy sense of anticipation. Vidisha could hardly shake the feeling that something was about to go down, something big. As she geared up for the day’s operations, she replayed the briefing in her mind, her thoughts swirling around the impending investigation.

She arrived at the station early, her heart racing at the thought of what lay ahead. The sun had barely risen, casting a faint glow over the city, but the station was already alive with activity. Her team was prepping for the day, and the air was thick with the smell of coffee and the distant sound of sirens echoing from the streets.

“Morning, Vidi!” Meera called out as Vidisha entered. “Ready for another exciting day in the line of fire?”

Vidisha forced a smile, though her stomach twisted with nerves. “Let’s just hope it’s not too exciting.”

As she prepared her gear, the reality of their situation weighed heavily on her. She knew they were racing against time. With the detective’s team gearing up to investigate the next potential target, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on her shoulders.

“Hey, you okay?” Meera’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Vidisha looked up to see her friend studying her intently. “Yeah, just… thinking about everything we discussed yesterday. It’s a lot.”

Meera nodded in understanding. “We’ll figure it out. We always do. Besides, you’ve got my back, and I’ve got yours.”

Vidisha appreciated the reassurance, but it wasn’t enough to quell her anxiety. Just then, the station’s alarm blared, cutting through the early morning chatter like a knife. Vidisha’s heart raced as she exchanged quick glances with her colleagues.

“Let’s go!” she shouted, adrenaline coursing through her veins as they grabbed their gear and headed for the fire trucks.

As they rolled out onto the streets, sirens blaring, the city came alive around them. The sky was a vibrant blue, a stark contrast to the chaos that could erupt at any moment. Vidisha’s thoughts flickered back to Raunak—she hoped he was ready for whatever lay ahead.

They reached the site of the potential fire, a dilapidated warehouse at the edge of town. Smoke billowed from the roof, and flames flickered menacingly against the blackened structure. Vidisha’s heart sank; they were too late.

“Get ready!” she barked, her voice steady despite the anxiety thrumming in her chest. “We need to contain this before it spreads!”

Her team sprang into action, working together with practiced efficiency. Vidisha moved with purpose, directing her crew to set up hoses and assess the situation. The heat of the fire was intense, and the acrid smell of smoke filled her lungs.

“Vidi!” one of her colleagues shouted, pointing to a group of onlookers gathered too close to the scene. “We need to clear them out!”

“I’ll handle it!” she called back, moving quickly toward the crowd.

As she approached, she recognized one of the faces in the crowd—Detective Rathi, his expression tight with concern. “What’s going on, Vidisha?” he asked, his eyes scanning the flames.

“Looks like we’ve got another fire on our hands,” she replied, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. “We’re working to contain it, but it’s spreading fast.”

Rathi nodded, but there was something else in his eyes—determination mixed with worry. “We need to get to the bottom of this. The last thing we want is for this to be part of a bigger pattern.”

Vidisha felt her pulse quicken. “We’ll find a way. But right now, we need to focus on putting this fire out.”

As she turned to head back, she caught sight of Raunak approaching, his dark hair tousled by the wind. He was dressed in his hospital scrubs, clearly having rushed over from the trauma center.

“Vidisha!” he called out, his voice urgent. “What do you need?”

She felt a rush of conflicting emotions at his presence. “We need to control the fire first, then we can talk about injuries,” she replied, maintaining her professionalism despite the flurry of feelings bubbling beneath the surface.

He nodded, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the scene. “I’ll get set up at triage just in case. You keep an eye on your team.”

Before she could respond, he was off, moving with a purpose that only fueled her admiration. She quickly turned back to her crew, rallying them as they fought against the raging flames.

Minutes felt like hours as they battled the fire, each spray of water offering a fleeting moment of relief against the heat. Vidisha worked alongside her team, directing them and taking calculated risks to protect everyone involved. The fire crackled and roared, filling the air with smoke and chaos.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally began to gain control. The flames flickered in and out, each one a reminder of how close they had come to disaster. Exhausted but determined, Vidisha stepped back, surveying their progress.

“That’s it! Keep pushing!” she shouted, her voice hoarse from the smoke.

Just as she turned to check on the team, a loud crack echoed above them. Vidisha’s heart dropped as she looked up, eyes wide. The roof of the warehouse was starting to cave in.

“Get back!” she screamed, rushing toward her team.

But before she could reach them, the structure collapsed with a deafening roar, sending debris flying everywhere. In a split second, chaos erupted around her. Vidisha dove to the side, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she narrowly avoided the falling rubble.

She scrambled to her feet, her heart racing as she searched for her crew. “Everyone okay?” she called out, panic lacing her voice.

One by one, her team members emerged from the chaos, shaken but unharmed. Relief flooded through her, but it was short-lived. She looked around frantically, realizing Raunak was nowhere to be seen.

“Raunak!” she shouted, the name tearing from her throat as she pushed through the smoke.

In the distance, she spotted him kneeling beside a fallen beam, checking on an injured firefighter who was pinned beneath the debris. Without thinking, Vidisha rushed toward them, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Raunak!” she called out, reaching them just as he was attempting to lift the beam.

“Stay back!” he shouted, his focus unwavering. “I need to get him out!”

“Let me help!” Vidisha insisted, moving beside him.

They both grasped the beam, muscles straining as they lifted it just enough to free the injured firefighter. With a final heave, they managed to pull him to safety. Raunak quickly assessed the man’s injuries, checking for signs of shock while Vidisha held the firefighter steady.

“You’ll be okay,” she murmured, her heart racing. “We’re going to get you out of here.”

As they worked to stabilize him, the intensity of the situation wrapped around Vidisha, a mixture of adrenaline and fear swirling within her. She couldn’t help but notice the way Raunak’s brow furrowed in concentration, the determination etched on his features.

“Vidisha,” he said, glancing up at her, “I need you to help me get him to triage. Can you do that?”

She nodded, her resolve hardening. “Absolutely.”

Together, they lifted the injured man and carefully maneuvered him through the debris, every step a reminder of the danger that surrounded them. The chaos was relentless, but with Raunak by her side, she felt a surge of strength.

Once they reached the triage area, Raunak immediately began barking orders, directing the medical staff with precision. Vidisha stepped back, watching him take charge, and a newfound respect swelled within her.

In the midst of the fire and fear, something deep inside her shifted. The walls she had built around her emotions were beginning to crack, and the realization was terrifying.

As the chaos continued around them, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of something more—a spark hidden beneath the ashes of their tumultuous circumstances. And for the first time, she wondered if perhaps the flames between them could become something worth exploring.