The Recipe of Love ??

With a thunderous crash, the door gave way.. splintering straight down the middle as it burst open, the heavy wooden panels slamming hard against the ground. Dust and debris scattered everywhere.

Four masked men stormed inside, shadows flickering across their faces under the dim, jittering flames of the torches they carried.

Their eyes immediately locked onto Devyansh, poised at the vent like a cornered fugitive.

But they were too late.

With a swift and fearless leap, Devyansh vanished through the other side, landing hard but steady. He didn't waste a second.

Inside the room, one of the masked men clambered up onto a chair in an attempt to follow, his boot slipping slightly on the uneven cushion.

But before he could hoist himself any higher, another one barked, "Hey, dumbass! Why are you climbing up? That'll take too long. Get down.. we'll go from door!"

The man froze, blinked, and then nodded. "Right." He dropped down and the group turned on their heels, rushing toward the front canopy with quick, heavy steps.

Meanwhile, outside, Devyansh stood up straight, brushed the dust off his palms with a dry exhale, and looked up. The adrenaline pumping through his veins couldn't hide the spark in his eyes. The thrill of escape.

Ishki was already there, waiting for him. She tossed him the bag containing the casket, her expression fierce and determined.

With dramatic flair, she thrust out her hand and said, "So let's go!"

"Let's go." He repeated, his voice low but certain as he gripped her hand tightly in his.

Together, they ran.. feet pounding against the dry earth, hearts racing. Behind them, the house faded into the darkness, swallowed by the night.

He led the way toward the open fields behind the house. In one hand, he clutched his phone with the flashlight flickering wildly with every step, in the other, he held onto her hand like a lifeline.

Elsewhere in the village, Vansh's world had just shifted. The moment he got the message, he dropped everything and ran.. faster than the wind, his breath short, his heart already fearing the worst.

As he reached the house, he halted just in time to see the masked men spilling out of the entrance. Instinctively, he ducked behind a wall, crouching low, eyes fixed on the scene unfolding in front of him.

Once the masked men passed, not noticing him in the shadows, Vansh quietly emerged and began following them, careful not to make a sound.

Ahead of them, Devyansh and Ishki could be seen sprinting through the open land, their silhouettes outlined by the distant glow of the village lights.

The masked men caught sight of them and the chase was back on. Vansh's pulse quickened as he continued following them, now trailing the chasers, his body moving on pure instinct.

Meanwhile, the rest of the village was caught in a different world.. one painted with joy, laughter, and the warm hues of celebration.

Children ran around with sparklers in their hands, elders lit rows of diyas on the steps, and families gathered to watch colorful rockets shoot into the sky.

In a brilliant display, the sky lit up.. golden, red, blue, and green. Firecrackers floated upward slowly like wishes being carried to the heavens, while rockets hissed and exploded into showers of light and thunder.

Every burst of sound echoed through the village, mixing with laughter and festive cheers.

But not far from that celebration, in the shadowy edges of the fields, a different story was unfolding.