TALES OF TAJ

CHAPTER IX

MAIN PLOT:

- Nikolas, Ruby's grandfather, is worried about Ruby's safety and receives a mysterious call threatening the family.

- Ruby and Ava arrive in Mansoori, India, and face a series of challenges, including a van breakdown and an encounter with Rajesh.

- Nikolas's suspicions about Ava grow, and he begins to wonder if she is the danger lurking in the shadows.

SUB PLOT:

- Ruby and Ava's friendship deepens as they navigate their adventures together.

- Rajesh's character is introduced, and his relationship with Ruby and Ava is established.

- Nikolas's past experiences and emotions are revealed through flashbacks, adding depth to his character.

PLOT TWISTS:

- The mysterious caller's identity and motives are unknown, adding suspense to the story.

- Ava's true intentions and loyalties are unclear, leaving the reader wondering if she is a friend or foe.

CALIFFHANGERS:

- Will Nikolas's suspicions about Ava be confirmed, or will she prove to be a loyal friend?

- What is the mysterious caller's next move, and how will it affect the family?

- What is the surprise that Nikolas has planned for Ruby?

MAIN STORY:

Nikolas, Ruby's grandfather, stood on the balcony of his room, sipping tea with a joyful smile. He was happy because his granddaughter and grandson were returning home after a long time.

Nikolas picked up his phone and called Suresh, asking enthusiastically, "My son, where are you now? Is Ruby okay?"

Suresh replied, "Grandpa, Ruby left again with the car. I called her, and she said she's fine and will meet us at the palace."

Nikolas's expression turned worried, and he asked, "You left her alone?"

Suresh replied nervously, "No, Grandpa, she's not alone. She's with a friend."

Nikolas's tone turned angry, "Which friend? Angel, who's a coward herself?"

Suresh explained, "No, Grandpa, it's Ava. I told you about the girl who saved Ruby from the masked men. Ava is that girl."

Nikolas was taken aback, "What is she doing with Ruby in India? Will she come to the wedding too?"

Suresh replied, "Yes, Grandpa."

Nikolas said, "Okay, I'll talk to Ruby." He then hung up the phone.

Nikolas was filled with worry. He sat down on a chair and flashed back to the day Ruby went missing. The masked men had attacked her, and Suresh had called him, frantic with worry.

In the flashback, Nikolas was sitting on the same chair, receiving Suresh's call. Suresh told him that Ruby was missing, and Nikolas was furious.

Nikolas yelled at Suresh, "What do you mean she's missing? Go find her! If anything happens to my granddaughter, I'll never forgive you, Suresh!"

Suresh was crying, "I'm trying my best to find her, Grandpa. I've informed the police, and they're searching for her too."

Nikolas cut off the call, still fuming.

Just then, Nikolas received a mysterious call. He was startled and hesitantly picked up the phone.

The mysterious person laughed menacingly and said, "You should recognize me by now. Don't worry, your granddaughter is safe... for now. But the game is about to begin again. I've sent someone to be with Ruby, someone who will kill all of you. You won't even recognize them."

The person hung up, leaving Nikolas shaken and terrified.

Nikolas returned to the present, his mind racing with fear. He wondered if Ava was the danger lurking in the shadows.

Nikolas thought for a moment and then said to himself, "Yes, this is what I'll do." He dialed a number and spoke to the person on the other end, laughing and saying, "You are coming to the wedding, aren't you? Bring your son along with you."

Nikolas took a deep breath and called Ruby. Ruby picked up the call, and Nikolas asked her anxiously, "Ruby, are you okay? Did you have any trouble on the way? Did anyone attack you?"

Ruby looked at Ava and smiled, then replied to Nikolas, "No, Grandpa, no one can even touch me. Don't worry."

Nikolas said, "Okay, just come home quickly. I have a surprise for you."

Ruby asked excitedly, "What's the surprise?"

Nikolas chuckled and said, "If I tell you, it won't be a surprise anymore, will it?"

Ruby laughed and said, "Okay, don't tell me."

Nikolas then said, "Ruby, I'm going to cut the call. I have another call coming in." With that, Nikolas hung up the phone.

Ruby and Ava had already reached Mansoori, a beautiful hill station in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Ava's gaze was fixed on the breathtaking scenery around her, which seemed like heaven on earth.

Ruby noticed Ava admiring the view and asked, "How do you like this beautiful place in India, Mansoori?"

Ava replied, "It feels like the air here is so sweet that I just want to stay here with you forever." She quickly corrected herself, "I mean, near your home."

Ruby laughed and said, "I didn't say anything, you didn't need to explain."

Ava smiled and said, "I was just explaining anyway."

As they approached the palace, their van suddenly stopped. Ava asked anxiously, "What happened now?"

Ruby replied, "I don't know, the van just stopped. But it's okay, I know the way to the palace from here, and we can walk or cycle."

Ava made a cute face and said, "Okay."

As they started cycling, a car approached them. It was Rajesh, who asked Ruby, "Why are you cycling?"

Ruby explained, "Our van broke down, see?"

Rajesh asked, "But you left in a car, didn't you?"

Ruby looked at Ava and smiled mischievously, "Um... the car broke down, so we took this van."

Rajesh accused, "You stole the van!"

Ruby clarified, "No, this van belongs to the robbers who attacked us. Ava scared them away, and they left their van behind. Our car had broken down, so we took their van to get here."

Rajesh scolded, "Why didn't you call me?"

Ruby looked down and said, "My phone was dead, but I wasn't scared because I was with Ava."

Rajesh thanked Ava, who simply nodded and said, "It's okay."

To be continue....