Kavya was radiant with joy as she walked out of the jewellery shop, the delicate jingle of golden bangles on her wrists matching the smile on her face. She was a vibrant and determined young woman in her mid-twenties. She had a kind face, her eyes deep and expressive, often reflecting a quiet strength. Her long, dark hair was always neatly tied back, a testament to her simplicity and practicality. The streets bustled with the usual chaos of a busy evening, but for her, it felt like the world itself was celebrating her happiness. She clutched a small velvet box containing a pair of shimmering gold earrings, a gift for herself and a token of her impending marriage to Ankush, her sweetheart. Not only did she buy gold earrings, but she also purchased a Banarasi Silk Saree and other essential items for the same purpose.
Ankush was a kind-hearted and dependable young man in his early thirties, known for his calm demeanor and quiet strength. With a lean build and expressive eyes that reflected his sincerity, he was the kind of person who naturally drew people to him. His smile, warm and genuine, carried a charm that could ease even the heaviest of hearts.
Life had not been kind to Kavya, but she wore her struggles like armor, shielding her soft heart with an unwavering resolve. Five years ago, when her father had passed away suddenly, Kavya's world had crumbled. With her mother paralyzed and the burden of running the family, including her two very young sisters, on her young shoulders, she had been left to fight her battles alone. Ankush had been her anchor in life. Ankush had stepped in when she needed him the most, offering not just love but unwavering support. Together, they had navigated the stormy seas of life, dreaming of a future filled with peace and happiness.
Kavya and Ankush had known each other since childhood, growing up in the same neighborhood where their families often mingled during festivals and community events. Ankush, with his boyish charm and mischievous smile, had always teased Kavya, calling her “the serious one.” Kavya, on the other hand, admired Ankush’s carefree attitude, secretly envying how he could find joy in the smallest things.
Their bond deepened during their teenage years when Ankush began helping Kavya with her studies. She would sit cross-legged on the terrace, her notebooks spread out, as Ankush explained difficult concepts with patience and humour. Over time, their shared moments became less about studies and more about stolen glances and heart-to-heart conversations under the stars.
Ankush was there when Kavya's world began to crumble. Five years ago, her father had passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind his debts. He drowned in the pond where he used to bathe. Rumour had it that he had taken his own life to escape the crushing weight of his debts. Kavya's mother became paralyzed after hearing about her husband's death. Kavya, barely in her twenties, found herself burdened with responsibilities. While others offered sympathy, Ankush stepped forward with action. He helped her manage to find a decent job and take care of her ailing mother and two very young sisters.
Their love was unspoken but evident in every little thing they did for each other. Ankush would often sneak in snacks for Kavya after her long shifts, knowing she would skip meals to save money. Kavya, in turn, would mend his clothes and pack him homemade lunches, though she could hardly afford the time.
It was one quiet evening, as they sat on the steps of a local temple, that Ankush finally confessed his feelings. “Kavya, I don’t want to just help you carry your burdens—I want to carry them with you forever,” he said, his voice trembling with sincerity. Kavya’s eyes welled up as she nodded, unable to find words but knowing her heart had already chosen him long ago.
From then on, they were inseparable, their love a source of strength for both. Ankush worked tirelessly to secure a stable job for him while Kavya continued to manage her family and her job. Together, they dreamed of a small but happy life—a life where they could finally focus on each other instead of merely surviving.
When Ankush proposed marriage, Kavya hesitated only for a moment, worried about leaving her family behind. But her mother reassured her, saying, “You deserve happiness too, my child. Let Ankush take care of you as you’ve taken care of us.”
Today was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life. After months of saving and planning, Kavya finally bought her bridal saree and jewellery. She had imagined the moment for so long—the warm glow of the wedding mandap, the blessings of loved ones, and the sight of Ankush’s smile as she became his forever. Her heart swelled with hope and excitement.
After finishing her shopping, and realizing she was already running late, Kavya considered calling an Uber bike to take her home. She reached into her bag and pulled out her phone. With practised ease, she opened the Uber app, her fingers tapping quickly on the screen. The app showed her location, the bustling marketplace, and a nearby bike available within minutes. She selected the bike option, knowing it would be a quick and affordable ride home. The app displayed the driver’s details—his name was Rajesh, and he had a good rating. She confirmed the booking and waited near the jewellery shop, clutching her bags. A minute later, her phone buzzed with a notification: "Your ride is arriving." She glanced up and spotted a man on a sleek black bike weaving through the traffic, the same vehicle and number plate shown on the app. Rajesh, parked in front of her, adjusted his helmet and gave a polite nod. "Ma’am, Kavya?" he asked, verifying her name. She nodded with a small smile, handed him one of her bags to secure, and adjusted her saree as she climbed onto the back seat. Once settled, she gave him her address, and they set off, weaving through the crowded streets as the city lights began to twinkle in the fading daylight.
The ride was smooth, the wind playing with her hair as the city lights flickered past. She thought about Ankush, who had promised to meet her the next day to finalize the wedding arrangements.
Life seemed perfect—until it wasn't.
As they approached a busy intersection, a deafening crack shattered the air. Kavya felt an unbearable jolt of pain explode in her head. She couldn’t comprehend what had happened. Her vision blurred, her body slumped forward, and the velvet box slipped from her hands, tumbling to the ground. The driver screeched to a halt, his panicked voice fading into the chaos that ensued.
The people around screamed as more gunshots rang out, loud and relentless. Blood pooled beneath Kavya’s lifeless body as bystanders rushed to the scene, their horrified faces frozen in shock. A man yelled for an ambulance, but deep down, everyone knew it was too late.
Just a few meters away, a man in a police uniform stood at the centre of the street, holding a smoking pistol. His eyes were wild, his face contorted in a mixture of rage and despair. He fired, again and again, the bullets hitting random cars and walls. The crowd scattered, some ducking for cover, others fleeing for their lives. Finally, the policeman turned the gun on himself. He stood still for a moment, his chest heaving as tears streamed down his face. Then, without hesitation, he pulled the trigger. His body crumpled to the ground, the pistol falling from his hand.
Ankush was busy at his office when his mobile phone rang. He had no idea that his phone would soon deliver news that would shatter his heart. After receiving the call, his world collapsed upon hearing that Kavya had been brought dead to a city hospital by some people from the accident site. When he heard about Kavya’s untimely death, his world fell apart. The plans they had so lovingly made, the future they had envisioned, all disappeared in an instant.
The name "Kavya" echoed in his mind like a cruel joke, a name that had once been synonymous with his dreams and happiness. He rushed to the hospital where her body had been taken, hoping, praying that it wasn’t true. But when he saw her lying there, lifeless and cold, he broke down, his cries piercing the sterile silence of the morgue.
The next day, The news of that night was grim. Television screens across the city displayed the horrifying footage of the shooting. Anchors spoke in solemn tones about the tragic chain of events. "A mad policeman opens fire in a crowded market, killing a young woman and injuring several others before taking his own life. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community."
As reporters dug deeper into the incident, a chilling backstory emerged about the policeman, Sub-Inspector Gopal Pokharel. Gopal had been known as a dedicated officer, admired by his colleagues for his commitment and integrity. But behind the uniform was a man haunted by betrayal.
Just a few months earlier, Gopal had married Tara, a woman he loved deeply, even though it was an arranged marriage. Their wedding had been a grand event, celebrated with laughter and promises of a lifetime together. But the illusion of happiness had shattered when Gopal discovered Tara’s affair with her childhood friend, Sajid Rahman. The betrayal had pushed him to the brink, his mind unravelling under the weight of pain and anger.
The emotional turmoil festered within him, leading to symptoms of acute stress, depression, and possibly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His inability to cope with his overwhelming emotions created a dangerous cocktail of rage and helplessness, which, without intervention, spiralled into uncontrollable aggression. He became disconnected from reality, his pain blinding him to the consequences of his actions.
That fateful day, Gopal had lost his control. Armed and broken, he walked into the busy marketplace, his mind overwhelmed by pain and anger. After suffering for a long time, he no longer saw the people around him clearly—only a haze of hurt and rage that pushed him to act without thinking. Kavya had been an innocent bystander, a tragic victim caught in the crossfire of his madness.
Ankush couldn’t comprehend the injustice of it all. Kavya had endured so much in life, fighting against all odds to find happiness, only to have it ripped away in the most senseless manner. The wedding invitations had already been printed, and the saree she had chosen for the ceremony still lay in her room, a cruel reminder of what could have been.
Kavya’s mother, bedridden and unable to process the news of her daughter's tragic death delivered by Ankush, stared blankly at the wall as tears rolled down her cheeks. Neighbours came to offer condolences, their words hollow and meaningless in the face of such profound loss.
At Kavya’s funeral, Ankush stood by her pyre, his hands trembling as he lit the flame. He thought about her laughter, her resilience, and the love they had shared. He thought about the future they had planned—a future that now existed only in his memories.
The tragedy left a deep scar on the community. Kavya became a symbol of the innocent lives destroyed by unchecked rage. The police department faced scrutiny for failing to recognize the warning signs of Gopal’s mental breakdown. People demanded stricter measures to address the mental health issues faced by law enforcement officers.
But for Ankush, no amount of justice or reform could bring Kavya back. Her absence was a void he would carry for the rest of his life.
Months later, as Ankush searched through Kavya’s belongings, he found the velvet box she had bought that day. Inside were the gold earrings she had chosen for their wedding. He held them in his hands, his vision blurring with tears. Though her life had been cut short, her memory remained alive in every corner of his heart, a bittersweet reminder of the love they had shared and the cruel twist of fate that had taken her away.
In the end, Kavya’s story was one of resilience, love, and tragedy—a poignant reminder of how fragile and unpredictable life can be. And though her life ended in heartbreak, her legacy lived on, inspiring those who knew her to cherish their loved ones and hold on to hope, even in the darkest of times.
