2 June 2026
Annu (exuberant): Yay! We are going for a picnic today!
The Jwala family was ready for the picnic at Juhu Beach. Teer was locking the main gate of the house while Rava was placing all the luggage and food items into the car's dickey.
Kaavi (rubbing her eyes and yawning): How wonderful the weather is today! Can't I sleep a little more?
Sukhi: You sleep too much, Kaavi.
All of them took their respective seats inside the car. Rava was driving, while Teer sat beside him.
Teer (in a low, cheerful voice): I hope your business is going well without any stress.
Rava (focused on driving): Yes, Papa! My business is much easier than your chess-like work. I can't process my brain that much.
Teer (laughing): Haha! It's not that hard.
After a few moments, they reached the beach.
Annu jumped out of the car and took a deep breath, absorbing the essence of the beach atmosphere. Teer and Rava began unloading the luggage.
After a few minutes, they entered the beach and started searching for a comfortable spot to spread their rug and arrange the picnic items. Soon, they found a good place and set everything up.
The beach was quite crowded, and there wasn't enough space to walk comfortably. Kamya and Sukhi began arranging the items on the rug, while Rava attended an urgent call. Annu asked Katya to join her for a boat ride.
Katya (hesitating): Sorry, Annu! But I'm scared of going towards the middle of the water. I'm hydrophobic. Ask Kaavi.
Kaavi (irritated): My head is aching right now, Annu. I studied late last night. Why don't you ask Grandpa?
Annu (politely): Grandpa! Can we go?
Teer flickered his eyelids.
Teer: Where? Wherever you want, we can go. Today is your day, my little princess.
Teer and Annu walked toward the platform for boat rides. Annu stared at the ocean while eating her wafers. Suddenly, a massive shadow of a ship in the distance caught her attention.
Annu (in a high pitch): Look at that steamer, Grandpa! It's huge.
Without looking, Teer replied—
Teer: What? It must be just a slightly bigger boat. How can there be a steamer at Juhu Beach?
But when Teer looked, his eyes locked onto it.
Teer: What? It's actually a medium-sized ferry! But how can it be here, on this sloping beach?
Annu (excitedly): Grandpa, please… can we ride it?
Teer: Of course. Let me ask someone how we can get on that steamer.
Teer walked toward the nearest Krio Watersports Terminal, one of the most reputed water sports providers at Juhu Beach. He asked a staff member about the steamer ride. The staff informed him that the steamer had arrived for the first time that very day. There were not many details about it, as it was being operated by a private team. He also mentioned that there was no proper platform for boarding, but access could be arranged by speaking to a member of that private team.
Hearing this, Teer's eyebrows drew together. Something about the situation felt suspicious. The staff directed him toward the private team.
Teer and Annu reached there, and he spoke to one of the members about the ride. The member told him the cost was ₹500 per person and that the ferry was about to fill up. Teer paid for both of them.
From the shore, small speedboats transported Teer and Annu to the steamer. The vessel had a capacity of 120 passengers. Teer took a seat with Annu as the remaining seats filled rapidly.
Annu: Wow, Grandpa! The steamer is fully air-conditioned!
Teer: Hmm…
Annu (sadly): I wish our whole family were here.
Teer (gently rubbing her head): After this ride, I'll make sure we come again with everyone.
Annu (happily): Really, Grandpa? Yay!
Within minutes, the steamer was filled with 120 passengers. Teer relaxed in his seat, but suddenly noticed something unusual about the armrest.
Teer (thinking): What? The armrest feels slightly uneven… I can sense two rectangular depressions on it.
The steamer started moving. The glass windows allowed passengers to admire the beauty of the ocean. A large poster indicating the route was displayed in front.
Annu gazed happily at the shimmering water under the sunlight. But after a few minutes, some passengers noticed that the steamer was moving much farther than expected—beyond the designated route. There were no staff members visible among the passengers.
Teer's suspicion grew stronger as the steamer continued forward. Murmurs spread among the passengers, many assuming it was just an extended ride on its first day.
Before anyone could react, the windows were suddenly covered from the outside. Metal rings emerged from the armrests, locking many passengers' hands in place. Some of the metal clamps pierced into their arms, causing injuries.
Teer (thinking): This steamer is indeed suspicious.
Annu (terrified): What's going on, Grandpa?
Teer: Calm down, Annu. Everything will be alright.
Those whose hands were not trapped rushed to open the exits and cabin doors—but all were locked. Moments later, a pale, odorless gas began spreading through the air-conditioning system.
Passenger (shouting): What the hell is going on? Let us out of here!
Teer (shouting): Everyone, stay calm! This gas will make us unconscious. Try not to inhale it—it seems like an anesthetic gas!
Chaos and panic spread among the passengers.
Teer (thinking): That organization's cases are now in focus… and everything happening here makes it clear—we have been kidnapped!
[Chapter 5: Picnic of Tension Ends]