{So, I was thinking to upload this chapter tomorrow, since it is Friday. But tomorrow I won't be able to access my phone, so I am uploading this today. I hope you like it. And, yes, this chapter has over 4k words. So, I hope I have compensated for the past week that I skipped.}

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Two months later:

Life can be very unpredictable...sometimes beautiful and sometimes scary. It can take a frightening route to teach a lesson or make one realize the worth of something that has been taken for granted.

Sneha never knew she'll have to go through the situation she stood in right now. Her grip on her mobile phone loosened as she heard the policeman informing her about the tragic incident that her parents and sister fell into.

"S.sir...I'll come right away. Please t.t.take care of them. My f.father is diabetic and his blood group is rare. Please..."

"We are doing what we can. Just come to the hospital quickly." The policeman cancelled the call to proceed with the further processes.

Sneha jumped on the floor from the bed and in the panic mode, took her father's scooty key to drive to the hospital that the policeman informed her about.

She kept on praying to God for her family's safety. Her parents and sister had gone to visit her bua's (father's sister's) husband who was hospitalized for the treatment of brain tumor. Who knew that the auto they were travelling in would be hit harshly by a heavy motor truck. Thankfully, someone passing through the route saw the severely injured people and called the police and ambulance in time.

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Sneha ran to the reception from where she was directed towards the emergency casualty block.

"Sir, I am Sneha. You called me. How are my parents and sister?" Sneha managed to ask in one breath.

The policemen looked at her and pointed towards one of the rooms.

"The doctors are doing the preliminary check-up. If the need arises, an operation might be needed." One of the policemen answered.

Her face fell.

"W.what...How severe is it?" She asked.

"The auto driver died before the help arrived. Your father is severely hurt since he was closest to the impact. Your mother and sister are not very badly injured, but they are still unconscious."

Sneha's heartbeat escalated beyond measure. Her eyes welled up. She had no idea what she was supposed to do now.

"My father is diabetic..."

"Let's wait for the doctors to come out. Meanwhile, we would suggest you prepare for all possibilities. Do your parents and sister have health insurance?" The police asked since Sneha looked quite young to handle such a situation alone.

Sneha nodded.

"Yes."

"Good. You can claim accordingly then."

The policemen then left to check on the deceased person's family members.

Sneha sat on the metallic bench with a thump. She recalled the total health insurance amount her father once told her about. She knew she could claim 20 lakhs if the need arises for the operation.

"They will be safe. They are fine." She kept on repeating. She thought of calling her bua but thought against it. She was already in stress due to her husband. She didn't want to give her any more bad news...at least not now.

It took thirty more minutes for the doctors to come out.

Everything was happening so fast that she just agreed with whatever the doctors asked her to do.

Sneha went to the fee counter to pay for the surgery that her father had to go through due to the terrible impact on his brain.

"7 lakhs?" She reread the amount on the printed slip.

"Yes, ma'am. Since it is an emergency treatment, you may pay in ten days." The man behind the counter told her sympathetically.

But, Sneha's eyes remained stuck on the amount she was supposed to pay.

She didn't know what to do now. Calling her only relative in Mumbai would be futile as they were in a problematic situation too. And, the relatives in her hometown would be of no help either. Nonetheless, she informed her elders via phone.

She ran from one counter to another to pay for the various tests that were to be done for her mother and sister. Finally, after two hours, she sat outside the operating room where her father was being treated.

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Viraj took out his watch after looking at the dial. It was 7 pm already and he felt utterly tired from the various meetings he had attended all day. He plopped on the bed and closed his eyes momentarily. His phone's ringtone made him open his eyes again.

"Yeah?" He answered the phone. One of the bodyguards of Sneha was on the other side of the line.

"Sir, your wife's family are severely injured in a road accident..."

Viraj's eyes widened and he, in a flash, sat on the bed...concluding the worst.

"What the fu*k were you all doing, then? How is she?" He shouted.

"No, no, sir. Ms Sneha is fine. But, her parents and sister are admitted to the Samriddh hospital. Ms Sneha is also here. We followed her to the hospital and then we came to know the entire situation."

Viraj visibly relaxed.

"How severe is it?" He asked.

"Her father is undergoing surgery right now. Her mother and sister are being checked up for any potential internal injury."

"Keep me updated. I am coming." He said and quickly wore his shoes to assess the situation personally. 

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"There are too many complications arising. We are ready to continue the surgery but we want you to sign the NOC form-13 in the counter 24." The nurse told her in a rushed tone.

"What? Why?"

"The success percentage is only 30%. You should hurry and sign the documents so that we can continue."

Sneha looked at the nurse wide-eyed.

"He will be fine, right?"

"We will try our best. You need to hurry."

Sneha quickly nodded and agreed with whatever the nurse told her.

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Her hand shivered as she brought the pen closer to the column where she was supposed to sign on the NOC paper. It was clearly mentioned that in case of any adversity, the hospital will not be held accountable and that the payment still has to be done in full value.

She cared less about the money right now. But, what if her father would actually d...! She didn't even want to think about it. She wasn't ready for it.

With shaky fingers, she placed the tip of the pen on the paper and proceeded to sign it when it was harshly snatched away from her hand. She looked to her right to see who could do this to her when her teary eyes widened in acknowledgement.

"Viraj?" He asked as confusion momentarily clouded her vision.

"Have you gone insane?" He scolded in a rude but strangely... reassuring tone. Throwing the papers in the bin nearby, he turned around and walked away with a team of three doctors and five of his guard following him.

Sneha's brows furrowed. Before she could understand the situation, a face she very well recognized appeared in front of her.

"Ms Sneha." Keshav greeted, gaining her attention.

"Keshav...What is going on here? Why is he here? Why are you all here?" Sneha asked.

"We...somehow got to know about your situation. So, Boss decided to come here and see the situation personally." Keshav answered calmly.

"Why did he tear the papers? My father is supposed to get..."

"Ma'am, this hospital does not specialize in CNS surgeries. So, it is obvious that the doctors here won't be able to save your father in time. Plus, you were going to sign these documents and give them free rein. For them, this is nothing but a business opportunity."

"B.but, I have to allow them. At least there is some hope. I can't just let him die because you all think that the doctors don't qualify!"

"No, no. Boss brought his personal team of doctors and they assessed the case properly. He came here to inform you that your father should be moved to the PSS hospital quickly for surgery. But, I don't know why he didn't explain it to you."

Sneha didn't know how to react. Was she grateful that someone had arrived to help her...or should she stand her ground.

"Is that hospital good?" She asked.

"It specialises in this field. And, they have good connections with foreign institutes which will be an advantage if the case is beyond their control too."

"I don't know what to do. I don't understand anything!" She didn't hide her vulnerability.

"You should trust boss." Keshav said instantly, making her look up at him.

Sneha didn't want to take Viraj's help. She had promised herself to not associate herself with him or his life ever. But, what could she do now? She knew that she won't be able to manage this situation alone. She had never been into this before.

For her, he did come as an angel, right now.

Sneha became a mere spectator as the entire situation was easily controlled by Viraj and his men. Within an hour, his father was shifted to PSS hospital's emergency ward while her mother and sister got admitted to the ICU of the same hospital. Keshav drove her to the hospital and she was thankful to him for giving her strength and positivity all along the route.

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Two hours passed and Sneha impatiently waited outside the operating room. She turned to her right and saw Viraj talking to a nurse who came outside to inform him about the progress. They were standing out of her hearing range. She thought of walking towards them to hear the same, but Keshav stopped her.

"Boss has asked me to tell you that you must not listen to anything right now." Keshav said gently.

"Why? I know they are talking about my father. I should know the status too." She almost begged.

"This will only stress you out. I heard a fraction of what they are talking about. And, I can just tell you that the doctors are doing their best."

"But...he will be fine, right? It's been almost three hours...He is not even waking up!"

Keshav resumed consoling her as he has been doing for two hours.

Sneha heard Keshav's phone ring and from the corner of her eye, she realized it was Viraj. She wondered why he didn't come here and talk to him directly. Was it because of her?

Keshav talked on the phone for a while before cancelling it and facing her again.

"Ma'am, I think we should go and check up on your mother and sister. The doctors in the ICU say that there has been some improvement in your sister's vitals." Keshav reiterated what Viraj told him to convey.

"Really? Yes, yes, let's go." She hurriedly said and stood up to follow Keshav to the ICU ward.

Sneha spent an hour beside her sister. Priya's left leg was wounded by glass shreds but the doctors reassured her that it wasn't too serious. Medications were already administered to both Priya and her mother to control the situation.

She walked back to the emergency ward, with Keshav closely following her. She took the turn and her eyes immediately fell on the group of men wearing green clothes, standing in a circle with her ex-husband almost at the centre.

As if sensing her from the corner of his eyes, Viraj faced Sneha. The seriousness in his eyes made her conclude the worst. She literally ran in their direction.

"W.what happened?" She asked looking at the doctors and Viraj.

"The patient's condition is very critical. We just did ten major tests and he is positive in all of them. He has about 600+ sugar level, high cholesterol and low haemoglobin. We have tried to keep him stable for now. But, this kind of complexity can only be operated in NBC hospital." The doctor very briefly summarized to Sneha, only after Viraj nodded.

"Then...let's take him there." She hesitantly added, selfishly hoping for Viraj to help her till the end.

There was a momentary silence, and Sneha hated it. Why were they not doing or saying anything?

"If...if money is the issue...then, please don't worry. After the operation, I will pay back every paise in a month. I promise." She added, earning a quick glare from Viraj.

To her dismay, he ignored her again.

"Rohan, call Saket and ask him if it is possible to take someone without a passport on medical grounds?" Viraj asked one of his men.

Rohan immediately called one of Viraj's lawyers.

"Passport?" Sneha mumbled in confusion. Viraj ignored her again.

What was wrong with him, she wondered.

"NBC hospital is in Indonesia, ma'am." Keshav whispered near her ear when no one answered her.

"Indonesia?" She exclaimed.

Keshav nodded.

"Sir, Saket says it is possible but it will take at least an hour to get the clearance from the embassy." Rohan asked while being on call.

"Ask him to proceed immediately." Viraj ordered. Sneha sighed in relief.

"Okay, sir. He is saying that someone related to the patient and carrier of the passport must come with the patient." Rohan repeated Saket's question.

Viraj thought for a second. He looked in the direction of Sneha, wondering if she applied for one or not in all these months. She lowered her eyes and it gave him the answer.

"Tell him, I will accompany the patient." Viraj said.

Rohan passed the message.

"Sir, he is asking what should he write in the relationship column?" Rohan asked.

Both Sneha and Viraj looked at Rohan at the same time, making the poor boy uneasy.

Viraj took a deep breath and asked.

"Is it necessary?" He asked.

"Yes, sir. Someone related to the patient must accompany." Rohan repeated the message.

"Fine. Ask him to write 'father-in-law'." He said clearly and without any hesitation.

Sneha looked at Viraj with wide eyes. But, strangely for her, he did not look at her.

For her own selfish reasons, she didn't correct him or question him. For her, her father's life mattered the most right now.

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THREE DAYS LATER:

Only Sneha knew her happiness when she was informed that her father's operation was successful and that he was being brought back here in a few hours.

"Thank you so much, Keshav. You don't know how grateful I am! Thank god!" She finally smiled after Keshav gave her the news.

"You should thank the boss, ma'am. I am just conveying the boss' message to you." Keshav said with a gentle smile.

"Yes, I will. When are they coming back?" She asked impatiently as they sat outside the ICU.

"By 4 pm. So, I believe they will reach here by 6. Now, I request you to have a proper meal. You haven't been eating properly for almost four days now and your sleep cycle is completely disturbed. You just slept three hours yesterday. Aren't you feeling tired?" Keshav asked in concern.

"How could I eat when I know my family's condition? My father is undergoing surgery. My mother has not yet gained consciousness. Priya's painful screams hurt me beyond words. She is a strong girl. So, I know that her legs must be hurting a lot for her to cry like that. Even she is being put to sleep so she won't feel the pain. Everything is so messed up. I can't even get any sleep even if I try to!"

"You should try. The VVIP room has a comfortable bed. I can take you there. You must not sleep on the bench like yesterday."

"I tried sleeping in the morning, after seeing Priya. But, it just didn't come to me. As soon as I close my eyes, the same thoughts appear." She sighed.

Keshav sighed too. What can he say anymore?

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Sneha stood up when her father was brought to the ICU. He was still unconscious, she could see. But, he looked much better than how she had last seen him.

Her happiness had no limit. It was as if a heavy boulder was lifted from her heart and mind. She tried to follow her father's sleeping form inside the ICU but the nurses stopped her.

"Not now, ma'am. We need to do some tests recommended by the doctor." One of the nurses told her.

Sneha quietly nodded and stepped back.

"He is fine, right?" She nonetheless asked.

"Yes." The nurse replied with a small smile. And, it was sufficient for her.

Sitting on the comfortable bench again, she could feel herself relaxing. She closed her eyes. The tears of joy made an appearance and she continuously thanked God for taking care of her and her family members when she needed it the most.

Viraj looked at her from the end of the corridor and soon Keshav went to him to report to him about her.

A few moments later, Sneha could feel herself feeling dizzy as the physical exertion finally took over mental exertion. Just like last night, she fell asleep on the bench and her head dangled on her right shoulder.

Viraj felt irritated when he heard how Sneha had not been taking care of herself. Looking back at her, he found her sleeping on the bench at an uncomfortable angle.

"Check the VVIP room. I am bringing her there." He said. He himself was utterly tired from the long journey and hospital formalities. But, nothing equalled his wife.

Walking in her direction briskly, he caught her before she would fall on the seat.

"Why are you so stubborn, Sneha!" He murmured as he caught her just in time.

Lifting her in his arms with ease, he cradled her gently and looked at her face carefully. She did look tired...and completely exhausted. The fact that she still hadn't opened her eyes confirmed to him her present condition.

"Don't worry. I am here now. You will have to take care of yourself now." He murmured, mostly to himself and carried her bridal-style towards the resting room.

Laying her gently on the bed, he pulled back his hand from under her neck. However, the action pulled a few strands of her hair, making her open her eyes with a frown. Half asleep, she looked at him and their eyes locked for a brief moment.

Viraj quickly closed her eyes by swiping his palm over her eyes.

"Sleep." He murmured, so that's what she did.

He looked at her for a full minute...appreciating her beauty which he had become a prisoner of. Finally, he smiled and placed a light kiss on her head.

He stood straight and walked towards the young girl standing at the corner to give a list of specific instructions.

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Sneha opened her eyes slowly and heaved a deep sigh. She felt strangely fresh and active. The aroma in the room and the comfort of the bed were so much more appealing that she wanted to close her eyes again and sleep. But, instantly she remembered her situation and with a jolt, she sat on the bed.

"Where am I?" She mumbled on assessing the current placement.

"Good Morning, ma'am. You are in the VVIP guestroom." The young girl replied, who had been waiting all night for her to wake up.

"Morning?" Sneha looked out of the window and indeed, the sun was high and bright.

"What time is it?" She asked in surprise.

"It's almost 10 am."

"Oh my God, I need to see papa!" She mostly told herself as she hurriedly came out of bed and ran towards the door.

'How can you sleep for 15 hours, Sneha!' She scolded herself.

"Ma'am, you can't go out right now." The girl asked, making Sneha stop and turn around.

"What? Why?" Sneha asked in an unsure tone.

"Mr Khatri has asked me to let you go out only when you have your breakfast."

Sneha looked at the girl with raised brows.

"Mr Khatri? Do you mean, Viraj Khatri?"

"Yes, ma'am."

'Has Viraj gone mad?' Sneha wondered and then she suddenly recalled him placing her on the bed.

"Uhh...Okay, I will. I'll just go and check on my father once." She nodded and tried to open the door. But, it didn't budge.

"It is locked from outside, ma'am. He has given strict orders that the door will open only when you have breakfast." The girl informed her.

Sneha turned around and faced her.

"I can't have anything before I see my father. I couldn't see him yesterday. I need to see if he is okay."

"He is fine, ma'am."

"Yeah, that is why I want to see him." Sneha asserted.

 "Ma'am, please have your breakfast. My...job is at stake. Please." The girl asked gently but the fear was evident in her tone.

And, just like that, Sneha's stubbornness flew away. She knew how extreme Viraj can go.

"Okay...Where is it?" She asked looking here and there in order to quickly get over it.

"Thank you, ma'am. I'll warm it for you." The girl went inside the adjacent small room and brought a plate full of 6 bowls containing different dishes.

"This is too much. Please take these four bowls. Rice is enough for me." Sneha attempted to remove the bowl.

"Mr Khatri has asked me to inform the guards outside only when you finish the entire plate."

"He won't even know about it." Sneha tried to bargain.

"Please, ma'am. If they'd know that I lied...I don't want to lose my job."

Sneha sighed again. She didn't know what to make out of Viraj's weird order. Should she be angry at him for making such an offer? Or should she be happy to see his concern for her health and well-being?

Sneha began eating at a quicker pace.

"If you don't mind me asking, is Mr Khatri your boyfriend?" The girl asked. She couldn't be his wife since she was not wearing anything that would give a hint that she might be married.

Sneha was taken aback by the question.

"No." She answered after gulping.

"Husband, then?"

"No."

"Oh...He is your brother then." She asked making Sneha's eyes go wide. With the kind of relationship they had in the past, she didn't want to ruin the pure relationship of siblings.

"No, we are not related in any way." She clarified, even though she didn't need to.

"Oh!... That's quite strange. He seemed to be very concerned about you. He came at least ten times in the night to see if you woke up or not. My friend at the reception told me how the entire team of experienced doctors are given the duty of your family members for at least two weeks. So, we all assumed that perhaps you two are..."

Sneha pursed her lips as she continued eating, now at a slower pace.

It was true that she was indebted to Viraj, in more than one way now. He was the one who actually saved her father. And because of him only, she didn't need to worry about the money or run here and there to complete the endless hospital formalities. From an actor, she became a spectator who just had to join her hands and pray to God to do some miracle.

'Why did he help me...after all that I did to him?'

'Is he expecting me to come back to him?'

'But the way he is ignoring me, it doesn't feel like that.'

'Then why did he help me?'

'Oh my God, did he plot this accident?'

'Are you crazy, Sneha? Why would he do it? And if he did it, why would he help you?'

"To...make me come back to him out of gratitude?'

'Then why is he ignoring me?' Sneha came back to the starting point of her little monologue. Viraj's actions had started to become more and more mysterious to her, now.

Nonetheless, she was glad that he decided to help her, no matter what his reasons were.

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After checking on her father who was still put to sleep for a quicker recovery, Sneha came out of the ICU room. She finally saw Viraj talking to Keshav and one more man she didn't recognize.

"You should thank him, Sneha." She mumbled under her breath and took a deep breath to finally meet him and talk to him one-on-one. Now that the sword of death seemed gone, she felt more comfortable in thinking out of her family issue.

Walking in the direction of the men, she suddenly halted when Viraj began walking away.

"Viraj!" She called for him, making him stop as well. Turning sideways, he looked at Keshav, instead of her.

"Keshav, ask her to not follow me." Viraj said in a flat tone, making her brows to shot up in surprise.

"I am not following you. I wanted to..." She addressed him directly.

"Keshav, ask her to not talk to me, either." He began walking, a little slowly this time.

'What is wrong with him?' Sneha wondered about seeing his rudeness.

"Keshav, tell him that I wanted to thank him for everything that he did. I will return back every rupee slowly." She played the same game.

Keshav looked at Sneha in horror.

Viraj halted and turned around slowly. This time he literally glared at her. After a short pause, he finally spoke.

"Keshav, tell her that she doesn't owe me anything. She can treat the medical expenses that I paid as her alimony. We don't owe each other anything, now." Viraj said but this time, he looked straight at her.

Sneha went speechless.

Why did it hurt? Her subconsciousness wondered.

Her jaw stiffened and her eyes lowered automatically. She did everything to stop her eyes from watering right now.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw him leave. The man beside her went as well and only Keshav remained with her.

"You shouldn't have brought money into the conversation, ma'am." He said in a sighed tone.

"But that's true. I will return the money...not altogether...but slowly. Once papa gets fine, he will return everything." Sneha said nonetheless.

"But you heard him."

"I had told his lawyer clearly that I don't want any alimony." She said clearly.

"I don't know what to say." He sighed.

Sneha weakly smiled.

"You should go too." She told him.

"I am asked to guard you till your family members get discharged."

Sneha's brows furrowed again and she looked out of the transparent glass window which was huge enough to let her see Viraj approaching his car.

"Why is he behaving like this?" Sneha curiously asked and the hurt was clear in the way she spoke. Keshav easily read it.

"How?" He asked.

"Rudely."

"He talks like this with everyone. He just never used that tone with you before." Keshav said.

Sneha let the fact sink in.

"Why is he not talking to me directly?" She asked.

"I don't know either." He mumbled.

Sneha continued looking out of the window. Her frown deepened when she saw a young girl, much younger than her, jump out of the car and literally run towards Viraj. She threw her arms around him and hugged him.

Sneha's curiosity went beyond words when she witnessed the girl give him a kiss on his cheek. Sneha couldn't be more surprised and her brows raised.

She knew it couldn't be his cousin because Viraj didn't even let Ananya get too cosy with him. Then who is this girl?

Before she could stop herself, the query left her mouth.

"Who is that girl?" She asked and Keshav heard her.

"Oh...she is boss' fiancee."

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{Hey everyone!

As usual, I will surprise you in the next chapter too. Till then, keep guessing and let me know/read your comments.

I want to reiterate my request that I made months back. If you find anyone copying any of my works, please please please let me know about it. As I update late due to my busy schedule, some 'writers' copy the work in its entirety or parts. Please help writers like us who literally spend hours writing a single chapter. Not just me, but please support all the hardworking writers out there who are serving you. Thank you so much in advance.

Also, thank you for voting and commenting, as always. I love you all!

And, yes, we have crossed the 1M bar! This is surreal for me. Thank you so much!

The Instagram post scene will come after the next chapter. But, honestly, the next chapter is very close to my heart. Although I haven't started writing it yet, I have been visualizing it for months. I am so excited to finally write it and make it real. I really hope you all would like it as well.

Oh, by the way, is someone jealous now? 🤣 Or it won't matter to Sneha that Viraj might have gone ahead in his life?

Till the next update, stay safe and healthy.

-Purnima