It is October 7th. It's been a few days since Jaimi has been brought to the hospital with Daksh. Darshan was moved in that evening, itself. Neither of them has gained consciousness yet. The doctor does a routine checkup on Darshan and leaves the room in the evening. Darshan slowly opens his eyes. He grips his head as pain shot through it. He looks around to find himself in a room. He carefully sits up. He takes off the oxygen mask and puts it down. That's when he realizes an IV drip has been inserted in his arm and a pulse oximeter is clutching his finger.

Darshan: Where am I?

He looks out of the window and sees a large billboard that has a Hindi script on it. He turns his head in the opposite direction hearing the doorknob turn. Naushad and Jyugal walk into the room.

Jyugal: You're awake?

Darshan nods his head baffled. The doctor enters the room after a minute as Naushad presses a button by the door. The doctor does a checkup and asks Darshan a few questions before leaving the three in the room by themselves.

Darshan: Where is Shayna?

The two look at each other then back at him. They are confused.

Jyugal: Who is Shayna?

Darshan doesn't hear Jyugal as his mind replays the memories before he fell into a deep slumber.

Darshan: Aran?

Jyugal: Who is that now?

Sweat starts to trickle down his face as he gets anxious remembering the horrific event. The doctor rushes into the room once again and prepares a shot to calm him down. He relaxes after a few minutes as the medication travels through his body and numbs him. It puts him to sleep.

Naushad: What happened to him?

Doctor: It was an anxiety attack! You all can meet him tomorrow because he won't wake up till early morning. I'll have a psychologist talk him through the situation once he wakes up, so he doesn't develop PTSD or any other psychological issue.

They nod their head and leave. Naushad comes around in the morning on the 8th and chats with Darshan while Jyugal comes in the evening.

Jyugal: What's up?

Jyugal's voice is cheerful hoping it would cheer Darshan up as well, but he keeps a neutral expression on his face.

Jyugal: You want to talk?

Darshan stares at Jyugal for a minute before nodding.

Jyugal: How are you feeling?

Darshan: Better.

Jyugal: You look lost! Aren't you happy to be back?

Darshan: I am, but...

Jyugal: Tell me what is going on in your head?

Darshan: She lost her life because of me.

Jyugal: Who?

Darshan: Shayna!

Jyugal: Who is she?

Darshan: Shayna is a lawyer who got me out of the prison and started the application, so I could return to India.

Jyugal: How did she die?

Darshan: Boat explosion! She pushed me off the boat to save my life, but she lost hers while saving mine.

Jyugal: It's not your fault that she lost her life! She had a choice and she chose to save your life over hers as Inaya did, but she chose to save herself.

Darshan: It is my fault! I prayed to God to take her away from my life because of everything that she did and said, but I never wanted her to go away forever. She was so excited to meet her parents the very next day, but...

He closes his eyes and those pair of forest green eyes flash in his mind. He instantly opens them. Jyugal could see the pain.

Jyugal: Who is Aran?

Darshan turns his head towards Jyugal.

Darshan: He was a Thai law enforcement officer. He was given the charge of my case a week before I was proved innocent in court.

Jyugal: What happened to him?

Darshan: I-I don't know. He was on the other boat. The boats exploded and I tried to find him, but I couldn't.

There's a brief moment of silence before Darshan speaks again.

Darshan: Did the navy release their statement?

Jyugal: Not yet! They will release it earlier next month when this topic cools down a bit as it's still a hot topic.

Darshan nods his head.

Darshan: Can you do me a favor?

Jyugal: Yeah.

Darshan: Can you find out about the two because the navy officers were trying to save them.

Jyugal: Let me see what I can do.

Darshan: Don't let anyone find out about this even Naushad bhai.

Jyugal: Let me look into it and see what I can find in the database without getting caught.

The room falls in a pin-drop silence until a thought strikes his head.

Darshan: Jyugal?

Jyugal hums in response.

Darshan: Who is this Agent Shakti?

Jyugal: Why are you asking?

Darshan: Bhai was talking about her earlier today with whom I think was the defense minister. I was partially awake when I heard them say her name, but then the medicine knocked me out.

Jyugal: She's one of the lead field agents who primarily commands the missions in the Middle East and Gulf. She is over the valley and has been looking after the mission in Delhi as well when you leave.

Darshan: Where is she? Why were they talking about her?

Jyugal: She and another agent were brought to the hospital. The other agent's case is similar to yours, but the difference is that he has not gained consciousness. She is in critical condition and has slipped into a coma.

Darshan nods his head with a frown on his face.

Jyugal: I'll let you rest. I'll come back tomorrow to see you.

Darshan nods his head and bids Jyugal bye.

The next morning, a man wearing a sky blue button-down shirt with jeans and formal boots walks into the RAW office. He moves towards Naushad's cabin on the second floor. He knocks on the door softly and walks in upon hearing a come in. Naushad gets up from his chair once his eyes land on him.

Naushad: Good morning, Agent Phoenix or Asif?

Asif: Asif would be just fine, sir!

Naushad: How do you like the new office?

Asif: It's very nice!

Naushad: How is the southern wing going?

Asif: Just fine!

Naushad: I'm glad to have you back in Delhi and of course to be able to work with you once again!

Asif: It's always a pleasure to be able to work with you!

Naushad: Let's get some documentation done then, I'll let you go for the day.

They fill out some documents and discuss some major points.

Asif: I'll see you next week. I have to go to the hospital for a routine checkup.

Naushad: Why don't you go to Doval Hospital? It's for RAW agents and their families.

Naushad scribbles down the address on a piece of paper and hands him an envelope.

Naushad: The apartment key is in there. Your apartment number is twenty-two on the eleventh floor.

Asif: Ok. Thank you!

They shake hands in a formal manner. Asif leaves. He goes to the hospital after helping his family move their belongings into the new apartment. He goes to the hospital with three females in the car. They get their routine check-up done on the fifth floor. He goes to the receptionist to inquire about the reports while the three sit on the bench nearby.

Asif: When will we get our reports.

Receptionist: Names?

Asif: Asif Khan, Aahna Khan, Pakeeza Khan, and Adaa Khan.

Receptionist: Half an hour at the most! Please have a seat until then.

Asif nods his head. His eyes fall on the register in front of him. The name that didn't leave his lips for three years is there screaming for him to read. The receptionist sees the change in emotion as his finger brushes the name.

Receptionist: You know her?

He nods his head not being able to utter a word.

Asif: W-where is s-she? I w-want to see her.

Receptionist: Let me check with the doctor.

She moves towards the doctor's cabin but sees it vacant. She walks towards the end of the hall and sees the doctor in Daksh's room. She goes into the room after knocking thrice.

Ayesha: Daksh? How are you feeling?

Daksh: Better. Look at me, I look like a whole tomato over here. Red and swollen!

The room echos with dry laughter.

Receptionist: Doctor, may I have a word with you outside?

Doctor: Sure.

The doctor instructs Daksh and the nurses before stepping out of the room with the receptionist.

Receptionist: There's a male who was asking if he could see Ms. Patel.

Doctor: Ok. Let me see!

They walk back to the desk. Asif quickly turns to see the doctor.

Doctor: Hello! I'm Dr. Anand.

Asif: Asif Khan.

They do a formal handshake.

Doctor: I will inform Mr. Khan about your inquiry and see if he permits me to let you see her.

He dials Naushad's number who answers in a few moments.

Doctor: Evening, Mr. Khan!

Naushad: Evening!

Doctor: I have Mr. Asif Khan here who is requesting to see Ms. Patel. Should I?

Naushad: Yes, but I want you two to get permission from Ayesha Patel.

Doctor: Ok.

He hangs up and looks at Asif.

Doctor: Mr. Khan has agreed, but you will have to get permission from Ms. Ayesha to be allowed in according to his order.

All the colors from Asif's face are drained.

Doctor: She is in the last room on the left. Let me know if she agrees. We will get you geared up.

Pakeeza gets up and reads the name on the register once Asif starts towards the room. She faintly heard their conversation.

Pakeeza: Asif, stop!

Her screaming never reached his ear as his mind wanders off to endless possibilities. He takes a deep breath and turns the knob. Ayesha has a faint smile on her face as she converses with Daksh beside her. She sees him at the door and her smile drops.

Asif: A... Ayesha?

Ayesha: What are you doing here?

**********

Zain Imam as Asif Khan