2 years later...

It was one thirty am in the morning. The hospital was so silent... As the quietness grew deeper, Sona could hear her own steady heart rhythm from within herself. She clicked her pen on the table again and again, analysing the x-ray reports deeply.

There was a deep problem in the patient's lung.

Quickly taking her pen again, she scribbled some notes on her notepad and adjusted her glasses. It was close to two a.m. and she had to pack up soon. But the thought of going home never crossed her mind. She just seemed to be unfazed by the fact that it was way past people's bedtime. She found no motivation to wake up and get home.

The journey home seemed to be too unrealistic. She had nothing to look forward in her so-called 'home'. No joy, no excitement and no family!

"Doctor Sha, it's an emergency!" the male nurse's panicked voice made her face up. She contorted her face into a frown and sighed. Looking at her wristwatch, she calmly stood up from her chair.

"What's the case?"

"It's an accident. Some drunk motorist hit a young lady on the street.... He-"

"Who's admitted?" Sona quickly cut him in.

"Both of them are admitted doctor. They are in the second floor.... Unfortunately, no other doctors are available at this time. Could you......c-come and c-check?" the nurse stammered and gulped visibly as he saw Sonakshi's eyes turning cold.

Without saying anything, she flicked her pen to the side and walked out gracefully. It didn't take them long to reach the second level where both the patients were laid on the long stretcher-beds. There was no emotion or empathy in her eyes when she faced the victim's parents crying there. She threw them a irritated glance and clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"How are these tears going to help them?" she muttered rudely under her breath and placed the stethoscope in her ears.

Checking the lady's heartbeat, she quickly instructed the nurse nearby to take her inside to the wardroom. Meanwhile, the guy who was admitted next was also breathing in his critical state. Sona looked at him and gave a dead-panned look.

The relatives of the guy were looking at Sona expectantly, but she leisurely ignored them and walked inside. One of the lady in her mid-thirties, instantly ran behind Sona and stopped her.

"Doctor.... Doctor, my son..... you haven't examined him, have you?" she asked in an exhausted tone.

"I am sorry miss, but I don't treat alcoholic patients!" she stated in a professional tone, making all the blood run out from the lady's face.

"Doctor.....but he is in a serious condition. If you don't help.... he may end up losing his life....." she cried.

"Too bad! He should have thought about it before drinking and driving carelessly.... If you are very concerned on saving him, then please go and admit him in some other hospital or wait till the other doctors are available. I can't be bothered about people who are queuing to die.....as I have more important things like saving the lady whom your son tried to kill!" she spat heartlessly and walked away.

The lady there started crying vigorously continued pleading to Sona while she walked away. But Sona went deaf ears to her cries. The nurse who stood beside quickly caught up with Sona and stopped her.

"Doctor doctor....pity them... It's really late and there's no one here at this time."

"Do I look like I care Drake?"

"Doctor Sha.." Drake was nervous as he looked at Sona's cold eyes, ".... I will try calling up a few doctors immediately. But until then, can we at least proceed him to the ICU?" he spoke anxiously.

"That's up to you.... You can proceed with the immediate procedures and scans. But to perform any operation, I would not be there for that drunkard! You get that?" she answered and spun around to her room.

Drake blinked a few times and just nodded in daze. He didn't know why, but her powerful voice still resonated in his ears after she was gone. The kind of aura she had on the people was beyond imaginable. She was strong, powerful and dominant in whatever she did and said. If there was a decision made, she would never step back from it. Be it small or huge, she never gave a damn.

Doctors and juniors respected Sona as she was considered one of the high ranked professionals in the hospital. Most of them hated her while the rest just ignored her. None of them dared to make friends with her or initiate light-hearted conversations, as Sona would always answer off bluntly or shut them up with one-word replies.

But apart from all these terrifying qualities, when it came to work.... she was the best. Perfectionist was what they described her as.... No one could compete with Sona when it came to preciseness of the tasks. She did her job with passion and some kind of madness. It was almost like an insane obsession that drove her forward.

The best and the terrifying...

The one and only.... Doctor Sonakshi Sharma who is popularly called Doctor 'Sha'.

She graduated from with the highest rank in her batch, making her the second youngest certified practitioner to graduate from Harvard medical school. Her intelligence and knowledge was almost too artificial to believe, that all her fellow college mates would often end up envying or hating her.

However along with knowledge, arrogance and hatred grew with her too. The pent up feelings and depressing thoughts drove Sona to the wrong path. It striped her off from all the leftover love and compassion that she was left with. Bitterness and detestation consumed her, leaving her completely enveloped in a toxic darkness.

With each passing year, her hatred grew like a tumour, pushing the side of her that was serene, calm and beautiful.

Finally, the Sonakshi everyone knew was dead.

She was buried while being on the journey to find peace.

-----------------------

"Dr Sha! This is the limit.... I am so sick and tired of the piling complaints that had been registered on your name. This will not be tolerated anymore. I want to know one valid reason on why you refused to do this surgery!" the dean banged the table as he threw murderous glance at her.

"I am sorry dean... but I am a human. Not a robot who can handle two cases at once. There was not enough doctors and it's not my fault that I was handling the lady's case first." Sona answered coolly as she placed her legs on top of another.

"Well, that's not what I heard. You refused to perform the operation even when you had enough time... Moreover, you had used a very rude and harsh tone towards the victim's family!"

"Well, the lady was a victim. He wasn't...." Sona's eyes were blank as she looked confidently into her senior's eyes.

"And that's not for you to decide Ms Sonakshi Sharma! I warn you again..... This is your profession! Saving lives is what we do.... Doctors don't analyse what's wrong or right when it comes to saving people...... What he does outside the hospital, is none of your bloody damn business!" the doctor yelled, but Sona seemed unfazed by his tone.

It was as if she was used to his warnings and screams. The dean stared back at her black orbs which displayed the never ending darkness inside her hollow heart.

"Dr SHA!!!" he yelled again, and Sona sighed.

"Yes.....?" she shrugged her shoulders carelessly and sat upright.

"If the patient had died yesterday..... then I would have been compelled to withdraw your license. You understand the seriousness?" he grunted, and Sona just nodded.

She looked like she was tempted to roll her eyes but controlled it.

"So Ms Sha, for the senseless action of yours yesterday..... you are going to be suspended for a week!"

"What?" Sona's eyes grew furious.

"Yes.... Come back after a week" he pointed towards the door.

"But I-"

"NOW!" his voice was sharp, preventing Sonakshi from arguing further.

With a long irritated sigh, Sonakshi left the room.

-----------------------

"Sona!!!!" Tara's angry voice jolted her up from her place.

Sona looked disturbed as she gazed at Tara with perplexity. Not again.. she thought to herself.

"Yes, how can I help you?"

"Your foot! I don't need your help. In fact, I think YOU need some serious help!" Tara grunted angrily.

"Don't start again Tara..."

"What do you mean by 'don't start again'? You never listened to my advices, did you? Now see.... Is this why you studied MBBS for? To sit at home most of the time? Why don't you use the brains and talents of yours to help people?........ You are wasting this precious knowledge because of your ego! What you did yesterday was insane Sonakshi. He could have died!"

"So what?" Sonakshi took her fidget spinner and rolled it in her fingers. It just seemed too much for her to take people's advices. As said, it was easy to listen to instructions but hard to follow them. Everyone had their own opinion and it wasn't necessary to follow everything.

"Sonakshi...." Tara gasped and sat next to her friend.

"You could be fired. Why are you doing this to yourself..... It's the third case for the year!" she said sadly while Sona scoffed.

"I am least bothered about it Tara... I just don't care any longer. I did what I felt was right and I don't feel anything if he dies. He tried to kill someone who was innocent. He deserves to die." She uttered while Tara shook her head in dejection.

The way Sona uttered the statement looked like a death didn't even matter to her. Had her heart become a stone?

"That's not true Sona...... You don't know what happened there. It could have been a bad circumstance.... He might have been a good guy who was stuck in a bad situation. You can't judge people by cases yaar."

"Tara-"

"No Sona... we are doctors and we are supposed to at least have some compassion on people. Last week you made a girl cry during consultation."

"Who?.... That underage pregnancy?" Sona asked mockingly.

"That's none of our concern.... You discriminated her and made her cry. It's against our profession babe!"

"Whatever Tara.... I can't be bothered. Now that I have one week free time, I can clear all this mess that I have created at home." Sona diverted the topic as she brushed the shelves which almost had nothing there.

Tara narrowed her eyes and looked at Sona's back which was now facing her.

"You call this home?" she asked but there was no reply from the other side.

"Sonakshi............. Are you crying?" Tara inhaled a deep breath and looked at Sona without blinking.

"Pfft, nahhh... crying is so old school. There's no use of that, and I have learnt my lesson" Sona chuckled still dusting the other side of the table. Her back was still facing Tara while Tara kept gazing at Sona with a sad face. She simply didn't know how to help Sonakshi anymore. She looked so pathetic and lost.

"Sona..." Tara said softly.

"I am happy Tara."

"How long are you going to tell that to yourself?"

"Are you done?" Sonakshi turned around with an infuriated face.

"Sonakshi I can-"

"Not anymore Tara.... There's no hope. I am done with this job and everything here. I am just done. It's best if you save your voice for someone else to listen because trust me, I am not going to change myself for anyone. Plus, it's getting late for you. You should get going." Sona interrupted abruptly making Tara huff in annoyance.

She angrily stood up and glared at Sona.

"I don't know what to say Sona.....but listen carefully! There's a time and limit for everything. One day, everything has to stop... So just make sure that when the day has come, it's not too late!" Tara spoke and stormed off from the place.

Sonakshi clenched her eyes shut and groaned loudly.

-------------------

Tara walked home and angrily and stormed inside her bedroom with a bad mood. Seeing the room in a mess increased her irritation.

"Arjunnn!" she yelled and saw the dressing door opening.

"Yes? What's wrong wifey?" he asked, adjusted his t-shirt. Tara looked around the room and folded her hands across her chest. Arjun sensed that she was fuming, but he couldn't help smiling at her expressions. They were just too hilarious.

"What's with that smile? You think this is funny?" she asked, pointing at their messy room.

"Yes. You face is really funny... You know how bad I am when it comes to cleaning the room right? Yet, you trusted me again... tsk tsk..." he joked while Tara rolled her eyes.

"Arjun...." She sighed and slumped down on the bed.

"Aww sweetheart. Why are you in such a bad mood?" Arjun sat next to her and asked.

"I spoke to Sona..." the minute those words were out, Arjun knew it.

"Ohhh...." He nodded, exactly knowing what their conversation could have been.

He got up and walked to his table to resume his work. He was tired of speaking to Tara about this as he knew that he would only be wasting his energy unnecessarily on the topic. He was so done with their dramas and now, it was time to focus on what could be done. But Tara didn't seem to understand his point.

"Arjun...? Are you listening?"

"Nope. I am not..."

"Why not?" Tara was puzzled.

"The minute you said that you spoke to Sona.... I predicted what could have happened. I mean, come on Tara. Don't you think you should give up? You have been trying to tell her for a long time and if she doesn't listen, what can we do?" Arjun turned around and took a glimpse of his confused wife.

"No Arjun! You are completely wrong about Sonakshi. She isn't like what we think-"

"Yea she has a soft corner, still heartbroken etc etc.... I get it!" Arjun shook his head tiredly.

"No. You are not getting my point. The fault was in our side.... Again and again, Dev committed something which was very wrong. Instead of trying to solve the problems and mend relationship, he did so much wrong to her. He kept repeating his mistake till he broke her. Now, when she's like this................you guys don't even care?" Tara said in an agitated state.

"It's not like we don't care... the situation is out of control. Dev's not listening and so is Sonakshi. Even if we want to help, there's no way we can!" Arjun grunted.

"Why is your friend such a jerk?" Tara growled.

"He was always one... Just that you saw that side of him lately." Arjun mumbled.

"That's not true Arjun...... he had two different faces and he chooses what to show every person. You can try talking to Dev....." Tara whined, and Arjun gave her an unbelievable look.

"You are telling me like I have never spoken to him before... Tara-"

"I know it's no use. He's such an ass.... Urghh... But at least one last time?" Tara pleaded and Arjun just ignored her.

Giving up on the argument, Tara got up and paced towards the washroom. After a long shower, she felt her mind refreshed and she felt like she could think better. She laid down on her bed and thought about the memories she had with Sona.

Memories which were too painful to even reminisce.

-----------------

"Sonakshi..... oh my god!" Tara gasped as she saw the heavily pregnant friend in her house.

"Hi..." Sona's soft whispers were almost barely audible as she stepped in with a warm smile.

"Where have you been? I was so worried you wouldn't come.... I am just surprised." Tara gleamed as she took Sonakshi in a bear hug. Sona stumbled a bit as she shivered when Tara held her.

Composing herself from the hug, Sona pulled away and looked around meekly. Handing a small gift packet to Tara, she looked up at the gleaming bride. A small smile formed on Sona's lips.

"Tara.... I.... have to....go" she said hesitantly and Tara's eyes widened.

"You....are not staying over?"

"N-n..no" Sona said while she tried her best to cover her baby bump with her shawl.

"Why not?"

"I d-don't ttt-think it's right for me to sss-stay here" Sona stuttered, feeling conscious of the mocking stares around her.

"No Sona... no one would judge you. I swear-"

"No Tara. I can't... you know I can't..." her voice shook.

"I am not hearing a no for an answer, Sona... come on, it's my marriage yaar. Just wait.... I will call my father." Tara said and left Sona there with a group of people around.

A few murmurs and whispers around Sonakshi was heard. Sona's head whipped towards the direction of girls who were speaking about her pregnancy once her marriage broke. Nasty comments being made about her sleeping around was made. It wasn't new....yet, the shame never seemed to get old for her. Sona felt tremors creeping up her shoulders. She felt cheap and disgusted with the people there. More than disgust.... She felt regret.

Regret with continuing the pregnancy. Her fears were real and this time, they were larger than anything she had expected. It felt like a burden tied on her shoulders. She felt like the weight of the child was ripping her body and soul apart. Not even a tinge of happiness was felt.

She didn't like it... Not even a bit.

"SONAA... Sona, are you listening?" Tara came back and shook her friend. Sona's teary state only made her concerned.

Sona jerked from her thoughts and focused on her gnawing pain. Looking at Tara in a daze, she blinked a few times.

"Sona beta-" before Tara's father could say anything, Sona shook her head and stopped him.

"No.... I have to go. I .... Have...to go. I have to go..." she repeated and ran out of the hall.

----------------

Those memories were hard to even recall back. It felt like it just happened yesterday. The timid, naïve and innocent Sonakshi was just a grip away.... She was suffering on her own and they failed to catch her on time.

No matter how good Dev was to the country, the fact that he did wrong with Sona couldn't be denied. His mistakes increased day by day and it was too late to undo it. His love for his child outdid the love he had for Sona. As days passed, Sona's self-destruction was getting worse and no one seemed to be bothered.

Along with Dev, the abusive and cruel world changed her into a monster; someone who lacked empathy and softness. Everyone saw Sonakshi go into self-destruction all by herself... After some time of trying, they just gave up. But Tara found it impossible to give up on her friend.

She missed the Sona who smiled at her genuinely. That smile that gave her friendship, warmth and happiness. The beautiful friend who gave her life and hope. A friend who felt happy with every success of hers' and genuinely wished her the best.

She missed that friend now.

While she was indulged in deep thoughts, she felt a pair of arms surrounding her waist. She gasped and stiffened as she felt her sneaky husband snuggling behind her.

"Tara.... I have something to tell you." He whispered, his soft breaths hitting her nape.

"What?"

"I love you." He said, kissing her neckline.

"You always say it..."

"But it's never enough" he said, making Tara smile softly.

She never expected the goofy Arjun to be this romantic while she married him. However, she liked it this way, when his romantic side was exclusively only reserved for her. He was very expressive and talkative, making both their personalities clash. Yet they matched perfectly.

"I love you too..." she replied, feeling her voice droop. She was so tired of voicing out her thoughts and seeing it go to waste. Her studies, work and marriage happened so fast that she didn't even have time to adjust into her new life.

She still recalled how she struggled almost a year between her father and Arjun to come up with a marriage date. Arjun wanted to wait for Dev's marriage to be over first, but Dev's marriage unfortunately never happened. His family went through so much and Arjun wasn't even willing to speak to Tara for days. Amongst everything, Sona's disappearance from their lives, created a havoc.

Tara's father who was initially understanding, soon turned against her relationship claiming that Arjun's family was too unstable and filled with 'drama' for them. Tara was left devastated to a point where she almost gave up in life. She lost hope in getting married with Arjun. All her dreams shattered and she was left lifeless.

But then, Arjun managed to turn up again at the right time. He managed to convince her father and spoon her away in just a single dramatic dialogue. Tara smiled as she remembered how beautiful her life had turned ever since then.

"Why are you smiling?" Arjun asked, cocooning in the crook of her neck. Tara sighed and intertwined her fingers with his.

"Two years ago.... This day was the same day you proposed to me. I still remembered how excited Sonakshi was that she called me up fifteen times to ask me what my thoughts were." Tara chuckled faintly, seeing Arjun smile a little.

"Hmm... then?"

"And I told her I had second thoughts. Because we were two different personalities and I didn't think you were my type those days. I was attracted to you...but still I was a bit confused..."

"Oh....not your type huh?"

"I said those days!" Tara rolled her eyes playfully.

"Uhuh...then?"

"And she told me something which made me think. Think hard..........."

"And what's that?"

"She told me that there's no passion in finding for something that makes me settle for in my comfort zone. And....no one can force a connection between two people. We meet the right people at the right time during certain circumstances, that eventually makes us the perfect pair........... She also told me that you were the first person whom she made friends with, in London and considered you as her adviser......more like a brother." Tara heard a deep sigh from Arjun.

She left a deep sigh and recalled Sona's words again.

"You are really lucky if you marry Arjun, because a guy who knows the pain of losing a mother will never hurt his wife intentionally. Arjun values his family a lot Tara and he will definitely love you unconditionally. He is a gem and dare you doubt it!.........and if you marry Arjun..... then just imagine! I will become your sister in law. We will be family. We can grow up together...celebrate diwali together, see our kids growing up together.... We can have loads of fun at home here once Dev and Arjun goes for work. Goshhhh I seriously can't wait!!!!!! It will be so fun Tara."

"She was so happy to see me in this family Arjun. Genuinely happy. I've never known anyone who felt so happy for me like that.... Today.......I am just sad.... That she's not here to share our happiness anymore"

"I know... but it's not in our hands Tara." Arjun sighed.

"She regards you as her brother Arjun.... If she was your blood, would you have left her alone like this?" Tara questioned sadly.

Arjun just inhaled and looked at Tara with uncertainty.

"I never left her alone...."

------------------------

The doors started to slam harder as Sonakshi ran in the woods. The faster she ran, the faster they chased her. Her feet couldn't handle the pain and when the thorns below pricked, she fell. Fell harder than she had expected. She barely blinked, but before she could compose herself, she felt her legs being pulled inwards.

Her eyes jolted, unable to see clearly in the dark. But there was a faint voice that could be heard.

A voice of a child's cry. Though the sound lasted only seconds, it stabbed her mind like a shards of glasses. The pain came back in waves, hurting her from the insides. Her legs, hands, body and heart ached heavily. Pain crashed like a thunder upon her head. She took all the energy of hers' to push the pain away and charge towards the hysterical cries.

When she reached towards the grassy area, her eyes widened. Blood. Everywhere she saw, had blood and in between the puddles, there was a baby laying down lifelessly with blood covered from head to toe.

"Maa"

She couldn't breathe. She could smell the blood and feel the bile rising up her throat. Her heart thudded against her chest and cold shudders ran down her spine. Her hands shivered and a loud scream escaped her throat.

"ARRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

She screamed as her eyes jolted open from the nightmares. She broke out into cold sweat with legs feeling numb. The pungent smell still roamed in the air that she inhaled. A sharp pain pierced in her lower abdomen, made her wince loudly. She couldn't control her shivers as her body trembled uncontrollably. Her lungs no longer could inhale any air.

She dug her toes in the mattress and turned around to reach out for something. But nothing could catch her eyes. There was a glass of water on the bed stand, but her hands couldn't reach out. The more she tried, the more her stomach contracted. Tears pooled down her eyelids in the dark room. She reminded that there was no one around.

No one could see or come for help. She knew it....yet she couldn't console herself.

Her eyes watered and flashes of the nightmares still played infront of her eyes.

Blood.... The blood was in her hands.

She saw red. Flashes of red dots appearing here and there terrified her. Her hands moved on their own, feeling the wetness pooled in her stomach. When she touched them, she froze.

Slowly lifting her fingers in the dark, she saw it again. Blood.

"AHHHhhhhhhh" she cried.

Cried tremendously as if she was being stabbed mercilessly from the insides. The pain and anguish killed her slowly before darkness consumed her,

Again...

*****************

Its been a long time. Yea I know. Lets hope Healing Jewel becomes as successful as Broken Jewel was. #KeepMeInYourPrayers