In the silenced corridors of the Shrey hospital, Ravindra lay motionless on the sterile bed, the rhythmic beeping of the monitoring machines creating a disconcerting soundtrack to the worried silence that enveloped the room.

A saline needle pierced his wrist, delivering a slow infusion of life into his fragility. Outside the room, Sanjana and Nikhil stood side by side, their faces marked by concern as they gazed through the transparent pane, observing the still Ravindra. The weight of worry hung in the air, thickening their mind with silhouettes with unspoken fears.

Sanjana, her eyes mirroring the grim situation, turned to Nikhil.

"What have we done to deserve this? Why is he caught in this nightmare?" Sanjana uttered with a voice strained by anxiety.

Nikhil, grappling with the same questions, placed a comforting hand on Sanjana's shoulder. "I don't know. It feels like we're caught in the crossroads of something much bigger and intricate than us. But don't worry, he isn't in this alone."

As they continued to peer into the room, Sanjana's thoughts echoed the depths of her concern.

"We've always tried to protect him. From childhood squabbles to the challenges of adulthood. Why is it that, despite our efforts, he's now hunted in this surreal web of abnormalities?"

Nikhil, searching for solace in a situation devoid of answers, responded, "Sometimes, things happen beyond our understanding. But we'll find a way to help him. This is just going to get worse from here on."

Their solemn vow hung in the air, a standing testament to their unwavering commitment to unravel the darkness luring in shadows surrounding Ravindra.

As they stood side by side, their clasped hands spoke volumes about the unspoken bond that united them in this trying moment.

Nikhil, a pillar of support, whispered words of reassurance, "We've faced challenges before, didn't we? We'll face this one too. Together." Their fingers intertwined, creating a small moment of comfort amidst the clinical sterility of the hospital surroundings.

The soft murmur of their conversation blended with the muted beeping of machines, as if the hospital walls themselves were holding their collective breath, waiting for Ravindra to wake up and break the silence surrounding him.

Rakesh's trembling fingers fumbled with the phone as he called Sanjana's number, desperation building up through every ring. The moment she answered, his voice, usually firm and composed, trembled with concern.

"Sanjana, what the hell is happening? Why am I hearing about Ravindra from the college authorities? Why is his phone unreachable? Tell me, what the hell is going on?"

Sanjana, instantly caught off guard by the urgency in her father's voice, struggled to find the right words.

"Dad, I... I don't know. We're at the hospital. Ravindra's in a critical condition, and we're trying to understand what happened. It's like we're trapped in a nightmare. These last three days have been something beyond my understanding."

As Rakesh slowly absorbed this shocking revelation, Nidhi, came from behind and snatched the phone from him, fraught with anxiety and desperation.

"Sanjana, what happened? Are you two okay? Tell me you're both okay, please, tell me everything's fine, please." The desperation in Nidhi's plea echoed through the phone, a mother's love transcending the distance and connecting their hearts in shared worry.

Sanjana, her own voice choked with emotion, trying hard to control her tears.

"We're doing everything we can, Mom. Nikhil is here also, he's trying to find out more. He has the orders from court, we have thirty days to do whatever we can. Just pray for Ravindra, please. We need all the strength we can get."

The line fell silent for a moment, as the Kapoor family grappled with the sudden and inexplicable crisis that had befallen them.

Nidhi's voice quivered with worry as she clutched the phone tightly, the distance exacerbating her anxiety. "We've been trying to reach you for hours. Why didn't anyone inform us sooner? When I heard of the CBI accusing him of murder, I almost had my heart pounding out of me. Please tell Nikhil to save Ravindra, I believe in my heart, he has done nothing wrong." The barrage of concern and worries reflected the depths of a mother's concern, the fear of the unknown gnawing at her with each passing moment.

Sanjana, her eyes swelling up with tears, tried to provide reassurance. "Mom, Dad, we didn't know how to tell you. It all happened so suddenly. I arrived late, if I was there I wouldn't have let anything like this happen. By the time I had arrived, Ravindra had already succumbed to his injuries, and we rushed him to the hospital. The doctors are doing their best, but it's a critical situation."

Rakesh, a stern and composed figure in normal circumstances, struggled to maintain his composure. "Sanjana, I need to know the truth. We have thirty days from today right? I am coming to India tomorrow, and heading straight for Mahabaleshwar. These things starting manifesting right from there. I will take my lawyers along and get to the root of this mess."

Sanjana, torn between the responsibility of updating her parents and the emotional toll of the situation, explained, "Dad, are you sure that would be a good idea? Because out of the blue they are pulling evidences which neither me or Ravindra has any idea of. Nikhil already tried to help, but he barely managed to get the court order. I don't know what the hell is happening right now."

Rakesh's voice grew resolute, a strong determination wavering through the worry.

"Sanjana, I need you to understand that I can't sit idly. I'll be heading to Mahabaleshwar in two days. I need to get to the root of this situation and save Ravindra. I can't let him suffer like this."

Sanjana, her emotions, starting to grow unstable like the waves sea, responded, "If you're going, then I'm coming with you. We can face whatever it is together. I can't just stay here, not knowing what's happening out there. Please, allow me to come with you."

Rakesh's tone turned stern, "Don't be a fool. Who knows what lies in there? I will do this myself. I need you to stay strong for Ravindra here. Nikhil is there isn't he? You will be fine with him. We'll figure this out, but I can't risk having you out of all in harm's way."

As Sanjana could have had a chance to argue further, Nidhi, intervened, taking the phone from Rakesh.

"Sanjana, listen. Dad is right. You need to stay there with him. We'll keep you updated. I promise. And I'll come to you as soon as possible. We'll do everything in our power to make sure Ravindra is safe and sound," with a comforting tone, Nidhi assured Sanjana.

"I'll make sure to support Dad and find out what happened. We'll get through this. You take care of yourself and Nikhil. We love you." Nidhi ended the call, leaving Sanjana emotionally shaken.

Sanjana, overwhelmed by the situation, crumpled to the ground, her tears flowing freely. Nikhil, her partner, rushed to her side, trying to provide solace. "We'll get through this together, Sanjana. Ravindra is strong, and your parents are going to do everything in their power to bring him back."

The weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air as the family faced an unknown and challenging journey to Mahabaleshwar.

Sanjana, overwhelmed by the situation, crumpled to the ground, her tears flowing down her face. Nikhil rushed to her side, trying to provide solace. "Sanjana, we'll get through this together. Ravindra is strong, and your parents will do everything in their power to bring him back."

Sanjana, her voice choked with emotion, managed to utter, "I can't bear the thought of something happening to them. It's just too much. Why is all this happening to us?"

Nikhil gently wiped away her tears and whispered, "We'll face this together. Ravindra is strong, and your family is resilient. We won't let this consume us. This will pass away as well. I promise."

Sanjana, her sobs slowly subsiding, nodded in agreement. "I just wish I could be there with them. The situation is tearing me apart, these hidden mysteries and on top of that the CBI, it's just too much to handle."

Nikhil held her closer and said, "We'll find a way to support them from here. Let's stay connected and trust that your family will uncover the truth. That's the best we can do. And believe in justice, I will have to try my best to prove Ravindra innocent." The weight of uncertainty lingered, but in that moment, the couple clung to each other, drawing strength from their shared love and the hope that their family would emerge victorious in the face of adversity.

Nikhil, suddenly notices Harsh walking in from behind. The exhaustion etched across his face. Harsh came and stood near them, his red swollen teary eyes reflecting the distress he must have felt. Sweat glistened on his face, and his Naruto hoodie was soaked, evidence of the urgency that had driven him to run all the way.

He looked at Sanjana with a mix of concern and desperation. "I heard about the CBI accusing Ravindra of being Ananya's murderer. What's happening? Why wasn't I informed? And how much of it is true? How did it all happen?"

Sanjana and Nikhil exchanged uneasy glances, struggling with how to approach the sensitive topic.

"Harsh, listen, we're still trying to understand the situation ourselves. It's a complex situation right now, and we don't have all the details yet, so I suggest you don't get involved." Sanjana replied cautiously.

Harsh's frustration escalated, and he screamed, "I don't care about the damn details! I don't care if you know the full story or not. Ravindra is my friend! And right now he is lying there hanging for his life. Since the last week when all this started, nobody is telling me anything. Damn it, I deserve to know what's going on! He's my friend too. Tell me, is he really being accused of murder?"

Nikhil, attempting to calm the situation, placed a hand on Harsh's shoulder. "We're all worried about Ravindra, but let's not jump to conclusions."

Tears streaming down his face, Harsh shook off Nikhil's hand aggressively. "I can't just sit here and wait! I need to know the truth! Why won't anyone tell me? Even Tripti didn't tell me what happened in the council room. Why is everyone hiding things from me?" His desperation echoed through the tense atmosphere.

Sanjana, feeling the weight of his pain, spoke softly, "It's just that everything is happening so fast, and we're all trying to process it ourselves, amidst not trying to lose ourselves. Please try to understand."

Harsh, his voice breaking, retorted, "Understand? Ananya is gone, do you understand? And now Ravindra is accused of something so terrible. I always thought of both of them as my friends. Now, one is lost forever, and the other is dead while keeping secrets from me. It's tearing me apart from the inside. Do you understand what it feels like?"

Harsh continued, breathing heavily as his emotions spilled all over his face, "And you know what's happening on the campus, right? Soon as Ravindra's accusation went public, the whole place erupted. People have split into two factions, like it's some twisted battle. One side is thirsty for Ravindra's blood, convinced of his guilt, while the other is desperately trying to defend him. It's chaos out there. The unity we had was breached in a matter of minutes, and it feels like we're standing on the edge of a crisis, watching everything we knew unravel."

Sanjana and Nikhil exchanged worried glances among them as Harsh, overwhelmed by grief, broke down before them. The weight of the accusations against Ravindra and the looming chaos of a campus divided cast a shadow over their collective consciousness.

Nikhil, his voice stained with concern, spoke, "Sanjana, this is spiralling out of control. The accusations have fractured the campus, and it's like a civil war is brewing. People are choosing sides, and the unity we once knew is unraveling. How did we get here?"

Sanjana, her eyes reflecting the shared fear, replied, "Humanity really is like a glass, one crack is enough to crumble it to pieces. I never imagined our world could crumble like this. It's heartbreaking. Ravindra's future hangs in the balance, and our community is tearing apart. The chaos outside feels like whirling storm around us."

Harsh, in the midst of his breakdown, managed to express, "You guys... it's like we're losing everything. Ananya is gone, and now they're tearing Ravindra apart. The campus is in uproar, and it's like no one cares about the truth anymore. Some are baying for Ravindra's blood without a shred of evidence, and others want cold, hard proof before they'll even consider the truth. It's a chaotic mess, and we fear it's only going to get worse."

Sanjana, her eyes filled with absolute tears, suddenly stood up. Harsh and Nikhil followed her suit, and the three shared a collective glance towards Ravindra's hospital bed. The dorm, once filled with the weight of uncertainty and despair, now has scent of a newfound resolve.

As they stood together, a lightning determination in the air, the doctor entered the room.

His face carried a look of shock and surprise, and in his hands, he held what appeared to be an X-ray report. Sanjana, catching a glimpse of the unexpected development, felt a spark of hope. "Doctor, is that...?"

The doctor, still visibly astonished, nodded. "I was going through Ravindra's medical records we collected today morning, and I found something unusual. This X-ray report-it changes things. It might not be conclusive, but it opens a new avenue for investigation. We need to explore this further."

Harsh, his eyes lighting up with a glimmer of hope, asked, "What does it say? Could it prove that Ravindra is innocent?"

The doctor, carefully choosing his words, replied, "It has nothing to do with that. But we can't ignore this. We need to conduct additional tests and investigations. It might shed new light on the situation."

Sanjana, curiosity mixed with fear, couldn't help but ask, "Doctor, what does the report say? Why is it so unusual?"

The doctor sighed, his expression revealing the weight of what he was about to disclose. "Your brother has two distinct colours showing up in his skeleton scan, one in blue and the other in red. And the most unusual part, it seems there are two stone type things meticulously places in his ribcage."

Harsh and Nikhil stood frozen, their expressions a chaotic blend of disbelief and terror. The revelation hung in the air like an ominous cloud, casting an eerie spell over the room. It felt like a scene from a twisted nightmare, where the boundaries of reality blurred into an unsettling dreamscape. The weight of the unusual revelation settled like a heavy fog, leaving an indelible mark of dread on their faces.

The surreal nature of the discovery intensified the already bewildering atmosphere. Awe and horror danced in the eyes of Harsh and Nikhil, caught in the throes of a revelation that transcended the boundaries of medical understanding. It was a bizarre twist, an unexpected turn in a narrative that seemed to defy logic. The room, once a haven of fragile hope, now echoed with the disconcerting realisation that Ravindra's condition was far more complex than anyone could have anticipated.

Sanjana, the anchor amidst the bewildered silence, found herself grappling with the weight of this newfound information. The implications of the mysterious anomaly in Ravindra's heart loomed like a shadow, and she could only begin to fathom the challenges and uncertainties that lay ahead. In that moment, the room transformed into a surreal stage where the characters, entangled in the web of the unknown, awaited the next act in this haunting drama of uncertainty.

Kartikey staggered into the office washroom, his face pale and contorted with pain. His hand trembled as he reached for the sink to steady himself. A violent cough racked his body, and to his horror, he spat out a mixture of blood and saliva into the basin. The metallic taste lingered in his mouth as he took a moment to catch his breath, leaning against the cold tiles for support.

Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Kartikey forced himself to stand upright. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered, casting an eerie glow on his disheveled appearance. He winced as he gingerly touched his stomach, the aftermath of Ravindra's brutal punch evident. Slowly unbuttoning his shirt, Kartikey revealed a bloodstain on his kidney region. The crimson hue seeped through the fabric, a stark testament to the internal damage inflicted by the powerful blow.

In front of the mirror, Kartikey cursed under his breath, the pain and anger merging into a bitter cocktail of resentment. "Damn you, Ravindra," he muttered, the words punctuated by the sound of running water in the sink. "You think you can get away with this? Well, let's see how strong you really are when everyone finds out what you're capable of."

A cold shiver ran down his spine. The hum of the fluorescent lights overhead seemed to intensify as a hooded figure silently entered the washroom. The figure's presence cast a shadow over the dimly lit space.

"I warned you not to provoke him, didn't I?" the hooded figure spoke in a voice devoid of warmth, each word cutting through the air like a chilling wind. The tone carried a sense of ominous authority, leaving Kartikey on edge.

Kartikey turned to face the hooded stranger, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of fear and defiance. "What else would you have expected me to do? There was no other way. You asked me to break him down mentally, I did exactly that," he replied, although his voice trembling slightly.

The hooded figure, shrouded in darkness, responded with an air of indifference, "It doesn't matter how you did it. What's your next move then?"

"Take away what's very close to him." Kartikey replied with a malicious smile rolling over his face.

"Don't screw up this time. If you do, I'll send you back to where I pulled you from," the hooded figure replied.

"Understood." Kartikey replied in a calm voice.

As Kartikey faced the hooded figure's chilling warning, an unsettling certainty settled in. The washroom, now a clandestine witness to the aftermath of personal vendettas, held echoes of ominous prophecies.

The next target had been silently chosen, and the looming storm of consequences promised to plunge everyone into a torrent of chaos. The delicate balance of power had shifted, leaving no one untouched by the impending mayhem that awaits, with each step forward into a descent of an unforgiving hunt.