'Guys,'

A voice made its way to their ears. Ruhaan and Mitali turned around and found Adi standing with Trisha. Mitali immediately looked away from them.

Adi: Guys, where is he?

Ruhaan indicated towards the last room of the corridor. Adi anxiously looked at Trisha and said,

Adi: Let's go and check on him.

Trisha nodded, trying to act worried for her cousin. It didn't really mattered to her anyway. She had come with Adi because she didn't want to leave him in the same place as Mitali would be. That could end up badly for her.

As soon as Adi and Trisha were out of sight, Ruhaan turned to Mitali and asked,

Ruhaan: What's going on?

Mitali: What?

Ruhaan: I saw the way you turned away when they came. Is the fight between the two of you still going on?

Mitali: There's nothing to fight for.

Ruhaan looked at her questioningly and asked,

Ruhaan: What do you mean?

Mitali sighed and looked at the sky and said,

Mitali: It doesn't matter. Not now.

Ruhaan: Mitali wha-

Mitali: Don't push it Ruhaan. I'm not in the head space to talk about it right now.

Ruhaan nodded slightly and looked down. His head was spinning so he decided not to pressure it anymore. Moreover if not Mitali, he would get to know about it from Adi anyway.

They walked back to where Shanu and Daksh were sitting. Daksh looked tired but more importantly, scared. He genuinely considered Sahil like his brother. In a spur of just a few days, he had become a great friend and confidante. His face reflected the pain and fear that he was going through.

Mitali sat next to Shanu and whispered to Daksh,

Mitali: Daksh, I'll sit with her. You and Ruhaan can go ahead and have some coffee. You haven't had anything for hours.

Daksh: No I'm fine.

Ruhaan: Bro she's right. You look exhausted. A little coffee might help.

Daksh: But...

Mitali: Daksh....

She slowly took Shanu's head and placed it on her shoulder and said,

Mitali: Go.

Daksh sighed and hesitantly got up and went down with Ruhaan. Mitali sighed and caressed Shanu's hair.

Adi and Trisha made their way back to Mitali after visiting Sahil's Mom and Ananya. Mitali, who sat two benches away from them, stirred up and looked at them standing in front of her.

Adi: Is Shanu unconscious too?

Mitali resisted the urge to tell him to shut up and replied,

Mitali: She's sleeping.

Adi nodded and looked at Mitali with concern. Her eyes were red and her face looked tired and exhausted. Trisha caught him looking at her and quickly said,

Trisha: Where is Ruhaan?

Mitali again resisted the urge to tell her to fuck off and replied,

Mitali: Downstairs. They went to have coffee.

Trisha: Adi, why don't we grab some coffee too? I'm exhausted and I really need one.

Adi looked back and forth between her and Mitali and said,

Adi: Okay...um... Mitali, should we bring a cup of coffee for you and Ananya?

Mitali looked up at him as if not believing her ears. His friend was fighting for his life and he here was busy trying to please his girlfriend by fulfilling her demands. It's been like 15 minutes that they had arrived and she was already exhausted!
Bullshit, she thought.

She said in a curt voice,

Mitali: No.

Adi let out a silent sigh and said,

Adi: Fine.

And with that both of them took off.

And a lone tear escaped Mitali's eyes.

                ~~~~~~~~~~

Sitting on her comfy bed, Tapasya tried to call Ruhaan one more time. She had been desperately trying to call Ruhaan since evening but he had not picked up once. She knew this was an odd time to call him but she couldn't resist.

Failing to reach him again, she dialled Adi's number. He picked up after 3 rings.

Adi: Hello?

Tapasya: Adi! Thank God finally you picked up! Where are you guys? Where's Ru?

Adi: Tapasya? Whose number are you calling from?

Tapasya: Ghar ke landline se. Ab bata Ruhaan kaha hai?

Adi: He's here. Wait I'll give him the phone.

Saying that,he handed over the phone to Ruhaan who was busy sipping his coffee. He handed his cup to Adi and took the phone.

Ruhaan: Hello, Tapasya?

Tapasya breathed a sigh of relief.

Tapasya: Ru! I've been so worried about you. Where are you and why haven't you returned my calls?

Ruhaan: Tapasya actually.....

Tapasya: What? What's going on? Is everything ok?

Ruhaan: No.

He filled her with the details of the night and their current situation.

Tapasya: Oh my God! This is...

Ruhaan: I know.

Tapasya: God, I can't imagine what Shanu's going through right now. God,she must be devastated.

Ruhaan: She is.

Tapasya: Ru.... I wish I could be there.... for you guys. How are you holding up?

Ruhaan didn't say anything, just sighed heavily.

Tapasya: I'm sorry Ru..... that you had to go through this alone. I miss you.

Ruhaan smiled softly and said,

Ruhaan: I miss you too.

Tapasya: It's gonna be alright, okay? Don't lose hope. He'll be fine.

Ruhaan shut his eyes and breathed heavily.

Ruhaan: How's it going on over there?

Tapasya: I don't know Ru. But I'm scared. Dad's still mad at me. I mean, he never stays mad at me for so long. I tried to ask mom a couple of times but she refused to say anything. But Ru..... there's something else...

Ruhaan: What do you mean?

Tapasya: I'm starting to think that...my parents's coming to the wedding and finding out about us.... this isn't just a coincidence.

Ruhaan: What?

Tapasya: I overheard them talking a little while ago. He said something about payback and how....he wasn't going to let this go until.......

Ruhaan: Until what?

Tapasya gulped and said,

Tapasya: Until.....until your dad suffered.

Ruhaan stopped for a moment to register the information. Shaking his head, he said

Ruhaan: No Tapasya, you must've heard wrong. Our dads are good friends. Why would your dad want my dad to suffer? What could be the reason behind this?

Tapasya: I wish I knew Ru. But I don't. And honestly....... I'm scared to find out.

Ruhaan: Tapasya...

Tapasya: Just come back soon , Ru....I really need you...I...

Before she could finish the sentence, a strong fist grabbed the receiver from her and put it down, ending the call.

Ruhaan: Tapasya.....hello? Hello?

He looked at the phone unable to process what happened. Was she in danger? Was it her dad?

He contemplated it best not to call her again as her father might be there.

On the other hand,

Taps: Dad!

Kunal: I told you not to talk to him! Why did you disobey me?

Taps: Dad, I called Adi to check on him. And Ruhaan just happened to be there. So I....

Kunal: (under his breath) These Shergills always tend to be at the right place at the right time.

Taps: What?

Kunal: Nothing. Tapasya, whatever I'm doing.... know that it's for your own good.

Tapasya: What are you talking about dad?

Kunal: I'm talking about Ruhaan. Tapasya, I want you to stay away from him. Do not associate yourself with that family. They are evil.

Tapasya looked frighteningly at him and said,

Taps: Dad.... why are you talking like this? You have known Ruhaan's family for so many years. What made you say that they are evil?

Kunal: Because I know their real side. Tapasya, you don't even have an idea how bad they are!

Taps: Well then tell me!

Kunal: I can't. I don't want to drag you in this dirty  game of his. All I'm asking you to do.....is stay away from that bastard!

Taps: Dad! Stop it! Ruhaan's not...

Kunal: That's what he has convinced you of! The Ruhaan you know isn't what he looks like! He's just like his dad! A lying piece of shit!

Tapasya roze to her feet in anger and shouted,

Taps: Dad! Don't you DARE!

Kunal looked at his daughter with widened eyes.

Taps: Ruhaan is not a liar! You don't have any right to talk about him like that! I don't know what happened between Ruhaan's dad and you but don't you even try to bring Ruhaan into this mess!

Kunal pursed his lips and scoffed,

Kunal: Tapasya, you've got to believe me! He isn't what he looks like!

Tapasya: No! I don't believe you! I believe in him. I believe in our friendship. I believe in our...love.

Kunal widened his eyes in shock.

Tapasya: Yes, I love him. And so does he. And I choose to believe in that no matter what you tell me!

Saying that, she strode past her father and was about to storm off when her father's voice said,

Kunal: I guess telling you the truth is the last option I'm left with.

Tapasya turned around slowly and looked her father right in the eye.

Tapasya: What truth?

And as he began, her face went pale.....

              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jai , Kavya and Rudra rushed through the hospital corridors trying to locate the room Sahil was in. They found Nandini unconsciously sleeping on Ananya's lap while she slept soundly.

Rushing beside her, Jai slowly stroked her arm trying to wake her up.

Jai: Ma?

Nandini opened her eyes slowly and blinked twice to register the environment she was in. She looked at her son and said,

Nandini: Jai.... Sahil...vo...

Saying that, she sat up and sniffed her tears. Ananya woke up in the matter of a few seconds.

Jai: Ma... Sahil kaha hai?

Choking on her sobs, Nandini indicated towards the O.T.  Jai and Kavya rushed towards the room while Rudra massaged his forehead in annoyance.

Jai sniffed a sob seeing his brother lying unconscious. Kavya patted his arm and held him tight. The duo went back to Nandini and asked,

Jai: Ma.... what have the doctors said?

Nandini: I don't know. I was unconscious for a long time. Ask his friends.

Jai nodded and turned towards Ananya ,

Jai: Do you know anything?

Ruhaan: We know.

Jai looked up at him standing beside her and asked,

Jai: What did the doctor say Ruhaan?

Ruhaan narrated the whole thing to them, all the while trying not to cry. As he finished, Rudra Maheshwari commented,

Rudra: Of course they said that! These doctors do nothing but rob people. The more Sahil stays here the more their bank accounts get filled with our money.

Everyone standing there looked at him in disbelief.

Jai: Dad , what are you saying? Money isn't the concern here , Sahil's health is.

Rudra: Don't be stupid Jai. He's probably alright. The doctors have probably given him some sedative to keep him unconscious until tommorow.

Kavya: But Dad we can't just take him home based on an assumption. This is a pretty reputed hospital. I'm sure the doctors are telling the truth.

Shanu stirred up hearing the commotion. She looked at Mitali , who was looking angrily at Rudra. She quickly stood up and went near Ananya. Mitali did the same.

Rudra: Reputed hospital my ass! They just scheme and trick stupid people into their trap. And luckily for us, our family is blessed with a perfect candidate for that!

Jai: What do you mean?

Rudra: Oh come on Jai! I'm talking about your brother. Today was supposed to be the greatest day of your life and it would have been perfect if it wasn't for his toomfoolery!

Daksh: Uncle, Sahil did not deliberately jump in front of a car! He had an accident!

Ananya held his arm to avoid him from making a scene. She gave him a ' No' look. He shrugged in response.

Rudra: How convenient, isn't it? Of all the days in the year, he had to have an accident on his brother's wedding day! Almost feels like a deliberate attempt, doesn't it?

Nandini glared at him and said,

Nandini: Rudra, don't

Rudra: Why should I not, Nandini? ( Turning to Jai) I'll tell you the truth Jai. The truth is your brother couldn't bear the fact that you were so happy and settled in your life. I could always tell how jealous he was of  you. He couldn't accept the fact that we threw you such a grand wedding. And thus, he planned to ruin your wedding day by this little stunt of his!

Shanu: SHUT UP!

Everyone looked at her in shock and fear. Shanu's eyes flared with anger and her fists were tightened.

Shanu: Not another word about Sahil, Mr. Maheshwari! Not a single word!

Rudra Maheshwari widened his eyes and looked at her questioningly.

Shanu: How dare you say something so vial and terrible about your son?!

Rudra: He isn't my-

Shanu: I know! I know that he isn't your son! But that doesn't give you the right to talk about him like that!

The gang widened their eyes. They exchanged anxious glances.

Rudra: How do you-

Shanu: That doesn't matter! What matters is that he found out about this today!

This was Rudra's turn to be shocked. Jai and Kavya were equally shocked at the new information.

Shanu: Yes! Yes, he knows! He knows he's not your son! He knows that he's an illegitimate child of Nandini aunty and Mahir uncle.

Rudra looked at Nandini for assurance. She nodded and started to sob again.

Shanu: All his life.....he did nothing but try to make you love him.....to make you proud....he suffered your torture.... thinking that someday you'll come around and hug him and say that you're proud to have him as your son! He loved you.....all his life.....he didn't care how you treated him.

The gang exchanged sad glances.

Shanu: Do you know that he tried to commit suicide on the first day of the session?

Rudra opened his mouth but nothing came out of it. Everyone stared at Shanu worriedly.

Shanu: Yes, he did. If I hadn't got to him at the right time......God knows if he would have been here to see this day.

Nandini shuddered at her words.

Shanu: He did that because he lost.....all hope..... because you didn't spare a second chance to make him feel worthless.... you broke him in ways that you can never imagine. His self confidence.....his trust.... everything....was shattered because of you!

Rudra inhaled deeply in denial.

Shanu: I know that he isn't your son..... but you could have atleast been a better stepfather to him! You could have been the bigger person here by embracing him in your heart! But you didn't! Instead you didn't spare a chance to make him feel unwanted and miserable.

Jai looked at his father in anger. His heart burned at the thought of his little brother suffering because of the monster in front of him.

Shanu: You.....Mr. Maheshwari.... you are responsible for the state he is in today. Not aunty, not me..... you! And I swear to God.....if anything happens to him....I will not leave you.

Rudra widened his eyes at her audacity.

Jai: Aur rahi baat kharche ki...to Dad , you won't have to worry.... I'll pay for Sahil's treatment. I'll die before I let anything happen to my brother.

Rudra looked at his elder son with a tinge of rage in his eyes.

After a long pause, Nandini got up from her seat and standing face to face with her husband, said,

Nandini: There's no need of you here anymore Rudra. So it'll be best if you leave.

Rudra Maheshwari swallowed his insult like a bitter drink and pursed his lips. He glanced one last time at his son and wife and then left the premises.

                ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys! So here's an update! I was about to update yesterday but the devastating news of Mr. Rishi Kapoor and Mr. Irfan Khan left me heartbroken. I pray to God for their families and friends. May their soul rest in peace 🙏.

Anyways, today I won't be keeping a target. If you liked the chapter, you can vote and comment 👍.

Love you loads,
   Bosedisha