Chapter 9

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Chapter - 7

Ashwini screamed at the sight infront of her eyes before she called out her name "Sai!" Everyone turned around to see a disheveled Sai, standing at the door. She had a cut on her forehead where the blood had dried up, her clothes and hair were in complete disarray and her naked feet were bleeding leaving blood stain on the floor. Before anyone could raise a question or comment, Sai ran into Virat arms, holding on to him and breaking down. He closed his arms around a scared shaking Sai, holding her, not knowing what else to do or feel. He had gone numb at the sight of his wife and the nature of the possible mishap she would have encountered. He held her tightly, securely against him, as if protecting her against that still unknown danger, while her cries turned to sobs. Despite the tense situation and the curiosity to know what had occurred, no one said a word. It was only after a few minutes that Virat spoke, without breaking his embrace.

Virat - Sai! I'm here. What happened? 

Sai could only manage a word, but that seemed to have pulled the floor below his feet

Sai - (in between her sobs, she was barely audible) Jagtap!

The mention of the name made him clench his fist around her and the desperation and concern in his eyes turn to rage and fury! On reflex he pulled her out of the hug and frantically scanned Sai from head to toe, examining her injuries. 

Virat - (While holding her hand and continuing his scrutiny) Are you alright Sai? Did he harm you? 

Sai - (She was barely able to form the words to speak up) I managed to escape from him. I was being followed by him and his henchmen and in my attempt to evade them I dropped my phone while trying to reach you. He had his men watching over, the hostel gate and even outside our house. So I had to hide and wait and dodge my way into the house.

Virat pulled her back into a hug, saying a silent prayer of gratitude for getting her back to him safe. But the next moment, he was sent rolling into panic, when he felt Sai's grip on him loosening. He caught her just in niche of time, before she collapsed due to exhaustion.

Ashwini ran upto them, along with the others. The family was divided in their opinion on the current situation, but the worry was evident on their faces. Virat picked up Sai and took her to their room.

Pulkit examined her, dressed up her wounds, and confirmed that she was fine. But still recommended a psychologist as a precautionary measure to ensure that this incident doesn't take a toll on her. 

While Sai was resting, Virat left her in Ashwini's care before leaving to find Jagtap. His fury seemed no bounds, and he was struggling to contain his anger. Jagtap had been out on parole under the pretext of his ailing mother, but had been absconding since. Based on the details Sai had shared, Virat set out search teams to catch him. He couldn't rest till he found Jagtap and put him back in the place where he deserved to be. He had to put him behind bars for all his heinous crimes, and it was also imperative for Sai's safety. He knew it was essential for Sai to lead a safe and fear free life. 

Chavan Niwas

Everyone was seated, when Virat got Sai downstairs and made her to sit on the sofa. She was not herself, and he thought that being around people would make her forget about things atleast temporarily. 

Ashwini - How are you feeling Sai? Shall I get you some juice? 

Sai - I'm fine Aai. I don't feel like having anything right now.

This was not the Sai the Chavans knew. She was just a shadow of the fierce, brave and lively girl. She barely looked up at anyone and sat like a statue, lost in her own world. Only responding to the questions addressed in one or two syllables. Pakhi was hating the attention and care that Virat and the others were showering on Sai. Infact, Bhavani, Ninad and Omkar were also quiet which was out of character and meant that they too were concerned about Sai. And she was dreading that this could probably lead to Sai staying back in Chavan Niwas. Unable to take the sympathy being garnered by Sai, she blurted out

Pakhi - I think she would be better off in her hostel. 

Virat looked up at Pakhi, anger evident in eyes. 

Pakhi - I mean to say, she has never been comfortable here, with us. That's the reason she had refused to come back despite all your efforts Virat. In her current state it would help if she is with people she likes. So being with her friends would probably help her. That's why I suggested it would help her if she stays in her hostel. Infact, she can also stay over Devi Tai's place. Pulkit Jiju will be there for any medical assistance if required. 

Ashwini - Thank you for your concern Pakhi! We are floored by your thoughtfulness. But, if you don't mind, can keep your suggestions to yourself? There are people here who can decide what is best for Sai. Please save your expert advice for yourself.

Pakhi - Ashwini Mami, I was just..

Virat - That's enough Pakhi. I'm her husband, and I'm responsible, and capable enough to take a decision. So I would appreciate if you stay out of this

Sai - Virat, I think it's better if I leave

Bhavani - And then what? You want people to say that we couldn't even look after our daughter-in-law! And if something happens, you want us to be held responsible for it. You get into trouble and then we are pulled into it as well

Ninad - Right Vahini! Even in this state she doesn't bow down or leave her stubbornness.

Virat - Sai, I have always respected your decision and never pushed you. But given the circumstances, I can't let you leave. It's decided. Period! End of discussion.

Pakhi stood there burning with envy. She was disappointed, that now Sai has made her way back to Chavan Niwas.

Sairat Room

Sai woke up with a scream, frantically calling out for Virat. Ashwini and Sonali came running into the room hearing Sai's yelp. Virat had left early, leaving Sai in Ashwini's care. He was torn between staying beside Sai and finding Jagtap. But he hated the emotional trauma that Sai was dealing with and he was determined to eliminate the very cause of it. Ashwini and Sonali tried to pacify a hysterical Sai assuming that she had seen a bad dream. They informed her that Virat had left in search of Jagtap. But this only aggravated the situation. Sai was inconsolable and none of their words could make her calm down. 

Virat returned home and when he found everyone gathered in his room he panicked. He entered and the moment Sai saw him, she leaped into Virat's arms, hugging onto him like her life depended on it. Everyone around was worried seeing this side of Sai. Virat tried to persuade Sai to calm down and rest but she refused to let him go, clutching on to him more vigorously. It wasn't a while before he could manage to get Sai to relax and she slept off in his arms. 

The entire family was gathered to discuss the current situation. It was stressful for everyone to see Sai like this and with constant threat of Jagtap still looming over her. Pulkit had revealed that, Sai's recent behaviour was not owing to her fear for own herself. Jagtap had threatened to harm Virat, and that was playing on Sai's mind. Though a strong girl, this incident brought back the memories of her Aaba's death. The flashes of him being shot, were coinciding with visuals of Virat being hurt by Jagtap in her mind. Her Aaba had been the axis around which her entire life revolved, and with his death she was devastated. But being the brave girl she is, she pulled herself together and moved on, shoving the fear and sense of loss deep down in her heart. Without her realising Virat, had taken a similar space in her life where he became her centre, and now she feared a similar fate for him as her Aaba. She had also been subjected to the fear arising from constant stalking that again made her revisit those old days. She has been dealing with a lot of emotional turmoil and Jagtap's appearance and threat on Virat's life has just escalated up the bottled up emotions. And this is why she is always seeking out for Virat, to ensure that he is safe.

Sairat Room

Virat looked at the sleeping form of Sai, just a mere shell of the strong and brave girl, with an undying zest for life..his wife..his Sai. Tears formed in his eyes, and he let them flow freely this time. He had been holding up for her sake, but he was breaking inside and this was the only time he could let himself slip and release his pent up emotions. Virat was guilty of not seeing through the smiles of Sai, the fright she was constantly living with, how wired up she had been internally. He felt that he was a failure as a husband who couldn't even read his own wife, where she couldn't share those deep rooted demons with him. He felt this urge to punish himself for his fault, for all the pain Sai was going through....if only he could take it all upon himself! But then he straightened up, he couldn't just lay back and sulk in his guilt. Sai needed him and he will be there with her! This time he promised himself, that he would  be always by her side in evey sense of the word! And would not let anyone or anything pull her down or harm her in any way. 

Virat spent every second of his waking hour switching between the mission to hunt for Jagtap and taking care of Sai. He had given his everything in helping her recuperate mentally and physically. She had started to open up to him about her fears and the trauma she had been dealing with all throughout. Virat's changing expression with every revelation pained her, because she knew somewhere he felt he had let her down. Even though she tried to explain that it was her reluctance to share with him, she knew that he wasn't convinced on that front. But they decided to put the past to rest and promised to share every single aspect, however crucial or insignificant it may be, with each other. This commitment to transparency elevated the steady growth of their relationship to a different level. 

It had been a few days since the incident, things were coming back to normal as much as they could in such circumstances, but Virat had been unable nab Jagtap yet. His frustration had been building up with every failed attempt. Since Sai had decided to stay back in CN, she was asked to clear up her dues at the hostel. She was looking for Virat’s wallet, since he had asked her to use his card, while he had gone to get some water for himself. While taking out the card from his wallet a note fell down from it, which she picked up. She wouldn't have bothered to check out, but the letters that peeped out from the folded paper seemed familiar. She was surprised to find that it was the same note that she had given him on her first day of college after he gifted her a pen. Sai was beaming with love for her husband. She knew that he loved her, but the very evidence of how much he valued anything that was associated with her teared her up. Even a piece of paper that was given to him by her, he had safely kept as a valued treasure. She was so overwhelmed that she unknowingly had starting to cry. Virat entered, freaked out seeing the tears. He rushed to her, but she could barely form any words when he inquired about the reason. She only extended the note she was holding in her hand. Realisation dawned on him, and he blushed at being caught. It was surprisingly wierd that despite the closeness and comfort they could still turn red and shy with each other. Sai was the first to recover

Sai - You still have this note? So I was always special to you! Awwww 

She pulled both his checks, while her stood there with his eyes averted.

Sai then moved away folding her arms against her chest and faking up anger

Virat - What happened Sai? Why are you suddenly so angry? Have I done something wrong to upset you?

Sai - Yes! Why couldn't you tell me earlier that you love me. You wasted so much of our previous time in fights, arguments and misunderstandings. We could have avoided so many unpleasant incidents. It's all your fault

Virat - My fault? Why didn't you confess before if you had realised?

Sai - Now your are putting the blame on me

And like that their cute banter began before it turned into something more steamy and they gave into the insatiable craving for each other.

Sai had decided to join back college. She couldn't afford miss anymore classes. The family was not in favour of this. Though Virat was reluctant himself, but he understood the practicality and supported her decision. He was elated to see that his fighter Sai was back! 

It had been 2 days since Sai had resumed college and as decided either Mohit or Virat were to drop and pick her up from college until things were under control. Sai had just finished her classes and was waiting for Virat's call, before stepping out of the college premises. Just then she saw Mohit's name blink on her phone screen. But what she heard next made her go dizzy and her feet began to wobble. It was a stranger on the other end, who informed that the owner of the phone along with a police officer had met with an accident. They were unconscious and bleeding profusely. Sai froze for a while. She somehow managed to get the information that they were very close to her college. She immediately rushed to the spot location sent to her from Mohit's phone. But when she reached the location, she found no one. Before she could figure out what was happening, she felt two hands, one cover her mouth and the other held her by the waist. She struggled to free herself and get a glimpse of the attacker, though she somewhere knew who that was. But all her attempts were thwarted and before she knew darkness enveloped her and she lost consciousness.

Chapter 8 - Serendipity 

[MEMBERSONLY]