Chapter 3

[MEMBERSONLY] [NOCOPY]Part 3 updated on 26/03/21

AAAAAAAAAAAAA....dhokha...nahi... dhokha....nahi

Samrat screamed as he choked Virat. Virat was too shocked and pained to react. The ward boys struggled to free Virat from Samrat. One of them gave Samrat an injection. And he was laid down on a bed. Virat coughed and stood frozen to the ground.

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"Hua kya hai? My brother?" Virat asked the doctor in his cabin.

"He was found by villagers near a river. He was almost dead. With difficulty his life was saved. Then he was in coma. When he regained consciousness, they realised he was mentally unstable. So he was brought here. I wonder what happened to him." The doctor replied.

"He was perfectly fine. What could have happened to him" Virat muttered to himself.

The doctor had no answer to the question but he said, "I think you should get first aid" and pointed to his neck.

Virat looked at the doctor unable to understand what he implied and touched his neck with his fingers and hissed in pain. Only then he realised that Samrat had scratched his neck.

"My brother will be alright."

"Kuch keh nahi sakte" the doctor replied.

"I'm not asking you. I'm telling you. My brother will be alright," Virat stared at the doctor.

"I don't want to give you any false hopes Mr Chahvan. From the time he has come here, he is always silent. Doesn't respond much. Once in a while he becomes violent suddenly. Then we give him injection or tablet to calm him down. We have tried everything. But no use. Unless we know what's the reason behind his mental state we won't be able to do anything.

"Isliye maine kaha ki kuch keh nahi sakte."

Virat's eyes became moist as he touched his neck.

I want my brother back.

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"Arey. Where are flowers? Decoration abhi tak nahi hui. Omkar!!" Bhavani said irritated.

"Sab ho jayega Vahini. Don't worry" Ninad tried to calm his Vahini as Omkar was trying to put lights.

Ashwini hummed as she cooked in the kitchen. Sonali looked at Karishma and smiled, "Aaj sab kitne khush, happy, prasann lag rahe hain. Nahi?." Karishma agreed, "haan ayi, ekdam Dhadho Sutto." She eyed Patralekha, "Aaj to Patralekha bhabhi bhi kitni khush hongi na? Unke suhag jo laut rahe hain. Hain na khush aap, bhabhi?" Patralekha stared at her. "Waise Mansi Bua kahan hai" Karishma tried to change the topic.

Ashwini smiled and gestured towards the temple.

Sai was decorating the temple as she smiled at Mansi who was sitting there with closed eyes. Sai hadn't seen Samrat before except in photographs but everyone's happiness had rubbed on her. And she could see everyone's love for him.

"VIRAT SIR" Sai shouted happily as she saw Virat on the door but her smile faded as she noticed his expression. Her voice attracted everyone's attention. Everyone came running. But Mansi did not get up from the floor. She kept sitting there crying hoping to see Samrat when she opens her eyes. Virat grabbed Samrat's hand in his hand and stood on the door. Bhavani called Patralekha to do Aarti. Patralekha hesitated but took the thaal from Karishma and stepped forward. Samrat was looking around and suddenly noticed her and threw the thaal away. He sat down then and there with both his ears covered with his hands screaming, "nahiiii....dhokhaa...nahiii... Nahiiii.. dhokha..." Virat sat down with him and hugged him tightly trying to calm him down. Patralekha stumbled back.

Akeli kahan hai Patralekha.

Agar kisi bhi cheez ki zaroorat ho to... Virat se keh dena.

Patralekha looked at him in horror as his words resounded in her ears.

"Virat?" Everyone looked at him looking for answers.

It was getting difficult for Virat to control him.

He cried as he took out an injection and was about to inject him.

 "Dil Diya hai Jaan bhi denge

Aye watan tere liye

...Dil Diya hai Jaan bhi denge

Aye watan tere liye."

Samrat's agitation lessened as he looked up at his mother crying and singing his childhood's favourite song. She sat down and hugged him.

"Har karam.. Apna.. Karenge.." Mansi sang between her tears hugging him tightly.

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