Chapter 30

CHAPTER 28:

A red laser dot was blinking on Arjun's chest.. she was still in Raj's arms. She looked slightly at the other side.. a man was holding a gun at him.. she didn't know what to do.. it was her time to decide.. she broke the hug…

Raj was shocked with a sudden jerking by Ridhi. She pushed him and ran to Arjun.. somewhere ahead he heard a shot.. world stopped at her cry.. she was infront of Arjun.. bleeding at the left shoulder.. leaning back to Arjun…

Sameer couldn't believe it.. He, Riya and Chotu.. turned to the voice.. and fired at him.. Shree was frozen at the spot.

Ridhi started to fall back.. Arjun was quick to hold her.. he was still in shock.. there was a lot of blood.. they all came to her..

"Ridhi utho… please Ridhi.. utho…" they cried out.. she slowly opened her eyes.. all her loved ones were there.. she was at peace.. she looked at her brothers.. "love you bhaiya.. I love you.." the last line was for Shree…

They took her and rushed to the hospital. It was a bit far away.. Raj held her close to his heart. Arjun was driving as a maniac.. they reached.. she was rushed to the operation theatre.. all were dead from inside.

Arjun couldn't hold his tears. Riya went to support him.. he broke down on her shoulders.. Shifali rushed to the hospital.. she had a bandage on her forehead. She came to Sameer. "I'm sorry Sam.. I should have been more carefull.. I'm sorry.."  they hugged and broke down.. Raj was feeling so helpless… Shree stood frozen leaning on the wall.. Chotu along with the camandos were busy out at the point..

Raj moved to Shree and held his shoulder.. "Ridzi.. wo teekh tho hogi na..? bhai.. mujhe bohot dar lag raha hai..?" he broke down..Raj hugged him.. Shree wept on to his shoulders.. suddenly a doctor came out. All rushed to him. " hows she?"

"condition bohot unstable hai.. kuch keh nahi saktha.. lets hope for the best.." he went away.. they were dead again.. Shree fell onto the chair.. he took his phone and dialed someone… "Shree..I need you.." he cried….

After a few hours, operation was over. "bullet nikale hai.. par bohot blood loss hua hai.. next 48 hours is very critical.." all were shocked and waiting outside the ICU. It was horrible to see her so weak..

After some time:

A girl rushed in.. she stopped in front of Raj.. her face looked familiar.. but he haven't seen her before.. "excuse me.. aap ETF se ho?" she was so worried. He nodded.

"Shree… I mean Shreekant kaha hai..?" he pointed to him in the chair who was lost in his thoughts. She rushed to him and sat opposite to him on the floor cupping his face. He was out of the trance.. he hugged her tightly and broke down bitterly.. she kept patting his hair.. "sh… its ok.. kuch nahi hoga.. kuch nahi hoga Ridzi ko…"

All were shocked at Shree's emotional downpour. The newcomer saw everyone's shocked face. She said still hugging Shree

"sorry.. I didn't introduce myself.. I'm Shreeparna.. Shreekant's twin sister.. and you can call me Shree…" 

Next day : 6 am:

No one slept the whole night. Sameer being the chief had to complete his duty. He left with Chotu late at night.. and he was back now.

Shree was holding onto his sister's hand.. all silent.. Riya and Chotu tried to consol him. Arjun and Sameer was still confused.. they went to Raj who was standing near the ICU door looking at her.. Arjun placed his hands on Raj..

"Shree loves her.. wo Ridhi se bohot pyaar karthe hai…" he said still looking at her. Tears rolled down his cheeks. Arjun made him to look at them. Raj broke down.. Arjun hugged him.. "Sorry Arjun… I know ke tum dono ko ya baath pehle batha dena chahiye tha.. tum dono ko haq tha.. I'm sorry.." Arjun patted his head. And made him stand straight..

"its ok Raj… its ok.. tho Shree loves her.. aur Ridhi?"

"hamare Ridhi.. Shree ke Ridzi hai… she loves him…" he broke down again.. they were consoling each other.. Arjun went to Shree. He was still lost.. he placed a hand on Shree's shoulder and he looked up. Shree saw mixed feelings in Arjun's eyes. He stood up.. Arjun hugged Shree.. "don't worry Shree… tumhare Ridzi ko kuch nahi hoga…. Btw.. welcome to the family…" Shree broke down completely on Arjun's shoulders.  Raj was relieved. He moved on near to the window. Shreeparna saw him. She went to him.

She could see the fear, the love, the emotions in his eyes. She stood by him. He could feel her presence.. but couldn't react.. "I know ab mein job hi bolungi uska aapke upar asar nahi hoga.. fir bhi.. agar aap apne dil ko halka karna chahu tho mein yahi hu…" he looked into her eyes.. it had a genuine concern… he couldn't control his tears..

She placed her hands on his shoulder.. "meine aapke bare mein bohot suna hai.. Shree se.. pehle mujhe laga tha ke hum do hi best bhai-behen hai.. we never hide anything from each other. Par jab aap dono ke bare mein suna… aur aapke bhaiyonke bare mein… I couldn't believe it.. its true ke aap duniya ke best bhai ho.. Ridzi is so lucky to have you all..and don't worry.. she'll be fine.. aap sab ke pyaar use kuch nahi hone denge…" he broke down completely. She moved closer to him and held him. He hugged her tightly and weeped bitterly.. Arjun, Sam, Shifali, Shree and Riya were witnessing this..

"ab Raj ko bhi ek saathi mila hai…" Arjun was happy for a while…

4 pm:

No one moved. All were tired. Ridhi's condition became worst at times. Everyone was supporting each other. Suddenly one doctor came out.. "patient ko hosh aaya hai.. wo apne family se milna chahthe hai.." all came forward at once.. doctor was confused. "I said family.."

"we are her family.." Raj said proudly. All went in. she looked so weak. Raj stood beside her bed on his knees, stoking her hair. She slowly opened her eyes.. all her loved one was there.. Arjun was on one side.. "paagal.. dara diya hame..!!" he complained. She smiled and looked at him and Riya, who was by his side.

"kaise ho beta?" Sameer's voice cracked.. he had Shifali's hand in his hand.. she smiled. "teekh hu bhai…"

Shree was having tears in his eyes. He wished to hold her.. but he knew that he had his whole life for that.. he winked at her.. Chotu came by his side and smiled at Ridhi..

Raj was just looking onto Ridhi's face. She looked back. "bhai.." she called weakly..  he closed her mouth. "chup.. kya soch rahe the tum huh?? Dara diya sabko!! Mein tho..." he couldn't complete. He broke down.. she had tears flowing down her cheeks.

Then she saw her.. Shreeparna..Shree's sis.. she had seen her in his photos.. Shreeparna placed her hand on Raj's shoulders.. Ridhi was so happy.. she gave out a small.. weak.. giggle.. all looked at her confused.

"whats so funny?" Raj asked her.

"wow… bhaiya.. ek aur bhabhi…." She was on cloud nine…

PRECAP:

SURPRISE...