Destined for your love Completed G

Chapter 7

Part 7

It is Adi and Brindas wedding anniversary and the friends have planned a surprise celebration for them.

Priya is busy in the preparations and Ram is on his way since he had promised that he will reach on time.

Kunal and Sai are on the task to get Adi and Brinda to Sara Di's cafe.

Everyone assembles and the party starts but Ram is missing. Priya is constantly looking at the door waiting for him and Sara and Brinda are enjoying her frustration in missing Ram.

Priya calls Ram and his phone is unreachable. Assuming him to be in a bad network area, Priya thinks nothing much of it but is concerned nonetheless.

A while later, when it's too late, Priya calls Ram again.

He picks up and as soon as Priya starts her tirade… a faint mumble from the other side stops her.

"Mr. Kapoor??? Kya hua hai aapko??? Aise kyun baat kar rahe hai? Kahan hai aap?"

By now, the worry in her voice has come to the notice of everyone else and they all gather around her.

Mumbling and stuttering… Ram can only manage… "Priya.. meri car… accident" before the phone disconnects.

Priya slumps to the floor and haltingly explains what has happened.

Everyone gets worried and Adi starts calling Ram only to find it going unanswered.

Sai is worried thinking about Ram and looking at Priya.

She suddenly remembers something and moves out of the cafe for a phone call.

Virat is about to start a meeting when he sees 'Sai' on his phone.

Feeling ecstatic to see her call after the silent treatment he has been receiving since a few days, he immediately excuses himself and picks it up.

"Hello"

"Virat Sir.. sorry aapko disturb kar rahi hun … lekin bahot jaruri kaam hai."

Virat, feeling pleased to get her call, now notices the worry in her voice.

"Sai kya hua? Tum thik to ho?"

"Haan main to thik hun par Ram Jeeju ka accident ho gaya hai… bas vo itna hi bata paaye aur ab phone nahi utha rahe hai… kya aap pata kar sakte hai? Location trace karne main?"

Virat at once realises the impressive cool mind his ex-wife possesses and how calmly she reacts to situations. Immediately alive are the memories that come forth to him about how he should have trusted her sane mind and her noble heart.

Putting those thoughts aside, he gathers information from her and asks,

"Abhi tum kahan ho? Aur Priyaji kahan hai? Unke saath koun hai?"

Sai informs him of the party and he instantly leaves to be there.

At the cafe, when everyone is desperately trying to reach Ram, Priya is worried sick whether this is yet another attempt on Ram's life.

Virat reaches the venue and meets Sai. Looking at her in a stunning body hugging midi, he momentarily forgets the job he is here for. Sai is looking absolutely gorgeous in a dark blue dress that just reaches her knees, her hair is pinned to the side and she has light makeup on.

Sai, oblivious to his thoughts, informs him of the development so far. Her light touch on his arm brings him back to reality, irritating him in no easy way.

Moving inside, Virat meets Priya and starts gathering information. He asks whether there is a chance that this was deliberate. His IPS training kicking in, he notices her hesitation but before he can ask further his phone rings.

Moving away to pick up the call, the slight touch by Kunal on Sai's shoulder to pacify her and the nod she passes to him does not go unnoticed by Virat.

Ending the call and making another one, he returns inside and sits near Priya.

Bracing herself for the inevitable, Priya lets out a relieved cry hearing Virat's words.

"Ram sir ka phone trace ho gaya hai Priya ji.. somewhere near Vapi, Gujarat.. as you can understand it's beyond my jurisdiction but I have already contacted the concerned dept and have asked someone to reach him".

Virat looks at Sai and he notices a faint appreciation for his actions in her eyes.

His attention is diverted when he hears a voice, stressing each word yet a quiver can be noticed.

"Mujhe vaha jaana hai… mujhe Mr. Kapoor se milna hai"

Nodding and understanding her concern, Virat asks her to join him in the police car. Sai is unsure whether to join when Priya turns to her and says,

"Sai tum chalo na please? Shayad vaha kuch help ho jaaye"

Sai agrees quickly and is ready to go when Kunal says that he will join too.

Adi, Brinda and Sara also decide to follow in other car.

Virat takes up the steering wheel and Kunal sits next to him while Sai and Priya sit in the back with Sai behind Virat.

Virat pretends to adjust his rearview mirror but it is actually to catch Sai's reflection.

The four hour long journey feels excruciatingly slow, tension ripe in the air, when Virat receives a call. He responds to it and informs Priya that Ram has been located and is being shifted to a nearby hospital. More details are awaited.

Virat sees both Priya and Sai close their eyes and offer prayers to Bappa for Ram and his well being.

Priya, lost in the thoughts, suddenly asks Virat, "unki injuries kaisi hai? Kuch bataya kya police ne?"

Virat responds in a negative when Sai offers,

"Aap meri baat Kara denge kya vaha pe Doctor se? He might tell me."

Priya passes a smile to Sai at her thoughtfulness and quick thinking and Kunal turns around and offers his thumbs up.

Virat calls the Gujarat police personnel and he connects to the attending Doctor. Virat passes his phone to Sai but before she can talk, the call disconnects due to poor network.

"Virat sir.. phone cut ho gaya.. aapka password bataiye.. main call back karti hun!"

Suddenly Virat falls silent, his fingers clutch the steering wheel tightly and he looks outside, pondering what to say.

"Umm.. aisa karo.. mujhe do.. main unlock karta hun"

Sai perceives his hesitation as a means to avoid sharing and unsure what to do, she holds out her hand. Through the corner of his eyes, Virat sees Kunal looking at Sai and shrugging off his shoulders.

Almost immediately, Virat turns around and looking at Sai mutters,

"Tumhara birthday"

Realisation dawns on Sai startling her and avoiding his gaze, Sai types the code to unlock the phone. She is in for a bigger surprise though as the wallpaper is her photo. Sai looks up and stares at Virat, their eyes locking through the rearview mirror.

Surprise would be an understatement to say what they both are feeling. As if that one simple act has opened for them a bundle of unspoken emotions.

Kunal clears his throat in an attempt to break the impasse and Sai quickly averts her eyes. She calls the doctor and gets all the information.

Assuring Priya of the latest update, Sai gently caresses her. Tired, worried but relieved to hear about Ram's condition, Priya rests her head back and Sai keeps on gently stroking her.

A while later, Priya rests her head on Sai's shoulders and closes her eyes. Kunal turns around to see this and passes a genuine smile to Sai who responds. This interaction does not go unnoticed by Virat, his knuckles turning white, tightly clenching the wheel.

Throughout the journey, his eyes dart to the visage the lovely lady sitting behind him presents. Looking beautiful, Virat is mesmerized as how she is unaware of the effect she has on him.

Sai though is lost in the interchange that has happened a few moments before. She avoids looking at the mirror to avoid the flood of repressed feelings that might burst through.

They reach the hospital in Vapi a short while later, with others following in the next car. Priya quickens her pace, almost running and dashes to Ram's room.

Ram is sleeping, sedated but has few injuries. His leg is propped up and bandages are placed around his arms and head.

Looking at his frail figure, Priya weeps, and buries her head near him. Sai gently pats her and lets her have her fill.

She later comes out and discusses with the doctor the exact nature of the injuries and the treatment accorded.

Virat meanwhile has been gathering information about the accident, witnesses and so on.

He is leaning on the doorway when he sees Kunal bring a water bottle for Sai. Later, Adi Brinda and Sara come out after seeing Ram and they all instantaneously reach for a hug.

Feeling left out, Virat looks at them with remorse, especially towards Sai and wondering if her indifference towards him is because she has moved on.

Two days later, Ram is being transferred to the hospital in Mumbai and Priya is accompanying him.

Virat is happy as Sai is to share the ride back with him. Eager to encash on this opportunity, Virat has mentally prepared a list of questions he wants to ask her.

Sai, herself is anxious to do this, but keeps up the pretence of being unaffected by him. They converse normally when the conversation veers to the Chavan family.

Virat mentions that he has been in touch with them but it's just a formality nowadays and that he hasn't forgiven them yet.

He then asks her about her friends and pleased with the change of subject, Sai shares her outlook about all of them. Virat notices her happiness in talking about them and how relieved she looks.

Longing to hear about her equation with Kunal, Virat asks a question he has been dying to know the answer of,

"Sai ek baat puchu? Tum Ram ko jeeju aur Aditya ko bhaiya bolti ho to phir Kunal ko sirf naam se kyu pukarti ho?"

Feeling her wound opening, Sai looks away towards the passing landscape and murmurs,

"Kyunki rishton ne dhokha diya mujhe Virat Sir.. ab main kisi se jabardasti koi rishta nahi banati… Bhai to kisi ko bhi nahi"

Feeling a jolt to his imagination, Virat realises the hidden pain in her words, an innocent soul broken into million pieces, all because of a misunderstanding that she had no control over.

Cursing himself for all that he did and the hurt it gave her, the rest of the journey passes in silence.