Chapter 62

CHAPTER 62

WORRIED RAGE

"Karan ko hosh kab aayega?" Colonel Batra asked. He stared at his adoptive son, his throat a little dry. He had seen his own son in a hospital bed once, pale and broken. The last time he had seen him alive.

"Th-Thodi der m-mein aa j-jaana ch-chahiye", Monami said. "M-Morphine ka d-dose kam k-kar diya hai m-maine."

He hummed. He walked closer, gently patting Karan's cheek in comfort. He didn't even stir. The colonel sighed. The door opened behind them. Param.

"Sir", he said. He glanced at Monami. "Mujhe aapse kuchh baat karni hai. Akele mein."

Monami nodded, quickly walking out and closing the door behind herself. "Param", Colonel Batra said. "Tumhe kuchh pata chala? Any leads regarding the spy?"

"He was poisoned through the water bottle", Param said. "Faizi ne kaha unhe lag raha tha ki koi unke kamre mein aaya tha. But... they couldn't see him in the cameras." The colonel nodded. They had told him that. "That's how he poisoned him. Probably."

"Karan ko lagta hai the spy knows how to avoid cameras."

Param tilted his head. "Maybe. Par..." He paused. "Karan aur Faizi ke kamre ka har entrance monitored hai, na? The door, the windows. It's impossible to avoid them." He frowned. "Do you think he can manipulate the cameras?"

The older veteran hummed. "Ho sakta hai. Someone in the security? Or IT?"

"Anyone high enough, actually", he corrected. "They would know how to get around." He sighed, sitting down next to his brother. "They want to put him out of the mission. Karan ne probably symptoms ignore kar diye honge." He clenched his jaw. "Gadha kahin ka." He looked at his brother, studying his face.

'Woh apni information bahut strictly protect kar rahe hain.'

'EFR ke paas zyaada resources nahi honge. So unka poora plan surprise par based hai.'

EFR played on the defensive, unless they were in danger. Working in the shadows were more of their thing. So... why the sudden offense? This wasn't like Laxman. No. They weren't scared. This was calculated.

They were switching to the offense. Which meant they were gearing up for something bigger.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Monami checked her books, arranging them quickly as she walked back from her class. Karan was stable now, resting up just fine and Faizi had told her to attend her class- taken by Sanju- while he kept watch. She had hesitated before nodding when he had shot her a stern look. One class won't hurt and she was just a few minutes away if anything went wrong.

But she hadn't been able to concentrate all that much. Her mind kept wandering off to Karan and she had been barely able to sit still as the class dragged on, wanting to run back to him and check if something had changed. Had he woken up? Had he even opened his eyes like he had that morning?

She stumbled as she slammed into something. A hand snaked around her waist, holding her up before she could fall to her butt. She blinked, looking up. Abhi.

"Monami!" He said.

She took a step back, attempting a smile. She wanted to go to Karan. She blinked as her brain registered his appearance. Ruffled hair, sweaty skin, and his cheerful face contorted in anxiousness. "Sir."

"I was hoping to meet you", he said seriously. She tilted her head. What was going on? "Karan Sir bimaar hain?"

She paused. Did the news travel throughout the academy? Should she confirm? The special agents had strictly instructed her to keep her mouth shut about the whole event, especially the details. She hadn't had too much of a chance to talk to the cadets to know what exactly the talk was in the academy. "Uh..."

"Unhe kya hua? Woh theek hain?"

"M-Main..."

He stared at her expectantly. "Monami, bolo, na? Woh theek hai, na?" She could confirm this, at least? She jerked her head down hesitantly in a nod. He let out a sigh, his entire body relaxing.

"Aa-Aap th-theek hain?" She asked. "You're so... s-sweaty and aa-aapke b-baal. Is s-something wr-wrong?"

He almost froze. "Nahi", he said, shaking his head. He took a deep breath, attempting to push his lips up in a smile. "Just... work, you know?" He glanced down at her books. "Tum class jaa rahi ho?" She shook her head. "Class se aa rahi ho?" She nodded. "Tum... Tum free ho kya?"

"Main... K-Karan Sir ke p-paas jaa r-rahi thi", she confessed. He sighed, nodding. "Aa-Aapko k-kuchh chahiye k-kya?"

He shook his head. "I had a really bad day", he said quietly. Her eyebrows furrowed. "Just work. And... tumhe dekhkar sab achha ho jaata hai aur tumhaare saath rehkar, I feel happy. Isliye I wanted to ask if you could... spend some time with me. But... you should go. Karan Sir ke paas jaana chahiye tumhe." He shoved his hands in his hoodie. "I'll see you around." He ducked his head, walking past her.

She followed him with her gaze. She almost wanted to stop him. He was really stressed. He needed to relax. But she didn't want to leave Karan either. Her mind kept drifting to his health every few minutes and she doubted, even if she stayed with Abhi, that she'll be able to give him attention.

She shook her head, turning away and quickly climbing the stairs. Abhi was worried. It'll fade away when he'll see Karan up and around in a couple of days. And perhaps, once Karan was better, she could seek Abhi out and spend some time with him.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Monami glanced at the monitor and then at Karan. He was stirring lightly for the past hour, being in and out of consciousness but the heart rate had started increasing now. Nothing concerning but above the resting heart rate the monitor had been displaying.

He cracked his eyes open. She inspected his face. He was much more awake now. A little confused, perhaps. The light was a hint too bright for him but there wasn't any pain on his face. She glanced at the monitor. Everything seemed normal.

"Chhote", Param said, darting to Karan. His eyes darted to his older brother. "Chhote... tu theek hai? Kahin dard ho raha hai?"

Karan blinked a couple of times, staring at him. He closed his eyes back before opening them. He was drowsy. "Bhaiya", he croaked out. His eyes darted around the room, lingering on some spots.

"Kahin dard ho raha hai?" He asked again. Karan shook his head a little. He pushed himself up a little and Param helped him up. Karan winced slightly. He was really sore. Monami held out a glass of water and he accepted it, taking a step. She inspected his movement. A little sluggish but that was expected.

"M-Morphine ka e-effect hai a-abhi bhi", Monami explained. "It'll w-wear off th-thodi der mein. T-Tab h-hoga dard."

Karan's eyes darted to her and then behind her. Monami turned slightly, glancing at Faizi. He was unnaturally quiet. He quietly stared at Karan, arms crossed, not even attempting to get near him. He was mad at Karan.

She turned her attention back to Karan. "Sir? Th-Thode basic t-tests k-karne hai", she said. She glanced up at Param, who nodded, taking a step back. She grabbed her flashlight, shining it in his eyes. He flinched slightly, and she inspected his eyes. Brain damage was the most concerning issue.

It didn't show up in the scans, but it developed a little later at times- especially considering he had coagulant in his body. A little too much and there were chances of a blood clot forming in his arteries. She didn't want to risk it. She clicked the flashlight off, leaning back slightly. She instructed him a few, basic exercises. He seemed fine. Although considering his carelessness regarding his health, perhaps she should book him for a psych evaluation anyone. Was he okay in the head? She took a step back. She'll just give him a piece of her mind when he gets better. He desperately needed it.

She lifted his shirt up. She poked his bruise, looking up at his face. Numbness was dangerous. "Feel h-hua?"

He stared at her. "Nahi. Main robot ho. Mere paas sense of touch nahi hai", he said sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes. "He's f-fine", she said, standing up.

Param cracked a smile, nodding his thanks. "Monami, hume Karan se baat karni hai", he said. "If you are done..." She nodded, keeping her flashlight aside.

"Main b-bahar hi h-hoon", she said. She closed the door behind herself and he turned to his little brother. He stared at him for a few quiet moments. He wasn't supposed to hit him, right? Grabbing his hair and roughing him up a little seemed like a bad idea. No, that was probably going to get him a scolding from Monami.

"Karan, tujhe kisi ne poison kara hai", Param gritted out. Faizi's nails dug into his palms. "Koi tujhe poison kar raha tha dheere dheere. Tujhe pata nahi chala? You didn't see the symptoms? Ya tujhe laga ki tujhe toh kahan hi kuchh ho sakta hai? You are Karan Shergill, right? Aam logon jaise teri body ko rest nahi chahiye, bimaar hai toh dawaaiyan, care, kuchh nahi chahiye. Kisi ko bataana bhi important nahi samjha because tujhe toh sab pata hai! Hai, na?"

Karan opened his mouth, before closing it. He had messed up. He couldn't deny that. He had screwed up.

"Tu mar sakta tha, Karan! You could have died! They planned an attack on you and woh succeed kar jaate. You know why? Because you weren't listening to your body. Your body was telling you that something was wrong, something was going on and you ignored it. Aise ladega tu? If you don't listen to your body, your body won't listen to you. It'll give up." Param shook his head, huffing. "Tu mujhe kehta hai ki tujhe sirf desh ki seva karni hai. Bachpan se lekar aaj tak ek hi cheez suni hai tere muh se. Par tu aise karega service? Khud ka dhyaan toh rakh nahi raha, desh ka kaise rakhega? Itna irresponsibly act kara hai tune. You were so utterly irresponsible, Karan."

"I am sorry", he said softly.

His brother sat down next to him, staring at him with angry eyes. He sighed, his eyes softening a little. "Tu baccha nahi hai. Tu 4 saal ka nahi raha ab. Main tere peechhe peechhe nahi ghoom sakta. Main kya, koi nahi ghoom sakta. Chhote... shahadat mein amarta zaroor hoti hai par ek shaheed desh ki seva nahi karta. Woh desh ki mitti ban jaata hai jiski seva hum karte hain." Karan closed his eyes. Their Dad used to say that.

"Tumhe apni jaan, apni khairiyat ki parwah shayad nahi hogi", Faizi gritted out, "par aur logon ko hai." His eyes darted to him. He took a step forward, his forehead creased into a scowl. "Apni kadar nahi toh kisi aur ki toh kar lo. Itne khudgarz toh mat bano."

"Faizi..."

His hands clenched. "You..." He took a deep, shaky breath. "Tumne yeh dobara kara, hum tumhaara murder kar denge." He closed his eyes, trying to blink back the tears. Karan was an idiot. He was an idiot. Why couldn't he just take care of himself?

"Faizi... I am sorry. Main theek hoon."

"Kya theek ho?" He muttered. He wrapped his arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Pata hai kitna darr gaye the hum?" Karan pushed his arms up, patting his back.

"Main theek hoon", he muttered. "I am sorry." Faizi closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He was okay. He was fine.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Faizi ran a hand through his wet hair. He had spent the past hour in the shooting range, working off his rage. Or he would have killed someone. Probably Karan.

"Sir!"

He turned around. Mridul? He paused, letting him run up. "Mridul", he greeted. "Bolo."

"Is it true Karan Sir bahut zyaada bimaar hain?" He asked, wide eyed. Faizi nodded. "Sir... kya hua unhe? Maine... Maine suna hai ki he was bleeding. Was he injured?"

"Bleeding?" He feigned. The cadets had strict instructions not to talk about it, and they wouldn't have. That meant all information didn't have a concrete base. He could deny and manipulate the details. "Nahi. He wasn't bleeding. He had a fever."

Mridul blinked. "Oh. Maine... Maine yeh suna tha." He shook his head. "Woh theek hain ab?"

"He's much better. Thode din mein he'll be up and about."

He nodded. "That's great. Jitna maine suna tha, I thought he was injured ya kuchh. Main bas... yeh puchhne aaya tha ki you don't think there is a breach of security or anything, na?"

Faizi chuckled. "Of course not, Mridul. Breach hota toh tumhaare paas zaroor aate rectify karne ke liye. That's an urgent task." He shook his head. "Karan bas... thode mahinon se zyaada stress le raha tha. It caught up. Bahut tez fever ho gaya hai use. But he'll be okay."

"But... Sir, phir upar trauma floor par itni security kyun?"

"Just a precaution", he dismissed. Mridul nodded reluctantly. "Is that all?" He nodded. "Okay, then. Hum baad mein milte hain. Hume ek class leni hai." He saluted the older agent and Faizi nodded, watching him run off.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"In-Injection se toh n-nahi l-lagta, na, aa-aapko d-darr? D-Dawaiyon ki tarah?" Monami asked, preparing one of the coagulant. "Waise, sh-shayad l-lagta hi h-hoga. Tab hi ch-checkup n-nahi karwaane aa-aaye. S-Soch r-rahe hoge ki m-main d-do ch-chaar l-lagaa dungi. Hai, na?"

Karan looked at her, eyes narrowed. "Taunt kar rahi ho?"

She sat down next to him, gently cleaning the skin on his bicep. "I th-think aa-aapko m-maarna bahut s-senses mein un-unprofessional h-hoga, isliye t-taunt se k-kaam ch-chalaana p-padh raha hai." She pushed the needle in, injecting the liquid in his bloodstream. She held the cotton to his skin tightly.

He sighed. "Tum bhi jhaadh lo mujhe. Bhaiya aur Faizi ne toh nikaal hi liya hai gussa."

She looked at him. "You're an idiot", she muttered. She stood up, throwing the syringe on the tray. He stared at her working, his gaze following her.

"Are you mad at me?"

She turned slightly. "Naa hoon? Aap m-meri jagah h-hote toh n-nahi hote g-gussa?" She shook her head, checking the drip.

He grabbed her hand before she could walk out of his reach, gently tugging her closer. "I am sorry", he said softly. "Main dhyaan rakhunga. Naraaz mat ho. Please?"

She sighed, sitting down next to him. "Please a-apna dh-dhyaan r-rakha karo, na? Aap b-bacche th-thodi naa ho. B-Bacche bhi m-muh kholkar b-bol dete hain ki k-kuchh dukh r-raha hai."

"I promise main apna dhyaan rakhunga aage se", he assured.

"R-Rakhna hi p-padega", she said. "Maine m-maar d-dena hai warna aa-aapko." He chuckled, nodding. She paused. "D-Do you know who... who p-poisoned you?" His smile faded.

"Aise questions mat puchho", he said quietly. She nodded, standing back up. She grabbed the bowl on the tray, holding it out to him.

He blinked. Soup? He stirred it lightly. His lip curled in distaste. Cabbage. "Ab k-kya hua?" She asked. "Abhi t-toh d-dawaai di bhi n-nahi."

"Patta gobhi kyun hai ismein?" He asked.

"V-Vitamin K h-hota hai. It's g-good for c-clotting of b-blood."

He looked down, holding up a spoonful before letting it fall back into the bowl. "Uske liye injection diya toh sahi. Ab yeh bhi peena padega?" She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. He sighed, nodding. "Ji, Rani Sahiba. Jo aapka hukum."

"Aap toh b-badha kehte the h-hume ki ek c-commando ko s-sab kuchh kha l-lena ch-chahiye. Ab kya h-hua?"

"Just because sab kuchh kha lena chahiye iska yeh matlab nahi hai ki main khush hokar sab kuchh khaunga", he said. "Mere taste buds hain aur unhe kuchh khaana nahi pasand hota." He looked at the cabbage. "Patta gobhi usmein sabse upar hai."

She shook her head. "Ab b-bimaar ho g-gaye ho toh woh kh-khaana p-padega jo m-main keh r-rahi hoon. Jaldi se p-pee lo."

He sipped the soup quietly. His brother and Faizi had lathered him with taunts when they filled him in on his poisoning and their findings and Monami didn't seem to want to be left behind. And she seemed angry enough as it was. He didn't want her mad. If she left the room and refused to come back, he wasn't even allowed to run after her. She took the empty bowl, placing it back on the tray. He eyed her. "Dawaai bhi hai?"

She looked back at him. She shook her head. "Abhi n-nahi", she said. "M-Mostly aapki m-medicines IV se ya in-injection se hai. Aap d-discharge ho j-jaayenge uske b-baad th-thode time tak h-hain."

He sighed. He wasn't all that eager to get discharged suddenly. She sat down next to him, lifting his shirt up. She inspected his torso and he followed her gaze, trying to see what she was seeing. The bruises had already started to fade a little. She tilted his head a little, looking at his neck.

She leaned closer, looking at the back of his neck. His breath caught. She was four inches from him. Her breath fanned his neck and her fingers brushed his skin lightly. A shiver ran down his spine. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

A beeping startled him and Monami straightened up, looking at the monitor with wide eyes. He blinked, staring at the monitor. What? His heart rate had shot up. His eyes darted to her. Was that... because of her?

"Sir?" She stood up. "Aa-Aap..." She tilted her head, looking at him up and down. "Aapki h-heart r-rate kyun u-upar ho g-gayi? Aap k-kya s-soch r-rahe the?"

He opened his mouth. And then closed it. "Uh... main... main kaam ke baare mein soch raha tha", he said. "Ek strategy soch raha tha."

She frowned. "Aa-Aap yeh s-sab mat s-sochiye. R-Relax kijiye th-thoda sa." She sighed, sitting down again and inspecting his neck. He closed his eyes, concentrating on his heart rate. Think of normal things. Ignore the fact that she was close to him. Ignore her breath, ignore her touch, ignore her. "Ky-Kya h-hua?"

His eyes opened. Oh. She had pulled away. "Uh..."

"D-Dard ho r-raha?"

"Thoda... discomfort hai", he confessed. "Chest mein."

She hummed. "M-Moprhine ka a-asar khatam h-ho raha hai." She gently poked his chest and agony flared up. "B-Bleeding ruk g-gayi hai a-andar par abhi p-pain r-rahega. It'll fl-flare up b-beech beech m-mein ag-agar m-morphine nahi d-dungi toh." He nodded his understanding. She smiled a little. "You'll be o-okay bas th-thode se d-din mein. You'll h-have to t-take it easy but y-you'll be on your f-feet soon."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Param took a step back, glancing over the board. The heads and deputy heads were their top suspects. He sighed. That just meant they couldn't trust their direct subordinates either. It would be easy for the spy to manipulate them into babbling information.

His phone rang and he glanced at it. Barkha. He smiled slightly, picking it up. "Hello?"

"Karan kaisa hai?"

"Hi, Barkha. Main bilkul theek hoon. Thanks for asking."

She huffed. "Param..."

He sighed. "Woh theek hai. Kuchh dinon mein bilkul theek ho jaayega." He hesitated. "Thoda zyaada hi fever ho gaya tha use", he lied. "Tum toh jaanti ho use. Kitna stress leta hai."

She sighed a little in relief. "Tumne toh mujhe dara hi diya tha. Mujhe laga... pata nahi kya ho gaya use. And phir tumne yeh commandos bhi bhej diye bahar. I thought... someone attacked him or something."

Param's hand clenched around his phone. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Nahi, Barkha", he said. "Aisa kuchh nahi hai. Bas... tum aur Baby akele ho ghar par, toh thodi chinta ho gayi thi. Mujhe bhi aur Karan ko bhi."

She hummed. "How's work?"

"Usual", he said. He looked back at the board, inspecting the faces and names of the heads and deputy heads.

"Are you working on koi mission ya kuchh?"

"Nahi", he lied. "Bas... routine work. Batra Sir chahte hain ki thoda used to ho jaaon pehle." A knock made him look up, and the door was pushed open. Sanju peeked in hesitantly. "Barkha... main tumse thodi der baat karoon?"

"Haan, of course. Bye."

He threw the phone on the bed, nodding her inside. "Karan theek hai?"

"Ji, Sir ji", Sanju said. "Monami aur Faizi Sir unke saath hogo. Thoda dard mein lag raho the par Monami ne kaho hai ki thodi si der mein woh unhe morphine de degi." He nodded. She walked closer, inspecting the board. "Sir ji... kaa aapko lagto hai ki spy ke baare mein kuchh pata lag sakto hai?"

He sighed, shaking his head. "Abhi nahi. Yeh poora move bahut zyaada calculated tha. Bahut doubtful hai ki kuchh concrete milega and... he'll probably lay low thode time ke liye. Iss sab ka point Karan ko commission se bahar karna tha taaki they can plan in peace. Plus, hume thoda cautious karne ke liye." He looked at her. "Sanju, tu inn logon ke saath sabse zyaada time rehti hai. Tu bata? Tujhe kisi par shaq hai? Unofficially?"

She inspected their faces. "Sir ji... kisi ke baare mein bhi itna badha ilzaam lagaano chaahe unofficially hi sahi... hume naa lagto hume kisi ko bhi aise jaanto hogo." She walked closer. "Par... Karan Sir ji aur Faizi Sir ji ko Abhi ki kuchh baatein ajeeb lagto hain."

He hummed. "Woh conversation?" He confirmed. "Jo uski aur Faizi ki hui thi?" Sanju nodded. "It was strange." He put a red dot above his photo. He capped the marker, keeping it next to the board. "Sun... Monami ko raat bhar Karan ke saath rukne mein dikkat hai agar, toh kal se-"

She chuckled. "Hume poori tarah yakeen hogo, Sir ji, ki jab tak Karan Sir ji discharge naa ho jaato hain, agar uski marzi hogo, toh woh wahin Karan Sir ji ke saath rahegi." His eyebrows shot up. "Unn dono ki batero banto hai."

His lips quirked up. He didn't quite care what his brother had to defend himself with. He was definitely sweet on Monami.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Monami stared at Karan, keeping a hand on her mouth. He was staring at his own hand for the past whole minute. She chuckled, shaking her head. He was adorable when he was high.

Karan's eyes darted to her. His eyes widened slightly and his mouth dropped open. She met his gaze for a couple of seconds before shifting uncomfortably. He didn't even blink.

"Kya?" She asked. He curled his fingers a couple of times, gesturing her closer. She sat down next to him and he leaned closer, quietly staring at her. "K-Kya hua?"

He cracked a smile. "You're so pretty", he said softly.

"Huh?"

"Maine... Maine tumse zyaada sundar ladki apni zindagi mein nahi dekhi hai", he confessed. He sighed a little, smiling. "Kabhi kabhi tumhe... tumhe dekhta hoon aur bas dekhta hi reh jaata hoon."

She stared at him wide eyed. She looked down, feeling her cheeks heat up. "Aa-Aapko... Aapko so j-jaana ch-chahiye", she said quietly.

"Jo hukum, Rani Sahiba", he said happily. He slowly laid down and she draped the blanket over him. She took a step back, turning away to switch the light off. His hand shot out, grabbing her wrist.

"Sir?"

"Will you be here when I wake up?" He asked. She nodded. He closed his eyes. "Okay. I'll... I'll sleep phir. Tum... Tum paas hoti toh... toh sab theek sa lagne... lagne lagta hai." He drifted off in seconds, sleeping quietly.

She switched the light off, sitting down on the couch. Faizi had watch today, but he was attending a phone call just outside the room. She would sleep when he came in. It was a few minutes later and Monami laid down on the couch.

'You're so pretty.'

She opened her eyes, staring at the dark ceiling. She smiled slightly. He thought she was pretty.