ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi #5 link to next thread @ pg.1 - Page 79

"Doctor, is he alright now?"

Standing up as the doctor walked out, Divya breathed the question, her eyes red and puffy as a result of her nonstop crying, her voice hoarse. Clutching her hands together, she tried to brace herself for the worst as the doctor looked down at her grimly.

"His condition is stable for now, Mrs Raizada. Your husband's will to live helped us a lot. We conducted few tests just now. The good news is we don't think that your husband has suffered any internal injury from the blow to his head. But we are waiting for him to wake up so that we can be sure." The doctor informed evenly.

Blinking her eyes softly, Divya allowed a smile to spread across her lips "That's a great news, doctor. Thank you."

Watching him nod his acknowledgment of her expressed gratitude, she stared as he walked away before sitting down and leaning back in her chair in relief. He is okay now. Everything will be fine soon.

Standing up quickly, she rushed out of the ICU, looking around wildly before she found Arnav and Akash standing together, talking in hushed tone. Walking quickly toward them, she smiled as they looked up and delivered the news "Your father's condition is stable now."

"Thank god." Akash replied, smiling reluctantly as Arnav looked away, refusing to say anything. Stepping forward, she clutched his hand, her smile dying at the sight of her fingerprints on his cheeks.

Waiting patiently for him to meet her eyes, she bit her lips, remorse filling her heart "I am sorry, Arnav beta. I don't know how I could do this to you. I love you so much but I owe my life to your father. I tried to do right by you all but I can't. My loyalty lies with him. And no matter what you think, he does love you all."

Shaking his head, Arnav smiled sadly "It's not your fault, Maa. I am glad that he is out of danger now."

Shrugging his hand out of her grip, he looked away, his mind at conflict with the tears in his mother's eyes and the pain in his heart, mixed with worry. Glancing down at his phone, he prayed for Shyam to call him back soon, knowing that if he didn't hear from him, then it meant only one thing.

His best friend is in danger.

"Have we lost them?"

Glaring at the handcuffs tied around his wrists, Vikrant growled, aware of the way the two police constables sitting beside him in the back of the police van stiffened at his words. Closing his eyes momentarily, he waited, listening to the rustle of clothes as one of them stood up and peered around, scanning the road for any approaching vehicle with reporters following them.

"No. We lost them around 30 minutes ago for good, I think." He replied meekly even though he was the one holding a loaded gun.

Thrusting his hands forward, Vikrant ordered "Open them."

Watching as the constable lurched forward, eager to do his bidding, Vikrant smirked, feeling at ease at the anticipation of putting his plan into action. Once free, he rubbed his wrists as if still feeling the weight of the handcuffs and instructed "Stop the van."

Crouching against the back door, he watched as the one of them hit the roof of the police van with the butt of his gun, silently gesturing for the driver to stop. Taking out the gun hidden inside his jacket, he waited patiently as the inspector-in-charge for his transfer to the jail grunted in disapproval before climbing out and stalking to the back to see what the matter is. As the bolt slid back with the doors sliding open, he moved forward, staring in satisfaction as the police officer took him in with his eyes wide in horror, aimed and took the shot without hesitation.

Planting his foot on his chest, Vikrant kicked him out of his way, not caring of the gurgling sounds he made as blood flowed from his chest, the officer's body shaking in shock. He smiled watching a familiar looking truck approaching them quickly.

Meeting the horrified eyes of the two constables along with the driver gaping at him, he issued his last order "Take care of it. You know what you have to do. Vikrant Chaudhary died today for the rest of the world. Don't make anyone suspect otherwise. Do your work and disappear."

Smirking as they nodded collectively, fear lurking in their eyes, he crossed his legs, leaning against a tree on the side of the road, watching as they transferred four dead bodies from the truck to inside the van before setting it on fire. Witnessing the flames flare around before reaching high in the sky, he nodded, closing his eyes as everyone piled inside the truck and took off.

He waited.

Snapping his eyes open as the rumble of another approaching car reached his ear not long after that, he straightened, grinning as his black SUV stopped in front of him.

Throwing his head back, he looked at the sky and laughed.

A sound echoing around filled with ruthlessness and rumbling in revenge, dark enough to startle and raise the hairs on the back of the neck in fear whoever heard it.

"Thanks." Closing the door of the car, Anjali murmured politely to the driver, aware of the two other cars following her as she had expected. She knew that the men inside those cars were present to protect her and report her every movement to her brother. She felt safe.

That's why she didn't go home.

Looking down to gather herself for a moment, she turned around to look at the house in front of her. Her eyes softening at the sight of it, she stood there, remembering the last time she had come here around the similar time. Everything looked the same to her.

Empty.

Everyone had come to check in on her in the hospital. Except one person. The only person who was probably still angry with her over the way she had let things happen between them. It wasn't that she did it on purpose.

Back then, she wasn't able to understand the logic behind his anger. But after waking up in the hospital yesterday, she understood what he was trying to say to her.

Life is indeed too short to keep denying your feelings for someone.

And for the same reason, she was here. To tell him how wrong she was about her feelings and about him. She wanted to throw caution to the wind and confess everything to him, now that everything was going to be okay. Vikrant got what he deserved.

It was time to think about what they deserve and act on it.

Because he deserved happiness. Just like she did.

Her heart squeezing painfully at the realization, she started walking toward the house, refusing to admit defeat just like last time. Climbing the wooden steps leading to the porch, she raised her hand and knocked on the closed front door.

"Shyam!! Open up!!!"

Peering through the open yet dark windows, Anjali looked inside, watching if he was going to open the door for her. She waited for the familiar face to appear, his eyes to meet her own.

But he didn't. No one moved inside the house, making her face fall in disappointment.

Heaving a deep sigh, Anjali turned back, trying to convince her mind that maybe he was gone somewhere. Maybe he had some work to look into.

But that doesn't explain his absence at the hospital. He would have come for Arnav at least.

Snapping out of her thoughts as her phone started ringing loudly, she took it out, squinting as an unknown number flashed on the screen. Not many people knew her number. And reporters won't contact her since no one knew about her recovery till now.

Swiping at the screen, Anjali pressed it against her ear "Hello?"

Her ears registering a very familiar sounding chuckle, Anjali stiffened, apprehension slithering down her spine. Breathing down the line, an amused voice spoke "Hello, sweetheart. Waiting to meet your beloved lover now, are we?"

Her hand clenched tightly, gripping the phone in her palm painfully, Anjali bit out "Vikrant. Since when did the newly arrived prisoners are allowed to make calls for idle chats? And how the hell did you get my number?"

"Aww, come on Anjali. This is not the way to greet your ex-husband. Sweetheart, you very well know that I am cunning enough to avoid going to prison." She closed her eyes, feeling dirty hearing his mock admonishment.

Anjali taunted "So did you run away like a coward?"

"No I didn't. In fact for the whole world, I am dead right now. A fate your boyfriend is going to share with me soon." A threat veiled in an amused retort reached her ears, making her tense. She looked around, trying to see if anyone was watching her when he continued "If you loved him so much, then you should have cared more about Shyam Jha, my sweet ex-wife."

"Stop talking in riddles, Vikrant. You wouldn't have called me if you didn't want something from me. So what do you want?" Anjali asked, looking frustrated.

"You."

"Going by his current condition, Anuj ji will gain consciousness soon. There is nothing to worry about now. He is stable and will recover slowly." Hurled together in the corridor, Arnav and Akash listened to the doctor along with Divya Raizada, tension seeping out of their body at the news.

"Thanks a lot for the news, doctor." Divya gushed while Akash smiled, making Arnav roll his eyes in exasperation. Watching collectively as the doctor walked away, Arnav turned to his mother and brother "Well that's good. If you don't mind, I would like to leave now."

"What? Atleast wait until he wakes up." Divya urged.

Raising a hand, Arnav explained curtly "Maa I have some work to do. Besides I just wanted to make sure that he is alive. I have no interest in waiting for him to wake up and make idle chats."

"But..."

"It's okay, Divya Maa. Let him go. I am here with you." Akash jumped in, wanting to avoid the conversation turning into an argument. Knowing that his brother was worried about his best friend very much, he knew that it won't take long for Arnav to lose his temper. They both were worried about people they love, making them argue with each other. While for Divya Maa, Bade Sahab matters the most, Arnav loves his best friend like his brother, his family. Stopping him from leaving right now will be wrong on many levels.

Feeling relieved, Arnav smiled gratefully at Akash, watching him nod in silent agreement before hugging his mother for support "Take care, Maa."

Waiting impatiently as his mother reached out to pat his back hesitantly, Arnav stepped back, smiling at them in farewell before he hurried towards the entrance of the hospital, his face scrunched in worry. Despite what he had said to Khushi, he hadn't been able to reach to Shyam since the past 2 hours. It had never happened before, making him panic.

From what he had gathered after asking around, no one saw him since yesterday when he had left for Vikrant's house with Nia.

He should have been back unless Vikrant's men managed to get hold of him. But could it be possible? If they had been captured, then Nia wouldn't have been found inside the house hours later during the search. Maybe they saw him leaving the house and captured him. Because if he had escaped, he would have atleast called him.

Damn it. Closing his eyes, Arnav swore in his mind, feeling the invisible noose around his neck tightening slightly. He shouldn't have let him go alone, knowing the danger he was willing stepping in. He should have realized yesterday itself that something was wrong when he didn't show up at the hospital to meet Anjali. His mind occupied with the thoughts of his sister and his father, he forgot about him.

How could he do this to Shyam? How could he forget about him? How? Shame filling his soul, his eyes burned with unshed tears. He couldn't afford anyone hurting Shyam. That man supported him even when everyone else turned their backs on him.

He is so selfish, forgetting about him when he should have started searching for him.

His shoulder stiffening at the bitter realization, Arnav snapped his eyes open, determined to do right by him now. Shooting a quick text to every man he had under his employment, he ordered to start searching for him everywhere.

Walking outside, he stalked toward his car, intent on doing the same when his phone rang, stopping him abruptly in his tracks after watching an unfamiliar number lighting up the screen. A small ray of hope bloomed in his heart. Maybe it's him finally.

Hurrying to answer the call, he froze as the person on the other end whistled instead of saying something. The tone was familiar but it wasn't Shyam, he realized. His brow drawing together in confusion, Arnav uttered apprehensively "Who is this?"

"Raizada!! Forgot me so soon? Did you honestly that you have got rid of me? " A voice reached his ears, making him easily detect the darkness and amusement hidden in it. His eyes going wide in recognition, he berated himself mentally for thinking that he had gotten rid of him already. Of course, he was calling him, already out and ready to play games. A legal defeat wasn't enough to hold back the man who had never obeyed any rules.

Leaning against the closed door of his car, he looked around cautiously "Well, you cannot blame a man for hoping, could you? Congrats on avoiding going to prison by the way. How did you even manage it?"

He chuckled "Despite what you think Raizada, I am modest enough to not boast about my own plans. You will find about it soon enough."

Slipping his hands inside the pockets of his trousers, Arnav drawled "Despite the fact that I am very much enjoying our polite conversation Vikrant, you wouldn't have called me to just inform me about your latest escapades. So why did you call?"

Clucking his tongue in mock appraisal, Vikrant answered "That's what I like about you Raizada. You always talk straight to the point, not beating around the bush just like your sister. You two are so similar."

Standing straight all of a sudden, Arnav said, fear crawling in his heart "My sister has changed her ways long ago, Vikrant. We don't share many qualities now."

Letting out a brief chuckle, Vikrant countered "I don't think so, Raizada. Not after talking to your sister just thirty minutes ago. My ex-wife hasn't changed so much. She is still fragile, sensitive, offering herself to me to save the love of her life. By the way, did you know that your best friend and your sister are in love?"

"What do you want?" Arnav hissed, realizing the danger surrounding his family at the moment.

Breathing down the line, Vikrant fell silent for a moment before he murmured "I want you to divorce your wife after publicly slamming her for cheating on you. You know what I mean, don't you?"

Having calculated his intention behind his demands, Arnav taunted "I never thought that you would take losing a case in the court to your heart. Is your ego bruised after getting defeated by a woman, Vikrant?"

Bursting into a humorless laughter, Vikrant corrected him "No it didn't. But it did make me stubborn enough to teach that bitch her place in my world. So what's your answer?"

"Don't call her that. Look, I don't believe you at all. You are just trying to bait me." Arnav snapped.

"Well I understand what you are trying to say. But after catching your best friend just when he was leaving my house yesterday, I don't think I need to prove that to you. Believe me if you want or don't believe me until I get you his head on a silver platter after his death. But tell me your answer right now." Vikrant demanded.

Arnav hesitated "I..I.."

Wincing slightly as a sudden commotion burst on the other end, Arnav froze as Vikrant interrupted him "So sorry to interrupt, but you lost your chance to deal. Your sister is here."

Snorting in disbelief, Arnav retorted "My sister is resting in my house, being watched by my people. She is not there."

"No, she is not." Vikrant drawled, making him freeze "Your sister is right outside the place where I am hiding, after ditching the people you assigned to keep an eye on her. I have already made a deal with your sister you know, in exchange of your best friend. Frankly speaking, I can't wait to get my hands on her again. She is still the best meal I ever had."

"You won't dare..." Arnav growled.

"OH I do. Do you realize the kind of trouble your wife has got your sister into? She shouldn't have messed with me." Vikrant taunted mercilessly.

"VIKRANT!!!" Arnav yelled, losing his voice the moment he heard the call getting disconnected.

Turning around, he slammed his hands on the roof of his car in frustration. God, how could he let any of his happen?

"f**k." Gripping his hairs in his hands tightly, he cried out, crouching forward in defeat.

Knowing that he needs to act soon, he looked up to get inside the car and drive out of the place when the two people he had least expected to see appeared in front of his eyes, making him curse loudly "WHAT THE HELL???"