|| Behind The Veil Of Lies: A NiBir SS || chap 7: pg 42, 30/7 - Page 33

"K..Kabir?!"

"Yes, Kabir. Looks like you didn't want me here?.", asked an indignant Kabir.

After Nisha was found unconscious in Veronica's cell, she was shifted to a ward and Veronica's body was taken away. A panic-stricken Kabir had come running asking for Nisha, when Kirti had informed him of her condition. It took Shyam, Kirti and Umesh's reassurance for him to calm down but not before making sure his Nisha was alright. Shyam had asked him to call them once she regained conscious and left the room, giving Kabir some privacy. Nisha had come to consciousness after an hour and was worried seeing Kabir with her. She knew he would get all worked up and might inform Ramesh and Lakshmi, which she didn't want for now.

"N..No Kabir. It's not like..."

"That's ok Nisha, I know you well enough to know what it's like. You know I hate it when you hide something from me. But, still you continue to do so! Why don't you see it from my point of view for once? How would you feel if I did the same to you?", Kabir was now tired of making Nisha understand. Nisha did not speak anything. She couldn't, as she knew he was right. Kabir sighed seeing her averted gaze and left to call the doctors, while Nisha looked on teary eyed.

After a few minutes, Kirti rushed into the room followed by Umesh, Shyam and Kabir.

"Nishu! You're awake? Are you alright? Do you feel any pain in the head? Are you feeling giddy?", a concerned Kirti went about her questioning.

"Kirti! Kirti relax! I'm ok and yes I feel little pain where it's hit but otherwise I'm fit and fine", Nisha smiled brightly.

"Ya right! fit and fine", mocked Kabir, earning a glare from Nisha and a chuckle from others.

"Nisha I'm really sorry! It's all my fault. I didn't had to send you to Veronica's cell. That was so irresponsible of me.", Umesh said in a guilt filled voice.

"Umesh sir please! That's ok! Think it as a new experience for me", said Nisha trying to cheer up Umesh.

"But Nishu, how did all this happen? Or should I ask what actually happened?", asked Kirti curiosity lacing her voice.

"Well, I was talking to Veronica. Just general things. About her parents, city, past, etc. But, all of a sudden she lunged towards me and pushed me off the stool I was sitting on. I guess I hit my head when I fell and then everything went blank.That's all I remember. By the way how is she?", asked Nisha.

"Nisha, Veronica is..."

"She's fine Nishu. Now you take rest please. Right Umesh sir?", Kabir cut off Umesh. He was scared that Nisha would go back to blaming herself like in Priya's case and that's something he couldn't stand. All this time Dr.Shyam stood back watching Nisha keenly.

"Yes. Kabir's right. You rest now Nisha. Will meet you tomorrow", smiled Umesh and left the ward with Kirti.

"Umm Kabir would you come with me for a second please?", Shyam took Kabir with him and Nisha closed her eyes to ease the pain in her head.

-----------

*7p.m, PG hostel*

"Nishu! I said NO! Come on Nisha! You're going on a date and you want me to let you go in that faded jeans and t-shirt! Noways!", shouted an annoyed Kirti.

"But Kirti, this is what I wear on almost all our dates back home and he doesn't mind". Nisha was surprised when Kirti had spread out all the dresses she had shopped for Nisha for her date with Kabir. She was confused as hell when Kirti asked her to pick the outfit she liked the most from that huge pile. So, after much debating, she had opted for her usual jeans and t-shirt, much to Kirti's annoyance.

"That was back home. Not here. You let it be. I'll choose your outfit and look tonight", declared Kirti rummaging through her make-up bag.

After enduring a one and a half hour ordeal, Nisha was finally all dolled up for the date.

"Gosh! Nishuu! You look so ravishing! Kabir is a goner today! I'm so proud of my grooming skills", exclaimed Kirti admiring her work on Nisha, making the latter smile at her excitement.

"Yes maa everything is fine! Why do you worry so..." Kabir stopped abruptly when his eyes caught the sight of Nisha. He looked at her awestruck, with mouth and eyes wide open.

"Kabir? Kabir you there?", Lakshmi's voice brought him back to reality. "Maa I'll call you back later", he cut the call and went back to admiring the ethereal beauty in front of him.

He had never seen Nisha in this avatar before. She had worn a deep blue halter neck dress that landed just above her knees. The dress hugged her curves at all the right places, flattering her petite frame. Her hair was tied up in a simple hairdo with a few loose strands let down in curls. A pair of simple diamond studs, a matching diamond charms bracelet and light makeup completed her look.

"Ouch!". An embarrassed Nisha pinched Kabir bringing him out of his dreamland.

"Nishu! You look gorgeous!", complimented Kabir and let out a dreamy sigh, making Nisha blush.

"Kabir! Are we spending the whole night like this? Infront of my hostel with you gaping at me?", asked Nisha faking annoyance.

"I wouldn't mind", answered Kabir still lost in her.

"Kabir! That's too much admiring for now! Let's go!", Nisha was getting slightly irritated with him now despite the blush that refused to leave her face.

*At the restaurant*

They had chosen a dimly lit cozy corner to enjoy their dinner.

"Nishu? What is it? Is there something I should know?". Nisha was quiet and distant throughout the ride to the restaurant, which hadn't gone unnoticed by Kabir.

"Kabir? I feel something is not right. When I questioned about Veronica to Dr.Shyam, he invaded the topic giving some stupid excuse and when I asked for permission to see her, he strictly told me to stay away from her and that section of the hospital. What is he hiding?", Nisha voiced her doubts.

"Nisha, Kirti told me PGs aren't allowed to go there due to lack of experience and the patients might turn aggressive any moment. Also, you just recovered from that incident with Veronica. So that might be the reason he forbid you?", Kabir tried clearing Nisha's mind of the doubts.

"Hmm", Nisha was still unconvinced.

"Nishu? Is there something else?", asked Kabir doubtfully.

"Umm yes! It's about Dr.Shyam", said Nisha unsure whether to tell Kabir or not. But, after recalling his words from the afternoon, she didn't want to hide anything from him anymore.

"What about him?", asked Kabir curious.

"He's weird Kabir! And scary as hell", Nisha narrated everything that happened from the time she joined the hospital.

"Really? But...", trailed off Kabir.

"But what?"

"Nothing you be alert when around him ok?", said Kabir. Nisha nodded with a smile and went back to savouring her dinner.

"That's strange!. Dr.Shyam doesn't seem anything like Nisha described him. He seems like a happy go lucky kind of a man. Also, it was he who suggested the idea of date so that Nisha will have a change of surroundings. He genuinely cares for her! Then what is it that Nisha is telling? Will it be right on me to speak to Dr.Shyam about this..?", Kabir was lost in his dilemmatic thoughts.

"Kabir? Kabir! Where are you lost? Role reversal huh?", joked Nisha bringing him back to the present.

"Huh? What? No! I was just wondering whether I should speak to Dr.Shyam..."

"No Kabir please! I'll handle it! Please don't ask anything about this to him", pleaded Nisha.

"Ok! Let's not talk about all this now! Let's talk romance baby", Kabir winked, making Nisha laugh out loud at his expression.

The night passed with the two love birds romancing eachother, letting their worries take a backseat.

*11p.m, PG hostel*

"God! Kabir! look at the time! How will I go in now? If the warden finds out she'll literally kill me with her questions! What do I do?!", fretted Nisha.

"Relax Nisha! Call up Kirti. I have an idea"

Nisha called Kirti and Kabir explained her the idea to let Nisha in. Accordingly, Kirti was supposed to create a chaos inside the hostel and when the warden wasn't aware, Nisha would sneak inside.

"Kabir duffer! Such a stupid plan this is!", Nisha was unsure of it.

"Offo Nisha! Don't you trust Kirti? The drama queen?", he asked making Nisha chuckle.

"Ok now bye!", smiled Nisha and turned around to leave when Kabir pulled her back.

"Aha! Not without giving me my goodbye kiss sweetheart", he smirked playfully nearing her lips.

"Kabir let me go"

"No, first I want my kiss"

"Kabir let go"

"Nope"

Nisha closed her eyes tight. "Kabir.I.Said.Let.Me.Go" Nisha stressed each syllable.

"You know I won't Nisha", said Kabir still smirking, failing to notice the drastic change in Nisha's voice and body language.

"LET ME GO", with that Nisha pushed Kabir with a force unknown to her, throwing him off the bike he was sitting on.

Kabir looked at her horrified. Her voice had turned hoarse and throaty. She was breathing heavily, eyes shut and fists closed tightly by her sides. Blood dripped from her palms.

"Nisha!", Kabir ran to her after recovering from the shock. But, little did he know that was the worst thing to do.

"Nishu! What happ..."

"Urrrghh!", she let out a beasty grunt and pushed him with more force. She opened her eyes and Kabir froze. Her eyes were an unbelievable shade of blood red. This was not his Nisha! The person infront of him looked like a demon. Before he could grasp what happened, Nisha screamed his name and collapsed on the ground.