Dear readers part 22 of the FF here for you!
Thank you very much for all the appreciation, likes and comments. Thanks for reading my FF and please do get back to me on this part. 🤗
Cross connections
Raman Kumar Bhalla was a hawk when it came to dealing with tough issues head on. He had all the traits that would make him a great CEO - the vision to take his company further, a good grasp of issues on the shop floor and a clear understanding of all risks that were associated with running a beverage and fine food division. Having a trusted aide like Mihir meant that he heard all that he should not just what he would like to. Flattery was not healthy at work!
Mihir had his sources who had informed his of a possible inspection from the government's food analysts - thanks to Ashok Kanna's tricks. His cheapstake brother decided to pitch in to ensure that Raman would be occupied with his personal life and Ashok hoped that he would time his blow. After Mihir had alerted him Raman headed to his factory worked with his staff through the night to ensure that he and his factory was in stellar shape.
Shapes reminded him of his wife's form on his left side and her head on his left shoulder. As a reflex he rubbed his left shoulder fondly. He smiled thinking of how this woman had changed him. She had given him his daughter, showed his family how much he loved them ; made the booze happy Punjabi munda almost a teetotaler. He never smoked now and never needed a drink at home! He had planned to take her out for dinner - just him and her to tell what she meant to him. Now in the wee hours of the morning he was driving back after a tough night's work at his factory with a smile on his face because all he could think of sharing his wife's coffee with her. He reminisced of how she would stare at him walk along the balcony when he hid behind the newspaper in the morning, casting shy glances at him. Waiting for him to call out to her to either show her something in the paper, or simply smile and take a sip or two out her cup. He loved the smell of coffee in the morning, and out of her cup was special - for him and his wife. There were many days when that was all the time he got with her before real life and his noisy family took over her attention. He usually came back to Ishu putting Ruhi to sleep or off late a sleeping Ishu and Ruhi. The movie was truly a welcome break; even more welcome for him to have his sleepy wife so close. She did appear awfully tired he noted.
His body had taken a beating with all the work stress the past week and the night out at this factory floor was a killer. All he wanted now was his bed, his fluffy quilt on his face and a good hug from his wife and daughter. He was sure to catch them at home before they left for the day!
Unknown to him at a near corner in the city his gagged wife had dumped inhumanly by the way side near a sub urban hospital. Morning joggers saw her form on the pavement, a kind gentleman had recognized her as his mother's dentist and helped the nurses carry her to the A and E. A tearful frightened teenager followed her. "beta do you know her? " queried the man who had called for help. "No not really" said the boy who " she helped me get away from my kidnappers" he concluded. Ishu was getting treated for her injuries but with no one to sign for her the doctors had to wait for her family to be contacted before they could take her treatment any further. The teenager walked to reception asked for the phone and punched a number in.
" Hello" said Raman pulling up his car and not feeling good about the call. " PAaapa" said Adi in a broken voice. A chill ran down his spine. Raman drove like a maniac to reach his wife. Raman alerted Mihir and Bala he wanted to reach her before anyone else did.
Raman's world had come crashing down when he saw his wife lying absolutely still and smeared with dirt and blood. Adi touched, hugged his father and cried out loud. Adi was taken by goons at the car park. Ishita had strayed there looking for Romi and the rest of her family to head back home with one of them. She saw the kidnap and raised an alarm. The goons silenced her and took her captive. When they woke up in the dark dingy room, she was stunned to see Adi all tied up. She comforted him and together they managed to escape. Adi managed to hide in time while Ishita was caught and trashed. The lady was of no use to their boss - he wanted the boy who had escaped. Adi followed the car as far as he could. Thankfully Ishita was dumped near the hospital because she was a nuisance to them in the car. Adi then he sat with her till Raman reached there.
Mihir reached took over, cared for Adi. Raman was beside Ishu the minute the doctors allowed him to be with her. Hours later she was all cleaned up and checked, the doctors confirmed that Ishu had only surface wounds and a ligament tear on her ankle. She was good to get home later in the evening after she woke up from her drug induced sleep.
It was a turbulent morning for every member of the family. Mr and Mrs. Iyer were understandably nervous. Ruhi was on Mihika's lap crying her eyes out. Romi tried his best to hold the fort. He regretted not being careful, Mihir was livid at himself. Parmeet was upset for a completely different reason while mummyji and papaji brought in a meal for the family in the hospital. Adi sat alone watching them all seated next to Mihika not knowing what to tell his little sister. Mrs. Iyer walked to Adi, hugged him and thanked him for looking out for Ishu when no one else was with her " don't worry Ruhi ...tumhari Ishima bohot strong hai she will be fine. Tum hamare saath aao ab ghar chalo, school ke liye ready hona hai" " NAhi paati muhje Ishima ke paas jana jai" cried Ruhi! The doctor told her she could go and see her mom if she wanted to and then head off to school. Adi asked if he could join. " Of course hero!" he winked at Adi. Adi and Ruhi walked hand in hand to Ishu's bed she smiled through her pain at them.
Ruhi rained kisses on her Ishima ;a tearful Adi gave her a shy hug. Only Raman Kumar Bhalla saw this endearing sight through the circle of clear glass on the etched glass door of the intensive care unit. He had never ever felt what he felt that moment -complete, positive and totally overwhelmed. He was so looking forward to taking his wife home!
Edited by SWAN123 - 11 years ago
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