CHAPTER 37.3 – LOST.

3 years ago

mysticaltales11111

@mysticltales111

Helloooo everyoneeeee..

So here I am with the next update And its about Medium Length – around 6.5k plus words for I needed this Chapter to be the Stand Alone – obviously.

Keep that Seatbelt On Guys. It's another Super Intense Chapter!Will be eager to know what you all think as always.

Happppyyyy New Year to you all - may you have a joyful, peaceful, healthy and a loving year ahead.

Also, yes this is the First Draft. Please definitely ignore editing/common repition of words errors etc – since I have not proofread.

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CHAPTER 37.3 – LOST.

5:45 PM – New Delhi – India

@ Khushi's Home

Reva wipes her very own helpless tears as she continues to hug a crying Nisha and she says rubbing on her arm in support – " Nisha..please...don't cry this way...please be calm...our khushi will be okay...Arnav did say that he will call us the minute he hears something right?? he's on it..just ignore what those commentators on the TV said...see Sagar and Abhi are on it to get us that first flight out right??"

Nisha tries to wipe her aching tears as she hugs on Reva tight but her tears continue to fall off nonetheless – " my little Khushi...she's injured bad...Reva..did you see how she was grimacing in pain before lying flat on her back..the minute she dived in for that catch that high and sideways my heart was in my throat...for I knew she was going to fall sideways to the ground in that intense momentum..and im so freaking scared Reva..she hit her temple and side of the head hard on the ground first before turning flat on her back in pain and her nose was surely bleeding because of that hard hit on the ground...what if..something grave happens..."

Reva hugs Nisha hard as she says aching tears falling her eyes – " kuch nai hoga hamari khushi ko...(nothing will happen to our khushi.nisha..)...arnav is going to her..don't worry Nisha..please don't worry..."

Nisha hugs on Reva hard and says helplessly– " reva...please call Arnav..call him now..find out..i know its been just five minutes or so since Rahul spoke to him..but please...ask him...he must have found out..he surely would have.."

Reva nods as she says – " okay...ill just call him..,"and it is right then they see – Abhi- Sagar – Rahul- Anjali- Akash enter back into the home theatre room and Rahul says wiping a trail of his worried tears as Anjali comes in to rush Nisha and Reva – " mom...our tickets are done...we will catch the 9:30 flight out to Sydney..which means that we need to reach the airport max by 7pm...we have 75 minutes mum..we need to rush.."

Akash adds somberly– " Nisha aunty..that was the first flight we could get out...luckily we got the direct flight which is just 13hours..so we save some time in transit..."

A disturbed shaken – his eyes welled up with tears Sagar says to his wife – " Nisha..we need to get to our little girl now...quick hurry up...everyone...pack up whatever you can in fifteen minutes...,"and he turns to look at a shaken Abhi as he adds – " the four of us as in me, Nisha, Rahul and Anjali..will meet akash, you and reva Bhabhi straight at the airport..abhi..."

Abhimanyu nods as he hugs Sagar – " sagar..dont worry...our little girl is going to be okay...I'm sure of that...,"and Sagar nods a fresh trail of tears leaving his eyes nontheless and Abhi says to Reva and Akash – " yes come on..quick...quick...we need to get home quick..pack up and rush to the airport.."

And as everyone starts to disperse in a rush now – and Reva pauses as she says to Abhi and Akash – " get the car ready on the porch..ill just call arnav in the meanwhile..,"And they nod at her and leave.

And as she sees Rahul + Sagar + Anjali pull in a crying Nisha into a group hug each of them wrecked with worry too – Reva finally steps out of the room into a secluded corner by the corridor as she rings up her son – and awaits for him to pick up.

And just as he picks up in two rings she asks in a worried rush – " arnav..kuch pata chala..(did you find out what's happened??)," and as she hears her sons broken reply come through – " no mom..not yet...mira and Harpreet both didn't pick up the calls too...rohan is trying to have someone from our physio get in touch with someone on their end so that we can find out..im on it mom...on it...,"and he pauses and Reva figures out why – because he's throats choked in emotion.

Reva says worriedly – " Arnav...beta..i understand..i completely do...please beta sambhalo apne aap ko..."( please compose yourself..."

And she hears her son's broken tearful voice come through – " kaise mom?(how) kaise sambhalun?? Mar jaunga mein kuch hogaya khushi ko toh...nai reh sakta main uske bina..."( how?? Mom?? How should I compose myself?? Ill die if something were to happen to khushi ever..i can't be without her...ever..)

Reva fights back her tears as she says assertively –" nothing will happen to our khushi..arnav..nothing will happen..we are all rushing home now..to pack and head out...we are taking the 930 pm direct flight out..we will be in Sydney in 13 hours plus.."

She hears Arnav say in a rush – " im leaving for the airport in ten minutes mom..with Hridhaan, Vikram and Ravi...we are catching the flight that takes off in two hours from here...I'm just quickly collecting up my things..."

Reva says in a rush – " okay beta..hurry up...go to Khushi quickly...and please call me the minute you hear anything...please??,"and just as she hears Arnav affirm that he will she hangs up quickly and goes back to Sagar, Nisha, Rahul and Anjali and says in a rush – " Arnav hasn't been able to find out yet for mira/Harpreet didn't take his calls..but he said he's on it through the teams physio's and will call us the minute he knows.."

Nisha and Sagar's phones keep buzzing with relatives and extended faily and friends numbers but they don't pick up yet and Nisha says brokenly – " I cant talk to anyone yet..not until I know whats happened to my girl.."

Sagar says wiping his tears – " yes just don't take anyones phone at the moment..just don't.."

Rahul and Anjali nod now hugging onto a crying Sagar and Nisha – " yes mom...okay..we will all get set to go..you also hurry up..we will see you at the airport.."

And Reva nods at them hurriedly and she rushes her way out to join Abhimanyu and Akash in the car and Akash begins to drive immediately as she sits in and her phone buzzes yet again with Dadi's phone and just as she picks up she hears her worried crying voice come through as she asks – " Reva...what are they showing in the news on Tv?? Is it our khushi who is the one who is injured in that match australia???"

Reva sighs and admits with a heavy heart – " haan maa..hamari khushi hi hai...wait..im coming home..ill tell you everything..we are all heading out to Sydney..,"and with that she hangs up quickly and looks at Akash and adds – " drive fast beta..,"and Akash nods at her and both Akash and Abhimanyu ask in unison – "what did bhai/arnav say??"

And Reva quickly fills them in on it as she adds minutes later – " he's in a very bad state abhi, akash...very bad...iv never heard him sound this wounded and broken..and only obvious..for we understand how deeply he loves Khushi don't we???," and Akash and Abhimany exchange silent somber nods with wet eyes and Reva cluctches on her husbands and akash's shoulders from behind from the middle seat and she adds brokenly – " yeh kya hogaya? Kyun hogaya yeh aise hamare bachon ke saath?? Hum toh in dono ka roka karne wale the after this trip..."( oh god..what has happened? Why has this happened with our kids..we were going to do their roka after this tournament and now this..)

Abhimanyu and Akash fight their very own worries as they say to Reva assertively – " nothing will happen to our Khushi..nothing will...have faith..please have faith..."

And Reva nods – and folds her hands in intense prayers and starts praying profusely for the kids.

..........................

Meanwhile Simultaneously

In New Zealand – Arnav's Hotel Room

Arnav's POV

Stormed.

Wrecked.

And

Lost.

I am Lost.

I feel like I am Lost in an Endless Maze of Ache, Pain and Fear like a broken piece of wreck - and even though at the moment my hands are acting at the speed of light – as I am continuing to pack up my stuff in my cabin bag – I can only feel that intense numbing pain and aching fear that's slowly turning me into an Emptyshell of a Massive Wreck within.

Why won't anyone(Mira/Harpreet) just pick up their freaking Damm Phones??

Why wont Jess return the Hundred Calls – iv already made to her – or the hundred Hridhaan/Vikram/Cap/Rohan/Ravi have made to her too?????????

Godaamit.

I know she is probably in the ambulance with Khushi at the moment – and if I turn on the TV to come to channel where in the match was being telecasted – I might get a headsup if the ambulance has reached the hospital already – but I just cant get myself to on the Freaking TV – for I am so scared that if I hear any commentator churning out more fearful rubbish – I'd probably have them – on my – To Kill Down List.

Raizada.

Calm Down.

Try Calling Jess – One more Time.

I quickly finish zipping up my cabin bag now and pick up my phone and just as I am about to ring up Jess – my phone instantly rings with her name flashing on the screen and I pick it up in an instant as I ask wrecked and worried – " Jess...thank god...it's you isn't it???? hows my Sparkle?? where are you??in the ambulance still???? give her the phone please?? pleaseee just make me talk to her..please...just make me talk to her..i need to listen to her voice..just once..just freaking once...please tell me she regained consciousness..please tell me that dammit...please...just tell me th..at...,"and I pause in my broken with despair rant because I realise that the only way Jess is going to be able to tell me anything is if I let her say a word out – first.

And I hear Jess's tearful voice come through now in a hush whisper as if she was covering up her mouth while speaking – " Mr Stranger....yes..it's me...I need to use your code name..and I also need to speak in a hush..since sheena di is around...im so sorry I couldn't take any of your calls earlier or even superbro's for I have a ton from him too and Vikram and everyone too...actually me and sheena di were in the ambulance with khushi...and the rest of the team is also reaching any minute now..we have just reached the hospital and they'v taken Khushi into the emergency and asked us to wait out ..i'v come aside to just talk to you now..will you call superbro after and fill him in?? please??"

I say in a worried rush now – "ofcourse I will ofcourse...but what's happened to her godaammit..Jess?? please start with that now...please tell me what do the paramedics say?? What did they say??? They must have said something right??"

I hear Jess add now tearfully –" so a concussion into the head obviously since she banged her temple hard on the ground...which led to her nose bleeding and which was why she lost consciousness almost immediately and wasn't responding intitially with her vitals fluctuating which was why we rushed her out on that stretcher that way...but in the ambulance as we were on the way here..and the paramedics were at it..getting her to respond..she did regain consciousness for about two minutes...and her vitals stabled a little too ..as in BP – pulse..but..they reckoned that she had not just fainted out of the concussion but also due to the intense pain and shock to the body..but yes she did gain consciousness in the ambulance.."

MY BREATHE THAT WAS HITCHED IN MY LUNGS LETS OUT A SIGH+ BREATHE OF RELEIF A LITTLE.

THANK YOU GOD.

THANK YOU.

I ask rushed – " she was awake?? what did she say???did she say anything at all Jess???"

Jess adds tearfully now – " but..that's what I was coming too..although she did gain consciousness for a couple of minutes and was able to respond to basic questions like her name etc,but before she could say anything further she started flinching in immense pain immediately after gesturing to her head and back..which was why the paramedics just momentarily started her on an painkiller IV – and their prior assumption getting more confirmed that she surely has sustained more injuries apart from the significant concussion...and as the immediate injection of painkiller sedated Khushi back to sleep – one of the paramedics did say – that there could be possibility that she's injured her back bad too– but they did say that the doctors in the emergency will be able to analyse more and tell us...the gravity of it all..at the moment sheena di and me are just praying that it isn't a concussion that could lead to critical life threatening consequences... ,"and she chokes on her words now and I add with distressed breaths – " Jess...she has not sustain an injury that will have cricitcal life threatning consequences...alright??,"and she adds tearfully – " we hope so too...we hope so too...oh..wait...one of the nurses is calling us in.."

I say rushed now – " Jess..keep the phone on please..so that I can hear...please??"

" Ok..,"and I hear a disturbed Sheena ask Jess to get in with her now.

I clutch on my fist tight.

God – Please.

Please.

Just let My Sparkle – not be Injured with a Life-Threatening Head Injury.

Please.

I know I said this To Jess – with Great Conviction and have been saying this to myself over and over again but the Fear won't leave me until I hear the Doctor talk.

God please - I swear to You – you bless me with this – and I'd never ask you for anything every again.

Take anything away from Me – God – Please – but just give me My Sparkle – safe from any sort of a life threat.

It is right then I hear the Doctor's voice ask Sheena and Jess – " you two with her? Gupta??"

I hear Sheena and Jess say in unison – " yes doc...please give us an update on her condition please? the paramedics didn't give way much.."

I clutch on my Fist so Tight that its as White as a Sheet.

I hear the Doctor's calm and composed voice come through now – " so first thing out – as you know a significant concussion to the head obviously..because of which we now need to run a full brain MRI to check for any aneurysm to any artery or any sort of an internal bleeding into the brain..but doesn't look that there will be any sort of that criticality because the paramedics did tell us that she did gain consciousness in the ambulance for a while until they sedated her again because of that pain..and even now in the sedation she could respond a little and was again complaining of intense pain with hand gestures..and if it were something that critical she wouldn't have been able to respond at all to us in anyway– so yes I do not suspect a critical injury to the head..but we do need to run the scan to rule it out and also keep her partially sedated in the ICU for the next 48 hours atleast to monitor the same – for sometimes the affects of a significant concussion come in after and we need to play safe...but..also,"and he pauses.

Ofcourse – Dammit – Doctor – You better Play it Safe.

And what but also?

I hear Sheena and Jess say now asking the same too – " ofcourse doctor..but what but also??"

The Doc – " but we also suspect a couple of fractures in her back...which is why she is grimacing in so much pain..and we suggest that we run a full internal MRI of her back to figure out what spot those injuries are...she a player right? a cricketer??"

I hear Sheena and Jess add worriedly –" yes...she is..and an excellent one at that.."

The doc sighs – " well she most definetly cannot even think about playing for months....after that significant concussion and back injuries...also lets just hope that the back injuries are in the upper of mid back and not her lower back because the latter is quite a risky development for any sportsperson obviously..but we need to run the scans..i do suspect a couple of hairline fractures..in there..we need to know the degree of those which the scan will tell us..."

HOLY FREAKING SHIT.

A couple of Hair line Fractures? In the Back?

I know what that could Mean.

That means – Months of Complete Bed Rest.

I hear Sheena and Jess ask worriedly too – " a couple? Of hairline fractures in the back?? How many do you suspect on examination doc?"

The doc says – " three to four maybe in different vertebrae's. Which is why she is in so much pain..on the whole...the combined shock to the body with that concussion to the head and these back injuries is the reason why she was non-conscious for that while..anyway..we need to get on with the formalities..like consent for full body scans, icu..etc will the two of you sign in? if any of her family members are here then call them in..or maybe if the two of you are closest to kin...than..please go ahead with this asap so that we can begin.."

I hear Sheena and Jess say in a rush – "yes we will sign doc..you please begin with what you need to do..,"and I hear a ruffle duffle which means Jess is probably coming to the side and I hear her say in a rush into the phone in a hushed whisper – " okk mr stranger you heard it all right? please just fill everyone in..sheena di and me need to get on with the stuff here...also yes the doctor's expressions do look like that no critical injury to the head injury atleast..i mean not something that wouldn't heal with time..but...we will only know how long the healing bit once the scans go through right..because of her back injuries too..."

I sigh as I say now dejected – " yeahh...we will only know that bit once they run the scans...jess..listen to me..im coming alright? Im taking the flight out...with Hridhaan, Vikram and Ravi..ill be there by your 3am..because I do get that heads up in time because of NZ being two hours ahead right?? you just take care..ok???"

Jess say's okay to that and hangs up.

And I quickly dial up Rahul's no + take Mom on the conference call and fill them all in over what I had just heard.

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Ten Minutes Later

Arnav's POV Continues

I hang up on the phone with everyone back at Home and the fact that the Doctors at the first examination did feel that she was safe from any critical head injuries – did obviously bring a little relief to us all.

For – The Rest we could still Help Our Sparkle – Cope Up with Right? – no matter how much time into Healing would be required.

We'd get her the best of therapy's and treatments.

My phone buzzes in my hand with Nisha auntys call now and just as I pick up – I hear her ask in a dazed voice – " arnav beta..after this concussion and probable back injuries and hairline fractures...my little girl will be able to get back to playing na? what do you think? I had to give up my sport because of health reasons and I know how difficult it was for me to cope up through the internal agony because of the same and right now all I can fear is that is history repeating itself with my daughter now? will she have to give up on what she loves so much because of the same??? It will break her arnav..if such a thing happens..it will morally break her...the mental injury will be much deeper...you know what I mean..beta..don't you??,"and she pauses and breaks into tears.

I fight back my very own ache and agony at hearing that and I say now comforting her – " Mom..please? don't cry this way.."

She'd asked me to call her Mom in private – obviously.

And I add now in further support even though my own heart was wrenching – "Mom..please...listen to me..nothing of such sort will happen to my Sparkle..i know what your fear is..and why..but please..lets not give into fears no matter how difficult it is..let us wait for what the scans say?? Okay??? Im reaching there soon...I will have a comprehensive detailed talk with the doctor alright??? no matter how much its aching now..we have to be strong for Sparkle right??"

She says now sobbing a little – " yes beta..yes...I just hope when she wakes up – she doesn't have to come face to face with the news of having to give up on her game...I know she will be able to handle it if she just has to pause on it for a while to regain her fitness and health back..she will be able to take that..but she won't be able to...,"and she pauses as emotions choke her throat.

I fight back my dejected sigh as I say now – " I know Mom..i know what you mean..and lets just all pray for her okay?? Have faith mom..pleaseee???"

She asks now weeping still – "tum thik ho beta??"(are you alright beta)

I admit honestly sure that she could sense the overwhelmed worry and ache in my voice – " a tad bit better after listening to what the doctor said Mom...but I am feeling all lost within nonetheless – and I think I will feel that way until I see her for real..in front of my eyes and wont be able to feel settled within...until she talks to me...I'm just lost in a maze of intense ache mom...she promised me prior to the match that she would text me once it was done..and I couldn't even imagine in my worst nightmares what has happe.,"and I pause as I choke on my emotions this time – overwhelmed tears returning to my eyes.

She says now – " nai..beta nai...you are right..we cant break down this way none of us can..we have to strong for Khushi...ok beta..we are just leaving for the airport now...sagar, Anjali, and Rahul arer already in the car...I just paused to speak to you for a bit because I could not talk to you this way in front of Sagar right.."

I sigh as I say – " yes Mom..i know...ok you please go now..you gotta reach the airport on time and I need to rush now too.."

We Hang up now – and it is right then there is a knock on my door and I rush to open it quickly as I see Ravi, Rohan, Cap standing there and Ravi enters in wheeling in his cabin bag and says – "am all packed and done..all set to go..and rohan has update from the physio team now...,"and just as Rohan begins to fill me in – I say to all – " I spoke to Jess..yes..she finally called...I know..."

And they all ask in unsion – " you did???"

I nod as I fill them in quickly and say a minute later picking up my cabin bag – " they are probably taking her in the for the scans now...please pray you all..that its an extent of an injury that will heal with time..pleaseee..."

Cap hugs me first – " ofcourse...arnav..we are all praying.."

Rohan hugs me next – " she will be okay..she is a fighter..our little one..right??"

I nod at them and I say to them – " I don't know if ill be able to be back here to play the final test...cap..rohan..i need to be with Khushi right now obviously in priority.."

Ravi says now –" I am anyway resting out on the bench for the last test arnav..because of that spasm in my shoulder..so ill be with you...don't you worry...cap and rohan will handle it here.."

I sidehug Ravi and I pat Rohan and Cap's arm – " talk to coach sir..alright? please????"

They nod at me and it is right then I hear another knock on my door and Ravi goes up to open it and to our surprise we see Coach sir standing there and he enters in a rush and says – " ASR..the PR agent from the BCCI..just called...I just hung up with them..,"and he looks around the room at me standing with my packed bag and Ravi too he asks – " you going somewhere?"

I maks up my expression with great difficulty as I say somberly –" yes sir..to Sydney...my sister's sister in law...khushi gupta who plays in the womens team has been injured...our families are flying in too...since I am closer..just three hours away..its my moral duty to be there..."

Coach sir nods as he says – " oh yes...your sister is married to her brother...i know..look..i understand the reasons...and Infact this was what I was coming to tell you...as in the PR agent from the BCCI was talking about this..the presidents suggested you with another one more player to rush to Sydney at the moment from our end...as in..since the telecast of jersey no 22 getting injured after that match winning crazy unbelievable catch..is all raging in the news back at home in india..,"and I clutch my fist in anger as Cap gestures me to control my taut anger at hearing jersey no 22 instead of her name and Cap , Rohan and Ravi say in unison – " her name is Khushi..sir..."

And Sir nods and continues – " yes...I mean..khushi...look since its all buzzing in the news back at home and also raging up online with everyone pouring in wishes for her safety since theres no news still over how grave her injury is..and it was her heroic catch that's anyway led india woman into the finals of the series - the BCCI president has suggested that since we do have these four days of rest and practice before the next test in Christchurch and we are just three hours away from Sydney– that you and one more player go there so that it looks good on the boards behalf as well..."

I ask in disbelief sure that he could sense it as I look at Cap, Ravi and Rohan's taut and tense– " sir...you mean the BCCi wants me to go there so that it looks good on them? like For mere publicity???"

Coach sighs and nods – " sounds shallow and insensitive I know ASR..but such is the wordly ways...look the BCCI president will be issuing the statement with regards to the same..that theyv had a couple of players from our end fly over to support the matter – for we don't want any of our players to lie injured in the hospital alone right...until her family reaches or something..look...theres a lot of local aussie media raging outside the hospital too..you know since it was the same ground where philip hughes was injured and it's the same hospital too..where in they have taken her...and if she were lying in there alone it will become a rage in media and put a bad face to indian cricket and the board obviously... because the rest of the women's unit does need to leave for Melbourne tomorrow morning at 6am nonetheless right? for the show must go on...they have to play the finals...day after...come what may..which is why you need to be there to handle the press..."

WAIT.

WHAT?

Did I just hear him right?? my Sparkle is lying down in the hospital there injured – undergoing intensive scans at the moment – and all the BCCI cares about is Their PR antics and face saving in front of the media???

And just like that – as I take that bit – you know what sinks in??? A Crazy Deep Thought. That - No Matter what you do/who you are – One Can surely be Displaced in their workspace/professions eventually – but you know where is it that you are actually Indispensable?? – In Your Personal Freaking Space. In Your Family.

And here – most of us Humans like freaking fools – spend the most of our lives –prioritising our work life over our personal space - often taking our personal space for Granted! Where in – instead - we should be working ourselves off – in striving for that balance in between Both – or for that matter prioritise our Personal Space a tad bit more – because guess what? Its everyone in your personal space who is going to come to stand by your side when you are down in the Lows or facing a sudden setback by Life.

In the Professional World – The Show Will Go On..Nonetheless.

Anyways – I wasn't ever going to be a Fool on this Regard!My Sparkle needs me by her side right now – and that's exactly where I am going to be.

I gulp down my fury and wrath masking it up with great difficulty by clutching onto my fist hard and turn my face around as I say in a taut tone – " I was going anyway sir...also tell me something sir..did the PR from the BCCI actually even ask if you had any idea how she was doing? Or was the talk all about the face saving and publicity??"

Coach sir sighs – " well he did ask me obviously...briefly in the end..,"and he pauses and adds to cover up – "I'm sure the officials concerned with women's cricket have been in talks with the captains an d coaches on that end...ASR...anyway ill take your leave now..Ravi I reckon you are going too...which is good..."and I hear Ravi nod and say – " yes sir..i am...," and Cap and Rohan now finally walk with him to the door in courtesy and just as he finally leaves and Cap, Rohan close the door shut - I turn around now looking at them all in freaking disbelief as I kick the center table in front of me in fury – " did you all hear what the PR from the BCCI had to say??? We are nothing but a sporting freaking tool...to their eyes..just incase if we were ever mistaken that we were human to their eyes too .. nope..never...we aren't humans at all...they don't care a dime about what happens with us in our emotions as humans...we are tools and players..we only matter as long as our batteries continue to perform....and for publicity..obviously..i said batteries..because apparently we are looked on as sporting robots and not humans at all...."

And right then before Cap – Rohan – Ravi could say anything – we hear Hridhaan and Vikram's voices come in from the door – " ASR..lets go..we are set..or we will get late...,"and I pause my feet mid -air from another furious kick to the table and I say out loud now composing myself gulping down my fury in disbelief – "yes..yes...we need to rush..we are all set too.."

I hug a deep in thought Rohan and Cap now and I can see they are totally all sombered up in thought too and I say now – " ill leave now..."

Cap and Rohan nod as they say – " yes..please and be in touch please??"

I nod at them and gesture to a deep in thought Ravi too – that we need to get going and we make our way out the room and Hridhaan says now hurriedly as we begin to walk down the corridor – " the cab's waiting...also iv done the online check in for us all already..Arnav.."

I nod at him as I pat his arm – " thank you so much Hridhaan...,"and Vikram adds now – " also..i spoke to Jess three minutes ago she told me she spoke to you already and..khushi's is in scans now..,"and I nod at him at that and we get into elevator now.

And minutes later as we get out the elevator - my phone buzzes with Mira's call first and I take it and just as I hear her begin to fill me up on most of what I already know – as she apologises too for not being able to return my call earlier – and I assure her normally composing myself that it was okay for I understood she was caught up and everything prior - another deep thought sinks in to my being.

What thought?

Another thing that Royally Sucks ? – It's when you have to pretend to be all calm and composed when everything inside of you was otherwise Lost and Wrecked.

.............................

Twenty Minutes Later

In the Cab

Arnav's POV Continues

I look out the window at the cars speeding by for a second as I wipe out another silent aching tear that had engulfed the corner off my eye, clutching my phone deep in my hand.

For since the last couple of minutes ever since we sat in the cab and– as Ravi is talking to Noor filling her in over it all – and Vikram and Hridhaan are also explaining the situation back to Shivi and Hridhaan's parents – I had obviously spent my minutes – re-reading my Chats with My Sparkle – earlier on from the Day.

And that has totally put me back into that Maze of Ache and Angst as the Longing to just hear My Sparkle's voice or just even have my phone ting with a text from her – returns to engulf and consume me.

Never has my phone stared so silent back at me!

Never has it been the Case – that I have no clue – as to how long is it going to be until I actually hear from my My Sparkle.For I have no clue yet as to what her Scans say and how long the Docs plan to keep her partially sedated in the ICU!

I close my eyes now and lean my headback on the headrest of my backseat – clutching onto my phone hard – as My Sparkle's happy face revolves in front of my eyes on its own accord – her happy grinning face from the video call as she was jumping up and down on the hotel bed in glee after we won the test match prior before being uber adorable in her nervous expressions about her match – later tonight.

And Just like that – even though as I am trying my best to control it – a Fresh line of Aching Tears leaves my Right Eye on its Own Accord.

Sparkle.

I hate it when the media out there is addressing you by just mostly a Jersey No in context of your injury! You aren't just a Jersey No !

You are My Whole Wide World.

Our Families – Whole Wide World Too.

Godammit – You.

Don't Do this To Me Pleaseeeee.

Don't.

Just Don't.

Just Get well soon fast and look at me and say – " hey you..Skipper Blue..don't you go on teasing me right now..please you listen to this first thike..."

Or just even say your adorable – " pakka se wala promise *infinity se.."

Or just even say My Name.

Call Me – Your Mr Stranger.

Just say anything at all.

Please – Just Don't Go All Silent On Me This Way – For Long!

I can't take It.

I can't freaking take it.

For in this Crazy World – it's You who is the Compass of My Heart – My Soul and My Being.

You are My Spark – that keeps the essence of me – Going.

And without you at the Moment - I am Just Lost.

Lost into That Maze off – Overwhelming ache/Longing/Angst and Pain.

...............................................

A While Later

Meanwhile @St Vincent's Hospital – Sydney

Jess rushes out in relief from the radialogists area as she rushes to Sheena/Harpreet/Mira/Harleen/Vedika/Tanu + the rest of her team mates, support staff and coaches as she says – " okay guys..the radiologist has confirmed informally that..no life threating internal brain injury ..for sure...in the brain MRI...just a significant concussion though...due to which they are still going to keep her under observation...obviously..."

Everyone sighs in relief and Sheena asks now –" how much more time until the scans over..??"

Jess sighs – " another 40 minutes or so..they just started with the back..and now that will tell us the extent of her back injuries.."

Right then a hospital staff comes up to them and says – " guys..theres a lot of growing media frenzy outside...please some of you..go address them.....say something, anything at all.."

Mira sighs and says now – "Harpreet come with me...lets just tell them that she is scans right now..and we will know the exact picture after..."

Harpreet nods and joins Mira and they make their way out – and as everyone else begins to hug each other in relief of the assurity of no life threating brain injury to their little hit girl – Jess finally moves aside as she goes into the corner and calls Arnav.

The phone is picked up in a second obviously and she rushes in a whisper – " good news Mr Stranger..the radiologists just finished with the brain MRI and they did say it to me informally that no critical internal brain injury in there for sure..."

.......................

Arnav was juts about to step out of the car towards the airport when he took Jess's call.And he feels like he can take that another little sigh of relief as he hears Jess say that to him over the phone and he asks to reconfirm – " Jess?? Please say that again to me?? please??? they are sure?? right??"

He hears Jess say – " yes yes...they are sure about that..have now begun the back MRI..but our worst fear is ruled out MR Stranger...our khushi will be okay..eventually it may take months to recoupe...but she will be okay...we will make sure of that right??"

Arnav fights back tears of relief now as he says into the phone - " yes yes..we will make sure of that..thank you Jess..just keep me updated...we are just stepping out into the airport and will get caught up with formalities..please call Rahul as well..."

He hears Jess say – " yes..i will...sure...,"and just as she hangs Up – Arnav steps out and he immediately hugs Vikram, Ravi and Hridhaan who were waiting out for him already with their cabin bags and he states – " no internal critical brain injury guys...our worst fear is ruled out..yes she is hurt still significantly hurt..but nothing that won't heal..and she will be okay ..its only a matter of time..."

Hridhaan, Ravi and Vikram hug Arnav happily back as they sigh in relief too and they pull back minutes later patting on his arm as they ask in unison – " feeling all lost still??or a little better??"

Arnav says wiping a relieved tear outta his eye – " a little better..but I'll only say I am found within..when I see my Sparkle for real and when I hear her voice.."

Vikram, Hridhaan, and Ravi nod in unsion as they say – " then lets get on that plane..soon..."

Arnav nods as he says – " yes indeed...lets freaking get on that Plane soon...,"and they all start to rush their way with their cabin bags in Tow and Arnav can't stop thanking God enough for this – for keeping his Sparkle safe from any life threating critical danger – and just like that – as that knowledge continued to sink in Arnav feels like – that even though so much of him was still Lost – that Broken Compass within his Heart/Being/Soul – had Somewhat Begun to Repair ItSelf.

And Now – he also knew that he needed to focus on channelising his Strength for he had to be Strong for his Sparkle. He had to stand by her – like her Wall – for he'd be Dammed – if he ever let His Sparkle – feel All Lost in the Maze of Life due to this Setback.

..................................

TADAAAA.

How was the Update Guysssss?? So I obviously just wanted to make this a Stand Alone Chapter! And did really want to end with that good news too – that our Sparkle is not critically injured for Sureeeee!!!

Next Update : Monday

Wish you all a Very Happy New Year once again.Please Stay Safe everyoneeeeeeeeeee!!! Wish you all - all the Love,Positivity,Light, Happiness, and Health!

Alsooo yesss –I have finally gotten around to making my writing handle on Insta. Using it for Daily interactions – quotes – snippets etc. Would love to connect with you all on it too.

You can find me On Instagram – by Clicking on the Link Below.

https://www.instagram.com/mysticaltales11111/

Thanks, guys, for all the Love and Support.

Much Love.

Always.

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