Chapter 4

abjeya

@abjeya

Chapter 3

"Lavanya is not married. The voice broke everyone's shock. Arnav turned letting Arjun see the white sari clad figure right now walking towards them, with authority in her footsteps. She stands between Arnav and Arjun and said "What proof do you have that she is your wife?. Arjun retorts back, "I don't think I need to justify my marriage to anyone especially to people whom I don't know. She replies "Oh really!, Lavanya is your wife and you don't know us?. Arjun said "I never said that I don't know them, I just said that I don't know you. Arjun pointed to Arnav and said "ASR. He points to Khushi and said "ASR's wife. He points to the women sitting with a pregnant bump, "His sister. And then he points to another sari clad woman and said "His grandmother. He then looks steadily at the women simpering in front of him and said "Now if you will excuse me, I need to go and find what happened to my wife. He walks between past Arnav and up to the nurse coming out of the OR. Arnav starts to go behind him but Rathore stops him and said "Mr ASR, we need to ask some questions to you and Mrs ASR.

The sari clad woman hissed "She is not his wife. And ASR glare landed on her and he said "Dadi, please go and see if Di needs anything. Me and my wife will handle the enquiry. Her hands knotted into fists but she went to sit beside the pregnant women. Khushi and Arnav follow Rathore and Ayesha a little distance just enough to see the OR and enough that no one can overhear them.

Ayesha asks the first question "How do you know the victim?. Khushi immediately said "Lavanyaji. Her name is Lavanyaji. Ayesha nods but waits for an answer. Arnav said "Lavanya worked in my office for 3 years. Khushi also worked in my office. She and Lavanya knew each other through there. Rathore asked "And how did you come to know Lavanya so closely Mr ASR?. Arnav said "She was my PR coordinator and we were in a relationship for 1 year. But we broke up.. Ayesha asks "When did you break up?. Arnav said "About 9 months ago. Rathore and Ayesha look at each other with one thought in mind- 9 months ago was when Riya joined the ETF. Ayesha said
"No hard feelings in the break up. No blame on someone. Arnav looks at her and said "No hard feelings. Yet the lack of emotions in his voice itself was a suspicion. Rathore then puts forth the question "How did you both get from getting engaged to breaking up with each other?. Khushi looks up in shock and Arnav just simply looks at him and said "If you are implying something, why don't you state it clearly?. Khushi squeezes Arnav's arms begging him silently to stay calm. Arnav doesn't respond and just looks at Rathore. Rathore said "then let me frame it clearly for you Mr ASR. You were in a relationship with Ms Lavanya for one year, you both stayed together for 2 months, engaged for 1 month and then broke up. Seems like a fast progression to me. Care to explain what happened?. Arnav said in a calm voice "She realized before me that I am in love with Khushi. Khushi squeezes his arm again and Arnav finally puts his hand on top of her and looking at her, he said to Rathore, the love for Khushi clearly visible in his eyes "Lavanya was always more perceptive than everyone gave her credit for. For her she always believes that a person who respect and trust each other will always be at each other's side. And she saw that respect and trust for Khushi from me, even when I didn't realize it. And she knew we both were perfect for each other even before we knew it ourselves. Then looking at Rathore, he said "Is that answer enough for you?

Rathore couldn't say anything as his words reminded him how Riya used to take care of them. Make coffee when they were tired, take the brunt of Arjun's anger. Seeing him silent, Ayesha asks the next question, "What happened today? Can you start at the beginning?. Arnav and Khushi silent communication was apparent to both Ayesha and Rathore. Arnav said "Our marriage took place without our family's presence. That was one regret of my family that they couldn't take part of our wedding. So we decided to get married again this time with all the proper customs and rituals. My sister is pregnant around 7 months and we thought it would be nice to hold the mehendi and godhbharai ritual together. Last time I saw Lavanya, she was dancing along with the rest of us. Khushi then took up the narrative "I saw Di going up the staircase, but then I saw Lavanya stop Di. She then sent Di down and she herself went up the staircase and then there was music. Everyone was dancing and Mamiji screamed. Looking up we saw, Lavanyaji... And she couldn't say anymore. Before Rathore could ask the next question, a man with glasses and he said "Bhai, Doctor... Arnav and Khushi got up and immediately walked to the OR, Ayesha and Rathore following close behind.  They saw the Doctor standing outside the OR, and Arjun standing in front of them and Arnav reached beside Arjun. Rathore reached on the other side of Arjun and joined his mid finger and thumb together signalling Arjun to call him later.

Doctor looking at the 3 men in front of them worry clearly visible in their face and tension in that stance gulped knowing that the news he is going to give may end up bad for him especially since one of the individuals was a donor of this hospital. Praying silently for strength, he said "Operation was successful however due to heavy blood loss and head injury, it has resulted in a swelling in her brain as a result we had to put her in a medically induced coma to ensure that the swelling goes down. She may also have to undergo physical therapy for the stab injury on her back may hamper some physical movements. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief except Arnav, Rathore and Arjun. Arjun said "you are hiding something. Doctor sighed and said "During the operation we noticed that the blood loss wasn't only coming from the stab wounds but it was also coming from the pieces of glasses embedded on the underside of the leg. One of the glasses nicked an artery in the leg, due to which she will be unable to walk for maybe 2-3 months.

And the only thing that went in the mind of every ETF member is the thought "This attack was planned. But is Riya the intended target?

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