Arakshi SS: Chance By Kismat - Part 18 Updated (Page 5) - Page 2

Chotu update?

Arjun, really? You need to get your head on track.

Part 5:

Caller ID displayed Shree. Arjun answered his phone immediately. He dropped a message yesterday hoping to receive call back. . He didn’t wait for his call to explain things. He dropped a voice note explaining the situation requesting Shree to reply immediately. He didn’t want to waste time waiting for the situation to explain things. He didn’t want to rush but also not wait to take action. Rajeev celebrated his lies, now its time to burn him in truth. After pleasantries,they spoke.

Arjun – Shree I know its lot to ask….

Shree interrupted.

Shree – Arjun. Seriously? Why are you being formal?It’s Sakshi. We couldn’t do anything then, now we want to help. Let’s meet and discuss.

Arjun – Lets meet for lunch at 1 PM.

Shree – Works.

Arjun disconnected the call. It’s already 9 AM and he has important meeting.

***

Arjun’sLiving Room:

Bhumi and Aisha are in kitchen preparing brunch.Everyone woke up late after yesterday’s stressful night. Sleep didn’t come easy and it didn’t leave with moon. Saanvi is the first one to wake up. She woke her parents and eventually their activities resulted in disturbing Bhumi. They decided not to disturb Arjun till he woke up.

A bell ring chimed in the room filled with Saanvi’s cartoon channel’s noise. Sameer looked up from his phone with coffee cup in other hand. For a second bell, he rolled his eyes to Aisha, who raised her brows at him prompting him to get up and open door.

Sameer – Yes?

Chandrakanth – Hi, I am Chandrakanth Patil from ETF.

Sameer stood confused watching a tall well built police officer right before him.

Sameer (Confused) – Police?

Bhumi and Aisha came to living room hearing the word police.

Chandrakanth – May I come in?

Sameer stepped aside letting him in. He sat on the sofa, as Sameer, Aisha and Bhumi looked at eachother confused.

Sameer (thought) – Is he here because of Rajeev? I knew yesterday’s fight was a bad idea.

Aisha looked at Sameer.

Aisha (thought) – Is he here to arrest Arjun?

Bhumi couldn’t comprehend what is happening. She don’t want any trouble for her child. If this is the beginning of the trouble, she is worried her advice might bring more trouble for him.

Chandrakanth observed the tensed room and their silence is broken by Arjun who entered the room. ETF officer stood up towering most members of the room. Everyone clenched at the thought of worst.

Arjun took a step forward and shook his hands giving a sense of relief but air of confusion still lingered.

Arjun – Hi, Chotu?

Chotu (Laughed) – I am sure that’s how Riya would have introduced us.

Arjun turned towards his family members to explain the situation.

Arjun – He is Chotu, I mean Chandrakanth, Riya’sbrother. He is in police force. I thought he will help us with the case.

Aisha – Riya?

Arjun – My friend in London.

Everyone settled in. Bhumi excused herself to Kitchen to bring in refreshments.

Bhumi – Main abhi aati hoon.

Aisha – Let me help.

Bhumi – Kanta aagayi. She will help me. Tum log baat karo.

***

Chotu started the conversation.

Chotu – I have read the case files and court transcripts.

Sameer – Already?

Chotu – Received them in the morning, got time to go through.

Arjun – Do we have anything useful?

Chotu – I think the whole report is farce. Hum iss case main involved kisi ko trust nahi kar sakte. Main phir se sare witnesses and involved logon ko investigate karunga. Uss main kuch loop holes hai. I will figure that out.

Arjun – Thank you so much. I know you were busy, but you came.

Chotu – Anything for my sister. If something is important for her. It is important for me too. Don’t worry, I will take care of it.

Chotu left after the conversation allowing Arjun to explain his next steps.

***

Arjun, Sameer and Aisha waited outside in the car. Arjun was stuck in his phone, while Sameer is figuring out how to manage work in the car with laptop on his lap and Aisha speaking to her mother about Saanvi’s upcoming cultural program dresses, which will be delivered home.

As Arjun’s eyes rolled away from screen, they landed on Sakshi stepping out of house with her mother holding and guiding her out. Early afternoon sun stung her face but she did not blink nor her face changed. She did not even try to adjust to the light hitting her. It felt like, everything passed through her. She became leaner from before and her dress is ill fitted. Her hair is tied into a pony. It reminded him of their old days when he used to pick her up.

***

Flashback:

Sun rays kissed her face as she stepped out into corridor. She was running late. Her hair bounced as she ran. She turned back and bid bye to her parents while stepping forward. She almost slipped on her footwear but balanced herself. She wore her flats and looked up.

Arjun is waiting on his bike with helmet in his hand, watching her walk towards him waving hi. Arjun wore t-shirt Sakshi picked previously. He smiled thinking,

Arjun (Thinking)– Mujhe samajh he nahi aata, isse dekh ke he main itna kush kaise hoja tha hoon. Aur ye subha subha itna kush kaisi rehti hai, mujhe utne main he mautaata hai.

Sakshi brokehis chain of thoughts.

Sakshi – Chale?

Arjun – Tu raatko padai bolke sothi nahi aur subha subha itni kushi se kaise utt jati hai.

Sakshi – Tumhara sarr. Chup chaap chale. Temple bhi jaana hai.

Arjun –Saaaakkssshiiiii… No….

Sakshi – 2 min lagega.

Sakshi got onto bike. During their rides, they are on call even though they are beside eachother. He uses his airpod and she her earphones to talk to eachother staying on call.This avoids her screaming things into air trying to reach him and he struggling to decode what she said and respond to same. But this time its different.

He placed Bluetooth in his earphones and wore the helmet. He dialled her number started to ride. Call hit a busy tone. She leaned forward and said,

Sakshi – I am on call with Rajeev. Hum college jaake baat karenge.

She went back to her call. Arjun’s face well as he drove. He blasted songs into his pods. A quiet discomfort rises within,not anger, not sadness, just a faint unspoken ache.

Arjun (To himself) - She is on call in our time? She didn't even notice my t-shirt. She didn't even ask about her lost bracelet.

He touched the his pant pocket where he kept it to return.

Arjun (To himself) - Shayad usko pharak nahi padta.

He decided to keep it with himself. He couldn't hear her speaking to Rajeev.

Sakshi (To Rajeev) - I am still not able to find that bracelet Rajeev. That is very important to me.

Rajeev - You made me drive to every place yesterday by cancelling all our plans to to track that bracelet. We drove to that pani puri place at 9 PM just to check. We even asked him. Its no where.

Sakshi (felt guilty) - I am sorry for the trouble Rajeev.

Rajeev adjusting his tone.

Rajeev - That's no trouble. Anything for you. Don't worry. You will find it. Why don't you ask your friends?

Sakshi - If they found it, they would have given me by now and I don't want to ask. If Arjun will know, he will feel bad that I lost his gift. He always keeps everything safe. You know he even wore the t shirt I picked for him five years back today. He even takes care of small things I gift him.

Rajeev - Looks like you both are very close.

Sakshi - We are friends from very long time.

Bike ride continued with she on call and Arjun listening to songs.

Flashback Ends

***

Arjun is pushed to present with the sound of car door opening. Sakshi sat in middle, with Aisha and Sakshi’s mother on both ends. Arjun saw her in the rear view mirror, her pale face, pain stricken eyes stung his heart.

Arjun – Main sabb teekh kar dunga Sakshi. I am here now.

***

Part 6:

Flashback:

Sakshi stepped out of temple with Arjun, who is enjoying prasad in both his hands. That’s the only reason which convinced him to go to temple.

Sakshi – Woh Prasad hai,nashta nahi.

She chuckled.

Arjun – Tu pehle keech ke mandir leke aayi, aur yaha ka ek lauta favorite cheez main enjoy bhi na karoon.

Sakshi – Bagwaan ji ye sunlenge toh tumhe utta ke patak denge.

Arjun – Don’t worry. I will use you as human shield.

Sakshi smacked his hand. Arjun rubbing his hand..

Arjun – Saks…

She interrupted looking above his shoulder.

Sakshi – Rajeev. Aap yaha pe?

Rajeev – I wanted to meet you.I didn’t like how I spoke to you on call. I know that bracelet meant to you alot. Instead of supporting to you in search of the ornament you lost, I complained.

Sakshi was stunned. She rolled her eyes at Arjun who stood their shocked. Rajeev looked around and realized Arjun standing there.

Rajeev – Oh! I am sorry. You didn’t want him to know about this. About losing his gift. I didn’t realize that I blabbered everything. Don’t be angry at me.

Sakshi composing herself –

Sakshi – No Rajeev, why will I be? No worries. Thanks for coming to meet me just for small issue on call. You could have just messaged, but you came here to talk to me. That means a lot.

Sakshi decided to ignore what he did just now after she expressed her fear of not letting Arjun know about this, and he spoke exactly that in front of him.

Arjun (happy) – She searched for it. (Confused) But why did she want to hide from me? Why didn’t she tell me? Why is she hiding these small things from me.

His chain of thoughts broke bySakshi.

Sakshi – I am really sorry Arjun. I didn’t want you to feel bad. So, I didn’t tell you. I thought I would find it. But I couldn’t.

Arjun heard everything with hand on his pocket. He took a deep breathe deciding to give it to her. Rajeev interrupted turning her towards him by pulling her hand.

Rajeev – Don’t feel bad. Arjun understands. He is your friend.

Arjun smiled agreeing, he slid his hand inside the pocket pulling out the bracelet.

Rajeev – Anyway, I bought you new one.

He said pulling out bracelet and hooked around her wrist.

Sakshi – Abhi ye sabb..

She hesitated to which Rajeev replied –

Rajeev – Tumhari kalayi kaali kyun rahe. Now whenever you will look at this, you will remember me. I am always with you.

Sakshi smiled at him.

Arjun standing aside pushed the bracelet in.

Rajeev – Abb chale?

Sakshi – Hum dono ko college jana hai.

Rajeev – Oh. I thought I will drop you and we could have sometime before your college.

Sakshi – Maybe we can meet in the evening.

Arjun – No no Sakshi. You people please carry on. Anyway I just got the message. Shree ko kuch kaam hai.I need to meet him. We will both come by second hour.

Sakshi looked at him for a moment. Arjun nudged her to go as its not a problem.

Sakshi left with Rajeev and Arjun got on his bike.

Arjun took a deep breathe and stayed on bike without moving from there. He took the bracelet from pocket looked at for sometime. He remembered saying her, “This is our friendship bracelet, which binds us together, forever”

Flashback Ends

***

Health & Nature Hospital:

Sakshi sat outside thebuilding in small garden. Sameer stood few meters away from her speaking to hisjunior explaining project changed. Arjun, Aisha and Sakshi’s mother came out ofthe building behind it. Sameer disconnected his call and joined them. Sameercould sense mother’s hope and sense of relief from Aisha. Arjun’s face is passive.No plan or a step will give him sense of relief, unless he can see fruits ofthese steps.

Sameer – Kya bola doctor ne?

Aisha – She will be fine. But she will need extensive therapy initial medication and nature to heal.

Sameer – Good to know.

Arjun – Sameer please drop aunty and Sakshi at home. Mujhe kisi se milne jaana hai.

Arjun turned towards Sakshi’smother and said,

Arjun – Aap tension matt lijiye. Abb sab teekh hojayega.

As Sakshi sat quietly on the bench, lost in her thoughts, a sudden gust of wind swept through the path. Just then, he hurried past her, his foot steps quick and unsteady. The breeze played with her dupatta, sending it fluttering like a whisper in the air — and in that fleeting moment, the edge of it caught on the clasp of his watch. He paused instinctively, their eyes meeting briefly, time stretching in that delicate tangle of fabric and fate.

Arjun stopped and turned around. He stood there as wind waved the duppata. He slowly walked towards her and kneeled down. He held her palms in his.

Arjun – Sab teekh hojayega Sakshi. Main wapass aaaunga. I am not leaving your side. Never.

Arjun got up, untangled her duppata and left from there.

***

Café:

Arjun rushed in. Shree and Lisa are already waiting for him. Arjun while settled on chair opposite to Shree and Lisa after hugging them. Its been long time.

Arjun – Oh god Lisa! You look different.

Lisa – Different? How?

Arjun (Smiling) – You look married.

Shree – Ofcourse! She is married to me.

Shree said assertively.

Lisa (Grinned) – Tumhe toh surprising he lagega. Humara shaadi jo skip kiya.

Arjun embarrassed leaned on to table.

Arjun – I am really sorry. I tried, but I couldn’t make. Waise tum log mere aane tak nahi rukh sakte the?

Shree – Acha. Galti kar ke humare uppar he daldo.

They laughed. They slowly got into the terms of plan and what can be done.

Shree – I will try to recover as much data as possible against him. But itne saal hogaye, abb kitna recover kar sakte hai woh nahi pata.

Lisa – But don’t worry. We will figure it out.

Aisha and Sameer joined them in meantime. They wished each other and continued the conversation.

Shree – Last month humare company ne Mumbai cyber police ke liye ek software taiyar kar ke diya hai. I know few people there.

Arjun – Oh! Do you know Chandrakanth?

Shree – You know chotu?

Arjun – Chotu?

Sameer – Tum logon ko kaise pata?

Shree – Bahot saalon se, he is our neighbour. Woh ghar main sabse chota hai, toh sabb usko chotu bulate hai.Humein sunn sunn ke aadat sa hogaya.

Lisa – Pehle chotu bhulane se mooh phulata tha. Abb usse bhi aadat hogaya.

Shree – Tum chotu ko kaise jaante ho?

Arjun – He is my friend Riya’s brother.

Arjun said with a grin.

Lisa – Riya? Uska behen ka naam Shreya hai.

Arjun – Wahi. Hum London main Re, Riya keh ke bhulate hai. Uske naam ka waha murder kar rahe toh short banadiya. Shreya se Riya.

Shree – Arey waah, itna sabkuch jaante ho.

Lisa – Itna close hai kya?

Aisha and Sameer turned towards Arjun.

Arjun – Can you guys shut up and focus on now?

Everyone sighed.

Arjun – Chotu is reopening the case, Why don’t you people coordinate with him and help with technical issues.

Lisa – Don’t worry Arjun.

Shree – Hum chotu se baat karenge. Hum sab sambhalenge.

Lisa – Pehle bhi hum use baat karna chahte te Arjun. Par aunty ne mana kar diya. Un hone bola ki, already Sakshi ne itna saha hai. Phir se police ke chakar nahi padna chahte te.

Sameer – Tumne aunty se baat kiya Arjun?

Arjun – Nahi. Jab tak kuch solution nahi milega, main baat karna nahi chahta hoon.

Aisha – Par Arjun, kisi aur se pata chalega toh….

Arjun – Kisi se pata nahi chalega. Main sambhalunga.

Arjun was determined.

***

Hi,

Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I am not active on forum so not sending personal message to anyone. Please do comeback whenever possible for new updates.

Part 7:

Health & Nature:

Sakshi’smother is pacing in the corridor trying to budge the door in between. She couldhear Sakshi screaming and wailing loud. Arjun rushed in.

Arjun – Aapteekh ho?

Bhanu – Wohlog mujhe andar aane nahi de rahe hai., Sakshi andarr….

She brokeinto tears. Arjun made her sit on waiting chair. He went and spoke toreceptionist.

Arjun – I would like to go in.

After a brief exchange, Arjun was finally allowed in. The doctor gently asked Sakshi’s mother to wait outside, sensing tha she was too emotionally overwhelmed to help calm her daughter.

As Arjun stepped into the room, his heart sank.Sakshi sat curled up in a chair, sobbing uncontrollably. Her face was streakedwith tears, eyes swollen and distant — a shadow of the girl he knew. It was asif the weight of the world had collapsed onto her in that moment, and she was struggling just to breathe through the pain.

Arjun kneeled before her, gently reaching outto hold her trembling hands. She instinctively pulled them back, lost in aworld of pain. But then, slowly, she opened her tear-filled eyes and looked athim — really looked at him. And in that single moment, it felt as though shewas seeing him for the first time in five years, not just the month they'dspent together.

Without a word, she threw herself into hisarms, breaking down completely. Arjun was taken aback — until now, it had feltlike she was seeing through him, lost in her sorrow. But now, she saw him. Sheleaned into him, clinging to him through the storm of emotions. Her sobs shook her entire body, like years of buried pain pouring out all at once.

He wrapped his arms around her tightly, gently patting her back in an attempt to calm her. Slowly, her wailing softened into small, broken sobs. When she finally quieted, Arjun loosened his embrace and cupped her tear-streaked face.

Arjun - I'm here, Sakshi.

He reassured.

She took a deep breath, but her head spun with exhaustion. The doctor stepped in, helping her recline gently in the chair. Shewas guided through a few breathing exercises to ease the heaviness inside her.Once she was calm, they gave her time to rest and regain her strength beforepreparing to leave.

Arjun and the doctor stepped outside, allowing Bhanu — Sakshi’s mother — to enter. The doctor placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Doctor - She’s okay now. Just give her time. Don’t question her about anything.

***

Doctor – Arjun this is a breakthrough.

Arjun – Breakthrough? She broke down and in that chair exhausted.

Doctor – Without breaking her, we cannot heal her. She needs to relive that moment to accept it and work through it. Her mind went numb blocking all the pain to guard her from hurt.

Arjun stayed silent.

Doctor - This is her 11th session Arjun. After strong medication and therapy today, she accepted it. She was crying coz tsunami hit her. But this shows our techniques are working.

Arjun – Thank you Dr. Rao. Abhi humein kya karna hai.

Doctor – Don’t worry. She will be fine soon, but complete healing will take time. Make sure you people don’t talk to her anything about past. She will be most vulnerable during these sessions. She will be exhausted after talking to me. Let her settle and revive before next one.

Arjun nodded.

Dr. Rao – She will be fine Arjun. But complete healing will take time.

She said and left from there to next room for another appointment. Arjun returned to Sakshi’s therapy room when Sakshi walked out with her mother. Sakshi is again silent, but calm too.

Bhanu – Doctor mam ne kuch kaha.

Arjun – Kuch medicines change kar ke diya hai. Phir se 2 din baad next session ke liye aana hai.

Bhanu nodded. Sakshi is staring at her feet wanted to leave from there.

Arjun – Main drop karta hoon.

Bhanu – Nahi Arjun. Uncle aaye hai. Hum chale jayenge.

Arjun beheld Sakshi in his eyes for a moment.He wanted to go with her, just to sit in silence and wait if she wants to talk. Arjun walked with them to car. He opened the door for Sakshi, once she settled in back seat, he helped her mother to front seat.

Arjun – Hi uncle.

Manish Anand – Hi Arjun. Tum yaha?

Arjun – Yahi pass main tha uncle. Sakshi ki therapy hai toh dekhne aaya.

Manish nodded silently. His face, weathered with deep lines, told tales of years gone by. His skin was rough and dark,marked by time and toil. Heavy bags and dark circles hung beneath his eyes, a testament to sleepless nights and unspoken burdens. Streaks of grey ran throughhis hair, each strand whispering stories of struggle, experience, and the quiet weight of life’s tensions.

Manish – Bahot din hogaya Arjun. Tum sab dostek baar ghar aao. Sakshi ko bhi thoda distraction milega.

Arjun – Sure uncle.

He bid them bye.

***

Arjun’s House:

Chotu, Lisa and Shree are already in the livingroom chatting with Aisha and Sameer. They were waiting for Arjun to share information collected. Everyone is positive and relieved with the progress.Bhumi opened door. Arjun looked tired and exhausted. All the glow and charmwhich shined on his face the moment he stepped in India is fading. Along withhim stood a man with thick black hair, grey eyes and charming face.

Arjun – I am sorry guys. Got stuck in somework.

He stepped in.

Arjun – He is Karan. Sakshi’s new lawyer.

He joined them. After Karan introduced himself to everyone and learnt about them, Chotu began to explain the case progress.

Chotu – I re-investigated all witnesses Arjun. Few were bribed and those who didn’t agree with it were silenced with power. Bribed logon ka confession hai mere pass.

Aisha – Itne aasani se mangaye?

Chotu – Sting operation kiya hai. Directly thodi manenge.

Shree – We tracked few online transactions to them from Rajeev.

Sameer – Par uss main kuch log workers hai, woh salary keh sakta hai na?

Karan – Confessions ke saath hum ye evidence present kar sakte hai. I can manage in court with this.

Chotu – Baaki logon ko protection diya hai.

Karan – I might need to re call them at first. Lets not give time to tamper. And anything regrading Rajeev?

Lisa – I have tracked his personal life. We have his call logs, transactions and CCTV footages from few hotels. We can actually prove all of Sakshi’s claims about Rajeev right.

Karan – Arjun, kya Sakshi court aa sakti hai?

Karan turned towards Arjun. He didn’t respond.Everyone’s attention moved to Arjun.

Karan – Arjun?

Aisha nudged.

Arjun (Startled) – Huh..

Aisha – Karan kuch pooch raha hai.

Arjun shifted his gaze to him.

Karan – Kya Sakshi court aa sakti hai?

Arjun moved his head side to side conveying no.

Karan – Okay, that should not be a problem. If required we would need to summon Dr. Rao. Can you inform her?

Arjun – Sure, I will talk to her.

Karan bobbed.

Arjun – Thank you Karan for joining us and thanks chotu for all the help. Everything is on track coz of you people. Par abhi…. Abhi mujhe kuch kaam hai. I will meet you people again.

Arjun got up and left to his room.

***

Vindhya diii!! OMG what a pleasant surprise!! Welcome back!! Will read the story soonish!

Part 8:

Arjun’s Room:

Arjun startled from Aisha’ssteps turned around to watch her enter.

Aisha – Tum teekh ho?

Aisha enquired with concernedlines forming on her forehead.

Arjun nodded yet, hisunchanged gloomy face made her probe further.

Aisha – Kya hua Arjun? Itnesaalon baad kitna acha progress ho raha hai. Aur tum kush nahi lag rahe?

Arjun – Main kush hoon..

Aisha – Par?

Arjun – Hum sab kuch teekh tohkar rahe hai Aisha, par kya Sakshi teekh hogi?

Aisha made Arjun sit.

Aisha – Kya hua? Sakshi semilke aaya?

Arjun – Usse milne hospital gaya tha. Jab gaya situation bahot kharab tha, baad main woh teekh hogayi par…

Arjun explained today’s hospital experience. It tore his heart into pieces.

Aisha – Par doctor ne toh kahana woh teekh ho rahi hai. It’s always darkest before the dawn. Sab teekh hojayega.

Sameer – Hum sab hai na?

Shree – Toh phir kyun chinta?

Lisa – Iss baar hum bajayenge Rajeev ka ganta.

Arjun and Aisha turned to doorto witness Sameer Shree and Lisa performing their dialogues to ease the mood.

Chotu – Main dialogue nahi maar sakta, par itna bata sakta hoon just give me 20 days. He will be in lock up. I need to make this airtight. I know 20days sunne main bahot zyada lag raha hai, but there is a lead. Agar woh confirm hogaya, Rajeev ko koi nahi bacha sakta.

Arjun smiled and nodded.

***

Sakshi’s Room:

Sakshi woke up and sat on herbed. She looked around her room. Everything was in the same place like how shedecorated before, but everything felt new. It felt like, she woke up from a lognap and everything felt new. Something shifted. She could feel her heart beat calm and slow. Her breathe controlled. She got down feeling the cold marblefloor. She walked around watching photos frames and feeling drapes.

She turned towards the creaked door. Light from the hall way seeped in, along with a silhouette of a man walking in. She startled and took a few steps back. Shadow turned light which helped her see Arjun.

Sakshi – Arjun!

Arjun surprised stopped in his tracks. There was something different about her—something he hadn’t expected.The usual tension that clung to her like armor was gone. She stood there quietly, her posture loose, shoulders no longer stiff with guarded energy.

Sakshi – Arjun!

Arjun – Sakshi..

A soft smile spread on herface.

Sakshi – It’s you?

Arjun – It’s me

She held happy tears in her eyes while his eyes are filled with emotional tears. After all this time, she was here. Speaking. Smiling. Real. They stood facing each other after years apart, the silence between them thick with unspoken memories. There was an awkwardness in their posture, a hesitation intheir eyes—but neither looked away. Beneath the strangeness of the moment, aquiet comfort settled in, as if some part of them had never truly been apart.

Sakshi’s mother walked in tocheck in on Sakshi.

Bhanu – Sakshi

Sakshi – Ma..

Hearing soft voice of her calling after years, sakshi’s mother cried and hugged her tight. She caressed her face and kissed her. She hugged her again not believing. She took her outcalling her husband as Arjun stood there watching them in contentment.

***

Living Room:

Sakshi sat amidst everyone. It felt like she is hearing them after so many years. Her house resounded with laughter. Mr. and Mrs. Anand are elated tosee her smile and interact with people. Her small nods and silent smiles were enough for them. Arjun sat in single chair opposite Sakshi. He is observing her minute expressions change with everyone speaking to her. He could see her deep breathes and blinking eyes. She clasped her palms together.

Arjun came to meet her along with Shree, Liza, Aisha and Sameer. He didn’t expect her to talk to her. He thought there arrival will shift energy and lighten moment after the session at hospital. But seeing Sakshi and hearing her gave him hope.

He could see her grow tired. Interrupting erupting discussions he asked,

Arjun – Sakshi, thoda rest karna chahte ho.

Sakshi raised her eyes. Looking at him she nodded.

Aisha – Ha tum thoda rest karo. Hum baad main baatein karenge.

Liza – Ha, bahot saare baatein karni hai. Mujhe shree ke baare main itne complaints dene hai itne complaints dene hai…

Shree – madam rukh jao, use saas lene do.

Shree pulled back Liza. Sakshi smiled.

Mrs. Anand helped her retreat to her room.

Eveyone dispersed in sometime. Before leaving,

Arjun – Arey my wallet!

He searched his pocket.

Arjun – I think Sakshi ki room main ghir gayi hai. Do min main aatahoon.

***

Sakshi’s Room:

Arjun stepped into see Sakshi lying on bed with closed eyes. He really wanted to talk.

Arjun (To himself) – Mujhe nahi pata kya baat karna hai, par baat karna hai. Mujhe jaana hai ki tum teekh ho? Hum apne hesaab se jo sahi hai woh kar rahe hai, par main jaana chahta hoon tum kya chahte ho?

He took a step back not wanting to disturb. As he turned he heard herspeak.

Sakshi – Arjun. Tum yaha?

Arjun – Woh main milne… Tum so rahi…

Arjun randomly spoke mixed words.

Sakshi – Main teekh hoon.

He saw her sit straight on bed. He went and hugged her tight.

Arjun – Tum teekh ho.

He reassured. He broke his hug.

Arjun – Tumhe kuch bhi chahiye main yahi hoon. Main hoon.

Sakshi nodded. Arjun pulled a watch bracelet watch out of his pocket. When tapped on the dial, watch on his hand vibrated.

Arjun – You don’t have to call me or message me to reach me. You don’t need to say a word. You just need to tap on this dial and I will be with you. Anywhere, anytime.

He made her tap which led to bracelet vibrating on his hand.

Arjun – See.

Sakshi (Smiled) – Tumhe aise ideas milte kaha se?

Arjun – Woh Riya…

Sakshi – Riya??

Arjun – Kuch nahi. Ye iss liye taaki koi bhi cheese iss baar humare communication pakki.

Sakshi reassured by tapping on the bracelet which resulted in vibrating watch on his hand.

***