Chapter 32
"When all the details fit in perfectly,
something is probably wrong with the story.”
Ridhima was in an ambulance, she had seen Mr Mohan Pandey helping her to get into it. She could hear some whispers. She knows even in her current state which is not so favourable and everything looking hazy to her she has given inspector Mohan the evidence he needed. However, this time her whole body had reacted to the fear going out of her control and had decided to shut down and stop functioning normally. Her nerves came apart completely, and she started going in and out of the darkness losing her consciousness. She tried to stop but couldn't. It had been such a narrow escape. She kept telling herself in her mind that she could take all of the pressure; but there were those times that her body seemed almost to shut itself down, to scream that what was happening was just too much and finally she closed her eyes going into deep shadows of darkness.
As the ambulance came to a stop Mohan took Riddhima inside the emergency with the help of staff. As soon as they went inside the hospital Mohan showed his ID to avoid any delay in treatment due to formalities and said
"Please start the treatment rest of the formalities that need the family will be completed as soon as her family arrives here. I have informed them they will be here soon rest whatever it is I'll handle it."
Just as Riddhima was taken in his phone rang picking it up he said
"Hello, inspector Mohan here"
"Hello, inspector Mohan this is Sejal here. How isRiddhima? Did you reach the hospital? What did doctors say?"
came a very frantic and haphazard Sejal's voice.
"The doctors had taken her in for the examination. I'll inform you as soon as I get any further information. By the way, are you coming here? How long would it take for you to reach here? I have to leave to get the person responsible for this as soon as possible. We cannot delay any further as the longer we take and the more the person is out riskier it would be for Riddhima though we have gathered prooves yet formalities are going to take their time. I'll inform the authorities and get tight security here for her but cannot leave till someone from the family reaches here."
Mohan said to Sejal informing her while looking at the room Riddhima had been taken to
"I am on my way. Please take care till I reach there. I'll reach in 20 minutes."
Sejal said answering Mohan and disconnecting the call asks the driver to fasten up.
****************
It was one of those midnight exercise sessions Aryan was going through when he has a lot to think about when he saw Sejal rushing out of the house through his window. Worried and a bit curious called her out which went unheard and unanswered. Quickly dressing up he went after her only to see her take a cab. Taking his car he followed her and was surprised to reach a hospital. Following her, he reached to ICU and saw inspector Mohan was present there seeing them he thought
What is even going on here?
Just when a doctor came out and Sejal who was in tears asked him
"Doctor, hello how is Riddhima?"
making Aryan take a step back in confusion and surprise.
"Well, miss Sejal Mrs Rai Singhania had gone through a nervous breakdown. Hence, her body had shut itself down. It could be due to PTSD caused by the kidnapping and the torment she went through there. For now, we could only wait and watch while hoping for the best. The coming next few hours are going to be crucial for the patient. We are keeping her under observation for the next 48 hours. If everything goes right and she regains consciousness then we are going to need to give her some therapy and counselling as per the requirement of her condition. For now, let's just wait."
saying so the doctor left from there leaving a very much distraught Sejal behind.
"Why did they kidnapped her is it money? I would have given any amount of money all they had to do is ask."
Sejal mumbled to herself though audible enough for Mohan and Aryan who stood there
"Miss Sejal...Miss Sejal I'll have to leave would you be fine? I"ll need to do the investigation ahead to make sure the person responsible for this is put behind bars as soon as possible."
Mohan asked with concern in a careful and low voice getting a nod from Sejal in a reply who was gazing at Riddhima through glass doors, who was attached with different wires.
"I'll be here with her inspector though could you inform me what happened before leaving?"
Aryan's voice came from behind who was standing there silently all this while making Mohan look at him and come towards him while Sejal, though registered his presence but her eyes were still glued to Riddhima laying on the bed on the other side of the glass wall.
"Well Mr Aryan your sister-in-law was kidnapped from your own house's garden area with everything going on it shouldn't be rocket science to realize who could be behind this yet we need to be sure and I will request you to not share any details with anyone. It may put you in trouble. I have called a security team for her safety, they'll be guarding her 24/7, from now on. I'll take your leave now. You may inform your family about the situation if you may like."
Mohan said to Aryan then turning his head and giving a glance at the two ladies, and turning his head back to Aryan he said
"Take care"
getting a slight nod from Aryan he left from there.
For the world, Sejal might be the strong, carefree, and a person who doesn't give a damn but it was the people who were closest to her, knew her, knew that she was a child from the heart and was vulnerable and emotional when it came to the people who were her own, her family and her friends, and one of such person was now laying in a hospital bed looking at whom was breaking her.
Looking at her Aryan said
"I'll go and bring coffee to you."
and left just then the said security which inspector Mohan had appointed for Riddhima arrived. Sejal had seen them once or twice with inspector Mohan, hence was assured about them. While the men took their place Sejal went aside and dialled a number of the person who can help her
"Humm, yes madam you completely forgot me ah? Always calling your brother but not me?"
says Sakshi who about to enter the office teasingly to his beloved daughter
"Mom,"
says Sejal with a breaking tone and making Sakshi stopped on her spot on another side and making her understand something was wrong with her daughter
"Sejal, beta, what happened?"
asks Sakshi
"Mumma Ridhima,"
says Sejal with hiccups
"What happened to her?"
says Sakshi getting anxious and worried lines forming on her forehead while signalling her assistant to call Ridhay immediately
"Mom, Ridhima got kidnapped,"
says Sejal while breaking into tears while making Sakshi gasp and take a step back at the news
"What? Do you know who is it? What do they want? I will inform our people and tell Ridhay too"
says Sakshi distressed and worried already started walking back towards her car when she heard Sejal, saying
"Maa, wait! Ridhima is fine now. Inspector Mohan saved her. However, she is in hospital. Doc saying she had a nervous breakdown. I'm scared mamma"
finished Sejal while breaking into tears.
Sakshi knows her daughter better than anyone in the world. She is a fighter yet when it comes to the matter of her loved ones especially Ridhima, she cannot handle herself. Sakshi takes a deep breath trying to calm herself and says,
"Courage isn't having the strength to go on - it is going on when you don't have strength, Sejal. So, stop your tears and protect Ridhima, we are on the way to the hospital. Send us the location"
saying Sakshi signals Ridhay to take drive the car who came running to her after hearing something urgent from her assistant.
It was a few hours later the next morning in VR Mansion when upon not finding the three members Riddhima, Aryan, and Sejal the head of the family Chandrika Rai Singhania got worried and dialled the number of her younger grandson is when she got to know about the happenings of the previous night.
Soon everyone reached the hospital while doctors didn't allow anyone to get inside and see Riddhima, worried Sejal asks,
"She is still in an unconscious state, why isn't she waking up?"
Sejal almost shouts while Aryan tries to consoles her. However, Sejal pushes Aryan aside and says,
"Listen, doctor, if she does not wake up soon you are not gonna like what would happen, I'll turn down this place into ashes and will make sure you all go down with it"
making doctors scared a bit while the Rai Singhania family was surprised to see such a threat coming out of Sejal while her behaviour and words very much reminded them of Vansh or were it her protectiveness and love for the girl inside?
Dadi gets up understanding her concern and presses her hand on Sejal's shoulder making her calm down.
"Doctor, I'm sorry from my granddaughter's side. She is worried about Ridhima, just like all of us. Please let us know if she is fine?"
asks Dadi worriedly while Doctor looks at everyone and says,
"She went through a nervous breakdown. So we are monitoring her. Until she gets stable enough we cannot shift her from ICU. Also, I would request you to please calm down and rest everything is assured,"
says the Doctor leaving with his team.
"Who can Kidnap Ridhima? Where is Inspector Mohan?"
asks Rudra confused and worried as it wasn't a small thing for someone to step in their house and get their hands on their daughter-in-law that says a lot about their security's efficiency rather their inefficiency.
Aryan turns towards the family and says,
"Mohan is working on the case, so he left Bhabi here; however making sure she is well protected with the guards."
while gesturing towards the men in black standing around them. It has been hours since Ridima was still unconscious making Sejal worried about her. While Aryan agrees to drop Ishani, Rudra, and Chanchal back home while Dadi and Sia refused to go back home but agreed to take rest in the room that was provided for them for the attendees and relatives of the patients.
(Creative liberty here generally they don't provide rooms separately for the ICU patient's relatives perks of being a Rai Singhania)
Dadi was glad to see the whole family was with Ridhima at the time of an hour and felt happy they are concerned about her. Oh, only if she knew how delusional she had been all this while. Soon everyone left leaving only Sejal behind and after dropping everyone home Aryan returned back soon.
***************
In the prison: -
Mohan visits Vansh who was lost in his thoughts. These days he sees Vansh lost too much in his thoughts; Of course, anyone would be the same if someone has a family-like he has.
"Hello, Mr Vansh,"
says Mohan while opening the doors of the prison making Vansh come out of his thoughts
"Have some good news to share with you?"
says Mohan while taking the chair opposite to him
though Vansh showed no interest in the topic, noticing and understanding it Mohan says,
"In a few days time, we will release you from the jail"
gaining the attention of Vansh fixing on himself.
"How?"
asks Vansh
"Well, we got some proofs in our hands against him that can prove you as innocent and him the real criminal we were at the lookout for, so we are going to claim the same and say you are innocent and the real culprit is Kailash Rai Singhania,"
says Mohan looking at Vansh with a steady expression
"What evidence Mr Mohan,"
asks Vansh with surprise and relief
While Mohan smiles,
"It's confidential for now, Mr Vansh. However, you will know soon"
says Mohan and takes an exit without revealing anything about Ridhima
"Assistant: Sir, you didn't inform VR about his wife? Why?
Mohan: Do you think you would able to stop him if he learns about her state?
Assistant: Sir ...
Mohan: The moment Vansh learns what happened with Ridhima, he is going to break the whole prison into tiny pieces. Do you want me to arrest him for being madly in love with his beloved wife?
Assistant (smiles): No, sir. But tomorrow if he knows...
Mohan: I Will think about it later. First of all, I want you to prepare the papers for the bail of Vansh and keep this highly confidential. Okay?
Assistant: Yes, sir!"
said Assistant takes his leave from the cabin while Mohan sees the video again and again.
*****************
Sakshi and Ridhay were shocked to see the hospital when they saw the location Sejal has sent.
"Buji, it is the same hospital. Is it a mere coincidence or a pre-planned event?"
asks Ridhay while Sakshi looks at Ridhay,
"Relax, it is just a coincidence no one knows. You stay in the car son. I will go and check Ridhima"
says Sakshi as they reached in front of the hospital while Ridhay says, coming out of the car and following her
"Buji, I will .."
Sakshi goes near him and says,
"I understand, but considering it is the same hospital, we need to be careful. I will take care for now and if needed, I will call you immediately "
moving away from the place making Ridhay feel more helpless while he gets into the car to wait for his Buji to comeback.
Sakshi enters the hospital from the entrance the aura of the lady was such that every person there turned and looked at her something which people always do, reaching the chief doctor's room.
"Mrs Shergill, you here?"
asks the Chief doctor while getting up from his chair while Sakshi takes the seat and offers him the chair. The rest of the inturn junior doctor's team stood shocked to see the woman taking over the chair first and offering the chair to the Hospital head as if she owns it.
Reading the people's mind, Sakshi ignored them and turns towards the doctor
"Mrs Shergill, is everything fine? If it is regarding that lady, I must say, only her family can help her?"
says the doctor while Sakshi raising her hand stops him,
"it's regarding a patient called Mrs Ridhima Rai Singhania. Tell me about her?"
ordered Sakshi while the Chief doctor nods and says,
"She underwent a nervous breakdown and is unconscious, ma'am. Due to which we are monitoring her. In another few hours hopefully, she will wake up, and soon enough she will be discharged once we check her mental and emotional condition. It might take a few days. Since PTSD due to which she had the nervous breakdown, it may leave a lasting effect if not dealt with on time. Hence, once she comes to conscious we will access her, and with the help of a psychiatrist and see if any treatment or counselling would be needed. Nothing to worried for now, but, ... "
gaining Sakshi's attention while gazing at the doctor
she asks, with a raise of her one eyebrow and a slight tilt of her neck
"But what?"
The doctor continues,
"It looks as if someone is tormenting her with something. I mean she had been having anxiety even in the condition she is in one can go have an anxiety attack in the unconscious state when they are unable to differentiate between dreams and reality. Though we have managed to stabilize her it could be a problem once she gains consciousness more if it is something related to her life be it past or present. It's that's why we had to put her in an induced coma to reduce the tension and stress on her brain anyways soon she would be out of it."
making Sakshi understand exactly what is happening with her. Sakshi gets up to call Sejal while the doctor asks,
"Is she your daughter Mrs Shergill?"
while Sakshi looks at him and says,
"My world and keep this information confidential that I have asked about her. Understood"
showing her index finger to everyone and making them nod out of fear from the sheer power illuminating out of her.
"Who is she?"
one of the doctors from the team of doctors whispered to the one beside him
"I don't know."
answered the other while the conversation wasn't low and discreet and was heard by everyone
"Shut up you fools. She is the owner of the hospital."
informed the hospital head who went pale hearing them to the people present there making them shut their mouth and mind at once in shock while Sakshi simply ignored them not bothering to answer or spare her glance at the people who were merely ignorant and lack common sense she had other important things to worry about.
************
Sakshi goes towards the terrace of the hospital while messaging Sejal to meet her there. By the time Sakshi reached the terrace, she saw Sejal running hither and thither. Understand what her daughter was going through, Sakshi spreads her arms the moment Sejal sees her. Sejal ran towards her and gave her mother a bone-crushing hug.
"Mumma,"
says Sejal while tightening her hold on Sakshi.
"Shh, everything is going to be fine with Ridhima. I just checked with the doctor"
says Sakshi patting her cheek. Sejal smiles while Sakshi takes a moment and asks,
"Who brought Ridhima to this hospital, I mean this branch hospital?"
while Sejal answered while asking her own set of questions from her mother with a frown on her face,
"It was Mohan Pandey, mom. Anything wrong with the hospital? Is it not good enough?"
Sakshi shakes her head in nothing and says,
"Make sure to take care of Ridhima and let her not wander anywhere in the hospital until her discharge okay?"
making Sejal nod her head in understanding.
"Okay mommy"
Sejal replied making Sakshi smile at her affectionately.
"I am serious Sejal you know how she can be. Her inner curiosity had always been the cause of the majority of the troubles she faces "
Sakshi says with a loving smile remembering and talking about Riddhima making Sejal smile,
"Can't argue with that our little Riddhu baby had always been a curious cat. "
Sejal said thoughtfully who was now in a better mood after knowing about Riddhima from her mother while going to sit on the bench provided on the terrace,
"That's why Sej, it is up to you to keep our little Sherlock Holmes in check till she recovers completely. We won't want her to get any trouble hereafter do we? "
says Sakshi joining her daughter beside her and making Sejal nod her head in understanding and says,
"Okay, mommy. Then, I will take your leave and check on Ridhima."
Sejal jumps up and leaves the terrace while Sakshi hopes until Ridhima is in this hospital they don't come across that woman. Praying to God, Sakshi steps down to get back to Ridhay who had been patiently waiting in the car.
****************
Sia and Dadi were back to ICU from the room given to them for the rest and not see Sejal anywhere made them worried, however, seeing Sejal coming from the other side, they moved near her,
"Sejal, where did you go? We thought something happened to you?"
says Sia while Dadi nods with her.
Sejal smiles at Sia and says,
"I just went for some fresh air for a few minutes. It's too overwhelming for me, you see"
while Sia and Dadi nod Aryan reaches to them with coffee in his hands for all the three ladies.
While Dadi and Sia took the chair, Aryan and Sejal stood at the ICU; Sejal was lost in Ridhima, and on the other side Aryan was completely clueless about his mixed emotions for this tomboy woman. Him being unable to see her gloominess to activate her sim card he says,
"Acha, listen to how much you money own?"
"What money?"
asks Sejal turning towards Aryan
"When the doctor left and you asked why did kidnappers kidnap bhabhi you said you would have paid the ransom to kidnappers, so how much you own to say that?"
asks Aryan to earn a glare from Sejal while Dadi and Sia understood he was trying to make her mood lighten up
Sejal understood she has slipped up so much from her mouth unknowingly and to cover up she takes a step towards Aryan making him nervous and says,
"Well, wouldn't you have given me if I ask you?"
making Aryan feel nervous and take a step back and Sejal smirks,
"On the point, Vansh will immediately give the money when we say him, Ridhima has been kidnapped. Isn't it Dadi?"
asks Sejal while Dadi nods her head.
Aryan smiles seeing her back to her usual self yet he continues,
"Besides that, you also said you will burn this hospital. Must say for a second I felt, I'm seeing bro, what say Sia?"
Sia nods her head and says,
"Indeed. That emotion was a replica of Bhai. If Bhai had been present, he would have said the same thing to the doctors,"
says Sia feeling bad for the absence of Vansh and cries silently.
Sejal goes near her and kneel-downs to her level and says,
"Trust me when I say this, Vansh will come out soon. Ridhima's Bappa will make sure of it"
by saying this Sejal hugs Sia and Aryan get lost in their bond seeing how she jells up with the people who are good at heart.
While everyone was lost in the emotions, they hear the bell ring from the Ridhima's room making nurses reach the room first. They could see Ridhima opening her eyes from the glass wall and feels happy. Sia and Sejal hug each other while in her excitement Sejal turns to the other side it was Aryan who stood and turned at the exact moment towards seeing Sejal standing in midway to hugging position. Putting her hands down Sejal and Aryan both gave each other a tight smile.
Sister comes out from the Ridhima's room and says,
"She is fine. You can visit her now and but please maintain the silence."
Sejal along with Dadi, Sia, and Aryan enter the room while Ridhima had tears seeing everyone in the room. Sejal was the first one to hug her and says,
"Shh, baby, we are here for you."
Ridhima closed her eyes on Sejal's touch.
It’s one thing to show how much she loves me, and I end up flattening my lips, fighting the urge to cry. She nudges me toward her and if it wasn’t for her hold, I would have dropped like a house of cards.
Sejal wrapped me in her arms and continuing to say,
“It’s okay, baby. You're okay.”
I cling tighter to her because it doesn’t feel okay. For the past two months, life was though not so good and easy yet it was so much more than just that and everything I never dreamed it could be. Despite my efforts, the muscles at the corner of my mouth tremble. I wanted to be done with tears and with whispered comments in my mind that are being thrown in my direction like knives and with this overwhelming sense that I’m less and that I’ll never belong" thinks Ridhima while trying to open her eyes again and watch everyone in the room.
Dadi reaches to Ridhima while Sejal gets up and Dadi takes the seat near Ridhima,
"We were so worried about you when we got to know about everything. Now, happy that you are alright beta"
while Sia follows her and says,
"Ha, Bhabi we were waiting for you to open your eyes and finally happy to see you back."
Aryan who stood there didn't know what to say more so he says,
"I will go and check with the doctor regarding the treatment ahead and discharging"
and moves from the room.
"What happened beta?"
asks Dadi while Ridhima shivers remembering the things and immediately Sia says,
"Dadi, let's not talk about it. Bhabi is fine with us. Let me inform everyone at the home too,"
says Sia moving to a corner to make a call.
"Sia is right, beta. I won't ask anymore. You take rest"
says Dadi while getting up and Aryan enters saying,
"Doctors said they will discharge you in next two days Bhabi though you might need to come for counselling and therapy sessions due to your PTSD which may linger and cause trouble if not dealt with. I will drop Dadi and Sia in the home and will come back."
"No, Aryan. Sejal is with me. That's fine for me. You take care"
says Ridhima. Aryan looked at her meeting her eye with his eyes says,
"Bhabi, bro is not here. If he had been, he would do the same thing. I know, we don't share any good rapport, and I not exactly the most responsible one in the family but take it as an apology from me and a peace treaty. That's sums up why I must be here when you are resting in the hospital"
says Aryan making Dadi, Sia proud, while Sejal along with Ridhima had a comical look on her face with a raised eyebrows bringing an amused smile on Aryan's face looking at them both.
********************
It was at late-night Ridhima got up from her bed as she was feeling thirsty and she sees Sejal occupied the bed while Aryan was on the couch. Seeing Aryan Ridhima thinks, "It's never too late to change life for the better. One doesn't have to take huge steps to change a life. Making even the smallest changes to the daily routine can make a big difference in one's life. And Aryan is making those efforts unknowingly. He is becoming more into a fine man from the player without even realizing it" and smiles seeing Sejal who was sleeping in a Taikwaondo position even in the hospital single bed. Only she can come up with such positions."
Getting up slowly from the bed, Ridhima drinks some water and covers both Sejal and Aryan with the blankets properly, and tries to go for a walk to have some fresh air as this place was suffocating her more. She wanted to talk with Mohan and ask him about the video she gave him and said to watch, "Did he even got what I told him or not?" thought Ridhima and passes through the nurse section when she heard,
"Do you know today I saw the owner of the hospital, must say she is so beautiful and elegant woman"
While Ridhima smiles hearing their talks but then stops hearing the name of the owner
"Sakshi Randhawa Shergill owns this hospital and today she came to check on some person,"
says another nurse. Ridhima understood the woman must have come to check on her Sejal might have called her and informed about her but then she hears another nurse,
"Arey, No. They are visiting this hospital for more than a week. You see, in the last room on the top floor of the hospital the suite room number 808, there is a patient. Sakshi mam along with another young man comes to visit that woman. No one is allowed into that room. Only the top doctors and nurses who have the entry pass can visit the room"
says the nurse making Ridhima wonder, "Who is that woman? Why they are visiting her secretly?" and takes steps towards the end of the room.
Ridhima took baby steps towards the room so no one can see her and stop her. While she reaches the room she sees black guards standing outside the room. To an extent, Ridhima can say such blackguards are used for personal guarding and their being here making her more curious to step in and see who is that person?
However, her condition was not helping her to make much movement. While Ridhima was waiting for someone to move, she sees a nurse coming out of the room and hides from her. While the nurse passes her, Ridhima silently takes the card to swipe and enters the staff room without anyone noticing. She changes herself into the clothes of a doctor and walks the pathway of the last room holding her breath.
"Ma'am, you cannot enter"
says Guard 1
"I'm her doctor,"
says Ridima showing the card she has.
The Guards looked at each other and allows access to enter the room which was covered in the pitch black.
For a few moments, Ridhima was scared to see the darkness making her stop in her track as it made her remember the nightmares and the kidnapping room. But holding her breath tight and chanting Bappa's name she takes her steps and then reaches to another glass room.
Ridhima sees a woman sitting to the other side showing her back towards Ridhima. Ridhima can see her staring at the wall in front of her. "Who is she? What these guys are hiding from me?" Ridhima thought when suddenly the woman turns back making Ridhmim gasp in shock and stunned she goes numb.
"How is it possible? How could they?"
says Ridhima to herself while unknown to her tears start flowing from her eyes.
Written by: @Abhyudaya & @BhataktiAtma
Until next update - be safe, healthy, kind and courageous and do share your reviews :)
Chapter 33 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5197552?pn=107#155514265
Edited by Abhyudaya - 5 years ago
