9. Regain Consciousness.

Arjun Singh Rathod:

One day had passed since the incident. Mrs. Mehra had been unconscious since yesterday. I stood near the operating theater, folding my hands, while Yash and Shikha were still inside. After a while, Yash came outside. 

"You should get some sleep, Mr. Rathod. I am here with her," Yash said as he came outside.

 "What did the doctor say?"

 "She will wake up in some time." 

"It's already been 24 hours. Why is she still unconscious?", I inquired. 

It's because of her heart condition. It takes almost three days for recovery." 

"Has her heart always been this weak?" I asked, not that I cared. 

"Not always, but since the death of her parents."

I wanted to know more. But I hesitated. I shouldn't intervene more in her family history. It was not my area to focus on. I came here solely for my revenge. Yash caught hold of it. 

"It's fine. You are her savior. You can ask me anything."

"What happened to her parents?"

"Hmmm, her mother died when she was 5 and her father died soon after. However, his body was never discovered.", Yash's face fell.

 Strange. While we were engaged in conversation, a nurse emerged, holding a paper in her hand. She handed the paper to Yash, informing him that the medications listed were essential for facilitating a quick recovery and needed to be acquired from nearby medical stores. It became evident that she was Mrs. Mehra's personal nurse.

Yash offered to fetch the medicines, but I intervened, suggesting that he remain with Mrs. Mehra while I undertook the task of acquiring the necessary medications.

I descended the staircase to the sound of my phone ringing. It was Rohan on the line.

 "Boss, Finally the boy has disclosed something," Rohan reported. 

 "What did he reveal? Did he expose the identity of his boss?" I inquired.

 "No, Sir. His identity remains shrouded in secrecy. None of the men who were present during the attack have seen his face. He's rumored to be a particularly ruthless mafia boss. They refer to him simply as 'D'."

"Also, Boss, the boy seems to be really innocent. He is malnourished and abandoned by his family. It is evident that he is gone through torture."

"Fine. Give him food and keep him alive. Recruit him into your coup. He will be useful in reaching towards 'D'.", I instructed.

"Yes, Boss.", Rohan responded.

Who was this D and why is he behind Mrs. Mehra? I thought to myself. 

Too bad Mrs. Mehra, you have too many haters who want you dead. 

After taking all the medicines, when I reached the hospital again, Mrs. Mehra was already awake. She leaned over the hospital bed, smiling at Yash as he sang her a song.

 It was the first time I had seen her smile so brightly. I hadn't expected it, not really. Just after seeing her so frightened with the gun pointed at her head, I thought she would be traumatized for days. But surprisingly, she seemed fine, or so I thought.

 When her eyes met mine, her smile faded away for a second. Then, she smiled once more, but this time it was different from her previous smile.

The way her eyes lit up softened the sharp edges of her features. The tension she usually carried in her shoulders melted away.

The corners of her lips curved upward, transforming her entire face.

Suddenly, she wasn't just the timid, soft woman I had seen earlier—she was something more, something tender and radiant.

 It hit me with the force of a thousand revelations. It wasn't just a physical expression; it was like a window into her soul, revealing a side of her I hadn't seen before—a side she rarely showed to anyone. It was vulnerable, unguarded, and utterly enchanting. 

Her eyes spoke a world of stories. I could tell she was on the wedge of breaking down completely.

It was justifiable because who wouldn't want to cry if a fucking gun was pointed on their head? However, one thing was clear from this incident,

She had no idea about 'The Door' or the fictional world she created through her writings.

I couldn't look into her eyes or her smiling face after remembering my true intentions. 

I quickly hurried back behind the room leaving her smile unnoticed. 

She was the one who wrote me and created my tragic life full of sufferings, I reminded myself again. After composing myself, I entered the room.

"These are all the medicines needed for your quick recovery. Take them before sleeping.", I handed her the bag without maintaining eye contact. I turned to leave, when she stopped me.

"Mr. Arjun, we were thinking of going for a short walk outside. Why don't you accompany us?", She said keeping the bag of medicines on the bed nearby.

"No need. Stay here quietly.", I picked the bag and handed it to her.

She again placed the bag on the bed,

"Please Mr. Arjun, let us go. I am craving for a breath of fresh air. ", She looked at Yash as if asking him to help her go outside. 

"Yes, Mr. Arjun! Adu is tired of smelling all the smell of the disinfectant. It is unhealthy for her to remain inside for more time.", Yash passed her a wink.

Mrs. Mehra nodded in an agreement to Yash's words.

This Yash, I wanted to murder him right now.

"I said no. It is dangerous for you to go outside at night after whatever happened yesterday. "

Mrs. Mehra's face fell. I felt a thorn prick my skin.

"Fine, I'll take you outside for a walk after dinner."

A smile emerged on both of their faces and Yash said smiling,

"Mission successful!"

"Yes Boss.", Mrs. Mehra responded in a salute. 

While Mrs. Mehra was having her dinner, I made a quick call to Aishwarya.

Before I could speak a word, she started....

" Hello Bhaiya! Kaise call Kiya! Itne dino baad apko meri yaad abh ayi. Wahh. Mai bohot ruthi hu apse.", she said frowning.

"Nautanki band karo. Pehle ye batayo ki tumne khana khaya?"

"Haan bhaiya. Kha liya hai. Waise kaise chal raha apka revenge plan. Toh apko kuch pata chala us writer ke baare main?"

Mrs. Mehra saw me talking on the phone and asked,

" Who are you talking to?"

I gestured her, "My smaller sister."

Her face bloomed.

"You have a sister? I did not know that. "

"You don't need to know. "

While Aishwarya who was on the call screamed through the phone.

"Bhai, Ap kisse baat kar rahe hai? Kya wohi writer se-"

I cut her off. She will totally ruin all my plan. She really can't keep anything in her small brain. I shouldn't have told her about my plan.

(Are you talking to that writer? Brother?)

" Does she know me?", a confused Mrs. Mehra questioned.

"Offcourse, she knows you. She is also your fan. " I lied. Aishwarya liked reading but I made a strict rule that reading a story book be prohibited in the house. It was my way of dealing with anger. Anger that I was just a story character. She hated me for that but complied in the end.

"Why don't you invite her for the night walk? She can stay with us in my house for tomorrow. "

Aish jumped through the screen,

"Yes Bhai, I want to meet Aditi. Please let me meet her. I am getting bored here as it is. "

I sighed. If she starts, she stops only after her plan is accomplished.

"Fine. Come near the City hospital. "

She jumped with joy and quickly waved a goodbye saying,

"I am coming in 5 mins. Bhai don't change your mind afterwards. Aditi, I am coming to meet you. ", before she could continue, I ended the call.