22~ The sudden turn of events
"A-adhyay, I don't know what to say", I mumbled, wiping away my stray tears.
He smiled sadly, taking my both hands in his and replied, "You don't have to.
I'm okay if you don't feel the same. I just needed to tell you before it gets too late.
It's fine if you don't reciprocate my feelings, it's fine if you don't love me-"
"No! It's nothing like that. I respect you and even like you, but I'm not sure if it's love and I don't want to give you false hopes.
I know it hurts", I said and he nodded with a sad smile.
He was indeed hurt, but I don't know what else to say.
If I tell him that I have also started falling for him, he'd probably think that I am saying for the sake of it.
But, I myself am confused about my feelings.
"I really appreciate how you think Akriti", he gently said.
"I-I am really s-
I started to apologise but we were again interrupted by the same waiter.
I'm gonna kill him today! He is ruining everything!
He looked down and quickly setting up the plates and the bowls on our table scurried away.
Adhyay left my hand swiftly. I missed his touch, it was warm and comforting.
After my mother, only his touch felt like peace.
From that moment, none of us said anything.
Once a comfortable environment turned into an awkward one and only I am to blame.
He won't say it aloud but I know he is crumbling inside.
Beneath his smile, is his pain. I know how to hide pain, I have been doing it for years but I realised that he can actually understand me, read me like an open book.
He knows what I think, he knows everything and only I am clueless.
He shouldn't have waited for me, he shouldn't have wasted these many years after me. He should have moved on, married someone and had kids with her, knowing that I was too broken for him. He doesn't deserve me, he doesn't deserve a tainted woman like me who is constantly judged by people.
It hurts a lot, it does! I want to be with him but my insecurities wouldn't let me. I am actually scared that what if it isn't his real face? What if he leaves me behind? What if he falls out of love? He won't do that but I don't have the power to trust and take a step forward.
We silently ate whatever he had ordered and I sneaked looks at him.
He was not at all looking at me, lost in his thoughts.
I was always done with my soup when his phone ranged.
His eyebrows scrunched as he checked the caller ID and picked up the call.
Our eyes met for a few seconds and then I looked down.
"What! Hrishit are you sure? Check once again! She'll be there!", Adhyay yelled and I myself got confused. What happened?
His face morphed into worry which terrified me. He quickly cut the call and waved for the waiter.
"Quickly prepare the bill please", he said.
I opened my mouth to ask what happened when he said, "I'm sorry Akriti, I have to go.
"
I nodded and stood up, taking hold of my purse.
He paid, leaving no room for argument and took big steps towards the exit.
I was getting scared! I had to run to match his pace but I couldn't. He had already sat in his car and drove away.
I unlocked my phone and messaged mumma that I'll take some time to come back home.
She was online and texted me a thumbs up.
I took a deep breath and sat in my car when the hotel staff drove it out of the parking lot.
I have to know what happened! He was not only worried but scared!
And I know it was not because of a patient but because he was worried for the twins.
I don't know what happened but maybe I could be of some help.
I followed his car and took several turns before we stopped in front of a Hospital. It was not the one I visited but it had the same name.
That's because it's the other branch.
Oh yes yes! I forgot. I followed him inside but due to all the rush, he got lost. I looked here and there, and went through the long corridors when I collided with someone.
It was so quick that I was almost going to kiss the floor but I didn't. Strong arms supported my waist and I opened my eyes to see that it was him only.
I quickly detached myself from him and looked down.
"What are you doing here?", he asked, his voice not tender anymore. I looked into his eyes and found them moist. My heart clenched seeing him like this and I answered, "I was worried about you. Will you tell me what happened?"
My voice came out so soft that even I couldn't believe that it was me speaking.
He looked at me for a full second and then whispered, "We can't find Hrishika.
I don't know where she is."
It hurted, seeing him so vulnerable, so sad.
I wanted to cry, I can't see him like this.
I like him when he smiles. He doesn't looks good when he is sad.
"We'll find her, come on let's check again", I said cupping his cheek in the heat of the moment. He nodded, on the brim of crying. Where is she? Here her brother is crying for her.
Together with him, I checked every ward, every washroom but Hrishika was nowhere to be found.
How can she vanish in broad daylight? Hrishit was getting the security cameras checked while we searched the whole hospital.
At last, Adhyay gave up and called his parents, informing them Hrishika's sudden disappearance.
"I failed as a brother mom", he cried bitterly through the phone and it broke me. Why is he blaming himself? It isn't his fault!
He was continuously talking to his parents when I realised that we didn't check any of the OTs! She might be there!
"Adhyay! Check the OTs", I said and he looked at me weirdly.
He hung up the call and said, "Are you mad?
They are occupied. How can I barge in when surgeries are going?
".
I facepalmed and said, "Stupid, I'm saying to check the vacant OTs".
His mouth opened in an O as he absorbed what I said.
His bulb finally started working and one by one he peeked in through the glass doors, checking which were vacant.
We stopped at the end of the corridor, and it was the last one.
I was praying that we find her here or else I don't know what Adhyay will do with himself.
He stepped in the darkened room and switched on the lamp.
I checked the whole area when I found someone sobbing near the instrument table.
My heart beat rose as I realised it was Hrishika.
I gently patted her shoulder and she looked at me with a gasp.
"N-no! P-please don't r-rape me", she cried and threw the instruments at me. I stepped back when a needle thrown by her stung my wrist. Adhyay heard the noise and came near me. When he saw his sister crying, her eyes swollen and hair scattered, the colour from his face vanished.
"Hrishika? It's me, your bhai, look at me bacha", he tenderly said sitting on his knees. Hrishika, who had hidden face between her hands, looked up and lunged at Adhyay.
"B-bhai s-save m-me", she cried and I couldn't help but sob. Who did this to her? Who scared her so much that she can't stop crying?
Adhyay helplessly looked at me, he himself crying and patted her back. He picked his sister up who only hugged him tighter as if he life depended on him.
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