Chapter 27 One Last Warning
City Care Hospital...
Hours had passed.
The red light outside the ICU remained on.
Every passing minute felt like an eternity.
Silence filled the waiting area.
No one had the strength to speak.
Vivaan had fallen asleep beside Savitri, his small hand tightly clutching hers.
Rajveer sat with his head bowed.
Arjun stood near the large glass window, staring outside without truly seeing anything.
Aadhira quietly sat beside Anjali, offering silent support.
Across the corridor...
Vedha's eyes slowly wandered toward Kavya.
Ever since arriving...
Something about her behavior had felt strange.
She wasn't crying.
She wasn't praying.
Instead...
She kept checking her phone.
Her fingers trembled.
Every few minutes, she looked toward the hospital entrance as if expecting someone.
The more Vedha watched...
The stronger her suspicion became.
Finally...
She stood.
"Kavya."
Kavya looked up.
"Hm?"
"I need to talk to you."
Kavya forced a smile.
"Now?"
"Yes."
Vedha's voice left no room for refusal.
The two quietly walked toward the deserted end of the hospital corridor.
Once they were completely alone...
Vedha folded her arms.
For several seconds...
She simply stared at Kavya.
Kavya shifted uncomfortably.
"What happened?"
Vedha spoke calmly.
"You're hiding something."
Kavya's heart skipped a beat.
"W-What?"
"You've been nervous ever since you arrived."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You do."
Silence.
Vedha took one slow step forward.
"Tell me the truth."
Kavya looked away.
"There is no truth."
Vedha's voice hardened.
"Kavya."
"I've known you for years."
"I know when you're lying."
Another long silence followed.
Finally...
Kavya's eyes filled with tears.
"I'm sorry..."
Vedha frowned.
"Sorry for what?"
Kavya covered her face.
"I only wanted to hurt Aadhira."
Vedha froze.
"I couldn't bear seeing everyone accept her."
"After everything she did to you..."
"...she was becoming part of the Rathore family."
"I couldn't watch it."
"So..."
"...I arranged the accident."
Vedha's eyes widened.
"You... what?"
"I didn't want anyone else to get hurt."
"I only wanted Aadhira to suffer."
"I did it because I care about you."
"I couldn't let her live happily after ruining your life."
For one brief moment...
Complete silence filled the corridor.
Then-
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the hallway.
Kavya stumbled backward, clutching her burning cheek.
She looked up in shock.
Vedha's eyes burned with anger.
"Have you lost your mind?"
Kavya stared speechlessly.
"You planned an accident?"
"You could have killed someone!"
"I..."
"You say you did it for me?"
Vedha's voice trembled with fury.
"Don't ever use my name to justify something this disgusting."
Kavya's tears flowed freely.
"I only wanted-"
"I don't care what you wanted!"
Vedha interrupted sharply.
"Whether I hate Aadhira or not..."
"...that is between us."
"But Raghav Uncle..."
"...what did he ever do to you?"
"He has always treated you with respect."
"Vivaan..."
"What was his fault?"
"Savitri Aunty..."
"Rajveer Uncle..."
"The entire Rathore family is suffering because of your actions."
Kavya lowered her head in shame.
"I made a mistake..."
"No."
Vedha replied coldly.
"A mistake is forgetting something."
"This..."
"...was a choice."
Kavya slowly fell to her knees.
"I'm sorry."
"I panicked."
"I wasn't thinking."
"I only wanted Aadhira to suffer."
Vedha looked away in disappointment.
For several moments...
Neither spoke.
Finally...
Vedha sighed heavily.
"I should tell everyone."
Kavya immediately grabbed her hand.
"No!"
"Please!"
"If they find out..."
"...my father will be ruined."
"Our family will be destroyed."
"I'll accept any punishment."
"But please..."
"Not now."
"You've always been my friend."
"Please..."
Vedha slowly closed her eyes.
Friend.
That single word brought back years of memories.
When she finally opened them...
The anger hadn't disappeared.
But it had softened.
She pulled her hand away.
"This..."
"...is the last time."
Kavya looked up hopefully.
"I'm giving you one chance."
"And after today..."
"Don't ever do something like this again."
"If another innocent person gets hurt because of your hatred..."
"...I won't protect you."
Kavya nodded repeatedly through tears.
"I promise."
"I swear."
Vedha looked at her one final time before silently walking away.
Kavya remained standing alone.
Her frightened expression slowly disappeared.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"So easy..."
she whispered.
---
Back in the waiting area...
Nobody noticed the conversation that had just taken place.
The ICU doors suddenly opened.
The doctor walked out quickly.
Everyone immediately stood.
"Doctor!"
Rajveer asked anxiously.
"How is my son?"
The doctor removed his mask.
"We've controlled the bleeding for now..."
"...but his internal injuries are severe."
"The next few hours are extremely critical."
Savitri's hands trembled.
"Can you save him?"
The doctor answered honestly.
"There is only one surgeon capable of handling this operation successfully."
Everyone looked at him with hope.
"Please call him."
The doctor nodded.
"We already have."
"He has been informed."
"The surgery must begin as soon as possible."
The entire family silently prayed.
No one knew...
That the next few hours...
Would change everything once again.
End of Chapter 27