chapter 26

Chapter 26In the hospitalThe love of his life lay still, with an oxygen mask attached to her face and a saline drip hanging by her bed. She was covered in hospital clothes. He could still not believe that this was happening, even as his eyes took in her pale appearance. He felt a warm caring hand on his shoulder and turned slightly, “Granny! Oh granny, thank god you are here! I was feeling so lonely.” His voice broke. Granny hugged him fondly, “Dear child, what did the doctor say? Is she out of danger? Where was she hit?” He narrated the whole horrid incident to her. Granny realised that he was very tired and so she forced him to take rest. “Go sleep. You are exhausted and hurt. Anita will sit beside me.” “But who could have done this, granny? Why target Ishiqa? She is so kind and innocent!” Granny patted his head. “We will discuss this tomorrow morning, now please go rest,” she said, encouraging him to sleep. Early in the morning, Ishiqa stirred and the nurse on duty went in search of the doctor. Akash and Namita came running, having heard of the incident only that morning. “Ved, how did all this happen? How is she now? Why didn’t you call up earlier?” Akash asked.Tension was etched on all their faces. Just then they saw the doctor come out. “Doctor how is she?” Worried, they all spoke at the same time.“Please calm down, all of you. We are still monitoring her and she has to be kept under observation for some more time. As of now she seems to be out of danger; hopefully she will come through soon.” He gave a quick smile and left. Still petrified, her family members did not know whether to relax that she was out of danger, or worry in case any complications arose.The police had also arrived at the hospital. “Why are they here Akash?” a worried Namita asked. “Ved and Ishiqa’s statements have to be recorded.” Akash gently suggested that Namita get back home as they had left Rabia with a friend. Ved meanwhile told the policemen everything he could recall. “Ishiqa is in no fit state to answer your questions, but I think she may have seen the face of the man I was chasing. Can I give you a call inspector, when she is ready to talk?”“Yes, please do Mr. Kashyap. Anything else you remember that can help us crack this case, please let us know. Thank you.” They shook hands and the inspector left. After a few hours, the doctor declared that Ishiqa was fine; they would keep her in the hospital for a few days till she was able to walk unassisted. “Only one person can go in at a time and please, there should be no stress to the patient as her condition might deteriorate. Do not discuss the incident with her.”Ved allowed Akash to go in first and watched them through the glass window. Ishiqa opened her eyes with great difficulty and, still dazed, looked up and smiled slowly at her brother.“Thank god you are fine, little sister. What would I have done without you? After losing mama and papa, you know I can never afford to lose you,” he said, carefully hugging her. Her eyes too welled up with tears of affection for her brother. “I will not let you off the hook so easily, big brother. You still have to get me married. Remember?” she said with a feeble smile. He pinched her cheek gently. “Yes, get okay fast and then we will see you wed the love of your life.” She asked cautiously, “Where is Ved? I hope he is fine.” Recalling the terrible incident of that night, she started to breathe heavily again and started to gasp for air. “Ishiqa, wait, I will send for the nurse.”She caught his hand, “Ved, I want to see Ved,” she said between gasps. Ved quickly rushed to her side and pecked her softly on her pale cheek. “Ishiqa darling, I love you.” He stepped back for the nurse to attend to her. Ishiqa looked at his bandaged arm and asked, worried, “I hope it is not too bad.” He smiled brightly. “Oh, never mind this. It is just a cut. Few stitches and it is fine, not to worry, my sleeping beauty,” he winked at her. Smriti and her friends and relatives kept her spirits up as they dropped by during the visiting hours over the next few days. A policeman in mufti, Darshan, kept vigil outside, keeping an eye on the visitors.