AVENGING LOVE

Chapter 10 : He's Fine

Dressed in an indigo blue suit, running towards the reception of the hospital was Harshvardhan Birla. Despite his personality screaming ‘royalty’ from head to toe, with an army of guards in his wake, his expressions were such, as if the world was ending today.

“Abhimanyu Birla! The accident case taken to the emergency!” - he asked urgently from the receptionist who, looking at his protocol immediately understood that he meant business, and quickly told him the info.

He made his way towards the A&E room and not being in his senses, was ready to enter when Marcus, his PA, stopped him.

“Sir! It's an emergency. Your disruption can delay the doctors.”

This brought him back to senses as he stopped at the door and tried to have a glimpse of his son through the small glass on the door but in vain.

Marcus looked at the man infront of him who was his boss. Never in his life before, he had seen Harshwardhan Birla in such a state. Stepping forward, he gently placed his hand on his shoulder and made him sit on the waiting seat outside the room.

And to his surprise, he sat without any protest. As if, in a trance. Totally lost in his thoughts.

“He'll be fine. Right ?”

If Harshwardhan Birla's rivals had been present there, their mouths would have touched the floor in shock, at hearing the fear in his voice.

Marcus, being a very loyal companion of his boss above two decades now, couldn't stand seeing him like this.

“He will be Sir. Not only fine but good as new.” - he assured with as much firmness as possible. Praying with all his might for it to come true.

Looking at the state of his boss, he thought to do something.

‘Abhimanyu Sir don't talk to Sir already. But in his current state, he won't be able to bear his son's cold behaviour.’

The wheels of his brain spinning at a jet speed, he pulled his phone out and dialed the number of the Headmaster of Delhi University.

~

Knock. Knock.

It was half past 3 in the afternoon, the last class of the day was going on when the peon came and interrupted the lecture with a knock on the door.

“Sorry for the interruption Professor Mehta, but the headmaster has summoned Neil Khanna in his office immediately.” - he said.

Akshara's heart, that was already restless due to Abhimanyu's absence, started to beat erratically at hearing that.

‘Is it related to Abhi ?’ - she thought, her expressions grave.

“Neil. You may go.” - The professor permitted and Neil stood up, heading outside.

Feeling a strange kind of dread in his heart all the way, he reached Headmaster's office and knocked.

“Come in.”

Stepping inside, he had barely stood infront of him when the headmaster said :

“Neil. What I'm going to tell is serious and you need to hear it with patience and strength. Your friend Abhimanyu...”

His heart sank. The feeling of dread increasing and he didn't think he would be able to bear the rest of the sentence.

“He has met with an accident. And you are needed there.”

Neil didn't waste another moment as he stepped out of the office and rushed towards the parking lot where his bike was. Dialing Marcus's number on the way to take the details of the hospital and left.

His heart, paining sharply for his bestfriend-cum-brother.

~

“His phone is showing out of reach.” - Riya told to an anxious Akshara as they sat in their hostel room.

It was almost 6 in the evening now. Abhimanyu had not returned and Neil was also nowhere to be found. And to top it all, their phones were either showing out of reach or switched off.

“Something's not right Riya. I'm sure of it now.” - she said.

Riya looked at her friend. Her gaze observing.

Akshara looked to be on the verge of panicking. The way she was wringing her hands together and tears were floating in her eyes. Riya too, was worried about their friends. But not like the way Akshara was for Abhimanyu.

And she knew why her dear friend was in such a state.

“Akshara relax. Okay listen. We will go to the Headmaster's office first thing tomorrow morning and will try to ask him. Maybe he'll tell.” - Riya said gently, trying to put her friend at ease.

“Let's go now...” - Akshara said, looking at Riya hopefully.

Riya's heart went out for her. Because she was sure, Akshara herself was oblivious of her current state just because Abhimanyu was gone for 4 hours.

“We can't. The headmaster is not in the building. Remember ?” - she said softly.

Akshara's hopeful expressions dimmed again. Feeling even more anxious now.

If it were in her hands, she would have changed the night into day in the blink of an eye.

~

The clock in the hospital chimed 4:15 PM, when Neil rushed towards the A&E room and saw Abhimanyu's father sitting outside, holding his head.

“Uncle...” - he said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Harshwardhan looked up and his eyes teared up, seeing his son's bestfriend, who was like a son to him as well. He stood up and Neil engulfed him in a gentle hug as his shoulders shook. Crying without any care in the world. Without thinking, how it would look like, THE Harshwardhan Birla, sobbing like a child on the shoulders of a boy, his son's age.

“Nothing would happen to him Uncle. Trust me.” - Neil said firmly. Assuring himself more than anyone else.

***

Around 6 in the evening, the doctor stepped out of the room. Neil and Harshwardhan, who were sitting on the chairs outside, immediately stood and looked at the doctor with hope.

“Doctor-” - Harshwardhan started in panicked voice but the doctor placed a hand on his arm. Understanding his state.

“Mr. Birla calm down. Your son is fine now.”

Harshwardhan's shoulders dropped. As if, all the energy draining from his body and a strong wave of relief taking over him. Causing him to wobble on his feet but Marcus rushed forward to give support.

“Thankfully, no internal injury to his head otherwise the situation would have been dire. He has an external injury on his forehead due to falling on the road with a thud. Otherwise, he's totally fine.”

“Can I see him ?” - Harshwardhan asked. His tone desperate.

The doctor smiled at the impatient father softly.

“You can when he's awake. Due to pain relievers, he's unconscious at the moment. We're also keeping him for the night in observation. If everything remained the way it is, you're allowed to take him home in the morning.” - the doctor said, assuring them.

“Thank you so much!” - Neil said, smiling widely. Whereas, Harshwardhan looked too overwhelmed to utter even a single word. Only one thought going through his head. His heart, chanting it with every beat.

‘He's fine now.’