Memory's Mirage

9. IS IT THE END OF THE TROUBLEMAKER?

The scene at Medcity Hospital's reception desk was tense. Madhav Gaikwad found himself trapped between the relentless questions of Devika and Shritama. His mind raced as he tried to find a way to navigate the situation. The pressure was immense, and the only thing he could think of was how to shield Ekansh from any further complications.

Madhav cleared his throat, trying to sound as composed as possible. "Ekansh married Adrija hastily at a temple after learning about her father's death," he began, his voice steady but his heart pounding. "It happened after he returned to India from Paris."

Shritama's eyes narrowed slightly as she processed the information. The mention of Paris and the office gossip she had heard regarding Ekansh's background jogged a memory. "Oh, so Ekansh is the guy that Adrija's aunt had chosen for her," she murmured, piecing together fragments of conversations she'd had with Adrija.

"But what was the need to get married like that, in a temple?" Shritama questioned, her curiosity provoked. The urgency in her tone made Madhav take a deep breath before he continued.

"Ekansh did that to show Adrija how serious he was about their relationship," Madhav explained, crafting the narrative with care. "They were planning to get their marriage registered at the court, but then...this accident happened. It was near the villa where they were staying."

SP Devika Luthra, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "Everything falls into place," she said thoughtfully. "Adrija probably visited that old building where her father's restaurant used to be and lost her phone there. I'm unsure what exactly happened after that, but then the accident occurred. There were no CCTV cameras near that area either."

Madhav was taken aback by how easily Devika and Shritama were filling in the gaps in the story he'd spun. It almost felt like they were creating a backstory for him, one that he hadn't even considered. He hesitated briefly before nodding in agreement. "Exactly, and when Ekansh was on his way back to the villa, he saw Adrija injured on the road. That's what happened."

Shritama and Devika exchanged glances, both of them seemingly more convinced now. Shritama broke the brief silence. "We can talk about all this later. Let's go and meet them first."

Devika nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, I need to talk to Mr. Ekansh Jaisingh about something really important too."

As they began walking towards the ward, Madhav felt a wave of relief wash over him. But it was short-lived. He knew this was just a temporary reprieve. The truth had a way of coming out, and when it did, the consequences would be far beyond his control.

Madhav's mind was a whirlwind of panic as he followed Devika and Shritama down the hallway. How do I inform Ekansh? he thought frantically. People are on their way to see his wife, and he has no idea of the story I just cooked up downstairs to save him. Nor does he know about Shritama's misunderstanding!

His thoughts raced faster as they approached Room 302. I can't even call or voice message him and explain. Typing a message will take time. What should I do? Please, God, do something. If Ekansh can't play along with the backstory I've just set up for him, it'll be a disaster!

As Devika gently pushed open the door, Madhav braced himself for whatever was to come. But nothing could have prepared him for what he saw next.

There was Ekansh, deeply engrossed, cutting Adrija's toenails with the utmost concentration. His brow was furrowed in focus as if this was the most important task of his life. The sight was so unexpected, so utterly mundane, that it took a moment for Madhav to process it.

Devika and Shritama exchanged bewildered glances, both of them feeling an awkward hesitation to barge in. The scene was so intimate, so absurdly out of place in the midst of everything that had happened, that it threw them off entirely.