Shattered (Book #1 In Heart Series)✔️

Chapter 8: Something Fishy

After three days, Kritika was getting ready for the hospital when her phone started ringing. She set down her comb and picked up her phone, noticing it was an unknown number.

"Hello, is this Kritika?" the caller asked.

"Yes, Kritika speaking. Who's calling?" she replied.

"Kritika, it's Kartik," came the response.

"Kartik? Which Kartik?" Kritika frowned, trying to place the name.

Kartik rolled his eyes on the other end of the line. "Kritika, do you remember the car incident?"

A wide smile spread across Kritika's face as she remembered. "Oh, yes, that Kartik! Of course, I remember. Did you repair my car?"

"I'm not a mechanic, Kritika, but yes, your car is perfect now," Kartik replied.

Kritika felt a flush of embarrassment. "Right, sorry. So, when will you bring my car?"

"I'm ready whenever you are," Kartik replied, mentally noting Aradhya's schedule. "Where should I meet you?"

Kritika thought for a moment. "Alright, come to Seven Hills Hospital. We're working there.""We?" Kartik asked, curious.

"Me and Aradhya," Kritika clarified.

A grin spread across Kartik's face. "Really? I'll be there. Okay, bye."

Kritika looked at her phone in disbelief after ending the call. "Weird guy," she muttered before tying her hair into a ponytail and grabbing her essentials.

As she descended the stairs, Kritika noticed Raman feeding Aradhya and couldn't resist a playful complaint. "Huh, nobody loves me," she teased, earning eye rolls from everyone.

"Will anyone feed me, please?" she added with puppy-dog eyes.

Ishita emerged from the kitchen and shut down the theatrics. "Your puppy face won't work here, Kritika. Go and bring your car first, then we'll talk about food. You're becoming more careless by the day."

Kritika's mind flashed back to the accident and her encounter with Aditya, feeling a surge of frustration. "Oh, how I wish I could strangle that monster," she thought to herself.

In a flashback, Kritika and Aradhya strategized their entrance into Rai Mansion after the incident with Aditya and Kartik. They opted for the back door to avoid interrogation about their late arrival.

FLASHBACK

Kritika and Aradhya arrived at the entrance of Rai Mansion but hesitated to enter.

Aradhya, looking anxious, whispered to Kritika, "Kritika, if anybody sees us, it will be a big problem."

Kritika reassured her, "Don't worry, Aradhya. Let me think of something."

As Kritika paced back and forth, Aradhya watched her nervously.

"I've got an idea," Kritika exclaimed suddenly. "Let's enter through the back door."

Aradhya protested, "Kritika, seriously? Entering through the back door? Are we thieves?"

Kritika held Aradhya's hand firmly. "Aru, trust me. This is the only way. If we go through the main door, they'll question us about being late and the car accident."

Aradhya reluctantly agreed, though she voiced her concern about the car's absence the next day.

"We'll worry about that tomorrow. For now, let's execute our plan," Kritika said confidently.

They made their way to the back door, with Kritika cautiously opening it and slipping inside, followed by Aradhya. Once inside, Kritika closed the door quietly and turned around.

Aradhya whispered, "Kriti, I'm scared."

"Don't worry, Aradhya. Trust me, nothing will happen," Kritika whispered back reassuringly.

As they entered the living room, they noticed the lights were off. Kritika took a deep breath and flashed a bright smile at Aradhya, who returned it nervously. Just as they were about to head upstairs, the lights came on, revealing Raman, Ishita, Arjun, and Shivanya standing with serious expressions.

Putting on a fake smile, Kritika greeted them, "Hey, Mom, Dad, Bhai, Babhi! You're all here at this time? Were you waiting for us to wish you good night? Not bad, not bad. Anyways, good night and sweet dreams. Come on, Aradhya, let's go. I'm feeling very sleepy."

Kritika grabbed Aradhya's hand and started to walk away, but Ishita stopped them.

"Kritika Rai, stop right there," Ishita commanded.

Kritika turned back with a forced smile. "Yes, Mom?"

 "Where were you both?"

"Ma, we were at the hospital." Kritika managed to answer. 

"Okay, then why did both of you come back here by walking?" Arjun asked curiously. 

Kritika gasps, "Um, bhai, it was part of our jogging routine, you know."

Raman interrupts, "Kritika, stop speaking. Aradhya, tell me the truth."

Aradhya hesitates, looking at Kritika for guidance. Kritika subtly shakes her head, signaling her to stay quiet.

Arjun steps forward, "Aradhya, come here." Aradhya gulps nervously as she stands before them, with Kritika looking on anxiously.

"Now, tell us the truth," Arjun demands.

Aradhya finally speaks up, "Um, our car got into a small accident on the way back."

Everyone reacts in shock, prompting Raman to ask, "Did something happen to both of you?"

Aradhya reassures them, "No, Raman Papa, we're perfectly fine."

Shivanya inquires, "How did this happen?"

Kritika interjects, "Oh, an idiot crashed his car into ours. We were parked by the roadside in the park when he, like a blind man, hit our car. That's the truth, Dad. You can ask Aradhya if you want."

Raman turns to Aradhya, asking, "Is it true?"

Aradhya nods, "Yes, Raman Papa. Kritika is telling the truth."

Arjun probes further, "What were you both doing in the park at that time?"

Kritika and Aradhya freeze, hesitant to reveal the full truth. Kritika takes a deep breath and explains, "We received an important call from the dean, so we parked there to speak with him."

Aradhya visibly relaxes as the others accept their explanation.

Ishita then asks, "What about the car?"

Kritika reassures her, "Don't worry about that, Ma. We'll get it back in three days. I'm very sleepy now. Goodnight." With that, Kritika heads to her room.

Aradhya follows suit, saying, "I'm also going to bed. Goodnight."


Presently, Ishita redirected Kritika's attention to the task at hand, and she gathered her things to leave. Arjun offered to drop them off at the hospital, and Kritika gladly accepted.

At Seven Hills Hospital, Arjun left the two women and drove away. As they walked, Kritika couldn't help but notice Aradhya's sudden nervousness.

"Aradhya, what's wrong?" Kritika asked, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Aradhya shook her head, trying to mask her unease. "Nothing, let's go."

In the parking lot, Kritika received a call from Kartik, who informed her of his imminent arrival with the repaired car. Minutes later, Kritika made her way to the parking lot and was taken aback by what she saw.

Kartik and Aradhya stood close together, almost intimately, causing Kritika's jaw to drop in surprise. She hid behind a nearby car, observing them discreetly until a car honk disrupted their proximity.

Steeling herself, Kritika approached them. "Hey, Kartik," she greeted, trying to maintain her composure.

Kartik and Aradhya were visibly flustered but managed to compose themselves. "Uh, hi, Kritika," Kartik replied, slightly stumbling over his words.

Deciding to tease them, Kritika acted innocent. "Why are you stammering, Kartik? Do you need water?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

After some awkward exchanges, Kartik confirmed that he would be departing soon. Once he left, Kritika turned to Aradhya, who seemed eager to leave.

"So, is there something between you and Kartik bhai?" Kritika asked, noticing Aradhya's agitation.

Aradhya vehemently denied it, but her sudden outburst only fueled Kritika's suspicions. Shrugging it off, she wished for Aradhya's happiness, hoping that Kartik might play a role in it.