ISHQ IBAADAT

Chapter 3 : Vani helps Rudra

Vani and Pooja were so engrossed in talking to Sangeeta ji that they didn't realize it was already 8 o'clock at night. When Vani finally glanced at the clock, she exclaimed, "Oh no, it's 8 at night already! We're so busy talking, and we still have to go back to the hostel."Sangeeta ji responded, "Where will you go so late at night? Both of you should stay here tonight."Pooja shook her head. "Aunty, we can't stay. I have a 5 am shift at the hospital. We have to go.""But how will both of you go alone? I don't even have a driver to drop you off," Sangeeta ji said, concerned."It's okay, Aunty, we both will manage. Don't worry, the hostel is not too far away," Vani reassured her.Sangeeta ji insisted, "There is a forest on the way, and it's too risky for both of you to go alone."Pooja interrupted, "Aunty, the shift is early tomorrow morning. We have to go. You know we're interns," she said, making an innocent face.Sangeeta ji sighed, "Okay fine, but you take my car.""Aunty, but I don't know how to drive a car," Vani replied.Sangeeta ji smiled, "You may not know it, but the devil knows it," she said, glancing at Pooja. Pooja started laughing."Don't worry sweetheart, I am fully trained," Pooja said.Vani reluctantly agreed, "Maybe we'll know after going to Jannat."Pooja teased Vani, "Did you say something?"Vani stammered, "No... no, what would I say? Let's go."They both said goodbye to Sangeeta ji and got into the car. Vani prayed, "Hey Bholenath, just save me today. I promise I'll donate Rs 100." She then asked Pooja, "Are you sure you know how to drive? I mean, we both need to get home safely."Pooja teased her, "How much will you doubt me? Keep quiet and sit down, otherwise, I'll put tape on your mouth."Vani muttered under her breath, "Yes, I feel you will make me silent forever today."Pooja glared at her angrily and started the car.On the other hand, Rudra had come towards the road while hiding in the bushes. A bullet had hit him in the chest and leg, making his condition very bad. Despite his strength, he had lost a lot of blood, which was breaking his courage. He sat under a tree, taking deep breaths as he gradually lost consciousness.Meanwhile, Vani and Pooja were coming from the same path. Vani, looking out of the window, spotted a man leaning against a tree. She quickly asked Pooja to stop the car. Pooja applied the brakes hurriedly; they both lurched forward, but were safe.Pooja angrily asked, "If you are so fond of dying, why is it necessary for me to die with you?"Vani interrupted, "I saw someone injured on the other side."Pooja looked at her, hesitating. "This is a deserted area. We shouldn't stop here. We both are girls. What if something happens?"Vani stared at her, "Being a doctor, you are talking like this? Someone needs our help. I am going. If you don't want to come, then don't come."Vani got out of the car. Pooja, muttering about the troubles of having a doctor friend, followed her. They went to the spot, but there was no one there.Pooja questioned Vani, "Are you sure you saw someone? Wasn't it an illusion?"Vani insisted, "He was wearing a black shirt." She started searching around and soon found Rudra behind a tree, severely injured. Vani ran to him, shocked by his condition."Oh God, his condition is very bad. He's lost so much blood," Vani said, panic in her voice.Pooja approached and said, "He's been shot. Let's quickly take him to the car. I'm sure people are still searching for him."Rudra, not fully unconscious, heard them. Together, they supported him to the car. Vani sat with him, and Pooja started driving again. Vani tied her scarf around Rudra's chest to stop the bleeding. Though she was a doctor, seeing Rudra in such pain broke her heart.Rudra, with half-open eyes, kept looking at Vani. Her concern for him gave him a strange feeling he had never experienced before. He wished he could hold Vani's hand. Vani, sensing his need, held his hand and said, "Don't worry, we'll reach the hospital soon. I know you're in a lot of pain, but please bear with it a little longer."She started caressing his head gently, lost in her own world of emotions.As the car sped down the winding road, the tension inside was almost tangible. Vani's heart raced, not just from the urgency of Rudra's condition but from the mysterious pull she felt towards him. Pooja focused on driving, her face set with determination.Rudra's eyes fluttered open again. Despite his pain, he managed a weak smile. "You know my name?" he asked, his voice barely audible.Vani was taken aback but nodded. "I heard you whisper it."Rudra's grip tightened. "Thank you... for saving me."As they approached a sharp turn, the car suddenly lurched to a halt. Pooja cursed under her breath. "The road is blocked!"Ahead of them, a group of men loomed, blocking the path. They had an air of menace about them, their eyes narrowing as they spotted the car."Stay in the car," Pooja ordered, but Vani was already reaching for the door handle."No, Pooja, we can't let them get to Rudra," Vani said with steely determination. She stepped out, standing protectively in front of the car.The leader of the group stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Vani. "Step aside, girl. We have business with the man you're hiding."Vani's voice was firm. "He's injured. He needs medical attention."The leader laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "That's not our concern."Just then, Rudra, mustering all his strength, stumbled out of the car. "Leave them out of this. It's me you want."The men advanced, but before they could reach Rudra, Vani stepped forward, her eyes blazing with fury. "I won't let you take him."There was a moment of stunned silence. Then, almost imperceptibly, the leader's expression softened. He looked at Vani, then back at his men. "Let's go," he ordered. "We'll find him another time."The men retreated, disappearing into the darkness. Vani felt a rush of relief, but her knees felt weak. She turned to Rudra, who was now leaning heavily against the car. "We need to get you to the hospital, now."Pooja quickly got back into the driver's seat, and they resumed their journey. As they drove, Rudra's hand found Vani's again. "Why did you do that?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.Vani looked into his eyes, seeing a vulnerability that touched her deeply. "Because you needed help. And... because I felt like I had to."Rudra's eyes held hers. "No one's ever done something like that for me."Vani smiled softly. "Well, there's a first time for everything..........