Revenge or Love

~Twenty-Four~

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Rishabh's Pov

When I saw my PA's name flashing on the screen, irritation flared up inside me again, but I answered anyway.

"Sir, Miss Bhatia called the office number this evening. She was crying," he informed me.

A surge of anger coursed through me. Why had he not informed me sooner? Why hadn't she called me directly?

Without a word to Aradhana, I stormed out of our room. I dialed Pallavi's number, my stepsister.

"Hello?" she answered, her voice thick with sobs.

"Baccha, what's wrong?" I asked gently. "Tell me."

She remained silent, her sobs growing louder.

"If you don't tell me, Baccha, how can I help you?" I implored her lovingly.

Amidst her broken words, she uttered, "I'm at the Jaipur Taj Hotel. Please come fast, Bhai."

"I'm on my way, Baccha. Please stop crying," I reassured her.

As I hung up, Aradhana called. I ignored her, my mind racing. What could possibly have happened to Pallavi? Why was she in Jaipur?

I booked the next flight to Jaipur. As I boarded the plane, my mind raced. What could have happened to Pallavi? Why was she so distressed?

The journey seemed interminable. I paced the aisle anxiously, my thoughts swirling in a vortex of worry.

Finally, I arrived at the opulent gates of the Taj Hotel. A doorman ushered me inside, and I made my way to the room number Pallavi had provided.

With trembling hands, I rapped on the door. "Pallavi, it's me," I announced.

A faint sound met my ear. I pushed the door open slowly and stepped inside.

There, huddled on the bed, was my beloved stepsister. Her eyes were red from weeping, her face pale and drawn.

"Baccha, what's happened?" I asked, my voice breaking with concern.

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with anguish. "It's Rajat, Bhai. He...he..." Her voice trails off.

I sat down beside her, taking her trembling hands in mine. "Tell me everything, Baccha. I'm here for you."

But before she could say anything, she fainted. I was taken aback, and my heart sank. I immediately called Doctor, who arrived promptly to check on Pallavi. After examining her, Dr. Diya told me that Pallavi hadn't eaten anything in the past 24 hours. She gave her some medicine and set up a drip, telling me that Pallavi would wake up after some time.

But then Dr. Diya dropped a bombshell. "Mr. Khurana, I have to tell you something. Pallavi has some marks on her body...it looks like someone has sexually assaulted her." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I was numb, and I didn't know what to say. Dr. Diya's words kept echoing in my mind, and I felt a wave of anger and helplessness wash over me.

Dr. Diya's next words brought me back to reality. "Mr. Khurana, you have to take care of her with love. She needs her family's support right now. And please, take her to the hospital tomorrow morning for a checkup." I nodded, still trying to process everything.

After the doctor left, I sat with Pallavi, my mind a jumble of emotions. I couldn't bear the thought of what she'd been through. My phone rang, shrill and insistent. Aradhana. I wasn't in the mood to talk to her, not now. The only thing that mattered was my sister, my Baccha. I cut the call, but she kept calling back. I finally picked up, my anger boiling over. "WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?" I snapped. "If I disconnect your call again and again, it means I'm busy. Don't you dare call me again!" I cut the call, my chest heaving with rage.

I know my relationship with Mrs. Bhatia isn't great, but I've never had any issues with Pallavi and Abhay. They're my siblings, and I love them more than anything. Right now, Pallavi needed me, and I was determined to be there for her, no matter what.

As I sat with Pallavi, waiting for her to wake up, I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and responsibility. I should have been there for her sooner. I should have protected her. The thought of what Rajat had done to her made my blood boil. I knew I had to do everything in my power to make sure he paid for what he'd done.

**********

I woke up to the gentle tugging on my hand. I opened my eyes to find my sister Pallavi trying to get up from the bed but struggling because I was holding her hand. I immediately let go, and she almost fell back onto the bed. I quickly got up and caught her, holding her upright.

"What happened?" I asked her, concern etched on my face.

Pallavi looked up at me with a mixture of confusion and fear in her eyes. "Washroom," she whispered.

I quickly got out of bed and helped her up, holding her hand as we made our way to the bathroom. I told her to call me when she was done, and I'd be right outside. 

As I waited, I ordered breakfast for us and called my PA to let him know that I wouldn't be available for the day. "If anyone calls, tell them I'm in a meeting," I instructed him.

He replied with a crisp "Okay, sir," and I hung up.

Pallavi came out of the bathroom, and I helped her back to the bed. I made her have breakfast with my own hands, feeding her like she was a child. I also gave her a glass of juice, which she sipped slowly.

After breakfast, I took her to the hospital, my heart heavy with worry. We met Dr. Diya, who examined Pallavi while I waited outside. I paced back and forth, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

Finally, Dr. Diya called me into her cabin, her expression serious. "Mr. Khurana, we found a drug in Pallavi's system, often used to make someone unconscious," she said, her words hitting me like a ton of bricks. "It's likely someone put it in her drink. This type of drug can stay in the body for up to 48 hours, so that's how we were able to find it. Her symptoms, like feeling confused and sleepy, match what this drug would cause."

I felt a wave of anger wash over me as Dr. Diya continued, "There are bruises on her arms and legs and a few scratches that need to heal. It looks like someone tried to rape her." I clenched my fists, feeling a burning desire to kill the person who had done this to my sister.

Dr. Diya's words brought me back to reality: "I've prescribed an ointment for the external injuries. She'll need rest and some time to recover physically, but emotionally, that may take longer." She looked at me with compassion. "Take care of your sister with love, Mr. Khurana. I can prescribe medicine to heal her physical wounds, but no medicine can heal the emotional scars she carries. That will take time, and she'll need you by her side."

I was numb, my mind reeling with thoughts of what my sister had gone through. Why wasn't I there to save her? Why did I fail to protect her? I just wanted to kill the person who had done this to her, but right now, my sister is more important. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, knowing that I had to be strong for Pallavi.

As we left the hospital, I held Pallavi's hand tightly, vowing to take care of her and to be there for her every step of the way. I would do everything in my power to help her heal and to make her feel safe again. I would be her rock, her shelter, her protector. And I would make sure that the person who had done this to her would pay for their crime.

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