Shadows Of The Stumps

Silent Vigil - 2

Care Hospital, Mumbai

10:45 PM

The moment they stepped into Care Hospital, a wave of anxiety washed over Rahul. The stark white walls and the harsh fluorescent lights illuminated a busy reception area filled with concerned families, the air thick with a blend of antiseptic and desperation. It felt surreal, as if the world around him was moving at a different pace, while he stood frozen in a whirlwind of emotions.

"Jaana kidhar he ? (Where do we go?)" Rohit asked, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene.

"I think we should find out where Meera is," Rahul replied, feeling a gnawing urgency. But as they walked further into the hospital, he hesitated. His heart raced at the thought of seeing his sister again after all these years, and uncertainty began to creep in. Virat noticed this and kept his hand on shoulders assuring that it's going to be fine.

Suddenly, a tall figure emerged from the shadows near the entrance, his white uniform stained with dried blood and his expression serious. "Rahul?" the man called out, moving toward them with purpose. "I'm Officer Arjun, Meera's teammate. I was told to expect you."

"Teammate?" Rahul asked, eyebrows knitting together in confusion. The last thing he needed was more questions. "What do you mean? Where's Meera and what is she doing with you?"

"She's in a secure area of the hospital," Arjun explained, his tone measured. "We need to get you there as quickly as possible. There are protocols to follow, given the nature of her injuries."

Rohit exchanged a glance with Virat, his brow furrowed. "Secure area? What's going on?"

Rahul felt a surge of uncertainty. "Is she safe? Is she... is she going to be okay?"

"Right now, she's stable, but we can't talk out in the open," Arjun replied, motioning for them to follow him outside. "We need to go now."

Reluctantly, Rahul nodded, feeling a mix of urgency and trepidation. He wasn't sure what to think of Arjun; a part of him wondered if he was more than just a teammate. Was he someone who had been close to Meera in ways he had yet to comprehend? The thought stirred a feeling of jealousy, a primal instinct to protect his sister. Why was Meera with this weird man anyway? Who did they work for?

They stepped outside into the cool night air, and Arjun led them to a black SUV parked at the curb. The tension hung heavy among the group as they climbed inside. Rahul felt the adrenaline coursing through him, but questions burned in his mind. What had happened to Meera? Why was she in a secure area of the hospital? And who was this man who seemed to have played a significant role in her life?

As Arjun navigated through the winding streets of Mumbai, the weight of uncertainty pressed on Rahul's chest. "You said she was stable. How did she get here?" he asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

"There was an incident during a mission," Arjun replied, keeping his eyes focused on the road. "I can't disclose everything now, but we're doing everything we can to ensure her safety and recovery."

Rohit, sitting beside Rahul, spoke up. "Can you at least tell us what kind of mission she was on?"

Arjun glanced at them, his jaw tightening. "Officer Meera is a secret agent. She was involved in security operations for the International Cricket Team. Things went sideways, and she got caught in the crossfire. It's complicated."

Rahul's stomach churned at the implications. His sister—a secret agent? This wasn't the life he had imagined for her, and didn't she always want to be a dancer ? The more he thought,  the more he questioned and the more they filled him with dread.