Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 59 - Part 2

Meera entered the medic room just in time to see the doctors carefully examining Rahul. His face was pale, the dark bruise on his temple now a painful blotch spreading beneath his skin. Virat sat close, his hands clenched into fists, staring down at Rahul with a look Meera rarely saw on him-a mix of fear and helplessness. His Rahuliya, his first kiddo, was lying there unconscious, and he couldn't do anything about it.

Rohit, standing beside him, gently patted his back. "He's tough, Virat. He'll come through this."

The doctor pressed lightly around Rahul's temple, frowning as he checked his vitals. "There's a minor cut on the forehead," the doctor confirmed. "But his breathing is stable. It looks like he passed out from the impact."

Meera stepped forward, her voice unwavering though every nerve in her body was on edge. "I need you to do a concussion test and a full brain scan. He hit his head hard he fell."

The doctor glanced at her, then gave a curt nod. "We'll get him scanned immediately, just to be sure."

Meera exhaled, her fingers tightening around the thin kerchief wrapping her injured palm. The sight of Rahul like this-so still, so vulnerable-made her heart ache. But she couldn't afford to crumble. Not now.

Virat, still sitting by the bed, ran a hand through his hair, frustration and fear etched in every movement.

Meera swallowed hard, guilt clawing at her. "I should have seen it coming."

"Stop," Rohit cut in gently but firmly, looking between them. "It wasn't your fault, Meera. We'll get through this."

The medics wheeled the stretcher toward the scanner, and Virat stood to follow, reluctant to leave Rahul's side for even a moment. "I'm coming with him."

Meera's heart twisted at the sight of Virat, usually unshakable, now so visibly rattled. She wanted to say something comforting, but words failed her.

As Ayan, Arjun, and the Colonel arrived at the stadium, a new wave of tension gripped the air. The Colonel's stern face betrayed little emotion, but his sharp gaze assessed everything, taking in the heightened security, the officials in disarray, and the shaken players.

Arya had already set up in the surveillance room, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she scanned the CCTV footage, replaying the moments leading to the attack. Ayan, moving swiftly, headed straight for the guards detaining the assailant. Without wasting a second, he began interrogating the man, his questions precise and unrelenting.

"Name? Motive? Who sent you?" Ayan's voice was cold, calculated, as the attacker glared back silently, lips pressed in defiance. Ayan signaled two guards. "Strip him down if you have to, but I need answers now."

Meanwhile, Arjun worked efficiently to secure the perimeter, "I want everyone not on this list out of here immediately," he instructed the guards, holding up the roster. His sharp gaze swept the grounds. "And tighten the access points-no one gets in without clearance."

Back inside, in the medical bay, the tension began to ease. The doctor emerged from the scan room, addressing Virat, Rohit, and Meera.

"No complications," the doctor reported with a reassuring nod. "The cut has been cleaned and stitched. No signs of concussion, but we'll monitor him for the next few hours just in case."

Virat exhaled sharply, relief flooding his face. "Thank God." Rohit clapped a hand on Virat's shoulder, offering silent support.

As they prepared to step back into the room, Virat turned toward Meera, who stood silently by the door, her hands clenched around her palm. Without a word, Virat walked up to her, gently took off her glasses, and wiped away the tears she hadn't realized were falling.