A Murderer and The Nurse (Slow Updates)

Part 68

KARAN POV
My eyes opened briefly now and then but everything was blurry. It felt like something was pulling me back into unconsciousness. I struggled to stay awake, clinging to scattered thoughts. Something important was happening. What was it? My head ached as I drifted between strange flashes of reality and vivid dreams of Teju.

In my dreams, Laddoo looked radiant in a flowing white dress, her black hair dancing in the breeze. We were on a beach, just the two of us, laughing as we ran along the powdery sand. Water droplets sprayed into the air as I chased her. Her giggles were like music, a sound I never wanted to stop hearing. But then the dream shattered, pulling me back into a small, dark office. I was bound to an uncomfortable chair. My hands tied behind my back. Reality faded again and I was with her, holding her hand, sharing an ice cream cone, feeling her warmth and happiness.

Reality hit me hard, like a cold slap to the face. My mind fought against the drug running through my veins trying to pull me back into the darkness. I fought harder, forcing the fog to lift. My head felt heavy, but I managed to open my eyes fully. I looked around the room, a desk, a few chairs and bare walls. The silence was suffocating.

I tried to move but my hands were tightly tied. Panic crept in. Where am I? I couldn’t remember how I got here, who brought me and why. But one thing was clear, I had to escape from here.

"Teju" My heart sank as her name crashed into my mind. She was probably still in that dark supply room, scared and alone. The thought of her there made my chest tighten. If anything happened to her, it would be my fault. My guilt was interrupted by the sound of the doorknob turning.

Mrs. D’Souza entered, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. Her smug smile made my blood boil.

"Trying to escape huh, Mr. Kundrra?" she said mockingly, shutting the door behind her. Her voice dripped with malice. "You and Tejasswi really thought you could run away?"

I didn’t respond. She didn’t deserve my words.

"Oh, don’t act so innocent. You really thought a stolen guard’s uniform and a power cut would be enough?" she sneered, tilting her head.

Her ignorance would have been laughable if the situation weren’t so dire. She had no idea the uniform belonged to her dead son. The urge to throw that fact in her face was strong but I held my tongue. Provoking her wouldn’t help us.

Mrs. D’Souza stepped closer. Her expression growing darker. "It seems like one of you is missing. So, Karan where is your beloved Tejasswi?"

"Go to hell" I spat, my voice laced with anger.

She chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. Then without warning, her hand struck my face hard. The sharp sting made my head jerk to the side. I glared at her, the taste of blood faint in my mouth. The action caught me off guard. Did she just hit me?

"Where is she?" she demanded again, as if the slap hadn’t just happened.

I refused to answer. My silence enraged her. I spit in her face, my defiance clear. She recoiled, wiping her cheek with a trembling hand. My hands strained against the ropes but they wouldn’t budge. We locked eyes, the air thick with hatred.

"You know what, Karan?" she hissed, her voice venomous. "We’ll find her. I have guards searching every corner of this building. If you tell me where she is, I’ll make it easy for both of you. No punishments"

Her words dangled in the air, tempting but dangerous. I kept my face blank.

"But if you don’t" she continued, leaning closer, "There will be consequences. Especially for her"

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to remain calm. "I have no idea where she is"

"Liar" she snapped, her composure slipping. "If you don’t tell me, I’ll send her to Ward-D. You’ll never see her again"

Her threat hit like a punch to the gut, but I didn’t let it show. Her sick grin spread wider, as though she enjoyed watching me helpless. Normally, I’d yell or curse, but doing this will be a waste. I should think with cool mind. so instead I tried another tactic.

I let my gaze wander around the room. Something clicked in my mind. "Nobody knows we’re here, do they?" I asked calmly.

Her smirk faltered for a moment. "What are you talking about?"

"The guards, the staff, they’re all searching for Tejasswi, aren’t they? You brought me here so you could handle this alone, away from everyone else"

"That’s nonsense" she snapped, irritation seeping into her voice.

"Is it?" I pressed, trying to shake her confidence. "You think you’re in control, but you’ve overplayed your hand, Mrs. D’Souza. No one knows what you’re doing here"

"This is my hospital. I can do whatever I want" she said with a defensive tone.

I leaned back, feigning calm, though my mind was racing. This wasn’t just about escaping, it was about buying time, outsmarting her and finding Teju before it was too late.

Her smirk returned but I saw the flicker of doubt in her eyes. She thought she was untouchable. But she was wrong.