Ishq hua (Duet 1)

Chapter 31: Mercy of fate

Author:

The car came to a stop just outside the hospital gates, its engine still humming as the door flung open. Arsh stepped out, his shirt drenched in his own and other's blood, his hair a disheveled mess. The sleeve of his right arm had been torn, and the wound om his shoulder still bled stubbornly, winding its way down from elbow to his wrist.

He didn't even notice.

The cartel was done. It had taken everything - his rage, his fists, his control - but it was finished.

He was back.

Alive.

The glass doors to the emergency lobby opened as he strode in. The moment his mother saw him, relief coursed through her.

"Arsh!" she cried out, rushing forward.

He had barely taken a step when she was in his arms, her hands frantically moving over his bloodied shirt, his face, his chest, searching - panicking.

"Where were you? Look at you! What happened to you?" she demanded, her voice sharp with maternal fear. "Why is there blood on your face - Where did you go hm?"

"I am fine," he muttered, eyes scanning the crowd in the waiting area. "How is Rishaan?"

"You call this fine?" she choked out, holding his face between her trembling palms. "You disappear for hours, don't answer your phone, and show up like this - Where were you Arsh?"

He gently pried her hands away.

"I will get it treated," he said. "How is Rishaan?"

Arsh looked behind her - Varya was slumped on a bench, her father sitting beside her with a protective arm over her shoulder. Adhikrit stood nearby, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up, concern clouding his stern face. Mr. Oberoi - his father - stood tall but pale, his hands trembling by his sides.

It was Varya's father who spoke next. "Arsh... what the hell happened to you?"

Arsh didn't reply. His eyes met the man's for a brief second before he looked away, jaw clenched, body tense.

"I asked how is Rishaan?"

Adhikrit stepped forward. "Out of danger. His Surgery ended an hour ago. He is stable."

Arsh exhaled. Finally.

He looked back at his mother and nodded once. "Good. He will be okay."

She looked like she was about to cry again.

"And Tara?" Arsh's voice dropped. "Where is she?"

Everyone exchanged a look.

It was Varya this time, her voice hoarse. "Aira took her home. She wasn't doing well. Couldn't stop crying."

He straightened, the sharp cut of his jaw tightening.

"Alone?"

Mr. Oberoi cleared his throat. "No, guards were sent along with them. Dada and Dadi were at home too. Aira insisted it was better for Tara to be away from here. She... she said she'd call once Tara calmed."

His hand curled into a fist.

"She should have asked me," he muttered under his breath.

"Check your phone before blaming her." His father interrupted his thoughts.

Arsh rolled his eyes at the accusation.

His mother gave a stern look to both him and Vyom and finally said, "First you both need to get treated."