Finding the Lost Souls (Watty 2018)

9. WITH YOU

The fragility of relationships is truly understood only when we find ourselves in difficult times. Running away from situations may seem easy, but it is never justified. Mihir reflected, observing his friend, who sat beside his wife. He was astonished to see Raman, once ready to cast her out of his life, now caressing and soothing Ishita. In just four days, from resentment to care, they had come a long way. Mihir applied the brakes and signaled to Raman about their arrival. He watched as Raman carefully lifted his wife in his arms, ready to take her upstairs.

"Mihir Baba... what happened to Ishita? Why does she look like..." Mihir's trance was broken by an elderly, trembling voice. He moved toward Dai Ma, guiding her to a chair, "She's fine now. Your son is with her," Mihir reassured, rubbing her shoulder and helping her drink some water. Before he could explain further, he saw Mihika entering with a lady doctor. Mihir went to meet them, escorting both Mihika and the doctor inside.

Meanwhile, Raman had reached the room. He laid Ishita gently on the bed, covering her fragile frame with a quilt. Her bruised face and torn clothes were more than he could handle. One part of him wanted to comfort her, but another part was consumed with rage against the man responsible for her state. Before he could grab gauze to clean her lips, Mihika entered with the doctor.

"How is Ishu now?" Mihika asked, her voice trembling as she looked at her friend lying unconscious. Anger surged in her veins at seeing Ishita in such a state, but she knew her friend needed them now more than ever.

"She fainted due to shock, Mr. Raman. She'll regain consciousness soon. There's nothing to worry about. She has bruises on her arms and forehead, and her ankle is sprained from a struggle. But nothing too serious." The doctor spoke calmly, while Raman continued to gently stroke Ishita's hair. "Mr. Raman, she needs people around her. After such an incident, victims often go into shock, and moral support is crucial. Be with her."

Raman nodded, and once the doctor left after prescribing medicine, he turned to Mihika. "Mihika, stay with Ishita until I come back. And please, make sure she changes once she wakes up."

Mihika nodded, sitting by Ishita's side. Raman picked up his car keys and stormed out of the room. Mihir, who had been checking his phone in the corridor, was startled and quickly ran to stop him.

"Raman, what's happening? Where are you going?"

"To finish some work."

"But Bhabhi needs you."

"Mihika is with her."

"But..."

"Are you coming with me, or should I go alone?" Raman opened the passenger side of the car. Mihir, understanding the urgency, joined him, and the car sped off, tearing through the empty roads of Delhi.

"Where are you guys?" Mihir asked, feeling the tension in the air as Raman spoke to someone through Bluetooth. He wanted to ask more but held back, sensing Raman's anger. The car sped faster, and soon, they arrived at the police station. Mihir noticed Romi's Nexus parked outside, and he understood the situation. He followed Raman inside, straight to DCP Siddharth Rathod's cabin.

"Where is that bastard?" Raman growled, his eyes burning with fury.

"Raman, calm down. He's in custody. I told you I would handle this," Siddharth tried to calm him, but Raman was beyond reasoning.

"Where is he?"

"In a special cell. I'll take you there." Siddharth unlocked the cell, designed for high-profile prisoners.

"Be calm, Raman..."

"How dare you touch her?" Raman roared, seeing the half-beaten man, Ashok Khanna, lying motionless on a concrete slab. Ashok smirked, despite his injuries, as Raman grabbed his clothes.