Just A Friend?

Chapter Thirty-Three

The night was a canvas of relentless grief, painted with shades of despair and fractured hope. The storm, now a distant whisper, left its scars on the landscape and in the hearts of those who waited anxiously. The clock struck 2:00 A.M., and each tick seemed to echo the depth of their worry. Rakesh, Sridevi, and Ragu were ensnared in an emotional maelstrom, their eyes red and sleepless.

Rakesh's frustration boiled over. He dialed Prabhas's number for the hundred and thirty-second time, only to be met with the same cold silence. His patience was worn thin; each unanswered ring felt like a jarring reminder of their helplessness. Suddenly, the doorbell's chime sliced through the oppressive quietude. The three of them exchanged a glance — a silent plea for it to be the face they yearned for.

Rakesh, propelled by a desperate hope, leaped to answer the door. His heart thudded violently in his chest as he swung it open, only to be greeted by one of the drivers he had dispatched. The driver's expression, etched with sweat and unease, was a stark contrast to the hope Rakesh had clung to. His heart sank as he absorbed the look of despair in the driver's eyes.

"What are you doing here? I sent you to find Prabhas! Where is he?" Rakesh's voice trembled with frustration, his anger and worry merging into a potent mix.

The driver, visibly shaken, struggled to find the right words. His gaze darted nervously between Rakesh and the worried faces of Sridevi and Ragu, before he gestured for Rakesh to step outside. The urgency in his demeanor struck Rakesh like a hammer.

Rakesh followed him, a silent dread pooling in his stomach. The night air was heavy with the scent of rain and turmoil. They moved to the backyard, away from the comforting light of the house, where the storm's aftermath was starkly visible.

"Now, tell me. What happened? Have you found Prabhas? Is he alright?" Rakesh demanded, his voice cracking under the weight of his fear.

The driver hesitated, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Sir... Prabhas sir... he... he had an accident."

The words hit Rakesh like a physical blow. His vision blurred, and he staggered, sinking to his knees in the damp earth. The storm's remnants turned the ground into a quagmire, but Rakesh barely noticed. His tears, uncontrollable and raw, streamed down his face. It was a profound, soul-shattering grief, an expression of a man who had been deprived of hope.

The driver's attempt to comfort him was futile; Rakesh's sobs were all-consuming. "Sir, please don't cry," the driver's voice wavered, his own emotions betraying him.

It took several moments for Rakesh to regain his composure. He wiped his tears furiously, desperation etched into his features. "He's... he's alive, right?" The question came out in a choked whisper, as though uttering it could somehow bend fate to his will.

"Yes, sir. When we found him, he was in bad shape. But he was still breathing. I called an ambulance right away. They took him to Apollo Hospital. I came here to inform you."

Rakesh's face tightened with resolve as he processed the information. "Apollo Hospital," he repeated, his mind racing. Without another word, he turned and dashed back inside the house.

Sridevi, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and despair, saw Rakesh's determined stride. "Rakesh, where are you going?" she called out, her voice tinged with concern.

Rakesh, struggling to maintain his composure, responded, "I'm going to check on Prabhas myself. I need to see him. The information I'm getting is not enough." He swallowed hard, his voice betraying the flood of emotions he struggled to contain. "I'll keep you updated. Don't worry."

Sridevi, her heart aching with worry but trusting in Rakesh's assurance, nodded. "Be careful," she said softly.

Rakesh grabbed his car keys and rushed outside, his heart pounding in sync with the furious rain that continued to lash against the world. He slid into the driver's seat, his hands shaking as he turned the ignition. "Listen," he said to the driver, who had followed him, "I'm heading to the hospital. Don't tell them anything until I get back. Take care of them, okay?"