After finishing all the formalities Karthik got discharged, the police then took him with them. Naira tried to go near him to speak to him on why he was doing this, but he ignored her and just left with the officers.
"Papa, Karthik", Naira asked her father
"He will be punished for his wrong doing, but now we musn't waste time and set out to find your mother, am sure she is alright", said Naitik his voice seething with anger talking about Karthik and choking as he spoke about Akshara.
"He didn't do anything", she told her father, her voice held confidence, she didn't have a single doubt about his innocence.
"I know you love him and this is hard for you, but didn't you hear him", asked Naitik, a bit mad that Naira was siding with Karthik even in these conditions but than he understood what she must be going through as well.
"I love him papa and that is why I know him more than anyone else, You heard what he said but I saw what he didn't. Trust me papa there is something more", she tried to make her father understand.
"Police is at the accident site even we should leave to go there", Naitik said trying to take the conversation to a different course. Naira agreed and both went to the spot.
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"Mr.Singhania hum ne puri jaghe search kar liya but we found no one, however this area is covered with blood and a trail of blood leads deeper into the forest.", the officer said and led them further, then stopped where the blood trail ended.
"Maybe your wife was injured by the accident, she got lost and couldn't find her way in the dark, she ended up going further into the forest instead coming back to the road, but maybe she fainted and wasn't able to continue further.It is possible that someone saw your wife and admitted her to a nearby hospital, I have already asked my constables to look into all the hospitals of udaipur. But we can't deny the fact that this is the jungle area, many wild animals come here who may have attacked your wife. Though there is also a possibility that this blood is not your wife's", the officer continued.
"Papa, mumma", Naira said her voice breaking as the worst possibilities ran in her mind.
"She will be okay", Naitik said gently pressing his daughter's hand between his palms, Naira nodded positively, hope lit in her heart seeing the hope in her father's eyes.
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At the police station, Karthik's lock up
He sat on the floor, his hands encircled around his his bent knees, he buried his head into his lap so that his forehead touched his knees and tears poured out from his eyes. His ma'am, the woman he considered as his mother was no more, somewhere a nagging voice within him, told him that God couldn't be that cruel to such a generous hearted person like Akshara. The thought of not being beside his beloved at this hour of need saddened him and broke him even further. He shattered even further thinking about how he added to her pain even further by announcing his hand in her mother's death, the worst part was she didn't even know that her mother was no more, and somewhere in his heart he hoped that she would never would find out, maybe the nagging voice in him was true, maybe his motherly figure was alright. He prayed silently that everything would be the way it was earlier, his ma'am was okay and his love was happy and surrounded by all her loved ones, no matter what price he had to pay.
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Somewhere Unknown
A lonely hut stood in a remote area, deadly silence surrounded the place. A while later a terrified looking man came out, sweat beads rolled from his temple.
"You will let me go after this won't you, why didn't you admit this woman at the hospital instead bringing me here and forcing me to treat her. You did a very wrong thing", the doctor spoke to a hooded stranger whose only eyes were visible and rest of his face covered by a black scarf, but silenced as the stranger gave a glare.
"How is she doing?", asked the stranger.
"She is stable now but the next 24 hours are critical", the doctor spoke and his voice trembled.
"Make sure she is out of any danger, but she shouldn't open her eyes unless I want her to and if things don't go as I want you know what I can do", the stranger said and looked at the doctor's bandaged hand making the terrified man remember how he was threatened to come here and treat this patient.
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Back at Karthik's cell
He heard a known voice. A voice which gave him utmost pleasure, the voice belonging to the one he loved the most in this world. He wiped his tear stained face and looked at her as he stood on his feet.
"What are you doing here", he said trying to sound as indifferent as possible
"Why are you doing this?", she asked calmly
"What am I doing? You mean why did I do the accident? I told you I was drunk", he said in a casual tone.
"Why are you lying?", she came directly to the point, her sudden question made him fumble for a reply.
"I know you are feeling bad but this is the truth", he said looking down.
"No it isn't, I made the mistake of distrusting you once I am not repeating it. This time I am not going to listen to my mind, I am going with my heart.", she said shocking him with her trust but the caller's words echoed in his head, he needed to push her away.
"You are in denial Naira, I hit her with my car why don't you understand", Karthik faked frustration in his voice
"Stop okay just stop lying to me, you think I believe what you say, NO, I tell you why, because I know you well, if your harmed a hair on some innocent that you had no relation with even unintentionally, you would be filled with guilt, you would beg for forgiveness, but your face hasn't the single hint of guilt, nor have you once apologized, you only confessed. So stop it because I can see the fear behind your pretense. So stop it and tell me the truth", Naira said irritated as he wasn't opening up to her.
"Think what you may the truth won't change", he said turning his back towards her not wishing for her to see his expressions.
