Naira thought of going to Karthik to ask him of the matter once again, but he would easily rubbish it out by some or another excuse. She decided to meet his friends with whom she had spent that afternoon. She called Chandu to get there numbers because this was the same group that had come to Rishikesh along with Karthik and stayed at the other ashram Chandu worked and when they stayed there their numbers were recorded in a register against there name. She called one of his friends and enquired. He told her of how he spiked Karthik's drink, apologizing heartily for the mischief, also asked about Karthik's well being and he reached safely. It made Naira's resolution stronger that Karthik was innocent and for some reason was pushing her away. Because not once during his statement to the officer had he mentioned of being drunk without knowledge, instead he took the whole blame on himself, he didn't once try to explain himself that he wasn't wrong that he had been lied to, to make him consume the alcoholic drink. Finally night came but it didn't bring any sleep for her with it and when she went back in the hall she doubted anyone had slept a second. The Maheshwari's had come back early morning as well to find any new news on Akshara, but found none waiting for them. Naira announced her findings, which was followed by telling everyone her descions of meet Karthik and confront him though some part of her knew it would lead to no good use but she thought it would be wise to give it a try and after helping her nani set up a breakfast she left for the police station.
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"She is out of danger, I have given her an injection that will make sure she stays unconscious for the next 24 hours, I will give the injection tomorrow and that will keep her asleep for another 24 hours and so on it will go until you desire", said the doctor trembling as the stranger cast him a questioning glare on him.
"Good, why are you shaking as long as you play by my rules no harm shall befall you", the stranger extremely sweetly, sweetness to an extent that it made you sick.
The stranger than entered the room and glanced at the woman lying on the bed, "Mrs Akshara Singhania, I am so sorry to have you captivated here, but you shall not have any trouble because I am planning to keep you asleep for your entire stay, so you will have nothing to complain about.", the stranger spoke and left the room masking a vicious grin behind the scarf that was used to cover half the face.
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Karthik's cell
"Karthik", Naira called out impatiently trying to get his attention.
"Kya hai", said Karthik indifferently.
"Do you mind telling me the truth", asked Naira her impatience increasing.
"I believe that I have already told it to you and everyone, do you want me to repeat myself, I was drunk and driving, suddenly ma'am came infront of my eyes and hit her before banging to the tree. And no matter how many times anyone ask my answer would be the same no matter what, you know why because this is the truth and how much ever you deny it, truth will always remain the truth, you can't change it. You know what you are the perfect example of love is blind. I still can't believe it, you are not the least bit concerned about your mother, the mother which loved you all your life, waited for you for the past seven years, forgave you in an instance for wronging her and misunderstanding her all this while. And no instead going to look for her you have come here to converse with me. You disgust me Naira, jiss maa ne itna caha uski feelings ka khayal na rakh saki, uski parwa nahi hai, toh mujh se pyaar kaise karogi, Jo ladki maa beti ke 20 saal ke rishte ko uss pyaar ke liye bhula sakti hai jisse 20 days bhi nahi hue, aise ladki par mein bharosa kaise karlun that she won't leave me in my time of need, go away from my life", Karthik chided her, so that she would leave and she did, he say her moving to the inspectors table having a conversation before leaving but he couldn't hear what they talked about.
As soon as he saw her leave the station he turned his back towards the steel bars and crumpled on the floor as tears flowed down his eyes.
"how much should you hurt her, isn't the pain that she is going through already enough that you have to add to it", his inner conscience asked him.
"What else shall I do I want to push her away, I love her more than any thing else in this world, I am doing this for her and no one else, do you think it pleased me to see the pain in her eyes as I spoke. If it was all about me I would have taken the risk of finding that caller but it is her happiness at stake, her family in question, I can't afford to loose even one game.", Karthik said pain filling his voice.
"You bought her past between, you know how much that affects her", his inner conscience asked
"Maybe that is why I bought it in between, I hurt her in the worst possible way, I remember when Rukmani dadi spoke about it after yash and rose's wedding, I remember her running to the room and ma'am following, I remember sneaking behind them, I remember her bursting in tears, silently. I had wished that I would never have to see that sight again. But look at my situation now, I myself bought up that sensitive topic.", Karthik replied lost.
"You promised her love and happiness, is this the way you plan to do it, by hurting her with your words, by pushing her away from you", asked his inner conscience
"This is the only choice I have. I wish there was something I could do to set everything back to it's place, but this is most I can do without risking her happiness", Karthik replied.
He closed his ears as his own words echoed through them, no matter what excuse he had, he hated himself for all those things and thought nothing could justify his deeds. Thinking of the pain that she would go through for this while filled him with self loathe.
He hugged his knees as he thought of her smiling face, he could anything for that angelic smile, that innocent twinkle in her eyes when she was happy. Her laughter that was the most melodious song to his hears, he had no idea when laughter played on his lips thinking about her.
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"Kya hua, Karthik se kuch pata chala", Rajshri questioned as soon as Naira entered.
"Yes, he told me instead of going to look for her you have come here to converse with me". She said smiling
"itna muskura kyun rahi ho", Gayu asked her
"Gayu Di, don't you get it, he spoke about searching for mumma, how did he know that we are searching for her, he could have asked about her health about instead he chose these words, why?", she questioned with a smirk.
"Isn't it possible that he over heard the police officers talking or had been informed by someone", asked Shaurya
"No mamu I asked the officer and he denied Karthik knowing anything of the matter.", Naira replied remembering the conversation she had with the head inspector before leaving.
His attempt to push her further away had bought her a step closer to the truth.
