Pranbir Short Story Collection

The Accident Last Part

[So, buddies almost everyone guessed the caller to be Ranbir. And all of you are right. ;)]

"Who was it? And what did you agree to ?" Pragya stared at Abhishek questioningly as he replaced the mobile in the pocket of his jeans. 

"Let's go out. Prachi needs all the rest that she can get." Abhishek gestured to everyone to leave the cabin.

After every single one of them had walked out of the room, Abhishek soundlessly closed the door to the cabin and only then did he turn towards Pragya.

"It was Ranbir. He wants me to call Rhea and ask her to come here as soon as possible. God knows what your younger daughter has done now. But, Pragya, if she is in anyway connected to Prachi's accident, I am never gonna forgive her." Abhishek looked down at Pragya stubborn resolve in his eyes.

"Nor will I." Pragya looked up at him with a quiet determination.

Abhishek fished out his phone again and dialled Rhea's number. Aliya was the one to pick the call and inform him that Rhea was in tears. Abhishek sighed sadly but didn't forget his promise. He told Aliya to give the phone to Rhea and when Rhea came on the line, he informed her that Ranbir had asked him to call her to the hospital. Exhilarated that Ranbir had finally asked her to be there for him, Rhea instantly gave her consent. However, Aliya felt as if there was something fishy. Hence, she also decided to accompany Rhea to the hospital. 

As soon as they came around the bend, Aliya stopped dead as her eyes met the sight that chilled her to the bones. Abhishek and Pragya were engrossed in a conversation with each other. The only thought that occured to her was that Abhishek and Pragya had reunited and her brother probably knew the truth about Prachi being his daughter already. 

Unaware of the turmoil going on in Aliya's mind, Rhea and Mitali hurried over to the rest of them. 

"Dad, what happened? Why did you call me? And where is Ranbir?" Rhea feigned confusion but was really excited to know what Ranbir was going to say to her.

"I will answer the Whys and Wheres Rhea. And I am right here." Ranbir's voice was dangerously soft and it caused a chill to run down Rhea's spine.

Rhea whirled around and experienced the first frisson of fear as her eyes met with a pair of bloodshot eyes within the depths of which was raging a destructive fire. 

"Ra...Ranbir!" Rhea stuttered as an unknown fear was taking over her.

"Yes, Ranbir. But I have not come alone. I have brought some people with me. Bring them in." Ranbir's lips curved into a mirthless smirk.

As Rhea looked over his shoulder, her heart stopped beating for a moment. She experienced a terrible fear as if witnessing her inevitable doom walking towards her with slow steps. She stared in utter bewilderment and terror as the two truck drivers to whom she had given a contract to kill Prachi off came to a halt a few feet away from her. Those two ruffians were flanked by cops on either side and DCP Balbir Singh brought the rear of the group.

"What...What is this? I...I don't know them. I...I have never seen them in my life." Rhea instantly jumped to her own defense.

"But I haven't said till now that you know or have ever seen them Rhea. Do tell me why would you think that? And I have never known you to stutter. So, why are you stuttering now? Seems like I won't even have to do anything to prove your culpability. You are doing a pretty good job of it yourself." Ranbir smirked though his eyes remained glacial.

Shaking out of the searing frustration that seeing Abhishek and Pragya together had cast upon her, Aliya instantly hurried over to her niece's side.