Secrets of the Past (Completed)

25. Arnav Singh Raizada

Anjali cupped his cheeks “shh, don't, I'm happy that you are with me, alive, by God’s grace. Now that I'm here and you are awake, I'm going to make sure that you have a speedy recovery. Take rest. We’ll talk later, hmm?”

Nodding at her, he closed his eyes and the sedatives started kicking in, making him asleep.

Closing the door, Anjali hugged Shyam and cried.

12 years!!

Her brother was alone, battling for life.

How did she fail in recognizing that imposter? How did she fail in finding out the truth?

She cried like there was no tomorrow. The officers, Kushi, and the duty doctors felt pity.

After sometime, her cries reduced to small sobs.

Taking her towards the other room, Shyam convinced his wife to freshen up.

***************

4 months later

Arnav was brought home from the hospital 2 months ago. His physiotherapy sessions were slowly but surely bringing a positive change in him.

Anjali and Shyam made sure that he was not disturbed emotionally. The entire Raizada and Jha family welcomed Arnav and were careful enough not to show their emotional side and breakdown in front of him.

He was recovering at a good speed. His  therapist was happy and delighted that a coma patient has so much will power. He still found it difficult to walk, but he did not lose hope. His steps were slow but firm.

After consulting and getting a go ahead signal from the psychiatrist and the chief doctors, Kushi and the CBI officers visited the Raizada mansion for Arnav's statement and his side of the story.

Gathering the whole family, Arnav sat on the sofa. Anjali sat beside him and kept a comforting hand on his shoulders.

Smiling at his sister, Arnav took a deep breath. It was time to narrated his side of the story.

“Every year, we used to go for trips, to relax and enjoy.

Everything started during our trip to Nainital. We 5 were  close friends from childhood, so when we made plans, we usually don’t include any of our family members or our other friends. But that year, 2007, Sheetal, Karan’s friend, joined our trip.

Everyone was ok with it except me. I found her shady, but for the sake of my friend, I kept quiet.

Our trip was only for a month, so we enjoyed it to the fullest. During the last week, I stumbled upon something that shook me.”

He shuddered at the thought of the past events.

Anjali comforted him and gave him some water.

Composing himself, he continued.

“As a last outing, we went to the famous pine tree forest.  I was feeling tired when my friends suggested me to rest.

Flashback

“Arnav, you look tired, why don’t you rest in the makeshift tent while we look around?”

Arnav just nodded his head. He was actually feeling giddy and he felt the suggestion to be valid.

Few minutes after he slept, his friends moved away from that place.

Someone was shouting. Finding the voice to be of a female, Arnav tried to open his tired eyes. He found it weird.

Shaking his head, he drank some water when he heard the same scream.

Finding something fishy, he rushed towards the forest which had prohibited signboard.