CHECKMATE

Chapter 40

Pratap dashed towards his car and stared at Siddharth in horror. Tears began running down his cheeks as he saw his friend unconscious.

On the other hand the commissioner had caught the criminal who had shot at Siddharth thinking that he was killing Pratap.

Managing to calm himself down, he called for an ambulance but Siddharth opened his eyes and began laughing looking at his friend.

"What is so funny?" Asked Pratap in astonishment.

"The bullet hit my arm not my head. I mean...the guy missed." Chuckled Siddharth, holding his arm.

"You are one lucky chap." Sighed Pratap helping his friend out of the car. "I would really have died of guilt if something happened to you."

Siddharth pulled the hem of his t-shirt and pointed at the bullet proof vest which he had worn saying, "Commissioner Khan gave this to me when you had gotten into his car. As soon as I got into your car, I wore it."

"But you still got hurt." Insisted Pratap looking at the wound on Siddharth's upper arm.

"It'll be fine..." He reassured. "And the guy is caught I made it out alive...now I'll get married and have dozen kids."

"First let's get you to the hospital." Snapped Pratap.

While the commissioner had taken the assassin back with him to the prison, Pratap and Siddharth were in the hospital.

He frowned at the bandage and proudly smiled saying, "Yukti will consider me a brave man."

Pratap smacked his forehead growling, "I'll buy you the pain killers."

"Good." Grinned Siddharth as they walked out of the hospital. "And...some food please. Oh...yes you even owe me a drink for taking this bullet on me."

"Yes...yes...I'll buy you a mansion, let's go now." Replied Pratap who was visibly relieved that Siddharth was completely alright.

Sitting in Pratap's car they zoomed away.

"I'll drop you home then I'll go to the police station." Said Pratap, without turning to his friend.

"No...I'll join you. I need to show this to..."

"Sid," interjected Pratap, glancing at him, "you can show your trophy to Yukti later, first get some rest at home."

"No...police station first." Said Siddharth adamantly.

Pratap rolled his eyes mumbling, "Arguing with you is uselss."

Pulling straight at the police station, Siddharth was the first to run out of the car and into the police station. To his horror he watched Yukti slap someone.

"Who sent you?" She demanded glaring fiercely at the man.

The shabby looking man kept mum and another tight slap resounded across his face. Siddharth blinked twice and then turned around and saw Pratap who had pursed his lips trying not to laugh at his friend.

"Go...show her your trophy." Taunted Pratap.

"No...she looks pissed off..." Chuckled Siddharth sheepishly.

"Lock him up and trash him until he confesses." Ordered the inspector and then looked at Pratap and Siddharth saying, "I'll let You'll know once he confesses who sent him."

"Siddharth had to show you something." Said Pratap in a rather serious voice. 

Yukti looked at Siddharth arching a brow and he immediately shook his head saying, "No...it's nothing!"