by Shailly Jain
Gathering all she starts explaining the plan for this project. Karan can see she is avoiding his eyes on purpose. Barren look in her eyes is deeply hurting him. Whenever he tries to talk other than work she changes the subject.
Gaurav is by her side to avoid any conflicts between the two. He believes Karan wants to make amends in his own way. Sia clearly needs time to forget.
Working like this will only deteriorate the quality. To patch things up he suggests they talk. Sia decides to speak her piece first - Karan, forget what I said at the party. I hope you can erase the memories of that night and promise never to speak of it again. On the work front, we will be the same. Nodding in agreement he left the room.
Seeing the cold look in her eyes broke his heart. She is better off without him.
********
Sia has grown accustomed to Aditya Sir guidance from time to time. He conveys his wisdom via old tales and projects for her. He inherited the money. But it’s admirable how he chooses to donate a large amount for rural development. She has started enjoying working for him, it feels associated with a good cause.
Seeing the laptop, she decides to make the remaining changes. Whatever he did was her worst nightmare. But the programs hold a higher value to him and deep down he is not so bad. This program will give him some kind of peace. At least this wretched thing will come to some good use.
Working with him is proving an easy task. He tries not to cross her path on any occasion. Karan can see she is becoming her old self with everyone. Of course, he is banished from her fairyland, but now she smiles more.
She has picked an irritating habit of recording the small celebration after every project. Currently she is fussing at Rahul to portray for Handycam. She looks like enjoying the small gathering and with Gaurav joining them, her happiness knows no limits. The three of them have formed a close circle of trust.
With Gaurav, her special bond has nurtured over time. Karan can see the good she brings in his life. Helping him overcome the loss of Ayushi is the best of her deeds. He doesn’t trust her fully but, he doesn’t trust easily. But co-existing is not a bad start.
********
Arvind call comes as a surprise, he vanished after the Gala. Arvind demand is the same as before, Sia, onboard for a new political project. This time he will not be around to supervise. Hearing the project details and deadline. He knows it will take Sia to complete it on time. Keeping Arvind out of the picture will help her concentrate more.
Listening to Gaurav’s excitement about the new project she agrees. Arvind holds no power over her, his presence is negligible. Her resolution to give away the software has grown more strong by the minute. The hectic schedule for days took over any personal space.
The project went smoothly without the slightest glitch. Karan and Sia make a hell of a team. Gaurav joins her celebration in the compound. Sia, I have nothing witty to say, just stop focusing the Handycam on me. Moving to the music she lifted him on the SUV, some party moves and you will be free.
He has to go inside, Karan is handling everything alone. Leaving her in the company of her colleagues he is back to his position.
Karan remembers the sweet moment with Sia. This is the same place they first worked for Arvind. Seeing her in the compound, moving to the song’s rhythm brings intense desire, he looks quickly away.
********
A gunshot echo is in the air, broke the train of thought. This can lead to a stampede, grabbing the mic he shouted. Stay where you are, we are closing all the gates from outside. Everyone is safe inside as the hit has occurred in outside vicinity. No one leaves before another announcement.
Every possible step is being taken to keep you safe. I hope for your cooperation. The daunting situation requires quick thinking, he quickly moves towards the door giving order. Gaurav you are in charge, don’t let anyone out without checking. Seal the building and set the perimeter.
Gaurav can sense his take action voice. With concern he ask, where will you be Karan? Outside checking for the shooter. Before Gaurav can warn him, he is on his way to find the culprit.
The outside is a mess light out, broken boards, people stomped over everything. Fear gripped him at the sound of walkie-talkie - We have located an injured sir in the compound.
With a slight stammer he asks - description Now. Sir woman in late twenties, fair tone, burgundy hair, 5.9 by look. In his heart, he knows the description too well.
Her situation fast and precise - her hand is bleeding and short on breath. He ran to the compound franatically.
He feels like the air is sucked out of his lungs, Seeing her lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
He shouts at the man in sight, Damnit don’t hover around, get a car. She needs medical attention.
Sir the Ambulance is on its way, seeing Karan’s facial expression, he left in a hurry. Settling her in lap, he shouts at the phone - Keep everything ready we are on our way. He shouted at Gaurav from a distance, bother me only for something urgent.
Sia is growing pale every passing second, pressurizing the wound to keep her stable isn’t working. Patting her cheek he repeated, stay with me. Sia look at me, stay awake for a few more minutes. Tears rolled down seeing her losing to unconsciousness.
Karan feels helpless, he shouts in pain - Sia, wake up its no time to give up on me. The driver looks worried seeing his devastated state.
Sia is taken by Abhimanyu at the gate of the hospital. Stretcher, nurses, and operation theatre are ready. He has prepared to deal with every adversity, as Karan has called in advance. Without losing any time she is shifted to OT. The light turned red and he was instructed to wait outside.
Karan never believed in a higher power other than the human will to achieve. Today’s incidents are beyond his control and every passing second she is inside the theatre his hope is crumbling. The trident locket of Shiva embedded with black beads chain and gold is reminding him of all his bad and good deeds. He closed the locket in his palm and prayed for the soul of Sia, she is fighting for her every breath this minute.
The realization of his rolling tears struck him when Gaurav offered him tea.
He recovered from his breakdown keeping the locket in pocket. Calling Sarah to inform her family. Rahul arrived right away.
********
The doctor declared her out of danger. Other than the weakness of blood loss, there is nothing to fear. The bullet has grazed her left arm, she will recover in a month. All the blood around her must belong to someone else too.
Rahul and Gaurav are sitting by her side and the family is traveling back from a foreign destination asap.
Karan left the room to talk to Abhimanyu when faint shadows lurked at the side walls. Slowly closing his eyes he concentrates on the voices, faint foot moments in the background is a sign that the attack on her was not random. She is the target and the attacker is not yet done. Calling Abhimanyu he asks him to meet in the room.
Moving back he calls the cops. He turns to look at the confusion in Gaural’s eyes. Rahul was frustrated with him since his arrival. He is making all the decisions and hovering over Sia to check her condition. It’s not his place to meddle. He is thankful that Karan has taken her to hospital, but now his work is done. He shouts you can make calls outside, she needs rest. It will be better if you leave right now.
Placing a finger on his lips, shut up and listen. Rahul can here some faint whispers in the background but doesn’t understand Karan’s point. Gaurav is quick to catch, Rahul its the sound of guns being loaded. She is not out of danger totally. Rahul is getting his head around the attack theory when Abhimanyu enters.
Karan smiles at Gaurav, I think the doctor is on board. Abhimanyu is now calling security and hospital authorities to get the plan moving.
He gives a high dosage of medicine, to wake Sia from the faint state. Handing the pills he warns, sedating pain is one thing, and overdosing is another. She is up but lacks strength. Every guard of the hospital is on the watch for her life.
&
nbsp; Karan’s, undefinable need to protect her is beyond understanding. But it’s sure whoever has done this will pay. Contemplating her escape without a hint is the need of the hour.
Moving her back to the operation theatre announcing an emergency. The light will keep them at bay long enough. To sneak her out from the back. Harsh is going to stay back in her place. There is only one place as a fortress, where she will be safe. Karan’s office. But Rahul suggested his family getaway home and being the closest to her. He can’t be denied, because he is the legal guardian on papers.
The one with the his Heart
Karan thought, this place has many entrances and exits, so many loops to taken advantage of. The police perimeter is the only thing they got right at this point. Karan is closing every gate to ensure less attacking points.
Sia has gained full consciousness along the drive. The police is inside talking to her. She shouts - asking, again and again, will not change anything. I have no answers for you, Sir. She has no idea why she is being attacked. Confirming her statement they left to check with Karan.
Closing her eyes, she plays the attack on loop. Rahul is by her side, informing that she will be shifted shortly. The blast of the vase on the bedside set the wheel running. She grabbed the locket while Karan covered her. Rolling from the bed they hid beside it. The gunshots have missed but pinned them without a chance of a fight. It only a matter of time before they are dead. Her father’s words are on a loop in her head - Whenever you are in danger, the first thing you try to protect is closest to your heart.
Karan can feel Sia is still, she must have passed out. The footsteps are approaching near, he is ready for the fight when three gunshots were fired. The eerie silence in the room is broken by the Inspectors’ voice. It’s all clear come out. Sia is partly conscious and regaining composure fastly. Leaving Sia Karan and Rahul everyone left.
Karan can think of a thousand ways they can be tracked. He raises his voice to be heard perfectly, strong measures are required to protect her. She is not safe in the hands of police or other security personnel. Rahul retorts in frustration, So who can keep her safe?
Karan knows what needs to be done. Voicing his thoughts- She needs to elope. It will give us time to figure out the person behind these attacks. Sia thought he is joking but its serious. They are considering elope as an option.
Karan takes Rahul aside to have a discussion. Its an hour or less, whoever, sent them will know - she is alive. Whatever we have to do, we have to do it fast. Rahul knows she is in grave danger but eloping is a big step. He looks at Karan with anger like it’s his fault, You think she can elope alone in this condition. He suggests I can run away with her. Karan asks him only one question, Are you sure, you have the right skill set to keep her alive?
Rahul knows he is offering himself for this job and he is qualified for it too. But leaving Sia with him is like a stab in the heart. He asks questioningly - Why will you do it for us?. Karan answers simply looking at Sia, Nobody dies at my watch.
She shouts I am not going anywhere, it’s my life. I am going to stay here and face whatever we are dealing with.
Karan lost his temper, he is ready to give up everything for her and she wants to stay. He looks at Rahul, She has a deathwish or what, staying here will only make it easy for them. Sia is coming with me NOW. I think " You will agree that I am more suited to take care of the current situation” Rahul knows there is truth in Karan’s words. Both are trying to keep her alive., but leaving Sia with him is giving a feeling like losing her. Thinking about their runaway situation and the proximities of intimacy that can happen in these situations makes him jealous, angry, sad at the same time. He has to do right by her this time.
Seeing Karan taking a leap towards Sia, he intervenes. I will talk to her and you should leave. Meet us at the coffee shop in an hour. Karan left the room passing a stern look to Sia.
********
She hates to run, being manipulated, leaving her whole life on a halt without knowing the reason behind it. Sia is feeling jitters only thinking about the days she is going to spend with him. This man has the key to her heart.
Deep down in her heart, she knows he can hurt her. He had done it once and he will do it again. Sia hates that both of them are making decisions for her life, without considering her feelings. She feels like being invisible to them. It feels like she has no control whatsoever over her way to live.
He knows she has a lot on her mind, but they don’t have the time.
Sia, he owns a security firm and has all the means to keep you protected. He has a better understanding of such attacks, loopholes in security. A plan made by him will have consideration of different scenarios, we can’t think at that level. I don’t want you to leave either, but we are short of options.
Seeing her still staring, he softly says - Sia, he is committing himself to protect you, it certainly decreases the chances of you being attacked. Princess if it makes you feel any better he gets paid to protect people, we can pay him. I hate that you have to leave.
Softly sitting beside her he says, I will take care of everything else. Don’t worry I will check on both of our old men and promise you not to annoy them. A little smile flaunted on her lips and it made him smile a little. How will he survive without her in the coming time?. She has been there for the past 12years on the back of a call and became his habit.
He pleads to make her see his point. Sia, if you have any better idea tell me, I am all ears. She doesn’t want to leave her life like this, but it’s true options are less. Cant I lock myself in a tower and give you the keys. Then you will be my captor. He gave that amused smile, I think you will come to enjoy it in some time princess.
He mischievously adds, the person who will keep you captive will go mad by the end of the day, bet me on it. I guarantee he will return you with a sorry note. Sia pretends to stab herself in heart, Ah, I am hurt, he smiles.
Sia, we have to get going. Due to blood loss, her mind is a little dizzy and the wound is sore but overall she feels okay. The moment she unclasped her legs and lifted, she lost her balance. He moved quickly to her aid, moving her to the sofa. He pulls the nearby chair and examines the wound, it seems okay. She has dealt with two traumatic incidents in the past 48 hours. As per the current situation, he will say she is holding herself better than most.
Her health is what is getting him worried. He gave her the prescribed vitamins and pain killer for instant energy. Seeing her resting with eyes closed and angelic expression on her face is making his heart swell. She looks so peaceful, her Angel. They have less time but he decides to let her sleep for a few minutes.
His mind drifted again to the same questions:- why her? what do they want from her? What does she know? Is there anything She stumbled upon?. She seems to have no idea why somebody is trying to kill her. Something has happened in the past few days and his best guess is political conference fiasco has started wheel of these unfortunate incidents.
He has to dig deep into the matter to know more. The soon he finds out, this will be over. She is feeling a lot better after the nap. Princess its time to leave for packing, the watch is showing out of 1 hour only 10 minutes remaining.
After reaching home she packed a few clothes, a few books, medicines and toilet kit, a photo frame of Rahul, and their old men. How can she pack her whole life in a bag in minutes and where is Rahul. He left the room after settling her to pack in peace.
She packed her diary in the backpack which is lying by her side, it has become dirty in the past 2 days. The backpack is having all her id’s and essentials, to be true she lacked the energy to pack them again. She is not going on any fancy trip its a hideout mission the bag will do. Rahul says Sia pack these too extra pair of glasses, small night light, her pendant, eye drops, a pager. Looking at the handed over things she smiles, everything she requires but forgot to pack.
********
Come on princess we have to leave, saying that loud is giving him a gut-wrenching feel. Something is br
eaking inside him at the thought of her leaving with Karan. She can see in his eyes the pain that he is not the one who can save her. Seeing the look in his face, she felt short of words. It is her first-ever silent ride with him.
She knows in her heart that he will be working on bringing her back home. While getting off the car she lost her balance, he just took her in his arm to give support. R u falling for me princess? he forced a smile to make her feel better. Sia joined him by smiling, No it all comes naturally to me. His heart skipped a beat, seeing the uncertainty and vulnerability in her eyes. Sia realized she is still in his arms and it feels natural.
None of them took a step back and the moments passed as Karan’s voice intervened “Is it safe for you to be in open”?. He moved back and she got off the car. Rahul gave him a questioning look, which one is yours. I parked behind the coffee shop less crowded. I will get the bags, you take her. Rahul’s one hand is wrapped around her waist and the other one is on her shoulder. Due to the bullet wound above her elbow, he has to hold her waist. She just leaned into him for better support. He can’t deny it feels good to hold her so close.
Karan pointed towards the black Suv with dark glasses. Dropping the bags in the back seat and opening the front passenger door, he moved towards the back of the car but his eyes remain fixated on her.
They reached the door and its time to let her go. He slid her hands and moved away from her, giving her space to climb in. She turned around to ask for promises of taking care of everyone and feeding her pet. She asks him to help uncle at work from time to time, not annoying him in the process. There are strict instructions on keeping his guard with Neha and updating her social media accounts.
Keeping himself safe and not getting involved in all of this is of the highest priority. She will be coming back so keeping the rental place in order is required. As the list is getting long Karan gave a fake cough to get her attention. She wrapped it up by saying “when I come back, I want all three of you okay. It’s your responsibility”. She is hugging him and closing her arms around his back. She hissed in his ear, take care of papa.