The Wilted Rose: Chapter 9

Writer's Comment

I think this update is very cruel. It leaves you wanting to cry. Please do not judge, it is just a story. I am sure you all are aware that this happens in India. Well I hope you all are strong enough to handle it.

Love,

Mishty

Chapter 9

After 30 minutes, there was a knock on the hospital door. Aman walked through with 3-4 bags in his hand. Arnav signaled him to leave the bags on the couch.

“Sir, Are you okay?” asked Aman, “I mean you haven’t come to the office sir! Many clients are asking for you!”

“I will come tomorrow!” stated Arnav. Aman took that a signal to leave. Soon as Aman left, Khushi walked out from the bathroom. Arnav passed the bags to her.

“Here are your clothes!” he said.

Khushi took them from his hand. She took them out of the bag. It was a red saree with a designer red blouse. Tears came out her eyes. Arnav looked in confusion at her.

“Khushi, what’s wrong?” asked Arnav.

“I can’t wear this Arnav!” said Khushi.

“Why?” asked Arnav.

“Jab Suhag hi nahi hain then how can I wear this? I am a widow! I can only wear the colour white!” said Khushi. Arnav turned to her and brought her close, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“Nahi Khushi, I thought you were going to move on? You were married for a couple of hours. No-one expects you to follow the same traditions that a widow follows!” explained Arnav carefully.

“Society will judge you! A couple of hours, it still doesn't change the fact that I was once married!” said Khushi.

“No it doesn't but you need to move on, think about the future! Your husband would want you to move on too!” said Arnav.

“Your right!” said Khushi, “I will move on for Rohan!”

They soon left the hospital and drove straight to the ETF office. They stepped outside the car, and looked at the massive office with glass windows. It was almost as big as “AR” thought Arnav.

They both stepped inside and were greeted by a lady, who took them to ETF main office. The office was simple, with a touch of modern design. Inside, they were met up with the team.

“Oh you are here!” said Arjun.

“Yes!” replied Arnav, “You called us!”

“Yes, we wanted you to be present, when Rajan wakes up!” said Arjun.

“He is here? I thought he was in the hospital!” said Arnav.

“He only had minor injuries, he was put under sedation for an hour! We brought him back with us!” said Arjun, “Shree – he should be awake by now! Go and check!”

“Okay!” Shree soon left them.

Riya came to Khushi and greeted her happily with a big grin on her face.

“Hi, Khushi, it will be all over soon!” said Riya.

“I know!” said Khushi. The wait was prolonged. It built up tension, anxiety and other feelings that Khushi never wanted to feel again. She looked over to Arnav. Yes, Riya was right. It would be all over soon.

But did she want it to be over?

After this case, she realized she would never see Arnav like she was seeing him now. Yes, they had made the promise together about keeping contact, but it was more in the moment. She didn't think that they would still be like this after this case was over. She would get the justice required, but would she be happy?

It had seemed that Rajan was now awake and was in the interrogation room. Arnav and Khushi were standing outside with Riya, Chotu and Shree, while Rathod and Arjun were inside the interrogation room with Rajan. The people outside, could see everything and hear everything, but the people inside could neither see outside nor hear anything outside.

Arjun picked up his gun and walked towards Rajan in a predatory manner and sat down by the table.

“Where were you, when Rohan was murdered?” asked Rathod.

There was no response.

“I will ask you again, Where were you when Rohan was murdered?” asked Rathod.

There was silence. He refused to open his mouth. Arjun looked at him sceptically.

“Rathod, yeh aisa nahi manega! When we lay his body on table made of Ice, then he will speak! Do you know the punishment of murder in this country? You get hanged! So I would start speaking before I get charges put on you for murder!” said Arjun.

Rajan looked at the floor while Arjun was speaking to him.

“Why don’t you speak dammit?” shouted Rathod, banging the table, making Rajan flinch.

“If I tell you they will kill her!” said Rajan. There was a moment of silence. Rathod and Arjun looked at each other in surprise. They were expecting him to defend himself, but his statement brought surprise.

“Kill who?” asked Arjun.

“Kill Priya!” replied Rajan.

“Who is Priya?” asked Rathod.

“My fiancé!” said Rajan.

“Tell us from the beginning! We will know if you lie. We will help you find Priya, if you help us with the case!” said Arjun.

“3 months ago, we found out from my mum that Khushi and Bhai were going to get married. We were really happy, me and Priya. I loved Priya and we got engaged without the family, in London itself. Although, bhai and I had our differences in the past, which were mainly about business, we decided to finally end all the arguments between us. Bhai convinced me to come back to India, and he said that he will listen to my suggestions as well, when it comes to business. I did not tell my family that Priya was coming with me.

“Priya was happy as well. We loved each other. She had never met my family, so she was excited. I had thought that after Bhai and Khushi’s wedding, I will reveal to my family that Priya is the one for me. We will happily settle in India as well. We were supposed to attend all the functions from engagement to the actual wedding. However, due to some weather conditions, all flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick were cancelled. The only flight that was available was 2 days before the wedding.

“Bhai knew about the weather conditions but we didn't tell him about the flight. He thought that we were coming on the wedding day itself. We wanted to surprise him and our family, so we decided to not tell them, which was one of our biggest mistakes that we made. We flew from London Heathrow, two days before the wedding. However there were some problems with our immigration when we landed in Delhi airport. So we got take away by guards. We were being taken away, when we felt some chloroform on our face faces” said Rajan.

“So you were kidnapped?” asked Arjun. Rajan nodded in positive.

“When I woke up, the room that I was in was dark. My hands and legs were tied to the chair! The whole room smelt of petrol. My eyes were hazy. Soon I heard screams from another room. They were Priya’s screams. I shouted her name a couple of times, but my screams were echoed back. I tried to untie my hands or legs, but I couldn’t do anything.

Soon the door opened, and someone entered. I couldn’t see his face. He was tall and well built up. He said that his men were enjoying her. I felt disgusted that I couldn’t protect the woman I love,” said Rajan.

“Oh my God, Priya was raped!” said Rathod.

When Rajan was speaking about Priya, Khushi had tears in his eyes. She felt helpless. Riya also felt sad to listen to a woman getting raped. Only love could give you so much pain. Arnav looked at Khushi and told her through his eyes to be strong. That's why she could see the pain in his eyes, when he tried to kill her. He was regretting his decision.

They had to be strong.

They had to be strong for everything else to come.

Someone was behind their life, and they had to be caught.

The Wilted Rose: Chapter 8

Writer's Comments
Well, I am back with another chapter. Most people wanted to know more about Arnav. Well here it is! I hope you like it!

Love you all,

Mishty

Chapter 8

The ETF members had left them. Arnav came to Khushi’s side and sat beside her. He held her arm and whispered sweet nothings into her ear. She found his presence calming. It helped her forget the events of the past few days for a few seconds and relax.

He had helped her a lot, when he didn’t even know her. That was one shocking thought. He knew so much about her, but she didn’t know anything about him. She looked up at him frowning.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“I don’t know anything about you!” said Khushi.

“What do you want to know?” asked Arnav feeling amused.

“Anything and Everything!” said Khushi happily.

“Okay, well – like I told you, my full name is Arnav Singh Raizada. I work at AR,” said Arnav. He was about to say something but got interrupted by Khushi.

“AR?” repeated Khushi.

“What you have never heard of it?” asked Arnav, slightly miffed at that thought.

“I have heard it somewhere, oh yeah! My best friend Lavanya works at AR, but she has that her boss was really mean. He shouts all the time, and fires anyone if they make a small mistake. She said he was a rakshas but apparently he is really good looking. All the models want to date him. So what do you think? Is he really that mean? I mean you work under him right?” said Khushi, not knowing that Lavanya’s boss is sitting right in front of her.

Arnav felt anger course through him, when Khushi mentioned that he was a ‘Rakshas’. He felt like ripping Lavanya’s head off. He normally didn't get angry that often, but his office staff were useless. He was a genuinely calm, composed person, but in business he had learned to be ruthless. You have to be ruthless, if you want to succeed.

He had wanted to succeed. He had that drive in him. He had seen the world. It was too cruel. In order to survive in this world, you had to have power. That was one of his first lessons in life. He looked at the innocent Khushi, in front of him.

“Khushi, I am Lavanya’s boss!” said Arnav finally. Khushi gasped in shock.

“What?” shouted Khushi, “You told me that you work at AR!”

“Actually, I was going to tell you that I am the owner of AR but you interrupted me!” said Arnav.

“Oh my God, I am so Sorry. I didn't know. Please don’t fire Lavanya. It is not her fault. Plus, now come to think of it, you aren't like that at all. You are kind, caring and friendly,” said Khushi.

Arnav looked at her in surprise. No-one had called friendly before. If his sister found out, she would be shocked, he smirked at that.

“Okay so who is in your family?” asked Khushi.

“I have my sister; her name is Anjali. Then there is my Nani, Mami and my Mama and then my brother, Akash,” said Arnav.

“What about your parents?” asked Khushi. When Khushi had asked that question, she saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes, but then darkness covered it in the space of a second. She wanted to ask; what was wrong but then he replied.

“They are dead!” he said in a low voice.

“Oh I am Sorry. I didn't mean to..” stammered Khushi.

“It’s okay!” said Arnav. Khushi could see that he wasn't okay. 

“My father had a mistress and my mom soon found out. She couldn’t take the pressure, so she killed herself in front of me. She jumped off the terrace. I couldn’t save her. When my dad found out, he killed himself too because he couldn’t take the guilt. He was filled with regret!” said Arnav.

“You know Khushi; we must all suffer from one of two things, the pain of love or the pain of regret. My mum felt pain because of her love while my dad felt pain because of regret!” said Arnav.

“That’s why, when I heard you talking about suicide, I couldn’t take it, because I know how it feels,” said Arnav. Arnav’s eyes were filled with tears. Khushi took her hand and rubbed his tears away, but more kept pouring out. She then brought her lips and kissed his tears away. She nodded her head, telling him silently to stop crying.

“I am sorry for asking you about this,” Khushi uttered with tears in her eyes. She didn’t know that this man was carrying so much sorrow with him. He knew what this type of pain was.

The pain of losing someone.

The pain of being hurt.

Khushi hugged him. He was hurt in the past. She was being hurt in the present. They were two people in the same boat, sailing together in no-man’s land. She rubbed her back.

“Promise me, that even after this case finishes, we will still be in touch! Promise me that!” said Khushi.

“I promise!” said Arnav. In a few days, they become relatively close. They had learnt to depend on each other. They didn't know where life would take them. They were just living in the present, not worried about what the future holds.

They soon sat apart, when they felt a knock on the door.

The doctor stared at the duo and gave them one of his rare smiles.

“Khushi, I have been given orders by ETF to discharge you. Personally, I have would have kept you for another day, but you have made a vast improvement since yesterday, so I do not mind discharging you early. When I did the checks this morning, everything was normal. However, you stood still take care of yourself. I have also been told that to tell you that both of you are required in the ETF office in an hour’s time,” said the doctor.

“Thank you doctor, for everything!” said Khushi.

“You’re welcome. Now no more suicidal thoughts!” said the doctor with a smile. Khushi nodded.

“Doctor what about the treatment cost?” asked Khushi.

“Oh don’t worry about that, I have sorted it out,” said Arnav.

“What? Arnav I can sort it out trust me!” said Khushi.

“Khushi, don’t worry about that,” said Arnav. Khushi nodded.

“Alright then, I hope I never see you two again!” said the doctor with a smile. Then the doctor left.

The nurse came in then.

“Khushi, we need to get you out of hospital clothes. The ones you were wearing before are torn and were covered with blood. Is there anyone you can ask to bring you clothes?” asked the nurse.

“Don’t worry, I will bring the clothes but you have to give me half an hour!” said Arnav. The nurse nodded then left.

“Arnav, I can ask Lavanya. Don’t worry!” said Khushi.

“Khushi, right now no-one can know that you are here. Two days ago, Arjun texted me saying that it has to be kept a secret that you are here in this hospital. Why do you think we haven’t informed any of your relatives?” asked Arnav.

“Oh, but then who should I ask?” asked Khushi.

“I own a fashion house remember, I just need to make a few calls,” said Arnav.

“Oh okay!” said Khushi brightly.

“But I am paying you back for all of this!” she muttered, while Arnav nodded his head at this woman in front of him.

The Wilted Rose: Chapter 7

Writer's Comments

My writings have a lot of suspense. Things will be revealed at the right time. I do not want to rush this story. I hope you all understand that. If I tell, you the killer is, there is no point for me to continue writing.

However, this SS will end soon! Because the killer will be soon found and punished. 

"Everyone has a motive, even if it looks like they don't!"

I know as my readers, you are all confused and are dying to know who was behind the murder. However the quote above should give you a big clue! I have reached near the climax of the story. I am sorry, if it looks like that I am focusing on Arjun and Riya a bit to much, but that is only to set the scene. I do not want to rush anything.

Love,

Mishty

Chapter 7

“Khushi, nothing will happen to you, while I am here! I mean it. You are safe!” he said carefully. The last thing he wanted to do was to scare her.

It was a battle of emotions. He wanted her to think that she was safe when he was there. Khushi nodded her head as an act of acknowledgement. She had understood what he meant. There was hope still.

“I know!” replied khushi, meekly.

“Thank you, for coming into my life. I know you do not want me to thank you but you don’t have to support me the way, you are doing right now,” said Khushi.

“No-one helps someone this much! I don’t know why, but when that man tried to kill me, somewhere I knew that you would come. You are like my guardian angel!” said Khushi.

“Guardian Angel?” snorted Arnav.

“I am hardly that!” he said, with a dark look in his eyes. Khushi could feel his grip tightening on her waist. She looked into his eyes once again. Their faces were close to each other, lips just mm apart. Arnav drew her even closer and kissed her cheek gently.

Arnav saw Khushi looking at him confused. He wanted to tell her so many things, but this was not the right time. She already had so much to think about. He didn't want to add to her pain.

“I will protect you! I can’t promise anything else, but I will protect you!” said Arnav, rubbing her back. Khushi nodded her head, with tears in her eyes. They loosen the hug, and sit apart.

Who was this man?

What was this man made of?

He constantly risks his life, in order to protect her?

Whatever he says, he is her guardian angel!

Suddenly the door bursts open and the ETF team entered the room. Arnav gets off the bed. He looked at the worry on their faces. Arnav pointed towards the man on the floor which was still masked. Mean-while Riya came to sit by Khushi.

“What happened?” asked Arjun.

“He tried killing her with an injection! I don’t actually know what it was, it could be some sort of poison! Don’t worry he is unconscious!” said Arnav.

“What have you found out so far?” asked Khushi.

“The sketches you told Aisha to make were brilliant. We will catch them in no time. We have alerted every police station, and we should get some results in a few hours. We tried to trace Rajan, but couldn’t find him. For some reason, his face is not on our database, which is slightly weird, but don’t worry I will find him soon!” said Shree.

“Where is the injection now?” asked Shree.

“I think in our fight, I threw it, but it must have landed somewhere in the room itself,” said Arnav.

“I don’t understand how she was attacked! Where was the police officer?” asked an exasperated Rathod.

“Why don’t you ask him yourself?” replied Arnav, with a hint of anger.

“Chotu, call the police officer in!” said Arjun.

Arjun then turned to Arnav.

“When did you come?” asked Arjun.

“I came around 2:15, when I came in saw that masked guy with an injection in his hand!” said Arnav.

“So this all happened around 2:10!” said Arjun.

“This must have all happened between 10-20 minutes,” said Chotu.

Soon the police officer was escorted inside, and he found himself facing the ETF members. Arjun and Rathod came and stood in front of him.

“Where were you when all this happened?” asked Rathod.

“Sir, I went to the washroom. I had no idea this was going to happen. I had come to check on her, but she was sleeping,” said the Police Officer in a terrified voice.

“Arjun Sir, he is telling the truth! I have checked the camera footage myself. At exactly 2:10, he was entering the washroom!” said Shree.

Arjun turned to look at Khushi, and saw red marks on her neck, they were faint, while there were bruises on her wrists. Everyone followed his look and saw marks. He wanted to murder the man for hurting Khushi. 

“Hmm, so they were keeping an eye on you! When the police officer had left, the man would have entered the room, when Khushi was sleeping. Then he tried to strangle khushi, there are some bruises on her neck and then tried to inject her! Team find that injection! It is an important piece of evidence!” said Rathod. Riya and Shree began to look for the injection.

They soon found it. It was lying in a corner.

“That is the most important, but more important is that man, who is still lying down on the floor,” said Arjun.

Arjun was about to move forward, when Riya stopped him.

“Sir, be careful!” she exclaimed.

Arjun turned towards her and gave her a glare.

“Riya, I think you are forgetting that you are an ETF officer! We are not supposed to be scared of anything. I suggest you go back to your research desk! I don’t think you can handle it!” said Arjun.

Riya had tears in her eyes. She had only meant to tell him to be careful. She looked down. Shree looked at Chotu and felt sorry for Riya. They both knew how much she loved Arjun, but they also knew that the love was never reciprocated. He nodded his head at Riya, ushering her to not cry anymore. Chotu also felt bad, seeing her cry. She was always being told off by Arjun Sir, but that didn’t hammer her spirit. He was proud of his friend. She was brave.

Arjun and Arnav slowly moved forward, towards the masked man. They slowly came on either side of him. He still looked unconscious. Chotu stood beside them just in case. Arnav slowly moved the mask. None of them knew who he was. However the next second, there was a huge gasp. They all turned around to see Khushi in tears.

Arnav sprang up from his position. He raced to Khushi.

“Khushi what is it? Do you know who this is?” asked Arnav.

“Arnav, that is Rajan; Rohan’s brother!” said Khushi.

“What?” asked Shree.

“Great! I see that this case is solved! The killer is right in front of us. First he tried to kill Rohan and Khushi by sending those 6 goons, and then when they couldn’t do the job right, he came himself, to do his own dirty work! This case is solved!” said Rathod.

“Not, so fast Rathod! There is no clear motive. This case is just beginning to open up! Par kuch toh choot raha hain!” said Arjun.

“What do you mean?” asked Rathod.

“Well, my first observation is that he is such an amateur. He tried to come and kill Khushi, but Arnav came. Arnav over-powered him. This suggests that he was not ready to attack, or he didn’t want to attack. He is just a pawn in the game Rathod, someone sent him here! Samjhe ya Samjau? Shree give him to a doctor! He needs to wake up. Only he can tell us, who sent him here!” said Arjun.

“Yes, Sir!” said Shree.

“You are right Sir, when he was trying to strangle me, his eyes showed that he was regretting his actions, like he had no choice in this matter,” said Khushi.

"Khushi, I can't believe you are defending him!" said Arnav. 

"No, Arnav the look in his eyes was genuine!" defended Khushi. 

"Whatever!" said Arnav, and turned away from her. Khushi sighed deeply.

“Hmm, he will tell us himself, but first arrange some security for him as well! The real killer would have found out by now that Rajan was unsuccessful, so he might try to harm Rajan so he can’t tell us any information!” said Arjun.

“We have to leave now, I will see you in the evening! We have things to discuss!” said Arjun.

“Okay!” said Arnav.