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. 

The Wilted Rose: Chapter 6

Writer's Comments

Well, I love writing this story. I hope you like reading it as well. This story started with a title. When I had thought of the title, I thought this will be a short story which will finish in 4 parts. I didn't even have a plot at that time. All, I knew was that it was sad story.

Then I wrote the first chapter. Now we are at the sixth. This is a short story and will always be one. However, it was this one story that I had wrote spontaneously, which I will always remember. Right - now we are off to chapter 6. Readers if you spot any mistakes, please email me or PM me. I have proof read it. However, a writer can miss things out. I am not a genius.

Love,

Mishty

Chapter 6

Khushi saw the door close. Her mind was at rest now. At least, Arnav would get some rest now. An hour later, she heard a knock on the door. She called the person in. The person was accompanied by the Police Officer.

“Hi, I am Aisha, I work for ETF. I am the sketching artist. I was sent here to make some sketches of the killers,” said Aisha. Khushi remembered Rathod mentioning Sketches.

“Oh yes, please come in!” said Khushi politely. The Police officer then soon left them. Khushi explained to Aisha what the six men looked like vaguely. However all the information was still enough to make decent sketches. It took them 2 hours, to make the correct sketches.

“Okay, Khushi. I will pass them on to the team! Thank you for your co-operation!” said Aisha kindly and soon left. Khushi then lied back down and sighed in relief. She was thankful how everyone was supporting her. Strangers who she didn't know.

Maybe sometimes Strangers are more trustworthy then the ones who know.

Arnav was at home. He had just finished his shower, and some food. He stretched his hands in the air.

She was right. He was tired.

A shower was just what he needed. Now he was sitting reading the newspaper.

At the back of his mind, he still thought that it was not safe to leave Khushi alone in the hospital. Her life was still in danger. His heart was telling him to go back. He knew that there was a police officer but still.

No, she would probably be fine, he thought. He began reading the newspaper again, when her face flashed in front of him again. He could feel her calling out to him again and again. Like she was when he first saved her. He sighed. He knew that he couldn’t concentrate now, so he left with the car keys, and drove to the hospital. He tried to convince his mind that nothing would have happened, and that she was still safe. She was probably still sleeping, like he had left her.

Thousands of thoughts whizzed through his mind in a second. As the thoughts came, the speed of his car increased, trying to reach there as soon as possible. He quickly parked his car and strode through the hospital, running through the corridors.

He was there at last. He noticed that the police officer was not outside. He turned the knob and the sight that greeted him, sent him into shock. A tall masked man was standing with an injection in his hand, with Khushi’s wrist in the other hand. He saw Khushi’s eyes closed, her body trembling from fear. He was about to plunge the injection in her wrist when Arnav strode through, pulling him away. He took the injection out of his hand, and threw it in one corner of the room. The man looked shocked upon his arrival.

Khushi saw Arnav stride in. She was too much in shock to realise anything. She just closed her eyes and prayed that nothing happened. It felt like a dream. One minute she was sleeping, and one minute, there was someone, trying to kill her. After Aisha had left, she wanted to catch up on her sleep. She was feeling okay, but she still felt weak.

However, after speaking to Arnav, her stranger and the ETF team, she found some peace in her heart. There were still some good people out there, who still cared about others. She felt stronger, like she could handle this. She was still grieving about her husband, but she knew that she must move on. It was the only way to lessen the pain.

But she still was adamant on one issue. Rohan will get justice.

She would make sure of that.

So she lay down, and turned on the side, so that she was facing away from the door. A second later, she thought she heard something, but just took it to be her imagination. Soon, she felt a hard grip on her neck. She was being turned around. The grip was strong enough to strangle her. She saw the masked man. She squirmed trying to get away from him. She looked into his eyes.

As soon as she looked into his eyes, she saw regret there. She felt that he didn't want to do this, but was being forced. However those thoughts flew out of her mind, when she saw that he had pulled out the injection. He trapped her small wrists in his large hand, and he was about to plunge the injection, when he was flung away from her. Her eyes opened in shock, and she saw her angel, saving her once more. She now sat up and watched the happenings with silence.

He held the man’s collar and punched him across his jaw; his jaw had started bleeding due to the pressure of his punch. The man was flung across the room, hitting the cabinets in the room. Arnav then kicked him across the stomach, and stepped on his hand really hard. Then he slapped him across his cheek. The man was screaming in agony. Soon he fainted due to the pain but Arnav was still punching him. The hospital room door burst open, and the police officer strode in feeling shocked. He ran to Arnav and pulled him off the masked man.

“Leave him, he will die!” exclaimed the Police officer. It was the wrong move. Arnav’s anger still had not vanished. He stood up and held the collar of the Police man’s uniform.

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

“Did he pay you as well, so you could disappear while he killed her? Where were you? YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING HER DAMMIT!” shouted Arnav.

“I am sorry Sir! I went on a bathroom break!” squeaked the Police Officer.

“I didn't know this was going to happen!” said the Police Officer. Arnav left him, disgusted at his carelessness. He immediately sent a text to Arjun, informing him that he should come to the hospital a.s.a.p. The police officer scrambled outside, guarding the door.

Khushi saw him punch the man. She felt gratitude towards Arnav, but she also wanted to stop him. She felt very weak and suddenly she felt herself falling.

His eyes went to Khushi, when he saw her lose consciousness. He immediately ran and engulfed her in a hug. He felt her squirming. He moved back slightly to see that her cheeks were pale. She opened her eyes. He rubbed them, when he saw color once again returning, he stopped. He rubbed her back, in circular motions.

He knew what just happened was a lot for her to take in. In two days, she just got attacked twice. She has gone through a lot. He hugged her once again. Their heartbeats were slowly merging into one. Arnav realized the impact his actions would have caused, if had not come in time. If he hadn't listened to his heart, the woman sitting in front of him with her hands on his chest, would have been dead.

He tried not to think about all of this, but her scared face, kept coming in front of his eyes. He found Khushi looking up at him. He took her hand in his and locked his gaze with hers.