The interview wrapped up. Rohit, Virat, and Vritika—was all smiles as they posed for a final photo together. But soon, reality called.

"Alright, Ritz," Rohit said, standing up and stretching. "Virat and I have a meeting in 30 minutes. We've got to head out."

Vritika nodded. "No problem. It was fun while it lasted."

Virat gave her a quick side hug. "You handled the spotlight like a pro. See you soon, Vri!"

As the two men headed toward the exit, Rohit paused and turned back. "Wait, are you going back home tonight?"

Before Vritika could answer, her phone buzzed. It was a call from Sakshi. She picked it up, exchanging a few quick words before ending the call with a smile.

"Sakshi just called," she said, looking at Rohit. "She's in Pune and wants me to join her for some wedding and engagement shopping. She could use some help."

Rohit raised an eyebrow. "Wedding shopping? Sounds like a full-day mission."

"Exactly," Vritika agreed. "She's got a lot to finalize, and I'd love to help her out."

Rohit nodded, then asked, "How are you getting there? You want me to arrange a car?"

Vritika shook her head. "No need. I'll take my old car. It's been a while since I've driven it anyway."

"Your old car? Isn't that the one with the AC that works only when it feels like it?" Rohit frowned slightly.

Vritika laughed. "It's not that bad! And besides, it's just Pune. I'll be fine."

"Ritz, you're not driving that old thing on the highway. Let me at least send a driver with you." Rohit crossed his arms, clearly not convinced.

"Rohit," she said firmly, placing a hand on his arm. "Relax. I've done this drive a hundred times. The car's fine, and so am I. Plus, it gives me some alone time, which I could use after today."

He sighed. "Alright, fine. But promise me you'll drive safely, okay? And call me when you reach."

"I will," she said, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Oye Panda, we're going to be late! Move it!" Virat called out from the door.

Rohit glanced back at Vritika. "Take care, Ritz."

"You too," she said. "And don't fall asleep in your meeting."

He chuckled, giving her a quick hug before jogging off to join Virat.

Vritika reached her apartment and gently unlocked the door, careful not to make any noise that might disturb her mother if she was asleep. Vritika noticed her mother sitting at the dining table, lost in thought. In her hand, she held an old photograph of her father.

Vritika's heart clenched at the sight. She quietly placed the fruit bag she had brought on the sofa, not wanting to break the moment with unnecessary noise. Padding softly across the room, she moved behind her mother and gently slid her arms around her shoulders, resting her chin on her mother's head.

"Maa," she whispered "Kya hua? Papa ki yaad aa rahi hai?"

Her mother smiled softly but didn't turn around. "Nahi, beta," she said, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. "Tum dono yaad aane dete hi nahi ho. Lekin aaj... thodi aa gayi."

Vritika tightened her embrace, her eyes glistening. "Kyun, Maa? Aaj kya hua?"

Her mother exhaled deeply, placing the photograph gently on the table. "Iski wajah se," she murmured, reaching for a small box that had been sitting beside her. She turned slightly and placed it in Vritika's hands.

"Ye kya hai Maa?" Vritika opened it and found a beautiful gold and diamond ring. 

"Maa," she whispered, awe-struck. "Ye tumhari hai? Kitni sundar hai!"

Her mother shook her head. "Nahi, beta. Meri nahi hai." She paused, her voice softening with emotion. "Ye tere papa ne tere liye banwayi thi."

Vritika froze. "Mere liye?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Haan," her mother continued. "Tere tauji hai na...woh tur wale. Tere liye rishta leke aaye the ghar par. Tu Mumbai mein thi tab 12 ke liye."

"Pagal wagal hai kya tauji? Itni jaldi shaadi?!"

"Tere Papa bhi aise hi bhadke the unpar....Lekin phir tauji unko manane lage ki ladka accha hai, NRI hai, jaldi job bhi lag jayegi. Tere papa itna gussa ho gaye the ki waha se uthkar sidha andar aa gaye...main toh darr hi gayi thi. Unhone ye ring ka box uthaya aur lekar gaye tauji ke pass aur kehne lage."

'8 carat ki ring hai bhaisahab. Meri beti ke liye uska baap lekar aaya hai. Aapko lagta hai koi bhi NRI aake iske layak hoga? Jab waqt aayega, meri beti apni marzi se apna faisla legi, aur jo bhi ladka aaye, usko isse better karna padega. '

"Tauji toh kuch bol hi nahi paaye honge," Vritika said, her voice thick with emotion.

"Bilkul. Woh bas apna bag uthake chale gaye. Tere papa kabhi apne faisle se peeche nahi hte. Jab baat tujhpar aati thi, toh unki zidd aur bhi pakki ho jati thi."

Vritika glanced down at the ring in her hand.

"Tere uss khotte ko bol dena. Iss Ring se badi hogi toh hi lena warna bilkul nahi."

"Maa!  she exclaimed. "Kya bol rahi ho aap?"

"Sahi toh kaha maine. Itna rulaaya mere sine jaisi kudi ko. Woh toh uski kismat, ki woh accha hai, warna main naa karti usko maaf!"

"Aap toh rehne hi do maa. Jab Rohit yaha hota hai, tab uski side lete rehte ho. Mujhpar toh dhyaan bhi nahi rehta aapka."

"Haan toh? Sharam kar thodi. Bechara apni maa ko kitna yaad karta hoga. Main toh bolti hoon usko roj khane par bullaya kar. Yaa phir shaadi kar le jaldi."

"Maa! Mera graduation bhi nahi hua abtak!"

"Haa toh usme kya hua. Woh toh abhi ho hi jayega n. Kitna time hai usko?"

"Ek mahina aur hai."

"Arey waah. Phir toh jald hi-"

"Maa!

"Achha, achha, theek hai! Main chup ho jati hoon."

"Aapka bas chale toh meri shaadi kal hi karwa do, Maa." Vritika pouted.

"Arre, beta, main toh bas tumhari khushi chaahti hoon," her mother said pulling her into a gentle hug. "Aur waise bhi, mazaak mein jo baat nikalti hai, woh kabhi kabhi dil ki hoti hai."

"Maa, aap aur aapke filmy dialogues!"

Her mother tapped her lightly on the head. "Filmy toh tumhare Papa the. Dekho, kya shandaar jawab diya tha tauji ko! Aaj tak kisi ne unse aise baat karne ki himmat nahi ki."

"Papa kehte the, meri beti meri shaan hai," Vritika murmured.

Her mother cupped Vritika's face. "Aur tune hamesha unka naam roshan kiya, beta. Teri mehnat aur jazba dekh kar woh upar se kitne khush hote honge, soch."

Vritika's throat tightened, and she blinked back tears. "Maa..kya bhi rula rahe ho bas. Ab chalo mujhe kal subaha jaldi uttkar Pune janaa hai."

"Achha, achha, nahi rulati! Lekin haan, subah jaldi uthna hai, toh ab so jaa."

 "Haan, Maa. Lekin aap bhi jaldi sojao, aaj bahut late tak jag rahi ho."

"Main abhi sojaungi," her mother assured, standing up and patting Vritika's cheek. "Aur tu bhi apna alarm set karke so. Waise, woh Rohit ki baat yaad rakhna—gaadi sambhal ke chalana."

Vritika rolled her eyes playfully. "Maa, aap dono ek hi team mein ho kya? Woh bhi mujhe abhi half-an-hour lecture de chuka hai is baare mein."

Her mother laughed. "Kya karein? Hum dono tujhe itna pyaar jo karte hain."

"Bas, aur senti nahi!" Vritika said, grinning as she headed toward her room. "Goodnight, Maa!"

"Goodnight, beta."

Vritika walked into her room and changed into pajamas. Her phone buzzed, pulling her back to the present. It was a text from Rohit:

Rohit: Reached home?
Vritika: Yes, and you?
Rohit: Just got in. So, Pune tomorrow?
Vritika: Yeah, Maa se baat kar li. Shopping marathon with Sakshi.
Rohit: Take care, okay? And remember what I said—drive safe.
Vritika: Tum bhi shuru mat ho! Maa already gave me a lecture.
Rohit: Good. Tomorrow I  have practice the whole day. We have to prepare for a quick 3 day series with Sri Lanka.

Vritika: 3-day series? That sounds hectic. When is it?"

Rohit: Day after tomorrow. Back-to-back schedules. You know how it is.
Vritika: Yeah, but don't overdo it. Health bhi zaroori hai, Mr. Sharma.
Rohit: Aapki orders, ma'am. Don't worry, I'll be fine.
Vritika: Good. Waise, mujhe kal bhi jaldi uthna hai. So, goodnight now.
Rohit: Goodnight, Ritz. Miss you already.
Vritika: Miss you too. Take care.

*****

Vritika reached Pune within 8 in the morning. It was early morning so the traffic was less. She pulled into Sakshi's home. Stretching after the long drive, she grabbed her bag and made her way to the entrance.

Sakshi greeted her at the door. "Vritika! Kitni jaldi aa gayi tu! I thought you'd reach by 9."

Vritika grinned. "Early morning drives are the best—no traffic, no stress."

"Bas meri jaan, ab stress shopping ka hone wala hai," Sakshi teased, pulling her into a hug.

"Stress? With you? Please, Sakshi," Vritika replied, laughing. "Let's go. Teri shopping list dikha, aur bata, kahaan se shuru karna hai? Ruk ruk , pehle apni ring dikha. Hum bhi toh dekhe Mahi bhai ki pasand."

Sakshi blushed, holding out her hand to reveal the delicate gold ring glinting on her finger. "Yeh lo, madam. Dekh lo Mahi ki pasand."

Vritika took her hand and examined the ring closely "Wah, kya baat hai! Mahi bhai ki choice toh kamaal ki hai. Itni subtle aur classy! Exactly like you. Family maan gayi?"

"Kaisi nahi maanti. Saare ke saare fans hai Mahi ke!" Sakshi laughed, pulling her hand back. "Ab chal, shopping ka time ho gaya hai."

"Shopping ka toh mood abhi aur ban gaya," Vritika teased. "Aaj tere liye kuch perfect dhundenge, jo is ring ke barabar ki shine kare."

Sakshi chuckled. "Meri jaan, bas meri help karna. Baaki main Mahi se karwa lungi!"

"Wow, abhi se pati ko kaam mein laga diya," Vritika said, smirking.

"Of course," Sakshi replied with a wink. "Accha chal, let's not waste time. Market chalte hain!"

A petite figure dashed past them and skidded to a stop right in front of the door.

"Ruko di! Mummy ke saath main bhi chalungi tere saath!" the girl exclaimed, slightly out of breath.

Sakshi groaned playfully, rubbing her temple. "Sonakshi, tujhe abhi uthna tha kya? Hum toh bas nikal hi rahe the."

Sonaksh flipped her unruly hair back with all the dramatic flair. Her oversized pajama shirt hung loosely over colorful shorts, and her face was still puffy with sleep. 

She froze for a moment as her eyes fell on Vritika and then her mouth fell open in shock. 

"You... are Vritika Kohli, right?!" she blurted out.

Vritika's face lit up with an amused smile. "Yes, I am," she replied "And who is this cute little girl?"

Sonakshi's eyes widened even more, and she instinctively brought her hands up to her face, as if trying to hide her awe. 

"I... I'm Sonakshi! Sakshi di ki chhoti behen," she stammered. Her voice trembled with excitement as she added, "Par aap... matlab, real life mein toh aur bhi zyada pretty lagti ho!"

Vritika couldn't help but laugh at the girl's earnest admiration. "Thank you, Sonakshi. Tum toh khud bhi kaafi adorable ho."

But Sonakshi wasn't finished. "Main kal aapka interview dekh rahi thi," she continued, her hands now clasped in front of her chest. "Aur aap aur Rohit bhaiyaa... oh my god, kitne cute lagte ho saath mein!"

"Bas kar, Sonakshi," Sakshi said. "Didi ko sharma mat de itni subah-subah."

"Main sach bol rahi hoon!" Sonakshi insisted. "Aap dono ki chemistry kitni natural lagti hai. Jitne questions puchhe gaye, usse zyada toh aap dono ek dusre ko dekh kar jawab de rahe the!"

Sakshi groaned. "Yeh kya ho raha hai?"

Ignoring her sister, Sonakshi continued. "Didi, ek baat puchhoon?"

"Of course!" Vritika replied, intrigued.

"Rohit bhaiyaa... woh real life mein bhi aise hi cute hain?"

Vritika burst out laughing, covering her mouth to muffle the sound. "Cute? Tumne woh word sun liya hota, toh Rohit ne tumse bahas shuru kar di hoti ab tak!"

Sonakshi giggled. "Main toh bolungi unse ki unka fan club start karna chahiye!"

"Bilkul! We will make one." 

Saksh rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "Arre, Sonu, thoda control kar apne fan-girl moments ko! Vritika di ko toh ab embarrass kar degi tu!"

Vritika laughed softly. "It's okay, Sakshi. Sonakshi, you're making me feel special," she said, winking at the young girl. "But tell me, how about you? What do you like doing?"

"Mujhe? I love art, and I'm a huge fan of painting! Par abhi thoda busy hoon, shopping mein, but I love to do it when I can!" She paused. "I've been painting this huge canvas of a cricket stadium lately!"

"Wow, that sounds amazing! I'd love to see it sometime. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two about painting."

Sonakshi's face broke into a wide grin. "Really? I'd love that! I can totally show you some cool techniques!"

"Sona, tu ready ho rahi hai ki hum nikle?"

"Haa haa, bas 2 minute!" She dashed off inside.

 In half and hour Sakshi, Vritika, and Sonakshi, along with Sakshi's mother left for the market.  They moved from one boutique to another, ticking off items on Sakshi's wedding list. From ornate lehengas to heavy jewelry, they left no stone unturned.By the time they returned home, it was nearly evening. The trunk of the car was stuffed with bags.Vritika helped unload the last of the shopping bags

"Finally! I'm done for the day," she declared, stretching her arms.

"Bas, ab rest karo sab. Vritika beta, chai lo."

"Thank you, aunty," Vritika said, accepting the cup. After a few sips, she glanced at her watch. "I should get going now."

Aunty looked up in surprise. "Abhi? Nahi beta aaj ke din ruk jaa."

"Haan, Vritika! Raat ko itna thand hai, aur dekho, nak beh rahi hai teri. Sardi ho gayi hai kya?" Sakshi teased, poking her nose gently.

Vritika smiled but shook her head. "Nahi, Sakshi. Mujhe kal subah ek important meeting attend karni hai. Agar yaha ruk gayi toh late ho jaungi."

"Sakshi, I'm fine!" Vritika laughed. "Par seriously, I need to head back. Kal kuch kaam hai."

"Beta, subah jaldi nikal jana. Tum yaha safe ho, itna late drive karna accha nahi," Sakshi's mother insisted.

"I know, aunty, lekin raat ko toh time hai.Abhi toh 6 baj rahe hai. Ek ghante main papis Mumbai.  "Don't worry, main sambhal ke chalaungi."

"Fine! Lekin ek promise kar. Agli baar jab aaye, toh kam se kam ek weekend rukegi." Sakshi said.

"Done," Vritika said, standing up. "Ab main chalti hoon. Bohot maza aaya aaj."

Sonakshi popped her head out from behind a bag of clothes. "Didi, aap jaa rahi ho toh ek promise karo!"

"Kya promise?" Vritika asked, intrigued.

"Next time, Rohit bhaiua ko bhi leke aana!" Sonakshi grinned.

Vritika chuckled. "Okay, promise. But ab main jaa rahi hoon, Sonakshi. Tumhari paintings dekhne zarur aaungi."

Sakshi hugged her tightly. "Drive safe, Ritz. Kal call karna."

"I will," Vritika assured, hugging everyone before getting into her car.

Vritika was halfway home, the cool evening breeze rushing through the car's open window.Her reverie was abruptly broken by the sharp buzz of her phone vibrating in the passenger seat. Startled, she glanced at the screen. It was her mother.

"Hello, Maa," Vritika answered cheerfully. "Bas, main raste mein hoon. Thodi der mein ghar pahuch jaungi."

There was silence on the other end for a beat too long. Then her mother's trembling voice came through, breaking the stillness. 

"Beta...Virat aur Rohit ka accident ho gaya hai."

The words hit Vritika like a sledgehammer. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened, her knuckles turning white. 

"K-kya?" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "Maa, aap kya keh rahi ho?"

Her mother's voice cracked "Haan, beta. Tere dusre phone par abhi abhi phone aaya that uske dost ka. Main hospital jaa rahi hoon... Bas tu jaldi aaja."

Vritika's heart plummeted into her stomach, a cold dread washing over her. Her mind reeled as she tried to process the words. Accident? Rohit? Veer?

Her foot instinctively slammed on the brake and the car skidded to a halt on the side of the highway. Horns blared behind her, but she didn't care. Her hands trembled as she clutched the phone tighter.

"Maa, woh...woh theek hai na? Kya hua? Serious hai kya?" she asked, her voice rising in panic.

"I don't know, beta," her mother replied. "Mujhe sirf yeh bataya ki dono ko hospital le gaye hain. Baaki kuch nahi pata abhi."

Vritika felt her chest constrict, the air around her seeming to thicken. Tears pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them away, trying to stay focused.

"I... Main abhi aati hoon, Maa," she said, her voice shaking. "Aap kaha ho?"

"City Hospital, beta. Jaldi aa," her mother said before the line went dead.

City hospital....The name seemed like a death kennel to Vritika. She trembled with fear thinking the last time she was there. Her father had died.

"No... no, no, no..." she muttered, gripping the steering wheel as panic set in. Her mind raced with images—Rohit's easygoing smile, Virat's playful teasing, both of them larger than life. 

How could this happen? How could something so terrible happen to them?

She started the car and shifting the car into gear, she pressed down on the accelerator. She needed to reach there fast. Rohit's and Virat's face flashed into her mind. No...Please, don't let anything happen to them... Tears filled her eyes.

No, not again. This can't be happening again. The memories of her father's last moments in that same hospital came rushing back. The fear, the sterile smell, the endless beeping of monitors and the final news that shattered her world—it all came flooding back.

"Not again. Please, not again," Vritika whispered, her voice trembling. Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away, forcing herself to focus on the road. Every second felt like an eternity. 

She can't lose them...they are the only light in her life right now. What will she do without them in her life?  No....They can't leave me. I need them. What will I do if... She couldn't finish the thought...it was too unbearable.

They're strong. They'll be okay. They have to be okay, she told herself, repeating the thought like a prayer.

But there was no stopping her thoughts. Her chest felt heavy and her hands were shaking. What if I'm too late? What if the last time I see them is...What if....

The horn blared. Right in front of her. Its yellow lights blinded her. Her heart jumped to her throat and it jolted her back to the present. Her head snapped forward, and her wide, tear-filled eyes locked onto the glaring headlights of an oncoming truck barreling straight toward her.

Time seemed to slow. Adrenaline surged through her veins . 

Move! Move now! ......Her instincts screamed at her, and her hands flew to the steering wheel. She twisted it sharply to the left and the car lurched violently in response.

CRASH!

 Her car's side slammed into a tree and she was thrown sideways. 

Her seatbelt got torn and she was hurled sideways like a rag doll. Her left arm slammed against the door. The jagged edge of the cracked window scraped her arm, leaving a stinging trail of cuts.. A searing pain shot through her arm, and she felt the cold sting of blood as it pooled around the wound.

"No... No... No!" Vritika gasped. She fought to stay conscious but her vision blurred as black spots danced in the corners of her sight.  She blinked hard, trying to clear the black spots clouding her vision, but it was a losing battle.

Rohit... Virat... I need to get to them...I had to make it to them. They couldn't be gone. Not after everything. Not now.....I need to...

******

A/N

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