Slowly closing the door of the room, Kritika went inside the room. She sat on the bed beside Preeta. "Freshen up Preeta, you need to come out," Kritika said while keeping her hand over hers. Her eyes were speaking a thousand words, the eyes which used to glow with happiness for his love, had now become a pool of devastation for the same reason. His love. They were craving for his sight, for him to stare into them. They wanted their favorite pair of eyes back to get lost in.

She slightly nodded and went into the washroom.
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"For how long is this going to last," spoke Mahesh Luthra, in a real serious tone. "He's not here, my son, my boy, my Karan. And nor do we have any idea where he is. We all are hurt, confused, stressed. But the time does not stop for anything, or anyone. It keeps going on, life keeps moving," Rishabh looked at him and came in front of him. "Dad.." Mahesh sighed and held Rishabh's hands.
"See, Rishabh. You're my eldest son, my friend. In all the family members, you're the mature, sensible, understanding one, that's why I've come to talk to you about something important. After mom, I am the head of this family. And being one, I have taken a decision, for good. And I hope that you too are going to have no problem with it either, personally at least,"

There was actual solemnity in his voice. Rishabh scrupulously looked at him. "What are you saying Dad? Please open up,"
He gestured him to sit. Both of them got seated. "Rishabh, in this time of difficulty, a little happiness is what this house, this family needs. Think about Sameer, Kritika, and not only them, but it feels like everyone's life has come to a stop. It's our family Rishabh, we need to get everyone out of this. We need to get over it. Things will get better by time. Let's be pragmatic instead of emotional. We've done everything we could. Now the things are in the hands of time, God, and fate. The things which are in our hands are not working out anyway. So it's better to not to mourn over the thing which we cannot do anything for," Rishabh closed his eyes, and nodded.

"Ok I will be brief. I have decided, that you and Preeta should get married." A shock appeared on Rishabh's face, and he stood up in denial. "What are you saying Dad! How can I do this, this can't happen. Never! She's my brother's wife, my Karan's wife.. No, I'm not going to do this!" Rishabh made his way towards the door but stopped listening Mahesh's voice. "For Karan's sake, you have to do this," Rishabh turned back to him. "What did Karan want? Preeta's happiness. If he was here, would he have liked the condition Preeta is in? Would he have liked her suffering from the pain she is? Would he have liked her crying like this? Karan loved you the most Rishabh, he trusted you the most about everything in his life. He knew, that if he will not be there, then you, you Rishabh, will take care of his everything. Protect his everything. Preeta is your Karan's consign Rishabh, have you just seen how she is? Would Karan have liked this all? No. Never. What would you say if Karan will ask you that why did you let Preeta be like this? That why did you leave her bearing all the pain?..."

"Also, I know Rishabh, you once had something for her in your heart. I know that son. Then when the fate itself is forwarding you a hand, why are you mocking it? Maybe, she was destined to be with you only," He added. "But Dad... What about Preeta ji? Will she agree?" Mahesh sighed, and nodded. "She will."
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Preeta was making her way to the stairs, so then Kareena came in her way. "How do you feel now, Preeta? I hope you've got your happiness by ruining this family's happiness, by snatching our son from us," Preeta raised her brows and sighed. "You know what Preeta, you are the reason that Karan is not here with us today. You pestered him this much that he went away from here," Preeta chuckled mockingly. "Maybe it's you, Kareena auntie. Maybe your taunts and coercions forced him to do this. Maybe he got sick of you auntie, try to think about it." Kareena pointed a finger towards her in anger, "You.." "Excuse me," Preeta scoffed and moved from there, leaving Kareena burning in rage.
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"Give me another one," He said while sitting down on his knees. "But sir I just have given him one, one more could react negatively. The veins could burst..." He gave him an extreme glare. "Did I ask you!? Do what you've been told, understand? Otherwise you know the consequences," "Yes sir, here..." He unwillingly passed him the bottle of the drug they'd been giving to Karan. He filled the syringe, and injected into the nape of his neck.

"Better. Keep giving him two doses everyday,"

"But sir... He could die,"

He looked at him and nodded. "Okay then, don't keep the quantity much, but dose twice. We can't let him die until boss says anything, but nor can we let him be conscious until then. He's very smart, even a slight mistake could prove costly for us." he explained.
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Tum bin jiya jaaye Kaise, kaise jiya jaaye tum bin..

Ajaao laut kar tum, yeh dil kehraha hai
.......

Missing someone. A virtual ride, that your mind goes from. Reminiscing the memories, good or bad. Happy, or sad. But with that one person, who is not around, but their sensation surrounds you. Who is not in the sight, but stays in the eyes. Missing also has some stages. Stage 1, when some moments with them strike you, and a smile appears on your lips, or some tears leave your eyes. Stage 2, When you want them with you, want to relive, replay those moments. Stage 3, When those moments are the only thing left with you. When they're the only, you want in your life. When your heart is more theirs, than yours. When your beats recognize them more, than you. When your lungs need them to breathe, when your brain needs them to work, when your heart needs them to pump, when your blood needs them to circulate. When they become the meaning of 'you' and you become the meaning of them. When they're there, life is life. And when they're not, what is life?

Hearing a knock at the door she turned back while closing the curtain and wiping off a lone tear from her cheek. "Uncle, come inside.." Mahesh smiled and went inside the room. Preeta was looking at him with questionable expressions. "Mahesh uncle, is everything alright?.. uh, come sit.." Mahesh nodded and both got seated. "Preeta, my daughter... I have always considered you as my own daughter, you know that right?" Preeta was looking at him confusingly.  "Of course uncle, I have also seen you in my father's place always.."  Mahesh slightly smiled. "Then today this father of yours wants something from you, and I know that you'll not disappoint me," he was just making the things the way that she couldn't refuse. Preeta's face was speaking confusion only.
"Why would I refuse uncle, tell me what can your daughter do for you?"  "Promise me first," he replied. Preeta got actually tensed by the seriousness in his voice. Her heart was thudding in her chest. She didn't want to promise, it was giving her a negative vibe.
But she already had said that she'll do whatever he'd ask, so she couldn't back off now. "Ok, I promise," she said in a low voice.

"I knew it. I knew you won't refuse, my child," he gave a fatherly kiss on her forehead, while she was still in a confused state. "Preeta, dear.. I have decided to get you and Rishabh married. You both will be very happy, and also it will bring a breeze of happiness in our house after so long. Everyone will become very happy by this. It's been a long time we've interacted with happiness. This marriage will bring the lost happiness back. And also, Rishabh will keep you very happy, he is a very nice child of mine, and a very good friend of yours also. You both will be perfect for each other." His phone rang and he walked out of the room.

She was left stunned. Expressionless. A river of tears began to flow out of her eyes. Her knees fell on the floor. A feeling of disorientation was orienting her. She had already lost the one half of herself, and now she lost the remaining half too. She broke out into sobs. This world was getting insufficient for her to breathe in. She needed him. She needed to feel the warmth of his arms. She needed to feel the comfort of his shoulder. She needed to feel the calmness of his fingers. She just needed him. Her life. Her everything.

Kahaan ho tum chale aao.. Mohabbat ka taqaaza hai

Gham e duniya se ghabra kar.. Tumhe dil ne pukaara hai

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