Part 71 Encounter

Anjali shot Shyam making everyone shocked. Khushi rushed to her.

"Di, what have you done?" She asked restlessly.

Anjali stood like a stone, and said nothing, looking at Shyam. Arnav and Alex felt bad for her. Suddenly, Anjali facial reaction changed into a horrified one, whose eyes were on Shyam. Khushi looked at Shyam who was trying to get up. She was taken aback. The bullet Anjali shot at him just penetrated his shoulder.

"You bloody b***" Shyam shouted at Anjali and flung the knife at her.

The knife fell to the ground, after scratching Anjali's neck. Anjali clutched her neck, dropping Alex's gun down. In no time, taking the gun from the ground, Alex shot Shyam. Of course, it was a headshot. Shyam fell leaving his previous life. Anjali looked at him gritting her teeth.

Taking his mobile, Alex started the formalities of disposing of Shyam's body to the post-mortem.

"Di, sit here... I will bring the guest aid kit"

"Wait, Khushi"

Alex checked Anjali's wound.

"It's not so deep but just a scratch."

"I will bring the first aid kit"

Khushi was supposed to go to her room to bring the first aid kit.

"Take her in and do first aid, Khushi" Arnav said.

"Let's go, Di"

Anjali nodded ok and went with Khushi. Khushi treated her wound carefully.

The forensic department came to RM and started scanning. They drew a line around Shyam's body. After that, the cops took his body to the government hospital to do a post-mortem.

Everyone left RM, except for Alex. He came to Anjali.

"At the time of the inquiry, don't tell anything about your shooting. Just tell them, Shyam tried to kill you. The police inspector Alexander came to RM and shot him. this is how you should tell them. Don't forget that. Ok?"

"Won't it give you a problem?" Anjali asked.

"I can face it... It will not be tough for a policeman like me, like, how it will be for you. It will give me problems only if tell them anything different. Please, don't say anything in the inquiry"

"Won't you enquire about this case?" Khushi asked.

"No... As it's an encounter, I should answer the human rights commission. So, the department will appoint a new officer" Alex said.

"It's everything because of me" Anjali sighed.

"Di, please don't blame yourself for something you are not at fault for."

"Khushi is right. You don't have to take the blame for someone's mistake. It's your husband who is blameworthy here" Alex said.

Anjali was silent.

"Take care of her, Khushi," Alex said.

Khushi nodded OK. Alex left the place. Khushi sat next to Anjali.

"Why did you do that, Di?" She asked touching Anjali's cheek.

"What else do you want me to do Khushi? I don't want him to get a chance again... for anything. He is one hell of the person I have ever seen. He should not be alive. Until he is alive, he won't let any of us be happy. Such trash he is" Anjali seethed in anger.

"Didn't you think about Shali? What will she do without you?"

"Won't you look after her like always? I know because of Shyam only you started distancing yourself from us. That too, after his declaration of returning to India. You were planning to leave our house after he came. Am I right?" she asked painfully.

"I had no choice, Di"

"You had... You should have told me about him... At least a hint... I have become alert. "

"I really didn't know what to do, Di. How could I break your heart by telling the truth when you were loving him like anything? I didn't have the guts to face such a situation Di. (She chocked) I might have told you if I had not had Arnavji's support. As he was there for me, I thought he will be happy with you"

"Thank God, it didn't happen," Anjali said with satisfaction.

"Why are you saying so, Di?"

"Once a cheater... always a cheater. Do you think the man who didn't hesitate to talk about his lust openly to the other woman will change? No Khushi... It won't happen"

"Leave it, Di. Please forget everything. He won't deserve to be in your memories"

"Who is going to keep him in memories? I have thrown him away not only from my life but also from my heart in the same instant when I heard the conversation he had with you"

No need to say, Khushi was shocked. Her eyes tear up. She never wanted Anjali to know about it. No wife could tolerate that. Khushi felt bad as her sister went through such a phase.

"I'm sorry, Di. Because of me, you faced such an unbearable phase in your life"

"Not because of you but because of him. You had been always right but him. Don't think bad about me. You have shown me a path of earning. I can raise my daughter with my head up. Feel happy as your sister got rid of a psychopath"

"Mmm... I will sleep with you tonight"

"Why?"

"You are wounded. What if Shalu wakes up at midnight?"

"She won't... Don't you know that?"

"What if you need something?"

"I will call you. Till then go to your room and sleep"

"Di... You can't sleep in the pain."

"Listen to me"

They stopped talking, seeing Arnav coming. He handed medicine to Khushi.

"It's painkillers. Give it to Di. Then only she could sleep."

"Do you bought it?" Khushi asked.

"Yeah, I asked Alex to bring it through someone. Just now a constable gave it"

"Thank you so much, Arnavji. I was worried about Di and how could she sleep in the pain"

"I too thought about it. That's why I asked him to buy it"

Anjali had the medicine.

"Thank you, Arnav"

"Mention not"

"I will... I ought to thank you... for everything. If you were not there for Khushi, both of our lives would have spoilt"

"Why should we talk about something that didn't happen? Just ignore it. From here on, there is no problem in our lives. Just think about that. You have Shali to concentrate on. She is your responsibility because you have to fulfill double roles of a mother and also a father in her life" Arnav said.

Anjali nodded yes.

"Take rest... You will sleep well with the help of painkillers."

Anjali nodded ok.

"Khushi, be with Di"

"No Arnav... I will call you if I need anything. Take her with you. She needs you in this situation" Anjali said as she knew Khushi.

Arnav didn't deny it because he too knew Khushi. He nodded yes and walked. Khushi followed him. Anjali lay on the bed and drifted into sleep quickly. The medicine Arnav gave her did not contain just a painkiller but also a sleeping tablet. Arnav knew Anjali could not sleep in the memories of the bitter happenings of the day. if she didn't sleep, she would be feeling the pain throughout the night. That was why he gave her a sleeping tablet also and it worked.

.........

Arnav and Khushi came to their room. in no time, Khushi hugged Arnav and cried.

"I was scared Arnavji. I was scared like hell"

Arnav cuddled her.

"Khushi, relax. Everything is over. We are safe and free now. Just think all of them are nightmares"

Pulling her from the hug,

"Stop crying, Khushi. You should be brave. Who will be supportive of Di if you are crying?"

"I'm feeling bad about Di..."

"Don't feel bad. Feel happy we are here for her. Make her happy and make her forget him. Divert her into something"

"She is an expert in share markets," she said wiping her tears.

"Oh... but, she has to be sitting in one place, watching share markets. It won't bring change in her. we have to think of something else that makes her happy and changes her daily routine"

Khushi nodded yes.

"But, what can we do?"

"Let me talk to Aman. He is her friend after all. He will think differently, unlike us" Arnav said.

"You are right. Di will accept it if Aman says anything"

"You are right. I will call him tomorrow morning"

Khushi nodded ok.

To be continued...