Tarini arranges for the young girl to be moved to Lifecare Hospital, of which she is the owner, leveraging her influence through phone calls. Having already made prior arrangements, a bed awaits the patient in a pristine, newly prepared ward. Ruhaan observes the surprising efficiency of the setup as Tarini promptly assigns a nurse and an intern to oversee the ward. The intern, taken aback by the unconventional arrangement, is usually accustomed to continuous nurse attendance for patients.

"Dr. Anjali, your specialty is neurology, correct? I need your dedicated attention for her. I want no room for errors; she's a friend, and her safety is non-negotiable. You'll be present here at all times, except when you attend to your other patients. Also, please arrange for a CT Scan for now," Tarini instructs her and Anjali exits the room.

Content with the preparations, Tarini steals a glance at the unconscious young girl. Her gaze then shifts to her concerned best friend. Despite the girl being a stranger he rescued, he's determined to ensure her safe return home. His concern is driven by a sense of humanity and a desire to safeguard her from any potential threats lurking in the shadows.

“Ruhaan, she’s fine. I am taking her for the CT Scan. Jo bhi reports aayengi, main tumhe bata dungi. Tum ghar jaa ke rest karo.” Tarini advises but Ruhaan disagrees.

“Nahi, main yahin rukta hoon. Tumhe jo karna hai tum karlo.” Ruhaan says, allowing Tarini to do anything and everything she wants.

“Ruhaan, tum thake hue lag rahe ho, ghar jaao, wo yahan safe hain. Kuch nahi hoga usey!” Tarini assures Ruhaan but he argues to stay.

“Fine! Tum reh sakte ho yahan, meri baat toh maanoge nahi! Main isey CT scan ke liye le jaa rahi hoon.” Tarini says and takes the girl out of the room.

In the meantime, Ruhaan finishes the formalities and makes the payment. Two hours later, the young girl is shifted back into the ward. Saline is attached to her. Tarini enters the room to check on the girl when Ruhaan rushes towards her.

“Sab thik hain na? Chinta ki toh koi baat nahi hai na?” Ruhaan inquires; he wants to hear that the girl is okay and will gain consciousness soon.

“Vo thik ho jayegi, Ruhaan. Brain mein injury hone ki wajah se thodi swelling hain, jiske liye uski medication aaj se shuru ho jayegi.” Tarini says.

Ruhaan looks relaxed at the revelation and watches as Tarini injects the medicines, one of which is to bring her out of her consciousness. She’ll be kept in observation and so Tarini requests that Ruhaan go home and rest. He has no other option but to leave for home.

He casts one last look at the young lady asleep on the bed and leaves the room on Tarini’s assurance.

*****
The warehouse sits in a desolate silence, where the mere drop of a pin would resound loudly. A young man occupies a chair, tears brimming in his eyes, and the stark reflection of agony etched upon his face. The haunting echoes of his men's words still reverberate in his ears.

“Saab, wo hume nahi mili. Humne bahut dhundha.”

“Vo nadi mein kood gayi thi lekin kahin nahi mili.”

“Hum–humne koshish ki thi, sahab!”

“Kahan dhundhun main tumhe? Maine kaha tha na kahin mat jaana! Tumhari jaan ko khatra hain. Vaada kiya tha maine tumse ki kuch aisa nahi karunga jisse tumhe takleef ho. Phir bhi tum chali gayi! Kyun? Ab kahan chali gayi ho?”

He murmurs while thinking about the girl about whom the men were talking earlier. Tears trickle down his eyes, thinking of her, and in the meantime, his phone rings.  He cleans his eyes and picks up the call.

“Vivaan Rajvansh speaking!”

“No! Vo deal kisi keemat pe cancel nahi honi chahiye. Thik hain, hum ek ghante mein milte hain, Hotel Skyhigh mein.”

After uttering those words, he ends the call. The man, known as Vivaan Rajvansh, stands as a business magnate. He possesses a shorter stature, fair complexion, and a rugged appearance that lends him an air of toughness. Presently, he occupies his clandestine warehouse, engaging in ventures yet to see the light of day. His fist meets the air in a resounding thud.

“Sandeep Khoslaa! Tum chah ke bhi vo deal mujhse nahi chheen sakte! Main aisa kabhi nahi hone dunga” He says, gritting his teeth, and then leaves the warehouse in a jiffy.

*****

Lifecare Hospital

The young girl is still unconscious. Dr. Anjali is sitting by the side, examining her vitals. It’s been a whole day since she was admitted to the hospital. As Anjali turns around to have some water, she feels a little movement inpatient’s hand. She immediately calls her superior and Tarini enters the ward urgently.

“Ma’am, she’s gaining consciousness. Lagta hain swelling kam ho gayi hain. Medicines are working.” Dr Anjali informs her.

“That’s great! Main janti thi ye sab hospital mein hi possible hain.” Tarini says.

Slowly, the girl comes back to consciousness. She opens her eyes and finds herself in an alien atmosphere. She’s stunned, fearful and a painful scream escapes her lips.

“Main– yahan? Aur mera sar kyun dard kar raha hain?” She asks, she’s baffled at the moment.

“Dekho, mera naamTarini hai, main tumhe yahan laayi hoon. Tumhara treatment main kar rahi hoon aur tum yahan safe ho.” Tarini tries to comfort her.

“Thanks!” it’s all the girl could say and Tarini helps her to sit.

“Tumhara naam kya hai? Aur tumhare sath hua kya hai? Mere ek dost ne tumhe Patalganga nadi ke kinaare behosh paya tha.” Tarini asks her softly, she has also messaged Ruhaan about he girl’s wellbeing.

As Tarini mentions about the river and asks the things that happened with her, the girl gets fearful. Also, she’s fearful of the nurse and the intern who are standing there. Tarini understands her insecurity and she asks the nurse to get some light food for the patient and asks the intern to check on her patients. The two leave the room and Tarini turns to her patient. The girl stares at her for some good seconds and Tarini encourages her to tell her the details.

“Mera naam Radha hain. Main kuch logon se bach kar bhaag rahi thi aur phir achanak mera paanv fisla aur main nadi mein gir gayi. Uske baad mujhe kuch yaad nahi.” The girl says.

“Kaun they wo log? Aur tumhare peeche kyun pade they? Hume police complaint karni chahiye.” It’s Ruhaan who entered the ward and heard her.

Radha is baffled to see him there and looks at Tarini, seeking help. The latter holds her hands and comforts her.

“Radha, yeh mera dost hain, Ruhaan,  isi ne tumhe bachaya hain. Sar mein chot lagne ki wajah se tum behosh thi aur 2 din se tum Ruhaan ke ghar pe thi. Daro mat, jab tak hum hain, tumhe kuch nahi hoga.” Tarini tries to comfort her.

“Han, kuch nahi hoga, tumhe aaram ki zaroorat hain. Tum bas mujhe ye bataao ki wo log they kaun? Baaki sab kuch main handle kar lunga.” Ruhaan says, he’s raged at an act that the men caused.

“Nahi, kuch nahi karna. Mujhe koi police complaint nahi karni hain.” Radha screams, alerting the other two.

“Radha, shaant ho jaao, koi kuch nahi kar raha hain. Relax!” Tarini tries to comfort Radha.

Meanwhile, the nurse arrives with the food, prompting Radha to start eating, seemingly to sidestep any conversation with the man in the room.

Tarini ushers Ruhaan into a corner and reprimands him for his impulsive behavior. He grimaces, attempting to convey his innocence.

“Tara, tumhe nahi pata hai wo kis haalat mein thi? Maine dekha hai, aise toh koi dushman hi peecha karte hain. Mujhe toh lagta hai wo log abhi bhi Radha ko dhundh rahe honge.” Ruhaan whispers.

“Ruhaan, I understand your concern. Lekin abhi usko heal toh hone do. Tumne police ki baat karke usko dara diya. Aur ye mera hospital hain, yahan vo hota hain jo main kahungi, tum orders mat do. Aur abhi ke liye usey akele chhod do.” Tarini scolds him.

“Arey, tum mujhe kyun daant rahi ho? Main toh thik keh raha hoon naa!” he asks.

“Ruhaan, she’s weak. Aur main jaanti hoon jitna usne bataya hai, baat usse badi hain. Vo nahi batana chahti. Aur mera pehla concern mere patient ki health hain. Vo yahan mere paas hai toh tum usko pareshan nahi karoge, samjhe!” Tarini looks at him annoyingly.

“Doctor kya ban gayi ho, har samay hukum chalati ho! Very bad, Tara! Main badla lunga tumse!” he makes a face, causing her to laugh.

But their attention diverts when they hear a giggle. They turn around to find her giggling while looking at them. Tarini smiles and walks towards her, asking about her well-being.

“I am fine, Dr. Tarini. And sorry, I heard you. Aapke dost cute hain.” Radha says this while Ruhaan is still making a face.

“He’s like that, tum relax karo. Hum darr gaye they, par ab tum thik ho. Lekin ek do din tumhe yahin rehna hoga, main koi risk nahi lena chahti. Uske baad tum apne ghar jaa sakti ho.” Tarini says softly.

Radha acknowledges with a nod, yet her smile fades upon the doctor's mention of home. Tarini observes this change but chooses not to dwell, prioritizing Radha's health over the multitude of unanswered questions she and Ruhaan hold.

To Be Continued.

What is Radha hiding?

What is Vivaan upto?

Stay tuned.