Salaam everyone... How are you all?? I am really sorry for updating this late, life has been hectic and I didn't get time to type anything...

Happy reading...

~~~~~

Arjun's thoughts were disturbed by a phone call from his wife. He thinks that there is some connection between Ayushi and Radhika, but what is it? Is the resemblance between two people this usual or there is some connection between these two in real? His head would break if he didn't get all the answers. But this is not the time to think about the similarities between his wife and his best friend. So he took the call. Before he could utter a word, his wife started her rambling, of course.

'Hello Arjun, are you coming home or not? Or did you forget you have a home too in your work? Tell Mr. Spoon to bring my favourite pasta, all right?'

'Yes, ma'am. Anything else?' asked Arjun teasingly.

'And, and... And stay safe. I don't know why but I wanted to say that today.'

'I will stay safe and will reach home with your favourite pasta. Okay? I have to disconnect the call in order to drive the car, Doll.'

'Why are you driving? Where is your driver? Is he sleeping while you are driving? Give him the phone, or better, give the phone to Mr. Spoon.'

'I wanted to drive today, is that such a crime, Doll? No, the driver is not sleeping, I gave him an off for the day. And no, I am not giving the phone to Pawan. Your banter doesn't stop now if I hand him the phone. That will be the biggest distraction while I am driving.'

'Why is our banter a distraction to you?'

'Because I will be rolling on the floor of the car laughing, then how come I will drive, you tell me?'

'That's why ask Mr. Spoon to drive.'

'No.'

'Fine. Do as you like. Come home safely and with my food.'

'Okay. Now can I disconnect the call?'

'Okay....' said Radhika and was about to add something but did not because she wanted it to say when he is in front of her. 'Just stay safe and drive carefully.'

'Alright. Bye.' Said Arjun and disconnected the call.

If he found his wife's behaviour odd, he didn't want to think about it. He loved this caring Radhika too. He doesn't know why but he sensed panic in Radhika's voice. Does she know something which he didn't? While thinking about these, he didn't get to see the number of missed calls from Vikas on his mobile phone.

Pawan and Arjun took their seats in the car and started towards the home.

'You know, Radhika wants her favourite pasta delivered to her by you.' said Arjun.

'That lady, she wants every food item delivered by me. Why can't she learn cooking?'

'I told her not to.' Said Arjun grinning.

'You said what?' Asked Pawan with his eyes wide as saucers.

'Well, she does not have to when she got four personal chefs at her hands.' Said Arjun with a shrug.

'You are not my friend. YOU ARE NOT MY FRIEND. What did you do to my friend? Where is he?'

'Unfortunately, nothing happened to your friend and he is sitting beside and driving his favourite car.'

'You do not seem to be my friend. What happened to you?'

'Love happened.'

'Ughh! Love and its side effects.' Said Pawan and sat with his arms crossed on his chest.

'Why don't you get married? You will be busy with your love life too then.'

'Oh please! Love is not for me. You better tangle Vikas or Hitesh in this. I am not coming around with this love matter. Hitesh and Vikas are having so much female fan following in their office.'

'And you don't?'

'I don't.'

'Do you think so or know so?'

'I know so.'

'We have to get rid of this then.'

'What are you going to do?'

'There is no surprise if I share my plan with you, isn't it?'

'I don't want any shocks. Better you leave me being single.'

They didn't observe a truck that is following them while this conversation is going on and also the mobile phone that is ringing continuously in the back seat of the car (unfortunately, it is in silent mode still).

Before they took a right turn, the truck hit the car hard such that the car bounced and made contact with an electricity rod on the side walk. Arjun is trying his level best to control the car. Each time he does something to turn the car, each time the truck hits them. Even though Arjun is an accomplished driver, he was unable to do anything because of the onslaught of the truck. Arjun is losing his consciousness, and he didn't know why. Surely, a hit to the backside of the car didn't make him swoon. But then why is his eyes blurred and he cannot see the road clearly? He could have got his answers if he didn't lose his conscious.

Pawan is calling Arjun to wake up and look at him. As the road they take to the house is always deserted, Arjun let go of the seat belt and drove the car. But he, the ever follower of the rules, put on the seat belt and was saved from any major injuries. Why didn't he tell Arjun to put the seat belt on? Now how can he answer Radhika? How can he look into her eyes and say her husband has met with an accident? He wanted to get down the car and track the truck himself. But his friend is too much valuable to him than a bloody truck driver. He can and will find the driver. He cannot escape him. But how can he help Arjun now? He cannot see a creature in the vicinity. He could have cried because of the helplessness he was feeling if not for the siren of the police or is that ambulance from a distance. Vikas got down from his car a moment later and took both of them to the hospital.

Vikas knew Arjun's life is in danger. He got the call of the spy, who is a reporter of the media house he overtook, informing him that the civil supplies minister is planning something sinister against Arjun. He came to this conclusion because of his frequent visits to the other people who are involved in the shady business with him. That's why; he was trying for both Pawan and Arjun's phone numbers. Neither took his call. He knew he should do something, but what? Hitesh can help him, so he called him and told the entire thing. Hitesh without further delay called his friend who is a software engineer and an ethical hacker to track Arjun's car (as Arjun's car has GPS). Within no time, they got the location and they started towards it. By the time they reached the place, everything happened that should not have happened and Arjun is in the pool of blood and Pawan is limping towards him. He saw the guilt in Pawan's eyes when he was being strapped in the ambulance. Why is he feeling guilty now?

Hitesh will find the bastard who caused this accident, which is not an accident at all and chop him into pieces. How dare he touch his brother-in-law? If the law does not take any action on the idiot, he will definitely do the honours. He witnessed many accidents in his life and his career. But this accident churned the contents in his stomach, maybe it is because it is Arjun and Pawan in the car, who became his friends, all thanks to Radhika. He heard so many stories of this trio that he sometimes thought; Radhika is boasting the qualities of Arjun and Pawan. But he got to see the goodness of Arjun and Pawan with his own eyes and heard the compliments for the Chief Minister from his acquaintances. He can do anything for these people who have become his life.

Radhika got a call from Vikas informing her about the accident of Arjun. She first thought he is playing a prank. But no, the sadness in his voice said otherwise. So she got her bike and rushed to the hospital. She knew something grave is going to happen that day. Her instincts warned her that much but she didn't expect this. By the time, she reached the hospital all the three people who are dear to her are sitting in the waiting room of the hospital with their heads low. Pawan had bruises on his face. Of course, he has, he is coming home with Arjun. When he saw her approaching, he didn't meet her eyes. So unlike Pawan. Why is he not talking to her? Why is he not looking at her? When he turned to Vikas for answers, he just sighed and shook his head. Hitesh is silent too. Why are all silent? If Pawan is here, doesn't that mean Arjun is safe? Why is everyone giving her pity looks? She does not want any pity looks, she wants the assurance that her Arjun will be safe and sound and will kiss her senseless when he sees her.

She asked, begged, Vikas to say something. But silence met her ears. Surely Arjun is not dead, is he? He could not be when they have so much more to do in their lives. She has to introduce her mom to him and then have to take everything he gives her. After giving her the much-needed ear bleeding they have to profess their love properly again. So much to do and he cannot just leave her and die.

Doctors came out of the operation theatre and gave them much needed news that relieved their senses. Arjun is out of danger. His senses to control the car at the right time rescued him—those were the words they told them. Pawan wept listening to these words. Now Radhika knew what he was feeling earlier. He was feeling responsible for the accident. Stupid man. So she did the thing any friend does at that time. She hugged him. He clung to her as a child who lost his mother and wept and unburdened the burden from his head and shoulders. Now she will get every piece of information from these idiots. Someone is lurking in the shadows and that is the siren of danger. She will find out one way or other and the accused punished. Before that, she should handle Pawan. Hitesh and Vikas are watching her as if she has grown two heads, why? Oh, of course, she didn't hug Pawan till now. But they should know that Pawan is the one who protected her the most in her childhood. They will know. There are some things she kept close to her heart and didn't reveal even to them. Maybe she wanted those memories only to herself.

~~~~~

End of the twenty-second chapter. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I didn't want to drag the accident scene and create a suspense like will Arjun live or not. He will and he has to because he is my hero. ;) Anyways, what do you think will happen to civil supplies minister now? You want the punishment legal or illegal. As a to-be lawyer, I don't encourage illegal punishments, but do let me know your views about this. More details about the accident and how minister planned it will be revealed later. Not proof-read, so ignore any mistakes.

Till next time, Sayonara. Love you all and have a great weekend.