Next chapter by Monday?

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Next morning- Rakshabandhan

Around 7 in the morning...

The brothers woke up to get ready for the celebration...

They were getting ready when Vidyut's phone rang...

Vidyut who was brushing his teeth.

He took the phone and saw Yug's number.

Frowning, he received the call, keeping it on speaker.

Yug (in sharp tone): Come to Kalyankar Road immediately... No questions...

Without any other word. He hung up the call.

After brushing his teeth. He walked out to find Harsha and Mihika preparing for the festival.

Mihika: Itni subah kaha? (Where are you going, this early?)

Vidyut: Emergency calls bhabhi. Due, to the festival. I have to check it immediately. I will be back soon.

He stepped out of his house, unaware of the danger he was going to face.

Meanwhile, On the Kalyankar Road...

News vans stood haphazardly along the roadside. Cameramen rushed to capture every angle, while reporters spoke hurriedly into their microphones.

Ruhi was lying unconscious on the cold road.

Her clothes were stained with dust.

Bruises and fresh injuries are visible on the exposed skin.

No one dared to touch her.

The media seemed more focused on breaking the news of an unconscious girl lying before them.

"Once again Vidyut Rajput, our district collector and business tycoon's sister found unconscious in the middle of the road"

"Visible injuries suggested that this may not be a simple accident. Police are yet to issue an official statement"

"Could this be a targeted attack?"

"Is this a personal vendetta?"

"Could this be an attempt to threaten the District Collector or Business tycoons?"

"Could this be a political conspiracy or business rivalry?"

"Was she meeting someone secretly?"

"Is the Collector's family under threat?"

"Is this a security lapse?"

"Has the administration failed to protect its own family?"

"Could this be connected to a personal rivalry?"

"Has this city's law and order completely failed?"

"Is the influential Rajput family being deliberately targeted?"

"Was this attack planned to send a message?"

"Who is behind this shocking incident?"

"Is there an angle the family is hiding?"

"Is there more to this story than what meets the eye?"

"Will the administration launch a special investigation?"

Microphones continued to chase answers.

Even though there was no one conscious enough to answer them.

A police van entered the scene.

Yug, an IPS Officer, walked out with his team.

The moment the media spotted him, dozens of microphones were thrust towards him.

Questions came from every direction.

"Sir! Is this a targeted attack?"

"Is the Collector's family under threat?"

"Has the administration failed to ensure the safety of its own family?"

"Sir, do you suspect a political conspiracy?"

"Is there a business rivalry behind this incident?"

"Will a special investigation be launched?"

Ignoring every question, Yug's eyes fell on the unconscious figure lying on the road.

For a brief second...

He froze.

Just as Yug was about to instruct his team...

The screeching of tyres echoed across the road.

Every head turned.

A white government SUV came to an abrupt halt.

The door flew open. Vidyut stepped out.
His eyes instinctively searched the crowd.

The media immediately rushed towards him.

"Sir! Sir! Is this your sister?"

"Sir! Do you suspect foul play?"

"Sir! Was she kidnapped?"

"Sir! Is this an attack on your family?"

Ignoring every question, Vidyut pushed past the swarm of microphones.

His heartbeat grew louder with every step.

He saw her.

His Rooh...

Lying motionless on the road. Her clothes were covered in dust. Bruises marked her skin.

For a moment... Everything around him faded. The reporters... The cameras...
The crowd... Nothing existed except his little sister.

His feet stopped.

His breathing became uneven.

His lips parted, but no words came out.
A lump formed in his throat.

Vidyut (whispered, helplessly): Rooh...

Yug immediately steps forward.

Yug (firmly): Move back. This is an active crime scene. No one crosses the barricades. Constable, clear the media.

His team, quickly started to follow his orders.

Yug (turning to Vidyut, softly): Vidyut, I will handle this scene.

Vidyut's eyes were stuck on Ruhi.

Yug (quietly): Take her home. She needs treatment immediately. The media has already made this spectacle if he takes her to the civil hospital, the media will surround the emergency ward in minutes. She needs a doctor, not the camera.

Tears roll down, Vidyut's eyes.

Vidyut's brain fogged. He couldn't understand what he should do and how.

Yug patted his shoulder, supporting him.

Yug (calmly): You have to be strong. You can't be weak. Take her home, Vidu.

Vidyut wiped his tears and swallowed a lump before nodding.

He walked towards Ruhi and bent down. Her bruises and injuries were clearer to him.

Fresh scratches...
Dried blood...
Purple marks are spreading across her skin.

His heart went numb. Someone assaulting his sister was beyond imagination.

His hands trembled as they reached towards her.

He stopped midway... Closed his eyes for a brief second... Drew in a shaky breath.
Then, with the utmost care, he lifted his little sister into his arms.

Yug was standing behind him, patiently.

Yug helped Vidyut to settle Ruhi inside the car.

Yug: Drive safely. I will call Adrita and ask her to arrange immediate treatment at home.

Vidyut drove off towards his home.

His hands shivering, his eyes again and again shifting towards the mirror, to check on Ruhi.

---

Some minutes later,

He reached home.

At home,

Everyone already sat worriedly as Yug called Adrita and informed her about Ruhi's condition.

Vidyut entered with unconscious Ruhi in his arms.

The sight froze everyone.

Harsha instinctively covered her mouth.
Mihika's eyes filled with tears.

Saurav's fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Anirudh stood rooted to the spot, his jaw tightening as he took in the bruises covering his little sister.

For a moment...

No one spoke. No one could.

Adrita forced herself to remain composed.

As a doctor, panic would only waste precious seconds.

Adrita (calmly herself): Vidyut, take Ruhi to her room. Till the doctor comes. I will change her clothes and check her vitals.

She turned towards Mihika and Harsha.

Adrita: Bring a first-aid kit, sterile towel and warm water.

Vidyut followed her words and quietly took Ruhi into the room. He carefully laid her on the mattress. Saurav immediately set the pillow. Anirudh covered her with a blanket.

The three stood up, their eyes on the face of their little sister.

Adrita came inside the room.

Without any other word, the brothers walked out.

---

Soon doctors arrived.

They started Ruhi's treatment.

The family waited outside.

Ankita, Nayan, and Ajit with his wife and daughter also came after they heard the news.

---

After some time...

The doctors come out after examining Ruhi.

Adrita: How is she?

Doctor: She has multiple soft-tissue injuries and bruises. There are no life-threatening internal injuries. She appears to have been sedated with a mild drug. She's still unconscious because of it. She should regain consciousness in a few hours.

The family collectively exhales in relief, but their faces remain grim.

After prescribing medicines, the doctor left

Once again... Silence filled the room.

The Rakshabandhan thalis remained untouched.

No one spoke.

No one smiled.

They were all waiting...

Waiting for Ruhi to open her eyes.

To be continued...

One honest confession: I took the help of ChatGPT for framing questions related to media...
If you feel questions were robotic or something... So, not fully but I took the help of ChatGPT for framing and added a few questions as well.