Vikrant reaches the police station. His jeep stopped at the gate, he jumped out of the jeep and marched inside. His two sub - inspectors followed him. He entered his cabin and settled down on the chair, a smirk playing on his lips. 

He gestures for them to sit, they nod and secure their places opposite to him.

"Sir aapko lagta hai Dr. Shergill ne hi kiya hoga ye sab? " Inspector Kadam asked. 

Vikrant grabbed the paper holder in his fist,"ho bhi sakta hai aur nahi bhi. Do reasons hai ki wo kyun aisa karenge. Pehla kyunki Dr. Shergill gussa the apne bhai se kissi reason se toh ho sakta hai gusse mei aake unhone kissi se ye karwaya ho, we still need to find out the reason for their fight. Aur dusra ye ki agar Vineet ko kuch ho jaata hai toh Vineet ka saara business, unke father ki saari property aur saath hi unke mother ki property, in sab ke eklaute haqdar Dr. Shergill hi bachenge. Aarbo ki property hai, lalach aana koi badi baat nahi hai, though iska chance mujhe khud thoda kam lagta hai kyunki unke khidke paas kaafi paisa hai, itna naam hai toh obviously,kuch property ke liye aisa karna unke image ko suit nahi karta par then, this man is unpredictable,jo banda itni jaldi move on kar sakta hai wo kuch bhi kar sakta hai!" Vikrant exclaims playing with the paper holder, his mind running over all the possibilities. 

"Lekin sir unhone hi humei aab tak iss case ke liye itna force kiya hai. Agar unhone aisa kiya hota toh wo kyun humei baar baar bolte is sab ke piche jiska haath hai usko pakadne ke liye. Matlab, wo khud ko kyun khatre mei daalenge?" Another inspector Shawant questioned. 

Vikrant glanced at them, "simple si baat hai, it's obvious ki jo humei sab batayega hum uspe shaq nahi karenge jaldi. Ye baat Dr. Shergill ko pata hai aache se, issliye wo khud samne se hamare saath chal rahe hain taki hum kabhi unpe shaq hi naa kare,"Vikrant kept the paper holder on the table and stood up,"Lekin in sab mei hum uss ladki ko bhool rahe hai jo uss din Vineet ke saath thi, Jaane wo kaun thi? Jaane wo bachi bhi hai ya nahi? Aur agar bach gayi hai toh kahan hai? Aur sabse important baat Vineet highway pe kar kya raha tha?? Gaya hi kyun tha wo wahan? Aur Doctor Shergill wo kyun gussa they Vineet se?? Unka aur unki wo girlfriend Ruhana college time se saath they aur achanak alag ho gaye, yahi nahi dono ne sirf teen mahine mei hi kissi aur se engagement bhi kar li.. Ho na ho ye sab baatein aapas mei judi hui hai!" Vikrant exclaims looking at the sub inspectors, his eyes dark with thoughts. 

"Sir aadhe sawal ka jawab Vineet ke pass hai lekin uski memory jaa chuki hai!" Shawant exclaims, his voice low with disappointment. 

Vikrant tends to think, "hmm!! Memory toh jaa chuki hai uski lekin hum uss se ye toh pata laga hi sakte hai ki wo ladki jo uske saath thi wo kaun thi? I'm sure iska jawab wo de sakta hai," Vikrant said confidently. 

Shawant and Kadam exchange glances,"Lekin sir usko toh kuch yaad nahi uss din ka, fir wo kaise bata sakta hai wo ladki kaun thi?” Kadam questioned.

Vikrant smiled at him and spoke, "Kadam! Ek aadmi jise uske jaan se pyare bhai ne ghar se nikal diya ho, wo kahan jayega? Ya toh apni maa ke pass jo usse samjhe ya uske pass jisse wo chahta ho, jo uske dil ke kareeb ho." He smirked. 

"Sir you mean wo ladki uski lover thi!? Shawant question, suspiciously. 

"Maybe, best friend bhi ho sakti hai. But most probably a lover!" Vikrant exclaimed. 

"do one thing, hamare kissi do officer ko Vineet se milne bhejo! Aur……" h

He explain them his plan to them.

Shawant and Kadam nodded affirmatively and left his cabin. While Vikrant was lost in his thoughts. 

…. 

Hospital.. 

Daksh was restless and angry as well. How can his mother, Shakshi, fix his marriage without his permission. No, not permission she didn't even tell him about this. He came to know about all this from an outsider which was not just shocking but accusing as well. Now he knows why Maya was drooling around him, why Ruhana seemed off a bit. It's all because of his mother. 

He searched for his phone and found it on the side table. He took his phone, unlocked it and dialed his mother's number. He needed to confront her for taking such a step without his knowledge. Shakshi picks up the call in the first ring itself.

"Hello Guddu beta! Kaise ho?" She asked softly, her voice weak. 

"aapne aisa kyun kiya mom,Kyun??" Daksh asked with teary eyes. Yes, he's angry but he can't shout at his mother, he knows she's not well, recently she suffered from a heart attack and his harsh words can affect her and he doesn't want that to happen.  

"kya hua Guddu? Kis baare mei baat kar rahe ho? " Shakshi asked, though she had little idea what he's talking about.

"Maya! Mom Maya! Aapne Maya ke saath meri shadi fix kardi? Kyunn? Mujhe batana tak jaroori nahi samjha aapne? Meri life ka itna important decision lene se pehle ek baar bhi mujhse puchna jaroori nahi samjha aapne, Kyunnn?" He questioned, his voice was heavy and tears were rolling down his cheeks, the reality was too harsh to accept. 

"Beta, Maa hoon mein tumhari, kya mujhe tumhari life ke liye koi faisla lene ka haq nahi hai haan!??" She asked, but when  didn't get any answer from his side, she continued,"Meine tumhare liye, tumhari khushi ke liye ye decision liya hai meine!" she exclaims, her voice teary. 

"Mujhe shadi nahi karni mom," Daksh declared, he didn't want to argue with her on this matter, he thought it would be better to just deny the marriage.

"Kyun?? Tujhe Maya aachi nahi lagti?? Fir hum koi aur ladki dekhte hai." Shakshi suggested, she's ready to find out a reason to help her son move on who has caged himself. 

"Mujhe kissi se shadi nahi karni. Na Maya se na kissi aur se!"he declared, his voice stern. 

"Par kyun? Kab tak yun ghutte rahoge? I know you loved her and you still love her lekin aab wo nahi hai tumhari life mei. Iss baat ko tum jitni jaldi samajh jao tumhare liye hi aacha hoga. Move on beta, kissi ek ke jaane se jindagi nahi rukti, Please!" Shakshi pleaded, Daksh has no words to say further, he doesn't know how to convince his mother, who's so adamant to find a match for him right after his break up. 

"Take care Mom." He spoke and without waiting for her reply he disconnected the call, he knew a stretched and long conversation with his mother will only invite stress for her which he surely doesn't want. 

"Main kaise aapko samjhau mom, meri jindagi sach mei ruk si gayi hai." Daksh thought, his eyes were teary and he was feeling pain in his heart, a sharp pain as if someone had stabbed him hard. He wants to share his pain with someone but there isn't anyone with whom he can share his pain, he is all alone. He sighed, there is no way that he can escape from his pain, he had to bear that no matter what. 

He lay down and closed his eyes, thinking about how to solve this new problem.. It was then when Maya entered into the room.. Daksh glances at her and again closes his eyes.. He doesn't even want to see her face but the problem is how to explain this to her.. 

Maya approaches him out of nowhere and settles down on the stool beside his bed. 

"How are you feeling now?" She asked caressing his shoulder, Daksh immediately removed her hand from his shoulder, how can she even do that? Despite knowing everything, how can she be so calm about it? 

"I'm fine!" He replied and moved a little away, Maya smiled at his act. She took hold of his hand and tangled her fingers with his and firm her grip on his hand.

"You don't need to feel weird, I know tumhe ajeeb laag raha hoga lekin agar hum thoda sa cooperate kare ek dusre ke saath toh koi problem nahi hogi. Na mujhe na tumhe, " she spoke softly, trying to make him understand.

Daksh tried to free his hand from her grip but Maya tightened her grip,"dekho main janti hoon tumhari Mum ne bina tumse puche ye decision liya but aab jab rishta jud chuka hai toh I guess humei isko respect karna chahiye. I mean, tumhari mom keh rahi thi she has high hopes for me and i want to stand on her hopes, main nahi chahti wo nirash ho. " She said firmly, fitting the piece of information in his mind that he has no choice but to accept her as she's chosen by his mother. 

Daksh finally jerks her hand,"enough is enough Maya!! Mujhe koi rishta nahi rakhna tumse ye baat tum jitni jaldi samajh lo aacha hai. Meri mom ne bhale hi tumhe chunn liya hai par unke aate hi main sab clear kar dunga. Ye rishta bina meri knowledge ke hua hai aur main isse acknowledge nahi karta. And please mere aas paas maat ghoomna karo, tumhe dekh ke mujhe comfortable feel nahi hota, so please. Get out of here!" He shouted at the top of his voice.

Maya shivers, she had never seen him in such anger, in fact she had never seen him even raising his voice over others but it seems, he has changed a lot in the past three months. Maya left the ward immediately, receiving a deadly glare from him. 

…. 

Other side 

Vineet ward.. 

Vineet got conscious, he was lying on the bed and was lost in his thoughts. When two guys entered the ward, Vineet gave a confused look.. 

"Hey Vineet. Pehchana humei!?" First guy said, smiling.

Vineet shook his head negatively "sorry! But meine nahi pehchana aap logon ko. " he exclaims, trying to recognize them. 

They gave him a look,"common yaar! College ke badh mile nahi toh dosto ko bhool jaoge tum. Yaar main Arvind aur ye Gaurav. " Arvind exclaims, introducing themselves. 

Vineet was still confused and was trying to recognise their face but couldn't,"Sorry! Mujhe yaad nahi aa raha lekin, " he said, staring at them.

Gaurav smirks,"Haan haan! Gf aa gayi toh dosto ko kaise yaad rakhoge," he said grinning at which Vineet started laughing loudly, both the guys were confused at his reaction. 

"G… GF? Wo bhi meri? Hahhahahahhahahahhah!! Pakka dhokha ho raha hai aap dono ko. Main toh bachpan se single hoon, koi gf nahi hai meri. Gf kya, gf ka baal bhi nahi hai." Vineet clarifies, controlling his laughter and sad at the same time that he couldn't get a girl till date. 

Gaurav and Arvind marched towards him, "kyun jhooth bolte ho yaar. Tumhare aur tumhari gf ke charche toh pure college mei the, aab aise jhooth na bolo humse." Gaurav said, rolling his eyes, mocking anger. 

Vineet laughed harder,"o my God!! Poore college mein charche hahahaha. Bhai college mein koi ladki friend tak na thi meri, Gf kahan se aayegi," 

Gaurav and Arvind exchange glances,"ooh! Sorry! Jaroor humse koi galti ho gayi fir toh. I'm really very sorry!" They apologise and move out of the room the next moment. 

As they move out, Vineet sighs and closes his eyes. He really had good fun for a moment. But as he relaxes his muscles and closes his eyes, some blur images appear before his eyes, he opens his eyes with a jerk. 

"Ye.. Ye kya ho raha hai mujhe.. Kaun hai ye log? " he thought, running his fingers through his hair. For the past few weeks, he's been having nightmares and after meeting with Maya and Raunak the problem has increased.

Vineet wants to share this with Daksh but how? He's not well and he doesn't want to give him another tension.

He came out of his trance with the clucking sound of the door, he turned his gaze only to find Ruhana entering in his room. 

She smile at him,''kaise ho?'' She asked.

''Thik thak'' he replied simply, Ruhana found something fishy.

''Kuch hua kya?'' she asked, securing her seat on the stool. Vineet gazes at her, he can share his feelings with her but Daksh may not like that. He shook his head negatively.

''Nahi, kuch nahi hua.'' He lied and turned away, Ruhana smiled at his act.

''Tumhe ek baat pata hai? Tumhe aur tumhare bhai ko jhooth bolna nahi aata hai,'' she exclaims as Daksh also used to hide his face whenever he lies, facing someone while lying is what they do, feeling guilty at their own act. 

Vineet turned to her,''main jhooth nahi bolta.'' he exclaims, glaring at her.

Ruhana laughed at his antics, ''haan jaanti hoon issliye bol rahi hoon kya hua bata do, main kissi se nahi bataungi pakka.'' She swears, pinching her neck. 

''Kuch nahi hai batane ko, mujhe bas Sweety ko dekhna tha.'' he replied changing the topic. 

Ruhana understands he doesn't want to share his feelings with her. Maybe because of Daksh, or maybe they are not connected at all. 

She nodded,'' chaloge uske room mei, le chalu main?'' She asked, Vineet's face lit up to hear her. He nodded his head affirmatively like a five year old kid. 

Ruhana pulled the wheelchair which was in a corner, she made Vineet settle on it and left the room, heading towards Daksh room. 

.... 

On the other hand, Gaurav and Arvind were moving out of the hospital but stopped when some  conversation caught their attention. They headed to the side where the sound was coming from. They saw two doctors talking about a patient.

''Hum Dr. Shergill ke bharoshe yahan aaye the lekin lagta hai aab humei kahin aur jana hoga uss ladki ko leke kyunki Dr. Shergill toh asb uska treatment kar na paayenge aur uss ladki ki condition abhi thik hai par kab bigad jaaye ye hum keh nahi sakte. Mujhe lagta hai humein yahan se jana chahiye,'' one of the doctors said, expressing his concern. 

''Haan doctor, aap sahi keh rahe hai. Hum teen mahine se uss ladki ki condition mei sudhar aane ka wait kar rahe the toh mujhe bhi yahi lagta hai humein uska operation karwana chahiye. Lekin hum itne kam time mei Dr. Shergill jaisa aacha doctor kahan dhundhenge jo iss complicated case ko handle kar sake. Hum pehle hi har jagah try kar chuke hai, Dr. Shergill ne hi sirf hamari madad ki par aab wo khud bimar hai!'' The other doctor said worriedly, as now they can operate the girl but Daksh is not in the condition to do her treatment and in this case they are left with no option other than to visit some other specialist who can help them, though it's not that easy to find one but they have to try. 

Gaurav and Arvind exchange glances after hearing the conversation and they immediately left the hospital to inform Vikrant about the same. This lead will surely help them take a step further. 

…. 

To be continued..