Bhargavi texted back ' I am alright! Getting ready for college.'

In college Bhargavi though had no close friends, and spoke to almost no one except her best friend Arohi, with whom she became friends since the first day she joined college, had now been turned into the centre of all attraction as Prabir stood at the entrance of her classroom, after their infamous professor Mr. Rajan left.

Mr. Rajan could get one drenched and soaked with his saliva, in case anyone, occupied the first bench in the class. He had the bizzare habit of getting excited and spitting out while explaining something. Therefore, in his class, all the first benches were left unoccupied and he never did mind it.

Prabir walked up straight to Bhargavi, and murmured, " Bhawu had called me up.

who is Ishaan?

She wants me to take her to his home. She has put up a high-end drama at  school portraying a stomach ache."

"Umm... Prabir, Bhawani loves him and... his mother is very ill and she just wants to help him.

I told her that she could help him, but only on one condition... if you drop her off at his house and bring her back home.

Prabu...I don't know anything about Ishaan and I don't trust him yet. You know what Bhawani has been through because of Mayank.

I wanted to tell you all about it yesterday, but it slipped my mind", she said apologetically.

"I'll take care of it", he said hurriedly and left as he saw professor Kartik rush in the class.

Prabir picked up Bhawani from school. She had a pain stricken pale face, and Prabir was at first shocked and blurted out concerned, " Are you okay Bhawu?" Her eyes were red and swollen.

She clinged onto him tightly and said, " I am alright! Please take me to Ishaan's place, his mother can't be left alone and he has some important work to do. His mother's caretaker is on leave today."

They left the school and were in Ishaan's place within half an hour, Ishaan seemed to be waiting for them impatiently.

Ishaan was awestruck on seeing Prabir. His house was very tiny and dingy. His mother laid on the bed.

Prabir formally introduced himself, " Hi! I am Prabir Banerjee, I am her elder brother", with a cheerful smile.

"I am Ishaan Bagchi", he replied shaking Prabir's hands looking shocked and amused.

Ishaan had known about Bhargavi, Bhawani's sister but Bhawani had never mentioned anything about Prabir and their surnames were different as well.

"Bhaiya, I...I need to leave. I have to replace my co-worker who is seriously injured in an accident.

I work as a fitness instructor in a gym.. but not during the day. Maa's caretaker is on a leave today, so I stayed back at home but ..."

Prabir cut in, " it's okay! You may leave for your work. We are here", patting his shoulder.

"I am so grateful, thank you so much", he blabbered and left.

Prabir looked cautiously at the old lady laying on the bed, sitting beside her on the bed. She was staring blankly at nothing in particular. she looked fragile and seemed to be very apathetic towards life in general.

"Bhaiya, she used to have slow and shuffling gait earlier, and some problems in movement and coordination but now her muscles are so stiff, she finds it difficult to even stand up... she loses balance and stumbles and falls every time she tries to walk. She even has difficulty speaking", Bhawani briefed about Ishaan's mother's condition, perching  beside him on a chair.

"Bhawu...Ishaan seems to be a nice and hard working person.

It must be hard for him to see her in this state", he sighed.

"He takes up tuitions...teaches kids maths and science, works as a fitness instructor, he himself helps his mother with physiotherapy, he also works in a restaurant nearby serving as a waiter and cleans up cars sometimes.

The medicines are costly but he has to...", she paused as a tear drop trickled down her right cheek.

Prabir's phone rang and he received, " yes, Bhargu...there is nothing to worry. I am at Ishaan's place and Bhawu is with me.

I thought Sarvesh was having a hard time but it seems like Ishaan is drowning within a myriad of problems. He is a good and hard working kiddo.

Bhargu...I want to do something for this kid."

"I know Bhawani is okay, YOU are with him Prabu. I called you up because I am screwed up", she said sharply.

"What happened?" he asked seriously.

"Prabu...Keya, she came to me today and told that she will never forgive me for abusing and insulting her...for snatching you away from her and that she will make me pay the price for everything.

I did not take her seriously, but then I was informed by Shlok that she jumped off the balcony from the fourth floor of the college building and held a suicide note crumpled up in her hands blaming me for her death.

I rushed to the hospital with Arohi and Shlok. She is in the ICU, in an unconscious state.

Prabu...I am not scared that I'll be jailed but I am definitely scared ....
what if something happens to her ?

Is she totally insane? She punished herself by pulling out this stunt and all the people who love her ....not me.

Her parents are unable to hold back their tears, and I am feeling very sorry for them. She is their only daughter", she sighed.

"When I went to your class to talk to you about Bhawu...maybe your classmates were discussing about us later and she might have overheard their conversation which might have triggered her to ....

Oh! God! Why did she have to do this to herself ?" he said mournfully.

"I don't know, I don't understand Prabu...

You stay with Bhawani, Arohi is still with me and I am not alone, don't worry.

I'll let you know, if she regains her consciousness", she asserted softly.

" Who found the suicide note?" Prabir questioned.

"When she was brought to the hospital, the doctors noticed it and called the police.

I was interrogated by the police once I reached the hospital.
They might even call you, Parul or anyone present on the day....when we were having a party for Bhawani's safe return.

I did not tell them anything about Bhawani being kidnapped, as we have not made any police complaint against Mayank and they would never believe me.

I told them we were celebrating Kitkat's birthday, which I know seems very awful, but that is what cropped up in my head instantly", she concluded trying to ensure that her voice didn't tremble or she doesn't sound anxious or nervous.

"Bhargu...I'll be there within an hour, I promise. I'll call up someone to take care of Bhawu", he replied calmly.

Bhargavi had felt deeply relaxed and relieved to just hear his voice, and now that he ensured that he'll be there for her, it was enough to make her feel at ease.

Prabir briefly explained everything to Bhawani and called up Sachin and Rakesh.

Rakesh had some stuff to deal with and was unable to help. He had to look after his father's business as his father's health was plummeting, but Sachin decided to help.

Sachin left college and reached Ishaan's place within half an hour, "Prabir...if needed we can ask for Brijesh uncle's help. Don't worry! Bhargavi did nothing wrong", he said trying to console Prabir.

Bhawani was now sobbing hard, Prabir though had tried to console her had failed miserably, " you will definitely fall ill Bhawu...if you don't stop crying, you have already wept a lot in school, in an attempt to prove that you need to go home because of the stomach ache.

Nothing will happen to Bhargu okay!...I won't let anything happen to her",he again said reassuringly before leaving.

Sachin demanded an explanation from Bhawani, about the serene and dingy place and why they were there, when they were supposed to be in school and college respectively and who was that lady? Whose house was it?

Bhawani had finally started to explain everything and stopped wailing.

Prabir reached the hospital as promised within an hour and found Bhargavi sitting alone on a bench in the reception area, hugging her knees, with her head tucked down on her knees.

He strode upto her and sat beside her. She was alarmed when Prabir gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Trouble and me...we are just synonyms Prabu", she said sarcastically.

A/N: Hey everyone!!

Please forgive me for this late update, and for any typos.

Hope you like this chapter!

Please let me know what you think and vote for me if you enjoyed reading.

Thanks to all you guys for patiently waiting for updates.