*** CHAPTER 24 ***

"What's wrong?", Swara asks the moment she steps down the staircase observing the terror-stricken faces of everyone and especially of her mother-in-law who seems to be fighting hard to stop her tears.

Swara: Maa, what happened?

Annapurna: That... Th... Acc... Accident...

Annapurna stumbles at her words failing to express her feelings and Swara's heart sinks for all she hears is the word 'accident' and she finds everyone in the hall except for the one she has been waiting for ever since morning. The way he has left after their conversation in the morning has left her entire being in such a chaos that she can't help but think something she doesn't want to.

Swara: Where's Sanky?

Laksh: H-He's on his way back from the office.

Swara: And why is Maa crying?

Annapurna: (tries composing herself) Swara beta, actually... a friend of mine has met with... an accident.

And she breaks into another round of sobs. Her knees wobble and Durga Prasad immediately gets a hold of his wife. It's hardly been five minutes that they received a call from Vidhaan's mobile phone receiving the dreadful news of another accident... yet again of their son.

The last time they received the similar news, Shlok was gone... forever!

But now they can't afford to lose their second son. The news itself has left them shattered and letting Swara know of the same will only worsen the situation even more.

Swara: So, are you all going to the hospital?

She asks looking at Annapurna, Durga Prasad, Laksh and Ram standing at the doorstep, and all of them nod their heads instantly. Noticing that Swara seems a bit skeptical about the whole situation, Laksh clears his throat before speaking.

Laksh: Um... Swara... Bade Papa and Badi Maa are going to the hospital. Papa and I are going to the office.

Swara: At this time?

Laksh: There is an urgent meeting tomorrow. Can we have the rest of the questions later? We are getting late.

Swara: (nods her head) Shall I also come, Maa?

One question and that makes everyone shout a 'NO' together!

Laksh: Ragini, can you look after Swara for the time being?

Ragini nods her head and Swara scrunches her eyebrows.

Swara: I'm not a kid! Why would she look after me?

Laksh: Shut up, Swara! You're staying here with Ragini and that's final. No more arguments!

And with that being said everyone leaves for the hospital without any other word, leaving an extremely shocked Swara behind. This is the first time that her best friend has shouted on her in such a way and she can't help but feel that something seems off about everyone tonight. Are they hiding something from her?! She isn't too sure but something inside of her tells her that... they are!

Ragini: Swara, why don't you go to your room for now? I'll bring your dinner there itself.

Swara: It's okay, Ragini. I'll sit here only.

Ragini nods her head silently and Swara takes a deep breath before taking a seat on the couch kept in the centre of the hall getting immersed deep in her thoughts.

Time and again, her mind travels back to their conversations and the bizarre beating of her heart makes her realize that this is not where she is supposed to be, that just by sitting here, she is missing something really important in her life. The urge to see the man she loves has never been so strong as it is right now. And she's determined to see him no matter what it takes!

Swara: Ragini, can you get me a glass of water?

Ragini: (nods her head) Just a minute!

Saying this she turns around and leaves for the kitchen and when Ragini returns two minutes later, all she is greeted with is silence and emptiness. She calls out for Swara and searches for her everywhere in the house and when she looks out on to the driveway, she finds a car making its way out of the huge gates of the mansion. Ragini calls her out loud but even she knows that she can't hear her any longer.

Swara is gone! And Ragini's heart sinks deeper and deeper with every moment dreading something really unexpected!

-----------------------.

Sahil closes his eyes instantly pulling his mobile phone away from his ear to avoid the incoherent shouting and cussing of his only sister. She can really be a pain in backside sometimes... well, most of the times but even then there's no denying that she's way much smarter than he is or should he say way more evil than he can ever be. So, to have what he wants, he needs her by his side.

Telling her about his latest achievements, he has expected to receive a couple of praises from his sister but all he gets to hear is a series of profanities from the other side of the call. Taking a deep breath, he places the mobile next to his ear again and regrets it instantly as his sister has still been shouting.

Kavita: You dumb head moron!

Sahil: I'm your elder brother, Kavita. Give me some respect at least!

Kavita: Then do something worthy of getting that respect. Here, I have been working day and night to get some information of our help and when I finally have something in my hand, you had to run that stupid brains of yours and ruin everything.

Sahil: Alright. Alright. I said I'm sorry!

Kavita: Sorry? Seriously, Bhai? Do you think your simple sorry will revert that accident you caused. Do you even realize that if he survives they'll be closer than ever before?! You should have asked me before doing anything. Get ready to say goodbye to that not so happening love story of yours.

Sahil: KAVITA!!

Kavita: What?! Don't shout! And for heaven's sake don't do anything foolish unless and until I return. I'm almost there.

Sahil: Did you find something?

Kavita: We'll talk once I return. Right now I have to meet someone.

With that being said, Kavita disconnects the mobile phone and sighs glancing around the small office where she's sitting right now as she awaits someone's arrival impatiently.

----------------------.

Without paying heed to anything around, Swara keeps on driving the car recklessly on the way to the office. She doesn't know herself why but her hearts keeps on thudding crazily with each passing moment. She can't help but feel that something is wrong, that something is missing. And all she wants right now is see him right in front of her eyes... all safe and sound.

All set to drive all the way to the office, Swara increases the speed of the car but is brought to an abrupt stop hardly ten minutes later by a crowd and buzzing police sirens a few feet away from the traffic signal. Getting out of the car, she proceeded in the direction of the chaos with unsteady steps scanning several glass shards scattered all around the street and as soon as her eyes fall on the smashed lump of once a dazzling car in front of her eyes, her knees give up all their strength and she stumbles down on the streets.

This can't be happening! The thing she dreaded has actually happened! It isn't just an accident. It's the accident of that one man she has come to love so dearly.

Right in front of her eyes is 'his' car tumbled upside down, all shattered and rugged, and being pulled to the roadside with a crane. All the mirrors of the car have been smashed mercilessly, especially the windshield which seems to be in the worst condition of all. But to her extreme horror there's no sign of her husband anywhere around.

Gathering all her strength, she gets up from the street and runs to an onlooker. Though her entire being keeps on trembling she somehow manages to speak.

Swara: Bhaiya! Bhaiya... where's the... driver of... the car? Where is... he?

And the whole atmosphere bursts with a series of whispers and hushes all over again.

"He has been taken to the city hospital?"

"The car was hit by a truck!"

"The poor guy was hurt real bad. I just hope he survives."

No sooner she hears this her entire being starts trembling vigorously than ever before and instantly she has the attention of everyone around. But she couldn't notice any of that as the memories of something very similar comes rushing back to her and with an excruciating shriek she falls onto the street as the darkest memories of her life finally engulf her deeper and deeper.

------------------------.

"Sanky!"

Swara shouts excitedly seeing her husband as he emerges out of the entrance of the airport and he waves back at her with a smile reaching up to his eyes showing exactly how happy he is seeing her. And as soon as he gets within her reach, Swara leaps and wraps her arms around his torso letting him know how much she missed him all this while.

Swara: I missed you so much. It's so good that you are back.

Shlok: (smiles) Yes, it is! I missed you too.

Swara: So, how was the deal?

Shlok: Just as we expected. Perfect!

Swara: I'm so proud of you, Mr. Maheshwari!

Shlok: (bows his head) Thank you so much, Mrs. Maheshwari. I'm honored! And I'm proud of you for taking care of Maa and Papa so well.

Swara: Tsk! You had any doubt about it.

Shlok: Nope! How can I even dare?

Swara: (chuckles) Good!

Shlok: Shall we go then? Ready?

Swara: As ready as I'll ever be!

Giving her a smile, Shlok wraps one of his arm around Swara's shoulder and with other he gets a hold of his bag as they make their way out towards the parking lot.

=*=*=

She smiles looking at Shlok as he drives the car back to the house from airport. She's exuberant on meeting her husband and best friend after such a long time. He has been away for almost a month on a business trip and meeting him after so long makes her realize how much she has missed him.

Swara: You know Maa has prepared all your favorite dishes today!

Shlok: Expected of her. If I don't go for these frequent dealings outside the country, I'm afraid she'll soon turn me into a pumpkin with all that food.

Swara: Wait! Wait! Let me imagine how it will look if your six packs turns into a family pack.

Swara laughs heartily and that even makes Shlok chuckle. He turns his head to get back at her with a sarcastic reply but Swara's eyes go wide the very next instant as she sees a huge truck gaining upon them and the next moment...

BAM!!!

Swara closes her eyes and ears due to the loud collision as the truck hits right on the driver's side. The car skids due to the sudden impact and her heart skips a several beats at the same time dreading what could happen next.

Her eyes jolt open the next instant hearing Shlok shouting at her.

Shlok: Swara jump! Now!

But she seems reluctant. She can't leave him. Not in such a condition. No, she won't!

Shlok: Swara!

He shouts again breaking her shocked trance. Her hands tremble as she finds blood dripping down his forehead but even before she could say anything Shlok opens the door to the passenger side and pushes her out.

Rolling down the isolated streets Swara lands near the edge of a cliff hitting her head against a boulder and soon enough her eyes droop close due to the sudden impact.

Fighting back with her own self to open her eyes, she finally manages to get a grip of the surroundings once again and the next moment she hears heart wrenching voice of someone calling out helplessly. Throwing a quick glance around the place all she could see in the dim moonlight is the completely wrecked car tumbled down the streets and excruciating groans of Shlok filled the eerie atmosphere. But a shudder runs down her entire self as she hears the sound of a metal rod scrapping against the uneven rod on a distance and soon enough she notices a shadow walking up in her direction. Hysterically looking around she calls out.

Swara: Sanky! Sanky! Shlok??!

And in the response she receives another round of painful grunts from him.

Shlok: Swara... down... here!

She looks around frantically as hears his voice and the moment she looks down the cliff she finds him hanging down for his life with the help of a protruding root of a tree.

Swara screams his name as she hurried towards the cliff taking one more look at the shadow that's gaining up on them and is hardly a few feet away. Forwarding her hand towards Shlok she tries to help him up.

Swara: Hold my hand!

After several unsuccessful efforts Shlok finally manages to get a hold of her hand. Securing their grip together with her other hand she tries to pull him up.

Swara: Hold my hand tightly, Sanky! I won't let go of you!

No sooner she says this... with a harsh blow of the same eerie metal rod at the back of her head, her eyes finally get closed and darkness embraces her in its merciless grip and the last thing she feels before closing her eyes completely is Shlok's hand slipping away from hers as he rolls down the cliff.

--------------------.

Swara gets up with a jolt as every memory that has escaped her mind for months now comes back rushing to her with full force rendering her helpless like never before. Adjusting her eyes to the blinding white light of the room, she finally manages to open her eyes and everything around baffles her.

Lying in the general ward of a hospital she glances at the rows of patients lying on either side of her. Getting down from the bed she tries to comprehend where she is when a round and stout nurse comes to assist her and check her vitals.

Swara: W-Where am I?

Nurse: Hospital, obviously! You should work on improving your strength, young lady. How come you fainted just at the sight of the accident?! And why are you so weak? Be thankful to the people around who brought you here...

The nurse keeps on ranting but Swara's mind travels back to all the recent happenings and the clashing two memories. What has happened after that? Who was that shadow? How has everyone managed to save Shlok?! Several unanswered questions shroud her mind and she looks around hysterically.

Swara: M-My husband?!

Nurse: What?

Swara: He... He met with an accident!

Nurse: What are you saying?

Swara: W-Which hospital is this?

Nurse: City Hospital!

And she doesn't need to hear anything else. Without saying any other word she storms out of the general ward ignoring the frequent callings of the nurse as she follows her out. Reaching near the receptionist, all Swara manages to word out is his name...

Swara: Sanky... I mean Mr. Shlok Maheshwari!

Giving her a confused look, the receptionist scans through the record file on her computer and speaks after a moment.

Receptionist: He's in the ICU, Ma'am.

Swara: Where's the ICU?

Receptionist: Please go straight and then third door to your left.

With no further response, Swara dashes towards the way directed by the receptionist and soon enough she manages to hear the all too familiar voice of her father-in-law, Mr. Durga Prasad Maheshwari.

Durga Prasad: How's my son, doctor?

Doctor: (sighs) Mr. Maheshwari... the situation is a bit critical right now. One of his broken ribs is piercing very close to his heart. We need to operate on him as soon as possible.

(A/N : I'm sorry if such a situation is not possible. I'm a student with engineering background, so, I don't know much about the medical field. This thing just popped into my head)

Laksh: (shouts) Then what are you waiting for?

Ram Prasad: Please save our son, doctor. That's all we want.

Doctor: (nods his head understandingly) We'll prepare for the operation then!

As soon as the doctor leaves, Annapurna breaks into hysterical cries all over again. Fighting back his tears Durga Prasad wraps his arm around her shoulders trying to comfort his wife and pacify himself too.

Annapurna: Why? Why... is it always our son? FIRST SHLOK AND NOW...

"And now?!"

Just two words from Swara and everyone gets frozen at their places. Each pair of eyes stay fixated at Swara as she scans every face for a plausible explanation.

Swara: What do you mean by 'First Shlok and now...'? Does that mean... Is... Is the person lying inside the room not Shlok?

Swara somehow stutters looking at everyone. She wants them to deny her suspicion, to say that she has heard it wrong but all the pale faces scream something entirely different. And Swara stumbles back with the silent blow.

He's not Shlok! He's not her husband! All the things... all this while have been nothing but a lie.

And their love?! Has it also been a lie?!

That makes her wonder... Has it even been love?! Like ever?!

----------------------.

A/N

Dhan! Dhan! Dhan! Drumrolls!!!

And I'm back!

Too dramatic? I know!

And if you all are angry with me for being almost invisible for all this while, then even that's pretty much understandable. But... but... but... I have finally managed to get a hold of this chapter and I hope you all liked it.

I know there are not any Swasan scenes in here... but get ready people for the one you all love is finally coming! Get ready for welcoming Sanskaar in just a couple of chapters! The updates will be regular from here on.

So, see you all soon. Till then stay blessed and happy reading!

With love,
Stella ❤️