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Vikrant's POV

"I'll be there in half an hour Ruchi mam the presentation is ready. See you soon." I informed my manager and left for my office.

I have been living in Pune and working at a small firm hiding my identity of being The Vikrant Shergill.

Life has been so unpredictable in the past months. I have always wanted to live alone but not this far from all my loved ones atleast not after meeting Arushi but I had to. People around me can never be happy that is why I preffered staying away from everyone but when I met Arushi I never wanted to stay away from her. But life has its own games to play.

I got down from the public transport bus and was crossing the street to reach my office all lost in my own thoughts and I never realised when a car rammed into me. I lay there semi conscious and I dont know when I blacked out.
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My head was throbbing with pain. My whole body including my eyelids felt heavy. With utmost difficulty I tried opening them. I could hardly see anything my vision was completely blurred. Light was piercing through my eyes. I tilted my head to see the surrounding and thats when I recalled the accident of this morning. But what shocked me was Arushi.

How come she is here...is she for real or am I hallucinating her?

"Aa...ru...shi" I tried speaking with difficulty.

My eyes started shutting down by themselves and I could only see her retreating figure walking away from me. I wish this wasn't a dream but it can't even be the reality because I cannot hurt her anymore.
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The next time my eyes opened there was considerably less pain in my head but my right hand hurt a lot.

"How do you feel now?" The nurse who stood beside my bed asked with a big grin on her face.

"My right shoulder is paining a lot and head seems a little heavy." I replied with ease.

"Ohh....that's alright it'll take sometime to recover. I'll call the doctor."

After a while the doctor did some checkup. I hate this hospital environment....The last time I went to a hospital was with Arushi in my arms....the most horrible day of my life. She lay lifeless in my arms and I couldn't do anything. That day still haunts me in my dreams.

"You are fine now Mr. Vikrant. You have a dislocated bone one your right shoulder....It will take sometime to recover....and you will be kept under observation for another 2 days for your head injuries...Take care...You can meet your family once we shift your to the ward." the doctor said and I could do nothing but concentrate more on the last part.

'FAMILY?' what did he mean by that? I had made sure nobody finds my whereabouts....then how come they are here? Or is he talking about Neha the only friend I have here in Pune?Maybe its Neha only.

The sedatives still had an effect on me I was partially awake. I could feel some commotion around maybe they were shifting me to the ward.
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I felt a soft hand caress my forehead I slowly opened my eyes to find mom standing there. Beside her stood Naina and Dad.

"Vikrant my boy How are you? " mom asked kissing my forehead and I could feel her tear drops on my face. I was still in shock as to how they found me.

"I'm fine mom Dont worry." I replied in a meek voice. I was delighted to see them after so long yet my fear of hurting them kept nagging in my mind.

Dadaji isn't here because of his health conditions....he has been on the ventilator since past 2 weeks....I know about everyones whereabouts in mumbai because Rahul has always kept me informed about everyone. He was the only one with whom I kept contact just to know about my family. I am blessed to have such a friend.

"How are you bhai....you know I missed you so much....why did you leave just like that?" Naina questioned and started crying hysterically. Dad hugged and consoled her. I couldn't give any reply to her. My mouth fell short of words.

But my eyes are still searching for her....though I want to stay away from her I want to see her once atleast....Hasn't she come to see me? Didn't I matter to her?

'You gave her enough pain Why would you matter to her.' My mind mocked at my heart.

'Then why din't she move on?' my heart questioned my mind.

Yes I know she still stays in our apartment and has been searching for me. I had asked Rahul to help her so that he can help me in not letting her find me.

'But din't I really matter to her?' my heart also questioned itself.

Just when I was lost in my thoughts the door opened and Arushi stood there.

'You matter to her' my heart did a little dance inside.

She came and stood beside dad all lost in herself. She hasn't changed apart from the fact that she looks more lean now. Her face is still as beautiful as she was when I first saw her.

The room was filled with silence. Nobody spoke anything. I know all of them have many questions to ask but I have no answer for them. I am going to have a tough time keeping them away from me.

"The visiting hours are over. Only one of you can stay with the patient the rest of them can come back tomorrow during the visiting hours." the nurse said before walking out of the room.

"I'll stay here you people come tomorrow" mom said

"No mom you need rest you go home I'll stay here with bhai" Naina replied to mom.

"Dad take Mom and Naina home. Mom needs rest and only Naina knows about her medicines and diet. You take them I will stay back no more arguments." Arushi said or actually declared. Her sweet innocent voice can still make me go crazy....Damn

"Are you sure beta...I can stay back there's no problem" Dad asked her maybe because he knew it would be a bit awkward? Maybe.

"Yes dad....You guys go home and take rest." she said and everyone left not before asking me to take care of myself.

Awkward silence prevailed in the air until the nurse entered in with the tasteless dinner. She placed it on a table kept infront of me and walked out asking me to complete the dinner.

I tried moving my right hand but my shoulder hurt a lot I could barely lift the spoon. Not being used to using the left hand trying to eat with the left hand was also of no use.

Sensing my failed attempts to eat Arushi came ahead and took the spoon and started feeding me. I kept looking at her but she barely even lifted her head up.

"How are you?" I asked her trying to break the awkward silence but she ignored my question and took another morsel to feed me but I held her hand.

"I asked you something you can reply maybe. "

For the first time in the last 20-25min she lifted her head to look at me. Her eyes reflected all the pain that she has gone through because of me.... But I have to stay away from her not only her but everyone to keep them safe.

She kept looking at me with those painful eyes and I did not have enough guts to look at them anymore. I left her hand and she again started feeding me in silence.
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"You should eat something maybe at the canteen." I said to Arushi as she sat on the sofa scrolling through her phone.

"You don't have to worry about me now.... I know what I should do at what time." she said and walked out of the room.

The cold reply was expected atleast it did not cause me as much pain as I had given her in the past. I wish I could change the situations....I wish I had the fortune of not hurting people around me. I wish.....

•••••••••••••••

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The upcoming chapters will have the past in Vikrant's POV. Are you guys excited for that?

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