Vote 🎯: 150
Comments: 30

"Sohana! Sohana! Wake up, he is waiting for you! Your Ruh is waiting for you. Get up!" I heard a feminine voice as my head started to throb.

I tried to open my eyes, but it seemed impossible, as if my eyelids were weighted down.

"Yes, c'mon! Open your eyes. You have to live for him." I heard the voice again, urging me, pulling me back from the darkness.

Slowly, with tremendous effort, I lifted my eyelashes to see who was speaking.

With so much difficulty, I managed to lift my lashes, and through the blurry haze, I saw a girl standing beside me. She looked like an angel, bathed in soft, ethereal light. Her face wasn't clearly visible, but her presence felt comforting.

"Sohana, are you okay?" the girl asked, her voice laced with concern.

I tried to lift my hands to rub my eyes, but a sharp, searing pain coursed through my veins the moment I moved.

"Ouch!" I gasped, my voice a feeble cry.

"Careful!" the girl said gently, caressing my head and kissing my palm with such tenderness it made my heart ache.

"Open your eyes, sleeping beauty," she encouraged.

This time, I managed to fully open my eyes, and the sight that greeted me took my breath away.

I gasped, staring at her, feeling like I was trapped in a dream. It couldn't be real. How could she be here?

"Avantika,"

I whispered, my voice trembling with disbelief.

She nodded, her smile serene. "Yes, I am Avantika."

"But you? What are you doing here? You are de... I mean-"

"Shhh," she hushed me gently.

She leaned in closer, her warm breath brushing my forehead as she kissed it tenderly.

"He'll die without you," she whispered softly in my ear.

Her words sent a shiver down my spine. My mind raced. What was she saying? Who was she talking about?

"What are you saying? And where am I?" I asked, my voice quivering with fear and confusion.

"I am talking about your Ruhaan, Sohana," she said, and I could feel my heartbeat accelerating.

"Wh..what?" I stammered.

"Don't let him endure the pain again, Sohana. He'll die without you. He has already suffered so much. He won't be able to forgive himself this time. No one will be able to understand him if you leave him too. If you're with him, only then can he endure all the pain and face all the problems. But without you, no one knows what he will do, how he will survive." Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke, her voice breaking.

"My fate didn't support me with him. Destiny wasn't on our side. But you, you have the chance to change both your and Ruhaan's fate. You have to change your destiny. You have to fight for your love. You both have to fight for each other. Don't leave him, Sohana. Please." Her plea was filled with raw, desperate emotion.

"Protect him, Sohana. Please," she implored, her eyes shimmering with tears.

Tears welled up in my eyes, my heart breaking for the pain in her voice and the love she still held for Ruhaan.

"But..but..."

"He loves you a lot, Sohana. He loves you more than he loved me. More than anyone else. The way he fought for you was something new for me. I have never seen this side of him, but yes, he fought for you. He was even ready to kill my murderer for you. The man who couldn't even think to hurt someone was all ready to kill the man who tried to hurt you. Tell me, will he be able to survive without you?" She asked me, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Never, Sohana. Never." I closed my eyes as more tears fell, the weight of her words crushing my heart.

"Don't let him become the man he hates again," she whispered.

"He stopped singing after my death, but see, he has started to sing again. He feels happy around you, his eyes shine when he looks at you, he is a different person with you."

"You gave him a reason to live and to love again. Do you know what that reason is?" She asked, her voice softening.

"You. You are the reason, Sohana. You are the reason for his existence. You are the reason he continues his life. You made him believe in love again. You changed him into the man he used to be-a person who loved everyone, who cherished every moment, who felt happy every time he sang. Tell me, will he be able to do these things without you? Never."

"Jis insaan ne unhe zindagi jeene ka karan diya hai agar woh insaan unse dur ho jayega toh woh jeena bhul jayenge. Woh jeete jeete ek laash ban jayenge. Woh mar jayenge, Sohana. Tum Ruhaan ki Ruh ho, Sohana. Aur jab unki Ruh hi unko chor ke chali jayegi to woh kaise jiyenge? Unki Ruh ko unse mat cheeno," her voice broke as she started to sob.

"A girl like you can only understand him and make him happy. You are the one for him. I and Ruhaan were never meant to be together. But you both are. He can't survive without his daisy. He needs you. He needs you to breathe, to live a normal life, to live the life he always wanted to live with me. Only you can love him the way he wants."

"But what can I do?" I asked her, my voice shaking.

She looked at me and smiled through her tears. "Wake up," she whispered as my brows furrowed.

"Wh... what?"

"Wake up, Sohana. Your Ruhaan is waiting for his Ruh, Sohana." My head started to throb badly as I held it between my hands.

"Open your eyes, wake up. It's your childhood dream to spend your life with him, right? Then wake up. Change your fate, your destiny. Show everyone that love has the power to make everything right." I breathed heavily, feeling suffocated.

God, what's happening?

"Ruh... Ruhaan," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Wake up, Sohana." My heartbeat quickened as I tried to open my eyes.

"Sohana, Sohana?" I heard another voice, frantic and desperate.

"Are you okay? Doctor!!" It was Ruhaan's voice.

God!

After some time, my breathing normalized, and I slowly lifted my lashes.

I looked up to see my father, Ruhaan, and his whole family. My eyes widened, and I looked around to see if Avantika was there or not.

But she wasn't.

It was a dream.

She came to my dream because she wanted me to wake up. She wanted me to spend my life with Ruhaan.

I looked at Ruhaan. His eyes were filled with tears.

"Finally, you woke up," he said, placing his head on my shoulder, his body shaking with silent sobs.

"It's been two weeks," Ruhaan whispered into my ear as I realized that I had been in the hospital for two weeks.

"Thanks to God. She has finally recovered from the coma," the doctor standing beside me said.

My father came towards me, caressed my head, and kissed my forehead.

"What have you done to yourself, my child? If something had happened to you, what would I have done? What would I have said to your mother in heaven? What would I have told your sister? Huh? If something had happened to you, how would I have lived?" My father's voice broke as he began to cry, his shoulders shaking with the force of his sobs.

"Pa... papa," I called out to him, my own tears spilling over.

"I am sorry!" I said, feeling the weight of my father's sorrow pressing down on me.

"No beta, you don't have to feel sorry. It's me who should feel sorry. My daughter was kidnapped from my own home, and I didn't even know. What kind of father am I? I couldn't even take care of my own daughter," he lamented, blaming himself as his cries grew louder.

Ruhaan's father came over and gently caressed my father's back.

"Sanjay, don't worry. Your daughter is fine now," he consoled my father.

"Yes, uncle, Sohana is alright," Ruhaan said from the other side, his voice hoarse and exhausted.

I looked at him, my heart aching at his pale face and the dark circles under his eyes. It was clear he hadn't slept in weeks.

All his family members came to meet me, their faces a mix of relief and concern. They wished me a speedy recovery before leaving, and soon it was just Ruhaan and me. He sat on the stool beside my bed, his eyes filled with an ocean of unspoken emotions.

"You are still here. Your family will doubt us," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

"No, my mother will handle everything," he replied, his tone reassuring yet strained.

I could see him struggling to hold back his emotions. He was constantly biting his lower lip, his eyes flicking away from mine only to return moments later.

I placed my palm on his hand, and he looked at me, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Do you need anything?" he asked, and I shook my head.

"Are you hiding something?" I asked gently. He gulped hard, shook his head, and forced a small smile.

"Ruhaan," I called softly.

"You won't tell me what is bothering you? You're trying to hide your emotions, aren't you?" I asked, my voice tender but insistent. He shook his head again.

"Emotions? No, Sohana!" he replied, but his voice betrayed him.

"Ruhaan, I spent two weeks on this hospital bed so you started to think that I had forgotten my job. I am a psychiatrist Ruhaan. By looking at people only I can know who is hiding what from me. I know you are trying to hide your emotions from me. You are trying to hide your tears, your fear from me." I asked, watching as his lips started to tremble.

"Ruhaan, say it," I urged, squeezing his palm tightly.

"Soh... Sohana." He broke down, hugging me tightly as his tears finally fell. His sobs were raw and unrestrained, shaking his entire body.

"Sohana, main bahut darr gaya tha. Bahut jyada. Aapke bina toh ab mujhe jeene ka mann bhi nahi ho raha hai. Pata nahi agar aapko kuch ho jata toh main kya karta. Main mar jata aapke bina, Sohana. Aap meri ruh hai Sohana aur ab yeh Ruhaan apne ruh ke bagair jee nahi sakta. Aur yeh apne ruh ke bina jeena bhi nahi chahta hai. Aap meri jaan hai, sukoon hai aur aapke bina meri zindagi adhuri hai. Har pal, har lamha main bass aapko chahta hun. Mujhe sirf aap chahiye mere liye. Meri khushiyon ki wajah aap hai, mere jeene ki wajah aap hai mujhse yeh wajah na chin lijiyega kabhi, Sohana." he said between sobs, clutching me as if I might disappear if he let go.

I held him close, feeling his tears soak into my hospital gown, my own tears mingling with his. The pain and fear in his voice tore at my heart.

"Ruhaan," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. "I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere. We will face everything together. You are not alone."

"You know the doctor also said that there were chances of memory loss. I got hell scared after hearing that. I couldn't even think of anything."

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes. "I can't lose you, Sohana. You are my everything. Tumhare bina main kuch bhi nahi hoon."

"You won't lose me, Ruhaan. We have each other. That's all that matters," I said, wiping away his tears with my trembling fingers.

He nodded, his eyes searching mine for reassurance. "I love you, Sohana. More than words can ever express."

"I love you too, Ruhaan. And I promise, we'll get through this together," I whispered, pressing my forehead against his.

"You know, the thought of losing you... it broke me. I don't know what I would have done. Every moment without you felt like a lifetime," Ruhaan said, his voice raw with emotion.

I stroked his hair gently. "I know, Ruhaan. I felt your presence even in my unconscious state. Your love kept me going."

He nodded, tears still streaming down his face. "I prayed every single day, Sohana. I prayed for your recovery, for you to come back to me. I couldn't imagine my life without you."

I held his face in my hands, looking deep into his eyes. "You don't have to imagine that, Ruhaan. I am here, and I am not leaving. We have a future to build, dreams to fulfill, and a life to live together."

He leaned into my touch, closing his eyes as if savoring the moment. "You are my everything, Sohana. I will never let anything come between us."

"I know," I whispered, my voice filled with love and determination. "Together, we are unstoppable."

"You should rest now." He said and laid me down on the bed. He put the duvet on me and kissed my forehead.

"Get well soon, sweetheart." He said and I smiled.

He dimmed the lights of the room and went out. I closed my eyes as I was feeling really tired and dizzy. The moment I drifted into slight slumber, I heard a voice,

"Sohana, take care of my Ruhaan."

I instantly opened my eyes and looked around. It was the same voice, I heard in my dream. That means it was Avantika's voice. I again closed my eyes and breathed heavily.

"I promise you Avantika, I won't let anything happen to my Ruhaan."

🧿

The courtroom was heavy with anticipation as I, Ruhaan, my father, and Ruhaan's entire family sat waiting for the final verdict from the judge regarding Lisa and Advik. Alisha, our fierce and brilliant lawyer, stood poised, ready to fight for justice.

"Ms. Aggarwal, how are you so sure that Avantika's death was a murder? And that my client, Advik Oberoi, was responsible?" Mr. Joshi, Advik's lawyer, questioned with a challenging tone.

"It could have been a suicide," he added, his voice echoing through the tense room. Alisha smirked, unfazed by his assertion.

"Oh really, Mr. Joshi?" Alisha began, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"The woman who was the reason for the deaths of 27 rapists, who sent 31 men to jail for illegal activities, and 21 others for human trafficking. The woman who, despite being an orphan, managed to open organizations for uneducated girls and for those women who were mistreated in their homes. The woman who never received familial love but gave love to everyone in her life as if her life was incomplete without them. A woman who never supported wrong, who never tried to do anything wrong. A woman who was incredibly strong. You think she would commit suicide? Never."

Alisha let her words sink in before continuing, "Avantika Malhotra was a happy, pure, and innocent girl, but she was also a strong, mature, and responsible woman."

The courtroom buzzed with murmurs as Alisha's words struck a chord with everyone present. Even the judge seemed to be taken aback by the depth of Avantika's character.

"As per the Indian Penal Code, Section 302, which deals with punishment for murder, it is clear that the evidence against Advik Oberoi is overwhelming," Alisha stated, her voice unwavering. "We have witness testimonies, forensic evidence, and a clear motive. Avantika Malhotra was a threat to his illicit operations, and he wanted her silenced."

As I stood in the courtroom, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Every word Alisha spoke felt like a hammer striking down on the lies and deceit that had plagued us for so long.

"And about Lisa Oberoi, she tried to kill Ms. Sohana Shekhawat and also helped Advik when he kidnapped her. So as per IPC Section 307, which deals with attempting to murder, it is clear that the evidence against Lisa Oberoi is overwhelming. And as per IPC Section 363, which deals with kidnapping, both Advik Oberoi and Lisa Oberoi should spend seven years of their lives in jail," Alisha said with unwavering conviction.

Mr. Joshi tried to interrupt, but the judge raised his hand to silence him. "Order in the court," the judge commanded. "Ms. Aggarwal, continue."

"Your Honor," Alisha said, addressing the judge directly, "the actions of Advik were premeditated and heinous. He not only planned Avantika's murder but executed it in cold blood. He attempted to cover he tracks, but justice has a way of revealing the truth."

The tension in the courtroom was palpable. The weight of Alisha's words hung in the air, heavy and unrelenting. I sat in the gallery, feeling the collective breath of everyone waiting for the next revelation.

"And about Lisa Oberoi," Alisha continued, her voice steady and unwavering, "Mr. Kabir Mishra caught her red-handed when she was trying to escape after hitting Ms. Sohana Shekhawat with a metal rod."

Gasps echoed through the courtroom. I felt Ruhaan's grip on my hand tighten. I glanced at him, seeing the determination and pain etched on his face.

"Advik Oberoi is also involved in drug dealing and human trafficking," Alisha stated, her eyes blazing with intensity. "He tried to hide the real reason behind Avantika's death, attempting to frame it as an accident. He manipulated Mr. Ruhaan Raichand to prevent him from uncovering the truth and even threatened to kill Ms. Sohana, assaulting her in the process. The evidence is irrefutable, Your Honor."

Alisha handed over the documents to the judge, who examined them carefully. The courtroom was silent, save for the rustling of papers and the occasional whisper.

After what felt like an eternity, the judge nodded, deep in thought. "Ms. Aggarwal, the court appreciates your compelling argument. The evidence is indeed substantial."

The room fell into a hushed anticipation as the judge prepared to deliver his verdict. "Advik Oberoi, in accordance with Section 302 of the IPC, you are found guilty of the murder of Avantika Malhotra. And in accordance with Section 370 and 370A of the IPC, you are found guilty of human trafficking. As per IPC Section 363, you are found guilty of kidnapping. Your actions were deliberate, malicious, and devoid of any humanity. The court sentences you to death. And about Lisa Oberoi, as per IPC Section 307, she tried to murder Ms. Sohana Shekhawat. It is clear that Ms. Shekhawat is hurt, so Ms. Lisa Oberoi is sentenced to be imprisoned for life."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the courtroom. Emotions ran high-tears of relief, anger, and a sense of justice finally being served. Ruhaan's family embraced one another, their grief mixed with a bittersweet sense of closure.

As the guards led Advik and Lisa away, Alisha turned to the gallery with a determined look. "This is just the beginning. We will continue to fight for those who can't fight for themselves, just like Avantika did."

My eyes met Alisha's, and I felt a surge of gratitude. In that moment, I knew that Avantika's legacy would live on, not just in the hearts of those who loved her, but in the countless lives she had touched and would continue to inspire through the tireless work of people like Alisha.

The courtroom slowly emptied, but Ruhaan and I remained, lost in our own world. He looked at me and hugged me tightly.

"We did it, Sohana. We did it," he said, his voice choked with emotion.

I caressed his back, my own tears flowing freely. "Yes, we finally did it," I replied, closing my eyes in our embrace.

In my mind, I saw the smiling face of Avantika, her eyes filled with tears of gratitude.

"Thank you so much, Sohana," she whispered.

💌

Okay!! So finally dukh khatam hua!!
Our SohAan is going to start a new phase of their life from the next chapter.
Yesss!!! They are going to marry. *weeping*
8 more chapters are left for the book to complete.

Do vote, comment and share my book.

Love you all! 💌

Follow me on Instagram for spoilers:
@daisywrtss