dedicated to HritaAkashi,user23549805,sreemukhee,RajeshNayek,String_of_fate4321,Garimasrivasatava,

and psuhuna,

and my all readers and friends...

Chapter 22 : Devastated

"There you stand , With eyes of guilt,

I cannot believe, You failed me.

You lost...

And how I wish , This was a game

So I could say , That I have own.

But sadly

I have lost too....."

~ Maria Sufia....

Six Years and few months back...

India...

Day 16....

Early Morning....

Raizada Mansion....

The moment Shyam Monohar Jha left India, a phone call shook the base of Shantivan informing them, Arnav Singh Raizada is admitted in city hospital after a fatal accident and his condition is really critical....

As soon as Akash received the call he along with NK hurriedly accompanying him but not before informing the family about the matter. The Raizada were devastated hearing the news of Arnav's fatal accident. For last few days the family is witnessing many worse things, first Aman's father death, and then the rift between Aman and Arnav, though none of them spoke anything regarding these matters but Aman's cold gesture and Arnav's guilt eyes were enough to make this conclusion. Next the joy of finding Khushi and her family after so many years, wipe away by the news of Khushi's missing, then the shocking revelation of Arnav's monstrous act towards Khushi and the last nail off the coffin is now Arnav's accident.

Finally after lot of convincing Devyani Raizada was stayed back with Madhumati and Happy Singh along with Prakash brothers and the rest Raizada clan rushed towards the hospital..

**************

Nk was pacing the hallway worriedly. Akash is doing his internship in the same hospital so, he got enter where Arnav was undergoing the treatment. The Raizada family spotted Nk and hurriedly came towards him..

" How.. How is Arnav doing?" Arvind asked worried. How much he is disappointed at Arnav, how much he did wrong but Arnav is his son, and at the moment a father is worried for his beloved son.

" Nk... tell us beta, what the doctor told? Where is Akash? Arnav is alright, is not it?" A crying Manorama asked his son, but all along, Ratna was quiet.

" Please calm down...sit.. maa, badi ma, di, please you all sit here, I will tell you.." Nk tried to console them where as his own mind was in huge turmoil. The doctor words are coming back to him, " He had met with a really fatal accident.. there is a serious head injury, one fracture leg, few broken ribs, besides the patient's diabetes making the situation worse...he had lost huge blood...let's hope for the best..pray the God and call the other family members.."

" Beta, are you hiding something from us?" Manohor asked watching his son's pale face, there something is not right..

Before they asked anymore questions, the doctor came out from the room along with Akash. The Raizada's rushed towards them,

" How is my Chotey?" Anjali asked crying while holding Manorama's hands.

" Please calm down.. I have to tell you something... please come in my cabin any two of you..I want to talk with you." The doctor's serious posture indicates there is something wrong.

Arvind and Manohor followed him in cabin where as Akash came infront of the family. Slowly he nodded his head towards NK and Nk closed his eyes, understanding his silent communication.

Akash looked at his mother Ratna who was sitting like a statue, he always knew Chotey was the apple of their mother's eyes. Is not that Ratna ever neglected Anjali or Akash, but her bond with Arnav was something else. Akash too loves his little brother a lot but Arnav's rebellious nature and reckless act always made Akash angry.. And yesterday after listening about Arnav's behaviours towards Khushi, Akash got really angry and when he got the news of Arnav's accident he got angrier. How reckless he is..But when Akash saw the almost lifeless body of his little brother, his heart bled.

And after consulting with his senior doctors and after all the investigations, it was revealed that Arnav's condition is too critical. He had already undergone one minor surgery. Another major surgery should be done to save his life. There are few blood clots at his head. He is already unconscious; doctors are not sure about the outcome of the surgery too. There is a high chance that Arnav may go into coma but still surgery is essential to save Arnav's life.

Akash is here to convey his mother about it but now sitting infront of his mother, Akash felt speechless, he is searching for right words how to deliver the news. While Ratna is sitting like a statue, there is no trace of a single tears in her eyes, she is looking ahead but not blinking.

Ratna was stuck with the words which she had uttered few hours before after listening about Arnav's deed, "It would have been better if you had died the moment you were born...but never less, I will correct my mistake now...from now onwards...Arnav Singh Raizada is dead for me....I will believe my Chotey had died...don't ever show me your ugly face ever again.....don't call me maa from your dirty mouth ever again...."

It is said that, a mother words cherish her child as well as a mother's cry can destroy the same. Ratna was only thinking about the same.. Was it because of her words that Chotey's life is in danger? Definitely Ratna is angry on Arnav, in fact anger is not the exact word which can describe her feelings. She is disappointed, devastated, shocked, angry, disgusted, ...every other extreme negative emotions are flowing into her but she never had thought her Arnav will faced this day, her Arnav will be on death bed lying lifeless fighting death..and she is so helpless to do anything.

Ratna came back to reality when Akash shook her, " Maa, please say something. Please don't be like this.. Now..Chotey needs your blessings maa, your prayer.. Its true Arnav needs punishment for whatever sins he had done to Khushi but at present he needed us, his family.. Besides, we need to search for Khushi. The private investigator still now did not give us any positive news.. Maa...please, don't be like this.. you are our strength, the pillar of our family, please maa." Akash eyes were moist while he was trying to get some response from his devastated mother. He himself is too angry on Arnav but cannot ignore the fact that Arnav is dying, and not only as a elder brother but also as a doctor Akash knew he had to support his brother at this very moment forgetting his sins.

Ratna was about to ask something when, Arvind and manohor came out from Doctors cabin. The look of their faces told the story, that there is something very wrong in Arnav's situation.

Ratna left her place and stand infront of Arvind who just holds her hands and say, " Chotey needs a surgery.. its critical.. nothing can be said. Pray Ratna.. your Chotey needs you.."

While Nk was trying to console a crying Manorama and Anjali, Akash left them to assist the senior doctor in operation.

The moment Arnav's surgery began, the police officer in charge of the case enter in the hospital premises.

Arvind was surprised to see him at this moment, " what are you doing here officer? Did you catch the truck with whom Chotey's car colloid? Did .. did..."

" Relax Mr Raizada.. we are here to inform you regarding this matter only.. look this case is not like what we were thinking it is. We had inquired about the matter with the truck driver, the surroundings and everyone was telling that your son deliberately colloid with the truck.. though we were not sure earlier, but the CCTV footage of a store on that particular area revealed a total different story. Infact the camera unknowingly recorded the incident...and it shows that, this is not an accident Mr Raizada.. We are sorry to tell you, But your son had TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE .. It's a plane case of SUICIDAL ATTEMPT. The accident is so massive and the condition of your son too is very fatal...I hope he will overcome this and then only we can get the reason why he did this.. But one thing for sure...IT'S AN SUICIDAL ATTEMPT NOT AN ACCIDENT....

And this piece of information snatched the ground beneath the Raizada's.

********************************

Flashback........

Miles away....

XYZ Hospital...

US....

Early Morning....

Day 16....

Shyam Monohar Jha was received by Rehaan Trivedi in the airport itself. During Their drive towards their destination Shyam gather the brief of the case and his inside churn with disgust. And most importantly he felt devastated after listening that Arnav was so close to Veer, Raaj and Sheetal. It was also revealed to him that, Arnav was a drug addict and it really shocked Shyam hearing about Arnav's reputation regarding the woman.. He is THE PLAYBOY of the college?? He was playing around the woman, sleeping with them?? JUST UNBELIVABLE...

Shyam was wondering how and when Arnav did change so much? How none of them noticed it coming? Shyam felt guilty because he was the one who always supported Arnav in his rebellious acts , sometimes going against Arvind or Ratna.. Shyam loved the adventurous Arnav, he knew though Arnav is being rough and tough or whatever, but he had a golden heart.. Most importantly Shyam still believed that he is "Chotey", that he is too immature to do anything harsh.. But reality is something different..

Today after knowing about the reality, Shyam ponder over the fact and a huge bolder like guilt consume him. Was it because of their unconditional love and faith that made Arnav took his family for granted?? Did they all fail to analyse his personality?? Did they lose the control over him??

Is not it their fault too that Arnav is in this phase of life today, that he destroyed one innocent soul along with his life too.. but the fact which is eating Shyam alive that, because of Arnav Khushi is in this condition today, no .. Arnav was not directly connected with the woman trafficking, drug dealing but due to his immaturity, foolishness, lack of trust and lack of understanding people, today Khushi is in this condition. It's true, Arnav indirectly made it easy for the Haynes to haunt Khushi easily.

Besides Shyam's blood boil listening about Sheetal.. The step sister of Khushi and he really felt sorry for Khushi in this point that she loved a fool like ARNAV .... Shyam felt disgusted after hearing Arnav and Sheetal close relationship too...

Through Aman, Shyam came to know about Khushi and also about Arnav's growing attraction towards Khushi. On one stage Shyam too believed that Arnav had really fall for Khushi, specially after talking with the girl, Shyam was very happy that Arnav choose Khushi.. Though Shyam that time was unaware about Khushi being Pakhi, but he knew then only, that Khushi will be the perfect match for Arnav...

But now, everything has been destroyed..

Now Shyam can have a guess why there is a huge distance between Arnav and Aman... there must be a tiff between them, and if Shyam's intuition is not wrong then, that three creep must be the reason for Arnav and Aman broken friendship..

Now, Shyam can join the dot..Yesterday Arnav told them about his deeds but now after watching the video clip of the live show of Arnav's deed in that morning at auditorium, make Shyam's blood boil.. the way Arnav behave with Khushi, the way he humiliated is just unbelievable..How can he??

Shyam thanks the Almighty mentally to save Khushi after all this chaos. Otherwise, their whole family would be in life long guilt for permanently destroying an innocent soul.

"We are here" Rehaan's voice brought Shyam back from his inner turmoil. Looking at the hospital Shyam nodded slowly gathering all his strength to face Khushi..

Yes, on his insistence, Rehaan Trivedi took Shyam to the hospital where Khushi is admitted directly from the airport. Shyam wanted to see the girl first who was betrayed by their Chotey..

" How is Khushi now?" Rehaan asked the visiting doctor.

" Sorry, no improvement. She is still unconscious. Actually she was given high doses of drugs and they are very fatal for health. We are trying our level best Mr Trivedi." With that the Dr left.

" What drugs he is talking about?" Shyam asked confused but a dread feelings slowly spread over his whole being.

" Well, Shyam you know, they were intended to sell Khushi. They had injected a drugs which make her "infertile".. It has huge side effects too. And unfortunately they injected in high dose too. As I mentioned you earlier about, the boy Khushi loved, Arnav.. The way he had publicly humiliated Khushi, Khushi was already devastated...and thus the drugs affects her in worst way. She has as if given up both emotionally and Physically too.."

Shyam gulp hard.. What you did Arnav? How could you?? As if he had pushed Khushi on the hands to those lechers through platter. Shyam knew by now that probably there is no way to redeem Arnav's deem.

" I have two request Rehaan.. Please don't say no." Shyam whispered in low voice.

" What? Why are you requesting man? Tell me what is it?" Rehaan asked a little bit surprised.

" I will bear the whole medical expenses of Khushi.. She is like family.. and besides, unfortunately the boy Arnav, whom Khushi loved, is none other than my brother in law. Please, promise me, You will not tell Khushi that I am Arnav's brother in law.. And also about carrying the medical expenses.. It will hurt her self-respect.. She is very vulnerable right now.. Please.. When she will gain consciousness let me introduce with her, only as her lawyer." Shyam almost pleaded.

Holding Shyam's hand Rehaan comforted him, " I promise.. don't worry. It will be between us only. But I must say one thing Shyam, regarding Arnav.. I had watched him closely in last few months.. Basically he is not a bad boy, by heart he is kind enough but his weakness is his ego and anger. And not to forget about his nature of get manipulated easily.."

" It's true, Arnav has a kind heart, and some other good qualities too but in the present matter, Arnav was not manipulated but ARNAV LET THOSE PEOPLE MANIPULATE HIM... here Arnav is at fault.. He chooses mere fake stones over jems like Khushi and Aman...It's true, no one can change the fate.." Shyam sigh deeply.

" We are here" Rehaan indicates the private cabin where Khushi is admitted. "Let's go in.. Khushi is unconscious but You can see her." Rehaan along with Shyam entered into the cabin after getting doctor's permission.

Khushi was lying on the bed closing her eyes unconscious. There are many monitors, ware attached with her. Shyam felt tears were pricking his eyes looking at the poor girl. She was looking like a broken doll. Even in her unconscious state, the pain is visible on her face. And Shyam knew it was not just any physical pain but emotional one, which can not seen in naked eyes.

After sometime when Shyam left the cabin he sigh in relieve. At least Khushi has been found, and safe and secure. Pulling out his phone Shyam dialled NK's number because other's number was either busy or unreachable.

" Listen NK, there is a good news, I found Khushi..Inform everyone.. Nk?? Are you crying? Is everything Okay?" Shyam was worried listening the unusual muffle cry from the ever cheerful Nk.

" Jiju... Jiju... Arnav..Ar..nav is hospitalized.. he.. he tried to commit SUICIDE..." Nk said it with lots of agony and the phone slip from the hand of Shyam on the other hand hearing the news.

Arnav tried to commit Suicide?? SUICIDE ??

And that very moment, Shyam Manohor Jha knew that he had a battle to fight, it's not only a case of some rich, spoil brat, trapping an innocent girl, it's not about woman trafficking or drug dealing anymore, it's about a girl's lost dignity and self respect, it's about a boy's remorse but most importantly it's about that painful love which bonded those two soul unknowingly to them.

Yes, Shyam finally concluded that his assumptions were right. Arnav did love Khushi but due to his impulsive nature he brought the disaster upon both of them..Otherwise why he tried to commit suicide??

" It's because Arnav is guilty.. Unable to cope with his guilt and hatred of other's Arnav took this step. There is nothing about love and all" Shyam's inner mind whispered to him...

" It's true there is guilt, there is remorse, and definitely suicide is a way of escaping the situation, I agree.. But was not every emotions correlated.. Is not immense hatred arises from deep rooted strong positive feelings? Arnav is definitely feeling guilty and ashamed for his deed, but taking this drastic step is because Arnav realized that he not only failed as a human beings or friend but he failed as a lover...he himself humiliated his own feelings by abandoning Khushi... it's not Khushi, but Arnav actually betrayed HIMSELF the most..." Shyam's inner mind had a storm going on.

Looking at the Goddess temple at the corner area of hospital floor, Shyam slowly asked for the desire strength to fight the battle.

He has to fight for the girl's dignity, for her lost self respect, for the sake of all those other people who had also suffered in this process.

But besides, Shyam knew he had to be the SHIELD of his family. The Raizada family, who had showered him with so much love and respect, who had welcomes him in open arms and always treated him like their own.. on that spot Shyam took a decision, that he will not disclose about Khushi's this state, means she beings almost sold, and drugged, and specially Arnav's indirect contribution in it. Shyam knew it will kill the family members in more shame and guilt, already they are in...

Closing his eyes, Shyam vowed to himself that he will protect the family from ultimate heart break...some secret should remain a secret. But he will definitely give justice to Khushi, at any cost... and Shyam silently prayed to the almighty to give him