Ruhaani 13

#Ruhaani

#ruhaani

#Ruhaaniepisode13

#ruhaaniepisode13

#Rhituparna Chakraborty

Link for previous chapter/chapters: #Ruhaaniepisode1, #ruhaaniepisode1, #Ruhaaniepisode2, #ruhaaniepisode2, #Ruhaaniepisode3, #ruhaaniepisode3, #Ruhaaniepisode4,#ruhaaniepisode4, #Ruhaaniepisode5, #ruhaaniepisode5, #Ruhaaniepisode6,#ruhaaniepisode6, #Ruhaaniepisode7,#ruhaaniepisode7, #Ruhaaniepisode8, #ruhaaniepisode8, #Ruhaaniepisode9, #ruhaaniepisode9, #Ruhaaniepisode10, #ruhaaniepisode10, #Ruhaaniepisode11, #ruhaaniepisode11, #Ruhaaniepisode12, #ruhaaniepisode12

#Rhituparna Chakraborty

#Disclaimer: This is an original work of fiction with no relation to any person/organism living or dead. Every episode, every character is a work of imagination. Any resemblance to any person, organism, place, character or situation is purely coincidental. There is no intention to hurt or rebuke anyone or any profession through this work. This story/episode cannot be copied, published or reproduced without the permission of the author RhituparnaChakraborty.

Mushtaque went back to the hospital. He saw neither Zafar nor Ravi around. He looked around. He went to the reception, flashed his identity card and asked the receptionist, ‘How is the patient Nikhil who had bullet injuries? He is in the ICU. Any update?’ The receptionist replied, ‘Let me check with the doctor.’ The receptionist connected Mushtaque to the doctor. The doctor said, ‘He is under close observation. I can’t say anything now. My team and I are trying our best. However, chances are bleak….’ Mushtaque said, ‘I understand.’ Nikhil was a ray of hope for Mushtaque. He must have seen the shooter. Some idea would also be helpful. Just then Ravi came inside. Seeing Ravi Mushtaque said, ‘I did not see you and Zafar here. Where were you guys?’ Ravi looked anxious. He wiped the sweat from his face and said, ‘I….I had gone out for a smoke.’ Mushtaque looked at Ravi closely. He seemed to be very anxious. Mushtaque then asked, ‘Where is Zafar?’ Ravi said, ‘He was here. Must have gone out to smoke.’ Mushtaque nodded. He then said, ‘I spoke with the doctor. Nikhil’s condition is still critical.’ Ravi was crestfallen. He said nothing.

Just then Mushtaque’s phone rang. It was from Rohan.

Mushtaque: Yes Rohan.

Rohan: Sir, I got all the information about these three guys, Nikhil, Ravi, Zafar and their family members.

Mushtaque: Good. Anything important?

Rohan: Some things are confusing.

Mushtaque: As in?

Rohan: Sir, I will share the details, you will know. I will come and meet you right away.

After Mushtaque hung up the phone, he went outside to look for Zafar. Mushtaque saw Zafar trying to reach someone over phone. Zafar looked worried. Mushtaque went ahead and asked Zafar, ‘All okay?’ Zafar was startled to see Mushtaque. Zafar was on pins and needles. Mushtaque could see that. Zafar wanted to tell Mushtaque about Ruhaani but then telling Mushtaque could pose a risk. Zafar replied, ‘Just worried about Nikhil….’ Mushtaque asked Zafar, ‘Seems you were trying to call someone.’ Zafar replied, ‘Uh…huh……yes, my family. They must be worried. Network issues….’ Mushtaque said, ‘Use my phone. My phone network is pretty good.’ Zafar knew he could not call Ruhaani from that number. But, if he did not call someone from his family now, Mushtaque might start doubting him. It will be an unnecessary mess. Zafar said, ‘That’s helpful. I will call from your phone. Thank you.’ Saying that, Zafar called Saloni:

Saloni: Hello

Zafar: Saloni, Zafar here.

Saloni( concerned): Where on earth are you? Do you know how worried we are? Your phone is not reachable. None of the numbers of your useless friends are reachable…..

Zafar: Saloni……….. listen

Saloni: What listen? Come home right now.

Zafar: Saloni……Nikhil is in hospital. I and Ravi are with him now.

Saloni(shocked): What! What happened?????

Zafar(with a shattered voice): He has been shot. He sustained multiple bullet injuries.

Saloni(shrieking): WHAT!!

Zafar(in tears): Yes…..

Saloni: I am coming to the hospital right now.

Zafar: No no. Don’t come now. We are here. Don’t tell Ammi and Abbu about it. They will not be able to bear it. I will update you about Nikhil’s health once I hear from the doctor.

Saloni: How is he? Did the doctors say anything?

Zafar: He is still in ICU. We don’t know……

Saying that Zafar broke down……..

Saloni went quiet……

Zafar hung up the call and handed over the phone to Mushtaque. Mushtaque said nothing.

Mushtaque was waiting for Rohan’s email. Mushtaque went out of the hospital and called Rohan again.

Rohan: Yes Sir

Mushtaque: I need the details of the recent call logs from the phones of these boys, Zafar, Nikhil and Ravi right now. Also, I need all the details of the people they have got in touch with. I am sending you the numbers.

Latika could not sleep. There were many things hovering on her head. Right from her boys being attacked to Ruhaani. She would set things right. She had the right planning strategy. She would fix everything. Just that with Tyagi unable to take charge of things, she is in a soup. But then she won’t give up. She will fix things.

Ruhaani put her phone in silent mode. But the person outside knew Ruhaani was right there inside the house. Ruhaani heard the front door banging. She knew that any moment now the door might break open. She tried to call Zafar back but Zafar’s phone was unreachable. She did not have much time. She opened the balcony door. The banging at the front door became louder and louder. Getting out from the balcony was perilous. She would have to climb the railing and then get down. But by the time she got down, the person outside might be waiting for her downstairs. The person should not know that she was trying to escape. Suddenly the banging of the door stopped. Ruhaani peeped down from the railing of the balcony. If she somehow fell down, she would break her bones and anyway she won’t be able to escape. Ruhaani’s heart started beating rapidly. She was sweating profusely. The person stopped banging the front door. Ruhaani thought, ‘Did the person leave?’ She tried to control her breathing. What if the person heard her breathing. She tiptoed to the bedroom. If she could get the bedsheet she could use that to climb down. She pulled away the bedsheet from the bed and tiptoed to the balcony. It was pitch dark outside. What if the person was right there. The banging at the front door had stopped. Maybe she could take a quick peek there and if possible get out from the front door. She covered her mouth with her hands tightly lest she lets out a gasp. She walked to the front door and peeped through the peep hole. There was no one. She forgot that she had left the balcony door open.

Latika received a call in the middle of the night. The voice said, ‘Sleeping peacefully?’ Latika gasped, ‘Who are you?’ The voice said, ‘Don’t worry, I am your well wisher. I will take care of your problems. But…..’ Latika replied baffled, ‘What problems?’ The person at the other end laughed and said, ‘Well, one girl escapes your prison means others will try too. I will put an end to that.’ Latika said sternly, ‘No one escapes my prison.’ The person said, ‘Someone was planning. I will put an end to that. Just keep my money ready.’ Latika said, ‘Why should I pay you money? I never asked you to do anything.’ The person laughed, ‘Well, if you don’t, you will be put behind the bars for the murders.’ Latika replied aghast, ‘Murders?’ The person laughed. ‘One is in death bed. Another on its way to death bed and more to come…’

Ruhaani took a deep breath and sweating profusely slowly opened the front door. She looked outside. No, there was no one. She opened the door wide. She could not see anyone. Maybe the person left. Suddenly she saw someone right in front of her and there were two gun shots. She felt a piercing pain and fell down…………………

To be continued………………..