PART 43

''Bhai,where is khushi?How is she?''Akash bombarded ASR with questions as soon as he found him.

''She is in Operation Theater.They are removing her bullets.''ASR croaked,his voice gruff and heavy.

Everyone lapsed into silence except Lavanya who was whimpering.Tears cascaded down her cheeks and she fiercely hoped for her friend's well-being.

Tension and angst was almost palpable and the worst condition was that of Akash.He was pained to see his brother turned into a stone.

The sordid incident that had happened 14 years ago had made ASR lose himself to devils of uncouth greed.Ruthless ASR was born that day,who had built a wall around himself which was so potne that not even a single swathe of goodness could penetrate it.

Then khushi had come in his life and turned everything topsy turvy  with her ebbulient effervescence and loving disposition.She had freed ASR from his confines after years of hatred and loathing and today she was fighting for her life! 

Akash knew that if anything happened to khushi,his brother will again become that reckless,cold person and then there will be no changing him.The possibility of losing two persons he Akash loved was absolutely terrifying!

It wasn't merely khushi who was teetering on edge,trying to hold on to life with tenacious fingers,but it was ASR too.The fall beneath was an abyss of despair and anguish.

Dull clinking of metallic doors broke Akash's musings and he looked up to see doctor emerging from the OT.

''Doctor,How's khushi?''ASR asked with fearful impatience.

''Mr.Raizada,we've removed the bullets and though one of them was shot very close to her heart,luckily there aren't any grievous injuries.Still we aren't on a firm ground.Patient has lost lots of blood and she's quite weak.So,I'm truly not in a position to say anything as yet!We've moved her in ICU.She is still critical!Now please excuse me!''The doctor walked off ,leaving ASR once again drown in pool of anger and pain.

He cursed himself for not being able to save her.Had he been near her,he could probably have prevented this.

ASR heard Akash say as if he were adream.

''I'll call khushi's family and inform them.They must be worried!''

ASR settled back in the couch,looking lost.He vaguely registered,khushi's family's anxiety and her mother,sister and buwaji's never ending hysteria.He heard Akash comfort Payal,but none of it made any sense as if he were robbed off his senses, mind and soul.

Later that night,he heard khushi's dad thanking him and his team for bringing khushi to hospital and told them that they could leave if the wanted.ASR was horrified at the possibility of having to leave khushi.He couldn't leave her,not when she needed him the most.

His expressions were caught by Akash who refused to leave politely saying he couldn't possibly leave his little sister in such a grave condition.

ASR was shocked to hear that and guilt stronger than ever before crushed him. How wrong he was regarding khushi?He badly wanted to hold her hand and apologise but he couldn't do so.

''Khushi!''He blurted,his heart aching for her.