Vansh and the rest of the men ran to the cliff except Kabir. Vansh searched for her presence in the deep cliff. He couldn’t see her anywhere and he shouted. While Angre and Aryan were searching for her in different directions. Vansh got up and went to Anupriya. He threatened her and was about to slap her when Aryan called him out. Hearing what he said, Vansh was worried but elated that he wouldn’t lose her again.
Aryan: Bro!! Come here Bhabs is here, she’s dangling from a branch! Bhabs don’t worry we are coming; we’ll bring you up. Angre! Bring a rope!
Vansh: (worried) I’m coming Riddhima! Hold on! Don’t let go. (he rushed to where Aryan was and looked down) Riddhima!!
Riddhima: I’m losing my balance! I don’t think I will make it out of here, don’t waste your energy, go, and punish Anupriya. That’s more important!
Vansh: Shut Up! You’re more important to me than anyone else! Get that. I’m not going anywhere leaving you. Kabir is with Anupriya, he will handle her. (Angre gave him the rope) Here catch on this!
Riddhima: (caught the rope) Pull me up!
The boys pulled her up with all their might. She finally came up. She sat panting. Vansh quickly pulled her in his arms; tightly. They found solace in each other’s arms; they were living this moment. They didn’t say a word to each other, their hearts were speaking to each to each other. They got it after ages. They wanted to stop time from elapsing. They didn’t care about the surrounding and went on hugging each other. Their hug became lighter after the relief that everything would go good now, unaware of the next problem they would face. Aryan interrupted their lovely moment.
Aryan: (coughing) We all are here too! We need a hug. (they both glared at him but later smiled and pulled all of them in a hug, sensing their victory) The cops arrived on Kabir’s saying.
Vansh: (Holding Riddhima close to him as if she’s going to go away and went to Anupriya) You deserve this! For what you did to my parents, you even didn’t leave your son. Shame on you! I feel like strangling you to death for hurting my Riddhima and my family, but I respect the law. They will do their work.
Riddhima: Anupriya, I told you it was your end! You lost everything you had, money, your house in Juhu, your bank accounts, your son and love. You’re destroyed! You will be begging for it. Your ego snatched everything of yours. The jail is your only house now!
Anupriya: (acting to pleading) Please forgive me, I beg you! I don’t want to go to jail! (to herself: Riddhima you see what I do, I’m not going to give up easily.)
Aryan: Ms Venomous snake, please stop your melodrama. The mongoose trapped you, ready for your end. Rangers, I means officers please take her! (he found everyone glaring at him) Angre why did you turn everyone into owls? (Riddhima and Kabir started laughing while Vansh had no clue on what was going on. He clung to his sweetheart. Angre hit him.) Okay sorry!
The cops took away her, but she was determined to kill Riddhima who foiled all her plans and took everything of hers. She turned to look behind at all of them laughing and rejoicing their victory. She felt hurt when she saw Kabir laughing wholeheartedly. She envied Riddhima. She had to kill her. Vansh was still upset with everyone for not sharing anything. He was curious to know how it all took place. Vansh and Riddhima parted from each other to go back to VR Mansion. Vansh and Riddhima were standing in the middle of the group while the rest encircling them, discussing. Anupriya found the right opportunity and unlocked the gun from the Inspector’s pocket. She struggled to let go from the officer’s clutches and when she did, she pointed the gun at Vansh. Everyone was busy in planning and only Riddhima saw her. She pulled the trigger and shot.
Riddhima: VANSHH!! (she pushed him to the side and took the bullet on herself)
Vansh: Riddhima!!
Everyone including Vansh looked at her in shock. She fell on the ground wincing in pain. Blood flowing profusely. The bullet had pierced her in her left arm, nearly touching her heart. Vansh ran to her and took her into his laps. She cried in pain. He felt guilty for not saving her again, he felt worried seeing her in that state, he was angry on her, not only on her but on himself. He looked at Anupriya who was smirking. Kabir took charge and shot her down. He was keeping strong, it was hard to shoot at her, his own mum but she had left no other option with him. He had to. Tears made way from his eyes, but he controlled. The cops confirmed that she was dead. Kabir turned towards the rest who were looking at him. He mentioned nothing but signalled Vansh to handle Riddhima.
Riddhima: Va..nsh
Vansh: Shush Riddhima! (in anger) This is the second time you came between my death and I; it was calling for me then why? That bullet was meant for me! (calming down) Riddhima I can’t let anything happen to you again! I can’t go through the same pain of losing you. I wouldn’t be able to tolerate it. (seeing her closing her eyes, he tapped her cheeks lightly to keep her awake) Riddhima listen to me, stay with me! Don’t close your eyes! Angre quickly call the ambulance!
Angre: Yes, bhai done it!
The rest were in tears, circling the couple on the ground on their knees. Every one of them had seen this. Riddhima struggling for her life. They all were trying to keep her conscious if she closed her eyes than it might have been difficult to revive her again. Aryan started making jokes on which Riddhima reacted. They waited for the ambulance. It arrived and Vansh picked her in his arms and rushed to the ambulance. He placed her on the stretcher and sat beside her. She was holding his hand tightly. Aryan and Angre joined in the ambulance while Sahil and Kabir followed with car. Vansh was getting hyper and was blaming himself. Riddhima was sinking even though she was given oxygen. They soon reached the hospital. Vansh didn’t wait for the ambulance to stop and quickly got down. He took Riddhima with him and called out for the doctor.
Doctor: Yes Mr Vansh. Has she been shot? (looking down)
Vansh: Yes doctor. Please do everything possible, nothing should happen to her.
Doctor: we will try our best! Nurses take her to the OT.
Vansh: Not try, you must do it! (holding his collar) I’m ready to spend any money but she should be fine. (Aryan and Angre pulled him back)
Angre: Sorry doctor, he’s stressed. Please continue with your treatment.
Aryan: Bro console yourself! I’ll inform the rest of the family at home.
Vansh was once again broken! He fell on the floor, crying bitterly. He couldn’t see her like that. He blamed himself for everything. The family came in and saw Vansh. They were feeling helpless, they couldn’t do anything for him. The nurses were rushing in and out of the OT, avoiding the family’s questions. Vansh was getting impatient. The doctor finally exited the OT and came to them.
Doctor: Does she have any medical history before?
Vansh: Not really…
Angre: Sorry to cut you short bhai but Bhabhi does have a history. When she fell from the cliff, she had internal injuries. (Vansh glared at Angre angrily for not telling him anything) She had gone through several surgeries. Why sir, is there any problem?
Doctor: Was it related to her kidneys?
Angre: Yes doctor, her kidneys and spinal cord were ruptured. Both surgeries were performed successfully. She had a few internal injuries in her brain too, which unfortunately weren’t treated as there was a risk of
Doctor: less survival chances am I right?
Angre: Yes doctor. Is it related to that?
Doctor: unfortunately, yes. The bullet passed by her heart injuring a few veins and arteries connecting to the brain, I’m afraid the internal injuries in her brain may react and she might lose her life.
Vansh: (Angry and concerned) What do you mean doctor, she will die! No ways she can’t leave me. What is your job? To cure her right, then do so! DO everything you can, (pleading) but just save her.
Doctor: We are trying to. We can do a surgery, but it has consequences. She might go into coma or may as well lose her life or live.
Vansh: Do it! Nothing will happen to her. She is a tigress, she’s brave enough! (the doctor left) Angre why didn’t you tell me anything about this? She was injured, how? It was a plan, right? Then how did she get injured? Aryan what happened to her? Please explain!
Angre: Bhai, it was my fault. I didn’t reach on time to save her from falling. She fell on the rocks injuring her spine, kidneys, and a few nerves in her brain. I brought her to the hospital, and she went through a lot of surgeries. She had to struggle a lot. (crying) It took her 4 months to recover fully! Bhai I’m sorry I couldn’t protect her. (Vansh was in tears hearing about her struggles when she needed him the most)
Aryan: Yes bro, I couldn’t keep my promise too. I couldn’t protect her either.
Sahil: As a friend I know what she went through. It’s not easy, she really longed for you, but she stayed strong and composed herself to protect her love; you.
Kabir: It wasn’t easy. She had a lot of courage! She fought it and I’m sure she will too this time. She must come for her Vansh.
Vansh: My Sweetheart is a tigress! She will pass through it!
Time was ticking however no information about her. They waited. Angre sent Sahil, dadi and Sia home. He had told them that he would inform them about Riddhima’s state when the Doctors would come. 5 hours had passed but the doctors arrived with no information. The stress and thoughts of losing her was strangling and suffocating Vansh inside. He couldn’t keep patience anymore. Aryan and Angre were consoling him and encouraging him even though they felt hopeless. After 5 and half hours they came outside. Their faces were serious which indicated something wrong. Everyone’s hearts paced. What the doctors told them gave them mixed feelings.
Doctors: (with a smile) The surgery was successful! But she still is in danger, we must keep her under observation till she wakes up. If she doesn’t soon then it may be a problem. Let’s keep our hopes. You can go and meet her after an hour as she will be transferred to the ICU from the OT. Thank you. (they left)
Vansh: She is fine!! Thank God!! But the doctor said that things may still change, what does he mean. My Riddhima can’t leave me after fighting this far, she must wake up! (he said while trembling)
Aryan: Bro calm down, Bhabs fought the battle this far then why not ahead? Let’s be positive!
Angre: yea bhai, Aryan is right for the first time (Aryan glared at him) let’s be positive. I’ll go, call, and inform the rest at home. (he leaves)
Vansh: I think it’s high time I should go to him. I never believed in him but for my Riddhima I can go to him a thousand times.
FLASHBACK:
When Riddhima was sick. Vansh was worried and dadi suggested that he should go and pray. God has the power to do anything. He will bless her and cure her soon. He went to the temple and prayed for the first time in his life. The very next day Riddhima was way better. He couldn’t believe in this miracle!
FLASHBACK ENDS
Vansh: (temple) I have come to you once again, only for my Riddhima. You have the power to do anything right? You did this last time as well when she was sick. Why not now? You need to cure her! (folding his hands) She is my everything, my life, my soul. She brings colours in my life. Why do you want to take her away from me! Please save her! Please! I beg you! (crying) I don’t have anything without her. She’s my world. She is my everything!! The only name of love I know is Riddhima! You took away my parents, but I won’t allow you to take her! Nahh!! You will have to touch me before you touch her! Try to! The whole world believes in you, even my Riddhima, but today if she doesn’t get better than you will break her faith! (he spent most of the time there praying and crying.)
Aryan: (Came to him) Bro We can go to the room.
Vansh: Okay let’s go! (he ran towards the room)
Continued on next page…