CHAPTER 28: " LOVE, FEAR AND SHADOWS OF DANGER"

The room was filled with a heavy silence as Kashi gazed into Vishwanath's eyes. His gaze was full of love and emotion, making her heart race. Just then, the door creaked open, and a nurse entered, startling them both. She smiled politely and spoke, "Your mother urgently needs some medicines. These medicines are not available here or at any nearby stores. They can only be bought from a specific store located at the outskirts of Jhansi. Also, please bring her some new clothes, as she will need them."

Kashi's eyes widened with worry as she took the note from the nurse, glancing at the list of medicines. The nurse quickly excused herself, leaving them alone again. Vishwanath immediately stepped forward and gently took the note from Kashi's hands.

"Kashi, main yeh dawaiyaan le aata hoon," (Kashi, I' will bring these medicines) he said with determination in his voice.

Kashi shook her head slightly. "Nahi, Vishwanath ji, main arrange kar lungi... aur waise bhi aapko vapis bhi toh jaana hai, aapko late ho raha hoga." (No, Vishwanath ji, I'll arrange it....and besides, you also need to go back, you might be getting late.)

He cut her off gently, his tone firm yet caring. "It's okay, Kashi. Mere paas gaadi hai, main jaldi se le aata hoon. Aur aunty mere liye bhi maa ki tarah hain. Please, mujhe bhi unki seva karne do. Mujhe khushi hogi." Then, with a reassuring smile, he added, "Aur rahi baat vapis jaane ki, toh main abhi yahin rukunga jab tak aunty discharge nahi ho jate. Main ghar par iss bare mein baat kar chuka hoon."

(It's okay, Kashi. I have a car, I'll get them quickly. And aunty is like a mother to me too. Please, let me serve her. It will make me happy. Then, with a reassuring smile, he added, as for going back, I will stay right here until aunty is discharged. I've already talked to my family about it.)

Kashi looked at him in surprise, her heart swelling with gratitude. She felt an overwhelming love for this man who, without hesitation, had stepped into her life and cared so deeply for her and her family. She knew there was no point in arguing. Still, a part of her hesitated. "Vishwanath ji, voh paise kitne lagenge....." (Vishwanath ji, how much will the medicines cost....?)

Vishwanath shook his head with a soft smile, cutting her off again. "Paise ki chinta mat karo, Kashi." (Don't worry about the money, Kashi)

But Kashi, being her persistent self, insisted, "Nahi, Vishwanath ji, aap mujhe batayiye.....main aapko paise nahi dene dungi." (No, Vishwanath ji, you tell me....I will not let you pay the money) Her voice was firm, her eyes showing determination.

He smiled warmly, his voice gentle yet firm. "Pehle mujhe dawaiyaan laane do, phir paise ke baare mein baat karte hain. Thik hai?" (First, let me bring the medicines, then we will talk about the money. Is that okay?) He knew his selfless girl wouldn't back down easily, so he hoped this small compromise would reassure her for now.

Kashi though hesitant finally nodded, deciding she would pay him later.

Vishwanath took a deep breath and then looked at her again. "Kashi chalo, main tumhe tumhare ghar chhod deta hoon pehle. Tum maa ke kapde le aana." (Kashi, let's go. I'll drop you to your home first. You can pick up maa's clothes)

But Kashi shook her head again, this time more resolutely. "Nahi, Vishwanath ji. Aap pehle maa ki dawai le aayiye. Phir jab aap vapas aaoge, toh main ghar jaake jaldi se maa ke kapde le aaungi. Main maa ko bilkul akela nahi chhodna chahti." (No, Vishwanath ji. You first bring maa's medicines. Then when you come back, I will quickly go home and get maa's clothes. I don't want to leave maa alone at all.)

Vishwanath understood her fear and the concern that had settled in her heart after everything that had happened. He nodded, not pushing her further. As he turned to go, he gave her one last lingering look, as if he was afraid she might disappear by the time he returned.

"Main jaldi aata hoon," (I will be back soon) he said softly, his voice filled with a promise.

With those words, he turned and left the hospital to fetch the medicines her mother needed. Watching him walk away, Kashi felt her heart swell with emotions she couldn't quite name. She took a steadying breath, gathered herself, and decided it was time to speak to her mother about Vishwanath's proposal.

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After pausing briefly at her mother's room door, Kashi watched as the nurse finished her tasks and quietly offered a grateful thank you.The nurse gave her a warm nod before slipping out, leaving Kashi alone with her mother, who lay resting peacefully on the bed. Taking a seat beside her, Kashi gently held her mother's hand, her mind racing as she struggled to find the right words to share what was on her heart.

"What happened, beta?" her mother asked, noticing the uncertainty in Kashi's eyes. "You seem lost."

Kashi managed a nervous smile and replied softly, "Maa, I....I want to tell you something." She took a deep breath and began recounting everything from yesterday. She spoke of Vishwanath's love confession, his heartfelt proposal, her initial hesitation and insecurities, and the way he had eased those worries with his reassurances. She shared how he had once again proposed to her this very morning, bringing clarity and kindness to all her doubts.

When Kashi finished, her mother looked at her, a tender glint in her eye. "So what did you tell him?" her mother asked gently.

"I....I told him I needed a little time," Kashi admitted. "I wanted to share everything with you first, maa."

Her mother reached over, cupping Kashi's cheek in her hand, and asked the same question that she had asked Vishwanath before, "Kashi, do you love him?"

Kashi blinked, surprised by the directness of her mother's question. But she looked into her mother's eyes and nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek as she whispered, "Yes, maa. I love Vishwanath ji a lot."

A soft, approving smile crossed her mother's face. She tenderly wiped away Kashi's tear and said, "Then you must tell him, beta. Don't make him wait any longer. Vishwanath loves you deeply. He's a good man, Kashi. He will protect you, care for you, and be there for you through every challenge that life brings. I see the way he looks at you there is so much love and respect in his eyes. You both are meant for each other, destined to walk this path together. Don't let your fears hold you back from embracing the happiness he's offering. Let yourself step into the role he sees for you not just as his queen, but as his wife, his partner, his equal half. Give him the love and companionship he's been longing for, and build a life where you both can truly be each other's strength."

Kashi listened, her heart filling with hope and peace. Her mother's words lifted the last of her doubts, and she felt a sense of certainty settle within her.

Kashi took a deep breath, a soft smile gracing her lips as she looked at her mother. "Yes, Maa. I'll tell Vishwanath ji about my feelings. I'll let him know how much he means to me."

Anjali's eyes shone with happiness, and she nodded, her smile widening with approval, giving Kashi's hand a gentle squeeze. Whereas the warmth in her mother's expression filled Kashi's heart with newfound courage, and together they shared a quiet moment, both feeling the weight of hope and love.

Just then, a gentle knock sounded at the door, and Riya entered, her eyes soft with concern as she asked about Kashi's mother's well-being. The three of them talked for a little while, and soon, the nurse returned to remind Kashi that they would need new clothes for her mother, urging her to bring them as soon as possible.

Riya turned to Kashi with a reassuring smile. "Kashi why don't you go get the clothes for aunty? I'll stay here with her until you return. You don't have to worry, I will keep her company."

Kashi hesitated, glancing at her mother, but she knew both she and her mother could use a fresh change of clothes. Riya's presence reassured her, and she finally agreed.

"Thank you, Riya. Please stay with maa until I get back. I'll be quick," Kashi said with a grateful smile.

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With Riya's promise to stay close, Kashi set off to gather the items they needed. She hopped into a rickshaw, eager to save time, but her mind was consumed with thoughts of Vishwanath. Memories flooded her, each moment they shared replaying vividly in her mind. She recalled their first encounter in the cafe, then the way he had tried the butta (roasted corn 🌽), for the very first time, his eyes lighting up with delight as he savored the unfamiliar taste. She remembered how they wandered through the vibrant streets of Jhansi together, sharing laughter and joy and how he had placed a delicate bracelet around her wrist, a simple yet heartfelt gift she still wore with pride. Those moments felt like a beautiful dream, each one weaving love and warmth in her heart.

She smiled at the memories of their time spent cooking together in her small kitchen, laughing as they shared stories, and how she had realized her feelings for him amidst those moments. Late-night phone calls became a cherished ritual, their conversations filled with affection and care, bridging the distance between them even when they were apart. She could still hear his gentle laughter echoing in her ears, the way he listened intently as she spoke, making her feel truly heard and valued.

She recalled the gentle way he had fed her on the day when she had felt dizzy after the revelation of his true identity, the small gestures that spoke of his protectiveness and love. Despite her anger at him for hiding the truth, he had been there, offering comfort and support, his presence a soothing balm to her racing heart. Then her eyes fell on the phone in her hand, a gift from him, and her heart swelled with affection. This man loved her so much, she realized, willing to go to great lengths just to ensure her happiness and well-being.

Finally, her mind drifted to his heartfelt confession and proposal. The sincerity in his words had lifted her spirit, filling her with a happiness she had once believed was out of reach. She realized she was ready to tell Vishwanath just how much he meant to her and to embrace the love that had grown between them. The thought of finally sharing her feelings filled her with an exhilarating sense of hope and anticipation.

By the time she reached home, her heart felt lighter than it had in years. But as she approached the door, a strange sense of unease crept over her. The door was slightly ajar, which was unusual. She frowned, thinking back to yesterday when Riya had brought her mother to hospital in a hurry perhaps, in her rush, Riya had forgotten to lock it.

Swallowing her nervousness, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. The house was quiet and undisturbed, which reassured her. She went to her room and quickly changed into a lighter outfit, gathering a few items for herself. Then she headed to her mother's room to retrieve her clothes, as she opened the door and switched on the lights, she felt her breath caught in her throat, as she stared at the chaos that greeted her. Clothes were strewn haphazardly, and the once-organized space now looked as if a storm had passed through it. A photo frame lying on the floor, its glass shattered. It was a picture of her and her mother from happier times, and the sight sent a chill down her spine.

What had happened here? She thought as a surge of dread wash over her, realizing that something was terribly wrong.

Just then a sinister and evil voice called out, "Kashi...."

As she turned, her eyes widened with terror and panic.

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Meanwhile, Vishwanath, having just collected the necessary medicines from the store on the outskirts of Jhansi, was driving back when his phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he noticed it was Inspector Rituraj Solanki, a high-ranking officer and a long-standing friend who had consistently supported him, both professionally and personally.

A hint of confusion washed over him as he wondered why Rituraj was calling him out of the blue. Their conversations usually revolved around work or the occasional catch-up, but this felt different. He swiped to answer, curiosity piqued.

"Hello, Rituraj," Vishwanath greeted,

"Everything alright", he asked keeping his tone light despite the sense of urgency that lingered.

"I'm good, Vishwanath," Rituraj replied, but his voice held a hint of tension. "But there's something urgent I need to tell you."

A sense of foreboding washed over Vishwanath. "What is it?"

"Ravi was bailed out this morning," Rituraj said, his voice low and serious.

Vishwanath's grip on the steering wheel tightened as shock washed over him. "What are you saying, Rituraj? How did Ravi get a bail? I made sure he wouldn't be able to get one.....How did this happen and why didn't you inform me before?"

"I was on duty at a high-profile rally today, and another inspector was assigned to the station," Rituraj explained. "Some higher influence intervened and managed to grant him bail. I only just found out."

Vishwanath's thoughts immediately turned to Kashi and her mother, both alone at the hospital, vulnerable and unsuspecting. He knew the lengths Ravi could go to in order to get revenge. Panic surged in his veins as he imagined the danger they might be in.

"I'm heading to the hospital right now, Rituraj. I won't let Kashi and aunty face any harm, especially now that Ravi is free," Vishwanath said, his voice cold and resolute.

"Understood, Vishwanath. I will issue another arrest warrant and meet you there," Rituraj replied before hanging up.

With every ounce of urgency pulsing through him, Vishwanath pressed down on the accelerator, the world around him blurring as he focused solely on reaching Kashi and her mother before it was too late.

or was it already too late?

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Words - 2.5 K

Target 🎯 for next chapter 75 votes and atleast 15 comments.

Author's Note 📖

This chapter marks a beautiful turning point, as Kashi finally decides to confess her love to Vishwanath. With her heart open and her worries at ease, she's ready to embrace a future together. But just as she takes this step, a lurking danger threatens to shadow her happiness. Ravi's unexpected release sets the stage for an intense twist.Vishwanath is thrown into a race against time. Will he be able to protect Kashi from this rising threat?😢

There's so much more to this plot that's still hidden, but I can't reveal it all just yet! Get ready for some high-intense drama, and stay tuned for the upcoming chapters💌💕

Thank you so much for your love and support 🫶🏻❤️

Lots of Love

Smiling cupcake 😊🧁