Another Half Of Me - Chapter 44

Karan sat in front of Dr. Sunil and listened intently. By the time the doctor finished with it, Karan’s head was throbbing with anger. Taking a deep breathe, he picked up his phone from the table and dialled Siddha’s number. It’s time for him to intervene.

Karan’s phone call triggered something in Siddha that he had buried deep inside him for the last 5 years: revenge. His mind and heart boiled with every word Karan spoke. As he disconnected the call, a force more potent that anger erupted inside him.

It was time for some people to pay.

It was 9 at night when finally Siddha was leaving for Dharamshala. He sat down in the car and felt a sudden urge to see Roshni.

As the car stopped in front of Tania’s house, Siddha almost gave in to the urge of not getting down. But, he had to. He couldn’t leave without seeing her. He dialled Tania’s number and checked about Roshni. Thank god, she was sleeping. He did not want her to see him.

He went and stood at the window of her bedroom, and looked inside. Siddha closed his eyes after 5 minutes of looking at her sleeping face trying to fight the urge to go inside and touch her as he knew he couldn't. He can never touch her again. But, he will never stop loving her ever. When he opened his eyes again, they were brimming with tears.

He turned away from the window just as Roshni moved on the bed. As he rested his head on the wall, he heart echoed a promise.

‘I’ll do everything in my power to stay away from you. No one will ever hurt you again.’

Tania looked on from the kitchen as Siddha walked out of the house. She became sad thinking about them.

Even though they were together but still were far, far away.

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

Karan looked on as the doctor described the faces of all the gang members one by one to the police artist. Few hours later, he and James were looking at the sketches when Siddha came inside. He looked at Karan who gestured towards the doctor.

Siddha looked at him and felt something more than gratitude. He was the reason Roshni is alive now. Extending his hand, he clasped the doctor’s hand tightly knowing too well that a simple thank you will not do.

“I don’t want to undermine your efforts by saying thank you but I just want to say that you have given me back my life.”

Dr. Sunil looked at him and smiled. So, this was Siddha Singh Rajput. He watched him as he rallied some instructions briskly to Karan and the other man standing beside him. But, the moment Karan brought the sketches in front of him, his expressions hardened and the doctor realised that Siddha loved her more than life itself.

Sighing, Dr. Sunil relayed the incidents again for him.

With every passing minute, anger and animosity started to rise inside Siddha. But, it burst inside him when he heard that one of the gang members had tried to rape Roshni. He clutched the window rods hard trying to suppress the boiling rage inside him knowing too well that he will get enough opportunities to vent it out.

When the doctor finished telling them everything, James showed him outside while Karan and Rudy waited for Siddha.

“Find them and bring them to me first. There is a bigger mind behind this,” he said with gritted teeth.

He turned near the door and said to James, “Find this Govind first.”

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

Roshni sat in the balcony and thought about Siddha. Every now and then, she would get a snippet of news about him from Sid. Like, right now she knew that he had returned from Dharamshala. She also knew he had vacated the house they had once called home. Now, he was living in a hotel regardless of his family's protests. 

 But, why a hotel? Why not his own home?

His friends and family had come to meet her so many times but Siddha hadn't come once. Every time some one came she would hope to see him but in vain.

Why? Was he so angry with her?

Sighing heavily, she got up from the chair and went inside. Sitting down on the bed, she opened the album Tania had given her. She and Sid looked so happy on their engagement. The moment her gaze fell on Siddha’s face, she realised that he had been as agonised as she in the last 5 years.

Even though he was smiling in the picture but his smile did not reach his eyes. They looked as empty as him. Feeling sad, she slid down the bed and rested her arm on the forehead. 

Why was he so far away from her? What was stopping him to come to her?

These thoughts were still bothering her when Tania shook her arm gently.

“Roshni Di, Dr. Sunil is here.”

Dr. Sunil had come to visit her after he had met Siddha and Karan in Dharamshala. He hadn’t been able to stop the urge to see her again after he had heard that she was completely cured now. Sitting down on the bed, he smiled at her when Roshni took his hand in hers.

“You are leaving?” she asked smiling at him.

“I had seriously never thought that I will hear you speak again let alone smile,” he said not trying to hide his amazement.

As she lowered her head, he continued, “Yes, I have to leave. But I will come and visit you again. And, Tania has my number so you can call me anytime you want.”

Suddenly his glance fell on the open picture in the album. He knew Siddha loved her. Now, looking at the open picture and the way her fingers rested on his face, he knew she loved him too.

Getting up from the bed, he looked at Roshni and said, “Take my advice, don’t lose him this time. He is too precious.”

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

Rudy sat down in front of James in Dilshad Garden police station and waited for him to confirm the news.

“They are all in the lock up, including Govind.”

Rudy features hardened as he dialled Siddha’s number.

If only they knew what was about to hit them.

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