CHAPTER-9

                                    

                                          
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Two days had passed since Harsh's homecoming, and Ruhaan's vigilance over his father's health had reached new heights. He shadowed Harsh's every move, refusing to leave his side even for a moment.
Finally, after much persuasion, Ruhaan relented, allowing Harsh to descend to the dinner table. As they made their way downstairs, Ruhaan's solicitous hands guided Harsh, ensuring each step was taken with care.
"Arre, aaram se, Papa," Ruhaan cautioned, his voice laced with concern, as he helped Harsh settle into his chair.
Harsh chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "I'm fine, baacha." 
(I'm fine, son)
Ruhaan's quick retort drew laughter from the room. "Ha ha, dikh raha hai kitne fine ho aap!" 
(You're looking quite fine, indeed!)
Just then, Surbhi entered with a warm smile, carrying a steaming bowl of khichdi, carefully prepared with minimal oil and spice, considering Harsh's delicate health.
As she served the comforting dish, Harsh's gaze swept the room, searching for the missing faces. "Aarav aur Omkara aaye nahi kya abhi tak hospital se wapas?"
(Have Aarav and Omkara not returned yet from hospital?) 
He asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Papa, Omkara aa gaya hai, apne room mein freshen up ho raha hai,"
(Omkara's back, freshening up in his room) 
Surbhi replied.
"Aur Aarav ji abhi tak aaye nahi."
(And Aarav hasn't arrived yet)
Harsh's eyes sparkled with determination. "Call karke poocho use, kitne der lagegi. Aa jayega toh sab saath mein baithkar dinner kar lenge." 
(Call him and ask how long he'll be. We'll wait; we'll have dinner together, all of us)
Surbhi nodded and slipped away to make the call, her fingers dialing Aarav's number with a mix of concern and urgency.
Aarav stood on the dimly lit roadside, his eyes fixed on his watch as the seconds ticked by. The Malhotra mansion's grandeur faded into the distance, replaced by the eerie silence of the night.
His phone pierced the stillness, and Aarav's gaze snapped to the screen before answering. Surbhi's voice poured through the line, laced with worry.
"Kaha hai aap Aarav...Omi kabka aaya hai...papa wait kar rhe hai aapka dinner ke liye?" (Where are you, Aarav? Omkara's been back for a while... Papa's waiting for you to have dinner together)
Aarav's response was cut short as a car's headlights illuminated the darkness, casting an ominous glow on his face. The vehicle halted before him, its engine purring softly.
"Mein...mein baad mein baat karta hu Surbhi," (I'll talk to you later, Surbhi) Aarav said hastily, before ending the call.
Surbhi's brow furrowed, sensing the tension and urgency in Aarav's voice. "Ajeeb hai, ye bhi bta toh dete kitni der mein aa rhe hai...I hope theek hai sb..." (This is strange; he could've at least told me how long he'd be... I hope everything's alright)
Her murmurs were lost in the silence as Omkara descended the stairs, his eyes locking onto Surbhi's troubled expression.
"Kya hua, bhabhi? Pareshan lag rahi ho?" (What's wrong, sister-in-law? You seem worried) Omkara asked, his tone infused with concern.