Payback

Chapter 26

Feeling someone's touch on his hand, Akash slowly opened his eyes and saw his bhai standing near his hospital bed.

A small weak smile adorned his lips and he called out weakly, "Bhai...."

Clearing his throat, Arnav asked emotionlessly, "How are you feeling?"

"Good" he mumbled.

No one spoke anything. A thick tension filled the air and Aman broke it. "Hey Akash, hope you're fine! You should be more careful while driving! By the way, who asked you to drink?"

Akash chuckled and said, "No one!"

Akash looked at Arnav's back and saw the person whom he wanted to see – his son. Adi stood away watching him and Payal stood near him.

Akash smiled and slowly lifted his hand indicating him to come near him. Adi saw that but didn't move from his place. He looked at his father – Aman who signed him to go.

Sighing, Adi walked slowly to Akash and Akash held his son's hand. "How are you?" Adi heard him asking weakly and said curtly, "I'm fine!" And he withdrew his hand.

It was then the doctor came. He asked, "Who are you all?"

Arnav answered, "I'm his brother!" pointing to Akash.

"How is he? When can we take him home?" Aman asked and doctor sighed and said, "Err....I need to talk to you. Can you come to my cabin?" Aman and Arnav nodded and followed the doctor.

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"Liver cirrhosis!" Arnav whispered and doctor said nodding, "Liver cirrhosis – Last stage! Alcohol has affected his liver badly."

"What about the treatment?" Aman asked and doctor said, "I'm sorry Mr. Mathur, but he is in last stage. Nothing can be done!"

"How come no one knows about it?" Arnav said and doctor said, "Akash knows it!"

"WHAT?" Aman and Arnav asked and doctor said, "I talked with him and he said that he knew about this. It's that he didn't take treatment!"

"Is he crazy?" Arnav muttered and doctor said, "He said he wants to die!"

Aman and Arnav looked at each other and then stormed out of doctor's cabin to the room where that idiot (Akash) was lying.

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Payal sat on the bed of the master bedroom of Shantivan with her mind lost in thoughts.

She closed her eyes tightly.

Why am I feeling upset? Why do I care whether he is going to die? He is no one to me! Why is his dying affecting me? Payal....Akash is no one to you....he is your past...a bitter past! Why are you thinking about him? He is no one to you!

She clutched her forehead which was throbbing with pain. It was then Aman came in.

"Why did you leave the hospital?" Aman asked and she said, "I want to stay away from that man!"

Aman sighed and said, "At least, you could've asked him to take treatment!"

"He is in last stage! Nothing can be done!" Payal said and he said, "He can live for more days!"