It wasn't for the first time that Annika felt weird about Veer. There was something about him that always bugged her. Maybe it was the way he looked at her. Maybe it was his abnormal built. Maybe it was the smug grin on his face. Maybe it was the way he spoke.
But there was something terribly amiss about him. And Annika seemed to have company with how Gauri, Shakti and Pinky were glaring at the tall man standing in front of them. She looked at Om. With the absurd amount of resistance that he was putting up, even he seemed unsure of Veer. Annika felt a little relieved. She wasn't alone.
Veer flapped his arms and grunted. "Let me check Shivaay, Annika. Maybe I will be able to help him."
"Veer, don't worry. His neurologist is one of the best in the city. And we are consulting some doctors from Mumbai too. Shivaay is okay..." said Shakti, shuffling uncomfortably under Veer's hard gaze. He couldn't be outright rude to his son's neighbour.
"Yes," Om nodded. "We anyway can't crowd the ICU. The lesser people, the better."
Veer agitatedly moved towards Annika. He placed his hands on her arms and pleaded. "Let me check his stats and medicine chart at least once. We don't know if these doctors are capable enough. If they were, Shivaay wouldn't be in such a sorry state."
Watching him plead like that, Om felt like he was genuine for a moment. But the feeling didn't last because Pinky got up from the chair. The boisterous woman had lost all her sheen. Shivaay's current streak of bad health had quietened the loud woman to the extent of being mute. These days, she barely reacted to anything. So it was good to see him fire in her still.
"They keep changing his medicines every day. So there is no use of checking his chart. It will change tomorrow anyway..." Pinky shrugged, carefully eyeing Veer.
Momentarily, Veer closed his eyes like he was thoroughly done with the stubbornness of the family. When he opened his eyes, they looked different. With a smirk on his face, he looked at Annika. "Why do I have the feeling that you guys don't want me anywhere near Shivaay?"
Annika took a breath. She was exhausted. She no longer had the energy to pretend to like the people she didn't. She crossed her arms. "To be honest, yes. You are correct. I am paranoid right now. I don't trust anyone. So even if you feel really bad, I am not allowing you to go anywhere near Shivaay. I am not taking any chances with him."
A smooth sneer formed on Veer's face. "Why?"
Annika also sneered and let out a dry chuckle. "Why? Really? Are you really asking me that?"
She suddenly jerked his hands off her and moved back. "Because I just met you a few days ago. I don't know what kind of man you are."
Veer clenched his jaw and closed his fists. For a few seconds, Annika thought that he was going to hit her. But she didn't care. She meant every word she had spoken. She would not let anyone go near Shivaay. If it meant fighting people like Veer, so be it.
"Really? And you trust the doctors of this hospital? Over me?" Veer growled like an animal.
Annika didn't cower. She looked into his eyes and told him, "Yes. I do trust them more. Because, unlike Shivaay, my instincts always tell me the right thing. I can read people well. And you know what? I do not like you. One bit. I never did. If not for Shivaay, I would have hit my chameli on your head on the first day itself. So no. I will not allow you anywhere around my husband. Get it?"
Enraged by Annika's monologue, Veer took a threatening step in her direction. Shakti immediately put a hand between them and pushed Veer back. He thundered, "Veer. Leave. This is a hospital and we do not wish to cause any commotion."
Veer didn't spare Shakti a look. He continued to steadily look at Annika with beady eyes. He raised a finger and waved it in her face. "You will regret this Annika."
In a rare display of anger, Annika pushed ahead and charged at Veer. She was having none of his crap. With all her might, she tried to shove him aside. She screamed, "Get out right now and dare you come here again. I will go to the police. I am warning you!"
Grunting, Veer walked away. When he disappeared from their line of vision, Annika sat down on the chair with her face in her hands. Gauri was by her side in an instant. Annika couldn't understand why was she so rude to Veer. Neither could she understand the gazillion emotions running through her heart. Why did something tell her that Veer was not a good human being? Why was her first instinct that she needed to protect Shivaay? And not just her, even Pinky?
"Don't worry Ma'am, I will double the security around the hospital..." said Khanna.
Annika looked at him and flashed a grateful smile. "Thanks."
"Don't worry. I will handle this. Go sit with Shivaay. Yeah?" Om crouched before Annika. She didn't need any more convincing. She nodded and went in.
As soon as Annika left, Om stood up and instructed Khanna. "Have some men of our men after Veer. He does not look right to me."
"Yes..." Khanna whispered and left to make some calls.
"What's the deal with this man? I didn't like him..." mumbled Gauri.
"Same. I didn't like him. He was too aggressive..." mused Om.
Shakti shrugged. "No well meaning neighbour will behave like this. At one point he was going to physically hurt Annika. We have to keep an eye on him."
Om turned to look at Shakti. "Papa, don't worry. You, Ma and Bhabhi concentrate on Shivaay. Rudra and I will take care of him."
Shakti agreed. "Yeah."
Motioning Gauri to look after the older couple, Om moved over to a secluded corner. He called Rudra. "Ru, where are you?"
Rudra sounded like he was in some kind of market. "We are trying to find someone. What's up?"
"Okay..." replied Om. "I called you to tell that get Bhavya to check our CCTV footages thoroughly. Both from inside the house and outside. Let's collect the details of everyone who has visited the house. I have a hunch that Veer has something to do with this poisoning."
"Veer who? That tall neighbour?" asked Rudra.
"Yes."
"Weird..." Rudra let out a breath. "But okay. I will do that."
Rudra then paused. When he spoke, his voice sounded broken and thick. "O...how is Bhaiya?"
Om's heart clenched and his eyes moistened yet again. "Same."
Rudra didn't answer for a long time. When he did, he sounded different to Om. The emotional tone was gone and he sounded hard. "Okay. I will let you know what's with Veer."
***
Didn't expect so many votes and comments on the previous chapter. Strange how it suddenly blew up. Thank you!
Thoughts on this chapter please.
