As Rajiv walked out of the room, there was a deathly silence in the corridor. Meanwhile, Roy, Rohan, and Arjun sat quietly staring at the floor. They appeared exhausted and worn out. Rajiv sat down beside Roy and leaned back. He had a difficult couple of days as well, especially since Charles and Irene died. He still needed to sort things out with their family, but he couldn't do anything without first seeing Sharmishtha. Roy almost startled him with the question, "Why are you here?"
Rajiv was perfectly aware of Roy's suspicions towards him. He would have responded in the same way if he was in Roy's place. He sat back properly and responded, "To see her."
"Why?"
"Huh?"
"Why did you travel all the way from the United Kingdom to see her? You could have contacted the media to find out about her condition. So, what brings you here?"
"I needed to see her in person. I needed to check on her safety."
"Why?"
Rajiv exhaled a sigh. Roy's incessant "why" with no follow-up was grating. But he knew exactly why there hadn't been a follow-up. He would reveal his feelings about him if he said anything else. And that wasn't allowed because there wasn't a conversation going on right now. It was an interrogation. He earned it by associating with Rey.
"I just told the officer that I was her friend. Wouldn't you come to check on your friend if this happened?"
"She never said you were her friend," Rohan mumbled.
"She does not say anything out of context. Perhaps it was never brought up in conversation. That doesn't mean I'm lying. Why would I come otherwise?"
"We didn't say you lied." Roy looked right at him coldly.
"As for why you came...we only saw that half an hour ago," Arjun grumbled.
He gave the three of them a friendly smile. "I am not his cover. I guarantee you that."
"We never—"
"I know. But you implied," Rajiv interrupted Roy. "Listen, I'd be happy to tell you everything about my relationship with Rey and Sharmishtha. But I don't have any way of making you trust me right now."
"That's true. We have no reason to trust you anyway." Arjun halted, "So you knew about him?"
"No, I didn't exactly know him, not until very recently."
"Do you expect us to believe that a man like you didn't know about him until very recently?"
When Rajiv heard this, he smirked contentedly, as if he had somehow won the argument. Arjun appeared irritated by Rajiv's demeanour. "What's with the smirk? Did you think we'd trust you just because you're well-known?"
"No," Rajiv replied, smiling, "I am just thinking if you can ask the same question to her."
Everyone went silent. "Tell me, Arjun, do you think she married him knowing his true identity?" Rajiv added.
He then paused for a moment and continued, "You wouldn't believe that, right? That would be very unlikely of her! Then again..." He glanced at everyone's grim faces.
"Is it possible that she still doesn't know anything about him? That's very unlikely of her too."
Noticing everyone's piercing stares, he then proposed, "Both arguments are bound to harm her reputation in some way. Then tell me which one you'd like to harm. Her professional image? Or-"
"We'll see what happens later. We're not discussing her right now. Change the subject, please," Arjun interrupted Rajiv's speech. It was a possibility they preferred not to consider. What he was proposing couldn't possibly be true! They'd never believe that!
Rajiv exhaled a sigh. "I came for two reasons. One, to ensure she was okay, and two, to compensate for her temporary absence. She will return as soon as she is able."
The news surprised them. It meant they'd be under Rajiv's command for the time being, someone they couldn't completely trust.
Declaring himself as their boss, Rajiv took off and went out.
________
Rey was still by her side when Roy and Arjun entered the room. He was holding her gently while staring aimlessly at the walls. His face was devoid of any emotion other than despair. It provided them with an unknown warmth. For a brief moment, all his sins were forgiven in their hearts, as if to affirm how much he truly loved her.
"Excuse me, Mr. Roychowdhury, the visiting hours have ended," Roy said.
Rey rose and gently kissed her forehead and pecked her hand. Roy and Arjun followed him out of the room quietly. "Thank you for looking after her, gentlemen. You have my gratitude," Rey expressed earnestly. He bowed with his hands clasped together.
"It was our responsibility. She is a close friend," Arjun responded quickly and exited the wing. 'He can certainly put on a disguise,' he reasoned.
Roy remained in the corridor and waited for Sengupta to return. Rey took the seat across from him. He was staring at the floor while holding his head in his hands. Roy became anxious for a brief moment. "Will he have a panic attack?" he wondered.
But fortunately, Rey sat up after a while and leaned back on the chair. A little later, the doctor arrived. Rey listened Sharmishtha's conditions as he stood glued to the ground. Momentarily, his pupils widened in horror. Suddenly, he grabbed the doctors' hands and bowed.
"Please save her. Do everything you have to. Please just save my wife," he pleaded.
The doctor sighed. "We are trying Mr. Roychowdhury. We are trying our very best. But for now, I can not give you any assurance." He took his leave.
Rey resumed shrinking in his seat. Roy was feeling helpless. He was at a loss for words. He kept hoping Sengupta would return soon. Rohan dashed up to Roy. He was holding something. Roy stood up to take a closer look and noticed it was four dried up black roses. "How did you get them?" Roy inquired immediately.
"I-I-," Rohan panted. He replied, taking a deep breath, "I discovered it among the flowers and greetings sent by Boss's well-wishers. Everything has dried up, so-"
"So this could be a day old," Roy concluded before dialling Sengupta. Rey stiffened as he listened in on the conversation. His expression darkened.