Kolkata's dock had devolved into a battleground. The common people were caught in the crossfire between the police and the criminals. Reyansh noticed a few more. They stood out like crazy in the crowd. "Are they journalists?" Reyansh paused. Whatever the reason for the fight, the media's involvement was extremely surprising. He'd just annihilate everyone. "You want to be heroes, don't you? So, I'll just give you a hero's death!"
He saw an opening and fired immediately at a member of the media. "There's no need to be concerned about the cover! They are not cops!" That was exactly what he expected. But just as he was about to fire, a woman appeared out of nowhere and shot him right above the heart. She would have killed him if she hadn't been wounded by the two bullets he allegedly fired at the man. The woman smiled triumphantly before collapsing. Fortunately, he did not die, but it appeared that this was the end of his life. He etched her bloodied face, her fierce eyes, that brave stunt, that satisfied look on her face, and that bullet into his mind before closing his eyes. After all, she appeared to have struck him in the heart.
Reyansh would remember that moment for the rest of his life. His first encounter with his life's love. That woman would go on to become one of the most feared investigative journalists of her generation! Sharmishtha Singh was the name he remembered. He had been chasing her for the past five years, and nothing, not even death, could separate them now. Reyansh stood up and walked out of the corridor. Roy had been taken aback by his actions. "What came over him?" he wondered.
Sengupta entered a short time later. He'd beefed up the security around the corridor. "So, I looked around the building for suspicious people but didn't find any. For the time being, we are attempting to be extra cautious." Roy gave a nod. Rajiv returned and sat quietly while they were talking. The doctors arrived five minutes later, followed by Reyansh.
They smiled as they finished the routine checkup. "Mr. Roychowdhury, she is making significant progress. But it's still too soon to say anything. Her injuries remain fatal. I'm afraid we'll lose her if she continues to be unconscious." Reyansh gave her a worried look before turning to the doctors. "May I make a request?"
"Yes?"
"May I remain by her side?"
"Sorry, Mr. Roychowdhury, but that is against hospital policy. It may cause harm to the patient."
"Please, doctor, I assure you that there will be no complications, and if anything goes wrong, I will bear full responsibility."
"If you're pleading so hard, I suppose we could work something out. However, you will be required to sign a bond."
"Sure."
After completing all of the formalities, the doctors left. Reyansh sat down next to her bed. Roy came in a little later to check on her. The doctors had informed him of her progress. He appeared to be relieved. He then cast a glance at the pitiful crime lord sitting by her side. He was still having trouble believing it. When Reyansh called, he sighed and turned to leave.
"Mr Roy? Is it?"
"Yes?" Roy turned to face him.
"Sir, you look absolutely terrible. I must strongly advise you to rest yourself and your team. I've made arrangements to stay here with the doctors' permission."
"But—"
"There is no need to be concerned, sir. My men are out there with the cops. There will be no problems. Please leave your phone number. I'll keep you updated. Aside from visiting hours, you can't see her anyway."
He had a valid point there. Roy gave a nod. "Alright. Thank you very much. I'll be leaving soon."
______________________
Rajiv appeared to be hopping around the office, much to Arjun's chagrin. He wasn't the type of man you'd hire for a delicate job. Irresponsible, forgetful, undisciplined, and messy—the stark opposite of Ms. Singh—the office concluded. It had been four days since he had started, and Rohan had had to reset the office lock five times before deciding that he would only come with Roy. Rohan sat down to drink his coffee after handing it to Roy. With purple eyebags, he still appeared restless.
"Are you okay?" Roy inquired.
"Yes, absolutely."
"Perhaps you could take a day off."
"I just got back this week."
"Well, you don't look good."
"That's because of our temporary boss. I did not expect him to be such a manchild when he arrived at the hospital two weeks ago!"
Roy laughed heartily. As much as they despised Sharmishtha's hectic schedule, you'd think someone as carefree as Rajiv would make them happy, but the opposite was true. Arjun was constantly on his nerves, and Rohan, like everyone else in the office, was becoming increasingly stressed. Roy's position as chief editor was constantly jeopardized after Rajiv took over.
They were startled to hear a loud scream. They dashed out and saw Rajiv standing on the table, arms in the air, screaming like a lunatic. Rohan grabbed him by the collar and dragged him down. Roy and Rajiv were taken aback by his actions.
"What?" Rajiv was confused.
"Why are you screaming like you've been set on fire?" Rohan's tone was solemn.
"Oh yes, Sharmishtha woke up!" he stated happily and started dancing around.
The other two couldn't believe what they were hearing! "What?"
"She woke up," he screamed once more.
______________________
Sharmishtha slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was hazy. She found a man sleeping beside her with his head in his arms on the bed and his body on the chair. She tilted her head toward him and stared blankly. She could not make sense of anything around her. Her anxiety gradually turned to panic as she attempted to jump off the channels and threw herself off. Rey woke up. Her body lacked strength, and as a result, she fell to the floor. He rushed off to help her, unable to understand anything. She was still on a ventilator and would die if she tore it. But the moment his hands touched her, she screamed, "Get off! Let go! Don't come near me!"
Rey tensed up. He couldn't process her reaction. Sharmishtha desperately grabbed a scalpel from the tray and pointed it at him. "Don't come near me!" she screamed once more.
To Rey's horror, she did not recognize him. "Shyra?" he called softly. There was no reaction. He approached her again; her panic worsened, and she stabbed him. Rey did not move. He patted her lightly and called her again, "Shyra? It's me."
She remained hostile. Her body trembled, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Rey was struggling to calm her down. Her screams had alerted security, who had fortunately called the doctors.