We Are A Match [COMPLETED]

Chapter : Seventy Three

Chapter : 73

Ananya's POV

The machines beeped around me in a rhythm, indicating the beating heart every once. I've been sitting here for long enough to figure out when the next beep will erupt from that machine. The room was lit with bright lights yet it seemed dark and lonely. Dead silence surrounded me.

I kept looking down at my brother's face. It was pale yet he seemed at peace with his eyes closed. It felt good to find him in peace. Ever since he had returned from the test match, all that had been evident on his face was a frown mixed with sadness. My eyes trailed down from his face towards his right hand that lay by his side. I raised my own hand and gently placed it over his. My fingertips felt the rough medical bandage that wrapped around his wrist where he had sliced it. I clenched my jaw and kept the tears to myself as I retracted my hand back, fearing that I might hurt Ravi.

I turned my eyes towards the door which had been pushed open by Dad who entered silently. He looked at me with tired brown eyes but easily pulled a curtain over his emotions. That's what he always does.

"It's almost dawn now, sweetheart. You should go home-" Dad was saying when I gave a wry smile and he too understood what I meant.

Presently, I couldn't go back home cause the police had sealed it as a crime scene despite our requests. Moreover, the media was going crazy with this 'Breaking News' about Delhi's rich kid committing suicide which meant I couldn't leave the hospital in Dad's car. The reporters will try their very best to interview me and I'm not really ready to face them.

"I meant... You should go with Rishav. He's waiting down at the hospital reception desk." Dad told me.

I looked up at my father with a hint of surprise. Has he accepted Rishav?

"Just go already. Don't give me that look now." Dad spoke, trying to keep a straight face.

Giving a small smile, I stood up, pecked a light kiss over my brother's forehead and walked towards dad. Hugging him tightly, I made my way out of the ward room. I looked at my wristwatch which said 3:27 AM. Walking through the silent corridors, I descended the stairs and entered the reception area where I could spot Rishav and Kiran talking. Kiran stopped talking and looked at me as I approached them. Rishav followed Kiran's gaze and his green orbs looked at me intently. I knew Rishav was trying to read my face but I made sure that my expression gave away nothing. He looked tired already, I don't wanna worry him anymore.

"You're okay?" Rishav asked me when he failed to decipher my thoughts.

"Hmm." I managed to speak with a nod.

"Better get going guys. The crowd is comparatively thin now. We could slip away silently." Kiran suggested as he looked out at the open area visible from the wide glass paneled doors of the hospital.

I could spot many media reporters holding mics and ranting away, looking at the cameras as they broadcasted live coverage. I wondered how many people had gathered a while ago if this many counted as a 'thin crowd' as per Kiran.

"Ananya?" Rishav's voice brought me back on Earth as he lightly touched my arm.

"Ready?" He asked as I turned to look at him.

I nodded. Rishav gave a silent smile and held out a helmet to me.

"Put this on. The reporters won't recognize you, hopefully." Rishav explained.

Nodding, I put the helmet on and followed Kiran and Rishav out. The reporters turned to look at the three of us as we moved out. Many hovered around Rishav, putting their mics in front of him as he tried and pushed his way through. I held his hand tighter, fearing that I might lose him in the crowd as he navigated a way out.

"You're Ravi's close friend. What are your views regarding this issue?" One reporter asked.

"Was there Cocaine in his system?" Another one asked.

"Did you know about Ravi's addiction?" Voiced another man.

My frown deepened on my face as every question registered in my head. How come so much exist within a few hours? How are they asking all this without even knowing the truth? My grip over Rishav's hand tightened further as I resisted the urge to throw the helmet off and answer every single question. A part of me wanted to tell these idiots to stop whatever 'news' they were spreading. At the same time, I knew it'd be worthless to try and explain these people.

After a struggle, we three succeeded in pulling out of the hospital. Kiran drove off to his home while Rishav and I headed for his home on the Thunderbird. I looked up at the dark sky and then down at my necklace which shone a bright 'R'.

"Ignore them Ananya." Rishav told me as he drove the bike through the almost empty roads.

Nodding, I leaned against his back, wrapping my arms around his slim torso. Somehow in all the chaos, sleep welcomed me in Rishav's presence.

***

Rishav's POV 

Laying Ananya down on my bed I took a tired breath. She was definitely heavy when asleep and carrying her all the way up the stairs into the house and then into my room after spending hours running about the hospital for various reasons had left me exhausted. However, one look at her peaceful face made me forget the pain. She resembled a little, innocent angel asleep.

Smiling down at her face, I stroked the strands of hair away from her face and tucked them behind her ear. She stirred in her sleep with a little frown at my touch and then dove back to her deep sleep.

"I'm sorry." I whispered to no one in particular in that silent bedroom.

I felt like I owed an apology. How different things could've been had I not left the Sharma's residence. Had I not dashed out for Madhav in my rage. Had I just tried and talked to Ravi to make him feel better than to have indulged into that fight with Dinesh.

I looked up at the open doorway of my bedroom when I heard the shuffling of feet. Sameer was standing at the door with a small smile as he looked at me and then down at Ananya's sleeping figure, her head resting on my lap with me leaning against the headrest. I was too tired to shoo him out so I just raised an eyebrow as if to ask him why he was here.

"Nothing. Just checking up on you." Sameer shook his head and closed the door behind him as he left.