Chapter 6 Messo

Arjun was alarmed to see her gaining consciousness, only to pass out once again. He glanced over his watch helplessly, noting that it had been a few minutes past half an hour; just then, he heard a soft rap on the open doctor and saw Dr.Maheshwari walking in.

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After Arjun vanished, Ishaan felt like he was about to explode with frustration. He would have shaken the whole system by this time, if only he had been in Milan. It had been almost two hours and he didn't have a clue about Manya's whereabouts; he didn't know what he was going to do next, he was unable to understand what had happened ever since he had stepped foot into ARMA's offices, and he really needed to have his abouts him at this time.

But he realised the most important thing at the moment was to find Manya, he didn't even know where the hell Arjun had hidden her! He was quite sure that he had not taken her to any hospital because he had made his team check every hospital in town within a few minutes. His anger was growing with each passing minute.

*He was angry at himself for not being able to protect Manya, and at Arjun for taking Manya away from him! She was his closest friend- what the hell did Arjun Chauhan even know about her- was he aware of her fear of heights and dark places, her Prosopagnosia and claustrophobia? How could he just snatch her and run away; she needed immediate medical attention- did he even know what her blood type was?*

Ishaan was getting entangled in his own emotions; the feelings he had kept hidden successfully from Manya to that day were making him more uneasy.

*She was the most delicate and sensitive person he had ever come across. To him, she was like a flower that could wither away just by a voice being raised; he wanted to protect her always, protect her from everything, everyone- and here he was, not even able to see her when she was clearly in distress! It felt like someone had torn his own heart out of his body. This whole thing was his fault, she had never even wanted to come back to India! It was his selfish imagination of expressing his feelings and convincing her for marriage that had made him ask her to come along for this project. If he had had any hint about what awaited them, he himself would never let her return...what path was available to him now, other than asking a God he wasn't even sure he believed in, for help!*

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Arjun narrated the entire sequence of events to the doctor and watched him with pleading eyes, without saying any other word. His panic was growing as the time passed; the doctor patted his shoulder reassuringly and turned to examine the patient lying on the bed. He noticed her forehead wrinkling, with tiny droplets of sweat gleaming on it. "She is dreaming.." the doctor whispered. *'She is dreaming'! What was this supposed to mean now?* Arjun thought, but before he could have his confusion sorted, the doctor instructed him to give him the details of every person he had mentioned before she passed out.

"Massi...massi..." she murmured again, directing the attention of both men towards her.

"Where are these people right now, call them right away! And especially her massi-"

"Actually, I have just met her today after twelve years. I don't know where any of these people are, but I know why she is calling Messo- she is the closest person to her."

"It's really important to have her here at this moment, she is not responding to the medication and if it continues, it could be dangerous for her – it might be life threatening as well, so please hurry," the doctor replied with a note of urgency in his voice.

Alarm bells started going off in Arjun's head after hearing the words 'life-threatening'; he suddenly remembered Ishaan mentioning Sia's name, he might be able to contact her. Arjun rushed outside the door suddenly, muttering under his breath, that he would be back soon.

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Ishaan looked up from where he was crouching near the door, only to see Arjun dashing towards him and got up, but before Arjun could get a word out of his mouth, bang! He punched him- he had punched Arjun Chauhan square in his face, which caused him to lose his balance, but Arjun stood up straight quickly and said in a menacing, low growl- "You are lucky I am not thinking about myself right now but I will make sure we both remember this punch." He then took a deep breath and regained his composure, then said curtly, "Give me Sia's number."

Ishaan stepped forward and grabbed his collar, seething with rage, "Who the hell do you think you are, issuing orders from your grand throne? Where is Manya, what have you done with her? I need to see her right now!"

The staff had gathered in the lobby to see what was going on, while Arjun's assistant was desperately trying to gain control over the situation, asking them to go back to their respective places.

This time Arjun punched Ishaan back, the impact of which knocked him to the ground; he didn't want to stop just yet, but reminded himself this was not the time. He spoke again, slowly, emphasizing each word- "I am asking for Sia's number, what can't you understand? Manya is in a critical situation- we have to hurry ,we need to contact Messo as soon as possible."

Ishaan stood up right away, clearly agitated and stuttered, "What did you just say? How can she be in a critical state, she was totally fine a while ago? And who is this 'Messo'?"

Arjun realised Ishaan was probably not aware of this term of endearment and asked again,trying to be patient, "Her Massi- Sia's mom; give me their numbers, fast."

"Are you kidding me or have you lost it? Sia's mom passed away twelve years ago! Where is Manya,take me to her...I am calling her Daddy and Sia right away, just take me to her."

Arjun reflexively grabbed Ishaan's collar, "What are you saying? Messo passed away twelve years ago?! How dare you joke in this situation?"

Ishaan shoved Arjun's hand from his collar, shouting, "Do I look like I will joke in this situation? I have had enough! I need to see Manya right this minute, or the outcome will not be good for you!!"

Arjun felt like he had been struck by lightning. He signalled his assistant to take Ishaan to Manya via the secret hallway, even as he felt his legs buckling underneath him, as if they didn't have any strength left.

*Is this some kind of a cruel joke? Sia's mom had passed away twelve years ago?! Messo was no more, how could this happen...why didn't he know about any of this...?*

He felt himself coming apart and before he could realise: he had fainted, collapsing to the ground, face first.

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