“SP Bhosle’s scream makes my every pore alert and without thinking anything, I jump towards Nandana. I don’t know why but I feel that this bullet was not for me but for her, for my Angel. Something grazes through and slashes the skin and flesh of the lateral aspect of my shoulder and hits and ricochets the nearest wall. The place becomes numb for a second and something hot and liquid starts rolling down my bicep. I understand the bullet didn’t fail its target entirely. But right now, it’s not the time for mulling over my wound. I shrug the thought off because I know the next time the next bullet may not miss its actual aim. I rapidly calculate all the things and wrap her in my arms. Like a soft toy, she gets engulfed into my chest.”

As SP Bhosle’s warning hits Aditya’s ears, he insanely dives towards Nandana. Like the gunshot and other matters, she even was not ready for this abrupt collision. Aditya’s heavy body lands on her like a thunderbolt. Before she could sink into the situation, both of them plummet to the ground. Aditya totally shields her body with his arms and upper torso and rolls on the ground to avoid further any direct shots. Simultaneously, he searches for a hiding place. Only then, 2-3 bullets pass them by a whisker. Nandana wraps Aditya tightly and wails in fear,

“Adi…tya!”

Aditya looks side by side and searches for a solid cover where they can take shelter because anytime a bullet can puncture their body parts. On the other side, the entire mob is yelling and running to and fro like lunatics. Amidst this tumult, some ill-fated fall on the ground and start getting stampeded by the others. The entire court premises turn into an anarchic war field where everybody is trying to save their life by sacrificing the lives of others. The policemen try to cover themselves behind the pillars and walls and keep on firing at the source of the unknown gunmen. From both sides, shots are fired after every minute interval. Some unfortunate people get shot and plunge here and there. Amidst this horror, Aditya keeps on rolling on the ground holding Nandana in his protective arms. Eventually, he sees a table and a chair. It can be a temporary shelter. His presence of mind alerts him. He crawls towards it having Nandana almost cocooned in his chest. It takes 5-10 minutes and eventually, they reach the place. Perhaps the chair and the table are the seats of a constable but right now, it can be their life-saving shield. Aditya whispers in Nandana’s ear,

“Leave my body and roll to that table. Be careful. Keep your body straight and level to the ground as much as you can. Go behind the chair.”

Nandana’s grip on his back doesn’t loosen up. Instead, she meeks out,

“I won’t go anywhere without you.”

Aditya is still approaching the table at a snail’s pace because he almost has to carry the weight of two adult people. Nandana’s obstinance and stupidity make him anxious. This time he commands it firmly,

“Nandana..we are still uncovered and at risk in this position. Please cover yourself as soon. I am not going anywhere. I am coming right after you.”

Meanwhile, she lifts her face from his chest and looks into his eyes.

“We will go together.”

Her voice is laced with worry and determination. Unknowingly a nonchalant smile creeps on his lips. He mutters,

“Stubborn mule…even I gave you a new name today.”

Nandana frowns with a pout at him. Only then, some new gunshots try to deafen them again. Aditya clasps Nandana once more and inches towards the table.

........................

“Sir, a small team of ours is coming to cover the outside because we don’t know how many are they and how long will they continue this firing.”

The constable informs SP Bhosle. The firing is now decreased and settled down a bit. Both sides have taken a break. However, the throng is still running like directionless crackers. Bhosle skirts his eyes all around and replies gravely,

“Their target was either Aditya Oberoi or Nandana. And if they couldn’t get them shot then I think they won’t waste their more bullets on us. Dubey, we have to save the Oberois. I called the headquarter to send more police force. It’s a shame for us that such an attack happened on the court premises. I hope there is no death among the casualties. Quick, fast….find out Mr and Mrs Oberoi and give them protection. I think the attackers have left until now.”

Constable Dubey nods and carefully retrieves to enter a room. Some other constables and officers are there. He has to inform them about it. SP Bhosle checks his service revolver once again and comes out of behind the pillar. His forehead is creased with lines of worry. He mumbles under his surging breath,

“Who were they? Aditya’s opposition? How did they know about his release so soon? Or they were after Nandana’s life? But why?”

Suddenly a scream jerks him from his reverie.

“ADITYA....AAAA.”

...........................

last, Aditya manages to reach the place where they can cover themselves from the bullets. Nandana finally withdraws herself from Aditya’s body and sits behind the chair. The gunshots are not getting heard now. Perhaps the battle finally ended. Still, they can’t be careless. An idea plays in Aditya’s head. He grabs one of the legs of the table and tries to tilt it so that the top platform can shield their body entirely. At least, the bullets will lose some impact after hitting the table surface. However, a sharp pain immediately tears his shoulder muscles and Aditya wails in agony despite being unwilling.

“Aditya….what are you doing? Sit quietly. It’s heavy and you are not that much stout as you think of yourself.”

Nandana yells at him when tries to stop him by grabbing his biceps. Aditya presses his lower lips under his teeth to control the pain. During all this, he almost forgot that his shoulder got injured by the bullet and these kinds of wounds have a unique characteristic. As time passes the pain and the uneasiness increase. His anxiety and fear almost made him oblivious to the injury and associated pain but now it is overpowering his nerves and patience. He smiles at Nandana palely and replies in a staccato,

“I know how…much strong and stout I am but….but you don’t know…that in this position…this table…ca…can’t protect us….that much..”

The unnaturalness of his voice attracts Nandana’s attention. Only then, her eyes fall on Aditya’s shirt sleeve where she is holding his bicep. Right now, her palm is stained with bloodspot and it is oozing out from none other than Aditya’s hand. Nandana removes her trembling hand from his bicep and nears it to her eyes. Her eyes bulge in shock and her mouth is open.

“Aa…di.ty..aa…”

She speaks out with a shaky voice. Aditya glances at his blood-soaked sleeve and tries to normalise his tone,

“Nothing…the bullet only… grazed my shoulder…I am…fa…fine…”

He bites his lips and closes his eyes to suppress the excruciating pain. However, he is feeling giddy and sleepy at a time. Needless to say, blood loss is the reason. Gradually, his neck tilts towards Nandana and he places it on her shoulder. Before slipping into unconsciousness, Aditya heard Nandana’s heart-wrenching scream.

“ADITYA....AAAA.”

.........................

“He is lucky that the bullet only grazed the upper dermis of his shoulder. If it had slashed the skin a bit deeper, the nerves of his neck could have been damaged and in that case, it would have been difficult for us to treat him. Anything could have happened.”

The doctor reveals with a straight face.

“When will he gain his sense doctor?”

Nandana restlessly asks. SP Bhosle nods to acknowledge her question and looks at the doctor in demand of a satisfactory answer.

“He lost an ample amount of blood. His previous head injury is still not fully recovered. So, it is difficult to say.”

The doctor explains. Nandana’s jaws become hard. She determinedly asks,

“Can I take him home? This is the second time; he has been attacked and this time it could have taken his life.”

The last line shakes her voice a bit. SP Bhosle clears his voice and intervenes,

“Ms Bo.., I mean Mrs Oberoi, I think this time the attack was on you. He took the bullet on him to save you.”

For a brief moment, Nandana keeps staring at him and then unsurely enquires,

“On me! But why? I don’t have any enemies. Why should anyone try to kill me?”
“Perhaps they want to hurt Aditya by hurting you. You know sometimes it’s more effective by hurting our weakest point to try to make that person weak and even you know who is his weakness.”

Bhosle reveals and purses his lips to ensure whom he is mentioning. Nandana embarrassedly breaks her eye contact and again asks the doctor.

“He is not safe here. I want to get him at home. Is it possible?”

The doctor shrugs and answers,

“Possible but only if he gets intensive care at that place. He is weak and vulnerable. Will you be able to take care of him 24x7?”

Before Nandana could answer, Bhosle replies,

“He lives alone.”

“Not anymore. I will take care of him doctor…24x7. You please discharge him.”

Nandana jumps to her conclusion. Bhosle’s eyes beam with mischief. He hides his grin and mutters in mind,

“The bullet at least did a good work.”