As Raj and Yashu waited anxiously in the hospital's intensive care unit, the tension in the air was palpable. Every minute felt like an eternity. They were startled when Dr. Srinivas walked in, his expression much calmer than before.
Dr. Srinivas: Mr. Raj, Mrs. Yashu, I have some good news. Your father's condition has stabilized. He's out of immediate danger and, with proper care, he should make a full recovery within one to two months.
A collective sigh of relief swept through the family. Yashu, still tearful, clasped her hands together and whispered a prayer of thanks. Raj felt a massive weight lift off his shoulders, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
Raj: (sincerely) Thank you, Dr. Srinivas. We're so grateful for everything you're doing.
Dr. Srinivas: (nodding) Of course. We're here to help. I'll leave you to rest for a moment, but I must attend to another patient now. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
As Dr. Srinivas walked away, a young man approached them. Raj recognized him as Karthikeya, Dr. Srinivas' intern. Karthikeya had a serious expression on his face, a stark contrast to the usually calm demeanor of medical professionals.
Karthikeya: Mr. Raj, can I have a word with you in private?
Raj nodded and followed Karthikeya to a quieter corner of the waiting area. Karthikeya glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot before speaking in a hushed tone.
Karthikeya: Mr. Raj, I wanted to bring something to your attention. I've been reviewing the details of your father's accident, and there are some irregularities that concern me.
Raj's brow furrowed in concern.
Raj: Irregularities? What do you mean?
Karthikeya: Based on the injuries and the circumstances described, it seems like the accident might have been staged. It's possible that someone deliberately caused it.
Raj felt a chill run down his spine. The idea that someone could have intentionally harmed his father was horrifying.
Raj: Are you sure about this?
Karthikeya: I'm not entirely sure, but the patterns are suspicious enough that I strongly recommend contacting the police. They can conduct a more thorough investigation.
Raj took a deep breath, trying to process the information. The thought of someone targeting his father was terrifying, but he knew he couldn't ignore this possibility.
Raj: Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Karthikeya. I'll contact the police right away.
Karthikeya: Please do. And be careful. If this was intentional, the person or people behind it might not stop here.
Raj nodded, his mind already racing with thoughts of how to protect his family and find out who was behind the accident. He walked back to his mother, who was still sitting quietly, absorbing the news of her husband's stabilization.
Raj: Mom, I'm going to make a quick call. I need to handle something. I'll be right back.
Yashu looked at him with concern but nodded.
Yashu: Alright, Raj. Just... be careful.
Raj stepped outside and pulled out his phone, dialing the number for the local police station. As the phone rang, he steeled himself for the battle ahead. This wasn't just about protecting the family business anymore; it was about protecting his family itself.
Raj quickly made another call, his fingers tapping nervously against the phone. He dialed the number for Dip Prajapati, a trusted private investigator he had worked with in the past.
Dip Prajapati: (answering) Raj, what's up?
Raj: Dip, I need your help. My father's accident wasn't just an accident. i suspects it might have been staged. I need you to look into this matter . Find out who was behind it and why.
Dip Prajapati: (serious) Understood. I'll get on it right away. Do you have any leads?
Raj: The lorry driver fled the scene. I'm also going to contact Appala Naidu to use his connections to locate the driver. I'll send you all the details I have so far.
Dip Prajapati: Got it. Send them over. I'll keep you updated.
Ending the call, Raj immediately dialed Appala Naidu's number. The line clicked, and a deep, authoritative voice answered.
Appala Naidu: Raj, what can I do for you?
Raj: Naidu, I need your help. My father was in a hit-and-run accident, and I have reasons to believe it was intentional. The driver fled the scene. Can you use your channels to locate him?
Appala Naidu: (concerned) Consider it done, Raj. I'll put my best men on it. We'll find the driver and get to the bottom of this.
Raj: Thank you, Naidu. Keep me posted.
As he ended the call, Raj's mind wandered to another troubling matter. He remembered Nurse Sulochana, who had been in a coma for years. She knew the truth about his birth — that Valmiki had switched babies, giving Raj to Jayaram and Yashu. The secret gnawed at him, adding another layer to the already complex situation.
Determined to piece everything together, Raj decided to visit the hospital's records to see if there had been any change in Nurse Sulochana's condition. He walked back into the hospital, his mind racing with the many threads of the complicated web he was trying to untangle.
Entering the nurse's station, he asked for information on Nurse Sulochana's condition.
Raj: Excuse me, I'm here to inquire about Nurse Sulochana. She's been in a coma for some time. Has there been any change in her condition?
The nurse at the desk looked up the records and shook her head.
Nurse: I'm sorry, but there hasn't been any change in her condition. She's still in a coma.
Raj sighed, knowing that for now, the secret remained buried with her. But he couldn't shake off the feeling that it would surface sooner or later. He had to be prepared for that moment.
Returning to his mother, he found Yashu talking softly to Jayaram, who was now conscious but weak. Raj approached the bed and took his father's hand.
Raj: Dad, I've made some calls. We're going to find out who did this. You just focus on getting better.
Jayaram nodded weakly, a grateful look in his eyes.
Jayaram: (whispering) Thank you, Raj. Be careful.
Raj nodded, determined. As he left the hospital room, he felt a surge of resolve. He had to protect his family, uncover the truth, and ensure that justice was served — all while keeping the family business strong and united. The road ahead was fraught with challenges, but Raj knew he was ready to face them head-on.