A contract

"Riya's point of view,"

"Riya, did you make any arrangements for blood?" Ankur walked over and inquired as soon as I hung up the phone.

"Yes, he will be here shortly to donate blood."

"Who? Who are you referring to?"

"Rachit. He has an AB-negative blood type." I exhaled deeply and said,

"And what has he requested in return?" Ankur inquired, his voice trembling.

"He hasn't yet disclosed his terms."

"How are you going to accomplish this without even listening to his demands?"

"So, what else could I possibly do? Nothing is more valuable to me than Harsh's life, and I will offer him anything for his blood."

"Riya, I understand your predicament, but knowing that man, he will almost certainly demand something from you in exchange for the blood, which you cannot provide."

"I understand, but if something happens to Harsh, I'll have a hard time surviving.

Did you let his family know about it?"I inquired, my gaze fixed on him.

"No, not just now. I think we should wait until the doctor completes his surgery before telling anyone about this.

Have you informed Rachit of the reason for your blood request?" His enquiring eyes met mine once more and remained fixed.

"No, I haven't told him yet." I shrugged.

"That's good. Don't tell him you're asking for blood for Harsh, or he'll refuse to donate it if he finds out."

Ankur is correct; I have no faith in his motives, but I have no choice but to believe him to save Harsh.

Only half an hour remained in the timeline by the doctor for blood collection. What if Rachit didn't bring any blood with him? What if anything bad happens to Harsh? I was having frightening thoughts.

Rachit's message flashed on my phone screen: "I've brought blood."

I dashed to the hospital reception desk and sighed a sigh of relief when I saw the container in his hand. I tried to take the container from his grip, but he yanked his hand backward.

"What is too early? Riya, finish the deal first." His evil attitude showed that he had agreed to help me to carry out some of his evil plans.

"I have little time, so tell me what you want and I'll provide it to you." I said, wiping my tears away.

"Please sign these papers." While extending a file in front of me, he said.

I was surprised and inquired, "What did you write in these papers?"

"I will give you this container only once you have read and signed the document."

Because I didn't have time to read the paper, I signed it with a pen and paper from his hand.

"Good." His mischievous grin clearly showed that his strategy had worked. I grabbed the container from his grip and began walking towards Harsh's room.

"Don't forget, Riya, tonight at exactly 10 p.m.," Before leaving the hospital, he remarked.

I did not know what he was saying, but it was up to me to save Harsh's life, not to think about him.

"Doctor, get started on the procedure right away." I handed over the blood bottle to him. I was waiting outside the operating room for Harsh's surgery to be completed.

Harsh's face was constantly spinning in front of my eyes.

Come back into my life, Riya;

I miss you terribly.

His statements caused me to question whether Harsh still loved me.

Please, Riya, pay attention to me once more.

He wanted to convey something to me, but I ignored him. If I had stopped and listened to him, Harsh would not be swinging between life and death like this now.

In my heart, I was begging God to save Harsh in whatever way he saw fit, and if he wanted something in exchange, he should take my life.

Rachit's email flashed on my phone's screen. That email included a soft copy of the papers I had signed previously. I reviewed the terms and conditions of our agreement as soon as I opened the mail.

What exactly? How could he think in this manner? I did not know he could perform such a low-level act. But, because I signed the contract myself, I now have no choice but to accept its terms.

"Riya, what happened? You've been staring at your phone for a long time," Ankur asked as he sat next to me.

When I didn't answer his words, he pulled my phone from my grip and read Rachit's email.

He said fiercely, punching his fist on the bench, "I knew he'd do such a lousy deed."

"But I didn't have any other choice than to accept his demand."

"So, after all of your hard work, will you now let your dream project slip through your hands so easily?"

"I'm not concerned about the project; people in the corporate world do this all the time, and it's not a huge issue for me to take it back from him, but...," seeing me engrossed, he returned his gaze to my mobile screen.

After reading Rachit's second condition, he remarked, "Oh no, Riya, what are you going to do now?"

"I'm not sure. Right now, I don't want to think about anything but Harsh."

I fixed my eyes on Harsh's door as I waited for it to open and see him.

"Riya, get some rest because you, too, are not feeling well." Ankur is pleading with me to leave Harsh alone in his current state.

He is in this state because of me. How can I leave him alone?

"No, I'm perfectly alright."

"How is Harsh doing now, Doctor?" I stopped the doctor and requested as soon as the operating theatre door opened.

"We could finish the surgery, but we won't know how he was doing until he woke up."

"What do you mean, as a doctor, you should know his situation?" After hearing the doctor's response, I became enraged; how could he speak in this manner?

"Riya, please relax. It's only after he comes to his senses that the doctor can determine whether his brain is functioning normally." Ankur snatched my shoulders and forced me to return to the bench.

"Ankur, he'll be fine, right?" I couldn't stop myself from crying.

"Stop sobbing. Riya, nothing bad will happen to him; he'll be alright in no time." He was attempting to console me, but I will not be at ease until Harsh comes to his senses.

Harsh was being moved from the operating room to the intensive care unit. He was lying unconscious on the stretcher. I was staring at Harsh's head bandages. Everything that happened resulted from my actions.

What if he loses consciousness and refuses to recognize me? If his memory was lost, fearful ideas popped into my head once more.

You haven't given him nice memories, to begin with, so if he loses his memory, that's okay; at the very least, he'll forget the deception you've pulled on him.

Harsh regained consciousness after an almost four-hour wait. The doctor checked on him and said he was in perfect health.

"Riya, go inside and meet Harsh; you've been waiting for him to come to his senses for a long time, and now that he has, you will not meet him." With puzzled eyes, Ankur gazed at me.

"No, I don't dare to face him. You call his relatives and inform them."

"But you, Riya...,"

"No, Ankur, you will not tell him anything about what happened here. Especially regarding my and Rachit's agreement."

"Why are you doing this, Riya?" I realize I am causing myself more grief by doing this, but what can I do? I am the only one responsible for his condition.

Rachit's message then appeared on my phone's screen.

"Riya, hurry, I'm waiting for you."

"I have to leave Ankur."

"But you. Riya... ,"I swiftly hastened my steps towards the hospital exit before he tried to stop me.