A sudden and intense development in the department threw Nitin into chaos, forcing him to act swiftly.
As their names revealed, some of the colleges who worked with those officers couldn't take it and their disbelieved challenged Nitin to hold them together and heightened their moral.
Even for Nitin it was very challenging because of one of them are also much closed to him. Like they knew each other for a longer period of time even before Nitin got appointed here.
Despite the tumultuous emotions that swirled within, Nitin, true to his nature, maintained his stoic demeanor.
He refrained from displaying any hint of vulnerability, just as he had always done. Instead, he remained resolute and unwavering, determined to lead them through this tumultuous ordeal.
Sirens blared throughout the city as they rushed to the scene, drawing curious onlookers from their homes. It became evident that three cars and a jeep were racing somewhere with urgency.
Nitin monitored the situation through his walkie-talkie, issuing orders to his team, preparing for imminent action.
He felt a profound sense of foreboding as the gravity of the situation became clear.
His heart raced, and he feared this could be yet another setback for him.
Nitin hoped desperately that the approaching vehicles carried officers en route to the hospital. The latest reports painted a grim picture of their condition, and it was only a matter of time before things could worsen.
Deep down, Nitin yearned for their safety. He wanted to avoid the specter of death once more, and time was quickly becoming his greatest adversary.
Several vehicles veered off their original route, heading toward the scene of the clash.
In response, Nitin and his team redirected their path toward the hospital to assess the condition of their injured colleagues.
Throughout the journey, Nitin's face bore a disconcerting blend of concern and puzzlement. An eerie sense of dread loomed over him, as if he anticipated an ominous call at any given moment.
As the moments ticked by without receiving any such call, Nitin finally arrived at the hospital. His car was parked outside, reminiscent of a previous visit.
It was the same hospital where Doctor Lavanya had once worked, and his initial intention had been to inquire about her colleagues.
Now, fate had led him here, indirectly guiding him to a place where he could inquire not only about Lavanya but also her daughter, whose well-being weighed heavily on his mind.
This unexpected visit to the hospital held the potential to significantly advance Nitin's investigation.
The sight of the fallen officers served as a poignant reminder of the urgency to speak with them, possibly yielding the crucial lead he had been relentlessly pursuing since the case began.
With Arun and Rudra emerging as prime suspects within the department, suspicions were high, and it seemed evident to everyone that they might be the masterminds behind the unfolding chaos.
Adding intrigue to the situation, the knowledge that Lavanya and Arun had a prior connection hinted at a possible link between them and the ongoing events.
This revelation only intensified Nitin's determination to gather information from the hospital staff and pursue every avenue of inquiry to uncover the truth.
The hospital's reception area, bathed in harsh fluorescent light, served as a nerve Centre of activity.
Patients and visitors from all walks of life crisscrossed through the polished floors, their footsteps resonating with a sense of urgency and trepidation.
Overworked nurses hurried past, their faces etched with weariness, while families anxiously huddled together, and seeking solace in each other's presence.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the hospital's hallway transformed.
Nurses and members of the general public, who had been going about their business, began to gather around.
They cast curious and penetrating gazes towards Nitin and his team, their attention now laser-focused on them, much like predators locking onto their prey.
Nitin approached the woman at the counter, who appeared slightly flustered.
She had been engaged in a conversation over the phone, but when she spotted Nitin and his team advancing towards her, she abruptly ended the call.
Her posture straightened instantly, as if she had become as rigid as a pole, all signs of nervousness and distraction vanishing in the face of their arrival.
As Nitin began to speak, the woman behind the counter remained silent initially.
She had assumed they were just regular members of the public, unaware of their true identity.
When Nitin urgently inquired about the three officers brought to the hospital, specifying the floor and ward number, she sought more information from him, attempting to discern their connection.
Growing slightly frustrated with her hesitation, Nitin promptly revealed his badge.
Startled, the woman hastily checked her computer for the requested information.
Her voice trembled as she responded with a mix of anxiety and urgency, clearly affected by Nitin's demeanor.
All of them were placed on the 4th floor.
Nitin had given his team specific instructions: talk to the people who had brought them here and gather as much information as possible about the circumstances leading up to their arrival.
However, Nitin chose to head to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on his own, where they were each housed separately.
As he approached the floor, he was immediately struck by an unusual and unsettling odor that he wasn't accustomed to.
This unfamiliar scent made him feel a bit anxious, causing his breath to become shallower and quicker.
To avoid the discomfort, he began breathing through his mouth instead of his nose.
Nitin was keenly aware that the families of the patients would be arriving at any moment, adding to the weight of his responsibilities. He knew that he also had to provide support and guidance to their worried loved ones.
The operation was in progress, and it was a critical moment for all the officers involved.
Nitin found himself in a situation where the only thing he could do was wait – wait for the doctors to complete the operation.
While he waited outside the operating room, he noticed the officers' families making their way towards him.
The women were crying uncontrollably, some were yelling, children were sobbing, and the men were doing their best to console and hold everyone together.
Nitin intervened to prevent them from going any further into the tense environment.
Despite not having all the details himself, he managed to explain the situation as best as he could, and gradually, they all began to calm down.
Time seemed to stretch on as Nitin waited anxiously. He sat on a bench, exhaustion catching up to him. His associates, who were also there for support, sat nearby, keeping him company.
After what felt like an eternity, 2 hours and 29 minutes later, the first doctor emerged from the operating room.
Nitin, fatigued and overwhelmed, had fallen asleep on the bench. His colleagues were there, watching over him and awaiting news of their fellow officers' conditions.
Nitin jolted awake abruptly and hurried towards the doctor, his anxiety evident. Without even waiting for a question, the doctor delivered the grim news.
"Well, currently he is stable, but we can't make any definitive predictions at this point," the doctor stated.
Nitin's heart sank. "What happened?" he pressed, desperation in his voice.
The doctor sighed, the weight of the situation heavy on their shoulders. "I would say it would be a miracle if they survive," he admitted.
Nitin's eyes filled with dread. "Tell me, what happened?" he implored, his voice trembling.
The doctor began to explain, "Their bodies endured an immense amount of pressure. Their bones and muscles have been crushed, causing severe internal bleeding."
Upon hearing the doctor's grim prognosis, the families of the injured officer erupted into a chaotic scene once more.
Uncontrollable crying and anguish filled the corridor, and the overwhelming emotions threatened to engulf Nitin.
He felt a dizzying sensation, as if he were on the verge of collapsing under the weight of the despair in the air.
Understanding that it was beyond his capacity to bring calm to this distressed gathering again, Nitin decided to step back and let his associates handle the situation.
He knew that this time, the pain and uncertainty were too much for him to mitigate.
The first officer remained in a critical state, teetering on the edge of uncertainty.
The doctor had done everything within their power, but the outcome now rested in the hands of fate.
Nitin was eager to speak with the officer, but at that very moment, the doctor refused him entry into the room.
The situation was dire, and Nitin could only hope that, against all odds, the officer would find the strength to pull through.
Amidst the overwhelming chaos that surrounded him, Nitin desperately needed a moment of respite.
His mind had grown weary, and he longed for a brief escape. With a heavy heart, he made his way back to the ground floor, seeking solace in a cigarette.
As he was about to turn the corner, the door to the room next to where the injured officer was being treated suddenly swung open.
A doctor, appearing impatient and in a hurry, emerged from the room.
Without hesitation, she approached Nitin and urgently requested his presence. One of Nitin's associates quickly called out to him, alerting him to the doctor's summons.
With a sense of urgency, the doctor relayed that the officer inside the room wished to speak with Nitin.
Nitin wasted no time and swiftly entered the room, his heart pounding with anticipation, hoping to hear what the officer had to say in this critical moment.