Chapter 22

Part 21

His temples were sweating with anxiousness and anger, his grip on the steering was tighter than ever, he could hardly concentrate on the road, hundreds of questions wandering in his head, its already a day nani has been admitted in the hospital, she gained her conscious but too weak to speak anything, di was crying and is in small shock but she recovered, she has been very restless and continuously on the phone which made arnav suspicious, mami played a huge role of taking care of them and also consoling anjali, they informed aakash and payal but they couldn't make it to India as it is very important for aakash to look over AR in US.

He halted the car with a screech sound and closed his eyes taking huge breaths, he need to calm himself; he has hardly rested since the incident, he leaned over the headboard of his seat, her face flashed in front of him, her gracious smile gave him hope in his heart, he started feeling the cool breeze hitting him through the window. He opened his eyes and parked the car in the lot.

Walking through the corridors of the hospital made him grey, disappointment occupied his heart, many people lying there suffering with many problems physically and mentally, he started questioning the so called god which his di and kushi talk about, why do he give problems for a small life of 70 years maximum? How much could man face? Fighting within himself he made way to the room nani was shifted, texting Aman and also enquiring about the deal with aakash he bumped into a lean and petite figure.

He couldn't believe his eyes, he was just thinking about her few minutes ago and his angel appeared in front of him, her hazel eyes locked up with his. Kushi's heart pricked seeing him in such a devastated state, his eyes swallowed inside and dark circles around them, his hair dry without his regular gelled, his lean and tall figure looked very weak, his arms around her preventing from falling. Kushi withdrew back while arnav couldn't figure out what she was doing there. They were interrupted by anjali; she understood the questioning face of her brother

Anjali: voh chote. Kushi ji called me last night, she felt that something happened with us; I told her everything, so she came

Kushi thinned her lips forming a slight smile while arnav glanced at her with gratefulness; she gave him a hope to look forward all the time.

The trio went and sat on the bench nearby while arnav sat beside her. She moved a little creating the distance between them. After a long pause he composed himself and let out the words from his mouth

Arnav: when did u come here?

His husky yet calm tone clearly showed kushi that he has been very tired and weak and he needs strength and comfort, she replied

Kushi: early in the morning at 4. Arnav wondered what kind of material this girl is made off. She came all alone here early in the morning? That shows her love towards others. Sheetal had never cared about anyone in his family, but kushi, he discovers a new thing about her every time they meet.

Anjali giggled in her heart watching her chote drowning into kushi's eyes, she cleared her throat so that he can come out from his gazing session. They got a call from the nurse that the doctor has arrived arnav went in tot talk to him while kushi and anjali waited outside holding each other.

**

They saw him walking from the doc's cabin with frown all over his face, anjali and kushi waited for him to talk; he took a deep breath and replied

Arnav: the doctor said she is fine, and it takes times for her to recover, her legs are badly hurt, we just need to wait for her to stand and walk again.

Anjali nodded, kushi gathered her and helped her to settle on the bench. While arnav continued

Arnav: but nani is uncomfortable here di , I mean the hospital has all facilities but..

Before he can continue kushi completed his words

Kushi: but nothing can be comfortable and free than your home. He looked at her in awe while anjali smiled; of course this shows that they are mad for each other. It was a tongue slip for kushi; she didn't mean to complete his words. She looked everywhere except him. Of course, she always reads his heart, thought arnav

Anjali: chote, I know nani is not comfortable here, but we can't take her from here right away.

Arnav nodded in agreement and replied

Arnav: I've talked to doctor about this. He said it is impossible to discharge her today but may be after two days. He advised to appoint a nurse or a care taker who can help nani and attend her

Anjali nodded, while kushi stuck up with the word care taker, an idea popped in her head but she remained silent, she is trying her best to stay away from arnav, she don't want to get in this mess which is leading to the confrontations between her heart and brain, anjali narrowed her eyes looking at kushi who is mumbling something to her self

Anjali: what happened kushi ji? Are you okay?

Arnav's gaze travel towards her with concern, but she didn't dare to look at him cos she know she can't stop herself from looking at him. she grabbed her bag, and said to anji

Kushi : anjali ji , hum chalthe ! I will be back at evening,

Before anjali can speak arnav asked her

Arnav: shall I drop you? I'm going to drop di, she has been here all night

Anjali: but chote, we can't leave nani alone here, I think mami is still on her way

Arnav nodded his head thoughtfully, kushi took the chance to escape and replied hurrily

Kushi: nahi anjali ji, I should go now, I have to make sweets for kapoor's orders

But to her vain she heard anjali

Anjali: yeh lo mami bhi agai

Arnav could notice the disappointment in her face, he couldn't stop smiling at her antics, she is so desperate to get over from him, well that's not going to happen any way! Mami promised them that she will take care of nani and insisted anjali to go home. Finding no other way kushi agreed for their lift.

***

The trio reached the car, kushi opened the back door of the car but anjali stopped her

Anjali: kushi ji, I'm not very comfortable sitting in the front, you go and sit beside chote.

Arnav chuckled silently watching her pouting expression; she silently got in as the gentleman opened the door for her. She tugged the seat belt without fumbling or letting her clumsiness occupy her mind. She very well remembered the first time he helped her buckling her seat belt. Their proximity and intense look in his eyes. She slapped her head mentally for drifting to those thoughts again and looked straight at the road

*****

The white SUV halted before the gates of hope. Arnav opened the door for his princess to come out. She silently murmured thank you while arnav smiled. She bud good bye and prayers to anjali and hurrily walked away from there. But one thing grabbed attention of anjali, the board hung on the gates of hope

"CARE TAKERS/ NURSING SERVICES AVAILABLE"

Anjali glanced at the board and then at kushi. Something was popping in her head which is not sure of, but first she need to go home take a shower. That board was unnoticed by arnav, he has met kushi, which a gave him a sort of relief and peace and now, he had another missions to accomplish. He just heard di's mobile ringing but disconnected by her nervously. He has been observing many things, he has to find the culprit of nani's condition and then he has to talk to di about her unrevealing secrets

****

Kushi hurriedly walked towards dormitories, she silently prayed that anjali shouldn't see the board. Yes, this is a new thing they have started to make themselves financially well, working as care takers or nurses, even though they are being received funds and money from the sweets business and tuitions, they don't want to depend anymore on foreign money, they want to feed themselves, take a step in faith, and seek god almighty's help. She just prayed that anjali ji mustn't see it, what if the asked her to help nani? She erased the thoughts from her mind. No kushi, no, think positive, anjali ji will find a care taker for nani, but not from here, she prayed they will find some better nurse who can attend and care take nani. She sighed and opened the door of her room, she needs some sleep, she just felt mentally tired, May seeing anjali ji and nani ji in helpless position, but who could have done it?

She entered the room and found tinky with her famous pose, hands on her hips waiting from kushi to give answers. Kushi smiled while tinky fumed with her small nose flaming in anger. Kushi dropped her bang and things in their respective places and sat down to reach tinky, in the minute she reached her, tinky started bombarding her with questions.

Tinky: where have you been didi? Last night buaji did not allow me to sleep in your room and when I woke up morning you are gone, where were you?

Before even kushi could answer tinky continued shooting at her

Tinky: I searched for you everywhere and no one told me where u is, she said with her hands hanging in the air

She continued

Tinky: and see this..She said pointing her finger at her half combed silky hair, buaji did not help me in tying my hair up for school, I couldn't do it myself, see how they are, and she said moving her hair up and down.

Kushi just couldn't help laughing at her little angry bird, tinky slapped kushi's arm and walked away from here. Kushi ran to her and embrace her from backwards and lifted her up, placing her on the table. Kushi held her ears and pouted

Kushi: sowie tinky, she said in tinky's language. Tinky burst out laughing and hugged kushi tightly. The sisters hugged cheerfully smiling and giggling. They pulled out and tinky asked

Tinky: where did you go didi?

Kushi smiled slightly, lost in the waves of incidents took place a few hours ago. She narrated the whole story, tinky demanded to take her in the evening and kushi agreed. They hugged back smiling, while kushi prayed in her heart to make everything alight as soon as possible

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