Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Birendra Singh Malik woke up from his afternoon nap and found the room empty. He tried sitting up on the bed and was surprised to see he could do so without flinching in pain. The usual weakness that gripped his body at all times felt loosened and the ache had dulled. Most probably the new medicines were kicking into action.

Thinking that, Birendra Singh Malik wished that Doctor Kumar was around, so he could have given him the good news first. He gazed at the wooden wall clock and found it to be the lunch hour. Everyone must be at the table then.

It had been almost a month since Birendra Singh Malik had been restricted to his room due to the deteriorating condition of his health. Initially, Akash and Doctor Kumar had tried to make him feel better about it by having their lunch with him in his room but later Birendra Singh Malik himself insisted them to have lunch in the dining room.

He didn't want to make them come all the way to his room for their lunch. Although, the real reason was that Birendra Singh Malik wanted everything in the house to continue the way it always had. He had been telling himself that the people in his life will have to learn to eat without him, to live without him. He hadn't even told about this to Doctor Kumar, the man whom Birendra Singh Malik considered his closest friend. But looked like God was willing to be merciful upon him for a few more days.

Gathering whatever amount of strength he could manage, Birendra Singh Malik climbed down the huge bed. As his legs touched the carpeted floor, they trembled with strain.

Birendra Singh Malik held on to the bedpost to stabilize himself and then looked longingly towards the door.

Arnav!

It was no coincidence that he could finally manage to get down his bed only after his son came back. Even the Gods want him to meet his son and seek his forgiveness.

That thought gave his body another bout of strength and Malik took a small step. He looked around the room and found his walking stick resting in a corner.

"Arnav, my son!" Birendra Singh Malik huffed as he took few more steps and reached his walking stick.

It took him ten minutes to step out of his bedroom and into the main room. His breaths became short and laborious. Just a few more steps, he told himself. Slow and short steps finally brought him out of his room, and he found himself standing at the stairs. His eyes welled up with tears. This was the most he had walked in over a month.

He looked around and then down the stairs. He could hear faint voices from downstairs.

"Just a little more" He said to himself and started climbing down the stairs one step at a time.

After what felt like hundreds of stairs, Birendra Singh Malik felt his body giving up.

Sweat broke on his skin and darkness loomed heavy before his eyes. Birendra Singh Malik tried to find the next step but the walking stick fell from his shaky hands.

"Malik Uncle" It was Khushi's alarmed voice that fell into his ears, and then he could hear chairs scraping against the floor. But the sounds were faint and even as they rushed towards him, Birendra Singh Malik's body gave up.

His leg slipped and he fell.

But before he could tumble down the stairs, strong hands caught him. Malik couldn't see anything, blackness swam in his vision but his strained voice broke as he realised it was no one other than Arnav who held him.

"My son" Birendra Singh Malik grabbed Arnav with both his hands before he finally passed out and his body went limp.

Arnav stood frozen for a second before he could register everything. He looked at everyone present around him as he held on to his father's unconscious body.

All three faces were painted with shock and concern, and they looked at the scene before them with unbelieving eyes. Arnav himself was surprised by the agility he had shown.

He had been stepping into the dining hall when he had noticed the old man climbing down the stairs with swaying steps. He had rushed towards him a second before the walking stick fell from his hands, having already sensed the impending fall. No thought had entered his mind and it had been on pure instinct that he had found himself reaching to the man as fast as possible. And now he felt angry at himself.

"Thank god, Bhai" Akash sprang ahead and quickly supported Malik from the other side while Doctor Kumar instructed the two sons to carry Malik inside a nearby room.

Arnav did not say anything but obeyed. But as he and Akash slowly moved towards the room on the ground floor, Arnav couldn't help but throw furtive glances at the man in his arms.

Birendra Singh Malik looked old beyond his years. Arnav was struck by the frailty in the face that he only remembered as hard and unyielding. The once strong and robust body was now barely holding itself together.

Slowly, both Arnav and Akash placed Birendra Singh Malik on the bed in the guest room.

Arnav stepped back while Akash adjusted his father into a comfortable position and then Doctor Kumar came forward to inspect the situation.

"Bring a glass of water" Doctor Kumar asked and Khushi rushed out to get it.

Arnav, on the other hand, found himself stuck to the ground, watching everything from a corner. Arnav then looked at Akash who was softly rubbing his father's palms with his, while asking him to wake up.

Doctor Kumar's face was taut with strain as he checked Malik's pulse and eyes. In the meantime, Khushi appeared in the room with a glass of water that she handed to the doctor. Behind her, followed two servants who held a jug of water and a towel. Doctor Kumar poured some water in his hands and sprinkled it on Malik's face. Then he took the towel and wiped the face. He repeated the process four times before Birendra Singh Malik finally showed some movement.

The opening of Birendra Singh Malik's eyes coincided with Arnav stepping back. He kept taking back steps until he was out of the room.

"My son" Those two words from Birendra Singh Malik before he collapsed in his arms were now pricking Arnav like hundred needles in his body. Arnav clenched and unclenched his hands, exhaled loudly to get rid of the uneasiness that was taking over his body but the feeling only heightened.

He needed to step out of the Mahal and breathe fresh air. He started moving in large strides but must have taken two steps before the voice hit his ears.

"Arnavji" He halted but did not turn back. He heard the approaching sound of Khushi's footsteps.

"Are you okay?" The words surprised him for a split second because he had expected she will ask him to get back into the room.

Khushi stood in front of him now and Arnav knew she could see the sweat beads breaking on his forehead. He wiped them with a hand.

"What are you doing here? Go nurse your Malik Uncle!" The words came out harsher than he intended.

Khushi didn't move. Instead, she continued standing before him, looking at his face.

"Doctor Uncle and Akash are there" She replied.

"Do you need a glass of water? You're sweating a lot and your face has lost colour" She continued and took a step towards him.

The fact alone that she had noticed made Arnav further angry.

"That's none of your business" He said and then moved past her.

The sound of her footsteps on the marble floor told Arnav that she was following him again.

"I told you.." He whirled on her but was rendered speechless when she lurched ahead and held his hand in hers.

"You can shout at me all you want. But please come with me" She requested and Arnav was unable to find any words.

What is she doing?

Khushi tugged at his hand and then made him walk towards the dining table. Once they reached there, she dropped his hand. Then she reached for the glass of water and handed it to him.

"I don't need it" He replied still looking at her with mistrustful eyes. Why is she being so nice to him?

"Okay. But drink it anyway! For me" She requested.

"I said.."

"Please" She asked again, leaving him no choice but to drink. He took the glass and emptied it in one breath. As the cold water travelled down his throat, he felt himself relaxing. But damn him if he would accept that.

"More?" She asked.

"No" He replied, his voice slow but curt.

"Then please have your lunch. I'll go check on Malik Uncle" She said and stayed there for a few seconds until Arnav took a seat and started serving himself. She smiled faintly and left.

Arnav, on the other hand, felt embittered at himself for relenting to her, more so for exhibiting such weakness. He will have to do better next time. He can't be taken aback every time. This was out of blue, and he wasn't prepared. But, now he will deal with this with an iron hand and steeled mind.

Having resolved that, he began his lunch.

***

Birendra Singh Malik opened his eyes and the face that first appeared before him was not a happy face. Doctor Kumar was angry. Very angry!

"How are you feeling?" The question was pure clinical, a doctor to a patient.

"Light-headed" Malik replied, looking at Akash who was standing behind the doctor with a concerned face, and he shook his head at him.

"I am okay, son" He said to Akash.

"I am the Doctor here. So, shut your mouth and let me decide that" Doctor Kumar interrupted in a seething tone. Malik fixed his gaze toward his friend.

"I felt better when I woke up, Kumar. The new medicines are working. I feel better than I have felt in weeks" Malik said to his friend but Doctor Kumar continued to look angry.

"Those medicines are not magical. They are slowly making you better but that does not mean you will start galloping around the house. Why did you leave the room? Have you lost your mind? Do you know you could have been gravely injured had Arnav not grabbed you in time? Why did you do such a stupid thing, Malik?" Doctor Kumar demanded, unable to keep his calm any longer.

"Doctor Uncle, please let.." Akash interrupted.

"I am talking to my patient, Akash. If you mind that, you can step out of the room. Come back once I am done" Doctor Kumar said without looking at Akash, his eyes still fixed on Malik.

Akash was about to speak, but he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked behind to find Khushi who shook her head at him and gestured him to follow her out. He looked at his father who nodded too. Akash waited a second and then exited the room along with Khushi.

"Cool down, Kumar" Malik replied, trying to sit up against the pillows.

"Cool down? Are you aware that you could have been dead? Why do you keep doing this? Can you not listen to me just once? What was so important that you risked your life to..." Doctor Kumar continued, but then he trailed off into silence.

"Arnav! You came down so you meet could Arnav, didn't you?" He asked but his tone implied he already knew the answer. Birendra Singh Malik looked at his friend with unapologetic eyes.

"He is my son, Kumar. I need to see him, talk to him. I have missed him so much" Malik's words were anguished and for a second Doctor Kumar's face became sympathetic.

"I know that. But, at what cost? Your health? Your life? Stop putting yourself at risk! You know it as well as I do that Arnav has issues that he needs to face. He has years of hatred in his heart, doubts, misunderstandings, loathing, and pain. Do you think one meeting with you will erase it all? Give him time, Malik. Give yourself some time. I understand what he means to you. I was there when you cried and begged his Nani to let you keep him here. But, he does not know that. He only knows what he remembers from his childhood, and we know those are not happy memories. So, let me handle this for you. I will try to talk to him" Doctor Kumar said.

Birendra Singh Malik slowly nodded his head, listening to each word with dedicated concentration.

"You will talk to him?" Malik asked, wanting to hear it again.

"I will. But, for that, you have to stop hurting yourself. Be a good patient to me and I will see what I can do" Doctor Kumar stressed upon the last sentence and was satisfied when Malik nodded again.

"Now, rest here. I will ask someone to bring your lunch here and after that I am moving you back into your room" Doctor Kumar stood up.

"I feel better. I do not want to be locked up in that room again" Malik said in a pleading voice to his doctor.

"Have your lunch and medicines first. I will talk to Akash, and then we will decide if you can continue in this room. But, do not be too hopeful" Doctor Kumar replied.

***

Khushi stepped out in the hall and Akash followed her with a stressed face.

"It has been a long time since Doctor Uncle snubbed me like that. I had almost forgotten that he is capable of it" Akash commented as they halted in the hall.

"Don't mind it. You know how stressed out he is these days" Khushi replied and Akash nodded.

"I know. We all are. Besides, I am aware Doctor Uncle cares about Baba as much as I do" Akash's words were soft, and he looked at Khushi with unblinking eyes making her wonder what he was thinking.

"What?" She asked, moving her shoulders.

"Nothing. Sometimes I wonder just how alone I would be if not for you. Even if you're annoying and exasperating!" Akash added with a slow smile and the softness that had begun to appear on Khushi's face was replaced with indignation.

"You always have to joke, don't you?" She slapped Akash on his arm who pretended to be hurt.

"Don't start crying now! Come, eat" Khushi grabbed Akash by the arm.

When they reached near the dining table, Khushi could see Arnav's eyes fixed upon her and Akash. Had he been watching? She smiled faintly at him when she noticed that he was almost done eating. He didn't smile back.

It's alright. She told herself. If she wants to help Akash in bridging the distances in this house, she would require immense patience. Especially with Arnav. She would do her best to befriend him. To make him open up to her. For some reason, she felt that being friends with Arnav Singh Raizada wouldn't be the worst thing. It may even be a good thing.

"Thank you for saving Baba in time, Bhai" Akash walked up to Arnav and took a chair next to him. Arnav gave a stiff nod, not speaking.

"In all of this, the good thing is that Baba left his room. That too on his own" Akash continued.

"I am sure that has more to do with inner strength than the medicines. I think he is feeling that everyone is here for him, so it pushes him to get better quickly" Khushi commented as she took a chair opposite Akash. Arnav fought the urge to tell her that she was wrong. Instead, he finished his food and got up. Then he turned to Akash.

"Come see me in my room once you're done, Akash. There are some things that I need to discuss with you"

Akash nodded, saying he will. With that, Arnav left the room. Khushi avoided looking at him as he walked away. She had deliberately said the words for Arnav to hear. She was glad that this time he didn't scathe her with his words. That meant he did have a leash on his temper, even if a short one. She smiled inwardly.

Arnav Singh Raizada indeed was a man with mysterious ways. No wonder Akash was so intrigued by him all the time.

"You eat! I will go finish frying the jalebis. Malik Uncle can have some after his lunch"Khushi said to Akash who nodded.

***

"I think it is a wonderful idea, Bhai. This is a really good thing to do" Akash offered his affirmation with a genuine smile. Arnav had already known that Akash would give him his full support in anything he does. But, he had still wanted to discuss this with him.

"Yeah, that's what I think too. In fact, I asked my team to get started with the permissions. They have already picked a location, and we are in the process of acquiring it" Arnav revealed further.

"Wow, Bhai! How long have you been sitting on this news?" Akash asked, impressed.

Arnav wondered if he should be honest.

"A couple of months" He replied, looking sideways.

"That's great. I wish you had told me sooner. I could have helped to some extent but whatever! Do let me know Bhai if you need my assistance with anything, I mean if you ever do need it. I know you like to run things on your own but just in case" Akash said and Arnav nodded.

"Have you settled on a name yet, Bhai?" Akash asked.

"S.S.R. Memorial School" Arnav replied and waited.

Akash took a couple of seconds to decode the name.

"After Sujata aunty's name" Akash said with an understanding smile.

"I want something more than her grave in the city to remember her by. And this is the best way to memorialize her name" Arnav replied, his voice solemn.

"Yes, Bhai. You always have her in your heart. This way, she can be in the city too, spreading happiness among hundreds of underprivileged children" Akash iterated as Arnav had explained the school will be built especially for the children from economically weaker sections, with a large number of seats reserved for them. And working on this project will ensure that Arnav stays in the city for longer time, thought Akash. This indeed was a very good idea.

Arnav clapped Akash on the shoulder and got up from the bed. Then, he walked to the cupboard and rummaged through one of his bags.

"You haven't unpacked yet, Bhai?" Akash asked as he watched his brother dig deep into the bag.

"You know me, Akash. I am not a big fan of packing and unpacking. I'll do it eventually" Arnav replied and finally found what he was looking for.

"Here!" He walked back to where Akash was sitting and handed him the medium-sized box.

"You didn't have to, Bhai. I am not a kid any more" Akash laughed as he recognized the familiarity of the box.

"In that case, let me.." Arnav said and reached to take the box back but Akash quickly withdrew it from his reach.

"Hey! I didn't say I don't want it" Akash gave a grin that told Arnav his brother was actually looking forward to the box.

He watched as Akash tore at the box and gleefully sighed at the sight of his favourite box of chocolates. Arnav had been buying it for Akash every year since he started visiting Delhi. But as Akash couldn't make it to Delhi this year, Arnav remembered to bring it for him.

He chuckled as Akash unwrapped a piece and ate it with a blissful face.

"You're such a kid' Arnav said, making Akash twist his face into a grimace.

"Come on, Bhai.. chocolates are not..."

"..only for children. Yeah Yeah. If you say so" Arnav finished, having heard the line over hundred times.

"Speaking of children, Khushi would love these. I never got to share these with her" Akash said, closing the box.

Arnav's face became blank for a second before he added, "that is because you finished them off in Delhi itself."

"Exactly!" Akash smiled widely.

"I'll go share these with her right now lest I end up finishing them too" He said and Arnav nodded.

As Akash exited, Arnav walked back to his bag and produced another wrapped box. Only this was much smaller and had a name written over it- Khushi.

Would it be appropriate for him to gift it to her? He had bought it on a whim upon seeing it in the shop. But, now that he had decided to be as far away from her as possible, the whole dynamics of gift-giving did not make sense. Thinking that, he carefully placed the box back into the bag and locked the cupboard.

After sitting around in the room for an hour, he decided to do the thing he had been procrastinating ever since he entered the Mahal.

It was time to visit his mother.

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