4 - Choice aur Zaroorat
It had been a week, Ram hadn't stepped out of his home. He had bough his office to the next room. Priya could only fathom the load of work on Aditya's shoulder. Half the time he was by her side. He went away to work while she slept. Thanks to the medicines she slept a lot.
She thanked Saara Di, who came in every single day to help her bath and change into a fresh pair of clothes. Because of the surgery she was still sensitive to loud sounds, bright lights and quick movements. No one bothered her much they all looked genuinely concerned for her.
The doctor had said on the previous day that her recover was very very slow. It had worried everyone. She was sure Mr. Kapoor was worried too, but he pretended to be okay.
"Saara Di, you go. I am fine." She said. The last thing she wanted was work piling on her sisters shoulders. Although she was sure, the huge orders she had been getting lately were somehow arranged by Mr Kapoor, to help keep Saara Di busy and also provide financial support.
She sat in the silence of the room. When she was not asleep, she was playing the night of the accident on loop or Brinda's conversation with Mr Kapoor she had overheard.
"Hey, are you okay?" He asked softly entering the room. "Wo maine Saara Di ko jaate huge dekha..." He said coming around the bed to sit beside her.
"Meri fikr hai aapko?"
"Of cours, Priya. But tum naa bilkul chinta nahi Karo. You'll be fine."
"Aur aap jo chintz kar rahe hain? Poori raat toh aap thik se sote bhi nahi hak, aur poore din mein yaan toh kaam ki fikr yaan meri. Aise kaise chalega Mr Kapoor?
"Priya sab theek hai, bas tum jaldi se theek ho jaao. Bas." He said holing her left hand.
"Mr Kapoor,"
"Hmm,"
"Kal Agar mujhe kuch ho jaayega toh aap meri family ka khayal rakhenge naa?"
He stared at her, like he was losing his own heartbeat. "Ye kaisi baatein kar rahi ho,"
"Hypothetical situation, Mr Kapoor."
"Haan, lekin main kuch nahi hone Dunga tumhe."
"Hmm, aap bhi meri family mein aate hain, toh apna khayal bhi rakha kariye."
Ram smiled a little. "You'll be fine Priya!"
"Ek aur baat...kahun?" She asked after a long pause.
He nodded, tired. She was right, he was worried for her. He was too scared to sleep at night because he feared that she'd leave. He wanted to be with her every time she was awake.
"Uss raat naa, mere paas ek choice thi Mr Kapoor. Yaan toh main wo karti jo maine kiya, yaan main kuch nahi karti aur bas delhti rehti. Apko ladne deti, aapko apne haal pe chod deti. Maine choose kiya thaa. Isliye, please, mere liye, aap apne aap ko blame karna chod dijiye. Pitah mere, kaarad main, toh main aap pe kaise aanch aane deti."
Ram had tears in his eyes. "Thank you," He uttered. He felt blessed, if what he saw in Priya’s eyes wasn't love for him, then he didn't know what love was and he didn't need it. If he had her it would be enough.
"Can I hug you?" He sort the courage to ask.
She smiled. "Main kahin nahi jaa rahi hoon Mr Kapoor, senti hone ki zaroorat nahi hai."
Ram gave her a weak smile.
Kaash tum samaj paati mujhe tumhari kitni zarrorat hai.
Priya spoke up again, "I feel like I need to sleep again, the headache is setting in."
He nodded and helped her lie down comfortably.
Priya sighed and closed her eyes.
Main aapki zarrorat nahi bana chathi, Mr Kapoor.
Edited by Khidki - 3 years ago