Lifeline... An RM FF... Pt. 7 pg 17 - Page 10

Part 6

Muskaan sighed happily, finally the paperwork was done. Half an hour until Rahul gets back she thought, glancing at the clock.

Lifting herself out of the chair she stretched and walked around room, almost tripping on something. Looking down she picked up the basket, it must have come when she was busy with the paperwork, the ward boy probably left it on the floor not wanting to disturb her when she was working. Sighing, she picked it up and placed it with the others. Whoever was sending the gift baskets was pretty adamant.

Shrugging, she walked over to the window and pushed it open, smiling as the warm breeze tickled her face, it was a beautiful day. The sun was out, the birds were singing, it was days like these that filled Muskaan with hope. Still smiling, she turned slightly so that the sun warmed her face, spotting the tiny radio she'd bought for Rahul as she did so sitting on the bedside table, walking over she switched it on.

The melodious sounds of 'Aajao Meri Tammana' filled the air. Muskaan loved this song, dancing around the room she sang along to the radio.

'... Bahon may aao... Ke ho na padhe juda hum... Aise'

'Mujh may samao' A deep soulfoul voice joined Muskaan's. Turning quickly she saw Rahul stood in the doorway.

'Har ghadi lag rahi teri kamiii' Rahul continued to sing as he walked further into the room, keeping his eyes locked with Muskaan's.

'Le chali kis gali yeh zindagi' she sang softly, getting back into the song.

Ankahi ansuni chahat jagi' Muskaan was taken aback by the intensity in Rahul's eyes as he said those words. Could he really be attracted to me? She shrugged off the thought as it occurred to her. He was just playing along to the song. Nothing else.

'Jo hua, pehle hua nahin' Muskaan joined in again, the words echoing how she felt. No-one had ever made her feel the way Rahul was making her feel right now.

Neither of them realized when the song ended or when they had trailed off just standing there looking at each other, not saying anything, the silence between them speaking volumes.

'…. Aaah! I can't believe I won! OH MY GOD!!' The loud shriek from the radio startled them both bringing them back to their senses. Muskaan smiled, switching off the radio.

'You have an amazing voice Rahul, what else don't I know about you?' She grinned, deciding that the only way to avoid awkwardness was to carry on as normal.

'Thanks, you're not to bad yourself.' He grinned cheekily.

'Ummm Rahul... You do realise that you're wearing a bathrobe?' Muskaan laughed.

Looking down at himself Rahul grinned in embarrassment. 'Oh yeah' He laughed.

'I sort of forgot, what with walking in to see you singing and all' he smiled. 'The changing rooms are being renovated, toh aaj yahan change karna padega'

'Ok, I'll wait outside' She smiled back, moving towards the door.

'No, it's fine, stay. Main isi main change karloon ga' He gestured towards the robe.

'You sure?' Muskaan looked uncertain.

'Absolutely' Rahul smiled, turning his back on Muskaan to change.

'So... How'd you know all the words to the song?' Muskaan asked, trying to distract herself from what Rahul was doing.

'Oh, it was on the radio other day... I'm a fast learner' He let the robe fall in a crumpled heap as he finished buckling up his jeans.

Wow, was the only word that came into Muskaan's head when she saw his muscular back tense as he bent to pick up his shirt. She imagined herself winding her arms around his back. I wonder what his skin would feel like under my hands...

Almost as if realising what she had said Rahul turned, tugging his shirt over his head. Muskaan blushed, shaking her head slightly at her thoughts.

'So... What did you do whilst I was gone? Miss me?' Rahul teased.

'Tumhe miss karne ka time hi kahan tha, as soon as you left Sister Lovely Mujhe paperwork de gayi thi.'

Rahul laughed.

How was your LAST EVER hydrotherapy session?' Muskaan asked mock dramatically.

'It was good, as always... I swear Mrs. Godbole was giving me the eye' Rahul laughed.

'She wants to kiss you' Muskaan sang teasingly.

Before Rahul could reply there was a knock at the door.

'Come in' Rahul shouted.

'Sir, yeh aapke liye letter aya hai.' The ward boy handed Rahul an envelope and left.

Rahul frowned. He didn't need to open it to know who it was from. His good mood evaporated instantly.

Muskaan watched as he tore the envelope and whatever was inside into pieces and threw them in the bin.

'Rahul...' Muskaan touched his arm softly and was surprised to feel how tense his muscles had become.

No response.

'Rahul...' She tried again, with a little more force this time.

Rahul turned slowly, his eyes blazing. Muskaan stepped back automatically, flinching at the anger she saw in his eyes. Could this be the same Rahul who had been laughing and joking with her a few minutes ago?

***

Muskaan sat across from Rahul watching him sip his coffee, cradling her own mug in her hands. He looked so relaxed it was as if the Rahul she had seen back in his room had been an entirely different person. Whoever had sent him the letter had really gotten to him.

Rahul watched Muskaan deep in thought. She had been unusually quiet ever since the incident this morning. He remembered the way she had backed away from him; as if she was scared he might hurt her.

He had to show her he was the same Rahul she had come to know in the past few days, not the person he had become back in his room.

'Armaan's invited me and Atul to the week away in Mauritius, you're coming too right?' Rahul asked.

'I don't know yet... I'll have to ask Dr. Keerti for leave' Muskaan pulled a face, relaxing

slightly.

'Ok... Great.'

'What about you? Tum kya karne wale ho on your first night of freedom tomorrow?'

'Huh?'

'You know after you're discharged tommorow' Muskaan laughed.

'Ohhh... Right... Atul's throwing me a welcome home/Happy late Birthday party, which he thinks I don't know about' Rahul grinned.

'Awww! How sweet of him.'

'Yeah, he's like that... Putting others first before himself.' Rahul smiled fondly.

'I know... I noticed... Aise log aaj kal kahan milte hai' She said quietly.

'Toh tum arahi ho na?'

'Oh, I wasn't invited' Muskaan smiled apologetically.

'Atul's going to invite everyone tomorrow, use lagta hai ke it'll look more impromptu this way'

'Ohhh right, what a great idea'

Par meh tumhe personally invite kar raha hoon. You will come won't you?' Rahul asked hopefully.

He had no idea why it was so importantthat he get Muskaan to come. It just was.

'Yeah, sure' Muskaan beamed.

'Great!' Rahul let out a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding until now.

'Ummm... Muskaan...'

'Haan?'

'Woh about before... I'm sorry if I scared you...'

'Oh no... That's ok... Don't apologise, although I will admit you scared the hell outta me' Muskaan tried to lighten the mood.

'I'm sorry...' Rahul apologised again.

'Can I ask you something?' Muskaan hesitated before continuing. 'Why'd you get so angry

when you saw the letter?' Muskaan asked softly.

'There are some things you don't know about me Muskaan... Things that I'm not ready to share yet... Do you understand what I'm saying?'

Muskaan nodded.

Some things were better off staying secret. She understood that better than anyone else.