New OS turned SS: The Last Straw!! - Page 35

He got home and strode to where the dinning table, which was once again buzzing with chatter.

"chote..?" Anjali asked surprised to see her work-a-holic home.

"Di, just send my food to my room." He said looking down at his blackberry pretending to do something but in reality trying not to make eye contact. He was in no mood for questions or conversations.

He had taken a few steps when he re traced them back.

"and..uh'Di..Khushi'" he inquired hesitantly with concern. This time looking straight into her eyes. Trying to look as calm and indifferent as possible.

"Yes, Chote. She just took her medicine," Anjali said giggling at her brother. "she's been in a daze all day the poor thing.." she continued feeling a little sympathetic.

He went straight up still looking at something in his file, without saying another word. He was in no mood for his sister's teasing.

As he approached the door he slowed down to a stop. He slowly raised his had to the handle and gently opened the door making sure not to make a single sound. The room was dark. He only make out the outline of the recliner, the cupboard 'then the bed. He could see the blanket bundled up on his side of the bed, where he had left her. It was rising and dropping as her rhythmic breathing filled the atmosphere. He slowly and quietly went over to the recliner, removed his tie and coat, unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt, watching Khushi all the while looking out for any signs of her waking up. He removed his shoes and layed back on the recliner. Before he knew it he was out like a light.

The sound of ruffling woke him up. He looked to see Khushi was sitting up right on the bed side her back towards him. Seeing her wobble to her feet made him shoot up.

"Khushi!! What are you doing?!?" he yelled, surprised and shocked.

Khushi already dazed by the pills, wobbled a bit before dropping back on the bed.

"i...uhh'" She said in a weak whisper.

Arnav jumped to her side helping her to sit up against the bed post.

"Khushi, your not supposed to get up, what do you want I'll get it.." Arnav said in a soft and firm whisper.

Khushi put her head back to the bed rest, closing her eyes to try and sum up the energy.

"i'.uhh'umm'." She sighed in frustration.

"what??" Arnav asked impatiently ..getting more and more anxious.

"I need to go to the bathroom!!" She shot back louder, irritated a little. She immediately put her head back to steady herself from the sudden hype. It used a lot of her hazy brain power and bodily energy to yell it out.

There was a short but slightly awkward silence.

"oh'.umm'.i'll get Payal." Arnav said getting up to go get help.

"hurry.." he heard her meekly call after him.

He hurried back into the room with Payal following close. Khushi hadn't moved an inch from her position. Payal and Arnav went straight to her. They helped her up and to the bathroom. That's where Arnav stopped dead in his tracks. Payal took Khushi in and a few minutes later they were out and Khushi was back in bed. She fell straight asleep.

"Let me know when there is anything else at all" Payal said in a warm whisper before leaving.

Arnav stood by the bed watching as Khushi's breathing steadied from all the activity.

Khushi woke up much more refreshed than earlier, only to see a woman in a white dress and shoes holding a tray. Khushi started to sit up. The young lady put down the tray and helped her up.

After helping her up she brought her the tray of food and placed it on her lap.

"umm.." Khushi started but before she could continue Arnav walked into the room holding a file.

"oh, Khushi, this is Tulsi. She's a nurse. She's here to help you out with anything you might need.." He said casually.

"but--" Khushi was cut off by the nurse.

"Khushi Ji, its time for your dinner so you can take your medicine. " Tulsi said.

After dinner and medication Khushi fell asleep again.

The next morning she woke up yet again to find Tulsi at her service. Khushi was felt let down. She didn't see him all day. She wouldn't be able to stay awake till he got home and wasn't able to wake up before he left the next. But she thought he might come home early to take her for the dressing. But instead a male nurse came home.

Arnav would leave early and come home late. He wanted to keep his distance. He couldn't risk going either way.

The rest of the week went by the same way. Until the day had finally come to take her to the doctor to see if her stiches could be removed.

Arnav woke up slowly. Got up from the recliner and made his way to the bathroom. He remembered that today he wasn't going to get to run away. He looked back at Khushi then went to get ready.

He came out and went over to her side of the bed.

"Khushi?" he whispered huskily.

"Khushi'wake up." He said again.

"you called sir?" Tulsi said quietly, walking in slowly.

"yes, get her ready, we need to go to the doctor.." Arnav commanded.

He got up to leave the room looking back at a fast asleep Khushi's face. She hadn't worn any makeup or any jewellery or anything through out the week. Every morning he would sit next to her for half and hour before leaving. Just admiring her glow.

The breakfast table was filled with the usual chitter chatter. Arnav kept looking over at Shyam as he quietly ate his breakfast. Anger and frustration evident on his face.

"What's wrong? You look tense..is everything ok??" Anjali asked concerned for her oh so loving husband.

"uhh..no no Rani Sahiba. Everything is fine. Just this case that I am working on is very sad and disgusting. .." He replied snapping out of his angry thoughts. "You see there is this woman and her husband abuses her'.she even has stich scares and bruises all over her'" He continued staring at Arnav in utter disgust.

"What? That's disgusting!!" Anjali exclaimed sadly. "Make sure he gets hell!!" she commanded in anger.

"yes yes of coarse Rani Sahiba..i will make sure he does.." he said still looking Arnav straight in the eyes.

Everything flashed before Arnav's eyes again. That night, the screeching, and pushing'.and then''.his clenched his fist tightly and shut his eyes.

Everyone started to talk about the topic, and all he could remember was that night, the blood, and tears. But then the peace. He didn't know what to think of it..he still wasn't sure if he had forced Khushi or not.

That minute Arnav noticed Khushi and rushed to her side immediately. He helped her to the table but Khushi stopped. She didn't want to go near Shyam. She sat down on a near by sofa. Payal brought over a plate of breakfast and started to feed her lovingly.

"Uhh..Rani Sahiba I have to go now..discuss the case and all.." Shyam said getting up and looking at Khushi who was still in Arnav's arms. She saw him, and squeezed Arnav's hand unknowingly feeling afraid, disgusted and angry.

He looked up at Khushi and followed her gaze to a lonely Shyam standing in the door way eyeing her. Khushi's eyes filled up again, and she turned away, disgusted. Shyam was furious. 'how dare she look away'

Arnav saw all this and was shocked. Arnav started to waltz again with himself.

They finally got up and got going. The ride to the hospital was quiet. As they got to the parking lot, a wheel chair pulled up by the car. Khushi, with his help got into it.

"hmmm'.its better, but we still cant remove the stiches for another week..but we can give her a much lighter plaster now. Keep changing the dressing every other day'" The doctor spoke while examining her feet.

Khushi was about to get off the hospital bed when she felt dizzy. She held her head with one hand while the other squeezed the edge on the bed. But it passed after a second. She wobbled back into the wheel chair with the help of the nurse.

"you can take her of the antibiotics'I will subscribe a vitamins capsule and lighter pain killers'." He spoke while scribbling onto the prescription sheet.

"its really good that she's been in bed, make sure she doesn't use her feet much for another week, she can walk around a bit like going to the bathroom..etc..but no stairs'it puts pressure on the wound." He continued.

"ok, thankyou once again Doctor." Arnav said shaking his hand.

The drive back home was quiet as well..Khushi just rested her head against the window. Arnav kept glancing at her. Every time he thought of saying something he stopped himself. He didn't want to exert her. And anyway, he wouldn't be able to get a sure answer out of her especially when she's in this state.

The car pulled into the drive way and to both their disappointment Tulsi was all set to help out. She was definitely quite efficient, and for the first time in his life this angered Arnav Singh Raizada. He just got to hold the door open while Tulsi helped her out. He felt his heart drop, Khushi didn't even think to look at him.

As they walked in through the doors Khushi felt the world move around her. It was either her head that was spinning or her surroundings started to spin. Either way, she didn't like it. She halted not wanting to go further until everything came to a stand still..but the last thing she saw before her eyes closed was Arnav rushing to her, his face clearly read: The End of The World, and then everything went black.

"Khushi Ji..?!" Tulsi cried in desperation and concern as Khushi collapsed in her arms. Arnav's head didn't even wait for his neck to turn with it, it just shot around. Without thinking he scooped her up and ran straight to their room.

Khushi felt rain drops. Her eyes opened to see crying Payal sitting on her left side holding a glass of water. She was surrounded by the whole house. She felt a warm hand on hers.

Arnav was sitting to the right, held her hand. He was looking into space when she came around. The sudden sighs and gasps around brought him out of his reverie. His eyes darted towards her immediately, instinctively. He held her hand tighter.

Before anyone could ask any question or start any inquires, Akash rush in followed by the doctor.

"this way Dr. Mehta" He said hurriedly.

Mehta now rushed in, seriously concerned with the fact that Khushi was in need of medical attention again.

Everyone made way for the doctor obediently.

"I need everyone to leave so I can do a check up'." Said Mehta quickly and firmly while opening his briefcase.

And everyone obeyed, even Arnav stood up and walked right out, now his face showed concern.

After a good agonising 10 minutes, Tulsi opened the door to let everyone in. She had a smile on her face and had swung the door open in excitement. Confused everyone walked in anxiously to see a rather relaxed Dr. Mehta putting away his stethoscope. Everyone looked at Khushi to try and see what was going on but even her face lay expressionless staring at the ceiling.

Anjali and Nani looked at each other. At first they both looked scared but then the smile on Tulsi's face, the skip in her step, Mehta's relaxed body language all were the indication of something that made both their hearts skip a couple of beats. While everyone was anxiously awaiting to hear the doctor's word they exchanged a smile of excitement.

"Doctor'.??" Anjali asked trying her best to keep her anticipation and excitement at bay. She couldn't wait any longer to hear the words..

While everyone held their breaths in anxiety, and Arnav now had tears in his eyes, he was petrified'.Anjali and Nani were holding their breaths with completely different kind of anxiety.