Part 3
In the days that followed Milind's demand on Prachi's time only increased. Her nurse friends sensed that something was brewing between their colleague and her handsome moody, temperamental patient and did their bit to throw them in each other's company more often. They found excuses to switch duties with her saying that they couldn't handle the hot headed patient whose temper seemed to have gotten worse after the operation. As a result Prachi ended up taking care of him nearly round the clock, not that our moody patient was complaining.
It was the day before the eagerly awaited unmasking of his eyes. Milind finally decided to bare his heart to his ladylove. As soon as Prachi entered his room, he pulled her arm and made her sit by his side.
"Prachi," he said with great longing in his voice, dropping the 'sister' title for the first time.
Prachi was shocked to hear him address her that way. She knew in her heart that he planned to open up to her that day and she wasn't sure what her response was going to be.
"We have known each other for the last six months but still do not know anything about each other's families, do we?"
She remained silent.
"I think you know that I have no living relative since none has come to visit me in all these months. Lost my mother to cancer when I was three and my father died of a heart attack a couple of years ago. Had led life in solitude ever since as I have no siblings. Do not have much of a social life. Work was my mania. Run a computer company which has been settling my bills. May not be stinking rich but am well above wants," he gave a brusque rundown of his life. She listened quietly although she guessed most of it by now.
"What about you? How big is your family?"
Not getting a response from her he was growing irritated. "Won't you open your mouth? Damn it, who should I ask for your hand in marriage?" he asked in frustration, running his fingers through his long mane.
Prachi's mouth gaped at his sudden indirect proposal. While she already knew he had developed feelings for her, she did not know that he intended to marry her.
"You'll marry me, won't you?" he asked apprehensively, her silence worrying him.
"You aren't pledged to any one, are you?" His heart was thumping fast now as a cold fear gripped him. What if she was in love with or engaged to someone? He knew that she has been trying to put a distance between them but he presumed that it was because she did not want to violate the norms of her profession. What if the reason was something else altogether? He couldn't bear to lose her to anyone. As he waited with baited breath, she dispelled his fears.
"No, I am not pledged to or in love with anyone else."
Did that mean she too loved him? With hope riding high he asked her excitedly, "Do you love me Prachi?"
She blushed at the question but was unable to immediately answer. Although he couldn't see the change of colour he could sense her love even in her silence.
He lifted her face by her chin, turned his bandaged eyes to her and repeated the question, his voice husky with emotion.
"I do," she said softly.
How he wished he could see her face just then.
He ran his fingers over her face and traced its contours. His fingers first felt her broad forehead and traced her sharp nose and her heavy eye lids. He turned his hand and with the back of his fingers caressed her long lashes and her chubby smooth cheeks. He then slowly felt his way to her lips. He first traced the outline of her supple lips and then ran his forefinger on the fleshy moist part making her quiver. He gently pulled back her lower lip, relishing the wetness and was about to lean in and kiss her when they heard footsteps on the corridor and broke free.
When no one entered in, they realised it was just some passing doctors.
She tried to break the tension in the air by telling him about herself.
He held her hand in his and said that her family was his responsibility. He'll take care of their financial problems. He would love it if they could all live together as one big happy family after their marriage as he was also getting bored with his lonely life. She couldn't believe her luck at getting the love of such a generous man. As she tried to thank him, he laid a finger on her lips and said that it was only his duty. He promised to visit her family and ask her mother and brother for her hand in marriage as soon as he regained his vision.
Later that day as she was giving him his sponge bath, for the first time she was aware of him as a man and not merely as her patient. His well toned body assailed her senses, leaving her breathless. Her fingers trembled as she ran the soapy sponge over his taut frame. He could sense her discomfort and smiling to himself, he took the sponge from her hand and assured that he would take care of the bathing himself. She gulped down the surging desire and waited for him to finish up. She then gently towelled him up, helped him into his hospital pyjamas and left with the tub.
Turning his sightless eyes towards her retreating back he smiled happily. This was indeed the happiest day of his life.
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Sampoorna
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