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Chapter 15

Vickram opened his eyes and first thing he noticed was that he was in a strange room, it took him a few moments to realize he was in a hospital. How did that happen? Last he remembered all he wanted to do was sleep! He was about to sit up when he noticed the dark head resting on the side of the bed she was holding his hand. Sugni? She looked as though she was sound asleep.

Before he could wake her she jumped up, looking at him. "Oh , You're awake, how are you feeling?" She asked without waiting for a response from him she placed her hand on his forehead. "Oh Thank God it's gone!" she smiled in relief.

Vickram was just looking at her in confusion. " What happened, how did I get here?" he wanted to know. He noticed other thing like the IV that was attached to his hand. What happened to him?

"Well you really scared me! You were unconscious from the fever, I didn't know what to do so I called Amrita. She got you here!" She explained.

"Hmmm?"

The door opened and Amrita and another short fair woman walked in introducing herself as Dr. Malan .

"Good morning Vickram" The Doctor greeted him. "how are you feeling ?"

"confused !" Vickram responded , "What happened?."

" You contracted dengue fever, a disease that is spread through a simple mosquito bite. It normally takes a few days to show up. Luckily for you you were brought here and we were able to get the fever under control and start treatment. you seem to be doing well, we just need to run some blood test , if it is good you can leave by tomorrow."

" Tomorrow? No..I am not staying here another night, doctor ." Vickram stated. "Look I need to go home." Vickram hated hospitals they gave him the creeps'and if he could help it he would never be in here.

"Vickram...!" Amrita said..."you were just diagnosed with Dengue fever you need to rest , and you need medication."

"I feel fine ... now I want to go home! " he insisted . And he was adamant about not spending the night here.

"Vickram , recovering from this illness is no easy task , you need bed rest and care...going home now against doctors wishes will not be good for you regaining your health. "

"I will rest at home." He said stubbornly

"Oh No you will go home and be back to work the first thing in the morning , with no one to stop you! I know you!"She argued., she had been through this with him before when he had his accident, as soon as he was able to he walked out the door with out waiting for proper discharge. She knew arguing with him was like talking to a brick wall. .

"NO..I won't Ok ...I will follow the doctor's orders, just at my own house , thank you very much! " he argued back. He had a determined look on his face.

"And who will guarantee that?" Amrita Argued back.

"I will".

All heads turned to Sugni who had moved to a corner when the doctor was doing his exam. They probably forgot she was in the room.

"I..I'll see that he gets the r-rest he needs" She stammered feeling nervous with all three of them staring at her.

The doctor looked at Vickram , who was looking at her stubbornly. Instinctively she knew this man would not be an easy patient. Judging by his vitals , he seemed to be on a fast track to recovery.

'Sighing she conceded. ."Ok Mr. Singh I will take the final blood test, and let you go with , but you need complete bed rest for a couple of days, proper diet, and no returning to work for at least a week. Your body needs proper time to recover from this and stressing it out will not do you an favors ok?" The Doctor said sternly.

He turned to Sugni..."I am letting your fiance go into your care Ms. and I hope you will make sure he follows my orders to the letter OK?" Sugni nodded.

Vickram furrowed his brow, he must be hearing things as he was sure, the Dr. just called Sugni his fiance. He was not dumb enough to argue that if it would get him out of this place!

A few hours later Vickram walked into his bedroom feeling drained. Amrita made sure he had his medicine, and was sent to bed, he did not argue as there was no point. His body was not going to move anyway.

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Sugni handed Amrita the cup of tea which she gratefully accepted... They sat silently with Amrita silently observing her. Sugni was beginning to feel like a spectacle under a microscope.

"What?" She asked

Amrita Smiled,..."Oh nothing!, I am just waiting for you to tell me, is all!"

"Tell you what?" Sugni asked in confusion.

'About being in love!" She said . Sugni choked on her tea.

"What! What are you talking about, I am not in love , who will I be in love with?' She sputtered.

"Vickram" Amrita said knowingly.

"HUH..You-You're crazy...I am not!" She said, for some reason she could feel her cheeks get hot.

"tut tut tut, denial denial!" Amrita said in a sing song voice . "Sugni it is as clear as daylight , you are in love with him. You were like a fish out of water last night, and were in the verge of a panic attack had I took you out of that hospital., you spent the whole night holding his hand, and most importantly, you did something since I met you you never did...you opened your mouth in front of a total stranger and volunteered to take responsibility for Vickram! YOU the girl who still tries to disappear when the mail man visits, cause she dose not want to be noticed.Today made herself noticed, coming out of her comfort zone, to take care of some one else! ...If that is not love Sugni...I don't know what is!"

"That is not true ..I 'I was just worried for him!' Sugni insisted

"I was worried about him to, but I was not going into panic mood when it was time to leave him! " Amrita Said.

"No ...No it's nothing like that! " She denied... Shaking her head.

Amrita signed, getting up. 'Ok if you say so, " She looked at Sugni seriously, "You know something , there is nothing wrong with it, and love is a beautiful thing, if you give it a chance. I think you two will be great together. But the first step is admitting your feelings for yourself!" She said seriously.

"What feelings'there are none" She sputtered.

"Well then you should think about it'" Sugni's head shot up as she looked at Amritas face , she was looking at her with a soft smile '"because from what I was seeing last night it was nothing less than love. " She sighed as she fished her tea. "He will be asleep for a while, you should go get some rest now, call me if anything. And Sugni It's Ok.." She said as she left.

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Sugni came down the stairs the next morning after serving Vickram his breakfast and medicines. She she told Dhanuma that they had to make sure Vickram had some light food for a few days. Dhanuma said she knew just the thing and starting rattling out different recipes. She too was worried since Vickram was not one to be laid up in bed. But she was happy to see Sugni taking care of him'as at her age running up and down the stairs was not such an easy task. Sugni came out of the Kitchen and went back up stairs to make sure he was resting comfortably. She stood in shock as she looked at a fully dressed Vickram.

"Vickram? What is this? Where are you going? You should be resting!"

"Relax! I am feeling fine I slept all night I had my medication and breakfast. So I think I'll go to the office for a few hours." He said, as he passed a comb through his hair.

"Bu-but the doctor said'" She began

"I know what the doctor said 'but I feel fine and I am not staying cooped up in this house for a week." He said.

The doctors gave strict instructions that Vickram had to take complete bed rest for at least two days, and no work for at least a week so that he can make a full and speedy recovery. If he didn't and exhausted himself he could have a relapse and end up right back in the hospital. Vickram had said he would follow the instructions, Sugni was responsible for him. If he ended up back in the hospital because she could not get him to rest it would be all her fault. But she couldn't very well order him around. Oh God . Now what? Sugni started ringing her hands , a nervous habit she had when she was scared and confused and right now she was both. What to do?

"You 'You can't!" She said. A little loudly. Vickram turned away from the dresser to look at her. "I- I..mean um'I promised Dr. Malan and Amrita you would follow their instructions and if anything happens I am responsible."

Vickram sighed .."That? you are not responsible for anything'and these doctors, well in my opinion they thrive on scaring people. Don't worry I can handle Amrita Ok. I promise I am not going to overdo it." He said turning back to the mirror. She could see he was not about to listen to her. Why would he?

"She smiled sadly as she mumbled to herself. "She was right"

"What was that?" he asked

"Nothing'Amrita said you won't listen to any one, but I told her no you would because I promised. I don't know why I did that'I mean it's not like I can make you listen to me. I should have just stayed quite , at least maybe the Dr. would have made sure you stayed and gotten the rest. You go out there and something happens to you'" Sugni blinked her eyes that for some reason was tearing up.. Quickly she turned to walk out the door. Vickram would do what Vickram wants.

"Sugni" She stopped , he walked over to stand in front of her. "Sugni look at me please" She shook her head no.

"Are you mad at me?" he asked , she thought he sounded amused.

"Why would I be?" She said furrowing her brows

Vickram placed his hand under her chin and raised her face to look at him. Sugni gasp, as she looked at him, her heart was suddenly beating fast at his touch and she swore she stopped breathing. Only this time it was not out of fare but something she could'nt explain staring at his face she felt as though she was loosing herself. She swallowed convulsively what was happening here?

Vickram still had that amused look on his face '"Hmmm so are you angry?"

"Huh?" she asked'what were they talking about? She closed her eyes and took a couple of quick breaths to control these strange emotions.

"You made a promise and don't want to break it, right?" He asked She shook her head no, as she opened her eyes to look at him. He moved his hand 'but her eyes seemed stuck to his face.

"Ok'I won't let you." He said softly

:"Huh?" She asked

He smiled. "I'll stay home and follow these god damned instructions, if you'll do something for me."

"What?" She said, her voice sounded breathless'what was going on with her.

"I'll arrange for a driver to pick you up and take you to work'and you will bring home any thing important I need to see. Call it a compromise'I promise I won't leave the house and get the rest'but I can not stare at the four walls I will go crazy. Deal?" He asked

"Deal" She smiled "But from tomorrow?" She countered.

"OK from tomorrow" He agreed removing his jacket. "Why don't you go bring the chess set and keep me company hmm'I guess I need to change.' He said

She made her way to the door before turning around.

"Vickram?"

"Hmmm"

"Thanks"

"yeah yeah'can't have you being all mad at me now can I?" He laughed. As Sugni walked out the room to go downstairs.

Sugni lay in bed , that night as Amrita's words played through her head. Love? Really? She thought about that strange reactions she had towards him today. She spent almost the entire day with him in his room, playing chess, having lunch, chatting away, and even when he fell asleep, she just sat there staring at him. It was as though she could'nt leave his side. Some how she was more aware of him. Is this what love was.?

"What are you thinking, Sugni?!" her brain said. "You should not be thinking like this... you can't be in love with him, he is still in love with his dead wife!" That thought brought with it a not to nice feeling. "Look at what she was, you are nothing in comparison. Vickram dose not even see you like that, and if he found out you were harboring these thoughts...well you can kiss your new life good bye! Sugni you have a good life here don't spoil it with these thoughts." Sugni spent the time with these thoughts battling between her head and her heart. Her heart telling her she loved him...Her brain telling her that was not possible...Her brain saying she was not in love with him...her heart saying she was...she knew that that did not matter ...as really there was no future to this she admitted sadly! "Don't do this Sugni'there is no place for love in your life'especially not from Vickram."

Originally posted by: sara1993

Absolutely loved it Vinnie. This is one of my favourite chapters😳😃 so finally, love is in the air and Sugni is the first to acknowledge those feelings. Amrita was right, i mean Sugni's concern for Vikram when he fell ill and her sitting by his side until he regained consciousness said it all, I really do hope that Sugni listens to her heart and not her brain and realize that she too deserves to be happy in life and yes, she does deserve someone who will love her unconditionally basically, she deserves Vikram😃. I wonder if Vikram too feels the same way but he has not yet understood those feelings? Well ,i really am looking forward to see how this love story will blossom.

Great job as usual Vinnie. Can't wait for chapter 16.

Originally posted by: ronshaan

Hey vinnie ..

another great chapter.. I liked it ..

Sugni falling in love slowly but can not believe her self.. wow well written .. she wanted 2 stay back near him in the hospital that was great and then she said and promised the doc that she will take care of him knowing that he might not listen because amu said he wont 😉😆 but vikram cant break sugni's promise so decide to stay at home ... I actually Loved it so well done and hats of.. !!!

sugni .. is being changed because she is falling in love.. she feel she can say her word talk 2 stranger all her fears gone just for vikram !!! yeh pyaar nahi to kya hay 😃😆

keep it up

Originally posted by: Sandy66

😊 Vinnie dear, just finished reading chapters 7,8, and 9. WOW, simply amazing👏.
Sugni's had an awful and rough childhood. No wonder she's emotionally traumatized by it. Anyone with such a past with definitely resort to suicide😭.

Sugni's Dad is a horrible father, husband and human being😡. Being brutalized at a tender age, and being a witness to her Mother ill treatment by her Father, its very difficult for Sugni to trust "MEN" in particular.

It's wonderful she trust Vickram and Amrita. Trust dont come easily for someone who has been traumatized most of their life. Eavesdropping sometimes can leads to huge understanding and that's what happen between Vickram and Sugni. Anyways at least the misunderstanding is clear and Sugni decided to return back with Vickram. Looking forward to read the rest of the others Chapters. Thank you for the PM Vinnie.🤗

CHAPTER 16

"Vickram?" Sugni said

"Hmmm" he answed as he continued read the file .

"Would you put the file down for two seconds and take the medication already?" She stated, it's been twenty minutes since she placed it on the table in front of him and he as yet was to touch it. Over the last couple of weeks , she discovered that as a patient Vickram could be a very difficult one. Forever complaining and making faces. mMany time she got up in the middle of the night to catch him reading files he ordered home form the office, when he should be resting. As expected he made a face. He was stubborn alright.

"Shouldn't you be in the store room or something?" He asked petulantly

"Yes, but I also have to make sure you take your meds.," She retorted. "Oh common its the last one, after this its done!"

"Thank God , you know I swear there is some God given gland in you women folk, that like to nag! " He mumbled

"Excuse me?" She said, raising her eyebrows

"Uh nothing."

Handing him the pills and the water she made sure he drank it. She smiled, two weeks of putting up with his stubbornness, Sugni had no idea when she got this brave to stand here bantering with him. It surprised her, the fact the he listened and instead of getting mad at her seemed to be amused by her arguments was even more surprising. Vickram never reacted the way she thought he would.

"By the way, the last shipment, we received from Morocco, had over 10 damaged pieces, the packages looked weird...like it was opened or something..." She told him, handing him a report file. Sugni took over the duties of of Claudia, Vickram had taken over after until they could found a suitable replacement but after he got sick, she again volunteered do it, as she thought it was not much different from what she did in the store room. She discovered she was wrong as this job required she be more in contact with others on a daily basis, delivery guys, shipping people, signing of documents.

That first day she almost went into a panic attack countless of times. She had to control the urge, and the only thing that was keeping her clam was knowing that he was sick and was depending on her to do this for him. Somehow she made it through the day without crumpling into a ball. By the time she got home she felt drained.

When he asked her how her day was that night, she said fine, but he know her well enough to sense it was not. The next day she had no idea how she was going to make out, but when she got there she was surprised and confused to see Champa. She thought she was also replaced, and was feeling a little hurt and disappointed that she did such a bad job, until her phone rang.

"Hey is Champa there ?" He asked.

"Yes" She answered.

"Good, now let her deal with the people who come in , she knows what to do, just double check everything and sign ok and make sure to fill out the report forms and bring them home for me.

"Ok" She said. Relived, that he made her job easier and even recovering from an illness he still managed to think about her. She guessed that is why she loved him.

Sugni looked at him as he browsed through the report .Oblivious to her feelings, truth is she kept denying it, even with Amrita giving her those knowing looks.

" I 'll look into it." He said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "You are doing a very good job Sugni, keep it up!"

"Thanks!" She smiled, as she made her way out the office. That compliment making her day.

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After work they were off, at this point Vickram would drop her off to Amrita, so she was surprised when he turned to the opposite direction.

"Where are we going?" She asked

"Well I think you can take an off day from therapy for once , no?...besides ...I have not been able to thank you properly for taking care of me and seeing that things kept running smoothly for the time ."

"You don't have to thank me!" She said

"Yes I do!, I know it was not easy for you, but you did it and you did very well!"

He pulled into a restaurant parking lot. "So how about it , dinner and afterward we can catch that new movie?" He asked... ______________________________________________________________________________

Vickram chuckled as Sugni laughed at the punch line of his joke. She had a nice laugh and he wished she would often. He was glad he took Amrita's advice to take her out, as she really did deserve it. Sugni really stepped in and took care of him. Those first few days, every time he opened his eyes she was around, helping him with his medicines, food, clothes. Before he could ask for anything she had it. .She made certain he followed the doctors orders to the letter. Vickram was alwys a strong willed person, an no amount of doctors' orders would get him to stay at home in bed, especially when he felt fine. But that day looking at her, talking about her promise, Vickram realized it was the first time she did volunteer to do something and some how it seemed important to her live up to her word. He knew the fastest way to build confidence was indeed completing a task you set out to, and for Sugni it was her being able to make he did as the doctor asked. So he did, simply because he couldn't bear to see that look on her face when she said he wouldn't listen to her.

Then when he was worried about not being able to receive the new shipment of goods she stepped in. He knew how hard that was for her , he could see it in her face when she came home, but she handled it well. He was proud of her and the long way she came from when he first met her.

The way she faced her fears and over came all that she had been through, despite all that she been through, Sugni still has that innocents about her, the way she approached things sometimes, her enjoyment and wonder over things that most people he knew would take for granted. Maybe it was because for her she was experiencing these new things for the first time, movies, television, shopping trips, most things people found common, were new to her. He also found a certain joy watching her find her footing in the world.

The more he was around her he knew that no one deserved this as much as she did and he was willing to go the extra mile just to make sure she succeeded in getting that new life. It was a while since he felt this responsible and concerned about some one elses happiness and well being, but from the minute he met her that was what she became.

After the movie was over they made their way into the parking lot. "So? " he asked

"I loved it!" She smiled , he thought she would , she had a childish attitude when in came to animated shows, she would act just like a child... her carefree laughter and childishness was nice to see, for a short while at lest he knew she would just be Sugni...and not some one who looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders, that girl who did her best to disappear into the wall and not be noticed.

"Vickram?" He looked up at the sound of his name,turning he smiled as he saw the caller.

"Shelia!" She came to his side and enveloped him in a hug that he returned readily.

'How are you? it's been so long! Who you here with?" He asked.

"Oh I am fine, my little niece is visiting so I thought I would bring her to the movies, yes it's been a long time. "

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Sugni took a step back towards the van as she looked at the beautiful woman who was hugging Vickram, she she could probably rival Amrita for model status. They seemed to know each other well. She looked at her, her arm was still attached to Vickram's arm, and out of no where Sugni had the urge to walk up to them and remove it. She listened as they laughed over something, and exchanged numbers.

"Well I am in town for a while, how about dinner tomorrow?"

"Sure, you staying at the old place?"

"Yeah"

"Well I'll pick you up at seven...how about that?"

"It's a date!' Shelia said as she hugged him again and left. Vickram kept staring after her, a smile on his face. She never saw him smile like that before. She though her jealousy raising. Her perfect evening was being ruined, as she wondered why she could not be like that, all beautiful and confident.

"Shall we?" He asked snapping her out of her thoughts

"Umm ...hmmm" She nodded.