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Ranveer stared in horror at the still figure crumpled up in his arms. As she had collapsed, a desperate shout had emerged from him.
"Priyanka!"
His voice had sounded alien to himself. The fear and alarm that shot through his being was unexpected. He looked down at her pale face and felt unease creep into him. Had he pushed her too far? Should he have asked her about the medicines, about the accident, knowing that it quite possibly would trigger panic in her. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even realise that he had lifted her up in his arms, cradling her as if she was a child. It was as he bent down to place her on the bed that he realised that he had actually been carrying her all this while. He set her down on the bed and was hit by a sense of loss that he was wholly unprepared for. Unwilling to face these unfamiliar and uncomfortable emotions cascading through him, he looked around for a water bottle. A jug sat on a table near her bed. He picked it up and started sprinkling water on her face. She twitched and then opened her eyes.
Her gaze was unfocused for a bit. He bent down and placed his hand on her head. His fingers traced patterns on her forehead, pushing the strands of hair back. He watched colour flood back into her face and felt relief wash through him. As soon as consciousness dawned in her eyes, she tried to sit up. Ranveer found himself gently pushing her back on the bed. His fingers continued their ministrations. Priyanka's eyes turned in the direction of his hand and suddenly he realised exactly what he had been doing. He withdrew his hand with the speed of lightning, feeling heat flood his face. How could he have taken such a liberty!?! He was shocked and amazed at such an intimate gesture on his part. He, who had always been known as being undemonstrative.
He stood up on his feet,eager to leave the room, but drawn to stay out of a concern that he could not completely ignore.
"Are you sure you feel alright, Miss Oberoi?" he asked, drawing upon customary politeness, to hide his embarrassment. "I think you need to rest, after such an eventful day."
As he prepared to leave, her soft voice reached him.
"Take the medicine, please."
He wanted to tell her that the medicines had only been an excuse. But he found himself turning towards the table, where the medicines had fallen in a cluster. He picked up the pack of aspirin and set it apart. Then he collected the rest and placed them in her medicine box. Then he turned to go but a piece of paper on the table caught his eye.
Cricket
Kumkum Bhagya
