SS: Tum Hi Ho

Tum Hi Ho

Teaser

"Humne un dono ko ek rishte mein baandh diya... vo dono khush nhi hain iss rishte se..."

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"Tumne yeh gaur nhi kiya lekin maine kiya hain... Itne din ek saath rehte-rehte... unhe ek-doosre ki aadat ho gayi hain mujhe pta hain..."

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"Tab kya hoga jab use us baat ka pta chalega ?... Kabhi naa kabhi toh sach saamne aayega na..."

"Humne jo bhi kiya... apne bete ke  liya kiya tha... "

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"Apne bete ki bhalai ke liye hum uski life barbaad kar rhe hain... tumhe aisa nhi lagta ?..."

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"Vo meri bhi beti hain... Main uska bura nhi chaahungi... Mujhe bharosa hain vo mere bete ko badal paayegi... Jab use us baat ka pta chalega... vo... vo hume galat nhi samjhegi..."

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"Uski jagah koi aur hota... toh... toh vo mere bete ko kab ka chodhkar chali gayi hoti...", she became a little teary-eyed.

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"Mera dil kehta hain... dheere-dheere... Shaurya Anokhi ki achchaaiyon ko mehsoos kar paayega aur vo humaari beti ko bohot pyaar karega... mujhe yakeen hain...", she said with a confident smile.

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 1. Invitation to Party

Morning light hits her face, birdsong fills her ears, and she opens her eyes to perceive the sight of a man.

The man, with whom she has been living under one roof from past many months, but they are not like any normal couple.

The man, she married, but neither of them were ready for it, nor did they want to.

The man, who is very introverted, reserved and short-tempered, but she knew deep down that beneath him lay a person who is so pure at heart.

The man, for whom she has developed feelings but is unaware of it.

She sighs and sits up, tying her hair up in a bun.

It's the weekend. He'd be at home.

Taking her salwar-kameez from the almirah, she goes to freshen up.

When she comes out, she notices he was still sleeping.

She combs her hair, catches a glimpse of him in the mirror, and remembers what day it is.

⁂

"Shaan..."

"Hmmm..." came the reply.

"Aaj pta haina kya hain..." Aastha said.

"Hmmm... Yaad hai mujhe..."

"And I feel guilty for doing this to her..." with a melancholic voice, he replied.

"Shaan... yeh kya keh rhe ho??!...", she asked shocked.

"Toh aur kya kahu ???..."

"Humne..."

"Humne usse vo baatein chhupaayi..."

"Uske parivaar se baatein chhupaayi..."

"Vo dono toh taiyaar hi nhi the shaadi ke liye..."

"Lekin hume lga tha ki unki shaadi ki age ho gayi hain... Aur dheer-dheere ek doosre ke saath rehte-rehte ek doosre ko samajh jaayenge lekin..."

"Lekin Shaurya toh abhi bhi vaisa hi hain... Aur Anokhi bhi toh khush nhi hain..." Shaan expressed his disappointment.

"Humne un dono ko ek rishte mein baandh diya... Vo dono khush nhi hain iss rishte se..."

"Cheh mahine ho chuke hain unki shaadi ko... lekin sab toh pehle jaisa hi hain..." A dejected Shaan ranted.

Aastha placed her hand over Shaan's.

"Nhi Shaan... Tum galat samajh rhe ho..." she said in a convincing tone.

"Kya kehna chaahti ho tum Aastha ?..."

"Shaan... Tumne yeh gaur nhi kiya lekin maine kiya hain..."

"Itne din ek saath rehte-rehte unhe ek-doosre ki aadat ho gayi hain..."

"Aur tum kya keh rhe the... Sab kuch pehle jaisa hain ?... Nhi Shaan... bohot kuch badal gya hain... "

"Bhale hi unke beech chhoti-chhoti baaton par jhagde kyun naa hote ho... unhe abhi tak iss cheez ka ehsaas nhi hua hain ki ab ek-doosre ke bina nhi reh paayenge voh..."

"Tab kya hoga jab use us baat ka pta chalega ?... Kabhi naa kabhi toh sach saamne aayega na...", Shaan interrupted.

"Mujhe... mujhe nhi pta kuch Shaan... Humne... Humne jo bhi kiya tha apne bete ke liye kiya tha... "

"Apne bete ki bhalaai ke liye hum uski life kharaab kar rhe hain... tumhe aisaa nhi lagta Aastha ?...", he asked frustrated.

"Aisa mat kaho Shaan... Vo meri bhi beti hain... Main uska bura nhi chaahungi... Mujhe bharosa hain vo mere bete ko badal paayegi... Jab use us baat ka pta chalega... vo... vo hume galat nhi samjhegi..."

"Uski jagah koi aur hota... toh... toh vo mere bete ko kab ka chodhkar chali gayi hoti...", she became a little teary-eyed.

"Vakt lagega... lekin mujhe poora bharosa hain dono mein pyaar hoga..."

"Mera dil kehta hain... dheere-dheere... Shaurya Anokhi ki achchaaiyon ko mehsoos kar paayega aur vo humaari beti ko bohot pyaar karega... Mujhe yakeen hain...", she said with a confident smile.

They were both alarmed when they heard footsteps and realized it was Anokhi. As a result, they returned to a normal expression.

"Good morning Papa..."

"Good morning Maa..."

Anokhi smiled as she greeted them.

They too smiled seeing their lovely daughter.

"Good morning beta...", they both said.

"Baitho yaha...", Aastha made her sit.

"Anokhi..."

"Jee maa..."

"Hume tumse kuch kehna tha...", she looked at Shaan.

"Boliye na..." Anokhi replied.

"Voh aaj shaam ko reception ke liye ek invitation hain... Toh hum chaahte hain ki tum aur Shaurya..."

Anokhi figured out what she was attempting to say.

She was well aware that her husband was an introvert; he will undoubtedly deny it. And with her, the answer was almost certainly no.

Aastha waited for a positive response from her.

"Anokhi... tum jaaogi na ?..."

Anokhi fell in a dilemma what to say. She couldn't deny nor did she want to force him to do anything.

"Maa... vo... voh...", she couldn't think of anything to say.

"Anokhi..."

"Tum Shaurya ki chinta mat karo... use hum mana lenge..."

"Lekin Maa... Aapko to pta hi hain... Unhe yeh sab parties vghera..."

Aastha smiled seeing that her daughter knew her son well.

"Main use mana loongi...", she replied.

Anokhi forced a smile.

"Theek hain Maa..."

"Main breakfast ready karti hoon....", saying so, she walked to the kitchen.

Anokhi was making a cup of tea. She needed sugar and had just turned to get the bottle when she slammed into something hard.

"Ahhh...", in pain, she rubbed her nose.

When she looked up, she found him staring at her with a dangerous expression on his face. His shirt was soaked, and he was holding the glass. She concluded that he had come to drink water, and what followed was the current situation.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, knowing his rage and fearing it. Due to fear, no words came out of her mouth.

Shaurya thudded the glass onto the slab and walked away. This entire scene was witnessed by Shaan, who also left with a sad expression.

⁂

"Maa... please mujhe vha nhi jaana... Aap aur Dad jaaiye na..."

"Shaurya vha tumhaara dost bhi toh aayega... usse bhi mil lena is bahaane..."

"Usse toh main roz office mein milta hoon na..." he grumbled.

"Shaurya... Tum aur Anokhi jaa rhe ho bass !... Maine bol diya...", Aastha looked towards Anokhi.

"Uska bhi toh man hota hoga na kahi baahar ghoomne jaane ka...", Aastha said.

"Toh maine use kahi rok ke thodina rakha hain... Aap log reception mein jaaiye aur use bhi apne saath le jaaiye...", he explained glaring Anokhi.

"Main kaise samjhaau iss ladke ko...", Aastha wondered.

"Shaurya bas bohot hua... Bas ek party hi toh attend karni hain..."

Aastha was able to persuade him after many requests.

"Okkk  !!!... "

"Lekin bas ye last baar ke liye hain... Aap har baar apni request manva lete hain mujhse...", he sulked.

Aastha cupped his face.

"Ab aaya na oont pahaad ke neeche...", she pulled his cheek.

"Main oont hoon ???...", he screamed in disbelief..

Aastha laughed.

Anokhi too let out a chuckle, but she quickly stopped when a pair of frighteningly glaring eyes landed on her. Shaurya gave her a cold stare and walked away.

Aastha approached her and placed her hand on her cheek.

"Dekha Anokhi... Vo maan gya..."

"Achcha... Ab meri baat suno..."

"Tum aaj party mein saree pehen kar jaaogi... Maine tumhaare liye saree nikaal di hain..."

Anokhi's eyes widened.

"Saree ?... Lekin maa... Maa mujhe toh saree pehnni hi nhi aati... Naa hi maine kabhi pehle pehni hain..."

"Main hoon na... Main pehena doongi saree... Meri beti apni maa ki saree pehenegi...", she lovingly said.

Anokhi became emotional because it reminded her of her mother, and she hugged her.

"Maa...", she snuggled close to her.

"Meri bachchi...", Aastha placed a kiss on her head.

⁂

Anokhi was working when her phone rang.

She smiled as she read the name that flashed across the screen.

It was her best friend, "Reema".

"Hello..."

"Hello meri pyaari sakhi...", Reema replied.

"Kaisi hai tu ?..."

"Main mastt hoon Anokhi... Tu bta... Kya plans hain aaj ke ?...", Reema teased.

Anokhi got alarmed.

"P... plans ?... Kaise plans ?..."

"Anokhi tujhe jhoot bolna nhi aata... Mujhse chhupa rhi hain... Apni best friend se ?..."

Anokhi didn't know what to answer her.

"Happy 6 months Anniversary Anokhi !!!...", Reema exclaimed on the other side.

Anokhi knew this was coming.

"Th... thank you Reema..."

Reema sensed her low voice.

"Itni der se kuch bol kyu nhi rhi thi tu ?... Haan ?... Aaj teri 6 months anniversary hain... Bta-bta kuch toh plans honge...", she tried to lighten the mood.

"Reema... kaise plans ?... Kuch plans nhi hain... Aur vaise bhi tujhe toh pta haina...", she trailed her words.

Reema wanted to lighten her mood, which is why she was teasing her, but now that the situation had become depressing, she said, "Anokhi... main bohot dino se tujhse mili nhi... Kal milne aa sakti hain mujhse... Vhi usi park mein..."

Anokhi got happy.

"Kal ?... Theek hain..."

They talked for a few minutes before hanging up.

⁂

It was soon evening.

Shaurya was in his room getting ready.

He was fully ready, and was looking for something. He opened the drawer, gave a look at the dressing table, but in vain.

When he turned around, he saw her standing there with her hand outstretched.

He looked at her, then at her palm, before taking the wallet and walking away without saying anything or even looking at her.

Anokhi kept looking at his retreating figure.

Soon, she brushed her hair a bit and she too left downstairs.

Shaurya, who was waiting there for her, noticed her for the first time that evening. 

For a brief moment, he was completely absorbed in her.

She was on her way down the staircase.

"Bohot pyaari lag rhi ho tum Anokhi... Meri pyaari beti...", Aastha kissed her forehead.

Shaurya had been quietly observing her to the point of oblivion.

A cream silk saree was draped around her petite frame. Her hair was braided in the front. Her round cheeks had a natural pink tint to them, and her lips were peach.

As she adjusted the pleats that were pestering her, his eyes met hers, and her child like face was shaped into a cute pout due to the disturbance caused by the pleats.

His daze broke when Aastha said, "Shaurya... Anokhi... Sambhal kar jaana..."

"Jee maa...", both replied at the same time and exchanged glances which made Aastha smile.

They left soon after.

Shaan looked at Aastha and said, "Humne unhe bhej toh diya... lekin tumhe lagta hain isse kuch fark padhega ?..."

"Dekho Shaan... Iss reception party ke bahaane hi sahi... Unhe kuch time saath bitaane ka mauka toh mila... ", she said with a small smile.

⁂

Anokhi sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window, while Shaurya drove the car.

Shaurya had come only for his mother's sake, she knew.

Did she, on the other hand, want to go to the party?

She didn't know what the answer was.

Shaurya's gaze was drawn to the rear-view mirror by chance, and he saw her reflection. He remembered her giving him the wallet.

How did she find out he was looking for it ?

When she was descending the stairs, why was he staring at her ?

These were the thoughts racing through his mind.

He felt something soft on his left cheek and turned to look at it. Her tresses were the source of the problem. He stiffened and tried to wipe it away from his face. But it kept coming into his range of vision, and he yelled angrily, "Baal khol ke kyu aai ho tum ?..."

Anokhi flinched at his loud voice, who had been silently gazing out the window until now.

As soon as Shaurya saw her terrified face, he realized his high voice.

"Maine... maine nhi kiya..."

"Maa ne bnaya tha hairstyle...", she replied innocently.

When Shaurya saw her replying so innocently with a scared face, something in him melted.

Does she fears him ?

He shook off his thoughts and returned his attention to the road.

Anokhi, too, turned her face and hair sideways so as not to "irritate" him.

Shaurya felt a little bad about himself for doing so.

"Mujhe pta hain... Aap party mein aana nhi chaahte the isiliye thoda irritate ho aap... Lekin koi baat nhi... Mujhe aadat ho gayi hain aapke gusse ki...", Anokhi did self-talk in her mind.

Soon, they reached their destination—The Reception Hall.

Little did they know what was in store for them...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading 

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 2. Mishap

"Hello Singhania Uncle..."

"Arreh... Shaurya beta...", Mr. Singhania greeted him with a hug and then turned to face Anokhi, who was approaching, adjusting her pleats behind.

Shaurya turned around to see her fidgeting with her pleats.

"Namaste Uncle ji...", she smiled as she greeted him.

"Namaste beta...", he said as he blessed her with his hand on her head.

"Aao aao... Andar aao..."

They both entered, and Anokhi did the same with her saree.

"Agar saree mein problem hain to pehna hi kyun ?...", he whispered in his ears angrily.

"Maa ne bohot pyaar se pehenaaya mujhe...", she replied.

Shaurya was now speechless. That innocent girl always shuts him up with her innocent replies.

He stepped aside and maintained composure.

They both took a seat at a chair-table.

Shaurya sighed with relief when he received a message on his phone.

It was sent by Ahir, "his best friend". He was the only friend of Shaurya.

The message read, "Shaurya tu aur Bhabhi pohonch gaye vha ?..."

He glanced at Anokhi once he read the word "Bhabhi".

Shuarya pinged back, "Hmmm... Jaldi aa tu..."

He was feeling a little strange there because he was with Anokhi and there was no conversation between them, and he knew Anokhi had also accompanied him for his mother's sake.

He got lost in her again for a while. He observed how she greeted passers-by with a smile, how with her childlike doe-shaped eyes, she was observing the hall's decorations.

For a few moments, his mind wandered back to the day he married her.

They weren't prepared, but because they were of marriageable age, their parents had married them off.

He reflected on the fact that they had been living together for many months, but they are not like any typical couple; he rarely speaks to her, and only to express his anger, and she, too, remains silent, as if she fears him.

But then he wondered why he was thinking all of this.

Why do these things matter to him?

They've been living this way for a long time and may continue to do so.

So, what's new today?

Why was his mind pondering these things all of a sudden?

Why was he staring at her all the time ?

He just shrugs off his thoughts and as he looked towards the entrance, he saw Ahir entering.

"Anokhi Bhabhi !!!..."

"Kaisi hain aap ?...", Ahir greeted her.

Anokhi flashed her bright smile and replied, "Main theek hu... Aap kaise hai Ahir ji ? ..."

Shaurya's gaze swept over them, and he was a little envious that his best friend was greeting her first, when he should have been the first because Ahir was his friend.

"Main toh bilkul badhiya hoon..."

"Achcha kiya aap Shaurya ko yaha le aayi... Nhi toh ye toh kahi ghar se nikalta hi nhi hain..."

"Aur bta Shaurya... tu kaisa hain ?..."

"Main theek hoon...", he replied with an expressionless face.

"Kya yaar... party mein bhi sada sa mooh bna ke rakha hain..."

"Kabhi toh smile kar liya kar..."

"Bhabhi aap kaise jhelte ho isko saara din pta nhi...", he teased.

Shaurya gave him a cold stare, prompting him to quickly close his mouth.

Anokhi smiled shyly as she looked up.

"Dekha na Bhabhi... kaise mujhe gusse se ghoor rha hain... Apne best friend ke saath aisa sulookh... bilkul naainsaafi hain...", he did his melodrama.

"Aapko pta hain... office mein bhi yeh zyaada kuch bolta nhi hain... vo toh main..."

Shaurya put his hand over his mouth to prevent him from speaking any further.

"Tu mere saath chal...", Shaurya dragged him behind him while holding his arms.

"Lagta hain mera aaj kaam tamaam...", while Shaurya was pulling him, Ahir managed to say this to Anokhi.

Looking at the best friend's bond, Anokhi chuckled. She was relieved that Shaurya had a friend like Ahir who understood him and always brightened his mood.

She was sitting alone in her chair when a woman approached.

"Namaste aunty ji...", Anokhi stood up and greeted.

"Namaste beta..."

"Kaisi ho ?... Aur Shuarya kha hain ?...", Mrs. Singhania asked.

"Main bilkul theek hoon aunty... Aur Shaurya...", she looked around.

"Voh... voh apne dost ke saath gaye hain kahi... Kuch der pehle yahi the..."

"Achcha..."

"Tum iss saree mein bohot pyaari lag rhi ho Anokhi...", she said cupping her face.

"Thank you aunty...", she replied warmly.

Mrs. Singhania introduced Anokhi to a new group of people. She was in the middle of a conversation with them when she heard a scream.

"Bhabhi !!..."

Anokhi was startled hearing Ahir's scream.

Her eyes popped out seeing the scene there as she looked in the direction where the voice was coming from.

Shaurya was sitting on the ground, supported by Ahir, who was stroking his back.

There were also a few people gathered there.

Anokhi was terrified when she saw Shaurya in that state.

She dashed towards him and kneeled down in front of him.

"Shaurya !..."

She noticed him rubbing his chest while struggling to breathe.

Anokhi had no idea what had happened all of a sudden.

"Bhabhi..."

"Bhabhi dekho na... Shaurya ko achaanak kya hua...", Ahir was terrified.

"Shaurya... Shaurya kya hua... Yaha dekhiye...", her heart quivered with fear.

"Sa... saans... saans... nh... nhi... aa... r... rhi...", he struggled to say, his skin turning pale.

Anokhi tried to comfort by rubbing his palm, but her gaze was drawn to the bowl beside him.

"Ahir ji... ye ? ... yeh ? ..."

Ahir, too, looked towards it and said, "Bhabhi... yeh... yeh main Shaurya ko kheer taste karva rha tha... aur... aur... fir... achaanak se Shaurya aise ladkhadaane lga...".

He was also frightened to see Shaurya in that state.

Without wasting any more time, Anokhi hurried towards the bowl and stirred it with the spoon to detect something, and she was correct.

"Isme toh... ", she screamed, terrified.

She hastily looked here and there.

"Mera... mera purse ?..."

But then she remembered something and held her head in regret.

"Mera purse toh gaadi mein reh gaya..."

She knelt down immediately and cupped Shaurya's face in her trembling hands.

"Shaurya... Shaurya gaadi ki chaabi ?..."

Mr.Singhania had arrived by this time, having noticed the crowd.

"Kya hua hain yha ?..."

"Shaurya beta ?...", he said, concerned.

"Unhe... unhe nuts se severe allergy hain ...", Anokhi said, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Unhe jaldi se epinephrine ka shot dena hoga..."

Ahir looked at her shocked.

"Shaurya... Bas thodi der... Sab theek ho jaayega... Aap lambi saans leejiye... Aankhein... aankhein band mat karna... Please..."

She rummaged through his coat pocket, and to her fortune, she found the car key there.

"Ahir ji... aap unhe sambhaalna... main... main bas abhi aayi..."

She mercilessly ran outwards towards the parking area. She found their car and, with trembling fingers, opened the lock while her heart was pounding.

What if something goes wrong with him?

She grabbed her purse and ran inside.

People who had gathered there paved way for her to reach him.

"Shaurya..."

"Uthiye..."

"Dheere se... Bas thoda sa..."

"Dhyaan se...", she made him sit with great effort, and Ahir supported his back.

She quickly took out the injection cartridge from her purse.

She looked at Shaurya and then at her trembling hands which held the injection.

Ahir sensed that she was hesitating to perform it.

"Bhabhi... aap chinta mat keejiye... Hum hain na... Kuch nhi hoga... aap jaldi keejiye...", he consoled her.

"Mujhe... mujhe darr lag rha hain... maine kabhi yeh... aise... use nhi kiya... bass ek baar instructions pade the...", she cried.

"Bhabhi... time nhi hain... jaldi !... Yaha sirf aapko hi pta hain ise kaise use karna hain... Do it fast !..."

Shaurya was still rubbing his chest, struggling to breathe, as Anokhi looked at him.

She was extremely fearful that if she waited any longer, she would lose him forever. She had no choice but to do it.

With a deep breath, she took the plunge.

She formed a fist around the device, making sure that the tip was pointing downward. Then she removed the safety cap. She remembered reading somewhere that, in an emergency, the injection could be administered through clothing.

Placing the tip of the auto-injector against the largest part of his outer thigh, she injected it.

Shaurya flinched a little as the needle was inserted.

She pressed the device firmly into the thigh so that the needle can administer the epinephrine dose and held it in place for 10 seconds. Then she removed the injector from the thigh and gently rubbed there for 10 seconds.

After a while, she noticed Shaurya relaxing a little.

She placed his head on her lap and stroked his hair to make him feel better.

The crowd that had gathered there breathed a sigh of relief as he calmed down.

Meanwhile, Mr. Singhania called Shaan to inform him of the incident.

"Shaurya..."

"Ab... ab thoda theek lag rha hain ?...", she asked, her eyes welling up.

Shaurya, who was gasping for air, looked at the angelic face before him, whose eyes only held concern, and nodded in a yes weakly.

Anokhi turned to face Ahir and said, "Ahir ji... hume abhi turant hospital jaana hoga... please aap..."

"Haan... haan Bhabhi... aap please kyu bol rhi hain... Jaldi chaliye... Aap gaadi ka darwaaza kholiye... Main... kisi aur ki help se Shaurya ko lekar aata hoon..."

Anokhi gave a nod.

Ahir, with the aid of Mr. Singhania and a few other members, assisted him to the car and made him to sit inside.

Ahir got in his car and drove to the hospital.

Shaurya was leaning against her, his head resting on her lap.

She noticed his swollen neck and saw him scratching it. She recognized it as one of the symptoms of a nut allergy.

"Bas thodi der aur Shaurya... hum jaldi pahunch jaayenge...", she said calmly as she caressed his face in concern.

Shaurya didn't say anything because he was weak and closed his eyes in her lap for comfort.

Soon, they reached the hospital.

To be continued...

Thank you for reading 

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 3. Tumhe Usse Kya?

"You're lucky you had an epinephrine shot with you... Even a few more minutes could have been potentially lethal..."

Hearing those words, Shaan, Aastha, Anokhi, and Ahir's bodies froze.

"He suffered an Anaphylactic shock. It can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. It can block the airways and prevent from breathing. It can also cause the heart to stop. That's why he was experiencing chest tightness..."

"Right now... he's fine... We gave him an antihistamine intravenously to help reduce inflammation in his airway..."

"He must remain under observation until his symptoms have subsided..."

Everything was thoroughly explained by the doctor.

Aastha stood there with a blank expression on her face and teary eyes.

Anokhi squeezed her shoulders gently and said, "Maa..."

Aastha burst into tears and hugged her tightly.

"Anokhi..."

"Mera beta..."

"Use... use kuch ho jaata toh..."

"Yeh sab meri vajah se hua... Main use party mein jaane ke liye nhi bolti... toh... toh yeh sab nhi...", she cried.

"Maa... please..."

"Vo abhi theek hain..."

"Kuch nhi hua unhe... Vo theek ho jaayenge... Doctor ne bola na vo theek hain Maa...", Anokhi consoled her as she struggled to come to terms with what had happened just a few hours before.

Ahir and Shaan had gone with the doctor to get more information, while Aastha and Anokhi stood outside his room.

"Anokhi... aaj... aaj agar tum nhi hoti toh...", she couldn't say anything else as Anokhi drew her into another tight hug.

"Nhi Maa..."

"Kuch nhi hua... Shhhh...", she stroked her back.

Shaurya had been under observation for quite some time after receiving the steroid injection.

"Maa... aap... unse... unse milne nhi jaayengi... Vo aapka intezaar kar rhe honge...", she tried to make her stop crying.

"Haan... haan... mujhe... milna hain... Tum... tum chalo mere saath...", Aastha wiped her tears.

Anokhi lacked the courage to confront him. She was emotionally frail at the time. If she saw him, she would be reminded of the incident and would cry, which she did not want. She was relieved that he was now stable, and that all of his family members were there for him.

"Maa..."

"Aap... aap jaaiye... main bas yeh davaai lekar aati hoon..."

"Theek hai beta... jaldi aana..."

Anokhi went towards the dispensary while Aastha entered Shaurya's room.

"Shaurya beta...", Aastha sat on the chair beside his bed and gently placed her palm on his head.

He slowly opened her eyes and found his mother's face.

"Maa...", he uttered.

Aastha shed more tears as she realized that it was only because of her daughter "Anokhi" that she was able to hear the word "Maa" from his mouth again.

She sobbed and laid her head on the bed.

"Beta... mujhe... mujhe maaf kar do...", she cried out.

Shaurya tried to sit up with difficulty.

"Maa...", he said as he took her hands in his.

Aastha raised her head.

"Maa please... khud ko blame mat karo... Vo toh maine galti se vo kha liya tha... Mujhe pta nhi tha..."

"Aaj... aaj agar meri beti nhi hoti... toh... toh maine apne bete ko kh... kho...", she couldn't finish her sentence.

Shaurya drew her into a tight embrace.

They both stayed in the same position for a few moments before pulling back.

"Maa... Bass... Ab aap royengi nhi..."

"Dekho... main bilkul theek hoon... Mujhe kya hua hain... Main bilkul fit hoon..."

"Ek smile... please...", Shaurya said as he placed his thumb and index finger on her chin to make her smile.

She finally smiled through her tears.

"Shaurya...", Ahir and Shaan entered.

Shaan approached him and stroked his hair.

"Ab kaisa lag rha hain... breathing mein problem toh nhi hain na..."

"Main theek hoon Dad.... Bas thodi weakness hain... Baki sab theek hain..."

His gaze then fell on Ahir, who stood motionless, staring down.

"Tujhe kya hua Ahir ?... Idhar aa..."

Ahir finally looked up and Shaurya noticed that he was silently weeping.

"Tu... tu ro kyun rha hain ??..."

Everyone's gaze was drawn to Ahir.

"Shaurya... Sorry..."

"Maine agar vo kheer tujhe nhi khilaaya hota... toh..."

"Arre Ahir... Aap sab logo ko hua kya hain... Sabhi khud ko blame kar rhe ho...", he said, a little enraged, but later realized.

He apologized the next moment, "Sorry..."

"Dekhiye..."

"Main bilkul theek hoon..."

"Jo bhi hua vo bas anjaane mein hua... Kisi ki koi galti nhi hain... Meri laaparvaahi se hua... Aap sab khudko blame mat keejiye..."

The room was deafeningly quiet. Just then, the doctor walked in.

They gave space to him to let him do the check-up.

"You can discharge him, Mr. Sabharwal...", the doctor told Shaan.

"Thank you very much, doctor..."

"Thank you mujhe nhi... apni bahu ko boliye... Unhone agar timely vo injection nhi diya hota toh...", he paused in the middle of his sentence.

Shaurya raised his head as he realized they were discussing Anokhi.

He took a look around and realized he hadn't seen her since he arrived. Suddenly, an urge to see her rose in him but he didn't say anything.

"Anyways..."

"Mr. Shuarya Sabharwal... I would like to recommend you that from next time you take care of the food you eat outside... Also, keep the auto-injector with you at all times... No one knows when it will be required..."

Shaurya nodded, and the doctor walked away.

Ahir and Shaan assisted him in standing, and they all went outside.

"Anokhi kha hai... Vo toh tumhaare saath thi na ?...", Shaan asked Aastha.

"Haan... Vo toh dispensary gayi thi..."

"Achcha... main dekhkar aata hoon...", Ahir said.

Shuarya was thinking why hadn't she come till now. All of a sudden, he only wanted to see her.

"Arre... Vo dekho Bhabhi aa gayi...", Ahir said.

They looked in that direction and saw Anokhi approaching.

Anokhi felt a sense of peace when he saw him standing on his feet again.

"Anokhi beta, sabhi medicines mil gaye..."

"Jee papa..." she said as she handed him the medicine packet.

Everybody went outside and they returned home and Ahir too left but not before giving his best friend a tight hug.

⁂

Shaurya was in his room, and it was late at night.

He was lost in some thoughts. 

Her tear-streaked face flashed across his eyes. 

The way she was comforting him when he was struggling to breath, flashed through his mind.

The way her eyes only held concern, it was swirling in his brain.

The way her tears were dripping from her eyes at the time, the evening incident, everything was running through his mind.

"Vo ro kyu rhi thi ?..."

"Mere liye ?...", he asked himself.

His thinking broke when he heard a click sound. He saw Anokhi entering and was now relieved as he wanted a glance of her from a long time.

"Aap... theek hai abhi ?..."

"Hmmm...", he simply hummed in response.

She then took the glass of water from the bedside table, came towards him and extending her right hand, she said softly, "Aapki davaai..."

Shaurya just stared at her, saying nothing.

"Doctor ne kha hain ki aapko rest karna hain aur yeh davaai miss nhi karni...", she explained him.

He silently took the glass and the tablet from her hand and gulped it down.

Anokhi sighed that he didn't protest.

He returned the glass to her, and she was about to turn to walk away when he grabbed her hand from behind.

When he touched her, she stiffened.

"Aapko...," she said hesitantly as she turned backwards. 

"Aapko kuch chaahiye..."

"Aap theek hona... aapko breathing mein koi problem ho rhi hain ?...", she thought maybe he was having some difficulty.

He let go of her hand and turning his face aside, he said, "Ro kyun rhi thi tum ?..."

"Huhhh ?...", Anokhi was confused.

"Tum tab mujhe vaise dekhkar ro kyun rhi thi ?..."

Now Anokhi realized what he was referring to.

Fear gripped her as the image of him struggling to breath flashed across her eyes once more. She simply wishes to forget about the incident. She doesn't want to think about it anymore. She was too afraid at that moment and the reason was unknown to her.

"Main... main... mera man kiya isliye ro rhi thi...", she quickly turned to go.

Shaurya noticed her walking away and asked another question to get her to stop.

"Tumhaare paas vo auto-injector kha se aaya ?..."

She turned slowly.

"Vo... toh... mere purse mein hi rehta hain...", she replied and again turned to go.

"Tumhe kya zaroorat hain uski ?...", he asked sternly.

She returned her attention to him.

"Emergency mein kaam aa skta hain isliye..."

"Aapko khayal rakhna chaahiye tha aaj... Aapko jab pta hain ki tree nuts se allergy hain to khaane se pehle ek baar check kar lena chaahiye tha aapko... Agar kuch ho jaata toh..."

This time, he looked up.

"Toh..."

"Tumhe usse kya ?...", he inquired impolitely.

Anokhi's eyes welled up, but she blinked them away.

She couldn't find words to answer him. She didn't know the answer, but she was afraid of losing him.

She answered back, "Mujhe... mujhe kya..."

"Lekin Maa aur Papa ke baare mein sochkar apna khyaal rakh lete... "

"Tum mujhe mat sikhaao..."

"Mujhe apna khayal rakhna aata hain...", he snapped back.

"Pehle aap apna khyaal rakhna seekhiye... fir mujhe ye boliyega..."

She stormed out of the room, leaving Shuarya staring at her receding figure and the words she spoke. 

It was the first time she spoke to him in an angry tone, but he could feel something else too in that anger.

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 4. Matlab?

Morning rays hit his face, and he fluttered his eyes open.

He yawned and stretched his arm, and it occurred to him to take a look at his left side.

She wasn't there. It means she was awake.

When he looked around, his gaze was drawn to the clock, and he jumped out of bed when he saw the time.

"Das baj gaye ???..."

"Kisine mujhe uthaaya kyu nhi ?!..."

"Main itni der tak kaise sota rha ?..."

He quickly grabbed his phone, only to discover that his alarm had been turned off.

"Yeh ?..."

"Alarm off kisne kiya ?..."

Something made him think she was the one who did it. He stormed out of the room and went downstairs.

⁂

"Shaurya..."

"Uth gaye tum...", Aastha mentioned seeing him coming downstairs.

"Maa..."

"Main late ho gya !..."

"Mera alarm kisne off kiya...", he gave a hard stare to her, who was working inside the kitchen.

"Tum aaj khi nhi jaa rhe Shaurya..."

"Aaj ghar pe rehke rest karo..."

"Rest kisliye ?..."

"Main ekdam theek hoon..."

"Bevajah main office se chhutti kyu lu ?..."

"Maine keh diya na Shaurya... tum khi nhi jaa rhe... "

"Lekin Maa..."

Aastha glared at him to which he glared back at her.

Anokhi, on the other hand, paid no attention to him.

He knew she was the one who had turned off the alarm, and it was only because of her that he had to stay at home because it was now too late to go to work.

He went upstairs in defeat.

He showered, dressed casually, and sat in bed with his laptop to do his work. After a while, he noticed Anokhi coming in.

She approached him and said, "Aapki davaai..."

"Mujhe nhi khaana..." he said sternly, not looking at her.

"Aapko khaana hoga...", she shot back.

He didn't keep quiet this time because she had expressed her displeasure with him the night before too.

He slammed the lid of his laptop shut and stood up, enraged.

Anokhi was startled when she saw him and took a step back.

"Tumne mera alarm off kyu kiya ?!..."

"Taaki aap rest kare...", she replied, her eyes averted from his.

"Maine kha tha na... mujhe apna khyaal rakhna aata hain..."

"Toh fir jaldi se yeh davaai le leejiye...", she said as she placed the tablet in his palm, handed him the glass, and walked away, his mouth hanging open at her.

He stood there silent for some minutes, blinked his eyes before finally swallowing the tablet with water.

She grinned as she peeped through the door at him.

⁂

"Reema..."

...

"Aaj main nhi aa paaungi tujhse milne... Sorry..."

...

"Hmmm... main pkka milungi agli baar... iss baar sorry..."

Anokhi let Reema know that she won't be able to meet her because she didn't want to leave Shaurya as he was still recovering.

"Jab dekho bas apni manmaani karni hoti hain unko... Khudpar dhyaan to dena hi nhi hain...", she blabbered and turned only to find Aastha standing there.

"Maa..."

"Anokhi... Kya bol rhi thi tum ? ..."

"K... kuch nhi... bas aise hi... main toh Reema se baat kar rhi thi..."

Aastha smiled because she had heard everything.

"Mujhe tumhe kuch btaana tha beta..."

"Jee Maa... boliye..."

"Tumhaari maa ka call aaya tha..."

"Tum busy thi toh unhone kha vo tumhe baad mein phone kar lengi... Par vo mujhse kuch keh rhi thi..."

"Mumma ka call ?...", she smiled.

"Haan... Vo chaahti hain ki tum kuch dino ke liye vha chali jaao... Bohot din ho gaye haina unhe tumhe dekhe hue... Tumhaare Papa ji tumhe lene aa jaayenge kal..."

Anokhi squealed in delight listening to it. She wanted to visit her parents as she miss them everyday.

"Sachchi Maa ?...", she exclaimed.

Aastha smiled seeing her happy. But then she noticed the glow on her face had faded.

"Kya hua Anokhi ?..."

"Vo... Maa..."

"Main... main keh rhi thi ki... kuch dino baad chali jaaungi main..."

"Kyu beta ?... Kal kya dikkat hain ?...", she asked.

"N... nhi koi dikkat nhi... vo... bas..."

After what happened that day, Aastha realized she didn't want to leave Shaurya now.

She cupped her face gently, "Shaurya ke liye rukna chaahti hona ?..."

Anokhi looked up as Aastha had recognized correct.

"Haan... matlab... abhi-abhi toh voh theek hue hain... Toh... i... isliye..."

"Anokhi..."

"Tum Shaurya ki chinta mat karo..."

"Hum haina..."

"Lekin Maa vo toh apna dhyaan..."

"Anokhi...", she stressed this time.

"Apni Maa ki baat nhi maanogi ?... Dekho Rama ji bohot khush hain ki tum kal vha jaaogi... ab agar maine mana kar diya toh unhe bura lagega na... Voh bhi to apni beti ke saath samay bitaana chaahti haina... aur tumhe bhi toh apne Mumma aur Papa ji ki yaad aati hain... Haina ?..."

Anokhi gave a soft nod.

"Toh fir main jo keh rhi hoon vo karo... Shaurya ab theek hain... Main uska achche se dhyaan rakhungi... Tum chinta mat karo..."

Anokhi was persuaded after much reasoning.

⁂

Shaurya was working on his laptop, the incident from the day before ran across his mind.

He reflected on the fact that she always has the auto-injector with her, just for him.

But why is this so?

Why are his needs important to her?

Why did she take care of him?

Just then he heard a voice, "Kiske khyaalo mein khoya hua hain... Haan ?..."

When he looked up, he saw Ahir standing next to him.

"Tu ?..."

"Yha ?..."

"Haan main...", Ahir took a seat next to him. He had come to pay him a visit and check on his health.

"Bta-bta... kha khoya hua tha ?...", he said in a teasing tone.

"Faltu baatein mat kar... Main kaam kar rha tha..."

"Haan... voh to dikh hi rha hain...", he pointed to the black screen of the laptop.

When Shaurya realized he'd been caught, he averted his gaze.

"Ahem ahem... Mera shak shi nikla...", Ahir teased further and laughed.

Shaurya's cheek rose up unexpectedly, and he nudged Ahir in the arms.

"Tu mera dimaag kharaab mat kar... Yaha kisliye aaya hain vo bta..."

"Yaaar !...", Ahir cried to which Shaurya passed him a confused look.

"Ab main apne best friend se milne bhi nhi aa sakta... Kya din aa gye hain mere... Main jaa rha hoon...", he acted as if he was leaving.

Shaurya grabbed him from his hand and Ahir landed on him.

Anokhi had just entered and burst out laughing when she saw the scene of the best buddies.

Shaurya cleared his throat and Ahir too composed himself.

"Dekha Bhabhi... "

"Mere saath lad rha tha yeh... Mujh par atyaachaar ho rha tha...", this earned him a glare.

"Ahir ji... aap theek hona... chot to nhi lagi..."

"Haan... haan... main bilkul theek hoon... mujhe kya hoga...", he laughed.

"Mujhe aap par naaz hain Bhabhi... "

"Aap pehli insaan ho jo Shaurya ko office jaane se rok paayi..."

Their eyes met.

"Yeh toh kuch bhi ho jaaye... chaahe toofan aa jaaye... bhookamp aa jaaye... apna kaam nhi chodhta... Aapne badhiya kiya ise aaj office nhi jaane diya...", he gave her a thumbs up.

She forced a smile in response as she knew how workaholic he was.

"Aap baithiye na... khadi kyun hain aap...", he asked her to sit.

"Nhi aap baatein keejiye... main chalti hoon..."

"Arre... please na Bhabhi... Mujhe aapse aur Shaurya dono se baatein karni hain... Baithiye..."

Anokhi sat down opposite them, hesitantly.

"Vaise Anokhi Bhabhi..."

"Matlab kal toh main darr hi gya tha... Vo toh achcha hain ki aapko pta tha uske allergy ke baare mein aur apne saath voh shot rakha tha..."

"Aur Shaurya tu ?... Tujhe bhi toh dhyaan rakhna chaahiye tha na... Baahar apne saath use rakha kar..."

"Maanna padega Bhabhi..."

"Aap jis tarah se Shaurya ki care karti haina... vaise koi nhi kar sakta... Vo khud bhi nhi..."

Hearing the words, both of them stiffened.

"Mujhe kisike care ki zaroorat nhi...", he stated sternly.

"Haan... haan aap to khud hi bohot mahaan ho... Aapko to sab aata hain...", Ahir bluffed.

She was irritated that he didn't take care of himself and didn't let anyone else do it for him.

"Aap baatein keejiye... main aati hoon...", she stood up and left.

"Shaurya !...", Ahir scolded.

"Tune aisa kyu kha ?!..."

"Maine kya kiya ?...", he asked, confused.

"Vaah..."

"Jo tera itna khayal rakhta hain use bola ki meri care karne ki zaroorat nhi... aur ab pooch rha hain kya kiya..."

"Haan to maine galat kya bola...",

"Mujhe apna dhyaan rakhna aata hain...", he retorted back.

Ahir shook his head in disbelief.

He, too, wished for an improvement in Shaurya and Anokhi's relationship. He was also aware of the matter that Anokhi and Anokhi's family were kept in the dark about.

But he knew Anokhi wouldn't misunderstand him when the truth would be revealed; she was the only person who truly understood Shaurya and was the best life partner he could have.

"Jab vo door chali jaayengi na... tab unki kadar samajh aayegi tujhe..."

"Matlab ?...", Shaurya scrunched his eyebrows.

"Matlab tujhe bohot jald samajh aayega..." came the reply.

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 5. One Step Closer

It was the next day, and Shaurya was getting ready for work. His health was now stable, and he didn't want to take another leave of absence.

He brushed his hair and looked in the mirror to see who was in the bed. 

She smoothened the bedsheet, adjusted the pillows and while doing so, her eyes met his.

He quickly averted his eyes as he was caught and he left.

Anokhi, who sat on the bed, realized she wouldn't be able to see him for nearly a week.

But why was she thinking about it?

She had no idea.

She hoped he took good care of himself.

She, too, got ready because her Papa ji was on his way to pick her up.

⁂

It was late in the evening, and Shaurya had returned home. He went to his room and discovered it to be empty.

He swung his eyes around the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

Not finding her, he took off his wristwatch and placed it on the dressing table.

He was lost in thoughts where was she as he didn't saw her downstairs, nor she was there in the room.

"Anokhi kuch dino ke liye Kapurtala gayi hain Shaurya...", Aastha's voice broke his reverie.

He turned.

She came towards him and held his shoulders.

"Anokhi ko dhoond rhe the na ?..."

"H... haan matlab n... nhi !...", he nodded.

Aastha narrowed her eyes at him.

"Itni jaldi miss karna shuru kar diya use ?..."

Shaurya's eyes widened listening to it.

"Nhi Maa!..."

"Main... main miss ?... Main kyu miss karunga... Vo khi bhi jaaye mujhe kya...", as soon as he said that, he dashed to the bathroom to freshen up.

Aastha stood there, smiling, watching his son's antics. She sensed that this will help them both to take one step closer towards their relationship.

But she was unaware that a big blow was about to come.

She went downstairs to prepare dinner for her adored son; after all, her daughter had entrusted her husband's care to her, and she had to fulfil it wholeheartedly.

⁂

Shaurya came out after refreshing.

He was thinking why she suddenly went to Kapurthala. She didn't even inform him.

But then he remembered that they don't get along, so why should she tell him about it if it doesn't bother him?

He then thought that she would have gone to pay a visit. She hadn't been there in those six months. She would have badly missed them.

He pondered for a moment what a strange ritual it was for the girl to leave her house after marriage to be with her in-laws.

What if the situation had turned out the other way around ?

He was combing his hair when Aastha's words echoed in his ears.

"Itni jaldi miss karna shuru kar diya use?..."

"Bhala main kyu miss karunga use...", he said, shrugging his shoulders.

He had no idea, however, that it would irritate him in ways he could never have imagined.

He quickly went downstairs for dinner.

⁂

Anokhi was alone in her room.

She had a wonderful day with her father and mother. Being their only child, she is pampered a lot. 

Her mother had prepared her favorite dishes, and she was overcome with emotion after munching with them after such a long time.

But in all these, she didn't forget about him. His thoughts were always in her mind.

She looked at the time and saw that it was 9 p.m.

"Abhi tak toh office se aa gaye honge..."

"Dinner bhi kar liya hoga..."

She felt an urge to make sure he had eaten his dinner. She thought of calling Aastha. She dialled her phone number right away.

"Hello Maa..."

...

"Jee Maa... humne bhi dinner kar liya..."

...

"Maa voh... Shaurya ki raat ki davaai..."

...

"Ohh aapne de diya unhe... theek hain...", she was relieved to learn that everything was fine.

"Anokhi tumne mujhe kyu phone kiya... tum Shaurya ko hi phone kar leti...", Aastha made an attempt.

"Vo... vo... mujhe lga... shayad... shayad vo so gaye honge...", she struggled to come up with an excuse.

Aastha knew it.

"Good night Maa... Papa ko bhi good night bolna...", she said cutely.

"Aur Shaurya ko ?..."

Anokhi paused for a moment what to say.

"Uhhh... oh... un... unko bhi good night..."

"Good night beta...", Aastha responded with a laugh.

Anokhi hung up the phone, relieved to know he was safe there.

Due to exhaustion from today's journey from Chandigarh to Kapurthala, she laid down and closed her eyes, and she soon drifted to sleep.

⁂

Shaurya was over with his dinner and had returned to his room.

He looked at the bed and noticed the pillows weren't arranged properly. He looked around the room, and the emptiness did something to him.

It was then he realized she wasn't with him.

He sighed and went to arrange them. He adjusted it and rested his head on the pillow, his eyes closed.

A minute later he opened his eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling. He closed again but his efforts went futile. He wasn't able to sleep, he was feeling very uncomfortable. He shuffled around on the bed a few times.

He then shifted his weight to his left side, facing the side where she used to sleep. He imagined the woman with angelic face sleeping there.

The next moment he sat up with a jerk.

"Yeh main kya kar rha hoon ?... Main usko imagine kyu kar rha hoon ???..."

He was getting restless.

He laid down again, but this time in the opposite direction from where she used to sleep. His heart, on the other hand, was vehemently against it.

They used to sleep with their backs to each other, but since she wasn't there today, he wasn't ready to turn away. As a result, he turned to the left side once more.

Half an hour had passed, and he was still wide awake.

He was feeling as if something was missing. The emptiness was annoying him.

Though as mentioned earlier, they are not any typical couple, they don't share any close relationship, he was unaware that he had grown accustomed to her presence.

His thoughts automatically drifted to her.

What will she be doing now ?

Had she fallen asleep?

Didn't she miss him ?

"Urghhh...", Shaurya pressed his ears with her pillow.

"Yeh mujhe kya ho rha hain ?..."

"Ek to neend nhi aa rhi... oopar se dimaag mein ye sawaal..."

"Main paagal ho jaaunga...", he said, pressing his face against the pillow even harder.

And the very next moment, something happened which calmed him down.

The pillow had essence of her hair. It had the scent of her jasmine oil.

Suddenly, a feeling of peace washed over him. He felt at ease because the odor reminded him of her.

The pillow made him feel as if she was near him. It made him feel of her presence.

He just didn't let go of the pillow and hugged it closer to him.

Soon, he too drifted to sleep in no time.

⁂

The sun rose, marking the beginning of a new day.

When he awoke, his gaze was drawn to her side. It reminded him of her absence once more.

He then realized that he was hugging a pillow. He jerked it away when he remembered it was hers.

He widened his eyes to himself as he realized he had spent the entire night hugging the pillow.

But why ?

What special did the pillow do ?

He picked it up gently and kept it in place. He was a little upset for reason unknown to him.

He freshened up and came out.

He looked at the bed, and the empty bed reminded him that she wasn't there, and that he had to take his outfit from the almirah himself.

He opened the almirah and found hanger of coats there.

He pondered what to wear. It was then that he recalled that she had been doing it for him after they had married.

Though he had denied her sternly a few times, she was the one who did it for him when he was late at times. She'd been doing it since then.

He was uncertain about which coat to wear. With a glum expression on his face, he picked up a coat.

"Yeh black vaala hi pehen leta hoon..."

It was then his turn to choose a shirt.

"Uff..."

"Ab shirt kaunsa pehenu..."

He shuffled through them and picked up a white one. He got ready in it.

He combed his hair and put on his watch, but he couldn't find a thing. He checked the drawer, the dressing table, and the bed, but all to no avail.

"Arre..."

"Yeh mera wallet kha gaya ab?... "

"Main late ho rha hoon..."

This reminded him of how she always looked for it without his saying anything and handed it to him.

"Maa !...", he called his mother.

After sometime, she came in his room and said concerned, "Shaurya..."

"Kya hua ?..."

"Maa mera wallet nhi mil rha...", he said with a disturbed face.

"Wallet ?..."

"Dekho na yhi kahi hoga..."

She also searched around.

"Anokhi hoti toh ab tak mil gya hota...", Aastha said.

Shaurya got alarmed at her words.

"Main khud dhoond sakta hoon apni cheeze...", he replied.

"Haan toh dhoondo fir... Main chali jaau ?...", she teased.

"Nhi Maa...", he grabbed her hand right away.

Aastha laughed at this.

After much searching, Aastha discovered it in the pocket of the pant he was wearing the day before.

"Yeh lo Shaurya..."

"Pocket se wallet nikaalna hi bhool gaye aur keh rhe ho khud dhoond loonga... Lo pakdo !..."

Shaurya passed a sheepish smile and put it inside his pocket.

He also had the impression that if Anokhi had been present, he would have been downstairs eating his breakfast right now.

But, as usual, he brushed away his thoughts.

Aastha was about to go when she heard him saying, "Ek minute Maa !..."

"Ab kya hua Shaurya ?..."

"Meri tie kha hain ???..."

Aastha scrunched his eyebrows.

"Kha hain matlab ?... Tie toh almirah mein hi hoti hain..."

"Haan... lekin ye vaali nhi..."

"Vo red vaala hi chaahiye mujhe... main iss black coat ke saath vhi vaala pehenta hoon...", he threw childish tantrums.

"Shaurya... tum bachche ho kya..."

Aastha rummaged around in his almirah once more.

"Shaurya..."

She showed him the green tie and said, "Yhi vaali pehen lo...".

"Nhi Maa... ye iske saath match nhi karta...", he grumbled.

"Shaurya !... Tum chhote bachche ho kya ?... Matching-matching chaahiye tumhe sab ?...", she chided.

With puppy eyes, he pleaded, "Please thoda sa aur dhoond do na Maa..."

"Mujhe abhi breakfast bhi bnana hain... aur tum ho ke..."

"Har roz tumhe matching-matching tie milta hain kya ?... ", she said disturbed.

"Har roz to vo mere liye pehele se hi nikaal-...", Shaurya stopped in his tracks.

"Har roz to tumhe sab readymade milta hai... Haina ?...", Aastha smirked.

"N... nhi... R...readymade kya matlab ?..."

"Matlab tumhaari choice ke kapde vo pehle se hi nikaal ke rakhti hain tumhaare liye..."

"Kaunse coat ke saath tumhe kaunsa tie pehenna hain... use sab pta hain... Hainaaaaa ?...", she teased.

"Maa !..."

"Aisa kuch nhi hain..."

"Vo toh vo pehle se hi mere liye kapde nikaal ke rakhti hain... to isliye main vhi pehen leta hoon... Nhi toh firse doosre kapde nikaalne mein time waste ho jaayega...", he said this without looking her in the eyes.

"Achcha ?..."

"Toh matlab roz tumhe jo pehenne ko diya jaata hain... vhi pehen lete ho... Toh fir aaj tie ke liye nakhre kyun ??...", she raised her eyebrows smirking.

Shaurya couldn't find words to say. He was too shy to admit that she always matched his tie to his coat, which was why he never had to throw tantrums this way.

So he quickly snatched the green tie from her grasp and began wearing it.

"Ab...b...b main yahi pehen leta hoon..."

"Nhi toh late ho jaaunga..."

Aastha chuckled at his flushed face and walked away, muttering something.

"Tum toh uske bina ek din bhi nhi reh paa rhe ho..."

Shaurya came to a halt and stood motionless as he heard those words.

He had no idea it was only the first day after she had left, and he had already gone insane.

Then what's going to happen in the whole week?...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 6. Remembrance

Shaurya was driving home from work, and all he could think about was her.

He was miffed that he wouldn't be able to see her when he returned home. However, he was baffled as to why this was happening.

Since yesterday, he hadn't even heard her voice. He was bothered by it. She would speak to him for a few moments, and he longed for it as well.

The way she gave him medicines on time, the way she took clothes out of the almirah for him before going to work, the way she looked for his wallet without asking him, the absence of all of these things were affecting him.

Finally, after a long drive Shaurya returned home.

As usual, he went upstairs to his room and freshened up.

He came out, dressed casually and stood in front of the mirror combing his hair. The reflection of the empty room in mirror was annoying him a lot.

"Vo kitne dino ke liye gayi hain vha..."

"Main kyu ye sab soch rha hoon ???...", he chided himself the next moment.

"Vo kahi bhi jaaye... kitne dino ke liye bhi jaaye... Mujhe usse kya ??...", he shrugged off.

"Lekin fir bhi...", he felt a little insecure.

"Ek baar mujhe phone bhi nhi kiya... vaise toh humesha mera khyaal rakhne mein lagi rehti hain..."

His eyes widened as he realized what he just confessed to himself.

"Yeh main ye sab kya bole jaa rha hoon ?..."

"Vo mujhe kyun hi phone karegi..."

"Main uske call ka intezaar kar rha hoon ??..."

"Mera dimaag kharaab ho rha hain... main neech jaata hoon..."

He went downstairs for dinner.

⁂

Aastha was serving the dinner when Shaan asked, "Tumne Anokhi se baat ki Aastha ?..."

Shaurya paused with the spoon in front of his mouth to hear his mother's response.

"Haan..."

"Aaj subha hi baat hui thi..."

"Kaisi hai meri beti...", Shaan asked.

Shaurya was listening everything intently. He couldn't call himself, so this was the only way he could know about her well-being.

"Shaan..."

"Vo apne mumma papa ke paas hain..."

"Vo bilkul theek hain...", she laughed.

"Uske bina yeh ghar bada khaali-khaali sa lag rha hain... Vaapas kab aane vaali hain vo ?..."

Shaurya's ears perked up with excitement.

After a brief pause and a quick glance at Shaurya's expression, Aastha replied "Do mahine baad..."

*cough*... *cough*... *cough*

"Arre !..."

"Dhyaan se Shaurya...", Aastha made him drink the water.

"Ab theek ho ?..."

"H... haan..."

"Kya hua tum aise achaanak se..."

"Vo k... kuch nhi... Mirchi !... mirchi lag gyi isliye..."

Aastha grinned.

Shaurya couldn't believe what he was hearing.

She'd been gone for two months???

Such a long time!

But why ?

His stomach was churning to ask Aastha the reason behind her stay for such a long period. He was becoming agitated, and he wished he had misheard something. He had no idea why the mention of two months had such an effect on him.

He finally spoke up.

"Maa..."

"Vo d... do mahine baad aayegi vaapas... Matlab kyu ?... Vha sab kuch theek haina...", he asked hesitantly.

"Kyun Shaurya ?... Yaad aa rhi hain uski... "

Shaan too looked at him narrowing his eyes.

"N... nhi Maa... Main kyu miss karunga use... maine toh bas aise hi poocha..."

"Par maine toh abhi bola hi nhi ki tum miss kar rhe ho... Tumne toh khud hi bol diya..."

Shaurya realized his blunder and mentally scolded himself.

Aastha smiled a little and finally said, "Vha sab kuch theek hain Shaurya..."

"Vo ek hafte baad aa jayegi... chinta mat karo... Main toh mazaak kar rhi thi..."

Her this statement sounded like a hymn to his ears. He felt as if a massive stone had been lifted from his shoulders. The mere thought of staying away from her for two months was like a heart attack to him.

It provided him with a great deal of relief.

"Ek hafte ?... Ohh.. achcha hai... theek hain...", Shaurya said relieved.

Aastha and Shaan exchanged glances smiling.

After dinner, Shaurya went straight to his room.

⁂

After adjusting the pillows, he sat in a comfortable position rather than lying down.

"Tum toh uske bina ek din bhi nhi reh paa rhe..."

His ears rang with Aastha's words from the morning.

"Baar-baar ye mere saath kya ho rha hain ?..."

"Jab dekho uski baat kyu yaad aati hain mujhe ?..."

"Subha office jaate samay bhi... office se aakar bhi... aur ab firse abhi..."

"Kisi bhi baare mein sochu... Har baat usse related ho hi jaati hain last mein..."

He asked himself after a moment's thought, "Kya sach mein main use miss kar rha hoon ? ..."

"Nhi !..."

"Mujhe kuch nhi pta..."

He laid down unwilling to accept the truth. He once glanced at his phone expecting someone's call, but in vain.

"Main kyu call karu ?..."

"Usne mujhe phone karna zaroori nhi samjha... main bhi nhi karunga...", he said, turning his face to her side with a grumpy childlike expression.

"Agar abhi yaha hoti...:

"Toh mujhse bolti..."

"AAPKI DAVAAI..."

A shy smile flashed across his face as he remembered her taking care of him.

As realization struck him, he sat up with a jolt.

"Main... main akele-akele smile kyu kar rha hoon ?..."

He scratched his head.

"Yeh ladki mujhe paagal kar degi..."

"Jab se gayi hain... tab se-...", he couldn't complete.

He calmed himself and lay down.

"Bas ek hafta...", his conscience said, and he relaxed.

His gaze returned to her pillow, and he raised his hand to take it, but paused in the middle. He was hesitating to take a step further. His hand was in air midway.

"Yeh mera room hain... yeh takiya bhi mera hi hain... "

"Toh main isko hug kar hi sakta hoon...", he devised an excuse to satisfy himself and kept her pillow close to him.

He soon drifted off to sleep.

⁂

Anokhi was about to go to bed when she remembered her morning conversation with Aastha.

"Anokhi...", Aastha let out a chuckle.

"Tumhe pta hain Shaurya na tumhaare bina kuch bhi nhi kar paa rha..."

"Ek to use wallet nhi mil rha tha... oopar se use apne coat ke saath matching tie chaahiye thi...", she laughed more.

Anokhi realised he had to do all of these tasks on his own.

"Tumhe bohot miss karta hain vo..."

Anokhi's heart skipped a beat when Aastha said it.

"M... miss ?... M... mujhe ?..."

"Haan... Kyun ?... Tum nhi karti Shaurya ko miss ?...", she said in a playful tone.

"Nh... haan... matlab nhi..."

"M... maa... main aapko thodi der baad phone karti hoon... abhi na mumma mujhe bula rhi hain...", she cut the call immediately.

"Main... main miss kyu karungi unhe ?..."

"Aur vo bhi mujhe bhala miss kyu karenge ?...", she said to himself.

"Lekin Maa ne kha office jaane se pehle unko apni cheeze mil hi nhi rhi thi..."

"Pta nhi... Kal aisa naa ho..."

She looked at her phone and felt a little upset that he didn't even call her.

"Koi baat nhi..."

"Mujhe kya ?..."

"Vo toh vaise bhi saara din busy rehte honge na..."

"Mujhe kyu hi call karenge vo..."

"Lekin main kyun iss baare mein soch rhi hoon..."

"Kyunki tu miss kar rhi hain unhe....", her conscience said.

"Hmmm... thoda sa...", she replied to it and the next moment widened her eyes.

"Nhi nhi nhi !..."

"Thoda sa bhi nhi..."

"Main nhi kar rhi unhe miss-viss..."

"Main toh bas aise hi soch rhi thi unke baare mein...", she said to herself absent-mindedly.

"Pta nhi apna khayal rakh bhi rhe honge yaa nhi..."

"Manmaani ke alaava toh aur kuch aata nhi unhe...", she grumbled.

She laid down herself and closed her eyes.

But she too missed someone's presence beside her but wasn't ready to accept it.

Soon, she too dozed off.

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 7. Dismay

Shaurya got up early today because he had to complete his tasks on his own. He started by taking a bath and then looking for something to wear.

"Ye roz-roz kapde select karne ke kaam se main pareshaan ho gaya hoon...", he sulked to himself.

He went through them all before deciding on the dark green coat with the white shirt.

Now, it was his turn to do the most tedious task -- to choose the tie.

"Green ke saath toh green tie hi chaahiye mujhe..."

He looked around.

"Ab ye kya baat hui ?!..."

"Uss din main red tie dhoond rha tha toh green mili... aur aaj main green dhoond rha hoon toh brown mili..."

"Mujhe nhi pta..."

"Main yahi pehen rha hoon ab..."

He grumbled and said to himself, "Uski vajah se ho rha hain ye sab..."

"Vo agar hoti toh-...", he stopped in middle.

He paused for a moment to consider something before looking at his phone. 

His mind wandered to something witty, and he reached for his phone.

He swallowed hard and cleared his throat, as if trying to justify his actions to the walls of the room, which were now the only ones witnessing his crazy behavior.

"Mujhe green tie hi chaahiye... isliye phone kar rha hoon use..."

"Aur koi baat nhi hain...", he announced to the walls.

After unlocking his phone, he went straight to the phone book. Just as he was about to call her, he came to a halt.

"Main sach mein phone karne vaala hoon use ??..."

He backed away from his plan and threw the mobile on the bed.

After a while, his gaze was drawn back to it.

He was actually longing to hear her voice. He was missing her presence and care, so hearing her voice was all he needed to feel better. But he didn't want to admit it, so he used the tie as an excuse to please himself.

"Mujhe toh sirf tie ke baare mein poochna hain... Toh main itna ghabra kyu rha hoon..."

"Kar hi leta hoon phone..." he said to himself as he picked it up.

He was hesitant because he never normally speaks to her; he only does so to express his anger. So talking to her today in a normal tone, especially for a tie, made him nervous.

"Main nervous kyu ho rha hoon..."

"Bas tie ke baare mein pooch ke phone rakh doonga...", he reassured himself, as he would be content to hear anything in her voice.

He finally called her, taking a deep breath.

The phone rang, and sweat beads formed on his brow with every second that passed.

"Phone kyu nhi utha rhi vo..."

"Aur mujhe itna paseena kyu aa rha hain ?... Main toh aise darr rha hoon jaise apne boss se baat karne vaala hoon..."

The phone was answered the very next second.

He didn't waste time waiting for the other side to respond; he got right to the point.

"Anokhi meri green tie kaha hain ?...", he sighed after blurting out, but was taken aback by the response from the other side.

"Shaurya beta..."

He covered his mouth with his palm when he realized it was her mother.

"Ye maine kya kardiya...", he placed his palm on his forehead.

"Hello... Shuarya beta ?..."

"J... jee... Mummy ji... Good night... a... a... mera matlab Good morning...", he lost control over his tongue.

"Good morning beta ji... Kaise ho aap ?..."

"M... main theek hoon Mummy ji... Aap aur Papa ji kaise hain ?...", he tried to sound normal.

"Hum sab bhi theek hain..."

"Shaurya beta... Anokhi se baat karni thi ?... Darasal vo to so rhi hain... Main utha doon kuch zaroori hain toh ? ..."

"N... nhi nhi mummy ji... Use uthaaiye mat... Koi baat nhi maine to aise hi phone kiya tha..."

"Use sone deejiye...", he said softly.

"Toh fir aapki tie ?..."

"H... haan ?... Tie ?... ".

"Haan aap kuch keh rhe the g-r-e-e-n tie... Haina ?..."

Shuarya felt embarrassed.

"Vo kuch nhi Mummy ji... Main dekh loonga ", he acted normal.

"Theek hain Shaurya beta... Toh abhi main rakhti hoon... Aapko office jaana hoga na..."

"Jee mummy ji..."

"Good bye beta..."

"Good bye Mummy ji..."

Shuarya hung up the phone and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Yeh maine kya kardiya ? ..."

"Vo mere baare mein kya soch rhi hongi..."

"Maine call uthaate hi tie ke baare mein poochh liya... wait bhi nhi kiya yeh dekhne ke liye ki call kisne uthaaya..."

"Vo to jaldi uth jaati hain... toh fir aaj ?..."

"Meri baat bhi nhi ho paayi usse...", he felt disappointed.

With a sulky expression on his face, he picked up the brown tie and got ready to leave.

⁂

Anokhi awoke to find her mother standing nearby, holding her phone.

"Mumma ? ..."

"Meri beti uth gayi..."

"Haan..."

"Aap yaha ?..."

"Arre tera mobile baj rha tha... toh vhi dekhne aayi thi..."

"Mera mobile ?..."

"Achcha toh kiska phone tha...", she said, her hands spread in the air, yawning like a cute child.

"Shaurya bete ne phone kiya tha..."

Her eyes widened, and she came to a halt in the middle of her yawning.

"Shaurya ???!...", her heart fluttered hearing his name.

He called her ?

Why ?

Was he as desperate to hear her voice as she was?

"Haan Shaurya ka..."

"Kya bola unhone mumma ?... ", she asked with hope.

"Pehle to vo kuch tie ke baare mein pooch rhe the aur fir-..."

She scrunched her brows and said, "Tie ???..."

"Haan tie... Green tie aisa kuch suna tha maine..."

"Sirf tie ?... Aur kuch nhi poocha ?..."

"Haan poocha na..."

"Mere baare mein aur tere Papa ji ke baare mein..."

Anokhi said, "Achcha..." with a dull expression on her face.

"Tu baad mein call kar lena unhe... Vo office jaa rhe the na to maine zyaada baat nhi ki..."

"Aap mujhe utha dete mumma..."

"Main utha deti... lekin fir Shaurya ne kaha ki tujhe sone de... isliye..."

"Theek hain mumma..."

"Main nahaane jaa rhi hoon...", she walked into bathroom with an upset face.

Her mother too left the room after setting the bed.

Anokhi came out after a bath but she was a little unhappy.

"Sirf tie ke liye phone kiya tha unhone ?..."

"Mere liye nhi...", she said to herself.

"Koi baat nhi...", she comforted herself.

⁂

Shaurya was returning home, and he was in a foul mood today. It was going to be the third day he would return to see his room empty.

He still wasn't able to get it as to why it was bothering him so much.

"Aaj subha to baat hi nhi ho paayi..."

He felt embarrassed and said, "Ulta Mummy ji ne pta nhi kya soch liya hoga..."

Soon, he reached home and as usual after dinner, he came to sleep in his room. But today sleep was far away from his eyes.

Three days and not even a glimpse or sound of her.

He'd done an excellent job of managing himself in her absence !

He caught a glimpse of his phone through the corner of his eyes, but he kept a straight face.

"Ab main nhi karna vaala phone..."

"Mummy ji ne usko zaroor btaya hoga ki maine subha phone kiya tha..."

"Ab uski turn hain mujhe phone karne ki...", he said as if they were playing some game.

He looked at the time and saw that it was ten o'clock.

He glanced at his phone once more. He picked it up and looked at it for a few moments, as if he were seeing a mobile phone for the first time.

In reality, he was struggling to keep his fingers from dialling her number, but his patience finally gave out.

"Ek baar kar ke dekhta hoon... agar utha liya toh main bol doonga Maa ne bola tha mujhe phone karne ke liye...", but he didn't think about why he needed to make this plan.

He dialled her number, pressed the phone against his ear, and waited nervously but eagerly, hoping to hear her sweet voice just once.

But the very next moment his heart sank when the mobile conveyed a message.

"The person you've called is currently busy... Please try after sometimes... Aapne jis vyakt-..."

In a fit of rage and dismay, he hung up the phone and tossed it in the bed, and laid down himself to sleep but not before pulling his "pillow partner" close to him.

⁂

"The person you've called is currently busy... Please try after sometimes..."

Anokhi was disheartened as she looked at her phone, which said he was busy.

"Tch..."

"Subha bhi baat nhi hui thi aur abhi bhi baat nhi ho paayi..."

She had called him after a lot of thinking and courage. She had no idea what she would say if he picked up the phone. 

She, too, wished to hear his voice once.

She never forgets about him while chillaxing in her maternal home.

What will he be doing now ?... Had he eaten his breakfast ?... Did he have his lunch ?... Did he take his medicines on time after dinner ?... All of these thoughts swirl around in her head throughout the day.

She is well aware of her husband's disregard for his own health, and she can't refrain herself from thinking all these things even for a minute.

Furthermore, it was her first time living away from him since their marriage, so she was struggling to cope up with his absence.

With a sad expression on her face, she turned off the lights and went to sleep, but not before bringing her phone close to her heart, where the phone book was glowing and flashing his name.

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 8. Worry

Another day had passed in her absence, and it was the same as it had been every day.

His daily routine consisted of waking up with a grumpy expression on his face and then completing his tasks on his own while missing her.

The sun was shining brightly, and its rays landed on his face. He woke up with stretching his arms and did his daily chores like bathing and choosing the outfit.

He remembered that nor he, nor she had called each other till now.

"Meri kisi ko padi hi nhi hain...", he murmured to himself.

He picked up any coat and tie without looking at them because he was too impatient to do so for the 5th day.

He got ready to leave.

⁂

Ahir was working on his laptop, but his attention was always drawn to Shaurya's pink tie.

He finally spoke up.

"Yaar... Shaurya..."

"Yeh tune aaj bada ajeeb sa combination pehena hain..."

"Tere pink tie ko dekhkar bada ajeeb se feel ho rha hain..."

"Yellow coat ke saath pink tie... Strange !...", he chuckled.

Shaurya glared at him.

"Isme kuch strange nhi hain... Samjha ! ...", he replied.

"Haan... haan vo toh pta hain mujhe..."

"Lekin aaj tujhe kya hua ?..."

"Tu to bada conscious hota hain apne outfit ko leke..."

"Pehele to kabhi tujhe yellow se saath pink pehente nhi dekha... Aaj kya hua tujhe ?...", he said.

Shaurya couldn't say anything. He had to deal with an embarrassing situation once more.

"Tu office work ke bajaye mere tie par focus karta hain roz ??...", he replied back.

"Arre... arre... Bhadak kyu rha hain tu ?..."

"Main to aise hi pooch rha tha..."

"Toh mat pooch !...", uttered Shaurya.

"Achcha Baba..."

"Tera gussa to sirf ek hi insaan jhel sakta hain... "

"Mere se nhi hoga re baba...", Ahir imitated Baburao's dialogue.

Shaurya smiled at his friend's antics, but then he suddenly focused on what he was saying.

"Tera gussa to sirf ek hi insaan jhel sakta hain..."

He at once knew who that person was.

"Har baar... meri koi bhi baat usi par aake kyun rukti hain..."

"Aakhir ho kya rha hain ye mere saath ??...", he wondered.

⁂

It was lunchtime, and Ahir and Shaurya were having their meal.

Ahir noticed his glum expression and deduced that something was definitely wrong.

"Tujhe hua kya hai yaar ? ..."

"Bohot dino se dekh rha hoon... aise sada sa mooh bna ke aata hain office..."

Shaurya fixed his gaze on him.

"Dekh tu baar-baar aise aankhe mat dikha mujhe...", Ahir mumbled.

"Mujhe toh lag rha hain tera Bhabhi se jhagda-vagda hua hain..."

Shuayra immediately averted his gaze.

"Tujhe aisa kyu lga ?...", he asked.

"Arre... agar jhagda hua hain to vo tujh se zaroor naaraaz hongi... aur isiliye tera mood itna kharab hain..."

"Maine sahi bola na ???...", with a teasing smile, he raised his eyes excitedly.

"Aisa kuch nhi hain..."

"Achcha ?..."

"To aaj shaam ko na main khud tere ghar jaaunga... aur tab pta lagaaunga ki baat kya hain ?.. Main khud hi Bhabhi se pooch loonga..."

"Uski koi zaroorat nhi...",Shaurya stated.

"Kyu zaroorat nhi ?... Tu darr gaya kya ?..."

"Main kyu darunga ?... Vo to vo ghar pe hain hi nhi isliy-...", he irritably slipped his tongue as he responded.

Ahir understood the matter and smirked and raised his eyebrows to tease him.

"Achchaaaaa..."

"Toh yeh baat !..."

"Janaab ko kisi ki yaad aa rhi hain..."

Shuarya looked up at him with piercing eyes, but it had no effect on Ahir.

Ahir settled himself comfortably in his chair.

"Badhiya-badhiya..."

"Ab tu unko miss bhi karne lga..."

"Mujhe jaanke bohot khushi hu..."

"Tu galat soch rha hain...", he cut him in middle.

"Toh fir sahi kya hain aap hi bta deejiye...", Ahir crossed his elbows.

"Mujhe na tujhse baat hi nhi karni...", Shaurya acted as if he was leaving.

"Achcha... achcha..."

"Shaant ho jaa bhai... Main nhi karunga tujhe pareshaan...", Ahir held his hand.

Shaurya sat down making a face.

Ahir cleared his throat and said, "Vaise..."

"Kaha gayi hain Bhabhi ?..."

Shaurya stared back at him once more.

"Arre... main toh bas aise hi pooch rha tha..."

"Kapurthala gayi hain vo... apne ghar..."

"Ohhh... I see...", Ahir replied.

"To kab vaapas aayengi vo ?...", he inquired further.

"Parso..."

"Achcha..."

"Koi baat nhi Shaurya..."

"Bas ek din thoda aur seh le...", he giggled.

"Kya seh loon ?..."

"Tujhe pta hoga na...", he stood up and patted his shoulder before leaving.

Shaurya shook his head in disbelief.

"Yeh Ahir bhi na... kuch bhi bolta hain..."

He too left.

⁂

Shaan, Aastha and Shaurya were in dining table doing dinner.

"Shaurya..."

"Hmmm... Maa..."

"Tum kal Kapurthala kyun nhi chale jaate ?..."

Shaurya paused the spoon in the middle of its path.

"Kapurthala ?..."

"Haan..."

"Tum kal office se thoda jaldi nikal jaana aur Kapurthala chale jaana... Anokhi ko pick up karne..."

Shaurya's heart fluttered at the moment.

"M... main... main jaau pick up karne ?..."

"Haan to fir main jaau kya ???...", Shaan asked cutting him in middle.

"Nhi nhi... Theek hain... Main... main chala jaaunga...", he stated hurriedly.

He was getting a chance to see her a day before, and he wasn't going to pass it up.

"Vaise to vo khud bhi aa sakti hain... par fir bhi... main jaaunga toh safe rhega... isiliye maine haan kiya...", he forced himself to understand.

He went to bed after dinner and heaved a sigh.

He felt light today because he would be able to see her tomorrow after 5 days. It was as if he had been granted a huge wish.

He dozed off with his arms wrapped around her pillow.

⁂

He awoke the next day with renewed vigor.

He freshened up and stood in front of the mirror with smile on his face.

He had no idea he was feeling particularly energized today. It was for the purpose of picking her up.

"Aisa kuch nhi hain..."

"Vo to bus aaj main usko pick up karne ke bahaane Kapurthala ho aaunga na... isliye thoda mood achcha hain...", he again made an excuse to appease himself.

He put on his outfit with patience today and went downstairs.

⁂

Aastha was serving breakfast when she noticed Shaurya's glowing face. She knew the exact reason behind it and she felt happy for it.

"Meri bachchi ki vajah se Shaurya ke chehre par ye raunak hain..."

"Dono humesha khush rhe..."

"Maa..."

"Dad..."

"Good-bye..."

"Main office se seedhe Kapurthala chala jaaunga..."

"Good-bye Shaurya...", Shaan replied.

"Sambhal kar jaana...", Aastha said.

Shaurya smiled as he walked away.

Shaan looked at Aastha and said, "Mujhe vo kuch alag sa lag rha tha aaj..."

"Vo to hoga hi..."

"Anokhi ko itne dino baad jo dekh paayega vo..."

Shaan gave a small smile as he observed the progression of their relationship.

⁂

Ahir was working when he noticed Shaurya's face wasn't as dull as usual.

"Lagta hain Bhabhi vaapas aa gayi hain..."

"Lekin vo toh kal aane vali thi...", Ahir thought to himself.

"Thoda tang karke dekhte hain apne bhai ko...", he smirked as he looked at Shaurya who was indulged in his work.

"Shaurya...", he called him.

"Hmmm..."

"Tu kaam kar rha hain ?..."

"Hmmm..."

"Tu aaj khush haina..."

"Hmmm..."

"Bhabhi ki vajah se na..."

"Hmmm..."

Shaurya immediately looked up as he realized what had happened.

"Nhi !..." he exclaimed, quickly changing his response.

Ahir laughed uncontrollably.

"Tu aise has kya rha hain..."

"Maine theek se suna nhi tha..."

"Mujhe to mera javaab mil gaya bhai...", he said, holding back his laughter.

Shaurya's cheeks flushed.

"Mera kaam ho gaya hain aaj ka... main to jaa rha hoon... tu akele hasta reh..."

Ahir abruptly came to a halt in laughing.

"Arre arre !..."

"Aaj tujhe kya hua ?!..."

"Jisko kaam se itna pyaar hain vo aaj itni jaldi kyun jaa rha hain ?..."

"Mujhe zaroori kaam hain isliye...", he said as he folded his laptop.

"Mujhe bhi toh btana... Tere office work se zyaada zaroori kya hain ?...", he asked curiously.

Shaurya paused for a moment to consider what to say. Finally, he revealed it.

"Mujhe usko pick-up karne jaana hain..."

Ahir jumped to his feet, his mouth hanging open.

"Main sapna toh nhi dekh rha ???..."

"Koi mujhe pinch karo !!!..."

He hugged him.

"Tu... tu Bhabhi ko pick-up karne jaa rha hain ?... Aur iske liye itni jaldi kaam khatam bhi kar liya... Vaah... Vaah !... I'm proud of you... Aise hi unnati karte rho...", he expressed his gratitude.

Shaurya rolled his eyes at his friend's melodrama and said, "Tera ho gaya to main jaau ?..."

"Haan... Haan jaaiye..."

"Main to yahi soch rha tha aaj tera mood achcha kyu hain..."

"To asal mein baat yeh thi... Itne dino baad tu unhe dekh paayega isiliyeeeee...", he stressed the word "unhe".

Shaurya's cheeks rose up and he walked away, saying, "Apne kaam par dhyaan de... Bye !..."

He hurried out the door to avoid further teasing and grinned to himself for an unknown reason.

Ahir kept looking at his receding figure and said to himself, "Chalo..."

"Kuch to ehsaas ho rha hain Shaurya ko..."

He smiled at his friend.

⁂

Anokhi had freshened up earlier in the evening and was smiling to herself in front of the mirror, recalling something.

"Anokhi..."

"Maine Shaurya ko bol diya hain... vo tumhe lene ke liye aaj shaam hi Kapurthala chala jaayega... "

She murmured to herself, smiling, "Vo mujhe lene aa rhe hain..."

But as soon as she realized what was going on, she came back to reality.

"Yeh... yeh main akele-akele smile kyu kar rhi hoon ??..."

"Vo to Maa ne unhe kaha hain isliye mujhe lene aa rhe hain..."

"Lekin fir bhi...", her heart felt content.

"Maine kitne dino se dekha nhi unhe..."

She snapped out of her daydream when she heard the lightning bolt. She quickly walked to the window and noticed the black clouds that had gathered in the sky.

"Lagta hain baarish hone vaali hain..."

She then remembered he was sensitive to seasonal rains.

"Unhe toh bin mausam ke baarish se allergy hain..."

"Kahi vo baarish mein bheeg na jaaye..."

"Main ek kaam karti hoon... Main unhe mana kar deti hoon... Main khud chali jaaungi kal... vo agar bheeg gaye to beemar pad jaayenge..."

She was yearning to see him, but his health was her top priority.

She dialled Aastha's number quickly because she knew he wouldn't listen to her.

"Maa..."

"Haan Anokhi..."

"Maa... main keh rhi thi aap unhe mana kar deejiye... Baarish hone vaali hain... Is mausam me unhe yaha aane ki zaroorat nhi..."

"Anokhi..."

"Maine thodi der pehle hi phone kiya tha use..."

"Vo ab tak toh bohot door pahunch bhi gaya hoga... tum chinta mat karo... Vo theek-thaak pahunch jaayega..."

"Lekin Maa..."

"Achcha theek hain Anokhi..."

"Main khud ek baar use phone kar leti hoon... main dekhti hoon vo kaha pahuncha hain..."

"Jee Maa..."

Anokhi hung up the phone and looked at the time, which was 5 p.m.

"Vo sahi salaamat bas yaha pahunch jaaye..."

Aastha called her after fifteen minutes, and she quickly answered.

"Hello Anokhi..."

"Maine Shaurya se baat kar li hain..."

"Vo bas pahunchne hi vaala hain..."

"Zyaada der nhi lagegi..."

"Theek hai Maa...", she replied and hung up the call.

She breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.

She rearranged her room to make space for him, as he would be staying here for the next day.

She looked at the clock after work and saw that it was six.

"Ek ghanta ho gaya ???..."

"Abhi tak nhi aaye vo..."

It was pouring heavily outside, she noticed.

She began to worry.

"Mujhe tension ho rhi hain..."

She paced around the room for some time.

She dialled his number quickly, but it was unreachable just as a lightning bolt struck. She was getting a bad vibe from the dark clouds and rain. But she quickly pushed these negative thoughts out of her head and waited some more.

"Bohot der ho gayi..."

"Main... main Maa ko call karti hoon..."

Unbeknownst to her, her eyes had already begun to water.

"H... hello Maa..."

"Anokhi... Shaurya pahunch gaya ?..."

"Nhi Maa..."

"V... vo abhi tak nhi aaye..."

"Maine unhe phone kiya... unreachable aa rha hain..."

"Please aap ek baar phone keejiye na... Mujhe bohot darr lag rha hain..."

"Anokhi... "

"Beta ro kyun rhi ho...", she attempted to console her.

"Ho sakta hain traffic mein fas gaya ho... Main abhi phone karti hoon ruko..."

"H... haan...", Anokhi got off the phone.

Rama had just entered her room when she noticed Anokhi sniffing.

"Nikki !..."

"Kya hua meri bachchi..."

"Mumma...", she ran up to her and hugged her..

"Mumma... mumma Shaurya abhi tak yaha nhi pahunche..."

"Aur baahar bohot tez baarish ho rhi hain..."

"Mujhe bohot darr lag rha hain mumma..."

"Aisa nhi sochte meri bachchi..."

"Vo jaldi aa jaayenge..."

"Lekin mumma... unhe ab tak aa jaana chaahiye tha... itna time ho gaya... phone bhi unreachable hain...", she sobbed even more.

She was even more concerned for his safety after that party day incident. She never wanted him to get hurt, even in the most dire of circumstances.

"Shaant ho jaa meri bachchi... Shhh... Vo aate hi honge..."

"Bas thoda aur intezaar kar..."

Rama was stroking her back and Anokhi was trying hard to control her sobs, just when the doorbell rang.

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 9. Care (I)

When the doorbell rang, Anokhi abruptly pulled away from the hug.

"Nikki..."

"Jaa dekh... vo aa gaye honge..."

Anokhi immediately ran downstairs in haste.

She flung open the door and, as soon as she saw who was standing there, she engulfed him in a bone-crushing hug. She began to sob even harder as she realized how relieved she was to see him safe in front of her.

Shaurya was jerked and taken aback at her sudden action. His hands were on either side of her.

He'd been missing her for a long time and was thrilled to directly receive a hug from her after 5 days. He was having a mixed feeling.

"Aap... aap theek toh hona..."

"Itni der kyu lga di..."

"Aap kaha reh gaye the..."

"Phone kyu nhi utha rhe the..."

Anokhi was sobbing and blabbering nonstop, and she hadn't even realized she was hugging him. She was just finding solace in embracing him, even if he didn't reciprocate; she was just happy that he was okay.

Shaurya was speechless, unable to understand what had happened.

Was she crying because she missed him?

Was she concerned because he was late?

"Nikki !..."

"Unhe andar to aane de..."

Rama's voice jolted Anokhi out of her reverie, and she realized her position. The next moment, she jerked back and stared at him through teary eyes.

It hurt him to see her in that state, but he couldn't figure out what was going on.

"S... sorry...", she muttered, not looking at him.

Shuarya wondered if she was crying because of him.

But why is that?

And why did she apologize in the first place?

Shaurya took a step forward, puzzled, and asked, "K... kya hua hain?..."

And Anokhi lost it.

"Kya hua hain ka kya matlab ?!..."

"Aapne itni der kyu kar di ?... Aur... aur phone kyu nhi utha rhe the...", she yelped.

"Mera phone... Shaayad network nhi hoga... L... lekin tumhe kya hua hain ?...", he asked seeing her angry mode.

She was about to respond when she noticed that his clothes were wet.

"Yeh... yeh aap... aapke kapde toh geele hain..."

"Aap toh poore bheeg gaye ho...", she said, checking his blazer.

"Aaaa-cheee...", Shaurya sneezed the next moment.

"Aap... aap jaldi change kar leejiye... nhi toh aapko thand lag jaayegi..."

"Haan Shaurya beta... aap jaakar change kar lo pehle... fir baat karte hain..."

"Jaldi chaliye mere saath...", Anokhi directed him.

Rama smiled a little, seeing that he was fine and her daughter's concern for him.

Shaurya and Anokhi went upstairs, but he sneezed the entire way. When they entered the room, Anokhi began blasting him.

"Aap bheeg kaise gaye ?..."

"Aur aap aaye hi kyun ?... Jab baarish ho rhi thi toh vaapas chale jaate..."

And with this statement, the old Shaurya made a comeback.

He missed her, but their quarrels were normal for both of them.

"Tumhe mujhe btane ki zaroorat nhi hain ki mujhe kya karna hain kya nhi..."

"Toh fir chhata kyun nhi laaye apne saath...", Anokhi continued.

"Mujhe kya sapna aayega ki itni tez baarish hogi..."

"Main raasta bhatak gaya tha... toh isiliye gaadi se baahar nikal ke logo se help leni padi aur isiliye main bheeg gaya..."

"Main baarish mein peacock banke naach nhi rha tha... jo tum mujhe aise daant rhi ho...", he said in his usual angry tone.

Anokhi looked at him, relieved that he was all okay. She was still shivering slightly and her eyes were misty from fear.

Even if he was expressing his rage in response to her concern, she didn't mind because his well-being was all that mattered to her. So she didn't say anything else and just handed him the towel.

"Apna sar ponchh leejiye...", she said calmly as she walked away.

Shaurya's eyes blinked as he watched her retreating figure.

"Use kya hua ?..."

"Mujhe thoda sa aur jhagadna tha..."

"Vo to chali gayi..."

He was disappointed, and as he was about to use the towel, his gaze fell on her room's arrangement.

It was the first time he was visiting her home after marriage.

His brows scrunched up in astonishment at what he saw. In the show rack, there were a lot of dolls.

He tossed the towel in bed to see the dolls inside the rack, which contained a number of them.

"Itne saare dolls ???..."

"Vo abhi bhi doll ke saath khelti hain ?...", he found it amusing.

He had completely forgotten that he was dripping wet and sneezing.

He got lost in her pinkie dream room. He looked around the room and noticed it was light pink in color with shelves on the walls. The majority of the shelves were occupied by various types of dolls.

Then he noticed a photo frame with a smiling girl child in it, and he knew it was her. When he saw the cuteness of the photo, an unknown smile crept across his lips.

Unconsciously, he murmured to himself, "Bilkul bachchi hain..."

His gaze then shifted to the doll on the table.

He hesitantly picked it up and was about to examine it more closely when a voice from behind him spoke up.

"Yeh kya ???..."

"Aapne abhi tak change nhi kiya ?...", she walked in.

"Main aapko towel dekar gayi aur aap yaha meri doll ke saath khel rhe hain ?..."

Shaurya became embarrassed and handed over to her.

"Main... main kyu doll ke saath khelunga ?..."

"Main to bas... v... vo niche giri hui thi... toh main utha rha tha..."

"Aaaa – cheeee...", he sneezed again.

"Aapko doll ki padi hain..."

"Pehle aap jaldi jaaiye... aur ye kapde change karke aaiye..."

"Dekho tum mujhe-...", he was about to reply when she cut him in middle.

"Maine kha jaaiye !...", she yelled angrily, pointing to the bathroom door.

Shaurya was taken aback when he saw her sherni avatar because it was always he who would shut her up and she would listen quietly, but today he felt compelled to follow her instructions.

"Haan... theek hain... theek hain..."

"Main jaa rha hoon..."

"Darao mat...", he muttered as he went to the bathroom.

Anokhi smiled a little, realizing that he had agreed to her without a fight today.

She kept the doll in its place while she waited for him to appear. After a while, he came out and looked around for a place to put his wet clothes.

Anokhi walked up to him and extended her hand. 

"Laaiye..."

"Mujhe deejiye..."

Shaurya obeyed her orders because of her piercing gaze.

He then picked up the towel and Anokhi went to put the clothes in place.

Both were feeling very light-hearted as they were back to each other's presence.

Shaurya felt a warm sensation on his forehead, but he ignored it and began wiping his hair with the towel.

Soon after, he noticed that the towel was white in color and examined it closely for the pattern. He widened his eyes when he saw the design on it.

"Yeh kya hain ??!..."

Anokhi was startled by his sudden voice.

"Kya hua aapko ?..."

"Main yeh chhote bachcho jaisa teddy bear vaala towel nhi use karta...", he said as he dumped it into the bed.

Anokhi's face turned red as she stomped her feet in his direction.

"Aapne yeh towel feka kaise ?!..."

He simply replied, "Haath se..."

Now it was getting on her nerves. She knew he wouldn't use it, which meant his hair would be wet, causing him to get a fever.

She climbed up the bed to match his height and began rubbing his hair with the towel.

"Arre !..."

"Yeh kya harkat hain...", he said irritated.

"Aap agar nhi pochhenge toh mujhe khud hi karna padega...", she said as she continued to wipe his hair.

"Maine kaha na mujhe yeh towel se nhi ponchhna...", he said, despite the fact that he was actually enjoying it.

He took a step forward so she wouldn't be able to wipe him away.

"Arre... main ponchh rhi hoon na..."

"Nhi !..."

To continue her work, she stepped down and walked towards him with the towel. However, because of his height, she was having difficulty, and he was constantly moving around to avoid her.

"SHAURYA !!!...", she screamed.

He came to a halt as soon as he heard his name from her mouth. How badly he wished to hear this in her voice these days.

Anokhi saw him standing silently and took advantage of the opportunity to grab him.

"Bass!!..." she exclaimed as she pushed him into the chair.

"Ab chup-chaap yaha baith jaaiye... Bilkul bhi hilna mat !... ", she ordered.

Shaurya didn't understand why he liked the way she looked after him and dominated him.

In these days, he had sorely missed all of them.

He didn't move this time.

Anokhi felt at ease when he didn't move, and she resumed her work. She took the towel in her hands and gently wiped his hair.

Shaurya was just quietly staring at her, who was wiping his hair tenderly with due care.

He felt as if he were a child being cared for by his mother because she was doing it the same way his mother used to do when he was a kid.

At that moment, he was feeling as if he were an infant in need of love and care.

He began to wonder why she takes such good care of him.

What does he mean to her ?

The way she was wiping his hair with her small hands made him feel very good. Her eyes were filled with concern and care for him.

His trance broke when she said, "Ho gya !..."

He came back to reality and saw Anokhi leaving the room with the towel.

"Bade hone ke baad... mera iss tarah se kisi ne khyaal nhi rakha...", he said to himself as he continued to watch her retreating figure.

His eyes were moist, overwhelmed by her care.

To be continued...

Thank you for reading