She was here from the morning and it was noon now. Arnav hadn't woken up yet due to the effects of medicines.

She had cooked some lite food already for him and her and was now waiting for him to wake up. She was reading a magazine sitting on the recliner when she heard his voice. She kept the magazine aside and got up to see him. He slowly opened his eyes and saw her standing there he was confused. Where was he?  He didn't stay at her house he remembers? He was at the poolside isn't it and then he fell unconscious. Khushi could read his confusions and even she wanted to ask some question but that wasn't the right time.

How are you feeling now? Any headache or something? Do you need anything? She asked checking his temperature.

Umm, I feel thirsty so would you please give me some water he asked.

Yeah, the jug was empty she goes down to bring water. Meanwhile, he looks here and there and sees it was almost 1. She comes back and make him drink water and then adjusts the pillow so that he can sit comfortably.

What are you doing here? I mean you didn't go at N.K.'s place? He asked.

No, you were not well so I thought to stay here as your Mom wasn't here too she said.

Oh! Yeah well, I think I am well now you should go now. You should not miss it he will feel bad he explained.

I will decide what I have to do. You tell me you want to freshen up or want to have food directly.

Umm, I will freshen up first. He moved the duvet aside and stood up. He started to walk towards washroom but felt dizzy. He was about to fall when Khushi came and supported him. "Arnav sambhaliye. Aapko abhi bhi chakkar aa rahe hai ek din me kitni weakness aa gayi hai dhyaan nahi rakhte hai aap bilkul bhi. Ab mujhe pata hai kal aunty aapko leke itna pareshaan kyu thi. Kaise reh gaye itne saal U.S. me akele.Aur phir mujhe bachhi kehte hai khudko dekha hai kabhi apna dhyaan bhi rakhna nahi aata. "[ Arnav, be careful. You have got so much weak in just one day. You are still feeling dizzy. You don't take care of yourself. Now, I know why Aunt was so was worried about you. How did you stay alone in the U.S. for so many years? And you say I am a kid had seen yourself ever don't even know to take care of your own.] She kept saying one or other thing as she made him sit on a recliner. He hadn't spoken a word yet. He was just looking at her. Her face was filled with so much care and concern for him. He smiled he was really a lucky man.

Smile kya kar rahe ho mai aapko daant rahi hu. Sun bhi rahe hai aap ya hum ese hi bole jaa rahe hai? (Why are you smiling I am scolding you. Are you even listening to what I am saying or I am just taking useless?)

No, I mean I am listening sorry Dhyaan rakhunga (Will take care). He again tried to get up. Kaha jana hai aapko baithe rahiye yahi par. (Where you want to go just sit here). She commanded.

But I need to freshen up. He said.

Ok, let me help you, walk slowly.

I am fine Jaan.

Ya, I can see how much fine you are.

She helped him to reach till washroom. Call me if you need help. She said.

And what if it is something private you know if I need help like to bathe myself? He said.

This man what he was he is still being flirty even at this moment too.

Then I will tell H.P. Ji to help you. And you don't have to take a bath you still have a fever. Freshen up then let us have some lunch you need to take medicine too She said. He nodded and went inside.

He came out after some time. She had already arranged the food on the table in his room.

He sat on the bed and her on the recliner. Both started to have food quietly. They completed the food she kept the tray aside and gave him medicines.

He was sitting on his bed quietly closing his eyes.

You were fine yesterday then how did you fell ill? She asked.

If he will tell her truth she will get angry. Umm, I actually, I ... I mean actually I was wet so caught a cold that is why I guess he said.

Really?  she looked at him with suspicion.

Yeah, really he answered her looking the other side.

Then say this again looking into my eyes she commanded.

Why I mean obviously Khushi I ... I am not Lying to you he tried to convince her.

Then why are so hesitant to say the same looking into my eyes Arnav she questioned.

Okay fine, he looks in her eyes this was going to be tough.

I.. I... I was wet so I caught cold fine and he looked down.

Oh, then why were you lying unconscious at the poolside when HP Ji came to check you.

Now he was stuck what will he tell her he can't tell her truth he was scared what if she again got angry but how would he hide it?

Answer me Arnav she said.

I needed water for myself so had gone to bring it. It was still raining heavily that time and then I remembered that some plants might be destroyed due to the rain so I thought to shift them that is why I went out. But as you know I had caught a cold and even I was exhausted after yesterday's events so suddenly felt dizzy and that's why I fell unconscious. He said.

And the coffee she asked.

What coffee? he asked confused.

You told me you had coffee but H.P Ji told me that you never had one yesterday then why did you lie to me about it she was turning angry now. It was clearly visible from his face that he was lying.

(Only if he could kill his H.P. kaka for landing him into such a situation. Why he had to tell her all this?)

Oh, that.... that was...  I ...Ya I.. I remember I was going to have one after messaging you. I knew you must be tensed so I thought first to message and then have one. But then my mood changed and I decided to sleep. I was tired and had no strength left to make one. So skipped it sorry I shouldn't have he said.

You could have asked H.P Ji to make one for you she stated.

I like to make it on my own. I don't like coffee made by someone else except you and mom he said.

Really and why were you in those wet clothes cause you were in the same clothes as yesterday when H.P. Ji saw you at poolside.

(Arnav: Now what will you answer her)
I...I...I don't remember. I am feeling sleepy let me sleep... He said and lied down on the bed. He tried to avoid the conversation.

But I know why you were in the same clothes. Because you were trying to punish yourself and so you got wet for the whole night in that heavy rainfall isn't it Arnav? she said.

No, why would I punish myself? You are overthinking Khu...

Stop it Arnav stop it enough is enough no more lies. I never expected such foolishness from your side. Do you really think this was the right thing you did? I understand that you might be feeling guilty about the situation. I know it very well that you can handle anything but my tears. So it must have shattered you that I had already felt in your voice. You messaged me instead of calling because you knew it that I will recognise that your mood is off isn't it? But this is not the way to punish yourself. How could you perform such an irrational act? For god sake, you are not a kid. She came near him and held his collar you are so mad Arnav. Do you even realise how I felt to see you in this condition? What if H.P. Ji wasn't home or I haven't given you a call. She held his cheeks I can't see you hurt. Can't you understand this small thing? I need you as my support. You are my inspiration. If you will do such acts what will I learn? You are strength to me and here you are acting like a coward. I expressed my grief in front of you think you will understand. You did understand Arnav even you helped me to balance myself to get me back to normal. But if after it you will do such things do you really think next time I will express any of my worries in front of you.

Both were sitting on the bed now.
No, no Khushi never hide anything. I know what I did was the most idiotic kind of act I could do.I don't know what had gotten into me. You know it na your tears are the last thing I want to see and yesterday I saw you crying it was a shattering sight for me Jaan. My emotions were uncontrollable. Your tears were hurtful. It reminded me of the mess I had created. My soul was burning I felt like killing myself. I made you cry so much Khushi. This made me realised how much pain you might be holding in your heart. All these years when I was away from you. You would have cried wanted me but I wasn't there. I changed you, Khushi, to a robot who had stopped feeling. I am culprit Khushi I wanted to punish myself and at that time I just knew this way I am sorry Khushi. I am sorry. He had tears too.

You are not completely responsible for my miseries. And I am not the only one who was facing pain you were also sailing in the same boat. Even if that was a misunderstanding you were also feeling betrayed. You were alone in another country in between new people it was more difficult for you to control your emotions in front of people.

Love, sirf mene nahi saha hai aapne bhi saha hai.Aap jatate nahi ho to uska matlab yeh to nahi hai ki dard hai hi nahi.Aaj mene realise kiya ki aap ke liya kitna mushkil hoga sab chizo ko handle karna. Aaj aap behosh the aur jaan meri nikal rahi thi. Mehsoos ho raha tha mujhe ki kitna ghut rahe the aap ki esa kadam uthaya hoga aapne. Do baar jab aapke saamne mai ese behosh ho gayi to kitni takleef huyi hogi aapko aaj mujhe samjh aaya hai. Kitna bhala bura kaha mene aapko. Har baat par sehte rahe Arnav aap kyu love? Jo insaan aapki himaat ho jab vo hi tut raha ho to apne andar himaat ko banaye rakhna kitna mushkil hai samajh aaya mujhe.Aap mujhse mere dard mangte ho na humesha. Aaj mujhe de do apne dard Arnav. Ese tut te huye nahi dekh sakti mai aapko.Galtiyaan to sabhi se hoti hai.Agar aapne kabhi baat nahi ki thi to mai bhi to baat kar sakti thi koshish kar sakti thi ek baar clear kar loon ki kyu ese chor ke chale gaye mujhe par kabhi nahi kiya esa. Humesha lagta tha mujhe ki kuch to hai jo mai nahi jaanti aap mujhe kabhi apne career ke liye nahi chorenge.Dekha jaye to mujhse jyada aapne saha hai Arnav sabki naraajgi, sabke inzaam,Apne sabse ache dost se dhoka,Mera gussa,mere lagaye huye inzaam.

[Love not just me but you also faced a lot.You never express your pain doesn't mean there is no pain.Today I have realised that how difficult it must to handle everything.Today you were unconcious and here I felt like I was dying.I could that how much suffocated you felt that you took such a step. Two time when earlier I had fell unconcious in front of you how you much you might have suffered I understood it today.How much I had accused you.Everytime you suffered. If the person who is your strength is the one who is shattered than how difficult it becomes to keep yourself strong I got to know it today.You always ask for my miseries isn't it? Today give me your pain Arnav.I can't see you this shattered. Everyone commits mistake.If you didn't contact me back then I could have contacted you, tried to clear up that why did you leave me like that but even I didn't do that.I always felt that there was another side of the story that was hidden. You wont leave me for the sake of your career.If we observe then you have faced more miseries in comparison to me Arnav, everyone's anger, accusation, betrayal from you best friend,My anger, my bitter words,the accusation I put on you.]

Kyuki mai yeh sab deserve Karta hu Khushi. Tumhe itna dard dene ke liye
[Because I deserve this pain Khushi. For giving you so much pain]

No love, you deserve love, happiness,please never say that again. She hugged him.

He too embraced her tightly. Jaan you aren't angry? Please don't leave me. I can't afford to lose you again. I will not lie to you and do such things again please forgive me.I really need you.

I was angry but not now. I have forgiven you love. I won't go don't worry. She said.

"Keep hugging me please I need you. Will you?" he asks.

Of course, I will she said as she kept hugging him.

Okay, so I end it here. Waiting for your comments and vote. Do tell me how was it?

Thanks for reading

Love you all. Stay healthy and happy.

With love
Luvarshi