SIDHARTH'S POV

"Yeah sure Mr Murthy.. My associative manager will take it from here.. It's going to be my pleasure having you all the way from Karnataka.." just finished a video call with a client. Cracked the deal as usual.

Since day one, I've been trying to find loops in the accident, which could lead us to that bastard. Riya said there was this ride attendant that had guided seats to them.

On proceeding further, we found out that he wasn't even working there. Somebody must have sent him to pester. I asked Shehnaaz, if she could describe how he looked, so that we could get his sketch ready and hand it over to the police.

"Ha..bilkul aisa hi kuch dekhne me tha vo..!" she looked at the final face.

"Haina Sana..?" she asked the girl. We called Sana too and the little intelligent girl actually remembered his face.

"Uncle.. Isske hath me na ek tattoo bhi thi.. Marathi me kuch likha hua tha.." she recalled. She saw it most probably when he was putting her seat belt on.

"Okay.. We'll look into it.. Chor bazar me aise ladke milte hai.. Paise leke kaam karte hai seth logo ke liye..." the inspector said. Taking with him a copy of the sketch.

"Thank you sir for your time.. " Ajay escorted him out.

"Haaye.. Dekho iski shakal (Shehnaaz glanced the picture once again) dekhne me seedha sadha admi lagta hai.. Haramzaada!" she cursed. Sana giggled. 

"Shehnaaz.. Language!" I scold.

"And thank you Sana.." gave the little girl a chocolate for her help. The one Pranav brought yesterday. Hehe.

"You're welcome... Mam jaldi se theek ho jao.." she left after pecking her cheek.

"Hello there..." Dr Ashwini entered with his assistant carrying a file.

"Hey Dr.. We've been looking for you.." Shehnaaz said.

"Hanji.. Bataiye.." he asked.

"Actually Dr.. I wanted to know if we could get her discharged.. And continue the rest of her treatment at home.." I said.

His expressions changed, "May I know the reason Mr Shukla.. Her physiotherapy sessions haven't even properly began..!" he said. I know, she might recover faster in the hospital but it's not safe here.

"um.. Yeah.. But.. We have our reasons.." I said, not wanting to reveal it.

"Well.. Is it about the cleanliness or anything.. Any kind of misconduct.. I'll look after it personally.." he assured. He had seen the police in the morning, seemed tensed.

"Oh no.. The hospitality is great.. I mean there's a personal reason behind her discharge.. The accident I told you about.. Was planned.." had to tell him. He's the doctor afterall.

"My goodness..!! Who tried to harm this  angel..?" he asked caressing Shehnaaz's face.

"We're looking for him.." I answered.

"Okay.. I'll the papers ready and you can leave tomorrow.." he looked at her.

"Thankyou.." she said.

"Are you ready Miss Gill..? For your very first session..?" entered Dr Dubey. Her face scrunched. I don't know why, but she hates him. Maybe, because he's strict?

"So here is your walker.. Hold it tight.. And try to stand up.." he said. She slowly put her legs down.

"Now stand up.. Shift your weight to the healthy foot.. And take a step ahead.." he instructed further. She looked at me, I strode towards her.

"Come on.."
She was able to stand. But the moment she took a step, the pain evoked through.

"Aah!" she got unbalanced. I was right behind her to hold her from shoulders.

"Leave her Mr Shukla.." Dr Dubey asked me to step aside.

"Mai gir jaungi.." she cried.

"Gir bhi gayi toh koyi baat nahi.. Falling is a part in the learning.." he explained in a calm voice.

"It's okay.. I'm right next to you.." I assured.

"But even then.. You won't help her..!" he denied.

"You want me to get injured again.. Don't you?" she shot her head to him. 

"Oh dear.. Why would I want that..?" he made a sorry face. Dr Ashwini and me held our laughs back.

"Okay.." she took a deep breath putting her plastered foot forward. And again she cried out of pain. This time I could not hold myself back.

"Bas.. Meko bohot zyaada dard ho rahi hai abb..." she panted.

"Just four steps..? And you're tired.. Then let me tell you..your pain would gradually increase everytime you would move.. (he looked at me) and the unnecessary support will only spoil your habit.." he answered in his very british accent. I looked at Shehnaaz. Sweat beads across her forehead.

"Oh come on Dr it's her first time.. It must be paining like hell to the girl.." Dr Ashwini said.

"Those are just her fat cells.. That have accustomed her to ease during these days.." he reasoned. Now I know why she hates him! He's ruthless. And a really really rude doctor. He could have explained her simply. 

"Oye.. Fat hogi teri maa.. Zaban nu lagam dede..!" she shouted. Damn!

"Excuse me..!" he was shocked.

"Kyaa excuse me..! Chapaid lavan ke jutti...?" she roared.

"Darling calm down.. Doctor hai na vo.. Tumhare bhale ke liye..." I tried to stop her when she cuts me in the middle.

"Bhala..? Isne mera mazak banaya..! Ye jaanbooj ke mujhe pareshaan kar raha hai.. Isne mujhe Aunty ke samne irresponsible bhi bola tha..!" she pointed a finger at him.

"Is this the way you behave with your doctor..? This is so unacceptable..!!" he was angry too. For being insulted.

"I'm sorry doctor... Extremely sorry on her behalf.. Just that.. She's being really edgy these days.." I cajoled him for her. She glared me furiously.

"I'm done.. The sessions will only continue if she apologizes to me.." he kept his condition. And stormed out.
............

"Kyaa hogaya.. Koi mujhe batayega..? Tum dono na ek dusre se baat kar rahe ho.. Na kisi aur se..!" Mom stated irritatedly. While combing her hairs as per her daily job in the evening when she comes.

"Shehnaaz misbehaved with Dr Dubey.. To an extent that he does not want to treat her anymore without an apology..!" I said. Yes, we had a fight after the doctors had left. Because I asked her to apologize to Dr Dubey.

"Sirf Shehnaaz ne misbehave kiya.. Doctor ne kuch nahi kiyaa..?" she asked sarcastically. I didn't answer focussing on my phone. Scrolling nothing.

"Aunty mai batati hu.. Uss doctor ne mujhe bola mere andar fat cells bhar gaye hai yaha baithe baithe.. Aur vo humesha mujhe kuch na kuch bolta rehta hai..!!" she narrated the whole scene. And began to cry, that's what she's good at! I mean I don't like that doctor either. But he's the best doctor. Actually one of the finest I've heard of. It's just a matter of days that she has to tolerate his attitude. But she is she.

"Sidharth.. She's hurt and that's reasonable..!" Mom said.

"I know Mom.. But Dr Dubey is the best doctor we can get.. It's just a matter of days that she has to listen to him.. Tab tak jhel le.. Yahi samjha raha hu mai.. Lekin madam ko toh apna dukhda rona hai.." I said. As I finished the last line, she started crying loudly. Ah!

Mom hugged her, "Don't cry bache.. Try to understand.. A few days it is.." calming her down.

"I'm not crying for that Dr.. I'm crying because he shouted on me.. This is the third time aunty.. And he said I don't have brains.. And I'm good for nothing..!" she complained. Fuck man! I'm busted now. Mom turned to me again, her jaw tightened.

"Sidharth.. How dare you talk like this..?" she asked.

"Mom.. I was.. I was.. Angry.." I swallowed.

"Hey..did you guys had a fight..? I overheard some nurses gossiping about it.. some husband-wife had a argument over a doctor.." Ajay said. Barging in along with Preeti carrying a fruit basket. Could his timing be any less correct.

"Yess.. Their faces are answering.." Preeti chuckled. I got up to use the washroom.

"I'm not done with you..! " Mom warned, if tried to leave. Facing them,

"I'm so sorry.. I didn't mean it.." I reached the egde of her bed. Held her hand.

"I want the best for you.. That's why I asked you to apologize to him.. Please darling.. I'll ask him to be easy with you.. " I plea. She agreed. Good.
My phone chimed again. With an unknown number. I came out to the balcony to attend it.

"Best wishes to the girl.. Wishing to almighty for her speedy recovery.." the caller said. And I recognized his voice.

"I feel so sorry for you Lover boy.. Looks like she really matters to you.." he chuckled.

"You have dug your very own grave Jayker..!" I gritted my teeth.

"Oh.. I know it's your favourite dialogue.. Tell me something I don't know...?" he laughed.

"Okay.. You're currently chilling at the Winsley's hotel..waiting for a client from Bengaluru.. Don't waste your time.. He won't come.." as I finished. He was taken aback.

"What..rubbish ha..? Now you're spying me Shukla..?" he asked.

"No.. That's what kids do.. I just offered him a better marketing.." I smirk cutting the call. This has just begun, I'll hunt his entire existence down.
.............

Shehnaaz got discharged. We got her back to home, my place. I placed her on the bed. With all my delicacy.

"Phew.. Mai thak gayi.." she said. Wiping the forehead.

"Tu kaise thak gayi.. Uthake mai tujhe laya.. Moti kahi ki..!" I said, I had actually climbed stairs, carrying her in my arms. 

"Toh..?! Mai khud chalke aayi.. Main gate se lawn tak..!" she counts. 

"Thik hai.. Tum jeet gayi..! Khush?" I surrender, sitting on the edge of the bed. " Tu ghar aagayi hai iska matlab ye nahi ke teri marzi chalegi... Everything will go the same way it would be.. If you were in the hospital.. You remember all the instructions given by Dr Ashwini and Dr Dubey.. right?" I tell her.

"Haan baba.. Sab yaad hai..!" she sighed, resting her head back. 

"Well.. I have something for you.. Check that drawer.." I said excitedly, pointing the one on her left. As soon as she puts her hand inside, pulling out a box. A new phone I bought for her, after her's got shattered during the accident.

"Woooww! The all new Iphone X12.. Thank you so much baby..!" she had almost bent to hug me, I myself came forward making sure she does not have to bend more than her limit.

"I so needed a phone.." she began with the unboxing. While I began to unpack her stuff, that was already brought home.

"Ayee... Ye mera saman hai na.. Yaha kyu..?" she asked.

"To aur kaha hoga.. Tu yahi rahegi abb..!" I told.

"Yahi.. Ha matlab jab tak mai theek nahi hojati tab tak na..?" she asked. What?

"Kyuu.. Theek hone baad kyaa problem hai..?" putting my hands on waist.

"Arey.. Apne ghar toh jaungi na.. We'll be doing things jaise karte hai.. Weekends pe ajaungi.." she shrugs. No way. I stepped forward.

"Nahi.. Tum kahi nahi jaogi.. Yahi rahogi.. Mujhe koi risk nahi lena hai abb..!" Decided and announced. She frowned. Murmuring to herself. I chose to ignore and continue with the unpacking.

Sitting at my study, I'm making a time-table according to Dr Dubey. He appointed one of his highly experienced assistant for the physiotherapy course. Gave diet plans. Mentioned what not to eat. I made an excel sheet for the same. With a column of do's and don'ts attached to it.

"Ye lo.." got it printed and distributed.

"Kuch bhi oily.. Masale wala item nahi banega.. Atleast for a week.. Aur Tai uske kasam dene pe beh mat jana aap.. Jo oats mai khata hu vahi dena usko bhi... Aur vo jab stairs se aa rahi hogi.. Sath me rehna uske.. Yadi mai na rahu toh.." told a few more maids.

"Time likh diya hai isme.. Roz shaamko ek doctor ayegi exercise karvane.. Samajhle..?" I asked. Done with instructing.

"Ho.." they answered in unison.
Just then my phone rings.

"Hello.. Sidharth ji.. Meeti bol rahi hu.." her friend.

"Han bolo..." 

"Vo.. Mujhe Sana ke Papa ne phone kiya tha.. Puch rahe the Sana ne itne dino se phone nahi kiya..? Toh maine unko sab bata diya.. Iss accident ke bare me.. They were extremely worried her..so I have given your number to them.." she said. Wait what?!

"Kya.. Mera num.. Arey tum sambhal nahi sakti thi unhe..? Shehnaaz call karleti.. Abhi uske paas aagaya hai phone..!" I said.

"Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha.. Sorry.. TauJi ka phone ataa hi hoga.. Aap ghabrana mat.. Vo kafi shaant hai nature me.. Bas TaiJi na ho phone pe.. " she added.

"Yeah.. Thanks for the advice.. Mai kyu ghabraunga..!" sarcastically blamed her for digging my pit. Oh no God! Never in my entire life I felt this nervous. Like a student appearing for a competitive exam. I stared at the blank screen, soon to be chiming with my near death phone call. How irresponsible, careless and a not at all trustworthy guy I would be to him, who could not take care of their daughter.

"Kya hua..? Kyu sar pakad ke baitha hai..?" Preeti tapped my shoulder.

"Shehnaaz's parents' are gonna call anytime soon.. To bash me off.." I closed my eyes.

"Abb.. I cannot assure of how rude her parents will be.. But it's so rational of them.. Unki beti akeli kisi sheher me hai.. Usko kuch ho jaye toh.." she explained.

"I know.." nodded.

"Then buckle up.. You might get a chance to play Raj from the DDLJ... and wheedle Simran's parents.." she added. I chuckle sadly.

The next moment I heard my phone, taking a deep breath I receive it, "Hello..?"

"Am I speaking to Sidharth Shukla..?" came a bold manly voice, laced with Punjabi accent.

"Ji mai Sidharth bol raha hu.." I could hardly speak after Preeti poked her elbow into me. 

"I'm Santokh Singh..Shehnaaz's father.. Kaisi hai meri beti..? Kitni chot aayi hai usey... I haven't talked to her in last four days..!" he said. Could imagine alot of pain in his voice.

"Uncle she's doing fine now...her arm..and.. Ankle.. And spine..are injured.." I answered. Glad that he had not shouted on me till now.

"Hey.. Waheguru..!" he gasped. I swallowed a huge lump down. "Could you please bring her on the line..?" he asks.

"Yeah.. Yeah sure uncle.." getting up, I ran to the bedroom.

There she was, talking with Mom. "Shehnaaz.. Tumhare papa..." I forwarded the phone. Her smile vanished.

"Papa.. On the call.. ?" she gasps. Raising her eyebrows at me, asking how did he got me.

"Hello.. Papa?" she answered. "Han..abhi theek hu... Nahi.. Mera phone toot gaya tha.." she kept replying while I wiped a few tears that trickled down her cheek.

"Sidharth ke ghar pe hu.. " she spoke suddenly. Now they might be asking her of how often I'm with her. Just wish me luck, that they aren't into extremely cultured thoughts of nothing before marriage.

"Thik hai.. Mai message karti hu.." her voice brought me back to the scene. She kept the phone down.

"Kal aa rahe hai Mummy Papa.." she said. Her head hung low.

"Toh kyaa hua bache... Tujhe to khush hona chahiye.. !" Mom asked.

"Tune bataya haina unhe.. Tumdono ke baare me..?" she asked further on not receiving any response from her.

SHEHNAAZ'S POV

"Mummy ko nahi bataya bas.." I said. Rita aunty knows nothing about my mother's issues with me. Her tantrums. Her fantasies about my marriage. Her dislikes for my thoughts regarding my passion. Our disputes on my being independent and her being over protective.

"Aunty.. Shayad Mummy ko naa pasand aaye mera yaha rehna.. Mai kuch din ke liye vapas chali jauu..?" I asked.

"Bilkul nahi.. Tu kahi nahi jaayegi! Abhi aur mat chhupa unse.. Jo bhi reaction hoga unka.. Hum dekhlenge.." Sidharth's adamant voice gave me some courage. Let's just pray Mummy doesn't get mad at him for anything.

"Uffo.. Abb tum dono khana bhi nahi khaoge kyaa theek se...?" aunty whined when she caught him and me, lost in thoughts. Tensed for tomorrow.

"Mai hu na.. Mai baat karungi teri Mummy se.. Okay?" she said.

"Haye.. Thanks aunty..!" It might work, if my mother gets to hear good things from another mother.

"Medicines li?" he asked, once off to bed.

"Ha.." I nod. 

"So jaa na baby..." he cooed. I am worried for tomorrow. What of they ask me to come alone with them. Or stay away from him. Or take me back to my home town. No. I do not want to leave Sidharth at any cost.

"Mujhe kuch bolna hai.." I said. 

"Mai nahi jaane dunga tujhe kahi bhi..." he whispered. I turned to him, amazed. How he manages to get me everytime. Smashing his lips under mine, I thank him. For existing. For me. Caressing his supple lips. Pushing myself closer to him. I rested my head on his chest.

"Chalo abhi zyaada mat socho.." he started patting my head.