'Sona?'

Sonakshi was startled by her own thoughts, as Rohit spoke from next to her.
Did she just remember everything?

Rohit! His smile, his persistence, his plotting and planning with his family to marry her for keeps.
Me..realising that I too did  love him..
Oh God! Did he just connect all my sensory pathways with his lovemaking?
But wait..I don't remember it all..giving birth, raising two children..
What the hell is wrong with me??

Rohit's face was buried in her hair, his arms wrapped around her naked form.
He felt warm, and overjoyed.
Sonakshi was in his arms, they had just made love..what more could he want?
'Thankyou! I know what must be going in your mind right now..'

Does he know I know..

'But you knew we have a connection..issi liye to tum ne..'

What's going on with me? Should I tell him?

But, before she could continue with that thought, there was a knock on the door.
They both jerked.

'What the...'
Rohit tightened his arm around her waist, and buried his face deeper into her neck.

'Rohit! There's someone at the door..'

'Yahan kon aa sakta hai? No one even knows we are here..'
He mumbled, kissing her neck.

'My dress!'
Sonakshi shifted her neck, as he nuzzled.
'It must be the laundry. You should know..bhool gaye?'

'Tumhare saamne mein duniya bhula sakta hun, laundry kya cheez hai?'
His lips were burning her skin, and Sonakshi was already confused with her thoughts.

'Rohit!'
Sonakshi pushed at him, as the knock sounded again.
'Jao na!'

Rohit grumbled, as he got up and started walking.
'Coming! Ow!'
He exclaimed, as a pillow hit him on his buttock.
'Maar kyun rahi ho? Ja to raha hun!'
Rohit picked it up, and made to throw it back towards her.

'Aise kholo ge darwaza?'
Sonakshi was sitting up now, clutching the sheet to her breasts. She pointed to his naked body, her eyes lingering over his semi aroused state.

Rohit saw her eyes flare, as they roamed over his nakedness, and his first  instinct was to go back, and take her in his arms.
Just as he took a step, the knock came again.
'Dammit!'
He swore and moved towards the door, but not before he heard Sonakshi chuckle from the bed.
Muttering, he put the pillow in front of himself, leaving Sonakshi to chuckle louder, as she looked at his expression..and his bare butt.

He opened the door, just an inch, trying not to reveal himself.
The man outside looked a little surprised, but quickly schooled his features.
'Laundry, sir!'

'Yes, yes! Thankyou!'
Rohit took the dress from him, through the narrow gap in the door.
'The stain..'

'Got it right off, sir! You gave it at the right time, warna nikalta nahin..I'm sure madam will be very happy..'
He gave a bright smile, looking at Rohit expectantly.

'I'm sure she will. Good bye!'
Rohit almost shut the door in the man's face, when he remembered something, and opened it back slightly.
The man gave an even brighter smile, waiting.
'And thankyou for the urgent service!'
Rohit shut the door, leaving the poor man's mouth agape.

Rohit brought the dress inside, and threw it on the sofa, as Sonakshi burst into laughter.
He turned to look at her, and frowned.
'Kya hogaya? What's so funny?'

'Rohit! The poor man was waiting for a handsome tip, but you just shut the door on his face. Bechara!'
She clutched the sheet, her head going back with her laughter.

The sight of her, naked, just a sheet covering her, her hair open about her face, her lips swollen from his kisses, was so beautiful, that Rohit simply couldn't move for a minute.
But then, he threw the pillow, that he hadn't realised he had still been holding in front, and was suddenly on the bed, on all fours, right in front of her.
'Tumhe bohot taras araha hai uss pe..bari hamdardi hai uss ke saath..han?'
He advanced, and Sonakshi shifted back, giggling.

'Sorry! But it was just so funny! Uss ki shakal..'

'What? Tumne uss ki shakal bhi dekh li? Means he saw you like this?'
Rohit's eyes widened at the thought, and he stopped moving, shocked.

Sonakshi felt her back touch the headboard.
'Before you go nuts about it, no! I didn't see his face, na hi uss ne mujhe dekha. Darwaza khola hi kab tha tum ne itna? I was just imagining his face. Bechara, itne popular actor se bari si tip ka wait kar raha hoga, or kya mila..thenga!'
Sonakshi shook her head, still thinking about it.

Her laughter was doing something to his insides, and he caught her to him in one smooth move.
Her laughter halted, as the movement dislodged the sheet covering her, and skin met skin.
'Kya hua? Kahan gayi hasi?'
He pressed her back to him, so that her breasts crushed against his chest, and heard her breathing pattern change.
'Ab haso na..'
His voice became husky, as her eyes flared.

'Ab hasi nahin arahi..'
She whispered, her gaze fixing on his lips.

Rohit's eyes darkened, as he crushed his lips on hers.
Sonakshi closed her eyes, immediately losing her senses.
Rohit pushed her back on the bed, his hand cupping her hip, their mouths still clinging to each other's. Sonakshi moaned her pleasure, wanting him again with a ferocity, she didn't know she possessed.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, pushing his arousal to her pelvis.
Rohit cupped her breasts, roughly, his thumbs and forefingers pulling at her erect nipples.
Sonakshi screamed inside his mouth, wanting him in the most primal way possible.
'I need you, right now! Now!'
She gasped, freeing her mouth, kissing his cheek, and biting his earlobes.

Rohit was so aroused, he didn't wait a second, before pushing himself inside her, as they peaked, and climaxed immediately, losing themselves in each other, in a fiery act of passion.

***************************

'Hello, sleepy head!'
Rohit kissed Sonakshi awake, and she stretched.

'Mmm..already?'
She kept her eyes closed, and Rohit smiled down at her.

He hadn't wanted to wake her up, but she had a doctor's check up today.
They had come home from the hotel in the early hours of the morning, before anyone had woken up, and crept into their room like thieves.
They had had a slight problem, when time had come for them to put on clothes, because Rohit's clothes had been soaking wet on the bathroom floor.
Sonakshi had giggled as he had picked them up, dripping.

'Not a problem! Mein aise hi chala jaunga!'
Rohit had squeezed the water out, rolling his eyes.

'Pagal mat bano! Har newspaper ki headline hogay tum!'
Sonakshi had teased him, as she had put back on her gown.
'Aray, ek idea hai mere paas!'

'Kya?'

'Yeh towel jo wrap kiya hua hai na, uss pe apna jacket pehen lo..no one will notice...'

'Khud to kapray pehen liye na, to mera mazaq urraya ja raha hai..'
He pouted.

'Sorry!'
She chuckled.
'Call karo na..ask if they have a clothes shop..'

'That's the smartest idea you have ever given..'

'I've given smarter..remember when..'
Sonakshi stopped, but Rohit didn't notice. He had already picked up the house phone.

What was I going to say? That I remember you, our time together?
But that there are still gaps?
Should I tell him? Ya wait..

'Great, thankyou!'
Rohit turned to her.
'Done! They are sending pajamas right away..wahi available thay iss waqt..'
He explained to her raised eyebrow look.

They had hurried down with Rohit's wet clothes in a bag, and Rohit had stopped to pay.
Sonakshi had laughed when he had given a special tip for the laundry man, before they had left.

'I want to sleep..'
Sonakshi said now, as she buried her face into her pillow.

'Sona! Mein tumhe nahin uthata, par tumhara check up hai aaj. I don't want you to miss that..'
He moved her hair from her face, as he leaned over her.

Sonakshi opened her eyes, and saw that he was fully dressed, and ready to leave.
'Tum to ready bhi..time kya hua hai?'
She glanced at the watch on his wrist, and gasped.
'Oh, God! Das baj gaye?'
She shot up in bed, shocked.
'I never sleep this late..hamesha se..I..what?'
She caught Rohit giving her an inquisitive look, and looked away, on the pretext of getting up.
'Bachay? Woh..'

'Already in school..'

'Uh, okay! I'll just go..get ready..'

She left in a hurry, leaving Rohit staring after her.

Yeh isse kya hua? Kal raat ke baad bhi usse kuch yaad nahin aaya? Saari pictures, planning..

Rohit sighed.

Chalo, Rohit..or intezar...

***************************

'I think you have made an excellent recovery, Dr. Sonakshi!'

Sonakshi smiled, and Rohit squeezed her hand, which he had been holding, waiting for the doctor's conclusion.

'Thankyou..aap ne bohot saath diya..'
Sonakshi was grateful for all his help.
'Meri family ne itna support kiya..mother, father, brother, in laws..'
Rohit glanced at her, waiting for her to mention him.
'Yahan ke staff ne..bohot cooperate kiya..'
He was disappointed, when she continued taking names. Everyone's except his.

Or mein? I love you to the point of despair..and you..oh  God! It's not her fault..she still doesn't remember me like that..Rohit! Mat karo khud ke saath aisa..kal raat ke baad, kya socha tha tumne? Usse sab yaad ajayega..hold your hopes..

'Rohit ne..'
His ears picked up his name, and he turned to see Sonakshi looking at him.
He lifted his eyebrows.
'Jitna saath nibhaya hai, woh to koi kar hi nahin sakta tha..more than two years..waiting..hoping..'
Her throat choked with unshed tears, and Rohit swallowed past the lump in his.

She knows it! God, I love you so much!

'Thankyou! For everything!'
Sonakshi lifted their entwined hands, and brought it to her lips. As Rohit watched, mesmerised, she kissed his hand, her gaze meeting his.

'Yes! No doubt! Rohit has been your biggest support. Din raat kisi ke paas, apna saara kaam chorr chaar ke bethna..baaten karna..or kabhi apni umeed ko na tootnay dena..that is what true love is about..'
Dr. Malhotra spoke, and they both came out of their trance.

Sonakshi realised what they were doing in front of the doctor, and she quickly released his hand, flushing.
Rohit let it go, his heart feeling content.

Chahe usse yaad aaya ho ya nahin abhi tak, I know she has realised, that she has feelings for me..Rohit beta..khush hojao..

'So, I can join back work, ya?'
Rohit came out of his thoughts to hear her say.

'What?'
He leaned forward in his chair.

'Yes! I don't think it should be a problem..if you take things slow for a while..'

'Hello! What do you mean join back work?'
Rohit looked at Sonakshi, who frowned at him.
He then turned to the doctor.
'Or aap? Aise kaise allow kar diya?'

Dr. Malhotra gave him a look.
'But she is fit and fine!'

'NO!
Rohit checked himself, as both of them looked at him, as if he had lost it.
'I mean..Sona abhi bhi weak hai, she's still frail. Abhi bhi thak jaati hai jaldi, sahi se khaati nahin hai, out of breath hojaati hai..'

Sonakshi looked at him in surprise. She didn't know he had watched her so closely, that he knew all that.

'Is that true, Dr. Sonakshi?'
Dr. Malhotra was asking her now, looking concerned.

'No, no! I'm fine..I'm completely healthy..you can see na..'

'Sona! Unhe kya pata..mujhe pata hai..I live with you..I know..'

'Par..'

'OK, relax! Both of you!'
The doctor halted their conversation, which was fast turning into an argument, by putting up a hand.

'But, Dr. Malhotra, I'm alright now..I can handle it..'

'You can't..not yet..'
Rohit put in again.

'Aap dono na..ghar jao..ja ke araam se decide kar lo..there is no hurry..no deadlines to meet..'
He got up, glancing at his watch.
'I have a patient to see in the ICU, so I'll just go..'
He moved towards the door, and Rohit and Sonakshi stood up.
'Take care, Dr. Sonakshi..Rohit..'
And he left, leaving behind a stunned set of people.

'You..'

'Tum..'

They both spoke together.

'You can't stop me from working!'
Sonakshi huffed.

'Oh, yeah! Who says?'
Rohit also narrowed his eyes.

'I do!'
Sonakshi put her hands on her hips, her stance defensive.

'Sona! You know you are still weak, kaam mein lagte hi you will just forget about your health..'

'I'm not stupid! Doctor hun, itna to pata hi hai mujhe..'

'Kuch nahin pata hai tumhe!'
Rohit was upset now.

'Han, or tumhe to sab pata hai na?'
Sonakshi rolled her eyes.

'Han! Pata hai! Kyunke maine woh saara waqt jiya hai!'
He said vehemently, causing Sonakshi to stop, just as she had opened her mouth to retort back.
'I had to see you on that bed, day in day out. I had to handle watching you dead to the world! Jab sab ne umeed chorr di thi, maine haar nahin maani!'
Rohit was practically shouting now, and Sonakshi looked on, stunned.
'Tum jaanti bhi ho ke kaisa lagta hai! Jab, woh shakhs, jis se aap khud se bhi zyada pyaar karte hon, usse aise haal mein dekh ke? Mujhe pata hai!'
Rohit hit the chair he had been sitting on, with his fist, and it went skidding on the floor.
Sonakshi felt a frisson of fear at his anger.
'Tum samajh hi nahin sakti! Ke woh do saal..maine kis aziyat mein guzaare hain..khud ko blame kar ke..ke uss raat accident meri wajah se hua!'

Sonakshi was shocked to her very core.
Her memory may not have fully returned, but she knew with every inch of her being that, that couldn't be true!

Rohit..responsible for her accident..guilty..all that time..

'Khud ko kosa! Galiyaan di! Apne aap ko nuqsan pohchaane ki koshish ki..just because you were there..on that hospital bed..because of me!'
Rohit ran a hand through his hair in frustration, his tears running down his cheeks.

Sonakshi's heart twisted, with his pain.
'No!'
She whispered, then cleared the tears choking her throat.
'No! Don't say that!'

Rohit looked at her, his heart in his eyes.
'Phir kya bolun, Sona! Jis pyaar mohabbat ki baat karte mein thakta nahin tha, ussi ki wajah se tum uss haal mein thi..uss bed pe..behosh..anjaan..'

'Stop it, Rohit! Stop it! Khud ko blame kyun kar rahe ho?'
Sonakshi wanted him to stop.

'Because it's bloody true!'
He cursed himself, and Sonakshi closed her eyes, feeling his pain, as if her own.
But, to a hurt Rohit, it looked like she was acknowledging that as true, and he was taken aback.

'I..need to go..'
He said suddenly, and Sonakshi opened her eyes, to see him looking as lost as a child.
Wanting to comfort him, she took a step forward, but he moved back.
Sonakshi was a bit startled by his action.
'I have to go to work..can you take the driver..'
He mumbled, striding over to the door.

'But, we came together..'

'I'll send you the car..you wait here, okay..I'll see you..bye!'

With that, he left, and Sonakshi stood there stunned.

Yeh sab kya hogaya? Aise kyun behave..I didn't even get to tell him..that I remember us..our life together..ghussa kyun hogaya? Ab kaise manaun?

***************************

She believes her condition was because of me!

Rohit wiped his tears, as they blurred his vision.
He almost ran a red light, and stopped.

'Calm down, Rohit! Ab tumhe bhi marna hai kya?'
He said to no one in particular.
'Uss ka bhi kya qusoor? Her life was halted because of me!'
Rohit called himself all sorts of a fool.
'We were finally getting back on track, and now this! Damn!'
He hit the steering wheel with his fist.

She's still suffering the after effects of the coma..or tum yun usse chorr ke agaye..pagal hogaye ho, Rohit?
Should I go back?

Do you think she will be sitting there, waiting for you?

Ofcourse not! Woh pehle bhi independent thi..or ab bhi..

Han, pagal to tum ho! Itna bol ke agaye..ab khud bhi guilty feel karo..or usse bhi karao..
Wow! Just wow at you, Rohit!

***************************

'Yes! Thankyou, very much! I'd be grateful!'
Sonakshi put down the phone, and gave a small smile.

She picked up a photograph of Rohit and hers from her desk, and looked at Rohit.
'Tum shayad bhool gaye, Rohit! Magar mein, independent bhi hun, or ziddi bhi! Ghussa hogaye to kya! Mujhe bhi manana aata hai! Past mein bhi manaya hai, or aagay bhi manaati hi rahungi..you just wait..and watch..'
She ran a finger down his face.
'I love you, and know how much you love me too..you have shown it in every way possible in the past two years. But now, it's my turn, and I'm going to prove it to you..'

***************************

Rohit got free from his work, not having had a great day.

He had picked up the phone a gazillion times, but just hadn't had the courage to call her.
He didn't want to hear her hurt voice, or see her upset face.

But why would she be hurt? Usse to kuch yaad bhi nahin hai..to kya faraq parrta hai..

Parrta hai! Faraq parrta hai! Because I can't live without her..chahe usse mein yaad hun na hun..mein to kuch nahin bhool sakta na..mere liye to woh wahi Sona hai, jisse maine pehli baar dekha tha or uss pe mar mita tha..

Rohit shook his head, as he walked towards his car.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't remember or realise, that he had driven over himself, but now he was sitting in the back seat with a driver in front.
It was as the car reached the highway, did he realise that he wasn't even on his way home.

'Ravi! Tum yahan? Or yeh kahan le ja rahe ho? Turning to peechay..'
Rohit looked out the window, then back inside.
'Are you even listening to me?'
Rohit leaned forward, when Ravi didn't reply. Rohit noticed his cap was not set the way it usually was on his head.

Was he being kidnapped? Had someone..

That's not even my driver! Who the hell?

'Stop the car! Right now!'
He leaned further, to see the driver's face, his hand tipping off the cap from his head, from behind.
'I said, stop..'

Rohit gasped in shock, as long tresses fell out of the driver's cap onto his hands, and his eyes met Sonakshi's in the mirror above.

'Tum?'

To be continued...