Part 8:

It's been 10 days Arnav admitted in hospital. One morning his senses woke up with a touch on his skin. He can feel the difference in this touch. 'It's not Khushi.' But he heard her

"Please sister, do carefully. Dr. Alex said we have to take good care of this patient for some reasons. He won't allow any negligence here. Do your work with utmost care. I will be observing you. I don't want any discomfort to patient. Do you get that?"

He can hear her commanding on that particular sister. 'So, she is still avoiding touching me'

The sister, who is cleaning Arnav's wounds, nodded her head and continued her work. She never saw Khushi this serious before. So, she thought this patient is some important person. And she brushed her thoughts before leaving the room.

"Whenever I needed you I will call you. Don't go far" ordered Khushi. Nodding her head sister went from there. Khushi came to Arnav and sat beside his bed

"How are you Arnav Ji...?"

'What's wrong with you Khushi? Why are you behaving like this' he wanted to ask. But his body didn't allow him. He tried to fist his hand slowly letting her know about his response. In these 10 days a lot of improvement in him. He showed little movements of his body. But still he can't do all the things he wanted to do. Khushi looked at his face then his hand.

"Don't Arnav Ji... it will hurt you. Please... relax... you will be fine. Relax..."

"What's happening Khushi?" she heard Dr. Alex voice. Immediately her heart beat raced up. She immediately stood up and turned back to answer him

"Nothing sir... I'm just talking with this patient. I just saw some changes in his hand movement. So I'm trying to make him respond to my talks. I just want to confirm whether he can do or not."

"Oh... Really? That's really good news. Let me check" Dr. Alex rushed to Arnav and held his hand. But he didn't find any change in Arnav's hand. He looked at Arnav's face. Dr. Alex opened Arnav's eyes and checked. He also checked the BP, heart beat and pulse ratings which Khushi noted before. There is a constant stability in numbers. He looked at Khushi

"Good sign... I think this person must be a strong willed man. Seeing this progress, I think it won't take long time for him to come to conscious. I think your talks are working Khushi. Good going... keep it up" saying this Dr. Alex left the room.

"I wish the same doctor" she whispered.

Arnav can easily catch the sadness in her tone. He couldn't understand what's bothering her.

"I know what you are thinking Arnav Ji... I'm fine... I'm happy that you will be fine and will leave to your family in coming days" said Khushi after Dr. Alex went from there. Still her tone is sad.

"Every time, I wanted this, your happiness with your loved ones. I never wanted you to stay alone or stay away with your family. I'm sorry for making you stay here far from your family. I and NK Bhai only thought of your safety that time, nothing else. I didn't have any other intentions by keeping you here. I just wanted..." she couldn't continue as her heart filled with sorrow.

Arnav can hear her low sobs. He felt a tug in his heart. He wanted to console her. He couldn't understand what's bothering her. And what she is talking about. Suddenly door got opened and NK came inside. Khushi rushed towards him and hugged him tightly.

"Doll... what's wrong? Why are you crying? Arnav... is Arnav Ji fine? Oh god... what's wrong? Tell me... you are scaring me" panicked NK

"Bhai..."

"Yeah Doll tell me... what's wrong? Why are you crying? Is Arnav Ji fine?"

"Yes he is... actually he is getting better. Dr. Alex said, in few days when Arnav Ji gets his conscious he can go home," saying this she burst out into cry. NK couldn't understand what she is saying.

"But... yeh to Khush hone ki baat hai, nahi? Then why are you crying?"

Arnav tried his best to hear their conversation. But they are talking really in low voice.

She kept crying on NK's chest. It's really difficult for her to take this news. She looked at NK face and said in low voice.

"Of course I'm happy. But Bhai he will go... I will be all alone again" she cried her heart out making NK gasp loudly.

"What?" he whispered.

"Ha... Dr. Alex said he can go home to his family, to his loved ones far from me, leaving me all alone here, in this world. He will go... he can go..."

NK hugged Khushi tightly not able to see his Doll in this broken state. A lone tear escaped from his eyes. He knows tomorrow or later, Arnav will go to his family. But they never think that time will come this early. They never thought about this. They never thought what Khushi will do after Arnav goes back to his family. What will be his reaction when he sees Khushi? If Khushi is saying that Arnav will not like her presence when he gets conscious – then he will not. Because, more than Khushi is, nobody knows Arnav well. NK sighed in helplessness holding Khushi closely to his heart.

Arnav knew something is wrong with Khushi. But he couldn't figure it out. Arnav heard NK saying after few murmurings.

"Do you want me to talk with him once he gains his conscious?" NK asked after Khushi sobs little calm down

"No Bhai... I don't want to force him in anything. Don't worry... I'm fine. And I will be fine. Don't worry. I'm used to it"

Arnav felt like pulling his hair in frustration and irritation. He very well know whatever murmurs he missed that is the reason for Khushi's this broken state. He tried to open his eyes but as usual he couldn't. He felt helpless. 'What she meant when she said she don't want to force me in anything?' thought Arnav. For the first time he is feeling helplessness. He is feeling anger rising inside him on him for not able to move. He wanted to clear every mess happening here in this very room. He can't take this anymore. He is hell irritated with Khushi's behaviour. She is not even touching him. She is talking with him but not with that feel. He is craving for that feel, the feel in her talks, and the feel in her touch. He wanted to feel HER. But she is not the same as before his improvement.

"Mr. NK, Ms. Khushi, Dr. Alex is calling you both in his cabin" informed the nurse.

Both NK and Khushi looked at each other. Khushi went to Arnav "Hum abhi athe hai Arnav Ji(we will just come Arnav ji)"

Arnav noticed that, Khushi never ever left him unattended. Wherever she went whatever she done, whatever she does she informed him. Now also she is informing him. But still he can feel sadness in her tone.

NK knocked the door to get the permission with "Come in"

Both NK and Khushi walked into Dr. Alex room and wished him and Dr. Paul who is seating there.

"Sir... you called us"

"Yes... take your seats. I just wanted to talk something about that patient. Just now I received some of his reports. It's quite good news. He is showing a lot improvement. And as we took some readings of his brain yesterday, it shows a very good result. Khushi you did really a good job in talking with him. He is responding in unexpected way. So, seeing all these results, it may not take more time for him to come to his normal state. It's really good improvement"

Throughout Dr. Alex's words, Khushi held NK's hand under the table really tight and tried her maximum to not to sob. Luckily Dr. Alex didn't notice the moist in Khushi's eyes. He looked at NK when he heard his question

"But sir... you are saying he will be fine. There is lot of improvement. And he will come conscious in few days. But we couldn't see any movements in his body. I mean he is trying to move his hands but he is just trying. He is not at all opening his eyes, he not even able to open his mouth. And we are not sure he is really responding to our words or his movements are just coincidence when we talk with him. I'm really confused doctor" NK expressed his, Khushi and Arnav's doubts.

"Good question NK. Here I will say one thing. It happens when a person affected with paralysis stroke"

"Paralysis?" NK and Khushi almost screamed. They couldn't believe what they are listening.

"Yeah paralysis. When part of the brain is damaged after a stroke, messaging between the brain and muscles may not work properly. Paralysis or muscle weakness is sometimes referred to as "movement" impairments, and they affect up to 90 percent of stroke survivors who lose or have impaired motor function. Paralysis or weakness can affect any part of the body. This same happened in his case. When he was attacked by those attackers, they hit him hard on his back side of head. It affected his brain to give commands to some parts. It will take time for him to open his eyes and mouth. And also... his right hand and right leg. But there is nothing to worry. As we I saw the reports, I can surely say that he will definitely come to normal. There are lot improvements in particular part of brain which was affected by stroke. The neurologist also confirmed that. He will be normal in few days. There is no need to worry. But for that he needed good support from his family. Once he comes to conscious we can ask him to call his family and we can inform them about his condition to take care. Till that happens you both have to take care of him" finished Dr. Alex.

Dr. Paul continued "And one more last thing, which I wanted to tell to you both. When I observe you both are doing good job in talking with that person in your language. But I never saw you both make him feel your touch. Why is like that? Didn't I say that it will help the patient to get his senses back? Then why aren't you doing?"

"Nothing particular Dr. Paul, we just didn't go to that point. I afraid to say that may be we never took that part of your suggestion seriously. I sincerely ask your apology for our negligence. But I promise that we will do that now onwards. And we will do whatever you asked us to do. And we will do our best to bring that person back to normal" said NK

"Hmm... ok fine. Now you can go. And today we have an appointment with the officer which admitted that patient. He wants to talk with us something about this patient. We may know his details. I will call you if you needed here. Now go and carry on with your work"

"Sure sir... Thank you..." with that both Khushi and NK walked out towards the room where Arnav kept.

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

"Did you hear what doctor said Doll? We have to help Arnav Ji. We have to help him to get his full senses back."

"But Bhai... Paralysis?"

"Yeah... from some days I'm thinking the same – when Arnav Ji can respond to our talks then how can he not able to talk? Or why is he not even opening his eyes? So, this is the reason – Paralysis. But don't worry dear... he will be fine. As he is already trying to move his hands we can hope for him. Don't worry... now just we have to make him try to gain his senses completely. Ok? Don't worry everything will be fine. Your Arnav Ji will be fine" said NK

"But I'm getting scared Bhai. I'm really tensed about this paralysis thing. Please Bhai help my Arnav Ji. Please help me to bring my Arnav Ji back. Please..." she almost begged

"How did you think I won't help you? Of course I will. We have to be more careful now. Ok? And I don't want Arnav Ji to know this now. Once he opens his mouth or eyes, we can tell him. What's say?"

"As you say Bhai. I just needed him back safe and sound, fine and healthy"

"Fine... now come let's go inside the room. May be he is waiting for us"

Nodding her head, Khushi followed NK to Arnav's room.

...to be continued