Tanvi wakes up after the stipulated two hours set by Anuja.

"Where am I?" She croaks, still lying on the bed clutching her forehead. "On the hospital bed? Ugh... I cannot move..."

Farhan goes, "uth yaar, chalte hain," to which Samrat bops him on the back. "Woh abhi kaise uthegi, Farhan?" he chides as Anuja walks in.

Tanvi closes her half open eyes with a sigh. In her dwindling consciousness, she can only hear muffled voices. "Main... so jaati... I'm feeling awful... Sapne mei shayad thoda chain mile..."

Dr Anuja laughs hearing those words. With a shake of her head, she faces Samrat and Farhan.

"Tum log Tanvi ko ghar le jao. I mean, usko yahan par sone de sakte hain. Lekin abhi koi danger nahin hai to usey le jao. Let her sleep in the comfort of her bed and dream good dreams."

Farhan sighs after Anuja leaves, looking at Tanvi who's snoozing. "Yaar, kaise le jayein? Yeh uth nahi rahi! Koi stretcher bhi nahin hai aur na hi wheelchair. Hume hi uthana padega."

He looks at Samrat. "Tu uthayega ya main? Who shall carry her?"

"I will carry her."

Samrat's response is prompt. He carries Tanvi out of the emergency room, down to his jeep and then back into her apartment. Very tenderly, he lays her on her bed and tucks her in, the duvet covering until her collarbones, the ac set to a comfortable cold temperature.

Then he moves out of her bedroom into the little living room and looks at Farhan who's waiting for him.

"Farhan, she will be fine aise, right? We are leaving her alone?"

Farhan bobs his head. "Hmm... she should be fine."

"Kya kare? Akele chod nahi sakte na usko! Aur Sameera ko aadhi raat trouble nahin kar sakte. Isha bhi nahi hain."

Samrat gets thoughtful. Farhan nods. "Ek kaam karte, hum dono ruk jaate hain."

Samrat nods to the suggestion. It's the very thing he had in his mind although some outside folks might find it offensive. Hey, there's no gender bias on the airbase and looking after a sick friend isn't a crime.

They push the couch into Tanvi's bedroom, place it across her bed and plop down softly onto it, heaving twin sighs.

"Phew... so tired..." Farhan murmurs and stifles a yawn.

Samrat chuckles at him and then casts a look at Tanvi. Tanvi looks peacefully asleep; her body is not on fire anymore which is a relief. Plus, Dr Anuja can never give a wrong diagnosis.

A few minutes pass in silence. Before Farhan can fall asleep... Samrat is sure the guy will, given how tired he is, he clears his throat.

"Farhan, Tanvi ko mat batana that I carried her... or that I was there in any way helping her."

Farhan raises an eyebrow. "Arey, why?" Then he sighs and falls silent. These days he can only give in to Tanvi or Samrat's demands or bizarre requests or whatever, without asking why. He murmurs a yes.

Samrat watches him slowly drift into sleep, easing into a more relaxed position on the couch. He thinks Farhan deserves to sleep, with the relentless way he cares for others.

The room is soon filled by the soft breathing of two sleeping officers - Tanvi and Farhan. Samrat isn't surprised that sleep is far from his eyes, despite his tiredness. Sleep won't come to him because of the recent realisation he had. How in the world?! Why in the world did he fall for Tanvi too? How utterly stupid he is! And a stupid to have realised it only now!

He sighs, trying to silence his thoughts and focus on Tanvi's wellbeing. He can't look away from her just in case her condition worsens.

...

The following morning, Tanvi opens her eyes to find Farhan peering over her. Samrat remains in the background, a vague silhouette in her eyes, in the wake of the blinding sunlight filtering in. She hears Farhan—

"How are you, Tanz? How do you feel?"

"I'm fine, Farhan... I want to sleep more..."

Farhan presses a hand to her forehead after she responds and checks her pulse. Then gives a thumbs up to Samrat. Tanvi, who's struggling to keep her eyes open, doesn't notice.

"We'll let her sleep and come back to check later, Sam?"

Samrat agrees to Farhan's suggestion unwillingly. He doesn't want to leave Tanvi at all if it were his wish. But he has to report to Harjot. And Farhan too has his work.

***

Once inside the living quarters, the two men waste no time, getting ready in their uniforms. When they arrive in their living room, Tanvi surprises them by showing up on their doorstep. Farhan rushes to her side, while she loiters on the steps, unwilling to step inside.

"Arey, Tanz! Hum khud aane wale to check on you! You just woke up na! And yeh kya? You're ready to go on duty?"

Farhan points to Tanvi's uniform. Samrat takes a few steps forward. Standing behind Farhan, he silently looks on.

Tanvi smiles at Farhan. "Ek fauji ko humesha taiyaar rehna chahiye na, Farhan? Aur yun apna kaam kisi ko bhala main kaise saunp doon?"

She casts a look at Samrat and looks back at Farhan.

"Farhan, thank you for everything and... Sorry, I troubled you. I'm so guilty and embarrassed to think that you had to carry me! To the hospital and back to my apartment... Thank you..."

Samrat turns away at this point, his soft smile and the little shake of his head invisible to Tanvi. Farhan swallows whatever he wants to say and nods at their girl pal. Tanvi has a vague feeling she's thanking the wrong guy. But hey, Farhan would have helped, knowing the kind of guy he is. If Samrat can read the room, her thanks is also meant for him, even if he hasn't realised.

This morning, she definitely noticed his presence in the room. It was obvious how soothing just having him near was, despite their strained bond. Again, she had this weird dream of confessing to him in the hospital room. It was pleasant to tell him that she loved him. And dreamy to hear him whisper "I love you too," though she was sure he sounded sorrow-stricken for some reason. Why was that dream cut short? Why was she out like a log and didn't dream on anymore? Yeah, duty calls!

"Thanks kaisa yaar, Tanvi? Apno ko thanks bolte? Hello? Tanvi? Kahan kho gayi?"

Farhan waving his hands before her face brings Tanvi out of her thoughts. Tanvi chuckles, smacking her forehead. Her body is still woozy and she has a headache. Yet she managed to have breakfast and now she has to report to Harjot. Samrat too must be on the way. Neither of them have the time to daydream.

"Main chalti hoon, Farhan. See you later."

As she turns away showing Farhan her best smile, Tanvi thinks it's a disappointment that she cannot go to work with Samrat or leave for home together. Hell, they don't even talk.

Yet it's surprising he didn't even say hello or make a little talk. Wasn't he worried about her? Sure, they were fighting, but he'd be worried, right?

He must be, even if he's giving her the cold shoulder. Why else would he be at the hospital and at her home?

Sam... I know you care. Isliye toh tum Saumit se lade. Aur maine tumse ladayi ki kyunki I too care about you. Main nahi chahti tum mereliye kisi se jhagda karo. You understand this na? I understand we can't be friends but... Surely, you must not have meant it when you said you'd show me your worst side. Ha, even if we're not like before, I have to take better care of myself to not worry you. Yes, I should.

Little does she know that bubble of positive hope is about to break. Samrat is ready to show her his worst side so she can hate him and move on! Starting that day, though it breaks his heart.

***

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💙📚💭❣️Up next: sabse worst kism ka ladka!💔💔 And then a happy ending?!💕

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