KARAN

Sitting by myself on the bench near the ward she was in, after the successful blood transfer, I thought what if she had been hit at any other crucial part? Our families left for their homes because I insisted that it was nighttime and Kritika and I would stay. She, without any further thinking, was willing to sacrifice herself! Kritika came beside me and sat, leaning her head on my shoulders, which broke my thoughts. I realised that I had a small tear that was forming, lingering around my eyes. I wiped it, not letting her know that I cried, but she caught it somehow. I took her soft hands in mine, rubbing her fingers with my thumb, and said,

"I hated her almost for what....like....must be...it must have been five years already!" I looked at her, her eyes were moist too.

I continued, "But you know what, Kritika? I...I couldn't hate her with my whole heart! There was always some sort of minor concern and care about her in my heart until now. I just can't hate her fully, even though......even though I know that I hate her and I should hate her for what our lives have been through." Kritika tried to console me, rubbing my back in gentle strokes as she was crying with me.

"Why did she have to do this? For what damn reason?" She leaned her head again on my shoulders. "She even made it harder to hate her completely now. It only gets harder and harder." I cry helplessly and squish myself in Kritika's arms as she hugs me tight, my breath hitching at every tear that falls from my eyes. I don't know what she has done to me, but either Krisha has destroyed my life entirely or made it better! It always remains a dilemma!

KARAN

THE NEXT DAY

I slept on the bench itself as I came to know when I opened my eyes, which were all blurry. Kritika was coming my way with two cups of coffee in her hands. I stood up immediately when Krisha's face flashed in front of my eyes. Rubbing my eyes, I asked, "Kritika...what about Krisha? Is she fine? I need to go see her now! Did the doctor arrive?" Turning to the other side, I realised both families were present already. "Did I sleep for too long? Why isn't anyone saying anything?" I screamed.

"Relax, Karan! Krisha is fine. And...she is conscious now. But you can't meet her, any of us can't because she is still under observation and the doctors are running some more tests on her. So by that time, you have this coffee and let's cheer that she is okay." Says Kritika, cupping my cheeks.

"Mom, are you okay? Aunty, are you okay?" I ask them before taking a sip from the coffee cup and they both nod slightly, still traumatized but so better than yesterday.

I gulp the coffee in haste when I see the doctor arriving, letting us know that we can go meet her now.

INSIDE THE WARD

She was resting beautifully on the hospital bed, her eyes were slightly opened. She saw me standing by the door as I was the first one to enter the room. I went to her, near her, and asked her how she was. She looked the other way, still not wanting to talk to me.

"I understand if you won't answer me. But I'm concerned, Krisha."

She turned the other way. I tried to help, but she was already on the other side.

"Are you listening?" I ask her softly.

"Just go, Karan!" She mumbled.

Her mom and all of our families come to see her behind me. I was standing there like an uninvited guest whereas others were having an opportunity to interact with her. Did I not deserve this feeling of emptiness? I did. I go from there, feeling bad.

The next day when I came to see her, she was trying to have her breakfast on her own. I asked her if I should help her. She rejected me on my face. Her mom came inside and told Krisha that she would be back after completing the remaining hospitalities as it would require her parents' signature, so she gestured to me that I should help her eat.
I grabbed the opportunity to return her favour, but she moved away as soon as I sat near the bed.

"I won't bite you!"

"You may!... Keep my bowl down! I'll never eat from your hands ever."

"Don't do this. Don't force me to make you eat." Saying this, I shoved the spoon full of porridge into her mouth before her action.

"How dare you? What are you doing? Who are you to force me like this?"

"Be quiet and eat. You have an entire lifetime for enmity. I'm just returning the favour!" I said.

She rolled her eyes and I teased her back. I made sure she ate it entirely.

The same day, I saw the police come to the hospital to inquire about Krisha's case. However, they didn't find any clues and rested the case here for now as I told them that the bullet wasn't meant for her.

KRISHA

One week has passed since I was discharged from the hospital. I'm feeling much better now, but my hand still feels a bit heavy to lift. All these days of my speedy recovery, I noticed one change about Karan. He was taking care of me, making sure I ate my meals on time. He visited my home frequently and did stuff for me. Kritika visited with him sometimes too. Many times it struck my mind that if he was doing this only now and would later fight with me with more intensity than ever. Rejected him many times though, but he remained and did it for me. I noticed changes in his eyes. Was the hate for me in his heart slowly disappearing? If it is, it's only with him, because I ain't dissolving my hate towards him no matter what.

I took out the dress which I was going to wear at Kritika's birthday party today. Mom helps me with the dressing up part and I put on light makeup. When I reached the venue, a huge media crowd surrounded me for answers about my accident. I was bombarded. Suddenly, I felt a warm arm covering my shoulders. I looked at the person and he was Karan. He gazed into my eyes with care and comfort back, and I did gaze into his, with the same feeling, forgetting that the media were still present. We broke the gazes instantly when we heard Kritika's elated voice. She hugged me when she saw me. And she even saw Karan's hand on my shoulder but did not have any sort of expression. Karan told the media to not ask any questions in this state and took me safely inside followed by Kritika. The media was baffled by his gesture. Kritika made sure I was well looked at as both Karan and she never left my side.

Kritika cut her cake while she kissed Karan on his cheek and he returned it to her at the same spot. He still looked my way, but also was so much into her. I understand now that he loved her when he meant that he was committed to her. I think I should at least smile at him for what he has done for me these days. So I smile at him and he stares at me intently. He comes near me, everyone watching him in awe, thinking that he would pull up another drama with me. Because even I thought so for a split second. Instead, he takes my hand in his, very light and gentle, and brings me to the center.

He begins speaking to everyone, still holding both my hands, "Everyone, I want to thank Krisha for what she has done for my family. She took a bullet for my mother on her shoulder and it's the same injury that you are worrying and are curious about. Y'all must be wondering, why are we seeming good to each other at this party? This is the reason! After all these years of hating her, I know now that she is the most selfless, caring, and 'want to have a person like this in my life' type. I will forever be grateful to her for this. And I want to end all of the hate that's between us at this very moment and hug her and let her know that she is an amazing human being." The media was capturing all these.

I was lost and bewildered, "Can I hug you?" He asked me. What would I say? I just gaze into his eyes blankly.

He doesn't even wait for my answer and the next moment is when I'm into his arms. It's been a while. Been a while since I hugged him. Been a while since I felt this warm embrace. I raise my unaffected hand and cover it on his back, completing the hug. Everyone applauds! He breaks the hug and stares passionately at me. And I feel I'm lost now!

Days pass with him being extremely close to me. When I was back at the institute, now fully recovered, he made sure he bought food for me which he, Kritika, and I used to eat. I was practicing my dance for the upcoming solo stage of mine where I suddenly felt dizzy and was about to fall on the floor. Maybe it happened because of my condition or that my wound is still weak. He never allowed that! He lifted me in his arms making everyone stare at us as he took me straight to his room. I heard Kritika's voice in the background asking them to stop staring and it's none of their business.

Putting me down on his bed, he checked my temperature and blood pressure, offered me water, and gave me my medicines which were timed. While turning back to close the tap of the bottle, he stumbled upon the microphone wire that was lying on the floor, making him fall on top of me. He has become huge for all these years. I can tell the difference now as he was so close to me at that moment. He immediately said sorry while trying to get out from that position, but the wire got more entangled in his leg and he fell harder on top of me, shoving us both down in a sleeping position on the bed. It was becoming awkward for both of us. But it also felt comforting at the same time. It felt nice. We both get nostalgia!

When we realise that we are in the hating phase, we break our eye contact. It was good that we broke it because we were leaning towards each other's lips. It would have been more awkward if something like a kiss would have happened. Even so, we both see each other laughing at this slightly.

KARAN

Krisha is back now, but this time I'm happy that she is here. The hate is vanishing I feel. But what was that flutter I felt yesterday when we fell on the bed? Hey, heart, it's difficult to understand now. What was it? Do I need her in my life again? Kritika would be the best option for this. Yes, I would go ask her thoughts on this.

Wait, but Kritika is my girlfriend. Would she not feel bad if I talked about some other girl to her? What am I thinking? I already have a girlfriend! I shouldn't go for Krisha now. Her chapter is closed! There is just gratitude in my heart for her, nothing else!

But man, I understand her need now. I need Krisha, I need her in my life too. She just balances me so well. Maybe I should just talk about this to Kritika!

I dashed to my car to meet Kritika and told her about how I felt.

"I knew that you were in love with her too." She said, understanding.

"I got a clearer vision eventually that I never stopped loving her. It was just my ego all along, my other needs. I am so in love with her, Kritika."

"Honestly, Karan, I won't mind if you leave me and date her, because she was the very first one in your life. I have no right to say anything."

"You are too understanding, Kritika. But you aren't going anywhere. I'm not giving up on you. You will stay by my side."

"What are you saying? How is that possible? Do you want a double date, again? That would be ridiculous!"

"Uh-huh, it won't be a double date this time. I need you as my girlfriend forever. I'm thinking of marrying Krisha! But it depends upon you? Whether you like to stay like this or not. Because I want you too. There will be nothing less, I would still love you the same. You have changed my life, Kritika. You deserve all of my love!" I cup her face.

"Hehehhehhe....you are so silly! Go and ask Krisha first if she is okay with it. And then I'll answer mine." She giggled.

"Sure, I'll be back to you quickly." I patted her cheek going away from there.

Kritika's words gave a lot of peace. Now I was thinking of Krisha, how would I manage to get her attention and tell her that I'm in love with her? There was a slight confirmation in my heart that she knew this all along since her accident happened. Hmmm...Her class will be over within an hour, I shall wait till she shows up.

AFTER AN HOUR

She was wearing this sea blue dress which made her glow more. She saw me from a distance and gestured to me, asking if I was a maniac! Then she laughed. She passed me without asking what I was doing there, but I followed her, chased her everywhere she went for the day. Even in the temple, while she was offering prayers, I was singing in her ears that I love her. For two consecutive days, I was saying I love you to her. She didn't respond but just smiled!

I stopped her on the third day, "Can you answer me? Yes, No? Anything?"

"You say you love me, are you sure?"

"More than sure! You are my first love and that love is still in my heart. I don't care if I have loved my other girlfriends or not all these years, but for you, I'm sure with my life, that I love you so deeply! I have never been this sure my entire life."

She tugged her finger in my shirt's button pulling me closer to her, "Hmm....you say Kritika will be okay with this, so we need to share you?!"

"Uh Huh! Right!"

"I'm ready to share you with anyone if it only gets me to be yours. I don't know how I am leaving all these years, Karan. And now that you have come back, I don't want to let you go. Kritika is a good woman, I understand that you want to stay with her too."

"I think all three of us are so deep that none would want to leave at this point. I want to embrace you and her, both. Hope that's okay."

She nods, pulling me into a hug, "That's understandable!"

We break apart, "Let's begin this relationship now with physically being present."

She nods again and we kiss, "I love you." I say as I lift her in my arms, getting excited that my proposal was accepted by the person I got to know that I cherish more than my life!

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