Part 25 Pride

Khushi stood like a statue as she could not believe Arnav was hugging her. To her surprise, Arnav broke the hug and cupped her face. He looked so weak and vulnerable with teary eyes and a reddened face. He pressed his lips on her forehead firmly, and made her strong mentally and weak physically. She closed her eyes as it was too much for her to handle. A kiss from Arnav was like putting a chocolate on an ant's head. Could the ant stand the weight? Arnav parted his lips from her forehead and smiled at her. Khushi felt something in her heart, seeing his vulnerable face. She gazed at his face with disbelief. She did not expect to be able to make him weak. She thought it was because she took his sister's name, but it was not right. Neither was he a brother nor a professor, but his authentic self, who was in search of someone wholly for himself.

He again hugged her, this time with a smile, making her believe that these were truly happening. Khushi raised her hands and wrapped him in a hug. Though she was burning in a fever, she felt a warmth in his arms that she never thought would happen sooner or later.

Her face wore a proud smile, and she leaned on his chest with happy tears.

Arnav didn't show hurry in breaking the hug. He stood, losing himself in her arms. He didn't know how long he stood. He felt uneasy only when Khushi felt uneasy about standing, as she had a fever. Then only Arnav got his senses. He looked at her, breaking the hug.

"I'm... I'm sorry..." he lifted her in his arms and brought her to the bedroom. He placed her on the bed and came out.

Taking the mush bowl, he again rushed to the room. He gave it to her.

"Have this. Then only you can have medicine"

She nodded. Taking it from him, she had it. Arnav was silently watching her. he didn't expect this day would change his mindset upside down. He didn't imagine all this when he came to Khushi's house; how this girl changed everything with her actions! He hugged her, kissed her...! He was so emotional, but his emotions were not the cause of his actions. It was his opinion about Khushi. Though he didn't want to accept it, circumstances brought it out. He didn't mind it. He thought that was the time to choose his priority. He wanted to determine what he wanted...And, he did.

After taking the medicine, he gave her the medicine. She had it and lay. If it were some other day, or if Khushi were fit, she would not have slept that night and admired the man in front of her. But, her body condition didn't let her get up. She felt heaviness in her eyes, even though her heart was lighter than ever before.

Arnav observed her not sleeping. He understood she would not sleep until he was there. So, he left the place and came to the kitchen. He also had the mush and washed the bowl and glass. As he expected, Khushi slowly drifted into sleep.

Arnav came to her afterwards and sat on the couch in front of her. he gazed at her sleeping form. He didn't get sleep that day, as more things happened in his life. He would not have been peaceful if Seema's plan had worked. He would have lost his job and respect. He might have been in jail, too. Would anyone have saved him, intentionally getting a fever, like Khushi did? No one would have been...! Would he get a better life partner than her? No way!

He remembered his father's words, 'It's very rare to find a TRUSTED hand. If you find one, HOLD it TIGHT. He was right. He wanted him to hold her hand, understanding that she would do anything for him. His father would be glad if he knew what Khushi did to save him.

Arnav was thinking all about him and Khushi. He slept only in the middle of the night.

The next morning

Arnav was the one who woke up first. He saw Khushi still sleeping. He looked at the clock, and it was 7. He stood up from the couch and advanced toward Khushi. He touched her forehead in a checking manner. She had no fever. Her body had a normal temperature. He wasn't sure if she could manage alone or if she wanted him to stay. Khushi slowly opened her eyes. She smiled brightly, seeing Arnav at her place. Though she was physically tired, she felt strong mentally.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Great... having you at my place is blissful..." She smiled.

"I'm asking about your fever..."

"It's gone last night itself..." She didn't say, 'when you hugged me'. Yet, he understood.

"When will your aunt come?"

"She will come today. Maybe, on her way..."

"Mmm... I have to go to college today as Seema's matter would have spread all over..."

"I will also come..." She sat on the bed.

"No, take a rest. You can come tomorrow."

"I will get back home if I feel uneasy..."

"Ok, get ready. I will take you with me,"

"Are you sure?"

"Mmm... but only today..." He smirked, making her pout.

She went to the washroom to get fresh. Arnav boiled milk and toasted bread slices. He brought it to the living room and waited for Khushi. He ran his eyes over the house. It seemed the house was big enough. A long corridor ran from east to west, and there were many rooms on either side of the corridor.

Khushi got ready and came.

"Come on, have this..." he extended the plate.

Taking it, she ate it. Arnav also took a slice and had. He gave her medicine without forgetting.

"Keep this tablet. You should have it after lunch."

She nodded ok and kept it in her bag.

"Shall we go?"

She nodded.

They left the house. Khushi looked tired. She leaned on the seat and closed her eyes. They came to Arnav's house. Arnav saw the time and it was 8:10.

"Lie here and take a rest until I get ready"

"Mmm..." She sat.

"Don't be sitting. You have to do that in college."

"I'm alright..."

"You are alright now, but you may feel tired afterwards. Lay down..."

She nodded and lay on the couch. As they had time, he cooked a simple dish as he didn't want her to eat in the canteen when she had a fever. He finished cooking and took a very few minutes to get ready.

He came out and saw Khushi sleeping on the couch. He sat next to her and tapped her cheek. She opened her eyes.

"Are you feeling tired?"

She nodded no and got up. He forwarded a lunch bag.

"It has your lunch and sweet lime juice. It will give you energy. Have it..."

She took it smilingly. Taking the bottle, she sipped the juice. She relished it as its slightly sour and sweet taste felt good for her feverish tongue.

"It's good..."

He nodded.

"Let's go..."

They reached the college. As Arnav said, the matter spread all over. Students and professors were excited to see Khushi coming with Arnav. Parking the car, Arnav looked for someone; he saw Jane looking at them. He beckoned her. She rushed to them curiously.

"Take Khushi to your class. She has a fever. Take care of her."

"Yes, sir..."

Jane held her hand and walked to their class.

Arnav entered the staff room. All the eyes of the professors were on him, as he expected.

"What we heard is true?" Akash asked.

"What did you hear?" Even though Arnav knew what he asked, he wanted to get cleared before answering.

"Did Seema try to accuse you?"

He nodded yes.

"Thank God, you took a policeman with you. Or else, don't know what your condition would have been..."

"I didn't thank god but the person who was the reason for me to take the policeman with me..." Arnav didn't hesitate.

"Who is the reason?"

"Khushi..."

"Khushi?" asked many.

"Yes, she found out Seema's plan and saved me, intentionally having a fever. So that, I would take her to the hospital. She asked me to stop the car, pretending to vomit in front of the police station. I stopped the car. That was when the woman called me. I was lucky to have a policeman with me at that time. He accompanied me to Seema's house, as per Khushi's plan..." he didn't take Asha's name as he didn't want to face questions.

All of them gazed at Arnav speechlessly.

"But why did she take a risk? She could have warned you..."

"She could have, but Seema would be safe that she didn't want to happen... How could she let the person be happy who wanted to destroy me?" he asked with pride that he never did in his life.

To be continued...