Part 32

Next morning

Arnav opened his eyes putting lot of effort. His body was aching due to fever effect. Tiredness was still there in his body. But he was delighted about something. He dreamt of something very insubstantial. Though it was a dream but it felt like he experienced it in real. He sensed some soft, fragile contact over his body. He couldn't say it's just a dream. He could remember that nevertheless he can't open his eyes because of his feverish condition. It was so elated. What was that?

That's when he noticed that Khushi was sleeping in recliner. He was overwhelmed seeing her in his room. That means she stayed with him in his room last night? His voice was so weak to come out. He just tried and it's enough for Khushi to sense that he was awakening. She jerked from her sleep.

Khushi: Are you Ok? (she came to him and touched his forehead by her back of the palm in a checking manner)

Arnav(weakly smiled at her): I'm feeling very tired, that's all. No fever.

Khushi: I will bring something to eat.

Arnav(holding her hand): Didn't you sleep last night?

Khushi (hesitatingly): I..i.. had enough sleep.(she said avoiding looking at him)

Arnav: Thank you.

Khushi: It's ok. You took care of me that day and this is my turn.

Arnav (in feeble tone): I will be happy if you respond me back in everything.

Khushi was embarrassed and left from there. Arnav felt something really weird. He observed her steps and then got it.

Her one anklet was missing and it creates sound from only one leg by taking long time. He called her.

Arnav (in low tone): Khushi.. Your one anklet is missing.

Khushi bend her head and looked at her feet. She was horrified. Arnav noticed it too.

Arnav: It will be somewhere here only Khushi. Don't worry you will get it.

Khushi ingested her fear and went to get freshen up.

Arnav was confused seeing her. Something is wrong with her. May be it's because lack of sleep. He gave excuse to himself.

Arnav could sense her changed behavior for whole day. She kept her gaze away from him. She was not answering by seeing his face like before. What the hell is matter with her?

Later

Arnav saw Sara and Aman coming in to his room.

Aman: How are you Buddy?

Arnav: Fit and fine.

Aman: I was damn worried when Khushi called Mom last night.

Arnav: Khushi called you? (he asked excitedly)

Sara: yah she called me, Your condition was that much worst.

They saw Khushi entering with soup bowl. She panicked seeing Sara here.

Sara: Khushi, how are you? hope you have relaxed seeing Arnav is fine.

Khushi was speechless and she looked at Arnav who was looking at her all smiling and she bowed down.

Sara: you should be strong Khushi. You shouldn't cry at the tough times instead you should think wiser. Ok? (she purposely said that Khushi cried for Arnav)

Khushi nodded ok.

Arnav felt "HEVENLY" like hell. Khushi cried for him. WOW. News of the ERA. He was gazing at her admiringly.

Aman: we were very tensed ASR. Mom said it's very tough to save a life without medical support who is effected by cold fever.

Arnav: Cold fever?

Sara: yah that's why Khushi was scared. I can understand how she could bring you out from that.

Khushi(hurriedly): I did nothing. His body temperature had decreased by its own. (she said stammering)

Sara (deeply looking in to her eyes): Really? I never heard like that from my experience. (she smiled sarcastically)

Khushi doesn't want to stay there as it will lead her in to trouble for sure.

Khushi: I will bring coffee. She excused from them and hurried to kitchen.

Sara checked Arnav and Aman watched them silently sitting beside Arnav.

Sara: Do you remember anything which happened last night?

Arnav remembered his weird feeling of that "spongy touch". A smile crept on his lip which was noticed by Mom and Son.

Arnav: I'm not sure about anything.

Aman looked at Sara raising his eyebrows.

Sara: I will see what Khushi is doing.

She went from there after smiled at Aman.

Aman: What was that buddy? Do you felt anything bad? (he asked with fake worry)

Arnav: Bad? It felt damn good. (he chuckled) I'm not sure but it felt like something soft and silky....

Aman(curiously): Like????

Arnav: like I just don't want to get separate from that. It gives me goose bumps. See (he showed his hands where goose bumps effect was visible)

Aman wanted to say what he knew. But no. without knowing anything clearly he can't do that. Definitely it's not in the matter of Khushi.

Kitchen

Khushi was nervous seeing Sara in kitchen.

Khushi (smiled at her): I'm coming aunty.

Sara: why I'm feeling that you are avoiding my eyes?

Khushi: Not like that aunty, I'm little tired.

Sara: Didn't you sleep last night?

Khushi was horrified at her question and composed herself.

Khushi: Jee. Though Arnavji came to normal condition, I can't get peaceful sleep even after that. what if he again gets affected? (she smiled artificially)

Sara was observing her acting of hiding the truth. She handed over the cover to Khushi.

Sara: This is Arnav's medicine. Follow it properly. He was bad at doing that.

Khushi: I will take care.

Sara: I know you will.

Khushi could see disturbance in Sara's face. But she was not daring to ask her anything. Sara left the kitchen when she came to Arnav's room she saw a satisfactory smile on her son's face as if he had found something important. They took leave from Arnav.

Evening

Arnav felt much better than morning. He took enough rest and diet, of course because of Khushi. She gave him time to time juice, soup, medicine whatever he needed to get cured. Arnav was getting addicted to her concern and he started yearning for it to continue. Khushi was making him hungry for her love. He wanted her everything only for him. yes he wants her greedily.

It feels good to have someone to take care for. He was elated; it was none other than HIS KHUSHI. He was ready to go to any extend to keep her with him forever. He needs her like air. He feared that his heart would stop beating if she goes leaving him. His body was still week. He wants to take some fresh air. He tried getting up from the bed at the same time Khushi saw him doing so. She rushed to him and stopped him from getting up.

Khushi: What are you doing?

Arnav: I'm bored of this bed Khushi. I just want to get fresh air. I will sit in the pool side for some time.

Khushi nodded yes and helped him to stand. She took his hand and made him circle around her shoulder, her arm snaked his waist without looking at him. Arnav was too lost in Khushi. Her touch on his waist had tickled his feelings. He just wanted to fly away taking her in his arms.... far away.... beyond the world. His heart has many more intentions which all can't describe. His pumping organ was becoming mad just because of her one mere touch. It won't understand even if he tries to control. It was beating faster. It jumped around Khushi day and night.

They came to pool side. Khushi made him sit on the chair. In that process her cheek touched with Arnav's. He jerked like ever before and looked at her bewilder. "That touch" made his stomach mix up as he felt the same SPONGY TOUCH which he felt in his dream.

To be continued....