The story is inspired by the fairy tale: The Sleeping Beauty- Disney Version.

Enjoy!

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A young man was walking towards the supermarket. It was late at night but he realised he was out of coffee, something he needed if he wanted to pull an all-nighter. His name is Veeranshu Singhania and he is the son of a business man, Balwant Singhania. Being the son of the owner made things easier for him but he also wanted to work hard to prove to everyone that he is not there just because of his dad. He wanted to prove that he deserved the place.

Veer bought the coffee and was heading back.

V: Aaj raat bhar jagna pade toh bhi, I will make the best presentation out there and win everyone over..

He had prepared the presentation well in advance but he kept going over and over to make it perfect. He was lost in his thought when he felt someone push him.

V: AREY!!

Veer fell on the side walk, the coffee jar broke and a small shred of glass tore the flesh of his palm. He hissed in pain and pulled it out. He turned at the person angrily.

V: You-

What he saw shocked him. A man had been driving drunk and was about to hit him when another man pushed him out the way. That man just saved his life! But now he was lying in the pool of his own blood.

V: Uncle!! Aap thik to hai? Meri wajah se....oh God! Please uncle..keep your eyes open.

He called the ambulance and had him rushed to hospital.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Doctor: Excuse me? Who are you to the patient?

V: Uh..I found him on the road. He actually saved me from getting hit.

Doctor: Since it is an accident, we'll have to inform the police. We cannot operate now..

V: Are you insane? You will wait when you can save a life?

D: Protocol sir..

V: Screw protocol!!

D: But sir...I am sorry. We cannot do this..

Veer grabbed his collar and pulled him close.

V: Listen here doc, and listen good. You will do your damn best to save that man. That is your job! The police will be informed and the case will proceed but you will not delay..

The doctor nodded and rushed inside.

A while later, a nurse came there.

Nurse: Sir, you are being called in.

V: Me? Why?

N: Aap chaliye jaldi..

Veer was on the door of the ward when the doctor kept a hand on his shoulders.

D: We tried our best. This man probably does not have much time. His organs are damaged and there is nothing we can do.

Veer felt sad and really guilty. He approached the man.

V: Sir?

Man: Beta....stop! mujhe tumhari ankho me guilt saaf dikha raha hai. Don't do this to yourself. It was my choice to save you..

V: Pr sir, agar mai nahi hota toh aap aaj aise nahi hote..

Man: Beta, jo likha tha vo ho raha hai...it is fate I guess..but, will you promise me something?

V: Anything sir, anything..

Man: I have a daughter. Promise me you'll take care of her...please...she is..she is weak at the moment.

Saying this the man breathed his last. Tears dropped out of his eyes and Veer promised the man.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Veer spoke to Balwant about the situation. Balwant felt indebted to this stranger and asked Veer to take care of his last wish. He postponed the presentation. Veer found out the man was Manjit Sharma. His only family was his daughter.

Veer had expected to find a young kid whose care he will have to take. What surprised him was that his daughter was twenty three. What surprised him even more was that she was in coma.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Veer performed the last rites of Manjit and rushed to the hospital where his daughter was kept. He enquired about her.

Doctor: Is ladki ka 7 mahine pehle accident hua tha. Tb se ye aise hi hai. She can breathe on her own but we have to take care of her glucose and excretion. We never know when she will wake up. Manjit was a business man in Dehradun but after his daughter's accident. He sold everything and collected a huge sum of money. Now he lives a very humble life here and puts every penny in her treatment. There is an account linked with us under her name and will probably pay for her for the next few years but we honestly don't think it is worth it. We don't see any improvement.

V: I- I don't know what to say. I would like to meet her.

The doctor called a nurse. She guided him to the room where Veer was kept. This was the first time Veer was going to see the girl he had heard about, the girl he had wronged and promised to take care of.

He opened the ward with shivering hands. He opened and walked towards the bed. He knew she would be in deep sleep but still he couldn't meet her eyes. He mustered up some courage and looked at her. He felt like someone had knocked all the air out of him! Pale face with a hint of pink, she had been sleeping and out of sunlight of a long while. Her lips were slightly chapped and her hair was a little matted but she still looked gorgeous. The most beautiful person he had even seen! He felt getting pulled towards her and thought she looked really peaceful.

V: Hi!

He said nervously and sat next to her.

V: You must be thinking who is this new voice? I am not your doctor if you are thinking that. My name is Veeranshu Singhania. I know you are Bani Sharma. I- how do I say this?

Veer told her the entire story of her father's demise and him promising to take care of her.

V: You cannot even hear me most probably but I had to tell this to you. I promise I will take good care of you.

He spoke to her for a while and left. What went unnoticed was a small trail of tears that began flowing shortly after he left.

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A week had passed by, Veer started to meet Bani daily. He spoke to her all about his day and told her random things in the world. Bani was stable but there wasn't much movement. A few days passed and Veer decided that maybe a change of environment will be better for her.

He decided to bring her home where he can take better care of her. He put her in the guest bedroom and hired a private nurse to take care of her while he wasn't home. His house staff was also instructed to treat her nicely and look out when he wasn't home.

Now, Bani became a part of Veer's everyday life. He would get up in the morning and wish her the new day. After getting fresh, he would read her the paper with his morning tea. He started to have all his meals in her room while talking to her. At night, he would tell her everything about his day and if he came across anything new.

Veer felt attached to her. Now, he started to skip going to clubs with his friends so that he could have night chats with Bani. He often slept on the couch in the guest room while speaking to her.

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One day, Chandrakala and Balwant came to visit Veer for dinner. Veer ate with them but they could see that his mind was somewhere else. After dinner, he rushed to Bani's room.

Ch: Isse kya hua?

Veer's cook: Maa'am, vo baba meal humesha Bani didi ke room me krte hai. Unse baat krte krte..

Veer's parents were surprised to hear this. They went to the guest room and saw Veer talking to Bani.

V: Hi! Sorry aaj late ho gaya na..maine dinner bhi tumhare sath nahi kiya, tumhe akele apna glucose pina pada...haha..(laughs dryly) vo mere parents aye they na isliye..accha abhi vo ghar pr hai...to mai unke saath baithta hoon...raat ko baat krenge..

Chandrakala and Balwant came into the hall before Veer could see them.

Ch: Balwant ji, mujhe humare bete ke liye dar lg raha hai...apne dekha na vo kaise us ladki se baaten kr raha hai...

B: Veer ki zimmedari hai vo ladki..aur agar vo usse attach ho gaya hai toh kya galat hai? Kya pata isme us upar wale ki koi marzi ho..

Ch: Aap samajh nahi rahe hai ek maa ki tension. Agr ye ladki kabhi nahi uthi toh? Agr isse kuch ho gaya toh? Jiski awaz nahi suni hai isne aaj tk, jiski ankhon ka rang nahi pata hai isse...usse itna lagav?

Balwant was about to answer when he saw Veer step out so he hushed his wife and spoke normally with Veer. They left to their mansion. Veer lived separate in his penthouse.

~~~~~~~~~~~

One day; Veer came home from his meeting.

V: Bani! I am home.

He loosened his tie and went to her room. He popped down on the chair.

V: Aaj ki meeting itni difficult thi na ki pucho hi mt...but mai bhi THE Veeranshu Singhania hoon... do minute me sbko line pr le aya...

He spoke about his day.

V: You know Bani, I am dying for the day when you'll talk and I will listen. The day when I learn something more about you, something other than your name..

Tears fell from his eyes and he bent over her. He pulled out the pouch from the bedside table and applied lotion of her hands and balm on her lips.

V: Skin care is important na..

Her skin was no more dry and chapped. Veer had googled self care ideas and made sure Bani was well cared for. He had also guided the nurse to bath her properly and wash her hair nicely. He got a range of products too. He made sure that her care was taken as if she was up and moving.

His finger lingered over her lips as he applied the balm.

V: whispers: Bani....

He leaned over her, as if by a pull known only to the gods and their lips met.

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BANI'S POV

My eyes were shut. They have been shut for a while now. This guy- Veeranshu was talking to me. He has been doing so for a long time now. I remember the day he came and told me my dad died. He blamed himself. I was sad but I also understood it wasn't his fault.

Hearing him talk since so many days had made me feel very close to him- like I knew him. He is a good man. Always so sweet. He pampered me- even when I was a girl in comatose state.

Don't get me started on his voice! It was so rich. Like melted chocolate. I itched to see the face it belonged to.

And, thank god he thought of my chapped lips. They irritated me. But right now, I was feeling something soft peck them. This is so strange. I often heard people, I wanted to respond and couldn't but this is the first time I am also feeling something. I was feeling warm and mushy. I wanted to respond to badly.

I willed all my energy towards the softness on my lips and began kissing back.

BANI'S POV ENDS

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Veer stilled when he felt Bani's lips move against his. He backed away surprised. He thought he imagined it but when he saw Bani open her dark brown orbs, he actually cried tears of joy.

B: Hi

Her voice was rough as it had not been used for a long while now but to Veer, it was more melodious than anything he had ever heard. He smiled broadly and got her a glass of water. Bani took small sip and struggled to sit.

V: Aram se! ....wow...

He was shocked. Bani thought he was cute, looking at her like she was a dinosaur, something he had unexpected to see. She giggled. Veer thought it was cute and smiled. He called the doctors and they were also shocked.

V: Chalo Bani, hospital chalo...pehle tumhara check up ho jaye.. mtlb..oh shit! Tum to shocked hogi...mai batata hoon..mai V-

B: Tum Veer ho, Veeranshu Singhania. Ye tumhara ghar hai...sb pata hai mujhe..

V: Sb?

B: Haan..And I don't blame you, so vo mt sochna..pr pehle mujhe kuch khane ko do na...bhook bhi lgi hai aur itne time se ye glucose intake hi hua hai bs..

Veer complied and consulted the doctor. They okayed a light soup for her. Veer's cook prepared it for her and Veer fed this to her.

V: (in mind: Itne mahine kitni baat ki hai isse...ab mu se awaz hi nahi nikal rahi hai...)

B: (in mind: jitni acchi awaz hai, usse kahi zyada accha ye khud dikhta hai...pr ab ye kuch bol kyu nahi raha?)

V: Chale?

B: hmmm

They went to the hospital. They did some checkups.

Doctor: Mr. Singhania, Miss Sharma, I must say this is magical. I have never seen someone wake up after so many months and that too this fine. Everything looks good but kuch dino tk dhyan rakhna hoga..aur haan..kuch aur tests or regular checkups krne honge..

They understood everything. After this, Veer took her to see her father's grave. He supported her when she got emotional and took her back home. The cook had prepared light meal for her as well.

B: Thank you everything Veeranshu. Pr ab mai tumpr aur burden nahi banna chahti...mai ..mai Dehradun ..

Bani suddenly stopped when she heard the chair fall. Veer had gotten up with a start and left the dining hall.

B: Vee-

The cook came forth and stopped Bani from following Veer into the balcony. She told her everything about Veer's feelings. Truth is Bani also felt something, hearing him talk and take care of her for so long but she did not want to over impose. She went into the balcony.

~~~~~~~~~~~

B: Veer?

Veer turned and wiped his tear.

V: Sorry Bani...vo tum keh rahi thi naa..

Bani rushed into his arms and hugged him.

B: Sorry Veer...vo mai tumpr over-impose nahi krna chahti thi..

She told him her feelings.

V: Bani!! Please...itne time se iss din ka wait kiya ki kb tum bologi aur mai sunuga...tum mujhe kabhi over impose nahi krogi..

Vani talked for a while before Veer made her take her medicines and sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~

A month later, Vani stepped out of the hospital after collecting her last report and attending her last check up. Bani also met Veer's family and understood how much Veer felt for her. Chandrakala was over the moon knowing the woman who held his son's heart was all fit and fine. It pained her heart to see her son suffer.

Vani also became insanely close during this time. As Veer said, he became a silent listener and let Bani unveil all about herself. They had deep conversations and some fun and light ones. Veer took her to dinner to celebrate after her health was completely approved by doctors. He proposed her to be his girlfriend.

Bani was overjoyed and agreed. Bani was also training to be a professor when the accident happened. She rejoined an institute in Mumbai and an year later, she was hired as a professor in a reputed college. She was supposed to join in after two months.

Vani got married in that duration. It was a fun ceremony with close family and few friends. Veer took her to Bora Bora islands for honeymoon. When they came to India, Bani took him to Dehradun where they lived for a month. Veer saw all her childhood places.

Once her job started, they came back to Mumbai. Veer got busy in his company and Bani in her job but they always made plenty of time for each other. Their life was filled with love and care. A few years later they welcomed their daughter- Shivani into their life. A couple years later- they welcomed another daughter Vanika into their lives.

The four lived happily ever after.

~~~~~fin~~~~~~

I know it was supposed to be the wrong sister but I saw this story sitting half-baked in my drafts and published this instead. I made it a long update. 2700+ words!

Bye!

See you on next update.
Loads of love
♡♡♡