Chapter 30

It had been a week since they returned to Delhi, and things between Arjun and Banishree were...different. He had grown distant, almost as if a wall had been put up. He spoke when necessary, but the warmth, the teasing, even the anger—they all seemed to have been replaced with a cold professionalism. 

That morning, Banishree walked towards his study table, a cup of tea in her hands. She placed it on the table in front of him, watching as he typed away on his laptop, his eyes glued to the screen. 

"Tumhara admission ho gaya hai open university mein," he said without looking at her. "Aur tumhara dakhila bhi karwa diya hai acting aur dancing class mein." (Your admission to the open university is done, and I’ve also enrolled you in acting and dancing classes.) 

She stood there, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dupatta, waiting for him to say something more. 

"Roz university nahi jaana hai," he added. "Bas Wednesday aur Friday." (You don’t have to go every day, just Wednesday and Friday.) 

She nodded, staying quiet. 

"Kal doctor ke paas jaana hai," he continued. "Ready rehna." (We have to go to the doctor tomorrow. Be ready.) 

This time, she couldn’t hold back. "Aap humse aur kaahe baat nahi karte?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with hurt. (Why don’t you talk to me anymore?) 

He finally looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Aisa kuch nahi hai," he replied flatly. "I’m just busy with hospital stuff." (It’s nothing like that. I’m just busy with work.) 

She nodded, her chest tightening as she stood there for a moment longer, hoping he would say something. When he didn’t, she turned and walked to the bedside drawer, pulling out a strip of painkillers. 

"You have a headache?" he asked, his voice cutting through the silence. 

She nodded without turning to look at him, popped the pill in her mouth, and took a sip of water. Lying down on the bed, she closed her eyes, trying to will away the pounding in her head. 

A few minutes later, she felt hands on her forehead. Her eyes flew open, and there he was, sitting beside her, his hands gently massaging her temples. 

"Relax," he murmured, his voice softer now. 

She stared at him, her heart aching at how much she missed him. His fingers worked slowly, easing the tension in her head, but her eyes never left his face. For the first time in days, he was close, and though his face was stoic, his actions told her that somewhere, he still cared. 

"Doctor Babu…" she began, her voice breaking slightly. 

"Shh," he said, his fingers pausing for a moment. "Don’t talk right now. Just rest." 

She didn’t argue. For now, she let herself enjoy the moment of closeness.

---

A few days passed, and Arjun took Banishree to her doctor appointments diligently. The day of her surgery had arrived—Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery. While the procedure didn't involve high risks, Arjun couldn’t shake off the nervous energy he felt. 

In the hospital room, Banishree sat quietly on the bed, clutching the edge of the blanket. She watched Arjun pace near the window, pretending to be calm but failing miserably. 

"Shree," he said, turning to her, his voice firm but gentle, "Main OT mein rahunga jab tak surgery chal rahi hai. Tumhe kuch bhi tension lene ki zarurat nahi hai." (I’ll be in the operating room while the surgery is happening. You don’t need to worry about anything.) 

She nodded but didn’t say anything. Her hands trembled slightly as she fidgeted with her saree's hem. 

"Dar lag raha hai, Doctor Babu," she finally whispered, her voice barely audible. (I’m scared, Doctor Babu.) 

Arjun walked over and crouched down to her level. He took her hands in his, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "Darna natural hai, Shree. Par mujhe tum par pura bharosa hai. Aur doctors par bhi." (It’s natural to be scared, Shree. But I have complete faith in you. And in the doctors.) 

She looked into his eyes, searching for reassurance, and he held her gaze firmly. "Main yahan hoon." (I’m here. For you.) 

When the nurse arrived to wheel her into the operating room, Banishree clung to his hand. Arjun walked alongside her.

The surgery lasted over two hours. Arjun was inside the OT all the while. When the surgeon finally came out with a calm expression, Arjun shot to his feet. 

"Everything went well," the doctor said. "She’s in recovery now." 

Arjun exhaled deeply, relief flooding his face. He leaned back against the wall, running a hand over his face to steady himself. 

Four hours later, Banishree slowly opened her eyes in the hospital ward. The room was dim, with only the faint hum of machines breaking the silence. She blinked, her vision clearing to see Arjun sitting by her bedside. He was reading something on his phone, his brows furrowed in concentration. 

"Doctor Babu," she croaked, her voice dry. 

Arjun immediately looked up, setting the phone aside. "Shree," he said, leaning closer. "Kaisa lag raha hai?" (How are you feeling?) 

"Thoda kamzor, par theek," she murmured, trying to smile. (A bit weak, but okay.) 

Her mother-in-law entered just then, holding a thermos. "Beta, tum theek ho, yeh sunke dil ko sukoon mila," she said, sitting down beside her. (Dear, it’s a relief to hear you’re okay.) 

Banishree gave her a small smile and nodded, her eyes darting back to Arjun, who stood quietly by her side. 

As the family exchanged a few words, Arjun remained silent, his eyes observing every little change in Banishree’s expressions. When the others left to give her some rest, he sat back down beside her. 

"Doctor Babu," she said hesitantly, her voice still weak. 

"Haan, Shree?" he responded, looking at her. 

"Humne aapko bahut pareshan kiya na?" she asked, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. (I troubled you a lot, didn’t I?) 

Arjun sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Pareshan toh kiya," he said, his tone light but honest, "par ab uski baat nahi karte. Tumhe jaldi theek hona hai. Baaki baatein baad mein." (You did trouble me, but let’s not talk about that now. You need to get better first. We’ll discuss the rest later.) 

For the first time in days, Banishree smiled—a small, grateful smile that reached her tired eyes. 

Arjun leaned back in his chair, the tension in his shoulders finally easing as he saw her slowly drift back to sleep. For now, that was enough. 

A few days had passed since the surgery. That morning, as Banishree shifted uncomfortably in bed, she looked at Arjun hesitantly. 

"Hume aaj nahana hai," she mumbled, trying to push off the blanket. (I want to bathe today.) 

Arjun, who was busy organizing her medicines, turned to look at her. "Shree, abhi tumhare stitches theek se theek nahi hue hain. Abhi nahane ka sawal hi nahi uthta," he said firmly. (Shree, your stitches haven’t fully healed yet. There’s no question of bathing right now.) 

"Par Doctor Babu, itne din se nahaye nahi hain. Hum gande lag rahe hain. Badboo bhi aa rhi hai," she said, pouting slightly. (But Doctor Babu, I haven’t bathed in days. I feel so dirty. I am stinking as well.) 

Arjun sighed, a faint chuckle escaping his lips as he watched her sulk. "Tumhe kisne bola gandi lag rahi ho? Tum toh hamesha pyaari lagti ho," he teased, walking toward her. (Who said you look dirty? You always look adorable.) 

Banishree’s cheeks flushed. "Doctor Babu, mazaak mat kijiye. Hume sach me nahana hai," she said, fidgeting with the blanket. (Doctor Babu, don’t joke. I really need to bathe.) 

"Thik hai," Arjun said, giving in. "Par tumhare style mein nahi, mere style mein hoga." (Fine, but it will be my way, not yours.) 

He picked up a chair and carried it into the bathroom, making sure the floor was dry. Returning, he helped her stand and carried her toward the bathroom, ignoring her protests. 

"Doctor babu, hum khud chal sakte hain," she murmured shyly. (Doctor babu, I can walk myself.) 

"Shree, Chup raho aur baitho," he replied with mock authority, making her giggle softly. (Shree, Keep quiet and sit down.) 

He placed her on the chair and adjusted the showerhead, then rolled up his sleeves. "Tumhe bas relax karna hai," he said, his tone softening. (You just need to relax. I’ll take care of everything.) 

She was wearing a loose kurti and pajama, which made her look even smaller and more delicate. He took of her clothes. As he gently poured warm water over her hands and feet, he couldn’t help but chuckle at how serious she looked. 

"Kya hua? Kyun has rahe hain?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at him. (What happened? Why are you laughing?) 

"Tum itni cute ho, Shree," he said, ruffling her damp hair lightly. "Pata hai? Jab tum mujhse ladti ho tab bhi cute lagti ho." (You’re so cute, Shree. You know? Even when you fight with me, you look cute.) 

She glared at him half-heartedly, but her lips twitched into a small smile. "Aap bas jaldi kariye," she muttered, her ears turning red. (Just hurry up.) 

Once he was done washing her body neck down. He wrapped her in a clean towel and carried her back to the bed. 

"Ab fresh feel kar rahi ho?" he asked, sitting beside her. (Feeling fresh now?) 

"Bohot," she admitted with a smile. (A lot.) 

Arjun, brushing a strand of hair off her face. "Good.”

"Doctor Babu, aap ek bohot acche pita banenge," she said softly, looking at him with admiration as he adjusted her blanket. (Doctor Babu, you will make a very good father.)

Arjun paused for a moment, then smirked, leaning closer to her. "Woh toh hai," he said, his voice teasing, "par tum mujhe papa bana kab rahi ho?" (That’s true, but when are you making me a father?)

Her eyes widened, and her cheeks turned a deep shade of red. "Aap bhi na!" she exclaimed, turning her face away in embarrassment.

He couldn’t help but laugh at her flustered reaction, his deep chuckle filling the room.

She tried to maintain her composure, but his laughter was contagious. Soon enough, she gave in and started laughing too.

Their laughter filled the room, easing the tension of the past few days, as Arjun silently vowed to keep her smiling like this. The girl in front of him meant the whole world to him. And he couldn't quite tell when exactly she took in his heart as a prisoner.

**********************************
When exactly do you think Arjun fell for Shree?

I had a severe brain fog the past few days.

Vote and comment