When You LOVED Me...

59.

*Unedited*

Mia exhaled when she heard that Meera Aunty was fine.

Releif washed over her. It was two days now. She was started to get worried. She stayed at a hotel nearby the hospital because she didn't want to leave Meera Ma alone more than necessary.

Whenever, Arnav and she was together in the hospital, only one question ran through her mind, "What is off with him?". Because she was certain something was not right. But there wasn't enough time to dwell on it.

Mr. Keshav Rathore also didn't came to see his wife. Arnav reasons was that he was also busy. Alarm bells were off in her head. But she didn't want to do something reckless. So she waited for a miracle to happen and Meera Ma to recover.

She knew that the ordeal was not so simple as Arnav was making it to be. And this awful truth had her stomach in knots. Aaron had trying contacting to her. And she had called him off by messaging fhat she was occupied by some work.

She decided that she was not going to tell Aaron yet, til she know the truth about what happened. And for that she has to stay with Meera Ma so that she could tell the truth herself. She wasn't sure how she was going about this. But she had to try.

When doctor gave them heads up to visit her, Arnav first went in and then her. Meera Ma's eyes widened upon seeing Arnav or maybe her but she composed herself soon enough.

Arnav went to her and hugged her slowly. Mia can witness both their eyes getting wet, Meera Ma was looking very pale and fragile hooked to the machines and she had a thick bandage wrapped around her head and her arm. She must have other injuries due to her fall.

After the duo broke their hug, Mia went to her Ma and asked, "Mom, how are you feeling?"

Meera Ma smiled or at least tried to, "Much better after seeing you here." Her voice was rasped.

"Mom, you will be well, soon." Aaron whispered from beside her. And Meera Ma just smiled at him, her eyes held a strange kind of sadness.

"I will be son, don't worry." Meera Ma said and then we let her rest, because doctor has advised not to stress her much by talking with her.

A few days passed and Mia stayed at the hospital taking care of her mother-in-law. She also went to their home in Mumbai because Arnav insisted that she couldn't just stay at hotel for that long. She hadn't talked to Aaron and only messaged him all this time, completely omitting the facts about the real situation.

Finally, when Meera Ma started to look and feel better, Mia decided to ask her how did she fell down the stairs.

They were sitting in the hospital room and Arnav had just gone to do some business.

Meera Ma didn't replied instantly which only succeeded to strengthen her suspicion. But eventually she smiled and replied, "I am getting old beta,and I wasn't very careful about where I am going."

She wasn't satisfied with this vague answer but what was she expecting. She didn't want to stress her by pushing her. Ironic.

"Ma, I haven't told Aaron about this and I don't know what to do?" She voiced her concern.

"I know, but don't let any lie come between you two. You should tell him, but please don't let him worry. He already has so much on his platter as of now." After saying that she sent Mia away to call Aaron.

Mia was forming the words carefully in her head. Before she dialled Aaron's number.

He picked up on third ring.

"Hey Beautiful."

Mia felt a lump forming in her throat upon hearing his voice. She wasn't processing completely what was happening with her last few days but it seems like talking to Aaron would be her undoing.

"Aaron." She said in a throaty voice. Before clearing her throat and asking him, "How are you?"

"You know the answer." Was his reply. And she knew. It was always some cheeky answer. Along the lines that he miss her or how could he be fine without her.

"Aaron, I have to tell you something." She get soberly.

"I am listening." He replied in a tone more sincere.

"First of all, don't get panicked and let me complete." He said nothing to that so Mia continued,
"I am in Mumbai with Ma. Arnav had called Me. Mom had gotten into an accident. She had fallen down the stairs. Arnav had admitted her in the hospital and she is fine now. She is with me and Arnav and she is safe."

Long breathe of silence followed. Before Aaron asked, "Where is Ma now, Is she still in the hospital?" He tried to sound composed but Mia can still hear an underlying panick in his voice.

"Yes, but she is going to get discharged within two days. I wanted to tell you but I don't want you to worry, neither do Arnav or Mom." She replied.

"I don't know how will I trust you, if you just continue lying to me. To add it all, its about My Mother's accident." He was angry. But Mia's heart broke listening to his words and she knew she was to blame for that.

"I am sorry. I wanted to tell-"

"Can I talk to my mother, Can I see her now?" He said cutting her in the middle.

"Yes, just give me second." She cut the call as tears stream down her cheeks. They were a combination of the stress she was in and the disaster she made by not talking to Aaron before.

She wiped her tears and went into the room where Meera Ma was. She told her that Aaron want to talk to her. Meera Ma agreed just as her phone rang and Mia gave the phone to her and tried to leave her alone but Meera Ma stopped her so she sat on the chair beside Meera Ma as she accepted the video call. She still has bandages from the injuries, but she had strength enough that she can chat for longer periods of time, if it was not a stressful talk.

She can't see Aaron and also Aaron couldn't see her.
But she listened to their conversation as Aaron asked her mother about her well-being and Meera Ma assured him again and again that she was okay and we were taking good care of her. She also advised Aaron to not confront Arnav about him not telling about the accident as it was only a little mishap and he didn't want to make everybody worried. She also added that she was glad that Arnav called Me and not other person and it suggest that he was trusting her which was very new for Arnav himself. Ma also said that he didn't need to come to see her. And Aaron agreed to that also because he didn't want to stress her by defying her instantly but he was planning to send a team of nurses and doctors to take good care of her mother.
At last, they said their goodbye as Ma was getting tired and she gave Mia the phone to continue the call.

But it was disconnected even before Mia can see Aaron's face.

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Hey guys.

How are you?

My exams are over. And thank you for being patient with the updates.

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Love,
Kai_po_che!

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