Yeh Saath Kehlata Hain

First Meeting

"Yes Bauji, I'm leaving right now. No don't worry I also want to come with you for the meeting and then I'll just drive back to college. I'll see you there, Radhe Radhe". It was 4:30 AM and Veer quickly grabbed his jacket as he raced out his apartment. Veer was finishing his last classes as school was over in a week, Veer's father had his big yearly meeting with the finance department and Veer had offered to join his father. That meant there was a two and half hour ride to and from the meeting. Veer wasn't very interested in the family business but the past couple years had been difficult for the family, not in terms of business but personally. Veer had been trying to step up and help however he could, whenever he could. Veer drove in the early morning traffic when he could feel an headache coming on, he dismissed it thinking it was probably because of the traffic or lack of sleep as Veer had been running on 3,4,5 hours of sleep for the past couple weeks with finals and studying. After about an hour or so Veer's headache got worse and his stomach started hurting, Veer was only 40 mins away and he thought once he arrived he would feel better. He opened the window hoping the fresh air would help but the traffic horns and fast rush of wheels only seemed to make his headache worse, while Veer tried to pull through and just drive he had to pull over and stop the car. Veer pulled over and got out, suddenly it was difficult to breathe and he had to kneel over before he vomited. "Dammit" muttered Veer as he still struggled to breathe. Veer was running on an empty stomach but all the water he had earlier that morning was now on the side of the road. Veer sat for a few minutes before his father called "Where are you Veer" he asked. "Almost there Bauji, I'll be there in 30 mins" Veer said as calmly as he could, he didn't want to scare anyone.That was Veer's tendency, he never told anyone if he needed something or if he wasn't feeling well. Veer tried to keep his feelings to himself, not because he didn't want to tell anyone but rather he didn't want to burden others with matters that considered him, he tried to handle others matters himself so there was no way he was going to give his headaches to others. He was the responsible one, one who handled the issues not the one that created them. Veer got back in the car and started driving, a bit slower this time, 10 mins into the drive, Veer had to pull over again as he vomited again. As he sat knelt down with his hands on the asphalt he didnt know what was going on, Veer was motion sick but usually once he vomited he would feel better and he never got sick when he drove, only when he had to sit in the back which had been years since he last did. He was getting late for the meeting and still had a 20 min drive, Veer got up and despite not feeling well, drove and refused to stop any more times, once he entered the parking lot, he rinsed his face and gargled before entering the office building. Veer managed to sit through the meeting and get an understanding of how it works despite his pounding and dizzy headache. Veer's father asked if he was okay and he responded with his trademark "I'm fine, just a little tired". Truth was Veer was hardly ever tired, physical work never tired him, he enjoyed it, the only time his tiredness would show is when he laid in bed after a long hard day and his eyes closed instantly, other than that Veer would never complain about being tired, but when he didn't feel good or didn't want to talk about something he used his trademark reply. After what felt like ages, the meeting was over, Veer met everyone who were thoroughly impressed with him and after saying goodbye to his father Veer left for his apartment, he still had to finish some work and next week he would be moving back home. The drive back was even worse, Veer had to stop the car four times, each time he had to vomit and nothing came out except more watery liquid, his breathing was getting difficult too as if just sitting in the car knocked the oxygen out of his lungs, Veer had never felt this sick before, he had never gotten sick like this before, the world spun around his eyes as his headache pounded louder. Veer drove towards the city but pulled over as he saw the public park, they had benches and cement blocks by the lake that surrounded it and Veer needed to stop, he couldn't drive anymore he needed to stop. Veer pulled over and with weak legs took shaky steps towards the lake, it was unlike Veer to stop on the side of the road like this but if he tried driving to his apartment he was worried he might get into an accident and hurt someone else, he would rather lay on a bench until he catches his breath and feels better. There was an apartment building next to the lake and normally Veer would worry what someone would think if they saw him but right now his condition did not allow him to think normally. Veer knelt on his knees holding the cement brick for support as he tried to even his breathing as he rubbed his chest with the other hand. Veer was a mess, he sat like that for god knows how long until he heard a familiar voice, "Veer? Are you okay" Veer turned around as Bharti came and looked at him worriedly. Veer knew Bharti because of his friend Yash, Bharti and Yash were neighbors back home and now go to school in the same city, one time Bharti along with a few of her other friends had a few too many drinks at a party and Veer was the one to drop her back home safely after Yash called him drunk asking for his help. Veer recalled that she lived in the apartment complex next to the park. "I'm fine Bharti, maybe just a little car sick, I've been driving since early morning, I needed a break" Veer said as he waved his hand trying to brush the topic aside. "Sure you are, look at you Veer, you look very sick, I'm calling a doctor, come with me my apartment is right here" said Bharti as she grabbed her phone. "No, no doctor, I'm fine, really. I just need to rest a bit and I'll be fine after that" said Veer. He knew he was lying though, as Veer spoke it was getting difficult for him to both stand and speak, his eyes and vision was getting blurry as it faded in and out, Veer felt like he was going to pass out but held on. Bharti must have noticed it as well, because she quickly called someone. Veer didn't know who it was but the person was there in lightening speed, Veer felt someone hold his wrist while he sat with his head on his lap atop the cement brick. He felt a hand on his back and then it moved his hair as it tried to feel his forehead. The person mumbled something, "lets take him to our apartment, he needs to rest and not in the sunlight". Veer felt the person take his arm and put it around her shoulders as she helped him stand while she led him down the grassy field. She, Veer knew it was a she because through his hazy eyes he saw her wavy hair, her slim fingers which held onto his hand in hers as she supported him walking. Veer could barely stand and almost tripped over the ledge that led them down the walkway to the building, the girl put her hand on his chest, holding him from falling down on his face, Veer didnt know what it was about the girl but suddenly her presence allowed him to rest, it was as if he was holding on all this time first to attend the meeting and then to get to his apartment, Veer held on because he knew he couldn't just pass out, now for whatever reason Veer felt with this girl he could relax and whatever strength he held onto until that point he let go of and allowed the girl to hold him and lead the way. The girl held onto Veer firmly as Bharti opened the door to the apartment. "I have to leave Aarohi , are you sure you'll be able to take care of him? I mean I know your a medical student and all but are you sure" asked Bharti as she closed the door and turned on the lights. "No keep the lights off" said Aarohi "the lights will strain his eyes and cause even more of a headache. He seems really weak, traveling to the hospital and going through all the procedures might make it even worse. We'll see how he feels after he rests a bit otherwise I'll have to take him to the hospital. Its okay, I'll take care of it, you know him though right" she asked with a slight hesitation. Aarohi was a medical student and would never back away from helping someone sick but the thought of having a complete stranger in her apartment with her alone did have her thinking twice. "Oh yes, Veer is absolutely amazing, he's Yash's friend and a true gentlemen, you don't have to worry about him. He must be really sick because there's no way in the world you would find him alone with two girls anywhere, ever" Bharti accentuated, "he treats girls with utmost respect." she said. "Ok fine, here help me lay him down, your room must be a mess so help me take him to my room" said Aarohi as she and Bharti helped Veer sit down on the small bed in the middle of the small room. "Okay I'm running late, I'll be back in the evening, I have extra classes today." Aarohi waved back as she assessed the situation with the boy as Bharti left. Veer sat slumped against the bed's metal headboard. Veer was so drained he was half unconscious of what was going on. Aarohi took his vitals and checked his temperature. "Everything is normal except his blood pressure is a bit low, normal if he vomited which definitely looks like it based on how I found him outside." Aarohi opened one of his eyelid and then the other. "Hello" she said as she shock him, she needed to know if he vomited and if there was any blood he saw in the vomit. "Hello" she said again and Veer cracked open his eyes slightly, "did you vomit today" to which Veer nodded ever so slightly, "was there any blood that you saw" Veer shaked his head slowly before whispering slowly "No..just a lot of water". Aarohi let out a small breath, thank god there was no blood just water, she assumed he was dehydrated, weak and tired, the vomiting must have also upset his stomach. She held his shoulders and helped him lay down on the bed, she picked up his feet and put them on the bed after removing his shoes. She stopped and looked at him, she noticed the slight frown on his forehead as his eyebrows were scrunched together, probably from the entire situation he was in, there was an unusual calm about this boy if it weren't for those frowns, she wanted to wipe them away. There were also a few loose strands that fell on his forehead and Aarohi stopped herself from moving them, that wasn't part of his treatment she thought to herself.

She quickly went outside and brought back a tray of items. She wiped his face clean with some warm water, and helped him drink some water with electrolytes, glucose, sugar and lemon. He didnt want to drink the water but Aarohi told him it was important so he wouldn't be dehydrated and the electrolytes would help. A few minutes after having half a glass, Veer felt his stomach churn and tried to get up because he could feel the water come back out. Aarohi sensed this as she quickly grabbed the empty trash can and helped him as he vomited over the side of her bed, Aarohi sat next to him as she rubbed his back, hoping to help ease the situation. Aarohi then gave him some stomach medicine hoping to ease his stomach, that would prevent him from vomiting any further, but shortly after taking the red syrup he vomited that right out also. Aarohi gave him some water to gargle his mouth and figured it was best to just let him rest. His body was stressed from the driving and shock and the best was to just help it relax. "You need to rest, just lay still and let your body relax" said Aarohi as she wiped his face again. This time Veer opened his eyes slightly as he felt the wet cloth in her fingers before she wiped his face again with a dry cloth, he didn't know why but it seemed like the simple touch of hers was a medicine of its own better than anything else he could take. Aarohi helped him lay down again and removed his watch and hesitated as she looked at his belt around his waist. The belt could be applying pressure to his abdomen and especially since his stomach can't hold anything down there should be nothing pressing against to let it breathe and relax. Aarohi hesitated pulling back a few times, but then she reminded herself she was doing this as a doctor and there was nothing romantic or anything else about this and quickly fumbled with the belt while she pulled it out while looking the other way. She covered him with the blanket and turned on the fan and AC in the room to provide him with plenty of air. She applied some balm on his forehead, slightly massaging it hoping to help with his headache. As she was massaging his forehead she saw his eyebrows even out and saw the frown disappear, she smiled slightly feeling victorious she thought she heard something but when she looked back found him sleeping peacefully, the way his chest was moving up and down Aarohi could tell he was beginning to sleep and that he wouldn't be up well into the night or maybe even next morning. Aarohi shut the only windows shade and let him rest in the dark room with the AC and fan fanning him, she saw the strands caress his forehead where her fingers were just moments ago and watched him sleep peacefully for a few minutes before she walked out of the room. Aarohi might not have heard it but Veer had woken from his daze for a few seconds when she applied the balm, Veer had opened his eyes and saw the girl smile, it seemed as if the smile was worth all this turmoil he was going through, like the entire morning's pain was a difficult exam and her sitting next to him smiling was his result and he knew if she was next to him he'd go through it all again in a heartbeat. He felt her fingers on his forehead and despite not knowing who she was, it felt like she was someone to him, Veer could smell a slight sweet fragrance from her bed covers and he breathed in again deeper this time to get more of the smell, the smell helped calm his senses. Veer watched as the girl looked down at her lap while her fingers still touched his forehead, her forearm touching his chest lightly, it felt as if in that moment her touch coupled with her smile took away all the pain and sickness Veer felt, as if suddenly everything he was going through ended and after whispering a quite "Thank you.." Veer fell into a peaceful, soothing, much needed sleep.