Meetha sa Ruhani ISHQ (Sequel)

195. Neil's nightmare

She was changing the handkerchief on his forehead when suddenly Neil got restless and moved his face side to side in sleep.

Mini: (keeping her hand on his cheek and neck) Bukhaar to itna nahi hai... Achanak kya hua?

Mini was confused about what happened all of a sudden when Neil's face got tensed lines.

Neil: Mini... Mini... Kahan ho tum?.... Mini?...

His fists clenched on the blanket and his body stiffened. His hands started to shiver a bit.

She realised he is having a nightmare maybe. She held his hands and slowly rubbed on the dorsal side of his hands.

Mini: Neil... Neil main yaheen hu... Relax...

Neil still was stiffening his body and his breaths were getting slower with his deepening frown of worry on his forehead. He started sweating also. He inhaled his next heavy breath but it got stuck and he couldn't breath out. Mini got worried and immediately patted on his cheek. 

Mini: Neil... Neil main hu tumhare saath... Calm down... Breath out....

Neil: M..Mini... (breathed out slowly)

Mini: (caressing his cheek) Main hu... yaheen hu... tumhare paas hu... I am here with you....

His shivering hands also calmed down. Mini bent closer to his face and dabbed her dupatta on his face and neck, wiping off his sweat. She slid her palm on his face to relax him and saw his frown lightened.

Mini: Yeah like this... calmly.... tumhari Mini hamesha hai tumhare saath Neil...

His stiffened body relaxed too eventually as she ran her fingers through his hair.

Neil slowly opened his eyes and saw Mini's face close to his. He couldn't see anything else than her face because of waking up just now.

Neil: (keeping his hand on her cheek) Mini tum theek ho na?

Mini: (patting on his head) Main bilkul theek hu Neil.... I am perfectly fine.... With you... I am with you.... always.

Neil looked around, realised it was a nightmare and left a deep sigh.

Mini: Phir koi bura sapna dekha tumne?

Neil nodded.

Mini: (to comfort him) Dekho iss baar subah nahi hai... Kuch nahi hoga....

Neil was looking at her, staring blankly. He sat up and his hands were still clutching and loosening his grip on the blanket.

Mini: (keeping her hand on his shoulder) Neil... tum theek ho na?

Neil now lowered down his gaze as his eyes got teary and his breath again stuck but he breathed in slowly.

Mini was noticing his every move and understood there is something which is troubling him and he's still stuck in the nightmare phase.

But then Neil closing his eyes took a deep breath and while opening his eyes again, raised his head to look at her. Just as Mini looked into his teary eyes, he enveloped his arms around her.

Mini: (caressing his back) Relax.... Main hu tumhare saath...

Neil cried out, holding her tighter and Mini was confused seeing him breaking down in tears. He sobbed hard and his breaths fluctuated.

Mini: (swaying her hands on his back) Neil?... Kya hua?... Kuch baat hai?

Neil closed his eyes tightly and took deep breaths to calm himself.

Mini: (worriedly) Neil!... Relax yaar.... Everything is fine....

Neil: Hmm...

Mini tried to part and look at him but he tightened his hold and rested his head on hers, she felt as if he's covering her protectively.