Arnav's eyes were fixed on the clock. At eleven, he excused himself from the meeting.
"Hello, Payal. How is she?"
"Theek hai. Jaise ek ghante pehle thi. Dadiji ke saath baithi hai. Use phone de dein?" [She's fine. Just as she was an hour ago. She is sitting with Dadiji. Shall I give her the phone?]
"Nahi, theek hai. Koi baat nahi. Kuch chahiye toh phone kar dena." [No, It's okay. Call me if you need anything]
As he turned to go back into the conference room, Arnav bumped into Aman. He must have looked irritated because the latter immediately launched into an apology.
"I'm so sorry, sir. I tried my best to postpone this meeting but the clients are leaving the city tomorrow, so it couldn't be changed. I know you wanted to be with Khushi bhabhi.
"Back to work." Arnav brushed him off, flustered.
--
"Haan, Arnavji, Khushi ne khaana kha liya. Davai bhi le li. Woh yahi pe hai, aap khud usse baat kar lijiye." [Yes, Arnavji, Khushi had lunch and her medicines. You talk her yourself. She is right here.]
"Uh, no, that's alright. Meri meeting hai. Bye." [Uh, no, that's alright. I have a meeting. Bye.]
Khushi was staring at Payal.
"Subah se chaar baar phone kar chuke hai," [He has called four times since the morning] Payal explained laughing at her sister's surprise.
"Par kyun?" [But why?] Khushi asked.
"Kya Khushi, tum bhi! Unhe chinta ho rahi hogi. Akash bata rahe the ki woh toh office jaana bhi nahi chahte the." [Really Khushi! He is worried about you. Akash was saying, he didn't even want to go to the office at all]
"Achha..." [Okay] Khushi said, voice fading out as she drowned in the questions that flooded her mind. Kya ho gaya hai Arnavji ko?
--
As the week went by, Khushi's confusion at Arnav's care and concern got worse. She couldn't understand his motivations. She decided to distract herself by helping Anjali prepare for the baby.
They were working on the nursery. Jai Prakash and Om Prakash were changing the curtains and Anjali was putting up posters on the wall. Khushi had been instructed to stay on the bed and not exert herself. Anjali walked to the table under the window to get some tape.
"Di!" Khushi shouted, jumping up and pulling Anjali forward, away from the falling curtain rod. But she wasn't fast enough to save herself. The metal rod hit her head, causing her old wound to bleed.
Arnav, passing through the corridor, heard Anjali scream and rushed into the room.
"Di, aap theek hai na? Aapko lagi toh nahi?" [Di, are you alright? You didn't get hurt, did you?] Khushi was asking. Anjali looked at her in awe.
"Khushiji, aap yeh hume kaise pooch sakti hai? Lagi toh aapko hai. Aap baithiye." [Khushiji, how can you ask me this? You're the one that got hurt. You should sit.]
"What happened?" Arnav ran to Khushi's side as Anjali explained. He lifted Khushi into his arms and took her to their room.
--
In their room, Arnav dashed to get the first aid box and check Khushi's stitches.
Khushi felt uncomfortable with his proximity and didn't want him to go out of his way for her anymore.
"Rehne dijiye, Arnavji, hum theek hai. Hum jiji se pooch lenge, woh patti kar degi." [Let it be, Arnavji, I'm fine. I'll ask jiji, she'll redo the dressing.]
Arnav just glared at her not thinking it was worth a response. His priority was making sure that she was okay.
Arnav removed the blood stained bandage. Khushi winced in pain, her hands clutched at his shoulder.
"Dard hua? Sorry." Arnav asked. [It hurt? Sorry.]
Khushi withdrew her hands, looking anywhere but at his face. "Nahi toh" [Nope.] Arnav smiled to himself and continued.
--
"Khushiji, ab aap kaisi hai?" [How are you feeling now] Anjali asked.
"Hum theek hai, Di." [I am fine, Di] Khushi smiled. "Arey, jiji," she said, seeing her sister walk into the room, "Tum khaana upar kyun le aayi? Hum neeche hi aa jaate." [Why did you bring the lunch here? I would have come downstairs.]
"Nahi, Khushi. Tumhe araam karna chahiye." Payal said as she went back downstairs. [No, Khushi. You should rest.]
"Haan, Khushiji. Aapne aaj hamare liye jo kiya, hum aapko..." [Yes, Khushiji. What you did for me today, I don't...]
"Nahi, Di," Khushi said, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on her arm, "Hum aapko chot kaise pahunche de sakte the? Hum bilkul theek hai! Aap hamari chinta mat kijiye aur khud ka khyal rakhiye."
[No, Di. How could I let you get hurt? I am absolutely fine! Don't worry about you and take care of yourself.]
Anjali smiled. "Theek hai, Khushiji. Chhote!" [Okay Khushiji, Chhote] She called to Arnav on her way out. He was watering his plants by the poolside, "Khushiji ko khaana khila dena. Main janti hoon aaj woh bahut thak gayi hai." [Please feed Khushiji. I know she over-exerted herself today.]
"Di!" Khushi protested, "uski koi zarurat nahi hai. Hum—"
[Di! That's not necessary. I—]
She was interrupted as Arnav walked back in and sat next to her, plate in hand. He took a spoonful of dal and rice and fed her. Khushi was unable to fight it due to her shock and current lack of energy. Luckily, she was saved by his ever demanding phone as it interrupted the meal with a loud ring.
Arnav stepped out to take the call. Shyam took advantage of Arnav's absence and slipped into Khushi's room.
YOU ARE READING
Tu Safar Mera (Completed)
FanfictionA rewrite of the show IPKKND. Arnav was not kidnapped from the airport. How does Khushi try to prove her innocence? How does Arnav find out the truth? Sidenote: Shyam is still horrible but doesn't stick around for too long. The purpose of the story...
