Relationship Status - It's complicated

Chapter 7 - Is she hurt bad

Shiv

She was all wounded and her hands were scraped too with mud on them

"What happened Anjali?" I was really concerned if she needed a doctor. 

"Chain snatchers. They snatched my gold chain." She scoffed and I noticed a gash on her neck.

"Oh! they were on that bike ?"

"Yes" she replied suddenly covering her exposed neck with a dupatta and I averted my gaze from her. I mentally scolded myself for making her uncomfortable.

"I guess their actions startled you and you fell on the ground" I said lowering my head. 

She just hummed in reply.

"Anjali, which apartment do you live in? I will drop you. "

"Thanks Shiv, I will call my mother. I need help walking."

"Ok ok. Here is your phone. It's alright, I understand" Understanding her plight wasn't difficult, I was still a stranger to her. 

**********

Anjali leaned on her mother for support walking while I walked beside the two ladies and we were soon in their apartment. Anjali's father asked me to sit down in the living room while Anjali and her mother went inside the room.

"Thank you Shiv beta for helping my daughter." Uncle spoke to me.

"Uncle, I really didn't do anything. Don't embarrass me" I really had done nothing. Infact, I felt guilty now. She had come right outside the gate as she had instantly realized she was missing her phone but I had speeded away. The chain snatchers had taken advantage of the silence of the night on the road and snatched her chain and further pushed her making her fall on her face. Nothing could have happened once she was inside the gates though. 

"No beta. You have helped her last time in the rains and today again you have helped her. Thank you so much. "

"Uncle, please. Take care of your self and I will see myself out. Please also ask Anjali to take care. She must be getting her wounds dressed up. I will leave now."

"Sorry, we didn't offer you anything. Why don't you stay for a little while. Mohini must be done dressing Anjali's wounds. She will be out soon and we can have some tea."

"No Uncle. Don't be so formal. It's getting late and I will leave now."

"Ok Beta. Drive safely."

"Good night uncle."

"Good night beta."

******************

I had to collect a package from a wholesaler as a test package for our new export line. Instead, I drove straight back home. It was getting late and I thought I will inform Harshit that he should collect it in the morning. Seeing Anjali so vulnerable had crushed my a heart. Thankfully, it was just chain snatchers, my mind had played various scenarios in my head until she mentioned chain snatchers and those scenarios definitely involved eve teasing or more severe like kidnapping attempt for all the wrong reasons. 

It was well after 11 pm when I opened the door using my set of home keys thinking everybody would already be in bed. However, Riya and Harshit were seated on the sofa watching TV while Shivani brought out a tray with glasses of milk and chocolate chip cookies.  

"Bhai, you are so late." Harshit spoke to me, his face still turned to the TV. He was watching a cartoon movie with Riya. 

I put the keys on the key holder, removed my shoes and put them on the shoe rack while heading inside "How is Riya still awake ?"