"Waath da fock?" Shivaay let out a ragged breath when he saw the words scribbled on the paper.
The Doctor had suggested some light writing practice to Shivaay to improve his muscle coordination. Shivaay had expected to see simple words or alphabets or shapes on the papers. Not 'Billu loves Annika' written in bold. That too in terrible handwriting.
Om, Gauri and Rudra burst out laughing much to his utter dismay. Shivaay let the pencil fall from his fingers and fell back on the pillows. He tried to scold them, "Am...not...wariting on taath!"
His angry face made them laugh harder. Rudra hooted with laughter and collapsed on Shivaay bed. Holding Shivaay by his waist, he laughed until tears sprang in his eyes. Om hid his face with Gauri's hair and laughed so much that he began to cough.
Clicking his tongue, Shivaay turned to look at Annika. He didn't speak but his face was enough to tell her that he was complaining about his siblings to her. Suppressing her own laughter, she mock glared at them.
Hands on her hips, Annika chided them. "What's wrong with you guys? Why did you write this?"
Shivaay slowly repeated her. "Yeah. Wai?"
"Arre but..." Rudra tried to speak between his giggles.
Annika didn't let him. She quipped. "It's been so many years now. You should know that it's Shri Shri Baaghad Billu Maharaj jee and not just Billu. You guys are so uncultured! Unbelievable."
This time around, there was not just laughter but an explosion of laughter. Seeing Shivaay's red face, Annika also fell down on Shivaay's bed and laughed to her heart's content. So much so that a nurse walked in the room and scolded them to keep their volume down.
Irritated, Shivaay slapped the paper away. Annika chuckled at seeing that. She had missed him so much. It wasn't describable in words. She moved closer to him and took his face in her hands. In a swift move, she captured his lips. Shivaay was so taken aback by the sudden move that he didn't even close his eyes and just stared at the woman kissing him passionately.
"I missed you too much baby..." Annika confessed in a loving voice. "And you know what? I am never taking our time together for granted."
Annika wasn't lying. It was something she had decided. She was no longer going to shy away from showing him her love. Neither was she going to hide her feelings. If they could fight in front of everyone, they could show love for each other in front of everyone too.
Shivaay's earlier annoyance melted away and he smiled at her. He slowly laced his fingers with her and said, "I miszed you too."
With a huge smile, Annika placed a hand on his heaving chest and leaned in for a quick peck again. After all, she had to utilize the free time before they put him on oxygen again.
Shivaay looked at his brothers and mused, "I didn't kno taath mai hart issu can traanform Annika into romanthik. I am sirprised."
Not knowing what to say to that lie, Om and Rudra remained quiet. They had no idea how long were they going to make Shivaay think that he was in the hospital because of a heart issue. Gauri saw their guilty faces and took it upon herself to salvage the situation. She laughed, "Arre Bhaiya, enjoy it while it lasts. And don't worry. We didn't see anything. Definitely not the tongues."
"Yaar..." Shivaay's cheeks turned crimson. He looked away as Annika chuckled again. She truly didn't mind the leg pulling.
Annika was plotting another plan of heckling Shivaay but the Doctor walked in the room. He greeted everyone. Then he asked Shivaay, "How are we doing?"
