• Eternal Night •

39

"Does it hurt?" asked Pinky as she applied the ointment on Shivaay's chest.

"Not really..." said Shivaay. "I am just sad that they shaved my chest hair. I was trying to grow it out. I had dreamed of going to Alaska and getting a twinning picture with a few grizzly bears."

"God I can't even slap you right now! It was easier in your childhood..." groaned Pinky.

"Well, if we are fair, a lot of things were easier in my childhood. Isn't it, Dadu?" grinned Shivaay and then eyed Rudra. "Except porn. That was only limited to playboy magazine. Now kids can stream it live."

"Shut up!" Kalyani yelled. "Humare samne toh na kar aisi baatein."

Shivaay laughed. "Says the woman with three kids but okay. Nahi karta."

"Shivaay!" Pinky scolded him. He only laughed harder.

"I am okay you guys!" he sighed. "Why are you sitting like that? Cheer up. I am trying so hard to make everyone laugh. But you guys are a bad audience. Be like those nurses. They are so nice."

Annika rolled her eyes. "They will laugh at everything, Shivaay. They laugh even when you snort. They are that smitten."

"Oh really?" Shivaay looked smug. "Am I good or what?"

Pinky shook her head. "Okay, enough now. You need to take rest, mister."

Shivaay sighed. "That's what I do all day long. I have even got Annika to give me a bath. Expensive room service wali. How much more can I rest?"

"Shivaay..." Pinky placed a hand on his cheek. "It wasn't a good day today and we all got a taste of what it is going to be like in the future. It's probably going to be worse. So, please. For everyone's sake, just rest as much as you can."

Not having the heart to argue with her, Shivaay nodded. "Okay boss."

"Good boy!" Pinky smiled and smooched his head. Then she got up. "We are going now. I will see you tomorrow. Okay?"

"Good night mama..." whispered Shivaay and Pinky hugged him. In a small voice, Shivaay said, "I love you so much."

Sucking in a breath, Pinky also spoke, "I love you more than you can imagine. You are my everything."

Kalyani leaned in. "Mine too."

Shivaay greedily held Kalyani's weathered hand for a bit longer before letting go. "Good night my favourite ladies."

Once everyone was out of the room, Annika moved near him. Cupping his face, she asked, "Now tell the truth. Is it really hurting?"

"No..." Shivaay shook his head. "It's not hurting. I will tell you if it does."

"Okay..." sighed Annika.

She averted her eyes and walked towards the washroom. She hurriedly splashed cold water on her face and then looked in the mirror. To her eyes, she looked different and not in a nice way. She dare not say that her eyes looked haunted. Frustrated, she bent down and splashed water again. This all was bullshit. Yes, her heart had almost stopped when she saw Shivaay in the emergency room today. But she was not going to lose it this easily. She owed at least that much to Shivaay.

With that thought in her head, she patted her face dry and walked out. Annika gazed at Shivaay and he already seemed like he had dozed off. Without making much noise, she tried to tuck him in his blanket when he groaned.

"What took you so long in the washroom?" he asked.

Smiling to herself, she sat down on the chair and ran a hand over his forehead. "Why are you awake?"

He smiled too. "Because you are."

Annika sneered. "Very charming. But I can remain awake unlike you. You, mister, need to sleep."

A dark brow rose up. "What if I don't want to?"

"Well," Annika squared her shoulders. "Too bad. You are exhausted and you will fall asleep soon."

"I will fight it..." Shivaay remarked. "I am used to staying awake for twenty hours straight. Let's talk. Or let's watch a movie."

"Shivaay!" Annika got up and straightened his blanket. "You used to stay awake when you weren't defibrillated a few hours ago. Okay? So please just sleep. We can do this tomorrow."

He sneered. "I am going to remember this. This statement is going to haunt you tomorrow."

Annika looked at his impish face and hurriedly switched off the light. She didn't know for long could she hold herself back. But still, her face split into the widest grin.

"Sure," she sighed. "I am okay with the haunting. But really, if you don't sleep now, I am going to haunt you."

"Oh, saucy..." Shivaay trailed of tiredly.

Annika wanted to comment on it but bit her tongue. She knew that if she said anything, Shivaay was going to keep talking. Ignoring him, she sat down on the couch and let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding. Annika placed her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. She could faintly feel her hands shake a little. She fisted them. Out of the blue, her eyes watered and her throat choked. And with it, came the visuals from the very eventful afternoon.

With a start, she opened her eyes and sat up straight. She had never ever felt this before. All these emotions, all these feelings that were rushing in her veins right now were so new and strange that she felt like she had been hit by a truck.

"You can talk with me you know..." Shivaay said groggily.

Annika's head snapped in his direction. Her shoulders fell. "Shivaay! Why are you still awake."

"It's not my fault. You are thrashing around on that couch and making noise..."

"Ugh," Annika rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry. I was just jogging on the spot."

Annika heard Shivaay splutter and she walked over to him. Switching on the small night light, she sat down on the bed and sighed. "Okay fine. I am also not able to sleep."

"Why?" Shivaay asked gruffly.

Annika looked at him and inhaled sharply. Admitting to her feelings didn't come easily to her but she had promised Shivaay that she was going to try. So she did. She said, "Because of this afternoon. I was scared."

Shivaay didn't say anything. He stared at her for a long time before stretching his hand out for her. "Do you want to hug me?"

Annika looked at the man and felt her heart do funny things again. But this time, they all were good. Shakily, she kept her hand on his. She slowly inched towards him and wrapped her hands around him. She felt his hands go around her and her body sagged in response. Closing her eyes, she kept her head on his shoulder. For the first time in months, she strangely felt at peace and dare she admit, deeply in love with him.