The Other Half

Chapter 5

(Delhi: Bad Reaction, Good Reaction)

Anjali was frustrated with her husband. The one thing she desperately wanted, to find that girl, Shyam was against it. To him, it seemed like a crush. But Anjali knew that her brother had taken a liking to the girl who fell in his arms.

She was about to call him when she heard him whistling again while watering his plants. Anjali knew this was not love. No, this was attraction that had good odds to turn into love. She must find this girl. The one who took her Chhote's breath away.

He turned and looked at Anjali. Smiling, he came near the french door. For a split second, Anjali thought he was going to speak. The next, he yelled.

With a resounding 'No' from his lips, her Chhote fell down like a lump.

"Akash!" Anjali screamed. "Shyamji! Chhote behosh ho gaye hain! Akash!Shyamji!" (Chhote has fainted)

The men came running at her cries. The women convened in Arnav's room, as well.

"Inki pulse thik hai," Shyam checked his brother-in-law smoothly. "Khana bhi abhi khaya hai humare saath." (His pulse is good. He ate with us a while ago, too.)

"Chhote. Aankhen kholo Chhote!" (Open your eyes!)

"Maine doctor ko call kar diya hai Di. Wo aa rahe hain." (I've called the doctor, Di. She's on her way.)

"Akash, Chhote aankhen nahi khol rhe hain. Shakkar, haan tum shakkar le kar aao." (Akash, Chhote's not opening his eyes. Sugar, yes get him something sweet.)

Akash waited a second and left. He came back with a piece of mithai. "Lijiye, Di." (Here)

Anjali fed Arnav but he wasn't in a state to gulp down anything. He was asleep, it seemed. He was not even trying to wake up.

After a few minutes, only Anjali, Akash and Shyam remained by Arnav's side. He stirred catching everyone's attention.

"Chhote? Tum thik ho?" (Are you okay?)

He nodded.

"Tumne to humein dara hi diya. Meetha bhi nahi khaya." (You gave us such a scare. Didn't even have sweet when I tried.)

Arnav looked down at the uneaten sweet. He took it in his hand.

"Ab zarurat nahi hai. Doctor aa rhe hain, glucose check karenge tab hi milega. Tum khaana skip kar rhe ho kya?" (It's not needed now. The doctor is coming. You'll eat this after your glucose level check. Have you been skipping meals?)

"What? Fuck!" Arnav sounded weird. He closed his eyes and went limp again.

(Mumbai: Control)

"How do I do this?" Advay gritted his teeth.

"Take a deep breath," Payal instructed, but it was Khushi's voice. "Khushi, leave." The voice was Payal's.  "Yeah, yeah. But I found that stone."

"Well done genius. Now get out before I give my best friend's family a cardiac arrest."

"I'm sorry Dev." Khushi left but her words worked like magic.

Advay relaxed and opened his eyes. Black brown eyes that Payal adored.

"Thank God you're back!" Payal jumped to Advay and hugged him in happiness, not caring who saw. "Advay, you gave me such a fright. Why didn't you let go of my hand, you stupid man!" She punched his shoulder.

"You knew this would happen?" Advay narrowed  his eyes.

"When I saw the stone, yes. I tried but you wouldn't let go."