The Other Half

Chapter 14

(Vashishth House: Testing... 1, 2, 3!)

Chandani was heading to talk to her father. It was her habit to sit with him for sometime between breakfast and lunch. Just talking about her day or some memories. And sometimes his eyes would brim with recognition and she was content in that.

She was about to open the doors when she heard a voice call out her name. An unfamiliar voice.

She turned around and scanned both hallways that connected at this end. Not a soul was around.

She heard it again. Someone was shouting her name. She ran to the landing to realize it was coming from the study. Hurriedly, she got down and burst in through the door, Shilpa following her.

The scene brought her heart to a stop. Khushi was lying faint on the sofa. "What happened here?" She asked the associate.

"I don't know. She was talking about feeling dizzy."

"Move over." Chandani ordered. "Shilpa, get some water, and ORS if you have it."

Shilpa left immediately.

"Khushi? Can you hear me?"

"I have tried a lot. She's just not waking up. It's why I called the first name I remembered." The associate supplied.

Chandani nodded. When did I give him my name? She patted Khushi's cheek. "Khushi, wake up! She was with her manager all morning. Has she eaten?" She asked the associate.

He looked surprised. "I don't know." Suddenly, he went extremely still.

"Are you alright?"

No answer.

"Advay?"

Suddenly,  Khushi stirred. "Dev..." She whispered.

Chandani smiled. Did Khushi want some strength? "Where's her purse?"

Advay pointed to a bag on the table.

Chandani grabbed it and opened it. Sitting inside, between the multiple slots, was her stone. She quickly got it out and went to Khushi. She kept the stone in Khushi's palm and let her fingers wrap around them. Then she wrapped her own fingers over them. "It's fine Khushi. You're fine."

Khushi's eyes fluttered open.

"Didn't you eat anything after those toasts this morning?"

"Oh." Khushi said.

"Your mother is right to worry about you." Chandani scolded her. "I'll make you something now." Movement at the door distracted her. "Shilpa, there you are. Hand me that glass."

Advay propped Khushi up and Chandani made her drink the ORS water. Khushi made a face when she realized what it was.

"Just to be sure that this doesn't happen again." Chandani answered Khushi's unasked question. "Or we might have to change our plans. You do want to go to Kumbh, right?" Chandani teased.

Khushi nodded.

"Advay, please take care of her. I'll be back with something to eat for her. For you guys as well." She looked around realizing her third guest was missing. "Did your other colleague leave?"

"He just-"

"Got lost finding the washroom. Murli is new, is it?" the other man, the one she had met this morning, was at the door.

"He is. Started today only." Chandani answered. "Shilpa, show Murli around properly. Who knows when Parth's mother will be back to normal, he might be here longer than expected."