THE BLOOMING OF LOVE BETWEEN FORCED MARRIAGE

23. After-Effects of Attack

Rutuja was pacing the house all night it was about 4 am at the moment. She decided to get on with the chores and her routine. She wasn't feeling well her head was heavy and she was resisting sleep. She finished the things and cooked their breakfast and lunch. Rishikesh was there and they sat down to eat. After they both were done they got ready for the office.

They parted ways at the door as usual after saying their goodbyes to each other. Rutuja was forcing herself to concentrate on her work. She kept working till she was finished with her work. It was almost 6 pm now and they could go home. She thought I have gone halfway through the day. But, now I will have to reach the lab without fainting.

She somehow managed to reach the lab she was feeling dizzy. She got inside it was still early and started with her work as she thought of doing as much work she can do before her system decide not to resist the sleeping dart. She was able to do a few things before she got very dizzy that everything in front of her was a blur. She somehow managed to get out to their main room.

Rishika and others had just gotten inside the lab. Rishika and Aniket rushed to Rutuja when they saw her sitting with her head held in her hands. They got to her and asked her if she was fine. But, she couldn't say a word the world around her was spinning so fast that she wasn't even able to see them. Rishika took her pulse and said her pulse is low. "I think she can't resist the sleep anymore".

She fainted as it was too much. Aniket and Rishika managed to lay her down on the bed. Rishika asked Aniket to go out of the room and send Nisha and Mansi there. She did Rutuja's check-up and told them that she had resisted the dart for almost 22 hours. But, they couldn't tell if it was just resistance or her will to protect Rishikesh that she had resisted it for too long. After getting shot with that dart a normal person couldn't resist it for more than 3 to 4 hours. It was remarkable that she had resisted it for that long.

Mansi asked Rishika, "Did her resistance affect her nerves?" Rishika said, "Yes the muscles and nerves in her body are stressed because of that, only rest can relieve the stress". Nisha said, "Then we will have to make sure that she rests often, even if we have to impose it on her". Rishika remained near Rutuja while Mansi and Nisha went and told them what happened.

About an hour later Rutuja was slightly opening her eyes. She took a look at her surroundings and saw that she was in the lab. Rishika saw her trying to get up and went to help her. Rutuja asked, "How much time I was out for?" Rishika told her that, she was unconscious for about an hour. Rutuja got up from the bed and got dizzy once again. Rishika managed to hold her steady.

She told Rutuja you will need some more rest today or you will be dizzy all the time while she took her out of the medical room. As they went to the main room Nisha and Mansi asked Rutuja, "How are you feeling, are you ok?" Rutuja said, "I am fine just a little dizzy". Rishika made her sit and she looked at everyone's work for the day. It was almost 8:30 pm. Rutuja said, "We should go home now".

They all got ready to go home. Rishika said, "I will take Rutuja home myself so you all won't have to worry about it". Rishika and Rutuja got in Rutuja's car as Rishika was driving her back home. Aniket followed them after a few minutes. Rishika parked the car and rang the doorbell. Rishikesh came and opened the door and saw Rutuja and Rishika together. Rishika was holding Rutuja as they got inside.

Rishika made her sit on the couch. Rishikesh asked Rishika, "What happened to Rutuja, and why are you home together?" Rishika couldn't tell him the truth so she lied and said, "Rutuja came to the hospital today for a routine check-up and she was feeling very dizzy". We did her test and found out it was because of stress and not eating at the proper time.

Harshada was busy with some doctors and asked me to take her home as she couldn't. She will have to rest properly tonight otherwise she won't be feeling well tomorrow. Rishikesh asked Rutuja "Why did you forget to eat lunch?" She told him that, she was busy analyzing coding for the software and couldn't leave it in between.

Rishika said, "I will take Rutuja to her room and help her get fresh". She took Rutuja to her room and helped her. In the meantime, Aniket was there to take Rishika back home. Rishika asked Rutuja to lie down in her room and said bye I will get going now. Rishika went to the living room and said brother you need to take care of her today. Make sure that she gets a full night's rest today. He said, "Don't worry I will make sure that she rests".

Rishika and Aniket left to go to their house. They told Harshada everything while they were on their way. Rishika also told Harshada that, she had asked Rishikesh to make sure she rested tonight. She was sure that her brother would be there with Rutuja all night to make sure she rest. Aniket said, "It was hard to lie to your brother". She said, "It was hard for me too".

Rishikesh had prepared dinner before Rutuja was home as he came back early. He went to Rutuja's room and helped her up. He took her to the kitchen supporting her as she wasn't well. He made her sit and served their plates. They both ate in silence. After he finished cleaning he took Rutuja back to her room and made her lie down. She was feeling guilty as he had to do the house chores as well as take care of her.

Rishikesh knew she felt guilty as he was worried about her. He said, "Rutuja promise me that you will take care of your health". She said, "I promise to care about my health from now on". In her mind, she thought but if it is to keep you safe I will be ready to face any danger. Rishikesh asked her to go to sleep. She was exhausted physically and mentally that she drifted off to sleep instantly. While Rishikesh was making sure she was resting as he was sitting beside her all night.