Ishq-e-Watan

Chapter 40- Memories

CHAPTER 40

MEMORIES

"Karan Sir", Monami said, looking at the blood that dripped down his arm with worried eyes. A cloth was pressed tightly against it, drenched mostly in blood. He sat down on the bed of the infirmary heavily, wincing slightly.

"Sanju", Colonel Batra said. "Faizi se update lo. Agar woh wahin hai, toh go back."

"Ji, Sir ji", she said, saluting him before moving out of the room.

Monami gently pried the cloth off the wound, inspecting it. He winced slightly. "B-Bleeding r-ruk g-gayi hai", she muttered. "C-Clearly f-flesh wound hai. G-Graze hai. B-Bone aur t-tendons ko t-touch bhi n-nahi kara."

"He'll be fine then?" Colonel Batra confirmed.

She nodded. "Haan." She injected him with something, gently pressing a piece of cotton against the spot. She glanced up at him. "A-Agar woh s-stupid kaam n-nahi karenge toh."

His eyebrows raised. "Excuse me?" He asked.

"N-No e-exercise, no ph-physical t-training." She glanced at him again. "E-Exertion kam aur r-rest z-zyaada. Aa-Aapse ho j-jaayega? At l-least for a w-week. B-Baaki aa-aapki h-healing par d-depend k-karta hai."

"Tum mujhe taunt kar rahi ho?"

She shrugged. "J-Just as-asking." She gently started to wipe the blood off his bicep. He glanced down at the skin, blinking. He couldn't feel much pain. Had she given him some pain killers?

"Karan, Monami ki medical advice ko follow karna", he said sternly. "Monami, yeh nahi sunta hai, toh seedha mere paas aa jaana." She smiled at him, nodding.

Karan heaved a sigh, nodding slightly. "Yes Sir", he muttered. His gaze followed him till he was out of the door, before it darted to Monami. "Tumhe lagta hai main apna dhyaan nahi rakh sakta?"

"R-Rakh s-sakte ho. B-Bilkul r-rakh sakte ho", she said. "R-Rakhte ho ya n-nahi, n-now th-that's d-different." She eyed him. "Aa-Aapko l-lagta hai k-koi n-notice n-nahi karta?"

"Kya notice nahi karta?"

"You're a-always w-working. Always", she said. She picked up a needle and a thread, preparing them to stitch his wound shut. "S-Sundays ko bhi, k-kabhi k-kabhi. Aap D-Diwali p-par bhi gh-ghar n-nahi j-jaa rahe. You c-can tell me ki aa-aap a-apna dh-dhyaan r-rakhte ho b-but I won't b-believe it t-till I see it."

Karan heaved a slight sigh. "I have work."

"H-Hamesha r-rahega. You n-need to r-relax a l-little. H-Half an h-hour a day? K-Kuchh bhi, jo aa-aap ch-chaaho. N-Not on-once a w-week j-jab aap apne gh-ghar j-jaate ho. Th-That's too l-less."

"I relax. I talk to you."

Her fingers paused. Her gaze lifted to meet his, her lips parting in surprise. "Aa-Aapko mere s-saath r-rehna re-relaxing l-lagta hai?"

"Of course. You are... calm", he said. "Like... like I have to swim in an ocean but you're a boat, and I can rest when I am with you." The words spilled out before he could think them over. He paused. "Tumne mujhe kya diya hai?" He demanded.

"Painkillers", she whispered, a smile spreading slightly on her face. "I d-didn't r-realize aap t-tipsy hokar a-aisi b-baatein k-karte hain."

He scowled slightly. "Your fault", he accused lightly. He glanced around. "Tum yeh baat kisi ko nahi bataogi. Faizi ko toh bilkul bhi nahi. Karan Shergill aisi cheesy baatein nahi karta hai."

She chuckled. "Our secret", she assured.

"Good."

"I th-think it's s-sweet", she confessed. "Aap... Aap ko s-sach mein yeh l-lagta hai?"