Anatomy of Love (Complete)

Chapter 8

Khushi returned to her new home, Dr.Rishab's apartment alone after her shift. It was late and she didn't get a chance to eat anything. So after changing, she went straight to the kitchen to make herself a sandwich. She never knew how to cook. If not from outside, she had to rely on instant noodles and sandwiches.

While making her sandwich, she hears a murmur coming from Rishab's bedroom. She tiptoes to the door and puts her ear on it to hear better. She slowly turns the knob of the door and finds it unlocked. She peeps inside. It's dark but she can see him on the bed, sleeping. He is restless and mumbles something in his sleep. It was clear that he was having a nightmare.
"Ma.. please.. no.. no..&." He says in his sleep, grabbing the blanket tightly.
"Dr.Rishab. Dr.Rishab.. Rishab." She touches his shoulder, shaking him to wake him up.
He wakes up with a jolt. He breathes heavily and is covered in cold sweat. He looks around as if searching for someone. His eyes fall on her.
"Are you alright? Were you having panic attacks or nightmares? Do you want some water?" She asks with concern.

Rishab stares at her for sometime and immediately gets out of the bed.
"What.. what are you doing here?" He questions, running his fingers through his hair.
"I was in the kitchen and I heard your voice so.."
"I told you not to come to my room. Why the hell did you come snooping around? Why?" He cuts her short.
"I wasn't snooping. You were anxious in your sleep. So.."
"Shut up! And get the hell out of my room. Get out!" He screams.
"Dr.Rishab.. baat toh sun lo.."
"I said get out! Out!"
Khushi leaves the room instantly.

She is back in the kitchen, to pour herself some soda and pick the plate of food. She finds him darting out of the room. He had changed into jeans and a t-shirt and went out of the apartment without even looking at her.
She sits down on the couch, takes a bite from her bread and looks at the door.
"Yeh insaan akdu toh tha, par itna bada pagal bhi hai, yeh pata nahi tha. What really happened, I am yet to understand. Ajeeb hai. I really felt that he was having nocturnal panic attacks, that's why I woke him up. Itna gussa ki ghar se nikal gaya, iss time pe. I am sure he must have gone to some bar or club. Chodo. Jo chahe woh kare, mere ko kya."
She takes another bite and turns at the door. "Is he okay? Why did he get so angry? Uff.. why am I so bothered about him?"

She keeps watching the door, hoping he returns. At the very moment her phone rings. The name Papa flashes on the screen.
"Yes, boliye." She speaks on the phone.
"Where are you? Why aren't you home? I got home tonight and Sarita told me you haven't been home for over two weeks." Her father says.
"I told you I was leaving. I have found a place and I am staying there." She replies, hoping to hear that he says he misses her.
"Khushi, stop your drama now and return home immediately. I won't tolerate this behavior of yours. Ghar wapas aao abhi."
"Drama? Why do you want me back? You don't care about me then why? It doesn't matter to you if I'm at your house or anywhere else, so let me be where I am. I'm not coming back." She says, controlling her emotions.
"Khushi, you are no longer a kid. Stop behaving like one. Kya chahti ho tum? I have given you everything. What else should I give you to expect responsible behavior from you?"
The words were enough to make her realize, he is never going to understand what she really wants from him.
" I am going to bed. Bye, Papa." She hangs up the phone, covers her face and starts crying.

Khushi had fallen asleep on the couch when a sound from the kitchen woke her up. She looked up to see Rishab with mugs of tea in his hands.
"Have it." He tells her and sits down on the empty chair by the couch.
She keeps holding the mug, and doesn't say anything.
"Dad ka call aya tha?" He asks.
She turned towards him and gave him a nod.
"If you are missing him, go back. I will give your advance back."
"No. I don't want to go. He doesn't miss me. He just wants me to follow his orders. I am not going to do that. I am staying."

He nods his head, "Good. Then drink that tea and then clean the kitchen. You left it messy last night."
"I was going to do that after eating. But I.."
"You fell asleep. You woke me up and you fell asleep. That too on my couch. Miss Kirayedar, this is not happening again. Rules.. follow the rules." He says.
She makes a face, "I woke you up because you were having a panic attack or seeing a nightmare. I didn't mean to sleep here. Kab aankh lag gayi pata nahi chala. This will not happen again."
"Make sure of that."
She sips her tea and then asks, "Waise were you having a panic attack ya phir koi sapna dekh rahe the? Ghosts ka?"