Anatomy of Love (Complete)

Chapter 10

The next morning Rishab came out of his bedroom and found Khushi in the kitchen. She smiled at him and said, "Good morning! I have prepared adrak wali Khushi special Chai. Aap baitho, main lati hun."
He went past her and started making coffee for himself.
"Haye, itna gussa. Sorry! Sachi sorry hun."
He didn't reply to anything and poured himself a mug of black coffee. He went to the table, picked up the newspaper and dug his face into it.
"Knock knock! Koi sunn raha hai? Maine internet dekh kar special breakfast banaya hai. Scrambled eggs, toasts and sausages. Anyone interested?" She said after sitting down in front of him, putting the plates on the table.

When she didn't get any response from him, she pulled the paper from his hands. As a result of force, it was torn in half. Scared of his reaction, she closed her eyes and bit her tongue, "Sorry, galti se ho gaya. Sorry!"
She waited for him to shout at her but there was only silence in the room. Slowly she opened her eyes and found him just staring at her.
"Sorry, Rishab."
He stood up,crumbled the torn paper and threw it in the dustbin. He didn't say a word and left the house.

Rishab was going towards his room when he heard a noise coming from the store room. He stopped and went to the door. He turned the knob and went inside. It was dark and he could not see anything. The door suddenly closed and he could hear it getting locked.
"Who is this? What the hell is happening here?"
The lights turned on and leaning on to the door, stood Khushi.
"What the f*** is this, Dr.Khushi? Move away. I need to go."
"No. You can't.. I mean, please listen to me before you leave. Please.." Khushi requested with misty eyes.
Rishab stood there with his hands on his waist.

Khushi took a step towards him, "I am really sorry. I crossed my line. I deserve this but ab jyada ho raha hai. I can't take it anymore. You ignoring me for days now and it is hurting me. Maaf kar do na."
"Move from the door now."
She shook her head, "Baat karo, please. Kasam lage aap ko, agar aap baat nahi kare toh. Talk to me please. Tell me you have forgiven me."
"It wasn't your fault but mine.."
Confused by his reply, she asked what he meant.
"I..I crossed my lines. I am your attendant. I let you live in my apartment. But that doesn't give me the right to discuss your personal life or make any comment about it. I was maintaining the space that I had unknowingly crossed." He replied, looking at her.
She took another few steps and said, "You asked me to call you Rishab outside the hospital, remember? Why? Perhaps because we are.. friends or something like that. I am.. I don't know, immature at times. You were right when you said you have more experiences and you were.. just helping me. And also the fact that our lives aren't the same."

"Our lives are different but.." He stopped and then after a brief pause, he said, "See, you can stay in the house as long as you want. I am not asking you to leave. But for everyone's betterment, we should maintain a distance."
She shook her head as she came closer to him. Tears rolled down her eyes and she said, "No. Please don't say this. Mujhe bilkul acha nahi jab aap baat nahi karte. Aap wohi pehle wale Rishab ban jaye please. It hurts when you ignore me.. it does."
She placed her head on his chest and sobbed softly. He stood there still for a moment. He had no idea why he felt so guilty. Why was she affecting him so much? He had no answers for the questions. All he knew, he could not see tears in her eyes.

He put his arms around her and said, "Okay, Miss Kirayedar. Rona bandh Karen. We are in the hospital, remember?"
"Pehle bolo, you will be normal."
He smiled, "What's normal?"
She looked up and said, "Smile karna, baatein karna, Chai Bana na and leg pulling karna but thodi si."
He raised his eyebrows, "Leg pulling? I don't remember doing that."
"You do it all the time."
He smiled," No, I don't. I am a gentlemen, sweetheart. Anyways, Miss Kirayedar, don't leave the mess in the kitchen when you cook. Next time you do that, I will empty the trash on your bed."
"See, you started again. Dr.Rishab, Aise thodi na koi karta hai? Gentleman haan?" She grinned and said, "Anyways, if you do, I will sleep in your bed."
"Oh hello! You aren't allowed to enter my room and you talk about sleeping on my bed."
She moved back, "Who's going to stop me? Dr.Rishab, my makanmalik may but my friend, my Rishab won't stop me." She opened the door and left giggling.
"My Rishab?" He whispered.