Love Me

20

After the x-ray, Roshni was brought back to her room. She leaned against the pillows, her large doe eyes fixed on Daksh. He was sitting with his head bowed slightly holding a cup of tea. For a while she simply watched him, then she began moving her fingers slowly in the air, as if she were counting something.

Daksh caught the movement and raised an eyebrow.

"What are you doing with your fingers? Did you injure your brain cells also?" he asked dryly, though the corner of his mouth curved in the faintest hint of a smile.

Roshni quickly shook her head, her lips pressing together before she replied in her soft, sing-song voice, "I'm counting how many cups of tea you had since morning."

His eyes narrowed in suspicion. "And how much?"

She held up her fingers with seriousness. "Eight. It's your eighth cup and it's not even noon. Why are you here? You have classes to take go."

Daksh let out a quiet scoff and leaned closer, his gaze fixed on her tired yet mischievous face.

"Close your eyes and rest. How are you so energetic right now? Sleep, Roshni. If I hear you talking, then no one will be worse than me."

"But I'm bored," she pouted, pointing at the IV in her arm. "And this thing is hurting. Can't we remove it?"

He shook his head immediately, the sternness in his eyes softening only a little.

"And if I say I have to use the washroom then?" she challenged, her lips twitching as if she expected to win.

Without replying to her provocation, Daksh pressed the call button. A nurse entered, and Roshni wasted no time before speaking.

"Can you remove it? I have to use the washroom," she pleaded, showing her hand.

The nurse shook her head gently. "No, you have to use the washroom while wearing it. Sorry, but let me help you."

Roshni instantly pulled back, shaking her head stubbornly. "I can't stand. Ayaan has strictly told me not to walk or even stand."

The nurse hesitated, glancing at Daksh, who had been silently observing the exchange. Finally, his voice cut through, firm and commanding. "You leave. I will help her."

"But... I will informe this to Ayaan sir," the nurse warned, then turned and left.

Roshni chuckled under her breath, her laughter soft but bubbling. "I don't understand what she will tell SIR. Isn't it fun? Everyone calls him Sir or Doctor. I suppress my laugh listening to it every time."

Daksh ignored her amusement and carried her in his arms to the washroom. She leaned against his chest, secretly enjoying the ride, though she pretended otherwise. He gently set her down at the door.

"Now leave. I will call you after I'm done," she said, waving her hand at him.

"Okay, but don't put pressure on your knees," he instructed, lingering at the doorway. Reluctantly, he stepped outside and waited.

After a few minutes, her voice called for him, and once again, he lifted her effortlessly, carrying her back to bed.

"This ride is better than anything," she giggled as her arms curled around his neck.

"I'm coming, you stay here," he muttered, trying to put her down and leave, but she caught his hand.

"Where?" she asked suspiciously.

"Coffee," he answered plainly.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you mad or what? You already had eight cups! I will beat you with my slippers if you put a step outside this room to get coffee!"

Her sudden yell made him arch his brows in warning.

At that very moment, Ayaan walked in. "What is going on? Why are you yelling, Roshni? Don't forget, this is not home. Others will get disturbed." His voice carried a scolding edge.

Roshni instantly shrank back against the pillow. Ayaan glanced at the nurse. "Did you inject the painkiller?"

She shook her head.

"Do it. The previous one is about to wear off," he ordered. Then, turning to Roshni, he softened his tone. "Doctor is coming. I saw your x-ray, it's a knee sprain. That bike fell on your knees?"

She nodded faintly, but then her lips trembled. "But why are you in this mood? Did something happen?" she asked in a small voice.

"I'm not rude, ma'am," Ayaan sighed and ruffled her hair gently. "Don't worry." Then he looked at Daksh. "Out of the room. You can come back after doctor leaves."

Roshni frowned and tugged lightly at Daksh's shirt. "Don't go please."

"I will be back as soon as the doctor leaves." Daksh hesitated but obeyed, leaving the room.

The doctor arrived, examined her knee, and pressed down suddenly, making her cry out. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Stupid... busted," she mumbled angrily under her breath.

When asked to stand, she tried but collapsed immediately. The doctor nodded, murmured instructions to Ayaan, and left.

"Busted idiot... they don't have mind at all," Roshni muttered, wiping her tears.

Daksh entered again and rushed to her side, his eyes instantly softening at the sight of her tears.

"What happened?" Daksh asked.

"I need to talk to you," Ayaan said seriously.

Daksh shot him a look. "Ayaan, first talk to me normally. I don't want to hear this tone. Then tell me."

Ayaan inhaled and began explaining, "Full rest. No walking. She has to stay here for a week, but I'll discharge her before that. Take care of her. No weight on her knees. Ice massage every day, fifteen to twenty minutes. She has to wear Braces. Give her milk. And painkillers only for the first week. Then stop."

Daksh frowned. "It's too much to remember."

Roshni nodded quickly in agreement.

Ayaan's eyes narrowed. "If you can't remember, then let her stay here. I'll handle it." With that, he walked out.

The room fell into silence again. Daksh looked down at her small figure. Her lips were formed in pout because of Ayaan's behavior.

"Why don't you sleep?" Daksh said.

"Why do you want me to sleep all the time? Give me my phone so I can be busy just like you," she murmured.

But Daksh's expression hardened, his voice low. "Answer me why did you take the bike when I clearly denied you?" His arms folded across his chest.

Her lips quivered. "I'm sorry," she whispered and quickly shut her eyes, pretending to sleep.

Daksh let out a bitter chuckle. "Don't act now. You will eventually have to answer these questions. And see what I do once you recover."

After a few minutes the nurse entered, she placed ice on Roshni's knees, and injected the IV. As she left, Roshni sighed dramatically. "Do they give them lessons to be cold with others?"

"Do your work," Daksh muttered, staring at his phone.

Minutes later, when his gaze drifted back to her, Roshni was already asleep. He quietly left the room, heading home to shower and change, though his mind never left her side.