Love Me

35

Roshni sat in her first lecture, her head spinning so badly that the words on the board blurred.

"Hey, are you okay?" asked the girl beside her.

Roshni forced a nod, unwilling to make a scene. But as she pressed her palm to her temple, she whispered to herself, "I should have stayed home. Even Daksh insisted…"

When the bell rang, she dragged herself to the next class. She had barely reached her seat when her knees gave out and black dot covered her vision. The classroom gasped as she collapsed to the floor.

"What's going on here? Back to your seats!" Deepak's voice cut sharply as he entered to take class.

"Sir, someone suddenly fainted. She's not conscious," one student explained, hovering nearby.

Deepak pushed through the circle, and sat by Roshni unable to see her face as her face was covered with her hair.

"Guys stop skipping your lunch and breakfast at home and if you are sick skip the class." Deepak mumble, when he brushed the hair back from the fallen girl's face, his breath caught.

"Roshni…" he murmured under his breath, then louder: "I'll take her. Everyone else, open your notebooks and revise what we studied last class."

Scooping her gently into his arms, he carried her to the nurse's room. After settling her on the bed, he quickly typed a message to Daksh.

"What's wrong with her?" he asked the nurse.

"Most likely weakness. I'll inform her parents."

"No I’ll do it," Deepak replied firmly and stepped outside with his phone.

He dialed Daksh immediately. "Why did you send her to college if she wasn't well?"

"I told her to rest," Daksh sighed. "I can't take her home myself you know what it would look like. I'll tell Ayaan to pick her up."

After the call, Daksh sat rigidly in his chair, staring at the papers in front of him.

"What is happening to her? Ever since we… ever since that night, she's been like this. I should be by her side… but I can't leave this class." He thought wanting to leave class as soon as possible.

⋇※※

Ayaan arrived quickly to pick her up. As they walked toward Daksh's car, he glanced at her pale face. "How did you even fall unconscious like that?"

Instead of answering, she pointed weakly at the car. "Are we going in this?"

"Yes. Sit and enjoy the ride." He opened the passenger door for her.

As he drove, he tried again. "So, are you going to tell me? Did you eat anything this morning, or do I need to stop somewhere and feed your tiny stomach?"

Roshni gave a faint smile. "Do you think Daksh would let me leave without food? I even drank a glass of milk. I just… felt so weak. And when I reached college, I started to feel dizzy."

She pulled out her phone. "I'm going to message him. His wife is dying here, and he's busy in his stupid classes."

"Don't say that," Ayaan chuckled. "Tell me are we going home or the hospital?"

"Home," she pouted, folding her arms.

At the home, Roshni dropped straight onto the couch, ignoring everything else.

"Why don't you at least wash your face?" Ayaan suggested gently.

"No. When will Daksh come? Call him."

"He'll be here after class. Don't worry. I'll make something for you. Meanwhile, wash your face and change clothes." He disappeared into the kitchen.

Roshni tried calling Daksh, but when he didn't answer, she flung her phone onto the table. "What's the point of having a phone if he won't pick up?" she grumbled, slipping off her shoes and lazily braiding her hair.

Half an hour later, Daksh finally entered. After changing upstairs, he came down to find her sprawled on the couch.

"Roshni. Sit properly," he ordered, his voice edged with concern.

She straightened immediately.

"I told you not to go, and still you don't listen. When will you?" His tone made her bite her lip.

Just then, Ayaan walked in from the kitchen. "Don't scold her now. Just make her change she's still in the same clothes. I already told her to change but she didn't." He set a tray on the counter and went back.

Daksh turned back to her. "Go and change."

"No… come with me," she pleaded, wrapping her arms around him.

"Baccha, I need to talk to Ayaan. Go change upstairs. If you feel dizzy again, call me I’ll come." He stroked her hair until she nodded reluctantly and went upstairs.

In the kitchen, Ayaan was pouring a shake into a glass.

"Ayaan, Mom asked me to find an apartment for you. She doesn't want you in that rented flat anymore."

"I already did. Mom even made the payment," Ayaan said.

Daksh raised a brow. "Which one?"

"Just a floor above yours."

Daksh froze, then glared. "Do you have a death wish? When I asked you to move in with me, you said it was too far from the hospital!"

"It's fine. It's only an hour's drive. And I can't live with you anymore. You're married now. You need privacy. My schedule isn't fixed either. Sometime I come back late at night or just spend the night at the hospital."

Daksh sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Fine. But there's something else…"

"Hmm?"

"Since that night….. I mean since we both....i mean.....I feel like she's been weak." He hesitated, struggling to finish.

"You mean since you both…?" Ayaan said slowly almost teasing.

Daksh shot him a look. "Don't say it out loud."

Ayaan smirked. "Since you both had intercourse."

Daksh groaned. "You're impossible."

"Listen, She's young just eighteen. Don't overdo it. Keep things light. Touching, affection, fine. But don't—"

"Stop! I don't need a lecture from my younger brother," Daksh muttered, embarrassed.

"Bhaiya, I'm a doctor. If you feel awkward, imagine how she must feel. And… did you use protection?"

Daksh's silence was answer enough.

"Did she at least take a pill?"

"I didn't give her anything," Daksh admitted, anxiety flashing in his eyes.

Ayaan sighed, shaking his head. "Then you need to take her to a gynecologist soon. Otherwise, you'll be in for more than just weakness." He handed the tray to Daksh and gave him a look that said, 'You're a fool,' before walking out.

Daksh followed slowly, his mind clouded with worry.