Anatomy of Love (Complete)

Chapter 20

Rishab wrapped his arms around Khushi. He held her close and started crying. He had never done that before. All he had done was to hide his emotions but tonight, the floodgates had opened up. This pain he was experiencing was far more agonizing than the pain of the bullets piercing through his body.

He kept repeating just one word, "Why?"
Why was he cheated on by his own family? Why was he left alone to lick his wounds? Why did nobody care for him? Why wasn't he loved?

She rubbed his back, letting him cry his heart out. She knew his father had disappointed him again. She knew this wasn't the first time he did that. Then why was he so broken today? She wanted to ask but she didn't. She just kept holding him, giving him what he needed the most, love and care.

A little later, he broke the hug, wiped his face and looked away. She held his arm and asked, "Rishab, are you okay now?"
"Yes. Sorry for.. that.. I am.. sorry."
"There is nothing to be sorry about. You are human too. You are hurt and it isn't.."
He cut her short, " I am tired. I want to sleep."

He laid down and closed his eyes.
She sat by his head, ran her fingers through his hair and said, "You can always talk to me, you know that right?"
He whispered, "There's nothing to talk about."
"Rishab, you can deny all you want but the truth is you are hurt. Talking about it will help. You will feel better."
He opened his eyes, "I said there is nothing to talk about. Why don't you get it? Just go from here. I want to sleep. Go."

Rishab was sleeping when he heard a sound. He opened his eyes and looked around. There was no one in the room. He closed his eyes again and just then he heard the same sound again, a clicking sound. He opened his eyes immediately and got startled. Hovering over him was a man who smiled at him deviously. It was none other than Pintu. In his hand was the same pistol with which he had fired at him. Rishab wanted to get up but he couldn't move. His body was in some paralytic state.

"Wh.. what are you doing here? How.. how did you come inside?"
Pintu laughed, "Tum sab log chor ho shale, khooni ho. I won't spare you."
He pointed the gun and immediately fired it.
Rishab screamed, "No."

Khushi rushed inside and found him breathing heavily, holding his chest. She turned the lights on and went to him.
"He.. he.. is here. He is.. here.. he.. Call the security. Go." Rishab repeated.
"Who's here? Koi nahi hai, Rishab."
"No.. he was here."

Khushi checked the bathroom, closet and under the bed, "Look, there's no one. And I was in the living room, nobody came inside."
Rishab looked around, scared.
She, concerned now, sat in front of him and cupped his face, "Rishab, koi nahi hai yahan. See. It must be a dream. Relax. Look at me, it was a dream."

She gave him some water to drink and he lay down. Khushi pulled the blanket over him.
"Try to sleep. I am right outside, reading."
He held her wrist and said, "I am sorry for the way I behaved earlier. I am sorry."
Khushi smiled, "It's okay. So jao abhi."
"Please.. don't go tonight.. stay here. Sleep with me."
Khushi was a bit surprised, "What?"
"I.. I mean.. sleep here, beside me, on this bed. Don't go. Just.. stay. Please."

She got up on the bed beside him and lay down. She turned towards his side and so did he. Both stare at each other and smile.
"I love you." He whispered and kissed her hand.
She slowly ran her fingers through his hair. She smiled, kissed him back his forehead and replied, "I love you more."

Rishab sat on the table, finishing his breakfast. Khushi came out of the room.
"You are done. Good boy." She kissed his cheek, picked up the plate and put it in the sink.
"Acha, main abhi nikal rahi hun. They will send someone from the hospital. Aaj usse dara ke bhaga mat dena."
Rishab looked up, "Then don't send anyone."
"Rishab, stop."
"What? I don't need a babysitter. I can do things on my own."