Bond To Him

(13)

Ekansh:

I was relieved when Uncle Manish approached me before I left the garage. However, I had imagined a scenario worse than what happened, and I felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under my feet.

Tears flowed non-stop from Ruhi's eyes. I stared at her and placed her hand under the running tap water. She screamed in pain."Shh! Don't cry! I am here. Okay," I assured her. She nodded her head, but tears didn't stop flowing out. I wiped her tears and took her to her room. After I made her sit on the bed, I brought an ointment. Blowing air on her burned skin, I put the ointment on her hand.

Simultaneously, her mobile rang with a video call from Sajjan Dadaji.

She lifted the call and tears flew out of her eyes. She is charming and adorable.

"Meri ladoo Rani, why are you crying?" He got all tensed up. She showed him her burned hand. How did it happen? Weren't Ekansh with you?" he asked, and she nodded, still crying out. I sat beside her and gave a curt nod to him. "First, stop crying." She wiped her tears. "Good girl, now give the phone to Ekansh."

I took her mobile and moved to the balcony. "She is too childish, Ekansh. Please take care of her."

"Yes. Dadaji."

"I trust you, Ekansh. Just stay with her; she needs some pampering," he said and laughed.

I nodded and responded, "I will take care of her." He cut the call and I moved back to her room.

When I glanced at her, her eyes were glued to her hand. "Is it hurting so much?"

She nodded. Her eyes were red and swollen. "Why did you go to the kitchen? Uncle Manish is here to cook."

"I know. But I thought to cook something for you." She sounded raspy because of crying.

"For me?" I asked quite surprised.

"AP gusse mei the na, apko manane ke liye apki favourite dish bana rahe the. Butter chicken." She thought about me when I was angry and tried to appease me by making my favourite dish, butter chicken. 

"You shouldn't have done that," I whispered as I stared at her. I had been planning to eat with Anthra, that to take away...well, if I insisted on Anthra, she would never cook for me. I feel sick of things now.

Ruhi rested her hand on a soft pillow and constantly stared at her hand. I had to do something to distract her attention from her hand.

"Do you feel hungry?" I asked. She nodded.

"But I messed up everything. What will we eat now?"

"Then we will go out," I said, grabbing her hand and pulling her. "Let's go!"

"But my clothes and my face... Maybe I look like a mess," she wondered, moving to her dressing table mirror and partly forgetting about her hand.

I laughed. "You are so beautiful, Ruhi. You don't need any makeup but..." I took a wet wipe and wiped her face. I took foundation and patted it over her cheeks and forehead. "Now, this will be enough."

She giggled and stared at her reflection in the mirror. "I am good to go, I assume!" 

She looked happy as we strolled down the stairs and moved to the garage. I made her sit in the passenger seat and put on a seat belt. And I perceived her holding her breath when I leaned to fasten the seat belt. I chuckled inwardly.

"Wait. I will be back in two minutes." I informed her, before shutting the passenger-side door. I took my mobile and dialled Anthra's number.

I informed her that I had an emergency at the hospital. That's the only excuse I can use because she never questions me about that.