Anatomy of Love (Complete)

Chapter 42

Rishab looked at her as she lifted her face to see him.
“What are we now, Rishab?” She asked him.
“You tell me.”
Khushi smiled and hugged him, “I love you, Rishu. I love you. Please let's be together. Don't leave me again. I want to spend the rest of my life without you. Please don't leave me again. I will do everything you ask. Just don't leave me.”
He whispered, “Then marry me.”
She broke the hug and looked at him.
“Bolo? Subhra ka option abhi bhi open hai.”
“No.. you are mine. Let's get married.”

Rishab opened his eyes with a smile. The dream that he just saw was beautiful. He knew it might never be true. She might never say yes to the proposal. But he was happy that things might get simpler from then on. He looked beside him but the bed was empty.

Rishab got out of the bed. Her clothes were gone and the clothes that he loaned her lay folded on the chair. He came out hoping to find her in the kitchen. But she wasn't there as well. The house was empty and the main door was open.

Khushi was walking towards the ER when Rishab came in front of her.
“Rishab? Move aside, I have been called in the ER.”
“No, I called you.”
She looked at him, “Why?”

He asked, “Really? You don't know why? I have been trying to talk to you since you disappeared from the room that morning. You aren't at home when I return. You are avoiding me here at the hospital. You aren't going to the clinic and when I call you to my room, you don't come. What else could I do?”
Khushi turned to leave, Rishab grabbed her arms and pulled her closer.
“Stop right here.”
“Sab dekh rahe hain. Leave my arm.” Rishab released her arm.

“Khushi,  you know we need to talk.” He said.
She sighed, “Yes, I know. I am sorry that I left suddenly. We will talk but not now. Please, don't force me to.”
She looked at him and left.

Rishab sat in his room, leaning to the back of the chair. He closed his eyes and remembered the night. He could still feel her touch, her smell still lingered in the air around him. Did he make a mistake that night? The thought made him open his eyes. Maybe she is upset because of it. Maybe she was regretting what happened between them. And it is all his mistake.

Rishab ran his fingers through his hair. He had already made a mistake of leaving her without talking. Three years had gone in waste and now becoming intimate without being clear on where they stood had complicated things even more.

He was lost in thoughts when he heard a knock on the door. The door opened and a man stood there.
“Can I come in?” The man asked.
He didn't wait for Rishab’s reply and came inside. He was tall, average built, and a fair guy in his early 40s. He had short hair, sharp eyes and a clean shaven face. He wore an expensive suit over a branded blue shirt, an expensive watch on his wrist and wore a strong perfume. He smiled as he extended his hand towards Rishab.

Rishab signaled him to sit down and  asked, “How can I help you?”
The man said, “In ways that a doctor and a CEO can, Dr.Rishab Khurana. I am here only to ask you for a tiny help. I just hope you will. You have no idea how much I need you. Don't worry, you and your hospital will get benefits from this as well.”
Rishab said, “Will you please come to the point instead of beating the bush, mister..?”

“Oh, you didn't recognise me? Vishal..Vishal Rajpurohit. You must have heard my name.” The man said.
Rishab with a still face said, “I am sorry but I haven't.”
Vishal was a bit surprised, “Rajpurohit.. I am the Director of VR Communication Services. My father..”
“Vijender Rajpurohit, Chairman VR Corp. You are his son.”
Vishal said, “Yes. And he is admitted here, at your hospital.”

Rishab nodded, “Of course, I know that. I am well aware of his health status and I can assure you he is under the best care.”
Vishal leaned back, “Oh I know that. And I know he is getting better, slowly but steadily.”
Rishab stared at him, “You aren't here to talk about your father's health. Then why are you here?”