𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕕 ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕖 𝕆𝕗 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖

37

RIHAAN'S P.O.V

I don't know how long I sleep but when I wake up I find Ayushi sleeping while sitting on a chair. Her hair was tired in a messy bun and she looked tired. I looked at watch and ding it's already evening. How long did I sleep? She must have started her work when I fall asleep. I can say that .

I glanced around the room at the other two patients, who were also asleep since visiting hours had ended.

" Ayushi," I whispered, then started coughing. Her eyes snapped open and she handed me glasd of water, making me take a few sips.

" Are you okay?" she asked wearily. I nodded slowly.

" How was work today?"

" Like any other day," she whispered, leaning back in her chair.

" Come sit here. I'm hungry, let me call the nurse. She'll bring us some food," I suggested. Ayushi nodded slowly.

After a few minutes, the nurse brought a tray of food and I tore off a piece of roti, offering it to Ayushi.

" I don't feel like eating," she said, pushing my hand away. That's when I realized her fever had spiked. I had forgotten about it. How could I have done that?

" Ayushi, sit here," I said, gesturing for her to sit across from me. Instead, she came to my side and nestled into my chest. I stayed silent, but her sobs made me pull her away.

" What's wrong?"

" It was Aryan," she said in a broken voice, breaking my heart. I rubbed her back to comfort her and pulled her close again.

" Are you sure? It was Aryan. He's just a kid, Ayushi... Why didn't you stop him?" she said, crying. I hugged her a little tighter.

" He ran away. Ayushi, I was shocked too. I tried to defend myself, but when I realized I was holding a child's wrist, I let go immediately. I didn't want to fight with kids. When I removed my blanket, I saw Aryan, who had hit my knees, causing a fracture. But when he saw that I had seen him, his eyes widened, almost as if he was scared, and then he ran away with his friends," I explained slowly. Ayushi didn't respond.

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't had sex with you, then mom and dad wouldn't have ignored me, nor would Aryan have gotten angry at you. Dad wouldn't have hit him with that belt. It's all my fault. Mom told me not to get physical, and I can't even keep a simple promise," she cried more.

I suppressed my sadness and just kept hugging her.

"Aren't you hungry?" I asked. She shook her head.

I pulled her face up to meet mine. She tried to hide her face again, but I picked up some tissue and cleaned her face.

"It's alright. I'm sorry. Just have a little bit of food.

"Rihaan... Aryan was crying a lot. You forgive him if dad brings him here to apologize to you. He's just a baby. You know that, right? He's a sweet kid... I know he injured you, but please forgive him. Look, even I'm sorry on his behalf," she said and immediately held her ear.

I held her hand firmly and shook my head.

"I was never angry at him, Ayushi. I know what he means to you. And I wouldn't lie to have a liking for that little boy. Come on, I've seen him growing up. I'm not angry at him. But his anger isn't good. He needs to work on it."

Ayushi nodded her head and put her head on my chest again.

After a few minutes, I started feeding her and myself.

After we were done, she moved from the bed and sat on a chair.

"Ayushi, sit here. Let me check your temperature."

"You are hurt. I will go to someone else."

"I'm not sick enough to not be able to check my love. So just give me the thermometer and call a nurse here," I said sternly. She quietly put the thermometer between her lips. I took it out and checked her temperature.

"Are you kidding me? Ayushi, 103? Is this a joke? In the morning, it was 101. It's rising," I scolded, but she just sat there silently. I pressed the buzzer to call a nurse, after a minute nurse come inside.

"Give Ayushi a fever reducer shot and check her temperature after an hour," I instructed. The nurse nodded and went towards the table.

Ayushi kept looking down. I patted my side again.

"Come here. I will hold you," I said, but she shook her head. She seems too upset. Is she upset because Aryan is in trouble because of me? But I didn't tell her parents. But I was going to tell them. It isn't a small matter.

"Ayushi, please," I whispered, pulling her hand to me.

"You are injured, you need some space. I'm fine, Rihaan. Don't worry about me. It's just a mild fever," she said as the nurse approached us. Ayushi stood up from the chair and started opening her jeans button, but I held her and pulled her to me.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my chin pressed onto her stomach as I looked up at her.

"How can Aryan hit you like this? I saw your report, your x-ray. He has used his whole strength. I know you aren't able to look at bright lights. You have a concussion," she said.

"No, baby," I said as she directed a light pen into my eyes. I closed my eyes immediately. Madam isn't a non-medical student, I should be careful with my words.

"Sir," the nurse said, showing me the shot.

Ayushi just loosened her lower and took it down from one side.

"Ayushi, please lay down, baby," I said lovingly, but she still shook her head and kept standing.

I'm so stupid. I should have gone to some other hospital. She is so upset right now because of me.

"Ma'am, please change your pad after this. It is leaking," the nurse informed. I looked at Ayushi, but she had her eyes closed tightly while holding her clothes at its place. I held her clothes, letting her relax her hands. If I'm not wrong she already got her period this months. It was due on last week. Her period aren't delayed. Why is her period started early again... Due to stress?

"Do it slowly and rub it for a minute after that," Pushing aside my thoughts, I told the nurse, because they aren't that considerate. I don't want my Ayushi to feel this pain for a few days like I'm feeling because of this stupid girl.

Ayushi winced and took a step forward just after the needle I touched her skin, receiving a stern look from the nurse.

That's why I advised her to lie down.

" Ayushi, please stop moving," the nurse said firmly. Ayushi nodded and tried not to move. While holding her clothes at an adjusted place. I hold her clothes making her hands relax. After the nurse pulled out the needle, I took the cotton from her hand and asked her to leave.

" Don't cry, Ayushi," I whispered as I gently rubbed the injection site with my thumb. She bit her lip to stifle her sobs.

" Beta, don't take the nurse's words to heart. They work long hours and can get frustrated," the woman next to me on another patient's bed said.

Ayushi quickly tried to adjust her clothing, but I gave her a stern look and turned her around so her back was facing me.

After fixing her clothes, I helped her onto the bed, but she insisted on sitting on the chair, which made me feel uneasy.

We remained in silence until Sir arrived with his wife and Aryan. The sight of Aryan's tear-stained face immediately tugged at my heartstrings.