Let's Fall Together

32. Pick me up

Kartik's POV

It was quiet.

Too quiet.

Tossing the keys on the couch, I let my eyes take a quick glance around me. The lights were dim, the TV was off which all pointed towards only one thing. That the little ball of trouble was asleep.

It seemed like Ma wasn't back either. I was only glad she had started living the life she deserved, casting away her grief.

I began walking towards my room but stopped when I saw the jug of water on the dining table. I thought about pouring myself a glass of water before I noticed that the jug was empty. Sighing, my eyes darted near the kitchen where the lights were still alight. Strange.

Rivaah never forgets to switch off all lights.

But again, she was Rivaah. Must have forgotten about it while being caught up in her own little bubble.

I guess I'll have to switch them off myself, might as well drink a glass of water while I'm at it.

Just as I entered the kitchen, I heard soft whimpers, making me increase my pace. I looked across the kitchen but found no one.

Who was-

That's when something moved in my periphery..

On the floor..

My eyes widened in shock at Rivaah's scrouched figure, sprawled across the floor.

Quickly, I went to sit right beside her, my eyes livid with worry as I shook her feeble form. "Rivaah, hey...what happened.."

She only whimpered in pain, her hand going across her stomach as she hunched more, curling like a baby. My senses heightened with worry, as I quickly poured a glass of water before offering it to her. "Hey, drink it...."

"N..o..", her voice was frail, her eyes on the verge of watering as if the pain was too much for her to bear.

What should I do?

"Rivaah...what can I do? Just tell me..." I asked her, worry seeping into my voice. I took her hand in mine only to realise how cold it was. She was freezing.

"Rivaah..your hand.. you're freezing..", I began rubbing her hand with my own, the friction generating heat at the contact. Damn, what had happened..?

"Wait let me call Ma.." I was about to dial her number and tell her to return home as soon as she could but before I could do so, a delicate hand grabbed mine, the touch extremely light as if it was taking all her strength to even lift up her hand. I looked at her in question, immediately taking a hold of her hand.

"Don't... I'm..fin-e.."

She certainly wasn't.

But I didn't call her out for that. It wasn't the time.

"Then tell me what can I do..?" I asked just as gently.

"The heating pad.." her voice broke by the end, but I'd heard it.

Without wasting another second, I quickly got up and retrieved the heating pad that was lying right across the kitchen table, kneeling before her to give it to her. Rivaah pulled the heating pad and placed it across her abdomen, curling up again.

What should I do now?

"Should I take you to your room..?"

Her answer was short, as if it troubled her to voice it, "Not now.. please.."

She didn't need to tell me twice.

I had gathered that she was having cramps, but what surprised me was the extent of pain she was suffering from. Are they really that bad?